Fashion, Lifestyle, Personal

Tropical Chic: Our Pre-Wedding Shoot

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Hello! I’m back with my first blog post of 2024! A little later in the year than I’d planned but this year has already been so busy for me. The biggest news is that I got married! Sashien and I got married in Sri Lanka in January and then went on an extended honeymoon across three countries.

I’ll share more about the honeymoon destinations, itineraries, travel planning and accommodations in a series of blog posts soon. I’ve been sharing bits and pieces of our honeymoon on my Instagram account so feel free to check out the content there.

Our wedding was on the 18th of January but prior to that we had a pre-shoot included as part of our photography package. Funny story, we didn’t realize this until a few weeks before the wedding. We got to Sri Lanka around January 8th and had our shoot on January 14th. I wanted a tropical theme to the shoot and I really wanted an old colonial building for the setting. I’ve always loved the colonial style architecture in Sri Lanka. We were lucky to be able to secure 55 TG Suites for our shoot location, which is a boutique hotel in Colombo.

Since our shoot was on a Sunday we were also able to do some street shots right in the middle of the city of Colombo’s business and financial district. We had our favourite photographers from Dream Studio who also did our engagement photos.

I’ve linked my outfits or similar items at the end of the post.

I’ll be sharing more of our wedding when we have our official photos but stay tuned for some travel content!

My Outfits

Fashion

What to wear to the King’s Plate

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It’s that time of year again – the King’s Plate, North America’s oldest continuously run horse race is a week away!

The King’s Plate

If you aren’t familiar with horse racing around the world then you may not have heard of the this particular event. The King’s Plate is Canada’s most prestigious thoroughbred racing event and is aptly named after the reigning British monarch. Last year it was known as the Queen’s Plate however with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II it will now be known as the King’s Plate after more than 70 years.

If you’re not into horse racing you can still attend the King’s Plate as it is the social event of the summer in Toronto and features a day of high fashion, high stakes and lots of excitement! The event takes place on Sunday August 20th at Woodbine Racetrack. Tickets can still be purchased here:https://woodbine.com/kingsplate/tickets/

What to wear

So what exactly should you wear to such a prestigious event? I find the fashion trends seen at the Plate often mirror those at Royal Ascot, which takes place in June every year. 2023 was a great year for fashion at Royal Ascot. The main change we saw was longer hemlines! Typically ladies wear tea length dresses to racing event but this year the hemlines were definitely edging more towards a midi and maxi length. I’ve also observed longer hemlines in summer fashion overall with maxi skirts having their fashion moment this season!

Wardrobe wise ladies often opt for dresses, although you can go for a classic suit if you’re feeling up to it or a skirt and top. Generally most dresses are solid colour or feature very delicate feminine prints. Fun colours are always a winner. This year we saw the Princess of Wales in a bold red ensemble which was quite eye-catching! Gentlemen usually tend to wear suits to the Plate however since it’s not as formal as Royal Ascot ties are optional. At Ascot ties are mandatory.

No race day outfit would be complete without a fabulous hat! I have quite a few hats and fascinators in my personal collection but if you are new to the world of millinery then I would suggest first picking out a dress before you pick a hat. Picking a hat first can be done too bit it is best to match your hat to your outfit. While we are on the subject of matching you should also consider matching your shoes to your outfit or hat. In general ladies wear covered shoes to racing events although you can get away with a heeled sandal as well. You can also check out the fashion inspiration section of the King’s Plate website.

There is also a detailed style guide on the Ascot site which can also provide some guidance.

 

Will you be attending the King’s Plate?

Fashion, Lifestyle

How to have the Audrey Hepburn Experience in New York

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If you love Breakfast at Tiffany’s then this blog post is for you! I recently visited New York City and decided to treat myself to a luxurious experience inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

A quick overview if you haven’t seen the movie: Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a 1961 film starring Audrey Hepburn and based on the 1958 novella of the same name by Truman Capote. In the opening scene fo the movie an elegantly dressed Audrey steps out of a taxi in front of the Tiffany & Co. flagship store on 5th Ave in New York City in the wee hours of the morning. She then proceeds to eat a croissant and sip a coffee while staring at the display windows. She never goes in the store itself but the mere proximity to luxury makes her feel happy. It is also important to note that Audrey Hepburn’s now iconic black gown was designed especially for her by Hubert de Givenchy.

