So THIS is what I tell people when they look at me funny 🙂 Happy Sunday! xo
Shades of Grey
Not 50 shades of grey, just several shades of grey.
Grey is one of my favourite colours to wear. I could probably put together an entire lookbook of stony monochromatic outfits. I have grey trousers, denim, sweaters, silk blouses, shoes, gloves, hats, scarves, purses, lingerie, makeup, etc. For Halloween I should probably go out as a very chic Tin Man, or perhaps a sartorially-inclined storm cloud?
Ok, on to the important part of this post. My deep love for this HAT. And a deep love for any inanimate object does not come without a story…
So I had my eye on this Kate Spade hot pink pom-pom wonder. I lovingly visited the website over and over, until one day I finally bought it. The Canadian dollar was lower than a snake’s ankles, and my eyes nearly fell out of my head when I saw how much the total was…but it was mine.
Until it wasn’t. A few days later, I got an email from Kate Spade informing me that the hat was actually sold out and they wouldn’t be charging my credit card after all. I was devastated! Where else was I going to find a wool cap with a plush fur pom-pom right on top? Nowhere! I mourned my pom-pom hat, and a part of me is still sad.
While in Montreal, my little brother asked me to pop into Simon’s to pick up his favourite t-shirts. We don’t have Simon’s in Toronto, which is a shame! As I was leaving I actually saw the hat I’m wearing in this post, sitting alone on a pile of scarves. There were no others. Could it be? A wool cap with a plush pom-pom right on top? ALSO, this hat is made in Canada, and it was under $100 CANADIAN. WHAT. My only qualm is that it is not hot pink, but I love it anyway. I love it.
The Kate Spade hat is back in stock though. So should I give my current pom-pom hat a friend? 🙂
Hat – Simon’s / Sweater – Banana Republic / Vest – Old Navy / Skirt – Gap / Tights – The Bay / Shoes – Gap / Bag – Alexander Wang / Watch – Titan
Montreal Part I – Maison Christian Faure
I can be a creature of habit, but once in awhile I benefit greatly from a break in routine; a sweet little escape. Because of my trips to Cuba and Europe earlier this year, I couldn’t take much more time off from my full-time job – a long weekend in Montreal seemed like the perfect destination.
My last trip to Montreal was five years ago, and that was actually my first time visiting Quebec too. I went with my family and we had a beautiful road trip to Montreal, Quebec City, and a little town where nobody spoke English, and we went whale-watching and hiking. If I had to go again, I’d probably repeat that trip because the weekend I spent there this time around was NOT long enough!
I had my photographer with me, and we rented a car to make the five hour drive from Toronto. For a weekend trip, I wouldn’t recommend this. We definitely had fun along the way, but it really ate into the time we could have spent exploring Montreal. Nevertheless, the drive was beautiful. The leaves were just starting to change colour, and we had a wicked playlist. We stopped in picturesque Gananoque, and drove along the Thousand Islands Parkway. That was definitely the highlight of the drive for me! Sometimes I forget how much natural beauty we have in Canada, being stuck in the city all the time.
JC Highway Driving
Another effect of growing up in the city? Barely having to drive! Which is why I look like I’m driving into DEFCON 1 whenever I get on the highway.
I Prefer Pearls
Pearls are effortlessly chic. They are easy to wear both casually, and with finery. I love the way they feel when I first drape them around my neck – cool against my skin. By the time I take them off at the end of the day, they are warm to the touch, and more luminous.
My favourite movie scenes with pearls – Natalie Portman as Anne Boleyn, wearing the infamous “B” necklace with 3 teardrops, Grace Kelly with a choker in Rear Window, and perhaps my favourite: Carrie Bradshaw wearing a string of pearls to bed.
These pearls are a gift from my Auntie Helen. They are absolutely stunning, and I feel as glamorous as Grace whenever I wear them. In this outfit, I styled them with a tweed jacket and the perfect ballerina flats. I don’t usually like to wear outfits that are so precious…but every once in awhile it’s fun to feel like I’m in costume.
More about my Montreal trip, coming soon!
Jacket – J.Crew / Top – Banana Republic / Pants – Gap / Ballerinas – J.Crew / Bag – Alexander Wang / Pearls – a lovely gift
xo
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends, and anyone celebrating!
