DIOR HELPED ME SURVIVE FASHION WEEK

Another season of Toronto Fashion Week has come and gone and I've survived with my makeup on point. With what felt like a million and one deadlines due all in the same week, I was up early each morning and putting on a full face - foundation, eyebrows, contour and all, before becoming a slave to my desk and then eventually heading out for the night. If you're wondering why I was having my makeup did so early, it's because I hate being rushed and being late. No bueno.

With Dior's primer and makeup in check, I felt confident that everything would hold up to the end of the night. Even on my busiest day, when I had a few events lined up, my face was still going strong. 

Call me excessive, high maintenance, whatever you want, but I'm the first to admit that I have a foundation for every occasion. Diorskin Forever Perfect Makeup is pretty much close to perfect. It has a full coverage lightweight formula that blends easily and stays matte, without looking cakey. For the lack of better word, it's the perfect makeup for special events and yet it's suitable for everyday wear too, because hi, don't we want to look flawless everyday?

Post fashion week, I'm still using my Dior makeup on the daily because it's that good. ;) 

xo, Nathalie

This post was sponsored by Hudson's Bay. All opinions and photographs are my own.

COME ON WEATHER

The double jacket.

I usually bust out this look when it's too cold for one layer but when I'm sick of wearing winter gear. It's easy and looks cool and effortless don't you think? Plus it's so much better than wearing a parka in April. What cold weather hacks do you guys have up your sleeves?

xo, Nathalie

THE ROCK GODS APPROVE THIS POST

Hedi Slimane, David Bowie, Lady Gaga at the 2016 Grammys and that vampire movie with Tilda Swinton called Only Lovers Left Alive. It's all about free spirit, rock 'n' roll, denim, glitter and stripes. The epitome of mixing and matching and the ultimate self expression.

I might not be getting all of the high end items on this list but I love how this mood board sets the tone for spring inspo. Happy shopping and may the rock gods smile down at your sartorial choices. 

xo, Nathalie

5. SAINT LAURENT STAR DENIM SHORTS
I love anything with stars and these shorts are out of this world drool worthy. Too bad they're $900 meaning they'll be staying on this wish list forever. Maybe I should DIY a pair…. 

4. ZARA STRIPED BOWIE T-SHIRT
Do I need to say anything? Really? 

3. GAP CLASSIC MEN'S DENIM JACKET
Creep me on Pinterest and you'll see that I'm all over denim these days. The oversized men's version looks cute layered with (star) shorts, skinny jeans and tiny dresses and skirts. Yasssss.

2.  RAG & BONE /JEAN STRIPED CAPRI JEANS
I've always felt strongly opposed to b&w striped pants for fear of looking like Beetlejuice but after seeing them on an old colleague of mine, I'm convinced I need a pair. Need/want now!

1. ISABEL MARANT JAERYN EYELET SANDAL
I wanted these sandals since I saw them on @the.nowhere.girl last year but they sold out before I had my chance to get them. Ssense has a few pairs left in my size. Hmmm…

HOW TO SAVE MONEY LIKE A PRO

Let’s talk about money for a second. It’s a sensitive topic and no one likes to talk about it but I think it’s important. Trust me, I’ve learned the hard way.

When I was a teenager, I went out and got my first job so I could buy clothes. Saving wasn’t part of my plan and was more like a foreign concept to me that only adults had to deal with. I just wanted new stuff so I could keep up with the trends in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. I was a delusional kid living vicariously through fashion magazines. Not good.

A few years later I went off to college and surprise, surprise - I blew more money on clothes. I was at the Gap weekly stocking up on what? New khaki’s?! Who knows!

When school ended, reality hit and I started getting bills. First for my new car - a shiny red Volkswagen Beetle that I loved more then anything, and then for my student loans. So much for blowing all of my dinero on clothes.

The next years were similar – pay bills, spend the rest on clothes. At this point I knew I needed to save so I could move out and I promised myself, “next pay, next pay”. Needless to say it never amounted to anything.

The thing is I never learned about money until I met Geoff. Living with my boyfriend, now husband, meant I was paying for groceries and paying a mortgage. If I wanted something, I had to save because there was no way my marketing assistant job would allow me to buy a designer bag or a new wardrobe every couple of weeks.

I’m telling you guys this story because I know I’m not alone. I was financially irresponsible for so long and it turns out all I needed was a no-brainer savings account to help me save for a rainy day.

HOW TO SAVE $$$ LIKE A PRO

First, set yourself up with a Good to Grow High Interest Savings Account. That’s a no brainer right?

Meridian has just launched their “Sweep feature" – a service that links your chequing account with a high interest savings account, making it easy to save money.

HOW IT WORKS

•      You get to set a maximum and minimum transaction account balance, and each night, Sweep feature will transfer funds from the chequing account to the high interest savings account or vice versa to keep you on track with your goals.
•      If the balance exceeds the set maximum, the Sweep feature will transfer the excess funds back into the high interest savings to boost your savings.
•      In case your chequing account balance dips below the set minimum, Sweep will automatically rollover funds from the high interest savings account. This is excellent so you’re never overdrawn.

