Don’t Waste Another Year: 7 Valuable Lessons I Wish I’d Learned Sooner

I was asked by my therapist, “If you could say anything to your younger self, what would it be?”

Wow. That felt like a loaded question that had a lot riding on it. I thought for a second and then responded, “That everything will be okay and to believe in yourself.”

My childhood was ridden with bullies, anxiety, and fear. Not a day went by where I thought someone was harassing me for being me.

Overcoming negativity is never easy, but what you can do is focus on taking care of yourself, in and out. Eat well, keep your mind active, exercise, and take care of your skin! Moisturizer and SPF are key in preserving the health of your skin.

One of my favourite products recently has been Olay Sun Face Sunscreen + Shine Control with SPF 35. It’s effective in protecting skin and best of all, it’s lightweight and oil free formula makes it easy to apply over top of moisturizer. It absorbs quickly and keeps skin shine-free all day so makeup doesn’t budge. Now you really don’t have any excuses to skip SPF every day! LOL.

I’ve spent the better part of last year focusing on self-care, for my mind, body, and spirit. I know that looking inward and being happy with myself will ultimately help me find peace and guide me to the next steps of my life. Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Sometimes bad things happen and in order to keep plowing through and come out smiling, one has to be strong.  

Below you’ll find my life lessons that I wish I could tell my younger self. 

Seven Life Lessons Everyone Needs To Know

---

1. Surround yourself with people you love because life is too short for anything else. 

Toxic people don’t have a place in my life. As much as I wish I could help everyone, I’ve come to realize that not everyone wants to be helped.

For example, if a family member is always picking fights and is never satisfied unless things are done on their terms, and never see the error of their ways, then that is toxic behavior.

If you have a serial manipulation or liar in your life, that is toxic. Bye. Instead, I focus on the friends and family that love life and exude positivity.

  

2. Be kind to yourself and to others. 

Regardless of status, gender, age, race, treat people with kindness. We’re all humans on this amazing planet together and we deserve respect (as do our animal friends and the environment).

Just as someone flipping you the finger behind the wheel of a car might spiral you into having a bad day, kindness and a simple smile can have a similar, yet opposite effect. 

Do something nice for a friend today, or pay for the coffee of the stranger behind you in line. True story, this happened to me once at the drive-thru and it made my day, so I bought coffee for the person in line behind me! It was actually pretty cool!

3. Don’t sweat the small stuff. 

We’ve all heard it before - ‘this too shall pass’. It does ring some truth don’t you think?

For the heavier stuff that life throws at us, Oprah said it best, “So go ahead. Fall down. The world looks different from the ground.” 

4. Always be yourself. 

Another of my favourite Oprah quotes, “What I know for sure is that speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have.” 

Or, as RuPaul says, “If you can't love yourself how the hell you gonna love somebody else."

5. Take care of your body. 

Eat well, exercise, meditate. It’s the only body you have. 

---

---

6. Sunscreen is key to preserving your skin. 

All I have to say is SPF! Long term sun exposure can prematurely age skin and cause spots and wrinkles. I use SPF daily (whether sun or cloud) to protect my skin from the sun.

Olay makes my favourite one right now with their Olay Sun Face Sunscreen + Shine Control with SPF 35. It’s awesome under makeup or on its own.

7. Happiness above all else. Everything else will follow. 

Hands up if you’ve heard of the rule of attraction. I always find it amazing that when I’m truly happy (vibing at a high frequency) that good things seem to happen out of the blue.

A stranger will buy my coffee at the drive-thru, maybe I’ll win a free chocolate bar, or will get a last minute freelance job completely out of the blue.

When you focus on happiness, it exudes from every pore in your being and sends good things your way. I mean, if you’re truly happy, not even the rain or missing a delayed flight can get you down. 

Disclaimer: 
This post is sponsored by Olay. 
All opinions and photos are my own.
Street style photography by Geoff Martin.

---

The Most Affordable Way To Wear Neon

Sally Hansen has probably just released my favourite collection yet - NEON!

Neon started creeping into my wardrobe last year via a $15 Zara beanie and has since become an obsession. The fact that I can now add a touch of fluorescent green to my beauty routine is ridiculously exciting.

