It’s been a minute since I’ve felt the motivation to share on this space. It’s such a bizarre and uncertain time, and I’d be lying if I said my anxiety hasn’t been closing in on a 10/10 at times. With a respiratory condition I fall into the high risk category, and when Corona became a reality up in Canada, so did my anxiety. I’ve had to limit the amount of media coverage I consume, be intentional with getting outside and exercise, and reach out and connect to friends and family.
These photos were taken back before isolation began, and we thought spring was heading our way. I’ve lost track of how many more days of snowfall we’ve had in the past five or six weeks, but I’m happy to report this past week has melted away a large portion of the vast amount of snow. I spent a part of yesterday packing up my heavy sweaters and pulling out my shorts and tanks in anticipation of warmer days ahead. It’s the small things that we get to look forward to these days, and spending full days outside in the warm sunshine is definitely one that I’m looking forward to.
Photos by Kiera Schussler
Aritzia Sweater, AGOLDE Denim, Vince Coat, Loeffler Randall Boots, Celine Handbag
Last week we had a taste of spring and oh my goodness, it got me excited for all the spring things. Of course it had snowed by the end of the week, bringing us all back to the reality that we’re still months away from being able to wear sneakers and lightweight jackets on the regular. It’s usually this time of year that I’m over turtlenecks and wool and anxious to wear all the pastels and cotton I can.
This particular outfit is a compilation of some of my most worn items from this winter. I have been living in my AGOLDE denim. The quality is fabulous, I love that they’re high-waisted and tuck everything in, and the washes are so flattering. The only item I’ve worn more consistently than my jeans are my suede boots. I can’t explain how comfortable they are while looking incredible with everything they’re paired with. I have to admit, these days comfort wins over everything. In the past, if something was uncomfortable I was able to push through if it looked fabulous. Now, if I can’t full squat to pick up items thrown on the ground, lunge to grab a runaway child, or sweat profusely from stress/embarrassment without it showing, the clothing item doesn’t make the cut. I’d say those are pretty high standards these days, wouldn’t you ?
Photos by Kiera Schussler
I have always stood by the concept that if you invest in high quality, classic pieces, they will stand the test of time. It’s a concept I encourage my clients to seriously consider, to invest in pieces that will last for years to come. I do stress that the dollar amount of what you can afford to invest will be different for everyone. For some, $200 will be a significant investment, while for others their budget may allow for a $2,000+ investment. It’s an approach I live by and thought it was time to point out some of the pieces I’ve personally invested in and all the ways I’ve worn these classic pieces over the years. Hence the start of a new series I’ll be featuring on the blog called, Classics On Repeat.
Is there anything truly more classic than a black wool coat? Worn, but not limited to, everywhere from date night, running errands, weddings, funerals, work and play. It’s a must have that I would encourage everyone to have in their closet. I personally would recommend a coat that falls between mid thigh to mid calf as it offers so much more versatility than a coat shorter in length. I purchased this Burberry military style wool coat back in 2012, and eight years later it reads just as classic and on trend as it did when I first bought it. The photos on the blog are just a very small snapshot of the ways in which I’ve worn this versatile beauty throughout the years. With jeans, rompers, dresses, heels, sneakers, pregnant and not, buttoned and undone, it has truly been a go-to investment. At this point, cost per wear is close to pennies, I’m practically being paid to wear it. At least that’s what I tell my husband.
Topshop Sweater, Spanx Faux Leather Leggings, Vince Shearling Coat, Chanel Handbag, Jimmy Choo Boots
This past weekend was Family Day weekend in Alberta, granting most individuals the Monday off work, and it was the perfect mix of relaxation and socialization. With so much time spent knee deep in spring cleaning this past week, it was exactly what I needed. Fabulous friends and family, spontaneous naps, delicious wine, and homemade pizza were just a few of the highlights. I love when you come off a weekend feeling refreshed and motivated for the week to come.
This here could be my favourite winter uniform. Leggings, oversized sweater, a chic bootie, done. I’ve worn this variation of uniform over the years, a lot, long before this blog ever existed. It’s the perfect mix of comfort and fashion and I don’t think anyone would argue that if you can have both, it’s a huge win. We had a fresh layer of snow fall last night which means I still have time to get my wear out of this easy ensemble. Some years I’m itching to get into my spring fashion, but for some reason I’d happily do an all black everything uniform just like this, for weeks to come.
Photos by Kiera Schussler
I’ve been seeing sheet cakes everywhere on social media lately, and I knew I needed to get in on the fun. It’s such an easy concept, in fact I’ve steered away from sheet cakes for years because of how simple they are, I often worried they lacked the visual impact I was going for when hosting an event. I always opted for a 3-4 layer show stopper, just to ensure to get that ‘wow’ when dessert was unveiled. I have fabulous news my friends, there is no longer a need for fussing over multiple pans, weighing the batter to guarantee even layers, trimming the sides or the top to perfection or sweating over the stacking. You can simply bake a cake in a single layer and then decorate it to your heart’s content. I cannot convey how much this makes my heart happy. At least half of the work of a triple decker, but allllllll of the impact of those tall boys. Trust me, I received all of the compliments when I presented this one tiered beauty. I used a recipe from my favourite go-to baker, Sweetapolita, and dyed the icing three different colours, making a saturated version and a softer version of each. I used various tips and topped it all off with Sweetapolita sprinkles. I went with a Valentine’s Day feel with all the pinks and reds and burgundys, but you can literally use any colours you want. I think you all know what you should be doing this weekend, and, you’re welcome.
