Nothing keeps me going like a large Americano and new glasses! I’d settled on an oversized pair of tortoise frames a few years ago (you guys have seen them a million times, I’m sure) that kind of turned into my signature look. It was about time to branch out though, and give my face a chance to be seen once again. Plus, I finally got my eyes checked again and the prescription changed ever so slightly, so it was definitely time. I love these specs from Bonlook but they have taken some getting used to. My other glasses are SO giant that they even covered peripherals, and now it’s confusing to my eyes. Never considered this to be a thing, but starting out in shorter increments to avoid any headaches or strain. They look adorable though, it’s nice to have slightly daintier frames as an option!
That’s about enough in terms of my eyesight today. I’m far more excited to report that it is the FOURTH sunny day in a row here, which hasn’t happened here since probably September. It is amazing and I barely know what to do with myself. Good thing Adam and I cleaned up our patio on the weekend, I just might have to get out there and work outside!
Within my everyday fashion, I love to add a little something to each look that stands out, even if it’s just slightly. A piece that’s kind of different, a pop of colour, or a conversation starter. This is why the most unique clothing items in my closet are also my most treasured, why my boldest shoes are my most cared for, and why I’ve rocked giant prescription glasses for the last few years. These fun pieces feel like “me” and the basis of my personal style. Why is it then, that I ALWAYS play it safe when it comes to my hair?
It’s beyond exciting to finally share that I’m partnering with my favourite brand of hair accessories, Goody! My relationship with Goody has been a lifelong one, really, especially as a dancer and then a dance teacher. I cannot even tell you how many brushes, elastics, and bobby pins I’ve gone through in my lifetime – and they were always Goody.
This collaboration began with an introduction to their Simple Styles Kits. A line of easy to achieve hairstyles, packaged in adorable little boxes with the tools and instructions needed to achieve the look. The moment I unboxed the first Simple Styles Kit, I realized that I never really take the time to experiment with hairstyles unless my hair is a few days old and getting on the greasy side. Which, is beyond silly, especially when I put the effort in keeping such long and play-worthy locks.
I don’t know if I’ve really explained this, but since I spend so much time in this city, I want to pass on more Vancouver guides and recommendations. Whether you’re visiting or live just down the street, the beauty of a city is that there’s always something new to discover! I created the hashtag #604Guide (that I see a couple of random other people have used once or twice…maybe I’m onto something?) because I thought the hashtag would be a cool way to collect ideas on Insta and then I’d create more comprehensive guides and lists here on the blog!
What I wanted to share today was a list I’ve been working on that includes some of my favourite spots around town to kick back, relax, and get beautified! Self care is so important and no matter what your budget or availability, you can definitely squeeze in a pampering session every once in a while! From massages, facials, makeup, nails, and brows, you’ll have to read on to find out where you should treat yo self in Vancouver.
You might remember when I partnered with Tsawwassen Mills for their grand opening back in the fall and I’m so excited to be teaming up with them again for their big spring SHOE SALE May 5-14!
My mom and I went to Tsawwassen Mills this past weekend to do some pre-sale shoe shopping. It was her first time at the shopping centre, and it was so fun to be with her for her initial visit. She couldn’t believe how quick and easy it was to drive there, the amount of stores and variety offered, and the beautiful art throughout the hallways. We had such a blast trying on shoes and checking out all the shops.
I can’t give away ALL the secrets of the shoe sale, but I do know that it includes stores like the ALDO Outlet, Running Room, Saks 5th Avenue OFF 5TH, Nine West Shoe Studio, GEOX Outlet, Browns Outlet, KIXS, DSW – Designer Shoe Warehouse, , GEOX, Browns Outlet, KIXS, Tommy Hilfiger, and many more! Here’s the basics:
WHAT: Tsawwassen Mills Shoe Sale
WHEN: May 5-14, 2017
WHERE: Tsawwassen Mills, silly!
WHY: The deals are great and include tons of current styles. Plus, if you visit the Shoe Garden display (south of the food court), you could enter to WIN shoes for a year!
All the sale info you need can be found here and be sure to read on below to find out what I picked up at T Mills! Spoiler alert, it’s two of my favourite spring 2017 shoe trends!
The blossoms mean something different to me this year. Seasons past, the cherry blossoms in particular were a pretty pink city decoration. I would admire them while I hurried my way from point a to b, or I’d be out of town during their most impressive, yet short lived display. For the last month, I have taken the time to absorb and appreciate the blooms more than ever before. I feel like I’m blooming too.