Where to stay

Audrey Hepburn stayed at the historic Warwick Hotel between 1960-1965. The Warwick New York is located at the corner of W54th Street and 6th Avenue just a short walk from Tiffany’s. The hotel was built by  William Randolph Hearst, a prominent newspaper baron of the early 20th century and completed in 1927. It is said that Hearst built the hotel for his then mistress Broadway star Marion Davies. Over the years the hotel has hosted many prominent old Hollywood stars such as James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, Elvis Presley, and Carey Grant who called the hotel home for 12 years.

The Warwick is centrally located in a safe area of Midtown Manhattan however it is a historical building and has much of the original architecture form the elevators to the chandeliers. Some of the rooms such as the premier suites or rooms are interior facing and there is very little natural light coming in. If you decide to stay at this hotel make sure to book a city view room for natural light.  There are a few terrace and signature suites with more modern decor and amenities.

If you’re really feeling adventurous you can try to book a stay at Holly’s apartment from the movie. Located at 169 E. 71st Street the brownstone that was used for the exterior shots of her apartment building is now fully renovated and available to rent. The stylish Upper East Side townhome is part of the Inspirato collection, which is a chic members only alternative to airbnb. Appropriately name the Hepburn, you can get a 3D tour of the space here.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

No Audrey Hepburn experience would be complete without a visit to the Tiffany &Co. flagship store on 5th Avenue. Just a short walk from the hotel and you can enjoy a gourmet breakfast at the iconic Blue Box Café by Michelin star chef Daniel Boulud. Located on the 6th floor of the Tiffany building dining at this cafe is a must-do!

Yes! You CAN actually have breakfast at Tiffany’s now! The Blue Box Café offers a daily Breakfast, Tea and a seasonal menu. Full details and menus can be found here. This cafe is on the pricey side when it comes to their menu and breakfast will cost you around $59 per person while the tea is $98, so it really is an investment in the experience. Although reservations at the Blue Box Café are rarely available there a few hacks you can use to make sure you get a table:

  • Search for reservations directly from their site:https://blueboxcafenyc.com/
  • Sign up to be notified if your preferred reservation date and time become available. They usually notify you on your preferred date or the day before.
  • They always open up reservations a few days in advance; for example if you’re hoping to go on a Wednesday check on Monday and Tuesday for any openings for that specific Wednesday. Sometimes the cafe blocks reservations and opens them up a few days before or even on the very day.
  • You can always walk-in Monday-Friday, the restaurant saves 6 tables for walk-ins: line up by 9:45am outside the store (the store opens at 10am) and register with your name and number. You can go shopping on 5th Avenue and come back when your table is ready.

What to wear

Audrey Hepburn was known for her impeccable taste in fashion and always looking so put together. If you’re going to have breakfast at Tiffany’s then you must dress for the occasion. I chose to add a modern spin on her classic black gown, pearl necklace and gloves. I’ll be sharing more about my outfit on my Instagram page. However I choose a monochrome look with some glittery accents.

It’s best to go for a more classic chic look if you’re really looking to have that authentic Audrey experience. Many women love to wear Holly Golightly inspired outfits to Tiffany’s and I even spotted one lady who dressed up and brought her own croissant for photos outside the windows of the store. If you don’t feel like splurging at the Blue Box Café snapping some photos outside the store is always a great alternative.

Will you be treating yourself to the Audrey Hepburn experience?

 

Fashion

Quiet Luxury: A chance for everyone to look wealthy?

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I’m back with another post and this time I’m finally getting back to what this blog is really about, fashion! It’s been a while since I’ve done a purely fashion centred post though I’ve been quite active fashionwise on Instagram. I have so many thoughts about a not so new trend that has made a resurgence; quiet luxury and the old money aesthetic. The old adage says money talks, wealth whispers and this couldn’t be more true of the quiet luxury trend that’s been flooding our social media profiles of late.

