Look of the Week: Plaid & Bows

And the plaid obsession continues...I can't help it, I tell you! Especially when there are bow involved too. I am helpless to bows and plaid.

I found this adorable dress from online shop Chicwish, which I had never purchased from before, but when I saw this dress, I just had to have it! I couldn't believe that it literally arrived 5 days after I purchased it (with regular, free shipping, might I add!). And the quality? SO pleasantly surprised! I can pretty much wear this out as a coat, the fabric is so nice and thick.

PS. Did you notice the new 'do? I finally bit the bullet and had April from Is. Salon in Yaletown chop off a solid 8 inches of my hair so I could finally try out the the ever-popular lob (long bob) hairstyle. I must say, I am totally loving it! So much easier to take care of, and I can't wait to give the beachy wanves look a try.

Outfit: Dress - Chicwish | Purse - JustFab Queenly | Boots - Miss Smart | Earrings - Forever 21

Makeup: Eyeliner - Lise Watier Feline | Lipstick - L'Oreal Colour Riche in British Red | Nails - Revlon Gel Envy in High Stakes

Happy Styling! xo

~Britta

Valentine's Day: Love Yourself!

I am sooo excited to share with you my Valentine's collaboration with Miranda Sam & Aurora Chan of Style By Fire and Samantha Sito of OTISamantha! We took a slightly different approach to the usual 'be with the one you love' Valentine's Day theme this year, and instead opted for a stronger more individualistic theme: love yourself!

It's often assumed that those who dress up (and dress well) are doing so to impress others. But, I personally find that I dress for myself: the way I choose to dress gives me confidence, and that's what makes me want to dress up more! So this Valentine's Day, wear what makes you confident, and embrace that confidence! Loving yourself is all about feeling comfortable in your own skin...and in this case, in whatever fashionable outfit you're wearing ;)

So speaking of confidence, can we take a minute to talk about how amazing these ladies you see below are?? Not only do we look like one badass group of fashionistas, but they are totally hilarious and an absolute joy to be around. They're also the kind of people to do a McDonalds run mid-shoot for chicken mcnuggets to satiate our constant hunger. These are the kind of people I like to surround myself with. Real, down-to-earth, and incredibly talented. They're go-go-go all the time, and all have day jobs in addition to running their own online publications.

We chose to go for a dark, sultry look with red accents for the shoot: a departure from the usual 'sweetness' associated with Valentine's Day. Red lipstick is my go-to usually, although I'm more of a matte lipstick kind of girl, but after seeing these photos with all of us and our glossed up lips, I think it's time to add some more gloss to my makeup collection! We used L'Oreal's Colour Rich Le Gloss in Naturally Nude, and I've got to say, it definitely makes an outstanding pout.

I'll have some individual shots from this shoot coming soon, so stay tuned! I hope you all have a fabulous Valentine's Day, and celebrate love in whatever way makes you the happiest :)

Photos by Aparte Photography

My outfit (centre): Dress- Asos | Necklace - Nobis & Grey | Heels - Call It Spring (thrifted)

Aurora's outfit (centre, front) : Dress - Christine Lingerie | Necklace & Earrings - Front & Company | Heels - Aldo

Samantha's outfit (left): Dress - Nastygal | Heels - Aldo

Miranda's outfit (right): Dress - Zac Posen x Target | Necklace - Nobis & Grey | Heels - Aldo

Happy Styling! xo

~Britta

Thrifty Thursday

More fun new stuff to add to the closet this week!

Who doesn't love bows? Don't they make everything better? This super cute top is completely work appropriate, but looks chic and fashionable when styled with fitted dress pants and some fun flats.

Store: Salvation Army
Brand: Jacob
Store Section: Short Sleeve Blouse
What I Paid: $6.99
What it Costs New: ?


I wasn't able to find anything out about this brand, nor why the belt says Gucci, but I really love the cut of this dress! This will totally make a fashionable work dress, especially with a bright pullover sweater over top.

