TGIF: Flower Blazer for fridate!

Whenever the sunshine shows up and the end of the week rolls up, it's sure everyone's making a run for the door before the end of the work day--I'm no exception.  I love Vancouver all year round (even in the freezing temps!) but nothing shows Vancouver's beauty and wonder like a nice sunny day (be it winter, summer spring or fall) especially at the end of the week!

I was inspired by the beauty of the day and thus, for our weekly fridate I decided to dress with the spring blooms in mind. To check out what I wore...

sunday errands grecian style: white dress and gladiator sandals

Happy Sunday!

Today I woke up to an intense heat as my room was engulfed with the afternoon heat bursting in from my windows.  It was only fitting as I had long been wishing for some sunshine and heat so that I can wear my summer clothes already lol.

I can honestly say that the one choice on my birthday weekend in Vegas has been such an important one since the sun started to shine around april....My ray-bans are godsend! The polarized lenses are actually my faves and unfortuantely, have resulted in my neglect of my Chanel sunnies.

Ain't Easy being Green: Utility Jacket and Flats

Typical Rainy tuesday and I had to do some errands...Could the weather be any crappier!!? lol..Life, lemons and all, you know the saying.

I usually dress comfortably when I run errands so as not to deter from getting all the things on list! to check out what I wore...

Touring the City :: coral romper!

 

Saturday was a girls' day for me since my bf was working. My cousin and I decided to tour the city and explore. We love being tourists in our own hometown --you find out more about your own city that way!

read on!

The Classics.

The young go with the trend, but once you get older there is more of a transition to the classics that become your timeless pieces to work with and swear by.  Here are my top pics for classics that --in my mind, will stand the test of time and prove to be as fashionable then as it is now.

Here are some classics that I am absolutely inlove with!

*sigh* A girl can dream..

NYC: Departure outfit:: Utility Jacket and Boots

Departure day...or night.

We officially crossed the border at around 11pm, at which time we had several hours to kill before our flight. To me it seemed ideal seeing as how our previous trip to NYC went off to a shaky start with a red-eye flight leaving us super tired...

I decided long ago to dress comfy for this flight --i initially decided and wore my aritzia fair aisle lambswool sweater, but a few hours in while at the airport, it proved slightly warmer than anticipated.  Luckily, I had my jacket to switch to in case the occasion called for it....

to check out what I finally wore to our departure to NYC..check it out!

baby, it's cold outside...

I was listening to news 1130am the other day on my way to work and heard that we recently reached the freezing point in the weather a couple of days ago and should get abit of snow with the next day or so...I'm not quite sure how I feel about that--on the one hand, I would love to see a bit of snow before winter ends, but on the other, it would make getting around slightly hard with all the dirty snow afterwards...

I went out tonight for dessert with my bf and decided to bundle up since it's fairly cold out tonight...

|| Aritzia Fair Isle sweater || Banana Republic Peacoat || Suzy Shier knit toque || AE indigo jeans || Uggs boots ||

It's still possible to look cute amidst the drop in temperature...the key is layering up!

I wonder how the people in prarie provinces like Alberta get through the freezing temps?

Winter Warmth

It's weird to think that winter only started three days before Christmas Eve! lol..the winter chill always gets around the beginning of December, then heightens during the 21st--Winter Solstace!

When i was younger, the finer the sweater was spun the better.  I hated chunky sweaters and of course, anything 'cable knit' was too frumpy!  Of course as I've grown older I've learned to appreciate the chunkier knits for their soft, comfy 'blanket-ish' feel.

Check out my two recent chunky sweater purchases for winter!

Top 5 Must-Haves: Fall/Winter 2011

If you've felt the cold morning chill as much as I have in the last few weeks, you may agree that Fall is definitely in full swing nowadays.  Much like last year, it's been said that we are due to experience a colder than usual winter this year--I for one am not excited.

I love living in a city that gets to change the seasons, it gives life variety and certainly makes going through the year alot more interesting.  I can't imagine Christmas without snow now...

What get's me through the cold patch of the year is prepping for the weather ahead. 

My top 5 Must-haves for this year...

Labour Day weekend in the city

For Labour Day this weekend, I stayed within the city limits...Nothing really exciting to report--dinner on friday night at Guu with an old friend to catch up, went to the Aritzia Sale on saturday afternoon and walked and did a mini-tour of downtown then stayed in with the bf for most of the time.  It was still a fun long weekend, especially since it was a four-day weekend for me instead of a 3...Labour Day was still fun!

Guu on Denman

Me and Eug wtaking a pic while waiting for Mike!

enough said...

making a point or thinking...can't remember lol

my first time eating fried edamame...its aight.

