Zara Sweater, AGOLDE Denim, Zara Blazer, Loeffler Randall Booties, Chanel Handbag
May is the time I usually get excited about my spring wardrobe. By now my winter wears have been washed and packed away (don’t forget the moth balls or cedar blocks or you may be surprised with holes come the fall), and my spring/summer wardrobe has been brought out, steamed and hung/folded in the closet. I edit my wardrobe and pull anything that I’m not reaching for, no longer fits, or I don’t love, for consignment. My favourite place to consign in the city is Danielle’s Consignment, she has such an amazing eye and curates fabulous pieces. I was lucky to get my items to her before the shut down, but they’re currently doing curbside consignment drop offs and have an online store as well.
My go-to for selling my designer shoes and handbags is Forever Red Soles. They have an incredibly strong online presence on Instagram as well as a website. They’re based out of Edmonton, AB and the owner is a boss babe who is a gem to consign with. If you’re interested in shopping high-end designer items you definitely have to check her out, and likewise if you have designer items to sell.
I know I’m late to the game, but I’ve recently discovered Poshmark and I have to say, I’m obsessed. There’s a Canadian site, as well as an American site, and you can find everything from inexpensive flip flops to designer goods. You have to make an account, but it’s easy and worth it to go and take a look. I’ve purchased and sold off the site and both ways were seamlessly straight forward. The fabulous part is that buying second hand is environmentally friendly and you can hunt down that one item that got away. Because sometimes the search for the perfect item is the best part.
I have used other consignment services around the city of Calgary surrounding areas and they have all been fantastic. I’ve consigned with Vespucci, The Upside, and Rhoda’s Consignment and all have been wonderful experiences. With so much time on our hands, why not go through your wardrobe. Make sure you do your research on each one to determine what is going to be a good fit. Consignor terms such as pricing, percentage of what you’ll receive when your items sell, days on the floor, and whether you’ll be able to receive your items back if they don’t sell or if they’ll be donated all vary between stores.
Photos by Kiera Schussler
Blogs aren’t read in the same way they used to be, with so many social media options out there to consume, actually taking the time to go to your favourite blog and sit down to have a read isn’t as high on the priority list. Even I’ve found that I’ve cut down on the number of blogs I consume compared to a few years ago. One of the things I have loved reading the most on blogs these days are what others are doing to pass the time and keep busy. I thought I’d start sharing what I’m cooking, reading, watching and doing to help pass the time and stay, somewhat, sane through this time of sheltering in place.
- I’ve made these Crinkle Top Brownies more than I would like to admit, and I’ve done all the heavy lifting in terms of polishing them off too. Half Baked Harvest is my absolute favourite food blogger, and all of her recipes are insanely delicious.
- When Corona got serious here in Canada and my anxiety shot through the roof, I searched out online yoga classes to help ease my anxiousness. I found this Yoga For Anxiety and Stress class from Yoga with Adriene and I was hooked. This class is under 30 minutes and her calm demeanor left me checking out her other classes too.
- I cannot remember the last time I attempted to do a puzzle. But since sheltering in place we’ve gone though six of them. We set them up on the dining table (there goes our dinner parties) so you can pick away piece by piece or sit down and invest some time. It’s been an amazing way to pass the time and still feel like you’re accomplishing something.
- We’ve been printing off free colouring sheets from the Super Coloring website on the regular. They have every character under the sun and I let the kids pick which characters they’d like to print off, which adds to the excitement. I’m not sure if the kids have more fun colouring the sheets or watching their choices get printed.
- When Tiger King came out we binged it like it was our job. Last week we started The Last Dance documentary on Michael Jordan, and whoa, it’s ah-mazing. We’ve been sitting on pins and needles for the next two episodes to be released, so if you need me tonight, you’ll know where to find me.
Photos by Kiera Schussler
It’s been a minute since I’ve felt the motivation to share on this space. It’s such a bizarre and uncertain time, and I’d be lying if I said my anxiety hasn’t been closing in on a 10/10 at times. With a respiratory condition I fall into the high risk category, and when Corona became a reality up in Canada, so did my anxiety. I’ve had to limit the amount of media coverage I consume, be intentional with getting outside and exercise, and reach out and connect to friends and family.
These photos were taken back before isolation began, and we thought spring was heading our way. I’ve lost track of how many more days of snowfall we’ve had in the past five or six weeks, but I’m happy to report this past week has melted away a large portion of the vast amount of snow. I spent a part of yesterday packing up my heavy sweaters and pulling out my shorts and tanks in anticipation of warmer days ahead. It’s the small things that we get to look forward to these days, and spending full days outside in the warm sunshine is definitely one that I’m looking forward to.
Photos by Kiera Schussler
Aritzia Sweater, AGOLDE Denim, Vince Coat, Loeffler Randall Boots, Celine Handbag
Last week we had a taste of spring and oh my goodness, it got me excited for all the spring things. Of course it had snowed by the end of the week, bringing us all back to the reality that we’re still months away from being able to wear sneakers and lightweight jackets on the regular. It’s usually this time of year that I’m over turtlenecks and wool and anxious to wear all the pastels and cotton I can.
This particular outfit is a compilation of some of my most worn items from this winter. I have been living in my AGOLDE denim. The quality is fabulous, I love that they’re high-waisted and tuck everything in, and the washes are so flattering. The only item I’ve worn more consistently than my jeans are my suede boots. I can’t explain how comfortable they are while looking incredible with everything they’re paired with. I have to admit, these days comfort wins over everything. In the past, if something was uncomfortable I was able to push through if it looked fabulous. Now, if I can’t full squat to pick up items thrown on the ground, lunge to grab a runaway child, or sweat profusely from stress/embarrassment without it showing, the clothing item doesn’t make the cut. I’d say those are pretty high standards these days, wouldn’t you ?
Photos by Kiera Schussler
I have always stood by the concept that if you invest in high quality, classic pieces, they will stand the test of time. It’s a concept I encourage my clients to seriously consider, to invest in pieces that will last for years to come. I do stress that the dollar amount of what you can afford to invest will be different for everyone. For some, $200 will be a significant investment, while for others their budget may allow for a $2,000+ investment. It’s an approach I live by and thought it was time to point out some of the pieces I’ve personally invested in and all the ways I’ve worn these classic pieces over the years. Hence the start of a new series I’ll be featuring on the blog called, Classics On Repeat.
Is there anything truly more classic than a black wool coat? Worn, but not limited to, everywhere from date night, running errands, weddings, funerals, work and play. It’s a must have that I would encourage everyone to have in their closet. I personally would recommend a coat that falls between mid thigh to mid calf as it offers so much more versatility than a coat shorter in length. I purchased this Burberry military style wool coat back in 2012, and eight years later it reads just as classic and on trend as it did when I first bought it. The photos on the blog are just a very small snapshot of the ways in which I’ve worn this versatile beauty throughout the years. With jeans, rompers, dresses, heels, sneakers, pregnant and not, buttoned and undone, it has truly been a go-to investment. At this point, cost per wear is close to pennies, I’m practically being paid to wear it. At least that’s what I tell my husband.
