Whatever you want to call it, this whole sporty chic trend is in full swing. We’ve seen the return of some brands that I used to wear when I was a child, are making the biggest comebacks in fashion.
One of which being Champion.
And I am obsessed with my new pink tracksuit.
I stopped wearing full matching tracksuits around 8 years old. And never looked back.
Maybe because at the time they were sent in from Italy by my grandparents and were the cheesy children’s sweats of the ’90s. Known to me, at the time, as my tuta (pronounced too-tah) – which I just now Google translated and see that it simply means ‘suit.’ Makes sense.
My nonna and nonno always sent care packages around Christmas time, filled with homemade cookies and clothing. Sometimes pyjamas. Sometimes a tuta, but always bold and colourful with patterns and random words.
How ’90s.
I remember one was a bright, leprechaun green with flowers. Only once did I received a nice blue Kappa tracksuit. Which again, at the time it wasn’t cool to wear Kappa, but now I’m totally styling because I’m retro – Yes I kept it. No I don’t wear the pants because it doesn’t fit over my bum… but I’m holding on to the hope that I will once again be able to squeeze them over my cheeks.
And growing up I’ve always had clothes for the house and clothes for going out. I change out of my house clothes when I go out. And I change out of my going out clothes when I get home.
So the fact that I can reminisce about my childhood while at the same time rocking my new millennial tuta both in and out of the house is currently the greatest thing. And the fact I just coined the term millennial tuta is second greatest.
Let’s bring the tuta back.
#MILLENNIALTUTA
How do you feel about the latest athleisure fashion takeover?
I can’t hate. Most trends that I find weird at first, I eventually start to warm up to – like aviator sunglasses, skinny jeans and wearing leggings as pants.
And this colour is so me!
xo
Stephanie
Sweater: Champion (Urban Outfitters exclusive)
Shoes: New Balance
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The merry season of Christmas is upon us! And as the countdown to the 25th draws near, it also means that holiday festivities are in full swing.
So whether you have one or five different parties to attend, the shopping expenses can definitely add up this time of year! Specifically for those fashionistas who do not like wearing the same outfit twice. Plus, throw in buying all those presents, the holidays can be really hard on your bank account… but it doesn’t have to be a total debt monster!
I personally don’t mind repeating outfits, especially if they make me feel super chic and confident, but every now and then I have those moments where I go through my closet and feel I have absolutely nothing to wear. I’m sure a lot of you can relate, right?
And when the holiday season rolls around, between work, family and friends, I’m usually attending at least 3 parties. Plus, I had my bff’s wedding last month and ain’t nobody got time, or money, to look for 3 completely different outfits from head to toe.
So here are some tips I used for keeping in style on a budget.
1. Utilize what’s in your closet
Now, I generally have strong will power… when it comes to basically everything, but shopping! Though when money is tight, I’ve learned when to say ‘no’ and when to cash out on what is worth spending. Because it’s important to utilize what’s in your closet – and trust me, there is always something in your closet. So I’ll treat myself to one new item per outfit.
I know my closet has no shortage of purses. And I don’t wear heels on the regular, so I couldn’t justify splurging on a new pair, but when it comes to dresses, I only have options for a summery day or a clubbing night out. I lack in the formal wear department since I don’t go to many weddings or functions. And so, this time I’ll repeat accessories, but treat myself to a new dress.
Once you’ve decided what article of clothing you are treating yourself to – or even if you decide to get a whole new outfit – it’s always good to set a budget! More importantly though, stick to it!
Be reasonable with your pricing. Only you know what you can afford and what would be pushing it. If you only have $50 in your bank account, then maybe charging $250 for a dress on your credit may not be the best idea.
For my friend’s wedding, I limited myself to $40 – give or take $5. I’ve done it once before, so I knew I could do it again. You’d be surprised as to what your options are for your budget. You just gotta be patient, do some digging between clothing racks and send out into the universe that you’re going to find a killer dress, or heels, or bag…etc.
Dress: M. price: $32 + tax (on clearance)
3. Get it on sale
It’s the time of year where everything is on sale!
Come November, if it’s not Friends & Family, it’s Black Friday, then Christmas – and if your holiday party is in the New Year like mine, then my fellow Canadians have Boxing Day. So going shopping during the holiday seasons can be affordable, if you’re smart about it.
I’ve developed a habit of heading straight to the sale section, especially in the stores that are beyond my budget. If it doesn’t have a sale tag, I sometimes don’t even look at it because I don’t want to tempt myself in spending more. And if it so happens you buy an item regular price and the next week it goes on sale, don’t be afraid to go back for a price match! Know your store’s exchange and return policies. A lot of them will be understanding and happy to help. So save your receipts for the duration of the return period just in case you need it.
Also, if you’re a slight gift card hoarder like me, then maybe that $50 visa gift card you got for your birthday may come in handy this time of year.
Earrings: Aldo price: $6.99 + tax (on clearance)
3. Don’t neglect your hair & makeup
If you’re repeating an outfit this year and scared people will remember and give you side eye for being boring, then change the focus from your dress to your face.
