My shopping habits have greatly changed in the last few years. Instead of buying impulsively or to follow trends, I dress for my body shape and opt for quality over quantity. This doesn’t mean that I always play it safe, but essentially, my goal is always to get the most out of each purchase. The way my dad feels at a buffet, is the same way that I feel about my clothing; I have to get the most for my money. This often means getting creative and thinking of styling options that are slightly outside of the box. You might recognize this Top Shop number from this post and see that this time I layered it over top of another blouse. Paired it with some bright pumps that bring out some colour in the plaid stripes and you really have a completely different look. Man, I just love when that happens!
The first time I ever stepped into a West Elm was in Portland in 2009, and absolutely fell in love! The store was exactly our decor style and had a price point that was totally reasonable. I remember thinking that I wished we had something like it back here in Vancouver. Now look at us, teaming up at their first Vancouver location on Granville Street for an amazing evening!
It was so fun to host an event and I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to every single person who stopped by! It meant the world to me 🙂 If you missed out, not to worry. I’ve got a post coming up that outlines the spring decor tips and tricks we shared at our Step Into Spring event. Stay tuned!
Your lip color is the Pièce de résistance of any outfit and is just as important an accessory as say, your purse or shoes! There are seasonal favourites, of course, but here are 4 lip colors that beauty expert Kahlia Adams and I are loving right now:
If you’re loving these beauty collabs, we’d love to hear what you’d like to see next! Head on over to Kahlia’s Instagram or Facebook Page (or leave a comment below) with any questions or suggestions. And if you’d like to book Kahlia Adams for an appointment of your own, you can do so here.
Oh gosh, I forgot how good it felt to just dress up a pair of denim! Even though this look isn’t anything new and inventive, it’s still something that can feel so fresh and fun. I was motivated by my new embellished blouse from Top Shop and paired it with a structured blazer, bold shoes, and my favourite jewels. And even though it’s a few degrees out, I figured any sign of sunshine was a legitimate excuse to sport orange lips. Gotta keep things bright on these cold winter days!
It used to take me an hour and a half to curl my hair with a curling iron. AN HOUR AND A HALF. This self inflicted torture was something I’d only endure a few times a year for very special occasions. Needless to say, I was over the moon when my hairstylist friend Marlee opened my eyes to the wonderful world of curling with a flat iron. Now it is my turn to pass on what I know to all of you lovelies, with the help of my beauty expert Kahlia Adams, of course.
I LOVE starting out the week at my best, which includes my outfit du jour. Mixing some fabric textures and throwing in a little luxe can be exactly what is needed on a Monday morning. Hope your week is off to a fabulous start!
There are brighter days ahead, my friends! It’s time to step into spring and start thinking about adding some vibrant hues into your home without breaking the bank.
I’ll be at Vancouver’s West Elm location next Thursday, January 30th from 6 PM – 8 PM talking spring home decor trends over tea and coffee. We’ll be playing with patterns, incorporating pops of colours, and passing on some tips and tricks for perfect mantle styling. There’ll be plenty of time to shop too, so don’t you worry about that!
Check out the Facebook Event here for more info. You can call 604.733.6730 or email me aliciafashionista@gmail.com to RSVP.
I’m working once a week at a client’s office and let me tell you, it is actually a welcomed change. After being at home for over 2 years, I’m all about getting out of the apartment and spending the day with some of my favourite gals. It has everything there. Daylight, pink walls, and wifi that doesn’t cut out (it’s 2014 people, how is it that Shaw can’t even get us functioning home wifi?!). The best part though? I get to dress up in fun little office outfits again and really look the part! I used to do this every once in a while anyway, but it’s great having a real excuse and a fitting destination to go with my attire!
I’ve only known Megan Willams a short while, but I had a hunch that Patisserie Fur Elise would be the perfect location for our interview, as she shares my affinity for high tea in the girliest of settings. Tucked away on Hamilton Street in downtown Vancouver, I opened the front door of the quaint patisserie and climbed the stairs to an almost empty room. There sat Megan by the window in an oversized chair that only emphasized her petite figure. Her cream blouse with pearl collar detailing, grey fur vest, and perfectly executed bun solidified my choice in venue and matched her calm, but at times playful demeanor. She greeted me with a smile and a hug, and we sat down to order tea. There on the table was the first (and at the time, only) published copy of Our Interrupted Fairy Tale. I squealed in excitement and reached across the table to preview this much anticipated book. Flicking past the first few pages, I landed on her dedication and felt an immediate wave of emotion. Just knowing bits of Megan and Chad’s journey together is enough for me to know the joy and pain this great love brought to them both. Fighting back a few tears, I carefully closed the book and declared that I’d read my own copy later on and that she should probably throw in a pack of tissues with every purchase.
