Life Lately: Fashion edition

A few snapshots of the fashions I've been wearing in the past few weeks.

Dress & Clutch - Le Chateau; Trench - H&M;
Wedges & Necklace - Aldo; Ring - Old Navy

Sweater - Joe Fresh; Blouse & Skirt - Jacob;
Purse - Aldo; Espadrilles - Aritzia; Sunglasses - American Eagle

Blazer - H&M; Dress - Aritzia; Heels - Aldo; Watch - Fossil

Blouse - Jacob; Skirt - Aritzia; Purse - Aldo; Sunglasses - American Eagle

Blazers - H&M; Dress - Banana Republic

Blazer - H&M; Dress - Banana Republic; Purse & Shoes - Aldo

Blazer - H&M; Dress - Banana Republic; Purse - Aldo

Blouse & Pants - Jacob; Sunglasses - Ray-Ban

Blouse - Jacob; Camisole - Smart Set; Trousers - Talula via Artizia;
Purse - Aldo

Blouse - Old Navy; Trousers & Belt - Joe Fresh;
Heels - Michael Kors;

Blouse - Zara; Jeans - Forever 21; Flats - Blowfish

Just in Time

Sweater - Zara; Dress - Banana Republic; Boots - Steve Madden

I gave myself last week off to wallow in the glory that is PMS (if anyone wants to dispute the existence of PMS, I would like to introduce them to last-week-Kate; she could have won any PMS-related argument, no contest.) From sad and irritation (which I took out on loved ones, sorry mom :s) to craving chocolate and salt (at the same time), you name a symptom, I had it. And, none of my usual remedies were working, so I spent most of the week (after work hours, that is) watching episodes of Intervention while shoving fistfuls of caramel popcorn in my mouth. It was sad and glorious all at the same time.

But, like any good storm, it passed and I'm back to feeling like my usual self - and, just in time! Saturday was my second shift with Dress for Success (DFS) and it wouldn't make for a very good experience to work in the boutique with an irritated, ragey Kate. I haven't been volunteering long, but I can honestly say it's one of the best, most rewarding things I've ever done - plus, it's fun! If I hadn't already been feeling better, my DFS shift wouldn't have definitely done the trick.

When I left the house early Saturday morning it was raining, but by the time I left the boutique huge snowflakes were falling from the sky. That's when I finally realized that the holidays are right around the corner! Just nine more days and this petite adventurer will be back on the west coast - if that's not a reason to celebrate, then I don't know what is!

Happy Monday!


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Blue and Brown for Girl Geek Dinner

Sweater - Zara; Dress - Banana Republic; Boots - Steve Madden

Last night, I had the opportunity to attend the season opener of Girl Geek Dinners Ottawa - a fantastic monthly networking event that makes technology accessible and interesting to all age groups and all people, particularly women. Led by Amanda Shendruk, founder of Aesthetic Intelligence and a leading expert in data visualization (also, she has the most amazing hair), last night's discussion focused on big data and the role of infographics. As someone who can't pass up reading an nfographic, this topic was right up my nerd alley.

For an evening of conversations, creativity, and learning about chartjunk (it's a thing, google it!) I decided it was only fitting to get a little creative and debut a never-before-worn blue and brown look. It was comfortable, casual, and thankfully chartjunk free!

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Foiled

Yesterday was a holiday here in Ontario (and across most of Canada) and I made the most of it!

Sweater - H&M; Dress - Banana Republic; Bag - Aldo;
Sandals - Zellers; Watch - Fossil; Sunglasses - Ray-Ban

After sleeping in until 8 a.m. (nothing makes you feel older than when you consider 8 a.m. a sleep-in) and leisurely enjoying a cup of coffee I was up and off to the Rideau Centre to start my pre-Europe shopping. I picked up a few essentials, new headphone and an outlet converter (I refuse to not bring my hair tools with me across the pond), and then I started into the fun kind of shopping - clothes and shoes!

I wasn't really on the search for clothes but when I came across the cutest polka dot sweater at Old Navy I couldn't resist. And, then I went to Lululemon and, as usual, struggled to only bring home one pair of cropped pants.

The real reason for my trip to the mall was to pick up cute, comfortable shoes that would allow me to easily walk through Scandinavia and beyond. I had my heart set on getting a pair of Puma Espera 3s. They met two of my requirements - cute and comfortable - however, I was foiled when they didn't have my size. It's not that Foot Locker don't carry size 5 - they don't even make size 5s. I would have happily settled for a 5.5, but again - foiled!

So now I'm lost. I have no clue where to look or what to even look for.
Any recommendations of where I can find a cute, comfortable walking shoe?

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Organic

Sweater - Zara; Dress - Banana Republic; Belt - Joe Fresh; Espadrilles - Aldo

I can't believe it's only Tuesday. This week has already felt too long. Do you ever get that feeling? Where you're already falling behind before you even start? Well, that was me yesterday, but not today.

Today, I'm dressed to kill (my to do list). And that's precisely what I'm going to do. There's something about being dressed in colours that are found in nature (green, blue, brown... go with me on this one) that make me feel like I can take on the world.

Well, at least the world of not-for-profit PR.