Currently this is the only type of service like this in Canada with the high interest savings account of 1.50%. There are no monthly account fees and you can access your money 24/7 either online or through the phone.

To sign up, visit Meridian online or sign up in person at one of their locations.

This post was sponsored by Meridian. All opinions and pictures are my own.

SUPREME MOISTURE FROM LISE WATIER

I still remember my first moisturizer. My mum had given it to me, probably because I asked, and not because she thought that I needed/wanted to moisturize my pre-pubescent face. It came in a pale peach coloured jar and inside it contained moisturizer the same colour. I loved it so much that I used it for 15 years until I realized there was hardly anything natural about it and was made with synthetic this and synthetic that. Then was the end of that relationship.

I've since become very cognizant of what's in my skincare and prefer brands with natural ingredients. Makes sense right?  

Recently I headed out to Newmarket to hang out with the ladies of Lise Watier at The Bay for their HydraForce event. We hung out, did our Snapchat thing and got around to learning more their latest product. 

The entire HydraForce line contains Gaspé Algae Extract, which is derived from seaweed found in the cold north­eastern part of the Atlantic coast, Fogo Island, NL. If you're not impressed yet, you will be because Gaspé Algae reinforces the skin's protective barrier and locks moisture in by preventing water loss - perfect when faced with winter's extreme temps. Hopefully Toronto will be leaving winter behind after this week's freak weather and heading back to spring, but that's not excuse to let up on that moisture.

I'm really digging this line so two thumbs up from me. Now I just need to get my hands on their BB tinted veil which looks perfect for day time makeup. ;) 

Thanks for reading and don't forget to moisturize!

xo, Nathalie

This post is sponsored by Lise Watier. All opinions and photos are my own.

A WORD ON FAST FASHION

Don't you hate when you find something amazing on Zara.com only to discover it's already sold out?The worst!

Luckily these places sometimes reissue second and third runs of their popular items which means, I can finally get my hands on my dream bomber jacket! I placed the order this morning which means you guys are probably going to see me wearing it a lot in the near future. 

As for the bomber in this post, I got it as a desperate attempt to fill the void of said dream jacket so it'll be going back. Amen for return policies. 

xo, Nathalie

MOM JEANS: LOVE IT OR HATE IT

I'm sure you guys have seen this trend everywhere now. Mom jeans. How are you feeling about them? Do you love 'em? Hate 'em? 

I personally didn't care much until a couple of my fashion spirit animals, Leandra Madine and Jeanne Demas, kept popping up on my Pinterest page wearing their mom jeans whilst looking oh-so-chic. 

I'm not usually one to follow trends and the reality is, I hate wasting money on fast fashion. Yes I shop at Zara and H&M but only for things I love. If I don't love it, I don't buy it. That's my shopping philosophy. 

Anyway, after coming across a pair of 3x1 jeans on super sale, I thought, "This is it. My very own pair of mom jeans!" Yasssss.

I felt all cool and stylish and shit when we shot this outfit. Then I got home and reality showed up on my MacBook Air upon downloading everything. The mom jeans had betrayed me and made my legs look short and wide. Oh fuck.

Obviously I picked the most flattering photos to feature here, but let me tell you those jeans went back to the store the next day!

I don't know how Leandra and Jeanne do it because when I try wearing a leg wider than a straight cut, I always end up resembling a Hobbit. I'm petite and short waisted so all of that extra fabric seems to swallow me right up. 

The search continues since my desire for mom jeans is still out of control. I recently saw a pair at Topshop, appropriately labeled, MOM, so I might go back for those and if they don't work out, well I'm breaking up with mom and remaining faithful to my skinnies.

xo, Nathalie

LUXE FOR LESS

When seasons change, it's a great time to update your wardrobe, your accessories and even your man. Just kidding, love you Geoff. We've been happily married for 8 years, which is why I often forget when it's wedding season. This year it's a little different, because it honestly feels like everyone I know is tying the knot. When I was getting married, one of my primary sources of irritation was finding the perfect gift for my girlfriends. We decided to have a small wedding party, which made things easy, but I sympathize with those who have 3, 4 or even 10 bridesmaids. Weddings are expensive enough - but you need to show your gratitude to the posse supporting you - so what makes an affordable, thoughtful, yet elegant gift? Bracelets. 

Victoria Emerson makes beautiful handmade bracelets that are beautiful, but not fussy. Check out their Facebook page and you'll see that their fans rave about the quality of the pieces, the timeless design and super fast shipping (always a plus). And let's be real - people love to hate on Facebook, and Victoria Emerson seems to be getting a whole lot of love.

With that said, here are the top five reasons you should consider a Victoria Emerson bracelet as a special gift for bestie, or yourself, cause you gotta always make sure to take care of you.

1. IT'S GONNA FIT
What's worse than getting a great gift for someone, only to realize it doesn't fit? Not only does it make the recipient feel bad, but you look like a jerk. Victoria Emerson offers wrap bracelets which will fit almost every wrist and they're comfortable and easy to wear. 