You see, Chad and Megan met many moons ago, when she was just 16. And only a few days later, he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer of the blood. Now sitting across from me, at 29 years old, Megan has been through more love and heartache than most adults I know. And luckily for us, she’s now sharing that story in Our Interrupted Fairy Tale.
When our finger foods arrived, we started talking more about the book and the writing process itself. We caught up on recent life events and swapped old relationship stories. We laughed and reminisced over macarons and cucumber sandwiches. Here is my interview with new author, Megan Williams.
You and Chad have such a special story and I’m so glad you’re allowing us a glimpse into your journey together. What compelled you to share it with us now?
Four years ago, I was cleaning out one of our closets, and in the bottom of a bag filled with old household manuals, I found one of Chad’s journals from when he was first diagnosed with cancer, nine years earlier. I flipped through to the end. On the last page of his diary, he left one simple instruction:
Publish this when the time is right.
So that’s what I’ve done. Combining his diary entries with mine, love letters and blog entries, the story of “us” has been published.
I just can’t even imagine that. It reminds me a little bit of that P.S. I Love You movie, finding a note from Chad after he’d left. What was it like, having to revisit that time in your life? A lengthy and exhausting process, I’m sure.
It was lengthy and sometimes exhausting – but I imagine that’s not a unique feeling to anyone writing a book. However, as I recounted our life together, I felt like we were dating all over again. It was very enjoyable and very emotional all at the same time.
I think many of us would hesitate to divulge information about our romantic relationships. Since it’s such a personal tale, were there any bits you were reluctant to share?
OH YA. And I shared them anyway – because it’s a true story, a real relationship and blurring out intimate details discredits that I think.
BUT it does not mean that I don’t feel weird that my Mom read our first sleep-over-date details disclosed in the first draft. Yikes.
Was there any piece of advice you received that helped you get through it?
Serendipitously, a few months after finding Chad’s diary, I sat beside a bestselling author on a bus from New York to DC. His advice for me was to write 1,000 words a day until it’s done. So I did. And in 6 months, my first draft was done. (Though that also meant Friday night on a long weekend choosing my laptop and hoodie over cocktails and a little black dress).
I had to pause our interview and excuse myself for a washroom break (all that tea, ya know?) and came back to find the woman who was sitting at a table behind us (obviously overhearing our entire conversation) asking Megan all about Our Interrupted Fairy Tale. “…So when does the book, come out?” the woman asked, “and what is it called again? I’m going to write it down,” she added. I gave Megan a look of excitement that she shared, as she gracefully answered her questions. “All the best of luck,” the woman said she left, “I can’t wait to read it!”
And when you needed a break from writing altogether, what was your go-to way to relax and escape?
Umm…in no particular order? Running with girlfriends, champagne, weekends in Whistler, Downton Abbey, champagne, and playing tennis with my Dad.
Haha I hear ya. Thanks goodness for champagne! And finally, just because I think it would be an Oscar winner, who would play you in the movie adaption of Our Interrupted Fairytale?
Great question. Original casting idea? Rachel McAdams, because I think we’d be good friends in real life. Then someone suggested Jennifer Lawrence – and I could totally get on board with that.
Our Interrupted Fairy Tale is available for purchase on Amazon on February 11th, 2014. You can pre-order a signed copy here, which is highly suggested for Canadians to save on shipping!
We’d also love to give you the chance to WIN an advanced, signed copy of Our Interrupted Fairytale. See below for details – good luck!
*Following Her Dreams is a new feature on aliciafashionista.com. I spend so much of my time meeting new people with the most amazing stories, fascinating careers, and inspiring attitudes. It’s about time you met these women as well! Please let me know what you think and if you have anyone in mind that would be great for this feature, please let me know aliciafashionista@gmail.com. As always, thanks for reading xx