So just what is quiet luxury and the old money aesthetic? The quiet luxury trend focuses on quality rather than quantity and is largely logo-less. Gone are the days of the Kardashians toting their designer logo ridden apparel; they are for the most part known as the nouveau riche or new rich. While loud luxury focuses on bling, fur and visible designer labels, quiet luxury seeks to curate a more sophisticated, streamlined and polished look. This trend focuses on fabric quality and the make of the garments. To the naked eye a quiet luxury outfit may look plain or ordinary but to those with a more refined and discerning taste the logos are there, the designer label is there but only if you know where  to look. This trend screams if you know you know, and if you don’t well, you just don’t.

Another aspect of quiet luxury and the old money aesthetic is colour. While loud luxury is well, loud and colourful; boasting bling and even neon, this aesthetic focuses on the opposite end of the colour spectrum. Neutrals, classic pieces timeless that never go out of style and high end fabrics like cashmere, linen and silk are all part of this trend. While the concept of quiet luxury may seem unattainable to most and might come across as discouraging, I see it as an opportunity. The logo-less aspect of it gives everyone an opportunity to look wealthy, by adopting aspects of the trend and perhaps investing in some high quality pieces but without the need to display overt luxury.

An easy way to achieve this look is to focus on neutrals and timeless pieces. The good news about this trend is that brands from high end to fast fashion are catching on and offering items that align with the old money aesthetic. I’ve even noticed one of my favourite Canadian retailers Suzy Shier offering a brand new linen collection that features classic neutrals and structured pieces for summer. Other brands that truly embody old money style are Club Monaco and Banana Republic. If you’re on a tighter budget even H&M has some neutral pieces and linen items for summer.

Some of my favourite quiet luxury items for summer

 

What are your thoughts on this aesthetic? Will you be wearing any old money style outfits this summer?

 

 

9 to 5, Fashion

Sophie Grace Workwear

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I’m back! It’s certainly been a while since my last blog post here but I have been very active on Instagram.

As most of you know I recently started a job as a full-time college professor and the Fall semester has been very busy! Now that we are back on campus I often struggle with what to wear to work in the mornings. Although I am a fashion blogger the struggle is still very real!

I was so excited when I came across a brand called Sophie Grace on Instagram. This Canadian, Vancouver based brand offers sustainable high quality workwear for women. Sophie Grace specializes in workwear that can be incorporated into your existing wardrobe. All their pieces are so easy to mix and match and are created with sustainability in mind. It’s a great Canadian option for ladies who want to curate a capsule workwear wardrobe.

My personal favourite out of all their pieces is the Ashley dress. It’s so versatile and can be dressed up for work or dressed down for the weekend. The Ashley comes in 4 colours,  black, ivory, navy and the latest colour – Bordeaux. I love the fit of this dress, it’s so comfortable and looks so chic! The dress also comes in a short sleeved option.

I also tried out the Kamala silk blouse. A silk blouse is a must-have in any work wardrobe and once again you can go casual or formal with this piece as well. The Kamala blouse comes in black, ivory, silver and desert ( I would say this is more of a gold).

What I like most about Sophie Grace is that it’s a Canadian brand created by  lawyer turned entrepreneur, Emma May. As a working woman herself Emma understood the struggle we go through with finding workwear that is elegant and versatile. I’m so happy she created a brand that produces clothing that is not only functional but stylish as well!

Check out this Canadian brand and let me know which pieces are your favourite!

Fashion

My Revolve Favourites

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I’m back with another fashion post and this time I’m sharing some of my favourite finds from online retailer Revolve.

I heard about Revolve a few years ago when I first started blogging ( I recently celebrated my 5th bloggiversay) and was always curious about their clothing. I recently picked out some items and here’s what I’ve been loving.

