It’s tough for me to find a store that I genuinely love. Like any good relationship, there are so many things that must fall into place in order for us to be a successful team. LOFT just so happens to check almost all of the boxes. Their price point is extremely reasonable (I tried not to question it, but they even had 40% off the entire store while we were there last week. Who does that? It was a start the car moment for sure). They only have one Vancouver location in Park Royal, so you definitely feel a sense of uniqueness. Or at least assured that you won’t show up to an event and be twinsies with someone. They also carry an array of sizes AND their fits are larger. Thinking of it, this should almost be point number one. I’m a very average clothing size, yet so many stores in our great city only seem to carry up to a size 8 (please don’t even get me started on that subject, I will rant forever). And it’s not the biggest deal, but it’s kind of a nice change to be requesting a size smaller from the fitting room. Speaking of fits, that’s my last point. They aren’t just a big chain that mass produces their styles and don’t care about how their collection fits on body. Their pants, for example, have been absolutely perfected. I will be back to purchase these trousers in another colour, they’re so comfortable and such a nice alternative to denim.
I really could go on and on about LOFT, but how about I do that in person instead? Jen of Her Waise Choice, Alex of To Vogue Or Bust, and I will be at LOFT Park Royal this Sunday and we want you to come shop with us! We’ll be showing you our favourite spring pieces, talking personal styling, and giving away three $100 gift cards! I really hope to see you there 🙂
LOFT Park Royal | 2002 Park Royal South, West Vancouver
I forgot how simple summer styling is. In the heat, it’s just about grabbing a key piece to wear and accessorizing around that. No layering or jacket needed. My kind of life, I see why California bloggers are so consistent. This look was my third festival look had I been able to be there on the Friday. The fringe would have been perfect for dancing. I’ve also decided that I don’t care if it makes me 75 at heart, I just love Palm Springs. Coachella aside, it’s dessert heat that’s only a 2.5 hour flight away. It’s beautiful and relaxing. They have pools and palm trees. What’s not to love? I would go back tomorrow if I could! Also, part deux of my Coachella Guide is coming up tomorrow but in the meantime, have a good Good Friday.
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My alarm went off at 5:30 am on Saturday morning and I couldn’t help but laugh to myself. Considering that after the wedding I’d gone to bed at 2:30, it most certainly constituted more of a nap than beauty sleep. This was going to be a long day. When I landed in Palm Springs, I searched for my driver, trying to remember the instructions the car service had provided. Finally I saw an old man with a printed sign with my name on it. “Where ya been girl?” He says to me, as he adjusts his newsboy cap and motions us towards his vehicle. I go to open my door, “Let me guess, it’s locked?” he asks in annoyance. “I hate this damn car,” he mumbles as we begin driving. “Let me tell you, this drive is going to be HELL.” he informs me, “this damn Coachella. It’s RIDICULOUS. People everywhere, just an absolute disgrace.” He goes on and on about his hatrid for the festival before I finally reveal that it also happens to be the exact place I’m headed. “Oh,” he says after my confession, “Well, I’m certainly well past my Coachella Festival days.” Being that he was late 70’s and adorably grumpy, I would have to agree with that statement.
I was able to squeeze in one hour of pool time, which was exactly all I needed to get enough of a tan for my all white/blush outfit for the day. Thank you, skin! I was super pumped to wear the outfit I’d picked for my first day. For someone with my figure, it’s not often that I’m able to sport a crop top. I felt great in it though, because when paired with something high waisted (with an elastic waistband that flares away from the body – key) it ends up just showing the tiniest bit of skin. It’s important to feel sexy in your own way, especially in an environment where a lot of people are pretty much naked.
So, last year we’d taken taxis to and from the festival each day and we decided that bikes would be a better decision. And I say “we” as in the whole group thought this and I just went along with everyone. To be honest, I can’t remember the last time I was on a bicycle. We opened the garage to our 7 bicycles lined up in a very intimidating row and I hopped on mine. It’s true what they say that it all comes back to you, but it doesn’t necessarily happen right away. I was almost immediately at the back of our bike gang as I followed my friends on this supposedly short ride. The heat. The uncomfortable seat. My crop top. My stupid crop top. My burning legs. I bet my hair is being ruined by sweat in this helmet. Whyyy am I so out of shape? Then, we finally arrived at the first security checkpoint and I screw up. Somehow didn’t notice that I was in the guy’s lineup and was sent to the very back of the girl’s line. Most of the group waits. I walk my bike through the people, legs burning so much. I’m frustrated and tired and the day has barely even begun. We somehow lose everyone and Adam (such a patient man, God bless him) helps me lock up my bike so we can hustle our way through security point number two and to the first show.
