Fall Shopping with Andrews

To wrap up my collaboration with Andrews, we had an in-store event this past Saturday at their new Sherway Gardens location. I was thrilled to meet my long-time Instagram friend, Mr. Global Garçon, who came out to say "hi"! We clicked instantly IRL and took a million pictures before setting on a silly one to post on IG. I also had a chance to meet a really kind fan who made my day when she told me that she's been following my blog since almost the beginning. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

As for the new Andrews store, it's beautifully laid out and impeccably merchandised. I think the owner and the buyers do a phenomenal job at putting together a well curated assortment of women's clothing and accessories. It's the kind of boutique where you can shop with your mum and also with your girlfriends because there really is something for every one. While that might sound like a broad age group, it really isn't a farfetched idea, especially when you're selling beautifully made luxury items that are all thoughtfully merchandised. The store reads like a department store with an assortment of outerwear, evening wear, day wear and office wear, and yet the shopping experience is on a more intimate level. There's a lot of versatily in the store and they do a good job at setting up like a one-stop destination for busy women.

I hope you have a chance to stop by Andrews, Sherway Gardens and see why I was excited to bring you guys this collaboration.

xo, Nathalie

WHAT I'M WEARING
Zadig & Voltaire: Small Quilted Leather Bag.
Chan Luu: Fresh Water Pearls Sterling Silver Long Necklace.
Equipment: Striped Silk Blouse.
J Brand: Coated High Rise Maria Skinny Jean.

All items of the above items can be found at Andrews.

Unboxing: September Birchbox

I just signed up with Birchbox and I was excited to get my first one in the mail recently. I've been holding off to unbox it for for you guys here, so with that, let's just dig right in and see what's inside September's box. PS - how cute is this months design?

September's box has a good selection of hair, skincare and beauty products. Right away I see a Tocca body scrub which I'm excited to try since I've always loved Tocca. (BTW - I know it's almost the end of the month and you guys have probably already received your Birchbox but I want to share it here anyway since it's my first one. Hope you don't mind!)

My September's Birchbox includes:

• Davies This Is A Sea Salt Spray
• Tocca Giulietta Body Scrub in Pink Tulip & Green Apple 
• 100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream (for dark circles & puffiness)
• Japonesque Velvet Touch Eye Shadow in Shade 02
• BioRepublic Aloe Rescue Revitalizing Fiber Mask with Vitamin E (for all skin types)

My first impression on the products:

• DAVINES THIS IS A SEA SALT SPRAY
  SAMPLE SIZE: A generous 100 ml. Should last a few uses. 
  Davines makes an excellent hairspray that I'm using right now but I'm not overly thrilled about getting this sea salt spray in my Birchbox. I've tried it before and I find it makes my hair frizzy and wild. I have thick, wavy hair that is majorly prone to frizz so I have to be careful about what products I use. I'm curious to know if anyone else with wavy hair feels the same about sea salt sprays. 
   
• TOCCA GIULLIETTA BODY SCRUB IN PINK TULIP + GREEN APPLE
  SAMPLE SIZE: 1 oz. equivalent to 1 use in the shower. 
  It smells pretty, feminine and fresh and makes me want jump in the shower right away. Too bad the sample isn't bigger because I think this product would be a hit with a lot of women. The label reads "gently moisturizing, sugar-based body scrub contains crushed olive granules, rich in natural oils. Paraben and phthalate free." I tried it on the back of my hands just now and it felt really nice and the scent lingers once you rinse it away.
  PS - I couldn't find this product on the Birchbox site which is too bad. :(
   
• 100% PURE COFFEE BEAN CAFFEINE EYE CREAM (for dark circles & puffiness)
  SAMPLE SIZE: 8 ml. Enough for a few months.
  I'm not happy to write this but, I'm very sleep deprived. Every morning is a struggle to conceal my dark under eye circles and fake out that "fresh-face" look with makeup. I'm excited to try this eye cream to see if it'll help but in reality, I should just get more sleep. This one is 100% natural and 100% vegan which is always nice. I might put my tube in the fridge to see if it helps with my puffiness a bit further and soothe my tired eyes.
   
