Prada Dress (similar here and here), Diane von Furstenberg Clutch, Cowboy Boots (similar here), La Vie Parisienne Earrings, Michael Kors Watch
We’re coming into the final weekend of the legendary Calgary Stampede and while many will be crossing their fingers that their liver is still intact, my Stampede experience has been much more of the low key variety. Taking in the rodeo and the chucks has always been tops for me, and this year a trip to Heritage Park with the littlest people in my life was also on the agenda. I get so many questions on what to wear from locals and visitors alike, and when the weather’s nice my Stampede uniform is simple, dress and boots. While I truly believe there’s something in everyone’s closet that can be ‘western-ed’ up, investing in a pair of authentic cowboy boots will be money well spent if you hit up stampede on a yearly basis. I mean you never know when you’ll be called to action to help round up that cattle, right.
Equipment Dress, SMYTHE Blazer (different colour here), Saint Laurent Pumps ( different colour here and here), Saint Laurent Handbag (different colour here), Hermes Watch, David Yurman Bracelets, Alexis Bittar Earrings
This past weekend was deliciously full and ridiculously wonderful. I had a dear friend come in from Vancouver, I hosted my annual Stampede Breakfast, and we made our way down to the grounds to cheer on family in the chuckwagon races. It’s weekends like these that make me feel unbelievably blessed and leave me wondering how I got so lucky to have so many amazing people in my life. I wore the same dress for my stampede breakfast with my cowboy boots and hat, and got so many compliments I decided to switch out the accessories and head out for a meeting downtown. Needless to say this number is on steady repeat.
It’s hard to comprehend that three years has past since I started carving out my little space on the internet. The older I get the more sentimental I become, and even small moments in time, like taking a moment to reflect on this past year makes me emotional. If the prior year was the year of being broken down after my divorce, this past year has been the year of recovery. Picking up the pieces hasn’t been easy, I’m still late for 40% of my life, my house stays messy for far longer than it would have ever been acceptable before, I run on gas fumes far too often and my hosting events are few and far between. I was always known as the one that had it all together before. But now, I’m okay with being a little bit messy and late and not having everything pulled together. I’m okay with crying at TV commercials and songs that come on the radio and embracing the unexpected and unknown. I’m okay with throwing my hands up in the air when shit hits the fan because, hey, what else can you do.
And while there’s been so many ups and downs, having this blog as a constant has been the saving grace. I need to thank my fearless, loyal and loving brother-in-law, photographer and tireless blogging buddy. Thank you for your un-abandoning dedication to this blog, and for all of the time you put in to it. There are not enough thank-yous to communicate how much it has meant to me. To my family and dear friends and my new love, I don’t know how I got so lucky to have you all in my life, but thank you for your love and support. I couldn’t do life without you.
Moving forward I have plans, tremendous, lofty and dreamy plans for this blog. The best part of having your very own space in this vast world is that no one can dictate your thoughts or dreams or ambitions, and they can be as big as you can dream them to be. I want to thank you all for coming along on this ride with me the past three years. Your support and readership has kept me going, having someone to share a recipe or an outfit or an entertaining trick has forced light into the darkest of rooms. So let’s celebrate together, to being vulnerable, to personal growth, to new experiences and of course, sharing chic ensembles and delicious recipes along the way.
Alice + Olivia Blouse (similar here), Alice + Olivia Skirt (similar here), Valentino Handbag, Valentino Pumps (similar here), Michael Kors Watch, Stella + Dot Bracelet, Swarovski Bracelet
There aren’t many occasions in life that call for themed dress-up these days, but when opportunity calls, I come running. With Canada’s day of birth happening July 1st, there’s just no way I won’t be dressing up in red and white. The great part is that unlike Halloween, any type of red and white ensemble can truly be worn year round. So tell me, what is it that you’ll be donning to celebrate our great country’s big day?
J.Crew Tank, J.Crew Shorts, Valentino Wedges (similar here and here), Yves Saint Laurent Handbag (similar here), Michael Kors Watch, Stella + Dot Bracelet, Swarovski Bracelet
The older I get the more I realize that there are certain items of clothing that are about as easy to handle as a teenage girl going through puberty. Shorts are one of those items where I’m constantly wondering what the expiry date is on being too short and/or too tight. While the struggle is real I’ve found that these preppy J. Crew chino shorts are just the ticket to get me through a variety of events this summer. When paired with a silk top and heels it’s dressy all the way, but a drapey black tee and flips flops allow me to run to and fro fulfilling all of the errands I need to get done. For now, it’s problem solved.
