{ Wearing: Brooks Brothers chambray shirt, Icone gingham shirt c/o Simons.ca, BCBG military pants, Marc by Marc Jacobs shoes (last seen here), Guess baguette (my first branded bag, purchased at 13), The Cross Decor [...]]]>

{ Wearing: Brooks Brothers chambray shirt, Icone gingham shirt c/o Simons.ca, BCBG military pants, Marc by Marc Jacobs shoes (last seen here), Guess baguette (my first branded bag, purchased at 13), The Cross Decor & Design gifted tote, Poshlocket rose gold bangles c/o, Stella & Dot gold link & spiky bracelets, Stella & Dot snake ring c/o, H&M sunnies }

These photos were taken Friday morning just before I went to meet Rae for a LOVE + MARK’D meeting at Starbucks. Which by the way, I am largely over. Starbucks serves average coffee at outrageous prices in a could-be-described-as blah environment. There is nothing special about it at all, very much unlike my preferred spots Giovane Cafe at the Fairmont Pacific Rim and Bel Cafe at the Hotel Georgia. We met purposely to discuss a marketing campaign for the card brand and were thinking of creating one with an anti-social media element to it, being that aside from a few well-intended instagram photos, our product is meant for the traditional mail system and has nothing to do with communication 2.0. I am very proud of what we came up with after spending two plus hours sitting in the Robson at Thurlow Starbucks. I must give props to Rae for being such a major part of the creative process, it’s amazing how much more innovative you can be when it is not just you circling ideas around in your own head. We are just in the beginning stages of creating the imagery to support the campaign and we hope to launch in early June. I hope you’ll support us!

Lately I’ve been playing around with my new-ish short hair, this weekend with a small-barrel curling iron. I helped a man at Starbucks who couldn’t find the right size of lid for his tall cup and afterwards he said, “thanks Marilyn.” It kinda made my day.

{ Wearing: Zara sweater, Fidelity pants, Ted Baker belt, Manolo Blahnik flats, H&M sunnies, Fossil watch, Poshlocket bangles (c/o) }

Some days you just want to say #$&% to the tight waist bands, fitted [...]]]>

{ Wearing: Zara sweater, Fidelity pants, Ted Baker belt, Manolo Blahnik flats, H&M sunnies, Fossil watch, Poshlocket bangles (c/o) }

Some days you just want to say #$&% to the tight waist bands, fitted jeans and high, high heels. Those days are often Sundays. Sundays bring no fashion events, no meetings, just coffee strolls and brunch dates. And I want to enjoy brunch with my comfortable pants on, like these Fidelity cargo pants. I know you hear me when I say there is nothing worse than digging into your delicious eggs benny and mimosa only to feel like you’re about to pop the button on your trousers. You know that post-brunch shift in your chair thing, when you’re trying to get comfortable but your constricting skirt won’t allow it? Yeah, that’s the worst. We’re spending Sunday morning in Blaine as a result of an over-nighter birthday party bash at a beach house. And these pants are coming with me!

Happy brunch-day Sunday!

P.S. Many thanks to Poshlocket for the bangles, I am absolutely in LOVE with them, as seen here and here on instagram. Get yours here!

{ Wearing: JNBY sweater dress (c/o), H&M denim & sunnies (two regular favorites… I’m wearing the jeans now as I type this!), Nine West wedges (purchased in 2008, we’re rekindling our affair this spring, [...]]]>

{ Wearing: JNBY sweater dress (c/o), H&M denim & sunnies (two regular favorites… I’m wearing the jeans now as I type this!), Nine West wedges (purchased in 2008, we’re rekindling our affair this spring, they’re just perfect with this season’s Sport Luxe trend), Frances Cobiasia bag, gifted nameplate necklace, leather wrap bracelet purchased from a SoHo street vendor, crystal embroidery thread bracelet from New Look (London) }

In the news today, two pieces that will likely shake up your fashion future:

• Anna Dello Russo partners with H&M for an “over-the-top” accessories collection to debut October 4th 2012. “The collection features jewelry, sunglasses, shoes, bags and a carry-on allowing H&M customers uniqueness at an affordable price,” says H&M. From Anna Dello Russo: “I am excited by this collaboration: this is the first time H&M has involved a fashion director in a special project. This is the sign of an important evolution in fashion, and I am both thrilled and humbled to be the one chosen to lead it. I wanted to create precious accessories that are impossible to find. As a stylist, I know accessorization is essential; it is the personal touch in any outfit. With these pieces, everybody can have fun, and turn an ordinary day into a fantastic fashion day.”

