H&M Hoodie, Zara Blazer, Lululemon Leggings, Marc Fisher Boots, Aritzia Superpuff
As I sit writing this post it’s currently snowing outside, and the temperature is dropping by the minute. While we’ve been blessed with a relatively mild winter, there have been stretches of temperatures that have dipped well below -20 Celsius. These photos were taken in such weather, and I wanted to document an ensemble that was both warm and fashionable, which seems like an oxymoron in the fashion sense. I had four layers on my top half, wool socks, a toque and mittens, because in -20 weather, exposed skin freezes my friends, and there’s nothing chic about that. I think fashionable warm weather wear has always been a struggle, and I’ve played into that over the years. I used to brave below freezing temperatures sans coat to be able to document a ‘winter outfit’, and then immediately bundle up afterwards. I feel like it started back in Junior High, where bundling up with toques and mittens and parkas wasn’t ‘cool’. I still see it all the time, kids walking home looking ‘cool’ possibly in the early stages of frostbite. Every year I get older I tolerate the cold less, and keeping warm has become of the utmost importance to me. Honestly, these days when the temperature is subarctic, you’ll find me donning my sleeping bag coat and winter boots, my fashion statement will be my toque.
Photos by Kiera Schussler
H&M Shacket, J. Crew Hoodie, Spanx Leggings, Reebox Sneakers, Chanel Handbag
As my children get older and I get more moments to myself, it gives me time to ponder what is ahead. I started this blog 10 years ago this July, and I had great aspirations. I wanted to offer styling and fit tips, outfit inspiration, round ups of items I would recommend, recipes I had tried and loved, make up tips and hosting experiences. Life has changed so drastically in the past ten years, I know it’s cliche, but ten years ago feels like an entire lifetime ago. Divorce, financial loss, children, moving, loss of support systems, all of it impacted and hit in different waves and times over the past ten years, and I went from pouring my energy into my little space on the internet, to not logging in for months on end. Often times I wondered why I was hanging on to this space, this little corner on the web known as Centre Street Style. I’ve watched as many small blogs I used to tune in to daily have folded or switched solely to Instagram (which is just not my jam). Every year as I click on the payment button to renew my domain, admittedly not always so wholeheartedly, I question why I’m holding on. But there’s been a shift, I don’t know if it’s my children becoming more independent, or feeling settled for the first time in over five years, or that it’s my Emerald Year as a Pisces. For the first time in a long time I have a compelling desire to manifest, to create, to pursue and to act on all of it. And I hope there will be something of value for you, my reader, to keep coming back. Perhaps a recipe to try, motivation to shop your closet, inspiration to try out an ensemble, a tip or trick to put in your arsenal, or an idea for your next hosting experience.
These photos were taken back in the Fall, the most gorgeous we’ve had in a while, and it was an outfit worn on repeat for early morning school drop offs, weekends at the rink, and running errands. I love the ease of throwing on items with more of a comfort factor, but some sense of ‘put-togetherness’. Cost per wear of these faux leather leggings is pennies per wear at this point. They immediately elevate even the most casual of ensembles, shackets and sneakers included. I was late to the shacket game, I have a hard time buying into trends these days, especially if they’re only around a season or two. But this particular one from H&M was surprisingly high in quality for the cost. It gives off Anine Bing Shacket vibes, without the $600 price tag. If that’s not a win, I don’t know what is.
Photos by Kiera Schussler
Wolford Bodysuit, Abercrombie Denim, Vince Coat, Jimmy Choo Combat Boots
I don’t know when I stopped being the person that meticulously wrote out a list of resolutions. I used to love the New Year, and on New Year’s Eve I would take some time to sit down and physically write out 5-10 resolutions for the upcoming year. It’s been ages since I did so, I feel like it was most likely on the heels of a particularly tough year, and the only thing on my agenda for the upcoming year was to keep my head above water. And even that seemed daunting. This year is the first in a very long time that I feel ready to name some goals and throw all of my energy at them. Though I refuse to label these goals as resolutions, I do have to admit, this is the first January in a long time that feels fresh and hopeful, and filled with possibility.
