|Style| Three Ways To Wear It - The Midi Dress

One of my staple pieces for this fall season, is the midi dress.  It’s the perfect combination of length, function and versatility.  Here I’ve styled my dress three ways to carry this one piece from easy basic, to sporty casual, to polished business savvy.  With a few accessory changes and layering this one dress takes on three easy, yet distinct vibes.

dress - Addition Elle | necklace - Stella & Dot | booties - Dollhouse (Winners)

What I love about just throwing on this dress is the simplicity of it.  It’s a great backdrop for creating different looks, but it looks so effortless on it’s own.  Here I paired it with cutout booties and understated accessories.  

sweatshirt - Penningtons | necklace - Aldo Accesories | bag - B-Low The Belt | boots - Addition Elle

Using the dress as a foundation layer, I used a cropped sweatshirt for more a more sporty feel.  It’s gives the illusion of a midi skirt, giving you more than just a dress.  With an oversized slouchy bag, the look stays casual.

vest (modified jacket) - Your Big Sister's Closet | oxford collar harness - TheLeatherCoven | bag - Aldo | ring - Mirror Image | booties - Addition Elle

The sign of a truly versatile dress, is being able to dress it up and pair it down.  By popping on a blazer vest, a great structured bag and a belt, the dress transforms from casual to sophisticated.  Instead of a basic belt, here I opted for this amazing Oxford Collar Harness, by TheLeatherCoven.  It’s a sexy twist on a collared shirt and gives the look an edge.     

|Adventures| Sunday at The Leslieville Flea

As I get older, Sunday’s with the bf have become special.  It’s a great day to see the city, try something new and just take it easy.  Yesterday was the perfect day for just such a chill adventure.  It was a seriously sunny day, but not too hot, with a slight breeze.  We headed out to The Leslieville Flea.  

The Flea was a cute mix of vintage finds, local artisans and adorable friends on four legs.  The bf and I wondered around checking out the different wears, while munching on delicious mini donuts.  I also got to meet Jacob, the most precious Frenchton (Frenchie Boston Terrier mix) puppy!  If you know me well, you know that this is my dream puppy, and I couldn’t resist this little guy for a second!

With Zoë at her booth

The main reason we headed out to my old neighbourhood was to check out Zoe Maire Paper Cutting, by my friend Zoë Racovalis.  Zoë, is a super multi talented lady with a serious love of crafts.  When she told me she was making her selling debut at The Flea I was so excited to come check it out and support her!  Her work is so impressive and a little mind boggling considering she cuts everything out with just her hands and an x-acto knife.  Please check her out.  In a super high tech world, sometimes we loose the appreciation for things made by hand, and creators like Zoë, are keeping that art alive and well.  

We finished the day off by walking along Queen Street East.  I pointed out all my old haunts to the bf, from a life before we were together.  It was a relaxed afternoon.  I wore some of my old fall favourites.  I paired my cropped buffalo plaid jacket with my dark wash Biffi for MXM jeans from my collection with Penningtons (before MXM moved over to Addition Elle).  I topped it off with a really comfortable pair of flats and a simple satchel.

jacket - Le Chateau | t-shirt - Old Navy | jeans - Biffi for MXM | shoes - Topshop | bag and glasses - gifts form Portugal | watch and ring - Aldo Accessories | necklace - Addition Elle

|Style| Sweater Days Are Here Again

Guys...it’s finally happened!  Sweater weather has arrived and it’s glorious!  And while it's still a little warmer in the sun than I want it to be, I'm loving the fact that I can layer and I don’t feel like I’m being suffocated.  One of my favourite things about pre-fall is the mixture of both summer and light fall clothing.  It’s your favourite pieces coming together.