• SweetSpot.ca, the Rogers owned online source for all things current in fashion and retail in Canada, has announced it will no longer be publishing new content. There was no reason given, just: “we’re sad to announce that sweetspot.ca will no longer be posting new content, and that our archives will be shutting down at the end of this month.” It’s a shame, the Canadian publication scene feels to be dwindling when it ought to be growing. On a brighter note, there is independent growth: did you see this brilliant new online magazine, just launched yesterday?

{ Wearing: Wilfred blazer, BCBG Max Azria shirt, Zara trousers, bag & sandals, H&M sunnies, necklace from Accessorize (London) }

This was Friday afternoon’s coffee meeting look at Thurlow and Robson. These sandals have been with [...]]]>

{ Wearing: Wilfred blazer, BCBG Max Azria shirt, Zara trousers, bag & sandals, H&M sunnies, necklace from Accessorize (London) }

This was Friday afternoon’s coffee meeting look at Thurlow and Robson. These sandals have been with me for a few years now, since spring 2009 when I first wore them with my Matthew Williamson for H&M peacock feather dress (seen here). I remember feeling so fabulous in that dress and these glimmering flats, actually, they’re still my go-to fabulous sandals. – And perhaps you’ve noticed that my hair is shorter, again. My last cut didn’t go as short as I’d like, though that was probably a good thing then – less shocking for me, so I had a barber cut a lot more off just this past week and I just love it. Hardly five minutes of maintenance and I’m out the door, that is my kind of hair.

{ Wearing: Joe Fresh sweater (last seen here), Zara trousers, Vince Camuto shoes, Kate Spade bag, Fossil watch, Storey bow bracelet, diamonte bracelet – unknown: (bracelets close-up), H&M sunnies (my favorite), Stella & [...]]]>

{ Wearing: Joe Fresh sweater (last seen here), Zara trousers, Vince Camuto shoes, Kate Spade bag, Fossil watch, Storey bow bracelet, diamonte bracelet – unknown: (bracelets close-up), H&M sunnies (my favorite), Stella & Dot stackable rings }

Miss Alicia Fashionista and I met yesterday morning for an indulgent cup of chai tea latte at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia’s divine cafe, Bel Cafe. It’s amazing what an invigorating conversation can do for your mood. After our drinks we crossed the street to the Vancouver Art Gallery where I have been wanting to snap shots for some time now. Alicia took these for me. TGIF! Have a fabulous weekend! I plan to spend mine finishing Napoleon Hill’s Think & Grow Rich, watching a couple episodes of Dexter – George and I can’t get enough, though I squirm at the gore-insinuated bits, and going for light jogs – summer trousers are less forgiving than winter denim.

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This has been one of the best days in my blogger history. Here’s how it went down, event by event:

10:30am – Woke up. Oops. I had set the alarm for 8:30am intending [...]]]> { The Big Meeting outfit, wearing: Wilfred blazer, H&M t-shirt & trousers & sunnies, Zara flats, Franchi clutch }

This has been one of the best days in my blogger history. Here’s how it went down, event by event:

10:30am – Woke up. Oops. I had set the alarm for 8:30am intending to start the day early, enjoy breakfast and get some work done. Wellll, that didn’t quite happen. But I did manage to pull together a cute outfit for a morning out.

11:00am – I made it down to the hotel restaurant for a delicious buffet of french toast, sausages, rye bread and fresh fruit.

11:30am – Grabbed a cab and headed over to Holt Renfrew on Bloor St. Yorkville looked so lovely in the sunlight, and it is a shopping paradise full of gorgeous boutiques in quaint, charming buildings and a wide variety of luxury designers. Holts is no exception, their displays are heavenly showing Balenciaga bags, loads of glittering Miu Mius and Pradas in the shoe salon and lipsticks in the makeup department for days.

