Off Duty
Post fashion week, all I want to do is chill in comfy clothes. These cozy layers are keeping me warm yet functional as I get back to real life - shopping for groceries, new tires for the car and going to Costco for the 50 lb. box of kitty litter. It was just the kind of weekend I needed after a week of heels, glitter and faux fur. Thank goodness normal clothes!
xo, Nathalie
WHAT I'M WEARING
Bonastre Black Backpack from Roztayger.
Frank & Eileen, red & blue plaid flannel shirt.
Lacoste, Baylen fleeced lined leather boots. (F/W 2015)
Chaser tank.
Lisbeth star necklace.
Dean Davidson pendant.
Rag & Bone zippered moto jeans.
Fashion Week: The Shirt Dress + The Bump
There must be something in the air recently, because pretty much everyone I've been talking to recently has had the weirdest stream of bad luck. Present company included. While getting ready for the Mackage show and private dinner last night, I had a freakish accident and opened the medicine drawer in my bathroom, right onto my forehead! It hurt like crazy!!! Before I knew it, the spot swelled up to the size of a golf ball. Now just imagine me, holding ice to the bump with one hand and desperately trying to finish my makeup with the other.
I ended up wearing a hat that night to conceal the bump on my head, which meant my entire outfit changed at the last minute. While I didn't wear the whole outfit you see here, I did wear the Mackage leather leggings in honour of their SS16 collection. As for the shirt dress in this post, it's a gift from the wonderful team at Frank & Eileen. Their button ups are soft and luxurious and they're the perfect compliment for my edgy-basics. (Thank you F&E!)
Oh, and about that bump on my head, it's now a 2-inch red mark that's still sore. I haven't decided wether or not I'm wearing a hat for the last day of fashion week tomorrow, but I do know that I need to chill out and try to take things one step at a time.
WHAT I'M WEARING
Frank & Eileen Mary shirt dress.
Lisbeth Jewelry necklaces in Lia and Layla.
Mackage leather leggings.
The Kooples leather jacket.
3.1 Phillip Lim ankle boots.
Givenchy small black Pandora.
Old Navy sunglasses.
A Black & White Fashion Week
World MasterCard Fashion Week is amongst us which means chaos and madness in my eyes. I'm sure anyone who attends fashion week in any city, knows how exhausting it can really be. All of that aside, it really can be fun! I love catching up with my blogging buddies and seeing what everyone is wearing. I mean, isn't that really why we're all there?
For Day 1, I wore the outfit in this post except with a twist. Instead of the black Sandro boots, I wore my pink glitter Saint Laurent Paris ankle booties. I'm inclined to think they were a big hit because my feet have never been photographed so much in my life!
For anyone attending, I hope you all have a fun week! And if you see me around, say hi, I'd love to meet you guys!
xo, Nathalie
WHAT I'M WEARING
Status Anxiety Delilah Snow Leopard Wallet.
(Thank you SA for my beautiful wallet. I've been using it non stop!)
Felony Case, Kaleidoscope in Matte Black, iPhone 6 plus.
The Kooples leather jacket.
Topshop mini white shirtdress (recent buy from The Bay).
Sandro Paris leather and suede black ankle boots.
Marc By Marc Jacobs oversized white sunglasses (circa 2008).
Trending: OTK Boots
Things have been pretty busy at WoahStyle recently so I'm going to keep the written portion short and let the street style pics do the talking. All I can say is that there's plenty of cool things coming up and tons of new content. This week you guys will see a few style posts, as well as new skincare and beauty articles. Can't wait to share but in the meanwhile, hope you guys enjoy my latest rocking these OTK boots from Aldo and my new Aritzia cocoon coat. What do you think?
xo, Nathalie
WHAT I'M WEARING
Aldo Haskova Boots in taupe.
Aritzia Wilfred cocoon coat.
Lisbeth Jewelry necklaces in Layla and Naveah.
Rag & Bone distressed zippered jeans.
IRO Paris fringe top.
Mackage leather moto jacket.
Givenchy small studded Pandora bag.
Old Navy mirrored sunglasses.
CURRENT OBSESSION: THE UTILITY JACKET
Every so often I end up getting a new piece of clothing that I can't stop obsessing over and honestly, I've been wearing this Mother utility jacket every single day since I got it at Winners last weekend! On the second day of wear, my BFF said "Oh, you're wearing it again?" and on the third day she remarked, "Really?!"
It's not like I don't have anything else to wear, it's just I love it! My jacket is super soft and goes with everything. It keeps me warm when it's cool out and keeps me looking cool when I'm indoors. (Like what I did there?!) The length and oversized shape is another plus in my eyes since it allows for easy, effortless layering. It also takes me back to being a teenager and listening to Nirvana, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. I looked up to those grungy rock star gods so much that I wanted to dress like them. Fast forward to 2015, I still admire the grunge vibes, but in a more feminine, chic way, with leather leggings, a frayed chambray dress from Zara, Sandro ankle boots and the chicest of them all, my Givenchy Pandora bag.
