Red, White and Gold

Pollen Sweater Inc. sweater, Aldo shoes, bag c/o Roots, dress c/o Shoppalu,
bracelet & earrings c/o The Altered Chain, bracelets c/o Poshlocket
This Style Panel look just screams “SUP I’M CANADIAAAAAAAAN” but I like to think in a reasonably fashionable way. But I mean, the red, the white, the fact that I’m wearing a sweater that was literally designed for fishermen (which is a completely Canadian thing but I don’t really know why), the Roots bag…it’s all Canadiana to the max. The theme for FASHION Magazine‘s Style Panel this week was essential fall pieces though, so I had to work in this sweater since it’s one of the few things that keeps me warm when the temp drops.
Anyway, I’ve worn this sweater on the blog before but just wanted to mention again where it’s from since it’s such a near-and-dear-to-my-heart type of piece given that it comes from the Sunshine Coast, a place my fam has retreated to for years for R&R. If for whatever reason you happen to be in that area, it’d be worth your while to stop by the tiny Pollen Sweaters Inc. shop in beautiful Lund where these sweaters are made. The company imports in this ridiculously durable, pill-proof wool from Germany and as someone who’s in a perpetual state of freezing, I can personally testify to their heat-shielding properties. As I mentioned, they were made for fishermen who were ravaged by seawater and more every day, so while they might not be high fashion, they’re lifelong pieces!
I’m also wearing two more dainty pieces from The Altered Chain, an Etsy shop that sells all the wonderfully femme, delicate pieces I always gravitate to. I’ve been particularly enamoured with these tiny earrings – on my third day of wearing them already! I love pairing something really light like the jewellery or my Zen B. Spira dress from Shoppalu with a boxy, sturdy piece like this sweater.
So I don’t know if it’s the fact that I pretty much went from Maui directly to Toronto earlier this summer and my body’s confused or what, but my sleep pattern is so off these days and I’m pretty much on Maui time now (meaning I can’t fall asleep earlier than 3 a.m. each night). Sleep is the one thing I’ve never gotten the hang of (eating and exercise have been checked off for years now though thankfully), and I wish I knew the magic secret to a good night’s sleep. It’s such an important part of being healthy and it bothers me that I’m so bad at something that should presumably be so easy. If you’ve got sleep tips, then hook a sista up!

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37 Comments

  1. 9.12.12
    Mounette said:

    beautifull details and very nice pull!
    KIss
    Aurélie
    http://www.lespetitesbullesdemavie.blogspot.com

  2. 9.12.12

    such a pretty look! i love sweater with skirt 🙂

    xoxo,

    Fashion Fractions

  3. 9.12.12
    Caroline said:

    I love the way you've styled this! The red sweater and white skirt look so chic together. And those sweaters look amazing, I'm all for quality of quantity! Oh, and I also have not mastered the art of sleep … in fact, far from it. Although eating and exercise also come easier to me, sleep, sadly, does not!

    xo Caroline
    http://thefeministajournals.blogspot.ca/

  4. 9.12.12
    Wren KW said:

    I love the fisherman sweater paired with the more delicate skirt. You look lovely and perfectly Canadian.

    Wren

  5. 9.12.12
    Joana said:

    You look really sweet and cute, especially with the dainty jewellery.

  6. 9.12.12
    RoselyC said:

    Your outfit is lovely. I'm in love with your earrings, they are too cute. I have read that you should be careful with what you eat for dinner so that you don't end up too full or feel hungry and then you wont be able to fall asleep. Also creating a comfortable environment: making sure temp is right, no bright lights etc can contribute to a great nights sleep.

  7. 9.12.12
    Cee said:

    Wish I could help you with the sleep thing, pally. I'm a good sleeper but I suck at exercise – I think we all have that one thing 😉 Love this outfit. You know I'm a big fan of this sweater, and so, so sad I can't get my own because they're made of wool. Why must sheep make me so itchy?? This upsets me every day. But I digress. You are gorgeous, as always.
    xox,
    Cee

  8. 9.12.12

    So so so pretty. I love this look it's classic, innocent and amazing! xoxo

  9. 9.12.12
    Gabriele said:

    Love this outfit so much, the red jumper is gorgeous and looks great with the light skirt! 🙂

  10. 9.12.12
    MizzJ said:

    haha I didn't think this was an extremely Canadian outfit till you mentioned it! It's actually a very stylish way to show national pride 😉

    Hmm sleep tips… you could try drinking some warm milk with honey before bed. Works when you're a baby and when you're an adult lol!

  11. 9.12.12
    Bonnie said:

    Your skirt is gorgeous! Pretty soon I will need to start dressing a bit warmer, too. It's still a little warm here, though.

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

  12. 9.12.12
    Erin said:

    I love this look! I was thinking it looked very classic American before I read your description! I guess it's missing the blue for that :). I definitely want one of those sweaters after reading your description!

