Summer Outfit Idea: All White
WHAT I’M WEARING
SUIT BLAZER - Zara buttoned linen blazer
SUIT PANTS - Zara wide leg linen pant
T-SHIRT - Balenciaga Mode logo t-shirt
BAG - Saint Laurent cross body bag worn as belt bag (sold out)
SHOES - Cougar Pippy platform sandals, $90
SUNGLASSES - Dior J’Dior visor sunglasses
JEWELRY - David Yurman
All white is so ridiculously crisp and easy to wear, that I’m seriously holding back from making it my daily uniform.
For this look I went with a cheap and cheerful Zara linen suit and a bougie-statement making Balenciaga logo t-shirt. I accessorized with a pair of black Cougar sandals and my black YSL crossbody bag (worn as a belt bag) to ground the white. However, I should mention that white shoes and a white bag would be SO CHIC.
All white is one of those timeless summer looks you have to try for yourself if you haven’t already.
SHOP THE LOOK
LUXE FOR LESS
Photos by Geoff Martin
The Blazer You Didn't Know You Needed
WHAT I’M WEARING
BLAZER - Sandro Paris
PANTS - Sandro Paris
T-SHIRT - Balenciaga logo t-shirt
AGENDA - Louis Vuitton small ring agenda
SHOES - Saint Laurent canvas sneakers
SUNGLASSES - Dior visor sunglasses
Colour continues to dominate my Pinterest boards these days. While I’ll always be a fan of a fierce head-to-toe black #ootd, a splash of colour definitely puts a smile to my face as we near summer.
I came across this amazing retro style pistachio green blazer on my most recent shopping trip to the Sandro Paris store at Toronto Premium Outlets. While it’s not a colour I'd normally be drawn to, it feels the right amount of fresh for spring/summer.
It looks great with an all-white outfit and just pop of green, or, with beige trousers and white sneakers like I’m wearing here. I also tried it with light wash denim and got total Hailey Bieber vibes. (Anyone else a fan of her unconventional style or is it just me?)
I love me a good blazer and have a fair share in all of the conservative shades ( black, white, navy, brown) but I’m telling you, nothing feels better than a splash of colour right now. Trust me, you’ll dig it.
SHOP THE LOOK
Photography by Geoff Martin
How To Rock The Loewe Basket Bag This Season
WHAT I’M WEARING
COAT - Uniqlo Linen coat, $49.90
SHIRT - Uniqlo Linen long sleeve shirt, $29.90
PANTS - Uniqlo Linen wide leg pants, $39.90
SHOES - Saint Laurent canvas sneakers
BAG - Loewe Medium Basket Bag
SUNGLASSES - Saint Laurent Bold 2 blue sunglasses
My friend and YouTube partner, Michael, was in Hawaii recently getting some much-needed sun and R&R. Almost every day he would text with daily updates on what people were wearing, what he was eating, and what shops he visited. Then one day he texted to say that he and his super-fabulous-mother got matching Loewe basket bags.
R.I.P.
Basket bags have been around as long as I can remember and I’m pretty sure that my own mom rocked these back in her home of Nicaragua back in the ’70s. Most likely they were used for groceries and picnics back then but I digress.
Loewe’s version has been around for a few seasons, but it’s only now they’re picking up steam. While relatively inexpensive (the medium retails for about $450), it’s still a pretty penny to pay considering that they are handmade of natural woven raffia. (Let’s just that those who made them got their fair wages.)
My personal style is edgy with a quirky twist so basket bags don’t exactly fall into my aesthetic. However, when I got a chance to rock a full linen outfit from Uniqlo recently, the bag suddenly made sense and in fact, elevated my look.
If you’re going to be wearing one of these Loewe bags this summer, considering pairing it with natural fabrics such as cotton and linen for that carefree “I just got back from vacation” look. (For reference - I’m wearing the medium sized bag in this post.)
SHOP THE LOOK
Photos by Michael Biro, globalgarcon.net
Hair Hacks You Need to Know If You Want Beautiful, Healthy Hair
When it comes to haircare, I’m extremely picky. After a run in with an inexperienced hairdresser who left me looking like Bozo the clown, how can you blame me?
Since then I’ve fine-tuned my hair care routine and I’ve got it down to a science! Even though the damage hasn’t FULLY grown out, it’s not obvious that it had been in such a fragile state at one point.
I’ve teamed up with Pantene to share my top 5 Hair Tips. All their styling products have vitamins and antioxidants and help protect hair from styling damage, which is a huge relief for me given what my hair’s gone through in the past. Whether your hair needs some TLC or if you just want to prevent damage, these tips should work wonders for you as they have for me.
