Work OOTD: Burgundy & Leopard

Good morning!:) Today I have another work outfit post, wearing my favourite combination right now...burgundy and leopard print! My obsession with burgundy coloured clothes and lips have carried over from fall to winter, and I have been rocking it non-stop! What has been your go-to colour this season?

My flats are a newer purchase from ALDO (on sale!) and they are super super comfy! I love how they match my scarf, and have that gold detailing. They also carry this shoe in black and white! For my pants, these are an old pair that I wore during my 2 Co-op terms when I worked in an office. I was going to throw them out, but then I found a way to casually wear them. All I did was roll them up and ditch my classic button up shirts. I love pairing these pants with a simple top tucked in and a heeled ankle boot for a chic look as well! I'm so happy I didn't let these pants go, as they are a key piece in my wardrobe now! Go through your closet and try on some of your items that haven't gotten any love lately...maybe there's something good, you just need to try styling it a different way :) Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!xo

A Closet Essential: The Ankle Boot

Good morning! Today's post is gonna be about some recent ankle boot purchases! I just love them so much I had to share them you! My obsession with ankle boots started early fall, and it has only grown.. Ankle boots are so chic, fashion forward and an essential to your wardrobe! I wear them to work, to dinners, errands, the bar..really they are super versatile! I love the look of a thicker heel, plus they are more comfortable to walk in that way!;) Obviously you can't go wrong with a black pair as they go with everything, but it's always nice to range out to other neutral colours. I'll be showing you close ups, reasons to why I love them so much, and the links to purchase them down below! Also, I will be doing some outfit posts in the near future where I'll show you how I style them, so stay tuned!:)

ALDO

This first pair is from ALDO! They are leather with a rubber sole, and have a 3-1/4 inch heel. I absolutely love the gun metal zipper detailing on these. Since it's a gun metal colour, it gives me the option to style it with either gold or silver jewelry. When I zip them to the top however, it rubs against my ankle bone (ouch), so I wear them a little zipped down so they don't bother me!:) I prefer the look of them that way too! Also, I'll let you know the zipper makes a bit of noise when you're walking, but that wasn't a deal breaker for me as I got used to it real quick! They are the most comfortable out of the 3, and the easiest to pair with my outfits! I recommend going up half a size and putting in some insoles for a little extra cushion! PS: I got these for 50% off on Boxing Day (woohoo!) but they are back to regular priced now. I would wait a little, as they might go on sale again!;) 

Work OOTD: The Tuxedo Blazer

Happy New Year to all my readers!! How has 2015 been treating you so far?! :) I've been working lots, catching up with friends and trying to get some outfit posts up for you! Unfortunately, the weather has been terrible lately and I am doing my FIRST ever indoor outfit post! I guess there's a first time for everything. I may have to start doing more of these as its dark at 430pm, and my days off it usually rains or my photographer (my sister) is at school!

Anyways, I love getting styled up for work, and I'm always thinking I NEED to do a blog post on some of these outfits! So here is my 1st Work OOTD! I am wearing a Tuxedo-style blazer, which I absolutely love, as it's not as structured as most blazers and much shorter in length. It's light weight, so I can wear it year round, and the "no-button open look" gives me that option to dress up or down an outfit! I think you could wear this blazer with a pencil skirt and blouse for the office, throw it over a dress for drinks and also wear it with dark wash jeans and ankle boots for a chic casual day time look! If you have a similar blazer, try mixing it in with your more casual pieces from your wardrobe for that "dressy-casual" look! I kept the outfit simple so had some fun accessorizing with gold for my jewelry and shoes! To finish, I'm wearing my favourite red lipstick, "Viva Glam 3" by Mac for a pop of colour! I definitely recommend it!!:)

Last Minute NYE Outfit Ideas

Hello!! Hope you all had an amazing Xmas!:) I can't believe how fast the holidays are going by, and that tonight is already NYE!:D Ahh I am SO excited to celebrate with my friends tonight, and look back on how incredible 2014 was! I hope it was a fantastic year for you too!

