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Shopping: H&M Conscious Exclusive Collection Spring 2017

27 March, 2017 Nelia 1 Comment

It’s become a bit of a spring ritual for me, waiting for the H&M Conscious Exclusive collection images to drop, knowing that I’ll most likely want it all (or at least the majority of the collection), and this year is no exception. As always, the Conscious collection is chock-full of perfect party frocks and standout accessories, all made of sustainable materials.

“For this year’s Conscious Exclusive collection at H&M, we thought not only about the look of the pieces, but also how they feel and sound. It’s a collection to please all our senses, and also our desire to be sustainable in everything we do,” says Pernilla Wohlfahrt, H&M’s Head of Design and Creative Director. And while I don’t know how the 2017 collection feels and sounds, it sure does look amazing. Currently on my wishlist is the pink sequined cocktail dress, a pair of statement earrings made out of recycled glass and plastic, and a frilly frock with a delicate hand-drawn print. I am also contemplating several other pieces…but will have to see how they look in real life.

H&M Conscious Exclusive Spring 2017 Collection will be hitting the stores (and online) on April 20th, prices ranging from USD 12.99 to USD 399, and will include a selection of styles for kids and a set of fragrances for the very first time.

If you are in need of a few exceptional pieces to wear this spring/summer, then you must check out the lookbook images below. Share your thoughts in the comments.

More photos after the jump!
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Beauty: philosophy time in a bottle 100% in-control anti-aging serum

13 March, 2017 Nelia Leave a Comment

A couple of weeks ago, I attended a presentation of the new philosophy time in a bottle (100% in-control) serum in Toronto. At the launch we were treated to an inspirational talk by Gabrielle Bernstein, who reiterated the importance of positive thinking and avoiding being stuck in a cycle of negativity. And while avoiding negative thoughts may help you with your inner beauty and overall sense of peace, philosophy time in a bottle serum will take care of what’s on the outside.

The breakthrough serum promises to “repair skin damage, activate skin’s natural age-resisting mechanisms and protect against environmental aggressors”. With the unique fresh-pour system (you have to mix the Vitamin C8 activator with the serum before first use) the serum’s active ingredients won’t lose any of their potency while on the store shelf, which means that once you mix them yourself, you’ll get the full benefits of the serum. And there are quite a few benefits to enjoy once you start using philosophy time in a bottle serum!

exclusive liposome complex stimulates skin’s natural repair functions to help repair skin damage at its source
potent Vitamin C8 and a patented antioxidant complex neutralize damaging free radicals to help renew skin’s protection from daily aggressors
extracts from rare himalayan red rice, red grape ferment and plantain leaf help reactivate skin’s natural age-resisting mechanisms, for results you can see and feel
innovative fresh-pour system for optimal potency of active ingredients

In an 8-week independent clinical study with the time in a bottle serum: 88% of women showed significant improvement in lines, wrinkles, texture and tone, and 100% of women showed a dramatic clinical improvement in firmness. I haven’t been using the serum for 8 weeks just yet, but I’ve already noticed an overall improvement in my skin’s radiance and tone. I am lucky enough not to have noticeable wrinkles yet, but I’m starting to use philosophy time in a bottle serum daily (before bed) as a preventative measure. And the best part is, my sensitive skin hasn’t revolted after I started using it (as it so often happens with many skincare products).

I am still in my early thirties, and while anti-aging skincare hasn’t been a priority in my life until now, I am starting to come around. It’s important to take care of your skin before the damage is done, and this is one of the steps I am taking to take better care of my skin.

So tell me, do you use anti-aging serums? Share your faves in the comments.

More after the jump!
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You Are Invited: CHANEL COCO CAFÉ at Holt Renfrew in Toronto

2 March, 2017 Nelia 2 Comments

If you’ve always dreamed of visiting a CHANEL-themed cafe, then you’re in luck! Running from March 1 to March 26, COCO CAFÉ at Holt Renfrew Bloor Street in Toronto will welcome all with open arms, complimentary beauty services, and CHANEL-branded coffee cups. I got a chance to preview the space yesterday, and as always I walked away in awe of CHANEL’s ability to transform any space into a dreamlike wonderland, whether it comes to runway shows, or pop-up shops like the COCO CAFÉ.

