FIDELITY JEANS IN THE CITY
I love jeans so much that it's unreal, so when I got an email from Canadian born, Fidelity Denim saying they wanted to send me a couple of pairs of the holidays, I was like "yes please!".
If you guys watched my UCM video interview, talking about my denim obsession, you'll know that I have skinny legs. For that reason I chose the skinniest pair that I could find through the Fidelity lookbook and ended choosing the Belvedere (seen in this post) and the Mila. As for the colour, I'm wearing the Sleath Dark, a deep indigo wash that looks black at first glance but is actually a deep blue.
Based on my past experience with Fidelity (here), I knew I had to size down from my usual Rag & Bone jeans. Once I did that, I found the denim hugged my hips and my legs better. The jeans are really comfortable and stretchy but I only wish the leg was cut slimmer, but again that's probably because I have skinny-minnie legs. Since I'm petite, I found the length of the jeans were a little long, but that doesn't bother me since I usually cuff my jeans anyway. I styled them bunched up in this post to stay true to the laid back, rock and roll vibes from my personal style.
Thank you Fidelity for rocking me out in your denim! #DevotedToDenim
xo, Nathalie
WHAT I'M WEARING
FIDELITY DENIM, Belvedere jeans in Slealth Dark
THE KOOPLES, leather moto jacket and leather gloves
FOREVER 21, white tank
SAKS, cashmere camel scarf
ALEXANDER WANG, ankle boots
GIVENCHY, small black Pandora with studs
ARMANI, sunglasses
The Philo Collection
I recently shot a styled post (here) featuring Philo handbags, a line from Montreal, also sold at Zane in Toronto. The collection features something for everyone, from convertible backpacks, to clutches, crossbody bags and totes. While the beauties that I snapped for this post aren't mine to keep, Philo will be sending me one of my very own to add to my personal collection. Can't wait!
xo, Nathalie
Happy Holidays
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas. Thanking each and every one of you for all of your support this past year. I wouldn't be as much fun if it wasn't for you guys! Happy Holidays!
xoxo, Nathalie
WHAT I'M WEARING
CONVEY at 754 Queen W Toronto, Striped blouse.
ARITZIA, Wilfred Cocoon coat (other colours here)
LISBETH JEWELRY, Layla necklace and beaded necklace (from past season)
MACKAGE, leather leggings
CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, Anjalina 85mm black heels
THE KOOPLES, leather gloves (similar here)
Last Minute Xmas Shopping w/ The Body Shop
I put together a one stop shop gift guide for those For those shopping at the last hour. The following collections are from The Body Shop and should cover everyone: your husband, brother, bff, co-worker, and niece, mum, aunt, as well as stocking stuffers. If you're shopping online like me and your gift doesn't arrive on time, just do what I do - write them a card and tell that what's coming in the mail. They'll appreciate the gesture and forgive you for being a late shopper.
Happy Christmas!
xo, Nathalie
- OILS OF LIFE™ SKIN CARE COLLECTION GIFT SET: Full sized face oil and face cream, $65.
- VITAMIN E SKIN CARE: Vitamin E cleanser, serum and cream, $40.
- COCONUT PREMIUM SELECTION GIFT SET: includes shower cream, body butter, body scrub, body mist and hand cream, $45.
- SATSUMA BEAUTY BAG GIFT SET, includes shower cream, body butter, hand cream, loofah, $15.
- MODERN GENT'S RESCUE KIT: contains Maca Root eye serum and Face Protector moisturizer in a cute tin. (sold out online)
- OILS OF LIFE™ INTENSELY REVITALISING CREAM, $34
- OILS OF LIFE™ INTENSELY REVITALISING GEL CREAM, $34
- SPA OF THE WORLD™ HIMALAYAN CHARCOAL BODY CLAY, $22
- ITALIAN SUMMER TREATS GIFT SET: (sold out) Similar here, $11.
- STRAWBERRY FESTIVE CRACKER, includes strawberry hand cream and soap, $5 (sale)
- FROSTER PLUM SOAP: similar here, $5 (sale).
- STRAWBERRY SHIMMER BODY MIST: Similar here, $6.50
- GLAZED APPLE HOME FRAGRANCE OIL: $3
DOG SLEDDING ADVENTURES
Out of all of the activities we had lined up in Banff and Lake Louise, I was most looking forward to dog sledding. I was imagining gigantic, majestic huskies with piercing blue eyes and cuddly thick fur. Instead I was surprised to see small 40-50 pound doggies that wouldn't stop yapping from excitement of running in the snow. I have two cats at home so being around barking dogs was making me really nervous because I'm not used to it. I sucked it up, climbed into the sled and we took off with David, our sled driver (is that what they're called?). He told us stories about moving from northern Ontario to the Yukon where he was a professional dog sledder. Who would have thought that was even a thing? The cool thing about everyone we met on our Banff & Lake Louise excursion, are the people who come from all walks of life. They all have one thing in common - they love living in the mountains. It's cool hearing their stories and experiencing a part of what they do on their day to day, like dog sledding or snowshoeing or being a guide. (I realize I sound like a total nerd right now!)
