This is Style Story 1 of the Real Style Project. To learn more about the Real Style Project, click here.  

Let me introduce you to Marlo, and once you're done reading this, you'll understand why I asked her to be the first woman featured in the Real Style Project.
 
Marlo embodies the popular quote from William Shakespeare "though she be but little, she is fierce!" And I mean this in every possible positive way!

While I'd known of Marlo for awhile (thanks to the world of Instagram), we actually met at a local gym. We were put together in the same group, and I was amazed at her energy level - She was upbeat, encouraging everyone to keep going or to push hard or helping count down to the next rest, and she pushed herself to work as hard as possible and even asked to do more exercises at the end (and she must have seen my expression because she said with genuine concern and kindness "Oh sorry, do you need to go?"). But you could tell that everyone there loved being around Marlo, and when she wasn't at class, she was missed and there were comments about what great energy she brings.

While at that point the Real Style Project was just an idea in my head, it was at that first workout with Marlo that I knew I wanted her to be a part of it.

The day of the shoot, Jenny and I arrived at 9:30 in the morning and Marlo answered the door with a huge smile, and said that she had just gotten home from a meeting downtown. I had to sort this out- it was 9:30am and she had just got back home from a meeting and looked amazing, energetic AND happy! If the roles were reversed, I'm not sure I would have been feeling the same way.

During the shoot, I learned that both Marlo and her husband are born and raised Calgarians, she has 3 beautiful children, we talked about how she ventured into the fitness world and opened Barre Body Studio (which has 4 locations), and get this- before opening BBS, she was a Probation Officer in Community Connections for 10 years. Marlo was passionate about working on the justice system in Calgary, and served on several committees that worked to improve the services, including how to help people from going back to a life of crime after incarceration.  

See what I mean- this woman is FIERCE!! To say she's a hard worker is an understatement, she's kind and genuinely caring, started her own company which now has 4 locations, she's a loving mother and wife, and she can whoop some serious butt if necessary (which wouldn't be, unless in self defence...but even then, I think she'd fight off any perp with kindness and love), and she's got a cool and easy style that suits her and her lifestyle. 

I asked Marlo a couple questions, and I want to share those with you.

What is style to you?

Personality. Style tells a story of who you are, how you show up, what is important in your world, and how you carry yourself. 

Your style in 3 words.

Simple, fresh, functional.

What do you love about yourself?

My smile. I see pictures of myself where I am not smiling and I almost don't recognize myself. A smile is the simple most effective way to communicate, express and connect with another human being. 

Personal mantra :

Anything is possible. 

Marlo selected a few jewelry items from Apostle, and I asked her why she liked them. 

Apostle In House Collection, Reign Necklace : "I love the contrast of delicate design and the sharp black colour of the beads and stone." 

Leah Alexandra, Baguette Moonstone Studs : "I wear stud earrings on a daily basis mostly because of my personal and professional worlds (mom and fitness instructor) but also because a great studded earring can be simple, elegant and a statement. These earrings are all three." 

Apostle In House Collection, Chloe Lariat Disc Necklace : This necklace was brand new, so Marlo hadn't seen it yet. But she loved the marble effect of the pendant and how versatile the necklace was. 

Apostle In House Collection, Lincoln Ear Threaders : Again, a brand new design, but I asked Marlo to try them. Knowing that she is a stud-wearer, I wanted to see how she felt about the threader style. Marlo loved how lightweight they were and were super easy to wear. 

From Marlo's Style Story, I learned that you can have it all and look good doing it. I know that may seem cliché, and also impossible, but the important thing to note is that Marlo is wildly passionate about everything she does, and so none of it is "work". I'm sure it isn't easy, but it is an easy decision to do it all because it's who she is. And like she says, she does it with a smile, because that kind of joy can't be faked, it's a joy that is deep within, knowing that she's doing exactly what she's meant to be doing.

All photography was done by the amazing & talented Jenny, from GingerSnap Photography.