Happy Holidays!

Dec 27, 2012

33 comments

Happy holidays, friends! Hope yours was a truly terrific one. We've been enjoying such an amazing + relaxing time with our family. Oh man, and the food! Mmmm, soooo much delicious food: cookies, chocolates, yummy dinners, and more cookies & chocolates. I'll be in desperate need of a gym after this is all over - that's for sure! On x-mas eve we were with Martin's parents, and then on Christmas day we hosted a dinner at our home with my mom. We also braved boxing day shopping as well as the crazy line ups, which strangely, was actually kind of fun. As for photos?! Ooops, I've hardly taken any... I've been too distracted with chats by the fireplace, belting out Christmas songs, presents, and drinking hot chocolate or peppermint tea non-stop. Sending big, big holiday cheer your way!! We're still going strong over here! ;)

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Bits & Pieces Of Our Week

Dec 21, 2012

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Life is slowing down a lot this week! Both Martin & I are off work over the Christmas holidays, and things are nice and quiet at our home. Most mornings, I'm curled up by the fireplace drinking candy cane tea, blogging or reading a book, and listening to the rain gently putter on our roof. It's heaven! I'm eagerly counting down the days until Christmas, we'll be seeing Martin's parents on the 24th and then mine on the 25th + we have Martin's brother visiting us. Yay, I always cherish time with family!

I'll also be whipping up a vegetarian x-mas dinner for Martin and I over the holidays. I'm very excited! I'm making mashed yams, stuffing, tofu meatloaf, applesauce, meatless gravy... and then finishing it all off with gingerbread cookies + steamed almond milk. Mmmm! Also, the blog will probably be pretty quiet next week. This year, I'd like to take time to be with family, and unwind from 2012 - it was a big one! But... I'll be sure to pop in for an x-mas insta's re-cap. Love doing those! Happy (almost) Christmas, friends! Hope yours is an amazing one!!

Out for a crisp morning walk
Scout's Christmas toy, he loves pulling on it and then flicking it up in the air. Aw!
Getting lots of outdoor time!
Checking out the x-mas lights in our neigbourhood.
Visiting my mom for dinner, she looked so cute that night!
Snow!!!!
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Apple, Almond Butter & Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Dec 20, 2012

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Oh my goodness. I've been eating way too many of these the past few weeks. So, so good! Lately, I've really been enjoying adding almond butter to my meals; it's loaded with vitamins + minerals, and unlike peanut butter it's low in carbohydrates, which I prefer. My favourite brand is MaraNatha and I buy their natural raw one. I seriously can't get over how tasty this grilled cheese sandwich is... I'll definitley be making it again this weekend (my hubby is in for a treat), and if you guys try it, be sure to let me know!
You'll need:
  • 2 slices of your favourite bread (mine is a brown rice & gluten free one)
  • Butter 
  • Apple, cored & sliced
  • Almond Butter
  • Sliced Swiss Cheese
  • Cinnamon
Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Spread butter evenly over one side of each bread slice. Then spread your almond butter + add cheese & apples to the unbuttered side of your bread. Sprinkle cinnamon over the apples and top with your other bread slice, with the buttered side facing outward. Cook sandwich on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side or until golden brown. Mmmm. Enjoy!
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Striped Dresses & Parka's

Dec 18, 2012

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Since making the decision to take my blog in a slightly different direction, I'd also like to bring a new focus to my look book posts and feature more of my day-to-day outfits. Sometimes, it's easy to fall into the trap of feeling like you have to get dressed up for a blog post. But, the truth is I'm a pretty laid back kinda gal. I love spending time outdoors with my hubby + our dog... or heading out for casual eats at one of our favourite nearby pubs. I'm usually in jeans these days or in a simple dress + booties (my latest obsession). So, I'd like to feature a little more of that!



That's the thing about style though... it's always evolving and changing as our lives take us in new directions, which is exactly why I love it so much - it's fun to keep moving towards new inspiration. And, can we just take a moment to acknowledge that Christmas is next week. Wow, I feel like that was lightning fast. One minute it's summer, and poof, now it's Christmas. Nuts! I'm still scrambling to get a few gifts together... oops, so bad. Anyone else leaving it to the last minute?!