Store: Value Village
Brand: Alberto Gabbana Italy
Store Section: Dresses
What I Paid: $17.99
What it Costs New: ?


You know how your mother always told you to wait for it to go on sale? Well, how about waiting for it to show up in Value Village?? I wanted this purse when I first saw it in Aldo, but ultimately never purchased it. Then, lo and behold, I find the exact purse in Value Village for a real steal! What a win.

Store: Value Village
Brand: Aldo
Store Section: Purses
What I Paid: $14.99
What it Costs New: ~ 30


Happy Styling! xo

~Britta

Nebulous Beauty Event

As I've become much more involved with beauty in the past year, I love it now when fashion and beauty come together at events like this! The Nebulous Beauty event, hosted by Black2Blond, La Biosthetique Canada, and Eco Fashion Week, featured live haircuts by Black2Blond hairstylists Sara Burke and Dylan Beatch and a fashion show styled by Sarah D'Arcey.

There was definitely some serious hairstyling skills being showcased on the stage, and when both hairstyles were complete, Burke and Beatch took off the covers to reveal both models' stunning dresses, both styled by Sarah D'Arcey. It was amazing how well each hairstyle paired with their respective dress. The modern bob looked gorgeous with the open-back Ecote dress, and the retro-inspired 'do was a perfect fit for Evan DuCharme's Coco Silk Evening Gown.

Stylist Sarah D'Arcey gave me a quick peek into the inspiration behind the Nebulous Beauty runway show:

"I went looking for garments that were interesting and spoke to me in the form of shape, texture and colour. I love Value Village to find pieces that are interesting and are (or look) high end. I like working with all the pieces to tell a story as a collection. While each look is different, they all build off each other to create this vision of nebulous beauty. I sourced items for well over a month for this project. I really wanted to present a curated collection with the use of tulle, lace and fabrics that were two dimensional," explained D'Arcey. "I really love using Evan Ducharme's pieces because they are so well constructed and capture every detail. The Cordelia gown is one of my favorite pieces he has done and it really highlighted this fashion story."

I was thrilled to hear that Sara had thrifted a good portion of the outfits, as I'm a huge fan of thrifting myself (in case you didn't already know!). She did a fabulous job of creating a continuous theme amongst the looks, and matching them to the edgy hairstyles by Sara Burke and Dylan Beatch. 

Sara Burke & Dylan Beatch of Black2Blond demonstrating two live haircuts on modela Anya (left) and Devin (right)!

Fashions from left to right, styled by stylist Sara D'Arcey:

H&M top and David Dixon skirt, Topshop, Value Village, Lord & Taylor

Fashions from left to right, styled by stylist Sara D'Arcey:

Lavin for H&M, Evan DuCharme, H&M peplum, H&M skirt

Fashions from left to right, styled by stylist Sara D'Arcey:

Evan DuCharme, Ecote, H&M

In love with these 2 hairstyles!

With Fashion Blogger Rosalia of Style Love - Photo by Santiago Firero

With Fashion Blogger Rosalia of Style Love - Photo by Santiago Firero

Jacket - Judith & Charles (thrifted) | Hat - Aldo | Necklace - Olive + Piper | Shirt - H&M (thrifted) | Jeans - Urban Planet | Purse - JustFab | Heels - Jessica Simpson (thrifted)

Happy Styling! xo

~Britta

Look of the Week: Valentine's Day Outfit

Ah yes, Valentine's Day is almost here! I know a lot of people aren't super crazy about V-day, but I must say, as a lover of chocolates, sweets, and roses, I think it's a great excuse to indulge. That and it's always fun to play around with looks that revolve around pink, red, black and lace.

