What To Bring On Your Bachelorette Weekend

It's officially the first long weekend of the summer season and I'm headed on a staycation in the city... for my bachelorette! Yes, I'm a little nervous, excited and don't know what to expect! I have also waited until the very last second to pack my bag. All I've been told is to show up at the hotel later today, with a few outfit options and a yoga matt. Since I really don't know the plan or what's going down, I'm trying to cover all my basis when it comes to packing. Last year we did my girlfriend's bachelorette in the Bahamas so I think I have a pretty good idea of what I need to bring. Some key essentials to get me through 2 nights with 8 ladies in 1 hotel room. Here's what I'm bringing:

Kaia Naturals Cloths To Go: I don't want something that's going to strip my face of its oils. These are natural, alcohol-free and won't leave you feeling dry. Perfect for taking my makeup off after a long night. I also swear by Kaia natural deodorant, so I'll be bringing that along too.

Cake Beauty The Take Out Dry Shampoo Sheets: I love that these are so compact. I can literally throw them in my bag when I'm heading out the door! No need to lug around a huge spray bottle. Perfect for being on-the-go. And, yes they are 100% vegan, and contain no parabens, sulfates, and nasties!

Vita Liberata: Guys, tanning is a no-no for me. I'm a sunless kind of tanning gal! I'm obsessed with Vita Liberata because it looks so natural, bronzy. I have light skin, so I need something that doesn't make me look orange. Since I can't go out and get spray tans all the time, this tanning water is the perfect back up. I already did a coat on my legs last night and they look so lovely! So fresh and glowy. I'm bringing it with me to do my legs again tomorrow, just because! Haha. I love how easy it is to use with the mitt, no streaks!

Gua Sha tool: It basically comes with me everywhere. I slather on some good quality facial oil and work my way up and down my face to de-bloat and de-puff. This will definitely come in handy tomorrow morning.

Cela Essential Balm: You don't know where you'll need a little moisture. Hands? Knees? Elbows? Lips? Tips of your hair? I'm covered with the all-in-one balm. I looooove that it is all natural, contains some amazing ingredients like coconut oil, bergamot oil, and serious vitamins from the ucuuba butter. Plus, another amazing Canadian brand!

Bride Robe: I have milking my use of this robe! And rightfully so! When else will I get to wear it. No doubt I'm packing it along for the trip.

Fun shirts: So, my girl gang shirts? I had my brother make these for me! And I'm so excited we'll all get to wear them together!

Pixi DetoxifEYE eye pads: Yes, they are essential. You want to look your best, feel your best and puffy eyes will definitely make you feel like crap. I just love the feeling when you take off your eye pads and your face feels firm, tight and like it has literally bounced back to life.

Stay tuned into my Instagram for updates and to come along on the weekend! It's likely going to be something you'll want to see!

GET THE GOODS:

Sephora Spring Sale-- What to Buy

Guys-- it's here. The Sephora sale. It's time to stock up on your favourites because these discounts don't come often. It's definitely the perfect time to make your big-ticket purchases (aka La Mer, or the Clarisonic), but for me, I'm going to be stocking up on some essentials. Here's what you need to know:

VIB Rouge members get 20% off with code: HEYROUGE (April 26-May 6)
VIB Members get 15% off with code: HEYVIB (May 2-6)
Beauty Insiders get 10% off with code: HEYINSIDER (May 2-6)

The point system is very generous. You rack up points for discounts, so if you're not signed up as an Insider you can do so anytime! Plus, who doesn't love a free birthday gift!

I share so much of what I love on Instagram (especially in my stories), but today I'm putting it all out there, my tried and true favourites. I use these all religiously and if you're contemplating cashing out your cart here's what I think you NEED. Have any specific questions about anything on my list? DM me on Insta so I can get back right away (or email)!