Outfit Details:

Coat - Old Navy
Dress - H&M (similar)
Boots - Old Navy 
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Outfit Inspiration & Friday Links

Dec 14, 2012

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Hello, hope everyone's enjoying a fabulous Friday so far! Today, I'm popping in to share a little outfit inspiration + my favourite links. This outfit, or some variation of it, has quickly become my winter uniform. Martin & I usually keep our evenings and weekends pretty low key... dog walks, sushi take out, or popping in on friends. So, this outfit is perfect for that! Mind you, this weekend we'll be on "mission x-mas shopping." We're so behind! What are you guys up to?!
1. Jacket 2. Sweater 3. Skinnies (softest denim & so comfy) 4. Gloves 5. Booties 6. Beanie
 
Things I'm loving:

Love these initial necklaces. I've been wearing mine daily!

So inspired by Jen's recent post on working with sponsors & having a servant's heart. Yay, Jen!

How adorable is this twig ring?! Ah, so in love with it!

Just printed out these amazingly beautiful + free gift tags from Oana Befort

I just added this black fur trimmed puffer coat to my closet. And not a moment too soon, it's been freezing out.

The perfect sweater for a cozy Christmas morning.

This dress is in my shopping cart and I can't wait to pair it with tights & booties.

I've been dreaming about this recipe all day. So good!

This post so has me in the mood for a white Christmas.

Lastly, I'd love to update our dinner table with these plates, add these patio lights to our balcony + these adorable ornaments to our tree.
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Coffee Date With My Love...

Dec 13, 2012

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When the weather turns cold & wintery, Martin and I love sneaking out for little mid-week coffee dates: we love getting bundled up in the coziest of sweaters, taking in all the bits of Christmas, ordering one too many cookies, reading the paper... and spending the afternoon people watching. And in my case, taking lots of photos. ;) It was the loveliest of afternoons with my love, and reminded me just how important it is to carve out time for one another. I can't wait to do it again!
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Decorating Our Tree

Dec 11, 2012

51 comments

It feels so fantastic to be back with a post. Yay! Blogging has definitley become a lot more fun, now that I've taken the pressure off myself... I've been carrying my camera around non-stop, and I just bought a diary so I can jot down future blog post ideas. It's been working like a charm! So... as you can tell by these photos, Christmas is in full swing at our home. Love it! I'm on a steady diet of hot chocolate + marshmallows, there's holiday music playing all day long and I've started bookmarking holiday recipes. I love planning and getting crafty for the holidays; it makes Christmas that much more fun & special for me.

This year, I'm also hoping to create some holiday traditions for Martin & I. Yearly rituals we can share with our kids, ahem, hopefully soon! ;) Do you guys have any holiday traditions you love to do?! I'd love to hear about them and get some ideas. One event we'd love to get out and see is Grouse Mountain's Peak of Christmas... there's a massive skating pond, real reindeer, sleigh rides, a Christmas choir, and it's all set against an alpine backdrop. Pretty stunning, right?! We'd also love to attend the nutcracker ballet this year, paired with a fancy dinner in the city. Can't wait! Alright, the Christmas countdown is ON. Food, time with friends & family... I'm pretty certain this is the best time of year!

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Thank You!

Dec 10, 2012

Wow, guys! Just a quick little note to say... thank you! I was so encouraged by your kind comments, tweets & emails regarding Thursday's post - you are all seriously amazing. Your words and support truly lifted my heart + spirits, and helped me realize that I did indeed make the right decision. I'll admit, I was pretty scared to hit publish, but of course, I'm so happy I did. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted... I'm getting excited to blog again, and feel like my creativity is being reawakened too. What a great feeling! I don't quite know where this new path will take me. But, with open arms, I can't wait to find out!

So... a million thank you's, air hugs & kisses! I adore this blogging community (so, so much) and feel incredibly thankful to be a part of it. So, yes to moving forward and yay to your awesomeness! Oh yeah, and I'll be right back with a new post too! xo
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Thoughts On Blogging

Dec 6, 2012

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Lately, I find myself thinking about the blog, my goals and where I'd like to see the blog in 2013. I've toyed here & there with the idea of starting a new blog (something more lifestyle related) but somehow that didn't sit right + I'd be pretty devastated not connecting with all of you guys here. Having said that though, after almost two years of documenting my outfits, I feel like I'm ready for a change. I don't think I'll ever let go of style posts completely, they just won't be the heart of the blog anymore.

