Out with the Old, In with the New.

With a blizzard raging here in NL today an outfit shoot was pretty much out of the question. Instead I decided to harness my Snow Day productivity into going through my old clothes & organizing it for a future outside of my cluttered closet. I've been a bit of a hoarder all my life so there are legitimately things crammed into dark corners that I've owned since I was four. The "me" two years ago would have fought savagely had down-sizing been suggested, but the current somewhat evolved me has decided to embrace minimalism once & for all* (that being said, you probably won't see me travelling short of 3 suitcases anytime soon). So in the spirit of attachment, organization, & reliving memories via old clothes, I've decided to compile a list of my personal philosophies concerning clothes & shopping. A bit different from my usual repertoire, but here it goes: 


1. Quality over Quantity - this is an obvious rule to live by, but I'll take it a step further. I don't believe in turning your nose up at things simply because they are not expensive, or an esteemed brand. My closet covers a pretty wide spectrum. I have some thrift store purchases that cost all of $1 that I love on par with my designer pieces. That being said, if it's not a good quality fabric I don't care if it's $4 or $400, it isn't entering my closet. Same thing with sizing; if it doesn't fit absolutely perfectly don't kid yourself (unless you have a sewing machine & a knack for thrifty alternations). Try to avoid ribbing (whether on cuffs, necklines, or all over, it will stretch after one wear & never regain it's original shape), 100% cotton in dark colours (terrible for fading), & stiff fabrics which don't hang well. 


2. Buy what you want - No I am not suggesting you dig yourself into a hole of bankruptcy by going on a spree at Hermès. But when you see something you really love, as long as it's not on an mere impulse, you should have it. If you're reading my blog to begin with, you probably have an interest in fashion, meaning style & clothing are one of the things that makes you happy. Don't mind folks who scoff at you for being materialistic. Everyone likes to spend their money on something, whether it be travelling, nice cars, or decorating their homes. It may seem silly to some people, but a beautiful garment has the power to give me chills; to make me grin like a Cheshire cat. If you the "something" you want is expensive & don't have the money right away, the answer is obvious: save up! Not only will you eventually get that item that gives you confidence & a perma-smile, but you'll also feel good having accomplished a task you worked towards.


3. Don't Compromise - Having worked in a retail environment this is something I witnessed daily: people buying items because they were on sale, because they were such a great "bargain", because they were a cheaper version of something else they liked. Personally I just don't get it. This kind of back's up #3 - buy what you want, don't worry about the money (within reason of course). Why waste money on things you don't absolutely love just because it's "such a great deal". Isn't that fraction of money put to better use saving up for that more expensive item that was love at first sight?


4. Sleep on it - Nobody enjoy's a bout of buyer's remorse. Don't be one of those silly impulse shoppers who tosses & turns all night after a shopping spree & spends either the next day returning the bulk of it, or living with the guilt every time you look at that dress whose price tag will never come off. I wasn't always this way, but nowadays if I'm out shopping & see something I just have to have, I often go home & think about it overnight. I can say without hesitation that I've never regretted an item that I seriously thought about before purchasing. It ensures that you end up with items that you truly love.


5. The 5 Outfit Rule - This is a handy rule I decided to live by last Autumn, when I was despairing over the fact that none of my clothes went together. Basically if you want to buy an item, first come up with a list of at least 5 outfits you could pair it with (aim for 3 outfits if that's a more practical goal for you). That way you don't end up with piles of mismatched clothing; having to buy even more new things just to make the original item wearable. 


6. Ethical Shopping - I had a comment on my last post questioning why I no longer shop at Forever 21. Although this also goes back to the quality vs quantity debate, the questionable ethicality of company practices is the main reason I resist the temptation of a $20 top & an $8 necklace. Unfair labor practices, breaching artistic copyright, the list goes on. If you're interested in reading a bit more into this, this article on ilovewildfox.com has some great links. Of course there are other companies out there which have the same issues, so it's important to do your research. The bottom line for me is that I want to wear something that makes me feel good, & doesn't compromise my personal ethics. I'd rather pay extra to have something that I know was lovingly designed & fairly crafted.


7. Love your clothes & they'll love you back - take care of your clothes! This one seems pretty obvious to me, but I'm surprised at the amount of people I come across who chuck their clothing in the dryer without a second glance. Folks, the dryer is for the immortal durability of towels, not the clothing you put on your back. Dry clean or hand wash it & lay it out to air dry. It will wear 100x better & last you years instead of days. 

