Category: fashion

Fashion Friday: Winter Wonderland

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It’s Friday!  Huzzah.  Time for some fashion fun.

As I made my way through my fashion transition from full-time career attire to home-for-a-year mom looks, I learned a lot about myself when it comes to clothing.  One thing I know for sure is that I care about what I wear and what I look like.  Call me vain, but that’s the way it’s always been.  I tried the “mom uniform” for a while, including wearing my active wear out and about.  I can rock that look sometimes, but what I’ve learned is that I just feel better when I put together a proper “outfit”, even when I’m hanging out at home with my son.

Now that winter has finally arrived in Toronto (it’s mid February and we finally have a decent amount of snow on the ground), I thought I’d share a casual and fun winter-inspired look:

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I found this top when I was in North Vancouver, spending the day with my hometown bestie, Leah. It was on sale at a little boutique at Lonsdale Quay for $40.  It was a bit out-of-the-box for me, but very cute….bonus: it’s forest green, NOT black!  The gold foil dear head adds a bit of glam to an otherwise casual look.

These boots are my absolutely favorite boots.  They were a splurge at the Brown’s Shoes outlet in Niagara.  Marked down to $150 from over $400, they still required some justification, but I am SO glad they came home with me.  I bought them when I was pregnant and couldn’t wear them as my feet were so swollen!  Thankfully, they fit now. They are my go-to flat pair of riding boots.

The jeans are my usual American Eagle hi-rise Jegging.  Yes, they are the gift that keeps on giving.

Finally, my “snood” – yes, that’s a word.  This one I picked up at Garage (seriously haven’t shopped there since I was 22, other than to buy this!) but you can find similar ones at Indigo.  Again, I love that it adds a bit of glam while remaining casual.

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I sort of the love the deer-head and faux-fur look.  Sorta contradictory.  Sorta an oxymoron?  Whatever it is, it feels very Canadian Winter, so that’s what I’m going with.

Happy Fashion Friday everyone.

M

Out the door make-up

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If there is one thing that I have truly mastered since having Baby H, it’s having a sliding-scale of “I look presentable” beauty regimes.

There’s the “I just need to get out the door a find coffee” look.  And the other extreme is “I have been looking forward to this girls night for a month and have been primping for 2 hours straight” look.

My personal fave: the 3 minute face (aka: the “I can already hear Harrison awake on the baby monitor and I am still in my pyjamas” look). We’ve all heard of the 5 minute face, but I challenge you to make it 3!

Here are my go-to essentials for looking bright-eyed and bushy tailed any day of the week:

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Moisturizer: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Creme.  I cannot live without moisturizer.  Seriously, if I could only pick one thing from this must-have list, this would be it.  I switched to Kiehl’s two years ago and absolutely love it.  The $60 price tag hurt at first but I seriously can make the 125ml jar last close to a year.  It is hands-down the best moisturizer I have ever used.

Foundation: it’s not quite foundation, it’s CC creme and is lighter coverage.  Pictured here is Oil of Olay Pore Minimizing CC Creme. I haven’t tried many formulas and using an all-in-one was new to me post-baby (hello, we are on a 3-minute time line here). So far so good.  I have a hard time paying $35 when all you’re getting is a standard “grocery store” brand product, so I will continue my search, but for now, this works.

Highlighter: Hi-Beam Liquid Face Highlighter by Benefit.  This would be #2 on my “can’t live without list”, just behind my moisturizer.  I have used this product for years and have tried many highlighters.  At over $30, it’s not cheap, but this bottle lasts me close to a year and it truly makes your skin glow.  I apply it on my cheeks and brow bone just about every day.

MAC eye-shadow: I love MAC eye shadow.  This particular color is Jest, but Woodwinked is my top choice for every day. $19 each.  The bonus?  Their “Back to MAC” program, where 6 empties gets you a FREE eye shadow or lipstick.  Everyone wins.

Blush: Mary Kay “Shy Blush”.  It’s a beautiful shimmery pink.  I always said I didn’t wear pink and then I was encouraged to try this at a Mary Kay party and I was sold.  That was 4 years ago and here we are. $13.00

Concealer: “Fake Up” by Benefit. Yes, they win two awards from me.  I literally went to Sephora in my last week of pregnancy and said “I need time savers that make me look awake”.  Voila.  Concealer and moisturizer in one with good coverage: $33.00

Mascara: Cover Girl Volum’ Express.  Again, I think I have used this mascara for 5+ years.  I try others intermittently but this one is my fave.  $10 @ Shoppers/ Wal-Mart etc.

Lip Gloss: Mary Kay in “Fancy Nancy” – it’s a nice light shimmery colour.  Perfect for those “oh I just threw this on” every day outings.  $18.00

So there you have it: my new and improved 3-minute face!  Do you have 3 minutes?  I bet you do 🙂

Melissa.

 

Friday Fashion: Work Wear

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After an overwhelming response to my uncharacteristically raw post from last Friday, I thought it best to return to our regular scheduled programming…for now, at least.  I will be back with more #allthefeels posts soon, especially as I figure out childcare, return to work, transition my life yet again.  Ugh.

Anyway, this week marked my second day at the office since going on maternity leave in mid-April.  Sure, I’ve had my share of lunch visits and parading baby H around, but this was actual roll-up-your-sleeves work.  I absolutely loved it.

Nana came for the day and watched baby H from 11am-5pm.  I felt a spring in my step and a giddy excitement as I headed downtown on the subway.  Of course, part of the fun was choosing what to wear.

My style always ends up leaning towards ultra preppy (this has pretty much been the case since I was 13, with a few weird stages along the way).  I opted for a classic yet casual look  because, yes, I am one of those lucky people who works in an office where jeans are totally appropriate every day of the week:

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Top: Theory, purchased second-hand from a friend (woo!) for $50.00 – it’s all one piece (sweater AND collared shirt)!

Pants: AEO Denim X Cafe Hi-Rise Jegging.  These are my go-to pants because they are so comfy.  And at just $40 when on sale, I buy two pairs: one for being home with Harrison, and one for work and going out.  I think I own about 5 variations of these pants.

Purse, Necklace and Spike Bracelet: Stella & Dot

Considering I obtained these items when I myself was a stylist for Stella & Dot, they were basically free :).  Hit up my girl Kelly for awesome accessories.  The necklace and bag that I show here are no longer available, but the Spring 2016 collection just launched and it is G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S.

Shoes: Ann Taylor, purchased on sale for $30.00 – no longer around; last season.

Total outfit cost (excluding accessories): $120

Here’s a close up of my fab bag and snakeskin flats:

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And to top it all off, some classic red lipstick.  This is my ONE tube of red lipstick that my sister helped me pick out ages ago.  It’s L’Oreal and it is the perfect colour for me:

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Happy Fashion Friday everyone!

Melissa.