Canada Day in Vancouver

I hope all you Canadian readers had a fabulous Canada Day weekend! I of course was working the entire time (surprise, surprise), but displaced a couple hours sleep to visit the firework festivities at Canada Place. As silly as I sometimes feel, I love wearing holiday colours. To stay both casual & festive, I simply wore a red Zara shirt, boyfriend jeans, & my usual Michael Kors accessory trio. Here are a couple photos from the evening with Kris & Richard :) 

Nothing says 'Happy Canada Day' like a giant pixelated orca ;)

The only vegan treat I could find on the premises.

The firework finale. The rest was borderline mediocre. Vancouver really needs to step it up in this department. "Hopefully instagram can make these look cool/save these" quoth Richard. Twice.

Masses of people in the streets. No wonder it took me 3x as long to walk home.

I actually have a day off work this week, so my goal is to get the last 200+ comments answered, as well as put up some new posts (including the Jennyfleur Loves... fashion show + new outfit posts). Stay tuned :) 

Every Which Direction

While not a lot of exam-revision happened yesterday, a lot of lovely friend time did. I knew I would be trekking around the city all afternoon & evening so not surprisingly I tried on about 10 outfits before I struck on the right one. Pretty clothing aside, the item I spent most of my time wearing is an oversized men's tee of some sort, for lounging at home. Pretty much 99% of my blog posts have been brought to you while wearing one. So I thought why not style one to wear out? 


I ended up pairing a forest green soft wash men's t-shirt from Banana Republic with my well-worn (& eternally wrinkled) salmon-coloured high-waisted Zara trousers. Pop on a statement necklace, some classic sunnies, & a pair of platforms... good to go. Thankfully my Michael Kors Hamilton tote coordinated well because it's one of my few bags large enough to fit my camera & other city-trekking essentials. Really must add a new one to the (never-ending) wish list.

Lovely Kris in her pastel pink jeans from the Gap, dutifully holding Sabrina's birthday cupcakes for me.

In the afternoon I met up with Kris (of Back Alleys & Boulevards) for a little vegan lunch + shopping. It was my first time at Karmavore & I absolutely loved it! Later we roamed the beach & Seawall soaking up some sun. We were stopped by Ben of VanStreet who snapped us for his street style blog (I look totally awkward, but because I know hope you'll still like me, here's the link). After some misadventures resulting from my awful sense of direction, we finally made it to a party for Miss Sabrina's birthday. It was so nice to see everyone I haven't seen since February, I really didn't want to leave! 

With the lovely birthday girl herself (pardon the flash!)

Two of my favourites from BR. Alex appears to be my #1 blog fan so I thought he'd like to see this here ;) 

On one last note, I know I've been mentioning my upcoming German exam a lot lately. Thankfully this is probably the second last time you will have to hear about it, as the terrifying thing is happening on Tuesday. In a divine effort to study non-stop I won't be posting again until it's over & done with. This also means I won't be getting back to most of your emails until Tuesday evening. I just wanted to let you all know I haven't forgotten about your amazing blogs, I just need a couple days to focus! So with that said, thank you so much for reading & I'll be back in action soon! :)

I was wearing:

Men's soft wash t-shirt - Banana Republic (here)

High-waisted trousers - Zara (old)

Hamilton Tote - Michael Kors (here in USD)

Nude Suede Foxy Platform - Jeffrey Campbell

Necklace - Zara

Wayfarers - Ray Ban (here)

Lemon Drop Jeans

I know I'm preaching to the converted, but there really is nothing like a little shopping to brighten a grey day. Especially when that shopping involves neon yellow jeans. That's right. Newest addition to my wardrobe & it wasn't very practical at all. Who cares? I love them to pieces & I can't stop smiling.

I was wearing this striped top from Banana Republic when I tried them on, and liked it so much I decided to wear it just so. The shirt is admittedly ill-fitted, but it was the smallest size & at the time I had to have it anyways. Because it was a cooler day I paired it with a black blazer (somewhat fearful of looking bumble-bee esque, but it was my only feasible option). Steve Madden peep-toe heels to dress up the jeans a little, neutral coloured bag, & classic Ray Ban wayfarers. Which is where a story comes in....