So we hurry our way to Gobi to catch sultry female powerhouse, Banks. Who wouldn’t want to catch her do Waiting Game or This Is What It Feels Like? Actually, us. I looked at Adam after one slow, kind of quiet song and asked if he wanted to leave. Banks would be amazing at The Commodore Ballroom, not in 35 degrees and the first show of the day. After our ride in, I needed something to lift me up. Thankfully, Bombay Bicycle Club (I just realized the irony there) was at Mojave tent next door and we were able to easily get a spot. They put on a great set and we were happy that we caught them.
We’re a classy bunch and love buying overpriced cold pressed juices and adding vodka to them. It’s a real travesty to the cold pressed juice (I have a client who could be reading this and shaking his head) but makes you feel semi okay about what you’re ingesting. Nutrients and poison together in one bottle. Seems okay, right ;)? On our way over the side beer garden, we heard a bit of Chvrches and City and Colour who both sounded great. After some sunning though, we made our way back into the crowd to catch Kid Cudi. He wore a weird crop top and I didn’t know any songs he performed. I was cursing myself for not researching more Cudi before that moment. The wind started. We left early towards the middle beer garden. This is a trend you will sense for the rest of the day.
Our group meeting spot at the middle beer garden worked out and we were all finally reunited. Capital Cities was next up and after seeing them at Venue last year, I knew they’d put on an entertaining show. We drank some more, I had a slice of pizza, and we took a lot of selfies. We also belted out their rendition of Sinead’s Nothing Compares. It was a good set. This was also when the wind really started picking up.
Coachella Outfit Details //
Crop Top, Latest Scoop / similar
Floral Headband, Handmade by a friend / similar
Faux Leather Skirt, Club Monaco
Runners, Top Shop
Lilac Sunglasses, Forever 21
We made our way to Lorde. And it was beyond packed. Couldn’t see a thing. Heard Buzzcut Season and felt satisfied that I’d fulfilled my Lorde fix. We then, admittedly, completely wasted the next few hours. The wind was so intense and we’d wanted to watch Empire Of The Sun but the crowds were insane. I mean anxiety inducing, over sold, wasted, cold, tired people kind of crowds. We couldn’t move. We ended up sitting in another beer garden amongst garbage and abandoned glow sticks for an hour. To be honest, it kind of sucked. We tried our best to rectify the situation and make our way back to the middle beer garden for Pharrell and Muse. Instead, Adam and I approached the hoards of people attempting to funnel their way in and I backed away slowly shaking my head no. Claustraphobia to the max. We stayed outside the garden and I mustered up the last of my energy on Pharrell. So glad I did. Adam and I had a grand dance party to old school NERD, new Pharrell tunes, plus tons of cameos from Nelly, Snoop, Gwen Stefani, etc. We caught a bit of Muse and decided it was time to start biking home.
My lack of sleep caught up to me on the bike ride home. In my head, I broke our journey down into 5 phases and by the end of phase 3, I had to stop and refrain from breaking down into tears. My bottom hurt so bad. I was tired. It was cold. I was covered in dust. There was sand in my eyes. My feet ached. And we still had two more phases of biking to complete. After my pity party, we FINALLY pulled up to the condo. I had the most amazing hot shower of life. I hand washed my clothes. I forgot to pack loungewear and looked in Adam’s suitcase for some shorts and a tee and instead saw a Smirnoff Ice staring back at me. I broke the cardinal icing rule and ignored it. There was just no way that I was going to chug a Smirnoff Ice at 2 am after all that. It was, you might say, just the icing on top of the entire day.
We have many regrets about Saturday but there were just so many factors working against us. We stayed as upbeat as we could and even though I seem to have many complaints about Saturday, it really was okay enough. I laugh now when I think back and I mean for the most part we had fun. My Sunday recap is coming up soon and it was a very successful Coachella day, I promise!
