Happy New Year!

2013 proved to be the year of ‘Progress’. A lot has happened in my world in the last year –  And every accomplishment has been (&felt) amazing.

For me, the past few years have been a struggle. A slow & steady fight, for dreams to be realized, ripen & slowly start to come true. Little by little. Slowly but surely.

And the lessons I’ve learned along the way, not just in this year, have only solidified who I am as a person & who I want to become with time.

It’s easy to be swayed into thinking that BIG things happen quickly for those who work hard & dream big, but for me that has not always been the case. It took me much longer than most of my peers to complete my Degree in Business, but I (proudly) finished. And after a lot of networking, wishing & praying, only 2 short months later I was hired by a top Ad Agencies in town.

Right around this time last year, (Feb to be exact) I started this very blog as a requirement for my degree. Through my little blog, I’ve met some of the kindest most sincere & inspiring spirits in the city, many of whom have become close friends & business partners.  But most of all, this blog has been a creative sanctuary where I can harness my dreams & build them tactfully into a reality that I’m still hoping will shine in the future.

I’ve been hopelessly dreaming & finally put steps in place to officially launch my re-branded blog & website ‘TheWorkingGirl.ca’ later this month. As an extension to The Working Girl Inc. I will also be writing for The Huffington Post, sharing some fun how-to’s & styling tips for the modern-day ‘Working Girl’. And there is so much more that will be rolling out throughout the year – I hope you will join me along the way!

While many of my dreams have yet to manifest, I am confident that if I keep pushing & make moves each day, little by little that they too will come true. Here’s to a new year of dreaming!

Ohh! And the best part of 2014 so far?! If you follow me on Instagram (@sydneyeroberts), then you may have already heard that I am newly engaged to the light of my life. Nothing in this life is worth anything if you haven’t got LOVE to see you through it.

Dream BIG, love hard + make moves.

Fly Me to the Tropics (Stat!)

Travelling over the holidays? Me too!! In preparation for my trip to the tropics, I handily saved all my travel essentials to my StyleSpotter App for iPad. Being a very visual person, this was the perfect way for me to visually see what I needed to pack  & be able to check everything off my list. If you haven’t had a chance to take a peek at the StyleSpotter App, download yours from the App store today! You won’t regret it (I must admit, it’s very addicting) I’m happy to say that StyleSpotter has been ranked in the Top 100 Lifestyle Apps on iTunes!

If you’re not familiar yet, StyleSpotter is the easiest way to share & shop the latest trends, all at the touch of your iPad. Browse, compare & bookmark all your favorites to your profile from their database of a half million items. And while your at it, connect with friends to see what they’re shopping for! (shop my faves at ‘The Working Girl’). Another bonus? automatically get exclusive coupons & alerts when your ‘saved’ items drop in price from any online retailer. Happy (shopping) Holidays!!

1. Marvis Lip Balm $35
2. Flight 001 Go Clean Laundry Bag $22
3. Flight 001 Fill & Fly Carry On Quart Bag $33
4. Frends Taylor Rosegold Headphones $150
5. Tibi Pleated Skirt $395
6. J.Crew Cobalt Maxi $350
7. Flight 001 StowAway Pouch $18
8. Mix & Match Nylon Bags $66
9. Flight 001 Clear Carry-On Quart Bag $33
10. Tap is Terrific Glass Water Bottle $15
11. See by Chloe Heart Keychain $85
12. Club Monaco Super Lucia Sunglasses $199
13. Everyday I’m Duffle-ing Black Duffle Bag $57
14. Hampton Sun Continuous Mist Sunscreen $32

Dont forget to follow @stylespotter on twitter & like them on Facebook

She’s On The Nice-List

For the girl who has everything, I’ve pulled my must-haves for the girl who’s always got your back. Office stationary, notebooks, statement jewelry & cosmetics or a fun, cozy polka-dot sweater… there’s ALWAYS something sweet to put in her stocking for Christmas morning! Click around to find something fitting for your besty(ies) – Santa’s only a few sleeps away!!

1. Bodum 8-cup French Press $59.95
2. Madewell Eyewear $169
3. iPhone 5S in Gold
4. Work-it Honey Pillow Cover $28
5. ‘I’m allergic to mornings’ Coffee Mug $24
6. Gem Drop Earings $8.00
7. Kate Spade Journal Set $38
8. Polka-dot Sweater $30.98
9. Dior Holiday Lacquer $53.28
10. JCrew Statement Necklace
11. Limited Edition Lavish Luxe Gold Brush Set $26.99
12. Gold Acrylic Stapler $24
13. Kate Spade Box Card Set $25 available at ShopbyMonika
14. NARS Eye Paint $25
15. YSL  Mascara Volume Effect $30

Black on Black

In a world filled with choices sometimes it’s just best to stick with simple sophistication – Black on Black that is. I love to start with a neutral palette + add in splashes of color for balance; during the winter month’s a deep red laquer or lipstain.

1. Madewell Bien Fait Sweatshirt $75
2. Illesteva Leonard Matte Tortoise Shell Sunglasses $165
3. Clare Vivier Haircalf Fold Over Clutch $230
4. New York Times Stacked Tee $35
5. J.Crew Chevron Checker Hat $48.50
6. Polka Dot iPhone Cover $38 Available at Anthropologie
7. Nina Ricci Pom-Pom Flats $625
8. Jacqueline Brown Vera Necklace $208
9. Statement Piece
10. Holla Doormat $50
11. Amanda Catherine Designs Pencils $12
12. Cuyana Monogrammed Leather Tote $150, Available at Cuyana
13. Bodum  French Coffee Press $59.99
14. Chinti & Parker Cashmere ‘Love’ Sweater $613

Dreamy Weekend

If you are following me on Instagram (@sydneyeroberts) you may have caught a glimpse of my confetti-filled weekend, a product of weeks + weeks of planning (both my rebrand & agency holiday party) & yipee! everything went off without much of a hitch (well okay, there are always a few right?). I am happy to see all my dreaming finally coming to life.

