prairie girl musings

Tag: fashion

  • Life Update and Fall Trends!

    I’ve now been a stylist at Club Monaco for nearly two months, which has been a fantastic experience in itself. I’ve been obsessed with Club Monaco since its humble beginnings in the early 90s. My store, on Queen Street, was actually the very first Club Monaco to open in 1985.

    I am also happy to report that I’ve recently taken on much more freelance work. I am now writing and editing for Nyeus Inc., a digital start-up that crafts websites and multi-media platforms for a variety of companies and organizations. I’m currently working with Dayle Haddon of WomenOne. I’m incredibly fortunate to have this opportunity to do what I love most, write.

    I’m also becoming increasing excited for autumn, my favourite season. There are so many reasons to love fall, and I’ll be compiling a list of my favourite fall activities later today! But first, let’s talk fashion! Spending 25-30 hours a week at one of my favourite stores has enabled me to get a sense of what Toronto’s best-heeled will be wearing this year. Here’s a list of my must-have fall trends (mostly from the Club Monaco collection, of course!) So, without further ado…

    1. Faux fur shrugs.
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    Yes, I said it. I am obsessed with this look because it has just enough volume and texture to an pizzazz otherwise bland outfit. It’ll also take you into the colder months of October and November before we all bust out our Canada Goose/knee-length down jackets here in the Great White North.

    2. Neoprene dresses.
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    A dress or a wetsuit? You either love it or hate and believe me, these have been a point of controversy at Club Monaco Queen Street. But I am a huge fan of this material. For one, it’s high quality, have you ever bought a cheap wetsuit? I lived in the South Pacific and my surfer friends spent a pretty penny on their wetsuits. The shape of the Autumn Dress adds shape to even the boyish of figures. Win!

    3. Leather detailing
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    As they say, the design is in the details. I’m a huge fan of leather, as it adds luxury to simple wardrobe staples like cotton shirts and crewneck sweaters. Club Monaco has incorporated real leather into many of their skirts, dresses, pants and shirts this season, making dressing up a lot more fun! My favourite pieces are the Christine skirt (pictured above), the Janice top, the Cecilia dress (in black), the Witherbee dress, the Gabi varsity jacket and the Kaylan jacket (pictured below in white).

    4. Quilted jackets
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    I predict that quilted jackets (especially when roughened up with a bit of leather detailing) will be all the rage this fall. I have the above coat in navy and I’m in love! I think pairing navy with black is an absolute DO this season, and will provide much-needed versatility in all of our wardrobes.

    What are you most looking forward to wearing this fall?

    xoxo, Vanessa

  • How I Style Overalls (Dungarees)

    In case you haven’t noticed, overalls aren’t just for farmers anymore. Here’s how to style them to look fashion-forward this summer.

    1. Hem (or in my case, roll up) the bottoms to elongate your legs and make yourself look less like a fifth grader.

    2. Accessorize with a cute, standout top or wear something very basic. A shopgirl at one of my favourite boutiques wears hers with a plain white singlet, and looks FABULOUS.

    3. Don’t forget about your shoes! I love overalls with Swedish Hasbeens. They add a certain sophistication to your overall (pun intended) look. Also, your legs should be on display since the rest of your shape will be somewhat compromised.

    4. If your torso is wider like mine, wear your handbag strap across your body.

    5. Although my hair is down in my photo, I love the look of overalls paired with a high bun.

    What do you think of overalls for the summer? Are you into this trend, or is too reminiscent of your elementary-school days? Let me know by leaving a comment!

  • Twenty Reasons I Love Summer (Toronto Edition)

    Twenty Reasons I Love Summer (Toronto Edition)

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    1. Fashion is simple and baring one’s legs is perfectly acceptable.