I'll leave it at that. Clothing is obviously something I'm pretty passionate about, & I just wanted to put in my own two cents. Any tips or suggestions you might add to my list? I'd really love to know! :)

Spring Things

Floral pussybow blouse, Zara

In a winter world you have to get your Spring fix somewhere. For me, it's these lovely bright & pastel pieces, purchased on my last day in Vancouver.

A pastel yellow mini satchel, H&M 

Multi-colour statement necklace, Zara

Pastel purple trousers from H&M which I love to pieces! Skinny bottoms with zipper detail too :) 

And this straight-cut pocket detail which I adore as well!

There was another item bought with this set, a pretty cream & gold bangle from H&M. It's currently missing in action sadly. I figured it might simply be lost in the depths of my multiple suitcases, but I was rather disheartened after today's unpacking marathon. I've still a couple cases to go through, so fingers crossed it shows up. 

So those are my lovely new Spring items! Now my only challenge is to incorporate these pretty pastels & florals into a winter appropriate look which also keeps me warm. As long as the gorgeous sunshine continues to cooperate I'll be getting in a photo shoot tomorrow, so stay tuned :)

***One last camera-related note: Many of you have asked me about the camera I generally use. Prior to my last post (aka Vancouver time) all my photos have been taken with a Nikon D7000 (which I love to pieces). For the next couple of months I'll be borrowing my Mom's Canon Rebel T2i. Admittedly I'm a Nikon girl & I have a bit of an aversion to this new Canon; however I do have a tonne of lenses to play with, so it should be a great learning experience none the less! 

On Airports & Goodbyes

I'm writing to you lovelies from YVR Airport... boarding in about 15 minutes. I just wanted to quickly share a few photos with you of my last few days here in Vancouver.

Had a lovely last day with Kris yesterday. We shopped, we ate, we talked non-stop. I'll show you my new purchases as soon as I get things unpacked in NL (so excited about each new piece! Think Spring + Pastels ;) We stopped by Mucho Burrito on Davie to say goodbye to one of the nicest guys in the world (I frequent the place tri-weekly) & get one last amazing Shawna-approved burrito. And just when we thought the day was over, we ended up talking for 2 hours straight over tea. It was perfect :)

The amazing Kris! One of the nicest, most amazing girls I've ever been lucky enough to meet - I am going to miss you so much! And something I'm dying to mention: Kris actually just began her own fashion blog Back Alleys & Boulevards which I would love for you all to check out! :)

A delightful goodbye present from Kris - a bag of vegan chocolate goodies from Karmavore :)

Tea with Miss Sabrina! We completely lost track of time & talked non-stop for hours. You're amazing girl - can't wait to see you again!

The most amazing dessert ever. Vegan apple crisp with Tofulatti icecream on top. So good I went back two nights in a row for it.... I kid you not. 

And last but not least, a new clutch which just arrived from ASOS! It's cute & fun & I adore the colours. Excited to see what I can pair it with. Thoughts?

Okay, boarding has begun & I'm in a huge rush. Will post tomorrow when I've settled! Hope you're all having an amazing week & thank you for reading! :)

Newness & Change

Finally something new! I know it has only been a few days since I last posted, but it has seemed an eternity to me. I've got some recent purchases to show you & some 'life updates' to share! First off, some new additions to my wardrobe/beauty/book collection:

My new neon yellow pencil skirt from ASOS which I'm completely enamoured with - can't wait to show you the outfit I have planned for it! :)

Sephora is a rabbit hole. Seriously. I stopped by this morning on my way to a coffee date & ended up getting a few items. The Dior Rosy Glow blush you may recognize from my 'Beauty Edition' post last week. The visiting Dior rep who did my make-up used this on me & I've been lusting over it ever since. Today I finally gave in & picked it up. It's 001 Petal & although it looks like a scary bright pink, it's formulated to blend with any skin tone. I also got a Bobbi Brown concealer/corrector to aid in the ongoing battle against my dark under-eye circles. 'Porcelain Peach' is the colour I went with.

Then I decided my lips needed some loving too. So I picked up this amazing new lip exfoliant by Bite. It smells & tastes amazing; like wild cherry. I've read good reviews so I'm excited to try this one out. I then chose the Too Faced Lip Insurance lip primer because keeping my lipstick on & decent looking is always a challenge for me. I decided to pick this product up after reading this lovely post by Tess.

Post-Sephora I stopped by the drugstore, as I had some credit to spend from points accumulated. I needed a new facial exfoliant so I picked up this one from Soap & Glory, which I've heard good things about. I also picked up this Revlon lip stain upon a friend's recommendation. I just tried it out & am not sure how I feel about the colour, as it's a little too plain. I think it'll be perfect for quick & easy use on busy days though. 

