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ARC

April 24, 2017

When Sarah from ARC Apparel reached out to me, I was pretty sure I’d misinterpreted the message.  She mentioned that we’d met years ago through work at a yoga studio nearby and that she’d started this awesome new online store.  The reason behind her email, was to see if I’d be interested in modelling some of her clothing for the site, which I was positive wasn’t actually the case.  I spent a day trying to craft a response that gingerly pointed out that I wear a size 10/large and that maybe she wanted to use someone who was a few sizes smaller?  Her message back to me was lovely and she assured me that ARC carried my sizing and that she’d still love to have me participate.

It wasn’t just a numbers thing that was so incredible (a store that carries my size actually wants to showcase a person who WEARS that size – crazy), but it was also so interesting on a personal career level.  You see, my beginnings within the fashion industry were as a Junior Stylist for a local clothing company.  Though I had many duties within this role, primarily it was to put together/style looks and photograph/edit/post them on the store website.  This, of course, set me up entirely for this weird world of blogging and blossomed my love for styling AND photography.  Back then, the process began tediously with a mannequin and then evolved to sourcing real live women to model.  I adored what I did those years ago and it’s just so funny how full circle life can be, as I was now given the opportunity to relive the good ol’ days, but from other side of the camera!

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Featured Style

The Spring Staples I Can’t Live Without

April 21, 2017

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There are so many trends to love this spring, and one that I am completely smitten with, is the bomber jacket.  I’ve admired from afar for quite some time, but I couldn’t quite get on board with a boxy jacket in a shiny fabric or crazy pattern that took over last season.  And though this particular bomber also came in a fun baby pink that screamed Pink Ladies in the best way, it was ultimately the black and blue that won me over.  It’s quite fitted and I especially adore the striped detailing, that is another highlighted spring trend, and pairs perfectly with simple white runners.  The fabric is more of a matte blue and matches so well with all those basic jeans and tees that I have on repeat always.

To create this sporty (I keep thinking it’s something Betty from Riverdale would rock) head-to-toe look, I partnered with Sears Canada to source the hottest spring trends online and right here at my local store!

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Beauty Featured

What To Know Before Going Golden

March 22, 2017

Your feedback on my recent insta-hair post was amazing!  Not only am I really excited to do a little review of the Dyson Supersonic for you (stay tuned, should be live soon), but I had a lot of questions about my hair colour!  Which, I completely understand because before I started going golden a year ago, I really didn’t know what I wanted for my hair.

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Featured Travel

Travel Diary | San Francisco, CA

March 21, 2017

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My friend Saschie had texted us on a Saturday last March.  She was heading to San Francisco for a work trip in April and wanted to know if Kate and I wanted to join her.  Within a few days, we’d secured the dates and booked our flights.  We’d never travelled together and it was all incredibly spontaneous, but plans came together as seamlessly as the trip itself went.

I had the best time with the girls in San Francisco.  We stayed with Saschie’s cousins in Daly City for the first few nights and it was so special to get to meet her relatives. Attending a casual family dinner as an outsider is actually such a beautiful experience. It was also really helpful to have around for insider information on what to do and see and eat while we were there!  They were so kind to let us into their home and host us, I’m still really grateful.

When it came time for Saschie’s work conference, we stayed downtown for a fun change of pace.  We opted for a lot of touristy SF activities, opting for a hop on hop off bus as our means of transportation.  It gave the trip a really nice balance of classic sights and also experiencing pieces of San Fran that I’d never explored before.

At the time, I had so much fun and it’s one of my highlights of 2016.  And yet, for some reason, I’d convinced myself that the photos I’d taken weren’t any good or worth sharing.  In fact, I forgot about them until I found them on a memory card last week.  Which, I think is crazy because looking at them a year later, I am in LOVE with every photo!  I’m a huge believer in meant to be, and maybe I was to discover these now to infuse some sunshine into our lives.  There’s so much SF focused posts coming your way because it was impossible to capture my love for this city into just one or two posts.  First up, here’s a visual diary of our 5 days in San Francisco!

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Business Featured

Tips To Overcome The Isolation Of Working From Home

March 15, 2017

Working from home has many appealing qualities.  Loungewear all day!  No spending money on parking, food, or coffee!  Flexibility in your schedule!  But, there are plenty of tradeoffs that are not for everyone.  It can be lonely as hell.  There’s temptation all around on those low productivity days (Netflix! YouTube! HGTV!).  And as much as you can be unmotivated, it’s also incredible easy to overwork yourself.  There’s no office to leave, or boss to ignore after hours.  Boo to self discipline.

