I've been living in leggings lately, which is something I honestly never thought would happen.
I don't have anything against leggings, I just don't typically choose them for 24/7 wear. But, as I continue to work from home, I find they're the most obvious choice for my daily ensembles.
With this in mind, I've taken it upon myself to find ways to dress them up a bit.
Adding a few stylish shackets (I last wore this oversized H&M shacket here) over my pink leggings from Girlfriend Collective was my latest attempt. I played with neutral colours, and stuck close to all things pink with a few outfit extras. Overall, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out — even if I'm still not quite pleased about the fact that leggings are my new go-to.
Shop a few of my favourite leggings and shackets below.
Jacket: H&M | Shacket: Aritzia | Leggings: Girlfriend Collective
Shoes: Reformation x New Balance
Goop Beauty Goopgenes All-in-One Super Nutrient Face Oil: A quick review
January 18, 2021 Vancouver, BC, Canada
What it is: A face oil from Goop Beauty that features nine powerhouse natural oils including Bakuchiol, Amla and Cacay Oil.
Beauty bonus: A little goes a long way!
Beauty bummer: The scent, a mix of natural, earthy notes (IMO, at least), may be too much for some.
Overall: Face oils are a must-use in our beauty books. With several already in rotation, this one from Goop Beauty was a welcome addition.
Three drops were all that was needed to fully cover the face. Using the Goop Beauty rose quartz facial roller, the application experience was elevated to more of a ... well, experience.
It's lightweight and not overly oily, absorbing well into skin. With regular day-and-night use (as directed on the packaging), skin looked my hydrated and radiant.
Would recommend? Yes.
Price: $135
Retailer: Sephora
What it is: A new clean, curated beauty lineup created by Katherine Power (the mastermind behind Who What Wear, Versed skincare and Avaline wine) that promotes the idea of "Less is more."
Beauty bonus: We love that the products are clean, vegan and cruelty free.
Beauty bummer: If you're looking for full-on glam with lots of colour and glitter, this minimalist brand may not be for you.
Overall: This brand has created some big buzz surrounding its launch.
(Full disclosure: We were gifted these two products to try in advance of the release)
The idea of a beauty brand being about just the necessities is something we can totally get behind. Especially after a year like 2020, which saw many of us strip down our daily makeup bags to the bare minimum — if anything at all.
We tried the Day Glow highlighter stick, an easy-to-use highlighter that provides a pretty, natural glow. We liked the lightweight formula, which was easy to smooth onto skin, blending in with either a fingertip or a synthetic bristle brush, as well as the subtle shimmer.
The other product that we tried was the Brow 1980 brow pomade/gel. Brows are a big deal for me, so I was excited to try it. I liked the formula, which gave brows a groomed and subtly hued appearance. But, we found the brush a tad too big and the wand handle a bit too long. Perhaps we're just used to mini spoolie brushes and small handles of longtime brow favourites from the likes of Dior and Benefit. I also went back in with a pencil to fill in a few gaps after applying the pomade.
Next time, I'd like to try The Minimalist foundation stick ... because when it comes to lightweight coverage, I'm here for it.
Would recommend? Yes.
Where to get it: Meritbeauty.com
What they are: A new(ish) fit from Levi's that are billed as being "a modern interpretation of a classic '90s style."
The jeans feature a 13.125-inch front rise (hello, high), with a wide leg opening that's advertised at 20 inches. The design is meant to be worn stacked at the hem.
Fit bonus: If you love the Ribcage style, you're probably going to love these.
Fit bummer: At 5'8", I didn't find these jeans were stacked on me. Instead, they kind of had a weird length, not quite short but not quite long.
Overall: I've said it before and I'll say it again ... I'm a Levi's fanatic. Every new style that comes out I typically try (save for the skinny jeans).
If you haven't already, be sure to check out my reviews of the Wedgie, Ribcage, Dad and Balloon Jeans.
Not the biggest fan of wide-leg jeans (I prefer straight), I wasn't dying to try these ... but I knew I eventually would. And, ultimately, I'm glad that I did.
These jeans are cute and comfortable, albeit a bit difficult to style. I'm thinking that this flower-bedecked style from the Farm Rio x Levi's collab will be cute in the summer with a tank top and flat sandals.
Truthfully, I found deciding on footwear a bit tricky. As for sizing, I found they fit pretty true to size. I took my usual 30 for a fitted ... well, fit.
I see the brand has released a High Loose Tapered style, which I'm eager to try.
Would recommend? Maybe.
It was a year of some wonderful highs and a few terrible lows — and I'm sure I'm not alone when I say I wasn't exactly sorry to see it go.
I'm cautiously optimistic for 2021, but I certainly won't be making any predictions or plans. The new year, more than any other that I can remember, seems too full of uncertainty for any of the usual forecasting.
Not to mention festivities.
So, as we near the kick off the brand new year, I hope everyone has a wonderful (and peaceful) start to 2021.
Happy New Year!
Finding sustainable options in fashion is key.
And I'm a big believer in supporting sustainable initiatives at all levels — especially when it comes from a large fashion company like Uniqlo. The Japan-based company recently launched this U Recycled Down Jacket (a unisex design), which features recycled down to give reclaimed feathers a new use.
Plus, the design is super chic.
I'm excited by the idea of seeing more recycled fabrics used by brands and designers. Reducing the amount of textile waste is indisputably essential, so I'll be keeping an eye out for more innovation in this area moving forward.
What sustainable style initiatives are you excited about?
Jacket: Uniqlo
The holidays are the perfect time to stock up on holiday gift sets. Yes, even at the last minute.
From fabulous savings on product bundles, to the opportunity to try new products, there are countless reasons why gifting these limited-edition sets — and picking up a few for yourself — is a good idea.
