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Rewind 2014: A Year in Photos

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It’s official…2014 is out, 2015 is in! But before we move on to all things new and exciting, I wanted to do a little revisiting, in part to look back on the wonderful year that 2014 was, and in part to have this post for posterity, and in case I ever need a reminder of some awesome things I did last year. If you hate those “me, me, me” posts, then this one may not be for you. Sorry (not really).

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2014 started out pretty well for me, unlike 2013 (credit card fraud galore!), I kicked off the year with a brand new video segment I created in partnership with Yorkdale and Max Kopanygin, called Styled By Nelia. Since January, we shot 9 segments, with 9 amazing retailers, and plan to shoot lots more in 2015. Since I truly hate to be on video, this was a huge challenge for me, but I got more and more comfortable with every episode we shot…and hope to get a little better with each video going forward.

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In February, I had the pleasure of participating in a photoshoot for eLUXE’s Spring 2014 lookbook, featuring Canadian bloggers. And as I will find out later, this will not be the last collab with eLUXE that I would shoot in 2014.


At the beginning of 2014, I also go to test out the Olay Regenerist Luminous skincare line, with beautiful results. Freckles, be gone!
More after the jump!
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What I Wore: Solange, Coco, and Minnie…Oh My!

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Another WMCFW season has come and gone, and this time I found myself at the tents every single day, and saw more shows than I normally would have. As such, my full fashion week recap is going to be up sometime next week, with my fave new designers, outstanding pieces, and fave collections, as well as the beauty recap from our contributor Aleyda. But for now, here’s a post about all of the fun outfits I wore to the tents last month.

Thanks to a slew of wonderful photographers like Ania Boniecka, Aleyah Solomon, Jenna Marie Wakani, Ryan Emberley and Stefania Yarhi, among others, I was able to document every look from a variety of angles and lenses…candid and not. It’s a bit of an exercise in narcissism, but hey, this is a style blog, what did you expect?! Let’s get to it, shall we?

On day 1, I ran into the lovely Talia Brown, and we were snapped together for FLARE Magazine. I didn’t bother with my outfit on day 1 – mainly because I had a very intense day at the office, so I simply swapped my ankle booties for a pair of ALDO heels, and my work bag for an ela clutch, and that was it.

After the shows, we were treated to a VIP party courtesy of Joe Fresh, with Solange Knowles on turntables. We were literally inches away from this stylish beauty, but I’m still not sure if waiting nearly 3 hours for the privilege was worth it. My feet were crying by the time I got home.

xx, attends the Joe Fresh Cocktail event on Monday, October 20th, 2014.solange-toronto-joe-fresh-style-blog-nelia-belkova

On Day 2, I actually managed to change out of my office clothes, and into a fun faux leather overalls from H&M. Knowing that a Minnie Mouse party was in the cards, I made sure to grab my trusty sequinned Minnie ears, which completed my look that day. To add a bit of Canadian flare to my outfit, I wore one of my fave falconwright clutches to the tents.

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More after the jump! [Read more…]

Happy 50th Birthday, Yorkdale!

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Today is a very special day…it’s Yorkdale’s 50th Anniversary, and I can’t believe that the sparkling “new” shopping centre has been around that long! To celebrate, Yorkdale collaborated with photographer and musician Bryan Adams to shoot an exclusive portrait series of several stylish and notable Torontonians, including Jeanne Beker, my fave Beckerman sisters, and Suzanne Rogers, among others, which will be released on Feb 26, 2014. 2014 will also mark the beginning of construction on Yorkdale’s newest, almost 300,000 square foot, $331 million expansion, and that means more amazing stores, better shopping experience, and an even bigger (and better) Yorkdale. But that’s not all!

“As part of the Golden Anniversary, Lucian Matis, one of Canada’s top luxury fashion designers, has created a glamorous golden evening gown exclusively for Yorkdale. Made of silk chiffon and French lace, the gown was delicately hand-sewn by Matis and took more than 85 hours to complete. The gown was photographed on Canadian supermodel Coco Rocha, the face of Yorkdale Style, for a special campaign celebrating the 50th anniversary of Yorkdale Shopping Centre, and will be on display at Yorkdale’s Guest Services until October.”

