Do I look like Gigi Hadid yet? Trying the shredded denim trend.
Spotted: Gigi Hadid killing it in shredded denim.
If I'm gonna try my hand at a trend, you better bet that I love it! I recently picked up this extremely distressed jacket from Zara. It kinda looks look it was run through a paper shredder which is why I dig it so much. It's also a pretty affordable update to my spring wardrobe at $50. It's easy to wear and super versatile and pairs easily with everything I have.
The shredded denim jacket is meant to be wore like every other denim jacket (that you already own), but this one packs more personality and punch. Keep the rest of your look polished so you don't run the risk of looking like you just rolled out of bed. A red lip, a glossy quilted handbag and silk polka dot blouse are all very lady like in nature but they take on an edgier look when paired with la shredded jacket.
Warning: Comments from grandparents are to be expected like, "You actually paid money for that?" or "You could have paid me to tear your clothes!"
SHOP MY LOOK
WHAT I'M WEARING: Zara shredded jacket (exact here) & hat. Rag & Bone jeans. Chanel patent leather jumbo bag. Emerson Fry silk polka dot blouse. Ray Ban red tinted round frames. Kat V D lipstick in Vampira mixed with Truffle from Bite Beauty. Saint Laurent Candy Platform boots. Lisbeth Jewelry necklace.
Photography by Geoff Martin.
Gigi Hadid image borrowed from Vogue.com
Affiliate marketing links in this story are used as form of compensation.
10 Statement Sneakers To Buy Now: glitter, metallic, neon, white canvas
I recently got a pair of amazing bronze coloured Vans hightop sneakers that I've had my eye on for a while now, but I haven't been able to find the until now. Of course this is after I publicly declare my shopping ban so now I look like a quitter but I digress. I also grabbed a pair of pink sparkly kicks in the same SK8-HI style because they where on sale and yolo!
As soon as I posted them on my Instagram Stories, you all started DM-ing me wanting to know where I got them. (I love that you guys are as shoe crazy as I am!) Well, I've been wearing them non stop ever since so they're already proving to be a worthwhile investment so far.
If you haven't tried a pair of Vans yet, I dare you to get out there and try a pair on. They have a ton of styles from classic canvas to more statement fashion forward styles. Because the brand is all about skater/ lifestyle culture, the shoes are supremely comfortable and don't need any breaking in so you can wear them straight from the store and into the weekend.
GLITTER + METALLIC SNEAKERS
COLOURFUL KICKS FOR SPRING
Does natural deodorant really work?
Story by Diana Aldea.
Gonna be totally honest, I couldn't do 4-weeks of detoxing my pits. I really love the idea of getting rid of toxins - and I'm even O.K. with smelling bad for the cause - but when things get really bad in your personal life, it's just not the right time to sweat it all out.
I started using the Takesumi Detox from Kaia Naturals in late January and the results were exactly as I expected. It seemed to be working wonderfully during week 1 (minimal sweating and no odor) and during week 2, I smelled pretty horrific. This is common since your underarms are beginning to detox from built-up toxins, bacteria and other chemicals - they call this the "purge phase". During week 3, my life began to unravel at the seams. My dad had been diagnosed with lung cancer a few months prior and his health was on the decline. My mom and I were in-and-out of emergency rooms with him, we weren't sleeping much, and eating was sparse and generally pretty unhealthy. During the third week of your pit detox, you're supposed to be less smelly but sweating more. Considering I was a complete wreck, my pits were constantly damp and I smelled absolutely horrific. I caught a whiff of myself and felt like I was going to vomit, so I caved and started wearing my "normal" drugstore deodorant. I felt pretty terrible considering I'd made it so far, but honestly it just wasn't a good time for me. After using my old deodorant, I was hyper aware of how thick it felt, as if it was clogging my pit pores. I began to alternate between regular deodorant and the Takesumi Detox, which isn't ideal, but that's what I could manage. Week 4 is when you're supposed to see real results, but I'd messed up and would need to do it all again.
