East 20th

I’ve lived in Vancouver my whole life and I’d like to think I’ve somewhat got the hang of dressing for mild, unpredictable weather. My tip? Throw on a black hat, baby. 

This hat transforms my outfits while providing protection from the bipolar weather Vancouver has recently been experiencing - hail, rain, sun, the whole nine yards. For a day consumed by shopping, appointments, and running errands, I stuck to a neutral colour scheme: a relaxed cardigan, loose pants, tank-top, and a black floppy hat. 

(American Apparel pants, Free People top & bralette, H&M hat & cardigan, To Be Announced boots, RayBans) 

Last night I was transported to a magical dream state filled with fashionistas, mini macaroons, and enchanting clothes aka Jacqueline Conoir’s summer 2015 fashion show.

Although new on my radar, JAC by JC has well and truly established itself as a contemporary, urban, and lavish line. It incorporates feminine, yet edgy silhouettes and a neutral based colour palette which flow seamlessly together.

The night kicked off with the fashion show as models graced the runway in Jacqueline’s latest masterpieces. Their effortless, messy hair matched the laid-back vibes of the outfits. Here are two of my favourite looks as I can envision myself wearing them on a shopping day in Greece or eating gelato and riding the gondola in Italy - a girl can dream.

As if the night could get any better, we were invited to shop the looks as seen on the runway. I had to execute great self control to resist purchasing one of everything and let me just say, my heart still hurts thinking about the pieces I put back.

All seriousness aside, I thoroughly enjoyed being Vancouver’s very own Blair Waldorf for the night (minus the drama). Nothing beats a fashion-filled night shared with your best gal pal’s. 

For decades the trench coat has dominated the jacket scene as it is minimal, effortless, and oh so chic. 

It was only recently that I came to own this trench and I honestly don’t know how I survived without it. Dramatic? Yes, but this classic jacket pairs perfectly with everything and has become my go-to outerwear piece. 

On this particular day the snow was melting and the sun shone brightly so I felt it was only appropriate to sport a spring inspired outfit. My pants, a muted purple-grey colour, blended well with the trench coat as did the grey cardigan I wore for warmth. It may have been sunny and bright but the wind was fierce and the temperature low.

The striped top and slip-on’s brought balance to the outfit with their white accents. Finishing everything off was my gold head chain. I love how simple, yet sparkly and elegant it is.  

(Artizia trench coat and pants, Brandy Melville top, H&M cardigan, Vans shoes, DIY head chain) 

Every year during spring and summer light and bright colours are all the rage, this year is no exception. All-white outfits have been featured on and off the runways by style icons and fashionistas alike, and I am all about it. Taking into account the range of things that could go wrong (think spilled coffee, yikes!) I decided to take this trend for a spin.

My plain white t-shirt and eyelet midi-skirt were the foundation to my ensemble. I wanted to dress down the skirt to make it day-time appropriate hence the simple tee. To bring some texture and slight colour back into the outfit I threw on my beloved faux fur aka unicorn hair jacket. This coat is incredibly versatile despite its boldness, and it spiced up the otherwise monotonous outfit.

To contrast the white I incorporated accents of black throughout the look. My floppy hat added an element of mysteriousness and glamour while I kept my bag simple as I didn’t want it to be overpowering. Finishing everything off were my classic black and white sneakers which tied the whole look together.

(Oak & Fort skirt, Free People jacket, H&M top and skirt, Forever 21 bag, Adidas sneakers)

Check out the article I wrote on Vancouver Fashion Week here!

For over 170,000 years, fur has been a staple in the production of clothes. It is extremely durable, warm and for most of human history, it was the only resource readily available. Although over time society has evolved greatly by switching its focus from real fur to faux, the understanding that fur is a necessity to staying warm has remained the same. I like to think that justifies the ridiculous amount of faux fur pieces I hoard in my closet.

This black and white statement jacket was the catalyst for my addiction. It caught my eye because of how bold, dramatic, yet interchangeable it is. Being black and white, the coat has the ability to tone down a bright pop of colour or, it can act as sturdy base for a monochromatic look. As I do not wear much colour that needs to be balanced out, my go to outfit with this faux fur coat is all black. 

