Fashion

Mexican Flair – Collaboration with Frida’s Attic

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If you’ve been keeping up with my posts on Instagram and Facebook you’d know that I recently collaborated with Frida’s Attic. I’m so excited to share this collaboration! Frida’s Attic is an Ottawa based business that sells clothing, shoes and accessories by in Mexico.

I love the colours and woven details on their pieces. The store is owned and operated by Ottawa based Mexican-Canadian entrepreneur Adriana Rincon. All the items she sells are made by artisans in Mexico.  Her goal is to promote fair trade and bring awareness about Mexican communities.

Adriana first started her business as a means to help families affected by the earthquake in Mexico in September 2017. Her online boutique offering one of a kind hand made pieces has since grown and gained notoriety in the Ottawa community. This September Frida’s Attic participated in Runway for Hope, a fundraiser  in support of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario ( CHEO) showcasing local designers and fashion. I was so pleased to attend this event as a guest of Frida’s Attic.

I’m currently loving the ponchos in the Fall/Winter collection at Frida’s attic. They’re bright, colourful and keep you warm on a windy autumn afternoon. If you love bright colours, attention to detail and one of a kind pieces then Frida’s Attic is the place for you. Check them out online and use my promo code WEEKEND to save 20% off your order.

9 to 5, Fashion

Pink Power Suit

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It’s Wednesday and in my world that means one thing – Work Wear Wednesday! I don’t know about you but I’m totally loving pastels this Fall so I was overjoyed when I came across this pink power suit at Suzy Shier. Pastels aren’t typically Fall colours but adding a little dusty rose to your Autumn wardrobe is a great way to incorporate some colour.

I love this pink suit as it adds some femininity to my work clothes. I have many other business suits but they’re typically grey or black – not the most interesting choice of colours. I’m also a fan of the pearl button details on the blazer that give it an extra layer of class and finesse.

I paired this suit with a high neck ruffle blouse that I also picked up at Suzy Shier. The ruffle detail in the neckline and the smocking on the sleeves add to the feminine flair of this outfit. I wanted to go for a monochrome chic look with this suit. I added a pair of pink kitten heels and my go-to tote the Louis Vuitton neverfull MM. I have the neverfull in Damier Ebene (brown) and Damier Azur (white) as it’s such a versatile bag and a great investment piece.

What do you think about pastels for Fall?

Special thanks to Suzy Shier for sponsoring this post.

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9 to 5, Fashion

Workwear 101: Collaboration with Suzy Shier

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I’m so pleased to announce that I’ve collaborated with Canadian retailer Suzy Shier to bring you some of my favourite workwear pieces and tips for great 9 to 5 style. I was recently interviewed for their Suzy’s Stories blog. You can read my interview below 🙂 Special thanks to Suzy Shier for sponsoring this post.

Hi Praveeni, thanks so much for joining us! So, tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from and what do you do for a living?
I was born in Sri Lanka and moved to Canada as a child. I’ve been living in Ottawa for about 26 years so I pretty much grew up here. I work as a Project Manager and Professor at a local College where I teach international business.

How do you balance being a fashion blogger and working full time?
There’s definitely a lot of planning that goes in to balancing blogging and working full time. I like to think I’m pretty good at managing my time. I plan out my outfits and photoshoots for the week. Most of my photos are taken on the weekends – like the name of my blog The Weekend Fashionista suggests.

How and why did you get into blogging?
I’ve always loved fashion and putting outfits and looks together. Over the years I’ve had friends and co-workers ask me where I got my clothing or accessories so I thought what better way to tell them than through a blog. I started documenting my daily style as a hobby and sharing links to the pieces I love with friends.

As you love fashion so much, would you ever consider working in the fashion industry?
I think working in the fashion industry would be an exciting experience. If the right opportunity came along it’s definitely something I would consider. I’d love to contribute to a collection someday, perhaps curating a Weekend Fashionista collection 😉

How do you show your personal style AND stay looking professional in the work place? Any tips?
I find accessories and accent pieces are a great way to show off your personal style in the workplace. I like to incorporate colour and texture in to my workwear wardrobe. I prefer a more feminine look so I’m usually in a dress or skirt at work. Whether it’s a printed blazer, a colourblock dress or a statement necklace there’s always a way to show off your personality and keep things professional at the same time.