Clear nails and mood rings

In my “it’s finally cool” excitement I did some shopping at Addition Elle’s Customer Appreciation Day (40% off voucher...ah don’t mind if I do!).  Among the pieces, I picked up this super cozy sweater.  I fell in love with the colour and shape right away, but the soft, I’m-basically-wearing-a-portable-snuggle-blanket feel is what made it a must have for me.  

sweater - Addition Elle | t-shirt - Forever 21+ | jeans - Torrid | ring and bag - Aldo | shoes - Topshop | sunglasses - Penningtons

On this lazy Sunday I was headed out with my good friend Melissa, who was in town visiting for a few days. We had a chill day of shopping, nails and Mexican food (at Barrio Coreano, which was ah-mazing!) ahead of us.  I wanted to be ultra comfortable, but still put together.  I paired my sweater with an easy and loose white tee and jeans.  Studded blush flats and a slouchy bag topped off this casual look.

|Events| Body Confidence Canada Awards

On Tuesday September 9th, I was fortunate enough to be invited to the second annual Body Confidence Canada Awards, held at Panorama.  The BCCAs created and run by the amazing Aisha Fairclough and Jill Andrew, of Fat In The City, aims to celebrate “champions of body confidence, positivity and body diversity in Canada”.

With Rachel, owner of PRiMAALA and Ama of Fat Girl Food Squad

The evening was packed with new and old friends, an incredible view of the city and inspiring speeches from guest speakers and the winning nominees.  The winners included Ophilia Alleyne, Jewel Kats, Stefanie Augusteijn and Cindy Baker.  An honourary award was also given to Dr. Carla Rice, one of the esteemed guest speakers.  Each recipient had a moving experience to share, both uplifting and something every woman in attendance could identify with.  A huge congratulations to all the winners. 

I think events like this are so important and they need our support to grow.  If you want to help build this event, please nominate someone that embodies what the BCCAs are all about by heading to the website and nominating someone for 2015.  “Everybody has a story”, and we should celebrate that!

With Aisha and Jill, our hosts for the evening

top - Torrid | skirt - Eloquii | shoes - Addition Elle | necklace - Stella & Dot

|Adventures| Last Days of Summer

Every summer I plan on heading to The Ex for some carnival fun, and every summer something comes up and I miss that small window of CNE opportunity.  Well I may have only gone on the last day of the season, but I went HARD!  

It was a busy day in the city and TTC was not really a girl’s best friend.  When we got to Dufferin Station there was a winding lineup that wrapped back and forth and onto itself for the 511 Exhibition streetcar.  Surprisingly the wait wasn’t horrible and there were only a few angry travelers that voiced their displeasure, loudly.  Once that was over, it took no time to reach the grounds.

The bf and I are not really the biggest ride people (and when I say we aren’t I really mean I’m not).  So instead of spending all our money on rides we spent all our money on food (and a game)!  It’s no shocker that The Ex has an impressive line up of fan favourites every season, and this summer was not about to disappoint.  I did a little research and made a list of all the goodies this baby needed/wanted to sample.  We tried everything from deep fried to seafood and some cold treats to mellow out the heat from a day full of long lines and packed crowds.

The most delicious popsicle I've ever had

Out of all the things I tried today my top favourites were the Lobster Roll (including the coleslaw), from Jake’s Lobster, the Chunky Elvis Grilled Cheese (that’s a grilled cheese with bacon, peanut butter and banana), from Chunky Cheese Café, the French Pear ice pop, from Miami Ice and the Caramilk Crowbar from Hula Girl Coffee.  But keep in mind the Cocoa Infused Chicken bites from Coco’s Fried Chicken, the nibble of pulled pork I had from the bf’s Fry’d, from Pull’d and my Blooming Onion from the Colossal Onion, are all a close second.  

I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was my favourite thing I ate at the EX

A sandwich fit for the king

Chocolate with chicken, who knew?

The bf's Fry'd (Pulled pork on fries)

I did say I went hard.    

The only prize I wanted was this little guy

With the last day of The CNE and the passing of Labour Day, the end of summer is here.  I’m happy to have had one last frolic in the sun, but I’m excited for chilly days and layering.  Fall is almost here!