X Revolve Ava Dress

Got a wedding to attend? This dress is perfect as a wedding guest look. I love the off the shoulder design and cut. It also comes in Pink but I think the blue can be worn through the fall as well. Note – this dress does fit small so I had to size up to a size S from an XS.

Jillian Asymmetrical Midi Dress

Are you a bride to be this Fall? This dress is perfect for a rehearsal dinner or bridal shower. I love the asymmetrical neckline and fit. It’s by the brand Superdown which also tends to run a bit small so it’s definitely a good idea to size up with this one.

Natalie Belted Dress

This is the dress I’m wearing in the photos. I love this one, it’s very Chanel inspired and effortlessly chic! It comes in three colours, black, pink and ivory. I chose the ivory for a timeless chic look. This one fits more TTS but I still opted to size up to a small.

Trish Knot Sweater 

I posted this sweater on my stories and I got so many questions about it so here it is. This is THE sweater for fall 2022! The white and beige combo is so chic and elegant. It also comes in a pink and hot-pink combo but I definitely like this one better. The knotted detail is so cute and the colours are so classy.

Dina Mini Dress

Get a head start on your party outfits this holiday season with the Dina mini! I love the light blue and gold sequins on this one. The stars make this appropriate for Christmas and the holiday season. I would definitely wear this to a New Year’s Eve Party

Faye Midi Dress

Looking for a dress that’s perfect for Christmas and Valentine’s Day then the Faye Midi is your best bet. I love the off the shoulder open neckline and ruching. This dress is very flattering but runs extremely small. I ordered a size small but I should have gone up two sizes to a medium. There is some stretch to it but it is very figure hugging so I’d recommend sizing up to be comfortable.

Shop All My Favourites

Fashion

Queen’s Plate ready with Queen Bee Millinery

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I’m back with a new blog post and this sure is an exciting one! If you’ve been following me over the years you know that I love hats and fascinators and will find any excuse to wear them. After the closure of my go-to shop for hats I was on the lookout for a store that featured classic feminine headpieces. When I came across Queen Bee Millinery in Perth,ON I was beyond excited.

Queen Bee Millinery

I first heard about Queen Bee when my parents took a day trip to Perth and sent me a photo of the shop. I quickly found the store’s instagram account and sent a message inquiring about their pieces and hours of operation. That’s how I connected with Ranelle Larocque the owner and designer behind Queen Bee Millinery.  I shared my upcoming collaboration with Woodbine Entertainment to create content for the Queen’s Plate and my ideas about a hat for this very special event.

I visited Perth and stopped by the store; it was an absolute pleasure meeting Ranelle, and the rest as they say is fashion history! We became fast friends over our shared love of feminine fashion, classic style, and of course hats! Ranelle was gracious enough to design a bespoke hat for me to wear to the Queen’s Plate.

The Process

I stopped by the store with my outfit ideas and brought a long a few dresses to show. Ranelle had the cutest tea party set up for us! We decided on a strapless floral print midi dress that I had recently received from Shein. I loved the floral print and cut of the dress and I knew I was looking for a hat to incorporate the floral elements.

After trying on a few in-house pieces for size and taste we decided on a saucer shape. Making the hat took about 2 weeks and I received photos of the process as well. It was really special to see my hat coming together piece by piece.

Ranelle made some great recommendations about adding a hint of pink to my hat as well as some silk flowers and a green sinamay bow to incorporate more colour and movement. We wanted to add some extra elements for a bit of flair and debated between a quill and some feathers, the feathers won out in the end!

A few weeks before the big day I went in for a fitting to make sure everything was just perfect, and it truly was!

The Main Event: The Queen’s Plate

I was thrilled to attend the Queen’s Plate let alone have a custom designed hat for it. The whole outfit came together so well, thanks to Ranelle’s recommendations and talent. I got so many compliments and many ladies approached me to ask where I found my hat. I was beyond proud to say, ” it’s a custom piece by Queen Bee Millinery in Perth, Ontario”.

