Shopping | Style Blog | Canadian Fashion and Lifestyle News

Shopping: Shopbop Fall 2018 Sale

25 September, 2018 Nelia

Fall is officially here and just in time, Shopbop is having its sale of the season! Get 20% off orders under $500, or 25% off orders of $500 or more with promo code STOCKUP18. And what’s even better is that the code is valid for both sale and regular-priced items! It helps if you have a wishlist saved, so you can just add to cart and checkout before items sell out. But if you don’t, I put together a few of my fave key pieces for this season below. The sale will run from September 25th until September 29th, but as always, shopping early will ensure that you have the best size/style selection.

Happy Shopping!
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Shopping: Fall 2018 Trends

20 August, 2018 Nelia

I love summer more than anyone I know, and even I am starting to get a little tired of summer fashion. And while I’m still not ready for the temperatures to drop, I am coming around to the idea of adding a few essential fall pieces to update my wardrobe for the next season. Plaid, velvet, leopard print…this season’s trends are all about standing out. And after spending way too many hours stalking my new faves on Shopbop, here are my top picks for fall essentials – from power suits, to chic everyday dresses.

Are you ready for fall fashion? Share in the comments.

Animal Print
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Check Mate
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Bold Hues and Textures
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More after the jump!
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Beauty: Murale Fall 2018 Faves

26 July, 2018 Nelia

I love summer as much as the next sun-deprived Torontonian, but after checking out the Murale Fall 2018 preview, I walked away super excited about new beauty products arriving in stores soon. From seemingly miraculous grey-hair reversing treatments, to tea-infused sheet masks, here are my top 5 Murale fall arrivals.
1. Phyto RE30 $59 (September 2018)
I didn’t think it was possible, but Phyto RE30 is the first anti-grey hair treatment that promises to bring back the natural pigment to your hair without having to dye it. Sounds like magic, but apparently it’s just science. “The RE30 peptide, which is the result of 6 years of research, is revolutionary technology that is able to boost the natural pigment production while protecting from future depigmentation.” I’ve only seen 2 grey hairs on my head so far, but I am definitely trying this treatment to make sure my head of hair remains nice and grey-free.
2. Filorga Lift-Designer Ultra-Lifting Serum $110 (September 2018)
As a fan of Filorga, I was really excited to learn about this new tightening serum with a built-in face roller designed to visibly tighten the features, plump the skin and sculpt the face.
3. Teaology Mask Mania Box $49.95 (September 2018)
I love trying new masks and I can’t wait to get my hands on this box set. The Mask Mania Box contains 4 sheet masks infused with various types of tea to offer anti-aging, exfoliating, and hydrating benefits, among others, along with 2 anti-puffiness eye masks. Perfect for pampering your skin.
4. Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Riche $49 (September 2018)
This oil from Nuxe is a cult fave for a reason – it’s a multi-tasker that can be applied directly to skin, added to bathwater or spritzed onto your hairbrush to add shine to hair. And while I love the original, I am excited for the Riche version for dry skin, because we all need an extra moisture boost in the winter.
5. Filorga Optim-Eyes Lashes & Brows $75 (August 2018)
If you have sparse brows and lashes that leave a lot to be desired, then you should get excited about this Filorga booster serum and volumizing care. It promises to add length, thickness and volume, while strengthening the hair, delaying it from falling out. Fingers crossed for naturally thick brows!

Wishlist: CHANEL Coco Neige Collection

23 July, 2018 Nelia

While ski season is still many months away, you may start wishing for some snowflakes after looking at the beautiful CHANEL Coco Neige collection photos, starring Margot Robbie. The first-ever winter sports and apres-ski CHANEL collection is chock full of fashionable winter essentials and technical pieces too. There’s a super sleek quilted ski jumpsuit, chicest mittens ever, a selection of cozy knits, and some cute brooches too. The collection is now available in boutiques, and I highly recommend you taking a peek at the brand’s app or online, because even if you’re not into winter sports, I am certain you’ll find something you’ll love for the eventual winter.

What do you think of CHANEL Coco Neige? Share in the comments.

More photos after the jump!
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Dior Saddle Bag is Back for Fall 2018

19 July, 2018 Nelia

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“Everything old is new again” seems to be especially true for fashion. Trends come and go, and come back again for another round several years later. But this one hits pretty close to home, because the first time Dior’s iconic Saddle Bag became highly covetable thanks in no small part to Carrie Bradshaw, I was a woman obsessed. I absolutely adored the “nothing like I’ve ever owned before” look of the bag and I was especially into the one style with the word “Christian” embroidered on the back, with a little heart stitched on next to it. You see, that was the name of my crush at the time, and I needed to have his name on my bag. And so I did. That arguably tacky denim Dior purse was not the only saddle bag I owned. A couple of years later, after the initial saddle hysteria died down, I found a more classic black saddle bag with silver hardware at the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets Dior boutique, and quickly scooped it up. And while the denim bag with the name and the heart is long gone, the simple black bag is still hanging around at the back of my closet.

