As a lover of wine, to say “I’m excited” for The Ottawa Wine & Food Festival is a major understatement.
Rounding up my friends, we usually hit up the festival taking place November 3-5, 2017 at the EY Centre in anticipation of all the great wines and fine foods on offer. We also make a night of it, getting all dolled up in our finest as this is a pretty stylish event.
The festival usually starts pretty early, and knowing that I will be sampling tasty treats and sipping on wine for several hours (in moderation!!), I need to be comfortable but refuse to sacrifice style. There’s no need to – there are too many cute shoes and great outfits that also keep you comfy all day.
Before I get into some styling tips for you all, a little about Ontario’s oldest wine & food festival…
About The Ottawa Wine & Food Festival
The festival is the oldest in Ontario at 32 years old! Featuring several tasting alleys, the festival has added the following “Culinary Vice Experiences“: Carnivore (artisan meats), Choco-Chic (the ultimate chocolate experience) and The Cheese Vault (for die-hard fine cheese lovers – so…everybody).
In addition, there are fine beers and spirits on offer, and some style and beauty too for us – the style obsessed. The Lippy Lab is on feature this year, offering up a lip stain that prevents transfer of your lipstick to your wine glass. Thank God for chemistry! There were will be lipstick matching to your favourite wine shades too. I see a Syrah-coloured lipstick in my future similar to my all time favourite “Charlotte” Nars Audacious Lipstick.
Millenial Pink
So, there are a few trends having a major moment right now, like “Millenial Pink”, velvet, pyjama chic and metallics, so I’m going to run with a few of those this year.
OUTFIT DETAILS
Merino Wool Top – ça va de soi (similar here) | Jude Skirt – Aritzia (affordable version here) | Aurella Booties – c/o Aldo | Watch – c/o Kapten & Son | Bone Cuff – Tiffany & Co.
Something that I normally do also is wear dark colours. I’m a Spilly Spillerton, the thought of dousing red wine all over my new pink pyjama pants makes me have an anxiety attack. This year though, I’m going to loosen up a bit and run with the Millenial Pink trend. It’s just too pretty and flattering! Honestly – if you ask me, this soft, blushy pink looks flattering on everyone.
A few months ago, I purchased a super soft merino wool top from ça va de soi in this lovely shade and it quickly became a wardrobe favourite. The flattering v-neck (both front and back), the three-quarter length sleeves, and its warmth and coziness makes it very easy to wear and dress up or dress down.
Comfy Yet Put Together
One of my wardrobe work horses in my trusty calf-length pleated skirt. A major score from Aritzia, this skirt looks great with everything, seriously. I’ve paired it with turtlenecks, chunky sweaters, denim shirts, t-shirts, you name it.
Seriously feminine, it elevates any look, so I’ll be wearing it out this weekend. I’m a major fan of beautiful movement in clothing, and this skirt offers it up in spades. A major plus too is that it’s black…back to that whole “Spilly Spillerton” thing.
The Shoes – Choose Wisely
Now, you want to look good at The Ottawa Wine & Food Festival, and hot shoes make the outfit. WARNING: this is not the place for beautiful, foot-crushing Louboutins. You will be on your feet for hours, and teetering around on stilts in not advised.
This year, I’m reaching for some stylish block heels. I found the perfect pair at Aldo: pink, velvet, metallic block heels = PERFECT.
They also feature the “sock bootie” trend, which makes them particularly comfortable. I don’t know what I’m more excited for: the Choco-Chic exhibit, or rocking these booties. Ok. The chocolate.
One Last Tip
Bring a cute crossbody bag – no clutches!! You will need your hands freed up to carry your wine glasses and little plates of tasty treats!!
Hurry up and get your tickets here. Be sure to follow The Ottawa Wine & Food Festival on Facebook and Instagram too for more style inspiration and information on the festival (some great food shots too). Let me know what you will be wearing too!
Dominique is a Canadian-based fashion and beauty influencer with a strong voice in Ottawa’s black community. Since launching her blog Style Domination in 2015, she has amassed a global fanbase. Dominique shares her life through beautiful imagery and compelling story-telling that speaks to her fans on a personal level. She’s been featured in The Guardian, Flare, The Kit and Cityline. She also hosts events for Dress for Success, the Gem Conference, and has been named a United Way Person 2 Know for the past three years.
So much pretty millennial pink from head to toe! I’ve been to a wine and food festival before (I do live close to wine country here in Cali) and it was a lot of fun. I got really into wine once I moved out here to California — as one does, lol.
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Hey Cheryl! I can see that! LOL! One of my fave trips of all time was visiting, Napa, Sonoma, Carmel and Monterrey. We toured the Mondavi winery and I had a blast. It’s so beautiful out there! I’m a diehard wine lover, but don’t drink too much of it any more. Getting old and it hits me pretty hard! LOL!
BOOTS BOOTS BOOTS!!! So pretty.
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LOL! Thanks, Laura!!
umm you are gorgeous! I also am obsessed with those velvet booties and this post featured wine! All things I LOVE!
Britt+Whit
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Haha! Brit – too funny! Fellow wine and velvet lovers unite!
What a fun time! This sounds like such a fun event, I love wine and food festivals! They are so much fun!
I need those pink velvet booties! So chic!
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Thanks, Sarah!
this sounds amazing, and your outfit is on point girl!
xo
Stesha
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Thanks, Stesha! Loving all the pink this season!
The lighting in these photos is beautiful, the Ottawa wine festival sounds fun!
Birdie Shoots
You look fabulous! Hope you guys have a blast at the festival! xo
The festival sounds so fun! I love your boots too!
How fun! Your outfit is so pretty!
Liz
http://Www.lizzieinlace.com
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Thank you so much!
I always love a good food and wine festival!
Xo, Nina
Law of Fashion Blog
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Don’t we all – highlight of the weekend!
Goodness , those velvet boots are off the charts! Gorgeous!!
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Thanks, January!! I love them SO MUCH!!! ARGH!!
Aren’t food and wine festivals just the best thing ever? I love your tips and those pink booties!
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Thanks, Annette – and yes! They are! LOL! All my fave things in one place…hahaha!