Browsing Category

Travel

Travel

{travel diary} bonjour, paris

August 10, 2013
Hotel Design Sorbonne

Walking along the Seine

Notre Dame de ParisNotre Dame de Paris

Paris Views

Portrait at Notre DamePortrait in Paris
Love Lock Bridge Paris

Seeing Paris for the first time isn’t comparable to any other experience in life.  Looking at those familiar buildings and sights, it was exactly how I’d imagined it to be, and yet so much grander and over the top than you could ever prepare for.  Reliving it through these photos still leaves me in awe, feels like it was all a dream or a very distant memory.


We stayed at the Hotel Sorbonne in the Saint Germain area, which was perfect for our first time in Paris.  After getting caught in classic downpour, our first day was a bit of a write off.  Turns out, that being a vegetarian in Paris is impossible.  I dragged poor Adam to an awful Italian restaurant crawling with tourists and bad, bad food.  You really can’t win it all, so that’s why we were so excited for our next day in the city.  My wonderful pal Cee of Coco and Vera (who is very organized, fluent in Parisian french, and currently living there) was playing tour guide for the day.  Honestly, our entire experience wouldn’t have been the same without her, we’re so thankful.  She showed us all of the essentials including some well kept secret locations, helped us take photos, and was just great company all day long.  Here are some of my favourite moments from that special day, that I like to look back on with a little jazz music and a smile.

Cafe de Flore Paris

Laduree, as you do

Reunited with Cee in Paris

Arc de Triomphe, Paris

DSC_0298

DSC_0299 (2)

DSC_0320 (2)DSC_0337

DSC_0331 (2)DSC_0322 (2)

DSC_0343

DSC_0350DSC_0348

DSC_0357 (2)

DSC_0362

DSC_0381

Tarte au Ctiron and Carrot Cake at the Rose Bakery Tea Room

Music Style Travel

OSHEAGA Style {Bold}

August 8, 2013
DSC_0449
The Details //
RACHEL Rachel Roy Tank, Hudson’s Bay c/o
RACHEL Rachel Roy Printed Harem Pants, Hudson’s Bay c/o
RACHEL Rachel Roy Cross Body Bag, Hudson’s Bay c/o
Sunglasses, Zara
Necklace, J.Crew c/o
Rings, Pandora
Beaded Sandals, DSW
DSC_0500
DSC_0513
DSC_0477
I wasn’t as excited about the music lineup on day two of OSHEAGA, but I sure was pumped about my outfit!  My goal is usually to stand out slightly, but this look obviously shouts and screams for people to notice.   I stood out a mile among thousand of people in that same bohemian festival style.  Plus, I was doing the hammertime dance/my best Bieber impression all day.  That might have earned some attention as well 😉 
Jimmy Eat World – Stars – Tegan and Sara – Imagine Dragons – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
I arrived just in time to catch the last half of Jimmy Eat World’s show, which obviously my teenage self was l-o-v-i-n-g!  Don’t know them well, but Stars was on in the background while I scoped out festival streetstyle and fulfilled my RACHEL Rachel Roy fashion correspondent duties.  Which, was super fun and I found some majorly stylish ladies around the festival.  After missing Tegan and Sara at Coachella, I was happy to catch them this time around.  Plus, they killed it.  Macklemore was so much fun, everyone headed to Squamish Music Fest this weekend is in for a treat.  The highlight for me, was when Tegan and Sarah made a surprise appearance on stage during Macklemore’s set to sing Same Love.  It was perfect. 
It’s also your last chance to score a $250 RACHEL Rachel Roy Shopping Spree at Hudson’s Bay. So…what are you waiting for?  Enter right MEOW!
Music Style Travel

