VIDEO: ssense.com Unboxing

Funny enough, this video was inspired by best friends mother, Grace. I recently found out that she's a YouTube fanatic and unboxings are some of her favourite videos to watch. After giggling for a good half hour about who's buying what and who's thrifting where I decided that I too would be jumping on unboxing train!

I've personally always held back on these type of videos because I was afraid of what people would think or say. It's actually a ridiculous reason not to do something and this year I'm embracing "no fucks given" and "you do you", hence making two shopping videos in a row *gasp*! 

I hope you guys enjoy watching and if you haven't already, please subscribe and give my video a thumbs up!

xx,

Nathalie

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First Glimpse at my Fall 2018 Wardrobe

Who else gets excited at the first glimpse of fall in the summer? #me

While it's already gone back to hot and humid, we had a short window of cooler weather this past weekend. Chilly enough to bust out leather pants and my new Isabel Marant Hoodie anyway.

These are the latest additions to my closet that will serve me well into fall. I did get around to filming an unboxing video with these goodies, but you'll just have to wait for tomorrow.

In the meanwhile, hands up if you're also desperately awaiting FW18.

WHAT I'M WEARING: 
Isabel Marant black Malibu hoodie, Mackage black Peppa leather pants, CHANEL patent leather flap bag, Givenchy floral Elegant Line studded boots.
 

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My Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Haul (OUTFIT + VIDEO post)

If you follow me on IG then you'll know that I recently had a chance to pre-shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale a couple of days ago.

This sale happens once a year in July. It's when the store teams up with a bunch of brands like Madewell, Alice & Olivia, Alexander Wang, along with other awesome designers and offers new fall fashions at a discounted price for a limited time. Yes, I said NEW FALL FASHIONS. *mic drop* 

I scored this cute Treasure & Bond suit (a Nordstrom house brand) for $150 at their anniversary price along with this ADIOS t-shirt from Madewell. How I only came home with these three pieces is seriously a miracle. (Either that or I have Paris on the brain.)

PRESS PLAY to watch my latest fashion haul on my YouTube channel!

I paired the suit with my red-orange Alexander Wang x Adidas three stripe sneakers. I ordered them on the weekend and they came in just in time to wear with this suit.

(BTW - These kicks are special edition and came out earlier in the season. They went on sale and I happen to score the last pair in my size. I swear, shoes always find me!)

I let the menswear inspiration do it's thing and left my handbag at home. Instead I opted for my LV accessories - my (19 cm) Toiletry Pouch, small agenda and 4 key ring holder. Something about the pops of red against the grey plaid just make the outfit come to life.

I'm glad I stepped outside of my comfort zone for once and opted for a suit instead of another pair of jeans. 

Fall, I'm ready. Bring it!

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I'm Feelin' Myself

You know that feeling when you put on an outfit that just makes you feel real nice? Ya, this is me here. 

You guys know that I try to invest in pieces that I love and will wear them over and over again. I love the challenge of styling them in new ways and changing it up to keep things interesting. 

I've worn this Veronica Beard blazer plenty of times before but never styled like this. I mean, it's summer and it's been hot af out there! 

I kept it light and seasonally appropriate with a breezy white oversized v-neck to complement the linen blazer. 

I could have accessorized with sandals, but I opted for my favourite pair of Isabel Marant cowboy boots instead cuz I was feeling them. Then I broke up the heaviness of the black from the jeans and boots by adding my tanned Alexander Wang Diego bag.

Accessories are a great way of changing the mood of an outfit and this bag helped me accomplish just that. Most importantly, the tones of the bag help tie everything back to the blazer.  

STYLE TIP: Go up one or two sizes when shopping for tees to get relaxed look. 

So, you wanna know why I'm digging this outfit so much? It's cuz it's super comfortable and versatile. They're pieces that already live in my closet and I didn't have to buy anything new to create this look. 