Me and my cuz at waterfront station, eager for the sale!!

little did we know the line had already formed...but it was quick.

near the front of the line =)

You can't go to gastown without visiting the steam clock!

almost 4:30pm! wow we went to the sale early lol this was taken afterwards when we went wandering around gastown.

more wandering...

Photo-op! This is me!  i'm wearing one of my fave rompers! love this!

Photo-op! this is my cuz =)

Harbour Centre

view of the canery...well the actual one, cause the restaurant 'The Canery' closed down...or was this called the port?

Cruise ship watching at Canada Place!

the same cruise ship from the front: boardwalk view..

The new convention centre...beautiful!

Holland America Line: The Zuiderdam!

resting our tender tooties on bute street?

cross street...Alberni

meet george!

When one is unable to travel for adventure, one finds adventure in one's backyard!

Hope everyone else found an adventure during the long weekend and had a fun and safe Labour Day!

hugsies!

fyi: if anyone at all has noticed, I mis-spelled 'Labour' in Labour day and spelled it the American way lol.  technically i'm somewhat not wrong, though since we go by the spelling here with the 'u' i had to revert back to it!

The first wilfred store

So the first Wilfred store in Canada has opened.  It's one of Aritzia's luxe brands, and the store has opened in Eaton Centre.

For the complete info, check out their blog, under Happenings...

Can't wait to visit!

Aritizia Warehouse Sale!

A few summer essentials!~

I love summertime...The days are hotter and the sun shines longer...It goes hand in hand with one of my fave places to be at, the beach!

Some of my summer essentials...

lovely in lace...

I am so into lace at the moment...

BEBE lace top

Aritzia TNA lace long sleeved dress

Forever 21 Lace turtleneck tunic

Back to basics: Winter 2010 Edition!

I've been hearing lately that because of the whole La Nina phenomenon, Vancouver is supposedly going to be getting the worst winter since 50 years ago.  If that hasn't scared me, I don't know what will! lol.  I am convinced that I am more than ever going to need more cozy, winter-proof clothes to keep me from getting sick this winter!

I recently went to Aritzia with my cousin because I've been dying to see their henley tee's.  I have been looking for henleys all summer long for fall and finally, they start coming out, slowly but surely! I recently bought one from Garage.  Not too long ago, they were not so easy to find!

The one I ended up buying...

It wasn't too expensive, just $19.90 (CDN).  100% cotton and very soft!  I love when my basic wear is suuuper soft! =)

Then a couple of days ago, I perused the Aritzia website hoping that they'd at last put up a catalogue of items they sell, at least some if not all and at least from their TNA line if nothing else!  Huzzah! they did!=)

Here are the henleys I found from Aritiza...

Community Wool Henley - Retail $60 (CDN) - Wool/Nylon Blend for a soft feel without the super itch I can only imagine lol.  I recently saw this in person (even asking the salesperson to find it for me! lol) and I have to say, it doesn't have the feel of wool.  The price seems abit steep but for wool, I guess it should be right on the money.

The other is The TNA Henley Tee version.  I think it's only cotton, but I wasn't able to find it so I'll have to confirm once I see it in person this weekend.

TNA Henley T-shirt - Retail $45 (CDN)
Standard henley tee, great for layering on top of tanks for more warmth.  I love the white, though the details are hard to see in this image.

Having a jacket that provides maximum protection and warmth for winter time is important, but so is knowing how to dress warmly for indoors as well.  Sometimes, it's just as important to know how to layer to keep warm while outside but not be too warm once you get indoors.

Canadian made...eh?

beats:: drake - find your love (it's on constant replay...he's so dreamy!)

OOTD:: Black Jacob Dress shirt, White Jacob short-sleeved sweater, Black pin-striped Zara dress pants and cream ankle boots.

fave fashion accessory of the day/moment:: my socks =) don't ask!

I recognize the usual US brands such as Juicy, Abercrombie or even Louis Vuitton (for all you classier ladies)...There is however, a rise in the popularity of Canadian designer labels as well.  I bet if you look around even in the trendier california, you will find some Canadian labels you didn't expect were even Canadian!

The most famous Canadian to US takeover was the very first department store in Canada which started more than 300 years ago by fur and pelt traders.  The Hudson's Bay Company, of which I was fortunate enough to have been a former employee, is purely Canadian in roots.

But aside from HBC, do you any other designers that have struck gold in both sides of the border!?