And finally, new books! (so not fashion related but the arrival of new books makes me incredibly happy. I've mentioned before that I have a slight obsession with travel guides... well Rick Steves' books are my favourites... his dry sense of humour suits me to a tee)

Hello new favourite hairstyle! I've always adored the fishtail braid but shamefully never learned how to do one. Fortunately I discovered a great how-to video through L is for Lois' blog last week. I've done my hair like this the past 4 out of 5 days hehe. Although I'm pretty slow at it, & still in the 'practice makes perfect' stage, it's a great idea for other-wise bad hair days or busy days out & about. And I must say I've gotten so many compliments on it!

And now, the big-ish news. I'll actually be leaving Vancouver this coming Tuesday (so soon I know!). I'll be spending the next 2 months with my family on the other side of the country. Not only can you expect a big change of scenery, but a definite change in clothes as my mother informs me they are in the midst of several feet of snow. I'm not a fan of the snow & cold at all & to be honest I'm on a huge summer clothes, summer colours kick at the moment. It'll be interesting to see how I cope with the climate change. 

I've also been trying to cram in as much eating out as possible. Whatever picturesque points Newfoundland may score, shawna-friendly dining is not one of them. I've already said goodbye to my favourite burrito place folks, & intend to visit as many of my favourite restaurants as possible over the next few days. A little shopping on the side may also be in order.... though with the prospect of 3 overweight suitcases this may not be the smartest move on my part. 

In the meantime, I have one day of work left & a tonne of goodbye visits to fit in. Coffee dates, strolls, rushed farewells at work. I'm not very good at articulating emotional goodbyes though... I always like to believe I'll cross paths with the people that matter at some point in the future. I am feeling a little blue about leaving Vancouver, but as I always believe, everything happens for a reason. It'll be nice to be around my family, to have my mom baby me for awhile, & to see my favourite rambunctious 3 year old again. It'll be a good opportunity for me to actually focus on my German coursework. I'll also have more time to blog & take photos as I won't be working. See, there is always a silver lining! :)

Hope you all have the loveliest of weekends :) Mine will certainly be a busy one! 

Beauty Edition // New In

There is a reason I'm a style blogger & not a beauty one. This reason being: I'm practically clueless. Make-up is seriously not my forté, though my interest is definitely peaking thanks to some great beauty bloggers & one of my fabulous stylist coworkers. ''Uh-oh'' thinks my mom while reading this, ''she's discovered the world of beauty products, another huge outlet for her shopping addiction''. Sorry mom, but it's true...

Admittedly my skin has been in shambles lately so I took my morning off to rectify that. My biggest issue right now is hydration. My skin is the driest it's ever been & it's impossible to put on foundation without feeling like a lizard (yes this sounds harsh, but it's the best way to describe how much I abhor it). First stop, Clinique. I've heard good reviews of their Moisture Surge product, so that's what I picked up; in the intense version of course haha. I use Clinique's All About Eyes product & it feels like heaven, so hopefully this new product will work wonders as well. I also set up an appointment to get my make-up done there (at their Sears outlet) during their March event. I haven't really tried any of their make-up products yet, so I'm curious to test those out.

Next up, Chanel at The Bay. Remember my resolution to stop biting my nails? Check! They are doing fabulously so I decided to reward myself with some Chanel nail polish. I've been lusting over their June colour for quite awhile now, which can best be described as "creamsicle". The salesgirls were incredibly friendly, though of course tried to sell me on some lipgloss & other items as well... NOPE JUST THE POLISH PLEASE. In & out, successfully. 

My last stop was Sephora... out of which I did not make it so successfully, at least from a financial standpoint. I generally try to make a list of the exact items I want so I don't waste money on things I don't need & am able to get the ones I do. On my list for Sephora was powder foundation, an under-eye concealer, bronzer/blush, & a foundation brush. Let's just say I made it out with none of these. The salesgirl I ended up with picked out my skin problems in about 2 seconds, which was good. She was all about the Dior & after a 10 minute lecture on the Dior Hydra Life Facial & Eye cremes she was trying to win me over by doing my make-up. She used all Dior products (surprise, surprise); the two I bought are shown above. She began with the Hydra Life facial creme, then the Diorskin Nude (010 Ivory), Skinflash Radiance Booster Pen (001 Rose Glow), & Rosy Glow blush (001 Petal). I quickly took the 2 photos below just to show you what it turned out like. The moisturizer did appear to work well, though having just bought the Clinique product (& at a lower price point) I decided to keep it on my 'maybe next time' list. I really liked the liquid foundation; the colour & coverage was just what I wanted. As for the blush, I absolutely loved it & am thinking I should add it to my beauty wish-list. On the palette it is a ridiculously bright shade of candyfloss pink, but I think it looks great on & suits my skin tone well. She suggested using the highlighter pen instead of a thicker under eye concealer so that's what I went with, though am now having second thoughts. As Kris says, I can be a bit of a pushover. I'm thinking another brand/type might suit me better, & at a lower price. If you girls have any suggestions please let me know! 

