aliciafashionista

insomnia made me do it

2012-02-07T13:12:00.000-08:00

cropped grey tee + black silk short from aritzia // bright teal blazer from h&m // studded zara booties // necklaces from forever21 // sunglasses from barefoot contessa

almost declared a state of emergency this morning when i reached for my precious coffee, only to find we were out. luckily we had one disc of espresso left, which forced me to go old school and heat some milk on the stove. my friends taught me a delicious trick, to add nutella to the milk while it heats. so yes, i am currently enjoying a nutella latte, your jealousy is completely understandable.

yesterday i received a very sweet comment about my old writing style. someone had gone back and read my entire blog (almost 4 years worth, good on ya) and asked why i don't write like i used to. and the truth is, that i miss the way i used to write. i was honest, candid, funny even...very carrie bradshaw. i suppose since my readership has grown and i actually know people read this (including my parents..hi mom, hi dad!), i shy away from oversharing and storytelling. but, anonymous commenter has me thinking about how to incorporate the old with the new and find a healthy balance. people have since pointed out that it's natural to evolve as a person and a writer, but for all the times lately that i've sat staring blankly at a computer screen at a loss for words, this just might be the solution i was looking for.

so last night, instead of brainstorming post ideas, i found myself immersed in photo shop, downloading new fonts, and ultimately creating a new logo. been extra inspired by cocoa and hearts lately, her art is so beautiful, but i am especially drawn to her use of colour. it's actually this painting that helped create my new blog concept. a definite work in progress that kept me up until all hours of the night! hope you like it, any design suggestions are mucho appreciated.

A Very Classy Derek Blasberg Event

2012-02-06T11:52:00.000-08:00

me, olivia, darryl, peter, lisa, jen + monika {photo c/o jen}

meagan, jen + Chelle

{this photo + one above c/o jen}

{action shots c/o monika}

Derek Blasberg, a notable Manhattan fashion writer and now a New York Times Best Selling Author, was in town to sign copies of his second book. A sequel to Classy, his latest work, Very Classy is full of tips on how to be a proper lady. And it's no surprise that a Derek Blasberg book signing brought out Vancouver's most stylish. Held in The Room at The Bay, the space was so appropriately decorated with mannequins wearing lipstick and spring inspired neon brights. I also loved the book specific touches, memorable quotes scattered around, distinct yellow copies of Very Classy stacked on tables, and serving trays piled with Classy or Trashy yellow pins.

With such a fun atmosphere, it would have been impossible to have a bad time! It was great to see some beautiful familiar faces and to catch up with those I hadn't seen in a while. Even had the chance to meet a few new people, including Derek himself! A big thank you to Monika of The Doctor's Closet for bringing me as her +1, I had such a lovely evening.

ladylike

2012-02-03T23:48:00.000-08:00

faux fur bb dakota from modcloth // blouse from h&m // tan midi skirt from aritzia // purse from aldo

photos by her waise choice

been on the hunt all season for the perfect faux fur vest. couldn't believe it when i scored this bb dakota faux fur vest on modcloth during their cabin fever sale...for $23! good thing really do come for those who wait!

and what better occasion to wear a new piece than to a very classy fashion event at the room at the bay?! started out last night with a glass of wine with olivia, jen, and monika at the rosewood hotel georgia and then headed over to the fabulous event {more about that in another post}. after tons of fun catching up with some amazing people and a few fashion celeb encounters, lisa and d joined us and we all went over to guu garden for some japanese tapas.

as much as the winter can make one want to hibernate, it's so much fun to get all dolled up and have a night out on the town! oooh, and don't forget to enter my social experiment valentine’s giveaway! happy friday xo

a little bit of {everything}

2012-01-31T23:22:00.000-08:00

cream lace blouse c/o banana republic // aritzia trousers // seychelles leopard print pumps and blazer from plum // structured colour block bag from zara // large brim hat from front and company // gold pyrite necklace c/o wolf circus // marc by marc jacobs watch // one of a kind cocktail ring c/o social experiment // neon orange american apparel polish // sephora lip attitude glamour g03 lipstick

coral lips and highlighter orange nails make any old outfit way more fun, especially on a rainy vancouver day. our constant wet weather has meant that my hats are in constant rotation. not that i'm complaining about it. i do love my hats. i'm going to grow to be an old hat lady and own hundreds of hats because hats > cats.

i've also been in a real hat/fascinator mood after watching hours of downton abbey. my mom and i are all caught up on season two and my god, i wish i were british! and living in the early 1900's...with matthew (just kidding adam...)!

m83 – steve mcqueen

Social Experiment Valentine's Giveaway - now closed!

2012-01-30T22:29:00.000-08:00

It's no secret that I'm obsessed with Vancouver's Georgia Heraty's designs. I wear her one of a kind Social Experiment cocktail ring all the time! And you bet, I receive tons of compliments every time I wear my Social Experiment Ring. I love supporting a local jewellery line and owning something that's very unique.

This is why I'm so excited to offer you the chance to win not one, but TWO Social Experiment pieces that are perfect for February 14th! So ladies, if you want this one, you should forward this on to your man so he can enter as well ;)

You could WIN this cherry quartz Seaside bracelet and cocktail ring set c/o Social Experiment. A $50 CDN Value...nice!

How to enter:

Just check out Social Experiment Etsy Page and tell me which piece is your favourite!

Then comment on this post or the Alicia Fashionista Facebook Page with your answer (and how to get a hold of you).

Contest closes on Monday February 6th at 7pm PST and is open to North American residence only (sorry international readers). Good luck xo

rock + roll g-ma

2012-01-27T15:53:00.000-08:00

zara sweater // joe fresh tee // aritzia maxi skirt // gifted bracelets// forever 21 sunnies and necklace // purse c/o plum // urban outfitters wedge booties

photos by alex

i always feel like a bit of a granny in a maxi skirt and pairing it with a chunky sweater only enhanced that. how to counter this? add an edgy cross necklace and stack some bracelets, it really throws people off ;) no seriously, this outfit was super cozy and much warmer than my last one. maxi skirts are the absolute best in comfort, i'm thinking i need another one to get through winter.

was out yesterday for a lavendar latte and rasperry caramel waffle at medina cafe with alexandra (pictured above) of to vogue or bust. we had a very inspiring chat about our blogs and worked some photo magic afterwards. she really knew how to play around with lighting, i'm definitely going to try some of her tricks again!

can you believe it's already friday? this week absolutely flew by! working on some really exciting things this weekend that i hope to show you by monday. i say this to put some sort of pressure on myself to actually get it done by said date. now i have no choice but to finish by monday...so thanks for not allowing me to procrastinate!

ps speaking of rock and roll grandmas, have you seen this? she’s got some seriously badass moves! happy friday :)

lunch date

2012-01-24T17:35:00.000-08:00

hat from h&m // vintage blouse // kensie sweater from plum // pants from anthropologie // necklace from forever 21 // adam's nixon watch // purse from front and company // scarf from fine finds // shoes from portland boutique

photos by leonie

i'm going to be completely honest and tell you that i loooved this outfit....but i suffered mild hypothermia because of it. now, that's a bit of a dramatic exaggeration, but i assure you that without gloves and socks i absolutely froze. a harsh lesson to learn, isn't it? that you can't dress for september in january. apparently my sunny vacations have really messed with my perception of vancouver weather reality!

went for a little menswear inspired comfy (but cold) look for my lunch date with leonie of the the signature bow and randa of the-unprecedented. it was great meeting up with these lovely gals to talk fashion, work, and travel. after lunch at 8 1/2, we even got to do a bit of window shopping at scout and f as in frank. main street lunch dates are the best!

hoping for my sake, that the next outfit post will probably feature me in a parka because i really need to learn to bundle up. also, i'm apparently in the market for a parka, so if you would like to donate one to me, i won't turn it down ;)

{insta} january

2012-01-23T17:10:00.000-08:00

a little of this and that from my instagram. happy monday xo

jacket + jacket = coat

2012-01-21T19:36:00.000-08:00

brooklyn industries striped tee // oxmo jacket and purse from plum // faux leather jacket from le chateau // yoga skinny jeans by second // scarf from zara // ring c/o social experiment // pointed toe suede flats with bows from joe fresh

was growing rather tired of my winter coat collection lately and feeling desperate for a new piece of outerwear. being on a budget really limits one's options then for something shiny and new. in search of alternatives, i came up with an interesting fashion equation: jacket + jacket = coat. now, i do realize that i am on the west coast and temperatures are far milder than most, but i did wear this earlier in the week when we were below zero as well (with boots, gloves, and ear muffs). that's the beauty of layering, that you can just keep adding until you can't really move!

city and colour – the grand optimist

{wedding wednesday} bridal brunch details

2012-01-18T14:23:00.000-08:00

before jessica's destination wedding, it was my pleasure to attend a bridal brunch thrown by her mother, the wedding lady. it's no wonder susan is one of vancouver's best wedding and event planning specialists, every component was exquisite!! we all talked wedding excitement and shared fun stories over brunch, which included butternut squash soup, summer fruit salad and quiche, as well as a delicious sorbet with fresh raspberries. the meal ended with a fresh cup of steaming hot maui coffee, the perfect hawaiian touch!

the bride spoiled her sisters and bridesmaids with gifts from jewliette jewellery . i was given a stunning pair of elsa corsi earrings that i can't wait to wear again! the hyatt ladies really went above and beyond to throw a perfect sunday bridal brunch. i just love looking back at all the stunning details, thank you again ladies xo

p.s. only one more day to enter my artsy closet dress giveaway ! don't miss out!

cabin fever

2012-01-17T16:01:00.000-08:00

hat and blouse from h&m // knit vest and black denim from plum // necklace from victoria boutique // purse from aldo // booties from urban outfitters

i have been cooped up in my apartment for two days now and i.am.going.crazy!!!!!! just as i was getting over a mexican stomach bug, i've acquired a delightful cold and fever combo that has me going from hot to cold all day long. gosh, i'm attractive right now ;) took a wild guess and figured that you probably didn't want to see an outfit post featuring pajamas, so i'm very thankful we took some pics this weekend. phewf!

during my sick days, i finished the hunger games trilogy (so amazing, if you haven't read them you are missing out) and am fearing major boredom tonight. any movie recommendations? thinking i'm in need of a good chick flick or something. thanks lovelies!

photoshoot fun

2012-01-13T15:47:00.000-08:00

{photographer} andrea gurniak

{model} melanie solano w/inspirationall

{makeup+hair} sarah samra

{stylist} alicia quan of aliciafashionista

this is what four (almost) strangers completed in three and a half hours. i wasn't kidding when i said these ladies are crazy talented!

happy friday xo

artsy closet dress giveaway!