Black on black ensembles are a huge controversial fashion statement. For many, it is a no brainer because no matter what it will "go." However, on the complete other end of the spectrum, numerous fashion icons, including Anna Wintour, and copious everyday people strongly believe it one of the many fashion faux-pas. I consider myself to be somewhere smack dab in the middle. The only way I will wear an all black outfit is if there is texture, and lots of it. 

Beginning at the foundation of my outfit, I have a lace bralette and jersey halter top. The lace peeks out around the neckline adding a hit of romance which, compliments the grungy vibe of the halter beautifully. The faux fur coat is quite glamorous and extravagant, thus I styled it with a pair of black jeans and sneakers allowing it to become more daytime chic. All of these contrasting fabrics flow together seamlessly all while accentuating the white stripe on the jacket. 

(H&M coat, American Apparel jeans, Brandy Melville halter, Free People bralette, DIY shoes)

Nestled in the heart of Railtown, Vancouver’s very own Soho, Dish Jeans is the next lust worthy brand on the rise. Founded by Gary Lenett, Dish is the epitome of an urban, chic, and timeless company. It is reinventing the concept of denim by creating durable yet stylish jeans that can be seamlessly transitioned from day to night and suit any occasion.

 I want to be able to be able to ride my bike to work and attend a business meeting afterwards.

Gary was born into a family of multigenerational fashion entrepreneurs, so it was always his dream to pursue a career in this industry, right?  Wrong. In fact, the years Gary spent as a child assisting his father in his garment manufacturing business, turned him off the fashion industry completely. Nevertheless, after many years, degrees, and career changes later, Gary found himself the head of Dish Jeans. However cliché it sounds, I guess you could say it was meant to be.

Being just over 14 years old, Dish is still a relativity new company. However, over the years, Gary has perfected his craft and found his niche with the jeans he creates. Performance denim, a diesel-pioneered hybrid fabric, is what makes Dish stand out among competing companies. It allows jeans to be adapted into an active lifestyle because the material is resistant and light. Function over trend.

Take risks. If I was a realist guy, would I have started this company?

There are two ways you can look at the beginning of a new year. The first one being, it is just another day in our lives. Wednesday turned into Thursday, as it always does, and the week continues as normal. Or, you can view it as a fresh start. It is a time to let last year’s worries melt away and create new spontaneous memories. I recommend the latter one. 

2015 is going to be one hell of a good year, I just know it! So, I thought it was only fitting to enter the year in (if I do say myself) a killer outfit. This holiday season my two obsessions have been faux fur and sequins, the epitome of glamour. Naturally I incorporated both of them in a big way. Statement coats have been a raging trend throughout this winter season and I am all over it. They’re practical because of their warmth and they transform a look from drab-to-fab in a matter of seconds. If it was up to me, bold outwear pieces would always be in.

Many people would shy away from this shaggy fur jacket because of how well.. outrageous it is. However, as soon as I laid eyes on it, I knew it was coming home with me. The next decision I had to make was how I was going to style it. I decided to go the unconventional route and paired it with this all sequins dress which is equally as daring. Finishing it off I threw on some tights for warmth and heeled booties and called it a night.

The result: An edgy, show stopping, freaking amazing ensemble. 

(Free People dress and jacket, H&M tights, To Be Announced shoes)

As far as new year’s resolutions go, I have set one “rule to live by” which is, to live a balanced life. 

Let’s make 2015 the best year yet!

The blogger bob - A trendy, sophisticated, envy-worthy hairstyle that has taken over the blogging world.

If you had told me a year ago that today I was going to have jaw-length hair, I would have told you that you're crazy. Back then, my long hair was my pride and joy. It was healthy, shiny, and soft and took over 5 years to grow out. The thought of cutting it off just seemed ridiculous. However, in March I did a complete 360 and chopped off 10 inches. Since then, I have been going shorter and shorter and am absolutely obsessed. Here's why:

1. Messy hair, don’t care. When I say I rarely brush my hair, I’m not lying. In the morning all I do is flip my hair to one side and if I remember to, throw in some texturizing spray. When my hair is wet, I again, don’t brush it, and  either let it air dry or quickly (I mean quickly) blow dry it. Having low maintenance hair is a lot less fuss and saves you tons of time.