I'm also feeling like 100% myself in these clothes which means I feel more confident and like I could conquer anything in it. Don't you just love when an outfit does that? I think that should always be our goal when we get dressed!

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Hawaiian Inspired & Harry Styles Approved

I'M WEARING: 
Cinq à Sept embroidered silk blouse.
Zara trousers.
Loewe small striped Hammock Bag, SS18.
Isabel Marant sandals. 

My closet is built with basics and statement accessories in mind - lots of denim, t-shirts and plenty of glittery, sparkly and metallic footwear. Above all else, I place a lot of importance in comfort and versatility. Let’s be real, no amount of fabulous shoes is going to make you look like a rock star if you don’t feel like one right?

When I saw this Cinq à Sept silk blouse, I knew it would be perfect for me. It’s breezy and can be paired with cutoffs in the summer, leather pants and ankle boots in the fall, or brown trousers from Zara like the ones I’m wearing here. Bonus, this Hawaiin inspired blouse totally looks like something Harry Styles would wear so you know I just had to have it!

I happen to score my entire outfit on sale, yes, Loewe bag included. You guys know that I LIVE for a good sale. Of course, that means that sometimes the pieces I’m wearing aren't available, but I tried my best to find alternatives for you to shop.

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7 Fabulous Summer Scents to Try Now

Summer doesn't have to mean swapping out your favourite scent for something light and fruity. If you're like me, the idea of this is repulsive. As my best friend points out, I'm drawn to "mysterious" scents. Trust me, nothing's gonna stop me from wearing sandalwood, regardless of the weather.

Below are seven of my favourite scents that will withstand even the hottest of summer days and will always leave you smelling amazing. 

1. MARC JACOBS DAISY LOVE - Youthful and sophisticated this new MJ scent has top notes of Crystallized cloudberries (smells as intriguing as it sounds) with a base of Cashmere musk and driftwood.
2. CHANEL N°5 L'EAU - Fans of N°5 L'EAU are going to flip for this one. It's the same uber-chic scent in an All-Over spray formula. What does that mean? Lighter in delivery and can be used in your hair. Yes, please!
3. ATELIER COLOGNE CLEMENTINE CALIFORNIA - Sweet but citrusy with a tangy kick, this scent is beautiful on everyone. Yes, it's gender neutral and I love it!
4. CHANEL L'EAU TAN - Not exactly a fragrance, this self-tanning mist smells amazing enough to be one. A blend of citrus with accents of orange blossom & lily, with an underlying soft amber base of white musks, I'm living for this one!
5. TOM FORD SOLEIL BLANC - It smells like the most luxurious vacation ever. Seriously. If you haven't caught a whiff of this one yet, run to the nearest TF counter!
6. TOM FORD SANTAL BLUSH - Perfect for summer, and actually, all year round. You'll love this spicy oriental scent if you're a fan of sandalwood. 
7. ANINE BING SAVAGE ROSE - This isn't Grandma's rose scent. This scent is modern, unique and smells very green - like freshly picked flowers after the rain. It's beyond gorgeous. 

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Rockstar Status with DIORCLUB2

Is there anything better than a killer pair of sunglasses to elevate an outfit? Well, probably but let's pretend for a second that's all that matters.

Dior's latest style, called DIORCLUB2, will make you reach rockstar status instantly. The rectangular-shaped sunnies feature a super rad visor that reads J'ADIOR in bold white caps. It is removable if you choose to go for a more traditional look, but seriously, why would you? 

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Frizz-Free Summer Hair feat. PANTENE

Summer is pretty much here and we’re all living for it, except me. Sunny skies and 35 degrees of sweltering heat. Do you know what that does to a girl’s hair when she’s rushing around the city going from meeting to meeting? Mayhem. Hair mayhem!

The reality is, I love fall. I love the cool air, the layered fashion and the humidity-free weather. Most of all, I really like that I don’t have to worry about my hair flaring up into a frizz ball that resembles a lions mane.

