Aritzia #NowhereEverywhere
I'm thrilled to have had the opportunity to take part of the Aritzia #NowhereEverywhere campaign. Thank you everyone for your support and positive comments. It means so much to me. I've compiled all of the outtakes in this post for you here so you guys can see how our day rolled out.
My outfit consists of a silk romper, army coloured jacket, a bandana wrapped around my wrist for a bit of colour and a baseball hat to keep the sun out of my face, which I ended up ditching half way through. The silk romper is super cute and can easily be dressed up or dressed down. I can't wait to wear it with heels!
I kept my accessories simple and went for my Armani sunglasses and Alexander Wang sandals which I bought a few years back. They might not be new by any means but they're definitely favourites!
Photographer Tristan O'Brien shot us individually and as a ground. Here I'm chilling with Gaby Burger and @thatsotee.
Make sure that you join in on the campaign for your chance to win a weekly prize of a $500 gift card or a grand prize of a $2,500 gift card + using hashtag #NowhereEverywhere.
Festival Stripes
Okay guys, Bestival is this weekend and I'm really hoping the rain will let up a little. It's also been a bit on the cooler side so before I plan for bare legs and tank tops, I figure I should come up with a backup plan just in case. Read on for my must haves for the festival Bestival! (Sorry I had to!)
SWEATERS
Forever 21 has really awesome cozy sweaters right now and I was happy to find this little cropped number in black and white. I also picked up another similar one that's actaully a cropped hoodie in red and white stripes in the same soft terry material as the one I'm wearing. I think it's perfect for when the sun goes down and Bestival is still pumping.
A HAT
I can't stress to you guys enough how important it is to protect yourself from the sun! My father had skin cancer not once, but twice on his face and the second time around the removal operation went wrong and it took him months to heal. Don't worry, he's fine now. ;) My point is use your SPF and find the cutest hat there is and protect your skin. This paper fedora cost $18 and is perfect for summer and goes well with so many looks. You can also see me wearing it in this post here.
HIGH WAISTED SKINNIES
These ones are perfect pairing with skimpy crop tops and sweaters alike. They'll keep me warm but they still look urban and chic and they're prefect for festival season and in the city. If the weekend is cold I might wear my high waisted jeans with a cool tank underneath just in case the weather warms. You just never know!
ARM CANDY
I love stacking bracelets in the summer and these gold-toned ones add the right amount of sparkle! This V cuff is $7 and is both festival ready and office appropriate. You guys know I love my versatile pieces!
Bag, 3.1 Phillip Lim Mini Ryder
iPhone 6 plus case, Felony Case
Trending: Off The Shoulder
I think it's safe to say this off the shoulder top from Mendocino is everything. The embroidered bell sleeves add a touch of whimsy but they're still elegant and I love how the crepe fabric drapes nicely on the body. It's the kind of blouse that can easily be dressed up or dressed down so consider this my part one - the dressed up, night-on-the-town look.
A nude shoe like these Givenchy sandals, make the legs appear longer. I don't like heels that are too high and these shoes are a perfect 3.5" which means I can walk around in them comfortably.
There's something romantic about this top and I felt like it needed a strong pop of colour to celebrate the femininity of the shirt. I chose the "girliest" bag I own, my lipstick pink YSL monogram cross body. I almost feel like I'm ready to go dancing but the truth is, I don't dance.
I'll do a follow up post on this blouse styled in a more casual manner. I'm thinking denim or cut off shorts. We'll see...
Pink bag, Saint Laurent Paris cross body
Nude sandals, Givenchy Shark Lock (similar on sale here.)
Off the shoulder blouse, Mendocino
Black silk romper, Aritzia
Glasses, Armani
How To Style It: The Cargo Pant
Weekends are all about comfort and relaxation but that doesn't mean you should be caught in your pjs or or gym clothes outside of their prospective environments. Enter - the uber chic $55 cargo pant! They sold out the first time around and lucky for us Mendocino has just restocked them. I'm thrilled to have gotten my hands on a pair!