I’ll keep this short and sweet, but I would be remiss if I did not share at least a few things I’m thankful for…
The Mindy Project. Or, just Mindy Kaling‘s existence in general. I know, I know – when am I going to stop going on about my love for Mindy? The answer is NEVER!!
Marshmallow Fireside Candles from B&BW. I light them pretty much every day from September to February, because they smell so cozy. That’s the best way I can describe them! For me, they embody the Swedish custom of fredagsmys – curling up indoors on a Friday night to light candles, cuddle under a blanket on the sofa, eat candy and watch a movie. To embrace the cold and be COZY! (via Cup of Jo)
Having a library in my neighbourhood, and also close to my office. I love going to the library. I feel instantly calmer, surrounded by beautiful books, knowing I could pick one off the shelf and just escape for a little while.
As an extrovert, I rarely feel the need to avoid people around me, but it’s nice to have a place where loud conversation and exchanging social pleasantries are frowned upon. I can peruse the aisles at my own leisure, and don’t have to make eye contact with anyone.
Also, checking a book out of the library is basically like shopping for free 🙂
The fact that things like these stickers, this tree topper, and this colouring book are all available to buy online! Filing this in my “little pick-me-ups” category. Sometimes it’s nice to give yourself a present!
And lastly, I am thankful for all the love in my life. I am so grateful to have supportive parents who let me live at home, take me to cool plays and restaurants, and let me leave my shoes all over the house. Â I love my friends and family, who listen to me worry about stupid things, watch me continually do stupid things, and still have faith in me for some odd reason. I love my better half, my boyfriend, my “photographer” :). We are two weirdos who have found our crazy weirdo match in each other.
I feel grateful to live in a country where I have access to clean water, where women have a voice, where I can eat poutine at one in the morning, where education is accessible, and where I can VOTE and it MATTERS!
Honourable mentions:
- Uber
- The Balmain X HM collection
- Google Doodles
xoxo
Image by Emily Isabella via DesignLoveFest
Ready for Mockingjay
I am a huge Hunger Games fan. After much convincing from my younger friends, I tried reading the trilogy and was instantly hooked. I adore Katniss Everdeen, and was fascinated by the strange world of Panem. The movies are just as exciting for me – mainly because I can see all the sartorial descriptions brought to life. My favourite on-screen character is obviously Effie. But there was one clothing item in Hunger Games: Catching Fire, that I couldn’t stop thinking about…
The Huntress Cowl. Or, Katniss’ badass sweater thingy. I saw it, and I had to have it. Luckily for me, my mom is a knitting guru. As in, she’s a better knitter than Katniss is an archer. Ok. I’m going to stop with the movie references now.
I am convinced my mom can knit pretty much anything. And the best part? She loooves a good challenge. I showed her The Huntress Cowl, and after a bit of googling and wool shopping, she figured it out. How GORGEOUS is this sweater? It’s such a statement piece, and although its asymmetrical shape may make it seem impractical, it’s actually quite warm. I love it!
And just in time for the final Huger Games: Mockingjay II!! I will be there on opening day, maybe wearing this sweater and a cool side braid?
xo
The Huntress Cowl – Studio Lillian (aka my mom) / Top – Joe Fresh / Skirt – Aritzia / Boots – Victoria’s Secret / Lippie – Deborah Lippman “True Blood”
It’s the little things… (my Oprah magazine subscription is the best $40 I ever spent)
My Favourite issues of O
I have a confession! I absolutely adore O magazine. I don’t know why I feel like this is a confession – maybe because The Oprah Show, and O magazine seem like such “mom” things to like? I guess I’m ok with that! I seem to love “mom” things: mom jeans, mommy blogs, mom breakfast items (Special K and activia, duh), and obviously I LOVE my own beautiful mom 🙂
O magazine is not just for moms, though. In fact, it’s not even just for women. I think that anyone who picks up a copy of O would find some value, and come away feeling just a little bit happier. My mood is instantly lifted when I see it in my mailbox, and since subscribing in April not one issue has let me down.
Each month’s theme is thoughtful and relevant. They are more unique than any other magazine on the stands. I’ve read interesting articles about post-traumatic growth, how to console someone who is grieving, lack of mammogram funding in the United States, and what it’s like to be a zoo keeper at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo.