5 Easy Hair Tips For Healthy Locks
1. How To Prevent Split Ends
Ever since jumping on the heat protector bandwagon, I refuse to heat style my hair without it. This one is actually a heat primer, which contains nutrients and protects hair from up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit - excellent for keeping away those split ends and going even longer between trims. I also love how light-weight it is.
2. How to Prolong The Life of Your Hair Style
When I first heard that I could use Pantene’s Air Spray BEFORE heat styling to lock in my curl, I was apprehensive but I went forward and tried It anyway. Since the formula is alcohol-free, there’s zero crunch, residue or stickiness, making it ideal to use before and after heat styling. Best of all, it’s a brushable hair spray that leaves hair soft to the touch while locking in that style and extending its life. And never any flaking. YES!
3. How To Skip A Wash Day Like A Pro
I have A LOT of hair so I’ll go three or four days between washes. I learned this tip by accident when my hair was at the five-day point and I desperately needed to go one more day. For the sake of making my dry shampoo even more effective, I sprayed it on to my roots before going to bed so it could soak up those natural oils overnight. Well, it worked and my hair wasn’t nearly as gnarly the next morning. In fact, it looked pretty darn good! I love that the dry shampoo from Pantene has natural tapioca in it and doesn’t leave a white residue.
4. How to Fake Healthy Hair When Your Ends Are As Dry As The Desert
Two words if your hair is dry like mine. Hair Oil. Seriously, this is non-negotiable for me because the frizz is an untamed beast otherwise. I put on a bit when my hair Is damp to help nourish the ends, before blow drying. Once my hair is styled, I’ll add a bit more, only to the ends, as the final step to get that silky smooth hair we all want. This Pantene Nourishing Oil is infused with nutrients and can also help seal split end for hair that looks super healthy and shiny, but still feels light-weight.
5. How to Revitalize Dry, Damaged Hair
After having my colour treated recently, it was drier than ever and was tangling like crazy in the shower. I used some fancy conditioner that actually did nothing for me - so I jumped out of the shower soaking wet and grabbed my trusty Intense Rescue Shots. (Why did I bother with anything else?) Formulated with Pro-Vitamin B5, strengthening lipids and natural glycerin, this potent conditioner melts away tangles, repairs damage, and leaves hair ridiculously smooth and soft. Best of all, it works its magic in just one minute.
I hope these tips are super easy for you and that you want to try them for yourself. Whether you’re trying to get your hair healthy, OR if you just want to maintain the health of your hair - it’s worth a shot.
It's been a mission and a half to get my hair to where it is now and I would hate to see anyone else go through the learning curve that I did.
We all know that Pantene has an awesome range of shampoos and conditioners, and now they make it easier with their antioxidant and vitamin-infused styling products so why not give it a try!
Good luck and cheers to healthy hair!
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Pantene. All photos, videos, and opinions are my own.
The Hunt For The Perfect Jumpsuit Continues
WHAT I’M WEARING
JUMPSUIT - One Teaspoon pink jumpsuit
SHOES - Gucci Princetown slippers (gold sold out)
SUNGLASSES - Saint Laurent Bold 2 sunnies (on sale here)
AGENDA/WALLET - Louis Vuitton monogram small ring agenda
I’ve been on a personal mission to find the perfect pink jumpsuit after seeing street style images all over my Pinterest page. While this one comes close, sadly it’s too big in the bum. All of the extra fabric gathers in the back and looks weird when I walk.
If you’re at all interested in this piece, because it’s pretty amazing, make sure you go down a size or two. Normally I’m a 26-27 and this one is a size small. According to the size chart on Revolve, it should fit but trust me, this fits more like a medium.
SHOP JUMPSUITS
Why Jumpsuits Are THE Item To Have For SS19
WHAT I’M WEARING
JUMPSUIT - Topshop (similar here)
BLAZER - Veronica Beard (sold out, similar here)
BOOTS - Isabel Marant (sold out, similar here)
BAG - Louis Vuitton 19 pouch
SUNGLASSES - Celine geometric aviator glasses
ARM CANDY - Valentino, David Yurman, Larsson & Jennings
As for as easy outfits go, it doesn’t get more chill than the jumpsuit. It’s an all-in-one, uber chic way to update your wardrobe this season. Best of all, it’s appropriate for pretty much every occasion - from work, to play to evening.
I picked up this off-white long-sleeved belted one from Topshop recently and I love how badass it looks with a pair of studded cowboy boots. To quote my friend Michael, “you look like a fashion editor.” This is why I love him. He just gets me. LOL.