    -Erin-
    http://onetwosummer.blogspot.com/

  13. 9.12.12
    Well... said:

    I love combining sweaters and skirts – so pretty! 🙂

    Trendy Teal

  14. 9.12.12
    Meg said:

    I absolutely love this. Skirts + sweaters = a gorgeous fall season.

    http://lifeatruestory4.blogspot.com/

  15. 9.12.12

    You look great here, can't believe we are entering sweater season again though, where did the summer go?
    xo K
    http://www.lilieslattesandlace.com

  16. 9.12.12

    totally digging what you've created with the sweater and soft skirt look Alex. way to pimp your ride lades! um, go Canadians!! 🙂 love the name of that Etsy shop and their pieces are fab too. bummer about your sleep patterns being so out of whack though. i've gone through bouts of it myself and it totally sucks when your eyes are still popped wide open at 3am. funniest thing, i get really sleepy when i'm photo editing on my iPhone. it sure does the trick to send a lights out message for night-nights. baha. good lucks with finding your way out to Rip Van Winkle-ness!!

    thanks for the email about the fashion goings on, sorry i didn't respond. i've been off the grid for a while now but sure am happy to get caught up here today 🙂 between getting an end-of-summer cold and then vacating the premises to San Fran (the boyf & i finally had a real holiday-yah!), well things got a little hairy for any kind of blogging upkeep or visits.

    happiness to see your pretty face! xo ♥

  17. 9.12.12
    Shannon said:

    You always look so beautiful, and this outfit is no exception. Love those bracelets!

    http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com/

  18. 9.12.12

    Beautiful look!! xo, Christina

    http://www.styleclouds.de

  19. 9.12.12
    t said:

    I am digging this Canadian look! The sweater sounds warm and amazing.

    http://initialed.blogspot.com

  20. 9.12.12

    Love this look – it's the perfect balance for late-summer/early-fall.

  21. 9.13.12

    What great accessories. And you look beautiful in red!

  22. 9.13.12
    Ramona said:

    Alexandra, my sleeping habit is odd. I'm not sure on what it's dependent. I thought that my sleep will be better if i'm gonna feel so tired, but it doesn't work always. Sometimes i'm so tired and yet at 5 am still up.I have tried many things, but as strange it would sound, but that how my sleep is. I feel even better at night working than in morning.I'm more creative.I cant remember now where I read it, but there is lots of celebrities who sleeps just 4 hours per day and it's enough.it's not like we all are the same.
    I like combos with different textures- like knittings and silks, it's so feminine and strong.Your jewelry pieces are lovely and you look absolutely wonderful.

    xoxo Ra

  23. 9.13.12
    Marlen said:

    ooo i love this combo! i like combining heavy tops with flowing skirts too, and this color combo perfectly straddles this summer slash fall moment we're in. lovely look 🙂

  24. 9.13.12

    ^^ as said above! this is a perfect fall look.

    lindsey louise

    hellomrrabbit.blogspot.com

  25. 9.13.12

    Great look as usual 🙂 I really love that you are rocking the dainty jewelry- so pretty!

  26. 9.13.12

    Love the sweater-skirt combo! 🙂 X

  27. 9.13.12

    Love the skirt! This Canadian theme is working for you:)
    xo, amy
    http://www.dreamingincashmere.com

  28. 9.13.12
    Lilly said:

    I love this combination, sweater is perfect 🙂

  29. 9.13.12
    Lana S. said:

    Your outfit is so cute and cozy!

    Lana, xo
    http://fashionfake.blogspot.co.uk

  30. 9.13.12
    Annie said:

    I LOVE that sweater! It looks so cute & cozy, and the color is gorgeous on you! It's perfect over the dress, and lovin' your jewelry too 🙂

    Annie
    The Other Side of Gray

  31. 9.13.12

    Wow that sweater is perfect, I absolutely love the colour. It looks so good on you. Very nice outfit!

  32. 9.13.12

    Love your adorable blog! xx.
    Meg

    http://www.forallthingslovelymr.blogspot.com

  33. 9.13.12

    Beautiful look Alex, I'm loving the nod to Canada… and I can not wait for sweater season. I've already started pulling out a few of my favourites, it's so great to get all bundled & cozy. Sorry to hear about the sleep, ack, I'd recommend trying a sleeping pill (natural is best) it should help get your body get back into a sleep rhythm again. xo V

  34. 9.13.12
    TR said:

    Stunning look! I love the bold red sweater against the neutrals!
    xo

    http://cashmereandcrimson.blogspot.com

  35. 9.13.12

    The color of this sweater flatters you a lot! And I love your delicate jewelry:)

    Chrysa
    Stories and Sequins

  36. 9.14.12

    Stunning. Love the bracelets.

    Eau de Violet

  37. 9.15.12
    Sevan said:

    you're so pretty! love this relaxed-chic look x

    http://www.sevenautumnleavesblog.com/

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