My dad passed away in mid-February and I started using my old deodorant exclusively. I did it out of habit and didn't want to run the risk of smelling terrible as I planned my dad's funeral and had to interact with family and friends. It's been a month and while I'm still pretty bummed out, I think I'm almost ready to start focusing on me again. This includes taking care of myself and trying to detox my pits (again). I think you've got to be in a good place mentally and physically to complete any detox successfully, and I'd highly recommend the Takesumi Detox under the right circumstances. My dad placed a huge focus on good health. He was always looking for ways to improve himself and Kaia's products are similar to those that he would use and approve of. I'm gonna try the Takesumi Detox again pretty soon, I'm sure my dad would be proud of me for smelling awful.
SHOP NATURAL DEODORANTS
Photography by Nathalie Martin
This post is in collaboration with Kaia. All photos original and opinions are honest and true.
Affiliate marketing links in this story are used as form of compensation.
Beauty Anti-Haul: La Mer & Charlotte Tilbury
Okay, okay so I just totally click baited your ass but stil! You see last summer, Michael, aka globalgarcon.net, and I had this genius idea to do a skincare swap of our 5 favourite skincare items. Well, life happened and we didn't see each other for a while and next thing you know it's March! Honestly, I've had Michael's La Mer facial spray for so long that I'm surprised it didn't evaporate in the bottle! Anyway, let's jump right in and see if I liked Michael's bougie skincare as much as he does. AND If you want to see what Michael thought of the items I lent him for the skincare swap, click here to read his post.
SHOP THE POST
LA MER THE MIST
At $100 a bottle, I was hella nervous and excited to try this facial mist. If I liked it, I'd be screwed because I might be tempted to buy it. If I hated it, I'd feel bad for wasting Michael's precious La Mer.
Price: $100
What's in it: Marine botanicals, aka, magic.
The verdict: This stuff is incredible! Confession, I'm a facial mist/ face water fanatic and I've tried tons that are on the market, but this one is hands down the best! It left my skin super soft and feeling well hydrated and balanced.
Cons: It tastes awful! If you're keen on trying this stuff, suck in those lips!
Would I buy it? No! It's $100! Then again, I just spent $125 on lip gloss, blush and one bottle of nail polish at the Chanel counter. To each their own.
SUPER AQUA CELL RENEW SNAIL HYDRO GEL MASK
Michael wrote a whole blog post on his favourite sheet masks recently, so I had high hopes for this one from Missha.
Price: $5
What's in it: Snail secretion and baobab extract.
The verdict: This shit started to burn on my skin right away. It felt uncomfortable and it tingled and for some stupid reason, I left it on my skin for the whole 20 mins in hopes of looking radiant. #dummy After taking it off, I patted the left over product into my face and went to sleep. The next morning I woke up to what looked like crusty boogers all over my face. YUCK. Thanks Michael!
Cons: Slight burning sensation and boogery looking skin.
Would I buy it? HECK NO!
MISSHA MISA GEUM SUL 24K GOLD SNAIL HYDRO GEL MASK
Don't get me wrong, while the thought of smearing my face with snail slime is gross, I have to admit that snail products work really well! Snail secretion is a humectant and it does a great job at repairing skin. In case you want to learn more, I wrote a whole blog post on it here. (shameless plug)
Price: $6
What's in it: Snail secretion.
The verdict: This one was nice. My skin did't react nearly as bad as the gold snail mask (above) and left my skin feeling hydrated and balanced.
Cons: Snail secretion if that's not your jam. Otherwise, none.
Would I buy it? Sure.
CHARLOTTE TILBURY GODESS SKIN CLAY MASK
First of all, I love that Michael Charlotte Tilbury as part of his skincare regimen and raves about it. He's truly a skincare enthusiast and I wouldn't be surprised if he came out with his own line one day.
Price: $65
What's in it? Spanish clay with sweet almond oil.
The verdict: Honestly I didn't see or feel any difference from this and the other clay masks I've tried. At $65 a tube, I much prefer to save a bit of money and buy the clay mask from Consonant Skincare instead. Their's is 100% natural, organic, detoxifies and clarifies the skin. Oh, did I mention it's $45 a tube?
Cons: None really but not worth the price.
Would I buy it? No.