Sally Hansen Neon Miracle Gel Collection

GET MOD - warm white
ELECTRI-LIME - fluorescent lime green
MIAMI ICE - cool neon blue
VIOLET VOLTAGE - medium neon purple
FUCHSIA FEVER - neon pink
PEACH PLEASE - neon peachy-coral
LEMON-CHILLO - fluorescent yellow

The limited edition collection contains six shades, with options of a matte or glossy topcoat finish. (I personally am a glossy nails kinda gal.)

The brand does recommend starting with a base of a white (shade 789 Get Mod, also from Sally Hansen) in order to get the most vibrant colour. I tried with, and without, the white base layer and let me tell you that WITH makes a huge difference.

The Neon Miracle Gel’s are in drugstores now and retail for $11 each (Canadian).

The Sally Hansen Neon collection was provided as PR samples. All opinions and photos are my own.

---

Be Yourself. Be Happy. Be Kind.

With social media basically dictating what filters to use on our photos, what to wear, where to vacation, and what to order for brunch - I say throw the whole thing out the window and focus more on being happiest, truest self.

Wear what makes you comfortable and happy. Shop your closet more often and don’t worry so much about getting the latest IT bag because in a month’s time that bag will be old news.

Be Yourself. Be Happy. Be Kind.

Life’s too short to sweat the small stuff.

WHAT I’M WEARING

SWEATER - Acne Studios green Joghy hoodie
PANTS - Lovers & Friends leather trousers
SANDALS - Cartel Footwear, Ella sandals, $130
BAG - Saint Laurent Lou Lou Small Bowling Bag (sold out)
GLASSES - CELINE Aviator sunglasses (Style code CL40046U)

---

SHOP THE LOOK

Photos by Geoff Martin

---

17 Outfit Ideas For Spring To Get You Through The Week

A leather dress for date night or, work if you’re daring.

Ripped jeans get an update when paired with a chic satin hobo bag from The Row.

Classic striped shirt and plaid blazer combo with Loewe accessories. Yum.

This look is perfect for the weekend when running errands.

Hailey Bieber shows us how to balance comfort with dressier elements by pairing those striped trousers with white trainers. She gets bonus points for killer accessories.

Cargo pants get an update with patent leather sandals and a black blazer.

Clean. Classic. Chic.

Orange and green have never looked more refreshing.

Hailey’s Nanushka sweater and pants might be sold out, but I linked some dupes below that I’m sure she would approve of.

Victoria Beckham’s style evolution is akin to a fine wine - it just gets better with age.

Danielle Bernstein proves that skinny jeans will always be hot.

There’s something so hot about a woman wearing a pant and blazer.

Understated for the win.

Hailey killing it again. I love her take on the cropped Champion hoodie. Ugh.

When in doubt, jeans and a beautiful blouse will aways save the day.

Mint overtakes my garden every year and this look reminds me of how much I love adding the herb to my drinks.

KISS rule = Keep it simple stupid.

All images sourced from Pinterest.

---

Two Topshop Staples You Need Right Now

With the weather fluctuating from warm to cold, spring is proving to be unpredictable, to say the least. Like everyone else, I’m excited about bare leg outfits but it looks like we’ll have to wait a bit longer.

A good compromise for this in-between weather is a good trouser or cargo pant (from Topshop) in this case to spruce things up. I don’t know about you but the last time I wore a cargo pant was… well never. Somehow it feels refreshing when paired with a blazer and cute Saint Laurent patent leather platform sandals.

Another key staple is the simple black t-shirt. Go for an oversized fit for an updated silhouette that can easily take you from casual to dressed up, spring to summer and even fall. This Topshop top was only $20 and I know I’ll be looking to add grey and white to my closet next.

WHAT I’M WEARING

BLAZER - Zara oversized blazer (sold out)
T-SHIRT - Topshop oversized t-shirt
SUNGLASSES - Saint Laurent
BAG - Saint Laurent crossbody bag (sold out) worn as belt bag
PANTS - Topshop cargo pants
SHOES - Saint Laurent patent leather Candy platform sandals

Photography by Geoff Martin. Shot in Old Port Montreal.