My life & priorities have changed a lot since starting the blog. In the beginning, I missed having an outlet for fashion and I loved spending my weekends planning outfit photo shoots, scouting for locations, thrifting + styling outfits. But since then, a lot has changed. Most weekends, you'll find me in skinnies and a top knot (haha) visiting friends and spending time with family, or trying out new vegetarian recipes with my honey. So, I'd like to blog more about that! I'll admit, I don't have it all figured out yet but I'm excited for a new and more authentic future.

On that note, I'll be taking a break from accepting sponsorship as well. Although it feels scary, it's something I've thought long and hard about. I wholeheartedly adore my sponsors, but I'm yearning to free up my time and spend it doing the things I'm passionate about. Like, work on my jewelry and grow my online shop. As a side note... I'll still include affiliate links on the blog and accept (very occasional) c/o items from companies I feel passionately about; however, I will be phasing out all banner ads. I'm excited to get back to posting at my own pace, and without the feeling of looming deadlines or the pressure to post on a given day. If I can't post in a given week? Hey, no big deal - the sky will not fall. ;)

I think that pretty much sums it up for now. I wasn't even sure if I should write this post or just make the changes... but I felt like I wanted to share and invite you guys into my process. If you have any questions, ask away! I just switched over to a new commenting system, so now I'll able to respond to your questions directly on the blog. Lastly, BIG hugs to you all. You're all such amazing readers and many of you have become such dear friends. Thank you for your awesome and continued support. I'm excited for the future!
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Over The Weekend Snaps...

Dec 3, 2012

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A few snaps from our weekend. Ours was perfectly peaceful. We had Martin's parents over for mid afternoon fruit salad, chocolates and tea. The pets were sufficiently spoiled, of course! I also tackled the Christmas tree. Yay! And I popped in on my good friend Jenn. I'm super lucky to have my bestie live across the street from me. Seriously, the girl is not allowed to move. ;) And... if you follow me on twitter you may have read that I chopped my hair. Yup, sure did. I absolutely love the shorter length, it feels so much lighter and healthier... I might even go shorter next time (we'll see) + I still hope to dye it after Christmas. How was your weekend?!

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Blog Spotlight, Third Edition

Nov 30, 2012

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I'm so delighted to be bringing back this feature (it's a personal favourite) and to be featuring Virginie of Virginie's Cinema for my third edition of Blog Spotlight. I absolutely love being able to introduce you guys to my favourite bloggers, and learn a little bit more about these amazing ladies myself. I discovered Virginie early on when I first started blogging and fell head over heels for her blog, personal style and gorgeous photography - all of which have been such an inspiration to me. Plus, I love that this gorgeous gal is a fellow Canadian. Enjoy the interview!

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Virginie (vee-jee-nee) and I am French Canadian. I am married to the man of my dreams and together we make movies (I produce, he writes and directs). I am known for smiling a lot and having an incommensurable admiration for Brigitte Bardot and all things French New Wave. My blog is Virginie's Cinema and I am also the owner of Pretty Colourful Vintage

2. What inspires you the most about having a fashion blog?
What is most inspiring about blogging to me is the readers and the community of bloggers. I love having a conversation with my readers on subjects that are dear to my heart, I love being able to share the good and the bad with them. And I love reading other blogs too so so much! For me, blogs are the absolute greatest source of inspiration in my style and have democratized personal style in a way that really speaks to me. 


3. How do you find your own sense of personal style evolving?
I used to be a very emotional shopper: I would purchase things that would appeal to my eyes even though maybe they weren't the best fit for my body type. These days, I approach building my looks in the same way I approach art direction in a movie, in a more methodological way. To me, it's a lot about colours, textures, proportions and the universe these components create together. I have also changed the way I shop drastically in the past few years and that has impacted my style. I try to stay away from garments made in poor working conditions and now wear a lot of second hand or vintage clothes. It's more inspiring to me as a shopping process. I have also found that my journey through style evolution was also a journey of self discovery for me

4. Aside from fashion blogging, what are some of your other passions?
Cinema is a huge passion for me and I am SO lucky that my career is in this field! I could watch films and talk about movies all night long! I am also deeply passionate about photography and documenting everyday life, my camera is definitely my favorite accessory! Creative consumerism is also something I have a growing passion about. I love wearing vintage garments, thrifting, up cycling and swapping. It's a subject I love spreading the word about since it's an ecological, socially responsible and creative way to build one's closet. I'm lucky that I can share all these passions with my readers on the blog and via my online boutique.

