Winter Finally Caught Up To Us

Calvin Klein coat
Aldo hat
Simons mittens
Hush Puppies boots
F21 jeans

Winter was a bit of a no-show at the end of 2015, but we weren't really complaining. I'm assuming it was all to do with the fact that I finally replaced my old down winter coat after like 5 years and my equally old snow boots with the hole in it. I prepared for a long, cold winter so it decided not to come. You're welcome Montreal. But alas, all good things must come to an end. Winter is here....but at least I'm ready!

                                                          

Festival Fashion (Feat. Friendly Alley Kitty)

Zara dress
F21 hat
old purse
sandals from India

Jazz Fest, Fringe Fest, FrancoFolies, Osheaga....A Montreal summer is never without a jam fest (especially outdoors!) for more than 30 seconds. And with that comes some boho festival fashions! This new Zara tunic dress I picked up earlier this summer perfectly embodies the free-flowing, breezy spirit of all the best outdoor music festivals. I'm pairing it with a basic strappy sandal I picked up in India and my favourite floppy hat.

And let me just tell you about this cat for a second. He was soooo cute, just following us around the alley as we were shooting, rolling around on the ground, begging for belly rubs, purring like crazy. I had to break character and cuddle the little fella while talking in a baby voice. I just had to.

Here's to a long summer of tunes and friendly kitties!
                                        

F21, Our BFF

F21 jeans, jacket/Restoration Hardware faux fur scarf/Zara booties/Louis Vuitton handbag

It's every frugal fashionite's best-kept secret that's actually not so secret. I'm talking Forever 21 y'all! Along with Zara, H&M and a slew of other designer-inspired discount boutiques, F21 offers basic and trendy garb for much less. Is the quality the best there is? No, and I don't think anyone shopping there is under that impression. It's a place to take some fashion chances without the guilt of spending your entire shopping budget on a single shirt. Go ahead and experiment with the peplum silhouette, crop tops and floppy fedoras. F21 is the place to do it.

I'm a strong believer that despite the fashion industry's elitist and exclusionary undertones, there's no reason why average Joes and Janes can't partake in making some style magic, simply because they can't afford $1000 shirts. Forget $1000 shirts....I don't even have the stomach or the means to drop a hundred bucks on a single top, no matter how many angels spun the threads from golden looms. The guilt would just keep me up at night....

Don't get me wrong. If we can afford it, there's something to be said for supporting our local designers and boutiques. They are attempting something I would never have the balls to do and supporting a principle is something that's worth a few extra bucks. But for those of us who can't, we are pretty glad we still have some options.
                                                                   

The Perpetual Montreal Winter

Photos by Kyler Kelly

Aldo headband/RW&Co coat/Simons shirt and mittens/F21 cardigan and skirt/Winners leg warmers/Spring boots/Kate Spade handbag

I know, I know, you're all tired of all this WINTER-WOE-IS-ME!! thing.....believe me, so am I.

What can I say? It's getting really hard to ignore how awful it is in Montreal right now. It's the end of February and still -30, with a fresh pile of snow on the ground. It's as if the weather report is just taunting us. I always check that 14-day forecast and near the end of the two weeks, they always say the temperature is going to creep up there to the single digits below 0, but as the days pass, the numbers drop and they renew their 2-week promise, never to be fulfilled....

Those bastards.

You would think I'd get used to these long, hard winters here but no, not me. Every February is brutal because it's the coldest month and the month when you're the most sick of winter. You would be hard-pressed to find me at home (if I don't have to leave the house) in anything other than my cozy PJs and robe, wrapped up in a blanket. When I do venture out, you'll find me bundled up in my go-to down coat from RW&Co, my favourite wool mittens from Simons and cause I just can't pass up the opportunity to mismatch my prints, my fair isle leg warmers and houndstooth snow boots.

A new addition this winter for me is this lovely beaded headband from Aldo! It's so warm and snug with just a touch of flair. If you're looking for a fun, modern alternative to a plain old winter hat, I highly recommend a wool headband. I mean it will never rival a floral sundress in my heart, but I gotta say, it does soften that cruel, cruel winter punch in the gut.

                                                                               

Winter Woes

Photos by Kyler Kelly

Restoration Hardware faux fur hat/F21 sweater/Primark jeans/Zara booties

Winter blahs. Need I say more? I'm deep into the winter semester and wouldn't you know it? Every day I have class just happens to be -20 with a nipping wind. Just great. I wish I had more time for blogging, but between work and school, it's hard enough to even put together a little punchy outfit let alone take some pics. But I'm taking a cue from Debbie and throwing on a statement hat. And along with my go-to remedy for any drab outfit (a red lip for the win!), I'm feeling 40 degrees warmer already.

                                                                                    

Best Of 2014

We can't believe it's been a whole other year already, Frockers! This year saw a lot of fun fashion events, collaborations with some great companies, a bit of world travel and of course, more great fashion! A big thank you to all those who have been following our blog and supporting us. We wish you all a happy 2015!

The British Isles

F21 hat/Le Chateau gloves/vintage boots/coat and scarf from China

My favourite winter coat is a keeper for a reason. You too can achieve countless cute looks with something so classic and versatile. If you're like me and don't really have a few extra hundred bucks lying around to buy new coats every winter, you end up repeating a lot of looks with the same coat. But what's so great about your classic coats is, you can build around the main piece with accessories. Not only do they add that extra bit of warmth you so desperately need in the dead of winter, but they can really diversify your wardrobe in a way to make you feel like you practically got a new coat without forking much dough!

And ever since my trip to Scotland this past summer, I've been kind of obsessed with tartan. It's so colourful! And it's a print that's pretty timeless and easy to pull off. You really can't go wrong with a plaid skirt or scarf in the chillier months. Throw in a neutral wool hat, brown tweed gloves and some lace-up boots and you're ready to frolic in the snow. I just love the "British" feel to this look! It's so simple, but all class with none of the drab.

Stay tuned on the blog for another globe-trotting winter look with my favourite camel coat!
                                                               

Falling For Some Autumn Trends

Photos by Kyler Kelly

F21 hat, skirt, rings, belt/old shirt, tights/Lightinthebox vest/Michael Kors boots

I guess you could call this, my autumn-summary look. I didn't realize it until I started writing this post, but I was really going all out in the autumn trends for this look. The faux fur, the black, the burgundy wide-brimmed fedora, the dark mani, the knee-high boots.... Admittedly a bit much, even for me. But fashion and making a statement has always synonymous. After the initial shock of the dropping temperatures and wilting flowers, it's time to embrace the brighter side of autumn!

***CALLING ALL FROCKERS***

We are in the running for Made In Blog's Best Blog Awards in two different categories: Fashion and Beauty.

If you've enjoyed our blog, please take a moment to vote for us by November 26th 2014. You can vote once in each category by clicking on the icons below.