2012-01-12T12:07:00.000-08:00

dress c/o artsy closet // bangles from river island // zara envelope clutch // barefoot contessa sunnies // kelsi dagger sandals

bring on the sunshine and warm weather, let's get a little excited for spring! i've teamed up with artsy closet to giveaway this beautiful aqua 'social dress' with back cutout! i own one too, so we can totally be dress twins! i'll even share my secret way to still wear a regular bra with this dress with the winner. yes, i am that magical.

how to enter:

visit artsycloset.com and tell me which other dress on their site you most adore.

then, comment below or on the aliciafashionista facebook page with your answer, what size you need (S, M, or L) and how to get a hold of you!

it just might cost me a fortune, but i'm going to keep this contest open to canada and the usa...because i love you guys! contest closes thursday january 19th, 2012 at 2 pm pst.

best of luck xo

this moment of clarity

2012-01-11T23:32:00.000-08:00

photograph by andrea gurniak photography

how ironic that i've spent the last week away from blogging and when i finally felt like i had something to say, my ipad just deleted my entire post. eff.

due to a lack of motivation to completely replicate my original post, i will sum things up to the fact that during my week and half of "resting" (i use quotations because i'm not sure i'm even capable of completely relaxing any more) i had a lot of insight and inspiration. with adam's help, i've narrowed down a concept for my creative company and am currently working on getting a website up and running. some events and blog related things happening in 2012 are actually coming to fruition. i finally read the hunger games and am completely sold on all the hype! and after months away form it, i had the opportunity to style a photo shoot on monday. i didn't realize how much i missed it until i was there, surrounded by three beautiful, talented, and creative women. but, more about that later.

we'll be back to our regular scheduled programming this week, including a dress giveaway tomorrow that i know you'll go crazy for! it's so good to be back!!!!

jay z – moment of clarity

resort wear 2012

2012-01-03T17:24:00.000-08:00

vintage top from portland // skirt from modcloth // hat from plum // bangles from river island // kelsi dagger shoes

surprise! adam made the company trip to mexico again this year, and so here we are in playa del carmen! can you believe he works for a small company that provides such amazing benefits? and i feel so honoured/spoiled that they invite me to be here with them!

leaving my winter coat back in vancouver is such a great feeling and i finally got a chance to wear this vintage blouse i purchase in portland! besides lounging around the pool, my fav part of a mexican resort vacation is getting all dressed up each night for dinner. okay, and the free drinks. definitely been having my share of pina coladas ;)

hope you are all having a great start to the year! xo

happy new year!

2011-12-31T16:03:00.000-08:00

bcbg strapless dress with tiered ruffled skirt // hue tights // h&m accessories // nine west pumps

is it strange that i put my nye outfit on hours early just to get some outfit photos? the woman who cycled past us and yelled "awesome!" thought it was okay, right? haha at a certain point, you have to just accept the fact that you look weird getting outfit photos in a party dress, mid afternoon, in zero degree weather.

just wanted to say that this has been an amazing year for me, and all of you have had a part in that! thank you for being here to support me, you are all so great and i very much appreciate it! wishing all of you a safe and happy new year! all the very best in 2012, and thank you again for being such wonderful readers and friends xo

{insta} fun

2011-12-29T01:20:00.000-08:00

1 tweetup nametag with moustache. 2 me before a night out. 3 half cocker spaniel, half pug and the cutest dog...ever! 4 our new decor from front and company. 5+6 browsing around the new boutique libertine on south granville. 7 neon american apparel polish! 8 more sequins. 9 my fav leopard seychelles. 10 actually did some christmas baking this year! 11 a thierry's latte. 12 my bday cake from great friends :) 13 lemodedujour's fantastic colour combo. 14 outfit deets.

oversized repels

2011-12-27T14:07:00.000-08:00

jacket and hat from front and company // shirt, scarf, and jeans from plum // purse from zara // boots from dsw // sunglasses from forever 21 // ring from h&m

i realize with these photos that when i wear my oversized pieces it's most definitely man-repelling! i so often dress for other girls, that i forget what some looks do for my body shape. a single friend of mine was commenting on how she's had to put some of her loose fitting trendy pieces away for some new outfits that showcase a little more of her figure.

it's a bit of a pickle though, because you don't want to pretend to be something you're not. i also think women who love what they're wearing exude confidence and that's sexy to men! guess it comes down to finding a balance of personal style and something that won't completely scare men off.

i think i'll just wear whatever i like and ignore what the men have to say about it! do you repel as well, or do you feel sexier in shape flattering looks?

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-26T14:51:00.000-08:00

Took the day off the computer yesterday, so I'm a little late but still wanted to say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Hope you were all able to spend time with friends and family and that Santa really spoiled you! xo

a little holiday sparkle

2011-12-21T21:34:00.000-08:00

vintage silk blouse // joe fresh embellished skirt // necklace c/o wolf circus // jeffrey campbell 99s c/o solestruck // gifted marc by marc jacobs 'blade' watch

super excited to be leaving in an hour to catch a ferry to victoria! we're going to visit with adam's family tonight and then tomorrow we're hitting up johnson street for some boutique hopping and sightseeing. unfortunately, i've gone and got myself sick though. been spending the last few days shuffling back and forth from bed to the couch. really not ideal to catch a cold so close to christmas!

speaking of which, aren't you excited for the holidays?! only 3 more sleeps until christmas. what did you ask santa for this year?

okay, really gotta run now. haven't even started packing for victoria! hope you all have an amazing day xo

Establishment Lounge Vancouver GRAND OPENING!

2011-12-20T13:45:00.000-08:00

Spotted! @ALovingSpoonful and Dianne Chow

chatting with the fantastic @Phanyxx

photos by Andrea Gurniak Photography

It's always super exciting to discover a new restaurant to love in Vancouver. And let's just say, I've already established the Establishment Lounge as my new go-to dinner spot! Located in the heart of Kits on W.Broadway, Establishment provides a trendy, yet cozy room that's inviting to all ages! But,we all go for the food, right? They have a newly revamped menu with some really great dishes, my personal vegetarian favourites being their Roasted Red Pepper Hummus and Heart of Palm Salad. At the GRAND OPENING PARTY, there was no shortage of complimentary canapes, everyone seemed to love the Spiced Lamb Meatballs. Well, they also loved the free champagne (myself included) but that's no surprise!

What I adore most about Establishment Lounge is that they take large group reservations, even on weekends. There is a definite shortage of cool and reasonably priced restaurants in Vancouver that will take a reso for large groups. They have a great couch area to acommodate large groups too, which takes the stress away of worrying about guests arriving on time or bailing on the night. So ideal!

I definitely recommend checking out the Establishment! You can keep up with them on Twitter at @EstLounge and/or LIKE Establishment Lounge on Facebook. They have a Gift Card giveaway coming up too, I would probably follow them if I were you ;)

Have you been to any great new Vancouver restaurants lately or have you already tried the Establishment? Would love to hear about it!

chopped and layered

2011-12-19T14:50:00.000-08:00

lace dress, earrings, and ruffle purse from plum // skirt and bracelet from h&m // black cami from aritzia // faryl robin shoes from dakota group sample sale // black satin belt from my craft bin // red revlon lipstick

went to the salon (which adam pronounces in the most ridiculous french accent btw) last week to get a routine trim, but ended up cutting off a significant amount of hair. had a classic meltdown at first, but i think that was in part because of how it was styled. we had attempted a blowout, but with the new length it turned into more of a rachel cut from the 90's. in an effort to fix it, i straightened the crap out of it which only made the new length even more shocking. thankfully, i have curled it myself and actually really like the new 'do. it feels a lot lighter and healthier, very refreshing!

with a super limited budget, i've had to improvise my holiday party outfits using the already existing contents of my closet. in order to give my black lace dress a new look, i actually layered a black chiffon skirt over top of the dress and tied it together with a piece of black satin ribbon as a belt. Many people don't think to put a skirt over a dress, but if executed right, it can look super cute! makes me feel like i'm wearing a brand new dress and people are actually really impressed with my layering abilities. or so they tell me to my face... :P

'tis the season for remixing red

2011-12-18T10:00:00.000-08:00

anthropologie red trousers // h&m blouse // plum scarf and purse // urban outfitters wedge booties // aritzia cocoon coat

i'm sure you remember these red pants from the first time i wore them a few weeks ago. it's been really fun mix and matching things with these conveniently festive trousers with other pieces from my closet. of course, red was just my gateway hue into the dangerous world of colourful pants! i can't wait to get my hands on another pair! been eyeing some green ones at h&m recently, perhaps a little boxing day shopping will be in order on the 26th!

speaking of which, how is your christmas shopping going? i am only about halfway done, but i've always enjoyed last minute shopping. in fact, i usually venture out and go shopping on christmas eve just because i love the hustle and bustle of the last minute shoppers.

these photos were taken at the sfu woodwards by the fantastic mr. ned tobin. you can see more of his work on his website nedtobin.com. hope you're all having a fantastic weekend :)

Giving Back

2011-12-16T12:21:00.000-08:00

Not sure if it was final exams at schoolor all those years in retail, but for a while Christmas felt like it flew by tooquickly. I’ve found that fillingDecember with various Christmas activities is the best way to embrace the Holiday season. This year we made a list (and checked it twice) of all the Christmasthings that needed to be completed before the 25th, including going to BrightNights in Stanley Park, ice skating, decorating the apartment, and of course,spreading Christmas spirit to those in need.