• JAPONESQUE VELVET TOUCH HIGH PIGMENT EYE SHADOW (SHADE 02)
  SAMPLE SIZE: 1.5 g. Looks like a full sized.
  It almost looks pale gold at first but this eye shadow is actually a shimmery, pale, mossy green.  I've heard good things about Japonesque so I'm excited to try this. The packaging features these bold, colourful brush strokes that remind me of the Sept Birchbox design. Hmm... could this have been their inspiration?
   
• BIOREPUBLIC ALOE REVITALIZING FIBER MASK WITH VITAMIN E
  SAMPLE SIZE: 1 mask. 
  My BFF went to Korea a few years ago and brought me back a bunch of Korean fiber masks as a gift. I've been hooked since. I can't wait to try this Aloe mask since it's supposed to be hydrating and my skin has been feeling really dry recently. 

Keep an eye out for next month's Birchbox review where I'll be announcing something exciting for my Canadian readers!!!

Street Style feat. Andrews

I’m so excited to finally tell you guys about my latest collaboration! It’s with a Toronto-based store called Andrews, and I’ll be celebrating the opening of their third location at Sherway Gardens! Come by this Saturday and hang out with me! Let’s chat about fashion and life, upload pics on Instagram, take videos for Snapchat and of course, shop! Some of you guys leave me comments saying that you want to go shopping with me. Well… let’s do it! I’d be happy to help you pick out some new pieces for your fall wardrobe!

A bit of background on Andrews, they carry a diverse selection of luxury clothing and accessories, from Mackage, Jbrand, Smythe, Zadig & Voltaire to beautiful cocktail dresses from Greta Constantine. They take pride in catering their shopping experience to the busy woman, and provide services like on-site alterations and at home delivery. I took advantage of one of these services when I told the staff I was looking for coated jeans. They ordered in the amazing Jbrands that I'm wearing in this post. Thanks ladies! (TIP: Coated jeans are excellent if you want the look of leather without the hefty price tag.)

I think my favourite part of Andrews has to be their contemporary section, where I picked up this beautiful silk blouse by Vince. It’s the perfect transition piece for fall and I can wear it to the office and dressed down on the weekend. You guys know that I’m accessory crazy and I fell for this Zadig & Voltaire quilted bag almost immediately. It’s edgy and elegant goes beautifully with everything in my closet. The hat is also Z&V and is probably my favourite part of this outfit. I have a few black wool hats in my collection but nothing fits and looks as good as this one. Finally, the necklace is Chan Luu and is sterling silver with freshwater pearls. Just like everything else I’m wearing, it's both edgy and elegant. I think Andrews does that well.

I hope you guys enjoyed this post and I hope to see some of you there this Saturday, Sept 26th! I’ll be chilling at Andrews from 12-2pm and I can’t wait to meet you!

Xo, Nathalie

WHAT I'M WEARING
Zadig & Voltaire: Felted Wool Hat with Feather Trim.
Zadig & Voltaire: Small Quilted Leather Bag.
Chan Luu: Fresh Water Pearls Sterling Silver Long Necklace.
Vince: Silk Band Short Sleeve Top.
J Brand: Coated High Rise Maria Skinny Jean.

All items of the above items can be found at Andrews.

Bag Spill + New Faves

I feel like there’s so much excitement happening right now I can’t wait to share it! Stay tuned because on Thursday I'll be announcing the first part of something very exciting. GTA followers, you're going to be able to partake in this one! In the meanwhile, let’s do a bag spill/ current faves – the early fall edition.

• This beautiful leather box bag from JCOS STUDIOS just arrived in the mail the other day. It’s bigger than my Saint Laurent nano Sac De Jour so I’m really enjoying the extra interior space.
• I'm also loving this pretty wallet from Australian brand Status Anxiety. It fits my iPhone 6+ comfortably with room to spare for a lipstick - perfect for when I ditch my purse. 
• Pixi Beauty just launched their Fall 2015 collection which includes their Mattelustre Lipsticks. I got the shades Pure Fuchsia and Plum Berry. I find the formula is surprisingly creamy, and not cakey and heavy like most matte lipsticks. They're also infused with peptides and vitamins C & E to help create a fuller, smoother lip. I wear mine with a nude lipliner for extra staying power. 
• To keep the berry theme going, I just gave my nails a nice coat of Essie's Fishnet Stocking, a sultry berry-red shade. I love Essie for always being on-trend with colours.
• For eyeliner, I'm currently using Pixi's new Cat Eye Ink in Intense Black. This one has a nice slant felt tip that applies the liner comfortably. The colour payoff is awesome and it wears well until the end of the day.
• A brow pencil is something I almost always carry around. When I was younger I over-plucked my brows and they've never fully grown back. The Endless Brow Gel Pen, also by Pixi, helps me fill in sparse areas quickly.
• I'm super picky with fragrance but Italian Summer Fig from The Body Shop is beyond heavenly! Seriously, I just want to bathe in this scent! It smells like freshly cut greens but also smells a bit complex. I don't know how to describe it exactly but go smell it and tell me what you think!
• Lastly, I'm never without my Dior eyeglasses. I couldn't see without them! >_<