If you have a big meeting at work, what will you wear to feel confident?
This is a tough one. I usually wear dresses to work and a structured work dress is a great confidence booster. For a more formal meeting I might throw on a blazer on top of the dress. I may also go for pants and a matching blazer, there’s a reason it’s called a power suit after all. When you’re wearing an outfit that you love you instantly feel more confident.

What’s your go-to outfit outside of the office?
Outside of the office my style is pretty relaxed and casual. On the weekend you can usually find me in a pair of jeans or jeggings and a sweater or blouse. I may throw on the occasional blazer if I’ve got dinner plans etc. after my weekend errands. Weekends are also great for showing off your creativity so I definitely enjoy getting dressed up and going out in the evenings.

What are some of your favourite workwear picks from our latest collection?
There’s so many great pieces in your latest collection it’s hard to choose just a few but here are some of the pieces I’m currently loving:

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This sheath dress is so chic! It totally gives me the Chanel vibes with the fabric and cut. This blouse is so pretty, I especially like the smocking on the sleeves and the ruffle neck. This skirt would look great with a pair of opaque tights and a blouse – perfect for Fall and Winter. Fall florals are all the rage and I’m loving the print on this blouse and the detail in the buttons. I love the feminine detail of the pearl button on this dusty pink blazer, so pretty!

What are your top 3 fashion tips for great 9 to 5 style?
1. Aim for a polished and professional look
Look for fit when shopping for workwear pieces and if that blazer you absolutely love is just a tad baggier than you’d like, consider getting it altered for a better fit. Make sure you don’t have any stray threads or tags hanging off your clothing and always iron or press your clothes. A well pressed outfit just looks more polished and professional.

2. Personalize your workwear looks
Don’t be afraid to show off your personality by incorporating colour or accessories in to your workwear wardrobe. Just be respectful of your workplace’s dress code

3. Add some feminine flair to your workwear
Many people think that workwear should be boring and restricted to black or grey pant suits but a feminine structured dress or skirt does the job too. I find myself drawn to colourful work dresses and feminine details on blouses and skirts. Dresses and skirts are versatile pieces as you can wear them year round, simply add opaque tights and a cardigan for the Fall and Winter.

When it comes to having great style and looking well put together I think Coco Chanel said it best “Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman”

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Fashion

Pearl Detail Blouse

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It’s definitely feeling like Fall outside and one trend I’m loving this season is pearls. I was thrilled when I saw this pearl detail blouse in-store at Melanie Lyne. Pearls are such a feminine and classy touch to any piece and this blouse is no exception. I love the chiffon fabric in this blouse and the high neckline. The pearls across the neckline give this piece a formal finishing touch. I also like the pearl buttons at the wrist, so classy and elegant.

This is a great blouse for work or an evening out. I went for a more corporate look when styling this piece. I paired the blouse with a checked print midi skirt. The pattern on the skirt helps balance out the plain black blouse. To accessorize I added a pair of basic black pumps – workwear must-have and my favourite satchel bag by Michael Kors.

I like the fact that this blouse adds some elegance to my workwear look. I’ve worn this outfit to work before and I simply love it. What do you think about the pearl detail trend this Fall?

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Fashion

Red Ruffle Sleeve Dress

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Red is a colour I’m absolutely loving this Fall. It’s so rich and chic, nothing says class like a  deep rich red. It’s also a great vibrant colour and symbolizes power – hello red power suit 😉 I was thrilled when I came across this red ruffle sleeve dress at Melanie Lyne.

This Karl Lagerfeld dress has a retro flair to it which I absolutely love. The ruffles on the sleeve give it a feminine touch. I also like that this dress fits a bit looser on the body, again a more retro vibe to it. For some reason this dress just screams Jackie O, don’t you think? The pearl buttons on this dress are so chic and totally on trend as pearls are a major must-have this Fall.