We usually make stockings for the homelessand distribute them around Vancouver. On top of that, I've decided to donate to Adopt-A-School,the Vancouver Sun Children’s Fund special project. Teaching dance for almost 10 years, I’ve seenchildren from all sorts of varying family dynamics and financial situations. You don't want to imagine that a four year old's clothing hasn't been washed in months, or that they haven't eaten a proper meal all week, but I've seen it...it happens. And it happens right in our neighbourhood, to children that you might not even suspect have an unstable home life!

Seeing people take the initiative to help children in need at their school to keep them educated, clothed, fed, and providing them with help from all over the community is beyond heartwarming. There are a few REALLY simple ways to donate a few dollars. You can ”LIKE” Vancouver Sun Children’s Fund on Facebook and a $2 donation will be made, or you can help by texting ‘sunkids’ to 20222 to contribute $5 to BC Children in need. There are other ways to contribute, including donating things such as clothing items, as opposed to giving money. You can read all about it here.

How do you give back during the holidays (or throughout the year)? Let me know on the Alicia Fashionista Facebook Page!

many shades of blue

2011-12-13T17:37:00.000-08:00

vintage dress from true value vintage // belt, purse, and bracelet from plum // bangles from h&m // forever 21 sunglasses // pour la victoire booties

with the lovely crystal kwon, michelle da silva , and karm sumal at the cento notti launch party (photo c/o the opus)

it's getting more and more difficult to feel like your outfit is "cute" when you're wearing 10 layers in order to stay moderately warm. just the other day, i wore flats instead of boots and my toes were so numb, i was sure i was near hypothermia!

how do you manage to stay warm and stylish at the same time?

Barefoot Contessa Vancouver Giveaway

2011-12-09T14:27:00.001-08:00

it's no secret that i have a major obsession with barefoot contessa . for years, barefoot has been my go-to destination for beautiful and unique pieces to add to my closet. this holiday season, they are making my shopping even easier! they have tons of gift ideas, for all the women on my list (and maybe if i'd brought that list with me, i could have been more efficient, but that's getting slightly off topic). they even have everything you need for a holiday party like cocktail dresses, sparkly pumps and some cute accessories to top it all off! you can see my holiday gift picks for yourself if you visit their stores before christmas.

now i am happy to give you a chance to win $50 to spend at one of my favourite boutiques. money that can be spent on a gift or kept as a little christmas gift to yourself!

how to enter:

hop on over to the barefoot contessa facebook page and give them some love...err a "like"

then comment on this post or write on the alicia fashionista facebook page telling me that you did your part to enter.

contest closes on thursday december 15th, 2011 at 4 pm pst. must be a resident of british columbia to enter (unless you are to visit the lower mainland soon) as the gift card can only be used at barefoot contessa's two locations on commercial drive and main street in vancouver.

good luck xo

emerald green and gold sparkle

2011-12-07T17:08:00.000-08:00

emerald green shell blouse from topshop // very gold sparkly jacket // wilfred pants from aritzia // gold pyrite necklace c/o wolf circus // structured bag from zara // seychelle leopard print pumps // assorted bracelets from plum and h&m // marc by marc jacobs watch

photos by melissa

always keep this in mind:

"just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. where there is love and inspiration, i don't think you can go wrong." - ella fitzgerald

xo

the wrong side of the tracks

2011-12-05T22:50:00.001-08:00

striped tee from h&m // sweater, scarf, jeans, and hat from plum // necklace and sunglasses from forever21 // boots from target // expo 86 tote from a wolf parade concert // gifted rings // coat from aritzia

things i learned this weekend:

1. though really cool, train track photos are quite dangerous because actual trains use those tracks too

2. that it's not going outside without a jacket that leads to a cold. it's a lack of sleep and surviving on a banana and three cups of coffee a day (okay, and some chocolate too).

3. letting your boyfriend decorate christmas cookies equals every type of sprinkle on one cookie.

4. what maple ridge looks like

5. that even candace cameron bure (aka dj tanner) can't save the worst christmas made for tv movie script ever written. and that i could be desperate enough to watch an entire candice cameron bure movie.

hope you all had an enjoyable weekend xo

can't get enough

2011-12-02T02:03:00.000-08:00

wilfred coat from aritzia // kensie sweater and purse from plum // navajo print scarf and sunnies from forever 21 // steve madden boots

nothing beats bundling up with a ton of layers, grabbing a starbucks, and going for a walk on a cold, sunny day!

mid-week clicks

2011-11-30T15:49:00.001-08:00

had the honour of doing my very first podcast with j-ray and hux on vancouver spotlight. you can download it for free on itunes - vancouver spotlight episode 3. we talk about twitter, vancouver style, crack a few jokes, and taste test some chocolate eggnog. why wouldn't you listen!?

finally figured out how to create a facebook welcome page, so perhaps i'm a little extra likeable now ;)!

super flattered to have a not-so-secret admirer. was featured as the tia star canadian blog crush earlier this month.

if you like the stuart weitzman title booties i've been sporting lately, be sure to check out their canadian online site stuartweitzman.ca

extra! extra! read all about it! thestylespy.com just posted their industry insider: favourite shopping spots and i happened to mention my love for a certain main street store.

happy wednesday my lovelies xo

always an adventure in red pants

2011-11-29T22:02:00.000-08:00

faux leather jacket from le chateau // leopard print blouse from plum // red trousers from anthropologie // infinity scarf from fine finds // shoes from portland // purse from front and company // bracelets from h&m // marc by marc jacobs watch // ring c/o social experiment

to put a christmas gift from last year to gooduse, i finally figured out how to use a dslr remote. decided to be brave ysterday and head out to attempt an outfit photo using the tripod. found a great little alley and as i set up, an old man taking out the trash decided to stop and creepily watch what i was doing from afar. after a few minutes of extreme awkwardness i snatched up the equipment and stormed back to my car. outfit photo fail (ended up putting the outfit back on the next day so my brother could take pics lol).

after giving up on any pictures, i headed to starbucks next to enjoy a vanilla latte and get some work done. was on twitter for one of my clients, when i saw rick chung tweet about how people always fall asleep at starbucks, with a twit pic of the guy across from him passed out. i chuckled to myself, thinking how true that was. then i looked up and realized that the sleeping man was right in front of me too! tweeted rick and asked if i was sitting right behind him...and turns out i was! a hilarious and unexpected meeting, it was super nice to catch up. he was headed to a tweetup at the five point afterwards, so i tagged along. it was so fun to meet so many twitter peeps in real life! you can see a great recap of the evening on rickchung.com.

i also feel as though i must comment on the fact that i'm wearing red pants. except that i don't have much to say about them, other than i love them and am so happy anthropologie had them in my size and on sale. and that serendipitous moments of adventure happen when i wear them. okay, yeah they're pretty cool!

life lately {via instagram}

2011-11-26T17:34:00.001-08:00

joe fresh holiday 2011 collection

in a dream

a latte

a little sparkle from joe fresh

gifts for the man from front and company

a birthday treat c/o cakelicious

beautiful flowers from adam

a brand new ring c/o social experiment

twenty five

2011-11-23T00:12:00.001-08:00

blouse from h&m // hat from urban outfitters // wilfred jacket from aritzia // green skirt from american apparel c/o teambuy // 'title' botties c/o stuart weitzman

my birthday plans include treating myself to a latte and some blog reading this afternoon. followed by a date with the man at dale mckay's ensemble restaurant tonight as an excuse to get dolled up! hope you all have a great wednesday xo

hawaii in photos

2011-11-20T18:47:00.000-08:00

Gap + The Style Spy

2011-11-18T00:05:00.001-08:00

All I really have to say, is that you have the chance to meet and shop with the girls of The Style Spy and you should be sold! Their lovely and talented team will be at the Gap on Robson on Tuesday, November 22nd from 5 pm to 8 pm to chat about trends and styling this season.

They are generously also offering 25% off Gap's new holiday collection, hair braiding (not the tropical vacation kind, not to worry haha) at Blo's Braid Bar, Sweets from Frankie's Candy Bar and Jones Soda, as well as live tunes from DJ Ana.

With a $50 purchase, you get a swag bag and 10 bags will randomly contain a FREE pair of premium denim (valued up to $79.95). There will also be a chance to win a Gap outfit valued up to $500. Now, how awesome would that be?

It's going to be such a fun night (and the eve of my birthday), would love to see some of you there!

i'm gonna lose my mind

2011-11-15T21:08:00.001-08:00

thrifted club monaco silk blouse // gifted black and gold modcloth sweater // mavi denim // h&m trench // zara purse // joe fresh sunnies and flats

ran out the door this afternoon to meet melissa for a main street shop and coffee. was running 10 minutes late (story of my life) only to realize i couldn't text her because my phone was at home. pull up to our meeting spot and notice i don't have any jewellery on either, which really doesn't help an outfit post. we snoop around two of our favourite stores, barefoot contessa and front & company before it's time for a caffeine hit. i go to pay for our drinks and see that i have no wallet at all. left it beside my phone and jewellery at home. it's pretty embarrassing when you offer to pay for someone's mocha and then conveniently don't have anything to pay with. good thing she's family, it could have been a lot worse!

been wearing non stop denim lately, which is so ironic because i don't even like my jeans very much any more. so as i continue my hunt for new trousers that don't cost a fortune (that's your cue to tell me where to get some) my budget forces me to find new ways to wear my old clothes. and while scrambling to put an outfit together this morning, i decided to try this look after seeing something similar on pinterest. turned out that i had the necessary tools to put it together and i'm quite happy with how it turned out. now if only i'd remembered jewellery...

florence + the machine – leave my body

hello again, vancouver

2011-11-13T22:10:00.001-08:00

Leopard Fur Jacket from Plum // Lace Shell top from Banana Republic // Mavi Denim // UO Suede Booties // Structured Zara Bag // Wolf Parade Necklace // Forever 21 Seagull Ring

from thirty degrees to three, it's not exactly a warm welcome back to vancouver! it was such a treat to experience a week's worth of summer weather in hawaii, i love me some beach time! promise not to overload you with too many more vacation photos (might just lose a few followers over it haha) but i will also have to do a mini recap of my best friend's wedding day! so lots of posts coming up this week...it's good to be back!

hope you've all had a fantastic week. i'm super excited to catch up on my blog reading to see what you've been up to lately!

