All Posts By

Alicia

Featured Style

What The Flock

July 17, 2017

alicia fashionista, vancouver fashion blog, canadian style blogger, flamingo blouse

You know I love a good flamingo pun!

It’s taking all of my self control not to begin this post with the riveting fact that my legs are covered in mosquito bites.  But, despite my best efforts, this is still the opening sentence and I can’t stop scratching my legs, like a crazed itchy lunatic.  I know that bitten legs are a sign of a great summer weekend, but man, is it also incredibly annoying and unattractive.

We crossed the border to a friend’s family cabin in Point Roberts on Saturday, which was such a great way to spend the weekend.  I managed to read an entire book, get some sun, and most importantly, watch the doggos run around off leash on the beach.  I love how extra special our mini getaways feel with Reggie in our lives.  Seeing him have a good time makes everything 10 times more fun!  Point Roberts was an interesting place.  I’d never been before, and I had no idea that it was SO close by and basically should just be a part of Canada.  Wish we’d had time to explore a bit more, but we had to get back to run some errands and go to the Counting Crows and Matchbox Twenty concert.  I have to say, the Counting Crows were a massive disappointment.  They played a rather obscure setlist and when they did play the hits, Adam Duritz would play some artsy version that you couldn’t even sing along to.  My cousin’s wife fell asleep during their set!  I mean, it was truly not great.  His voice still sounds amazing, I just think that if you’re playing a nostalgia tour, you should stick to the way the song originally sounds as much as possible.  We’re there for a sing a long!  Anyway, Matchbox Twenty rocked it and their sound was also incredible.  Still glad we went, my cousins are such a blast to hang out with.

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Featured Style

Floral Loft Dress

July 7, 2017

vancouver lifestyle blog, medium size fashion blogger, average size style blog, size 10 blogger, alicia fashionista, loft dress, old navy sandals

I find it so fascinating how much styles and trend interpretation changes based on location.  Here in Vancouver, I’m always pulled towards a relaxed, casual style and, at the moment, a very neutral palette.  Which, has the benefit of comfort and simplicity, but I have to admit, gets repetitive.  While we were in Chicago, I mentioned to my sister in law that I was almost shocked by all the bright colour that everyone was wearing!  It was so fun and refreshing, and I left the midwest determined to ease some other hues back into my wardrobe.

So, the day we were leaving for the cottage, I raced to the mall looking for pieces that are easy to wear, but that have some colour and pattern.  I ended up finding a couple great frocks on sale at LOFT, including this dress.  I especially love how this piece will easily translate into the fall as well, it’s always a bonus when something can be worn cross-seasons!

What about you?  What is the fashion scene like where you live?

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Featured Travel

Travel Diary | Reykjavik, Iceland

July 4, 2017

24 hours in iceland, layover in iceland, air canada rouge flight to reykjavik, what to do in reykjavik iceland

Have you ever dreamt of going to the airport without a ticket and just choosing the next departing flight on the board?  It’s a bucket-list worthy travel adventure that I was somehow lucky enough to experience last week.  Let’s start from the beginning.

Air Canada Rouge reached out with a really cool idea.  They’d send me on a trip somewhere for just 24 hours, but there was a catch.  They weren’t going to tell me where I was going until JUST before takeoff and I would use their in-flight Rouge Wi-fi to do research and figure out my itinerary while en route. My organized, planning self was initially hesitant at the notion of having zero control over, well, everything. This kind of opportunity isn’t one you can really ponder, though.  It requires an enthusiastic “yes,” and an “I’ll deal with it when the time comes,” kind of mentality.

While I was in Chicago, the team let me know that I’d be leaving for my mystery adventure the day after returning to Vancouver, and so began this wild ride.  The email revealing my destination came through just a couple of hours before I was set to leave my house and I was absolutely blown away.  You can see my reaction in the video below, but as you can imagine, I was in a bit of shock about the location they chose: Reykjavik, Iceland.

This was, hands down, the most amazing travel adventure I’ve ever been on.  I grew up inspired by shows like Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservation, The Layover, as well as Canadian gem Departures.  I’m so happy that I managed to VLOG my journey to Iceland, because this felt, in a small way, like my own little travel show for the day.  Watch it all below!

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Featured Travel

Guide To The South Okanagan

June 30, 2017

osyoos travel guide, what to do in oliver bc, alicia fashionista, vancouver weekend trip

I am absolutely, positively, obsessed with the Okanagan.  It’s a gorgeous combination of lake and wine country, is accessible by a 4-6 hour drive from Vancouver, depending on where you go. Last summer, Adam and I explored the Naramata Bench and then had a separate trip further north to Vernon for my cousin’s wedding.  This time around, our friends invited us to their family place in Osoyoos, so we set off to explore the Southern portion of the Okanagan in the Osoyoos/Oliver area!

