Monday, April 29, 2013

Well That Was Easy

 
  
The best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry…and it happens quite often! So for those multitudinous minor disasters here are a few fixes:
 
There have been many a time when I’ve planned out the outfit right down the accessories (in my mind…) but when I go to put it all together I discover that my bag has a unsightly mystery stain or my jeans have a rip I never noticed (and of course it would be my favorite pair). What is a girl to do?!
 
 
Luckily there are many ways to fix up what may seem like a disaster! Fabric stores and craft stores are excellent places to be acquainted with. Rather than tossing out those ripped jeans you can pick out a lacy fabric or whatever suits your fancy and sew it on underneath, this makes for a nice little twist and now makes your jeans one of a kind. Another fun reason to be familiar with your local craft stores is DIY nails, instead of hunting around for templates you can reuse craft scissors to cut fun patterns out of scotch tape to use as a guide instead.
 
 
All Photo Credit: Google Images
 
Most shoe repair shops offer handbag repairs such as a broken strap and such so it’s never a bad idea to take note of the services your cobbler offers the next time you take in your boots to be re-heeled. There are also places to go to that will clean up and restore you beloved bag to brand spanking new close if not looking like the day you first bought it.
For my fellow Vancouverites a good place to check out is Breeze Bag and Shoe Cleaner 8766 McKim Way Ste 1304 in Richmond another great place is Leslie’s Luggage and Handbag Repair 185 Broadway W in Vancouver.
 

Friday, April 26, 2013

My Many Many Faces


Travel Makeup Case: Betsey Johnson 17
Like any girl we tend to forget that we only have one face to colour in, in the morning. I know that I buy more makeup than I need on a day to day basis; of course once in a while you DO need to shop for that special occasion or for that perfect red lipstick. All in all I may have a decent collection now and organization always comes to mind when we have a hoard of stuff. I find that organization allows for two things, one to keep me from wearing the same look days on end; two it also is very pleasant to the eye when you do it right! (Don’t tell me you have never admired a makeup collection video on YouTube!) I tend to keep my daily essentials separated from the rest, that way I can reach for what I always use and throw in some different things here and there to change it up.



Storage boxes: Daiso 2 each
Makeup organization doesn’t need to get too technical; you can find inexpensive ways to keep everything together and separated.

 




 
Gift Boxes: Daiso 2 each

Always organize with what you need and leave a bit of room for what you may want to add in the future.


Monday, April 22, 2013

Playing Dress Up

Top: Zara 10 | Skirt: Vintage | Belt: Vintage | Necklace: Wilson’s Leather 12| Handbag: Aldo 35 | Shoes: BCBGMaxAzria 65|

 As a girl who started making handmade clothing for her Barbie doll at the age of 8, playing dress up was also an essential stage in life. My mother’s closet walk in is the perfect place to borrow true vintage pieces; ones that were on trend when she was “my age”. Of course, these well-loved pieces need to be mixed with new pieces to bring them up to date since trends are brought back but they are never exactly the same. We ditch the boxy man-shoulder pads that were ever so horribly popular back in the days, but we keep the fine fabrics, classics and the sturdy leather goods. 

Top: Zara 15 | Skirt: DVF Vintage | Necklace: Aldo 20 | Clutch: Vintage |Shoes: Dolce Vita 65|


We need to know which pieces are worth taking a second chance and which ones can finally retire or be loved by someone else.

Blazer: H&M 20 | Top: UO 20 | Pants: Vintage | Bangles: F21 10 | Shoes: Aldo 40 |


Top: Vintage | Pants: Zara 25 | Clutch: Vintage | Necklace: F21 10 | Shoes: BCBGMaxAzria 65|


Top: F21 18| Skirt: Vintage | Belt: Club Monaco 17| Necklace: F21 10| Purse: BCBGMaxAzria 108| Shoes: Zara 35|

What kind of treasures have you found or been pasted down to you?


Friday, April 19, 2013

And That's When I Saw it...


Photo Credits: Tumblr
I am a hoarder sometimes. I feel the need to buy backups of products I like for fear I’ll run out one day and find myself with partial eyeliner (yikes!) and I tend to keep the empty packages around as well because I thought it was a clever design or something to that effect. It is inevitable I’ll find my drawers jammed with half used makeup long forgotten hiding in a dark corner.
A very good habit to get into is to do a routine cleaning of your makeup on a monthly basis. This ensures that:

  • You don’t spend money on a product you forgot you had
  • Bacteria does not accumulate and give you an eye infection upon discovery of that mascara you thought was okay and
  • Ease of access.
It can be a chore but once done properly the rest is easy. Take an afternoon to clear out all your makeup drawers and take stock of everything, if you can’t remember the last time you’ve used something chances are it’s probably better to chuck it.
 This is especially true for products such as mascaras and liquid eyeliners; a good rule to follow is to replace them every 2-3 months.
Photo Credit: Marie Clarie
Liquid foundations are water based which is a welcome mat for bacteria to breed, if the bottle is brand new it will last for a few years but once used it’s a good idea to change out your foundations after a year.





