Standing at the entrance of Capilano Golf and Country Club in West Vancouver, ready for a wedding!

Saturday afternoon Tommy, (my date), and I got all dressed up for a wedding on the hill. I chose a red bandage style dress from BCBG Max Azria with yellow Zara faux snakeskin heels, (5″), a vintage Pierre Cardin snakeskin clutch and vintage Rayban sunnies while Tommy went for more of a “running for prez” kind of look. Nothin’ like a navy jacket and tie! You’ll notice I’m wearing a rather low-cut dress, like I mentioned earlier about my crop top, this isn’t something I do often. But sometimes it has to happen, for me this was the dress that said, “BAM! I’m here!” Now back to my regular programming of t shirts and blouses. 

The groom led the bride onto the dance floor for the first dance… that dress was heaven.

Love weddings!!

Xo StyleStruck

Spending Saturday morning tidying, running a few errands in a crop top and sans make up, which feels good. I’m not usually much of a crop top type, but I figured, with this heat, why the heck not? Although, this is probably the only time my belly button will feel so free, unless you catch me at the beach. 

Wearing: Vintage crop top, (a whopping $2 purchase), Sirens white denim, Zara flats, H&M sunnies.

And the latest home-decor addition to my little apartment:

A fierce feline! Rooowwwrr.

You may have noticed a new hot pink box to the right, I’m now on Formspring! The social media platform for asking bloggers all sorts of questions. So get to it, type into that little box and ask me something. Now I must go get fancied up for a wedding, it takes some time. 

Xo StyleStruck

This outfit was worn to enjoy Friday night cosmopolitans at the Opus Hotel in Yaletown. All day I had been wondering what I should wear, we were going to be meeting up with quite a big group in the Velvet Room and I wanted to look fabulous. At the last minute I settled on this outfit, deciding that I needed a print moment. The women thought my outfit was a dress, so I suppose the two pieces were a successful combination! 

Wearing: BCBG Max Azria silk heart blouse, (as previously seen at Chanel), Zara silk snakeskin print skirt, Marc by Marc Jacobs clutch, vintage ring, Stuart Weitzman nude pumps

And for a little kitty update:

Marie is a happy, healthy and ever growing kitten! Happy home over here with little Marie!

Till next time,

Xo StyleStruck

This evening was spent biking along the beautiful sea wall around Stanley Park! Such a wonderful way to spend the evening!

Wearing: Silk Zara blouse, leather Zara belt, vintage cut offs, Zara flats, Guess back pack, H&M sunnies.

Tonight couldn’t have been more lovely, riding a cruiser with the wind in your hair, stopping for ice cream and photos, fun, fun, fun! 

Amazing!! In the distance, the North Shore, (West Vancouver).

Hope you had a lovely summery weekend!

Xo StyleStruck

Working away, late at night on a few overdue things. I’m in the midst of creating some good blog content, or that’s what I’m trying to do anyways! Wearing: Dress from French Connection, Zara leather flats. You can’t see, but I’m wearing pearl studs. I feel that with short hair, big earrings just don’t work. Is it just me, or is it very easy to feel distracted in the summer time? Especially when the sun is streaming in my window, hence working in the evening. Though, I have managed to not go to the beach this last week, but oh do I want to!!

Yep, workin’ reeaal hard! ; ) Okay, back to work. 

 Xo SS

I spent my Canada Day with my Mum. It was a glamorous day of shopping for a cat carrier, (pink), a watering can, (pink) and a frying pan. Though I did add the pink Kate Spade to this outfit and that made everything feel a little bit more fabulous. And of course I showed my patriotism with this ruffled red and white striped cardigan from H&M! 

Wearing H&M striped cardi, white H&M tank, vintage denim cut offs, white leather Zara flats and Aldo elephant ring. Red nails by Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics.

Did you dress for Canada Day??

Xo StyleStruck

Pictured above at Pink Door. But there was a glam dinner on Saturday night! If you go to Seattle, you MUST go to Pink Door for dinner! It was a magical restaurant, better than I could have imagined and so perfect for a first night in the city. The door is hidden, unmarked in an alley near the Public Market, and when you descend the stairs down into the restaurant, you walk into a dimly lit room with light pinky peach walls that are adorned with dozens of scalloped-edged vintage mirrors and many vintage chandeliers of all sizes hanging from the ceiling. That dinner was definitely one of the best I have ever had out. Our server was wonderful, the music and ambience were just perfect and the food was amazing! Five stars. After dinner the boy and I got caught in a rain storm, which apparently appeared out of nowhere while we were enjoying our triple-layer mousse cake. So we ducked into a busy Irish bar across the alley for a drink while we waited it out. It ended up being one of the most fun nights, very impromptu and spontaneous and just right for a weekend away. 

