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Ballerinas Can’t Play Basketball

December 13, 2013
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The Details //
Blouse, Jigsaw London c/o
Jacket, Aritzia
Skirt, H&M (old)
Bow Flats, Joe Fresh
Bag, Urban Outfitters
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Brace yourself, for I have a pretty shocking personal fact to share with you all right now.  I am, quite possibly, the world’s worst athlete.  It was eighth grade that I learned this about myself.  Are you kind of impressed that I was so wildly self aware and at such a young age?  In 1999, I was in every extra curricular activity at school.  I wrote for the newspaper, on the yearbook committee, played volleyball, did gymnastics, got a sweet role in our school musical (Boots in our rendition of Newsies. Also, Christian Bale in the nineties, so dreamy), and even somehow became part of some “advanced” science team.  Which, looking back is all very confusing because in no way did I excel at science.  Anyway, since being on the C team in volleyball (they couldn’t cut anyone in middle school, so they conveniently created an extra team of really bad volleyball players who often weren’t able to attend tournaments) and never doing well in gymnastics thanks to my extreme fear of jumping over the vault and lack of arm strength to actually hold myself up on the bars weren’t enough of an indication that I was no athlete, I decided to join the basketball team that spring.  I attended one practice, where we learned how to pivot, and then my family embarked on a delightful two week long Florida vacation.  Upon my return, the rest of the team had been practicing for weeks, and I arrived just in time for our first game.  I remember sitting on the bench, looking around and thinking, “Oh my God, I don’t know how to play basketball?”   Not really sure how I survived the entire game.  I think I blacked out, like Will Ferrell in Old School, and just got through it, like you sometimes have to do in life.  Quit the team the next morning.

This was all just a long-winded way to tell you that I was always far more successful within the creative arts.  I was a dancer, pianist (you guys, I AM half Chinese), and as I mentioned above, a writer.  I loved the ballet, and music, and that is how we’re going to segue into how I wore this outfit to Ballet BC’s presentation of Fumbling Towards Ecstasy.  A ballet choreographed and performed entirely to music by Sarah McLachlan.  The show was just as magical as it sounds.  I still think of their piece to Sarah’s live performance of, Ice Cream, and get goosebumps.  I brought my mom and we had so much fun dressing up and making our way to the Queen E Theatre.  People watching at the ballet is among some of the best, plus we were just a few seats away from Sarah McLachlan herself! If you’re looking for a fun night out, I highly recommend a Ballet BC show.  Their next one is The Nutcracker, and you can buy tickets here.  For now, I must go jeté and pirouette around our living room.

*When I say that ‘ballerinas can’t play basketball’ I really just mean me.  Especially because the dancers
we saw in Fumbling Towards Ecstasy are most definitely amazing athletes!
7 Comments
Style

Shorter Days, Longer Jackets

December 10, 2013
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The Details //
Sweater, Trunk Sale (old)
Yoga Jeans, Second
Trench Coat, Massimo Dutti
Linwood Violet Magnolia Glasses, Warby Parker
Boots, Miz Mooz
Bag, 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target
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No socks and a trench coat?!  This look is from only a few weeks ago, but if I went outside wearing this today, I’d absolutely freeze.  Vancouver has been covered with a delightful blanket of snow, which is reason enough for me to be perched up on the couch typing this while wearing a onesie.  Damnit, I do love my Boohoo onesie!!   Like, if it had the built in feet, I’d probably never leave the house again.

Anyway, I really am trying to battle these shorter days by getting out of my home office as much as possible.  Today I get to see my friend Jen and her new little baby girl.  And I’ll have to do some Christmas shopping at some point. I haven’t even started, which is really starting to stress me out!  Have you bought and wrapped your gifts yet?  And if yes, can I hire you to do mine too?

