All Posts By

Alicia

Style

T Shirt Dress + Vest

September 26, 2016

alicia fashionista, vancouver street style, fall transition outfit, slimming styling tricks

Last week, Alex and I found ourselves in an Elle Spain article that, for a second, felt a little lost in translation.  It’s in spanish, but google tells me it’s titled ‘The Trick To Look Thinner’.  Which, I mean, I think I get what it’s trying to say, and it really is something that I do (but for a second, Alex and I both felt a bit like ouch, what is this article about?).  With an hourglass figure and some curvage, I definitely try to implement some slimming styling tricks to feel my best, but suppose I never really thought of it as a strategy.  Looking back at my last 4 outfit posts though, it’s quite obvious that I have a particular look on repeat.  Let me explain.

This dress/vest combo is the perfect example.  A simple t shirt dress and booties would be fine, but can seem a little bit unfinished and depending on the fit of the dress, can feel a bit too loose and frumpy.  A draped coat (like what I wore the other day) or a vest like this one here, create the illusion of a long line, slimming the mid section.  The drape also provides some movement, which I usually find fits my frame best.  Throwing on a longer draped piece can honestly also just feel like the finishing touch of an outfit, no matter what your shape is!

I’ve linked to some trench vests and duster jackets below:

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Style

Le Pink Coat

September 22, 2016

fall 2016 outfit ideas, best curvy outfit ideas, minimal style with colour, alicia fashionista, vancouver street style

I wish I could show you an effortlessly glamorous look, but walking a dog everyday means that I essentially live in sneakers.  The fact that I have a chic trench coat on is genuinely out of character as of late.  Been living a true Vancouver cliche and rocking only exercise friendly athletic wear.  Adam has been away for a few days and being a single dog mama is no joke.  Can’t imagine what you parents of human children go through, jeez!  It has been challenging and consuming, but doing my best to take care of the little man and still find balance in my own life.  This is only my second post this week, so you can imagine how that’s all going…

Today is, as I’m sure you know, the first day of fall.  I LOVE September 22nd.  It will always hold a special place in my heart.  And no, not just because of pumpkin spice and colourful falling leaves (but I am admittedly super basic and freaking love those things too), but it’s because it was on this very day, back in 2013, that Adam proposed.  I love the significance of today in terms of kicking off my favourite season, but also to think back to the joy we felt that day and how it was essentially the beginning of a brand new chapter in my life.  I think I just might celebrate today with an epsom salt bath, good book, and some fall scented candles.  A proper welcome to this cozy season, wouldn’t you say?!

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Style Travel

In The Orchard

September 19, 2016

colourful summer outfits, alicia fashionista, guide to the naramata bench, wine country bc, best weekend trips from vancouver

The last few days of summer, so I better end things on a colourful note!  Remember our anniversary trip to the Naramata Bench?  We stayed in THE most amazing Airbnb (details coming your way tomorrow) that was perched above a beautiful orchard.  These ambrosia apples looked positively scrumptious, but they weren’t ready until the week after we left, so, I unfortunately didn’t get to try one myself.  It’s also really neat because the new owners of the property are working towards an all organic operation, which is a truly inspiring initiative.  Especially since it’s not a cheaper or easier option!

One of my goals whilst in wine country, was to get a quintessential outfit photo amongst the grapes (an apple orchard is a close second though and the same effect, so we’re good, right?).  I was inspired by an outfit that Ania wore on her snapchat a few months ago and matched a bright jacket with a colour blocked dress.  So much colour sounds a bit too crazy in theory, but it somehow works!  Both pieces are a bit older, so I’ve linked two similar looks below:

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Life Studio

The Studio 504

September 16, 2016

article furniture review, how to decorate a shared office, modern and bright office decor, mid century modern office

When I initially left my nine to five, I set up shop in our home because that made the most sense financially.  Which, was a wonderful option for a few years.  I would get dressed and ready for the day first thing every morning, I’d never turn on the tv or let myself get too distracted.  And then, inevitable, that all went out the window.  The walls began closing in a little and small household chores seemingly haunted me all day long.  I remember sitting in my sweats at 11 AM, looking up at the deep, deep, Netflix hole I was in (I think I was on the second day of an Orange Is The New Black binge) and thinking “Oh my goodness, I need to find an office space…NOW!”

It was fate that one day, a friend posted her old shared studio to help them find a couple new people to fill the space.  Being that the only other person there was a photographer, I KNEW this would be the perfect office/studio!  We hit it off right away and I moved on in, which was really great.  Then, when I decided to try full time blogging back in January, Bethany was kind enough to help me out with unknown finances and we were able to work out a deal that Alex shared my portion of the space!

Having Alexandra in the studio with us has been so wonderful for the quality of work I complete when I’m there.  We shoot for each other and are able to have brand strategy meetings together.  The trouble was, that we never seemed to sit at the desk anymore and it kind of ended up a dumping ground for shipments and random photo shoot crap.  We knew that something had to be done, especially since it was a shared room!

I was on a home decor mission and could only function in life by redecorating every single space I’d step into.  I was browsing Article one day and we came up with the crazy idea to fix up our area and ditch the conventional desk concept.  The vision was a cozier chair and a chic table/chair set up instead what would inspire us creatively and double as a great shooting space for photo and video!

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Travel Vancouver

Bowen Island Yoga Retreat + Giveaway

September 14, 2016

nectar yoga b and b, where to stay on bowen island, best weekend trips vancouver, guide to bowen island, vancouver yoga retreat

I swear I do this to myself, but life has been absolute insanity lately.  The end of summer rush was only magnified by oh, you know, getting a dog, and then, oh, you know, fighting with strata.  I was so tightly wound when we left for our two day yoga retreat on Bowen Island, that I actually breathed a sigh of relief as the ferry crossed the Howe Sound.