It's not often I share random personal stories on the blog, but here is one for the books: I, at the ripe old age of 22, have developed a new phobia of birds. I could go into great detail but basically a few days ago I was attacked by a crow TWICE in one hour. As in out of nowhere it pitched on my head and started attacking me. After googling I discovered it's fledgling season, when mama crows are teaching their young to fly. This makes them protectively aggressive to passers-by. They also have great facial recognition, hence why I've been wearing sunglasses on grey days, feeling as if I'm hiding from particularly threatening paparazzi. If you live in Vancouver I suggest you steer clear of Hornby Street & other tree-dense areas (crow territory/the sight of the crime) until July.

Last but not least, my hair is pulled back for once! I'm not a huge fan of having my hair up (unless I'm at home where it's in a constant messy bun) so this is one of few times you'll see it this way. I did a little french braid in the front to make it a little less plain. The main reason it is up though is because I finally tested out the Wella conditioner I received in my April Glossybox (here). I should have known better. It made my hair (which is very fine) disgustingly greasy, & of course I was short on time so there was no fixing it. Some days ponytails really are warranted. 

I was wearing:

Yellow jeans - Gap (here)

Striped tee - Banana Republic

Necklace - F21 (old)

Peep-toe heels - Steve Madden (old)

Gold Chronograph watch - Michael Kors (here)

Vanilla Hamilton Bag - Michael Kors (here)

Nova Scotia Recap

After a ten day hiatus I'm back to the blogging world! I've been in Nova Scotia the past 10 days, revisiting old haunts & friends in Antigonish, family in Halifax, & examining an endless array of bacterial culture plates in a microbiology lab in Wolfville (you know you're jealous ;). It rained 8 out of 10 days & I was clad in a highly attractive white lab coat for the most part, so hopefully you'll understand why the blog remained untouched. I also had only a point & shoot with me, so my apologies for the lack of photos! 

In a quick recap of my week: 

Antigonish (the quaint little town I went to university in) was fun to revisit; indulging in delicious food at my favourite cafe & playing catch-up with people I haven't seen all year. In Halifax I got to meet one of my newest little cousins, the adorable Sam (whose closet may well rival mine). Finally in Wolfville (where I had to go for a Microbio lab) I eased the pain of poor weather & daily dealings with E.coli with great company & some pretty serious cuisine indulgence. It was my first time visiting the teeny tiny town, which I can now say without a doubt is the most delightful of Maritime towns! The plethora of Victorian houses is to die for, & the restaurants... oh my! I was amazed at the sheer amount of restaurants & bistros (each with vegan menu options, hallelujah!) for such a small population. They were all top notch & highly recommendable. Admittedly we ate out for every single meal. Whether I magically gained 10 lbs in the process remains to be seen haha. It was a lovely time none the less. 

I've got 2 weeks crammed with German lessons ahead of me, but I'm feeling pretty refreshed & ready to get my blogging mojo back. Outfit photos to come tomorrow so stay tuned :)

[A couple quick photos in & around STFX university; obligingly shot by my weekend hostess Jenna Gillis, on our way home from sup Saturday evening]

April Flowers

Slowly but surely the snow here in NL is melting & the temperature increasing. Unfortunately that was not the case on Easter Sunday, when my festive outfit (centred around a peach chiffon dress) was considered too weather-inappropriate to be borne. Perhaps May will better suit it, & it shall end up here on the blog after all.


This morning before my German lessons, I decided to photograph the outfit I did wear for Easter: florals to make up for the lack of actual flowers blooming; my faux fur Gorilla jacket to keep me toasty warm & add some texture. Paired with an old pair of salmon-coloured Zara trousers, brown/black crossbody bag, Michael Kors ballet flats, & accessorized simply with my Michael Kors Gold Chronograph watch. Comfortable, but still stylish; & perfect for a family supper.


