New Boots

Sweater - Thrifty's; Blouse & Belt - Jacob; Jeans - Mavi;
Boots - Hunter; Watch - Fossil

I never thought I'd see the day where I wore gumboots with everything (at least now that I'm over the age of 4), but these Hunters Boots have taken hold. They're just so bright and cheerful, I can't help but pair them with every ensemble. And, until the snow/slush is completely gone, I think I'll continue wearing them - so, get used to them!

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?

Awkwardly Elegant

Sweater - Zara; Blouse - Jacob; Jeans - Mavi
Boots - Aldo; Watch - Fossil

As I continue to battle this cold/flu, which seems to have morphed into a fresh new hell this weekend, let's take a look back at an outfit I wore a couple of weeks ago to an incredibly awkward dinner.

Although my dinner experience was awkward, my outfit was not. This silky blouse from Jacob has quickly become one of my go-to pieces; simple, yet it can make any accompanying piece look elegant (case in point, my skinnies and a cardigan).

So, even though I won't be repeating that particular dining experience, this is definitely a look I'll be trying again.

Let's Connect:
BLOGLOVIN | CHICTOPIA | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER

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!

Let's Connect:
BLOGLOVIN | CHICTOPIA | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Sweater - Zara; Shirt - ines; Jeans - Mavi;
Boots - Steve Madden; Scarf - H&M

Last week I was not on top of my game. Why? I have no clue, but it was one of those week's where everything I touched, I messed up. It felt horrible. And embarrassing. Which is why I wasn't exactly runway ready on Friday when I sported this casual look to work.

Thankfully the weekend made up for my embarrassing week. My best friend was in town and we spent Saturday night drinking berry Sangria and taking in a show at Yuk Yuk's. What they say is true - laughter really is the best medicine. By the end of the show, all most of my woes were gone.

At least today's the start of a brand new week!

Do you ever have those weeks, where everything you touch turns to mold, not gold?

Let's Connect:
BLOGLOVIN | CHICTOPIA | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER

The End is Nigh

Sweater - Zara; Blouse - Barefoot Contessa; Jeans - Mavi;
Boots - Aldo; Watch - Fossil

I've made it! I am in the home stretch. After 14 straight days of alarm clocks and early mornings, work and school, I'm just four mornings away from sleeping in! I don't know if you can tell by my use of exclamation points, but I'm kind of excited about it.

My schedule these past couple of weeks does make me reflect on a time in my life when I was fresh out of college and working two jobs. How did I do it? How did I do it without going crazy? But, most importantly, I wonder: How dark were the bags under my eyes? And how did I effectively cover them? So many things to ponder.

Thankfully, I didn't have to think to hard last Friday when I put together this look. Skinnies, a poodle print blouse and a cardigan; perfect for work, school, and everything in between.

A winner every time.

Let's Connect:
BLOGLOVIN | CHICTOPIA | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER

Travel Diary: Stockholm and Helsinki

I've only been home for two weeks but I'm already mourning the end of my trip and starting to plan my next big adventure (London and Paris next fall perhaps). So, this week I've decided to relive the adventure by publishing a travel diary.

Stockholm















Helsinki

The first week of my vacation was spent mostly in Stockholm with a brief pause in Helsinki before moving onto Russia. Stockholm is somewhere that I've wanted to visit for years, so I couldn't have been happier to have four whole days to explore the city. 

I spent my time doing the dorky tourist things that I love, like taking a bus tour (or three), watching the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace (I thought I had read somewhere that there was a Royal Goat, I was mistaken and very disappointed when there wasn't), touring Stockholm's many islands, and shopping at H&M.

My last day in Stockholm (also the first day of the organized tour) after a visit to City Hall, we boarded the cruise ship bound for Helsinki; when you're on board the Love Boat with 30 strangers/soon-to-be-friends, the only thing to do is have an amazing time and watch the drag/cabaret show (when in Rome, right?!).

I wanted to make the most of the one day we had in Helsinki, so I saw as much as I could in the 8 hours that we had. Between a city tour and a ferry ride to Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, I feel like I got the full Finnish experience.

Although my time in Scandinavia was brief, it was amazing - this is definitely somewhere that I want to revisit!

What I Wore

When I started packing for my trip I had grandiose dreams of frolicking through the Northern European cities in cute sundress and sandals; sadly, Mother Nature had other plans. While the weather was nice it was not exactly sundress weather everywhere that I travelled; thank goodness I brought along a good supply of jeans.

The first few days of my adventure I focused on fashion that was comfortable enough to spend many hours pounding the cobblestones, yet also chic. But, as the trip progressed and our wake-up times became earlier (and bedtimes became later), and with the ever-changing weather, I quickly developed a travel uniform that would get me through the day no matter where we were going, or what the temperature might be.