I also love the sharp and witty advice column written by Lisa Kogan (everything from how to deal with a picky eater to a pushy mother-in-law),
The gratitude meter (similar to “Cool Find/Links I Love” but in print),
The well-curated book recommendations and excerpts (like this month’s latest from Gloria Steinam!!),
and of course the wonderful fashion finds. The fact that I’m praising the sartorial choices of a “mom” magazine, probably means it’s not a “mom” magazine. 🙂
Reading my O magazine brightens my day, and reminds me to find joy in other little things as well. Such as:
- Last week’s episode of Doctor Who took place in CAITHNESS, Scotland (year 2119)
- Coconut milk being offered as a dairy alternative at my local Starbucks
- A pair of shoes I’ve been eyeing are currently 40% off
- Because of my trip to Montreal, and the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend, I get three short work weeks in a row! YAAASSS!
- You can now send gifs in LinkedIn messenger!!!
Me and my Doctor Who Van Gogh TARDIS poster
xoxo
Love Story
I love these pants.
I love everything about them. I love that they’re named “The Love Story“, I love that they’re a deep, dark green, I love that they’re corduroy, and I LOVE that they’re bellbottoms! Whew, that’s a lot of love.
If you know me, you know that I don’t shy away from making a statement. So in full 70’s theme, I donned a wide-brimmed hat and groovy vest. I wore this outfit to brunch, or because I’m in Montreal, “Le Brunch”. The nice thing about Montreal is that nobody really looked twice at my somewhat over-the-top outfit. But I just know that if I wore this out in Toronto, even on Queen West or Ossington, I’d get a few weird stares!
Happy Monday, and stay tuned for more travel posts soon! I am properly eating my way through Montreal…
Hat- Madewell / Vest – bought in France / Turtleneck – Joe Fresh / Pants – J.Brand / Clutch – American Apparel
Suit Up
Sometimes it’s fun to borrow from the boys! I’m surrounded by men in suits 5 days a week, so I suppose their uniforms have influenced me a little. Some women say they feel more powerful in a suit – but that’s definitely not the case for me…
A good pair of shoes though? Like a really good pair of shoes? They can empower me to Beyoncé status. Yaaaasssss.
So in today’s outfit I donned a suit, with the most gorgeous shoes in my closet. I got super fun compliments like, “I saw your shoes before I saw you!” and “You have a punk rock chic thing going on with those hot pink shoes and black suit!” – the latter came from an old man, which made me even happier. It’s so funny to me, when grandpas care about fashion!
We took these photos right outside the ROM, pictured above. My photographer didn’t like the backdrop with my outfit because he said I looked like a tour guide with my suit and little scarf. I was totally ok with that though, because one of my dreams has always been to become a tour guide! In fact, I think I’d be quite good at it!
xo
Jacket – Club Monaco / Pants – Banana Republic / Top – Zara / Scarf – vintage Christian Dior / Shoes – Christian Dior / Bag – Alexander Wang / Rings – Foe and Dear / Nail polish – “Marnie” by Deborah Lippman for the GIRLS collection
Nuit Blanche
I cannot believe that Nuit Blanche is celebrating its 10th year! Just like Luminato, I’ve been a fan since the very beginning. I was in high school when Nuit Blanche started, and first attended as an excuse to roam around the streets of Toronto til 3am. I’d like to say that I now partake for more sophisticated reasons, but come on! Toronto is never as lively at night as it is during Nuit Blanche.
Nuit Blanche, directly translated, means “sleepless night”. It’s an annual all-night arts and culture festival, originating in Paris. It’s grown rapidly in Toronto, with hundreds of artists now participating every year. Different installations and exhibits are set up around the city, all listed on a map. The TTC runs all night (in most places), and restaurants and bars stay open later too!
Normally, the idea of staying out past 11pm renders an instant “NO” from me. But Nuit Blanche is different. It’s a lot of fun! It brings strangers together to experience cool art! People seem to feel less inhibited, and are more likely to strike up a conversation and interact. It’s weird, but I kind of like it 🙂
Notable mentions:
Jocelyn Caithness 