I paired this dress with a gorgeous pearl cascade necklace also from Melanie Lyne. I wanted to accent the pearl buttons on the sleeves. The necklace also breaks up the red of the dress and adds interest in the neckline area. I added my favourite pair of Ted Baker pumps and my go to Michael Kors bag for a more corporate chic look. I love clothing with a vintage or retro feel so this dress is definitely one of my favourites.

What do you think about red for Fall? I’ve linked some similar dresses and jewelry below 🙂

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Fashion

Blair Waldorf Inspired Outfit

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It’s good to be back after a short break! Although I’ve been pretty active on Instagram I haven’t done many blog posts lately. With Fall just around the corner I’m hoping to change that 😉  Even though it’s been off the air for quite a few years now, Gossip Girl continues to influence my style. I was a huge fan of the show and the fashion. I most identified with Blair Waldorf, as I simply loved her elegant and chic looks on the show. I even went through a phase where I wanted to be brown Blair Waldorf, headbands and all. When I saw this adorable blazer in-store at Suzy Shier I was thrilled to be able to put together this Blair Waldorf inspired outfit.

The blazer just screamed Gossip Girl with its embossed check patterning and double-breasted gold buttons. This is a piece you can dress up or down. I wanted to go for a more casual chic look so I paired it with a white tank top and jeans. I dressed up this look (Blair never dresses down) by adding some sophisticated yet feminine shoes and accessories.

Pearls never go out of style, in fact they’re very much in style this Fall with pearl details adorning everything from dresses to jeans. I wore a long pearl necklace which I layered for a fuller look. I also added my go-to bag from Michael Kors. It’s a great piece for work or the weekend. To finish off this look I wore my favourite pair of black pumps by Ted Baker. I simply love the bow detail on the front of this shoe, so cute and feminine.

Were you a fan of Gossip Girl? If so which character’s style did you like the most?

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Lifestyle

Afternoon in Almonte

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Can you believe it’s September already?! If you live in Canada or the USA I hope you’re having a great Labour Day long weekend. I can’t get over how fast this year has flown by.  I spent the Labour Day weekend in Ottawa this time as I wanted to have a low key and restful weekend. I did however venture out to Almonte for a relaxing Summer afternoon.

Almonte is located about 30 mins west of Ottawa and is a picturesque little town full of neighbourhood stores and antique shops. Most of the shopping and activity can be found on Mill Street which is home to many antique shops and restaurants. There’s even a walkway that goes down by the Mississippi River. It’s  a great spot to sit out on a restaurant patio and enjoy the view.

Almonte has gained quite a reputation for it’s small town charm and has been the backdrop for many Hallmark channel movies. In fact there’s even a Christmas movie that’s scheduled to be shot on Mill Street next week.

I absolutely loved this little town. The streets were so pretty and it was nice to take a walk down by the water. I stopped in at the Barley Mow for a cocktail and some appetizers on the patio, with the river as my background. I’d also recommend making a quick trip to the local ice cream stall where you can enjoy a delicious delight. If you haven’t made the trip to Almonte yet I highly recommend it.

Outfit details

I wanted to wear something comfortable for my relaxing Saturday afternoon outing so I opted for a geometric print skirt paired with a tank top and jean jacket. Geo prints are so popular right now and are part of the retro trend that’s all the rage for Fall and back to school. I picked up this midi length skirt at Forever 21. It’s a great Summer to Fall transition piece that can be dressed up or down. I wore the skirt with a basic black tank. To finish off the look I added my favourite jean jacket from Dynamite.

You can easily take this look from Summer to Fall by throwing on some opaque tights and booties and swapping out the tank top for a black turtle neck or long sleeved blouse.

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Fashion

Collaboration with BBXCollection

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I don’t know about you but I love a good slogan tee. I’m so excited to share my collaboration with BBXCollection this weekend, where I helped model some of their adorable slogan tees. BBXCollection is an Ottawa based retailer that specializes in slogan shirts for everyone! BBX is owned and operated by certified boss babe Megan Racicot. I love the cute slogans on her products and the tees are so comfy and easy to wear. Megan also has you covered for your bachelorette party with her bridal line.