2. Hats. Headwear ultimately looks ten times better with short hair. It accentuates the polished and chic look of your hair by allowing it to peek out at the bottom of your hat.

3. Say goodbye to pulled hair. I don't know about you, but when I had    hip-length hair, everyday it would get caught in zippers or under backpack straps. However, the worst was when it would get tangled in the screws on the chairs at school. Yeah, no es bueno. 

To all the people who are contemplating the chop, just do it. Trust me when I say, short is the way to go!

Early sun sets, frosty mornings, and crisp air can only mean one thing, winter. Let's be real, hot chocolate and apple cider can only keep us warm for so long throughout the cold months. It's really jackets, sweaters, and scarves that get me through the winter because honestly, I'm not cut out for the cold. 

Having said that, I knew this was going to be one of the last sunny days for a while, so, I decided to be brave and go bare legged with this long pleated skirt. I'm utterly obsessed with this blush-nude colour because of its versatility and subtleness. To add a bit of warmth to my outfit, I wore a knit turtleneck sweater. The contrast of the light skirt and chunky sweater complement each other beautifully, and it really balances the whole outfit. For shoes I kept it simple with these black and white slip ons, which are comfortable and cute. Finishing everything off, I threw on my good old leather jacket - and done!

(Zara leather jacket, Noul skirt, H&M sweater, Refresh shoes)

Whenever I don't know what to wear, I automatically reach for an outfit similar to this one. Keeping to a neutral colour pallet makes for an easy yet timeless look, and you can instantly spice it up by playing with different textures.

As a kid, I spent hours and hours each year, creating and perfecting my costume, in order to show it off on Halloween. Seeing everyone dressed up at school was extremely exciting, and the free candy made the day even better. 

  Over the years, my infatuation with Halloween has remained the same. I love haunted houses, pumpkin patches, and of course, scary movies. However, this year I was completely unprepared, as October 31st snuck up on me. The weekend before Halloween, I still had absolutely no idea what I was going to dress up as. So, in a desperate attempt to pull something together, I decided to keep my costume simple and fool-proof.

By throwing together an all black ensemble, and slapping on some creepy face makeup, I was left with a spooky skeleton costume.

(H&M top and tights, Forever 21 skirt, Adidas shoes)

I don't know about you, but I for one, would not want to see a person looking like this lurking in the bushes.

Happy Halloween!

Grey is the new black.

As you may or may not know, I am completely and utterly head-over-heels for monochrome dressing. The end result of mixing different shades, textures, and patterns of the same colour is modern and polished outfit. I am especially obsessed with how silver and grey look together. The light and dark, shiny and metallic, hues add a lot of dimension to any look.

On this particular day, it seemed as though the whole world had a grey filter over it. I drew inspiration from the looming clouds and nonchalant atmosphere to style my outfit. The heavy rain is on its way (they don't call in Raincouver for nothing), so, I decided to take advantage of one of the last fine days by wear a dress. To match the dresses laid-back vibe, I paired it with this ultra slouchy cardigan. Together they create a relaxed yet chic ensemble. Finishing everything off, I accessorized with my silver necklace, a few rings, and of course, my beloved silver sneakers.

(Noul dress, H&M cardigan and rings, Nike sneakers, Tiffany and Co. necklace)

The world is not so black and white.

For all you chocolate lovers out there, this is for you.

The fact that I have a major sweet tooth should come as no surprise. I usually gravitate towards fruity desserts, like apple crumble, but occasionally I crave something rich and chocolatey. This past weekend was one of those times. Here is a healthy-ish take on a traditional chocolate pudding made with avocados. Yes, you heard (or read) that right, avocados. 

Ingredients:

2 ripe avocados

1/3 cup of cocoa powder

1/3 cup of honey

3 tablespoons of coconut oil

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

To make:

1. Place all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.

2. Transfer the pudding into a serving bowl and place in the fridge to set for about 30 minutes. Keep leftovers refrigerated.

Enjoy the chocolate pudding as is or, if you'd like, add a garnish of almond butter, granola, or shredded coconut.

Be warned, once you start eating this food from the gods it's nearly impossible to stop.

Enjoy!