Celebrating the launch of ROUGE COCO GLOSS, COCO CAFÉ features a variety of fun beauty stations, filled to the brim with covetable goodies. There’s a very instagrammable magnet wall, the cutest selfie backdrop, and lots of complimentary services:

CHANEL CHANCE “Juice Bar” fragrance consultations
Hydra Beauty “Bubble Bar” face or hand massages
Lip Lollipop Bar
Manicure Bar
Nail Photo Cam
Makeup Master Classes

For someone who loves CHANEL and beauty, this is the ultimate pop-up experience. Stop by, play with some beauty products, shop the new ROUGE COCO GLOSS before its official launch date (March 3rd), take lots of photos, and just have fun. The cheerful COCO CAFÉ and the beaming Lily-Rose Depp wouldn’t have it any other way.

More after the jump!
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Style Blog Travels: Packing for Vegas

17 February, 2017 Nelia 2 Comments

I just did the math, and I can’t believe it’s been six years since my last time in Las Vegas! Truth is, I love Sin City. I love the abundance of delicious food options, the rush of playing the penny slot machines (one time I won $400!), the variety of cool shows to see, and the fact that there’s a CHANEL boutique around (what seems like) every corner. Having said that, every time I’d plan to return to Vegas, something would always get in the way…but not this time! This time, I have the best excuse to go back – front row tickets to the Backstreet Boys concert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you just rolled your eyes at all of those exclamation points, then you must not have been a teenage girl back in the 90’s…and you seriously missed out.

Having said that, I am also super excited to be a part of Expedia Canada’s #BigWorldExplorer program (I already saved over $300 on my hotel reservation as an Expedia member, and you can too!), and I can’t wait to share my stories from this trip with you very soon!

But first things first…one of the best things about travel (for me at least) is the actual trip preparation – researching activities, restaurants, and of course, packing and planning out my outfits! In the past I’ve written a few packing–related blog posts, and I do consider myself a bit of an expert, since I can easily pack a carry-on luggage for a two-week trip. So here are a few staples that I’ll be bringing with me to Vegas.

Comfy walking shoes are a must if you plan to explore everything the strip has to offer, so I’ll be bringing a pair of classic white sneakers that go with everything from dresses to jeans.
Pool season may or may not start in March (depending on weather), but I’ll still be packing a few of my favourite swimsuits (and an inflatable or two) to bring with me. Even if the pool is closed, there’s always the hot tub after a long day of sightseeing!
Sunglasses are a necessity when it comes to daytime adventures in the dessert, but they are also a fun finishing touch that adds a little oomph to any outfit. Just like with swimsuits, I usually pack a few pairs of sunnies to style with different outfits when I travel.
While I won’t be wearing heels on the regular while in Las Vegas, I’ll still pack a pair of comfy but stylish mid-heel ankle booties that can be dressed up or down.
Since we’re talking about Vegas here, I’ll also be packing a sexy dress for a fun night out. Something silky and shiny…probably a slip dress since I have so many of them, but hardly get to wear in freezing Toronto.
Standout accessories (like statement earrings) can help you take your look from day to night without having to wear an entirely new outfit (especially handy when you’re travelling with a carry-on).
Even though I’m not much of a gambler, I will still be bringing a couple of my personal lucky charms with me. Who knows, maybe I’ll get lucky with another slot machine and turn $5 into $500?!
Since I’ll be travelling with a carry-on, I will have very little room for several purses, so I’ll be bringing a cross-body bag that goes with all of my outfits – both casual and dressy.

And there you have it, my Las Vegas packing essentials. What do you pack when you travel to Vegas? Share your must-haves in the comments.

