Vancouver Vogue's Year in Review

It's funny, I didn't feel like all that much happened this year, but as I went through all my blog photos from the last year, it reminded me of so many things that happened in 2015! 

A recap of some of the cool things Vancouver Vogue was a part of this year:

• Collaborating with Value Village (a dream for this thrifter!)
• Spring & Valentine's Photoshoot with Style By Fire
• Pink Shirt Day t-shirt campaign with London Drugs
• Vancouver Vogue hit 1k on Instagram!
• Collaborating with Nobis & Grey, Thirdlove, eShakti, Kassinka, Mogo Financial and more!
• Vancouver Vogue was featured in Fashion Magazine's street style coverage
• We covered Vancouver Fashion Week, Eco Fashion Week, the Vancouver International Film Festival, the Leo Awards, the London Drugs Beauty Event, all kinds of other events in 2015
• Our first blogger clothing sale success
• First time attending Diner en Blanc

Turns out, it's been a pretty exciting year after all! Here were the top Instagram snaps from this year:

And if you're feeling like taking a trip down #tbt lane, here are all the Vancouver Vogue looks from 2015! Some of my absolute favourites? My New Year's collab with Value Village (the leopard pants), that gorgeous pink maxi skirt from Kassinka, and my plunging white gown worn at VFW. Oh, and hey suddenly my hair cut a huge cut part way through the year! Absolutely loving it.

Happy Styling in 2016! xo

~ Britta

New Year's Eve Outfit Inspiration

The New Year's is almost here, and as great as 2015 has been, I'm excited to start a whole new year fresh! I haven't thought all that much about resolutions yet, but I'm just ready to get a jump on all 2016 has to offer.

Twice a year, Christmas and New Year's, I get to pull out all of my sequin pieces, brush off the dust, and give them some TLC in the form of holiday outfits. As if sequin sweaters, shirts and pants weren't aplenty in my closet, I just couldn't say to no to this fabulous sequin skirt I spotted at Simons last week. It's great quality, made of a nice heavy knit, and not only that, but it was only $29.95! Now that's a deal Vancouver Vogue can get behind. I actually was really impressed overall by the new Simons at Park Royal in North Vancouver- it is definitely going to be my new go-to for affordable on-trend pieces.

We're planning a casual New Year's get together with close friends, so rather than a cocktail dress, I thought this skirt paired with a cashmere sweater and kitten heels would be a better fit for the evening. Cozy but festive! And of course, a few wonderfully sparkly accessories from Nobis and Grey don't hurt either.

Happy New Year!

Coat - Private Label Bonwit Teller | Sweater - Neiman Marcus (thrifted via Salvation Army) | Earrings - Nobis & Grey | Necklace - Nobis & Grey | Ring - Nobis & Grey | Skirt - Twik (via Simons) | Heels - thrifted via Value Village

Happy Styling! xo

~ Britta

Happy Thriftmas! Last Minute Christmas Gift Idea

Oh, where did the time go?? I was just racing around today getting the last of my Christmas shopping done - phew - and now it's time to get the wrapping done in time for Christmas Eve!

I wanted to find a unique way to wrap up the wine bottles for our wine & beer exchange, so I dusted off this link I pinned a couple of years ago to create some knit wine bags with thrifted sweaters! I found three perfect ivory cable knit sweaters at Value Village (and also happened to pick out a wonderful Ugly Christmas Sweater while I was there). If you want to see how to make these adorable "wine cozies" yourself, you can check out That's What Che Said for the tutorial that inspired this little project, or follow along below!

Above: the three knit sweaters I thrifted from Value Village

Step 1: Cut off the sleeve of the sweater. 12 inches will fit a traditional wine bottle perfectly!

Step 2: Turn the sweater sleeve inside out, and trace around the bottom of the bottle. Leave a centimetre or so around the bottle.

Step 4: Cut out along the line you drew

Step 5: Sew the circle patch to the bottom of the sweater sleeve. And that's it! You're all done. Just tie a ribbon around the top for a festive touch. I think they're just adorable!

And couldn't forget the ugly Christmas sweater: not bad at all for 5 bucks. I feel like I belong in an 80's ski chalet haha!

Happy Holiday Styling! xo

~ Britta

Holiday Outfit Inspiration: Thriftmas

When on the hunt for an outfit to wear for Christmas eve this year, of course my first stop was the thrift store! I popped into Value Village on their 50% off day last month to start searching, and I actually came across the full skirt you see below in emerald and the exact same skirt in black! Both for $5 each! I definitely did a little happy dance in the store.

