CASUAL STYLE: THE ANTI-NORMCORE
As casual and laid back as my style can be, I'd hardly think normcore is a term that could be used to describe my personal style. As my BFF says, I'm always wearing a "tiara" which is her way of saying that I never leave the house without a statement piece (or two). In this case this killer suede jacket adds a bit of punch with its saturated evergreen colour and moto styled buckles. The Chanel patent leather moccasin loafers add shine and are super comfy for running errands in. Plus they're drop dead gorgeous and I still can't believe I found my size when I did! Casual never has to be boring dear friends so make sure you're having fun when you're getting dressed, even if you are wearing just jeans and a t-shirt. ;)
Suede Moto Jacket, Obey Clothing
Cropped t-shirt, Aritzia (last year)
High waisted jeans, Jbrands, Maria (here)
Sunglasses, Quay Australia (here)
Clutch, Alexander Wang, Fumo iPad Case
Loafers, Chanel
Necklaces, Lisbeth Jewelry
Palm Cuff, Jenny Bird
Three Spring Makeup Must-Haves
With sunnier days and warmer weather, my makeup routine is getting a slight make under. I’m ditching the liquid eyeliner for a more natural eye, although I am layering on tons of mascara for that doe eye effect. Out with the red lipstick and enter the sheer orange lip. Gone is the foundation and in with the tinted moisturizer. Read on to find out my absolute must haves for the perfect spring/ summer face.
TINTED MOISTURIZER
You might remember that during the cold winter months I was obsessed with looking for the right foundation. Before I could even find it, spring arrived and now I’m all about minimizing my beauty routine. I’m loving this tinted moisturizer from Pixi (H2O Tinted Gel in Shade 03, warm) that has just the right amount of colour. It’s so sheer that I don’t feel like I’m wearing makeup and it evens out my skin nicely. I don’t really use it like a moisturizer though because I’m very strict about my spf/ moisturizer routine (more on this below) so I just apply it to my face with my fingers as I would foundation and it’s perfect. I’ve talked about my difficulty finding foundation colours to match my pale olive skin in the past and the Pixi tint is so sheer, that it doesn’t look like I’m wearing anything. I love this product so much that I will probably repurchase it when I’m done.
SPF 30
I’m prone to staying out of the sun, in fear of doing irreversible sun damage(!) and I wear my SPF all year round. If you don’t, now is the time when you should really look at adding a good quality SPF to your makeup routine. On sunny days, cloudy days, rainy days – whenever, just get it on your face (and back of hands)! It’s probably one of the best things you can do as an anti-aging preventative. Okay, enough lecture. Consonant has an appropriately named spf 30 in their lineup called The Perfect Sunscreen. It’s all natural, organic and acts like a makeup primer. I mix it with my moisturizer and serum in the morning and I love how it absorbs into my skin right away and gives me a matte finish. Sun – you have met your match!
BRONZER
This is another one of those products that I use all year round. During the winter I use it more to contour my face but in the warmer months, I also use a light dusting of it on my face for a little bit of colour. This one by Edward Bess has a bit of shimmer and is more on the sheer side. I’m tempted to use it on my pale legs but I haven’t gone bare-legged yet so I’ll let you know how that works out!
Style Inspo: Coachella In The City
I've been feeling a bit inspired by all of the Coachella pics on IG these days so I busted out the flares, denim on denim and mini Gucci bag, and went for a whole '70s inspired theme. The hat, Quay sunglasses and Alexander Wang Antonia sandals keep the look modern and city appropriate. What do you think of the whole '70s trend? Will you be rocking flares this season?
Denim shirt, Madewell
Denim flares, Jbrand
Sunglasses, Quay at Mendocino
Bag, Gucci Boston
Reinventing My Closet With Pinterest
There's nothing worse than looking at a full closet and thinking "I have nothing to wear". The worst! Instead of sulking I log into Pinterest for some inspo and try to reinvent my closet. This denim jacket has been in my closet for so long now. it's one of those pieces that I can never get rid of because: a) I love the unique cropped style that fits me perfectly b) it was a major cheapie from Urban Outfitters therefore making this jacket irreplaceable. Pics on my Pinterest board gave me ideas of how to wear it a different way and I went for a slight denim on denim look by tying this Madewell western style shirt around my waist. What do you think? Did my inspiration work?
