Black on Black on Black

On lazy and uninspired mornings, I often reach for an all-black outfit to simplify my decision. Black is completely inconspicuous and can easily be put together to form a complete outfit that's both comfortable yet relatively fashionably acceptable.

I woke up late this morning and wound up feeling ridiculously lazy and with no care as to what I would wear to work. Wearing sweats into work however, was not an option, so I went for the next best possibility - black sweats.

This Lululemon sweater is one of the most comfortable cover-ups that I own, and with a funnel neck collar, I have no need for scarves! I paired the sweater together with a loose tank, as well as my favorite black pleather pants. Playing with different textures made the overall look less "lazy" and a little bit more put together.

I completed the outfit with a pair of thigh-high grey boots which have gone through quite a bit. When I first unearthed them this year, the were covered in salt stains that warranted a good washing. And although I tried to get rid of them, they were so deeply ingrained into the leather that I'm now going to have to find a new pair to replace them. Fortunately the lasted me for almost 4 years, so I got a decent amount of time to wear them thin.

Top - Aritzia | Sweater - Lululemon | Pants - H&M | Boots - Dolce Vita

Let It Snow

If you couldn't tell from the photo, it's snowing! Whic means taking photos just became that much more difficult, but as any dedicated fashion blogger, I'll suffer a couple moments of frigidness just to snap photos of my outfit. Since I'm a sufferer of cold urticaria, so I'm a sucker for large knit scarves, as not only are they soft, but extremely warm as well. One of my biggest pet peeves is a cold collarbone, since it makes my entire body cold to the core, so finding the perfect scarf is always at the top of my winter shopping list. I especially love cashmere anything, so until I find that perfect soft fluffy scarf, I'm still on the hunt!

Sweater - H&M | Denim - Cheap Monday | Scarf - Zipia | Boots - Shoemint

Weekly Round Up

It's been awhile since I've done a proper round up, so I felt that now was the best time as ever to do one. So much has happened this past month that I couldn't help but share!

One of the most exciting things was the release of the Alexander Wang X H&M collaboration. After waiting in line for abour 6 hours, I successfully picked up all of the items that I had on my wish list and some more. It was definitely an experience to sit outdoors overnight, something I didn't quite enjoy, but I met some very fun people in line and would do it again if the next collaboration merits a line-up! I can't wait to find out who H&M collaborates with next.

Events have become my life (for work that is). In one week, I attended almost 4 of them. And while they're tons of fun to go to, the work that goes into production is heavy and many sleepless nights. A couple of the most entertaining ones that I've been to so far were the pre-media launch part for The Rodnick Band X Peanuts collaboration as well as the S/S 2015 Greta Constantine collection. With many long days and tiring nights, it's safe to say that I'm craving some time to myself.

And time to myself can translate to getting my bros down at Spark Sessions! I had a blast networking with brands and meeting so many Toronto bloggers at the conference a few weekends ago. I learned a lot about the blogging industry and walked away with a huge goodie bag with a ton of products hat I can't wait to try. I smell some fun giveaways coming up soon!

I got my brows done at the Benefit brow bar, and they used the Gimme Brow in medium/deep, which turned out amazing! Apparently this brow gel has fibres that adhere to your skin as opposed to your brows in order to fill in the sparse areas and to create the illusion of a thicker brow. If there's anything that I need, it's definitely thicker brows. I'm loving the strong brow game that Cara Delevigne's got and if I can get a product to mimic that, golden stars to it!

Luckily we were each given a sample of Gimme Brow in our goodie bags, however I wound up with the light/medium, so I'm going to have to run to Sephora in order to pick up the right shade.

I also wanted a new shade of polish on my nails when I was at a CND booth at The Frocktail Party, however I forgot that I had a gel top coat on one of my hands so the technician was unable to remove the lacquer. Fortunately for the fingers that had polish removed, she was able to replicate the design that I had originally used, so everything was fine and dandy. How have you guys spent the past few weeks?

Knits & Silk

I've officially said goodbye to my summer clothes and have begun taking out all of my heavy knits and leather pieces in anticipation of the harsh winter to come. Two of the pieces that I'm wearing today were picked up at the OAK + FORT warehouse sale the occurred a couple weeks back.

I'd arrived at the sale on the first day and late in the afternoon when I had assumed most people would hopefully have already ransacked the store leaving it relatively empty to my picking. Unforunately that was not the case. I did pick through the measly offerings left on the tables, but the lineup to pay spanned approximately 20 minutes on its own. Fortunately enough I found several pieces that stood out to me (most in the right size) and then played the typical Instagram game while waiting in line.

Top - OAK + FORT | Cardigan - OAK + FORT | Leggings - Dynamite | Boots - Shoemint

Sweats & Such

I fully took advantage of the breezy weather before the snow started falling this year. These taupe cotton joggers that I purchased at the OAK + FORT warehouse sale a couple of weeks back truly are the most comfortable pants that I own. Okay, not out of all the pants that I own, but at least the ones that are appropriate to be worn out in public. Although these joggers are fairly slim-fitted, I accidenally bought the wrong size (M as opposed to XS) and the length didn't match my height. I had to roll the hem up a couple of times in order for this whole look to come together.

