What a fantastic year! I’m overwhelmed with the love & support and so grateful for everything that has happened in 2015! I cannot wait to see what adventures Trevor, Monkey and I get into in 2016!
So much love!
Coat Confessions: Part 3 Winter Formal Edition
Coat Confessions: Part 4 – The Denim Details
I’ve never been so happy to see the end of a year come. 2016 was rough, emotionally for me, and the last few weeks I’ve spent focused on my health and wellness, which will continue through into 2017 and hopefully make it my most successful year. Thank you for all of the love and support this past year!
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Life gets chaotic, busy and at times overwhelming.
As you can see if you follow me on Instagram, I’ve been around, just a lot less, and I haven’t been keeping this blog up-to-date over the last couple months (sorry). But I’m currently taking a moment to reflect, regrow and recharge (self-care will be a topic I focus on in the future). Now I can get back to the things that I love. Lately, I’ve been practicing yoga and meditation, reading, painting and naturally Netflix binging.
Growing up, my mom and I always watched “our shows” together. From American’s Next Top Model to Law and Order SVU, every genre was hit and this was the time we often talked about school and everything going on, in both of our busy lives. When we heard that Netflix was bringing back Gilmore Girls, the two of us began planning for our girls night to watch the series, as mother-daughter opportunities don’t come often enough.
As November 25 got closer, our date-night plans became larger-than-life when Netflix sent us everything we needed for the perfect Netflix and Mom date night to watch the highly anticipated revival of Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life (thanks Netflix). In the kit was everything to get us in the Gilmore mood, from the girl’s favourite snacks Pop-Tarts, Red Vines and buttery popcorn, to trivia games, a Dragonfly Inn scented candle and of course, a giant mug for all of the coffee we’d consume binging the series, plus so much more.
My mom and I spent last Friday night cuddled-up on the couch watching Winter, the first episode of the four-part revival, that had just started streaming on Netflix. Exhausted, we promised to wait to watch the next three parts together, over the course of the next few weeks to ensure we make the most out of this mother and daughter bonding-time.
Have you watched the revival yet? If so, no spoilers!
This post is in partnership with Netflix.
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Each September, probably due to back-to-school anxiety, I can’t help but feel the need to reflect on new resolutions while checking in on where I am for my 2016 goals. This year, I’ve been pretty good with my overall goals; I’ve been getting back into the groove of working out (since my knee surgery) and doing my yoga practice; I’ve made smarter decisions around food, while never feeling neglected; and I’ve made my clothes last longer by taking better care, and thus spending less on new fast fashion.
I hope to continue these good practices, but moving into fall means I’m moving into my busiest time for both my work and personal life. So my new “school year” resolutions are going to be to spend more time. More time with family, more time doing yoga, more time exploring. I’m going ensure that my time for the rest of the year is well-spent, spending each moment being meaningful.
Ok, back to fall fashion. We’ve had a hot end of summer/early fall season so far, but believe it or not, I’ve already swapped most of my summer clothes out to make room for my fall wardrobe. I’m ready for layers, boots and sweaters, but since we’re not quite there yet, it’s the perfect time to layer those dreamy fall fashions. I picked up this dress back at the end of summer with the thought to layer it with a sweater and tights for fall, but paired with cute platform sneakers, my Daniel Wellington watch and dainty jewellery, it was the perfect early transitional piece (and kinda screams back-to-school for me).
ICYMI on my instagram – You can/should shop for this classically beautiful watch with 15% off at danielwellington.com until September 30th, using the code BARBARAANN, as it’s the perfect fall accessory.
Dress: WhoWhatWear X Target, Sneakers: Superga, Watch: C/O Daniel Wellington, Glasses: Xavier Garcia from The Eyeglass Factory, Necklace: Catbird
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As we end the month of May, temperatures are feeling like July, and I’m loving it. From the sunshine in the morning, to the warm breeze during my evening walks, these last few days have been beautiful.
A very common question I get asked each spring is about shorts and how to make them work for different settings. I most often wear my shorts, when I’m by the pool or camping up north, like I styled last summer. But today I wanted to show you how to style shorts for more fashionable affairs and settings (parties, drinks, shopping) by wearing a light weight cropped sweater, and contrasting printed shorts. I added chunky suede mules, that I’m completely obsessed with, so be prepared to see plenty of them this summer.
Sweater: A.L.C, Shorts: J.Crew, Mules: Zara, Broach &Collar: vintage, Frames: Clearly.ca
Photography: 2Boo Studio
Spring time has got me very confused. There is no real consistency in the weather or when it comes to preparing for spring outfits and outings, the only way to survive is to be ready for everything. On cooler days, like last week when Trevor and I were running around downtown, the temperatures were bouncing around 10 degrees (50 fahrenheit) and depending on where you were and if you were in the sun or not, it was freezing and windy. Armed with a warm drink, and an extra layer, we were ready for anything.
I typically lean towards leather jackets during this season, but since this year’s biggest fabric trend is clearly denim, especially raw and embroidered, I’ve been loving the attention to the versatile staple. My perfect denim coat for 2016 is all about embellishments, and Marc Jacobs nailed it with studs, stars and even a sequins cherry patch. Paired with the must-have cut for denim pants, flares, I was warm until we approached a terribly windy section of Queen St. where we grabbed another coffee to warm up.
Read the part 1, 2 & 3 of my Coat Confession series.
Coat: Marc Jacobs, Turtleneck: Picadilly, Jeans: Madewell, Platforms: Vagabond, Watch: Movado, Glasses: Derek Cardigans, Phone case: Face
Photography by Trevor Negin
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Today I’m wearing my dad’s Roots Canada Special Edition Toronto Maple Leaf Awards coat. When this amazing collection of leather goods inspired by Toronto’s great hockey team was released I knew I had to get this coat for him. I thought I’d steal it from him, to honour my first Maple Leaf game tonight (shocking I know)!
Check out Part 1 of this outerwear series ft. my favourite purchase this fall
Coat: Roots Canada (old but their new one is a beauty too ), Dress: Zara (old), Boots: Coach (on sale!), Glasses: Clearly.ca
Photography by Trevor Negin
2. Turtle Love
3. Basic Edge
7. A Canadian Covered in Cat Hair
9. Muted Mauve
10. Spring Signals
12. My Eye Style
13. Rain Delay
14. TIFF Party Ready
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When heading back into a work week, I like to prep my outfits to ensure that they are clean, steamed and prepared for the possibility of a sleep-in, especially when a long weekend had just passed. I’m very selective when choosing appropriate outfits for work, as I want to ensure I have decent coverage of any bra straps and undergarments. I find that as my fashion taste has evolved, my style has become a bit more modest in terms of length, favouring midi to maxi rather than shorter hemlines for an office environment. I love the ladylike silhouette that this hemline provides, and it is flattering on basically everyone.
Dress: Lumière, Mules: 424Fifth by Lord & Taylor at Hudson’s Bay
Photography by Trevor Negin
Fashion Magazine asked what their style panel wears during road trips and since Canada Day, I’ve been living in my Canada gear. Here is my post on FashionMagazine.com.
oh and excuse the cat hair, Monkey was all over me moments before leaving the house.
T-shirt: Canadian Pan Am Team Collection, Jeans: American Eagle, Flats: Charlotte Olympia from The Room at Hudson’s Bay
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If bright colours aren’t your thing (they clearly are mine), but you still want to dress more in tune with the season, I recommend some florals in muted tones. Keeping the colours understated, will allow you to be on trend, and still be true to yourself.
Dress: H&M (old but these are cute: long sleeve or tank), Jacket: Helmut Lang, Mules: Design Lab
Photography by Trevor Negin