Pretty awesome, non? That dress, Coco, and the gilded (barely recognizable) tunnel – everything about this campaign is pure gold. Really looking forward to seeing that dress in person. Can’t wait!

On a personal note, I’ve had the honour and the pleasure of working closely with the incredible Yorkdale team over the last  years, and I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of the Yorkdale Style Council. Happy 50th Birthday, dearest Yorkdale! You don’t look a day over 21!

Photo Credits: Yorkdale

CAFA 2014: The Inaugural Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards

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Earlier this month, Canada’s brightest fashion industry talents gathered at Fairmont Royal York Hotel’s ballroom for one big reason – CAFA, otherwise known as the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards – the inaugural edition. Held for the very first time, CAFA Gala was a huge deal, and though I usually tend to avoid big fancy bashes, with a star-studded guest list that included DSQUARED‘s Dean and Dan Caten, Coco Rocha, and Mads Mikkelsen, attending this one was a no-brainer, especially when the lovely folks from Swarovski offered to “frost” me with their sparkliest baubles! Thanks to my blogger bestie Sharon, we got to join Team Swarovski at their table, joined by the beauties from Power of Privé, adorable actress Elisha Cuthbert, Emerging Talent Award winner Sarah Stevenson, and other amazing people. For the occasion, I wore my new Erdem dress from The Room, which was fitting since Erdem Moralioglu was one of the nominees. I also got to wear a beautiful vintage Mary Katrantzou for Swarovski cuff that was simply stunning.

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The award show was very well-produced, and at times actually made me tear up, like when Jeanne Beker’s Vanguard Award was presented, followed by the loveliest of video montages, showing the most memorable moments from the Canadian Icon’s lengthy career, from her earliest days at MuchMusic, to her most jaw-dropping FashionTelevision reels. As I watched Canadian designers, stylists, photographers, models and other industry professionals on that CAFA stage, I could feel their happiness and excitement fill the room. With so many talented Canadians in this industry, spending the evening honouring some of them for their achievements felt great.

After the awards, the winners and the rest of us moved on to the after-party, where we danced to “What Does The Fox Say”, watched Bite lipsticks being made, hijacked a photobooth, and actually got to check out the CAFA trophies – shoe-shaped and very heavy. As someone who doesn’t stay out late very often, I was shocked to realize that it was past 1am when I finally decided to call it a night and head home. Yup, I’m a grandma and not even embarrassed to admit it; but some things are really worth sticking around for. I truly had the best time at this year’s CAFA Gala, here’s hoping that next year it’s going to be even more spectacular (perhaps with more monetary prizes for the winners?). I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

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The full list of winners and nominees is after the jump!

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Style Days of Christmas: Yorkdale $200 Gift Card Giveaway

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Christmas is only 23 days away, and all I can think about is the holidays! The tree is decorated, the presents are slowly getting wrapped, and I am now on chocolate advent calendar #2. But the holidays wouldn’t be the holidays without the Style Days of Christmas Giveaways on Style Blog! To thank you all for your amazing support this year – our third annual giveaway extravaganza is back, and it’s bigger than ever! Over the next two and a half weeks we will be giving away over $3000 worth of prizes from our favourite brands and retailers to you. Don’t forget to stop by every day and enter for more chances to win.

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Our first giveaway this season is courtesy of Yorkdale Shopping Centre – my favourite! Where else could you get EVERYTHING checked off your shopping list all in one place? With new amazing boutiques like Chanel, Cartier, Mulberry, Salvatore Ferragamo, John Varvatos, as well as lots more slated to open soon, Yorkdale is undeniably Toronto’s must-visit shopping destination, and I want you to be able to do some holiday shopping of your own at my fave stomping grounds. Want to win $200 gift card to Yorkdale? Enter below!

Details after the jump!

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Trina Turk for Banana Republic Collection Lookbook

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Launches today is the highly-anticipated collab between Trina Turk and Banana Republic, chock-full of summer and vacation essentials in fun prints and bright colors. And though I kinda wish that these pieces were in stores before my own beachy getaway I just got back from, I am still going to stop by a Banana Republic store today to try and pick up a couple of cute summer pieces (like those printed shorts, and that lovely orange maxi below). After all, you never know when you’re going to be swept away!