Now that the bag has been relaunched by Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri for the brand’s Fall 2018 collection, and is apparently priced starting at USD 2,350 for a small version, I am left a little unsure about whether to start wearing it more, or capitalize on this price and popularity increase and sell it to the highest bidder. This bag definitely holds sentimental value…reminding me of happy college times, of puppy love crushes, and of those glorious days when Sex and the City was a groundbreaking show and my fave source of style inspo…way before instagram and street style. I couldn’t help but wonder, should I hold on to this fashion relic, embracing its renaissance, or should I follow that rule about being old enough to wear the trend the first time around?

Let me know your thoughts on this trend’s revival and on my personal dilemma after the jump!

More photos of the Dior Saddle Bag 2018 after the jump!
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You Are Invited: Marni Mini Market Pop Up at Holt Renfrew

17 July, 2018 Nelia

If you love Marni and all things colourful, then Holt Renfrew is going to be your favourite place this month. The Marni Mini Market pop-up is now open at Holt Renfrew Yorkdale until July 22nd, with a series of limited edition products on offer, including “playful picnic baskets handmade by Colombian artisans, animal sculptures made from metal and colourful PVC, and reimagined versions of the famous Marni shopping bag in striped fabric”. I haven’t had the chance to pay a visit to the pop-up yet, but after studying the images very carefully, I think I need…EVERYTHING. And the best part is, it’s all really affordable considering that it’s Marni. Most bags and pouches are priced from $115 to $240, chic scarf necklaces are $280, and plant holders are $80.

If you live in Vancouver, then you’re in luck too, because Holt Renfrew Vancouver will be hosting the pop-up there from August 1st to 19th. This is the first time Marni Mini Market pop-up is available in North America, so shop accordingly.

Are you excited about this pop-up? Share in the comments.

Where: Holt Renfrew Yorkdale
When: Now – July 22

Where: Holt Renfrew Vancouver
When: August 1–19

Photo Credits: Holt Renfrew

Beauty: Bastide at Holt Renfrew Yorkdale

5 June, 2018 Nelia

When I first got introduced to Bastide last year, I was immediately smitten. Not only do the products smell like heaven and work like a charm, the beautiful packaging makes me smile every time. Last month, I attended the celebration of the chic new Bastide counter at Holt Renfrew Yorkdale, with the world-renowned hairstylist and co-founder of Bastide, Frederic Fekkai in attendance. As someone who’s passionate about natural beauty, Fekkai along with his wife, Shirin von Wulffen, acquired and re-launched their favorite heritage brand from Aix-en-Provence – Bastide, a beauty and lifestyle brand inspired by the “wellness philosophy of Provence and founded on a commitment to artisanship and to clean, toxin-free living”.

If you’re not familiar with Bastide, you should know that the brand does not test on animals, avoids ingredients like parabens, silicone, and sulfate, relying on mostly natural ingredients instead. The brand’s hand and body lotions for example, are formulated with Provence honey, olive oil, and calendula, made with 97% ingredients of natural origin, and leaving even my uber-sensitive skin feeling soft and smooth, without irritating it. All products are created in Provence by Bastide Beautisans – expert artisans with generations of expertise in oils, soaps, lotions, and natural beauty. And to top it all off, the brand embraces sustainable packaging, using recyclable glass and paper instead of plastic. Bastide is truly a feel-good brand to support, and I am so happy to be able to find a wide selection of their lovely products at Holt Renfrew.

Are you familiar with Bastide products? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Photo Credits: Jenna Marie Wakani

CHANEL Resort 2019 – La Pausa

6 May, 2018 Nelia

The only way you could get me on a cruise ship ever is if the vessel was in fact a CHANEL La Pausa faux ship set in the middle of Grand Palais as a setting of the Resort 2019 fashion show. As always, mining the history of the iconic fashion house for inspiration, this year’s setting was partially inspired by La Pausa – Coco Chanel’s summer house in the South of France along with the fact that Coco was one of the first designers to create vacation clothes aka resortwear as far back as 1919. And while most of us don’t live in a world where we buy an entire new designer wardrobe for our vacations, resort collections usually tend to be my favourites…transporting me to far away locales, and helping me plan my own vacation outfits. This collection was no exception.

Consisting of a chic variety of easy-breezy dresses, striped pants and skirts, and CC-branded tees and sweaters, the CHANEL Resort 2019 collection is a jet-setter’s dream wardrobe and more. With logomania trend still going strong, I have a feeling that those tees and sweaters will go fast…just like the ones from the Cuba collection. Personally, I fell in love with a few double-breasted tweed jackets from this collection. I’ve been patiently waiting for “the one” CHANEL jacket, and I think a few from this collection fit the bill. Fingers crossed!

What did you think about CHANEL Resort 2019? Which pieces caught your eye? Share in the comments.

More photos after the jump!
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You Are Invited: Hermès Toronto Sale 2018

26 April, 2018 Nelia

If you’re a fan of Hermès, do I have good news for you!!! After skipping a few years, the Hermès Canada Silk and Accessories charity sale is finally going to happen next month! With proceeds going to support the Ross Tilley Burn Centre at Sunnybrook Hospital, this highly-anticipated sale is sure to be an event you won’t want to miss. Considering that this used to be a biennial event, and more than two years have passed since the last sale, my hope is that the selection is going to be even better than in prior years. If you haven’t been to an Hermès charity sale before, you can read some of my “been-there-done-that” tips and more details after the jump. You will want to come prepared, trust me!
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