Monday, April 30, 2012

Loose Interpretation of Inspiration Monday



For this week's edition of Two Birds' Inspiration Monday I'm showcasing my very loose interpretation of Emma Watson's look. 


Not only is it a great opportunity to show off my new floral print peplum skirt (two trends, one garment - love it!), it's given me the chance to show my ghostly white ankles some love (I swear, they aren't normally so pale).


An up close and personal look at the skirt's amazing pattern

Blazer - Talula from Aritzia; t-shirt - Smart Set; Skirt - Zara;
Shoe & accessories - Aldo

This skirt was the piece that caused me to break my self-imposed shopping ban. I didn't want to want it, but I did. Even then, I was prepared to walk away without it; that is until a complete stranger complimented me as I walked out of the change room.

That was it. I was sold.

Since that fateful day last week I've done more shopping than I had in the past two months. One of my excuses is that I had a bad day on Wednesday and decided that retail therapy was the only way to cure my blues. And it did.

My credit card however has different feelings (disappointment and exhaustion) about my purge. Oh well. I needed the clothes for work (that's my story and I'm sticking to it!)

 Thanks to my binge, I'm now more than ready for the seasons to *really* change and for the sunshine and warm weather to set in!

New month, new self-imposed shopping ban.

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Thursday, April 26, 2012

Hockey Style Petite-Style

I had every intention of devoting a post to work appropriate playoff style. It was on my list for days. But unfortunately for me, my beloved Detroit Red Wings were brutally defeated faster than I could take my Zetterberg t-shirt out of my dresser.


I did however wear this outfit to watch hockey (and go shopping and dancing) on the weekend.



Shirt - Smart Set; Jeans - Mavi; Boots - Aldo; Watch - Fossil

It wasn't red and there were no wings, but it was still a pretty great option for watching the Sens kick some Ranger butt.

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Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Petite Fashion Challenge #15: Chic Pin-spiration

There's nothing like a petite fashion challenge to pull you out of a rut.


These past couple of weeks I've been stuck in the rut of all sartorial ruts. No original outfits, lots of black, nothing good to share; it was a bummer of a couple of weeks. But that's what happens when life, work and NHL playoffs take over. Thankfully, things have slowed down just enough for me to take part in this month's challenge.


Chic Pin-spiration-- Find a pic of an outfit you love on Pinterest, and re-create it the best way possible!


My Interpretation



Shirt - Smart Set; Skirt - ASOS; Shoes - Aldo; Belt - Joe Fresh; Watch - Fossil

Visit Long Live Classy to check out the rest of the Petite Fashion Challenge posts. 


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Monday, April 23, 2012

My One on One with Nicole Bridger

photo courtesy of nicole Bridger - SS12 collection

Recently, I had the chance to chat with eco fashion designer Nicole Bridger, and naturally I asked all the tough questions. Read the interview over at Ef Magazine.


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Sunday, April 22, 2012

Eco Fashion: Not An Oxymoron

Eco fashion is no longer an oxymoron. Gone are the days of scratchy hemp, unflattering fits, and everything beige. Today's eco or sustainable fashions have both style and a social conscience.

In honour of Earth Day let's celebrate some of Canada's eco fashion industry leaders who are doing their part to save the earth, all while making us look oh-so-good.

Broken Doll Clothing, Chai top, made of Bamboo, Spandex and Polyester
Broken Doll Clothing is a Canadian clothing label that strives to create casual yet chic looks.Their fresh and distinctive silhouettes are made from eco friendly fabrics like tencel, modal, bamboo, and organic cotton, and can be incorporated into any wardrobe.



BuenoStyle, reclaimed vintage earrings
The brainchild of collector, curator, gleaner, designer and assembler Christi York, BuenoStyle is a line of vintage, hand assembled, re-worked jewellery made from eco-conscious materials whenever possible. Her one-of-a-kind pieces are beautiful and unique, just like the women who wear them.


