Hearts For Autumn

Oct 29, 2015

Today, I'm teaming up with Elana Carello and featuring one of her lovely sweaters. Isn't the heart + stripe pattern darling?! I loved pairing it with jeans & trench for my lunch date, so fall, and so perfect! I'm also excited to pair this sweater with my beloved pencil skirt, or as a topper over a more casual dress! And... Elana is graciously offering all By The Shore readers a 10% discount code. Just use, code BYTHESHORE at checkout. Bring on sweater weather, am I right?!



And speaking of all things cozy?! This weekend I'm hosting two of my favourite ladies (Cee of Coco & Vera and Lynn of Hearted Girl) for an autumnal gathering. Yay, yay! I'm making mulled wine, we'll be decorating mini pumpkins and pulling out our favourite plaids & autumn hued outfits. I can't wait + I'm so thankful these ladies share my enthusiasm for this time of year!




Then next week, Martin & I are finally getting around to hanging curtains in our master-bedroom and second bedroom (which is my office)... I can't believe we've already been in our new home since May! How is that even possible?! I'm also horribly overdue for a home tour, but here's hoping I'll start that in November. What about you? Anyone moving or re-decorating? If you've featured your home on your blog?! Let me know... I'd love to check it out!! xo




Outfit Details:

Trench, The Gap
Sweater, c/o Elana Carello
Jeans, American Eagle
Tote Bag, Banana Republic
Flats, Zara (similar)
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Tips For Blonde Hair Care

Oct 26, 2015

Today, I'm excitedly sharing my tips for blonde hair care. When it comes to caring for hair?! I'll admit, I'm just a little obsessed! This past summer I went from brunette to blonde, which I love, and caring for my hair has become top priority in my beauty routine. With that said, I've accumulated a wealth of knowledge in that time and I'm happily passing on my most beloved tips!



1. Olaplex - Also known as my new best friend! This miracle worker reconnects broken disulfide sulfur bonds in the hair. What does all this fancy jargon mean?! Well basically, my hair was healthier & stronger after the bleaching then it was coming in. Amazing, right?! So the next time you're looking to lighten or bleach your hair ask your stylist about Olaplex, you'll want to high five me until the end of time! ;)

2. Dry Bar Brightening Shampoo - I typically use my toning shampoo once or twice a month and love it. It quickly reduces any brassiness and my colour looks brighter & whiter! For best results... I like to leave mine in for at least 15 minutes and then simply rinse!

3. Sweet Almond Hair Treatment - I started using hair masks a few years ago, and not sure what I was waiting for because they're awesome. Definitely on the pricey side, but mine typically last 7+ months, so when you break it down it's a worthy investment. This particular hair mask by Wen is my favourite though, the moisture & shine are amazing!

4. Heat Protect Spray - This one is a must for chemically treated hair! I blow dry and curl my hair several times a week and the GHD Style Heat Protect Spray has been a god send -- it's light weight, keeps my hair protected from heat and bonus points for smelling awesome too!

5. Brushing The Right Way - Firstly, I never, ever, brush my hair when it's wet. I wait until it's dampish, spray in a detangler and then use a wide tooth comb. And for everyday? I'd also recommend a natural bristle brush. I've been using mine for years and can't imagine life with out it!

There you have it friends, my tips for blonde hair! Have any of your own? I'd love to hear your faves too! xo
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Estimate Bay

Oct 20, 2015

Hello, friends! I wasn't quite sure if I'd get a post up today... but yay, I made it! ;) Life has been a little chaotic these past few days, Scouts been under the weather and now Martin hasn't been feeling well either... but I'm hoping our little family will be back to normal in no time! On a separate note, a BIG thank you to Shop Ruche for featuring my outfit on their instagram... I was totally giddy & honoured when I saw my picture pop up in their feed. So fun!!



As for the dress?! Pretty gorgeous, right? You can still nab this long sleeved beauty here (psst, it's on sale)! The material is thick and perfect for cooling weather, plus it's been such a versatile piece. I've worn it with black skinnies & a denim vest, and then out for errands with an oversized plaid scarf & motto jacket... can't wait to see what other fun variations I'll come up with for this fall and winter!




Other than that, not too much to report. I'm hoping to slow life down this week. As I mentioned in Friday's post, I've been feeling a little burnt out. So, it's going to be a lot of condo cleaning, nursing my hubs & pooch back to health, catching up with my mom and hopefully sneaking out for a coffee date with my love once he's fully back on his feet. What about you, friends? What's your week looking like?!