Alright, let's talk fashion now! I finally completed my outfit as of a few days ago, and will be sharing it on my Instagram tonight, so stay tuned! Do you know what you will be wearing tonight?! NYE can be stressful, but planning your outfit shouldn't be! If it really is, just pretend it's a regular Friday night out and dress how you would then:) You don't have to be wearing a sequin dress to be festive! You can wear your favourite LBD and just bling it up with some accessories! If dresses aren't your thing, have some fun with pleather pants or even a jumpsuit, to stand out from the crowd! For colour, you really can't go wrong with black, whites/ nudes and deep reds! You can always add texture like a metallic belt or clutch to spice up your look as well! Hopefully these last minute ideas will spark some inspiration! Hope you all have a safe and fabulous night, and I'll talk to you next year!;)

Outfit #1: All about the SPARKLE 

Holiday Gift Guide for Her & Him

Good morning! I can't believe it's less than 2 weeks until Christmas Day!:D The holiday season is in full blast, and I'm sure many of you, (like me) have not fully completed your Xmas shopping list for friends and family! So, in hope to spark some ideas and make your life a little easier, I thought I would do a quick post on some gift ideas for your girl friends, sisters, mom, and for once I am doing something for men too! I always find shopping for the brother, dad or a boyfriend more difficult..do you?? Anyways, I tried to keep it close to my blog theme, with most things fashion and beauty related!:) Check out the links below to see where you can order these gifts online or purchase in store! Hope you enjoy!xx

How to: Choose the Right Necklace for Different Necklines

A little while ago, I had a request from one of my readers to do a post on how to accessorize! It inspired me to put together this post, which is my take on how to pair the best necklace for different necklines! Whether it be a top or dress, there are so many different styles of necklines out there, but today I will share with you my top 6, and which style of necklace I think looks best with each! You can dress up a simple top, or make a fabulous outfit pop even more with the perfect necklace! So let's get started!!:D

6 Common Necklines: 

1. Crew Neck

For a crew neck, I think a shorter necklace that sits at the rim of the neckline is very flattering! Go for a necklace that has detailing throughout it (like below) instead of a pendant style necklace. 

Necklace: Forever21 

OOTN: Bars & Long Sweater Dresses

Hello everyone! So last Saturday I wore this outfit to the bar, and I thought I would do a quick outfit of the night (ootn) post! Since it was a more casual night, I left my 5 inch heels at home and went for an ankle boot. Plus it's been a little cold here in Victoria lately (brr I'm a baby), my toes would not have been very happy in heels! For my outfit, I adore the look of a long sweater dress that comes down past the knees. It is very form fitting and comfortable, I think these types of dresses are perfect for still looking chic and stylish during the winter season! What do you think?! To finish, I paired it with a leather jacket to give it an edgier look. I feel they are appropriate to still wear inside, and if it gets warm, take it off:) I plan on wearing this look to work soon, but instead of this jacket, I am going to wear it with a cropped black blazer, as I think it'll be more fitting for day time! PS: I wore a peacoat over top to keep me warm! ;)

Next time you come across a long sweater dress, give it a try! Maybe you can put together your version of an outfit with it to hit up a pub (or pubs) in, where you will be looking super fab!!

Happy 1 Year Leopard Couture + Giveaway!

Happy Friday everyone! Today I am celebrating my blog's 1 year anniversary!! I can't believe a year has passed since my very first post. It has been an incredible journey! I started my blog while on exchange in Tokyo, and I think it was one of the best decisions I have ever made! Blogging has definitely helped me figure out what direction I want to go with my career and life! I had many reasons behind starting Leopard Couture, including wanting to write about fashion trends and beauty tips, and sharing my personal style advice! Another reason being, I realized how amazing trying new styles of clothing was!! It opened up my mind to try new things and give everything a chance! I wanted to share this with all of you and I always encourage you to experiment with new trends and styles! I hope I have inspired some of you along the way with my posts!:)

I want to thank each and every one of you for your support, and taking the time to visit my blog!! It means so much to me! I appreciate all your comments and feedback, as I am always looking to improve and want to post things that you guys are interested in reading! 

I am so excited for what is still to come, I have so many new things planned for Leopard Couture!! I can't wait to share it with you all! I thought I would do a little flash back collage of the year and highlight some of my most popular posts! Which one was your favourite this year?? Let me know in the comments below!:)

3 Ways to Accessorize with Leopard Print on 'Mint To Inspire'

Hi everyone! So back in September when I was volunteering at Vancouver Fashion Week, I made a new friend, Rachel :) Rachel is a fashion blogger herself, and is one of five girls that writes for the blog, Mint to Inspire, a lifestyle, beauty and fashion blog. I have collaborated with this Vancouver-based blog and have written a post on...wait for it...LEOPARD PRINT!:) I have shared 3 ways to incorporate my favourite print into your next look this season! You can't miss it!! Hop onto MINT TO INSPIRE and see the full blog post there! 

Sneak Peak: 

1. SCARVES: Casual 

Scarves are my favourite! They can pull a simple outfit together, making you look stylish while keeping you warm! In the fall and winter, pair your outfit in darker shades of leopard like browns and greys, then switch to lighter shades for spring! Already have a scarf in the typical leopard tone? Next time try shopping for a unique coloured one like the green one from Dynamite below!