    2. Pool parties with copious amounts of beverages and floatation devices are a thing.

    3. Havaianas are the closest I can get to walking around barefoot.

    4. I’m allowed to eat as much ice cream as I desire.

    5. Running outside (to counteract said ice cream) is far more pleasant in the (spring, fall and) summer months.

    6. There’s always something going on. Toronto comes ALIVE in the summertime.

    7. I’m allowed to laze by the lake for at least a week, maybe two.

    8. OSHEAGA Music Festival is the place to be during August long. And festival fashion is my kinda fashion.

    9. Exhibitions, fairs, carnivals (whatever you’d like to call ’em) are an excuse to eat mini donuts and candy apples, then scream your lungs out on rides called Vertigo and Gravitron.

    10. Dining outside is a daily occurrence.

    11. Baseball games are an affordable and fun way to spend an afternoon.

    12. The sunsets are breathtaking.

    13. TIFF in the Park is re-inventing and urbanizing the drive-in movie theatre.

    14. BBQs. Need I say more?

    15. It’s the perfect time to wear your favourite Karen Walker sunglasses! Harvest are my personal faves!

    16. Everyone is out and about, making the most of the season.

    17. Road trips are much more pleasant (and safe) in the summertime!

    18. Rooftop patios are a weekly (sometimes thrice weekly) thing.

    19. There’s nothing better than whiling away the afternoon at The Toronto Islands.

    20. Torontonians sport an abundance of amazing, well done tattoos, that are more visible in the summer months.

  • Club Monaco and other news.

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    Hi friends!

    A lot has happened in my life as of late. Rather than lament the negative, I have decided to focus on the overwhelmingly positive aspects of my summer thus far.

    I have recently started a job with Club Monaco, which is one of my favourite companies. I’m working at the original store on Queen Street West that opened in Toronto in 1985. It is literally one block from my apartment, and if you know me, you know this is worth mentioning. I love being within walking distance of everything. Since Club Monaco was purchased by Polo Ralph Lauren, they have adopted a much trendier, cutting-edge aesthetic. My older sister, Stephanie was an avid Club Monaco customer since she was five (I’m partially kidding) and through her, I kept up with the company. I fell in love with their visual displays and digital platforms. Their website is spectacular as are their Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter accounts. Their clothes suit the business/professional lifestyle that I will one day attain!

    In other news, I will be attending Osheaga music festival in Montréal again this year! I am beyond thrilled to check out my favourite artists in one of my favourite cities. My sister, Natalie will be joining me and we’ll be meeting up with other friends as well.

    I was also able to spend nearly two weeks at home in Saskatchewan with my immediate and extended family. The circumstances that brought us together were less than ideal, but I’ll cherish these moments regardless. I’ve always been close to my family and these past two weeks have magnified these feelings of gratitude. I am truly blessed to have an abundance of relatives who care about my wellbeing.

    I have a few more exciting things to tell you, but I’ll wait until next time!

    Until then,
    Vanessa

  • Style Influences

    Style Influences

    Moving to Canada, Toronto in particular, has undoubtedly impacted my sense of style. Whether it was the continent hopping or simply transitioning from full-time student to full-time intern, I’ve been forced to relinquish my ‘homeless-chic’ fashion sense (a term so lovingly coined by my dear friend, Adrian.)

    The study of style has always been of interest to me. How we evolve over time and accumulate new life experiences certainly impacts our sense of style. I appreciate the various social media platforms at our disposal. They enable us to so easily chronicle our daily lives in such a visual and powerful way.

    My sense of style has certainly evolved since high school. Whilst in New Zealand, I was obsessed with the quirky, tongue-in-cheek designs of Karen Walker, Ruby and Huffer (more on Huffer later…) eventually embracing the more streamlined looks of Moochi, Country Road and Zambesi. Like most Aucklanders, I wore a lot of black and adopted a minimalistic approach to hair and makeup. I love how my New Zealander friends and classmates mix high fashion with consignment steals and messy hair. Their “I’ll be damned” attitude is conveyed in everything they do and wear, as if they had just spent their noon hour having a dip in the Pacific.

    However, working in an office environment, many of my favourite garments have been stashed away at my parents’ home in Saskatchewan, waiting for the next road trip or indie music festival. Lately, I’m finding my style veers towards the preppier, buttoned-up looks of J.Crew and Kate Spade. Club Monaco is another old standard that can do no wrong in my eyes.