SKIN
*my miracle worker eye cream
*peel pads that will give you the softest skin imaginable
*overnight mask I use at least twice a week for max hydration and baby soft skin
*cream cleanser that is affordable and works amazingly to clean
*balm cleanser for the toughest of makeup days that is actually worth the investment
*vitamin c serum that brightens, reduces wrinkles and leaves you  glowing
*beauty spray to end all beauty sprays
*gua sha stone to massage your face (I leave mine by my bedside with a bottle of face oil to do nightly)
*lip mask I use nightly and use as a balm, smells divine and give you the softest lips
*mini set to have all bases covered when it comes to serum (day and night)
*sunless tanner you need to try
*go to perfume

MAKEUP
*my go-to bronzer
*my 1 stop shop when it comes to eyebrow pencils
*lip balm on the go; tastes like mint and plumps
*highlighter that is constantly sold out it's so good


HAIR
*lightest hair oil I've tried that does not make my hair oily and I have thin hair

What's on your list?!

Eco Friendly Changes to Make Now

I'm always on the hunt for products that allow me to create less waste. I just hate when a garbage can is piled high with paper towels, makeup wipes and more. There are a few ways I try and cut down on the waste and I figured with Earth Day fast approaching why not share!

Here are 4 eco-friendly changes to make in your kitchen and bathroom now!

KITCHEN
Re-useable Towels
Such an amazing way to reduce dependence on disposable towels. KLIIN is a Canadian brand that I recently discovered and have been loving ever since I did. To give you an idea of how absorbent they are, 1 KLIIN towel replaces 17 rolls of paper towels!! They can also absorb 15 times its weight in water. You throw them in the dishwasher or the laundry and can re-use them up to 300 times. It's crazy to think anyone is still using disposable towels with these around! The patterns are so cute. I obviously found some to go along with my kitchen decor of the moment! But really you can use them in the kitchen, washroom, on windows, on counters or anywhere else you need a little disinfecting. Intrigued yet?

Re-useable Bags
So maybe you already use a re-useable water bottle, lunch containers, and utensils...but what about ziplock baggies? The waste they produce is CRAZY. I first discovered Stasher Bags a year or so ago by following blogger Shut The Kale Up. I looked into Stasher bags and could not find them anywhere, so I resorted to Amazon. They seemed like an investment but once you think about it, it really is so practical and I'm obsessed with them. They are a plastic-free version of your baggies, made of 100% silicone! I use them to store frozen bananas and fruit in the freezer, use them to pack up to work with cut veggies and even put leftovers in them. The bags can be heated up, boiled (microwave friendly) and are even dishwasher friendly. I swear I didn't match them on purpose!


BATHROOM
Face & Body Scrubbers
Daily Concepts has been my go-to in the bathroom. They created face cloths, or makeup wipes, that removes makeup without using any soap! All you need is water! They come with a little bag so you can throw them in the wash, too. Save waste on using cotton pads? I think so! They also make scrubbers for the washroom and sponges that are organic, biodegradable and vegan. I really love that you know its time to replace them when the label has faded.

Spray Facial Toner
I use cotton pads still. I'm not perfect. But I also have been making a conscious effort to go green with my beauty products. There are so many great brands that are creating green beauty that there is no excuse not to start making positive changes. Province Apothecary's Invigorating & Balancing Toner is one way to start! Most toners come in bottle form requiring you to use a cotton pad, therefore creating more waste. I love that this one is in a spray bottle. It has organic rose water, lavender and rosemary so it's cooling, soothing but also wakes you right up! Kaia Naturals also developed a dry shampoo that is in a puff like a dispenser, so there is no aerosol! I know this isn't a toner, but it's just another way I like to make little changes for the better. We all know how harmful aerosol cans can be on the planet, so I love that this one is eco-friendly. Plus it really refreshes the hair and detoxifies orders since its formulated with activated charcoal.

What do you think? What are some eco-friendly changes you have started to make in your life? 

How to Hydrate Dehydrated Skin Without Buying More

I thought my skin was hydrated. It must be... I put on cream, I drink water, I do all the things. Or do I? After being told by my facialist that my skin was dehydrated I was determined to change this! The skin needs moisture to keep it looking fresh, plump and to fight off fine lines, wrinkles, and dryness (aka peeling, redness, etc.).