Other Options: 

 
Express                      Forever21

 

                                                            Guess                                Dynamite

CONTINUE READING THE POST >>  MINT TO INSPIRE   

 

Also I was featured in their "21 Questions Series" a few weeks back, check that out as well if you get a chance!xo 

Graduation 101: How to Dress + Tips!

Hello everyone and happy Sunday!:) This coming Wednesday is my convocation ceremony and I am so excited to officially graduate and see everyone in my program again! Today's post is going to be a combination of some tips to think of when shopping and picking out your outfit, and a little inspiration through some outfit ideas I put together! So lets jump straight into my tips!

Soft Blazers & Blue Skies

Hey everyone hope you're all doing well! So a little update with my life, I recently started working for Dynamite's management team at their Bay Centre location in Victoria! I am really enjoying it so far..everything from styling customers and helping them find the perfect outfit; to learning how to successfully manage a clothing store and coach others; and to applying business strategies of this Montreal-based international company. I love the people I work with and everyday is exciting!

Dynamite has always been one of my favourite stores to shop at, and this year this Canadian company is celebrating their 30th anniversary. Their Fall 2014 collection is absolutely gorgeous with lots of faux leather, burgundies and stylish blazers. Dynamite is the place to go to find an outfit that can take you from work to a night out, as well as keep you looking chic on the weekends! On November 15th, they will be opening their new location in Uptown, combining their store with Garage. If you are interested in working as a sales associate or manager, drop off your resume at the Bay Centre or Mayfair location or apply online at Dynamite.ca (look for upcoming posting soon). Definitely check out their new store once it opens! Also come visit me downtown if you're looking for a new outfit or need some style advice! I'll be more than happy to help! :D

Now for todays outfit! I am in LOVE with this soft blazer, I couldn't help myself from getting it in 2 other colours (black and blue). If there is one thing you need to add to your wardrobe this season its this! This "overpiece" looks like a blazer but is much more comfortable as the material is light and stretchy, giving your arms a lot more flexibility! (Plus they have pockets.. bonus!) It's so easy to throw on, you can simply dress it up or down taking you from professional to casual. I love the colour combo with this gorgeous blouse. The sheer touch down the middle is very delicate and feminine. It's such a versatile top that can instantly add more class to an outfit. The leggings are really well made and have a thick elastic band on each side which cinches you in nicely around the waist. They are mid-rise, and have a line down the front and back giving a slimming look. Paired with some black heels or flats, you can wear this look straight from your office to a night out for dinner or drinks! If leggings are too casual for your work place, switch to a classic business pant in the cut of your choice! :) Hope you enjoyed todays post and thanks again for reading!xo

OOTD: Shopping in Black & White

On Sunday I spent the day shopping and eating noodle box at Uptown with my mom and sister :) When I go shopping I love wearing clothes that are comfy and easy to take on and off for when I am in the change rooms. My Lululemon Wunder Under leggings are my go-to for this! Definitely a fall/winter must-have for any girl! As you can see, I am wearing no jewelry because I find it can get in the way! (I save the bling for when I go window shopping ;)) Since I'm skipping the accessories I wanted to make sure my outfit still had some "fun" to it, so I went for a graphic T and a mesh striped overpiece from Growze La. I got this while I was back in Japan, and fell in love with the vertical stripes immediately! I have yet to come across something similar, but the closest I came was a top from Nasty Gal (check the end of the post)! Thanks for reading and until next time!xo

Power of a Nude Heel

The nude heel is a classic, and a perfect shoe that can be paired with almost everything! Not to mention it elongates your legs and is very flattering! I'm wearing mid-rise boyfriend jeans and a loose top off the shoulder (I think its subtly sexy). This outfit is so effortless, I would usually wear it with converse for a casual look, but the heel transforms the outfit to class! Roll up the bottom of your jeans and make sure they are a little baggy to achieve this look. Totally appropriate for a lunch date! For dinner, go for a darker denim and throw on a blazer and you'll be looking fab!! 

4 Thanksgiving Dinner Outfit Ideas

Good morning everyone! Thanksgiving weekend is here which means quality time with family and friends and mountains of food (woohoo)!! Let's not forget about looking fashionable though! ;) Whether you're going to a casual dinner or hosting a big fancy one, I got you covered! Hopefully one of these outfits I put together will give you a little inspiration :) Have a wonderful weekend with your family and friends!! 