I decided to keep the overall color palette fairly neutral, and it appears to also be an ombre from the head-to-toe. Playing with different fabrics such as lace and silk as well as leather in order to add texture into an otherwise vanilla outfit. 50 shades of grey anyone?

Shirt - Aritzia | Blazer - Dynamite | Joggers - OAK + FORT | Booties - Shoemint

November Lust Listt

It's that time of the year again, when besides staying warm, I want everything festive. Red isn't often a color that I find in my everyday routine, but as the days get closer and closer to Christmas, I find that the color makes its way into my life. Sometimes in the most inconspicuous of ways.

1. Zipped Bouclé Coat (Zara) - $129.00
   A big duster coat is must for me. Purely out of comfort, functionality and a little because of trend as well. Lose and boxier fits are very much in the now and I love how well a duster coat pairs with a pair of slacks and oxfords. Albeit I'd probably be wearing granny socks to cover up that sliver of skin between the cuffs of my pants and my shoes.
   
2. Scalloped Edge Glass Candle (Chapters) - $23.00
   I absolutely love Voluspa Candles and can't get over how purely scented they are. I recently ran into some trouble with one that I had purchased from Chapters, and that the wick burnt out after I had only burnt the wax down a half of a centimeter. The lovely cashier at my local Chapters willingly allowed me to exchange it for a new one with no questions asked, and now I can continue to burn one of my all-time favorite scents!
   
3. Gone Girl (Chapters) - $8.50
   I've been wanting to read this thriller novel ever since I heard about it from Youtube and being available on Audible. Now that it's a major motion picture (I'm a huge proponent of reading novels before watching films), I want to read it all that much more. For any of my readers that have both read the book and watched the movie, which one was better?
   
4. Studded Cuff Mug (Starbucks) - $11.95
   Because coffee wakes me up in the morning and gets me going. Coffee mugs shouldn't be boring! I love the studded detail on the base of this ceramic mug as well as the giant gold dot on the centre. I'm tempted to Sharpie in my favorite Starbucks order.
   
5. Stag Bottle Stopper (Shopbop) - $24.00
   I've recently gotten into drinking wines, and obviously my bottles aren't going to get demolished in one sitting (okay maybe sometimes). So I need something to seal it. If I'm going to get a stopper, I might as well go all out with this adorably looking stag one.
   
6. Glitter Ankle Boots (Zara) - $99.90
   Why? Ask why not. These are the perfect nod to the red slippers Dorothy wore in The Wizard of Oz, but with a slightly edgy twist.
   
7. Essie Winter 2014 Jiggle Hi Jiggle Low (Essie) - $10.00/each
   If you're a long time reader of my blog then you'll understand how much of an Essie freak I can be. With self-levelling formulas and amazing cremes that go on opaque within 2 coats, how much more can you ask for? Well, I could ask for their gel line, except that it's only available in salons. Oh well, a girl can dream right?
   
8. Color Sensational® Creamy Mattes In Craving Coral (Maybelline) - $8.00
   I picked up this lovely red shade while backstage at the Maybelline Studios of WMCFW15 and can't seem to put it down. I've heard that finding the perfect red lippie is quite the adventure, but before this one, I was never yet on the hunt. Since finding this one, I think it's safe to say that I'll never have to experience the trials and tribulations of struggling for the perfect red lippie.
   
9. HÅRTE (IKEA) - $14.99
   The overhead light in my room isn't quite luminous enough to brighten up my work space, so I've been looking for minimal desktop lighting options that allow me to maximize my workspace as opposed to sacrificing it for a lamp. The thin base as well as the flexible head make this LED desk lamp extremely easy to set and readjust to suit my needs while only taking up a small portion of my work space.
   
10. The Classic in Rose Gold/Grey Leather (The Horse) - $186.70
    I've long been a fan of the Australian timepiece brand The Horse and have admired their clean and simple aesthetic. With the release of their new Classic collection, I couldn't help but fall in love with some of their pieces again. I've been on the search for a light colored watch and something with a leather strap since all three of the ones that I currently own are links. Anyone up for sending a Christmas gift my way?
    
11. Silver Street Bottle Opener (Chapters) - $30.00
    I don't drink beers, but P and many of my friends do, and I'm often stuck prying open bottles with a towel. This would also make a nice addition to my barcart (the one that I dream that I own in my head). 

What lust-worthy items have made it onto your list for this month?

Bundled Up

For a couple of weeks, it was weirdly chilly in the morning only to be warm in the afternoon. The weather just had you wanting to covering every party of your body to avoid being cold but any thick layering just left you feeling hot and sweaty. Did anyone else feel like that or am I just crazy?

I've recently gotten back into burning candles and picked up a couple from Bath & Body Works right before they released their winter collection. Which is what I was actually anticipating because I would die for their Twisted Peppermint scent. It gives me the satisfaction of eating candy canes without having to actually eat them. Perfect right?