But how do you know if you have dehydrated skin? Especially when it can feel oily AND dry at the same time, can experience breakouts AND can be flaky, itchy, sensitive, tight or dull. When your skin is dehydrated it starts producing more oil, therefore causing you to think it's overly oily! But it's really telling you it's lacking moisture. Oh, the struggle.

But to keep investing in products is not always the answer. Some of the root causes are from within the body and not on the surface level, so today I am divulging into the other ways you can hydrate your skin without all the products! Save your money and go back to the basics with these four tips.

Here are four ways to hydrate your dehydrated skin without buying new products:

Three Books to Get Your Butt in Gear

In need of motivation, boss guidance or just a play-by-play on starting your own business? Yeah, we all could use a little butt kicking from time to time. These three books have been helping me navigate my creative journey. If you've been following my Instagram posts lately, you'll know I am in the process of rebranding and relaunching. So it's been amazing to have these resources to turn to and figure out some of the more difficult concepts. Navigating life, business and self love is never easy, but these three women are making it easier for me.

Attention all female creatives, hustlers, and bosses, here are the three books you need to read to get your butt in gear:

Girl, Stop Apologizing: A Shame-Free Plan for Embracing and Achieving Your Goals
Titty twisters and milenial boxes of chocolates,  anyone? Rachel is actually hilarious. She proves good girls can hustle and shares actionable skills on just how to get yourself up after being bumped down by the expectation of others.  This book isn't just for the woman looking to launch her own business either! Rachel discusses family life, how not to downplay your achievements,  and ways to rid yourself of excuses to take on your empire. Drive, hustle and the desire to work as hard as you can to chase down a goal... that's her love language. And I'm loving it.

WorkParty: How to Create & Cultivate the Career of Your Dreams
I've talked about this book a while back. It's still one of my favourites! It's basically a how-to guide on creating and cultivating the career of your dreams. Jaclyn dealt with major moves for her career, like literally moving across the country, and then major letdowns.  She bounced back, created a massive online platform for female entrepreneurs and is definitely still on the rise. I love the real anecdotes Jaclyn shares and her interviews with some of the most powerful ladies out there today. I have since become addicted to not only her podcast of the same name but also the website and her social channels for a good daily dose of motivation.

Little Black Book
Do yourself a favor and get this toolkit for the working woman. It's a short, quick read but provides actual steps on how to grow your own business. Are you looking to freelance? What about trying to register a company? It's backed with amazing resouces to get you started! I'm really looking forward to her next book, it's all on how we need to speak openly about money! If you want a taste of Otegha, check out womenwho.co the online community for creative women that she built.

Do you have any books you are loving right now? Let me know!

S H O P  T H E  P O S T

H&M denim, Honey blouse (available here), head scarf via Amazon, Blue Lemon Paris bag

Three Brilliant Ways To Make The Most Out Of Every Meeting

Do you ever walk out of a meeting contemplating what was ever accomplished, or wondering why you just wasted an hour of your life? It's happened to the best of us. You want to leave meetings feeling inspired, productive and ready to tackle any issue, not feel drained or depleted. Over the years I have developed a little method to ensure this doesn't happen and to guarantee that no time is wasted.

There is a way to strategically manage how you occupy your meeting time, so today I'm sharing my three brilliant ways to make the most out of every meeting. 

1. Do a background check.
Who are you meeting with? What's their story? I always like to go into a meeting having done a little Sherlock Holmes investigating beforehand. I do a little digging on LinkedIn and am always researching the company if it's a different one than my own. I take note of their role, and where they have worked in the past. I also like to do a brief google search of the person/company to check out when they were last in the news headlines. Did they just launch a new initiative, or have a merge with another company? It's good to see what they have been up to lately. Something else I do? An Instagram search of the company. I love seeing a company's social profile and how they interact with their community.


2. Make eye contact and take notes.
Don't zone out in the meeting. Jotting down some point form notes ensures that you will stay focused and that your company has your full attention. If you don't need to bring your computer to the meeting, don't. If you do, put your status to away or busy and avoid answering emails. There is nothing like being called upon and not having any idea what is going on in the discussion. I like to show my enthusiasm and interest by maintaining eye contact and nodding in agreement. However, if you don't agree with something, speak your mind! Show your value, and worth and speak! It not only shows your power but that you're not afraid to voice your opinion.