But honestly, give jumpsuits a try if you haven’t already. Did I mention they’re also appropriate for all ages? Come on now, don’t be timid and go try one of these bad boys out for yourself if you want fashion editor vibes.
SHOP THE LOOK
Honest Review: Laura Mercier's NEW Flawless Lumière Radiance-Perfecting Foundation
Laura Mercier’s Flawless Fusion foundation is my ride or die. It’s what I wear to events and in front of the camera and I know it won’t fail me. When the brand sent me their newest foundation, called the Flawless Lumière Radiance-Perfecting Foundation, I was intrigued to see how it would compare to the OG.
Make sure you click on the video above to watch my first impression and to see how it does on my 24 hour wear test. Errr… well… it’s actually more like 12 HOURS of wearing this foundation but you get the gist. ;)
SHOP MY FAVOURITE LAURA MERCIER PRODUCTS
DISCLAIMER:
Items mentioned in this post have been provided as PR samples and is not sponsored.
All photography, video, and opinions are my own.
LATEST VIDEO
What I Learned from My Instagram Hiatus | Finding My Purpose In Fashion
WHAT I’M WEARING
JACKET | The Kooples Leather Moto Jacket
T-SHIRT | Anine Bing Bolt tee
PANTS | Robert Rodriguez yellow-green plaid pants (sold out, similar here)
BRACELET | Saint Laurent leather cuff (sold out, similar here)
SUNGLASSES | Saint Laurent Bold 2 squared sunglasses
BAG | Saint Laurent small Lou Lou Bowling Bag (sold out, similar here)
SHOES | 3.1 Phillip Lim patent leather ankle boots ((sold out, similar here)
I was thinking back to my early days on Instagram when I started to grow my audience based on my daily #ootd posts. Those looks were honest, I dressed only for myself and I wasn’t concerned about anyone else back then. I had found a global community of like-minded people who were equally as fashion obsessed and it was pretty amazing. I rode that high for a couple of years and then at the peak of my growth I turned my back on IG and declared that the platform was “too superficial”. It’s like the rosy coloured glasses had be bitch slapped off my face.
I then went through what I call my “dark stage”. I was confused by how IG was growing and was suddenly way more concerned about keeping on top of trends and trying to appease the algorithm than anything else. I had a hard time stepping in front of the camera (not good when you’re a fashion blogger) and was overwhelmed by putting together a simple outfit.
Even though I was so frustrated with the way things where moving, both in my mind and in the way of IG, I always kept pushing myself. I learned how to evolve my photography, writing, and editing skills. I reconnected with Pinterest (oh how I’ve missed you!), grew my blog, and even gathered enough courage to step in front of the camera and record beauty tutorials on YouTube!!! (This was a big win for me as I overcame one of my deepest fears of speaking in front of the camera and going barefaced. Talk about feeling naked and vulnerable but I set out to kill it!)
I learned to always be true to myself, especially when it comes to fashion because it’s so deeply ingrained in who I am. Thinking back to my childhood it’s all I ever cared about, and so now as an adult, I see this full-fledged fashion obsession of mine as a gift because I’ve turned it into a career - even when everyone around me said I’d never be able to make money off my passion.
It might sound odd and superficial to some, but for as long as I can remember fashion has been a way that I’ve connected with people. I light up when someone asks me for fashion advice or where I got something. I find it deeply flattering that someone would actually seek my advice, and I love sharing my style/beauty secrets because I think we all deserve to feel good.
My love for style has also landed me a number of jobs, from a retail merchandiser, to a stylist for a prominent Canadian television channel, and eventually entrepreneur. My entire life there were two things I knew for sure, that I had to work in fashion and that I had to work for myself in order to be my most authentic happiest self.
MY FAVOURITE BOOKS FOR SOUL SEARCHING
I no longer seek for inspiration on Instagram becauseI find clutters my creativity. Instead, I turn to Pinterest and good old fashion magazines. I’m also deeply inspired by men's fashion, Harry Styles and Luka Sabbat in particular. I look at what they wear and I think, “That’s a fabulous outfit. I have something like that!” Of course, I always put my spin on it because I want to keep my style true to how I am.
As for that dark confusing stage, it was a total blessing because I grew my skills during that time. I’m not sure I would have gone to that next level had I been riding the Instagram wave and I’m definitely stronger for it.
My advice to anyone who’s stuck right now, be proud of who you are. Embrace it and don’t fight it. When you go with the flow instead of against it, good things happen. Show up everyday and be the best version of yourself that you can. Life is short after-all. You can sit around trying to live someone else’s dream or you can choose to live yours. You deserve to be happy. I know I do.
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LUXE FOR LESS
Photography by Michael Biro, globalgarcon.net
