Starts with red plaid and fur...

There is something so unequivocally winter (and stereotypically Canadian) about plaid and fur. Since winter has no plans on leaving anytime soon, I've adapted the age old adage, "if you can't beat them, join them".

This fun plaid top is elevated by edgy detials like a leather trimmed neckline and side zippers. It's the perfect complement to an otherwise more conservative (faux) fur scarf.

Add a sleek pair of over-the-knee boots to the equation, and I was ready to brave the icy sidewalks this past weekend.

Hope you're staying warm!

Top: Zara

Coat: Babaton Howell Coat (from Aritzia, currently on sale)

Bottom: Zara
Boots: Michael by Michael Kors

Bag: Prada

Sunglasses: D&G

Gloves: Holt Renfrew

Starts with pastels and denim...

Happy Friday! Last summer I had written about my search for the perfect denim jacket, finally this year I found one. Even better, I found it at Aritzia's summer sale (one of my favourite annual shopping events). 

For a casual weekend dinner, I paired it with a pastel lace tank and white skinny jeans. For added pop, I added a chunky statement necklace.

I love the juxtaposition of the geometric beads against the lace. As the weekend is upon us, with whatever you're doing I hope you have fun and enjoy the sunshine!

Jacket,  lace tank and hat: Aritzia (Jacket and tank on sale here and here, hat here)

Bottom: Free People

Shoes: Kors Michael Kors

Bag: Louis Vuitton

Jewelry: J.Crew bracelet, Banana Republic necklace (old, similar here)

Starts with a sweater coat...

Mother Nature was deceptively cooperative this weekend by bringing Spring-like temperatures. It was the perfect opportunity to bring out one of my long-favourite pieces, a draped collar sweater coat. I started by adding a belt in the morning to dress-up for a brunch date and then left it open and more relaxed for an afternoon of running errands. 

I paired my sweater coat with my go-to faux leather leggings and stacked black and gold accessories, which helped add a bit of edginess to an otherwise very feminine and laid-back look.

 There is truly nothing as versatile and timeless as a well-made sweater coat. This particular version has an oversized draped collar, which provides dimension and movement and has lent itself well to being reinvented and worn again and again over the years.

What items in your wardrobe do you find yourself reaching for time and time again?

Top: Theory sweater (old,similar version here), Club Monaco t-shirt

Bottom: Aritzia

Belt: Joe Fresh

Jewelry: Hermes and Gap bracelets, Michael Kors watch

Starts with a cashmere trapeze sweater...

On cold days, there's really nothing as lovely as cozying-up in an oversized cashmere sweater. This trapeze sweater is one of my favorite items purchased on Boxing Day. The shape on this sweater creates a really interesting cape-effect while the fitted arms help prevent the wearer from being too overwhelmed by it. It was really the unique shape of this sweater that caught my eye, the wonderfully plushness of the cashmere was an added bonus. 

To dress-up the oversized sweater for brunch this morning, I paired it with a pair of faux leather pants and a printed scarf with grey accents. 

Sweater: Demy Lee (here, also loving this version here)

Bottom: Aritzia (loving this year's version here)

Shoes: Sam Edelman

Scarf: Gap (old)

Starts with a printed silk shirt...

Over the past few months, I've added quite a number of pieces to my wardrobe in an effort to inject colour and texture. Among my favorites is this abstract plaid blouse in semi-sheer silk. In a relaxed but tailored fit that's perfect for tucking-in, it added some much-needed brightness to an otherwise bone-chillingly cold weekend. 

Even better was the fact that my purple handbag paired wonderfully with it!

Despite the cold temperatures this weekend, it was still filled with delicious dinners out, shopping, and lazy movie nights at home. Among the highlights were homemade macarons from my sister, a belated Valentine's dinner with my hubby, and re-watching Hugo. How did you brave the cold?

Have a great week!

Top: Suno (sold out, similar here)

Belt: Ferragamo

Bottom: J. Brand

Shoes: Sam Edelman

Jewelry: Michael Kors watch, bangles by Hermes and unknown designer (purchased from street market in New York)

Jacket: Aritzia (on sale)

Bag: Botkier (last seen here and here)
Sunglasses: D&G

Fashion News: Aritzia now offers online shopping!

This morning, one of my favourite imports from Canada's West Coast (the other being Purdy's chocolate, but let's stick to fashion here), Aritzia, presented their new website along with....(drumroll please)...online shopping! 

You may have seen from my previous posts that a few many of my pieces are from Aritzia, namely their house-brands like Wilfred and T.Babaton. Their pieces are well-made and fit petite frames like a dream. In addition, there are the tried, tested, and true brands like Mackage, J.Brand, Citizens of Humanity and Paige that make Aritzia a go-to shop for wardrobe basics. 