Photo Credit: Google Image

Cream blushes should be replaced after a year and to prolong the life of any blush clean your brush on a regular basis and store your product in a dry dark place.


Photo Credit: Allure Makeup Ally

Liquid concealers should also be tossed after a year whereas powder or stick concealers may last up to two. 
Photo Credit: radicalcosmetics.com
Skin products containing sunscreen tend to expire so it’s best to be mindful of the dates given.




Photo Creidt: Beauty Arena

Lipstick and lip gloss fanatics should note that its best to replace a lip product after a year as repeated contact with the mouth area leads to bacteria spread, pouty lips yes, sores not so much!


Wednesday, April 17, 2013

The One that Got Away

Taking a moment to get real personal here, but I want to share the sad story about a decision that I once made and regret terribly each passing day. Since we have parted ways, I’ve decided that the best way for me to heal is to talk openly about the situation and hope that you will learn a thing or two from me.
 I once laid eyes on and fell in love with a classy and versatile piece. It was a black on white striped cardigan sweater, which I had found on sale for $10! Being that it was pretty much a steal made it even harder to not feel that regret everyday…I rushed into some spring cleaning one day and made the awful mistake of donating it. Now I can’t really explain why, (I even paused due to some indecisiveness), I’m sure it pleaded and begged for me to rethink and keep it in my life, but I was stubborn and walked away.  I did not see all that potential in a well-made, well fitted and classic piece.
Cardigan: H&M 20
Now it is too late to go back with my tail between my legs and beg for it to come back into my life. But like all stories, there is a brighter side; recently I have found a (replacement) white on black striped cardigan that I have grown fond of and cherish in all the ways that I should. It has quickly become an essential piece to my wardrobe and snuck its way into my heart.
So learn a lesson from me, donating pieces from your wardrobe is never a bad idea but if you find yourself thorn and indecisive; go with your gut instincts and know that you are not ready to part ways. Not a day goes by without regret, but time maybe the only thing that will heal my wounded heart.

Monday, April 15, 2013

What's In Our Bags?

I am borderline OCD when it comes to organization in my handbag. I hate HATE when people rummage through their purses trying to find change, a pen or gum. If time really was money I would have lost a small fortune just waiting for that lady in front of me to pay for her $10 salad. Some people like to carry their whole life inside a handbag (which may be sharing a bit too much of yourself) but I prefer the necessary everyday essentials that will help me make it through my day.


Elaina’s handbag essentials:
  1. Gum – Just in case because you never know who you will meet!
  2. iPhone – Okay so it doesn’t need to be an iphone…well okay maybe it does. It’s the people contactor, social media medium, music provider and good companion all packaged into one highly marketable pretty chuck of technology. I cannot be the only person who feels naked without her phone?!
  3. Lipstick – Not only does it happen to complete my look of the day, but it also helps to keep my lips conditioned and looking oh-so-good.
  4. Cash – because money can buy you pretty much all the materialistic things that your little heart desires
  5. Pouches – They are wonderful little organizers that help you to not be that rummaging lady in line. They are affordable and comes in a variety of cute patterns, shapes and sizes; adding a bit more personality to your handbag.

I have big bag syndrome, somehow the phrase the bigger the better stuck with me in this case. I like to throw in everything I think I'll ever need ever so if by some freak accident I'm stranded I'll be prepared. New year new me I figure I should at least try to keep things super minimal so I only take the barest of necessities with me:
 
Margaret’s handbag essentials:
  1. Phone – If I could only take one thing this would be it.
  2. Kiehl's Lip Balm – Sadly one of the only lip balms I can safely use without risking balloon lips
  3. Oil Blotting sheets – nNcely packaged with a mirror which is always handy
  4. Gum – Because you never know
  5. Roller ball perfume – I'm a big fan of the roller balls, it ensures that I don't over spray and it's perfectly sized to throw in a small bag
  6. Hand cream – I'm slightly OCD when it comes to the cleanliness of my hands I despise the grimy feeling of unwashed hands on piano keys and cringe when I see others do it, unfortunately this means drier hands as a result of excessive washing so hand cream is a must
Tell us what are some of your handbag essentials?
 