Aloha!

2011-11-06T12:36:00.000-08:00

1. My view at the beach neat Lahaina

2. + 3. Packing for Hawaii

4. Vanessa enjoying the view in Napili Bay

5. Aloha State license plate

6. Banana + Macadamia Nut Pancakes

7. Hawaiian Bedding

8. Aloha from Hawaii :)

Hope you're all having a great weekend xo

never let me go

2011-11-01T13:10:00.000-07:00

blush pink printed blouse, sunglasses, and trench coat from h&m // skinny yoga jeans // accessories from plum // faryl robin suede pumps

after the inconvenience of rain last week, i felt tons of pressure to get an outfit photo yesterday while the sun was out. was having a very off hair day though, until i attempted a top knot for the millionth time. one hair elastic and two bobby pins later, i somehow managed to get a relatively decent high bun with minimal flyaways. this has never happened before, people!

apart from hair miracles, i'm so excited for life to calm down once i'm back from hawaii. its been quite a challenge to find a work/life balance when working from home. been spending most of my time glued in front of a computer screen! hoping to solve this, i purchased an ipad yesterday. tweeting from all four accounts is far simpler from an ipad. and i'm obviously pumped to finally have access to instagram!

how have all of you been? how was your halloween?

florence + the machine – never let me go

Florence + the Machine "Ceremonials" Album Review

2011-10-31T23:30:00.000-07:00

i first discovered her larger than life vocals while shopping at a local clothing store in the summer of 2009. unable to get it out of my head, it wasn't the fact that i was listening to a cover of hospital beds, it was the female voice behind those familiar lyrics. turned out that it was florence welch, and it just so happened that her debut album lungs had just been released that week. thirty seconds into listening to the cd, i knew it was just the sound i had been desperately searching the music scene for. and like a missionary for the church of florence, i informed the masses of her talent, turning anyone i could into a believer. a year later, i was lucky enough to see florence + the machine perform live at the commodore ballroom. her stage presence still haunts me. it was by far the best live show of my life.

soon after, florence + the machine broke into the north american music scene. with her song dog days are over featured in the eat, pray, love trailer, an appearance on snl, plenty of radio play, and a notable fashion sense, people started to notice her. it always saddens me when this happens because as much as artists claim to stay true to themselves, i feel like they end up lost somewhere in between the depths of celebrity life and the pressure to consistently satisfy expectations musically. so two and a half years later, i received an ealy copy of her new album with a large amount of cynicism. i was so prepared for disappointment, that i almost tried not to like it. but welch defied the odds and actually produced a cd that is still very much her and her unique sound.

her second album is appropriately named ceremonials, as a florence + the machine album is comparable to a religious experience. much like her last record, it starts off with the more upbeat/pop friendly tunes. her single shake it out will likely appeal to those who appreciated dog days on her last cd. when i'd initially heard what the water gave me as a single i wasn't too keen, but listening to it in context with the rest of the album, it's the perfect compliment.
with so much time to grow, this album is noticeably darker. perhaps not on the surface, but lyrically it is very apparent. something that i think florence is very open about and comfortable sharing with the world. i almost feel as though i'm fighting life's demons alongside her, especially so in seven devils.

the driving force behind this album is of course, florence welch's voice, which i believe is best showcased in leave my body and spectrum. it's her ability to belt out those notes on your behalf that is so powerful. with each listen, i find different songs that stand out for me. tonight i find remain nameless especially interesting because it has such classic pop music components but strikes me as such a different sound.

florence the machine's ceremonials is a contender for album of the year. the repeat button is already wearing down and i've only been listening to it since friday! i highly suggest you purchase this cd as soon as humanly possible and share your opinion. music is so subjective, i'm interested to hear what others think of this album as well!

Y.E.S! Signature Style Event - Room with a View

2011-10-28T12:23:00.000-07:00

olivia lovenmark of style struck and liz speradeo of dress for success

with karm and crystal of vancitybuzz

on katie: sea shirt and sandro jacket

on heather: hugo boss jacket and trousers, sam eldelman pumps

on whitney: tara jarmon jacket (of amazingess)

on ingrid: opening ceremony jacket, tucker blouse, see by chloe sweater, current/elliot pants, treesje satchel, and dolce vita booties

on lisa: trina turk blouse, pants, and jacket

on heather: a show stealing mcq by alexander mcqueen dress

y.e.s! young executives for success is a way for professional vancouver women to make connections with like-minded females and to give back to other women in their community. it's such a fantastic networking group, love how they support dress for success.

was lucky enough to attend the y.e.s! signature style event "room with a view" on wednesday. hosted by the lovely fiona forbes, the fashion show featured pieces from the bay's latest shopping destinations: the room and topshop. as you can tell from the photos, there were so many lust-worthy pieces, had to keep a close eye on my credit card to make sure it didn't run away and make any purchases!

i will absolutely be attending another y.e.s! networking event, and am greatly considering becoming a member. it's just so fun and refreshing talking to successful ladies and catching up with contacts that i haven't seen in a while. total girl power speech (beyonce would be proud).

how do you network with other gal pals in your area?

Video: How To Tie/Style A Scarf

2011-10-26T00:24:00.000-07:00

I've had a few requests to show how I style/tie my scarves. Decided to attempt a video blog (pfft...haven't done that in a year). Hopefully there are some helpful hints in there amongst my mumbling and noisy bracelets :P

Enjoy xo

WIN a set of LOVE + MARK'D cards

2011-10-24T22:08:00.000-07:00

since i met her in the first grade, my best friend has promoted giving people handwritten cards. thanks to her, i am always handing out cards for special occasions or just because! i especially love how olivia lovenmark of stylestruck.ca created a new line of handmade LOVE + MARK’D cards. a little bit french, a little bit of glitter, and very cute! in honour of her recently launched line of cards, she is offering one lucky aliciafashionista reader a set of 4 cards!

how to enter:

head on over to LOVE + MARK’D and pick which set of cards you'd like to win

then comment on this post or the aliciafashionista facebook page about which set of cards is you favourite

for a *bonus* entry "like" stylestruck.ca on facebook

contest closes friday october 28th at 3 pm PST. contest open to north american residence only, maximum of two entries per person.

good luck xo

Professor Mustard

2011-10-23T01:06:00.000-07:00

vintage tweed 'professor' blazer from shoppalu // cream bow blouse from h+m // second denim yoga jeans from plum // mustard chunky knit scarf from modcloth // structured buckle detailed bag from front+co. // adam's ray ban aviators // pure nail bar manicure

i report to you live from the couch on this lovely saturday night. been trying to write this post for two days now and i tell you, no matter how hard i try, it won't write itself?! strange...

so i've been looking everywhere for a great tweed jacket (this is me not shopping btw). something a little menswear with a hint of equestrian, and i can't believe i finally found it! it's a hand picked vintage piece from shoppalu, an online canadian vintage store. i tend to lack the patience to frequent vintage stores, so a local online selection of great second hand pieces is very helpful!

i've also just discovered this pinterest obsession today. been pinning like a maniac, which sounds a lot stranger than it actually is. if you'd like to be pinterest pals, you can find me at pinterest.com/604fashionista (aliciafashionista was taken...can you believe it?!) hope to be pin friends soon xo

plaid pendelton cape(d crusader)

2011-10-20T13:19:00.000-07:00

cream and gold knit sweater from h&m // green plaid pendleton from wasteland san fransisco // skinny yoga jeans c/o plum // kelsi dagger booties // second hand bag from front + co. // house of harlow ring

i don't generally purchase many chunky sweaters, as i feel the name implies, they add unnecessary extra bulk. but, this gorgeous cream sweater is comfortable and relatively flattering. made this purchase at the grand opening of h&m at metrotown. of course didn't get any photos at the event because i was in shopaholic hunting mode, while trying to mingle. i'd be mid convo with someone and my eyes would be wandering, trying to spot the next item to add to the try on pile! anyway, i am absolutely ecstatic that h&m is finally in metrotown, so i can get all my shopping done in one place. a huge hug and thank you to lj pr for the invite.

also to be discussed is one of my favourite shopping finds of 2010, le pendleton cape. it was a mere $15 at wasteland in san fransisco. i hadn't heard of pendleton before, but loved the plaid pattern and the fact that it was a cape. had to come home and google it, and fell in love with their prints. now, the pendleton tag seems to be everywhere and i am so happy i scored my pendleton piece at such a great price. aren't finding fashion treasures the best?

hope you're all having a great week my beauties!

leopard print, red lips, and real life

2011-10-18T23:16:00.000-07:00

black blazer and sunnies from forever21 // leopard print blouse and skinny yoga jeans c/o plum // suede flats with bow detail from joe fresh // gold heart betsey johnson bracelet // marc by marc jacobs watch // gifted necklace

whenever i don't feel great about my body, my clothes are the first to blame (because apparently it's easier to say i hate every single clothing item i own than to get my butt to the gym?) with a trip to hawaii in 15 days, i'm not feeling bikini ready and out of frustration, i've been pretty unfair to my wardrobe.

