Purple Plaid

Sweater - Forever 21; Shirt - Talula; Pants - Jacob; Heels - Nine West

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.

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.

Style Profile: Marie a la Mode

Name: Marie Zydek

Age: 32

Occupation: Full-time: Buyer, Part-time: Wardrobe Stylist, Actor and Blogger

Site: www.mariealamode.blogspot.com and www.mariezydek.com

Location: Edmonton, Alberta

When and why did you start your site?   

Almost 3 years ago! Time has flown. I started it because I needed a creative outlet, a place to share my passions.

How would you describe your site?   

It's fashion-based but I also blog about cosmetics, celebrities, fitness, etc.

Where do you get your inspiration?   

Everywhere! Other blogs, websites, magazines, the media, instagram photos, T.V., film, the list goes on!

Who are your style/beauty icons?   

Style: Clemence Poesy.
Beauty: Cindy Crawford and Kate Winslet. Both age so gracefully and aren't afraid of a few wrinkles.

Describe your personal style.   

Hmmmm, that's hard. I dress according to how I feel. Being comfortable is most important to me but I also like incorporating trends and giving my outfits a little bit of an edge. And other times I'll feel really girly and put on a flowy dress and high heels.

What was the best style/beauty advice you were given?

Wash the makeup off of your face before you go to bed and always wear sunscreen!

Where are your favourite places to shop? 

Online: Shopbop and ASOS. 
In store: Zara, Simons, Top Shop, The Bay.

What are your favourite trends for this season? 

Structured, classic-cut coats. I have a lot of coats and they have to be warm because of the climate I live in! I also love faux fur during the winter.

Style/Beauty Pet Peeve? 

When guys wear baggy jeans and I can see their underwear. Like, really? Why don't you just wear the underwear and go without the pants then? Sometimes I get the urge to go up to those guys in public and pull their pants down and run away. That would teach them a lesson!

What do you never leave home without? 

My Marc Jacobs bag which has my whole life in it!

What are your five essential items that you think every woman should own? 

1. A black blazer 
2. A good pair of jeans 
3. A classic white collared blouse 
4. Beige and black heels 
5. A Little Black Dress 
6. A great leather bag 
7. A black leather jacket. 

(sorry, I couldn't do just 5!)

Where do you see yourself and your site in five years? 

I hope to still be blogging, styling and acting in 5 years and I hope to be married with children by then.

Find Marie online at:

http://www.mariealamode.blogspot.ca/

website: www.mariezydek.com

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marie-a-la-Mode/175454729196504

twitter: https://twitter.com/marielamode

instagram: @mariealamode

Happy Friday!

All images courtesy of Marie a la Mode

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More Monochrome

Blazer - Talula; T-Shirt - Old Navy; Skirt - Jacob;
Necklace - Smart Set; Pumps - Aldo; Watch - Fossil

There's nothing like going out for drinks with friends to pull you out of a funk. Even though I'm feeling a millions times better than I did earlier in the week, I decided to stick with my monochromatic theme to close out the week. Not because it reflected how I was feeling, but because it's chic.

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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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Wintour-ization

Blouse, Trousers & Belt - Jacob; Necklace & Heels - Aldo
Watch - Fossil

In my ongoing effort to be more Anna Wintour, less Liz Lemon, I've found myself gravitating towards classic looks, and there's nothing more classic than a black and white ensemble, accented with red. 

Although my closet is pretty well stocked with the basics, the one item I found it to be missing was  a pair of skinny black trousers. So, this weekend, with my Christmas gift certificates in hand I was off to Jacob where I knew I'd be able to find exactly what I was looking for. Not only did I find the exact trousers I was looking for, I walked away with two skinny belts, and everything was 50% off! It was totally meant to be.

On my way out, I stopped by Aldo and there hanging on the wall was the statement necklace that I've been dreaming of for weeks now, but was certain I'd never find. Again, totally meant to be. I really think this is the universes way of encouraging my Wintour-ization.

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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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Liebster Award

Yesterday morning, while drinking coffee and procrastinating, I received a message from the lovely Teresa of Affordable Chic letting me know that she's nominated me for a Leibster Award. Looking for any excuse to avoid going out in the cold, I thought this would be a fun post. So, here we go...

The Liebster Award is for bloggers with under 300 followers and the rules of the award are that the nominee must link back to whoever awarded them, write 11 random facts about themselves, answer the 11 questions from the award giver and then nominate another 11 bloggers (I picked 12) and make 11 questions for them to answer. Its a great way for new and undiscovered bloggers to meet new people, get more and followers and find some blogs that they want to follow.