This weekend wouldn’t have been made possible without the time & help of Jamie Lauren, Amy Teixeira, Jasmine Hoffman, Sweet Bake Shop & Partyskirts! 

Beyond thankful for her talent, warmth & eye for perfection | Jamie Lauren Photography

Photo with Amy Teixeira of Confetti & Co. | Wearing Teen Vogue x Partyskirt(s)

Send Love w/ Minted this Holiday Season

Only 2 more sleeps & it’s officially holiday party season! That means making a list & checking it twice, making sure all our most-cherished & celebrated loved ones receive a festive holiday invite in their mailbox. In our digitally-focused day in age, what’s more fun than snailmail?! So head over to minted.com & shop around for the perfit fit. Choose classic gold or festive red to ring in the new year! Afterall, entertaining starts with a good first impression – did I mention the best part? Not only are Minted’s (family-owned) designs top-notch & super cute, but they are printed on their signature thick & luxurious card stocks.

Sunday also marks the countdown to Christmas!! Why not beat the crowd & tackle the first thing on your Christmas to-do’s by sending friends & family picture-perfect Christmas cards created exclusively by Minted’s independent designers. All your holiday stationary needs in one place! Visit Minted’s Design blog, Julep here.

PARTYSKIRTS X Teen Vogue (!!)

Hip Hip Hooray!! My favourite sisterly duo have released their collaboration of 6 limited edition PARTYSKIRTS with none other than Teen Vogue! These girls have proved time again, if you can dream it – you can do it! Congrats my dolls, we love you!! …and how can I not mention all the amazing PARTYSKIRTS prints now available for purchase on their website – I could seriously take one of each! The polkadots & the stripes have got to be my absolute favorite!! I just love them all. Click over to SKOT Apparel & see all the amazement for yourself! Follow the make-it-happeners + their incredible journey on IG: @misslva @marielarmstrong @partyskirts

Transitioning to BIG Things

First of all, to those of you who continue to read my little blog – THANK YOU! And to those of you who have sent me little notes to keep going – you are my inspiration! Many new + exciting changes are beginning to take place & I couldn’t be happier about ALL of it! With that in mind, it has affected the volume of posts I am able to publish each month (however, soon to change). A firm believer in dreams bigger than myself, I’ve put a lot on my plate recently – all good, but all energy + time consuming. Besides pacing bustling Ad Agency halls from 9-5, I’m in the works of a top-secret re-branding project which I will explain more about in the next few months (!!!)

In other news… we’ve finally become home-owners! After months & months of hunting, we’ve finally found the perfect home! Everything is finalized + now the planning begins! It’s been so much fun to start dreaming of colour palettes, fabrics + furnishings – oh my! I am SO excited.

Moral of ALL this news is this  –  in life, we make  our own luck. Despite all the craziness & chaos that consumes our busy days, it’s important to never lose sight of your dreams & to fight to make them happen. Each day. Little by little. Progress is better than perfect! (Thank you Lara Casey for that one!)

Happy holiday long weekend!

Sydney XO

Chapters Too, is a Gateway to an Empty Wallet

A casual trip to Chapters, nbd…. Except when I go with the intentions of a good book + find myself perusing through their home collection section for an hour! Chapters – why do you do this to me? Just when I think, okay I’m safe – there’s nothing to buy here but books! I am sadly mistaken by beautiful prints by the oh so inspiring + talented Stephanie Sterjovski, cheerful tea cups or bright pretty stationery from my favorite Rifle Paper Co. .. geez  you can’t even escape a good statement necklace! Whoever is doing the buying over at Chapters is doing their job because by the time Christmas rolls around I’m going to have quite the list for Santa.

1. Rifle Hello Case for iPhone 5 by Rifle Paper Co. $34.95
2. Hanging Garden Notepad by Rifle Paper Co. $9.50
3. Cara Three-Piece Statement Necklace by Cara NY $55.00 $27.50
4. Love You More Than Stars Pillow by Indigo $39.50
5. All You Need is Tea & Warm Socks by Indigo $39.50
6. La Ou Tu Es Je Suis Bien by Indigo $39.50
7. Cursive Monogram Mug by Indigo $8.00
8. Good Morning Beautiful Mug by Indigo $10.00
9. Classic Votive Candle – Suede Blanc by Voluspa
10. 2014 Polka Dot Agenda by Kate Spade $36.00
11. Flat Heart Gold Studs by Dogeared Jewels $42.00
12. Cara Leather LOVE Bracelet by Cara Accessories $24.00
13. Cara Leather Wrap Bracelet by Cara Accessories $20.00
14. Oh La La by SS Print Shop $35.00
15. Oh My Deer I Love You by SS Print Shop $15.00
16. Love by SS Print Shop $15.00

Welcome Fall with Old Navy

With the closing of Summer comes the excitement of Fall + the endless possibilities our wardrobes have to offer. It has been years since I’ve had the urge to stop into Old Navy – however, this season is entirely different! This Fall Old Navy has released a wonderfully girlie collection of trendy meets cute womenswear; the perfect mix of working-girl + weekend layering. From printed + patterned denim, polka dots, stripes + comfy sweatshirts, Old Navy really thought about everything trending right now + delivered in a tastefully chic way. While sorting through the Fall 2013 lookbook, I quickly realize I had a real problem on my hands…. I want ALL of the pieces I’ve shared below – see for yourself!