3. Leave with actionable steps.
If the meeting is going on too long or is about to end, be sure to summarize your next steps together. You both want to leave the meeting feeling accomplished and ready to get down to biz. I like to summarize the key takeaways from the meeting and create a list of actionable items for both parties. Reiterate your own action items too, so the person does not feel like you are ordering them to do something, or that they are less important than you.

How do you make the most out of your meetings? Do you have any brilliant ways to make sure everyone is leaving fulfilled, feeling productive and ready to take on the next tasks? Let me know!


Blouse and denim c/o Honey

Pixi Beauty Spring Skincare Collections

Pixi Beauty just released major newness for spring and here is everything you need to know about the Vitamin C, Hydrating Milky, and Collagen collections. 

As you guys know, I've been a die-hard Pixi Beauty lover for years. I am just obsessed with the whole brand. They create skin-loving products that are cruelty-free, free of harsh chemicals and are packed with botanicals to enhance your natural radiant skin! The whole aesthetic is so on brand for me. Glow, radiance, natural beauty...could it be any more Pastels & Pastries perfect? Also, just look at the packaging. They are being so innovative right now and releasing SO many products that I don't know where to start. They've launched face masks, eye pads, body peels, and smoothing oils. UGH, I KNOW! Don't you want it all?

Last week I sat down with global make-up artist, Amanda Bell, to discuss all the Pixi Beauty launches. She was fresh off a plane from London where she covered The Brit Awards and then in Milan for Fashion Week. I got the inside scoop and I can't wait to share which Pixi launches I am most excited about.

There are three collections I want to focus on... the new Vitamin C line, the Hydrating Milky line, and the Collagen-infused line. You're probably thinking they all sound amazing, but which one will work best for me? I got you, girl!




Vitamin C collection:
Are you in need of brightening? Do you have hyperpigmentation, discoloration or sunspots? Does your skin look dull or just blah? The vitamin C products are here to help! Formulated with powerful antioxidants and acids (hello ferulic acid aka my fave!), the products will bring out your true radiance promoting a brighter and youthful complexion. Love it already. Some of my favourites from this line are the Vitamin-C Caviar Balm. I lather it on before bed as an overnight mask, and wake up with the bright, and plump skin. Not to mention silky soft! Also, the Vitamin-C Juice Cleanser is packed with the same antioxidants but its purpose is to cleanse your skin. You can apply with a cotton pad and there is no need to rinse off. Perfect for those late, lazy nights! Like the one I had this weekend... Here's looking at you, vodka-soda.

Hydrating Milky collection:
Is the harsh winter getting the best of you? Is your skin dry, red or lacking in hydration? I FEEL YOU. Go away winter! But in all seriousness, if your skin is dry, blotchy and in need of soothing you will want to go for Pixi's Hydrating Milky products. Try the Hydrating Milky Tonic as your toner to really sooth and balance the skin. It has oat extract so you know it is suitable for even the most sensitive skin. Bonus-- it's alcohol-free!
**Okay if we are talking red, inflamed skin I need to shout out the new pHenomenal Gel. It's a moisture gel that instantly calms redness and evens out your skin tone. I am obsessed with this right now and have been using it after my serum, just before moisturizer. It has aloe vera, which is so calming on the skin!

Collagen collection:
Are you noticing wrinkles, fine lines and need to inject some plumpness back into your skin? Then these products are your jam. You don't need to have "aging" skin to use these, but they are youth preserving. What to use specifically? The Collagen & Retinol Serum might be your go-to (use on cleansed skin before moisturizer). It's packed with collagen and retinol so you'll be sure to get some bright, plump skin going on. If you didn't know-- you ALWAYS want to use SPF when you are using a product with retinol. Retinol will help scrub away dead skin cells so you'll want to protect all the new skin cells. That's what makes this serum a knock-out. It's double duty!