I’ve worked from home for 6 years now.  Which, is a bit strange for someone who thrives in a workplace (and in life, really) by feeding off other people’s energy.  It has definitely been tough at times.  There have been stretches where the isolation takes over, and it’s a challenge to feel social.  Looking back, I wish there were a few things I’d implemented from the beginning to attempt to avoid those uninspired times.  Read on below for a few tips I’d pass on to anyone who is or is going to work from home!

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Featured Home

5 Budget-Friendly Ways To Spruce Up Your Place

February 16, 2017

Our apartment has undergone a major transformation and I am so excited to finally start sharing some of it with you!  I’ve mentioned it a million times, but with some terrible luck, we just so happened to have two floods almost exactly a year apart (it’s always in February, so I’m understandably a bit on edge).  Though they were an absolute pain at the time, both taught us valuable lessons about our home.  First, we learned that we had WAY too much stuff.  Having to pack up your things with a days notice really makes you realize the weight of everything you own.  Also, that we’d become complacent to feeling ‘meh’ about our apartment.  It’s so easy to just live amongst within growing clutter, furniture you don’t love, or the same old decor.  Change requires effort, and let’s face it, a lot of the time that energy is justified elsewhere.  But, I’ll tell you, after basically being forced into redecorating when our second flood hit, we realized that we could learn to love our space again.

Though we allocated a more significant budget to larger furniture swaps like our dining table and chairs, a couch, our Sayulita Chair, and wall mounted shelves, we also added a lot of smaller touches that helped make our apartment feel brand new without breaking the bank.

Large Framed Print
Under $50

Inspired by all the beautiful fine art prints I’ve seen online, I decided to try a DIY version.  It seemed a waste not to use one of my own photos and it’s such a great conversation piece in our dining room.  The project ended up being extremely simple, the toughest part was that I had to shed a tiny bit off my printed photo in order for it to fit into the frame.  It’s so wonderful seeing the stunning Amalfi Coast on our wall every day, and I feel a real sense of pride that it’s my own photo (and that I managed to achieve the look for under $50).

Pictured: IKEA Ribba Frame ($20) and Large Photo Printed at Costco ($18)

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Featured Style

The Dress Remix

February 14, 2017

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On this day last year, I did a Galentine’s in London with Alex and am feeling a bit sad that we’re not across the pond having tea and scones at Sketch or something equally as fabulous.  Life has changed a bit since, but my heart is even fuller this February 14th with little Reggie in our lives.  I also might have worked out the perfect Valentine’s Day plan in town.  Adam surprised me with coffee and a muffin this morning along with a cute little note.  Going for lunch with my cousin Melissa and having an afternoon adventure with her and baby Thomas, which hopefully includes treating myself to a bouquet of beautiful flowers.  Then, Adam’s plan for tonight is to go old school and cook me dinner.  And if I know him well, it’ll be Olivieri Tortellini in tomato sauce.

Originally, I’d planned to wear this remixed Park and Fifth dress tonight, but since we’re now staying in, I’ll have to rock this ensemble another time.  Love when I have outfits ready in my arsenal, makes future events so much easier.

Happy Valentine’s Day, darlings!  Hope your day is full of love and lots of chocolate xo

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Featured Life

VIDEO | January Favourites

February 2, 2017

You guys, I made a new video – finally!  I promised myself (and you, of course) that I’d take YouTube a little more seriously this month, and here we goooooo!  Launching things with a January favourites, so be sure to watch the video below to see what I’ve been loving lately.  Your support is really appreciated, thank you for already making my channel such an positive space!  Means the world, honestly.  Hope you enjoy xo

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Business Featured

My Advice For New Bloggers

January 26, 2017

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Thinking of starting a blog but stuck at square one?  Are you a relatively new blogger who isn’t sure if you’re on the right track?  A veteran blogger who is due for a bit of a brand shake up?  Or, are you just here because you’re a regular reader and wondering why I’m asking so many questions?  All of the above and beyond are welcome, because this is for YOU!  Heck, I should be doing more of this stuff – it’s for me too!

I’ve been trying to properly compile my advice for newbie bloggers after a few email inquiries that I’ve left unanswered (I’m so sorry if I’ve not gotten back to you).  I understand that overwhelming feeling, as I pretty much felt the same way simply trying to summarize my thoughts on the matter!  The trick, was Adam asking for a co-worker the other day.  All he had to do was say that she was fresh on the blogging scene and was hoping for some insight from me.  I spewed out the below information, with Adam’s guidance.  He’s actually really talented at coming up with content, I just don’t think he realizes it yet.  I’ll have to just keep tricking him into collaborating on posts.

Below is what I (we) came up with.  It doesn’t cover the specifics or tech side of things, but rather some general suggestions and questions to ask yourself in those early phases.  Please let me know in the comments below if you have any further questions, or another post that you’d like to see.

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