the temporary solution always seems to be shopping. new clothing, shoes, and/or accessories make us feel oh-so-good. but, those fuzzy feelings soon fade away, leaving us with debt and too much stuff. finally came to terms with the fact that the best solution is to just...exercise! spending the money on yoga classes instead of a shopping spree has really helped me this the past few weeks. feeling refreshed and excited about my closet again!

does anyone else buy new clothes to mask body issues? no? just me? i understand, i'm probably crazy... :P

dakota group sample sale

2011-10-17T13:37:00.000-07:00

every season i wait for the amazing dakota group sample sale. they offer current styles of really great brands for a discounted price! this very sale is where i've scored my pour la victoire booties, graham and spencer sleeveless trench, and matt and nat ikat print clutch.

a few dakota group sale tips : bring lots of cash (but there is an atm on premise if necessary), don't bring a purse, and wear shoes that you can easily slip in and out of.

the sale starts next thursday the 27th, doors open at 10 am. hope to see you there :)

Canadian FLARE

2011-10-15T20:58:00.000-07:00

FLARE's wear canada: blogger edition really forced me to evaluate how i support canadian designs. i found some joe fresh, matt + nat, plum, and aritzia in my closet, but settled on that new pyrite necklace from wolf circus. wanted to feature a line that some may not know about and share the online shopping love. it makes me so happy that FLARE is recognizing canadian fashion bloggers, it was great to see some familiar faces and find some new reads.

top c/o plum // silk shorts from aritzia // graham and spencer sleeveless trench // mom's scarf // pyrite necklace c/o wolf circus // zara purse // 'title' ankle booties c/o stuart weitzman

life lately

2011-10-13T18:42:00.000-07:00

a great new pyrite necklace c/o of local jewellery line wolf circus

a preview of the new vera wang line of wedding gowns at blush occasions in west van

giving the old bookshelf a facelift with an i love you, blogs and coffee print from made by girl

monthly swap action with coco and vera, a fashion love affair, to vogue or bust, her waise choice, fifth sparrow, hearted girl, and girl and closet

photo credit to lynn

a therapeutic recipe on a rainy afternoon, fresh homemade salsa

walking through the park on a crisp fall evening

my new office: the kitchen table

hope you're all having a great week xo

my version of sweatpants

2011-10-05T16:50:00.000-07:00

joe fresh sunnies // plum scarf // h&m tee // aritzia silk shorts // vintage men's sweater from wasteland // adam's nixon watch // zara purse // boots from dsw

i try my best not to wear myworkout gear or lounging attire out of the house. i've learned thatlesson one too many times. it's always when you quickly pop into a storelooking a mess that you bump into someone important, or who you haven't seen inages.

way (way, WAY) back in the day, iremember wearing sweatpants to school, to run errands, etc. it was very acceptable atthe time (or so i thought lol), because i was young. overthe years, it has become apparent to me that there are many other ways to becomfortable and not feel like a total slob. for example, an oversizedcardigan over form fitting basics is a great way to stay warm and cozy. that way, you still look and feel great!

the pack a.d. – haunt you

WIN 250 Business Cards c/o ArtKraft

2011-10-02T10:24:00.000-07:00

I learned the importance of personal branding a few years ago, and credit many of my blog successes to this knowledge. The ability to network is vital in so many industries, especially in the world of fashion. In many cases, it’s not what you know, but who you know.Having a strong social media and blog presence is a wonderful start, but you must have business cards to back it up. Networking can happen anywhere, at any time (sounds so dangerous, reminds me of the Friend’s episode: A State of Unagi that I watched last night LOL).

The ArtKraft was kind enough to offer my readers a chance to win 250 business cards with full colour front and back, matte silk lamination, and custom design. A package that is normally worth $220 CDN!

To Enter:

"LIKE" The ArtKraft on Facebook or Follow @TheArtKraft on Twitter

Then just leave a comment on this post or my Facebook Page telling me how you entered.

This contest is open worldwide (as you can decide on design via email) and ends Wednesday October 12th, 2011 at 3:00 pm PST.

Up to two entries per person, winner will be selected at random.

Good luck xo

blazer + maxi skirt #iwantaa

2011-09-29T00:45:00.000-07:00

aritzia shirt and maxi skirt // vintage blazer // zara purse // urban outfitters booties // front + co. scarf and ring

why does it always seem to be that the less money i have, the more i want to spend? my fall wishlist is growing and i keep falling victim to that dreaded 'sale' word. funds are depleting, but my closet is begging for more! honestly, i have filled so many online shopping carts lately, i fear that certain sites will start blocking me from pretending to purchase!

luckily, i have put my credit card away (for now) in anticipation for my birthday and christmas. although, i did fall weak to a new zara purse and majorly on sale suede urban outfitters boots. i also couldn't say no to the latest teambuy.ca deal. $50 worth of american apparel goodies for only $25. actually saving money if you really think about it :P

have you been obsessed with shopping lately? how do you curb the cravings?

lana del rey - diet mtn dew

Jay Manuel has ATTITUDE (and a fierce smize)

2011-09-23T15:04:00.000-07:00

I had the incredible honour of meeting one of my favourite Top Model judges, Mr.Jay Manuel. He was at Sears in Pacific Centre last week for the launch of his new women’s clothing line, ATTITUDE.

I was ill prepared with interview questions, and instead decided to simply talk to him about the line. It was surprising to find out that he isn’t just knowledgeable about the design process, he’s incredibly involved. Perhaps I just envisioned celebrities attending a few design meetings and slapping their name on the finished product.

Jay Manuel is very passionate about how looking good makes you feel good (in case his ability to always be flawlessly put together didn’t give that away). He always wanted to start a clothing line, long before his life in the industry. His grandfather was a tailor and would give him a new suit every year for his birthday. Perhaps this is what helped him have such a great eye for detail. He wanted to create a clothing line with elements of high fashion from all over the world that everyone can wear, and I really think he is achieving this with ATTITUDE.

We had a great chat about blazers, the one item he feels every woman should have in her closet. He knows the importance of having a great fitting blazer, which was his thought process behind the black suit in the ATTITUDE line. He had a 1970’s YSL suit in mind, with dramatic long sleeves, shoulder darts, and a wonderful matching trouser.

With recognizable attention to detail and an extensive design process (they do their fittings for each size in each piece, which is both costly and time consuming), ATTITUDE is definitely worth checking out. Jay added “I received a tweet from a woman who is a size 14 and found a jacket in the line that fit her so well, it was as though it were tailored just for her.” Jay looked right at me with his perfect smize and said, “That kind of feedback means we’ve done our job.”

ATTITUDE is available at Sears Canada locations.

i'm on fire.

2011-09-21T12:16:00.000-07:00

blouse from next (uk) // cardigan, belt + wrap bracelets c/o plum // trousers from zara // bangles from h&m // hat from urban outfitters // jeffrey campbell 99 tie boots

i'm on fire

move on, you've got to move on

you gotta get ya real good

before you shake on

kasabian - fire

cannon beach

2011-09-20T15:33:00.000-07:00

bardot maxi dress // plum earrings // forever 21 sunnies // gifted bracelets // american apparel hat

nothing like looking back at some photos from only a couple weeks ago and wondering how the last few months flew by so quickly. and it's not even summer that has escaped me. according to the calendar, it's almost october. i think i'm still trying to complete my july to-do list...slightly behind :P

taking an hour and a half detour on the way back from portland to stop at cannon beach was the best decision we've ever made. the oregon coast really is as beautiful as people say. we spent a few hours enjoying a relaxing picnic on the beach while people watching. it was a beautiful warm day, perfect for a simple maxi dress and floppy hat. although, i could barely hang onto my hat in such extreme winds! and an afternoon at the beach wouldn't be complete without a photo shoot (in my world anyway). although, photos can barely do the views enough justice. you must see it for yourself! next time we plan on staying beach front and venturing into portland on the way home, we just can't get enough! have you ever been to cannon beach?

hope everyone is having a great week. i've been a really bad blog friend lately, but I promise to pop by every one's sites this week to catch up! xo

a weekend in portland

2011-09-16T09:29:00.000-07:00

labour day weekend post coming to you weeks later...typical. after a mesmerizing ray lamontagne concert on friday night, we left vancouver at about 5 am saturday morning. did you know starbucks doesn't open until 6 am? lesson learned! anyway, the drive is easy and only takes about 6 hours.

we've stayed at the mark spencer hotel twice now and it has worked out really well for both trips. it's perfectly situated by the heart of the pearl district and only minutes away from downtown. we booked it through portland perks, which got us a really great deal including coupons and free breakfast and parking! last time we went in the off season and got a $50 credit card too.

stumptown is definitely worth checking out. the jj bean of portland.

after getting up at 4:30 am, driving for 6 hours, and shopping/sightseeing for the entire afternoon, we wanted an easy choice for dinner. we opted for mothers bistro because it was walking distance and had been recommended. i had a lavender vodka infused cocktail and the most amazing salad. the perfect meal at the end of a looong day!

we skipped out on the free breakfast after finding isabel cantina. best. breakfast. ever. we actually went both mornings because we wanted to try more items on the menu. worth the wait to be seated...seriously!

off to nw23rd street for some shopping.

there are tons of great boutique clothing stores like this one, reveille. beautifully decorated, with gorgeous hand picked vintage pieces. i found my ideal pair of fall cowboy boots in a great shade of cognac, totally should have bought them!

adam insisted on trying a sandwich from the pb and j food cart on nw23rd. we tried the cream of the crop, and it was even more delicious than it looks.

great vintage, i could have spent hours rummaging through the treasures.

our last dinner at montage was the best meal we ate the entire trip! montage serves up southern food with common shared seating at long tables (which we saw at a few places in portland). adam wanted to try the alligator jumbalaya, and i had the green basil pesto macaroni...sooooo good! and they pack your meal up in an adorable tinfoil animal. a must try!

the night ended with drinks, operation: the sponge bob square pants version, and yahtzee!

next up, cannon beach!