One more product I am super excited about?! It's not from either of these lines, but it's a new one... the On-The-Glow Stick! I just know it's going to be the perfect travel companion. It looks like a deodorant stick, but is multi-purpose and can be used on face, lips and the body. Swipe it onto the skin for moisture and a serious glow-up! Amanda's pro tip: apply on your cheekbones for an instant highlight effect. This weekend I applied it on my collarbones for a little sultry glow! The light reflects on it so beautifully without any sparkle.

I hope this was a great breakdown of Pixi Beauty's new launches, and it really helps you decipher the best line for your skin concerns. If you have specific questions, let me know! I am here to help!

And you can find most Pixi Beauty products at Shopper's Drug Mart!

S H O P:

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

If there is one serum you need to add to your skincare regime, it's Vitamin C. No word of a lie--I am OBSESSED! I often get asked "why" and "which one", so I'm finally getting into it. I often chat about my serums on Instagram stories, but rarely they make it over to the blog. Sometimes, I forget that not everyone knows just what they do. And let me tell you... the benefits are endless. And now you're wondering why vitamin C and which one to use, right? I know.. it can be confusing!

I'm going to break down why SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is the best vitamin C serum.

So let's talk ingredients? Vitamin C is an antioxidant. You need antioxidants for your face. Why? :
*fight free radicals like environmental stressors and pollution
*prevent skin cancer since they act as a barrier to the suns rays
*literally make your skin glow
*reduces wrinkles, fine lines and prevents aging

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic contains 15% pure vitamin c. That is highly concentrated, so you know it's worth the price.  I have been using SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic as my vitamin C serum for about 3 years now. When I go without it, I seriously notice a difference in my skin! It's dull, pale, not as plump and looks shallow. The C E Ferulic contains such powerful antioxidants to fight so many of life's stressors that is is a number on in my beauty aerosol. It can last on your skin for over 24 hours so you only need to apply it in the morning (which I only do). Bonus-- you get more out of the product since it lasts long! The bottle is also dark for a reason. Light can deoxidize the ingredients so you want to keep it out of the light. And if you are worried that your skin isn't familiar with antioxidants/serums, or is super sensitive, don't worry! I thought the same thing since I had previously battled with rosacea, however, the serum is great for all skin types, and I have never felt any discomfort or had any reaction to the product (aside from glowing skin)!

Ready to try out SkinCeuticals?

I recently visited 1Clinic in Toronto, where Dr. Linda (who is just as gorgeous as she is brilliant), offers a multidisciplinary approach to medical care. She does it all-- takes walk-in appointments and offers advanced clinical spa treatments. When I saw 1Clinic only carries SkinCeuticals products I knew I had to get in for her GLOwUP facial! It was divine. I left with zero redness. It's a facial you can do before a night out and look amazing! The focus for the facial is to exfoliate your skin, regenerate your skin cells and hydrate, which ultimately leads to just glowing, radiant skin. You can still catch a peek into the facial on my skincare highlights on Instagram stories! Check it out and book one for yourself.

*Hot tip: Apply your serum after your cleanser and before moisturizer. And ALWAYS apply sunscreen!

**I was invited by 1Clinic to have the facial, however, all my opinions on SkinCeuticals and the treatment are 100% true. It's a brand I've known and loved for years!

S H O P  T H E  P O S T

BeautySense is also one of the very FEW online Canadian retailers of SkinCeuticals! They have an amazing reward program to check out too. You can find an amazing selection of the line on their website, plus free shipping over $29! Here's the C E Ferulic.

Sexy Strawberry No Bake Collagen Fudge

Happy [early} Valentine's Day, beauties! Oh baby, do I have the treat for you. I got into one of those "I just need to make something sweet but I don't even want to wait for something to bake" mode. You know what I mean. And obviously, when this happens, all I want is almond butter slathered on something. 

What I came up with is a healthy, no-bake strawberry collagen freezer fudge recipe I just had to share.