There seem to be some parallels between this spring’s florals and my business. They showed up a bit late, thanks to an unusually slow and cold winter. For many of the same reasons, I too have had a delayed start to the year. My resolution to ‘come alive’ in 2017 meant propelling forward. Finally putting all my ideas into motion, and shining bright as an individual in this industry. What has become abundantly clear lately, is that, as per usual, I’ve been standing in my own way. I got a bit caught up in what other people were doing and whether I ought to be doing that as well. The world of blogging and influencers is a strange one. Maybe I was feeling a bit lost in it and in turn, stuck. And it’s tough being a one woman show, especially when your brand is, well, you! I’ve since been finding some clarity, and it finally seems like things are coming together. As always, it’s a gradual process though, and often two steps forward, one step back.
The fact that the only other recent photo I have of Adam and I is a blurry iPhone selfie taken in the windblown back row of a mini van says it all. Ten years! I mean, holy smokes. I don’t think I’ve committed to anything for a decade.
A million moons ago, when I was in 8th grade, I made the tough life decision to quit my piano lessons. I was feeling bogged down by school, long hours at the dance centre, gymnastics, skating, the yearbook committee, the school play (I performed a really convincing ‘Boots’ in Newsies. One of my favourite Disney movies, and the film that launched my crush on Christian Bale), volleyball, and those regretful few weeks when I joined the basketball team (until I realized mid-game that I knew nothing about the rules of the game of basketball). High school was also just around the corner and really, did piano up my ‘cool factor’?
I had my usual Wednesday afternoon stomach ache on the way to my piano lesson, filled with extra anxiety as I dread having to say out loud that I wouldn’t be coming back. Sitting in front of her on that stiff and squeaky bench, avoiding eye contact and instead fixating on those ivory keys, I finally spat out that I quit piano. And as if that wasn’t terrible enough for a 13 year old, visibly disappointed, my piano teacher then informed me that I’d quit everything ever for my entire life, because “I was a quitter”. Which, at such a young and fragile age, was downright mean (can you tell I’m still not over it? I’m sure this will all come out to a therapist one day). I feel like looking her up now to be like HA! You were wrong Mrs.B, look at this shining example of something I didn’t quit for 10 years – wow, go me!
Though, I doubt that it would really be as satisfying as it seems. Mostly, I apologize to my husband, for using such a momentous occasion to bring up the traumatizing piano quitting story. It’s just that I have complete word vomit lately. Last week, I met up with someone from a local company I’m collaborating with and though we only spent about 15 minutes together, I managed to ramble for the entire time, confessing unnecessary stories that pertained to the industry and even describe a video I’d watched on Facebook earlier that day. I keep thinking to myself that I needed to stop talking, but the words kept flowing and I left our interaction wishing to forget it. Maybe nervous rambling is better than an awkward silence? Who knows. I digress.
When Sarah from ARC Apparel reached out to me, I was pretty sure I’d misinterpreted the message. She mentioned that we’d met years ago through work at a yoga studio nearby and that she’d started this awesome new online store. The reason behind her email, was to see if I’d be interested in modelling some of her clothing for the site, which I was positive wasn’t actually the case. I spent a day trying to craft a response that gingerly pointed out that I wear a size 10/large and that maybe she wanted to use someone who was a few sizes smaller? Her message back to me was lovely and she assured me that ARC carried my sizing and that she’d still love to have me participate.
It wasn’t just a numbers thing that was so incredible (a store that carries my size actually wants to showcase a person who WEARS that size – crazy), but it was also so interesting on a personal career level. You see, my beginnings within the fashion industry were as a Junior Stylist for a local clothing company. Though I had many duties within this role, primarily it was to put together/style looks and photograph/edit/post them on the store website. This, of course, set me up entirely for this weird world of blogging and blossomed my love for styling AND photography. Back then, the process began tediously with a mannequin and then evolved to sourcing real live women to model. I adored what I did those years ago and it’s just so funny how full circle life can be, as I was now given the opportunity to relive the good ol’ days, but from other side of the camera!
There are so many trends to love this spring, and one that I am completely smitten with, is the bomber jacket. I’ve admired from afar for quite some time, but I couldn’t quite get on board with a boxy jacket in a shiny fabric or crazy pattern that took over last season. And though this particular bomber also came in a fun baby pink that screamed Pink Ladies in the best way, it was ultimately the black and blue that won me over. It’s quite fitted and I especially adore the striped detailing, that is another highlighted spring trend, and pairs perfectly with simple white runners. The fabric is more of a matte blue and matches so well with all those basic jeans and tees that I have on repeat always.
To create this sporty (I keep thinking it’s something Betty from Riverdale would rock) head-to-toe look, I partnered with Sears Canada to source the hottest spring trends online and right here at my local store!
Of all the material things to become attached to, I never would have guessed that it’d be a hair dryer that would ultimately steal my heart. And let’s just start out by saying that the fact that this entire post will be an essay about my love for a blowdryer is, of course, ridiculous. But, I have a lot of hair and I hate washing it because inevitably that requires drying, which is daunting and I’m lazy, so this is actually a big deal in my little world. What might surprise you most, is that things will begin with a tale of murder. That’s, right, murder!