Anyway, dog sledding was cool but cold as hell. Once more I found myself wishing I'd been wearing warmer gear. Next time!
xo, Nathalie
Geoff and I wrapped up as warm as possible meeting our sled dogs.
ON LOCATION at Banff, AB c/o Fairmont Banff Springs
Yummy Last Minute Gifts
We're just a few days away from Christmas and if you're like me this year, you're scrambling at the last hour trying to get it all done. This year I'm thinking about giving tasty gifts to some of my loved ones, macarons from Butter Avenue, a coffee subscription from Nomad Coffee Club and, some yummo chocolate bars from Mast Brothers as stocking stuffers. Think outside of the box this year and follow your tummy and give the gift of YUM!
xo, Nathalie
BUTTER AVENUE makes my favourite macarons in the city and their cakes are pretty damn good too! I usually end up getting some of their goodies for my bday as well because in my opinion, you can never have too much Butter Avenue. With two locations, one on Queen & Spadina and another uptown in Yonge & Lawrence, it's easy to stop by and grab some goodies for the loved ones on your Xmas list. (Butter Avenue, I love you guys!!)
NOMAD COFFEE CLUB offers coffee subscriptions across Canada and the US. They're based out of Toronto and they make it so easy to pick up a last minute gift that makes an impression. I love the idea of this for my father, a man who has coffee with breakfast every morning and one after dinner each night. It's the gift that keeps giving. #cheers
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
So it's December 21st, the winter solstice, the last a day of the Sagittarius sign and it's also my bday. I've always done resolutions on my birthday instead of New Years, because I like to set out to accomplish certain things at each age. This year I've been so busy that I haven't had time to properly reflect but I know that I want to reach a new level of blogging goals for myself and work on going full time. Right now I juggle between working a full time job and blogging full time, which is an insane amount of work and leaves me exhausted night after night. Someone asked me recently, "is it worth it?", and yes, it absolutely is!! I've met some people along the way who think blogging is an easy route to success and free things, but they don't realize how much work goes into it. It's constant in terms of either pushing content out into the cyber world, shooting looks or just getting inspired. Blogging never takes a break.
Earlier this year I created a mental list of brands that I want to work with. The list wasn't majorly long or anything, but at this point, I've worked with all of them, except for one. I know it's all a matter or time till they come knocking.
My list this coming year will consist of more travel, family time, me time and of course, #fulltimestatus.
I'm going to cut this short for now so I can get to bed at a decent hour for once but first, THANK YOU, for supporting my blog so far and helping me get there. You guys rock!
xo, Nathalie
#GOALS // Thank you so much to my friends at the Fairmont Banff Lake Louise for my recent trip to the Canadian Rockies!
ON LOCATION, Fairmont Banff Springs
Banff Springs
A little bit of downtime left us to explore the beautiful Fairmont Banff Springs. The view from the terrace is unreal. My trip may be wrapped up but my mind is still in Alberta, dreaming of when I can go back.
xo, Nathalie
WHAT I'M WEARING
ZARA, stripped top (similar here)
THE KOOPLES, leopard scarf (similar here)
RAG & BONE, zippered jeans (same style, different colour here)
GIVENCHY, small Pandora with studs
GUISEPPE ZANOTTI, ankle boots (available in croc here)
FELONY CASE, iPhone 6 plus case
ON LOCATION, Fairmont Banff Springs
Snow Shoeing at 7,800 Feet Elevation
When I was told we were going snow shoeing while in Banff, I thought "I got this". I layered up my cozy Roots fleece leggings with some thermal long johns and headed up for the gondola/ chair lift ride that would take us up to 7,800 feet on top of one of the mountains in Sunshine Valley. The guide took one look at my leggings and sent me inside for proper snow pants. With the pants on, my legs resembled thick tree trucks and left me an unideal subject to photograph. Seriously, the photographer we were with on this trip didn't snap one picture of me in this ridiculous outfit. But tell me, how am I supposed to look cute and blog worthy when it's -20 degrees on the ground and then you get to the mountain and all of the guides are talking about frost bite? How?? All that kept running through my mind was "hypothermia is real", something that was said to us on the first day. It was so cold that Geoff and I only snapped a few pictures with my new blogger friend Jill of The Augusts Diaries, before we headed inside for mulled wine.
I truthfully would recommend this to anyone, but dress appropriately and don't expect your photos to look like a page out of Vogue. And if you do manage to end up looking all "Vogue-like", well kudos to you!
xo, Nathalie