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Humidity Heatwave

 

Sweater - H&M; Dress - Banana Republic; Shoes, Necklace & Bag - Aldo; Watch - Fossil

Now, I don't know about you, but I am NOT a fan of humidity. It does weird things to my hair. Like super weird, which is why my head is cropped out of all of these photos. Rest assured, you're not missing anything other than a semi-curly pyramid of hair.

For the first day of of Ottawa's humidity heatwave I went mad; Mad Men that is. At least this was my post-modern take on the fashions worn by the ladies of Sterling Cooper. Fitted waist, full(ish) skirt, this Banana Republic dress has it all - plus, it was perfect in the sweltering, oppressive heat.

Have I mentioned that I'm not a fan of humidity?
I'm not sure how many more bad hair days I can handle.

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Pampering and Relaxing

As I mentioned in my last post, Saturday I took a Kate-day: a day completely devoted to me. No chores, no errands, just pampering and relaxing.

It was fantastic!

After spending the week and weekend working in Toronto I returned to Ottawa late-Sunday night. I was given  Monday off to rest and recoup (and in my case grocery shop) and then it was right back to work on Tuesday.



By the end of the week (which felt like it was a million days long) I was still exhausted. My Kate-day couldn't have come at a better time.

I started the day by walking in the sunshine to Elgin St. to meet a friend for brunch - not only had I not seen her in weeks, I hadn't had brunch in months. I can't tell you how excited I was for eggs benedict, mimosas, coffee and girl talk! Delightful.

Following brunch, I did a bit of shopping where I purchased my new Aldo purse and then it was off to York Street Spa for a massage. Despite the fact that I can never fully relax during a massage (apparently I like to be in control, who knew...) it was exactly what I needed. Throughout the sixty minutes all of the tension I'd been carrying in my back and shoulders over the past few months slowly melted away. I left feeling like a noodle; in a good way.

Dress - Banana Republic; Bag - Aldo; Sandals - Jules & James; Sunglasses - Joe Fresh

After my massage I had an hour or so before my next pampering appointment at Spa Junkie, so I decided to take a long walk along the canal. It was the most beautiful day and I thoroughly enjoyed soaking it all in as I crossed the bridge at Ottawa U.

Once my day of appointments and pampering were finished I came home and collapsed on the couch; who knew a day of indulgence could be so exhausting!

I don't know if it was the sunshine, or the knowledge that the conference was completely over and done with for another year, but at the end of the day, as I curled up with my book, I felt so completely happy, a feeling that stuck with me throughout the rest of the weekend and all the way into this week.

I couldn't have asked for a better Kate-day.

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Staycation: It's All About Orange

One of the best parts of being on staycation is being able to do all of the things you can't do as a regular working girl, such as, taking long, leisure, lunches.

For that, there's nothing better than a pair of sandals and a shift dress.

In orange, obviously, as that was the theme of my staycation.

Dressing up and eating out... I could really get used to this lifestyle.

Dress - Banana Republic Petites; Shoes - Aldo

Canada Day: Be Your Own Flag

Canada's Birthday is one of the first of many summer holidays. This year you'll find me out on the town, enjoying all the festivities Ottawa has to offer in an outfit that looks just like this:

Photo Courtesy of SmartSet.ca

Photo Courtesy of BananaRepublic.com

And of course, what better shoes to run around in than Toms?!

Photo Courtesy of TomsShoes.com

Who needs to carry a flag around when you can be your own flag! How will you be celebrating Canada's Birthday?

Conference Dressing: Day Three, Part Two

After a day spent running around in my Toms (check out the full story here), I ran back to the hotel to make a quick change and got ready for the President's Banquet.

An event known for it's hours long dance party, I knew I couldn't pull out the stilettos - frankly, I don't think my feet could have handled it - but I couldn't go without heels, so I strapped on my wedges and boogied the night away.

Again, I opted for a dress with pockets - perfect for holding my drink tickets and banquet ceremonies script (to make sure everyone stays on track; which they didn't - but what can you expect once the wine starts flowing?!)

Dress - Banana Republic Petites; Espadrilles - Aritzia; Trench - H&M

By the end of the night, not even not even Toms could make my feet feel better - but that's the sign of a great night, isn't it!

Conference Dressing: Day One

I was lucky enough to be asked by my company to attend our annual general conference held this year in Saskatoon. I've been working there for less than two months so I knew this meant I was doing something right.

For the days leading up to the conference I checked the weather network hourly - in order to help myself pack smart and efficiently. When I left Ottawa I thought I had it all figured out.

Mother Nature clearly didn't like this; so, she decided to change the 30C weather that was promised to 12C windy, rainy weather. Needless to say I was not prepared for my petite prairie adventure.

However, I made the most of it.


Day One


The most important day. This would be the first time I would be meeting the President and Board of Directors, so I had to look my business casual best.

Because I was expecting mid-summer type weather, I had a lot of sundresses, so for the first day I settled on my newly acquired silk dress from Banana Republic.

To accomodate for the near arctic weather that Saskatoon was presenting me, I decided to accessorize with a cardigan (you will soon note they are some of my favourite pieces).

Feeling great and with coffee in hand and I was ready to go.

Dress - Banana Republic petites; Cardigan - Zara; Espadrilles - Aritzia; Bag - Aldo;
Watch - Fossil; Earrings - Magpie; Necklace - Gifted

Little did I know I'd have to wear a bib all weekend. Staff badges make the worst accessories.