THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING
As I write this my entire house is in chaos as I gear towards holiday mode. Gift sets and press releases are all over my living room floor along with my studio lights, cameras and props. Geoff begs me to tidy the mess and I swear to him that I'm trying in between getting work done and searching for a dress for my BFF's upcoming nuptials. She's my very best friend in the whole world; like a sister really and we've known each other since we were 10. She's marrying her long time boyfriend over what she calls a "boozy brunch" because she can't fully admit to herself that it's a real wedding.
In the middle of wedding planning there are also birthdays - hers, her boyfriends and mine. Not to mention the holiday events (!!!)- my husbands company Xmas party (which I cringe at each year seeing I have social anxiety) and then all of the industry events that come with blogging.
Life is a little chaotic right now but even still I try to carve out the time to see the good in everything and be thankful. I know it's major cheezy but it helps because you know what, life is tough and it can really suck if you let it get the best of you. Take the time to connect with the people you love and appreciate what you have each and every single day.
I know in time I'll find something to wear to my best friend's wedding and that samples in my living room will be put away. At the end of the day those are trivial things and having time to spend with my hubby and my family are so much more important.
I'll leave you guys on that note for now and promise to get more real on the blog cuz sometimes we all just need a bit of honesty.
SHOP LARSSON & JENNINGS LUGANO WATCH
Get 15% off Larsson & Jennings with code LJ15.
Washed out tunic from Sanctuary Clothing.
SHOP MY LOOK
I'm wearing: Aritzia coat, Sanctuary Clothing top, Equipment skinny scarf (from the Kate Moss collab), Rag & Bone jeans, TOMS sunglasses, Chanel patent leather jumbo flap bag, Saint Laurent Candy Platform boots, Tom Binns nail bracelet and Vita Fede rings from Black Caviar.
Bracelets and silver rings from Black Caviar in downtown Oakville.
This post is sponsored by Larsson and Jennings. All opinions are my own.
SHOP SALES LIKE A PRO & GET WHAT YOU WANT
It’s that wonderful time again in between American Thanksgiving and Christmas: Black Friday! My first stop every year is Shopbop, where designer pieces are up to 55% off. Take a deep breath, go forth and shop. Before you do, I’ve got some tips for those going out for the hunt.
- Buy what you need and love– Stocking up on basics is always a good idea. Been obsessing over a piece all season? Go on and get it, it’s time. Also, think about what events you’ve got coming up. Sale season is a great time to pick up amazing and elaborate pieces at a fraction of the cost.
- Buy early – Colours and sizes go fast, so make sure to buy it when you see it.
- Don’t get distracted by the cost or the label – Yes, it’s designer. Yes, it’s in your size. Would you buy it if it wasn’t on sale? If no, move on girl.
HERE'S WHAT I GOT DURING THE BLACK FRIDAY SALES
- BLACK JEANS – I have a million of them but these Rag & Bones have the most amazing detail on the hem making them the first item to hit my shopping cart
- PLATFORM BOOTS – Vetements did them last season and I can’t get them out of my head. Yoyo Kulala wore them best and I’m hoping I can bring the same justice to these super rad boots.
- COFFEE TABLE BOOKS – I’ve been on a decorating kick recently some new coffee table books are just what I need. If you don’t already know, Shopbop has a GIFT shop which includes coffee table books and other goodies that make easy (and shopping for ourselves) easy. I grabbed the Kate Moss/ Mario Testino book and Breakfast Love to get me re-inspired on making my favourite meal of the day.
What will you be looking for this sale season and what have you already bought?
Necklace and ring by Lisbeth Jewelry.
This post is sponsored by SHOPBOP.
All photos and opinions are my own.
DYSON SUPERSONIC: VIDEO REVIEW
This post is in collaboration with Dyson and T3.
All opinions are my own.
LIFE LESSONS: DRESS TO IMPRESS YOURSELF
You ever come across those accounts on Instagram where everyone dresses the same? They eat the same foods, pose the same and they all dress alike. They're highly popular and they're beautiful accounts but they're also annoying. Why? Because they all look the same! Now let's translate that into real life. Fashion has a tendency to turn us into clones and it needs to stop.
You guys know I'm most comfortable wearing jeans and a t-shirt and an statement shoe. I do this because I love it, it's who I am. I appreciate comfort above everything but I still want to stand out in my own way. Makes sense right?
As a 15 year old - I had long dark hair in loose fizzy waves and wore lots of eyeliner. I lived in concert tees from my faves; Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Nirvana, and Nine Inch Nails paired with my father's old paint splattered jeans almost daily. I'd pop in a tape (remember tapes?) and I'd curl up in bed and read Vogue and Bazaar, drooling over the runway looks from Marc Jacobs, Todd Oldham and Isaac Mizrahi who where HUGE at the time. (Actually MJ's debut collection for Perry Ellis cost him his job but look at him now!)
It was the 90s people and I was growing up in the era of grunge music and supermodels and it left a deep imprint of what my personal style would eventually become.