Outfit #1: Casual

Fall Calls For Plaid

Fall is by far my favourite season when it comes to fashion! Scarves, high socks, boots, warm sweaters..do I have to keep going? ;) And of course you cannot forget plaid, which screams fall and is such an essential for your closet! Today's outfit is super casual, perfect for school or running errands in. I love the look of "not wearing" your shirt by tying it around your waist (plus if you get cold you can just throw it on). Remember back in the day when that was the cool thing to do? I think its back because I've seen it a lot lately! :) Pull out your favourite plaid shirts and try twisting this look into your own style! Until next time! xo

Work to Happy Hour in Polka Dots

For those of you ladies that are currently working that 9-to-5 this post is for you! Sometimes after work you meet your girls for dinner or go for drinks with your co-workers, and you don’t have the time to go home and get ready. Today, I'll show you how to transform your outfit from work to happy hour! 

Outfit #1: Work 

If you're looking for a clean, simple and classic look for work, you can't ever go wrong with black and white. To add a little something to the outfit, I went for this cute polka dot blouse. I let it be the "centre of attention" and stuck to a black pencil skirt and comfy wedges. Sheer blouses are a MUST in any wardrobe, because they literally can be worn to work, casually tucked into jeans, and as you'll see in Outfit #2 loosely worn for the evening! 

For makeup and hair I kept it very simple. Black winged liner on the top with a nude lip. Then for hair, I just took two strands from the front and pinned it at the back of my head, criss-crossing the bobby pins. It keeps the hair out of my face..plus it looks like I tried a little ;) 

Vancouver Fashion Week S/S 2015

A few days ago I returned home from Vancouver, as I was volunteering at Vancouver Fashion Week Spring/ Summer 2015! It was an amazing (and truthfully, very exhausting) week where I made some wonderful new friends from around the globe, as well as some incredible memories. I was constantly inspired by the designers and their collections, as well as by the stylish people in the audience. Now, all I want to wear is black lipstick and a fur vest everyday!!

So you're probably now wondering what I actually did at VFW. I was extremely lucky to work closely with 3 very talented Japanese designers, Shinya Yamaguchi, Daiki Shimizu and Akira Kuwabara. I assisted the designers with model fittings, dress rehearsals, runway shows and collection exhibitions. I also provided interpretation for all of their interviews with several media. When I wasn't helping with the Japanese designers, I was working backstage helping other designers and models with their fittings and shows. I was able to sit and watch a few shows one day, which I was very happy about! After a long day's work, the other assistants and I attended the after parties joining the rest of the fashion week crew! I barely slept the whole week but it was so worth it! It was such an amazing experience, and now I want to attend more fashion weeks across the world..next stop NY? London? Paris? Milan? Tokyo? ;)

Below I've shared with you some of my favourite looks from the Japanese designers' SS15 collection. First, let's meet them!

Daiki Shimizu, Shinya Yamaguchi, Akira Kuwabara 

Tropicana

My last run to F21 I picked up these adorable shorts and have been dying to blog about them! They are wrap shorts- the material slings in the front and is tied (whatever style you like) to one side, making it partially look like a skirt! I have never seen shorts quite like this! Have you?? The print and colours are what initially caught my eye, it screams summer and reminds me of a vacation! :) I would rock this outfit more for a night look, but paired with sandals and less jewelry would be perfect for a hot summer day! Also, if crop tops aren’t your thing, a simple white V-neck T would look great! PS: Excuse the hair blowing everywhere, it was a little windy! Thanks for reading! ♡ 

OOTD: Coffee Date

Hey everyone! First off, I know I have been MIA for the longest time -graduating Uni, family reunions and festivities- but I promise I am back with lots of more posts :) Tonights look is a super quick outfit of the day. Yesterday my sister and I grabbed a Starbucks (green tea fraps are my go-to for summer) and hung out in the sun and this is what I threw on. It's featuring my favourite top and bag at the moment! Plus heather grey and cream are one of my all time favourite colour combos!

I'm wearing Saint Germain by Mac on my lips to go with the barbie theme, and my hair took me literally 20 seconds! Just throw over to one side and braid with a few strands loose around your face :) Hope you're all enjoying the sunshine too, until next time!xo

Kim K Inspired Maxi Look

Happy Sunday everyone! The other day I was on Pinterest and came across an outfit by Kim K, and it inspired me to put together this look! I love maxis for summer, they are so easy and simple you can't go wrong! I've been seeing the striped dress trend a lot lately too :) Dress it down with sandals for a day of shopping, then for night switch to some fun stylish heels! My wedges are from Tokyo (gosh I miss that place- especially the shoes!;)