Shirt - Old Navy; Jeans - Mavi; Jacket - Marmot; Scarf - H&M
Sandals - Birkenstock, Zellers; Flats - Aldo

 These henley t-shirts from Old Navy were a last minute purchase (we're talking last minute - I realized when packing that I only had one t-shirt that was presentable, so I ran to Old Navy and scooped up these fab pieces - two in each colour) but they soon became my go-to throughout the trip. Not only were they great to wear on their own, but they made the perfect base for layering when the temperatures dipped in Russia, and they dried super fast when I was forced to hand-wash them in the sink in St. Petersburg.

Not the most interesting of looks, but definitely a casual and classic look for travelling.

Let's Connect:
BLOGLOVIN | CHICTOPIA | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER

Génial!

"What do you mean your apartment's a disaster? What happened to it?" 
"I happened!" I told my parents on Saturday morning while we had our weekly phone chat. They couldn't understand why I would be spending a gorgeous, sunny Saturday at home and inside.

You see, last week's was one of those weeks where somehow time passed and I accomplished absolutely nothing, other than making an enormous mess at home. So, Saturday I pulled out my pink rubber gloves, grabbed my green cleaner, and got to work cleaning and de-cluttering my apartment from top to bottom, north to south (it may be a one-bedroom abode, but I like to refer to my kitchen as the south wing - it's *technically* the truth). It was exhausting but rewarding. So rewarding that I decided to take a nap afterwards.

Sunday, I continued my mission to get my life and house in order. After a couple loads of laundry, and grocery shopping I became a true domesti-Kate and made the biggest batch of vegan gazpacho in the history of cold soups.

Now, I'm set for life... or at least the week ahead.

For my weekend of domesticity I decided to channel the French, and sported polka dots and espadrilles.

Blouse & Tank - Smart Set; Jeans - Mavi; Espadrilles - Aritzia;
Ring - Aldo; Watch - Fossil

Perfect for running around, and perfectly chic!

Génial!


Follow Petite Adventures:
TWITTER | FACEBOOK | BLOGLOVIN | PINTEREST

Smiling, Laughing, Tired, Toronto.

I'm a bad blogger.

The Toronto skyline from Billy Bishop Airport

I spent a week in Toronto for work and not only did I manage to take zero (good) photos (and I completely neglected to take outfit photos on three occasions), I did absolutely no shopping. NONE. I had even scheduled my flight home for later on Sunday so that I would be guaranteed some quality time with H&M; however, my need for sleep won out (sleeping in the Porter Lounge at Billy Bishop Airport is tres classy and not embarrassing at all).

I have no one to blame for this travesty but myself.

You see, after working 16 hour days I decided to go against my usual hermit tendencies and was a social butterfly. Not only did I have friends who lived in Toronto that I had to see, but friends/former colleagues just happened to be in town from Vancouver - so really, it would have been rude of me not to go out.

Day 0 - drinks with a friend
Shirt - Wilfred from Aritzia; Jeans - Mavi; Wedges - Aldo

Even though I was exhausted, it was fantastic. There's nothing quite like catching up with friends who you haven't seen in over a year, and in some cases two years. I swear, part of the reason I was so tired at the end of my trip was that I'd spent the entire time smiling and laughing. So really, it's pretty good excuse for neglecting my dear old friend H&M.

But I wasn't just in Toronto to socialize, I did some work as well.

My Conference "uniform". I made t-shirts to promote our national week of celebration (which takes place in November) and they were a hit! I've never had so many people compliment an outfit - the power of an iron-on transfer!
Sweater  - Zara; shirt - homemade/Fuit of the Loom; Pants - Jacob; Shoes - Aldo; Watch - Fossil

I was in Toronto as my work was hosting it's annual general conference (AGC). But this wasn't just any AGC, this was an AGC for the record books because we had partnered with the International Society to host the biennial World Congress - only the second time this event has ever taken place in Canada. Over 1,200 people from 60 countries traveled to Toronto for these four days, and it was incredible. Talking with people from all over the world was amazing and quite eye-opening. It really puts it in perspective how lucky we are to live and work in Canada.

Day 2 - Sweater - Zara; Shirt - homemade/Fruit of the Loom; Skirt - Jacob; Shoes - Aldo

Some of the highlights (aka: Kate's most embarrassing moments) from the Congress include:

• A poster I designed for World Radiography Day was revealed at the Opening Ceremonies (I was not expecting this at all; thank goodness no one asked me to come on stage).
• Being asked last minute to walk the catwalk in a radiation safety fashion show in a zebra-printed led vest and skirt combo - tres chic! (I was on my way back from the bathroom, about to make my way to the fashion show to take pictures when I was scooped up and asked to walk. I was awkward.)

All-in-all, it was a long, but amazing week in Toronto. I was sad to leave, but have also never been happier to be home.

It's taken me a full week to recover. I'm still not completely caught up on sleep, nor have I put away any of the seven pairs of shoes I brought with me, but I'm getting there. The Kate-day I took on Saturday definitely helped - there's nothing quite like a day of brunching, shopping, spa-ing and sunshine to help you feel back to normal.

Until next time Toronto!

Follow Petite Adventures:
TWITTER | FACEBOOK | BLOGLOVIN | PINTEREST