OSHEAGA Style {Rocker Chic}

August 6, 2013
DSC_0184 (2)
The Details //
RACHEL Rachel Roy Skull Tee, Hudson’s Bay c/o
RACHEL Rachel Roy Sequin Burlap Shorts, Hudson’s Bay c/o
RACHEL Rachel Roy  Lace Detail Blazer, Hudson’s Bay c/o
RACHEL Rachel Roy Purse, Hudson’s Bay c/o
Bracelets, Free People
Booties, Dolce Vita
Hat, Sunnies, and Midi Rings, Urban Outfitters
DSC_0224 (2)
DSC_0241
DSC_0196 (2)

Getting to put together festival-worthy outfits for OSHEAGA was such a dream come true.  Before I even arrived at the Bay, my stylist Lael had already pulled looks that perfectly matched my personality; girly and fun, with a bit of rock and roll.  I really loved the contrast of pretty lace and sequins with a loose skull tee and boho accessories. This look was so comfortable, I’ll be remixing all of these pieces on the asap.

The first day of OSHEAGA was super hot.  Walking through the gates, I immediately regretted not putting sunscreen on, but was thankful I’d opted for a hat.  The guy beside me at Alt J fainted and others around were dropping like flies.  Oh, that heat in the East!  Despite the rising temperatures, I managed to see…

Alt J – Two Door Cinema Club – Ellie Goulding – Vampire Weekend – Phoenix – Baauer


It was great watching a few old favourites.  Alt J kills it every time and Vampire Weekend was basically made for festival performances.  It was awesome to finally see Two Door Cinema Club live and Ellie Goulding.  Ohhhh, Ellie.  Girl crush for sure.  You should have seen her abs, she’s also my new workout inspiration.  I ended the night randomly (as you do) and went to see Baauer on a whim.  He was awesome, who doesn’t love a good dance party with hundreds of strangers?  I even managed to catch The Cure performing Friday I’m In Love as I exited the festival.  Had to leave while I could still walk.  Heels were an ambitious choice.  The things that I do for fashion!

Like my outfit?  You should enter my RRR giveaway!  You could win a $250 RACHEL Rachel Roy Shopping Spree at Hudson’s Bay.  Details HERE.

Travel

{travel diary} the english countryside

July 29, 2013
DSC_0954

DSC_0962DSC_0990

DSC_0970

DSC_0981

DSC_0984

DSC_1006

The sole purpose of our entire trip was to pay a visit to our dear friends in Worcester.   Brandi, who is now due to pop within the next few weeks, is quite possibly the cutest pregnant woman ever.   It was so special being able to spend time with her and Andy, seeing their way of life and having them take us all around the English countryside.

Brandi and I became close friends in the sixth grade.  We bonded over Kit Pearson’s The Sky Is Falling and a subsequent affinity for all things British.  Back in middle school, we vowed to visit Europe together and it absolutely warmed my heart when I realized that I’ve managed to see Brandi every single time I’ve crossed the pond.  Total kismet.

DSC_1037

DSC_0008DSC_0002

DSC_0012

DSC_0020DSC_1054

DSC_0035

DSC_1049

DSC_0034DSC_0023

DSC_0046

DSC_0055

DSC_0108

After an adorable surprise baby shower, it was back on a train.  Next stop, Paris.
Travel

London Travel Diary 2013

July 16, 2013
east london, alicia fashionista, travel blog 2013

The adventure begins in London!

How on earth does one document and even attempt to describe a dream vacation come true? Over 6 years in the making and in the works for at least one, our first big trip together was absolutely surreal every step of the way.  In a general sense, the plan was simple.  Land in London, spend a few days staying in/touring around an area of the city that neither of us know very well.  Then up to Worcester to visit and stay with my good friend Brandi and her husband.  Back to London for a night before heading to Paris for 3.5 days, down to Antibes in the South of France for 4 days and then make our way back to London to fly out.  Two and a half weeks of absolute travel bliss.

Staying in East London was a brilliant plan (I only say this because it was, of course, my idea) and we just cannot say enough great things about The Hoxton Hotel.  Even if you don’t stay there, I highly suggest having a drink or two in their lobby bar.  The espresso martini is to die for.  Anyway, location was just a few blocks away from Shoreditch and only a couple tube stops from major London sights.  And as much as I love and appreciate pretty things, we always seem to gravitate towards grittier, East ends of cities.  In fact, we felt so at home there, we had a long conversation about whether or not it’s logistically feasible for us to move there for a year.

