|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!

|Preview| Addition Elle Holiday Preview

Back in July I was invited to check out the new holiday collection from Addition Elle.  Holiday, as you can guess, offers richer fabrics, a bit of sparkle and a darker colour palette.  And even though there are things we expect, it was refreshing to see the twists and risks AE has made for the season. 

The trio of manikins painted a sophisticated picture for the party season.  There was a strong play of fabrications and textures.  Also by playing off the popularity of this seasons’ crop tops and bringing a new silhouette with the midi skirt combo, new life is brought to a print on print look.  Expect fringe, fur and shimmer to take center focus.  

Obsessed with this beaded vest

Sophisticated details like pleats are strong for holiday

The clothing showcased ranged from day, evening, lingerie and activewear.  While the colour palette was primarily rich blacks with hints of gold detailing, there was a peppering of whites and heathered greys.  Fabrications moved from soft and fluffy to sleek and fluid.  

New cropped styles even showing up in active wear

While checking out the preview I was also lucky enough to get a chance to peep the newest TV spot for the new collection.  Addition Elle is really trying to make new waves in the world of plus size and I am excited to see it unfold.

|Friday Favourites| Kimonos and Topknots

What can I say...life has gotten the better of me lately.  Recently I’ve had some personal and family stuff that has taking a lot of my attention.  But I’m happy to say that things are settling down and I am coming back to normal life.  And with normal life, comes dressing up and putting my face on.

I know I’m guilty of posting this kimono before, but there’s a reason it’s called Friday Favourites!  I have been loving the versatility of this pieces and how it works with so many looks.  Lately a lot of my outfits have been focused around all black, all the time.  I added the kimono here to give a punch of colour with the floral detail and have a play on different layers.  

top, kimono and leggings - Forever 21 | tank top - Addition Elle | shoes - Aldo

I’ve also been growing out my hair in preparation of getting a weave in September.  I’ve been feeling super bored with it and very uninspired.  I was so happy when I realized it was long enough to put into a tiny ponytail, that I then wrapped hair extensions around, to create this wicked top not look.

The days have started to get cooler and I am super looking forward to fall.  I am already stocking my closet with amazing pieces to share with you all.  Now if it would just get a little cooler so I could start wearing them!  

Stay tuned to more coming soon!

|Preview| - #HOME4THEHOLIDAYS

Last week I was invited to Brill Communications’ holiday preview #HOME4THEHOLIDAYS.  It was held in a beautiful suite at the Soho Metropolitan Hotel, in Toronto.  It was a fun mix of the brands that Brill works with, all showcasing their new holiday wares. 

Our Chocolate Tales experience - Elliot was so much better at making truffles than I was, but they still tasted just as good.

There was a lot to experience, with three floors of excited brand reps.  Some of my favourites were SoftLips, with their new 5-in-1 Lip Cube, Conair and Chocolate Tales, where the bf and I got to make gourmet chocolate truffles (surprisingly he was really good at it...me not so much).  As a girl that loves her some specs, I was all about Josephson Opticians, where I feel in deep love with a sick pair of Dita sunglasses that I’m still obsessing over.  I also really liked the idea behind MIYU, a beauty brand focusing on beauty from within, combining specially blended teas with revitalizing Beauty Essences (a benefiting facial mist).  I loved the sent of De-Stress Mi, Pairing No.2, the main note is mint and it is so refreshing (and the tea was delicious).

Love the packaging from MIYU Teas and Beauty

Need these Dita Mach One sunglasses in my life, available at Josephson Opticians!

Addition Elle was among the brands featured, but stay tuned for a stand alone post coming shortly.