IOPE MOISTURE SKIN SOFT PEELING GEL
I believe this is type of face mask is Korean because I've never seen a non-Korean brand make something like this. Basically you apply the creme gel onto your wet face with your fingertips and you keep messaging until the mask starts to roll off in flakes, almost like an eraser!
Price: $25
What's in it? Prebiotics (not probiotics), organic witch hazel and natural cellulose.
The verdict: I love these type of masks! They're super quick and effective if you're short on time. They're a gentle exfoliant that work well and leave skin feeling super soft, refreshed and vibrant.
Cons: None.
Would I buy it? Yes! If you haven't already tried this type of mask, go do it!
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Testing recipes from CHRISSY TEIGEN’S Cravings
Something you guys might not know about me is that I love to cook and in fact, before I started WoahStyle.com, I had a crafting/ cooking blog where I used to post all of my recipes. For the first few years of years of my marriage I spent a lot of time in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes and perfecting my baking skills. Geoff and I used to entertain a lot in those days but eventually it fizzled out because life got too busy and we started to eat lots of take away food. Sad I know. In the spirit of getting back into cooking, I logged onto Amazon and ordered Chrissy Teigen’s Cravings. I’m a vegetarian and Geoff isn’t so I thought it would be a fun challenge to try to make some of her recipes veggie friendly and omit meat. Our first recipe to try is Chrissy’s Dutch Baby Pancakes! If you’re looking for a super easy recipe to whip together this weekend and impress the taste buds of your family and friends, try these because they’re better than they look!
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DUTCH BABY PANCAKES
serves 4
I've substituted some ingredients below in hopes of making the recipe more "healthy" and less dairy ridden. The results is a bit flatter then the Dutch Baby pictured in Teigen's cookbook, but they came out pretty damn tasty and fluffy nonetheless. You can stick to the original recipe (by using the crossed out ingredients) or follow mine if you want.
1 cup all purpose flour brown rice flour, sifted
4 large eggs
1 cup whole milk almond milk, at room temp
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter vegan butter, melted
Ms. Butterworth's pancake syrup Maple syrup
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.
Whisky together flour, eggs, milk, salt and the 2 tablespoons of melted butter and combine until smooth with no lumps.
In a 10-inch cast-iron skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons butter until melted and bubbly. Add the batter immediately and put the skillet in the oven.
Bake until the pancake is fluffy and a deep golden brown colour for about 17-20 mins. The pancake will puff up crazy and uneven.
Remove from the oven and cut into quarters. Pour maple syrup over the slices and dust with powdered sugar.
Bon apetit!
Photography by Nathalie Martin.
Affiliate marketing links in this story are used as form of compensation.
Hold me I’m scared! Tales of my nightmares & other neurotic mishaps.
This week on the blog I’ve been focusing a lot on wellness and I’m happy to announce that I have something really cool coming to the blog next week, but you’ll just have to wait and see.
Today though I want to focus on another one of those “story time” posts that y’all seem to like. So here’s whats up. I haven't been sleeping lately. It’s 3 hours here, 5 hours there and I am tired AF. When I do get to sleep I’m having nightmares. Like ridiculous, I’m-afraid-to-admit-them-out-loud nightmares about weird ass shit.
Anyway, after a week straight of stupid scary dreams and waking up repeatedly in the middle of the night, I finally told Geoff and Diana (My bff. Hi, you guys should know who she is by now.). I gave them vivid details about all of the weird dreams that I’ve been having. They both said the same thing, I’m probably anxious and stressed about something. The more I thought about it, the more that I realized that they’re probably right. I’ve been working really hard on expanding WoahStyle into a lifestyle brand. I’ve been analyzing my blog hits and everything is going in the right direction but with that, I’m putting in a lot of hours and I don’t know when to shut my brain off. In yesterdays post, 10 Tips to RELAX and De-Stress right now, I confessed that I’m the kind of person who gets stressed out easily. Trust me, it suuuuucks but it’s who I am. So I guess while I’ve been feeling alright in the day time, I’m subconsciously stressed out. Then I go to sleep and have nightmares about vampires and zombies and the end of the fucking world. OMG! It’s so twisted I know.