2. GOOD FOR VEGANS
For your pals that won't wear what they won't eat, the brand offers a variety of vegan bracelet options.

3. ALSO GOOD FOR CARNIVORES
And for those who like the real thing, Victoria Emerson also offers beautiful leather bracelets.

4. LUXE FOR LESS
I've seen bracelets with a similar aesthetic for over $100. Most of these bad boys are under $30. So for you popular girls who have too many bridesmaids (or sisters), you've got the option of looking like a baller without being one. Plus, you can get one for yourself without feeling bad.

5. THEY LOOK GOOD ON EVERYONE
I know, I'm stating the obvious, but who doesn't like pretty things? These bracelets have a classic aesthetic that will appeal to everyone - they look great on me, my blogger bestie Michael of Global Garçon and, my sweet mom.

As a special offer to my readers Victoria Emerson is offering 20% off your order with code woahstyle20. It expires May 15th, 2016 so hurry up now! Happy Shopping!

xo, Nathalie

This post is sponsored by Victoria Emerson.
All opinions and photos are my own. 

FANCY THINGS YOU NEED NOW: SODASTREAM

Written by: Diana Aldea
Photography by: Nathalie Martin

Everyone knows that drinking water's good for you. But it can get boring, fast. SodaStream has been around for a while, and everyone I know who has one, loves it. While it seems like a fancy gadget for fancy people, it really isn't. Here's three reasons why you need a SodaStream in your life.

1. YOU'RE CHEAP

I'm guilty of spending a lot of money on sparkling water. On average, my boyfriend and I buy 2-3 bottles of Perrier or San Pellegrino a week. Nathalie, Michael of Global Garçon and I have been spending a lot of time at Beaumont Kitchen. Every time we go - we order sparkling water for the table - and it's $3 per person for unlimited bottles throughout the evening. That's $9 for a few bottles of tap water that they likely carbonated through a SodaStream. That shit's gotta stop. 

While I'm not exactly cheap, I want to be. I want to save my money for important things like a trip, a new bag, or (gasp) my retirement savings. I did the math and in my household, we spend over $200 annually on fizzy, f*cking water. I did some more math and it costs us .67 cents to make a litre of sparkling water with the SodaStream. If we did this all year, we'd save nearly $100. 

While we don't drink a lot of soda, but we have frequent visitors who do (hi mom). It's simple and easy to make flavouring for your carbonated water. But, if you're lazy (like me), you can also buy the SodaStream branded syrups for under $10. These could last for months if you're using them for only a few bottles a week. For extra points, buy the syrups at Bed Bath & Beyond when they've got a 20% off coupon, which they send out monthly.

So if you're cheap - or aspiring to be - the SodaStream is a good option for those who like things a little fizzy. 

2. YOU'RE LAZY

A long time ago, being lazy meant littering and throwing recyclable items in the garbage. Those days are long gone. Now, being lazy is letting the recycling in your condo get out of control and getting into screaming matches with your partner about who's turn it is to take it downstairs. Oh, don't pretend this hasn't happened to you.

One of the great things about the SodaStream is that you'll always reuse the same bottles. A majority of the bottles that the brand sells are even dishwasher safe. They're also very modern looking, which is great for presentation purposes - especially when you have fancy friends over for dinner parties. Or in my case, when Nathalie comes over to binge on cheese pizza, drink fizzy citrus water and watch way too many episodes of the Kardashians (love you most, Khloé). 

"I love carrying heavy groceries" - said no one, ever.

When you buy bottled anything, it adds so much weight to your groceries. While that's great for your triceps and biceps, it's still a pain. For those of you who get enough of a workout at the gym, or carrying your dog, child, whatever - the SodaStream is awesome. You'll have sparkling water in minutes from tap water and it's pretty awesome to watch. 

3. YOU'RE A CONTROL FREAK

I once worked with a woman who ate NO sugar whatsoever. She even limited the amount of spinach she ate, as it "breaks down into sugar, y'know". I thought she was a little nuts, but she was bikini-ready all year long, so who was I to hate? 

For those who like a little sugar in their bevvy - but want to control exactly how much goes in - the SodaStream is perfect. As I mentioned, you can buy the brand's syrups, but there are literally thousands of recipes for homemade soda flavourings online. Over the weekend, Nathalie came over and cut up some fruit and we put it into bottles of extra carbonated SodaStream water. Being able to choose your level of carbonation is awesome and I put it on the highest setting because I LIKE TO LIVE DANGEROUSLY.

We ended up taking a bottle to my boyfriend's parents for dinner the next evening and it was a hit. They too buy multiple bottles of San Pellegrino a week, and I saw that spendy glimmer is his dad's eye. I'd be surprised if they don't have one by the summer.

Spring's finally here and summer's just around the corner. Pretty sure I'll be using it a lot, making tons of seasonal drinks that make me look way more Martha than I actually am.

[The Soda Stream Power was provided to WoahStyle.com but all opinions are my own.]