This is definitely my 'sweet' Valentine's Day outfit: probably best for a slightly more casual dinner date (maybe for a mid-range restaurant), or even better, for a Valentine's party. Pink is usually a lot less sultry than red, so it tones down the black lace dress nicely. And what sweet outfit wouldn't be completed with some bows?? I know shoe clips are something that haven't been in style for a long time, but I think they make a cute addition to my thrifted Vince Camuto pumps.

Stay tuned this week, because I have a very exciting Valentine's Day collaboration with Style By Fire and Samantha Sito coming up! If you're looking for some sexier Valentine's Day inspiration, you'll want to check that out once it's live!

Blazer - Mustard Seed (via Tobi) | Dress - Betsey Johnson (thrifted) | Purse - Aldo (thrifted) | Heels - Vince Camuto (thrifted) | Shoe Clips - H&M | Earrings - Nobis & Grey | Necklace - Nobis & Grey

Happy Styling! xo

~Britta

Stop Bullying in Style: Pink Shirt Day 2015

Why so much pink this week, you ask? Pink Shirt Day is coming up February 25th, and I'm joining the cause along with other fashion bloggers to start a style revolution to stand up together against bullying!

Pink Shirt Day was started by 2 teenage boys from Nova Scotia, who sympathized with a Grade 9 boy who was being bullied for wearing pink. They protested at their high school by having their fellow students wear pink, and the idea is now supported not only by schools across the country, but people of all ages.

Kids, teens, adults and fashionistas alike can purchase the official Pink Shirt Day t-shirts (like the one I'm wearing) in support of the national Pink Shirt Day campaign, and raise awareness against bullying. I hope you all join the cause and show your support by wearing your own official Pink Shirt Day t-shirt, which you can find exclusively at London Drugs. Net proceeds of the t-shirts go to the CKNW Orphan's Fund in support of Boys and Girls Clubs Anti-Bullying Programs!

You all know I'm a big fan of statement pieces, and I think this t-shirt definitely qualifies! I pulled out every accessory and pink item I had in my closet, right down to my pink bow shoe clips, and styled it all together to help make the t-shirt's message loud and clear: 'this pink shirt says ENOUGH!' And never forget that confidence is your best accessory!

Wear your Pink Shirt Day t-shirt on February 25th and stop bullying in style. Tweet and Instagram your photos using the hashtags #pinkshirtday #PSD2015 and don't forget to let your followers know they can get their own official PSD t-shirt exlusively @londondrugs!

Outfit: Blazer - Mustard Seed (via Tobi) | Earrings - Nobis & Grey | Shirt - London Drugs | Jeans - American Eagle (thrifted) | Heels - Zara (thrifted) | Shoe Clips - H&M

Makeup: Lips - NYX Matte Lipstick in Shocking Pink, Covergirl Colorlicious Gloss in Fruitylicious

Happy Styling! xo

~ Britta

Thrifty Thursday

Black never goes out of style! This week, I wanted to show you a few of my favourite thrifted outfit pieces I've found in the ever-classic colour black:

My eyes are drawn to pretty much anything with polka dots, so no wonder I picked out this skirt. What I really loved about this skirt though, is the shorter skirt lining: it makes the polka dots stand out even more! And it's right on trend. I recently wore this to the JCI Institute's Grad Fashion Show.

Store: Salvation Army
Brand: H&M Divided
Store Section: Skirts
What I Paid: $5.99
What it Costs New: ?

Leather (and faux leather) has made a real comeback in the last year, and I'm a huge fan of the styles with leather panelling and detailing (like this skirt)! I pretty much makes any style just a little more badass.

Store: Value Village
Brand: Valia
Store Section: Skirts
What I Paid: $5.49
What it Costs New: ?


And here is a perfect example of another thing that always catches my eye in the thrift store: bows! I can totally see this dress worn with some classic pearls for a 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' sort of feel.

Store: Value Village
Brand: Love...ady
Store Section: Dresses
What I Paid: $17.99
What it Costs New: ~ $130


Happy Styling! xo

~Britta