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
MOUNTAIN VIEWS
I'm finally home after a 4 night getaway at the beautiful Fairmont in Banff & Lake Louise. Our schedule was jam packed with lots of winter activities but we found time to get dressed in "real clothes" aka, no bulky winter coats, thermal layers and snow boots. Trust me, when you're wearing heavy winter gear all of the time, a pair of 4" heels is welcome!
I'll be updating the rest of my Winter Wonderland stories soon so check soon!
xo,
Nathalie
WHAT I'M WEARING
THE KOOPLES, Smoking Jacket
SAKS, cashmere scarf (gift from Global Garçon)
RAG & BONE, distressed jeans.
RAYE, Thalia pumps (exact here)
VALENTINO, Rockstud clutch
ON LOCATION, Fairmont Banff Springs
Frozen Waterfalls: Johnston Canyon
The hike up to Johnson Canyon has probably been my favourite part of this trip so far. Yes it was cold, and yes I was hungry from having consumed too many sugary carbs, but that view was worth it. I can't believe how the turquoise coloured waterfall pops, even in the winter. I'd love to see it during summer. Perhaps I should plan a trip back! ;)
xo, Nathalie
WHAT I'M WEARING
ROOTS, pom pom hat, scarf and wool tunic.
CANADA GOOSE, jacket.
COUGAR BOOTS, Apex boots.
THE DRAKE GENERAL STORE, thermal long johns.
Lake Louise: On Top Of The World
A quick 15 min gondola ride at Lake Louise Ski resort and we were transported to the top of the world! I can't even tell you how amazing the view was on top of the mountain early this morning. #unreal. The pictures don't even do the scenery justice.
Thanks to Jill from the August Diaries for throwing around snow with me. It was worth getting snow in our boots just to get these shots. Plus, how adorable is she?
xo, Nathalie
WHAT I'M WEARING
ROOTS, Fleece leggings, beanie and gloves.
CANADA GOOSE, jacket.
COUGAR BOOTS, Apex boots.
THE KOOPLES, scarf.
Lake Louise Travel Diary: Winter Wonderland
So I'm writing this from the beautiful Fairmont Lake Louise as I'm half asleep/ half excited to share my adventures with you guys. These were shot yesterday during our traditional horse-drawn sleigh ride along the frozen lake. It's not something I ever thought I'd be doing in my whole life but it was so cute and fun to do. Stay tuned for more adventures soon!
xo, Nathalie
IN GOOD COMPANY. With Brittany from Thrifts and Threads, Stephanie from SS Life & Style, Michelle from Take Aim, Jill from The August Diaries.
*Thank you Roots decking me out in warm winter accessories. Click for hat and scarf.
LUXE GIFTS FOR HER
Once a year I think it’s nice to spoil with something a little different and something very special. The below items range in price but they’re all luxe in their own way. Happy gift giving!
xo, Nathalie
Frank & Eileen Mary shirt dress. Christian Louboutin Anjalina heels.
LUXE WEAR
Frank & Eileen makes some of the most beautiful button up shirts. They’re classics with a modern twist and cut perfectly for a woman’s body. Fabrics are woven in Italy and then shipped to sunny California where they’re made. She’ll love the versatility of a shirt that can be dressed up, dressed down and can be paired beautifully with a pair of Loubs, because what girl doesn’t have these on her wish list? The iconic shoe will get her noticed everywhere and she’ll think of you overtime she wears them.
LUXE FRAGRANCE
Dyptique and Jo Malone make such beautiful gifts. Diana and I will be gifting each other the same set of Jo Malone candles for Christmas because we’re so obsessed. A travel sized cologne is also a good gift for the woman on the go. Diana, Michael and I all keep one in our bags.
Rodial Bee Venom Moisturizer, Serum, Eye Cream and Stemcell Glam Lip Balm.
LUXE SKINCARE
If you really want to impress her with skincare goodies, pick up these pieces from Rodial’s Bee Venom line up. The moisturizer, serum and eye cream, will melt beautifully into her skin and leave it feeling well balanced. The lip plumping lip balm might be a good add on to help her achieve Kylie Jenner lips without the fillers. I haven’t seen it lip my lips yet, but it is a damn good balm.
Daniel Wellington timepiece, Classy Sheffield and Classic Bristol.
LUXE TIMEPIECE
Ok so this one isn’t exactly luxe to the max but that’s ok. I’ve seen a wide variety of women sporting these timepieces. What I like is how everyone makes it their own based on their personal style. I just recently acquired the Classy Sheffield which features Swarovski crystals as numerals. It has a nice bit of sparkle without being too overt.
*Save 15% off on your daneilwellington.com purchase by use code WOAHSTYLE at checkout.
LUXE OUT
Chanel. Just get in there go pick something up for her. Just a little something. Anything.
Chanel goodies, $$$ - $$$$$.
7 Gifts For The Guy Who Has Everything
There comes a point were gift giving becomes more and more challenging, especially when the guy in your life already has everything he needs. I compiled this gift guide with the help of Geoff based on items he's been gifted recently and has ended up loving. I think there's something here for every man - dad, bro, cousin, colleague and hubby. Keep reading for gift inspo.
xo, Nathalie
Dewar's 12 year old Scotch Whisky. Nomad Coffee Club subscription. Roots cotton plaid scarf (similar here).
COZY NIGHTS
A bottle of scotch whisky will never be turned away at our home. We'll sometimes have a glass after work and cozy up on the couch with Netflix. Geoff normally drinks his on the rocks but I like mine neat. Since we're talking cozy drinks, Nomand Coffee Club offers subscriptions for a new roast of beans to be delivered straight to his door every month. Sign him up for 3 months or more, he'll love it. Finally, let him wrap up in cozy with a warm plaid scarf, the quintessential winter accessory.
Get 15% off your entire purchase on danielwellington.com with code WOAHSTYLE from now until January 15, 2016.
THE GIFT OF TIME
He'll really dig the no-fuss, minimal design on these Daniel Wellington watches. You can buy additional wrist straps for him so he can change up the look of his watch down the road. Geoff just recently acquired the Classic Glasgow wristband and he's been loving it. The Dapper series has a more elegant look and features Roman numerals, a date display and blue hands. From now until Jan 15th, I'm offering 15% off your entire purchase on danielwellington.com with code WOAHSTYLE.
THE GIFT OF TRAVEL
Do something crazy and spontaneous and if you can, gift him a plane ticket to somewhere you've never been before. Geoff and I are flying out to Banff and Lake Louise tomorrow and we can hardly wait! If you can't splurge on an entire trip, a passport holder makes an excellent, unexpected gift. Trust me, he'll love it when he uses it next!
Stolen Riches laces are the gift he didn't know he needed until now. At $20, they're perfect for stocking stuffers or as an add on gift.
THE GAME CHANGER
You wouldn't normally think of shoe laces when you're shopping for Xmas presents but trust me, these are a major game changers and his fancy new footwear will get him noticed at the office. In the pic above, Geoff's Varvatos lace-up boots feature the original laces and below, he's changed them up to the Moville Green boot lace from Stolen Riches. The brown and black Cole Haan oxfords already have SR laces on them, but below in the below pic how the brown pops to life with the green speckled laces. Finally, his Adidas Stan Smith's got a make over with these maroon sneaker laces. So, are you convinced yet?
THE GIFT OF AWESOME SKIN
Hopefully he won't turn his nose up at receiving moisturizer as a gift with a name like Dragon's Blood. This hyaluronic moisturizer from Rodial hydrates, protects and plumps skin. I've been trying to get Geoff to use moisturizer for years now and I'm finally breaking him down with this product.