These cargo's are pretty versatile go well with so many summery shirts. I went for a crepe fabric crop top (also Mendo) with side slits for my weekend wear. It's still a casual look but it's just a little more dressy than a standard t-shirt or cotton tank (which you all know I'm a fan of). The key to wearing cargo's without looking like you've fallen into a time warp is to elevate your accessories. I went with classic timeless pieces and chose my mini Gucci Boston bag and gold Tod's fringe sandals that are super comfortable and so-this-season. Small gold jewelry stands out nicely against the black ensemble and connects the brown bag and gold shoe to the whole outfit. So what do you think? Are cargo's now on your mind too? ;)
Gold fringe gladiator sandals, Tod's
Mini bag, Gucci Boston
Glasses, Armani
Bracelets, OST New York
Black cargo pants, Mendocino
Black crepe crop top, Mendocino
Watch, Daniel Wellington
Necklace, Lisbeth Jewelry
TOP 10: Festival Survival Guide
With festival season just around the corner, I thought it wold be a good idea to put this survival guide together for both my sanity and yours. I'll be attending Bestival in just a couple of weeks and I can't wait! If you have any tips, let me know because I would love to hear it.
FASHION
1. THE MINI: I love mini skirts, tiny dresses and short shorts. Nothing makes me happier in the summer than showing some leg so I'll be applying the same rule to Bestival!
2. FLATS: I just picked up these adorable tanned gladiator sandals. They're comfortable and on trend for SS15 but of course I'll also have my Birks on standby because nothing beats those!
3. ARM CANDY: Bandanas, rings and bracelets galore, the more the merrier. Just keep on stacking sister!
4. THE BAG: I love cross body's in general but even more for events when I need to be comfortable and hands free. Tote bags are also excellent for summer and I can't wait to use my new TOM's tote for picnics, farmers markets and of course, festivals (duh).
HAIR & BEAUTY
5. HAIR: Braids and messy buns are easy, casual and uber cute when you're spending the day outdoors. Since I have short hair I prefer a hat. It keeps my hair from becoming big and frizzy and protects my scalp from sunburn. Have you ever had that? It hurts so bad and I never want to go through that again!
6. MAKEUP: Keep it light but have fun. Skip the foundation and try a tinted moisturizer instead. Tinted lip balms, coloured eye liners and sweat proof mascara (like Cover Girl and Benefit) are just the ticket to help you survive through the day. If you want to have a bit more fun with your look, try coloured eye liners. I was lucky enough to get an advance on the Benefit They're Real coloured Liners and they are AMAZING! It stays in tact even after my intense bootcamp class so I think it's safe to say it'll survive Bestival.
HEALTH
7. SPF: An awesome SPF and a wide brim hat are a must have if you're going to be out all day. Also keep in mind that the sun's harmful rays are still out even when it's cloudy.
8. H2O: Keep hydrated and drink lots of water. Under all of that sun and outdoor festival activity, your body needs it and will thank you for it.
9. EAT WELL: It might sound weird but when you have a sensitive stomach like mine and you eat vegan diet, you have to think ahead sometimes. I make my own trail mix or granola (to control the sugar content) and munch on fruits and veggies. Also try to stay away from caffeine, sugar and alcohol if you can. The cleaner the better.
10. HAVE FUN! Sit back, listen to the music and relax. It's all good now!
Dress, bag, sandals and hat, Forever 21
Ring, Bracelets, Forever 21
Sunglasses, Armani
Pocket square worn as wrist wear, Stolen Riches
May Favourites: Lace Crop Tops, Army Blazers & Saint Laurent
May was a bit of a funny month temperature wise with chilly weather and hot humid days that left us craving a dip in the pool so my monthly faves are all over the place. I was really happy to grab this army jacket from Zara recently and I’ve been wearing it with everything! I dress pretty casually for work and I think blazers and good shoes are so important to help bring my look together. It's amazing how a nice jacket can make a t-shirt and jeans feel instantly dressed up and more sophisticated.
This lace top has become such a favourite of mine that I had to go out and buy it in 2 colours. I know it’s a bit mental but when I really like something, I pick it up in every colour that I love and this just happens to be white and black. For a day time office look I layer a tank underneath to keep the look more conservative. For the weekends I ditch the undershirt all together and reveal some skin. Oh – and I should mention that every time I’ve worn this top I’ve gotten a million compliments everywhere I go. I think it’s safe to say this is a must have item for SS15!