Summer has slipped out from under our grasp and fall has taken its place once again. A few weeks ago we were lounging on the beach soaking up the sun, or going on midnight adventures with our friends without a care in the world. But, it's back to reality for most of us as school returns and the leaves begin to change colour. 

I have to say I am a summer girl. There's nothing I love more than feeling the warm sun beat down on the back of my neck as I bustle around doing this or that. However, like most people, I truly am a sucker for fall fashion.

One of my favourite attributes of fall fashion is the art of transitioning summer pieces into fall and making them practical for the cooler weather. A fool-proof way of doing this is by adding layers like jackets, scarves, or hats.

(Zara leather jacket, Aritzia dress, Topshop hat, Jeffery Campbell shoes)

Here I took a beautiful summer dress and added some layers to make it flow seamlessly into fall!  

After a long tiring week, my ideal Friday night consists of a home-cooked meal and a good book or movie. I love going out and seeing friends, but when it's cold and raining I prefer to spend my evenings in.

I was the only one home around dinner time, so I decided to make one of my favourite foods: spaghetti with tomato sauce. It is a timeless dish that is extremely delicious and satisfying.

If you are keen on eating healthy I recommend staying away from white pasta, and instead opting for quinoa, brown rice, or whole wheat. It tastes even better, and is packed full of nutrition and goodness. Tonight I decided to try black-bean pasta. I filled a large pot 3/4 full of water and put it on to boil. Next, I moved onto the sauce.

Ingredients for sauce: One 28oz can of crushed tomatoes, 3 cloves of garlic (or more!), 1 medium yellow onion, 1/2 cup of chopped cilantro, 10-20 basil leaves, 1-2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, chilli flakes (to taste)

Begin by placing the onion and garlic in a food processor and blend until finally In a large saucepan add a dash of olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic for about 2 minutes. Once the onion is beginning to brown add the can of tomatoes, cilantro, basil, and vinegar. To finish off the sauce, add a few pinches of chilli flakes if you'd like, and let it simmer on low/medium heat while you deal with the pasta. 

By this time the water is boiling so add your preferred spaghetti and follow the cooking directions on the packet.  When the pasta is cooked and drained, place some in your bowl and spoon the sauce over it. 

To top it off I like to add some sliced heirloom tomatoes, pepper, and fresh basil leaves.

Who says a heaping bowl of scrumptious pasta can't be your Friday night date?

Fashion Week SS15 Challenge

New York Fashion Week has always seemed like a far-away dreamland to me. It is a sanctuary where stunning individuals dressed to the nines gather to view the masterpieces of brilliant designers. Not only are the new collections on point, but the street style of the attendees is unreal. No matter where you look inspiration is waiting to be soaked up. To me that is paradise.

One day I will take on the city and Fashion Week, and when I do New York better be ready. However, for now I satisfy my thirst of fashion by watching the live feeds of the shows and planning what I would wear if given the chance to go.

 Fashion Week is a very busy place with a buzzing atmosphere, so I think comfort is key. Tripping in a large crowd of people is not an option for me, so I would stay clear of heels. Instead I would reach for a pair of crisp sneakers. Wearing sneakers would give me piece of mind knowing I don't have to worry about falling, and it would also add a sporty vibe to the outfit, which I love. 

As for the rest of my outfit, I would keep the colour scheme neutral-based and easy on the eyes. Instead, I would play with texture. My ankle-length skirt has a beautiful pleated accordion look that brings a lot of dimension to the outfit. To make the skirt look less dressy I would throw on a t-shirt. This white t-shirt has a unique asymmetrical cut that complements the slits in the skirt flawlessly. My clutch is again that off-white colour so it blends in, but adds another texture to the outfit. 

To tie everything together I would add a pop of colour with a scarf. A scarf does double duty because it not only looks nice, but it can add a bit of warmth so you're not cold in the chilly air conditioning. Adding a bright purple lip finishes the look off. 

(Aritzia top & scarf, Oak and Fort skirt, Adidas shoes, Lord & Taylor clutch, Mac's Rebel lipstick)

I can only imagine that being in a room with such phenomenal fashion icons can be a tad intimidating. Nevertheless, stay true to what you like and don't feel pressured into wearing something just because you think other people will approve.

Happy Fashion Week!