Guest Post: Anya's Celebrity Style Picks

2011-09-13T10:16:00.000-07:00

Anya is a young fashion blog fan who contacted me a while ago asking for career advice. I was so impressed by her initiative. Pretty sure at 16, I had no idea what I was going to do with my life (perhaps I still don't?) Her love of fashion and writing was so admirable, I had to suggest she try writing something for aliciafashionista.com! Please join me in welcoming her to the blogsphere and let her know what you think of her Celebrity Style Picks!

Kendall Jenner: INDIGO DRESS

photo credit here

I’ve never really known who Kendall Jenner was until I was flipping through a Seventeen magazine and a friend of mine pointed her out and started gushing over her style (she’s a half-sister of the Kardashians, if you were wondering). And I have to admit, for someone who’s younger than me; she has some awesome fashion sense. This indigo dress is adorable and I especially love the peek-a-boo sleeves!

Lauren Conrad: TURQUOISE OVERSIZED CLUTCH

photo credit here, here, and here

This clutch. Words can’t even describe just how wonderful I think it is. It’s such a gorgeous oversized clutch, maybe even … the perfect clutch? Maybe? And even though it’s such a bright color, I’m sure you can still have fun with it in terms of styling. By the way – if you were wondering, this is a Marc by Marc Jacobs Airliner Magazine Clutch in Foam.

Selena Gomez: CAMEL RIDING BOOTS

photo credit here and here

I’ve ogled Selena Gomez’ style for a while now. She has that “I-just-threw-on-whatever-but -it’s-going-to-look-fabulous-no-matter-what” look mastered. Thus, I stumbled upon these beauties. Honestly, are these boots not WORKS OF ART? This is pair of Modern Vintage Mack Riding Boots in the color Rum. But from my understanding they aren’t for sale anymore and even if they were, they retailed for over 400 dollars, so something tells me I won’t be seeing these in my closet anytime soon.

Blake Lively: PLEATED SKIRT

photo credit here and here

I love this skirt! (Shocker, eh?) I love how high-waisted it is, I love its shade of white (trust me, there are plenty of whites out there!) I also love the “crinkly” look that the pleats give it (enough to make me start craving crepes). I found a pretty similar skirt from ASOS and no, it’s not white, but it’s a cute skirt nonetheless. I’ve been really drawn to salmon colored things lately so I’m pretty sure it’s my subconscious mind telling me to eat more fish or something…hmm.

Emma Stone & Rihanna: HOT PINK LIPS

photo credit here and here

You probably guessed it. No, this isn’t a fashion trend. It’s a makeup trend, but makeup is fun, right? Anyhoo, hot pink lipstick is very in right now and anyone can pull it off as long as they know how. I pulled up one picture of Emma Stone and one of Rihanna to show that pink lips it can look good on multiple skin tones. Hot pink lips look great with simple black winged eyeliner (Gel liner is great by the way, in my opinion). With simple eyeliner, pink lips it don’t look overdone!

Standing Armed Spring/Summer 2012

2011-09-12T09:13:00.000-07:00

top from brooklyn industries // pants from next (uk) // forever21 sunglasses // marc by marc jacobs watch // purse + sunnies from front+co.

with my date, miss melissa

lovely to see hey miss teacher, prairie girl in the city & the style seen

great fun with solo lisa, hause of hybrid, miss melissa & string magazine

kelsey of the anthology could have easily been one of the models!

i really had no expectations before the standing armed spring/summer 2012 preview but i must say, i was absolutely blown away by the collection! the ivory, coral, and gold colour scheme was perfectly complimented by the neutral brown, tan, and green hues. the use of lace, mixing of patterns, and eye catching silhouettes are what really made this collection stand out for me. i also loved how the fashion show was done with models standing around the perimeter of the room, the perfect way to get a good look at each piece.

it was a really fun evening, a big thanks to social chair for the invite. now i'll have to save my pennies to purchase that bright patterned maxi skirt (in the first collection photo) next spring!

PRIVÉ

2011-09-11T21:35:00.000-07:00

I have apparently been living under a rock and was only recently introduced to PRIVÉ, a Canadian online retailer based out of Montreal. They offer deals on designer labels that are oh-so-tempting such as Ray Ban, Sam Edelman, Mackage, Chloe Comme Paris, Top Shop, Cheap Monday, etc. I am careful about which sites I join lately because I get so many daily deal emails, but I actually prefer them over many of the other flash sale sites.

Have you joined PRIVÉ? If not, you can do so here.

quarter life crisis

2011-09-08T17:20:00.000-07:00

bardot blouse // aritzia shorts // nine west shoes // forever21 jewellery // fine finds scarf // co-lab purse

i am very disgruntled with an aspect of my life right now. for months i have endured frustrations in search of a solution, but am left puzzled and seemingly trapped. though i hate to generalize it, with my 25th birthday fast approaching, i can’t help but feel that it is, in fact, a quarter life crisis. when i close my eyes and picture what i thought life would be like at this age, i am living a completely different life. and for the most part, it's actually better than i ever could have imagined! logically, the time has come to fix what is bothering me instead of complaining about it. i know my friends are sick of listening to me whine ;)

thankfully, a great idea hit me like a surprise slap in the face and i am so, so relieved. it’s going to be risky and very spontaneous, but i am beyond ready to take a leap and try something new. yes, i'm being vague, but when i can tell you more details, i will. for now, i am grateful to have such a wonderful support system of friends, family, and of course, all of you!

hope you have a lovely weekend, it's supposed to be hottest days of the entire summer here in vancouver! big internet hugs and kisses xo

Featured In: Vancouver View Magazine

2011-09-07T23:36:00.000-07:00

a completely surreal moment to be featured in the september issue of vancouver view magazine...twice! among some amazing and talented fashion bloggers on pages 42+43, and then again on page 63 at the pinkberry launch. i can't wait to get my hands on a printed copy of it, i just still can't believe that i'm in a magazine! to read the articles, click on the pictures above.

thank you all so much for your ongoing support, it means the absolute world to me :)

cool in cougars

2011-09-06T23:53:00.000-07:00

i love that cougar, a canadian company that has been around since 1948, puts a lot of thought and love into their footwear. their boots are made to withstand even the harshest of elements, including a waterproof guarantee (that's considered a major bonus here in raincouver). spending the money on cougars really feels like you're investing in something practical, yet fashionable that you know will last you a long time.

and so, i was just thrilled to be sent these limited edition cougar pillow boots! only 900 hundred pairs were made in this beautiful tan colour. the red fleece lining is so soft, i can honestly say these are the comfiest boots that i own. is september too soon to be wearing my winter boots? i sure hope not ;)

lace blouse from banana republic // aritzia trousers // lois jacket // limited edition cougar pillow boots // forever 21 sunglasses // marc by marc jacobs watch // jewellery from plum // scarf from front+co.

silhouettes

2011-09-01T14:10:00.000-07:00

sometimes we just need to step out of our comfort zone and try something new.

blouse, hat, jewellery c/o plum // skirt from modcloth // shoes from front+co. // marc by marc jacobs watch

how to throw a bridal shower: tips + details

2011-08-30T16:15:00.000-07:00

planning a shower can be extremely costly and overwhelming for those of us who aren't named martha stewart (girl has money and creativity...an event planning goldmine). without such a helpful and kowledgeable bridal party, i wouldn't have even known where to start!

i've broken down what i learned about throwing a creative and special bridal shower into these 8 simple steps and tips.

there are so many options for bridal shower themes and a great place for inspiration is martha stewart’s wedding site. i have been to a kitchen themed one, and i love the idea of an afternoon tea party or parisian theme (super bridesmaids the movie, but it's all good).

since jessica's engagement party was hawaiian theme (where she's having her wedding) we decided to veer away from any major idea and keep it to a colour concept instead. apple green is part of her wedding colours and we just incorporated the bright pink and some white to break it up.

with the unreliable weather in vancouver this summer, we didn't want to risk holding the shower outdoors. thankfully, one of the bridesmaids was able to book us in at her apartment building's party room. it's a really nice space with lots of room, a kitchen, and plenty of tables. whether you host it at your house, a park, your backyard, a hall..wherever, you'll need to figure out dishware as well. we were able to get enough glasses, platter, plates, cake stands, etc. together between the 4 of us but there is always the option of renting dishes. or, paper plates i guess.

once we locked in a location for the party, it was time to sort out the guest list. feel free to work with the bride on a list of guests, as there will likely be family members and friends you might not think to invite. after you've determined how many people will be attending, it's time to move onto step 3 (my favourite step).

i actually worked with a great graphic designer from fonik design to make jessica's bridal shower invites. i showed him an invitation design i liked online and he was able to recreate it for me for a great price. i got them printed and bought a pack of silver envelopes at michael's crafts. looking back, i probably could have just emailed the invitations out (would have saved paper and been more cost effective) but sometimes it's a nice gesture to send a piece of mail! it's also easy enough to make your own invites online, handmaking them, or using an e-vite system.

we had 31 guests attending the shower and made the ambitious decision to cater it ourselves. each bridesmaid was responsible for two appetizers. my mom and the groom's mom kindly offered to also pitch in two appetizers, bringing the grand total up to way more than a room full of women would eat! we had sandwiches, quinoa salad, bocconcini bites, 7 layer dip, deviled eggs, hummus and pita, cheese/cracker/meat plate, veggies and dip, mini tortilla wraps, and the wildly popular steak bites. i'd always rather have too much food than not enough!

as an afternoon event, we were sure to offer coffee and tea, as well as water and a non alcoholic punch. we also served white wine, mimosas, and champagne with edible hibiscus flowers. for dessert, jessica's mom the wedding lady contributed a delicious and visually stunning cake. always the best from susan! i also ordered some mini cupcakes from cakelicious that were lemon flavoured and ahhmazing. my mom made some brownies and lauren brought a fruit platter. we really had too much food, but don't worry. i polished off those mini cupcakes by myself later on, it was really no trouble at all!

