Snakeskin Selfie

Dress - c/o Jacob; Sweater - Joe Fresh; Pumps - Aldo; Watch - Fossil

Sorry for the mirror selfies, but we're in the middle of what has become the neverending move, and I just had to show off this beautiful shift dress that Jacob sent me.

Since it arrived last week, it has quickly become one of my favourite pieces (I've already planned out to which events I'll be wearing it in the next few weeks). Not only is the snakeskin print great for fall, but the dress goes from day to night with the simple addition of a cardigan. The belt helps to accentuate the waist, and the length is completely office appropriate. All wins in my book!

I can't wait to wear this dress all through fall with my favourite tights and boots.

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

Calling All Joe Fresh Addicts!

Well Ottawa, it's finally happening: Joe Fresh is opening a standalone store at St. Laurent Centre!! But wait, it get's better; they're giving YOU the chance to win a $250 gift card and four tickets to the fabulous VIP launch party. Visit the St. Laurent Facebook page to enter.

Cozy and Cute

Growing up on an island on the West Coast, real winters (with, like, snow and blizzards, and the likes) were like unicorns: you heard about them, saw photos, but other than that there was no actual proof that they existed. So, when I moved out to Ottawa for university I was in for a real shock. I had no clue how to dress to avoid losing a digit. 

Now, eight hears later, I have it down to a science, which is why I was able to withstand the -14C (-21C with the windchill) for over five hours at WinterBrewed this past weekend. So, here are my tips for staying cozy and cute this winter.

1. Start with a base.

2. Add a layer of thick, wooly socks.

3. Top these deliciously unattractive socks with a wind resistant boot.

4. Accessorize!

5. Top with a coat.

6. And, add sunglasses for the finishing touch of cool.

Now, you're ready to head out and enjoy the sunshine!

Sweater - H&M; Jeans - Mavi; Boots - Hunter via the Bay; Coat - Talula Babaton
Toque & Scarf - Le Chateau; Mitts - Aritzia; Sunglasses - Joe Fresh

What are you tips for staying cozy and cute this winter?

Weekend Wears

Sweater - Joe Fresh; Blouse & Trousers - Jacob; Flats - Aldo; Watch - Fossil

I was looking for an outfit that was put together, but casual, and something that I could wear with flats (NB: mom, I did not wear the flats outside, I merely changed into them once indoors) for my Dress for Success shift over the weekend. So, naturally, I reached for my new favourite pants and an amazingly cozy cashmere sweater from Joe Fresh. It was perfect for browsing the racks and picking out pieces for DFS clients.

The only thing that would have made this outfit better would have been a lack of snow and +15C temperatures.

A Snowy Expedition

Sweater - Zara; T-shirt - Old Navy; Tank - Smart Set; Pants - Joe Fresh;
Boots - Steve Madden; Watch - Fossil

Friday, the snow started to fall before I woke up and it didn't stop falling until well after I went to bed. As beautiful and angelic as it looked from inside my apartment/at the office, walking in it was less than fun. To make my daily trek to work, I thought it was only appropriate to dress as though I was going on an expedition. My ensemble may have been more safari than arctic tundra, but I thought it worked for trudging through the snow.

Cloudy Chic

Cardigan - Joe Fresh; Dress - H&M; Tights - Sentiments; Belt - Jacob; Boots Aldo

Do you ever have those weeks where you're just feeling blah? Where you want to be quiet? I'm in the midst of one of those weeks, which might explain why I've been wearing so many black, white and grey tones. Yes, there have been a few pops of colour here and there, but for the most part I've been dressing like the cloud that's been looming overhead. 

I could blame hormones, the weather, or because it's day three of my bikini boot camp and I really miss snacking, but really I think it's just one of those weeks. I'm just not feeling very colourful. 

Thankfully I have a closet full of cloudy chic clothes for those weeks when I don't feel so colourful.

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Red Pearls

Cardigan - Joe Fresh; T-shirt - Old Navy; Skirt & Tights - Jacob
Boots & Pendant - Aldo

 It seems like the theme of this week is: the uglier the weather, the brighter the clothes.

Yesterday, a day that called for freezing rain, I decided it was only fitting to wear my bright red pencil skirt to work. To let the red pop and be the focus of the ensemble, I decided to stick with classic pieces and monochromatic colours for the rest of the look. Throw in a few pearls and a golden leaf, and I was basically a walking billboard for spring - I really am doing everything I can to channel the warmer, dryer weather.

Some days all you need is a little pop of colour and a few pearls to take you away from the snow and sleet.

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It's Tradition!

Sweater - Old Navy; Vest - Forever 21; Belt - Joe Fresh;
Jeans - Mavi; Boots - Aldo; Watch - Fossil

Just like last year, I decided that what our office holiday party needed was a dose of yeti-chic. So, I brought out the faux-fur vest, which hasn't seen any action since this time last year.

This faux-fur vest is the definition of man repelling: every woman in my office loves it and compliments it; the men ask what shag carpet I used to make it. Even with my healthy sense of humour (I tell them it's muppet) comments like that do cause a small rush of embarrassment. No one wants to walk around feeling like they look ridiculous. But, in keeping with my 2012 New Year's resolution of not being afraid to stand out, instead of letting it bring me down I thought of the wise words of Shannon Fitzgerald (courtesy of Aya McMillan's piece "Mind Over Mode" in December's FLARE Magazine): "Why should I let somebody else's opinion detract from how good I felt when I left the house? Even with something as seemingly innocuous as clothes, it makes me feel confident out in the world and, I believe, attracts better things that are truly in alignment with who I am."

So, I wore my vest with pride all day Friday as I enjoyed lunch and laughs with colleagues and toasted the holiday season. Because nothing says the holidays more than being yeti-chic.

Happy Monday!

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Casual Thursday

Shirt - Joe Fresh; Sweater Dress - Le Chateau;
Leggings - TNA; Boots - Aldo

Last week our office was empty. With all of the directors attending a conference in the states, and many people out sick, there was no one to enforce the office dress code, so I decided that casual Friday should start on Thursday.

Sweater dress, leggings and over-the-knee boots - perfect for casual Thursday.

(Unfortunately, my camera died after four photos and this was the only usable one.)

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Holiday Dressing Staples

Black Friday purchases by petiteadventures on Polyvore

Lace blouse - Natural Short sleeves, 30 CAD / Lace peplum topper - Black Short sleeves, 41 CAD / Convertible sash blouse - Natural Short sleeves, 18 CAD / Polka-dot shirttail sleeveless top - Natural Sleeveless, 33 CAD / Lace pencil skirt - Grey Lace, 36 CAD

In yesterday's post I mentioned how excited I was to start wearing all of my new Black Friday purchases from Jacob. Well, it turns out I was maybe just too excited, because I didn't sleep a wink.

We're talking, maybe three non-consecutive hours.

The lack of sleep put a huge damper on my getting dressed plans in the morning. So instead of showing off the stunningly chic ensemble I sported throughout the day (Joe Fresh miss-matched pjs and an Aritzia Cowichan sweater), I thought I would debut what I'm sure will be my new Holiday season staples in collage form.

I hope I'm not jnxing myself when I say, now I really can't wait to wear them!


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