How to make a hotel bed at home
Let me preface this article by telling you that I am not one of those people who is blessed with the ability to fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. No. Not me. That’s Geoff and I resent him for it. (Not really because that would be mean. O.K. Just a little.)
My sleeping habits go a little something like this:
I take forever to fall asleep. Seriously sometimes it takes me hours.
I read to help me fall asleep.
I take melatonin.
I watch Netflix.
I check out Tumblr and Pinterest.
And if I’m really desperate, I online shop until I drop.
When the lovely people at Casper sent me a new mattress, I decided it was the best time to convert my bed into a hotel bed in hopes of finally being able to get some luxurious sleep.
I saw Diana (BFF/ contributing beauty writer for WS) go through this whole “bed obsessed” phase when she moved into her condo. I never understood it until now. The moment that Casper box landed on my doorstep, something took over me and a sleep-crazed monster was created. So without any further delay, let’s jump right into How To Make A Hotel Bed At Home in 8 easy steps.
STEP 1
Get a good mattress because it makes all the difference in the world. Casper offers one type of mattress in 6 sizes, from Twin to Cali King. I wish I had a proper video to show you guys the whole unboxing, because these babies come rolled up in a cello wrap and then boxed into a… box! (It’s pretty cool. Google Casper unboxing video. Do it.) But enough about size and packages because this mattress is super comfy, perfectly firm and is the right base for creating a hotel bed.
STEP 2
You know that cozy feeling when you sink into a hotel bed and you never want to leave? Well that comes from the featherbed topper. I went with a “faux featherbed” aka, Gel Microfibre Down Alternative, because I wanted a cruelty free version.
STEP 3
Get yourself a big cozy duvet. There are plenty of cruelty free versions out there that give you the same fluffy comfort as the down filled ones.
STEP 4
Pillows! I have a king bed so I have 2 king pillows and 4 standard pillows. 4-6 pillows is hotel-bed-acceptable but anything more is excessive.
STEP 5
Luxurious, 300 thread count, 100% cotton sheets is where it’s at. Most luxury hotels have beautiful while fluffy beds so make sure to get white sheets.
STEP 6
Your duvet cover should be the same as above: 300, 100% and white.
STEP 7
Keep your side tables clean and beautiful. Fresh florals and a scented candle will make you feel like you’ve transported to a heavenly sleepy place ready for slumber.
STEP 8
Climb into bed with silky pjs, or no pjs if that’s your jam, and get a good nights' sleep.
Bon nuit.
*Special thanks to Casper for helping me create this story. All opinions and photos are my own.
MINI DIONYSUS TO GO
I feel like my whole life has been "on-the-go" recently and getting this bag was no exception. After scrolling through @modeison_'s page one morning I decided I needed a little bit of retail therapy. With my coffee in hand, I went shopping and came home with this mini Dionysus.
I did have a moment of doubt when I get her home and thought "shit, I hope it goes with my wardrobe". Indeed it does and I like how it adds a something different to my look. It's just the right amount of contrast to black, strong patterns and killer ankle boots.
At the end of the day, I have no regrets. Well, maybe just the lack of "me" time in my calendar but that's a whole other story.
xo, Nathalie
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: MICHAEL BIRO
CUPCAKES & SNEAKERS
Cupcakes, weekends and sunshine. Toronto is finally getting on board with spring and I'm hella excited. I finally busted out my mint coloured Vans and this cute Philo bag from Town Shoes for the occasion. All of a sudden sneakers just seem so much more desirable than ankle boots don't you think?
xo, Nathalie
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