Online shopping also means that come Boxing Day this year there's no more fighting the crowds and  no more communal fitting rooms!

Happy Shopping!

Image credit: Aritzia

Starts with a graphic print sweater...

Happy Monday! This whimsical sweater takes the term "leopard print" to a whole different level. As a big fan of animal prints, how could I resist the print of literally, an animal?

 

Paired with my fall-favourite oxblood skinny pants, this is perfect for weekend lunches and casual Fridays. 

Hope you all have a great week!

Sweater: Garage (also loving this version here)

Blazer: Banana Republic

Bottom: Aritzia

Shoes: Cole Haan

Jewellery: Marc Jacobs watch (old), Hermes bracelet, Tiffany & Co necklace

Sunglasses: D&G

Starts with burgundy trousers...

What is Fall's answer to summer's red pant? Rich burgundy (also known as oxblood) trousers...

Happy almost-end-of-the-week!

Top: Zara (both)

Bottom: Aritzia

Shoes: Nine West (old)

Wallet: Marc Jacobs

Sunglasses: D&G

Starts with black cropped pants...

It's official. I'm obsessed with cropped pants. Come Fall, I don't know how I can go back to my wider-legged dress pants. I love how cropped pants look so effortlessly chic while providing a great way to show off my shoes. 

It's a bit tricky for a slightly shorter person like me. I have to be careful that the pants aren't too long (otherwise it adds bulk to the legs) and careful that it's not too short (otherwise it looks like I'm wearing capri pants). My preference is just above the ankle.

 

Here, I've paired my pants with a feminine checked top and a long statement necklace to elongate the torso.  

We're coming into the long weekend, and I'm looking forward to spending some time outside - how are you spending the last days of summer?

Pants: Gap

Top: T.Babaton (from Aritzia) blouse, Banana Republic sweater

Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Jewellery: Banana Republic long necklace (old); Tiffany & Co, Tag Heuer)

Sunglasses: D&G

Purse: Botkier (last seen here and here)

Starts with skulls and lace...

Happy Sunday! It was such a beautiful weekend here, and it's an especially special weekend because it's both my hubby's birthday and our one-year wedding anniversary!

For dinner earlier last week, I decided to branch out and reach for my skull scarf. This was an impulse purchase from Las Vegas a last year and really is more of the "edgier" pieces in my wardrobe. I'm loving how it contrasts with the lace top, and matches perfectly with the ruffled heels.  If it wasn't so delicate, I think this scarf would be worn much more often. For now, it's relegated to simple outfits to avoid snags and pulls in the silk.

We came upon these adorable lanterns set up at the Shoppes at Don Mills. For those who've been to The Grove in Los Angeles - the mall reminds me a bit of that. We don't get many months of warm weather there, so any chance to mix fresh air and shopping - I'm in!

Hope you're spending the weekend relaxing and enjoying time with loved ones!

Scarf: Alexander McQueen

Top: Aritzia 

Bottom: J Brand

Shoes: Elizabeth and James (old)

Bag: Louis Vuitton

Sunglasses: D&G

Jewellery: Hermes, Tag Heuer 

Starts with a maxi skirt...

Happy day-before-the-weekend!

This was my homage to boho chic. The long jersey skirt was perfect for a muggy summer day!

These sandals were a purchase from last summer. The thick straps and chunkier heel helped anchor the otherwise flowy look.

I wore this necklace earlier this year for a New Year's Eve party - I decided to pull it out of hiding, because it's just too pretty to keep hidden! (I can never say no to a statement necklace!)

Hope you're having a lovely Friday, and planning something fun for the weekend!

Jewellery: Etsy necklace (from All Things Tinsel), Michael Kors watch

Top: Zara blouse (similar here), TNA tank

Bottom: Old Navy (on sale!)

Sunglasses: D&G

Shoes: Zara (old)

Starts with summer brights and mixed patterns...

There's nothing quite like long weekends in the summer. This lovely purple bag was a recent purchase during a business trip and quick stop into Nordstrom. I'm loving how it brings out the flowers in the patterned shorts. 

These snake-print pointed flats keep the look from being too casual (and my first attempt at mixing patterns!)

Hope however you spent it, you had a lovely weekend as well!

Top: Aritzia (currently on sale)

Bottom: Zara

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman (also loving this version)

Bag: Botkier

Jewellery: Hermes bracelet, Tiffany & Co necklace, Gap necklace, Michael Kors watch

Sunglasses: D&G