Shopping | Style Blog | Canadian Fashion and Lifestyle News

Shopping: The Best of Shopbop’s Summer Sale

31 May, 2017 Nelia 1 Comment

Sale season is in full effect, and I am finally pulling the trigger on all of those “wishlist” items that I’ve been diligently bookmarking/hearting/saving on my computer and phone. And no one does the wishlists better than Shopbop. And while I’ve already picked up a few of my summer must-haves, I thought I’d share some of my fave summer vacation essentials that are currently available on Shopbop at steep discounts. From the adorable Charlotte Olympia watermelon tote, to the chic and timeless Victoria Beckham striped dress, these are the pieces you didn’t know you needed this summer.

The deals are really hard to resist, so proceed with caution!

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Shopping: Orlebar Brown at Holt Renfrew

26 May, 2017 Nelia Leave a Comment

It may not look like it, but summer is on its way, and with it, sunny days by the lake/ocean/inflatable pool in your backyard. And while women usually have a wide variety of options available to them for such occasions – from cute bikinis to stylish one-piece swimwear, men’s swimsuits are usually limited to those ubiquitously unattractive board shorts in loud (and often unattractive) patterns. Well, British label Orlebar Brown is aiming to fix that gap by offering a wide selection of very stylish swim trunks for men – ones your significant other can wear to the beach and to the nearby restaurant with ease.

Last week, Holt Renfrew hosted an intimate dinner to celebrate the Orlebar Brown pop-up at the flagship store on Bloor St with founder Adam Brown as the guest of honour. Brown revealed that having a pop-up at Holt Renfrew was a bit of a dream come true, as the Canadian store was on his short list of retailers when the label first launched. Brown himself is a great spokesperson for the brand (charming, sophisticated, and impeccably dressed), and can be seen wearing the label in numerous Instagram snaps from various exotic destinations, along with photos of his two adorable dogs Arthur and Rudi.

And while the Orlebar Brown pop-up shop offers plenty of styles and prints to choose from, I love the brand’s “Design Your Own“ service. Apparently, family photos and snaps of pets are the most popular, but pretty much anything can be turned into a pair of one-of-a-kind swim shorts. Oh, and every pair of swim shorts comes with a 5-year guarantee!

The Orlebar Brown pop-up will be available until September 4th as part of Holt Renfrew’s Cool Summer concept shop on Bloor St. Happy Shopping!

Photo Credits: Holt Renfrew and George Pimentel Photography

What They Wore: Fogo Island Shop Event at Holt Renfrew

18 April, 2017 Nelia 4 Comments

I’ve been loving Holt Renfrew’s H Project pop up shops for a while now, but I’m particularly obsessed with everything H Project’s Uncrate Canada has to offer, including the new Fogo Island pop up offerings. Last week, I attended an event hosted by Alexandra Weston in honour of Holt Renfrew’s Fogo Island pop up shop with special guest, Zita Cobb, Founder of the Fogo Island Inn and CEO of the Shorecast Foundation.

Speaking to the attendees, Zita Cobb referred to patchwork quilts as a “perfect metaphor for everything we are doing here. This little patch could be Fogo Island…one patch alone will not keep you warm in the winter. If you figure out how to stich yourself to the other patches and keep stitching and stitching, you have a quilt…..I want to say to Alexandra and your team, you are really wonderful stitchers. Thank you so much for stitching us in.”

The Fogo Island pop up will be available at Holt Renfrew Bloor Street (with some pieces available online) until early May and will stock a variety of vibrant quilts, delicious artisanal jams, and handcrafted home decor – all made on Fogo Island. So if you are looking for a unique gift with meaning, make sure to stop by and shop this lovely collection while you still can. And while you’re at it, check out the rest of Holt Renfrew’s Uncrate Canada offerings – I am obsessed with the Obakki and Laura Siegel dresses they have in stores right now.

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Shopping: Shopbop Spring 2017 Sale!

11 April, 2017 Nelia Leave a Comment

Spring is officially here and it’s time to update your wardrobe for those warm days ahead, which is why Shopbop’s Event of the Season Sale could not have come at a better time! Until this Friday, get up to 25% off your purchase with promo code EVENT17…even sale items are included! And to help you narrow down your options, below are my top 5 must haves to add to your wardrobe this spring. From a comfy pair of fancy mules that add a little something to any outfit, to a pair of well-fitting jeans that show off your best assets, these items will serve you well for months (and years) to come!

What are you top 5 spring must-haves? Share in the comments!

1. Fancy Mules

2. Gingham Style

3. Fun Sunnies

4. Cool Denim

5. Roomy Tote

Wishlist: CHANEL Fall 2017 Bags and Accessories

29 March, 2017 Nelia 2 Comments

Leave it to Karl Lagerfeld to put a rocket ship in the middle of the Grand Palais and still make it about fashion. With space as inspiration, the CHANEL Fall 2017 collection certainly left me star-struck. Astronaut, planet and constellation prints, moon and star jewelry, iridescent tweeds, and even textures imitating planetary surfaces were all part of the dreamy “Ground Control” collection. And while the majority of the pieces were created in a classic palette of black, silver and white, the dreamy midnight blue tweeds studded with beads and pearls (and reminiscent of starry skies), as well as metallic green leather pieces added the exciting pops of colour to the collection.

For me, the standout accessories included the adorable rocket minaudiere, the beautiful CHANEL SPACE constellation clutch, and the star and moon brooches and necklaces. It seems that backpacks are also firmly back as part of CHANEL’s regular offering, as several styles of backpacks were shown on the runway – larger and sportier than the classic quilted leather ones of prior seasons, so perfect for interstellar exploring or the more mundane air travel. Most models rocked various versions of the square-toed glitter boots on the runway, paired with the embellished wool headbands and Brigitte Bardot-inspired hairstyles – lending the show retro 60’s vibes…and perhaps a cheeky nod to the 60’s Space Race.

Scroll through the gallery below and let me know which pieces caught your eye, and whether you loved the stellar CHANEL Fall 2017 collection as much as I did.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.