Fast forward to now. I dress for me and I only buy what I love. I don't have time to fill my closet with nonsense and I don't have time to dress for other people. Women of all ages have always gravitated towards my style and it always surprises me because I'm not exactly conventional. And yet at the same time, is it possible these women are drawn to the authenticity of my style? Perhaps. Regardless I'm thankful because even though it may sound a tad superficial, it's been a fun way of meeting new people.
For all of you still looking to define your personal style just remember to dress for yourself - dress for your body type and not the trends and above all else, wear what makes you happy. Experiment with different looks and have fun. Life is too short to confine yourself to looking like everyone else don't you agree?
PERSONALIZE IT
I bought this shrunken military jacket on Free People recently and the pins during the summer. I just transferred them over to this jacket for a little pizazz and personality. My double stone ring is from designer Lisbeth Jewelry who happens to make my favourite pieces season after season.
SHOP THE LOOK
The jeans I'm wearing are from Forever 21. I simply cut the holes in the knees myself.
Special thanks to Frank & Eileen Tee Labs for always keeping me comfortable and cozy in their cool basics. I'm wearing the Ultimate Layer tank in the colour Lucky.
SHOP MILITARY STYLE COATS & JACKETS
*In collaboration with Frank & Eileen.
HOW TO DRESS FOR THE WEIRD WEATHER
If there's one thing we can all agree on right now is how weird the weather has been recently and the WTF moment as Trump won the election. But we're not going to get into the latter because this isn't a political post.
As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder (and then warm again and then back to cold...) we can all agree that layers are necessary. Let's do a quick checklist to make sure that you're ready for the next cold blast.
SHOP THE LOOK
STYLE TIPS
- BIG COZY SCARF. Doubles as a shawl and keeps your neck warm.
- LEATHER JACKET. Perfect on its own or layered under a winter coat.
- ANKLE BOOTS. Rockstar territory when bare legged but still cool when paired with skinny jeans.
- BEANIE. In Canada we call it a toque. In the US it's a beanie. Regardless this little accessory will keep your head warm when winter finally hits and you'll still look awesomesauce (is that still a thing?)
This post is sponsored by SHOPBOP.
All photos and opinions are my own.
I DESIGNED THE PERFECT V NECK T-SHIRT
For the last few years I've been on the hunt for the perfect V neck tee and I finally found it because I DESIGNED IT MYSELF!!
I knew my ideal t-shirt had to be soft and drape beautifully on a woman's body but it still had to have that cool tomboy-chic vibe with a slightly oversized silhouette. I envisioned a deep V neckline that show off a woman's décolletage but not so deep where you can see down her shirt. It's that fine line keeping the top sexy, not trashy. I wanted slightly longer sleeves so that we have more styling options; roll them up, or leave them as is.
I started this collaboration in February of this year with a Toronto based apparel company called Queen of Hearts. We worked on this project tirelessly and kept delaying the release date until I was 100% happy with everything - the cut, the fabric, the shape of the neckline.
The t-shirt I created is versatile.
It's classic.
It's contemporary.
It's effortless.
It was designed 100% by me.
It reflects my personal style perfectly and I hope you guys will love it as much as I do.
XOXO, Nathalie
SHOP THE COLLECTION HERE
#WOAHSTYLExME
MAC'S NEW HOLIDAY COLLECTION IS BOMB!
It's not your imagination - MAC's holiday sets really are getting better and better each year! Themed Nutcracker, MAC has us going crazy for their nude lip kits that make us say "Kylie who?". Make sure you check our their extensive collection in store because the four kits featured here just barely skim the surface on the entire Nutcracker collection.
Add the limited collection to your Xmas wish list, get one for your sis, your mum and your girlfriend, wife or that fabulous man in your life who wears eyeliner better than you.
Happy gifting!
*In collaboration with MAC Cosmetics Canada.
THE DRESS TO WEAR THIS FALL/ WINTER
Every season comes with its own set of trends but we keep seeing this one time and time again when the cold weather hits - the sweater dress.
This one here from Revolve gets an updated look with an oversized tie going down each side of the dress that drops to about mid calf. It offers more movement and fun factor to the usual dresses we've seen in the past. Best of all, it's super cozy and warm and you'll never want to take it off.
SHOP SWEATER DRESSES
SHOP MY LOOK
In collaboration with Revolve.
WHAT TO BUY DURING SEPHORA'S VIB ROUGE SALE
The VIB ROUGE SALE is my favourite time of the year! JK it's actually my birthday but this comes close. During the last VIB sale I spoiled myself with hair gadgets like Drybar's flat iron and Sephora's mini travel ionic blow dryer but now that I'm stocked in the hair dept I wanted to focus on adding some holy grail goodies to my makeup bag.
Here's what I bought during Sephora's 20% off sale.
I also bought a couple of things online since I couldn't find them in store - Etat Libre d'Orange's Noel Au Balcon perfume and Shu Uemera's S Curler.
The VIB Rouge sale ended yesterday but I believe the regular VIB sale follows it.
Happy shopping!
This post is not sponsored by Sephora. All items where purchases my me.