11:40pm – Popped into Zara for a quick look, had to leave with these billowing pants.

{ Wearing: Zara shirt & bag, Fidelity denim, Manolo flats (last seen here), H&M aviators, Fossil watch, Storey bow bracelet, Tiffany’s bracelet }

12pm – Met Ryan Michael Cheung, digital editor at Flare Magazine, for a light lunch at Holts’ Cafe. After having had that enormous fantastic breakfast though, all I could manage was an overpriced sparkling water. Don’t you just hate those people who watch you eat?? So Manhattan socialite of me.

1:15pm – Time for a latte! Particularly after Sunday evening’s cocktails.

1:30 – What was intended to be a lovely stroll through Yorkville turned into a sticky, uncomfortable jaunt and a quick trip back to the hotel to freshen up, as seen in the above printed-pant picture. Besides, I needed a little more H&M in my look. Why? Because…

2:30pm 2:45pm – After getting slightly lost I was finally standing in a glamorous glass-encased lobby, the lobby of H&M Canada’s head offices for a very exciting meeting.

2:50pm – I find myself sitting at a sleek conference table in a room overlooking downtown Toronto with a print out of H&M’s Tuesday morning media release placed in front of me. The first line reads: “H&M launches the Conscious Collection at Pacific Centre guest curated by Vancouver fashion blogger Olivia Lovenmark of StyleStruck” and all of a sudden it hits me, it’s not just a string of emails anymore, it’s real! Patrick Tackney, part of the PR team at H&M Canada discusses with me what “H&M Gets StyleStruck” (H&M’s first blog-in-shop!) will entail. The collaboration is based around my acting as a guest curator of the Conscious Collection (see the pieces here! And also see the oh-so-glamorous Exclusive Conscious Collection that will be available April 12!), as the media release reads, meaning I’ll be styling up a section of Pacific Centre’s H&M store for an event happening in April! (Fun!! Like a kid in a candy store!) We also discussed Tuesday’s photo shoot for the promotional images, which is what has brought me to Toronto.

~ What is the Conscious Collection? It is a collection of fashion-forward items for men, women and kids made from environmentally adapted and sustainable materials, like organic cotton, Tencel and recycled polyester. H&M has delivered other news-worthy initiatives to protect the environment that you can check out here!

3:10pm – Patrick, a well-heeled Netherlands H&M PR trainee and I make our way into the showroom; a crisp white room glittered with neon clutches, a well placed couch adorned with an array of pink pillows and of course the next fashions to hit H&M’s floors, to see the Conscious Collection that will be featured in the shoot. I spied a pair of soft silk scarf-esque shorts that are going to be a must-have, as well as a pair of pink drop earrings I know I’m just going to have to wear come spring.

3:40pm – We head down to the H&M store in Eaton Centre to pull accessories and shoes for the shoot! Belts, flats, hair pins, bags and bracelets, oh my! So many pretty things to choose from! Pulling clothes is like shopping without a budget: dangerous for a fashion-loving girl. After combing through the racks, and two full bags, we surely have enough items for the two or three images we’re after, but like RZ says, “options, options, options!”

4:20pm – Back to the Hotel for a much needed chit chat with George and an outfit change before taking a rather long and leisurely stroll down Queen St. West, where there is some major shopping. I, however, window shopped. (*pat on the back!*)

{ The sun sets on the shops of Queen St. West }

8:00pm – Back at the hotel for some R & R, and when it was too late to go out to get myself dinner, some overpriced room service. (Darn it.)

10:00pm – Blogging, catching up on some television (bad, bad blogger!), more blogging…

11:55pm – Still writing this blog post… Time for bed! I CAN NOT have baggy saggy eyes tomorrow! I’m really going to try to smize, wish me luck!

Last night I finally got all of my things together for my trip, and actually properly ironed everything for the first time in ages! I decided to pack light, just a carry on and a tote bag carrying my lap top, [...]]]>

Last night I finally got all of my things together for my trip, and actually properly ironed everything for the first time in ages! I decided to pack light, just a carry on and a tote bag carrying my lap top, magazines and purse. Currently sitting at the Edmonton International Airport waiting to board my next flight to Toronto. Oh – boarding time!