The Cotton Crew Neck with Everlane

My adventures with Everlane continues in this post with their Cotton Sweater Crew. Honestly, I can't seem to get enough of this comfortable knit. I shot it for this post on the weekend and I wore it to work today. Generally when I become obsessed with a new piece I wear until I just can't anymore. Is that a touch of fashion OCD? I don't know and I don't care. Expect to see the piece on repeat. #sorrynotsorry
xo, Nathalie

WHAT I'M WEARING
Everlane The Cotton Sweater Crew. Mackage leather jacket. Jbrand black Maria jeans. Jcrew suede pumps. Armani sunglasses. Larsson & Jennings Läder watch. Zadig & Voltaire quilted bag and wool hat from Andrews. 

Casual In The City

Busy weekends call for comfort and simplicity. These Everlane Street Shoes are excellent for running errands in the city and I love the strong contrast paired with a dark outfit. The weather is a bit cooler now so that means cardigans and sweaters can come out to play. I love the traditional cut of the grey one I'm wearing here. It reminds me of a grandfather cardi with the deep-V, large buttons and waist pockets. The fabric is luxurious and feels even better than it looks - super soft and almost silky.
xo, Nathalie

HOW TO KEEP YOUR WHITE SHOES LOOKING NEW
When I originally posted these shoes on IG, a lot of you guys asked me how I keep them clean and looking new. This shoe is leather so it should be easy to wipe off any scoffs or dirt but just in case, use the holy grail of shoe cleaners - Woly's Combi Cleaner. I've used it on canvas, leather and plastic and it works wonders. Promise. 

WHAT I'M WEARING
Everlane Luxe Sweater Cardigan & Street Shoe. Brandy Melville black muscle tank. Zara black ankle jeans. Old Navy mirrored sunglasses. 3.1 Phillip Lim CASH ONLY cross body bag. Larsson & Jennings Läder watch. Lisbeth necklace.

Girl in The Green Jacket

I kept this look simple with my favourite Rag & Bone jeans and this inexpensive Forever 21 halter top that I got during the summer. The suede emerald green moto jacket breaks up all of the black and adds a nice hint of colour. Even though I ditched the handbag here, my accessory game always has to be strong so I wore my new Sandro Paris boots, an amazing sale find at Winners. Have you guys visited their Runway section? I swear it's hit or miss but I've found the most incredible pieces there. As for the hat, it's another cheapie find from Target back when it used to be in Canada. It's a little bittersweet but as is life. I acquired all of the pieces from this outfit in the last year. It just goes to show that when you buy strong basics, they'll withstand trends and seasons. 

WHAT I'M WEARING: Obey suede moto jacket with buckle. Forever 21 halter top. Rag & Bone skinny jeans. Sandro Paris leather and suede black ankle boots. Target wool hat. Armani sunglasses. Felony Case Kaleidoscope X Clear iPhone 6 plus case. 

Fall Skincare Routine With Seabuckthorn

I think it's as important to change your skincare for the changing climate as it is to update your wardrobe. In fashion we're always talking about clothes, light layering for fall, even more layering for winter yet we don't always discuss our beauty routine. 

A good moisturizer is something you should never be without and in fact it was the Anti-Aging cream that convinced me that I didn't need a fancy label or high ticket price tag to get a good quality product. In the mornings I add an SPF to this and at night I use it straight up. I also like using this one on my chest. Yes, I'm talking boobies. I remember reading an article in Vogue about this woman who would slather moisturizer on her chest every morning and night. Apparently even late into her 60's she had wonderful skin so I started doing the same. I find my skin is incredibly sensitive in that area and SBT is one of the only moisturizers that doesn't break me out. 