For my shoot with BBXCollection I modeled the Turn Down for Brunch and Darling tees. I thought the slogans were so me as I totally love brunch and well darling is just so cutesy! Watch for the photos from my shoot on their Instagram page and website.

I particularly liked the Darling tee with the pink lettering. I wanted to style the t-shirt based on the pink so I drew some inspiration from Sarah Jessica Parker’s tutu skirt in the opening sequence the show Sex and the City.

I just happened to have a pink midi skirt that paired so well with the t-shirt. As tees are typically dressed down and more of a casual piece I thought of going for a dressed up or formal and feminine look. I added a pair of nude block heels to dress up the outfit and add a more girly feel to it. To accessorize I brought along the newest addition to my purse collection, the Neverfull in white (totally an investment piece). I felt so light and airy in this outfit I literally just wanted to twirl around all afternoon 🙂

If you haven’t already done so make sure you check out BBX online and on Instagram, you may just find your new favourite t-shirt.

Fashion

Favourite Fall Sweater Dupes

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Is it too early to start shopping for Fall yet? I don’t know about you but Fall is one of my favourite seasons for Fashion. The air is cooler, the leaves are changing and people just seem to dress up more in the Fall. I’ve  been doing some browsing for my new Fall wardrobe and lately I’ve been loving all the designer sweaters and their more affordable dupes! If you know me personally you know I love a good bargain so here are some of me favourite Fall sweaters and their dupes.

Colourblock is back and trending this Fall and these sweaters are no exception.

This pullover sweater from Topshop was all the rage during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Unfortunately it’s not available in-stores in Canada and doesn’t ship to Canada.

Source: Nordstrom

Luckily I found this dupe at H&M for a fraction of the price 😉 This striped colourblock sweater is only $20 and readily available in-store and online in Canada. It’s a great way to get the look and stay on trend for less!

In keeping with the colorblock trend I also found this pullover from B.P. at Nordstrom. It’s available in Canada in-store and online and was also part of the anniversary sale.

Source: Nordstrom

Don’t feel like paying close to $70 for a sweater? Garage has you covered with this adorable dupe for half the price!

Source: Garage Clothing

Rounding out my choice of Fall sweaters is a cardigan. I loved the Halogen varsity knit cardigan but I couldn’t get it in my size and it’s no longer available in Canada.

Source: Nordstrom

I was so glad when I came across this dupe from Dynamite that looks just like the white version of the Halogen sweater, with a splash of color. This sweater retails for $55 and gives you the same preppy chic look.

What do you think about designer dupes – would you splurge on the real thing or get the look for less?

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Fashion

Mustard Match Up

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Fall is one of my favourite seasons and although we still have some Summer left to enjoy, I couldn’t resist picking up some items from Suzy Shier‘s Fall Collection. I was thrilled to find this mustard match up online.

Mustard is definitely making an appearance this Fall and it’s a great Summer to Fall transition colour. I’ve been a little apprehensive about jumping on the mustard band wagon but when I saw these high waisted pants I decided to hop on. These slip on pants are so comfortable and easy to wear. I love the black button details on either side of the waist that give the pants a more structured look. The flared legs also give it a more formal and airy feel. These pants also come in black if you’re looking for a more conservative look.

I wanted to accentuate the mustard colour in the pants so I paired them with this printed crepe blazer. The blazer is more of a kimono style piece with a sash that typically ties at the front. I tied the sash at the back for a more traditional look. This is a great piece as you can wear it so many different ways – tied at the front, at the back or sans sash. I also added a white camisole to contrast with the pants and pick up on the white floral pattern on the blazer as well.

When I saw these items in-store individually they didn’t look like something I’d normally pick up but put them together and you have the perfect match! I’ve linked the exact items in my outfit in the hyperlinks in this post and I’ve also included some similar items below.

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