Ela Handbags

What I Wore: Bad Decisions

23 February, 2016 Nelia

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If I’m being honest, I wasn’t really prepared for NYFW this season. The mild winter we’ve been having has completely screwed up my judgement, and so instead of a parka, I packed a bunch of leather jackets for a February trip to New York. Crazy, I know. My winning strategy was to stay in cabs as much as possible…and layer the crap out of my outfits.

This was probably one of the warmest looks I packed – a wool midi skirt worn over fleece tights, and a turtleneck sweater under a leather jacket. By the end of the week, I caved and bought a packable down jacket from Uniqlo to wear under my leather jackets. In hindsight, I probably should’ve done that at the beginning of the week, because as I type this, I am nursing a major cold. But whatever…Bill Cunningham took my picture that day, so being a little cold was totally worth it.

I Wore: Jacket – DKNY; Sweater, Boots – Zara; Skirt – Oak and Fort; Bag – ela handbags; Sunglasses – Fendi
Photo Credits: Chris Smart

What I Wore: WMCFW Outfit Roundup

24 November, 2015 Nelia

I’ve been meaning to share some of the street style photos of my outfits from WMCFW, and while it’s been over a month, I really love these photos, so I guess better late than never? This season, with my hair a shocking shade of blue, I had to be careful not to dress too crazy while still staying true to my playful spirit. Naturally, I gravitated to black and complimenting shades of blue, but I also ended up wearing colourful stripes one day, because why the heck not? Let me know which look is your fave in the comments.

More after the jump!
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Holidays 2015: Gift Guide

17 November, 2015 Nelia

Christmas is just over a month away, which means you’ve got just enough time to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. For someone the perfect gift might mean a bespoke bag, while someone else might be dreaming about a cordless vacuum cleaner (seriously guys, Dyson V6 Animal has changed my life!). This year, I put together a shoppable gift guide, with my fave things like ceramic cat mugs from Etsy, adorable housewares from Indigo, philosophy holiday gift sets, and CHANEL everything. I hope it gives you some ideas and makes your holiday shopping a little easier. Happy Shopping!

1. CHANEL Small Patent Calfskin Wallet
2. CHANEL Round Runway Sunglasses
3. Lanvin iPhone 6 Case
4. ela handbags M.I.L.C.K. Clutch with Chain
5. Apple Watch Hermès
6. Hugo Boss Bespoke Bag
7. Coach Glitter Passport Case
8. Jenny Bird Pearl Choker

1. Drake General Store Holiday Happy Hour Gift Pack
2. The New York Times 36 Hours Guide: World
3. Triple C Backup Phone Charger
4. TOMS Sunglasses
5. Comme Des Garcons PLAY Converse High-Top Sneakers
6. Drake General Store Work Week Sock Pack
7. Kenzo Logo Sweatshirt

More gift ideas after the jump!
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What I Wore: Snug Like a Snuggie

9 October, 2015 Nelia

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I want to stay in denial, but fall really is here…and that means cold, wind, and rain. The other day it was so freezing in the morning, I couldn’t get out of bed for almost an hour! Luckily, I bought this amazing oversized wool sweater from H&M a while back, and on days when I don’t feel like getting up or getting dressed, this is what I wear. The sweater is super long and roomy, can be worn with boots or sneakers, and makes me feel like I am wrapped in the coziest blanket all day long. It’s like a more stylish Snuggie, without the stigma. Every time I wear it, I get a ton of compliments and envious looks…who wouldn’t want to wear a blanket in public in a socially-acceptable way? The only person that’s not impressed with my obsession with this knitwear muumuu equivalent is le bf, who rolls his eyes every time I stammer down the stairs wearing this dress. I think he’s just jealous that he doesn’t have one. Get your own blanket dress, le bf!

More after the jump! [Read more…]

What I Wore: Scarftervention

1 October, 2015 Nelia

I am a huge procrastinator, and because of that, I have a stockpile of outfit posts from this summer (some from as far back as MARCH!) waiting to be posted. So now that it’s actual October and freezing outside, I am finally starting to publish my summer outfit posts…as one does. Sorry if it’s not relevant for you…but hopefully some of you are in warmer countries, where October feels the same as July in Toronto, in which case please ignore all of the above and enjoy.

This is obviously from back when I still had grey hair (which I now kinda miss), and was obsessed with this H&M red scarf. If you follow me on Instagram, then you probably saw this scarf numerous times already, because I pretty much wore it on a daily basis for 2 months straight. Now that my hair is pink and rainbowy, red doesn’t seem to suit my look as well, so the scarf has been retired…for now. It’s not a bad thing – if not for my new hair, I may have needed a scarftervention…plus people kept asking me if I was hiding hickeys. I wasn’t…most of the time.

More after the jump! [Read more…]

Styled by Nelia: Wear Canada for Canada Day

27 June, 2015 Nelia

Canada Day is around the corner and this year we wanted to showcase some of the wonderful Canadian brands available at Yorkdale. Some, like HBC Collection are iconic and can be found in many Canadian homes, while others like Erin Kleinberg and ela handbags are less mainstream, but nevertheless deserve your attention.

