Nautical

Sweater - Zara; T-shirt - Smart Set; Skirt - H&M;
Boots - Steve Madden; Necklace - Aldo

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.

Pinspired: Casual Friday

The Original

image courtesy of Pinterest

My Take:

 

Sweater - H&M; Dress - Wilfred; Tank - Smart Set;
Boots - Steve Madden; Watch - Fossil

My self-imposed quarantine last month gave me ample time to browse Pinterest and find outfits that I just couldn't wait to try once I was able to leave the house again.

I loved the above ensemble not only because I already owned everything needed to recreate the look, but because I knew that it would be the perfect casual Friday ensemble - and it was! Not only did I feel cute and casual when I debuted this look at the office last week, but I felt professional and put together. There really is no better way to end a week.

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The Weather Outside is Frightful

Blouse - Jacob; Skirt - Zara; Boots - Steve Madden

The weather outside has been frightful these last few days: freezing rain, wind, snow; so I've decided to boycott what Mother Nature's been throwing at us by wearing a particularly unseasonable ensemble.

By throwing on a tropical print and vibrant colours, I'm hoping I can ward off winter for just a little bit longer.

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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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Petite Adventures on Marcia B. Creative

Dress & Jacket - Old Navy; Tights - Zellers; Boots - Steve Madden;
Scarf - H&M; Bag - Aldo; Sunglasses - Ray-Ban

I didn't intend to take a break this week, life just got away from me and I didn't have time to snap any photos (or put together creative looks). So, to tide you over until next week's outfit posts why not check out Marcia B. Creative where you can learn a little bit more about this petite.

A couple of weeks ago Marcia, an incredibly talented and sweet Ottawa photographer, and I met in Westboro Village where she snapped some photos of this awkward duckling in a few of my favourite looks. I can't thank Marcia enough for not only reaching out to me for the profile, but for making me feel so comfortable in front of the camera. It was a fantastic way to spend a Saturday afternoon! Thanks again Marcia!

Have a great weekend!

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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?

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I'd Waited So Long...

Dress - Old Navy; Tank - Smart Set; Tights - Zellers;
Boots - Steve Madden; Watch - Fossil

... for these Steve Madden boots to be mine.

I first spotted them at Town Shoes in June, when I dragged my friend away from writing her Masters' Thesis to go shopping with me. I walked away with a different pair of shoes that day, but I never stopped thinking of these cognac beauties.

Fast forward four months and I still couldn't get them off my mind. Beautiful colour, low heel, and nothing like any of the other boots I owned. I needed them.

So, to celebrate the end of my October shopping ban, I whipped out the credit card and made them mine!

They made their debut on Saturday for my first volunteer shift at Dress for Success. I've been wanting to get involved with the organization for quite some time, and I'm so glad I did. It was the most amazing way to spend a Saturday morning - I can't wait to do it again!

Afterwards, I braved the chilly Saturday weather and wandered Westboro (my new favourite 'hood) before meeting up with the always lovely and stylish Marcia B. Creative for a photo shoot (my first!) I'm so excited to see the end results, and will share them as soon as they're up.

And, I'm so excited to wear these boots again! I feel like I have a whole new wardrobe thanks to them.

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