The Queen’s Plate was an incredibly meaningful collaboration for me in so many ways. As most of you know I was born in Sri Lanka, which was a British colony named Ceylon at one time. My great-grandmother loved the races when they took place at the race course in Colombo. I am told she used to travel to Colombo with her circle of society ladies in their bespoke outfits to watch the races. It was such a honour to be able to carry-on a little bit of  that legacy here in Canada.

Worth the drive

If you’re in the Ottawa area I would definitely recommend taking a drive to Perth and stoping by Queen Bee Millinery to say hello to Ranelle. She does a wonderful job listening to your vision and bringing it to life. If you’re not in the area she also ships worldwide and you can certainly contact her via email (ranelle@queenbeemillinery.ca) and zoom to set up a consultation.

I really enjoyed my time in Perth and can’t wait to visit again. There are so many wonderful businesses and hidden treasures just like Queen Bee Millinery.

Be sure to check out my Instagram for some behind the scenes footage at the Queen’s Plate.

Fashion

My Favourite Vacay Looks 2022

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It’s that time of year again! Summer = vacation time! I haven’t done a fashion blog post in a while so I thought I’d share some of my favourite vacay outfits for 2022!

Tropical print dress

If it were up to me I’d wear tropical prints all year round! Those you know me in person know that I love palm print… well everything. That’s why I love this cotton black and white palm print midi dress. It’s cotton and comfortable for the warmer summer months, it also works well if you’re heading down south for the winter. The midi length makes this dress a bit more classy and formal and I love the bardot neckline.

I picked this dress up a few years ago but I have linked some similar tropical styles below.

High waisted cream pants + Top

Believe it or not neutrals are in for summer. Although I generally love colour I wanted to incorporate some neutrals in to my vacation wardrobe and these high waisted pants in a cream colour were just perfect. I’ve linked them and many other options below.

I paired it with a one shoulder floral top and flower earrings for some flair. For a more vacay style look I accessorized with a bamboo bag. This look can be dressed up or down depending on the accessories and footwear you choose.

Ruffle Skirt + Tank

I love a good ruffle skirt for summer. Whether it’s a mini or a midi ruffle skirts are so cute and feminine for summer. I’ve had this one for a number of years and wear it every year without fail. It’s one of my vacay staples. It’s great with a tank top or white t-shirt for sight seeing or strolling around local markets at your destination.

Once again you can dress this up or down depending on what shoes and jewelry you choose. I have worn this skirt with both flats and heels.

Floral Romper

Rompers are a great piece to pack in your luggage for a vacation! They’re a cute alternative to shorts and can be dressed up or down. This year I’m loving this floral one shoulder romper from Dynamite. I ordered it online and I am so happy with it. I chose the all over floral print option but it does come in a solid green colour as well.

The one shoulder detail and flowy fabric give this more of a formal look which I really liked. You could wear this on a night out on the town or to dinner while on vacation.

Fancy gown or dress

What’s a vacation without a fancy dinner? Do we really need an occasion to get all dolled up when on vacation? I think not. I always pack some of flowy gown or fancy dress for any vacation. You never know when an exciting invitation may come your way.

I absolutely adore this strapless geo print teal gown that I ordered on Shein. I bought it especially for my trip to Mexico with Sunwing airlines. It reminded me of the ocean and matched perfectly with our swim out pool.

Another dress I adore is this cute flared skirt embroidered detail dress I ordered online from Le Chateau. I wore this to the ballet on my recent trip to Toronto. I thought the ballet would be a great reason to get all dolled up.

I’ve linked similar styles for both below.

 

What are some of your vacation must haves?

 

Fashion

Canadian Brands to Support This Christmas

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It’s been a while since my last post but I’ve been very active on Instagram! Can you believe it’s already the middle of December? Christmas is my favourite time of the year and I have lots of fun holiday content coming up for you. I always make it a point to support local and shop Canadian when I’m doing my Christmas shopping so I thought I’d share a few of my favourite Canadian brands to support this Christmas.