We had so much great wine and food, and some really spectacular patio time.  Read on below, as I’ve compiled a list of some of our favourite wineries, which you can see in our VLOG as well:

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Featured Style

Striped Chicwish Blouse

June 26, 2017

striped chicwish blouse, chicwish review, online ordering from chicwish, alicia fashionista, vancouver style blog

You’ve for sure seen lots of Chicwish items on liketoknowit and other click to purchase apps.  They have the sweetest feminine blouses and dresses with thoughtful details and trendy prints/colours.  Through RewardStyle, this was my second ever order from Chicwish, after my first one was an average experience at best.  Last summer, I received the dress I’d ordered, but it didn’t come with the fabric belt as advertised and shipping took longer than expected.

This time around, I was back on Chicwich specifically for the one shoulder ruffle top that is so popular.  It is incredibly sweet and just had to be mine!  This was all during my spring online ordering frenzy, so I ended up also throwing in this peplum stripe blouse with wide eyelet trim detail and I am really glad I did!  How freaking adorable is this blouse?  I wore it for days in a row after receiving it.

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Featured Life

My Summer 2017 Bucket List

June 25, 2017

summer 2017 bucket list, what to do in vancouver this summer, alicia fashionista, vancouver lifestyle blogger

We are currently in the middle of a heatwave and enjoying the perfect first weekend of summer!  Since I just returned from my 24 hours in Iceland and spent half of this weekend sleeping (or sleepy), I instead dedicated yesterday to planning out our summer to-do list.  I always find that it’s best to write down our July/August activity wishlist, as those summer days tend to fill up fast.  I am SO excited for summertime, there’s so much to do!  Be sure to read on below to find out what our musts are this season.

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Beauty Featured

4 Favourite Summer Hair Accessories

June 20, 2017

summer hair accessories, canadian beauty blog, goody accessories, alicia fashionistaThis post is in partnership with Goody.  They’re the best, you should definitely keep reading.

I absolutely love leaving my hair mermaid long in the summertime, but that does mean compromise when it comes to styling.  It’s too hot and often windy to just leave it down.  Plus, I am rather lazy and just end up air drying it instead of heat styling in these warmer months.  But, it’s also silly to just keep throwing it up into a ponytail or messy bun every day.  What’s the point of keeping long hair then, right?  I’m really excited that my second post with Goody brought some really great hair accessories into my life.

See below for my top Goody summer hair accessories that are SO easy to use and won’t break the bank!  There’s also a video tutorial and info about an upcoming Goody giveaway.

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Featured Style

The One Bag I Can’t Live Without

June 12, 2017

backpack purse, casual summer outfit, alicia fashionista, curvy summer style, canadian fashion bloggerA few years ago, after many RMT/physio/chiro appointments, I realized that carrying around giant tote bags with half of my belongings wasn’t doing my back any favours.  My neck and right shoulder was chronically sore.  My entire alignment was leaning a bit to the side, which was throwing everything off.  Looking for extreme change, I kind of stopped carrying a purse.  I retired all bags and would just stuff my wallet, phone, and keys into my pockets.  Not the most flattering, but my ailments absolutely improved and it was freeing to not have so much clutter on me at all times.

This, of course, isn’t a great long term solution, as there are plenty of outings that require more than just 3 items on hand.  The answer finally came to me in the form of a backpack.  And I’m telling you, ever since the backpack purse came into my life, I am a changed woman.  Houses a reasonable amount of things (even my DSLR camera when needed) and wearing one kind of makes me feel like a kid again, which I don’t totally hate.  I can’t stop wearing it!

If you’re into this one, I got it in an adorable media kit from Garnier (thanks, guys).  It’s from Call It Spring and is currently on sale for $24!  Can’t go wrong, I’m telling ya!

SHOP THE LOOK:

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Beauty Featured

Canadian Style Happy Tour

June 10, 2017

style happy tour, chatters hair salon, alicia fashionista, vancouver beauty blog

This past week, I was invited to stop by Chatters Salon to check out their Style Happy Tour.  This Canadiana adventure launched here in Vancouver and will take the Chatters team across this beautiful country, brightening people’s day along the way!  They’ve completely customized this ‘tour bus’ and converted it into a salon-on-the-go.  Wrapped in the sweetest pink, with happy turquoise accents, you can’t help but smile when you see the Style Happy set up!  Their menu included quick hair styles like curls, braids, or a top knot, to help combat those bad hair days.   I opted for a half fishtail braid and some flat iron curls and the entire service only took about 15 minutes.  I mean, could we make this happen every day?  How lovely to get my hair done before a day of meetings and work.  It was really nice being a small part of this cross country journey and to wish them luck as they hit the road!

And so, my fellow Canadians, keep an eye out for the Chatters Style Happy Tour!  If you see this pretty pink van roll up in your area, be sure to stop by and get a free consultation and simple style update.

Tour Dates

The Chatters Style Happy Tour is set to run through June, with the last stop scheduled in Ottawa on June 29th. The Tour is making stops in Vancouver (June 7th), Kelowna (June 8th) Calgary (June 10th), Edmonton (June 12th) Regina (June 16th) Winnipeg (June 18th), Toronto (June 23 & 24th), London (June 26th) and Ottawa (June 28th and 29th).

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