Style Guide to a Smooth Valentine’s Day

1 February, 2017 Nelia 1 Comment

It’s no secret that Valentine’s Day is one of my favourite days of the year. I live for the cutesy boxes of candy and chocolates, can never say no to a cheesy teddy bear or two, and want to buy (and wear) heart prints all day every day during the month of February. Regardless of whether I’m coupled up or blissfully single, Valentine’s Day has always been my jam. Needless to say, I don’t mess around when it comes to planning my Valentine’s Day outfit and activities. Below are some of my personal Valentine’s Day tips, in case you need a few ideas.

1. #ChooseToSmooth
While I don’t generally encourage people to go out bare-legged in February, Valentine’s Day is certainly an exception to the rule. Wintertime can be quite rough on skin in general, and while some people use this time to let their leg hair grow wild, I find that shaving my legs regularly helps keep my skin nice and smooth, especially when I use Gillette Venus Swirl razor and shave gel. Venus razors are specifically designed for women’s curves with 5 individually adjusting Contour blades, and give me a quick (but long-lasting) shave, while gently exfoliating the skin all at the same time. And even when I’m too lazy to use the shaving gel, the water-activated MoistureGlide serum provides enough glide for a smooth and comfortable shave. As a result, my legs look and feel great during those rough winter months whether I’m grinning and baring it for Valentine’s Day, doing Barre on weekends, or just lounging around the house with le bf.

2. Plan Ahead
If you plan to go out on Valentine’s Day, then making a reservation ahead of time is key. Most restaurants will have various Valentine’s Day specials, but if you take too long, your options may be quite limited. If you’d like to try something new, Lavelle (where these photos were taken) is one of the city’s most beautiful new restaurants, with super romantic views of the city and a Valentine’s Day menu to drool for. Pre-buy your tickets online, and enjoy a (stress-free) romantic Valentine’s Day dinner.

More after the jump!
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CHANEL Spring/Summer 2017 Ad Campaign

26 January, 2017 Nelia Leave a Comment

If you’ve been patiently waiting for the “Data Center” CHANEL Spring/Summer 2017 collection to arrive in stores, today is the day…the pre-collection hits the stores! Which means we still have to wait until March for Spring/Summer 2017 collection to arrive. But you can still enjoy the colourful and playful ad campaign shot by Karl Lagerfeld, featuring that coveted (and adorable) robot minaudiere.

“The silhouettes combine striking pieces and an accumulation of pieces of fine jewellery. A silk jacket with a hypnotic print is embellished with sautoirs and necklaces in white or yellow gold, diamonds and multi-colour cultured pearls, and with rings and earrings in white gold and diamonds, from the Plume de CHANEL, Sous le signe du Lion, Camélia and Ruban collections. The high-tech aesthetic of two J12 watches in white ceramic completes the look.

A series of resin and silvery metal cuffs accessorise a patent leather jacket worn with the BOY CHANEL handbag, the iconic House handbag revisited here in a perforated white leather version. A fanny pack nonchalantly clashes with a multi-colour cotton tweed jacket and skirt ensemble worn with a yellow crêpe de chine blouse.”

I’m going to be popping into my local boutique today to check out some of the pieces from the pre-collection in person, but what I’m really excited about are those camellia sunnies, though if you had a chance to peruse the CHANEL app, you probably have seen the really cool jewelry from Spring/Summer 2017 pre-collection too. Being good is going to be very, VERY hard today.

What do you think of CHANEL Spring/Summer 2017 ad campaign? Share in the comments!

More after the jump!
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Wishlist: CHANEL Camellia Sunglasses

10 January, 2017 Nelia 3 Comments

I know my last post was about CHANEL, but as soon as I saw these photos I knew I had to share them! Because these CHANEL Spring-Summer 2017 Eyewear Pre-Collection camellia sunglasses are ridiculously beautiful, and I need a pair (or two) in my life.

“The CHANEL Spring-Summer 2017 eyewear pre-collection is made up of two lines of sunglasses; while one focuses on an edgy and feminine version of the camellia, the other has fun with sporty, laid-back frames in pastels and neon tones.

