last Barcelona post

This is the last of my photos from Barcelona. I lived in these pants and pairs similar to them all summer long. Inspired by Celine's silky pajama-esqe style from SS11 and Resort 2012 as well as versions done by many other designers recently, it seems like high-street retailers like Zara and Topshop were as obsessed with the trend as I am. In Oxford I got a reputation for always being in so-called "fancy pants". I think they're pretty much the definition of Man-Repeller though... I can't tell you the number of times I've been accused by guys of wearing "my pajamas" to the bar.

Also wearing one of my favourite finds from my stay in England... a pair of navy velvet wedges from Topshop. They are unbelievably comfortable and in my favourite colour and fabric? I couldn't say no.

Wearing: Zara top and pants, Aritzia boater hat, Michael Kors purse, Topshop shoes, Rayban sunglasses
I wanted to thank you all again for all your lovely emails. I do my best to repond to each one as carefully and thoughtfully as I can, so forgive me if there's a bit of a delay in my getting back to you.

x E

post two from Barcelona

I'm dreaming of the warm Barcelona weather while I put this post up. The initial chill of fall is starting to creep up in Toronto, and I'm not happy about it.
These pictures were taken the day my family and I went to see the Sagrada Familia. We don't tend to spend too much of our time visiting tourist attractions when travelling, but we were all too intrigued by Gaudi's masterpiece to stay away. It really is absolutely breathtaking, and like nothing I've ever seen before in my whole life.
(Wearing a T by Alexander Wang dress under an H&M top, Cooperative sandals and a vintage Coach bag)

Before signing off I want to thank all of you for your votes and kind comments about the Redken Cover Competition in my last post... Some of them almost brought tears to my eyes - I am so so appreciative to each and every one of you for the support! Your comments, emails and formspring comments have meant the world to me. If you haven't voted yet and would like to, the link is: http://www.redken.ca/_en/_ca/event/voting.aspx and I'm the second from the left. Bisous! x E

Redken Cover Competition

Okay Boys and Girls, I've got a favor to ask of you. Earlier this year my friend Niki asked me to model for her submission to Redken's Cover Competition... Below are some photos from our initial shoot earlier this year. The team was amazing and we had such a blast shooting, even though the prep took hours and hours! My hair was initially minicrimped (to create a frothy, cotton candy-like texture) and then set in mermaid waves. It took about 5 hours to do it before we even started shooting - phew!

And a few months later, we found out that we had placed number one in Ontario. We then went to the finals, which was all expenses paid weekend in Toronto (where I live... but, really, who is going to turn down a lovely hotel suite?) with the other finalists. At the end of our amazing week, we did a second photo shoot with the help of some of the best Redken hair stylists in the world, talented stylists, make up artists and an amazing photographer who has shot covers for Elle. I can't post any behind the scenes photos from this shoot (in fact, I wasn't even allowed to take any), but here are the final two shots.It would mean the world to me if you would vote for us to win the Redken Cover Competition. The winners get an amazing trip to New York, and my friend Niki, an incredible hair stylist, would get all sorts of opportunities while we're there, such as styling a major magazine shoot. Not to mention, I'll be on the cover of Canadian Hairdresser Magazine. To vote, click on this link: http://www.redken.ca/_en/_ca/event/voting.aspx and vote for us (I'm the second from the left). You can only vote once per email address, and I promise you won't get any spam mail or be contacted from the company at all. Thanks soo much and BIG hugs to all xx E

Karen Elson x Nine West

I was so excited when the news that Karen Elson would be doing a collection for Nine West came out as I'm a huge fan of her music and her career in general. I was lucky enough to be sent a sample from the collection to try a few months ago. The boots are that perfect vintage, pre worn in feel that you would expect based on Karen's personal aesthetic. I paired them with the easist things I found laying around: a slightly rumpled slip dress and a warm knit sweater, things that I think work perfectly with the spirit of the collection.
If you like Nine West on Facebook, you can see more behind-the-scenes from the collection, and for every "like", Nine West will donate $1 to the Soles4Souls charity, which is a great cause.. so make sure you do that if you've got a second!

(Karen Elson for Nine West Vintage America Collection boots, Wilfred slipdress, Gap sweater) x E

day uno in Barcelona

Well, really this post is coming from Toronto, but the photos were taken on one of my first days in Barcelona. I was so sad to leave behind beautiful Oxford and all of the amazing friends that I met there, but when the plane touched down in sunny Barcelona, any gloominess that I had felt melted away. There were many things I loved about Barca, but my number one favourite was the FOOD. I spent the next three days stuffing myself full of various tapas and paella, as well as drinking lots of cerveza and sangria - yum!

(some cerveza, choricitos a la sidra, and esparragos a la plancha)(patatas bravas, pa amb tomaquet and salteado de setas de temporada)

(giving my father the "sangria finger" - a term he coined on our trip, after discovering that I become a bit of a nag & like to wag my finger at him after consuming two glasses of sangria)(Zara scarf, Alternative Apparel top, Ray Ban sunglasses, Wilfred trousers and my beloved Repetto flats) xx E

bicester village

I know I've been a little MIA but I have a good excuse - I just wrote and submitted the last paper of my entire university career! Right now I'm packing up my room at Oxford and getting ready to fly to Barcelona to meet my parents. I can't believe my time here is already over, it's absolutely flown by. I'll be posting pictures from Paris and London once I've sifted through all of them, and will try to post quite a bit from Barcelona as well. Again, and suggestions about places to visit while in Barca are very welcome!

These photos were taken a few weeks ago at Bicester Village, a designer shopping outlet just outside of Oxford. It's quite the experience, as it has brands like Dior, Marni, Celine, Prada, and D&G, just to name a few! If you ever get a chance to go, I highly suggest checking it out. While the bargains aren't out of this world, it's a fun place to spend an afternoon.

Wearing a River Island sweater, Wilfred pants and Repetto flats. x E