Spring is finally in the air and it has me all gaga over new trends and old styles that are making a comeback. It’s ok, I am a hoarder, and this is when it comes in handy. I kept all my old accessories and now I just need to build up the courage to wear them! My black leather cuff bracelet comes to mind and my collection of leather strap chokers!
A few weeks ago, I drove all the way to Toronto to take part in the Smithery‘s Spring lookbook. It was an all day photoshoot, where I played the “O” shape model. Gorgeous clothes were waiting for me on a rack along with a collections of shoes that somehow were all my size. #dream
The Smithery is an online fashion boutique based out of Toronto, that specializes in helping women shop their shape. They have categories like X, V, H, A, and O (that’s me!) all representing a different body type. What I love is that they are helping women select clothes that are flattering to their shape, while still offering stylish and on trend selections at a fair price.
I was in love with all the looks, even though I swore that I would never wear my bell bottom jeans again!!
Check out some of my outfits that are now on their website:
The entire day was such a thrilling experience. I got to meet real lovely women, and basically hang out with them and take pictures in pretty clothes. Although I was zonked by the end of the day, and did a fair bit of damage to the bank account after nearly buying my entire rack of clothing, I have a bank of wonderful memories of this super fun day!
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Since you stuck around this long to hear about my magical day, I am giving you a reward! I am thrilled to announce that Smithery is giving away a $50 gift card to one of my lucky readers. All you have to do signup to my blog and leave a comment bellow telling me what you would buy with the gift card! I’ll pick a name at random on Friday April 1 2016 at 5:00 p.m.
I am a part of a vast network of bloggers in the Ottawa area. It’s a very supportive community. We try to get together on a monthly basis, and everyone gets their turn to host. We take part in charitable causes, we hash out business ideas and most of all, we vent about the #firstworldproblems of being a blogger.
This week we had our Christmas party meetup at Two Six [Ate}, on Preston Street. They kindly hosted our gang in their event space upstairs. The food was spectacular. I forgot how delicious that place was. I have to admit, I used to go more often when it first opened.
Anyhow, I was sitting beside Flic Taylor of loveagoodstripe.com. She is a self-confessed shopaholic attempting to build a capsule wardrobe. I loved how she defined her vision of a capsule wardrobe. I am paraphrasing here, but (in her lovely british accent)she said something along the lines of “a capsule wardrobe shouldn’t look the same for everyone. It’s not about everyone having black pumps, black trousers with a camel coat. It’s about finding the right pieces to build an ideal capsule collection for yourself. A great bowler hat and leather motorcycle jacket would be fundamental in my capsule wardrobe.” In essence, not all styles share the same essentials!
Back it up, what exactly is a capsule wardrobe? Let me wiki that for you.
Capsule wardrobe is a term coined by Susie Faux, the owner of a Londonboutique called “Wardrobe” in the 1970s. According to Faux, a capsule wardrobe is a collection of a few essential items of clothing that don’t go out of fashion, such as skirts, trousers, and coats, which can then be augmented with seasonal pieces.[1] This idea was popularised by American designer Donna Karan, who, in 1985, released an influential capsule collection of seven interchangeable work-wear pieces.[2]
So here in lies the problem: I am not only a shopaholic, but also a fashion chameleon. Capsule wardrobe equals impossibe. My style is, literally, not having to stick to one! I dress based on my mood, what my day looks like, what inspired me that day and the overall vibes of where I am headed. I have an overabundance of clothes, which I partly blame for having a very conservative corporate job by day and being a creative social fashion butterfly by night. I could try really hard to find a style that works for both, but I love me some classic corporate atire. Think Rachel Zane in Suits, #goals.
I also find the waste and pollution brought on by fast fashion, a little difficult to swallow. Building a capsule collection can play a huge role in sustainable fashion. It’s a hard balance between investing in classic essentials (a.k.a. clothes that will last you a long time), keeping up with trends to stay relevant, and squirrelling enough money away to pay the bills.
“The Prophesy” is a series of photographs by photographer Fabrice Monteiro that shines light on the problem of pollution in Africa, yet offers a message of hope.
A great resource for sustainable fashion in Canada, is Ottawa’s own Malorie Bertrand. She has many great suggestions on building a simple, effective and sustainable capsule collection, if that is the direction you prefer heading. She also has a few exciting things up her sleeve, so make sure you follow along!
I think we can all use a little lesson in building our own Capsule wardrobe. So, here is my attempt at one! I think I have way more than I need, but it’s a start. What do you think? Is there anything missing? What would you swap?
In my post last week, I mentioned that I was featured in Ottawa Family Living magazine. As you know, print is always limited to space, unlike a blog, so my fashion outfits didn’t quite make the cut. I guess they wanted to keep the smart answers over the pretty pictures. That’s a win for any blonde girl! haha.
Just as I said in my article, my go-to this season, is Leather! Here are three easy looks that offer comfort, style and versatility!
Each look offers a different way to play up on leather:
Every lady needs an LDB (a.k.a little black dress)!
It’s classic, versatile and flattering. I found this little gem and I absolutely love the way the full skirt gives an illusion of an hourglass waist. I adore the pockets too. I just wish the fabric around my waist was thicker, to make me look more svelte… you know what I mean?
I love combining this dark dress with a fun pop of yellow and subtle red, white and blue details of my wedges. This whole ensemble is great for a date or going out with the girls after work. Swap your work cardigan for a denim jacket and you have yourself a styled LBD for your next GNO (a.k.a. Girls night out!).
In these pictures, I am wearing:
Pre-owned- Gap Black fit & flare dress with full skirt purchased at AMH style
In my post last week, I mentioned that I was featured in 
