Holiday Party Outfit

"There will always be another pair of black pumps". This was my first thought when I spotted these gorgeous velvet, brooch toe pumps at Ted Baker. They came in two colours-- cherry and black.

I immediately knew that the Ted Baker cherry velvet pumps, paired with this sequin blazer would be the perfect holiday outfit for my upcoming Christmas parties this season.

But really investing in statement accessories can be tough. It's so easy to gravitate towards black and more black. When I am shopping for accessories there are a few questions I ask myself before I make the commitment.

1. Can this be paired with a variety of colours? 
These pumps can be paired with black, but also with emerald green for a jewel-toned statement look. What about more pink for a love-filled Valentine's day outing (or my typical Saturday night look... lol). Or gold? Or even blue! See, I rest my case. These were a necessity after I did the colour test. They go so well with so much! But really, you need to ensure the colour isn't too wild that it won't work with the colours you have rotating in my closet. If you plan to wear them often make sure you can work the piece with a few different colour combinations to spice things up for different seasons.

2.  Do you have at least three outfits you can make up in your head right now to wear these with? 
If the answer is yes, it makes it so much easier to splurge. If you have to think about it for longer than 15 seconds you're likely going to find yourself struggling on your closet floor trying to whip an outfit together. I knew I would have ample outfit possibilities with these. Dress them down with a pair of jeans, play on the femininity with a mini flare dress, or really hone in on the glam with black on black.

3. Is this trendy or timeless? 
There are some style that you may love, but will they really stand the test of time? For instance, my Louboutins, I purchased in the nude shade and the iconic point-toe style. These will just not go out of style. They are timeless! There were many other more seasonal styles out, however sticking to something that you can see yourself wearing in 5 years is very important when making a splurge.

Do you have any times for making splurge purchases? What are your go-to holiday outfits!?


Now I just need to decide whether or not to splurge on the matching bag...

S H O P  T H E  P O S T :

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Cold Weather Necessities

Aside from the obvious winter coat and pair of boots, there are a few accessories that are essential to have when the cold weather hits. Here in Toronto we have already been graced with single digit temperatures, and since other parts of Canada are experiencing snow I thought this would be the perfect time to whip out the cold weather accessory guide! 

1.Honeycomb Stitch Infinity Scarf- Since my scarves usually double as a pillow for the train and a blanket for early morning classes, I need a scarf that is soft, warm, and big. Old Navy has this scarf in a variety of colours and is a serious steal.

2.Colorblock Oversized Eternity Scarf- Since scarves are a serious fall and winter staple for me it is imperative to have options! 

3.Wilfred Wool Cashmere Socks- The feeling of putting on cashmere socks in the early morning is divine. These will keep your feet warm throughout the day!

4.Knots On Earwarmer-Most wintercoats are neutral in colour. I like to find an accessory in a bright colour that will keep my spirits up for the grey, dull days ahead. 

5.Fierecly Spotted Leopard Print Beanie-I am loving the variety of toques lately! With so many to choose from I am on the hunt for something fun and complementary to all outfits. Leopard suits just about any outfit to me! 

6.Karen Walker Harvest Sunglasses-I may be getting ahead of myself here, but snow reflects some serious UV rays and can be blinding (especially for those of us with light eyes)!  Sunglasses are just as much a necessity in winter as they are in summer.

7.Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream-Cold weather means your skin is exposed to the elements. To stay protected from cold winds, and hot furnace air I like to use Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream. It's light and hydrating. 

8.L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream-As much as our face takes a beating in the cold weather so does our hands! I keep a rich moisturizer with me at all times. 

9.Kate Spade Perforated Leather Gloves-A nice pair of gloves are essential for going out. The colour and the bow sold me. 

10.Texting Lined Gloves-As silly as it sounds, I hate taking off my gloves in the cold to write a text or change a song. These texting lined gloves are key for day to day activities like walking around town and waiting at bus stops. 

What to pack: Las Vegas

After a busy Thanksgiving weekend I jumped into an even busier week of midterms, so it goes without saying that I am so, so excited to be heading to Las Vegas tomorrow! I will be attending the inaugural Life Is Beautiful Festival which not only incorporates music, but also food, art and learning. I'm just picturing an ample amount of food trucks, live music and some Cirque du Soleil acts taking over the Fremont Street area! I really can't wait to see how this comes together, not to mention how pumped I am to be able to mix up my wardrobe in a more glam meets festival kind of way. This is my second trip to Sin City (as an adult), so I thought I would put together some wardrobe essentials and all around tips on what to pack for the craziness that awaits you.

Vegas is the place to have fun with your wardrobe and accessories. I would say all sparkle all the time, but I can't forget about the bandage, jewels and leopard. This is the time to wear that bejewelled black dress you wore once on New Year Eve, or the gold sequin ensemble you have sitting in the back of your closet. With that being said, you can still stay within your comfort zone and true to your personal style by not letting the hype get to you while in Vegas, i.e.: I won't be the one wearing 6 inch heels and a full face of makeup at the pool. If there is one place where you can wear whatever makes you feel fabulous, it's Vegas. Just remember: show girl is a profession and you don't need anyone getting you confused with the dancers. 

Do not forget:

Lipstick- As you can see I love to accessorize with lipstick. If you are going out right after dinner lipstick is key to illuminate any outfit. For this trip I am packing my most vibrant, fun shades: Lady Danger, Hang Up, and Lady Gaga (all by MAC). 

Stick on bra- You may think you're not the type to get on a table and shake your tail-feather but Vegas can bring out the inner wild-child in anyone. Since I love anything with an open/detailed back, it is essential that nothing falls out of my dress. Also, stick on bras ensure your temperature is concealed. This may be Vegas but we can still be classy.

Bandages and insoles- It really doesn't matter how seasoned you are with high heels, your feet have seen nothing until you are walking the strip and dancing until sunrise. It's worth it to invest in a pair of flats that can fold and fit in a clutch- you will thank yourself. 

With all that being said, remember to have the time of your life (also to be safe), because there really is no place like Las Vegas. 

Follow along on Instagram for updates! 

Blush Blouse

It should come as no surprise that I am just as much a fan of wearing pastels in autumn as I am in spring and summer. First off, I adore the dreamy shades of mint, pink, lavender, peach and (sometimes) yellow, but I also love how they soften heavy fabrics and really bring out femininity in a different way for fall. Not to mention I can continue to wear my spring favourites! This pastel blouse has become a serious transition piece for me, and I have found myself wearing it quite often- to class, running errands, and even going out. Check out three looks below, and my tips for styling pastels in fall.

Dresser Update

I finally realized I had a problem around the third week of starting my summer internship. I would wake up and by the time I had chosen an outfit, I could not find any of the jewellery I wanted to wear. The top of my dresser had become a catch-all for anything and everything that I threw off and on in my hurried state of leaving the house. I purchased this format tray at CB2, and it has since prompted me to keep my dresser top as organized as possible. Although my jewellery box still does hold a variety of unused items, I like how I have my favourite bracelets, rings and dainty necklaces in separated compartments. I also made room to display my favourite summer perfumes.  On the other side of the dresser I keep my nail polish jar, and above I have a mini gallery wall (with this DIY boho frame). I won't bother showing a before picture as it was too scary of a sight, but you can check out some details below!