To Desire, wrap, reworked wedding dress
Vancouver's Jeeti, the designer behind To Desire, takes already beautiful garments, such as wedding dresses and saris, and reworks them to create stunning and unique wraps, shells, and shrugs. Worn with anything from jeans to dresses, To Desire wraps add sensuality, sophistication and style to any ensemble.


We3, Galvanize Tank, made from bamboo;
the Spruce Skirt, made from Recylced polyester, organic cotton and spandex
A collaboration between design school friends, Glencora Twigg, Jessica Vaira, and Christine Hotton, We3 is a line of essential pieces that every wardrobe needs, and every woman desires. Inspired by the modern woman, We3 designs are made from sustainable fabrics with the aim of making women feel comfortable, stylish, and socially conscious.


Dahlia Drive, slip dress, hand painted upcycled vintage slip
Dahlia Drive is a line of salvaged, pre-loved slips, shirts and fabric remnants which are resurrected by being hand-dyed, screen printed, embellished and even transformed through rusting techniques. The perfect mix of modern and vintage, designer Wendy Van Riesen's creations are not only stylish, they're one-of-a-kind pieces of wearable art.


Sustainability isn't just taking over the fashion design world, but the publishing world as well. More and more fashion magazines are focusing on eco fashion, some even devoting all of their column inches to sustainable style. Ottawa's Ef Magazine is one such publication that shines the spotlight on eco designers and boutiques whose goals are to go green with style.


Sustainable fashion isn't a trend; it's not in one day and out the next. Sustainable fashion is part of a growing philosophy the goal of which is to promote environmentalism, social responsibility, and reducing the carbon footprint. Something we should all be thinking about every day.


So, grab your favourite piece of bamboo clothing, your reusable water bottle, and let's celebrate Earth Day; because, there's nothing more stylish than sustainability.


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Friday, April 20, 2012

Style Profile: Monochroma.Chic



Name: Kristy
Age: 26
Occupation: Assistant Accountant
Location: Toronto

When and why did you start your site? 
I started blogging through Chictopia in early 2009 and I created my own website in November of 2009. I started blogging about my personal style because the whole idea of fashion blogging was really intriguing, so I decided to join the fun. It's been a blast :)

 How would you describe your site?
Easy to read and navigate, focuses on affordable and wearable outfits for work & play, a journal of my personal style.

Where do you get your inspiration?
 Definitely from fellow bloggers and my favorite fashion "it" girls: Olivia Palermo & Miroslava Duma



Who are your style/beauty icons?
Olivia Palermo & Miroslava Duma :)

Describe your personal style.
Wearable, affordable, comfortable

What was the best style/beauty advice you were given?
Use a face tissue or paper towel to wipe my face after I wash it.  

Where are your favourite places to shop?
High-street stores, such as H&M, ZARA, ALDO. I like to peruse through Winners as well :) 

What are your favourite trends for this season?
Lace on everything and Tangerine Tango on everything! 



Style/Beauty Pet Peeve?
 Leggings as pants and barely-there denim shorts (or any kind of shorts, really!)

What do you never leave home without?
I assume this has to be fashion-related? A great yet comfortable pair of shoes!

What are your five essential items that you think every woman should own?
Pleated skirts (mini, midi, maxi, doesn't matter!), button-down blouses, black tights, leopard accessories (e.g. belts or scarves), and a pair of not-so-classic black pumps.

Where do you see yourself and your site in five years?
I would like to have a career in the retail buying field, so in 5 years, I hope to become a buyer. I would also like to see my site grow (obviously!), but I don't want it to become too "commercialized" that I lose touch with my readers and blogger friends. I started fashion blogging as a hobby and I would like to keep it that way :)



All images courtesy of Monochroma.Chic.





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Sunday, April 15, 2012

Spring has sprung

Disclaimer: This post is by no means a spring trend report - for one of those I would suggest checking out Style.com, Flare, Fashion, or any of the other reputable fashion mags. This is merely my sartorial inspiration board for spring 2012 - what this Petite Adventurer wishes she could wear.

