Sweater Season

As soon as the temperatures begins to dip in mid-September, I get excited to pull out my sweaters and begin layering them to stay cozy on those cool early fall nights. As we are now in mid-December, most days I’m rotating between chunky knits, oversized cardigans and soft turtle necks.

So when UNIQLO reached out to share their new collection of sweaters I jumped at the opportunity to try them on and style them for the season. Although this post is sponsored by UNIQLO all opinions are 100% my own.

What I look for in my knitwear is very specific and I always gravitate to whites and cream knits, (I have around 10 white[ish] sweaters that I love). It’s likely because they are so easy to style with any print, pattern and colour. I’m obsessed with the texture and cut of this 3D Lambswool sweater, that has the perfect V-neck in the front and a mini one in the back and cocoons out in shape allowing it to be ideal for layering.

 

For the past few years, I’ve lived in turtle necks. Tight and tucked-in or oversized and chunky; turtle necks are one of the ideal cuts for sweaters. And it was love at first sight when I tried on this fine Merino wool turtle neck. The fabric is super soft, fine and fitted but not too tight.

After wearing it twice, I downloaded the new UNIQLO CA App, picked it up in two more colours and had them shipped directly to my door. I’ve worn it tucked into jeans and track pants, under overalls and dresses and layered with a chunky cardigan for a sweater on sweater look. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve seen me in them via my stories and feed for the last month or so.

 

 

With the holiday season officially starting, a great way to take knitwear into a more formal setting is with a sweater dress. Because knitwear could add a little bulk, I like to keep things more fitted when it comes to dresses allowing the material to hug your curves. This Extra Fine Merino Wool dress is a great fit and flare cut, making it super flattering. I added simple statement earrings to help highlight the mock turtle neck, adding a touch of glam to the look.

Having cozy and effortless basics to turn to makes getting dressed in the dark easier and the luxurious knits at UNIQLO are going to continue to be the go-to piece for the upcoming winter season.

SweaterTurtle neck and dressUNIQLO Canada, Glasses: Clearly.ca
Jacket & Pants: Banana Republic, Boots: Zara, Jeans: Target, Shawl (actually a blanket): Vintage, Shoes: Nicholas Kirkwood for Erdem

Leopard and Layers

tobi-sweater2

tobi-and-pink-tartan

Tobi-Sweater

Shop-Tobi

Even though it’s still considered fall, Toronto is officially freezing and has a thick layer of snow covering basically everything. This outfit was shot a few weeks ago (at 31 weeks pregnant), when the temperatures were a bit more mild and ideal for light layers, rather than down parkas.

I love this layered look as an easy office to holiday party transitional outfit. Adding this adorable oversized asymmetrical sweater (now on sale) over one of my favourite body-con dresses, helped dress down the leopard, making it more appropriate for the office. This chunky knit is the perfect for the chilly season ahead and can be easily paired with jeans, leggings and dressed it up.

With this growing giant bump, I kept the dress unzipped and folded one of the sleeves down, tucking it into my bra (hidden by the sweater) which allowed for the off-the-shoulder slouchy look to be achieved.

clearly-aviator-glasses

Dress: Pink Tartan, Sweater: C/O Tobi, Glasses: C/O Joseph Marc from Clearly.ca

Life Happens

TRE_3195

taco+poms

pom-pom

taco_love

summer-poms

It’s kinda hard to believe how fast this summer came and went, with very few things going exactly as planned. There’s a saying “you make plans and then life happens” which is how I would describe the last few months.

Heading into summer 2017, I was employed, living in a new house (with leaks, which is why I haven’t posted more of my home reveal {KITCHEN REVEAL}) and a busy summer of photoshoots, both for my blog and my studio’s clients. My husband, Trevor and I had plans to explore our new neighbourhood, and maybe a few day trips filled with hiking and adventuring.

Fast forward to June, I was one of many that was laid-off from my job, due to a huge restructure, I was then 2 months pregnant, which was planned – but didn’t expect it to happen so easily. Things got scary fast, with the notion of being unemployed and expecting, but as my supportive husband reminded me, I had a job, our studio and this blog, and I would be able to concentrate 100% on creating successful businesses out of them.

Plans were in motion, meetings came rolling in with potential clients and partners, and then everything changed. That loving husband of mine was hit by a car while commuting home from work on his bike. With a broken arm and bad concussion he’s been off work since the accident, and our days are filled with doctors and therapy appointments to help him regain his strength, and help reduce the symptoms of his concussion.

Timing is really everything though. If I hadn’t been off work, there is no way I would have been able to have been there for Trevor, who had always been there for me, to take him to his appointments and help him heal. A few weeks earlier, we also had found our dream puppy Taco, a 3 month old French Bulldog, and he was coming home to us the Friday after the accident. Taco, has been a lot of work, but also been a saviour for Trevor bringing him such joy and purpose during this difficult time.

Today, I am now 20 weeks pregnant, feeling great, and happy to finally be ready to share the news. Trevor is still on the mend, with his arm almost healed and undergoing aggressive physiotherapy but still suffering with constant headaches and light sensitivity. Taco is the sweetest boy, taking well to training and getting to know his sister Monkey (who is a little more resistant of this new guest in her home).

For fall, I’m not making any plans, but rather rolling with the punches, as that’s how things seem to be going anyways.

Dress: Farm Rio from Anthropologie, Sandals: H Halston,  Frames: Joseph Marc from Clearly.ca