My Easter comprised of a too-early morning (I was childishly excited for Easter treats), then an afternoon of cooking/baking some vegan dishes with dear Mom. In the evening we had a family supper of 17 crammed around a long-but-not-long-enough table, while entertainment was provided by my favourite inexhaustible 3 year old singing Christmas carols & "playing Halloween" (her self-appointed "costume" being my Gorilla jacket). On the whole, the day was nice & simple. 


This week I'm back to my vigorous study schedule, trying to cram in as much as possible before heading off to Nova Scotia next week. As long as the weather cooperates I'll get in a few more outfit shoots before I go. Until then, I'd love to know what you think of this look! Your heart-felt comments are what keeps this blog going after all :)

I was wearing:

Floral blouse - Zara

Trousers - Zara (old)

Faux fur jacket - Banana Republic

Ballet Flats - Michael Kors

Gold Chronograph Watch - Michael Kors

Out with the Old, In with the New.

With a blizzard raging here in NL today an outfit shoot was pretty much out of the question. Instead I decided to harness my Snow Day productivity into going through my old clothes & organizing it for a future outside of my cluttered closet. I've been a bit of a hoarder all my life so there are legitimately things crammed into dark corners that I've owned since I was four. The "me" two years ago would have fought savagely had down-sizing been suggested, but the current somewhat evolved me has decided to embrace minimalism once & for all* (that being said, you probably won't see me travelling short of 3 suitcases anytime soon). So in the spirit of attachment, organization, & reliving memories via old clothes, I've decided to compile a list of my personal philosophies concerning clothes & shopping. A bit different from my usual repertoire, but here it goes: 


1. Quality over Quantity - this is an obvious rule to live by, but I'll take it a step further. I don't believe in turning your nose up at things simply because they are not expensive, or an esteemed brand. My closet covers a pretty wide spectrum. I have some thrift store purchases that cost all of $1 that I love on par with my designer pieces. That being said, if it's not a good quality fabric I don't care if it's $4 or $400, it isn't entering my closet. Same thing with sizing; if it doesn't fit absolutely perfectly don't kid yourself (unless you have a sewing machine & a knack for thrifty alternations). Try to avoid ribbing (whether on cuffs, necklines, or all over, it will stretch after one wear & never regain it's original shape), 100% cotton in dark colours (terrible for fading), & stiff fabrics which don't hang well. 


2. Buy what you want - No I am not suggesting you dig yourself into a hole of bankruptcy by going on a spree at Hermès. But when you see something you really love, as long as it's not on an mere impulse, you should have it. If you're reading my blog to begin with, you probably have an interest in fashion, meaning style & clothing are one of the things that makes you happy. Don't mind folks who scoff at you for being materialistic. Everyone likes to spend their money on something, whether it be travelling, nice cars, or decorating their homes. It may seem silly to some people, but a beautiful garment has the power to give me chills; to make me grin like a Cheshire cat. If you the "something" you want is expensive & don't have the money right away, the answer is obvious: save up! Not only will you eventually get that item that gives you confidence & a perma-smile, but you'll also feel good having accomplished a task you worked towards.


3. Don't Compromise - Having worked in a retail environment this is something I witnessed daily: people buying items because they were on sale, because they were such a great "bargain", because they were a cheaper version of something else they liked. Personally I just don't get it. This kind of back's up #3 - buy what you want, don't worry about the money (within reason of course). Why waste money on things you don't absolutely love just because it's "such a great deal". Isn't that fraction of money put to better use saving up for that more expensive item that was love at first sight?


4. Sleep on it - Nobody enjoy's a bout of buyer's remorse. Don't be one of those silly impulse shoppers who tosses & turns all night after a shopping spree & spends either the next day returning the bulk of it, or living with the guilt every time you look at that dress whose price tag will never come off. I wasn't always this way, but nowadays if I'm out shopping & see something I just have to have, I often go home & think about it overnight. I can say without hesitation that I've never regretted an item that I seriously thought about before purchasing. It ensures that you end up with items that you truly love.