So here’s what I’m doing to keep the boogie man away. First up, I’m trying to eat better. Take away on a nightly basis is no beauno for my body and my mental health. I’m also thinking it would be a good idea to start writing down my nightmares. Like a dream journal, except more dark?! LOL I’ve always been big horror films, so it could be fun to write short stories about the weirdo scenarios I dream about. (BTW - There’s a difference between horror and gore. I can’t stand gore films like Saw, they make me queasy.) Finally, if dream journaling and eating better don’t work, I always reach for my good friend melatonin. Oh yes. I keep a bottle by my bedside because I’ve always had a shit time getting to sleep.
Now I have some questions for you guys. Do you also have vivid dreams that you can recall clearly when you get up? Geoff can’t remember his dreams for the life of him and he’s always surprised that I can remember so much. Also, do you guys have any tips for me on how to get a better night’s sleep? I’m grasping for straws at this point so any advice you have would be greatly appreciated! As always, thanks for reading and if you like this post, make sure you share the images on Pinterest!
SHOP MY LOOK
What I'm wearing: Guess star printed faux fur jacket. Gucci mini Dionysus. Armani sunglasses. Ramones graphic t-shirt from Zara. Mackage leather mini skirt. Matisse star studded ankle boots from their collab with Kate Bosworth circa 2015.
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Photography by Geoff Martin.
This post is in collaboration with Guess. All photos and opinions are my own.
Affiliate marketing links in this story are used as form of compensation.
10 Tips to RELAX and De-Stress right now feat. Nespresso
If you're reading this it's because you're stressed out and anxious and you want to fix it. News flash, I get stressed out very easily and my naturopath confirmed it when she tested my hormones. Just the act of sitting behind the wheel in bumper to bumper traffic is enough to ruin my day. With that being said, identifying what triggers stress is the first step. I put together a list of activities that work for me. They are my favourite activities to relax, de-stress and feel whole again. Give these a try and if there's anything on this list that doesn't appeal to you, that's okay. Just focus on what makes you happy so that you can feel balanced once more.
Photo by Roxanne West
1.
Meditate & Breathe
Just yesterday I was sitting around the dining room table with my best girlfriend and her mother, having a great time and laughing, when I started to feel my heart beating fast in my chest. Something had triggered my stress and next thing I know, my best friend was giving me tips on how to relax. She said, "place your hand on your heart, bare skin to bare skin, close your eyes, breathe and think of a happy memory. Open your eyes when your breathing is back to normal and you feel settled again." You gotta admit it's a really good tip and it works. Try it the next time you're feeling off and let me know what you think.
Alternatively, Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths and clear your mind. Sit in a quiet space and focus on breathing in and out.
2.
Daydream
A while back I went through a couple of months where I was so anxious and stressed that I threw my back out due to the tension I was holding in my shoulders. I’d wake up in the mornings and head on over to my gym, which has a sauna that no one uses. I'd lay on my back and close my eyes and daydream about living in Paris with Geoff and being carefree and enjoying life. The fact that sauna was empty helped me relax and daydreaming got me to the point where the stress actually started to melt away. It took a few sessions of doing this but it did work!
3.
Be alone
I’m an introvert and I love being alone. It refuels me and makes me aware of what my needs and wants are so I need alone time to feel whole again. If you’re always out in the company of others, you might benefit from some me time to declutter your mind. Set aside some time to unwind by yourself.
4.
Do your favourite activity
Everyone has their favourite way to unwind. Geoff’s go-to de-stressing activity is Playstation, though he also loves ping pong, squash and volleyball. I on the other hand love watching movies, painting my nails, doing my makeup, redecorating my house, aromatherapy, Pinterest, reading, being inspired and chilling with my besties Diana and Michael. My activities are a little all over the map compared to Geoff, but then again, it works for me.
5.
Curl up with a cup of coffee
This is one of my favourite things to do at the end of the day. If it’s close to bedtime, I like to have a decaf cup of Nespresso. My favourites are the lungo cups like Vivalto Lungo, Envivo Lungo and Rosabaya blends, but every now and again I'll have an espresso, along with a cookie or a bit of chocolate. Something about sinking into the couch with a hot cup of coffee always relaxes me.
6.