If you did a quick glance inside your wardrobe, how many Canadian brands would you find there? Adding just a few more Canadian pieces to your wardrobe every now and then would help support local brands and designers, while promoting Canadian fashion industry in general. So many designers have to leave the country in order to find popularity, and it’s really sad, because the talent is all here, we just need to help nourish it.

So next time you’re looking for a work outfit, skip your fave fast-fashion retailer and consider picking up a few well-made items from Judith & Charles or Pink Tartan (avail at Holt Renfrew). Instead of buying a “designer” purse, invest in a timeless bag by ela or Mackage (avail at Holt Renfrew and Mendocino). Buy a stunning Dean Davidson (avail at Holt Renfrew) or Jackson Rowe (avail at Mendocino) jewelry piece that you’ll keep forever, or a trendy Brave leather belt (available at Mendocino) that will go with all of your outfits.

Once you take a look around, it’s really easy to find cool Canadian brands, and Yorkdale carries so many – ALDO, Aritzia, Brave, Cougar, Danier, Dean Davidson, Dsquared2, Dynamite, ela handbags, Erin Kleinberg, HBC Collection, Honey, Jackson Rowe, Judith & Charles, Mackage, Pink Tartan, RW&Co, RUDSAK, Tristan, Wilfred, and so many more!

I’m not saying that you should avoid all non-Canadian brands, but with so many amazing local designers, adding a few more Canadian pieces to your wardrobe should be a breeze. And what better time to start than Canada Day?

Share your fave Canadian designers in the comments, and HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Photos and Video by Max Kopanygin

Shopping: Holt Renfrew’s H Project x ela Handbags x Burt’s Bees Collaboration

27 April, 2015 Nelia

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of ela Handbags. Each season I try to add at least 1 piece of ela’s special brand of “humble luxury” to my wardrobe, and I am always tempted to buy more, as cool new styles arrive. Well, now, thanks to the new collaboration between Holt Renfrew’s H Project, ela Handbags, and Burt’s Bees, there’s yet another ela bag that I have added to my bag rotation, and it’s a good one!

H Project has partnered with ela, Canadian accessories brand co-founded by Ela and Martin Aldorsson, and Burt’s Bees, to create an exclusive, limited-edition ‘editor’s pouch’ in support of Pollinator Partnership Canada– the largest non-profit organization in the world dedicated exclusively to the protection and promotion of pollinators and their ecosystems. The pouch was designed in Canada, featuring a stunning floral motif, and comes with three beautiful Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Lip Crayons – all that for only $50! 100% of proceeds will go to the Pollinator Partnership Canada, so you can feel even better about your purchase.

The clutch will be available at Holt Renfrew stores across Canada starting May 1st, just in time for Mother’s Day. Share your thoughts in the comments!

Photo Credits: Holt Renfrew

What I Wore: Solange, Coco, and Minnie…Oh My!

5 November, 2014 Nelia

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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…]

Mother’s Day: Gift Guide 2014

5 May, 2014 Nelia

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Though it certainly doesn’t feel like it, May is here, and with it – Mother’s Day! If you still haven’t figured out what to buy for your mom, as usual, we have some ideas to help you in your search. From a personalized leather tote, to a fancy perfume, to a bottle of delicious bubbly, to a pair of comfy pajamas, there’s something for every mom (and every budget) on our list.

What will you be picking up for your mom this year? Share in the comments!

1. Monogram Travel Mug – Indigo
2. Atlas Bangle – Tiffany and Co
3. Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Gear – Best Buy
4. DOLCE & GABBANA Dolce Eau de Parfum – The Bay
5. Nespresso VertuoLine – The Bay
6. Personalized Leather Tote – Cuyana
7. Les 4 Ombres – CHANEL
8. Listen to the Squawking Chicken by Elaine Lui – Indigo
9. Pajamas – Joe Fresh
10. Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne – LCBO
11. D/N Bag – ela handbags
12. Orchid Statement Necklace – Banana Republic
13. Embroidered Floral Topper – Ann Taylor
14. Canapile Heels – ALDO
15. YSL Volupte Sheer Candy Lip Balm – Sephora

More after the jump!

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What I Wore: Deja-Jacket

21 April, 2014 Nelia

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Hope you had a great long Easter weekend, guys! Mine was wonderful. Good company, good food, lots of much-needed rest, and finally…leather weather! I probably have to apologize in advance, because you’ll be seeing this jacket a lot over the next month or so. It’s the one piece of outerwear that I throw over pretty much anything to make the outfit feel like “me”. Like this Easter-perfect pastel dress from Ann Taylor – super cute on its own, but a lot edgier with a little leather thrown into the mix. So yeah…I may be having deja-jacket this spring…but I’ll make sure to keep the rest interesting.

Happy Monday!

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More after the jump!

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What I Wore: Bad Decisions

What I Wore: WMCFW Outfit Roundup

Holidays 2015: Gift Guide

What I Wore: Snug Like a Snuggie

What I Wore: Scarftervention

Styled by Nelia: Wear Canada for Canada Day

Shopping: Holt Renfrew’s H Project x ela Handbags x Burt’s Bees Collaboration

What I Wore: Solange, Coco, and Minnie…Oh My!

Mother’s Day: Gift Guide 2014

What I Wore: Deja-Jacket

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