I also just started to burn my Mokara candle from Voluspa and was thoroughly not impressed. I'd heard a lot of good things about Voluspa, but about half a centimetre into burnig the candle, the wick burnt out and left me with a glass jar filled to about 90% of candle wax sitting left over. I absolutely love this scent, so it pains me even more that I can't burn it now. If anyone has any ideas as to how I can relight the wick please let me know!

Photo courtesy of FLARE

I was also snapped again during WMCFW15 for street style by FLARE! It's a complete honor to be listed among other fashionable personalities that attended fashion week and I hope to be there again in a couple of months for the next season.

Dress - Joe Fresh | Cardigan - OAK + FORT | Leggings - Dynamite | Boots - Shoemint

WANG

You didn't think that I only picked up one piece from the Alexander Wang x H&M collection did you? Of course not! I'm a huge sucker for T-shirt dresses so this unisex piece was an absolute must. I already have a grey cotton T-shirt dress, but another one never hurts. The style of this one was a little bit more sporty which paired really well with my OTK suede boots. Usually I reserve these boots for my nights of debauchery in the winter, but this time it workd well for an outfit to work. Surprising right?

Thanks to my buddy Slice of Cyn for picking up a couple of the Wang pieces for me at a media preview for bloggers! Definitely made my life easier when I was stressing out trying to figure out which pieces I would be able to get!

Top - Alexander Wang x H&M | Boots - Zipia

Alexander Wang x H&M

Yes I jumped onto the Alexander Wang x H&M bandwagon, but seriously though, how could I not? A bandeau bra that Herve Leger would be proud of and a series of other banded garments, I'm in love. I didn't quite pick up as many pieces as I had hoped, and quite a few of the pieces that I purchased actually didn't quite fit me the way that I wanted them to. But nonetheless I waited outside overnight for a couple of hours to get my hands on a few coveted pieces and I'm proud to say that I'm ecstatic.

What's even better is when you already own something similar to the pieces released in the collection (hello leather joggers) and can easily recreate some of the looks for less. And I'm talking about seriously less here. These joggers costed me a fraction (one tenth) of what the actual full-on leather pants designed by Alexander Wang were going for. 

The day after the release, I went back into the store to see what pieces were left lying around, and only the full-on leather designs were still on the racks. Okay, your typical H&M shopper isn't going to be spending $400 on a single jacket or pair of pants, so that's understandable. But from other outfits that I've seen so far, bloggers are loving the style and I'm glad to have copped myself a look-a-like pair awhile back in order to pair it together with this beautiful bandeau.

Top - Alexander Wang x H&M | Blazer - Dynamite | Bottoms - H&M | Booties - Shoemint

A Happy Birthday

I'm a sucker for these booties and was definitely not anticipating the amount of wear that I'd get out of them when they were purchased. If you've ever had that favorite pair of something that you just wear to death and dread having to replace them sometime along the way, then you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. This pair has absolutely been used and abused, but I just can't stop! Taking it to the next level, I paired them up with one of my favorite thigh-high's in order to bare some skin and rock a skirt in October.

Since moving to Toronto, I've missed out on quite a few of my friends' birthdays, and miss getting together with them. I was ecstatic when my friend told me that she would be in town that weekend and wanted to celebrate her birthday with a few of her other friends as I would finally be able to do again what I missed.

When you move, life is different. You get to try so many new things, but at the same time your friend circle shrinks. You don't have as many buddies that can be called up at 2 AM to hang out, or as many friends to go on splurge shopping sprees. So although I can for sure say that I'm loving my new life in Toronto, I miss my close-knit group of friends back in Ottawa.

Tee - c/o WMCFW | Skirt - H&M | Stockings - Hudson's Bay | Scarf - Alexander McQueen | Booties - Shoemint

A Silk Happenance

I love silk, have I ever mentioned that it's one of my favorite textiles to play with? Not only does it feel amazing on the skin, but it's so effortlessly feminine. I know that this dress doesn't exactly screem girly, but I definitely felt that way today. A simple collar can take any dress and both elevate and casulize (is that even a word?) it. Today I went for more of an effortless look by throwing on a knit cardigan and my favorite booties - which I'm sure you're all sick of seeing by now. But they literally go with everything and I don't have another pair that's as perfect as these!

The versatility of this dress was what originally attracted me to it. I could easily throw on top a crew-neck sweater and have the collar pop out for a preppier vibe, or layer on a full-bodied midi-skirt to feminize the look. Whatever the outfit, I know that this dress will take me far and is most likely going to make it's mark as one of the staple pieces in my closet.

Dress - J. Crew | Cardigan - Brandy Melville | Booties - Shoemint

Floral & Lace

After an entire summer of searching, I finally landed on the perfect pair of silk lace shorts. This beautiful olive pair from H&M didn't quite come in my size, but by going a size up, I was able to wear them as a pir of high waist shorts. The extra baggage didn't quite ruin the look either, so it was a definite go when I was deciding whether or not to purchase them. I'm also glad that there's extra material so that I don't quite feel as naked in these shorts as I feel since they're so sheer!

Bralette - Garage | Blouse - c/o friend | Shorts - H&M | Shoes - Target