7 Comments
Style Travel

Nicola Lake

December 4, 2013
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The Details //
Sweater & Bag, Hudson’s Bay
Toque, Target
Boots, Hunter
Yoga Jeans, Second Clothing
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Can you believe this spot is just a few hours away from the city?  I love how we can hop in the car for a bit and be completely transported to another world.  Nicola Lake is so beautiful in the fall, and on private lakefront property, it’s unbelievably silent.  You could hear a pin drop as we stood on the beach and when you breathe in the fresh air, you just can’t help but feel full of gratitude and a sense of calm.  A reminder that amongst the daily chaos, we must take a moment to just breathe and be still.

9 Comments
Style

Deserted

November 29, 2013
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The Details //
Leopard Fur Coat, Plum
Grey Tee, The Gap
Faux Leather Jeggings, The Archetype
Suede Tote Bag, Massimo Dutti
Baseball Cap, H&M
Studded Booties, Zara
Bracelet, Olivia Solie c/o

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I thought this outfit only appropriate for a day like this, since it is Black Friday and all.  I’ve opted out of fighting crowds of anxious shoppers and will likely fill a couple online carts instead.  I actually made this blog template purchase late last night and made the change this morning.  There are a few wrinkles to iron out, but for the most part I’m very happy with it.  Please let me know if you catch any bugs, I literally just switched things over a few hours ago.
Can’t believe it, but I have my first Christmas party of the season to attend this weekend.  Though I am looking forward to get out and about, since I had an incredibly quiet birthday this year.  Pretty sure the big bday event was brunch and advanced tickets to The Hunger Games Catching Fire.  You know you’re getting old when!  Anyway, I’m making up for it with a party dress, uncomfortably high shoes, and lots of champagne tomorrow.  Wishing you all a lovely weekend as well xo
13 Comments
Style

Coats with the fur

November 28, 2013
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The Details //
French Connection Coat, WINNERS Robson Street
Chunky Knit Sweater, Kensie
Blouse and Booties, WINNERS Cambie Street
Jeans, American Eagle
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This is definitely my favourite find of the season.  You won’t even believe what I paid for it!  Pop on over to the WINNERS blog to read more about this gem of a winter coat and how I found it in my shopping travels.
12 Comments
Style

Cold Hands Warm Hearts

November 22, 2013
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The Details //
Polka Dot Blouse, LOFT
Blazer, Forever 21
Coral BB Dakota Jeggings, Muse Social Fashion House
Loafers, Aerosoles
Assorted Rings, Pandora
Sunnies, 8th & Main
Bag, 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target
Kate Spade ‘Cold Hands Warm Hearts’ Travel Mug, Chapters
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There’s lots to celebrate at the moment.  It’s Friday.  Which,  is usually cause for at least a sigh of relief.  It also just so happens to be the day before my birthday (I’m currently relishing in my last moments of 26).  The temperatures here have dropped dramatically, leading us to feel even more excited about the upcoming holidays than usual.  Gosh, this time of year ALWAYS has been in such a shopping mood!
Speaking of which, have you had a chance to visit the new LOFT location at Park Royal?  Their first Vancouver store, I’m so happy to be in such close proximity to polka dots, feminine embellishments, and gorgeous detailing.  In fact, I believe I’m overdue for a visit to the renovated Park Royal.  Told you, there’s so much shopping to be done 😉
To help celebrate the opening, LOFT has been generous enough to offer one lucky reader a $100 LOFT Gift Card!  See below for details – good luck!
P.S. Get all the latest and greatest and sign up to be a LOFT insider here.
50 Comments
Style Travel

Adventures in Whistler

November 20, 2013
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The Details //
Iridescent Jeggings, American Eagle c/o
Solid Blanket Coat, Old Navy (on sale too)
Cat Sweater, P L E N + Y c/o
Toque, Target
Bag, Urban Outfitters
Booties, Dolce Vita