When it came to dressing this past fall, I used vintage Kate Middleton as my inspiration - lots of skirts and dresses with tights and boots. And, I have to tell you that I loved it; getting dressed in the mornings was made that much easier because I knew what I was aiming for.

Kate Middleton courtesy of People

But that was then.

Although my admiration for Kate Middleton hasn't gone away, I won't be looking to her style as much this spring. For me, this season is all about cropped pants and heel, bright colours and patterns, and accessories galore!

For Work Adventures

My office's dress code is business casual - some focus more on the casual, whereas I like to bring more of the business to my look - but even with so much flexibility when it comes to apparel, I still find dressing for spring/summer extremely difficult. There is a very fine line between just enough, and too much skin, and as the youngest person in the office, my goal is to stay as far away from that line as possible (my office is also extremely cold in summer so too much skin just means a bigger chance of getting hypothermia).

My goal for the season is to find chic, feminine, structured pieces in which I can strut my stuff!

Miranda Kerr

Simple, yet elegant.

Structured dresses in vivid colours, with neutral pieces to tie everything together.

Again, structured, feminine pieces - the perfect balance of Wintour and whimsy. 

Linen isn't exactly structured, but I love the simplicity of this look... and the shoes.

The Long Shot

When I first came across this photo of Niki of A Haute Mess, I had an instant sartorial lust for her shorts-suit. 

Photo from A Haute Mess

If you've ever read this blog you'll know I'm obsessed with anything cobalt, so to find a short suit in that colour, well... it isn't exactly a dream come true, but it's now something I'm coveting.

It's definitely a long shot, but maybe could be pulled off on a casual Friday?!
I plan on finding out.

For Weekend Adventures
(aka: patio times!)

Less structure more casual, but just as many colours for my weekend adventures.

LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's 
A Fashion Love Affair
The "Kelly" leather bracelet from Osolee
  Osolee is the brainchild of interior designer and CTV correspondent Lee Ann Lacroix. It features pieces of all styles - from punk and funk, to dainty and divine (I've been seriously coveting the Kelly leather bracelet since I peeped the site early last week). And, the best part is that the pieces are affordable - perfect for the frugalista who's saving her money to go on an adventure to Sweden and Russia, like yours truly - plus, the pieces are so versatile they can compliment any ensemble.

So there you have it, my style vision board for spring. 
Want to see what other styles I'm hoping to rock throughout the season? Check out Petite Adventures on Pinterest.


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Friday, April 13, 2012

Style Profile: Alicia Fashionista




Name: Alicia Quan
Age: 25
Occupation: Entrepreneur
Location: Vancouver, BC

When and why did you start your site? 
I started my blog as a very personal diary style it has evolved into a fashion blog.

How would you describe your site? 
It has been primarily about fashion for quite some time, mostly style journals, but I am gearing towards some more lifestyle posts soon.  We’ll see :)

Where do you get your inspiration? 
I try to see beauty and inspiration in everything. Blogs and magazines can be very inspiring, but sometimes I draw ideas from art, photographs, music; really, the list is endless.



Who are your style/beauty icons?  
This is always changing but at the moment Florence Welch, Elizabeth Olsen.

Describe your personal style. 
West Coast Chic!  Very classic and feminine, I do try to include some trendy pieces, but always dress to flatter my shape.



What was the best style/beauty advice you were given? 
The best beauty advice I was ever given was to moisturize your face every morning and night to prevent wrinkles.  I’d have to say the best style advice I was ever given was to dress

Where are your favourite places to shop? 
Locally I love Front and Company and Barefoot Contessa.  Lately I’ve been window shopping online a ton, I always love ModCloth, ASOS, Shabby Apple, etc.

What are your favourite trends for this season? 
This spring I am very much looking forward to florals and neon (not necessarily together).  Just bought some floral pants today, actually!



Style/Beauty Pet Peeve?  
I’ve seen all sorts of appalling combinations of Uggs lately.  Uggs with shorts, Uggs with tights as pants, and the worst one:  grandmas in Uggs!