    Who influences your sense of style? Or rather who influences your style? Is it your present geographic region? The current trends in your part of the world? Is it a combination of your travel experiences and the cities you’ve visited? Surely you are influenced by the climate and your friends, but what else drives the way you present yourself to the world every day?

    For me, my style is an accumulation of all my experiences. From growing up in rural Saskatchewan to travelling to Europe for the first time to completing my BA in the Southern Hemisphere, and everything in between. Here are some of my favourite outfits over the past few years:

    xoxo, Vanessa

  • Summer Fashion Trends

    Summer Fashion Trends

    I am officially on a shopping ban.

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    You read that correctly. I’ve made a bet with an undisclosed individual that I will not shop for the entire summer, that is until September 2013. Those who know me know how challenging this endeavour will be. However, it has forced me to go through my closet and work with the already abundant selection of garments I have.

    Without further ado, here are my six favourite summertime trends:

    1. Lace. I have a thing for lace, and nothing beats a white-hot lace top with high-waisted denim shorts, or a vibrant pink lace skirt paired with a denim button-down shirt. Bring it on.

    2. Denim shirts. Yes, I am Canadian and yes, I do love denim more than your average bear. It just goes with everything and it is easygoing, unpretentious and casual. I feel as though anyone can wear denim, which I love. I’ll be rocking my denim shirts and denim jackets all summer long.

    3. Basket-weaver sandals. While I’m not sure the official name for these sandals, but I must say I’m in love. Paired with anything from a floral sundress to a striped t-shirt and shorts, basket-weaver sandals are the way to go this summer. I bought a Steve Madden pair (pre-ban) for $30, what a steal!

    4. Dungarees. Okay, so I could call them overalls, but I much prefer the British term, “dungarees” because it’s more fun to say! Socialites all over the globe have made this a must-try summer trend, and I can’t help but love the effortless look.

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    5. Summer sequins. Who can resist a little glitter? Pair a sequin skirt with a white top or sweater in the summertime for a look that takes you from day to night. Keep the rest of your outfit simple and chic to avoid overkill.


    6. Calf-length skirts. Come on, show off a little calf. I love where these skirts hit the leg, they aren’t quite maxi. No time for a pedicure? No problem, just lace up your boots or brogues.

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    xoxo, Vanessa

     

  • New Zealand: My Spiritual Homeland

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    “I want to go places and see people. I want my mind to grow. I want to live where things happen on a big scale.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Ice Palace

    There are endless reasons why I consider New Zealand my spiritual homeland, many of which I’ve overzealously documented in this very blog. And lately, especially in the depths of winter, these reasons have been amplified. It’s gone so far that I’ve had repeated dreams about Auckland. Attending outdoor concerts with my Converse-clad mates, going for hilly, trail runs with my energetic besties, reading and drinking ciders on the North Shore’s beautiful, sandy beaches, and hosting barbecues and bonfires every other night.  What’s truly been lacking from my life, as of late, is the quirky, somewhat off-beat, sense of style I’ve seen throughout the South Pacific – but particularly New Zealand. While Melbourne and Sydney are considered “style capitals,” I’m partial to New Zealand fashion scene. I find the designers more wearable and relatable to my own style ethos.

  • Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but darling you look so delightful!

    Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but darling you look so delightful!

    Here in Toronto, we’ve just experienced our very first snow day of 2013. On Friday morning, I awoke to my own personal snow globe. Outside the large windows of my apartment, our bustling city streets were calmer than I’d ever seen them and covered in glistening powder. My Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook accounts blew up with photos of snow-packed driveways and people cross-country skiing down Queen Street, which is usually jam-packed with streetcars, vehicles, and taxis. #TOsnowstorm and #snowday started trending on Twitter, and it seemed most of us were set to hibernate for the weekend. By Saturday, everything had pretty much calmed down. Sure, Sorel boots and Canada Goose jackets were still necessities for most Torontonians. However, with the city back in action, we were ready to go about our weekend activities. Because being chic in -10 or even -40 (if you’re originally from the Prairies like me) requires great skill, I’ve been gathering inspiration from my favourite blogs, tumblrs and, of course, Pinterest accounts. Here are my favourite ways to layer up during our cold Canadian winters.

