These Affordable Jeans Look SO Expensive But Aren't
WHAT I’M WEARING
IRO Paris patent leather jacket (similar here)
Anine Bing City Love sweatshirt, $169
Aritzia Ex Boyfriend jeans, $128
Saint Laurent Lou Lou bowling bag (similar here)
Bonlook Jerry sunglasses
3.1 Phillip Lim patent leather boots (similar here)
I love me a good pair of jeans and have my favourite tries, tested and true designer brands - Rag & Bone, Jbrand, AGolde. They fit well and the quality is always good but the price tag is something I could do without.
While I’m open to the idea of affordable denim, I find the fit and quality is usually a bit off so I don’t even bother unless they’re Levi’s. Anyway, I was online shopping from bed late one night because I couldn’t sleep and ended up ordering a pair from Aritzia’s Denim Forum line. Long story short, I fell in love with them and have been wearing them non-stop so I recently bought the same pair in the lighter wash.
These Ex-Boyfriend jeans fit true to size, are 100% cotton so they’ll get better with each wash, and the fit is superb. Even with my hips and no bum, I love the way they hug my curves perfectly.
For $128, I say these are the best jeans in the affordable category that I’ve found to date.
SHOP THE POST
Photos by Michael Biro.
This post contains affiliate links.
Beige Is No Longer Boring
WHAT I’M WEARING
Frank and Oak wool plaid blazer, on sale for $100
Zara corduroy pants (similar here)
Sandro Paris LOVE t-shirt (similar here)
Saint Laurent sunglasses
Saint Laurent high top canvas sneakers (similar here)
Half the outfits I’m pinning these days beige, beige, beige, but far from boring. Streamlined looks
SHOP MY LOOK
GIF by Nathalie Martin.
Photos by Michael Biro.
This post contains affiliate links.
Standout From The Crowd & Wear Neon Pink
Last week I attended an event where pretty much every single person was wearing beige and I stroll in wearing bright neon pink. LOLZ.
While beige is clean, classic and the colour for spring, I also love the strong contrast of a bright pop of colour. It’s exactly what I need during these cold winter months to lift my spirits and keep me warm. Plus standing out from the crowd is way better than blending in don’t you think?
WHAT I’M WEARING
Photos by Michael Biro.
This post contains affiliate links.
Anine Bing Clothing Haul
WHAT I’M WEARING
Anine Bing bolt t-shirt, $132
Rudsak Mythos leather moto jacket with shearling collar, on sale for $420
Aritzia Ex-Boyfriend jeans, $128
OKAY, I love a good graphic t-shirt but I’m extremely picky about the prints and quality of my tees. For instance, I was at Urban Outfitters the other day when I spotted a Nirvana smiley face tee that I was very tempted to get. Ultimately I know how it goes, I’ll wear it once or twice, wash it, realize it's poorly made and end up donating it to Value Village or whoever. It’s just not worth it.
I much prefer to invest in higher quality pieces even if they cost a bit more because I know they’ll last.
I’ve always been a fan of Anine Bing’s designs and last year I picked up one of her sweatshirts at the SoHo store in New York. Wanting to add more Bing pieces to my collection, I recently got a sweatshirt and a couple of tees.
Though not cheap, I know that I’ll be wearing everything for a long time and I’m obsessed with the prints. They’re an awesome addition to my closet and look seamless with my personal style.
As for that Nirvana top, I have no regrets leaving it behind.
SHOP MY LOOK
SHOP ANINE BING TEES
Images and GIFS by Nathalie Martin.
This post contains affiliate links.
LATEST VIDEO
My Favourite Colour To Wear This Winter
WHAT I’M WEARING
Frank & Eileen Tee Labs hoodie and layering tank
The Kooples leather jacket
Saint Laurent Lou Lou bowling bag (similar here), high top canvas sneakers (similar here), and sunglasses
Robert Rodriguez yellow flared plaid pants (similar here)
I love a good splash of colour in the winter. It lifts my mood and makes a cold shitty day feel better instantly. I got these amazing yellowy-green Robert Rodriguez pants on sale a while back and I’ve been wearing them way more than I had originally thought.
For this outfit I paired them with my favourite leather jacket from the Kooples and my chic Frank & Eileen hoodie from their Tee Labs collection. Honestly, I love the juxtaposition of the fashion forward pants with the bad ass biker jacket speaks so well to my personal style.
What’s your favourite colour to wear this winter?
SHOP THE LOOK
LUXE FOR LESS
Photography by Michael Biro.
This post contains affiliate links.
REVIEW | Urban Decay Naked Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette
Okay it’s been a while since I’ve been this excited about an eyeshadows but here it is - the Urban Decay Naked Reloaded palette. I have a lot of the Naked Palettes (thanks to the good people at UD who have kindly added me to their PR list) and they’re awesome staples for any makeup lover, but RELOADED is killer in EVERY SINGLE WAY!
Jam packed with warm browns, yellows, and a touch of coral, these shades are awesome for everyday wear. There’s a good mix of matte’s shimmery shades and satins that work so well together it’s seamless.
Inspired by Katie Jane Hughes Makeup, I decided to do a one colour smokey day time eye that I was brilliantly happy with. (Click here for the full technique.) I started by applying the shade burn to the outer corner of my eyes with a smudge brush and then just blended away until I got the effect I wanted. It was super easy, took no time at all and the overall look is super elegant and day time appropriate.