From the top: Looking out over the harbour, (wearing a Zara jacket, Trina Turk shorts, Zara silk floral blouse, yellow pashmina, Zara leather flats, vintage Raybans and vintage Pierre Cardin snakeskin purse). Pike Place Public Market, Tommy outside the market with a carriage horse, fresh peonies inside the market.

Sunday morning was spent eating a decadent breakfast of eggs benedict with crab cakes at Boka, the restaurant adjacent to our hotel, Hotel 1000. Afterwards we wandered through some fine home stores nearby, (Tommy really is a girl’s dream when travelling, if we pass a shop he knows I might like to go into, he takes me in and then sits in the designated “boyfriend chair” while I try things on. I hope he knows how much I appreciate his patience, especially when my “ten minutes” usually turns into more like 30, or 40 minutes…), and then walked over to Nordstrom Rack, (where all of the discounted designer Nordstrom merchandise go). I’d been talking about wanting to go there for weeks, and after much searching through the racks, it did not disappoint! I left the store with a pair of dark Sevens with rhinestones on the pocket for a third of the retail price, a pair of white Trina Turk jean shorts and a Jason Wu pleated silk skirt which was marked down from $1650 to $100. That’s a savings of $1550. (WHO WOULD PAY $1650 FOR A SKIRT?!) For lunch we visited McCormick and Smicks, a popular seafood restaurant that has about 85 stores across the country. I tried an oyster, I don’t know why, but I was feeling optimistic and adventurous and so I slid a fresh, or raw, oyster into my mouth. Ewwww. Never again. But the salmon burger was delish! Afterwards we went to the market, a very popular Sunday destination. (Pictures above, and below). 

After the market we wandered over to the actual Nordstrom department store where I found a charming pink Tasha bib-style necklace made of pink ribbon, lace and beads. Very pretty, and conveniently it went perfectly with my outfit for dinner on Sunday night, or maybe I planned my outfit around the necklace.

Monday was our last day in Seattle so we really made it count. We did a big walk downtown, visiting a number of shops including Barneys, Victoria’s Secret and a FABULOUS designer consignment shop that Tommy spotted where I found a white eyelet Diane von Furstenburg wrap dress, that just like my other DVF wrap dress, I swear was made for me. It was like heaven in a dressing room, that moment when you really like an item and reeaally want it to fit and work for you, and then IT DOES! Oh happy day. We went back to the Public Market again for delicious freshly-baked Nutella-covered crumpets, looked through a vintage book store and finally drank a mango cosmo, (me) and a pale ale, (Tommy) at Boka before packing up our bags and getting into a taxi destined for the bus depot. It really was a wonderful weekend away of exploring and relaxing.

(Above, wearing: Zara jacket, Guess army jacket, black Target tank top, vintage necklace, white Sirens jeans, Coach wedges and a giant Cole Haan black leather bag).

Sad to say goodbye to Seattle! Now back to Vancouver life, I’m accompanying my friend Steph to a tattoo appointment this afternoon. Never mind that needles make me squirm. 

Xo StyleStruck

Well, it’s that time of year again! Time to bring out the short shorts, bikinis and minis! (I’m having a bit of a light-denim shorts moment right now, kinda over minis, but then again ask me in a week and I may have a different opinion.)

I know all you ladies are very diligent in your skin care routine, shaving those lovely legs and keeping your hair smooth and voluminous, but there is a new product out there, for an area you may have been neglecting… 

“Muff stuff” is brought to you by Ritz Clinging, a fabulous Vancouver entrepreneur. Clinging says, “I created I Love My Muff to provide women with eco chic and effective products for daily love and care down there. It’s a muff movement!”

A little info from ilovemymuff.com: My goal was to create fabulously effective feminine care products that cater to the modern lifestyles of savvy, empowered and informed women of today.