What do you never leave home without? 
My cell phone and my iPad..connected at all times!

What are your five essential items that you think every woman should own? 
A little black dress, a well fitted blazer, a big statement necklace, a comfortable pair of everyday heels, and a great shade of red lipstick!



Where do you see yourself and your site in five years? 
I hope to still be running my business, Capital Q Creative.  Who knows what my site will be like so far in the future, but I do hope to still be blogging.

What's on your nightstand? 
A picture of my grandparents, a She + Him record, a clock, and a book of crossword puzzles.



All images courtesy of Alicia Fashionista.




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Monday, April 9, 2012

A Whole Lotta Cobalt

This past week was a whirlwind of friends, both near and far, getting together for happy and sad occasions, and I wore a whole lot of cobalt. 





Blouse - Wilfred from Aritzia; Skirt - Jacob; Tights - Secret; Boots - Aldo; Watch - Fossil
I first spotted this shirt at Aritzia over a month ago while shopping with a friend but I didn't buy it right away. After thinking about it non-stop for three weeks I took it as a sign that it needed to be mine. Since then I've worn it an inappropriate number of times - including twice last week alone - and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon.

I've got a whole lotta love for this shirt.

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Friday, April 6, 2012

Style Profile: Haute Halifax



 This week's Style Profile is a two-for-one as we learn more about Erin and Jess the ladies behind Haute Halifax.


 Name: Erin Wright
Age: 26
Occupation: Account Coordinator at a Halifax advertising/marketing agency
Location: Halifax

When and why did you start your site?
Jess started Haute Halifax on her own in the spring of 2010, and as her friend, I was a loyal follower. I really liked the blog’s vibe and was drawn to the idea of documenting my style, so after some persuasion from friends, I approached Jess in the fall of 2010 with the idea of joining forces to give Haute Halifax two unique perspectives. I guess you could say the rest is history!

How would you describe your site?
While the site is definitely fashion-focused, it also offers musings on music, trends, and local talent. I document my day-to-day style with outfit posts, while Jess serves up a myriad of inspiring content – be it an awesome new indie band, or a crafty little DIY. I think the fact that we both bring unique, personal content to the table makes for a well-balanced blog.

Where do you get your inspiration?
Though it may sound cliché, I honestly get inspiration from as many sources as possible, all the while finding ways to make it true to my own personal style. These days I probably draw the most inspiration from street style/fashion blogs, though I still take cues from celebrity fashion icons, the runway, and the retail environment. And of course, my stylish friends and the city I call home always keep me on my toes!

Who are your style/beauty icons?
Blair Eadie from Atlantic-Pacific blog has the most impeccable style I’ve ever seen. It’s virtually impossible to emulate but fascinating to watch. I also really like Krystal Bick from the blog This Time Tomorrow – she takes risks yet always manages to pull it off. As for celeb style, Zoe Saldana, Victoria Beckham, and Olivia Palermo all rock my socks.

Describe your personal style.
I always struggle with this question because my style is all over the map! I definitely experiment with trends and have diverse taste, but generally speaking, I’d say I gravitate towards chic, classic essentials, mixed with edgy and glamorous accents.

What was the best style/beauty advice you were given?
It’s not about any single garment or accessory, it’s about how you pull the whole look together. Great style is about combining elements in unexpected ways.

Where are your favourite places to shop?
I’m admittedly kind of a mall rat, with the odd vintage or high end piece thrown in for good measure. I love J Crew, Envy, Banana Republic, H&M, and Joe Fresh. I pray to the fashion gods to bring Halifax a Zara, and I’m also a sucker for House of Harlow jewelry and Converse sneakers.

What are your favourite trends for this season?
For Spring/Summer 2012, I’m anticipating a lot of print – geometric, floral, polka dot, and a lot of colour – everything from neon to pastel to metallic. I’m loving coloured denim, loose sheer blouses, peplum tops, drop waist dresses, and utility accents. I’m also still seeing lots of statement jewelry, which I endorse!