At some point during the past two years we were told side parts and skinny jeans were ‘out’, and as someone who has donned a side part and skinny jeans for the past decade, at least, it felt like a personal attack. I’ve had discussions with girlfriends, as women in our 30s and 40s, what the heck are we ‘supposed’ to be wearing these days?! Frankly, the side part is staying, and so are the vast number of skinny jeans in my closet, but I have been playing around with some straight cut denim as well. I had yet to try a pair of Abercrombie denim, but they came recommended by a girlfriend, and the quality for the price point is great for trying a new style without breaking the bank. What I really need to do is carve out some time to physically go and try on a variety of brands and styles to determine which fits best, but in the meantime, this particular pair has been on heavy rotation.
Photos by Kiera Schussler
Zara Blazer, AGOLDE Denim, Yves Saint Laurent Handbag, Manolo Blahnik Pumps
I sat down to write a post, I legitimately couldn’t believe the last time I pressed the publish button was back in May. It feels as though time moves exponentially these days, and I’m constantly in awe at how fast the days slip away. I thought a little life update would be in order, since so much as happened since May.
We moved from the lake back to Calgary in the summer, what we thought was going to be a couple of months of living with my parents while we searched for a new home at the beginning of 2020 turned into a total of 15 months. Thanks pandemic. Our patience paid off though, and we found our home in a lovely area close to good friends. It’s older, the majority of it untouched in it’s 30 years, but it has great energy, a fabulous backyard, and we’ll get to make it our own as we fix it up over the years. Did I also mention I have my own office again! After five years of sewing in the mudroom, posting at the kitchen table, and cutting out fabric on the floor, I have my own space again. To create, to escape, and to dream big.
After spending a solid year and a half being fairly isolated, the activity of life has really picked up. Our daughter started school and hockey, I’m back playing hockey with the girls and my better half has switched roles at work. It feels amazing and dare I say, almost pre-pandemic?
After years of not hosting anything beyond a child’s birthday party, I’m so excited to get to host Christmas dinner this year. I thrive on planning the menu, decorating the house, and executing an experience for my guests. Christmas is my most favourite time of year, and hosting family in our new home, at Christmas time, well that’s just the perfect way to end out the year for me.
Photos by Kiera Schussler Photography
Topshop Sweater, Loeffler Randall Boots, Piper West Watch, Chanel Handbag
We’ve consistently been experiencing lovely weather here in Alberta, and dare I say, I think actual spring is here to stay. We’ve officially opened the sandbox, the ice is entirely off the lake (an incredibly early defrost) and I’ve spotted the smallest of buds on the trees. Spring in Alberta definitely isn’t my favourite. It’s typically brown and and crunchy, often dusty and muddy, but the promise of what’s to come once the weather warms up, that feeling is what I love. We’re down to approximately two months before we take possession of our new home in Calgary, (new to us, the home is very vintage to the 90s) and we couldn’t be more excited. Living at the lake during the pandemic had it’s ups and downs, but overall felt like a safe refuge over this past year.
I was looking for a flowy floral skirt to pair with this chunky sweater in my closet, and once I realized I didn’t have anything in that category, I did a sweep of the dresses hanging in my wardrobe. Turns out, I had the perfect dress, and with some assistance from my belt hidden beneath the sweater, I was able to tuck up my top, making it look as though I had the perfect skirt/sweater combo. This dress was the last purchase I made before I left Vancouver, from one of my favourite independent boutiques, One of a Few. I was with two dear girlfriends when I made the purchase, one of them even purchasing the exact dress at the same time! I love that clothing can evoke memories and experiences and emotions. That’s why it can be so hard to let go of items in our closet that no longer serve us. And also why I will always love working in this industry.
Photos by Kiera Schussler
