Checkered Print

After noticing my more "rocker" esque outfits lately, I decided to try something that was a little bit more office appropriate for work. I settled on this checkered print blouse that I picked up from my trip to Mexico and a pair of high-waisted linen shorts. With the warm summer quickly waning, I'm trying my best to get the most out of all of my seasonal attire before the sun disappears completely.

Top - Forever 21 | Shorts - Aritzia | Loafers - Forever 21 | Sunglasses - Dior

Bi-Weekly Round-Up

A couple weekends ago I finally visited the new cafe in Toronto that everyone's been talking about, Colette Grand Cafe. We missed brunch that day as it isn't served on a Saturday afternoon, but I did have the chance to try some of the dishes as well as sample so future potential desserts. And did this cafe live up to the hype that everyone's been talking about? My verdict is yes, and that I'll be going back again soon!

I've eaten out way too much these past few weeks. But it's safe to say that I've been crossing off bucket list locations as opposed to randomly stopping into locations. I took a stroll down Ossington with a goal to get ahold of the famed macaron ice cream sandwhichs at Bang Bang Ice Cream and Bakery, but on the day I showed up, they had none left. 

I settle for a half ice cream sandwhich comprised of a ginger cookie (watch out it's spicy - but good!) and the dolce de leche mixed with london fog ice cream wedged in between the two cookie slices. Oh boy was this ice cream sandwhich the definition of heaven! Albeit it was a little bit too sweet, I'm already planning a trip back to get ahold of the macaron ice cream sandwhich! That's my goal for this month before it gets too cold to eat ice cream anything!

Amidst enjoying my ice cream sandwhich I stepped into Crywolf and found these ridiculously cute concrete planters made by Concrete Barn TO. I need to get ahold of one of these in silver eventually for my new place!

I've also decided to reshape my nails for the winter and try out the "claw" look again. I no longer work in a chlorinated environment where manual labour is an everyday requirement so my nails can finally survive a decent manicure for once! But first, coffee - right?

Delicate Details

I love matching old outfits with bold accessories, and likewise goes to delicate details. Dainty necklaces and studs are my absolute favorite pieces to wear, but every once in awhile I'll reach for the statement piece.

You know how every time you see a shooting star you make a wish? I do the same with wishbones. Making wishes has always been a huge part of my life as it steers me in the direction of accomplishing my goals. So by keeping this wishbone near me, I can make a wish everytime I glance down at it (yes that includes trips to the washroom and peeking at it in the mirror haha).

A little behind the scenes of this shoot would reveal to you just how cold this day was. I think it took us under 10 minutes flat to take all of these photos. P drove down 5 hours to visit me this weekend in this chilly September air and begrudingly agreed to help take some photos for me. Hand's down the best boyfriend ever. Now I just need to figure out how I'm going to repay him, any ideas?

Tank - Aritzia | Sweater - H&M | Pleather Pants - H&M | Combat Boots - Shoemint | Necklace - c/o My Femme Crush | Watch - Fossil

Aztec Print on Lace

I've been itching to break out more and more of my sweaters as the temperature drops. Unfortunately for me the weather is relatively unstable all day long. With cool mornings and evenings mixed in with hot afternoons, layering is the best way to manage. I need outfits that can easily be modified during the day to suit the ever changing weather of autumn. Layering this bold and heavy knit over a airy lace dress was the perfect outfit of choice of this day. I was able to stay warm during my commutes to work while relaxingly cool in the office during the day.

Paired with my favorite studded combat boots, this outfit was great for feeling put together while comfortable in the office.

Dress - American Eagle | Sweater - Forever 21 | Boots - Shoemint | Bag - Longchamp

Furry Fancy

I'm not quite sure what's been happening with the weather lately, but a cold front seems to have moved in. It's snowing in Calgary and this month has already been dubbed "Snowtember". I thought I was being smart by packing my fall/autumn jackets with me when I came back to Toronto 2 weekends ago, but unfortunately it seems like Mother Nature has other plans. So although I may yet to have any winter jackets to keep me warm, at least I can stay relatively cozy and in style with this furry vest.