So I whipped out these adorable little ice molds that I picked up at Miniso for $3 and got to the cupboard. I just pulled out a random selection of ingredients and decided I would make these sexy strawberry collagen bites. If you don't have the collagen or sex dust on hand, don't even worry! All you really need is almond butter, coconut butter and a topping. You could throw in some dark chocolate here or whatever you'd like. They take literally 10 minutes to throw together and you'll have a delish batch of "fudge" to store in your freezer for when the sweet craving hits. It's creamy, tastes kind of like a strawberry wafer and will leave you excited for the day ahead. *wink wink*

P.S.: Did I mention they are packed with healthy fats, contains no refined sugar and will improve your hair, skin, nails, joints and gut all at the same time? All thanks to the COLLAGEN.

... you know I love collagen... you can read more on that here. 

But since this is a Valentine's Day treat I thought I would pack it with a few sexy additions. A little sex dust (totally optional) which is just a natural adaptogen that spikes creativity and energy, and goji berries, which are full of antioxidants and also boost your mood and energy.

Here's the recipe and some links if you want to stock up on some goodies!

S H O P   T H E  P O S T 

Understanding that Self Care Isn't Selfish

How can you show up to be supportive, loving and genuinely a happy person when you are run down, exhausted and burnt out? I'll tell you... you can't!

Brandon just underwent knee surgery and to say it has been easy would be a lie. As we live together I am his main support. Don't get me wrong, both our parents have been showing up with open arms, meals and more! They have helped in an enormous way. But, I also have a full-time job and other commitments and deadlines. I guess I underestimated the extent of his surgery. For the first week, he could not walk, get up, or basically move without physical support of someone. He was so uncomfortable and in so much pain it was just hard to watch. I would lay beside him trying to make him relaxed and comfortable all well knowing that it was an impossible task. If he wasn't sleeping, I wasn't sleeping. If he was in pain I was in pain. I felt horrible just going out to do simple things like getting groceries, but things had to be done.

It came time to decide whether or not I would go to a staycation at Hotel X Toronto last weekend and I felt rotten. I really wanted to go but did not want to leave him. Then I realized, I needed it to stay sane! I was so exhausted, so burnt out and just anxious. So I went. Having this time away made me realize that you cannot be there for someone else if you are not there for yourself. If it seems selfish, I know. But it's not. How can you possibly show up for someone and be there ultimate caregiver when you cannot satisfy your own basic needs like rest and mental clarity?

So how do you do it? Here are a few of my realizations when it comes to putting yourself first and realizing that self-care isn't selfish: 

1. Just say no. 
Sometimes you may have commitments and you just have to cancel. It's okay to cancel if you are not up to it because in the long run you will be better off. Would you rather go somewhere and be miserable just because you said you'd go? No. Why put yourself through that and subject others to your misery. I had to cancel on some personal things but that's okay because it ultimately I knew I just couldn't be myself in those situations... there was too much on my mind.

2. Acknowledge that you cannot care for someone if you are physically ill. 
I was feeling ill. My stomach was nauseous from not sleeping and to say I needed a good shower was an understatement. Getting up every hour in the night was taking a toll on my body. I was exhausted all the time, relying on coffee to wake me up and not getting enough movement. I knew I had to set aside time to rest and then get my body moving just to find some mental clarity. In doing so, I was able to be there for B more fully, since I was sharp and more alert.


3. Energy transfers is a real thing. 
The flow of energy is strong. Your tension and inner anxiety can so easily be projected on others. Misery loves company, right? If you are miserable chances are you will make those around you miserable. Just like when you are happy it is easier to make others happy. When you need to ground yourself and get back into your grove, say by meditating, or by taking a long bath, do it. It will ultimately better your mood and the mood of those around you.


4. Realize you cannot do everything and that is enough. 
A good friend had to sit me down and tell me straight up: there will be dishes in the sink, there will be a pile of laundry and your house may need a good vacuum, but your impending house chores is not a reflection of your capabilities and worth. WOW. Did that just blow your mind? I keep telling her she needs to start a podcast (lol). But honestly, this was so good to hear. Instantly my shoulders relaxed and I felt like I could take a deep breath in for the first time. It's okay if things are not perfect. You are doing everything you can, and just that is enough.