  • Intern Nation

    Intern Nation

    One of the best things about completing an internship is actually having articles and clippings to add to one’s portfolio. Having studied English and Writing Studies, I definitely did A LOT of writing in my undergrad days. Unfortunately, (or maybe fortunately?) none of it was published, other than a few self-published portfolios for creative writing and poetry courses. This posed a dilemma when applying for both jobs and graduate programs. Who wants to hire someone who hasn’t had anything published and sends you a copy of their essay entitled, Gothic Fiction in Wuthering Heights for consideration? Luckily, Ottawa Magazine took a chance on me, even after reading my writing samples.

    After two months of travelling, I will tackle another internship – this time in Toronto. During this time I’ll need to plan my next move, and I have a feeling it will involve a bit of freelance work and maybe a few more entrepreneurial ventures. Other than crafting up some unique business cards, continuing to update and promote my blog, and launching a website, what else can I do to ensure I land a job every now and then? Well, without a portfolio, I was at a loss. Now thanks to Ottawa Magazine, I have several print and online articles I can submit to future employers or grad schools I am applying to. I am incredibly thankful for all the opportunities I’ve been given at St. Joseph Media, I couldn’t have asked for a better first internship or better colleagues.

    The November/December issue of Ottawa Magazine came out this Thursday, and I am thrilled that I’ve been able to contribute to such a respected publication. I had such a wonderful time working with the editorial staff and interviewing Rosina Mahlangu of Capital Fashion Consulting. I also picked out some snazzy snowboard gear (from local stores) for those chilly winter months. Check out my articles below:

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    Here are a few more of my articles, which were published on the Ottawa Magazine website:

    SHOP TALK

    SHELF LIFE: A roundup of unique children’s books by local authors and illustrators – Part 1

    SHELF LIFE: A roundup of unique children’s books by local authors and illustrators – Part 2

    SHELF LIFE: A roundup of unique children’s books by local authors and illustrators – Part 3

    SHELF LIFE: A roundup of unique children’s books by local authors and illustrators – Part 4

    TASTE TEST: Two local writers join forces to create the cookbook Fresh & Healthy Cooking For Two

  • Up & Away: In her suitcase

    Up & Away: In her suitcase

    Yesterday was the last day of my internship at Ottawa Magazine and Where Ottawa, which has got me thinking about the next item on my agenda, my mini-trip to New Zealand.

    I’m spending this rainy Saturday cleaning up my apartment and packing my bags for springtime in New Zealand. Here are a few pieces that have inspired me:

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    Something Else Cactus Shorts: Anyone who knows me, knows I’m slightly obsessed with prints. These caught my eye immediately because of their gorgeous material and cute pattern.

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    Insight Del May One-Piece: For those of us who haven’t been hitting the gym quite as hard as we usually do in preparation for summer, have no fear! This gorgeous one-piece doesn’t demand hours of crunches, just pop on a floppy hat, pour yourself some lemonade, (with a spritz of vodka, perhaps?) and lie down with your favourite summer read!

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    Something Else Silk Panel Dress: Nothing screams “summer” like coral. This dress transitions from a day perusing your favourite gallery, to a lunch date with your girls, to an evening at the ballet. I know I’d live in this dress during the summer months.

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    Ruby Rockette Peplum Top: Peplum is a favourite this season, and I love Ruby’s polka dot version. It’s fitted, understated and navy is possibly my favourite colour as of late (other than burgundy, of course!)

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    Funkis: I’m not exactly sure where to purchase these gorgeous wedges made by Swedish designer, Funkis. I’ve been on the hunt for a pair since I spotted them at Tatty’s in February, unfortunately they were a few sizes too small. These are the epitome of cool Swedish style.

    If you can’t get your hands on a pair of Funkis, check out these gorgeous MINT GREEN Kathryn Wilson wedges available at Ruby stores throughout the country:

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    If I had to narrow down my wardrobe to a few items, these would certainly make the cut. Paired with a simple white sundress, you’re ready for whatever events come your way.