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

Starts with a faux fur scarf...

Things are definitely getting chilly. In place of a statement necklace this weekend, I opted for a statement neck-warmer instead.

I paired this wonderfully cosy accessory with an otherwise neutral outfit for a brisk afternoon stroll.

Sometimes cold-weather dressing can be tricky. How can one elevate outerwear and make seemingly repetitive ensembles look different day to day? After all, one can only own so many coats. 

One way I do this is to keep a small collection of  outerwear with pieces that are distinctively different from each other but still highly functional. I have a warm parka for extra frigid days, and three wool coats: one short, one medium-length, and one long. Each wool coat is also a different colour from the other and with a unique detail (like a funnel collar or leather trim). The varying lengths also ensure something for every occasion. 

This olive wool jacket for example, has a great oversized collar for extra warmth and frames the fur scarf nicely.

In addition, I use scarves and other accessories to dress-up or dress-down the coats, allowing for even more versatility. And don't forget about bags and boots! As I rule, I tend to not spend too much money on expensive winter boots, as I know inevitably they will get damaged by the salt and slush.   

For those of you in chilly climates - how do you combat winter outfit blahs?

Scarf: Zara (this year's version here)

Jacket: United Colors of Benetton (also loving this version here)

Top: Joe Fresh

Bottom: Abercrombie & Fitch

Belt: Gap

Boots: Expression by The Bay (similar here and splurge-worthy version here)

Starts with a wool cape...

Halloween is around the corner but there's nothing wizardly or witch-like about the wool cape. It's the perfect transitional piece before the big coats come out, and the cinched waist on this version helps keep the wearer from looking too overwhelmed by the layers.

Leather trimming, satin lining,  and an exaggerated collar also add dimension.

In the season of pumpkin-spiced lattes and colourful leaves, there's nothing like a cozy coat to help make chilly walks that much better.

Cape: Barney's Co-op (old, similar here and here)

Bottom: Paige

Shoes: Banana Republic

Jewellery: Michael Kors

Wallet: Marc Jacobs

Starts with a tuxedo shirt...

Happy Friday! This tuxedo shirt has traditionally been associated with masculine dressing. But when it's silky, and flows, and has wonderfully detailed cuffs, and is paired with slim pants and a feminine crocodile peep-toe, there's no mistaking who's a true lady...

Hope you're having fun, wherever your weekend plans take you...

Top: Alice+Olivia (also loving this version here and here)

Bottom: J.Crew (available here)

Shoes: Jimmy Choo

Jewellery: Hermes, Michael Kors, J.Crew, Tiffany & Co

Starts with a black lace skirt...

Happy Monday! There's nothing like a mid-week soiree to really get the week going.This is what I wore for a friend's event last week at the Thompson Hotel celebrating the anniversary of her blog.

The relatively neutral palette allowed me to bring out the purple shoulder bag (worn as a clutch with the straps tucked inside) again.

I have to say, being at my friend's event really inspired me to continue with my blogging. Though I'd still consider myself a novice, I've had so much fun learning about blogging and have even surprised myself with my "techy" skills! Her success truly exemplifies the results of hard work and dedication, always something to remember. 

Hope your week has gotten off to a great start!

Top: J.Crew

Jewellery: All Things Tinsel necklace (on Etsy, last seen here), Hermes bracelet, Michael Kors watch

Bottom: Joe Fresh (also loving this pencil version)

Purse: Botkier (shoulder bag used as clutch, last seen here)

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