And that was my morning! Not overly exhilarating, but relaxing & girly & fun. I only wish I had somewhere to go to show off my make-up hehe. Instead I'll be cleaning the apartment & finishing up my latest German assignment. Not quite as glamourous. Ah well, at least I can look at my lovely new products ;)

Chanel & Clinique & Dior - oh my! 

Jennyfleur Loves // New In

I came home beaming this morning. Having made the decision to brave the cold, I headed to Jennyfleur Loves... boutique in Yaletown to check out their Stockroom Sale. I've been meaning to visit this eclectic boutique for months now, having heard so much positive feedback. Mother-daughter duo Jennifer & Shaughnessy were so genuine & an absolute delight to talk to, albeit briefly. In a city full of big brand stores with monotonous layouts & salesgirls who take pleasure in making you feel invisible, it was so refreshing to browse their tiny shop with unique pieces covering every possible surface. 


Obviously the shopping experience wasn't all that left me smiling. I found 3 amazing pieces at the most incredible prices! Karen Walker Number Six round sunglasses in tortoise with purple tinted lenses (here); vibrant red DV Dolce Vita shorts with black skinny belt; & a peachy blush tone blouse with polka dots & cut-out shoulder detail by Moon Collection. They also carry many other great brands such as Wildfox, UNIF, Maison Scotch & Jeffrey Campbell. I can't wait to see what beauties they will have for Spring/Summer! And for the time being, I'm seriously contemplating going back for their Rumi boots...


If you're in the Vancouver area I highly recommend stopping by Jennyfleur Loves... - their Stockroom Sale (with everything up to 70% off!) is going on today through Saturday. You can also find them on Facebook & Twitter.

What do you think of my latest wardrobe additions? :) 

Holiday Preparations // New In

I apologize for the lack of outfit posts, but Christmas is in the air! And with it come all those family obligations & preparations for Christmas day. Today we spent a solid 6 hours at the Rideau Centre searching for the perfect presents... and a couple treats for ourselves hehe :) Most of them will be wrapped up until Christmas day, but I will show you these two simple treats:

Adorable bow earrings with a rosy drop bead; an early present from Matt's mom, acquired at the By Ward Market // My annual Christmas pyjama's; these I got from Joe Fresh about an hour before our flight out of Vancouver. 

Here in Ottawa the rain is pouring & the little snow that greeted us this morning has turned to ice. My hopes are still high for a white Christmas however (Violetta I know you empathize with me on this one! ;) Tonight we're ordering in Thai & doing some present-wrapping - I just love relaxing evenings :)

How are your Christmas preparations going?

Lots of Christmas love! <3 

Braids, Bags, & Holiday Parties

Hello freedom! My first day off after a 9-day-in-a-row stint at work was still a little stressful, but I did have some fun :) I woke up bright & early to visit Blo in Yaletown. Cara was an absolute doll & braided my hair to perfection! Unfortunately after a day of running around downtown it's looking a little haggard, but nothing that can't be fixed for tonight! Tonight being our unofficial BR staff holiday party, I was going for something a little different (gosh I wish I could [french] braid myself!). I was pleased with the result; though admittedly it was a little too pricey. One of the things I miss most about having my Mom around is her obligingly braiding my hair at my every whim hehe. 

Post-Blo I took a delightful trip to Michael Kors. As mentioned in my last post this year's 'Christmas present to myself' is to be a nice new bag. I had intended to visit Holt Renfrew for  a little look-see, but to be honest the salesgirls there are just too snobby. It's a stressful experience even going in there, because no matter how dressed-to-the-nines I may be, they still ignore me. Thankfully, the girls at MK were more than obliging & went through purse by purse with me to make sure I made the right choice. 

So what bag is inside the bag? Sadly I'm keeping you all in suspense until tomorrow - I'm in a bit of a rush to get ready for tonight; but I promise that I'll share some more photos with you in the morning! :)

Tomorrow we leave for Ottawa for a 2 week holiday. Usually I'm the queen of packing, but I've been so busy with work lately that I haven't even taken out my suitcase. In other words, tomorrow morning is going to be incredibly hectic...