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It seems silly, but I was really nervous to tie this button up around my waist. Something I probably haven’t done since 1998, it’s a current look that I knew I had to try. The verdict? Super cozy and somehow still feels slightly chic. It was a nice way to also work a Canadian tuxedo into the wardrobe this week because that just seems necessary every once in a while! Hope you’re all having a wonderful day xo
In just one week, your instagram feed is about to be flooded with cutoff denim shorts, floral crowns, offensively large brimmed hats, and a wide variety of kimonos. Coachella 2014 kicks off next Friday, April 11th in Indio, California. I’m missing the first day because of my bff/ex-roomie Melface’s wedding but am on a direct flight first thing Saturday morning and will basically go straight to the festival. I apologize in advance for any FOMO you may experience. I’ll be going through the same thing the week after.
I’ve obviously been stressing over what to pack for months. I think I have one of my two Coachella outfits picked out, but just can’t decide on the second. I think a shopping spree is in order this weekend, so that I can look as effortlessly cool as some of the ladies pictured above (spoiler alert, that’ll never happen). Can’t even wait, the countdown to Coachella is ON!
As you saw in our #RobsonLife recap, we had a great time browsing around Robson Street in search of the perfect spring outfit. I’m currently adoring all the bright, fresh whites and pastels this season has to offer, so I was looking for an example of that trend that would work for me. Separates are usually best, especially in my wardrobe because they get the most mileage. I completely surprised myself when I ended up choosing this blush pink faux leather Club Monaco skirt first and built an outfit around that. I was then drawn to the detailing on this Aritzia blouse and love that I can tuck it into a skirt or pair it with some skinny jeans. It’s so versatile, I know it’s going to be a staple piece. For footwear, I went with these super fun Call It Spring iridescent heels and topped things off with a black faux leather jacket for a bit of contrast. Favourite spring look, complete!
And now, my friends, as promised you will also get the chance to go shop on Robson Street and test out the #RobsonLife for yourself! You’ll be entered to WIN a $100 Aritzia gift card if you…
2) Comment on this post with your insta username and an email I can contact you at
That’s it! Contest is on from Thursday April 3rd 11 a.m PST until Thursday April 10th 5 p.m. PST. No purchase necessary. Contest is open to lower mainland residents only (which is the area around Vancouver, BC, Canada. This is because the prize is to be used at the Robson Street Aritzia location). Winner will be chosen at random and contacted shortly after. Good luck xo
P.S. You should probably follow @aliciafashionista on instagram while you’re at it 😉
I think that being back in an office is the perfect excuse to sport my favourite wide-leg trousers. There’s something so empowering about walking around the city in a business casual attire. Especially with sunglasses on and a coffee in hand. Gosh, I missed it!
Ohhh, the #RobsonLife. Is there ANY better way to live? We began a day of Robson Street shopping with cupcakes, because that’s basically a requirement. Once we’d filled our cupcake quota for the day, we set off to pop into some of our favourite stores. Think Zara, Club Monaco, P L E N + Y, Aritzia, J.Crew, Joe Fresh, ALDO, CB2 etc. I mean the list goes on! We browsed, we tried on, we conquered. I seriously can’t wait to show you what kind of credit card damage we managed to achieve. It’s always extra dangerous when you’re shopping with girlfriends, isn’t it? Especially when it’s with fellow bloggers To Vogue Or Bust,Her Waise Choice, and Miss Melissa – always such a bad influence 😉
We capped things off at Abode and caught up some more over tea and lattes. It was such a great day that went on even longer than we’d expected (I’m just glad I brought flats with me! The struggle is real, you guys). Robson Street has always been one of my favourite shopping destinations and I’m so glad we were able to make an afternoon of documenting that. AND the fun doesn’t even stop here. Stay tuned to see the #RobsonLife purchases we made and for the chance to win some goodies for yourself as well!
I’m about ready to retire these tights and take my winter jackets to the dry cleaners aka my favourite way to say au revoir to winter! I am just itching to go shopping for pastels and florals and bright whites. In fact, I’m heading to Robson Street tomorrow to do a little credit card damage. I can hear Zara, Club Monaco, and J.Crew calling my name!
