Aritzia Sweater, Rag & Bone Denim, Burberry Trench, Gucci Mules, Chanel Handbag
Last year we were living at the lake with my parents during Easter, it’s the first memory I have of last year after Covid hit, as I spent the first few weeks after we moved in unpacking and managing my anxiety. I honestly can’t believe we’ll be at the lake for Easter again this year, but also acknowledge what a blessing it has been. We’ll be doing a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, and I have to say, having something to look forward to, preparing and cooking a big meal, getting dressed up, even if it we can’t have other family members there, is giving me life.
I love trench coat season, I love that in Alberta it comes around not once a year, in Fall, but again when Spring calls out for a good trench moment. I love that it simultaneously provides coverage from the weather elements while looking fabulously chic. I’ve had this particular trench coat from Burberry since 2012 (as seen here), and although it’s closing in on 10 years, it’s classic lines make it look as though I could have purchased it this month. The versatility of being able to wear it with everything from a dress and heels, to popping it over sneakers and a sweatsuit makes it an invaluable piece in my wardrobe. Possibly the best part of a good trench is that it can be found at any price point. H&M has fantastic options at a fraction of the cost of luxury designers However, if you’re looking to splurge, no one does a trench better than Burberry. Whatever your budget, it’s an item I would absolutely recommend if you’re looking for a fresh outerwear option in your wardrobe. One that has the cost per wear ratio so low it will almost seem like you’re getting paid to wear it. Almost.
Photos by Kiera Schussler
Aritzia Sweatpants & Sweatshirt, Vince Coat, Reebok Sneakers, Celine Handbag
It’s been a year since the Covid and to be honest, it’s hard to even imagine what life was like before the pandemic hit. We sold our house about a month before everything shut down in Canada, and moved the very weekend of the shut down. We moved in with my parents while we searched for a house, never intending to be here as long as we have, but obviously not knowing we’d be attempting to purchase a home during a pandemic when the market became hugely unpredictable. Due to living with my parents, we’ve been extremely careful, refraining from seeing friends and family, following the rules, and staying close to home. This past year has been extremely lonely and isolating, and while I love my children more than life, having had essentially no reprieve from them this past year has left me burnt out in ways I can’t even communicate. We will be moving into our own place (we finally bought a house!) this summer and that coupled with the vaccine slowly rolling in, I feel as though there’s finally a light at the end of a very long, very dark tunnel.
It truly would be a lie if I didn’t admit that the vast, and I mean enormously vast, portion of the last 12 months has been spent in sweatsuits. Hands down, the VIP of the pandemic for me, has been my sweats. It made mornings easier, especially during the cold months, knowing I could go from pajamas to something as equally soft and comforting. I didn’t have to stress about them not buttoning up when gaining the “covid 19”, and it seemed that everyone agreed, sweats became, dare I say it, fashionable. I’ve definitely been of the mindset, if I’m not seeing anyone outside of the house, is it even worth putting real pants on? To be real with you though, I still see many days of sweatsuit filled school drop-offs coming this fall. For me it’s all about easing my way into pre-pandemic life.
Photos by Kiera Schussler
BCBG Dress, Alice + Olivia Coat, Christian Louboutin Heels, Chanel Clutch
Back when I lived in Vancouver, for almost every event that required a dress, my go-to to hit up was BCBGMAXAZRIA. There was a large storefront on Robson Street, and while they had a full line up of clothing, their specialty during that time was, hands down, the cocktail dress. Up until I moved to Vancouver I had never heard of BCBG or Max Azria, and I came upon the store just by browsing the street one day. During those years in Vancouver if there was an event, the vast majority of the time I’d be donning one of their ensembles. New Year’s Eves, birthdays, Christmas events, weddings and even my bridesmaid dresses from my first marriage were BCBG. Eventually I moved back to Calgary, and not long afterwards the vibe of the store changed and their dresses didn’t have the same feel as the years before. A few years after that BCBG filed for bankruptcy protection and removed it’s store fronts from Canada entirely.
I don’t have many of those dresses left from that time, but I did keep a couple that felt timeless, this white applique dress being one of them. It’s close to 10 years old, but doesn’t read that way at all. That is one of the things I love most about fashion. Its ability to invoke memories, senses, and feelings just by looking at items of clothing. This dress will never not make me think of my time in Vancouver as a whole, and reminisce about all the marvelous moments I had in those fabulous dresses. Does anyone else remember the era of the BCBG Dress?
Photos by Kiera Schussler
Aritzia Sweatshirt, Agolde Denim, Sunday’s Best Coat, Adidas Sneakers, Chanel Handbag
We’re officially more than halfway through the first month of 2021, and while it hasn’t been a spectacular start, I’m holding out hope for this year. Today my beloved little vehicle, that I’ve had for 15 years, is getting towed away forever. I was rear ended on New Year’s Eve and my vehicle deemed a write off. I’m incredibly sentimental, with a distaste for change, especially change that takes place out of my control. I had an intense sentimental attachment to my vehicle, and it was the last piece of my ‘old’ life that remained after all the change that came crashing down four years ago. Maybe that’s what needed to happen though, to completely clear the slate to be able to start fresh. I admittedly have had trouble letting go of what life looked like a long four years ago, and perhaps saying goodbye to this last piece will allow me to fully move forward. It feels silly to be so emotionally connected to a material possession, but I assure you, it’s less about the item, and more about the meaning behind it. Anyone else out there reeling from a big change up and trying to find your footing? I imagine in a year as tumultuous as 2020, I’m not alone.
I think we can all agree that this season of pandemic life has influenced our sense of style in ways we never imagined. Who could have predicted that sweatsuits would be the uniform of choice at the start of a new decade?! While it’s been in the making for some time already, sneakers have been taking over my feed, and I’m here for it. I’ve owned this pair of classic Adidas Superstars for years now, but it’s been in the past year that I’ve really started reaching for them consistently. They’re the perfect option if you love the look of Golden Goose or Axel Arigato sneakers, but without the price tag of those brands. If I’m being completely real, this casual ensemble is what dressing up looks like these days. My denim has yet to see any action in 2021. And I can’t say I’m mad about it.
Photos by Kiera Schussler
J. Crew Plaid Jacket, Vince Cardigan, Spanx Leggings, Chanel Handbag
One of the biggest trends this fall/winter has been the versatile shirt jacket, half shirt, half jacket, known as the “Shacket”. It’s been presented at every price point, from plaid to plain, and it seems like everyone’s favourite influencers have one. Pre-kids I loved jumping on trends like the shacket. This one in particular because of all of the fabulous variations offered at fantastic price points, it would have made it an absolute necessity for me to have. I’m much more conscious these days about what comes into my wardrobe, both for financial and material reasoning. I’m trying to be more thoughtful about my purchases, and if there is a trend that comes along, I try to get inspired by the items I already own before I run out to make a purchase.
In response to my desire to add a shacket to my own wardrobe, I wondered if there wasn’t something I already owned that could work to tide me over. Upon further investigation into my own closet, I rediscovered my fabulous plaid J. Crew jacket, last seen on my blog back in 2014, here and here. It’s missing the length of a proper shacket, as well as some shirting details, but I’m happy to report it’s completely satisfied my shacket cravings. Now if only there was something that could satiate my unrelenting appetite for chips and chocolate during this pandemic.
Photos by Kiera Schussler