11 Random Facts About Me!

1. Two of my best friends don’t know I have a blog.
2. I am the definition of a homebody, to a fault.
3. I’m an only child. When I was young I wanted an older brother so badly that I lied to my Australian pen pal about having one. I figured she'd never find out (unless she reads this blog now...)
4. My favourite bank is Pink Floyd. I own a pair of Pink Floyd Converse that have never been worn and are on display on my bookshelf.
5. My pet peeve is when people talk about their local or favourite sports team and say “we”.
6. I dream of living in Stockholm.
7. Sometimes I forget that I’m short.
8. I don’t appreciate art. I often don’t get it.
9. I see far too much of myself in Liz Lemon; I think it’s awesome!
10. I love food, but would never consider myself a foodie. I’ll pretty much eat anything.
11. My biggest fear is snakes; even the CGI snake in Harry Potter gives me the creeps.

 11 Questions from Teresa: 

1. If you could have any career in the world what would it be? Travel writer
2. If you were stuck on a deserted island what would you bring with you? Reading materials, a water bottle (to stay hydrated), and some sort of cheese flavoured cracker.
3. What is your favorite number? 16 – Trevor Linden is the greatest!
4. Would you rather be rich or famous? Rich – I would love to no long have debt and be able to travel at the drop of a hat.
5. If you could change your name what would you change it to? Anna or Anja.
6. What is your favorite song? Heartbeats by the Knife
7. If you could travel any where in the world where would you go? Iceland!
8. Walmart or Target? I haven’t been to Target (yet), so this is an unfair question.
9. What would you buy if money didn't matter? A cute little 3-bedroom house to fix up and make my own, and a brown lab puppy (who will stay a puppy forever!)
10. What is your most embarrassing moment? Do I have to pick just one?! I’ve been caught more than a few times dancing and singing when I have my headphones on at work.
11. What inspired you to start your blog? I write a lot at work, but I still felt there was a void. I guess you could say I needed a creative outlet, so I decided to start Petite Adventures.

 My Questions:

1. Favourite food?
2. Favourite book?
3. Favourite place to shop?
4. Favourite place in the world to visit?
5. Who’s style inspires you?
6. What inspired your blog name?
7. What’s your ultimate style faux pas?
8. What one item from your closet that you can’t live without?
9. What’s one thing from your bucket list you would like to accomplish in 2013?
10. Your dream day would consist of…
11. Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys or N*SYNC?

I nominate:

1. Nini of http://www.thefinebalance.net
2. Mikki of http://www.centrestreetstyle.com
3. Kelly of http://enterkelly.blogspot.ca
4. Rebecca of http://www.lotsixtyfive.com
5. Darcy of http://www.eternaloptimist88.blogspot.ca
6. Laura of http://www.thefashionkidd.com
7. Emily of http://tinfoilstiaras.blogspot.ca
8. Lauren of ellepottsie.wordpress.com
9. Jen of http://appleandfloss.blogspot.ca
10. The girls of http://capitaloh.blogspot.ca
11. Kyla of http://dearfashionaddicts.blogspot.ca
12. Sheryl of http://www.dollarfoolishclosetwise.com

Happy Sunday - hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!

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Style Profile: Alison Elle

Name: Alison

Age: 26

Occupation: Lawyer

Site: http://www.alison-elle.com

Location: Vancouver

When and why did you start your site? 

I started my site in 2010 while I was still in law school. I felt very stifled from studying/working all the time and really needed the creative outlet.

How would you describe your site? 

It's a mix of all my favourite things, from product reviews and nail art tutorials to daily outfit posts and recent purchases. I also like to share new restaurants and places that I discover in Vancouver.

Where do you get your inspiration? 

People on the street, blogs, celebrities, and Pinterest. Inspiration is everywhere!

Who are your style/beauty icons? 

Rachel Bilson has a great casual style that I love. Olivia Palermo can do no wrong.

Describe your personal style. 

One of my friends has described it as "downtown-chic." I tend to prefer more understated looks with lots of layers and neutral/monochromatic colour palettes.

What was the best style/beauty advice you were given? 

Don't waste your money on fast fashion and cheap thrills; instead, invest in quality pieces that you will cherish for longer.

Where are your favourite places to shop? 

Aritzia and Club Monaco are my favourites - a very large percentage of my wardrobe comes from those two stores. I also like Holt Renfrew and The Bay (downtown Vancouver location) for higher end designer pieces. My go-to online store is ShopBop.

What are your favourite trends for this season? 

Sheer panels and cut-out detailing.

Style/Beauty Pet Peeve? 

I think TOMS shoes are hideous, but that's just my personal opinion. I know a lot of people can totally rock them.

What do you never leave home without? 

My iPhone, wallet, keys, MAC Blot Powder, and lip balm.

What are your five essential items that you think every woman should own? 

A classic black blazer, a leather jacket, a well-fitting pair of skinny pants or jeans, black booties, and a designer handbag.

Where do you see yourself and your site in five years? 

I have no idea! Blogging has brought me a lot of great opportunities and I am excited to see what happens next.

You can find Alison online at:

 Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/alison_elle

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/alisonelleblog 

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alison_elle

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/alison_elle



Would you or someone you know like to be featured in a Style Profile? Send an email to petiteadventures@gmail.com.

All images courtesy of alison*elle.

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