- Story and photography by Lia Crowe
Story courtesy of Boulevard Magazine, a Black Press Media publication
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Jessica invited me into her beautiful, bright and airy Saanich Peninsula home to chat about her unique style and how it plays into her life as a woman balancing career and a young family.
Jessica says fashion and style have always provided her with a creative outlet — from putting together outfits as a young girl to having a style blog as a young woman. Now Jessica is thankful to have a career where she can dress up.
“I’m lucky that I work somewhere where I get to dress nicely — so it is still kind of my creative outlet.”
I ask Jessica, now 34, what is the best life lesson she has learned since age 30.
“It would be the art of listening — and that will always be a work in progress. I really like the people part of my job, hearing people’s stories, sitting down with clients, getting to know them and hearing what their goals are. Listening and patience are a huge part of my success in business and in all my relationships.”
As she is the mother of two young children, I wonder how her style has changed in this phase of her life.
“I’m now definitely an accessories person; maybe I’ve graduated to that by having small children. I think that when you don’t have a lot of time to get ready in the morning, if you put on a cool pair of glasses, a nice coat and a good pair of shoes, you will look put together.”
Fashion & Beauty
Uniform: “For weekdays it’s black dress pants, a white blouse and a classic blazer. On weekends it’s jeans and a sweater.” Jeans I LOVE: 10” High Rise Button Front Jeans by Madewell.
All-time favourite piece: Wool coat by Mackage.
Currently coveting: Cream sculpted “Crombie” coat by Amanda Wakeley.
Favourite pair of shoes: “It’s a classic nude block heel pump, the “Yaro” ankle strap sandal by Sam Edelman.”
Favourite day-bag: “Fawn Design Pink Diaper bag, ‘the original.’ I especially like it because it’s great for travel.”
Favourite work tool: “My men’s Metropolitan Slim Brief. I use it every day!”
Favourite jewelry piece or designer: “Literally ANYTHING Sarah O. Jewelry.”
Fashion obsession: “Glasses. I have finally embraced the fact that I need glasses.”
Moisturizer: “Glow Jar. She is local with all-natural products.”
Scent: “Vanilla anything.”
Must have hair product: “Living Proof Dry shampoo! I don’t know how I lived before dry shampoo came into my life.”
Beauty secret: “IT cosmetics CC cream! But now it’s no longer a secret…it better not sell out at Sephora!”
Style / Inspiration / Life
Style icon: “Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton. I love the Royals’ fashion.”
Favourite artist: Rembrandt.
Favourite musician: Frank Sinatra.
Era of time that inspires your style: “I truly can’t pinpoint a time. History definitely inspires my style.”
Film or TV show that inspires your style or that you just love the style of: “Downton Abbey, Boardwalk Empire, Mad Men… the list goes on!”
Favourite local restaurant: The Farmer’s Daughter in Sidney.
Favourite cocktail/wine: “I love a good Cab Sav.”
Album on current rotation: “Moana soundtrack … my kids have taken control! But I love Frank Sinatra, Van Morrison, the Tragically Hip & U2. Music is a big part of my childhood memories.”
Favourite Flower: Light pink ranunculus.
Favourite city to visit: London or Paris.
Favourite hotel: “I love anything with some history. Our local Empress is pretty incredible.”
Favourite app: “My podcast app. I listen to a lot of audio books in the car: history and true crime podcasts!”
Reading material
What do you read online for style: “My sister’s Instagram gives me so much joy. Her feed is so beautiful and inspiring @house_of_douglas.”
Fave print magazine: “Boulevard…obviously!”
Fave style blog: “Cella Jane Blog. I love her muted, classic style. Comfort with class!”
Book currently reading: “I am always reading professionally but when I find the time, I love crime novels. Currently reading The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware. I know I am behind the times…”
Favourite book of all time: “The Richest Man in Babylon by George Samuel Clason. It was the first novel I read. (My father used bribery, of course.) I learned some great financial lessons early on.”
