All I Need

All I Need- Firstcom

Sometimes I get frustrated with my wardrobe, and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone. 

Especially after reading beautiful blogs written by gorgeous, relaxed girls in brand new couture outfits each day. Jealously usually rears it's ugly head right around this time. 

I really hate that. And am going to stop it. 

I have nothing to feel inadequate about, and neither does anyone else. I'm 25, in school, have a mortgage and have been supporting myself for many years. Not surprisingly, responsibilities usually trump buying the latest trend. 

I will probably never know what it's like to own a pair of Christian Louboutons, a Chanel 2.55 purse or a Burberry trench. But that doesn't mean that my chance to be stylish is diminished. On the contrary actually, I feel most true to my style and myself when I haven't got two pennies to rub together and need to get creative. 

Thrifting, swapping and re-wearing (to death!) all the items in my closet gives me satisfaction and really helps with that pesky cost-per-wear calculation!

Grey Long Skirt- Wilfred via Aritzia (similar), Black Silk Blouse- Joe Fresh (similar), Black Patent Flats- Anne Taylor via Value Village (similar), Wrap Bracelet- Club Monaco

And to drive home this point even more, here's one of my favourite skirts. It was only $30 and, including these 4 above outfits, I've gotten it's cost back ten-fold. When I bought it I really didn't think I'd wear it too often, but that's the beauty of shopping your wardrobe, it forces you to mix and match and get creative. Sometimes that's where the best outfits come from! 

Can anyone else relate?

love

xxx

Chances Are

Chances Are- Garrett Hedlund

Kismet.

I think I'm going to start defining it as "when you wear something that just happens to be in a colour you're studying at school". Or, I'll just keep it as fate. We'll see.

It was pretty perfect timing to wear this gorgeous skirt during our colour theory classes, never underestimate the power of being a walking visual aid! 

Royal Blue Skirt- Borrowed from Cee at Coco & Vera (similar), Beige Sweater- Old Navy (similar), Grey Felt Hat- American Apparel (similar), Grey Suede Pumps- Nine West, Black Studded Belt- Gap, Wrap Bracelet- Club Monaco

As soon as I laid eyes on this gorgeous skirt of Cee's I pounced, I was swept off my feet by the colour and flow. Completely gorgeous!

And it's just as much fun as it seems to wear it, and surprisingly versatile. Plus it gave me an excuse to wear my coziest new sweater and favourite floppy hat, so it's lived up to all of my high expectations!

love

xxx

Good Life

Good Life- OneRepublic

Last weekend Cee of Coco and Vera hosted a lovely little birthday and swap party, how perfect is that? 

A group of my favourite Vancouver bloggers came and we caught up, ate cake (home made by Cee's wonderful husband!) and picked out some new goodies to style. 

Plus she handed out little tiaras that were just so much fun!

The September birthday babies, Jen, me and Cee!

Poses in the park!

L-R Alicia, Lynn, Cee, Alex, Jen, me, Veronika, Cara

Outfit: Red Sweater (similar) and Gold Necklace- Joe Fresh, Floral Skirt (similar) and Bracelets- Le Chateau, Oxford Heels- Mellow Yellow (France), Belt- Vintage

Camel heels galore!

Photo credits to the patient husbands Ian and David

And I just want to say a big thank you for bearing with my absence these past few weeks! I still haven't worked out this new routine and homework is just piling up, then when you're the hugest klutz in the world and spill water on your beloved laptop you end up losing your day-off to wringing your fingers at the Genius Bar.

But I promise that I will be replying and checking in with all your lovely blogs soon, it's breaking my heart that it's been so long already! 

love

xxx

Loose Ends

Loose Ends- Imogen Heap

Looking back at these photos, which were taken a few weeks ago in sunny August, makes me remember being calm and relaxed. Right now I'm doing that sneaky blogging thing (where I'm still in my pj's, hair in a bun and a big cup of coffee glued to my hands) feeling anything but relaxed.

But I do feel excited!

 I'm loving my classes (hello, Typography!), Fall has arrived in Vancouver (hello, Pumpkin Spice Latte!), and I have some awesome things happening in these next few days (hello, dance class!). So, while my routine has yet to be sorted out, I'm revelling in this new chapter.