What do you think of this Trina Turk for Banana Republic collection? Share your fave pieces in the comments!

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Photo Credits: Banana Republic 

The Met’s Costume Institute Gala: Worst Dressed

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After unsuccessfully trying to narrow down the Met’s Costume Gala 2012 Worst Dressed list to 5 celebs, I gave up and included all 6 outfits that I found either too boring, too ill-fitting, or too reminiscent of Santa’s wifey.

Yeah, I’m referring to Kirsten Dunst in that last one. When I first saw her Rodarte outfit, I actually kinda (really) liked it. And I almost put her on my Best Dressed list, until…it hit me! She looks like Mrs. Claus!!! If this was a different color combo, I would’ve loved it…but in this light, in this photo, it looks like Kirsten is rocking a look straight out of Mrs. Santa’s closet. Once I saw it, that’s the only thing I could focus on.

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Oh, Gwyneth. I love you…and generally, you bring some serious style-porn. But not this time. This Prada dress made your boobs look saggy, and though you’ve got some gorgeous gams to show off, I found this dress ill-fitting, and a bit too short for you. Oh well, can’t win them all. Great accessories though.

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I wanted to love Coco Rocha’s vintage Givenchy jumpsuit, previously owned by Elizabeth Taylor. I tried to like it…but I just just couldn’t. I think it might be the awkward length, that probably worked like a charm on someone petite (like Elizabeth Taylor), but looks all wrong on Coco. And let’s face it, had we not known that this jumpsuit belonged to Elizabeth Taylor, would this outfit have gotten as much attention? I don’t think so. Also, that dyed-to-match hair? What was she thinking?

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So, Anja Rubik…we get it, you’re a gorgeous model with a banging body…but when your slit goes all the way to your hip bones, and we can almost see your “humanity”, and when even Angelina Jolie thinks that you’re posing a bit too hard…perhaps it’s time to stitch that shit up…at least a couple of inches.

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It breaks my heart to rag on SJP, but it has to be said…”Oh, honey, NO!”. Ok, now I feel better. Maybe on a leggy supermodel, with an up-do, and a few minor alterations, this vintage Valentino could be…interesting…but SJP drowns in it, looking more like fashion roadkill than fashion inspiration.

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And lastly, we have what probably is one of the most controversial outfits of the Met Gala 2012 – Kristen Stewart in Balenciaga. I won’t lie…I kinda like the dress, and I really like the shoes…but not together, and not at the Met, and not on Kristen. With her body and youth, I am sure Kristen’s options were plentiful…and out of everything she was offered, she chose THIS? Sorry, Kristen…maybe next year.

Photo Credits: Fabsugar

The Met’s Costume Institute Gala 2010: Best

Wow, with the exception of Coco Rocha’s Zac Posen aqua-delic gown, my other Best Dressed picks are all solids. Oh my! And while I do believe that it’s best to be brave for an event like the Met’s Gala, I cannot help but be drawn and inspired by these ladies (and gentleman). It is my Best Dressed list, after all, so please don’t hate me too much if we don’t see eye to eye.

Rocha’s Zac Posen gown is absolutely beautiful! I think it was a brave pick and I love Coco for it! My all-time fave Diane Kruger in Calvin Klein and her cute boyfriend Joshua Jackson both sizzled on the red carpet, and though her dress is very similar to the one Ashley Olsen wore last year, I think Diane makes it look fresh for 2010 with her minimalistic hair and accessories.

Kerry Washington in Thakoon for Gap looked red-hot, while Rachel Weisz in custom Oscar de la Renta looked so pretty and radiant – I had to include her in the lineup! And finally, Zoe…looking statuesque and gorgeous in her one-shouldered Calvin Klein gown – simplicity never looked better.

Do you agree with my picks? Do you think they are too safe? Sound off in the comments. Next up – the bold and the brave of the Met’s 2010 Gala!

Photo Credits: www.nymag.com, www.fabsugar.com

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