Ever had those moments when you look at something and in your head it just clicks that you just "have to have it"? Yeah, it happens to me all the time. I'm pretty sure that it's just a part of the symptoms of being a chronic shoppaholic. Living in Toronto doesn't help either. A month or two ago, I saw the Mise en Dior Tribal Earrings being consigned on Instagram, but passed on them for the sake of remaining strong to my shopping ban. 

Given the opportunity to style a couple of pieces from My Femme Crush, I immediately jumped on this pair of earrings to recreate the Dior look for less. Lesson learnt - never buy on impulse because something better will come along!

Top - Aritzia | Vest - Chicwish | Pants - H&M | Booties - Shoemint | Earrings - c/o My Femme Crush

Neutral Layers

I'm a huge fan of neutrals, and autumn is the best time for me to incorporate them back into my style. Gone are the bright neon colors of the summer and back are the browns, taupes, greys and blacks. After the weekend heat wave we had at the end of August, we were left with a mildly warm end of summer with moments of fall peeking through the early mornings. I opted for a loose knit sweater to stay warm without over heating, and paired it with my favorite pleather pants. To change the texture, I finished the outfit with my suede black boots for a comfortable fit.

Sweater - H&M | Pleather Pants - H&M | Boots - Zara | Watch - Michael Kors | Sunglasses - Dior

Textured Back

Last week we filmed a lookbook at work for a collaboration we did with Amandarachlee. I absolutely fell in love with one of the DIY shirts that she created that I had to shoot the outfit. For how humid the day it was, the open textured back was a godsend. I chose to pair it with a taupe bralette (I try not to wear a real bra when I don't have to) and black capri joggers. Not only did the whole outfit work well, but it was comfortable. Being able to work comfortably is a huge bonus for me as I spend hours of my day in a chair. Yes, that's why I wear flat booties more than heels!

Top - Destination Femme X Amandarachlee | Bralette - Aritzia | Joggers - Zipia | Booties - Shoemint | Watch - Marc by Marc Jacobs | Sunglasses - Dior | Necklace - c/o friend

Buckled Beauty

I've been dying for a pair of leather joggers now (not necessarily one with a cuff on the bottom), so when I came across this pair at H&M for a steal I just had to pick them up! At the moment, I seem to be stuck in a very monochrome rut. Everything that I wear is either black or white. I don't know if it's because of the on coming fall season or just because I've begun to shun away colors as I've gotten older.

Regardles of the fact, I was recently gifted some beautiful jewelry from the lovely ladies over at My Femme Crush and knew that this bracelet would match perfectly with this outfit! If you know me, then you'll know that I'm a huge fan of watches but not so much else in regards to jewelry for the wrist. However, once I saw this studded cuff I knew that it was a match made in heaven!

Top - Forever 21 | Jacket - Zara | Pleather Joggers - H&M | Shoes - Zara | Bracelet - c/o My Femme Crush

Bi-Weekly Round Up

These past two weeks have been a whirlwind of change for me. Although overall it has mostly be rewarding, I would be lying if I didn't admit that there have been some downs. Besides having to quit a job and breaking my Clarisonic, I'd have to say that these few moments really have made my past two weeks into a much better adventure than it all really felt at those particular moments.

Is it weird to say that rolling down a hill in a giant hamster ball has always been on my bucket list? If you want to experience what I did, definitely make sure to check out the Aqua OGO craziness at the Horseshoe Resort in Barrie, ON.

A couple of weekends ago I also finally learnt how to do a properly structured wine tasting. Now I can act pretentious in a restaurant and really know what I'm doing without making a fool of myself! Just kidding.

Last weekend my family and I played a total of 3 rounds of mini putt at completely different courses. Never had I seen my family so competitive yet so excited!

Ending the weekend with an amazing fireworks display over the Niagara Falls is never a let down.

Fun Fact: I used to be deathly afraid of fireworks as a child!

So all of the Winners in Ottawa have apparently been neglected of this fantastic bi-annual event, The Runway. I had my pick of the crop (well not really, we were 3 days post the start of the event), and managed to score myself a beautiful pair of new shoes!

I fully justified my purchase to myself and this definitely was a celebratory shopping trip, so in the end it was all worth it. But I mean seriously, look at all of those goodies! Saint Laurent, Christian Louboutin, I can't believe that these didn't sell out on the first day! Any guesses as to which pair I picked up and which pair I'm dying to go back for?