Summer for me has always meant big, unmanageable, frizzy hair and I’ve always felt too deterred to even deal with it, so it was always tied back in a ponytail.

My pony had so many frizzy fly-aways coming out of every which direction that I should have just gotten myself a hat! LOL! Childhood can be cruel, that I’m sure we can all agree on, and I for one have spent a good chunk of my adulthood trying to figure out how to deal with the hair I was given.

Conditioner is the biggest key player in getting it looking smooth and healthy in the summer months. It’s the best way of fighting humidity, keeping away frizz and holding onto my hairstyle! Without it, my waves fall out and my hair puffs up like a lion’s mane! Remember those before and after pics from my last PANTENE post? ;)

Before I made the switch to PANTENE I was going back and forth between some high-end designer stuff and another drugstore brand. My job as a fashion and beauty blogger means that I’m constantly testing out new products for you guys so I can give you my honest review.

My hair completely transformed as soon as I started using PANTENE’s Smooth & Sleek Conditioner. It’s way more manageable now and can withhold even the hottest of summer days in the city. I have to admit that one of the coolest outcomes from using PANTENE these last few months has to be that my hair is much stronger and healthier now!

If you want to read about how I style my hair, keep reading below.

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+ RELATED READING: ­­
-       Changing the way you think of conditioner FOREVER feat. PANTENE
-       Learn more about how 55% of households in Canada aren’t buying conditioner here

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How I Style My Hair for Soft Waves

1.    

The foundation of all good hair days starts in the shower. I use PANTENE’s Smooth & Sleek Shampoo and Conditioner collection to bring out my natural waves and keep the frizz away. PANTENE’s conditioners are all formulated to protect and strengthen hair, and they have over a dozen different ones to suit all hair types, so be sure to get the right formula for you.

2.    

Right out of the shower I use their combing crème in my damp hair before running a wide-tooth comb through it. The product allows the comb to glide through wet hair, minimizing any breakage.

3.    

I air dry when I can but if not, I set the blow dryer to medium heat and always use a heat protector.

BEFORE

AFTER

4.    

Now that my hair is dry, I divide my hair into four sections. I work through each one by taking a small 1-inch piece at a time and glide my flat iron down my hair, twisting my wrist mid-way to create a soft curl.

5.    

As I work my way through each section of my hair, I set the curls with PANTENE’S Airspray, an alcohol-free aerosol hairspray with flexible hold. I love this one because it doesn’t leave your hair sticky or crunchy and doesn’t have that alcohol scent that a lot of hairsprays have!

6.    

Once I’m done my whole head and the hairspray is set, I take a hairbrush and gently brush my hair, converting all of those curls into soft waves.    

That’s it!

BONUS STYLE TRICK: At night I put my hair into a super high ponytail, right on the top of head, and I sleep on a silk pillow case. I find doing this doesn’t flatten my curls at all. In the morning, I just let it out, give it a quick brush and I’m ready.

DISCLAIMER: This post is sponsored by Pantene. All photos and opinions are my own.

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My Thoughts on Style & Age

I'M WEARING: ZARA TRENCH, TOPSHOP TUNIC, FREE PEOPLE SHORTS, LOEWE STRIPED SMALL HAMMOCK BAG, CONVERSE ONE-STARS.

Now that I'm in my thirties I've come to terms with the fact that there are some pieces in my wardrobe that now qualify as inappropriate for my age.  Goodbye short shorts and very tiny mini-skirts. R.I.P, I'll miss you. 

One's age doesn't necessarily mean that it's mandatory have to purge the fun clothes and swap them for boring conservative pieces, but it doesn't hurt to do a little closet assessment either. If you're not feeling it, get rid of it and introduce some timeless pieces. 

I'm all for having fun with fashion and I look forward to the day when I can finally turn into that eccentric person that I've always aspired to be (I'm looking at you Diane Keaton and Iris Apfel, my style queens). I just don't think I'll be doing it in a short tight dress. 

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