Covet & Acquire

How fun is fringe right now?

This season, the fringe-tastic trend has caught on in a big way among the style set — myself included.

To date, I've picked up these casual slip-ons, this fringe bag and a as-yet-unrevealed black suede jacket from The Kooples (stay tuned!) in order to make the most of this Western-inspired trend.

And I don't regret my decision to fall head over heels for fringe one bit.

Happy Wednesday and thank you for stopping by!

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I love it when brands surprise me. And lately, Le Chateau has been doing just that — and more.

The Montreal-based brand kicked off the fall season with a whole new look, and a whole new campaign.

But in addition to the super stylish ads and that adorable commercial that we've all now seen featuring the feisty "Filou" (if you've been living under a rock lately and have somehow missed it, check it out below), the retailer has seriously stepped up its style game this season, too.

I mean, made-in-Canada culottes? Chic black turtlenecks? European-made blanket scarves? Hello Le Chateau, is that really you?

I've been a big supporter of this company for a while now — basically since it began winning me back with its on-trend shoes and boots. (See my LC love here, here and here!), but the fall "Le Chateau of Montreal" campaign (see the pics below!) and collection seems to signal the successful overhaul of the Canadian company is here.

And I've got to say, I like what I see.

Happy Monday and thank you, as always, for stopping by.

Fall has arrived here in Vancouver, so it seems appropriate that we start thinking about jackets.

While finding a classic duster or trench coat is usually a breeze — especially this season as these two styles seem to be abundantly available — certain other silhouettes aren't quite as simple to find.

I've long been wanting a bomber jacket that didn't look too boring, and a puffer jacket has also been on my style radar lately. One that doesn't make me look too, well, puffy.

So imagine my surprise when I spotted this jacket from Bench.

It combines the style of a bomber with the warmth and detail of a classic puffer. (i.e.: the best of both worlds!)

I'm looking forward to seeing how many ways I can style it this season. Stay tuned.

Happy Friday and thank you for stopping by!

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I spent the better part of the last two weeks in New York City for fashion week.

While I shared most of my experience on social media and in the local newspaper, there were a few photos that I didn't share from my seven days in The Big Apple.

Here are some of my top shots — and accompanying top thoughts — from the Spring/Summer 2016 shows.

Oh, and check out my NYFW coverage including stories, galleries and videos for The Vancouver Sun here.

I took the long, long way back from the Tommy Hilfiger show.

What it is: A few choice beauty products from Shoppers Drug Mart to help put your best face forward for the fall season.

Beauty bonus: Sans budget-busting picks, this round-up of beauty goodies is pretty easy to fit into even the most shoestring of budgets.

Beauty bummer: None! Who doesn't love staples such as a good lip colour, radiant skin and clean-cut cuticles?

Overall: We loved how these products were good foundations for every look — for fall, back to school and beyond!

Hydrated, smooth skin is the perfect starting point for every cold-weather season, so we especially loved the in-house Life Brand Vitamin A moisturizer ($13.99) as a night treatment because it was ultra rich and skin-smoothing. Who doesn't love waking up with baby-soft skin?

From bold lip colours (our fall favourite!) to cuticle oil, the retailer has everything you need for the fall.

And add in the fact that they just launched a beauty-only website featuring a whole host of exclusive brands, designer fragrances and beauty tools ... and we're pretty much set for the season.

Would I recommend? Yes
Price: $8.99-$24
Where to buy: Shoppers Drug Mart 
—Review by Covet and Acquire Beauty Editor Kirsten Harris

This is hands-down one of my favourite outfits of late.

I'm all about mock turtlenecks (who isn't?) and midi lengths, so when I saw this dress mixed both these trends — I was sold.

Paired with a chic leather topper, an on-trend fringe bag and too-cool sneakers, I felt this outfit would be a perfect fit at New York Fashion Week, which is where I am right now.

I'm covering the whirlwind fashion event, and I've got to say, if you've ever attended fashion week for work, it's not nearly as glamourous (or easy!) as it looks.

Hence the need for sneakers.

No joke, my first season at NYFW I actually brought HEELS. What was I thinking? I wasn't.

Because unlike top magazine editors and celebrity bloggers, I don't get an Uber or a town car to whisk me from one show to the next. I'm the person who's usually spotted run-walking across Manhattan to get from A to B. Or sweating it out (sometimes literally) on the subway.

Not that I'm complaining, though. It's an absolute pleasure to get to cover NYFW. I now just know better than to attempt it in heels.

Follow my NYFW adventures on Instagram @aleesha_h.

Happy Monday and thank you for stopping by!

I'm going to get really real here for a second and say: I buy most of the items that I wear on my blog.

While I admire bloggers who have a stream of freebies that's so constant they don't ever need to shop with their own money — however, that's not the way it is for me.