5. The 5 Outfit Rule - This is a handy rule I decided to live by last Autumn, when I was despairing over the fact that none of my clothes went together. Basically if you want to buy an item, first come up with a list of at least 5 outfits you could pair it with (aim for 3 outfits if that's a more practical goal for you). That way you don't end up with piles of mismatched clothing; having to buy even more new things just to make the original item wearable. 


6. Ethical Shopping - I had a comment on my last post questioning why I no longer shop at Forever 21. Although this also goes back to the quality vs quantity debate, the questionable ethicality of company practices is the main reason I resist the temptation of a $20 top & an $8 necklace. Unfair labor practices, breaching artistic copyright, the list goes on. If you're interested in reading a bit more into this, this article on ilovewildfox.com has some great links. Of course there are other companies out there which have the same issues, so it's important to do your research. The bottom line for me is that I want to wear something that makes me feel good, & doesn't compromise my personal ethics. I'd rather pay extra to have something that I know was lovingly designed & fairly crafted.


7. Love your clothes & they'll love you back - take care of your clothes! This one seems pretty obvious to me, but I'm surprised at the amount of people I come across who chuck their clothing in the dryer without a second glance. Folks, the dryer is for the immortal durability of towels, not the clothing you put on your back. Dry clean or hand wash it & lay it out to air dry. It will wear 100x better & last you years instead of days. 

I'll leave it at that. Clothing is obviously something I'm pretty passionate about, & I just wanted to put in my own two cents. Any tips or suggestions you might add to my list? I'd really love to know! :)

Cold Comfort // New In

Despite my power-of-vegan-health-claims, the cold front here has finally given me a comeuppance. So for the time being, I'm stuck in bed, between endless packs of kleenex & literary diversions. 

There are several things brightening my day however; so I thought I'd share them with you! The primary one was the arrival of my first c/o item from OASAP.com - a lovely vibrant batwing top. To my delight it is the perfect shade of orange for Spring. As soon as my cold passes I'll be sure to put up an outfit post including it. I've shown it above with my H&M bangle which is no longer MIA (it was in one of my jewellery boxes all along, silly me); & hung below, to give you an idea of it's general shape. 

Delicious vegan zucchini brownies a la Mom. 

An eclectic pile of bedside books to keep me entertained + The Devil Wears Prada; one of my favourite 'sick day' movies.

Last but not least, Zen providing kitty company. 

I'd love to pass the entire day browsing blogs & responding to comments, but we unfortunately only have dial-up at home & it takes an average 40 minutes to read & respond to a single blog post (positively medieval I know). As soon as I'm able to leave the house I'll be back to my usual commenting frenzy, promise!

What are your sick day comforts? 

On Airports & Goodbyes

I'm writing to you lovelies from YVR Airport... boarding in about 15 minutes. I just wanted to quickly share a few photos with you of my last few days here in Vancouver.

Had a lovely last day with Kris yesterday. We shopped, we ate, we talked non-stop. I'll show you my new purchases as soon as I get things unpacked in NL (so excited about each new piece! Think Spring + Pastels ;) We stopped by Mucho Burrito on Davie to say goodbye to one of the nicest guys in the world (I frequent the place tri-weekly) & get one last amazing Shawna-approved burrito. And just when we thought the day was over, we ended up talking for 2 hours straight over tea. It was perfect :)

The amazing Kris! One of the nicest, most amazing girls I've ever been lucky enough to meet - I am going to miss you so much! And something I'm dying to mention: Kris actually just began her own fashion blog Back Alleys & Boulevards which I would love for you all to check out! :)

A delightful goodbye present from Kris - a bag of vegan chocolate goodies from Karmavore :)

Tea with Miss Sabrina! We completely lost track of time & talked non-stop for hours. You're amazing girl - can't wait to see you again!