On the weekends I wore my Zara gladiator sandals A LOT! They’re not appropriate for the office by any means so I keep these specifically for the weekends. I love the statement that they make with the most basic of outfits. I wish they were more comfortable and had been less expensive for what they are, but I have been wearing them so much that the cost per wear totally evens out. Mango and Aldo both have similar pairs if you’re looking for something less expensive.
Accessories wise I think it’s safe to say that I couldn’t get enough of my Saint Laurent Baby Sac De Jour. It’s small, easy to carry and really versatile, regardless of the blue and black colour blocking. It’s the kind of piece that makes every outfit look better and it’s been my best purchase this year.
That '70s Vibe
It's a cold & rainy Sunday in Toronto but luckily I have this summery post to share with you guys. My new Toggery t-shirt inspired this '70s-esque look that I'm so obsessed with at the moment. It's fitted and low cut and has a slight vintage vibe that pairs perfectly with my high-waisted denim shorts. To dress it up a bit I chose my army inspired blazer and Saint Laurent studded Baby Cat loafers and Baby Sac De Jour bag. I call the look '70s Modern.
Denim Shorts, Mendocino
Blazer, Zara
T-shirt, Toggery Brand
Shoes, Saint Laurent Studded Baby Cat Loafers
Bag, Saint Laurent Baby Sac De Jour
#KillerColour
Thanks so much to Benefit for inviting me out to the launch of their new Killer Colour eye makeup collection last night at Ripley's Aquarium! I wore basic black and white but had fun with my accessories and went for bold colours compliment the launch. Red, white and blue isn't always patriotic right?
Makeup: Sexy Summer Glow
I stopped by Target recently (in the US of course dear Canadians) and took a chance on a few makeup pieces that have become major game changers for me. Seriously MAJOR!
I'm all about that healthy bronze glow these days and less about the winged black eye liner & red lips that I wore all winter long. My foundation is dewy (thanks to La Neige BB Cushion Foudation), my cheeks are (faux) sun kissed and my lashes are a mile long.
LA NEIGE BB CUSHION
I first heard about this foundation from a random YouTube channel and decided I needed to try it for myself. It's a bit more expensive than I would have liked at $34 USD (at Target) but it does come with an extra refill, making the price a little easier to swallow. In my opinion I took a major chance buying this product considering that I'm never 100% happy with my foundations.
The foundation itself is easy to apply and gives me that natural, dewy, no makeup skin that I’ve been craving. It also layers nicely which is perfect on the days I need more coverage after a sleepless night. I’m usually medium warm beige so I bought the Medium / Dark shade, which is just a tad darker than my face but acts as the perfect summer shade. I’ll probably switch to Medium during the winter months. Overall I’m really happy with this foundation! It wears well all day, and I love how the yellow undertones matches my skin beautifully.
THE CORALS
For a little bit of colour I picked up some coral coloured makeup to add a sheer flush over lips and cheeks. Maybelline’s Baby Lips Crystal in Gleaming Coral is moisturizing and adds a sheer wash of colour. A little too sheer for my liking so what I do is layer it on over top of NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Morocco, an intense bright orange-red that I lightly dab on my lips to. I use Benefit’s Cha-Cha Tint on my cheeks for a light flush. The trick is to dab a little on the cheeks and then pat it in with your fingertips. A little goes a long way so you just need a bit of product. If you want more colour, just add a bit more and work bit by bit so you don’t end up with clown cheeks. I like to layer it on overtop of my bronzer/ contour powder for extra definition.
COVER GIRL THE SUPER SIZER
I love Cover Girl mascaras and the entire series of Lash Blast has never failed me so when I saw this on sale, I knew I had to try it! (Didn’t hurt that Katy Perry was in the ads with her ginormous lashes!). What surprised me was the super skinny brush that looks almost skimpy but don’t be fooled. A single coat gave me super long, thick lashes that almost looked like falsies and a second coat gave me massively dramatic lashes. I love how CG mascaras wear – they never smear or clump and they easily wash off with soap and water. I have no cons about this product and I have to say it’s my new fave!