In this new episode based around the camellia, the black and white nylon petals blossom around black or pink mirrored glass on cat eye frames. The temples in matte metal are punctuated with a double C.”

I missed out on the last highly-coveted pair of CHANEL sunnies (and I’m still not over it!), so this time, I’m on it! Of course, the camellia shades are not the only new styles arriving for pre-collection. The fun sporty pairs will be available in cheerful colours with transparent lenses (and kind of remind me of a pair I used to own back in the early 2000’s). Whichever style you’re interested in, the collection is supposed to arrive in stores sometime this month (January 2017); and you’d better call your SA to put your name down for a pair if you really want one (especially the camellia ones). I predict a lot of street style sightings of these sunnies come fashion month.

What do you think of CHANEL Spring-Summer 2017 Pre-Collection? Which pair would you splurge on?

More photos after the jump!
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Shopping: Buying Your First CHANEL Bag

9 January, 2017 Nelia 2 Comments

If you’ve been following this blog for a few years, you know that I am a huge CHANEL fangirl. Over the years, I’ve gotten many emails from readers who also love CHANEL and want to buy a bag, but for a variety of reasons haven’t pulled the trigger just yet. Questions range from “when is the best time to buy” to “how can you afford all these bags”. Well, today’s post is all about buying your first (or second, or tenth) CHANEL bag, and how to do it without going broke and having to eat ramen for a year. If you’re the type of person who believes that it’s insane to spend thousands of dollars on a designer bag, then this post is definitely not for you, but if you are seriously considering this major purchase and need a few helpful suggestions, then keep reading.

1. Choose Your Style
A classic CHANEL bag is an investment. Year after year, prices of CHANEL products continue to rise, and with each increase, it becomes more and more difficult to get your hands on a coveted bag. Back in 2008 a friend of mine picked up a medium CHANEL 2.55 bag for around CAD 2,000.00. At the time, I thought she was crazy. Fast forward to 2010, and I was picking up my own 2.55 wishing I’d done it much sooner. The lesson here is that if you can afford a bag now and know exactly which style you’re after, then waiting around is not the best strategy. As ridiculous as the price may seem initially, these bags are supposed to last you a lifetime (with proper care) – an heirloom for your future kids, and a bag that looks great on 20 and 80 year olds alike.

But in order to commit to spending a ton of money on one item, you first need to know which style you are crazy about. Are you a classic flap girl, always dreamed of having a CHANEL Boy bag, or are you more of a backpack girl? Choose a style that suits your personality, and one you can foresee yourself proudly wearing a few years down the road. Carefully consider the colour of hardware (silver, gold, gunmetal), the length of the strap (do you prefer cross-body, over the shoulder, or both?), the type of leather (lambskin is more fragile, caviar is less scratch-prone), reissue or classic, and of course the overall colour (black is a no-brainer, but maybe you’ve always dreamed of one in colourful tweed). Go to a nearby boutique and ask to see a few bags. Try them on, look inside, see how versatile each bag is and whether it’s comfortable to carry. Don’t be shy, it’s better to be 100% certain that the bag you’re buying is the one for you, especially when it’s your first.

2. Save Up
If you’re not one of the lucky few who can afford to buy a bag right away, then saving up is key. Go to your bank and open a savings account with automated weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly contributions. Little by little, your savings will add up, and perhaps with the help of your yearly bonus (or maybe lotto winnings?) some day soon you’ll be able to march into the nearby CHANEL boutique and finally buy the bag of your dreams. It should go without saying that if you’re saving up for a big purchase, then another way to save your pennies is to reduce the number of times you eat out and get take out coffee. Bringing lunch to work may seem like a chore, but in the end, you’ll be able to save faster. Another way to beef up your CHANEL fund is to ask your friends and family for CHANEL gift cards for your birthday, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or whatever other holidays you celebrate. At the risk of sounding completely out of touch, let me just say that CHANEL gift cards are available in many denominations – you can get one for as little as $20! So if you’re comfortable telling your parents, your spouse, or your friends that you are currently saving up for a bag and would appreciate a gift card from CHANEL in lieu of other gifts, I am sure they won’t judge (or maybe they will, but that’s a different story). This is especially handy for those of us who are really tough to buy for, so really, it’s a win-win for everyone.