We can't help what we fall in love with and sometimes we just have to embrace it. Translation: You'll be seeing a lot of this jacket on my IG so get used to it! Now, what's your current obsession?
xo, Nathalie
Makeup Monday: The Best 5 Red Lipsticks for Olive Skin
When I was a young girl, I'd try on all of my mum's lipsticks in secret behind locked doors. My mother was very strict and the only time I was allowed to wear a red lip in public was during Halloween. Regardless of my costume, I'd always ask to borrow her lipstick because I knew she'd say yes for this one day of the year. Then I grew up and realized that not all reds are equal, and to my dismay, a lot of the blue-red lipsticks I was draw to previously where actually very unflattering for my olive skin. Through trail and error, and some really gnarly lipstick choices, I learned that orange-based reds are best for us with yellow undertones. I've made it easy for you guys and listed 5 of my all time favourite reds, along with lip liner pairings that work best with these unique shades. Pucker up!
xo, Nathalie
- GIVENCHY LE ROUGE IN MANDARINE BOLERO 304
I love this colour as a daytime red so much, that I just recently repurchased it. It's a soft orange-red that leans more towards a deep coral and yet somehow, it almost looks pink on my skin (see swatch down below). The formula on this lipstick is matte and stays on pretty well but I recommend a nude lip liner for staying power. - MAC MATTE LIPSTICK IN SO CHAUD
This lipstick is a touch more orange than red, making it appropriate for summer. I on the other hand, like a pop of bright lipstick in the cold months to help liven pale skin. I'd recommend wearing this shade when you want to stand out. Pair it with a deep coral lip liner for longevity. - SONIA KASHUK VELVETY MATTE LIP CRAYON IN POPPY NUDE
Another bright red! It's pretty close to So Chaud, but this one leans towards being more red. The true matte formula on this lipstick means you can forgo a lip liner because it stays on pretty well. Also, it's a wooden pencil which means you can draw a nice precise line when you sharpen it. - CHANEL ROUGE COCO IN GABRIELLE 19
Named after Ms. Coco Chanel herself, Gabrielle is the perfect classic red. It has more of a blue undertone than the other reds on my list, but it's still warm enough to compliment olive skin and those with yellow undertones. This formula is pretty creamy, so I like to pair this with a red lip liner for staying power. - MAC MATTE LIPSTICK IN CHILLI
This is an old favourite of mine and I've been using Chilli since I was in college. It's the deepest red of all of the ones on my list, which is why I put it last. It almost looks more brown compared to Givenchy's Mandarine Bolero, but it's still very much a deep orange-based red. To bring out the red, pair it with a red lipliner and to let the true colour shine, wear it alone. On the days when I want a more natural flush on my lips, I dab a lit of Chilli on my lips, followed my lip balm. Voila, my version of "au natural".
Skincare Sunday: The Face Messager & Why You Need One
Part of my job as a blogger is to review and write about all kinds of products that land my way. A couple of weeks ago this messager and facial essence from The Body Shop landed in my mail box. It's part of their new Oil's Of Life skincare collection, which is aimed at brining tired skin back to life. I received 2 of the 5 products from the OOL range; the Intensely Revitalising Essence Lotion and Twin Ball Facial Messager.
THE BODY SHOP OIL'S OF LIFE SKINCARE REVIEW
TWIN BALL FACIAL MESSAGER
There's no denying it, this little contraption looks quite comical at first glance but no you pervs, it's not a sex toy. It's a facial messager and I'm saying that you all need one! It's said to help circulation, stimulate blood flow, and helps reduce puffiness and wrinkles. To use it, just roll it along your chin, cheeks, forehead and neck in that order, starting from the middle of your face, outward. The messager gently pulls on your skin as you drag it along your face, feeling like a mini message.
I'm really exhausted these days and I've been seriously dehydrated and sleep deprived, so I can't say that I saw a noticeable difference in using the Facial Messager. I'm sure if I was sleeping more, I'd see results. Regardless, I love the messager for making my skin feel good and I look forward to using it every time I wash my face. At $20, it doesn't break the bank and it's an added bonus to your skincare routine, just set aside a few extra minutes each day and enjoy.
INTENSELY REVITALISING ESSESCE LOTION
If you're not already familiar with it, here's the deal with essence. It's not a toner and it's not a serum. What it does is help restore your skin's pH levels after cleansing and it prepares your skin for the next step in your skincare routine. It helps moisturize the skin which is where the word "lotion" comes into play with this product. This essence contains three cold-pressed seed oils; camellia oil, rosehip oil, and black cumin oil, which can be seen sitting on the top of the bottle. To use just shake, pour a bit into your palm, and then pat onto your face. Follow with an oil, moisturizer and a facial message.