The most amazing dessert ever. Vegan apple crisp with Tofulatti icecream on top. So good I went back two nights in a row for it.... I kid you not. 

And last but not least, a new clutch which just arrived from ASOS! It's cute & fun & I adore the colours. Excited to see what I can pair it with. Thoughts?

Okay, boarding has begun & I'm in a huge rush. Will post tomorrow when I've settled! Hope you're all having an amazing week & thank you for reading! :)

Weekend Recap

Just a little bit of life. Although this could also be titled as the 'weekend of poor lighting' I'd like to keep things on a positive note ;) Photo op's aside, I had a lovely weekend; simple but sweet. Friday night I trekked an hour through the rain (hence the worse than normal hair) to attend a farewell party for my friend Irena. It was wonderful seeing the people I don't often get a chance to see, & I also met some lovely new folks as well. 


Saturday, post-work, Kris & I had our traditional food+movie friend date. After lusting over the beautiful bright garments in BCBG we had a delightful supper at the Templeton on Granville (cutest little vintage diner), followed by seeing the movie 'Big Miracle' (aka the whale movie), which we both loved.


And then there is today. When not working, Sundays are so nice: I usually have a quiet morning followed by a productive evening (fingers crossed that's the case today). I'm spending the morning curled up on the couch with wholesome oatmeal, a tasty berry+hempseed smoothie, & a computer chock full of New York Fashion Week shows to catch up on! Planning on doing a little Valentine's Day themed photo shoot later this afternoon, & glueing myself to my German text book after supper. Wish me luck! 

The lady of honour is in the white & I am of course wearing the red Dolce Vita shorts. Big thanks to Irena's dad for taking this one for us :)

Granville Street on our search for some edibles

Rocking the ponytail (a rare occurrence).
Wearing: Banana Republic faux fur coat, BCBG animal print blouse, Michael Kors watch & bag, Dolce Vita wedges

Oh so amazing vegan lentil loaf from the Templeton

Sunday morning pleasures :)

And that my dears, was what my weekend comprised of. Obviously quite envious of all the bloggers attending Fashion Week in NYC right now (living vicariously through Style Scrapbook & BryanBoy at the moment), but I'll take what I can get. Hope you're all having a great weekend as well! :)

Guest Blogging

  

 

Over the weekend I was asked by Jen of A Gypsy's Journal to do a guest post on her blog! The requested topic? Happiness. The relentless optimist, I was obviously up for the challenge. You can check out the post here, where I discuss my personal take on happiness - from clothes to music, everyday delights to general advice.

Let me know what you think! :)

Quiet Mornings // New In

1. Catching up on Bloglovin' on a rainy morning. 448 posts to read? Completely normal.

2. Gluten-free pancakes with vegan chocolate chips, vanilla agave syrup, & frozen raspberries

3. My favourite mug; delightfully sarcastic, it was given to me by my Mom years ago. Everywhere I move or travel, this guy comes with me

4. New top from Zara. The top portion is a great rusty-brown, contrasted with a sheer mustard asymmetrical piece on bottom. It's a great basic. Don't you just love sales? :)

Something I cherish above all else is having quiet mornings to myself. I revel in the complete silence & prospect of doing whatever my heart desires. It's something I've always done. When I was a little girl I would wake up at 5am, tip toe to the kitchen to make a small snack, & read Jane Austen & Lucy Maud Montgomery for a few hours before the rest of the house came alive. These days aren't much different. I make a delicious vegan breakfast of some sort (which I always eat in bed), answer the emails which have piled up during the night, & then catch up on my blog reading or writing. No distracting music or TV, just quiet time to read & think. It's my personal way of achieving balance. 

Do you have any morning rituals or time set aside just for you? I'd love to know! I'd also like to do a little shout-out to those of you who have just started following! Don't worry, I've set aside time tonight to answer all your lovely comments :) For the time being, I'm getting ready & headed to work. Fingers crossed I'll have a new outfit post for you all tomorrow! Until then, have a fabulous day <3