More after the jump!
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Travel: 5 Things To Do in Lisbon

4 January, 2017 Nelia Leave a Comment

As I am starting to plan my travels for 2017, I look back on our most memorable trip of 2016 to Portugal. To tell you the truth, I went with low expectations, but at the end of the day, I ended up falling in love with the beautiful country, its people, food, and crafts. Compared to a lot of other European countries, Portugal is still very affordable, so if you are looking for a new place to visit this year, I suggest you add Portugal to your itinerary. Today’s post is about beautiful Lisbon and some of the places you can visit while there. A post about my Algarve faves is coming soon.

1. Eat

Lisbon’s foodie scene was definitely a pleasant surprise. Nearly every single meal we had during our trip was a smash hit. There’s a plethora of delicious options at the admittedly touristy Time Out Market; the Piri Piri chicken from the Miguel Laffan stall was my personal favourite, but other restaurants were great too according to my friends and fellow travellers (just watch out for aggressive table stealers).

For a fresh take on ceviche, A Cevicheria is a must-visit. You won’t be impressed with the quantity of food at this tiny resto, but you will certainly love every bite.

For creative sushi, make sure to stop by Sushic (original or at Palacio Chiado). We ate there twice, trying various chef’s platters, gorging on buttery tuna tataki, and other delicious seafood. Just make sure to avoid the Tom Yum soup – it’s overpriced and totally not worth it. There are other options to try at Palacio Chiado (more hit and miss), but I’d recommend it for a quick casual lunchtime stop.

Fabulas is another great lunch spot with a charming patio, and a menu full of freshly-prepared Portuguese specialties like the super delicate codfish cakes. Despite its central location, this place is definitely not a tourist trap. Also, once they run out of a certain dish, they won’t make more, so go early.

As much as we wanted to make it to Pasteis de Belem to try their iconic pastries, we weren’t able to make it there this time, but we did make up for it at Manteigaria. Obviously, we can’t compare the two, but out of all the pasteis de nata that we’ve tried on this trip, the flaky, freshly baked custard tarts from Manteigaria were by far the yummiest.

If you’re craving a sweet cold treat, whatever you do, do not go to Amorino – it’s just not worth the calories. Go to Mu or Santini instead – their gelato is so much better! Also, paletas from PizPireto are incredible! We randomly found their amazing paletas at a gourmet store near A Cevicheria, but apparently they also have a shop just outside of central Lisbon.

For traditional Portuguese steak and chips, a couple of locals highly recommended Solar Dos Presuntos. And while I loved my steak, this place got mixed reviews from the rest of our group (they found it too pricey and not particularly memorable), so read other reviews before you go. Honestly though, I don’t think we had a bad food experience in Lisbon (apart from terrible gelato at Amorino and mediocre pastries at A Padaria Portuguesa).
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What I Wore: Chloe Carlina

26 November, 2016 Nelia 1 Comment

I’ve been obsessed with these oversized sunglasses from Chloe for a while now, but I wasn’t sure if I could pull off such a statement look. What do you think? I think I’m in love. I have a ton of fun sunglasses in my closet, but this pair is my current favourite – with its bug-eyed shape, lightly-tinted lenses, and curvy frame – reminds me a bit of those early 2000’s JLo days, but in a good way. Incidentally, she actually owns a pair too!

If you’re looking for a pair of statement eyewear yourself, there’s no better time to pick one up. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale happening over at Smart Buy Glasses, you can snag a pair of cool designer sunnies for a fraction of the regular price. And their shipping is lightning-fast!

So tell me, what do you think of Chloe Carlina sunnies? Which sunglasses are your favourite? Share in the comments.

More after the jump!
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