It has been super grey in Vancouver lately, which has prompted me to search for ways to add a little something sunny into my daily routine.
I often find that adding a bright fashion element to my daily ensembles can mitigate the seemingly relentless weather gloom.
Case in point: this bright golden-yellow (men's) cardigan from Levi's.
The button-front style is perfectly oversized and cosy — and the colour is superbly eye-catching. It achieves my ambition of being comfortable, while also channeling the absent sun. ;)
Cardigan and jeans: Levis c/o | Bag: Chanel | Necklaces: Pamela Card c/o
Shop a few favourite yellow pieces below.
Guerlain L'Art & La Matiere Rose Chérie eau de parfum: A quick review
October 20, 2021 Vancouver, BC, Canada
What it is: A new fragrance addition to the high perfumery collection L'Art & La Matiere by the French brand Guerlain.
The pink elixir features notes of rose — both Damascena and Centerfolia — along with a hint of almond.
Beauty bonus: This fragrance truly is a rose-lover's dream.
Beauty bummer: This luxury fragrance is one that may require some saving for.
Overall: The collection of fine fragrances from which this new release hails is inspired by "artistic emotion." Created by Guerlain's master perfumers, the "olfactory masterpieces" are designed to capture a specific memory.
“Rose Chérie is the thrill of a kiss on a street corner, the enchantment of a carousel ride in Montmartre; it’s pure Parisian chic. C’est la vie en rose!” — Guerlain Perfumer Delphine Jelk
From the customizable Heritage Square glass bottle, made by French glassmaker Pochet du Courval, to the expertly crafted fragrances contained inside, this fragrance is wonderfully luxurious.
The full bouquet of roses on offer are made wonderfully more balanced by the touch of green almond and splash of raspberry — creating an alluringly romantic floral scent.
Would recommend? Absolutely.
Price: $431 for 100 mL
Where to buy: Guerlain
Food is love.
That's the theme of this year's Watch Hunger Stop campaign from Michael Kors — and it's both a trio of words and a campaign that I wholeheartedly believe in.
It's estimated that 1.2 million Canadian households experience food insecurity — a number that balloons to two billion people when shifted worldwide.
The annual campaign, which sees the designer's brand work with the United Nations World Food Program to donate meals to schoolchildren, aims to reduce that number.
To date, the initiative has seen more than 24 million meals delivered.
This year's collection, the sale of which sees full proceeds go to the WFP school meals program, includes three items: a t-shirt (which I'm wearing here), a baseball hat and a face mask. Each piece features a small heart-shaped patch with the word love inside it.
From the simply chic designs to the goal of eliminating global hunger — it's a truly lovely initiative, indeed.
What it is: A knitting kit from the European brand We Are Knitters that has all the pieces you'll need to knit your very own stylish sweater.
The kit comes with instructions (of course), knitting needles, skeins of yarn and a few assorted accoutrements to finish your project including a sewing needle and even a neck tag.
Overall: Let me preface this by saying that I'm a beginner knitter.
This is the first sweater that I've attempted to knit. And, truth be told, only the second garment I've ever knitted (the first being a scarf from the Vancouver-based brand Project Weekend).
I found the instructions were easy to follow. And, once I got the hang of all the necessary stitches, I thought things came together quite nicely. My only complaint with the experience was that I found some better how-to videos online from other users/brands than the ones offered by We Are Knitters. Some of their provided videos were a bit tricky to follow for me.
All in all, I really enjoyed the kit. I like the sweater I created — save for a few rookie mistakes at the bottom rib knit and top neckline — and I enjoyed the process of creation so much that I actually purchased another kit from the company, this time for a cardigan.
Would recommend? Yes!
Price: $165
Retailer: Weareknitters.ca
This look makes all my prairie fashion dreams come true.
From the slightly cropped flared jeans to the perfect collared blouse (both from Levi's, by the way), it's retro-chic — and also right now.
Quick fit check on these Levi's 70s Flare Jeans — they fit pretty true to size (I took a size 30 like usual) but I found them a bit snug in the thigh. Not my favourite fit, but fun.
I paired this look with my 'dress' cowboy boots — if you ride horses, then you likely know what I'm talking about. These are the boots that I often wear to Western events where I'm not riding. But they also felt pretty perfect for this look.
Shop a few of my other current Levi's faves below. And, if you love Levi's like I do (not sponsored just a big fan of their denim) then check out more of my posts featuring their pieces, including fit reviews, here.
Will you be jumping into all the retro fashions popping up this fall?
Are you a member of the Self Love Club?
A recent collaboration betweenVancouver-based brand Brunette the Label and brow It-brand Benefit Cosmetics aims to get you to join.
The two brands have teamed up to create a pretty pink sweater emblazoned with the term Self Love Club. You know, for a sweet-and-wearable reminder to take a little time for you. Today and every day.
A portion of the sale of each sweater, which has the same oversized fit of Brunette's beloved Big Sister Crew, will be donated to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, to "support and uplift women who have been affected by cancer," according to the brand.
So, are you ready to join the club? ;)
What it is: A hair and body fragrance from Moroccanoil that features the company's signature warm-floral scent.
Beauty bonus: If you love the scent of Moroccanoil products, you're going to love this mist.
Beauty bummer: Much like most hair/body mist combos, it doesn't have the staying power of a more concentrated eau de parfum.