Lip balm is a no brainer when we're talking about cold weather beauty. I wear it under lipstick, over lipstick and sans lipstick when I'm at home. I like to have a couple of tubes with me all of the time because I always leave them behind somewhere. I'm also a good wifey and stock up my hubby with his own tubes since he's always asking for mine. Perhaps that last one is more of a selfish act though... Speaking of balms, SBT has a unique product called the Sniffle Stick that I love more than anything. Think of it as a balm with peppermint oils that help relieve your sinuses when you apply it. I find it incredibly soothing and like to use it year round. 

A therapeutic shampoo during the cold weather is something I discovered last year. I tried the Peppermint Shampoo which helped with the dryness on my scalp. It also helped me wake up in the morning since the oils have a cooling sensation. The Lavender shampoo and conditioner also contain peppermint but primarily have lavender oils, which are soothing. Of all of the natural, sulphate free shampoo's I've tried, these ones are my faves and I'd highly recommend them. My hubby really likes these too and I know he was excited to have them back in our shower.

A new and interesting product that arrived in my care package was the 3 In 1 Shampoo Bar. I love the concept of this product, especially for travel (low maintenance and carry 1 product for face, body and hair) but I was a bit skeptical at first. I have A LOT of hair and I didn't think I'd be able to rather up properly a bar of soap. To my surprise it did its job well and it was fun washing my hair with it. I think I'll leave this one to my hubby though as he liked it more and I prefer my therapeutic shampoo. 

Speaking of bars, I was thrilled to see SBT update the packaging on their soap to read, "non GMO, gluten free, cruelty free, eco friendly, soy free". Their Cleansing Bar is a favourite of mine since it's gentle on the skin, perfect for cold weather months. You can use this on your entire body and it's also suitable to use on the face. It's good for normal to dry skin, people with rosacea and sensitive skin. My skin is oily/ dry and this one works well for me too. Basically if you have skin, try this!

Salves are something I'm just getting into. I like to slather them on my hands, heels, elbows and knees, basically anywhere that I need extra moisture. SBT makes their normal salve full of nursing seabuckthorn oils and they also make a Soothing Salve for muscle and joints. True story, the soothing balm became my best friend recently when I injured my knees and heels while running. 

Finally, who doesn't love tea during the cold months? SBT makes a nice herbal tea high in protein. I like to drink my tea at night before going to bed. Something about it is very settling to the stomach and relaxing to the whole body. Try it and let me know what you think. 

To wrap this up here's a quick backstory on the SBT Seabuckthorn brand: they are based out of British Columbia where they grow and harvest the seabuckthorn berries on their facilities. They're very environmentally conscious which is why they've begun phasing out the use of palm oils in their products. Products are made in house and are 100% natural. 

5 Blogging Tips for Beginners

Like so many other bloggers out there, I'm passionate about what I document. In my instance it's fashion, beauty and food. I'm always excited to share my new findings with you guys. I look forward to reading your comments and sharing tips and getting tips back (like stretching your shoes if they're too small). I've been at this for about a year and a half now and it's been such an amazing ride so far. I've met some incredible people along the way, bloggers and fans alike, and I've worked with some wonderful brands that I never could have fathomed working with in my wildest dreams. I'm so grateful for all of my opportunities and I know I got there because I've worked hard and paved my own way. My advice to any newbie bloggers goes like this:

• Stay true to yourself. Find your voice, embrace the fact that you're unique and ride that wave!
• Network like a mofo. Social media is such an excellent platform for meeting peers and making friends. Plus, you never know what brands are watching you as you grow. Chances are they'll add you to their list of influencers. You might be surprised.
• Be consistent in posting on social media and your blog and watch your numbers grow.
• Be gracious. Say thank you, please and share those positive vibes. 
• Lastly, don't buy followers, not even for a boost when you're starting off. I've learned from my followers along the way and they've helped me get to where I am now. 

WHAT I'M WEARING: Zara army jacket and patchwork jeans. Doll Memories black t-shirt. Alexander Wang oxford lace ups. Marc By Marc Jacobs striped mini bag. TOMS glasses.