The most notable ones that i've come across recently would be Aritzia , Lulu Lemon and Pink Tartan.  They all range in prices (Pink Tartan being the most pricey at $300 for a dress shirt!?) and in style of clothing sold.  They are all unique which is what caught the eye of the even some celebrities...I remember reading the Aritzia blog and seeing celebrities shopping away at the Robson Aritzia store and thinking, wow I shop there too!  It's nice to see that our neighbours from across the border appreciate and recognize Canadian talent as well!

Do you know of any designers that have successfully made it across the border?

my luxe essentials.

beats:: empire state of mind - jay z ft a. keys

OOTD:: my jammies =)

fave fashion accessory of the day/moment:: my jammies =)

Ever so often, along with my beautiful array of dresses, I try to round out my wardrobe with some essential pieces of clothing.  Essentials to me are about as important as the outfits that I wear, since these are pieces that I tend to wear more often and comfort is a must.

More than anything else, essentials are like those behind the scenes articles of clothing that you may only catch a glimpse of underneath a jacket or a sweater, but definitely makes the outfit in more ways than anyone will know...

I love my uber comfy racerback tanktops and my crazy soft tees and even my 3/4 length and long-sleeved shirts.  They are my basic go-to's when I'm wanting to layer or even put something on that I know guaranteed will give me long-lasting comfort and add style to my fashionable outfit.

Normally, my go-to brands switch back between Marciano and BEBE for my tanks...I've collected a not so cheap collection of racerbacks and tees that are super comfy and well worth the pennies I drop for them!  To date, my fave would be my Marciano 'M' Logo tee that's 3/4 length and soooo soft.  OMG its crazy comfy it gets me through a bad workday when I'm not in the mood to be dressed lol.

Lately though, I've reverted back to my less expensive faves, and an oldie fave =)

The tees and tanks at Forever 21 are crazy cheap and great value for the quality!  For tees that are around $6 CDN and around $5 CDN tanktops, how can you go wrong!? It comes in a great variety of styles like spaghetti straps and racerbacks and variety of colours too!

An oldie that I've been reverting back to for some essentials is a store that I've long sworn off.  It's just too much of a kiddie store that all the tweens and teens love to shop at, and having to compete with the kids is not my style.  I have to admit, I do love some of their clothes tho.  I am talking about Aritzia.  Their lines: Wilfred, Talula, TNA and Talula Babaton are great lines that have greatly impressed me the last few seasons.  I am looking forward to their next few season's lines =)

Okay so when I love something, I tend to buy in multiples, that's just how I am! lol.  I love the soft feel of these tanktops, cotton/spandex mix.  I love the light teal colour.  It also comes in a nice yellow and light pink =) It's a great buy for $25 cdn.  I luv luv luv wearing these that I'd buy a few more colours when I get the chance! lol.  I really do love to buy comfy essentials in multiples.  It's nice to have in handy for regular days and even for trips and such!

What are your fave luxe essentials??

monk & lou @ Plen+y.

beats:: some emily osment song i can't seem to get out of my head.

outfit of the day:: Black Zara pants, White Garage Racerback tanktop & AE light taupe coloured cardi (and my white Puma runners lol)

fave fashion accessory of the day/moment:: still....my Chanel sunglasses =) I'm still waiting, sunshine!

6 Weeks into spring, and all I see is gloom...ugh.

I want some sunshine in my life again! scratch that-- I need sunshine in my life again!  Where the heck is it??  I am awaiting the use of my uber fave sunglasses and much awaited spring wardrobe.

Speaking of wardrobe....

I was perusing the store, Plen+y yesterday afternoon and noticed the brand, Monk & Lou.  I rarely go into that store these days, considering how they house more of the pricier boutique labels, sort of like Ariztia.  I think that they are quite similar in that they house different brands, some you can find in other stores, others are abit more unique.  They cater to the fashionistas with a more ecclectic, unique sense of style.  While Aritzia focuses more on just the ladies and more on the trendy side of things, Plen+y mixes men and women, and mixes urban with the trendy.

So on to Monk & Lou....

My initial sighting was thanks to this nice 'Boyfriend' Blazer.  While I'm not accustomed to buying those at a bulk, I do like an occasional blazer now and again.  It's cut quite nicely with what seems like a slight tapered waist even if it mostly has a boxy shape.  Their pieces for the most part were quite nice, tho for the most part pricey.  The cute black mini skirt I had my eye on was stickered at $79.00 while most of my minis tend to be around the $20-$60 range.  All in all, I found this brand to be quite trendy and cute, reminding me of the styles that Aritzia carries, with its Talula Babitton and Wilfred brands. 

I'd still consider it, though this was more a quick run-through at the store, so I doubt I remembered every piece from their line.  I'd still be on the lookout in the future what they may have in store for the up-coming seasons....I certainly was intruiged.