Turn off social media
I find it so curious that social media is the cause of anxiety and stress for so many of us, celebrities included. After the recent passing of my best friends father, the last thing I wanted to do was be on social media; which is hard because it’s a big part of my job! I learned that it’s totally okay to have a little Instagram detox and that your followers will still be there when you get back. What was more important for me, was to be-in-the-now with my family and not worry about how many likes my last photo got.
7.
Listen to music
Turn on your favourite artist and blare it on the speakers and have a dance party! I have such a deep connection to music thanks to my dad, who was always blasting his favourite bands when I was a kid. Even know I’ll turn on my music and dance and sing (both horribly I might add) when I need to get rid of that stressed-out energy.
Photo by Michael Biro
8.
Take a walk
A brisk walk outdoors will clear your head and put things into prospective. My old job was at a television network and it was one of the most stressed out environments I’d ever been in! It wasn’t just me, it was everyone from managers and coordinators alike, who were all very vocal about their distain for the company! I noticed a lot of my colleagues would go for walks to clear their minds during their breaks and I started doing the same. A little bit of fresh air always seems to help.
Photo by Diana Aldea
9.
Call a friend
My best girlfriend and I have been friends for 25 years. We know each other so well that we joke that our talks are like the equivalent to a $190/ hour long therapy session. Talking or hanging out can be just as relaxing as meditation when it’s with your best pals.
10.
Pet therapy
Animals are known to be therapeutic and calming and I couldn’t agree more. Anytime I feel upset or stressed all I have to do is hang out with my cats and I automatically feel better. My motto is “go hug a cat”. LOL
MY RELAXATION PICKS
Home photography by Nathalie Martin.
Street photography by Diana Aldea, Michael Biro and Roxanne West.
This post is sponsored by Nespresso. All opinions are my own.
Fragrances I love for SPRING 2017 | Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu & YSL
If you’re thinking about updating your fragrance this spring, fear not because Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, Calvin Klein and Nest have you covered. From light & fresh scents to sultry and mysterious, there’s something for everyone.
9 FRAGRANCES TO TRY THIS SPRING
NEST Black Tulip Eau de Parfum
Warm, floral and a bit complex, I urge you to try this one. The scent from the bottle settles very differently on my skin and I rather like the result. It’s almost like a perfect balance of masculine and feminine with my body chemistry. The full size bottle is also currently sold out on sephora.com, which says a lot considering it was just released earlier this month.
This warm floral perfume is the latest from Nest, a New York City based fragrance designer. It’s inviting and provocative with plenty of mystery.
Fragrance Notes: Black amber plum, patchouli, pink pepper, and Japanese violet.
Fragrance Description: Provocative, seductive and alluring.
Price: Eau De Perfum Spray, 50mL, $88
Eau De Perfum Rollerball, 8mL, $32
Sold exclusively at Sephora Canada and U.S.
MARC JACOBS Kiss Editions
Inspired by the vivid colours in Marc Jacobs resort collections, the three newest perfums to hit the MJ lineup are the three KISS editions. The fragrance line is vibrant, bold and striking. The vibrant pink hue of the bottles evoke the thrilling emotion of a kiss.
Available at: Sephora, Hudson’s Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart and Jean Coutu.
MARC JACOBS Daisy Kiss
Not realizing that Daisy Kiss is different from Daisy Eau So Fresh Kiss (pictured below), I proceeded to claim it as my favourite scent this spring. It’s fresh and feminine and reminds me of an updated version of the original Daisy, which has been a favourite of mine for many years now. If you like Daisy the OG, you’re gonna dig this one.
Fragrance Notes: Pomelo nectar, white peony and pink rose.
Fragrance Description: Un uplifting bouquet of floral and fruity notes.
Price: $96
MARC JACOBS Daisy Eau So Fresh Kiss
Daisy Eau So Fresh is a little powdery and still very feminine. It’s lighter than the others in the Daisy Kiss family but still makes such a pretty statement. This will be on heavy rotation this spring.
Fragrance Notes: Peony, cherry blossom and rose petals.
Fragrance Description: Light and radiant. Fruity and floral.