So what did I do? I went. I went to the hotel while B was at home. Thank goodness we have an amazing support system that stayed with him the whole time, which ultimately made me feel better. But I still went out and enjoyed the 12 hours away. Eleni and I shared a room, we popped bubbly, learned all about the new Bio-Oil Dry Gel (more on that to come) and we had a great girly night in.  And naturally, we had to get a photo shoot in before breakfast. I mean... what else would we do!

So there we have it... I went and had fun. Is that so wrong? I came home more relaxed and even more ready and willing to care for B because I had that time to care for myself.

Do you have a hard time accepting that self-care is the first step in caring for others? Let me know!

P I N  ME:

Glamorous Bridesmaids Dress Rentals in Toronto

When it came down to thinking about bridesmaids dresses, nothing interested me.  Everything I saw was the same. The same styles, the same chiffon fabric, the same colours, the same same same! I was having none of it. Plus, I do not want to have total control over what the ladies wear on this day. Why should my best friends have to be subject to a dress of my choosing? They should wear what makes them feel comfortable. All I knew is that I wanted for them to have fun with their dress-- the more sequins, the more shimmery, the more wild, the better! That is when dress rentals popped into my head, specifically The Fitzroy.  I have known the ladies of The Fitzroy Dress Rental for a few years now and have worn some of their stunning pieces. On my last visit to the studio, I was blown away by the glamorous options that had in their collection. Rachel Zoe, Self-Portrait, Reformation, Elle Zeitoune. I wanted to wear them all and just live in this magical dream closet The Fitzroy called home. Ta-da! My girlfriends could all choose a dress from the boutique to rent and feel like a princess for a day! It was a no-brainer. 

On one blustery January evening we all headed to The Fitzroy for an evening Carrie Bradshaw would be jealous. Angela and Julie are so accommodation and love to watch you find your perfect dress so they were so excited when I reached out regarding bridesmaids options. They are all about playing dress up with you, which makes the experience so much more fun!

The sweeties that they even stayed open after hours for us! They played girly movies on their projector, they popped a bottle of bubbly, served us treats and had fun with us while the girls made their selection. But, before we actually went to the studio there were a few steps I took in advance. 

If you're thinking to head to The Fitzroy for your glamorous bridesmaid's dress rentals, I suggest to do the following:

Step 1: Make sure the girls are open to renting. 

There are so many benefits to renting. Explain the following:

*it allows for more fun with the dress selection since they don't have to worry about "never wearing it again"

*you are being ethically responsible with consuming less and re-using more 

*the designer pieces which would normally be extremely expensive come at a fraction of the price to rent 

Step 2: Browse the website beforehand. 

I had already picked out a bunch of dresses from the website that fit my colour palette and mood board. Whatever you're looking for-- glam, gala, garden... you're going to want to have a theme to go off of so when you get there you are not overwhelmed with choices. I saved all the links to those dresses and sent them to the girls in advance so they would get an idea of my vision, and to make sure they were all comfortable with the idea of renting. They all loved the idea!

Step 3: Plan an outing. 

This is the fun part! The Fitzroy can help you make the day so special! Ideally, you want to go to the shop to try them on with everyone present. That way you can make sure no one gets duplicates dresses, and you can really envision them all together and see how they will flow together on the day of. When I got to the studio I told Angie and Julie exactly the styles I wanted to pull. They ended up pulling more dresses that fit that I totally overlooked!

*Make sure everyone brings a pair of shoes with a height they will likely be wearing on the day of since you cannot alter the dresses. 

Step 4: Book the rentals and take a deep breath. 

Yay! Wasn't that easy? Once you secure your rental your set. Renting bridesmaids dresses is such an amazing alternative to buying dresses. A few of the girls didn't find a dress that works for them, but that's okay, too! Now they all know the look we're going for, and the colours that are "taken" so to speak. Plus, it was a super fun reason to get together,  have a glass and play dress up!

Would you consider dress renting for your next occassion? I'm already trying to decide on my shower dress...