We spent our 2.5 days in London very wisely.  Dinners with friends, self guided tours of East London, an afternoon at Camden Market, and a quick stop at Big Ben and the London Eye.  Our last night was my favourite, as I finally experienced having a drink outside of a pub and we had the BEST Indian meal ever at Dishoom.  Just a generally special night and the perfect farewell to one of my favourite cities.

Read More

Style Travel

East London

June 18, 2013
DSC_0794NEW
DSC_0801NEW
The Details //
Denim Jacket, Mavi
Booties, Dolce Vita
Bag, Front and Company
Hat, Urban Outfitters
Cocktail Ring, Social Experiment c/o
DSC_0814NEW
DSC_0791NEW
You guys, we’re on our big vacation!  Follow in real time on instagram @aliciafashionista and @themadadub or #euroquan.  East London is everything amazing and more, can’t wait to tell you all about it!

P.S. Are you so in love with Free People’s party dresses?  Because I sure am!  This Garden Party Dress is my new fav.

Style Travel

King Street Colour

May 16, 2013
DSC_0398NEW
The Details // Photos by Jen
Blouse, TOPSHOP
Polka Dot Skirt, J.Crew
Necklace, Forever21
Pumps, Joe Fresh
Ikat Print Clutch, Matt & Nat
DSC_0381NEW
DSC_0414NEW
Looking at these photos, I just want to run and fetch my steamer to get those darn wrinkles out of my blouse.  Of course, I only had a few minutes to get ready (because Jen, Kate, Elizabeth and I had all been out shopping before our last Manchester dinner with the boohoo team) and I couldn’t find an iron and board in the hotel room.  Let’s just consider it a lesson learned not to pack that particular top, as it’s creased on a good day.  Speaking of which, I must confess that I still haven’t fully unpacked from the trip.  Just call me the ultimate procrastinator, but laundry and unpacking are two of my most hated tasks!  Needs to be done though, I’m spending the long weekend doing a big closet purge/spring cleaning.  Can’t wait to re-organize and make room for lots of new summer goodies.  Happy Thursday lovelies xo

Style Travel

The Boohoo Experience

May 9, 2013
DSC_0278NEW
The Details // Photos by Jen
Striped Sweater + Head Scarf, Club Monaco
Dark Denim, Second Yoga Jeans
Jacket, PLEN+Y
Loafers, Aerosoles
Ring, Social Experiment c/o
Purse, Borrowed from Her Waise Choice

DSC_0303NEW

NEW

DSC_0309NEW

DSC_0310NEW

DSC_0290NEW

DSC_0318NEW

DSC_0185NEW

On just a few hours sleep (curse that jet lag), I venture to the boohoo.com head office with the rest of our Canadian team.  Rich in textile history, the boohoo headquarters are in a brick building that was formerly part of Manchester’s cotton milling disctrict.  We started with a breakfast with some of the social media and marketing teams before a lengthy maze of a tour through the building.  Having spent 4 years in a local fashion design house, the enormity of their head office was probably the most fascinating thing to me.  That, and realizing that my old co-worker Danielle and I did the job of 5 departments each!  It was such a treat to get a behind-the-scenes look at how boohoo.com operates, from their designers, to stylists, photographers, to quality control, and all that’s in between, it’s a well oiled machine of fashion genius.  Being fast-fashion means that if needed, they can get a new piece designed, produced, and on the site within 3 WEEKS!  That, my friends, is pretty crazy.
We also took a mini tour of their Manchester warehouse, where their efficiency made my heart flutter.  I love organization!  We also met a member of their customer service social media team.  They make a point of getting back to any social media complaint within 20 minutes.  Mind blown.  If only I could boast the same!  This once in a lifetime experience was just something else.  I have so much love for the boohoo team and feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to visit them all the way in the UK.  Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some online shopping to do!