Grey Sparkle Slouch Sweater- H&M (similar here), Tutu Skirt- Cee's (similar), Black Wedges- Gap, Turquoise Ring- Aldo (similar), Bracelets- Le Chateau

And what better way to kick off a new chapter than with a style that's slightly new? I love this tutu skirt and while my first instinct was to pair it with a button up, such as here, this slouchy knit makes it look more rebellious. The play on texture is also something that I just can't get enough of lately!

love

xxx

You Are a Tourist

You Are a Tourist- Death Cab for Cutie

It's always strange returning to the place you grew up. I felt like a tourist in my hometown, and it was only then that I realized how different I am now from the girl who left. Not different in the sense of who I am deep down- don't worry guys, I'll always be a book worm, design obsessed goofball- but more sure of who I am and with a much less bruised heart. (yay!)

And it really was a lovely week back, filled with so many people (and animals!) that I love, river rafting, hiking, dinners, and hanging out on the town's new pedestrian area (aww it was such a BIG deal for the little town).

White Tank- H&M, Grey Jersey Skirt- Aritzia, Straw Clutch- Vintage, Woven Belt- Aldo, Silver Flats- Joe Fresh, Wrap Bracelet- Club Monaco

And one of my favourite times was just relaxing at my parent's acreage, in the comfiest outfit ever (LOVE this jersey skirt!), feeling very much like I know who I am and where I'm going. 

Cheers to mistakes, second chances, amazing friends and fresh starts. 

love

xxx

Rumours

Rumours- Fleetwood Mac

Hola! 

I know, it's been forever! And I have no excuse. Lets chalk it up to travelling, soaking up summer, finishing my job and starting a new chapter of my life. Hmm... ok, those sound suspiciously like excuses. Forgive me? 

And these photos are hella overdue, but they're too much fun to not share! We're getting quite the awesome little blogging community out here in Van and the other night (okay, almost 2 weeks ago!) we met up at the cute Gastown restaurant Cobre for food, sangria and the requisite fashion talk!  

There was the usual suspects of Cara of A Fashion Love Affair, Cee of Coco and Vera, Mina of Faboulista and Alex (our lovely organizer!) from To Vogue or Bust and also a few beautiful new faces like Melissa of Miss Melissa, Jen from Prairie Girl in the City and Lynn of Hearted Girl (who I can't believe I didn't grab a snap of, seriously a huge sweetheart!) 

From L-R Cara, Melissa, Alexandra, Cee, Jen, Mina and moi!

I'm wearing: Blue Skirt- Banana Republic, Polka Dot Top- Urban Outfitters, Grey Suede Heels- Nine West, Straw Clutch- Vintage

Oh and I'm sure you'll all be happy to know, my outfit that night was "Lady of the Night" approved... 

So, there's that.

And, on an unrelated note, I may follow my gut rather than google maps from now on when it's trying to lead me down places called "Blood Alley"...

All in all though it was a wonderful night, I'm really quite a lucky girl to live in such a pretty city with so many other fashion obsessed ladies! 

love

xxx

I Hear the Bells

I Hear the Bells- Mike Doughty

Man, I feel like a woman!

(Yes, I do intend to start every post with an iconic line from 90's music. You're welcome.)

I've been crushing on a tutu skirt since I was 5*, so when Cee brought out this little beauty at the swap I pretty much leapt over the table to grab it. And since it's been in my hands I've found countless loveable outfits to wear it with. 

*Seriously. Imagine my 5 year old disappointment when I found out that ballet classes don't automatically mean tutus. 

Blue Button Up- Zara, Tutu Skirt- Courtesy of Cee!, Grey Suede Heels- Nine West, Pink Necklace- FXXI, Gold Bracelets- Le Chateau, Turquoise Ring- Aldo

After much deliberation I decided to take photos of the skirt with my favourite blouse, putting a very "me" spin on this swap item. I also twisted it around, something about a bow at the small of the back makes me smile and feel supremely girly! 

love

xxx

The Deep End

The Deep End- Hannah Georgas

Do you ever have one of those days where you just feel content? 

Let me tell you, this day could've gone mighty sour... too little sleep from the late night before, messy hair and a five hour roadtrip should've made me cranky. Very cranky. 