So off I go, to doll up my little black dress & hit the city with my dear work friends. Hope you all have a fabulous Friday night as well! <3 

Welcome December!

A new month, a new look, & several new additions to my wardrobe :) 

I was wearing:

Amber feather vest - Club Monaco

Black long-sleeve bodysuit - American Apparel

Burgundy trousers - Zara

Multi-strand necklace - Forever 21

Nude suede foxy platforms - Jeffrey Campbell

These photos for my latest 'Look of the Day' didn't come out at all how I'd hoped, but I can't help but love this outfit & all these pieces to bits! The trousers, bodysuit, & vest are my newest closet acquisitions. 

If you follow me on Twitter, you may know something of the ordeal it's been trying to get this stunning feather vest (with silk lining) from Club Monaco. After selling out, days in replenishment boxes, & wrong sizes I finally got it last night! Perma-smile, seriously. I really have to say another huge thank you to the wonderful girls at Club Monaco on Robson who graciously put up with my numerous phone calls & questions over this one. It's such a unique statement piece, but I have so many great outfit ideas planned for it! I know it may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I really do love it :) The Zara trousers on the other hand I'm a little peeved with, having not stretched at all as I was assured they would. Still, they are a beautiful colour & I still have some hope on the stretch... And the bodysuit of course is a wonderful staple. I own the short-sleeve version in several colours, but this one is perfect for the colder seasons. 

Other than new items my life seems to be work work work! I'll be working quite frequently up until my Christmas holidays, so I was quite glad to get this outfit shoot in before work this morning. Are any of you similarly busy with work or school? I think the fact that Christmas is coming up makes it seem even busier than usual! On which note, I can't believe how soon Christmas is! I'm such a holiday person & am terrifically excited haha :) Admittedly I've been watching Christmas movies & listening to xmas tunes every spare moment I get.

Now then - I'm off to bed for the evening! Wishing you all a lovely & festive month <3 

Banana Republic x Vitamin Daily present ''Holiday Style in the City''

1. A fairly thick crowd on the women's floor

2. Make-up & manicures by Beauty Mark

3. Miniature cupcakes a la "Cupcakes by Heather & Lori"

4. Mannequins beautifully dressed by the bloggers of the night.

5. Holiday clothing & accessories in sequins, sparkle, & faux fur! 

6. A festive red polka dot top I've had my eye on recently

7. A beautiful cream-coloured rosette skirt that I've also been contemplating... 

8. Sequin, glitter, leopard faux fur, & velvet - 4 huge holiday trends all on one shelf! (Although difficult to discern, the black velvet top on the far right is the exact one I purchased last week!)

9. A bold centre-piece surrounded by cute shrugs & glittering clutches

10. More mannequins styled by the featured bloggers

11. Petra from Style Lounge certainly made my night when she picked me out of the crowd. She was an absolute delight to talk to, & I only wish I had had more time to do so! Thank you once again for all your positive feedback Petra :)

12. The cashmere corner

13. A gorgeous array of holiday glitz to dress up any outfit!

14. Holiday heels

15. I've been coveting one of these cute mini-cross bodies for awhile now - what do you think?

16. The event coming to a close

Although I was technically working at last night's ''Holiday Style in the City'' event, I did manage to do a little socializing & photo-documenting while on break. I also ran into some lovely ladies who follow my blog, as well as Becky from Champagne Weaknesses (who I had the pleasure of meeting last weekend at the H&M x Versace event).

Complete with cupcakes, cocktails, DJ, makeup & manicure bar, & some great shopping discounts, the event was quite a success. Bloggers Anya Georgijevic (I'm The It Girl) & Kelsey Dundon (The Anthology) were also on hand to provide style & gifting tips. From an employee point of view the women's floor was pure chaos, in terms of maintaining neatness & navigating through the crowd. That being said however, everyone was extremely friendly & patient; something that was greatly appreciated! 

Today I'm off work & really contemplating braving the rain to do a little shopping. I've got my eyes on a faux fur vest & some Betsey Johnson jewellery, so we'll see what happens. One last thing of mention before I go - I was pleasantly surprised (okay, admittedly ecstatic) to have been tweeted as 'Blog of the Day' by London online magazine ''The Upcoming''. Thank you so much for that! And a huge thank you to all of you for reading & following my blog - I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate & enjoy your comments & support :)  

<3 Shawna