And to be honest, I've always been wary of trusting the style and taste of certain bloggers whose outfits are comprised solely of free pieces. It makes me wonder if they are just showing off those items because they were free ... or if they would have actually worn them if they'd had to purchase them with their own hard-earned cash.

Apologies for the rant, but I've been thinking a lot lately about the ethics of blogging and where we need to draw the line. It obviously starts with clearly indicating when items or an experience are gifted, either with a "c/o" or "#sp"tag. I just don't know where it ends.

But I guess I'm just preoccupied with the idea that (1) some bloggers seem so focused on getting swag that they lose their, well, focus ... and (2) that readers are being misled to believe that the reality of new stuff all the time is, well, realistic.

Let it be known: I re-wear a lot of my pieces. But then again, there are some that haven't seen the light of day since they followed me home.

Which brings me to the point of this post. (I know, I know. It took me long enough!)  

I'm embarking on a mission to purchase fewer items. I need to face down my shopping urges and my apparent need to acquire, and work with what I've already got.

Case in point: this simple white dress and suede ankle boots. They are both closet classics that I could easily remix with several pieces in my wardrobe this fall. And I intend to do just that.

So, next time you hear read about me going shopping, just throw something at me, would ya? Just make sure it's not too heavy. :P

Happy Friday and thank you, as always, for stopping by!

What it is: A 12-shade eyeshadow palette infused with rose-gold pigments to create multiple smokey eye looks — with a blush-hued kick. 

Beauty bonus: From bold to neutral, this palette has shades to easily take you from neutral day to shimmery night. 

Beauty bummer: There's no mirror in this big palette, which is the only thing stopping us from taking it to-go.

Overall: This is Maybelline's answer to the wildly popular Urban Decay Naked series. 

We mixed and matched the surprisingly pigmented shades, not necessarily going with the laid out shade pairings, although those would be a big help for beginners. 

The clear, chilly weather in Vancouver has prompted me to pull out a few of my fall wardrobe favourites. Not that I'm complaining.

This wool cardigan coat and my inky black skinny jeans are sure to be on constant repeat this season — but not nearly as often as these black chelsea boots.

I've been on the hunt for the perfect ankle boots for several seasons but have been unable to settle on the right set. Until now.

These Frye boots are an instant closet classic. The rounded toe is sleek without being too narrow and the ankle-grazing shaft height means they'll look good with countless different pant styles.

I settled on these vintage-leather beauties after days of searching for the perfect booties on Shoeme.ca.

The Vancouver-based footwear retailer literally has hundreds of ankle boot options — not to mention thousands of other shoe styles — and I was determined to go through each and every one of them in order to ensure I could find, 'The One.'

At one point I'm pretty sure I had 10 or 12 options in my shopping basket. I kid you not. Well, they do have free shipping and free returns, after all. :P

But once I spotted these classic chelsea boots, I knew I had found my footwear match.

Consider yourself warned: I will be styling these constantly throughout the upcoming seasons.

Happy Monday and thank you for stopping by.

With a few days of sunshine remaining before fall sets in for good, I wanted to share a look featuring a few summer go-tos.

Think of it as an outfit ode to the passing season. Before it's too late.

While it may surprise some to find I own a pair of denim cutoffs (and trust me, I sometimes find them impossible to wear!), I, much like everyone else, do favour them for a weekend throw-on outfit or a beach day.

But what about the rest of the time? Can denim cutoffs really have legs beyond the beach?

I sort of unofficially challenged myself to come up with an outfit featuring denim shorts that was, well, very non-casual. I guess that would be formal.

Paired with a long vest, a classic handbag and stylish strappy sandals, I think I may just have achieved what I once thought impossible — to dress up denim shorts. Miracles really do happen.

Happy Friday and thank you for stopping by!

What it is: A line of professional hair products — including the Professionnel Wet Domination Extreme Splash Elastic Wetlook Gelee and Shower Shine Lacquer Shine Spray — that give hair the look of wet strands, minus the sogginess.

Beauty bonus: This is the softest full-control product we've ever tried — no crispy strands here!

Beauty bummer: Not going to lie, the super-sleek look takes some getting used to.

Overall: These products offer amazing shine and control. (See it in action here!)

Having used gel in the past ('memba those big tubs of coloured gel? #throwback) as a way to control curly hair, we were skeptical about how these products would perform. But the doubts were quickly laid to rest.

The clean-smelling products are easy to use, and quickly dry to a pliable, but firm hold. The total lack of crunch was such a surprising beauty bonus!

While the wet look might not be for everyday use, when you're in the mood, these products provide a perfect way to pull off the sleek, just-stepped-out-of-the-shower look that has been spotted from runways to street-style blogs.

Would recommend: Yes, if you've been coveting the wet look spotted on runways, or are just looking for an alternative to traditional crunchy gels, this line is for you!

Price: $25.50 each
Available at: L'Oreal Professionnel salons and en.lorealprofessionnel.ca