American Eagle and PLEN+Y

American Eagle and PLEN+YAmerican Eagle and PLEN+Y

It’s already happening.  That time of year when all I want to do is wear all black.  This struggle against my wardrobe must be stopped this year.  Why not be the one who wears gold sequins to the party, or iridescent blush pants in Whistler Village?  Honestly, it’s time to brighten things up this winter and avoid getting stuck on the colour wheel!  It was fun stepping outside of my comfort zone with these light coloured bottoms (and skinnies at that).  They’re really nice too, I suspect that I’ll be wearing them all year round.  Decided to pair them with my cozy cat sweater and new favourite wine coloured coat to complete this weekend casual look.
Just because it’s fun to see how we all interpret the same item, you’ll have to take a look at how Cee of Coco and Vera and Alex of To Vogue Or Bust styled the same piece on the American Eagle blog!
P.S. Our Whistler day trip was kind of the best because it involved the first snowfall of the season, a peppermint mocha, and scouting a possible wedding venue.  Pretty sure I need to go back ASAP.  Not to ski or snowboard though, just to walk around the village in cute outfits…duh!
10 Comments
Style Vancouver

#OldNavyVancouverStyleOff

November 19, 2013
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The Details //
Wearing all Old Navy

Old Navy Vancouver

Old Navy Vancouver

Old Navy Vancouver

Old Navy Vancouver
Alongside Jen of Her Waise Choice and Alex of To Vogue Or Bust, I signed up for a good old fashioned Old Navy Style-Off.  The challenge was simple.  We’d arrive at the brand new Old Navy store on Robson Street at Granville and take a few minutes to get acquainted with the store.  Then, we’d each draw a piece of paper to reveal which winter inspired look we’d have to style.  The clock was then set to give us one hour to put together a head-to-toe Old Navy look (shoes, accessories and all) that was under $200 before taxes.

Easy, right?  I mean come on, how many times have I ripped through a store in a mad shopping hunt.  Plus, I had already caught a quick glimpse at the new store a few days before and knew that it was full of really cute stuff.  So, I drew ‘Skate Date’ which left things pretty open to interpretation and I let my styling instincts take over.  Based on this gorgeous coat that I’d seen my blogger friend Melanie wear just days before, I thought I’d build a look around that.  I’m all about layering and polka dots at the moment, so layering polka dots is a serious win-win.  I’d also been on the lookout for a great pair of black coated skinny jeans and these ones were comfortable, flattering, and of course, a great price!  Finished things off with a pair of tan booties and striped gloves, et voila!  Just to be safe, I styled up a second look as well and we all took to the fitting rooms to try on our first attempts.

I tell ya, things ended up not being as simple as we’d initially thought.  My second choice look just wasn’t quite right or as figure flattering as I’d hoped.  Sometimes when you layer as they show on a mannequin it doesn’t translate on your body.  I also wanted to make sure that my look wasn’t too close to the other girl’s picks.  So, I really wanted to this first outfit to work.  After adding up all the pieces though, it was over budget and with only 25 minutes left, I was worried I’d have to start from scratch.  I was absolutely saved though, when we checked the prices in their system and found out a few of the items were on sale.  This entire outfit came up to just $189.20!

If you’re in the area, you’ll have to check out the new store!  Especially because you can find our Vancouver Style Off looks on display.  And to let you in on the style-off fun, you can vote for your favourite look on Instagram @aliciafashionista, @tovogueorbust, and @herwaisechoice.  You should probably just double tap all our instas though, because there just might be a prize involved.

Happy shopping, Vancouver fashionistas 🙂

8 Comments
Style Travel

Everyday is a Winding Road

November 13, 2013
Everyday is a Winding Road
Everyday is a Winding Road

Everyday is a Winding Road

Everyday is a Winding Road
My Visa and I can always justify purchasing a new hat.  Especially a wool fedora, and ESPECIALLY a wool fedora that Her Waise Choice picked as one of her French Connection favourites.  Got a sweet little discount on it and everything.  Visa and I are very pleased.
Now join me on a nostalgic trip back to the 90’s with this tune. Sheryl had it right, you guys!
Scarf, Forever 21 (old)
Lisa Wool Fedora Hat, French Connection
Skirt, Express c/o
Shoes, Pour La Victoire (old)
Tights, Hue
20 Comments