And for those who aren't big fans of wearing heels, I have great news for you, there are so many ways to look dressed up during the holidays while wearing flats! I'm starting to think these sparkly smoking slippers from Sole Society go with absolutely anything. If you haven't seen my more casual holiday look featuring the same flats, you can check it out here.

I've finally begun to accept that a lot of people these days don't want to get all dressed up, even for the holidays. But if you're like me, and full skirts and sparkly shoes are your thing, don't worry what everybody else is doing! Wear what makes you feel festive and confident!

Shirt - One Clothing (via Winners) | Skirt - (thrifted via Value Village) | Necklace - Olive + Piper | Earrings - Nobis & Grey | Shoes - Sole Society

Happy Holiday Styling! xo

~ Britta

Holiday Outfit Inspiration: Glam Casual

The weather and daylight have been my biggest adversaries lately. It's only remotely bright out until 3pm, and even then, it's so cloudy and rainy that it's been nearly impossible to shoot decent outfit photos. A nice, bright crisp winter day would be highly appreciated!!

Ignoring the lack lustre weather, I am so excited for the holiday party season- finally a chance to wear copious amounts of sequins and pretty outfits! This year, I thought I'd share with you two very different looks: the first of which is a more casual - yet still glam - outfit, that is easily appropriate for a work party or more casual group holiday get-together.

The key here? It's all in the shoes! I found this eye-catching pair of silver smoking slippers on Sole Society, and just had to have them in my life. Amazingly enough, when they arrived, they were even better than I could have imagined. They're the perfect way to glam up an otherwise casual outfit. Pairing it with trousers keeps the look polished, but the sheer blouse makes it more evening-appropriate.

Keep your eyes peeled next week for an even bolder, more glamorous holiday look!

Outfit: Shirt - Joe Fresh (thrifted via Value Village) | Pants - Zara (thrifted via Value Village) | Necklace - Olive + Piper | Earrings - Birks | Shoes - Sole Society

Makeup: Lips - Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick in Petunia (via London Drugs) | Nails - Essie in Jiggle Hi Jiggle Lo

Happy Holiday Styling! xo

~ Britta

Holiday Gift Guide: Trendy Gifts for Him

We're just a couple of weeks out from Christmas now, so if you haven't started checking names off your shopping list, it's probably time to get started! If you're strapped for time, all I can say is your best bet is to head to Chapters. I mean, to be honest, I can pretty much compile my own Christmas wishlist completely of gifts just from Chapters. I just can't get enough of everything from their home décor to stationary and fashion accessories.

Even when looking for gifts for dad, brother and boyfriend, there's always the coolest, trendiest gift ideas - I love perusing all the new cocktail sets, tech gear, and everything in between. So for anyone wondering what they can possibly get for the guy in their life, here are some of my favourite gift ideas from Chapters (and let's be honest, you'll probably want to borrow most of them for yourself too!).

1. Super Soft Men's Buffalo Check Scarf

2. Metal Mini Cocktail Shakers

3. Gentlemen's Hardware Shoe Shine Kit

4. Marshall Acton Wireless Bluetooth Digital Speaker

5. Silicone Ice Ball Moulds

6. Make a Toast Beer Glasses

7. S'well Birchwood Water Bottle

8. Reveal Nara Wooden Folio for iPhone 6/6s

9. Deluxe Scratch Map

10. Eggnog Pancake & Waffle Mix (in-store only)

Happy Holiday Styling! xo

~ Britta

Treat Yourself Gift Guide

I'm definitely guilty of shopping for myself a little while also shopping for Christmas gifts for others...are you too? Please tell me I'm not the only one! It's probably because I thrift shop most of the year, so when I suddenly find myself in the mall for once, I have a tendency to get sidetracked by all the new goodies.

So I figured I'd have some fun with the idea this year and create a 'Treat Yourself' gift guide for the holidays! I was recently introduced to the online shopping site Spring, and happily got lost for hours in the amazing assortment of unique gift ideas: makeup, skincare, candles, clothing, accessories, and plenty more. My favourite of them all has to be the You Had Me at Merlot sweater - who doesn't need this in their life?? What would be on your 'Treat Yourself' wishlist?

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11

Happy Holiday Styling! xo

~ Britta