Alexandra and I had never been on a yoga retreat of any kind, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.  Thinking about it now, I love yoga, and I love local adventures, so this was bound to only be amazing.   I cannot even tell you how wonderful our experience was at Nectar Yoga B&B.  Andrea is the best yoga instructor I’ve ever had.  The food was incredible.  Bowen is always a great escape from the city.  You know what?  Why don’t you watch it all in the VLOG that I put together from our retreat!  Photos, more details, AND a giveaway are below as well!

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Style

Into Fall

September 13, 2016

alicia fashionista, how to transition into fall style, september outfit ideas, curvy fashion ideas

That step into fall is often a slow and steady one.  You have some unexpectedly super hot days peppered amongst some brisk cold ones.  It’s a real gamble this time of year, I tell ya!  Styling wise, I try to keep things on the cooler side and lightly layered.  Much like this look, I re-wore a summer dress, but paired it with fall booties and an oversized slouchy sweater.  Sort of preps me for whatever mother nature throws our way!

This time of year is also about getting ready for fall/winter in our home.  As I’m sure you saw in yesterday’s VLOG, I cleaned out my closet to discover I have an embarrassing amount of clothing to donate and sell.  I’ve often felt quite wasteful about the amount of items in my closet and how blatantly irresponsible it is to this earth to be cycling through so many pieces each year. It weighs on my conscious about where clothes are made and what impact it has on the environment, which was highlighted even more when Value Village/Savers invited Alex and I to their art installation last month.  Ever since, I’ve been trying to consciously balance the amount of new, fast fashions I’m purchasing and trying to reuse and thrift when possible.  Old habits die hard though, especially in the excitement of shopping for fall.  I am trying though, and it’s these small gestures can hopefully equal a huge impact on the environment!  Do you ever think about this too?!

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Life

We Adopted A Dog – Meet Reggie

September 12, 2016

terrier chihuahua mix, caare rescue vancouver, adopting a dog vancouver, alicia fashionista

I’m definitely the dreamer in our relationship and Adam is the logical voice of reason.  He’s still fun, of course, but I’m always full of crazy ideas and he sometimes has to bring me back to reality.  And at almost 10 years together, I’ve most definitely tried to convince him that we should get a dog for at least half of that time.  Most notable was the French Bulldog campaign of 2013, which Adam shut down after a few months.  We’ve always taken our time and been very calculated about big steps in our relationship, so I suppose it all has worked out for the best.  Yes, Adam, you were right…

We’ve talked very seriously about actually getting a dog in the last 6 months though, as we’ve been making changes to the apartment and felt that our lifestyle was ready for a pup.  I have been obsessively checking a number of local shelters for ‘the one’ and was surprised to find out that the dog adoption process is incredibly competitive here.  You’d find a dog that seemed to be SO perfect for you and he/she would already be adopted, or your application would be turned down due to one little thing.  It was just emotionally taxing, but I suppose that’s how you weed out those who weren’t actually serious about dog adoption.

A few weeks ago, Reginald popped up on my Facebook page.  He was angelically sleeping in the photo and his description sounded like exactly what we’d been looking for.  I carefully filled out the application and sent it off right away.  After they reviewed it, we were, for the first time, moved to the next phase, which was meeting him.  We were just beyond nervous and I’d kind of convinced myself that we probably wouldn’t like him because we’d been let down so many times before.  But, as soon as we saw him with his foster mom at the other end of the path, we both knew that he HAD to be the new member of our family.  The perfect size, incredibly chill, but still active, and just a real sweetie.  We scrambled to send applications to strata for approval and crossed our fingers that the wonderful team at CAARE would pick us.  Much to our delight, our lives were changed for the better when they awarded us an adoption trial with Reggie!

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Style

Friday I’m In Love

September 9, 2016

lighthouse park west vancouver, private party dress, best curvy style blog, alicia fashionista

This is the last of my summer outfit content, except for one superbly creamsicle coloured dress that will be featured next week along with our Penticton/Naramata Bench recap.  Summer is slipping away, you guys!

Remember this shoot at Lighthouse Park with all the racoon drama?  Well, THIS is the dress I was talking about!  Now you can get the full visual of me in a beautiful floor length dress, running away with only my sunhat and no shoes.  At least we can all laugh about it now, right?!  This exact print is sold out, but I’ve linked some very similar styles from the same label!  There is also this exact cut in a gorgeous lilac purple, if you’re so inclined.

Hope you all had a positively wonderful week and a bright weekend ahead!

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Style

Duster Jacket

September 7, 2016

alicia fashionista, vancouver style, fall staple pieces 2016, how to style a duster jacket, minimal style ideas for curves

Can’t believe it’s September 7th right now, how did that even happen?!  I’ve already been patiently awaiting the arrival of autumn for quite some time (the ol’ curse of the fashion calendar, stemming from my days in the industry) and am so happy to finally be starting the full fall transition!

One of my go-to pieces to spruce up my existing fall wardrobe, is a good duster jacket.  I love how chic they turn even the simplest looks, like a plain white tee and black shorts!  They add instant drama and are the perfect finishing touch on any fall look.  As the days get a bit colder, I’ll definitely be re-creating this but with some slimmer denim.  If you haven’t tried the duster length yet and are hesitant because of your height, I’d start with a bit of a heel to create the look of longer legs.  This definitely helps offset any feelings of being swallowed completely by a coat.

Also on my fall love list is everything from ela!  This mini black saddle bag has the cutest tassel detail and is a great everyday size.  The leather is gorgeous in person, and though there’s a slightly spendier price tag, it’s very much reflected in the quality of their bags.  If you’re wanting to treat yo self, you can use the discount code: Aliciafashionista_15 for 15% OFF your purchase – score!

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