Thursday, April 11, 2013

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

With the onset of spring the need for organizing and cleaning suddenly grips me and I can’t for the life of me shake it off until some heavy duty cataloguing is done. There’s something very invigorating and renewing about putting up new shelves, and cutting down the unnecessary clutter that’s built up over the winter months. 
 

KEEP                    GIVE AWAY                TRASH

Nothing is more satisfying than clearing out old garments and shoes collecting dust in the back of the closet, but the fundamental question arises: what to do with the cast-offs? It seems a bit cruel to haul the bags to the dumpster as the garments were once loved and treasured. Now no longer needed it would be cold hearted to toss without a second’s thought. Thankfully there are many wonderful organizations in and around the lovely city of Vancouver that we can take our old wardrobes to. 

Photo Credit: Google Image
There are several large establishments such as the Salvation Army, big brothers and the like that are always accepting clothing donations for those in need. There are donation boxes all over the city that are conveniently located for you to make a quick drop off on the way to work or school. 

Apart from these there are also numerous smaller organizations that cater to specific needs such as the Cinderella Project, their main goal is to provide formal wear and dress shoes for underprivileged high school graduates who would others be unable to partake in the celebrations.

Another fun idea is to organize a swap meet with your friends and “shop” each other’s closet. Good company, clothes, and refreshments, why not make it an idea for the next girl’s night out.
Photo Credit: Google Image


The Cinderella Project
315 Mathers Avenue
West Vancouver, BC
V7S 1H2


The Salvation Army
2714 W Broadway
Vancouver

Monday, April 08, 2013

My Plus One


Top: UO 20 | Cardigan: Zara 20 | Jeans: F21 19 | Shoes: Zara 35
 
With birthdays comes the inevitable +1 to your age. Whatever I may actually be is not how I feel or live by, for instance shopping is of course a favorite pass time of mine (typical right?) but with age I tend to forget what I throw hang up into my closet. Those old lady moments lead me to the treat of shopping my closet.
Isn't it a wonderful thing when you rediscover something you love and it’s practically free? I mean at some point you paid good money for it, but it costs nothing to find again. I loved each of these pieces dearly when I picked them out, but with time and my ahem "senior moments," they have been sitting there, unfairly neglected over the last year or so. Since my love of fashion can beat down my magical plastic card, I've challenged myself to fall back in love with the same pieces.
Absence makes the heart fonder and love does grow with time, so while I cannot love them in the exact same way, who said love only comes once?

Friday, April 05, 2013

Put Your Back Into It

We often hear the term cleansing your aura, meaning that there is too much crap (for a lack of a better word) in your life and you need to take a moment, maybe sit down and prioritize the chaos. Now I can apply that to my closet, sometimes I can stare at it for longer than I care to in order to reach total zen or I find myself frustrated looking for that sweater I SWORE I put behind that other sweater but it somehow magically grew legs and wondered far far away.
 
As spring comes upon us, spring cleaning also comes to mind. It’s time to rotate the closet or dig up the pieces that we haven’t worn in years but still believe that one day it will come back in style. But let’s face it, we can’t hold on to the worn down, out of style or ill-fitting piece any longer. Besides why would you turn down the idea of out with the old and in with the new?

Vintage clutches + Italian vintage cross body
A little check list of pieces that are worth keeping no matter how long they have been sitting there begging for your attention (quick breath). The qualifications for these are:
 
1. Well-made pieces, ones that you cannot only fit still but may even be able to pass it down to someone else
2. Classic tailoring and detailing; pieces that never go out of style
3. Basics that are not discoloured, worn down, hole-y or stretched out
4. Potential DIY pieces, a little nip and tuck and the piece will shine brighter than it ever did and the best part? You can say you “made” it
 
So what has your closet been hiding?
 
 





 

Tuesday, April 02, 2013

Walk-in to My Dream

Photo Credit: Google Images 
A closet can speak volumes about a person’s personality. Are they boring? Vibrant? Or bold? Taking a peek at what they buy or own would be difficult if the space looked like a tornado hit it. Closet organization saves me from the embarrassment of wearing mismatched socks, or being late because I can’t find the top that goes with that cute skirt. Since we might not meet a Mr.Big and be granted that magical shiny beautiful walk in closet that we of course all deserve, we need to look to different and heart breaking realistic ways to keep organized and have a closet that is functional yet pretty in its own way.

Inexpensive Ikea closet storage Solutions
  1. Svajs, $2.99 set of 3
  2. Komplement, $24.99
  3. Garnityr, $16.99
  4. Bumerang, $0.99 each
  5. Komplement, $9.99
  6. Brallis, $4.99 each