Outfit Details:

Hat, Forever 21 (similar)
Cardigan, Old Navy (similar + crazy cute!)
Dress, Shop Ruche
Tights, Joe Fresh
Booties, Aldo Shoes (similar)
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Weekend Ready + Lessons On Balance

Oct 16, 2015

This week has been great! This week has also brought some much needed lessons on balance -- especially where blogging is concerned. We've all been there, right?! In fact, I end up there every few months! ;) Over the past couple of weeks, I've been watching myself burn out a little, and of course, I want to make sure I nip it in the butt as soon as possible. When it comes to finding balance? For me, that means putting a time limit on my endeavours, checking in with myself, and making sure I'm not always hitting the ground running! I also, desperately, need to learn to replace my "shoulds" with "wants"... it makes a world of difference!!



So, the goal is to ease up a little! Remind myself the sky will not fall if I post on Friday, as opposed to my usual Thursday slot, ect! As I forge ahead, I hope to incorporate more mindfulness and purpose into all that I do. Sounds good, right?! I also took time to write out a mission statement for the blog and remind myself exactly why this space exists!




Probably the biggest lessons I've learned as a result of the above... is? Don't blog for followers, or to attract sponsors. Blog because you love it + share what you're most passionate about. Passion is contagious, authenticity is your roadmap, and the world truly is your oyster! Also, don't be afraid to step back when you need to, getting a break from the "virtual" world is honestly so important. You'll come back recharged and re-inspired. I promise! On that note, happiest weekend, everyone!! xo


Outfit Details:

Cardigan, Old Navy (similar + crazy cute!)
Top, Madewell | Jeans, American Eagle (so comfy!)
Tote Bag, Banana Republic
Flats, Zara (similar)
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A Date With Andrea

Sep 28, 2015

What do you do when you find out one of your favourite blogger friends is in town?! Jump for joy, cancel everything (in my case, a date with my pj's & couch) and make dinner plans... of course!! Yay, yay, yay! I was so excited to grab Martin, drive into the city and meet up with Andrea of Blonde Bedhead + her super sweet friend Melissa at one of my local faves Yaletown Brewing! If you're ever in Vancouver?! I'd absolutely recommend it. The food is delicious, but super casual and the environment is warm & lovely. Lots of wood, brick, and expansive windows -- my favourite!


Before our food came, (I had the yummiest Portobello sandwich btw) we snuck out for quick, quick outfits photos and I'm so glad we did. I'll treasure these for years to come!! I originally met Andrea online, then face-to-face at Texas Style Council and we clicked instantly! Her warmth, charm, down to earth nature and killer style totally won my heart! It's honestly such a shame I don't get to see my blogging loves more often. But, there's hope, Martin & I have been wanting to visit Michigan for ages and we're thinking... we just need do it! The plan is Michigan, then Chicago and a few days in New York too. Yay, I can't wait to start planning for this!!




As for my outfit? Same old, same old! Cute, comfy and super cozy!! It's how I roll, especially if I know I'll be chompin' and lounging! :P And... if you're looking for an easy tunic/dress... this is it! I nabbed mine from Zara for a whopping nineteen dollars! Crazy right?! I love wearing it with tights, leggings or jeans! It's definitely become my fast fall favourite! xo


Outfit Details:

Scarf, Joe Fresh
Jacket, Forever 21
Tunic, American Eagle
Leggings, Jacob
Boots, Aldo Shoes
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When The Light Was Golden

Sep 24, 2015

Yup, it's official, yesterday was the first day of Autumn and I'm ready to start livin' it up!! If ya haven't already, be sure to peek at "Our Autumn List" which I shared a few weeks ago. What's on your horizon, friends?! Do you love celebrating the new season with fall themed activities?! Martin & I decided to kick of the new season with a sunset walk down the pier, stop in for yummy clam chowder, crispy bread and a glass of white. Ah, the perfect way to celebrate!