Denim jacket, Urban Outfitters
White linen tank, Mendocino
Leather leggins, Mackage
Shoes, Helmut Lang Benday Oxfords
Satin baseball cap, Aritzia
Bag, Alexander Wang Rockie
Body chain, Lola's Vanity
Bracelets, Birds Of A Feather & Vitaly Design
Watch, Daniel Wellington St. Andrew Lady
Rings, Lola's Vanity & OST New York
How To Relax At The End Of The Day
Is there anything better and more relaxing than what's in these pictures? Seriously, after an incredibly long day at work this is exactly what I need to come home to. Thank you kindly to Crown Flora and Gold Apothecary for brightening up my day! xo
Crown Flora's floral arrangement and Lavender + Sage soy based candle (in my new favourite candle scent). They also burn clean which is so amazing!
Gold Apothecary Sweet Bergamot natural bath salts and facial steam packs are handmade in Toronto and can be found online and at special stockists, including Crown Flora. I have to tell you that even my mail box smelled heavenly when these arrived!
How to Style It: High End vs. Low End
I'm always mixing high end with low end and this outfit is no exception. The accessories are designer - bronze Rockie bag and boots are by Alexander Wang and the glasses are Dior. The clothes are all low end and are totally affordable pieces. The faux fur jacket is from Zara and as are the jeans which cost $50. The t-shirt is an Urban Outfitters buy that I got so many years back and has the perfect deep V. I'm really picky with t-shirts and this one is still one of my faves. Mixing high and low is something that I'm always doing. I prefer to spend my money on accessories and keep the clothing more affordable. Although - I do have a weakness for jeans and I will also spurge on those when I find a pair I love.
Hat, Target
Necklaces, Lisbeth Jewelry
T-shirt, Urban Outfitters
Grey distressed jeans, Zara
Faux Fur, Zara
Black ankle boots, Alexander Wang
Bronze Rockie bag, Alexander Wang
Glasses, Dior
What To Wear: Spring Transition
Well you all asked on Instagram to see more of my new leather shirt so here it is again, this time dressed up for a happy colourful spring transition. The weather has finally warmed up just enough so that I'm able to comfortably shoot outside without freezing. You can actually see that I'm very happy with the temperature. That and I'm wearing these amazing Quay Australia sunglasses that make me feel invincible. I've been wanting a pair of novelty sunglasses for a while now and I just love these plus they're affordable (Mendocino carries an excellent selection of QA). I'm still having fun with colour and this fluff blue Zara jacket is no exception. I had fun clashing it with the orange of my shoes and red and green from the heritage stripes of my Gucci Boston bag. There's enough neutrals in the whole outfit that the colours just work together. Don't you just love spring? Anything goes!
Leather t-shirt, Mendocino
Quay Australia sunglasses, Mendocino
Jeans, Rag & Bone
Bracelets, Ost New York
Watch, Nixon
Gucci Boston Bag with heritage stripes
Blue fluff coat, Zara (AW14)
Orange Valentino Rockstuds (kitten heels)
Knuckle ring, Lola's Vanity
Shoe Crush: Alexander Wang, Antonia
With the warmer weather finally here, I'm excited to get some of my favourite shoes out of hibernation. I bought these bright blue Alexander Wang Antonia sandals in early 2014 while there was still snow on the ground and I waited (for what felt like an eternity) for the spring to arrive. While sandal weather might be a bit premature, I really could care less because I'm just excited to let my toes get some fresh air.
The One Teaspoon jeans ($135 at Mendocino) are the perfect shade for a bright and happy spring wardrobe. The large holes feel liberating and the blue heels and checkered MBMJ pouch keep it from looking too grungy.
The cream and navy striped sweater is a piece that I've had in my closet for so long now and I never seem to tire of it. I topped it off with this cream Oak + Fort knitted cardigan instead of a coat because I need a break from outerwear.
I'm always mixing gold and silver pieces and these bracelets and rings are no exception. I'm wearing pieces from Ost New York, Lola's Vanity and Birds Of A Feather. All designers that are near and dear to me.
The checkered MBMJ pouch came with my Don't Panic tote bag. I love the option of using it as a pouch because sometimes I only want to carry my wallet, iPhone and red lipstick. Keep it simple.
One Teaspoon jeans, Mendocino
Striped sweater, Aritzia (from years back)
Knitted oversized cardi, Oak + Fort
Cobalt blue Antonia sandals, Alexander Wang
Blue & white pouch, Marc by Marc Jacobs
Rings from, Ost New York, Lola's Vanity
Bracelets, Birds Of A Feather
Watch, Daniel Wellington
Nail polish, Essie's Topless & Barefoot
Sunglasses, Armani
Colour Saturation SS15
After a few seasons of wearing all black, I think I'm ready for a bit of colour and right now I'm really loving blue and white. Kenzo has so many beautiful pieces this season, that has my wish list growing by the minute! Of course I had to add a bit of CDG and Acne Studios to the mix because why not? Everything is graphic, bold and anything but boring. Spring, I'm ready for you.