 Style/Beauty Pet Peeve?
I hate having to cover up a good outfit with a big jacket, and I hate when I forget to wash my face before bed.

What do you never leave home without?
BlackBerry, iPod, crappy digital camera, wallet, keys, 5 different lip glosses, and 8 pounds of jewelry.

What are your five essential items that you think every woman should own?
A great pair of skinny jeans, a perfect-fitting white button-up blouse, a leather jacket, a pair of designer sunglasses, and a fabulous watch.

Where do you see yourself and your site in five years?
I have no idea what I’m doing in 5 hours, so it’s very tough to say! “Married with kids” probably isn’t the fashion blogger thing to say, but regardless, I hope I still get as much pleasure out of fashion and blogging as I do right now.

What's on your nightstand?
Right now a Valentine’s Day card from my boyfriend, Burt’s Bees lip balm, a Buddha head (sounds weird), a candle, some random jewelry, and my alarm clock.
Tell Petite Adventures readers something random about yourself.
I’m left-handed, I’ve never eaten a Big Mac, and I once skied off a cliff and gave myself whip lash. The neck brace was cute.




Name: Jess Bradford
Age: 24
Occupation: PR professional
Location: Halifax, NS

When and why did you start your site?
I started Haute Halifax about 2 years ago. When I started it up, I had just graduated with a degree in PR and was in-between student lifestyle and finding a job. I had always followed a number of fashion and lifestyle blogs and realized that not many were based in Halifax. At the time, there may have been only two, so I saw a gap in the market and thought I can do this too! The rest is history. I’ve since seen an explosion of Halifax-based fashion blogs. It’s great to see.

How would you describe your site?
My awesome co-blogger Erin provides our readers with doses of weekly outfit inspiration, while I handle other posts, such as secondhand/vintage shopping inspiration, beauty tips, music playlists, some DIYs, and more. 

Where do you get your inspiration?
My inspiration comes from perusing secondhand stores and stumbling the Internet.

Who are your style/beauty icons?
To be quite honest, I don’t really have any. That being said, I feel like Blake Lively can do no wrong fashion wise and I always love her hair.

Describe your personal style.
I love lace, sheer blouses, and feminine silhouettes. I would say I’m a pretty girly dresser, but I can definitely dress down when the time calls for it.

What was the best style/beauty advice you were given? Baby powder! Dust a little bit of baby powder in your hair and it will freshen it up instantly. It saves you from over washing your hair.

Where are your favourite places to shop?
I love shopping at thrift stores like Value Village and Salvation Army mostly because I want to minimize how much I spend and reduce my environmental footprint, but I also find more unique and interesting pieces there. When I’m looking for something specific I would probably go to my favourite boutiques downtown Halifax – Twisted Muse, Biscuit, or Sweet Pea.

What are your favourite trends for this season?
I’m loving seeing the pastel colour trends again like mint green and coral. I also like that girls seem to be embracing messy, undone hairstyles like loose braids and natural waves.

Style/Beauty Pet Peeve?
Having to throw away plastic bottles of shampoo, moisturizer, etc after you’re finished with them. I’m currently in the process of trying to switch most of my style and beauty products to items that can be refilled.

What do you never leave home without?
My iPhone and Burt’s Bees lip balm.

What are your five essential items that you think every woman should own?
-       A nicely tailored, long, neutral-coloured trench
-       A good moisturizer with SPF that doesn’t leave your skin feeling greasy
-       A pair of everyday sunglasses. Mine are a pair of brown, gold, and tortoise shell aviators.
-       Burt’s Bees lip balm – incredible for your lips!
-       A great pair of jeans

Where do you see yourself and your site in five years?
I hope we can grow to become the go-to site to find out about what fashion-related events are going on in Halifax. I would love to add a street style columnist as well. As for myself, who knows! I’m just going to keep doing things I enjoy and hope for the best.

What's on your nightstand?
A lamp, vanilla candle, and dental floss!


All images courtesy of Haute Halifax.



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