also from cakelicious, we sent each guest home with a pink cake pop that we put in a little bag and tied with ribbon with a little handwritten "thank-you" note. they were a big hit!

each bridesmaid took on some of the decorations. flowers, balloons, tissue pom poms, and some handmade signs. all of which were possible with some sticker letters from michael's, a few supplies from the dollar store, some scrapbook paper, and a bit of creativity.

many bridal showers involve games as an ice breaker, or a chance for people to get to know the bride to be a little bit better. jessica hates games so we were sure not to include anything embarrassing and remotely game-like. our only moment of silliness was making her a bridal shower ribbon bra while she opened gifts instead of a bridal shower ribbon hat. although, we did manage to put a vintage feather hat on her as well. all in good fun, it was actually really cute! we did include some blank cards (that were also purchased from michael's on sale) for guests to write a short piece of advice to the bride and groom.

ultimately, it's important to always keep the bride in mind when planning the shower. we were sure to include jessica's favourite wine, chips, and peanut m&m's. we even had a surprise special guest attend from out of town! putting up pictures of the bride and groom is a nice touch (oh right, it's about him too :P). any thoughtful gestures will not go unnoticed, and it's ultimately a party in honour of the bride. have fun with it!

you can see what the final bridal shower looked like here or here
hope you find some of the tips helpful, feel free to let me know if you have any advice to add. happy planning xo

where did august go?

2011-08-26T11:00:00.000-07:00

graham + spencer dress // forever 21 jacket // plum accessories // joe fresh polish + sunnies // kenneth cole shoes

...and all of a sudden there are only a few official days of summer left and i haven't blogged in a week. isn't it amazing how quickly the summer days go by? this season has been especially confusing since warm weather only really hit us a few weeks ago. but enough small talk about the weather.

to those of you who didn't see my tweet (let's follow each other?), the boy and i booked a mini vacation for the long weekend. portland won over seattle and victoria, since we had such a great time the last time we were there. tax free shopping, super hip but easy going, and some of the best restaurants and coffee shops we've ever been to. why wouldn't we go?!

if you have any portland tips, please don't be selfish...share with the class (in the comments section, of course). and to my friends and followers on the east coast, please stay safe this weekend xo

cloud nothings - hey cool kid

beach wedding in sechelt, bc

2011-08-20T16:18:00.000-07:00

we spent last weekend in sechelt, bc with adam's mom and a bunch of his closest pals. we all stayed at this hilarious little motel by the water and had a wonderful time laughing and drinking together. of adam's large group of childhood friends, quinn and liz are the first to tie the knot. they had a beautiful ceremony at liz's beach front property in the afternoon. aren't you obsessed with the colours scheme? and she obviously looked amaze too! the reception was full of laughter, tears, and tons of dancefloor action (there is no photo evidence of it on here, you can imagine why).

sechelt is a beautiful little spot, i can't believe i'd never been to the sunshine coast before! and a relaxed wedding on the beach with your closest friends and family, does it get much better than that? we had so much fun celebrating, everything was just perfect. congrats again quinn + liz, lots of love to you both :)

tulle + love

2011-08-19T14:27:00.000-07:00

sweater from topshop // skirt + purse from plum // ring from front+co // headband from barefoot contessa // shoes from joe fresh

the end of august is my favourite time of year. i've always been a sucker for the back to school hype, despite the fact that i haven't been enrolled in classes for some time. it's the prospect of change, something new, and a fresh start. september is the real new years. i remember always marching into school with my head held high, convinced that this was going to be the best year yet!

and i still go back to school shopping, the shopping right now is the best! as much as i love the summer, i'm secretly (not so secret any more) a fall girl. can't wait for the leaves to change colour and to bundle up in scarves and sweaters.

off to read the september issues. vogue, marieclaire, lucky, oh my! happy friday xo

showered with love

2011-08-17T00:26:00.000-07:00

fulfilling my moh (that's maid of honour for those of you who aren't down with wedding lingo) duties has been a beautiful learning experience. not only was information online about throwing a bridal shower limited, there is a lot more that goes into an event than i initially thought. thank goodness for a super helpful and involved bridal party, because without them i'd be lost!

here are a few highlights from the shower last weekend. stay tuned for another post with advice on throwing a bridal shower, as well as a few budget diy projects you can use for the next event you host!

banana republic madmen collection

2011-08-16T09:46:00.000-07:00

a modern twist on retro styles, limited edition madmen collection at banana republic is very beautiful. i had my eye on the lace dress pictured below, but ended up leaving with a lovely cropped lace shell in the same fabric. it always feels special purchasing a piece that is one of a kind or limited edition, i can't wait to style it with a great pair of skinny trousers (note to self, must purchase a pair of skinny trousers).

the banana republic on robson street in vancouver has the women's madmen collection, so you can go there right now to take a look in person. a big thanks to lisa kwong and banana republic for a wonderful afternoon and a much needed madmen fix. totally going to go back and watch season four again while the show is on a hiatus!

a haute mess is back in town!

photo credit to herwaisechoice

faboulista // her waise choice // moi // miss melissa // solo lisa

vintage blouse // h&m skirt // purse + necklace from plum // seychelles pumps

something about a new haircut is so refreshing. marlee at axis on w.pender is the best hair stylist for thick hair! not only does she always know how to cut my thick half asian hair, she treats me to a relaxing head massage and a professional blowout.

madmen, blogger friends + the salon...a perfect way to spend a thursday off work, wouldn't you say?

your heart will sing too // but i don't need you

2011-08-10T08:07:00.000-07:00

h&m dress worn as a shirt swapped with girl and closet // belt + sunnies from barefoot contessa // aritzia silk shorts // joe fresh shoes and nail polish // plum purse + jewellery // silk scarf from fine finds

the darling veronika of girl and closet, cee of coco and vera, louise of fifth sparrow, and i did a clothing swap last month and i am finally getting around to posting an outfit featuring my borrowed item! this was my very first swap, but i can really understand the appeal, especially as a fashion blogger. it's the satisfaction of shopping without actually having to spend any money. it's really fun to see how the other girls style your pieces and helpful with your own outfits because you're wearing something that's not from your own closet!

i really look forward to more clothing exchanges and hope to one day organize a clothing sale. i have boxes and boxes full of clothing that i want to sell. and i think my mom is about to throw it all out if i don't organize and get rid of it soon :P have you ever hosted a clothing swap or clothing sale? any advice?

the rural alberta advantage - stamp

summer loves

2011-08-09T10:41:00.000-07:00

an adorable housewarming gift from friends in calgary.
(what a thoughtful gesture, thank you kaitlyn & danica xo)

a diy banner for jessica's bridal shower made by yours truly.

a beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony, congrats again stacy + nick.

fresh fruit at the ladner farmer's market.

hanging our first apartment purchase, a vintage painting.

delicious evening barbecues.

summer rain.

a whitecaps game in the sunshine.

being a temporary beach bum.

a classic summer anthem such as zaki ibrahim - money (king britt remix).

trying new lunch spots, like the salty tongue cafe in gastown.

sneaking some new joe fresh polishes into the grocery cart.

fresh and sweet flowers.

colourful sunsets in east van.

What do you love about summer?

apartment refresh

2011-08-06T10:35:00.000-07:00

From Top:
Rustic Dinnerware from Etsy $91
Orange Printed Pillowcase from Etsy $10
"I Love You, Blogs, and Coffee Print by MadeByGirl from Etsy $25
Dark Wood 'Tresle' Desk from nood $199
White Fiberglass Retro Chair from nood $289
Wooden Fox Clock from Etsy $68

Retro Lamp from anthropologie $298

Adam and I purchased our first piece of artwork for the apartment last weekend, which was really fun! It has us thinking about giving our space a bit of a refresh. Since Adam purchased the apartment furnished, we haven't made any changes to layout or even added much of our own decor. Now that I've settled in, it's time to add a few new pieces to make our home cozier and really "us". Anyway, so far we're all about vintage 70's and rustic pieces, so these are just a few that caught my eye online.

I'm off to get ready for the bridal shower tomorrow! Myself and the other bridesmaids are throwing the shower for my best friend tomorrow and there is SO much to do today! It'll be such an amazing shower, I can't wait to show you all the pictures.

Hope you're having a great weekend xo

parking lot photos

2011-08-04T09:59:00.000-07:00

tee and maxi skirt from aritzia // urban outfitters hat // adam's nixon watch (shh...don't tell him i borrowed it) // dreamcatcher necklace from victoria boutique // front & co purse // joe fresh shoes

met up with my cousin for coffee yesterday apres work. is it annoying to mix random french words into my posts? hope not, i'm guilty of doing this tout le temps. anyway, you might know mel as miss melissa and it's true, we are related. we're just one big fashion blogging family! it was a beautiful evening and we sat on the starbucks patio swapping gossip and healthy recipes. i laugh that we were so uninspired by the strip mall around us, and yet the parking lot pictures turned out really well. almost looks like we're in california instead of coquitlam. does that count as a vacation to cali? i'll take it.

the industrial revolution

2011-08-02T12:41:00.000-07:00

vintage blouse from true value vintage // second yoga jeans // vintage blazer // marc by marc jacobs purse & watch // h&m bracelets // faryl robin shoes

i met up with the wonderful ned for a photo shoot last week at main and terminal. the area is sketchy at best, but sometimes those beat up warehouses make for the perfect backdrop! i really wanted to wear my summer best, but every time we made plans to do a sunny shoot, mr.sunshine would hide behind the clouds. and so, i give you an early fall look including my new blouse. it cost me a mere $7, smelled like a grandma (i washed it, don't worry), and is the perfect mix of 90's couch colours. it was also my first time wearing these shoes, and apparently they're just decorative shoes to be worn while sitting for short periods of time. because after 45 minutes in them i had huge blisters and sore feet. rats, i hate when that happens!

right on.