5. What are some of your favorite things about living in Montreal?
Montreal is such a beautiful, vibrant and culturally diverse city, I honestly find inspiration at every corner! It's a city where you can be exactly yourself and no one will pass jugement or stare at you, which is a luxury! It's a bilingual city (English and French) with a very rich art scene and so definitely a very stimulating place to grow up. Plus there are a lot of fabulous local designers like Betina Lou, Ève Gravel and Coeur de Loup. 


6. Who takes your outfit pictures and do you have any photography tips?
I take all of my own outfit pictures as well as all the pictures featured on the blog. Self portrait can be challenging but I love the creative freedom it gives me! I use a tripod and a wireless remote with a 35MM lens and Canon 7D camera for the outfit pictures. I still have a lot to learn about photography but I would say about outfit pictures in particular it's important to be conscious of light and backgrounds, colours and proportions. And then experiment a lot and develop your own style! Photography is such a great way of self expression. 

7. What are your dreams and aspirations for your blog?
I hope that my blog continues to be a place I can document my life, style and passions, no matter how they evolve. My most specific goal for 2013 is to make the blog bilingual, English and French, because a lot of my French readers would like it and it would represent even better myself and the culture I grew up in. Plus my writing might be a lot more eloquent in my first language ;) 


8. If money was no object what dream wardrobe piece would you purchase?
I am a frugal shopper and don't think that price equals value when it comes to garments, but I would love to own a vintage Chanel purse one day. Such a classic piece that could stay with me no matter how my style changes.

9. What's your current day off uniform?
Sweater dresses, colourful tights and vintage leather boots! 


10. Do you have any tips for new or aspiring fashion bloggers?
I would say take your time and develop your branding and your niche before putting your blog online. Take a few months to try a few features, see what works better for you and what doesn't. When I launched my blog, I had no idea how to do HTML, who my readers would be or how I would photograph myself and I wish I had taken a bit more time to build my blog before putting it online. Although it was a very interesting learning curve, I'm a bit shy that so many people were witnesses of it. Let's say there were some pretty explorative posts at first ;)

A BIG thank you to Virginie for this awesome interview! Hope you guys enjoyed learning a little bit more about this lovely lady! Be sure to pop on over to her blog (to say hi!) and follow along. You can also connect with her via Twitter! Hope everyone is enjoying a fantastic Friday + happy almost weekend, guys!

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Raindrops & Errands

Nov 29, 2012

54 comments
Hello & happy Thursday, everyone! Yay, it's so great to be back with an outfit post. They haven't been the easiest to get this fall - the rain has been relentless and crazy heavy. Ugh. Anywho, I wore this casual but super cute look for a day of running errands with my honey. Groceries, mall, and then a rainy day walk with our pooch. And can I just say, I seriously love grocery days... we usually come home and spend the day eating & cooking. It's fantastic!



Well, as I mentioned in Monday's post (thank you, for your thoughtful comments!) I've created a schedule for the blog. It feels very freeing + I'm very type A that way - love being organized! I'm hoping a schedule will help me stay a little more consistent with my existing posts, and more on top of new features I'm hoping to introduce. So, over the next few weeks you'll be seeing a little more consistency develop on the blog. I'm excited for that!

Today, I'm heading out to get my hair cut. It feels very overdue. I'm hoping to try something a little bit different though. Shorter maybe?! Loads of layers or maybe a straight across long bob. I'm hoping to dye it a darker colour too. We'll see, it's hard to decide, but I'm definitley itching for a change. Alright, thanks for reading guys, and I hope your day is awesome!

Outfit Details:

Hat - Joe Fresh (similar)
Blouse - c/o Boutique Onze
Skinny Jeans - Citizen of Humanity
Boots - c/o Wanted Shoes

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