A Love Letter to Photography (Set Against the Sparkling Sea)

Though I've always had a deep appreciation for the power of visuals and their ability to tell stories and evoke emotion (this is essentially what I've built my business on, after all), I'm convinced that between our wedding and honeymoon travels and the resulting galleries of photos from each, my love for a good photo has grown that much more.

As I flip through the albums, starting to heart my favourites and curate our travel photos into a sequence that will capture the trip and help us share it with others or revisit the memories down the road, I'm struck by the power of an image to transport me right back to a specific moment and experience.

STYLE ME PRETTYPaige BoersmaOctober 24, 2017Comment

The Accidental Capsule Wardrobe

At some point over the past couple of seasons, I found myself with what one may call an accidental capsule wardrobe.

Capsule wardrobes have obviously been a topic that's been on my radar recently, but it only really hit me recently that I think I have fully subscribed to the concept without ever "officially" setting about to build one. Whether it's a quest for simplicity or an urge for a slightly more polished look, I find myself gravitating towards pieces that err on the more classic side, with a tendency towards luxe basics in shades of white, soft greys and blacks and then layering in pops of colour, metallic tones and textured accents through accessory choices. It's really an exercise is embracing the beauty in simplicity and focusing on the details.

STYLE ME PRETTYPaige BoersmaSeptember 19, 2017Outfit, capsule wardrobe, aritzia, madewell, style, basicsComment

All in the Details

Though I've developed a newfound appreciation for wardrobe basics (hello, perfect white tees and high waisted denim), I still always find myself drawn to statement pieces. Blame it on my boutique days and the constant hunt for those window-worthy pieces, but give me an interesting styling detail or an eye-catching colour any day.

STYLE ME PRETTYPaige BoersmaMay 8, 2017personal style, outfit, pastelComment

Think Pink

All it takes is one quick scroll through my Instagram feed to realize that my love for the colour pink runs pretty deep. The truth is, it hasn't always been this way. I had the obligatory childhood obsession with the rosy hue, sure, but then there were many years where I doubt I owned a stitch of pink, opting instead for anything that supported my wannabe surfer girl status (#bluecrushforever).

STYLE ME PRETTYPaige BoersmaNovember 3, 2016personal style, style, pink, basicsComment

How Embracing a Capsule Wardrobe has Inspired a Shift in My Style and Business

In the past week or so, I’ve started to feel this shift both in my business and in my wardrobe, so I’ve been stealing moments to simultaneously address both. If you consider that my background is in fashion and that styling is still at the core of my business, there’s this natural overlap that happens for me, not only because these are two passions of mine, but also because I’d like to think that Bicyclette has always had an element of lifestyle brand to it.

I have this little clothing rack in the studio that I initially bought in order to have a dedicated spot for clothes during photoshoots, but it’s use has shifted a little recently, as I’ve found myself inadvertently starting to build what I suppose you could consider a capsule wardrobe.

STYLE ME PRETTYPaige BoersmaOctober 3, 2016personal style, basics, capsule wardrobe Comments

A Dress for the Dreamers

When it comes to a heatwave, there's nothing that can compete with a little summer dress. I like mine simple and breezy, and recently have found myself gravitating towards black and white options that let me dress it up or down and play with accessories or add a bright lip. Perfect for work-at-home days, meetings or errand-running, versatility is key, and when the weather is as hot as it has been these past few weeks, I'll take as little fabric as possible, thank you very much.

Whimsical with a Minimalist Twist

It's a simple concept, but there's a distinct value to remaining true to your style when it comes to branding or any sort of visual strategy, outfits included.

STYLE ME PRETTYPaige BoersmaJune 21, 2016pink, outfit, stripes, perfect tee, leather jacket, sparkleComment

Seashell Pink Vans

Since the grand closet purge of 2015, I’ve become extremely particular about what stays in my closet and any new pieces I decide to add in. I tend to be attracted to pretty little details and extra special pieces that don’t quite cut it for it day-to-day wear (hello, vintage sequins), so I’ve had to re-train myself to look for styles that offer that in a different way, whether that be a cut, colour, or specific detail

STYLE ME PRETTYPaige BoersmaMay 31, 2016vans, shoes, seashell pink, vans slip-ons, floral print, outfitComment

When Style and Branding Collide

There was a moment recently when I realized that I have fully embraced the Studio Bicyclette "look" in all areas of my life, and that whether you scroll through the Instagram feed, visit the website or peek into my closet, there's a pretty consistent colour palette and overall style. This, my friends, is what they call lifestyle branding.

STYLE ME PRETTYPaige BoersmaMay 6, 2016Comment

A Lilac Love Affair

Pastels for spring - groundbreaking, I know. But a couple weeks ago on Easter Sunday, our temperamental spring weather decided to treat us to beautifully mild day, and so it only seemed appropriate to take advantage and don an Easter inspired outfit. Given the fact that earlier this week it snowed (again) in April, I'm quickly learning how important it is to take advantage of those warm days when they're gifted to us. Because you truly never know what the weather holds one day to the next. Oh Canada, always keeping us on our toes.

STYLE ME PRETTYPaige BoersmaApril 13, 2016titika, fitness, style, free people, pastels, easter, spring styleComment

Take a Walk on the Wild Side

One of the things I love most about personal style is the opportunity to play dress up, to channel a character through an outfit, even if that's just a version of yourself. Sure, there's the functional aspect of clothing, but what I fell in love with years ago was the power of fashion for self-expression.

STYLE ME PRETTYPaige BoersmaJanuary 29, 2016leopard print, Outfit, perfect tee, personal style, Think Pink, WildfoxComment

Winter White

When it comes to style, I believe that rules are made to be broken, and the old "no white after Labour Day" mentality is one such example. Whereas summer is all about the little white dress and that perfect tissue thin white tee, when those first winter snowflakes start to fall and the temperature drops, I find myself coveting ivory knits in order to channel my inner ice queen and fully embrace the season.

STYLE ME PRETTYPaige BoersmaJanuary 18, 2016Armed, big bud press, breeyn mccarney, disco diamond, Outfit, vintage brooch, winter whiteComment

Winter Pastels

Every now and then, I go through a phase where I forget how to dress myself. I seem to lose my sense of personal style and spend way more time than necessary staring at my closet in angst, unsure of how to put together an outfit

STYLE ME PRETTYPaige BoersmaNovember 25, 2015pastel, peach, personal style, Think Pink, winter styleComment

Playing with Pleats

There's always so much talk abut which season is your favourite and why, with the consensus usually being that summer or fall takes the cake. And I agree. I love winter but only when I actually have the chance to enjoy it, which unfortunately isn't really the case when you live in downtown Toronto. And spring is just a little unpredictable for my taste, always with the promise of warmer days around the corner so you feel like you're constantly waiting for the temperature to climb just a little higher.

STYLE ME PRETTYPaige BoersmaOctober 17, 2015aritzia, black and white, fall style, jude skirt, leather jacket, Outfit, pleats, style postComment