{ Wearing: Old Navy blouse, H&M shorts, Lily Pulitzer sweater, Tretorn Nylite sneakers (c/o), Gianni Chiarini bag, New Era hat, Holt Renfrew earrings, bfrend braclet (c/o), Fossil watch, chain bangles purchased from a street vendor in NYC’s SoHo }

{ Wearing: Old Navy blouse, H&M shorts, Lily Pulitzer sweater, Tretorn Nylite sneakers (c/o), Gianni Chiarini bag, New Era hat, Holt Renfrew earrings, bfrend braclet (c/o), Fossil watch, chain bangles purchased from a street vendor in NYC’s SoHo }

Nautical, oh how we love our nautical! Those Breton stripes we could recognize in our sleep, crisp white trousers, gold-buttons adorning our sweaters for when the wind chill gets nippy, and of course the color palette: red, white and blue. Can’t you just picture yourself seaside in Cape Breton, or Coal Harbour, about to board a magnificent yacht with straw picnic basket in hand (champagne already chilling on board), and a pair of fabulously over-sized aviators adding even more glamour to your look? Rather easy isn’t it?

We’re pretty darn lucky, us West (and East) Coasters, for we live close enough to the sea to warrant a day trip out on the waves. One of my major to-do’s on my Spring list is a day of boating, starting in the Burrard Inlet and then exploring around Bowen Island, perhaps even further, with a packed lunch and a big blogger-sized camera. It’s quite magical that we can be whisked away and be back in time for dinner with friends downtown. Lucky, indeed. But first I have to complete my BC boating license online, which I have always wanted to get!

Naturally you’ll need a few things for your boating excursion, like this striped sweater dress, (or this cute Madewell striped tunic!), white denim cut offs, a simple sneaker for on deck and of course the perfect carryall.

* Note: I mentioned above I want to get my boating license, upon looking into it I  discovered they refer to the whole maneuvering the boat thing as “operating a pleasure craft.” Ha. If you didn’t giggle too, then you’re holding it in.

Happy fabulous spring-time boating!

This morning I dressed for a segment on Breakfast Television! You know I adore prints, so I chose these H&M trousers and paired them with snakeskin heels by Ballin (purchased in Monte Carlo). It’s a fun experience being at the studio; you arrive before what normal people consider “early,” have your [...]]]>

This morning I dressed for a segment on Breakfast Television! You know I adore prints, so I chose these H&M trousers and paired them with snakeskin heels by Ballin (purchased in Monte Carlo). It’s a fun experience being at the studio; you arrive before what normal people consider “early,” have your hair touched up by a fantastic hair stylist (I was sooo thrilled with my blow out by Lance from Barrette salon!) and then have your face painted on. The lights are so bright for the camera that you quite literally need your features painted on. It’s quite fun, like playing a character for the day. Click here for today’s “day-to-night” segment!

{ At CityTV studios, Wearing: Joe Fresh silk blouse, H&M pants, Ballin shoes, Fossil watch, gifted name plate necklace }

The segment was all about quickly changing your look from office to cocktails without having to go home and change. Below is Lucy’s cocktail-ready look.

Model Lucy (and bag designer) wore: BCBGMAXAZRIA blazer and trousers, H&M blouse and bracelets, Storey Design bag and my DIY necklace! (When you can’t find what you want, you make it.) **All clothes currently available in stores.**

Nothin like a little dose of fashion to get the week started off right! Bisous!

Yesterday morning, as fiercely tweeted!, I did a segment on Breakfast Television with host Riaz Meghji! I was there to talk fashion and how to dress thinner – 5 lbs thinner to be exact! I showed slimming blazers, a trench coat and dark wash boot cut jeans and [...]]]>

Yesterday morning, as fiercely tweeted!, I did a segment on Breakfast Television with host Riaz Meghji! I was there to talk fashion and how to dress thinner – 5 lbs thinner to be exact! I showed slimming blazers, a trench coat and dark wash boot cut jeans and some of my favorites and easy go-tos! Click here to watch the segment!

