summer style

Wrapped up in Rainbow Roses

July 16, 2018August 4, 2018 by Alyssa Garrison

Holy moly it’s been a hot Summer! Most of my outfit choices as of late have involved being as naked as possible without literally looking like a naked person. Though I can’t say I’ve totally mastered the balance (there have definitely been some nudish days) my secret weapon has definitely been wrap dresses.

Wrap dresses are seriously the perfect summer staple: they come in all shapes, sizes, and cuts, feel loose and airy on your body while still showing off your shape and they’re easy to loosen on the go if the heat is turning you into a sweaty marshmallow puff (it happens to the best of us!) I have lots of different versions of wraps in my closet, but I love this Needle and Thread Rainbow Rose Wrap Dress from Hudson’s Bay for a number of reasons. First off, how beautiful is the fabric? There are so many magical rainbow flowers and delicate ribbons of colour woven into the pattern. Plus… it’s pink, and in my world that’s an easy sell! Add some ruffles and a a bit of lace trim and I’m totally in! Bonus? It’s now on super sale too!

Paired with dressy high heels and a clutch this piece is perfect for a wedding or evening affair, but I prefer to wear it in the daytime with a simple bucket bag and mules or even sneakers. Insider tip – it also came with a really cute slip dress layer that’s detachable and can be worn on its own too!

What’s your hot summer weather staple?

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Dress Up

A little bit Country, a Little bit Ballet

July 28, 2016July 26, 2016 by Alyssa Garrison

I cannot get enough of summer whites this year. Seriously, I think I’ve doubled the amount of white clothing I own over the past few months, and everywhere I go I’m automatically drawn to the same milky section.

I spotted this ridiculously cute romper on REVOLVE and I just knew I had to have it. You know when you can picture an item in your closet so well that it feels like it’s already hidden away in there? This was one of those for me. That ruffled hemline! That bow at the back! That perfect checkered sheer fabric with just a hint of ballet pink between the spaces!

Of course the romper DID end up in my closet, and this summer look turned out part ballet, part country cowgirl, with just a tiny hint of boudoir. It’s a handful, I know, but something about the pom poms on my satin shoes paired with this fringe clutch from CONVEY just made sense in the moment.

What do you think? Too much, or just right?

Romper via Revolve, Shoes from ASOS, Bag from CONVEY, Makeup via YSL

Dear Diary Dress Up

#TeamRAOP on Two Wheels

July 19, 2016July 18, 2016 by Alyssa Garrison

One of the best things about summer here in Toronto is the cycling culture. Though we’re not the best for bike lanes and we have a horrible reputation for bike theft, the love for cycling is alive and well in our city, and both Jo and I love getting around on two wheels.

A particularly rough winter left Jo’s bike from last summer unusable, and my frame was stripped down late one night to a point where it wasn’t worth it to rebuild, so when this summer rolled around we had, well, no way to roll around.

After a bit of window shopping we decided to put our cycling needs into the trustworthy, grease-covered hands at Curbside Cycle. Known by many as “the friendliest bike shop in Toronto”, this large shop in the Annex is filled with pastel accessory goodness and dreamy bikes galore. With the help of Curbside’s lovely staff we both walked in on two legs and rolled out on two wheels.

After much deliberation we picked twinning team bikes in shades of mint, though Johanna stuck to a more classic style (The Crosby) and I insisted on a speedy fixie (The Victor). Of course hints of pink and gold were non-debatable, so we spiced up our rides with shiny bells, a perfect pastel pink basket, and the cutest pink lights ever. I even sprung for a rose gold cup holder for my handlebars, because well, there is no such thing as too much rose gold!

What do all of those ingredients make when paired with #TeamRAOP and some really cute sneakers? A pastel girl gang on two wheels, ready to roll through the city and fill it with summer fun! Make sure you ding your bell if you see us coast by?

Scroll to the bottom for an RAOP exclusive discount code at Curbside!

Ready to upgrade your bike gang’s game? Get 15% off on all Pure City and Pure Fix bikes, all Basil products including baskets, bells & bags, all Abus locks and all Bookman on the Curbside site with code “RAOP15”

All clothing via Ban.do, shoes via VANS, all bike accessories via Curbside Cycles

Dress Up

Double Trouble

July 13, 2016July 11, 2016 by Alyssa Garrison

We are so lucky to live right across the street from CONVEY, and every time they get a new delivery we are in there like syrup on pancakes! Usually we walk, but when they let us know Double Trouble had arrived, we practically ran.

Embroidered with cute sayings like “Heartbreaker” and “Tell Me About it Stud”, this line of powder-coloured basics has really become an instant staple in our closets. There’s something so simple and convenient about going back to basics, and we’re so thankful to CONVEY for introducing us to this mega-cute British line!

In the spirit of twinning (our favourite thing lately), Jo and I channelled the Pink Ladies for this mini Double Trouble outfit shoot. I paired my tee with 3×1 white denim, and CONVEY’s beautiful collaboration leather jacket with Namesake. Jo opted for a dressed down look with vintage denim cut offs, a pink pleather jacket by local brand Jon + Jenn. We both topped it all off with Sonix sunnies from beautiful Los Angeles, and red heart lollies of course!

Jeans, Leather jacket, Jo’s pink loafers and Double Trouble tees all from CONVEY, Pink jacket via John + Jenn, Sunnies via Sonix

Dear Diary Oh so Pretty

RAOP Picks // June Edition

June 30, 2016June 28, 2016 by Alyssa Garrison

Just in the knick of time- our June edit is here! I know May was in the beginning of the month, but I figure end of month works too if it means I get more time to test and review products properly. Better for both of us, right?

This month’s roundup of RAOP Picks (aka my favourite finds of the month) is almost all within the exact same colour scheme, and primarily beauty-based. Perhaps it was the fun YSL events I attended over the past 30 days, or our #RAOPpowderroom project that spurred the beauty cabinet upgrade, but I’m definitely really feeling these beautiful products for the summer:

1. YSL Beauty

I don’t know what happened, but YSL really swept me off my feet over the past few weeks. I had the pleasure of attending a special breakfast to celebrate their Mon Paris fragrance launch, and the love affair really grew from there. My top picks? Touche Eclat Blur Primer and Vinyl Couture Mascara in gold.

2. Lovefresh

Locally made with Love, this brand is all natural, cruelty-free, and they have the best natural deodorants in the game! Also, How cute is this pink body scrub?

3. Sonix Sunglasses

Hello new fave sunglasses brand!The packaging from Sonix is unreal cute, and I love their fun use of colour in the frames.

4. Cherry Pick Statement Jewellery

Who doesn’t need a good statement necklace? Cherry Pick is my go-to place to shop for sparkles of all sorts.

5. Tocca

I’ve always been a huge fan of the TOCCA candles and the unique way they name them and give them little “stories” to tell, but their line has really hit it out of the park recently! I can’t even wrap my head around how much I love the idea of a hair fragrance (coming soon!)

6. Repetto Ballet Flats

I picked up these flats on my trip to Nice, and they immediately became a new must have. Their comfortable, classy, and go with everything- plus they’re made by a legit ballet shoe company in Paris!

7. Davines Your Hair Assistant

We already know how much I adore Davines (they’re generally the online haircare brand I use), and this new collection’s pretty blush and black packaging really won me over. If you get a chance to sniff this line, prepare to swoon!

8. Eternally in Amber Hair accessories

The perfect addition to my pristine haircare routine, these tortoiseshell combs are as useful as they are beautiful.