If you've read any of my other skincare reviews, you'll know that I'm very sensitive to synthetic scents, and I try to stay away from any skincare that's heavily fragranced. The smell on OOL's essence lotion is subtle and natural - I've grown fond of the scent and find it comforting. Similar to the facial messager, I feel like I'd see better results from this product if I wasn't feeling so dehydrated right now. And as for the essence trend in general, I like it, but I also feel like it's not a necessity in my skincare routine like a good moisturizer, SPF, or facial messager! ;)
The Twin Ball Facial Messager is cat approved! My little guy loved getting messaged by this thing. Now excuse me while I go douse it in alcohol.
Mad Money for a Handbag? Not Yet!
I bought my first designer(ish) bag in my early twenties. I was working as a Marketing Assistant in an entry level job and hadn't planned on dropping 4-bills on a purse. At the time my boyfriend, now my husband and I, had just come back from holiday in Miami where I had seen an amazing Marc By Marc Jacobs bag on sale at Barneys for $150! It was a small duffle in a rich brown leather with cute MBMJ branded hardware. I drooled, cried and threw a tantrum over the bag because he had dissuaded me from buying it. We'd just stated planning our wedding and a designer bag wasn't in the budget.
When we got back home we made a trip to Holts where naturally, I led him to the handbag section. I came across this cute yellow and blue jacquard bag with a subtle L.A.M.B logo all over the fabric. (Gwen Stefani was all of the rage back then.) I thought to myself, "I am my own woman, I can spend my money how I want" and then I turned to my BF and told him I was buying it. When he realized I was serious, the blood drained from his face and he went to sit down and twiddled nervously with his hands as I paid. I was the first of his girlfriends with a penchant for designer bags and this was a whole new nightmare for him. I still laugh when I think about it and he still shakes his head.
These days I'm much more careful when I buy a designer bag. Typically I don't pay full price because: A) I prefer to save a bit of money. B) I've learned the hard way that unless it's Chanel or Goyard, most bags WILL depreciate in cost. Remember that really popular Alexander Wang Diego from back in the day? I've been trying to sell that sucker for super cheap well over a year now with no leads. Why? It's no longer "on trend". My closet now holds Givenchy and Saint Laurent (all purchased on sale thank you), but I'm not the type of girl to drop 4k on bag. Not now anyway. When I'm ready to drop mad dough on a bag, it'll be a Chanel. In the meanwhile, you'll find me in the sale section. As for the bag in this post, it's from JCOS Studios, not Celine. It's leather and costs well less than four grand, meaning I have money left over to put in my savings jar.
xo, Nathalie
WHAT I'M WEARING
Free People beaded jacket (circa 2012).
Mackage leather jacket.
Rag & Bone zippered skinny jeans.
Alexander Wang Nadine cut out ankle boots (circa 2013).
JCOS Studios medium box bag.
Lisbeth Jewelry star and bar necklaces.
Artikel gold toned cuff and rings.
TRENDING: ANKLE BOOTS + HOW TO STYLE THEM
Remember when I told you guys I’ve been really busy lately? Well, it's no exaggeration and I’ve been holding back on some secret projects until now! On a rainy afternoon, I got into my Fiat and drove up to Newmarket’s Upper Canada Mall for their Gorgeous Magazine. I had a chance to sit down with Jennifer Kleinberg, UCM marketing director, to bring you guys a video on fall trends, what inspires my personal style and how to dress one of my favourite items ever, the ankle boot! Inspired by the theme, I felt it was appropriate to wear my Kate Bosworth x Matisse boots for the occasion, and paired it with my favourite Rag & Bone jeans.
During my visit at UCM I had a chance to stop by Browns, where I found a pair of star boots, almost exactly like the ones I was wearing. Of course I had to pick them up to style with one of my two fall-inspired outfits for the shoot. I built the outfit with Parisian-street-style-chic in mind and put together a simple outfit of distressed jeans, a t-shirt and a beautiful jacket, all from H&M. In my opinion, fabulous accessories is what brings an outfit to life, so I gave my girl a navy hat and a Bordeaux coloured bag for a little bit colour.
My second outfit super casual and grunge inspired. She’s a girl who loves layers and doesn’t think too much about what she’s wearing because she’s cool and effortless. This black modal midi dress is just begging for layers so I took a plaid shirt and wrapped it around her waist. Fall weather = leather jackets and I grabbed this one from the men’s section at Forever 21 for an oversized look. The silver hardware on the jacket ties into the necklace, and then down to the silver buckles on these cute little ankle boots. And finally, is there anything more effortless than a cross body bag? This one is pale dusty rose with gunmetal hardware. It’s tough but still pretty and it picks up on the colours from the plaid shirt and keeps the outfit from looking too dark.
Make sure you check out my video with Upper Canada Mall’s Get Gorgeous Sessions here as well as the latest issue of Gorgeous Magazine here. Thank you so much for having me UCM!
Xo, Nathalie
Click to read the Fall/ Winter issue of Gorgeous Magazine.