---

20 Outfits To Try This Spring | PART 3

Photos sourced from Pinterest

---

Summer Outfit Idea: All White

WHAT I’M WEARING

SUIT BLAZER - Zara buttoned linen blazer
SUIT PANTS - Zara wide leg linen pant
T-SHIRT - Balenciaga Mode logo t-shirt
BAG - Saint Laurent cross body bag worn as belt bag (sold out)
SHOES - Cougar Pippy platform sandals, $90
SUNGLASSES - Dior J’Dior visor sunglasses
JEWELRY - David Yurman

All white is so ridiculously crisp and easy to wear, that I’m seriously holding back from making it my daily uniform.

For this look I went with a cheap and cheerful Zara linen suit and a bougie-statement making Balenciaga logo t-shirt. I accessorized with a pair of black Cougar sandals and my black YSL crossbody bag (worn as a belt bag) to ground the white. However, I should mention that white shoes and a white bag would be SO CHIC.

All white is one of those timeless summer looks you have to try for yourself if you haven’t already.

SHOP THE LOOK

LUXE FOR LESS

Photos by Geoff Martin

---

The Blazer You Didn't Know You Needed

WHAT I’M WEARING

BLAZER - Sandro Paris
PANTS - Sandro Paris
T-SHIRT - Balenciaga logo t-shirt
AGENDA - Louis Vuitton small ring agenda
SHOES - Saint Laurent canvas sneakers
SUNGLASSES - Dior visor sunglasses

Colour continues to dominate my Pinterest boards these days. While I’ll always be a fan of a fierce head-to-toe black #ootd, a splash of colour definitely puts a smile to my face as we near summer.

I came across this amazing retro style pistachio green blazer on my most recent shopping trip to the Sandro Paris store at Toronto Premium Outlets. While it’s not a colour I'd normally be drawn to, it feels the right amount of fresh for spring/summer.

It looks great with an all-white outfit and just pop of green, or, with beige trousers and white sneakers like I’m wearing here. I also tried it with light wash denim and got total Hailey Bieber vibes. (Anyone else a fan of her unconventional style or is it just me?)

I love me a good blazer and have a fair share in all of the conservative shades ( black, white, navy, brown) but I’m telling you, nothing feels better than a splash of colour right now. Trust me, you’ll dig it.

SHOP THE LOOK

Photography by Geoff Martin

---

How To Rock The Loewe Basket Bag This Season

WHAT I’M WEARING

COAT - Uniqlo Linen coat, $49.90
SHIRT - Uniqlo Linen long sleeve shirt, $29.90
PANTS - Uniqlo Linen wide leg pants, $39.90
SHOES - Saint Laurent canvas sneakers
BAG - Loewe Medium Basket Bag
SUNGLASSES - Saint Laurent Bold 2 blue sunglasses

My friend and YouTube partner, Michael, was in Hawaii recently getting some much-needed sun and R&R. Almost every day he would text with daily updates on what people were wearing, what he was eating, and what shops he visited. Then one day he texted to say that he and his super-fabulous-mother got matching Loewe basket bags.

R.I.P.

Basket bags have been around as long as I can remember and I’m pretty sure that my own mom rocked these back in her home of Nicaragua back in the ’70s. Most likely they were used for groceries and picnics back then but I digress.

Loewe’s version has been around for a few seasons, but it’s only now they’re picking up steam. While relatively inexpensive (the medium retails for about $450), it’s still a pretty penny to pay considering that they are handmade of natural woven raffia. (Let’s just that those who made them got their fair wages.)

My personal style is edgy with a quirky twist so basket bags don’t exactly fall into my aesthetic. However, when I got a chance to rock a full linen outfit from Uniqlo recently, the bag suddenly made sense and in fact, elevated my look.

If you’re going to be wearing one of these Loewe bags this summer, considering pairing it with natural fabrics such as cotton and linen for that carefree “I just got back from vacation” look. (For reference - I’m wearing the medium sized bag in this post.)

---

SHOP THE LOOK

Photos by Michael Biro, globalgarcon.net

---