I have achieved this goal in the creation of i love my muff premium feminine care products.

With the promise to provide daily love and care for down there, i love my muff products have been developed with an uncompromising commitment to mildness, biodegradability, non-toxicity, cleansing ability, moisturizing ability and luxurious feel.

i love my muff products are vegan, free of any parabens, SLS, synthetic colors and fragrances. They have been handmade (with love) in Canada using the finest natural ingredients like pure beneficial essential oils to create a perfect balance that’s suitable for all skin types.

It’s no longer taboo and with it’s clean packaging and bold message these products are a statement of confidence and a must have for every woman.

Looking to purchase Muff stuff? It’s available at Beauty Mark in Yaletown, and Clinging has gone global with it! Muff stuff is now available in NYC, as well as major Canadian cities like Toronto. 

I’m a fan!

Wearing: H&M rhinestone tee, Urban Behaviour denim shorts, Zara wedges and vintage Raybans.

(Dontcha just love how eclectic this blog is? From tips on business to feminine hygiene, I’ve got ya covered! ; ))

Xo SS

Who doesn’t like fun photos? Thought you might like some more, I like these ones! : )

-SS

 So by now you now that one of my passions is marketing and pretty much all that falls under the marketing umbrella. At the moment I am taking a course called Strategic Corporate Communications that encourages exploring the new methods of communicating with your business members and target audience. In our first class last week the professor asked us to create a blog that will serve as a platform for our take on some given readings. I thought that since I dabble in a little bit of marketing related info, (events and bits I find here and there), on this blog already, I would include some of the tips from the readings on my blog. If like me you are interested in pursuing a career in public relations and marketing, you might find these insights helpful! And as always, why not include pictures to make this visual!

This post will feature my thoughts and ideas from a reading explaining how to “make your message visible.” I thought I’d combine it with a little photo shoot my sister and I did together that features how I make myself visible, all sequins all the time. (Photography and styling by Monika Loevenmark).

So this reading was particularly interesting to me because it highlighted something that I think I’ve been doing all along, but didn’t know that it was a strategy to lure you readers in; captivating the audience’s attention with imagery, or “data visualization,” via social media and creating that one-on-one connection with your audience. Although, I wonder if writing a piece on marketing and including fashion shots with it counts as “data visualization”… But it sure does make it more fun!

The reading: “How to make your message visible: On becoming better visual storytellers” by Susan Suggs, APR, (from Public Relations Tactics Journal by the Public Relations Society of America). That’s sure a mouthful. 

So what I took from the reading was this main principle: “the more visual you make your data, the greater its potential impact due to a stronger impression and better recall.” What this means to me is when you want to communicate a message, use creative and strong visuals to promote and enhance what you are saying. I think this is why blogs have become such an important part of internet marketing. Blogs are the perfect platform for communicating a message because the posts are infused with captivating pictures, (who doesn’t love peeking into someone else’s life, or closet?). I can learn from this principle, the more I continue to make my posts visual for my readers, the stronger the impression I will give to you about what I’m about and will probably have you coming back to check my blog, hopefully! On that note, time for a photo…

This reading also says, “for PR professionals to be better visual story tellers, they should try using a problem-solving outline or a direct human interest story.” So, does this mean that as a wannabe PR professional that I am promoting myself through this blog and the way that I communicate with you, my readers, by telling little stories from my life, could be considered “visual story-telling” through my own “human interest” stories? And therefor I am making this a stronger connection with you? Rad. Lets keep this going!

A quote that I like from the reading goes like this: “audiences today mine data for the short vignette that encapsulates the best and brightest ideas.” Your audience still wants “access to pertinent data, but perception of key messages improves when delivered with an understanding of the shortened attention span of today’s media-infused consumer.” So keep it short and sweet. Say what you gotta say in the most effective way possible, make it interesting and if possible, unique to all the many thousands of messages out there on the internet, (since we’re talking about an online forum). On that note I shall end the writing portion of this post, (see how I am showing that I understand what I’m reading?? Haha), now for SOME FABULOUS PHOTOS!

Im wearing: vintage sequin jacket, H&M over-sized T, Zara snakeskin printed skirt, Marc by Marc Jacobs necklace, Michael Kors watch, H&M bracelet and Zara leather flats. 

Hope you enjoyed my thoughts, : )

Xo StyleStruck