Price: $108
MARC JACOBS Daisy Dream Kiss
Light, feminine and the most sultry of the Daisy Kiss editions, Daisy Dream Kiss is perfect for a date night with the hubby.
Fragrance Notes: Pink grapefruit, white freesia and tart raspberry.
Fragrance Description: Bright and playful with luscious fruit notes and sun-drenched florals.
Price: $96
CHLOÉ Love Story Eau Sensuelle
Feminine, soft and romantic. This Chloé Love Story Eau Sensuelle is a great scent for those looking for a lighter fragrance.
Soft, playful and sensual, this fragrance is inspired by the sun sets in Paris.
Fragrance Notes: Orange blossom, passion flower and musks.
Fragrance Description: Feminine, captivating and natural.
Price: $112
Available at: Sephora and Hudson’s Bay.
MIU MIU L’eau Bleue
Light, sophisticated and unique, this fragrance is powdery and floral. It's also the second Miu Miu fragrance to hit the shelves and L'eau Bleue is a lighter version of it's Miu Miu eau de perfum sibling.
Fragrance Notes: Lily of the Valley, wild rose and akigalawood.
Fragrance Description: Joyful, edgy and sparkling.
Price: Eau De Perfum Spray, 30mL, $88
Eau De Perfum Spray, 50mL, $105
Eau De Perfum Spray, 100mL, $150
Eau De Perfum Rollerball, 10mL, $35
Available at: Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart, Hudson’s Bay.
CALVIN KLEIN Eternity Intense for women
Feminine, mysterious and sexy. This fragrance builds on the exhilarating feeling of the iconic original with an energetic burst of aquatic floral notes.
Fragrance Notes: Bergamot, orris concrete, liquid rose and musk.
Fragrance Description: Mysterious, exhilarating and floral.
Price: Eau De Perfum Spray, 50mL, $75
Eau De Perfum Spray, 100mL, $95
Available at: Hudson’s Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart and Jean Coutu.
CALVIN KLEIN Eternity Intense for men
Musculine, mysterious and sultry. Eternity Intense for men opens with a spicy yet refreshing modern twist of bergamot with a base of cedarwood that is intoxicatingly sexy.
Fragrance Notes: Bergamot, orris and cedarwood.
Fragrance Description: Woody, aromatic and masculine.
Price: Eau De Perfum Spray, 50mL, $85
Eau De Perfum Spray, 100mL, $106
Available at: Hudson’s Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart and Jean Coutu.
YSL Black Opium Floral Shock Eau de Perfum
Slight sweet, sultry with a hint of vanilla and husband approved! Geoff doesn’t always like the perfumes as me but he really liked this one so I'm going to keep wearing it.
A fresh and invigorating interpretation of the iconic Black Opium coffee signature, Black Opium Floral Shock delivers a shot of sensuality like the morning’s first jolt of espresso.
Fragrance Notes: Black coffee, citrus and gardenia.
Fragrance Description: A shot of pure adrenaline, biting freshness, intense pleasure and burning sensuality.
Price: Eau De Perfum Spray, 50mL, $110
Eau De Perfum Spray, 90mL, $140
Photography by Nathalie Martin.
Some items in this post where provided as PR samples.
Affiliate marketing links in this story are used as form of compensation.
When friendships happen in a NEW YORK minute!
I just want to start this post by saying, Happy Birthday Michael!! If you don't know who Michael is, you either don't read my blog, at all, or you've been living under a rock. JK! Michael is the founder of globalgarcon.net, a menswear/ beauty blog originally from Banff but now based in Toronto.
In case your curious, Michael and I met on good ol' Instagram! He showed up to an event I was hosting and we hit it off right away. It feels like we've been friends for an eternity but it was only two years ago. Since then, we've been through more ups than downs but we can both agree that we'll be friends for many years to come. We've been to Banff, NY and Montreal together and our travel list for 2017 is growing by the minute! I'm excited to see where our blogging journey will take us and I have to say that I'm so grateful, thankful and blessed *cough*, cheezy I know, to have such an incredible friend in my life! Happy bday Michael!
Photography by Michael Biro.
Shot in SoHo, New York.
Affiliate marketing links in this story are used as form of compensation.