{ Wearing: Joe Fresh angora sweater, Zara trousers & heels, Storey Design bracelets, Fossil watch }

The models are wearing: (from left to right)

Renee: Trina Turk dress & Sam Edelman shoes (The Bay Downtown Vancouver), H&M trench coat and Storey Design bracelet and black leather croc-embossed bag

Nick: Hugo Boss blazer, Levi’s denim & Kenneth Cole shoes (The Bay Downtown Vancouver) H&M button up shirt, his own tie and watch

Lucy: Theory leather blazer, J Brand denim, Rachel Rachel Roy shoes (The Bay Downtown Vancouver), Joe Fresh silk blouse, Storey Design necklace, bracelets and tan leather bag w/ snake skin detail

Jonathan: Diesel leather bomber jacket, sweater & chinos, Hugo Boss Orange shoes (The Bay Downtown Vancouver), H&M t-shirt

Many thanks to BT for having me! To The Bay Downtown Vancouver & H&M for the fabulous clothes and to Joy Mitchell (thejoyofhair.com), for doing our hair (at 6:00 am!!).

P.S. Yesterday was all sorts of glamour, I went from TV to my sweat pants and an old T to get my painting on in our new home! Step 1: primer… the before and after shots! 

{ Wearing: Scarf from Le Chateau, H&M coat & fingerless gloves, Mavi jeans (c/o), ShoeMint shoe boots* (c/o), Zara bag, Joe Fresh toque (c/o), Storey Design snakeskin bow bracelet (c/o) }

Photos snapped in downtown’s business [...]]]>

{ Wearing: Scarf from Le Chateau, H&M coat & fingerless gloves, Mavi jeans (c/o), ShoeMint shoe boots* (c/o), Zara bag, Joe Fresh toque (c/o), Storey Design snakeskin bow bracelet (c/o) }

Photos snapped in downtown’s business district on Saturday afternoon by George. You know what they say, behind every blogger is a blogger boyfriend toting around an enormous camera. This isn’t too far from the new home actually, I am leaving the West End for West Georgia: in-suite washer and dryer, dishwasher and floor-to-ceiling windows. Yahoo! (I love moving – seriously. New decor!)

Have a wonderful week, do something very fabulous today (cinnamon your latte, add a touch of snakeskin to your bag, give your nails a fresh paint or purchase a crisp, new fashion glossy, or spend an inordinate amount of time on Pinterest, as I have this weekend. Now that’s decadent.), OR, as previously posted, do something GLAMOROUS!

*Shoe boots. Not to be mis-named as booties. As we saw in The September Issue, Vogue-ettes do not, do not, call this type of footwear booties. Anna obviously has the last word. 

{ Wearing: Vintage fur vest, Wilfred sweater, Dynamite shorts, H&M tights & umbrella, Zara boots, vintage leather clutch – both vintage pieces from my mother’s closet, Social Experiment ring (c/o) }

What a miserable Saturday! It sure is rainy and chilly. Though I bring this [...]]]>

{ Wearing: Vintage fur vest, Wilfred sweater, Dynamite shorts, H&M tights & umbrella, Zara boots, vintage leather clutch – both vintage pieces from my mother’s closet, Social Experiment ring (c/o) }

What a miserable Saturday! It sure is rainy and chilly. Though I bring this blog post to you from beneath the covers, so perhaps it’s not all that bad. Saturdays are that perfect day for eating scrumptious foods, putting on something warm and comfortable and hiding away with your favorite book. Or your iPad, or computer. I started mine with a sleep-in (a rarity these days), then shuffled into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee – on the stove using our new old-fashioned percolator. I love cooking on Saturday mornings; today I did brie cheese melted onto fresh french bread in the broiler, and scrambled eggs on top. A delicious breakfast and an aggressive 10 am hockey game. How lovely. (Ha.)

{ Wearing: Tevrow + Chase jacket, Zara cardigan & bag, H&M t-shirt, Aldo accessories necklace, JNBY pants (c/o), Michael Kors boots, New Era Yankees cap }