Overall: I love when a brand releases the fragrance matching the signature scent of its products. Often, that signature scent is so addictive that it's a welcome addition to one's regular scent rotation.
This Moroccanoil elixir, with its notes of amber, magnolia and woods, is intoxicating. And the sprayer releases a super-fine mist on skin or hair, cloaking the area sprayed in the trademark scent.
In addition to offering its fragrance, the product also features argan oil and vitamin e to "nourish" skin and hair, while also providing a UV protectant care of an "absorber" product.
Would recommend? Yes, if you love the scent of Moroccanoil goodies.
Price: $36 for 100 mL
Retailer: Nordstrom
I'm still working from home, so I'm not quite ready to quit my loungewear pieces just yet.
Having said that though, I've found myself craving some slightly more ... structured styles in my workday wardrobe. So, my simple solution to dress up my loungewear looks has been to throw a blazer on overtop.
And I must say, I've been loving every minute of it.
Sticking with mostly monochromatic colour ways, I've found donning a decently oversized piece can be the perfect compliment to an otherwise dressed-down look. Whether leggings and a turtleneck or luxe knit trousers and a tank top — the addition of a blazer just seems to elevate the ensemble.
Plus I love the fact that, should I need to run out for an errand, I'm already perfectly dressed.
Shop a few favourite blazers below.
Blazer and pants: H&M | Bag: Fendi
This sustainable athletic wear is a must try (yes, even if you just like workout wear for athleisure looks)
October 1, 2021 Vancouver, BC, Canada
A simple striped button-down shirt like this one from Uniqlo is a closet classic for me.
Regardless of the season, I can always find looks to wear it with. In a slightly oversized fit, a striped blouse can work with slim-cut pants, leather leggings, wide-leg jeans, a slip dress ... the list goes on.
Plus, it can easily be thrown on over a bathing suit for the pool or beach while travelling — you know, when we can do that again.
Shop a few of my favourite striped blouses below.
What it is: A new fragrance collection from the luxury haircare brand Oribe.
In addition to the brand's signature scent, Cote d'Azur, the release includes two additional elixirs: Desertland and Valley of Flowers.
Beauty bonus: The glass bottles, complete with resin top, are simply stunning.
Beauty bummer: None, in my opinion.
Overall: This elegant selection of eau de parfums is addictive. From the iconic Oribe scent Cote d'Azur — a mix of Calabrian bergamot, jasmine and sandalwood — to the two new scents, the fragrances are elevated and interesting.
Desertland, which features notes of juniper berry, lavender, pine and cedarwood, is green and inviting. The juniper and cedar notes make for a nice, unisex mix.
Valley of Flowers, with its Bulgarian rose, jasmine, peony, amber and musk is a beautiful bouquet. The flower notes are undeniably dominant, but the base of musk adds a warmth and richness to the fragrance. Truth be told, this eau de parfum is the favourite in this release for me.
Would recommend? Absolutely.
Price: $156
Retailer: Oribe.com
What it is: From the small leather goods lineup, the Chanel 19 Wallet on Chain features the eye-catching elements of the full-sized Chanel 19s, without the full size (and price!).
The bag measures 4.8 inches x 7.6 inches x 1.4 inches and features the "trio of chains" the design is known for.
Much like the iconic 2.55 handbag, which was designed by Gabrielle Chanel and was revealed in Chanel boutiques in February of 1955, the Chanel 19 handbag gets its name from its release year. Yep, you guessed it — 2019.
My take: From the moment I spotted the Chanel 19 bag, I knew I loved it. I love the size, the shape, the trio of chains, the chain-detail double-C logo .... the list goes on (and on!).
I hummed and hawed about buying a 19 for the first season, and as any Chanel lover knows, that delay cost me. So, when I finally went to purchase one, the prices had gone up so much that I paused ... again.
Faced with info that the prices were likely going to go up again, I admittedly panic-bought this WOC. It was closer to the amount that I was hoping to spend — and it allowed me to still get the look of the Chanel 19, without the increasing price.
Truth be told, I'm not sure I made the right decision. And I'm still kicking myself for missing out on the Chanel 19 waist bag, which I looked at in the boutique several times, only to pass on it. I'm now searching resale sites in the hopes of finding one.
Having said all of the above though, I do love this WOC. I love the crochet detail — and, of course, the style. It's perfect for dressing up or down.
My only complaint about this petite purse is the chain length. It's a lot longer than I would like it to be. I tend to wrap the chain under the flap in order to wear it the way I like to (see it on here).
Would recommend? Yes, unless you really have your eye on the full size. Then, I'd save.
Where to get it: Chanel boutiques
You know when you put on an outfit and think, "Yep, this is it."
That's exactly what happened when I stepped into this look. It hits all the style marks: it's comfortable, chic, can be dressed up or down ... the list goes on, really. I also swapped out the look for heeled black sandals for a recent dinner on an almost summer night-like evening.
As I start to populate my calendar with a few more in-person events, I'm trying to put together looks that I can effortlessly wear. And this blazer-and-knit-pant look is just one such ensemble.
In fact, I liked it so much that I found a few pieces to recreate it in a lighter colour palette (think: beige and off-white) as well. It's sure to be a combination that I'll be wearing on repeat this season — and beyond.
Blazer: Aritzia | Pants: H&M | Boots: Doc Martens
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