Suzy Shier

I’ve been a loyal Suzy Shier customer for years, long before I ever even thought about starting a fashion blog. I love their stylish workwear, casual wear and party dresses. This longstanding Canadian retailer never disappoints when it comes to affordable and fashionable clothing for women. I have so many Suzy Shier pieces in my wardrobe! They also have a great loyalty program called the Prestige Card. It costs $25 to purchase on an annual basis and saves you 10% on any purchase, regardless of sale price. Not a prestige member? No problem! Whether you’re a loyalty member or not you can save 10% off you any regular priced items with my discount code 10WKENDFASHION

Toboggan Canada

If you live in Canada, you’re no stranger to the fact that a Winter jacket is an essential item! Toboggan Canada offers an expansive range of Fall and Winter jackets for men and women. The Eva B Long II Parka is my go-to jacket for Winter. It keeps me warm and fashionable! I get so many compliments and questions every time I wear it.  If long jackets aren’t your style you can also check out their collection of puffers and cropped jackets. The Chloe jacket is a great alternative for a more sporty look. Don’t forget to check out their vast collection of men’s jackets as well. See something you like one? I’ve got you covered, use the code: Weekend20 to save 20% off your purchase!

Rebecca Rowe

If you’ve been following my blogging journey you know that I recently collaborated with Ottawa based designer Rebecca Rowe on a capsule collection. It has been wonderful working with Rebecca and in addition to our capsule she offers a wide range of stylish and comfortable activewear items. Click SHOP to check out all her collections.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my recommendations for Canadian brands to check out this holiday season! Stay tuned for more exciting Christmas content. Happy Shopping!

Fashion

Capsule Collection with Rebecca Rowe

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I have some very exciting news to share! I’m launching a workwear capsule collection!! I’m so excited to be able to finally share this news with all of you. I’ve collaborated with Ottawa based designer Rebecca Rowe (known for her capsule collections) to create a collection of feminine women’s workwear.

Rebecca and I have been working on this collection for over a year and dealt with many challenges along the way but we are so happy to finally launch our project.

Background

I first met Rebecca in March of 2020 when I was invited to attend her popup shop at Bayshore Shopping Centre. I had been following Rebecca on Instagram for a while and I was familiar with her work. What really caught my attention was how her clothing was tailored to fit many different body types and could be customized to suit your personal style.

A few months past and I approached to ask if she’d be interested in collaborating on a capsule collection. I wanted to focus on workwear as I had always struggled to find professional clothing that was also feminine and fit well. After a few discussions about style and fashion icons The Weekend Fashionista collection was born.

This collection is inspired by one of my favourite classic fashionistas Audrey Hepburn.

Here’s a look at our pieces:

Tiffany Dress

Do you believe in overdressing? Audrey Hepburn sure did. This boat neck black and white dress is perfect for the boardroom or after work cocktails. Inspired by Audrey’s Hubert De Givenchy gown from Breakfast at Tiffany’s this LBD is fitted yet comfortable and effortlessly chic.

Ann Blouse

Finally a crop top you can wear to work! This cropped printed blouse was inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s wardrobe in Roman Holiday. Easy to wear and pair with the Gabrielle skirt or Anya trousers this versatile piece is a great addition to your workwear wardrobe! Pair it with high waisted jeans for a causal chic weekend look too.

Anya Trouser

High waisted but also high fashion! These trousers mean business (or pleasure). Inspired by Audrey’s style in Roman Holiday when she goes incognito as Anya and famously dons more casual attire to hide the fact that she’s royalty. These trousers are perfect for a chic yet playful workwear look. Pair it with the Ann cropped blouse or your top of choice.

Gabrielle Skirt

What workwear wardrobe is complete without a quintessential pencil skirt. You’ll be skirting around town in style in this fitted skirt with front ruching inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s character Gabrielle Simpson in Paris When It Sizzles.  It can be paired with the Ann cropped blouse or your a top from your existing wardrobe.

You can shop the collection here: The Weekend Fashionista Capsule

Although this collection is inspired by Audrey Hepburn we understand that not everyone has the same body type. All pieces in the collection can be customized to fit and flatter you! Rebecca also has some tips on what to do if you love someone’s style but have a different body type:

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