2011-07-28T23:31:00.000-07:00

dress & sunglasses from forever 21 // purse, bangles, belt + necklace c/o plum // old navy sandals

i have a love/hate relationship with this dress. i saw it at forever 21 and had to have it. didn't try it on, bought it anyway. got home, put it on and hated it. planned to return it and somehow didn't make it back to metrotown for 30 days. couldn't bring it back any more and figured i'd give it away. put it on again a few months later with this brown belt and loved it all over again. i'm just happy that i'm getting wear out of it. a maxi dress really is the perfect thing to throw on, especially on the weekends. speaking of which, it's almost the long weekend. what does everyone have planned? i'm going on a full fledged staycation. pretty pumped.

happy friday :)

the sheepdogs – right on

you'll be on my mind, until i kiss you next time

2011-07-23T11:38:00.000-07:00

i am suffering from a serious case of blog neglect. file this one under pathetic love struck female, but i seemed to lose my desire to blog when adam left town. i almost felt like taking a mini blog vacation while he was on vacation in spain with his brothers. since he is my main outfit photographer, i also didn’t have many other options for pictures. tripods and i are not very well acquainted. instead, i packed the last two weeks full of time with family and friends and left my camera at home. there was lots of shopping involved, coffee dates, sangria, and crazy long phone conversations.

not to worry though, i am well rested and adam is back after two long weeks away. i’m in the process of convincing him to do a guest post on this blog with some photos and stories from spain. he has some great pics, he sure has learned his way with a camera! i also have some outfit posts coming up and a weeklong fashion feature next week (let’s keep that a surprise).

hope you all had a great week and check back tomorrow for a new outfit post xo

rachael yamagata - 1963

Pinkberry Canada Launch at Park Royal

2011-07-22T10:22:00.000-07:00

I apologize to those of you who have a weakness for frozen yogurt, because Pinkberry has officially opened their very first Canada location! The famous froyo chain launched their first Canadian store at The Village at Park Royal in West Vancouver. And a Pinkberry party means free frozen yogurt, some champage, and a lot of Cory Monteith. His band, Bonnie Dune, played a great set for a crowd of screaming girls (not that I was one of them or anything :P)

(Photo Credit to RF Productions via the Pinkberry Canada Facebook Page)

For my very first Pinkberry experience, I opted for a mango frozen yogurt with fresh strawberries, kiwi, and shaved milk chocolate. It’s understandable that Pinkberry is so popular. It was the perfect dessert, very light and full of flavour. Dessert for dinner is okay, right?

My date for the evening was the biggest Pinkberry fan I know, Danielle of smellydanielly.com. I drove Melissa of miss-melissa.com as well, but we got lost and ended up on a 45 minute detour. That’s a whole other story though, let’s not focus on my poor navigation skills! Also in attendance was Jen of prairiegirlinthecity.com, Lisa of sololisa.com, Alexandra of tovogueorbust.com, Jen of herwaisechoice.com, and Chloe of thisgirlscity.com. It’s always so great to see these ladies, if you don’t know their blogs already go check them out asap!

A big thanks to Lisa Kwong for the invite to such a wonderful event. I can’t wait to head back to Pinkberry to try their other flavours.

Be sure to "Like" their Facebook Page and follow them on Twitter for Pinkberry updates. Happy Friday friends xo

honeywild giveaway! - CLOSED!

2011-07-21T00:12:00.000-07:00

You deserve a new pair of earrings, don't you think? Especially when they are handmade with love! This pair of honeywild earrings are made with sterling silver earwires (good for sensitive ears), Czech glass crystal teardrops, and metal components. I was instantly drawn to their shape and of course, the emerald green. Love me some emerald green.

I personally have my eye on the Dark Seas necklace. Do you think it's frowned upon to enter your own contest? Juuust kidding ;)

TO ENTER:

Hop on over to the honeywild etsy shop and browse around. Leave me a comment on this post or the Alicia Fashionista Facebook Page about which honeywild piece is your favourite...that's it!

Also, I'll give you a bonus entry if you "Like" the honeywild Facebook Page.

Will ship to anywhere, so this contest is open to ALL readers.
Contest ends Thursday July 28th, 2011 at 6 pm PST. A maximum of two entries per person.

Honeywild was kind enough to offer aliciafashionista readers a 15% OFF coupon! If you see something you like on the honeywild shop, just enter the code FASHIONISTA15 to get your discount. Happy shopping & good luck with the giveaway xo

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY!

a summer shower

2011-07-17T23:40:00.000-07:00

my best friend since first grade is getting married this november and this weekend marked the beginning of the festivities. despite the actual showers outside and the power going out for the entire afternoon, bridal shower number one went fairly smoothly! everything and everyone looked great and the lunch was delicious. it was an emotional day, but ultimately so much fun. i'm throwing the next shower with the other bridesmaids, so i'll have lots of diy decorations to share! thought i'd share a couple pictures from the afternoon, enjoy :)

denim three ways

2011-07-14T00:38:00.000-07:00

When these 'Jimi' TEXTILE Elizabeth & James jeans arrived, I was admittedly nervous. I hadn't worn a pair of form fitting light wash denim since the 6th grade (and trust me, they weren't flattering back then either). But hey, I love a good challenge, especially when it comes to styling. So instead of putting just one outfit together, I styled three completely different looks! Turns out that playing around with proportion and colour can help minimize trouble areas. I actually quite like the light denim for a change, especially in the summer. I am no longer scared of you light washed denim...so ha!

I styled this with Mary-Kate and Ashley in mind, inspired by their boho chic grunge days. The look isn't complete without messy hair, sunglasses, and bright lipstick!

Tank, Bangles & Purse c/o Plum // Blazer from H&M // Necklace from Forever 21

Though it may not look like it at the moment, it is actually July. Floral prints and floppy hats add a carefree summer attitude to an outfit. Paired with a delightful short sleeve blazer and a vintage purse.

Blouse and Sunnies from Barefoot Contessa // Blazer from Forever 21 // Purse from Front & Co. // Hat from American Apparel

One of my favourite things to do is mix retro and modern. I kept this look minimal, with just a few strong pieces. The sheer peter pan collar blouse is my new favourite, you'll be seeing a lot more of this one!

Bardot Blouse from a Sample Sale // Barefoot Contessa Sunglasses // Plum Belt // Matt & Nat Clutch // Faryl Robin Shoes

You can read more in my interview for 'We Love Bloggers' feature on these jeans in Style Republic Magazine, as well as how Sonia of Runway Hippie and Erin of Apartment 34 styled their TEXTILE Elizabeth & James Denim!

a lesson in coralation

2011-07-13T00:53:00.000-07:00

many people are afraid to buy clothes in bright hues. what you may not realize, is that purchasing a piece in a colour can actually give you just as much mileage, if not more, than a neutral. different accessories can completely change the look of an item. it's all about being creative!

the basis of this outfit was the coral skirt. this coral maxi is obviously a big statement and the main attraction. in order to let it shine, i paired it with a simple white tank top that is form fitting to balance out my proportions and highlight my smallest point; my waist. my trick to breaking up two contrasting colours is to bring them together with a longer necklace. this particular charm necklace has some hints of colour in it, and i played with that by adding more brights in the bangles. for additional interest, i threw on a surprise turquoise and brown shoe, with a coordinating brown structured over the shoulder bag.

it's summer, have fun with it! nothing has to doesn't have to match perfectly. colours just need to compliment your look! next time, try opting for a bright colour and mixing it with pieces you have already! you just never know what kind of beautiful outfit you might come up with :)

aritzia tank // modcloth 'always play flare skirt' // urban outfitters necklace // river island bangles // front & co. purse // kelsi dagger sandals

HortyGirl Giveaway - Now CLOSED

2011-07-11T11:25:00.000-07:00

Attention all you green thumbs! I've got a handmade HortyGirl creation up for grabs. If you want a great new centrepiece, something to spice up your bookshelf, or just a new conversation starting plant, then a zebra cactus is for you! This adorable cactus also enjoys long walks on the beach and spending hours lost in a good book. What a catch!

How to enter:

Step 1: You must live in the lower mainland because I will be personally delivering our little cactus friend to you.

Step 2: Go ahead and "LIKE" the HortyGirl Facebook page.

Step 3: Comment on this post or on the Alicia Fashionista Facebook page
informing me that you followed Step 2. That's it :)

Contest ends Friday July 15th, 2011 at 1 pm PST.
GOOD LUCK xo

thankful

2011-07-08T20:41:00.000-07:00

dress vintage aritzia (2008ish?) // jacket and purse from plum // faryl robbin shoes // urban outfitters necklace // house of harlow key ring // front & co. ring

photos by danielle

i had to fill out some questions for a website (more on that later) and i was stuck on question number six: "how has your blog changed your life?" it was almost impossible to formulate an answer. where would i even begin? i can't remember what life was like before my blog. it's my biggest creative outlet and has led to so many amazing opportunities. and of course, my favourite part of all of this has been getting to know all of you!

just wanted to take a break from my super exciting saturday night (and by super exciting, i mean ice cream and a sex and the city marathon) to say thank you. thanks for reading, commenting, following, supporting, all of it! you're all amazing, and i really mean that xo

you're invited to: adorned creation

2011-07-06T16:56:00.000-07:00

When: Tuesday July 12, doors at 6:30pm, show at 7:30pm

Where: Performance Works – 1218 Cartwright on Granville Island

Why: Net proceeds from the show go to Looking Glass Foundation, a Vancouver-based charity which is dedicated to aiding the recovery of individuals and families suffering from eating disorders.

Tickets: $20 in advance from JCI (220 Cambie), $15 for JCI students (with valid student ID) or $25 at the door

FOR MORE INFO: Check out Adorned Creation on Facebook or follow them on Twitter

all images from tumblr.