If you’re like me and already have a ton of the Naked palettes, make sure you check this one out. It’s just different enough. ;)
Urban Decay Naked Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette
BRIBE - Shimmery warm ivory
BARLEY BAKED - soft gold metallic
ANGEL FIRE - pale rose-gold with iridescent micro-shimmer
RETRO - bright peach matte
REPUTATION - deep rose-gold with iridescent micro-shimmer
BURN - copper-burgundy metallic
END GAME - chocolate brown matte
DREAMWEAVER - cool brown with iridescent 3D sparkle
DISTILLED - bronze metallic
BUCKED - warm brown matte
BOUNDARIES - warm terracotta matte
BLUR - light nude matte
Photography by Nathalie Martin.
This post contains affiliate links and PR samples. All opinions are my own.
How to Layer for Winter: Look Good & Stay Warm
WHAT I’M WEARING
Acne Studios Pansy face beanie and white knit sweater
Vince wool coat
Frank & Eileen trouser joggers
Givenchy medium Pandora bag
Alexander Wang Lyndon boots
Bonlook Jerry glasses
Layering for winter is one of my favourite ways to make an outfit more interesting. Add in a cute beanie, some badass boots and cozy wool coat and you’re pretty much set.
While this isn’t the sort of outfit I’d wear in severe winter weather, it’s good for the in between days when there’s not as much snow on the ground and the days are milder. What’s your favourite way to layer this time of year?
SHOP THE LOOK
LUXE FOR LESS
Photography by Geoff Martin.
This post contains affiliate links.
How I Keep My Hair Healthy From Styling Heat Damage
We all know that daily heat damage not only causes split ends but prevents hair from being shiny and bouncy. But how much do you know about keeping it healthy?
Since I’m on a mission to grow my hair longgggg, I thought it would be fun to give you some tips on how I’ve been keeping it healthy. In a couple of years, I’ve been able to successfully grown my hair from a (not so flattering) shoulder grazing bob with a bad dye job to healthy hair that’s midway down my back. I must be doing something right, although I now find myself with a new set of challenges. It’s not just about growing my hair but also about keeping it healthy.
PLAY, RESCUE, RESET
Just as I like options in my wardrobe, I also want options of different looks with my hair. Between blow drying, using a curling wand, flat iron, and occasionally colouring it, my hair goes through a lot. Just like everyone else, my top priority is keeping it healthy and shiny.
I recently had a chance to try Pantene’s new Intense Rescue Shots for the first time. It’s like the most intensive treatment/conditioner you can use to keep your strands healthy and repair any existing damage. Just apply it from root to tip, leave in for one minute to repair (and in my case prevent) extreme damage and then rinse.
I truly love how easy it is to use and that it only takes a single minute to work its magic.
In terms of what it does for my hair – it melts tangles away in the shower and leaves my hair smooth but lightweight and bouncy, gives me a shine boost, and allows my hair to be more responsive to heat styling in addition to extending the life of my hair style. Normally when I straighten it, I wake up with wavy hair the next day because that my hair’s natural texture. Since I’ve started incorporating the Intense Rescue Shots into my weekly routine, I’ve noticed my hair actually maintains its style, which is pretty amazing for my hair type.
It’s so much easier for me to switch up hair styles now and go from straight to wavy from one day to the next without causing extensive damage.
BEFORE USING PANTENE’S INTENSE RESCUE SHOTS
Both images here are showing 3rd day hair. Before using Pantene’s Intense Rescue Shots my ends would look dry and tangled, and the damage from the heat I used to create the look would start to show through.
AFTER USING PANTENE’S INTENSE RESCUE SHOTS
After using the Rescue Shot and also with 3rd day hair. I had freshly curled my hair that morning and had worn it straight the day before. My ends are more hydrated here and my hair felt softer and not as tangled - and I had even forgotten to use styling crème because I was in a rush.
ONE MINUTE IS ALL IT TAKES
Unlike other treatments, Pantene’s Rescue Shots works its magic in just ONE minute. The deep conditioning treatment repairs damage in just one use and turns dry, brittle hair into the soft, shiny locks we all want. It rinses clean without residue or weighing down and gives salon-like hair. Use it as a weekly treatment by applying from roots to tip.
FOUR TIPS THAT ACTUALLY WORK TO KEEP HAIR HEALTHY
Using a weekly hair treatment like Pantene’s new Intense Rescue Shots. It repair’s damage in just ONE use!
Sleeping with a silk pillow case. It reduces friction and breakage on the hair. Bonus, silk keeps skin from getting those nasty pillow creases.
Allow hair to air dry. A lot of you won’t want to hear this because we’re so tied to our hair dryers, but this is the most effective thing you can do to reduce damage. Try washing your hair at night instead!
Put hair into a super high loose ponytail using a scrunchie at night. Your hair style will be fresh the next morning. Trust me, I was skeptical when I first heard it but I tried it, got my BFF to try it, and now we both swear by the bedtime scrunchie trick.
Overall, the Pantene Rescue Shots are everything I’ve been missing in my hair care routine. I’ve noticed since using them my hair is more manageable and softer than before so I don’t have to feel guilty when I reach for the styling tools.
This post is sponsored by Pantene.
All opinions are my own.
Photography by Geoff and Nathalie Martin.