This week, I also started a fun little project, shop my closet! Excited to pass on some of my closet lovelies to a new home! All the items are in "like new" condition (unless otherwise stated), include shipping and are going for a steal of a price. Fab, right?! Lastly, I started a second shop page as well, which includes my picks from brand favourites like Shop Ruche, Modcloth, Madewell and Anthro. I love when bloggers have that particular feature on their blog, so here I am, joining in on the fun. Pop on over to my shop and check it out! :)




Other than that, life is in full swing! I'm working on several blog collaborations for fall, and most recently I've started writing over at "Best Friends For Frosting" -- you can check out my first post here! So much fun, and I feel honoured to be in such great company as well! Lovely ladies like... Monica Potter of Parenthood, Erin Phraner of Good Housekeeping Magazine, Joy Cho of Oh Joy and Darcy Miller of Martha Stewart! So yes, I'm feeling all the excitement, plus super thankful for the opportunity!









Outfit Details:

Scarf, Joe Fresh
Jacket, H & M
Dress, Old Navy
Tote, Banana Republic
Shoes, Zara
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Autumnal Florals

Sep 22, 2015

Oh my word, leave it to me, to write a lovely post and then accidentally delete it a few hours later. Blast! How's everyone's week been? Are you guys enjoying the cooling temps?! Ah, we sure are! I love when the weather turns... tights are still optional, cozy cardigans are invading my closet and we're spending most nights on our deck + sipping hot drinks with friends. Pretty much the best!!


Also, this dress from eShatki -- absolutely darling right?! If you aren't familiar with their online shop all of their pieces are custom tailored to your exact measurements, plus you have the option to specify your preferred sleeve and dress length. I absolutely love the dress I chose, the material hangs perfectly, plus it has pockets & sleeves... a sure fire way to my fashion loving heart! ♥ I'm already excited to wear this beauty again, but choose a fur collared coat and a pair of vintage inspired metallic heels!



So, let's also take a moment and address all the outfit posts on here lately! Have ya noticed there's been an extra dose of them? Oh blogging you're a funny beast. A few years ago, after I closed the door on my personal style blog... I surely thought that was it, never again, you know! If I'm to look back... (in the early days) I think blogging got the best of me! I didn't have great life balance, struggled to find my groove and admittedly was terribly perfectionistic. But lately there's been a turn, I feel at ease, happily living in the moment and it's making me fall extra hard for "personal style blogging" again! No complaints, it's a great place to be and I'm excited to nurture that!




Outfit Details:

Cardigan, Old Navy
Dress, c/o eShatki
Tote, Banana Republic
Heels, Aldo Shoes
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Our Day On The Farm

Sep 17, 2015

Hello friends! Before I jump in, a few updates for you! Firstly, I added a right hand sidebar to the blog, which I love, it adds a little more coziness -- don't you think?! Also, several of you asked if I'd be offering sidebar banner ads, after Tuesdays "fall banner program" launch. Happy to say, you ask, and you shall receive! Mini ads are priced at $10 (so affordable for bloggers & etsy shops) and medium ads are only $25. Fantastic, right?! Be sure to pop by my sponsor page and nab one today!


So yes, post! Last weekend, Martin & I woke up early, grabbed pumpkin spiced lattes (yay!) and ventured out to Pitt Meadows. It's about 20 minutes from our home, but since we were feeling adventurous, we drove further out and explored more of the farmland area -- well worth it! As you can see, it's beyond photogenic and you could hear crickets for miles. On our way home, we stopped for food at The Billy Miner Pub (it's historic & adorable), sat on the patio, took in the river views and devoured all the food! A vegan pizza for me, plus we split a massive, out of the oven brownie which was swimming in deliciously decadent double chocolate ice cream. Oh my, sooo not on the "clean eating plan" but totally worth it! Everyone needs a little splurge day here & there, right?!














Outfit Details:

Scarf, Joe Fresh
Jacket, Forever 21
Tunic, American Eagle
Leggings, Jacob
Boots, Aldo Shoes
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New Home Sneak Peek

Mar 26, 2015

As promised here's a sneak peek at our new home. Yup, we're pretty darn excited! Many of you have asked about our decor and I'm excited to say I definitely have lots of plans & ideas. We're focusing on lovely pale grey's, creams and creating interest by layering lots of texture. For the master bedroom we'll be keeping things white & airy and adding grey damask wallpaper to our ensuite bathroom. Lastly, the second bedroom will be converted into a full office + will house my online shop, which by the way, will be re-opening once we move! Lovely, right?! If you'd like to see more of my inspiration for the new space? Be sure to check out my pinterest boards... beautiful spaces, for the home and office inspiration! xo

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