Virtually every beauty brand on the market has its own version of a holiday gift set. So, if you're wondering where to start, here are 10 of my favourite gift sets to check out this season (many of which are now on sale!).
Laneige Water Wonderland
The Body Shop Ultimate Hemp Power Big Gift Sack
Kérastase Reflection Chromatique Gift Set
Maison Margiela 'Replica' Mini Duo Set
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Skin Secrets Travel Size Set
La Maison Valmont Féerie Advent Calendar
Rouge Dior Golden Nights Lipstick Set
Quo Beauty Must Have Brush Set
Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum Set
Omorovicza Glow Discovery Set
I never thought I'd be doing a post about sweater sets. And yet, here we are.
While the idea of cardigan-and-matching-top combinations coming back seemed unlikely to me at one point — I guess I always knew that sweater sets would come back in style. After all, all things do ... eventually.
Maybe, then, my sense of surprise comes from just how much I'm liking them. Because, I've never been the biggest fan of cardigans (unlike my sister, whom I think has hundreds).
Nevertheless, after seeing countless combinations on social media, I decided to purchase this knit tank top and balloon-sleeve cardigan from Mango. The style is slightly oversized and very cosy.
I paired the style with simple chinos and a few stunning jewelry pieces from the Vancouver-based brand Fair. Jewelry. The company offers demi and fine jewelry at crazy affordable prices. And the pieces are timeless, yet very on trend.
A favourite style of their's for me is the Jane Double Ring, which is crafted from recycled titanium (good for hypoallergenic people) with a thick 18-karat gold plating overtop. If you still have some holiday gifting to do, I'd definitely recommend checking this local brand out.
Tank and cardigan: Mango | Pants: Gap | Jewelry: Fair.
What it is: A lip colour collection from Giorgio Armani Beauty that promises a velvety and non-sticky texture with a "radiant finish."
The latest collection of the luminous matte lip lacquers are inspired by the Italian city of Venice.
Beauty bonus: The formula is super pigmented, providing a bold hit of colour.
Beauty bummer: As is the case with most liquid lip products, if you have a lip prep product underneath (like lip balm), the formula may not set as well as you'd like.
Overall: Marking its 20th year in the beauty biz in 2020, Armani Beauty has become known for its innovative formulas that celebrate the unique wearer.
“I believe that beauty comes first from within. My creations are made not to disguise or hide an individual’s personality, but to reveal it.” — Giorgio Armani.
This line of lip lacquers doesn't disappoint. The colours are pigmented and smooth, applying easily and drying to a nice, comfortable finish. While we did touch up during the day, we found the formula was long-wearing and didn't leave lips feeling parched.
Would recommend? Yes.
Price: $49
Retailer: Nordstrom
It's funny, I had always thought pink and red was a colour combination that didn't quite go together.
Trust Chanel to change that for me. Completely.
I saw this bag online a few months back while admiring the French fashion house's latest accessory options. Admittedly, the Coco Handle design had never really 'spoken' to me. I favour, instead, the classics (and I'm in love with the new 19 bag!).
But, when I saw this colour combination (plus in a tweed, to boot), I had to find it. Through the help of a special friend, I was able to locate the bag in Calgary. And, when I opened the box, I was even more in love. The colours are so saturated.
For its maiden voyage, I paired it with similarly hued pieces in an effort to fully showcase the unique combination.
Do you like pink and red together?
Bag: Chanel | Coat: Max Mara Studio | Sweater: Lord & Taylor
Jewelry: David Yurman
What it is: A collection of long-wear matte lipsticks from the French brand YSL in a slim, compact design.
Beauty bonus: The colour selection is on point — neutrals (without being boring) for days!
Beauty bummer: The diamond shape of the stick makes application a little awkward until you get a hang of it.
Overall: This lipstick updates the matte movement by adding in pearl shimmer for a little something extra.
It almost has a stain-like consistency on lips it’s so smooth thanks to the formulation containing mallow flower extract. We found we could amp up the colour by applying with a heavy hand or get the soft blurred editorial effect by applying a little lighter and blending out.
While we didn’t find it to be the most long wearing, we didn’t mind re-applying this comfortable formula.
Would recommend? Yes
Price: $50
Where to buy: Sephora, Holt Renfrew
A good coat is an essential element of experiencing winter in Canada.
Even though we don't get the extreme cold that other cities in this country get, Vancouver can get pretty chilly. Especially when you factor in the dampness.
I recently ventured to Harrison Lake for a small getaway (pre-regional travel restrictions, of course) and I was so grateful for the warmth and waterproof properties of this made-in-Canada Exploratrice coat from Kanuk.
The Montreal-based brand released a limited-edition collection this year honouring its designs from the '70s — hence the name Heritage 1970. Celebrating the brand's milestone 50th anniversary, the collection of outerwear for men and women offers cool, throwback silhouettes in a selection of interesting hues.
And, did I mention they're super warm? ;)
Coat: Kanuk | Jeans: J Brand | Boots: Frye
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It's a universal truth that you can never go wrong with a good gold necklace.
Whether a bold design or a dainty chain, a gold piece becomes a keepsake jewelry item that can be worn and loved for years to come.
I've slowly been building my gold necklace collection, recently adding this vermeil (that's 18-karat gold over sterling silver) necklace from Mejuri.
The design is heftier than a simple slim chain and a perfect length. It's just what my existing necklace layering stack was missing. Plus, it makes a shining statement when worn overtop of a turtleneck sweater (a look I'm also loving lately!)
I wore it recently with the solid-gold herringbone bracelet (also from Mejuri) that my sister bought me as a bridesmaid gift for her wedding this summer. Because, sometimes it's nice to be a little matchy-matchy.
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