But you know what, coffee is a saviour, braids and dry shampoo work wonders and BC is so jaw-droppingly gorgeous that it's hard to not get excited while driving through it. 

So my five hour trip to the Okanagan, to hang with my pops, was a success. The outfit photos I had my dad take on the other hand were not. Poor guy, he really needed a son! 

Instead I snapped these photos with a make-shift tripod under the curious eye of the other hotel residents.

 Awkward and awesome! 

Black Cami- H&M, Blue Skirt- Vintage, Brown Belt- Thrifted, Gold Flip-Flops and Cat Eye Sunglasses- Aldo, Various Arm Parties- H&M, Le Chateau and DIY

Plus, I discovered that long skirts are the. best. things to wear for a long car trip. 

Trust me. 

And this discovery probably impacted the content feeling, in a pretty major way!

love

xxx

Two Against One

Two Against One- Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi

Oh, hello you! 

I was thinking of titling this post "Walking in the Sun" as that was the song I was actually listening to. But that's just cruel. Apparently it's summer, and these photos were taken in mid July, but let me assure you that the long skirt and sweater were needed. Oh yes, an umbrella was too. 

Still, walking around my local farmer's market and watching the sun set while sitting on the beach (even if cocoa and blankets are needed) is a bliss that I'm not ready to give up. 

Ecru Sweater- Urban Outfitters, Long Grey Maxi Skirt- Aritzia, Gold Sandals and Turquoise Ring- Aldo, Long Necklace- From the Earth, Short Gold Necklace- FXXI, Watch- Vintage, Wrap Bracelet- Club Monaco

I also feel that a disclosure is needed: one of my favourite people is in town this week and I knew ahead of time that there would be too many girl chats, road trips, mini adventures and laughing for me to be a consistent blogger. I know my strengths, and that is not one of them! So these posts have been written well ahead of time and scheduled, hence the possibly non-relating babble (hopefully we're now in the middle of a full blown heat wave... one can hope?) 

How has your week been?

love

xxx

Winding Road

Winding Road- Bonnie Somerville

Can I let you in on a secret? I feel like a total ballerina in these heels (which is what I strive for each day, obvs) so I've been living in them as of late, they're also comfier than pointe shoes. win-win! 

And when all you feel like doing is air drying your hair, living in your comfiest denim and recuperating from an exhausting week it's nice to know you can still put up the pre tense that you've tried. 

Denim Jacket- Old Navy, White Cami- J.Crew, Blush Pleated Skirt- Zara, Black Espadrille Wedges- Gap, Gold Necklace- FXXI, Turquoise Ring- Aldo

I'm also so in love with this tutu-esque skirt, I saw it a few months ago in Zara but passed it by, and then happily came across it on sale a few weeks ago. Lately, I've been trying to learn to be more patient... and this seems like a pretty awesome reward! 

love

xxx

p.s You've got two days left to enter the Perricone Giveaway! Woo! Head over and get yourself entered!

The High Road

The High Road- Broken Bells

Anyone who follows me on Twitter knows that I've been on a bit of a mad hunt for a felt panama hat (like this beauty, in brown naturally) this season... and I'm not really having much luck finding one in my price range. But, as a silver lining, the hunt led me to a very quirky little consignment shop in downtown Vancouver where I happened upon this very proper mid-length skirt. The olive colour is so demure but then it just has this fierce cobalt colour block at the bottom. Ah! 

So, my hunt for the hat will continue, but at least I will have a pretty skirt to wear while doing it! 

Olive and Cobalt Silk Skirt- Thrifted, Blue Blouse- Zara, Grey Tee- American Apparel, Brown Wedges- Franco Sarto, Leather Wrap Bracelet- H&M, Watch- Vintage, Charm Necklace- Gift, Cat Eye Sunglasses- Aldo

And now I'm off to enjoy this looong (!) weekend in my pretty city! 

Maybe this will be the lucky hat weekend. Cross your fingers.

love

xxx

p.s Want to cross off some items from your summer wishlist, for free!? Uhm. Heck yes! Shopbop is giving away a $100 gift card to one of my lovely readers. I am 90% happy for you guys and 10% completely jealous... maybe that's 80/20...