I wear makeup on the daily, even if it’s just concealer and mascara, but I put on a full face when I’m going out to a function – and if I have time, I’ll throw in some falsies. I’ll pick a main focus. If I’m usually bare on the eyes, then I’ll go smokey. Or, if I’m neutral on the lip, then I’ll be a little more bold. Draw people’s eye’s to where you want them to look. And same with the hair! If you’re every day best friend is a flat iron, then switch it up and go curly and voluminous. If you’re hair is always in a ponytail, then let it flow.
Lip Pencils: NarsEyeshadow Palette: Kiko Milano
4. Add sparkle!
A lot of people are scared of a little sparkle and glitter, but I’m sorry – cuz you know what? It’s the holidays! And what would it be without a little glimmer.
You can do it in so many ways! You can keep it simple and leave it to your jewellery. Frame you face with some earrings. Add a little bling to your necklace or cocktail rings. Even your purse can shine. Or you can go all out by getting your dress, shoes and purse to bling blauw.
(Top) Earrings: Aldo (Bottom) Choker: Forever 21
What are some ways your stay holiday savvy? I’d love to hear them!
Happy Holiday shopping!
xo
Stephanie
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I’ve only ever worn t-shirts at home while bumming around. Though lately they’ve become a staple in my every day wardrobe.
Especially when I travel. They’re good on hot days where I can wear them on their own. And they’re good for cold days when the chilly weather calls for layering.
Dress them up, dress them down. Tuck them in, or leave it out… Damn. I feel like I just wrote a line for a song. I may have a #1 in the makings people. You heard it here first!
Sidetracked.
As I was saying…
Now, I have always been a Guess girl. Except, I usually opt for their more obvious girly and fashionable clothing, but I’ll admit they’ve got some nice men’s t-shirts. So it helps when bae has a few casual tees that I can ‘borrow’ – and sometimes keep in my closet. And since I like my t-shirts baggy, and loose fitting, it’s perfect! Sometimes I help him decide what shirts to purchase by deciding what looks good on me. Cuz let’s face it, bae’s wardrobe is my wardrobe. That’s just the rules of the universe.
And as we know, travelling calls for some early mornings. And sometimes deciding what to wear can take up some precious time.
So when in doubt, I go for a simple logo tee. You can’t go wrong with that!
A major reason I was uber excited to take this trip to Italy was so I could get new pictures and content for Instagram. We live in a time and age where updating social media and creating great content is absolutely vital when trying to gain or maintain a following. I mean, do it for the gram, right?
Now, I don’t usually plan complete looks when I go on vacation. I kind of throw pieces into my luggage and hope for the best. Most of the time it doesn’t work out – which is the perfect excuse for a shopping break! Though, depending on the itinerary and if there is a special site I’m visiting or activity I’m doing, I may have a special outfit in mind.
For Venice, I had this one unworn floral blouse that’s been sitting in my closet for at least a year – story of my life. And when packing I knew, that was the blouse I wanted to wear for taking pictures in front of San Marco. It just has the perfect flow and aesthetic to match the beauty of the piazza. Pigeons and all.
On our last day there bae and I woke up bright and early and were out the door by 7am. Mission: to get some nice pictures at San Marco while avoiding the loads of tourists that may block my perfect shot.
So it was only fitting that wear my floral blouse and take some OOTD pics.
There’s something about a nice bottle of perfume that makes me feel luxurious. It can also switch my mood from drab to fab. And even though the scent isn’t visible to the eye, that tiny spritz before I walk out the door adds the perfect final touch to my outfit.
Now, I could spend hours in the perfume section of Sephora, but it can be very overwhelming when I’m trying to find a new scent. Especially, when I’m going to be spending over $100 for a bottle.
Which is why I thank the beauty industry for inventing the rollerball. It allows me to be promiscuous with my perfume. Meaning, I can own a variety of different scents and it wouldn’t hurt my wallet so much. Plus, I can organize them neatly, saving tons of space, and I’m able to carry them in my purse without weighing it down.
While I wish I could go spending $100+ for every bottle of perfume I fall in love with, I would be spending a ton. And if I actually bought the full size of all the perfumes I wanted, it would take me decades to finish them all. Brands are coming out with so many new scents nowadays, I couldn’t keep up! So this really is the best of both worlds. I don’t break the bank and I can treat myself every now and then to a new perfume.
Perfumes are obviously a personal preference, but sometimes it’s also about knowing what sits well on your skin. I’m still testing out what I like and what I can wear. So at the moment, these are the four rollerballs I have that are currently in rotation.
Dolce & Gabbana, Light Blue Light Blue is, hands down, my signature scent. I’ve been wearing it since my senior year of high school and until now, I’m still in love with it. Which is why it was an obvious choice for my rollerball collection.
It was given to me as a gift from a friend, and in the beginning I wasn’t sure I wanted it because I already had a full size bottle. Only later did I realize it only makes sense that I own the rollerball too because it’s my go to perfume. I want to be able to carry it around with me for touch ups or refreshment. And there’s something about the citrus scent, that can calm me down, put me in a good mood or give me that extra confidence boost.
Burberry, Brit Rhythm for Her Floral After I discovered rollerballs, Brit Rhythm was something I was heavily considering. I wanted something totally different than my go to perfumes. Something floral since I was used to citrus scents. It was a hard decision between this, the Brit Sheer and the original Brit, so I let bae decide. After all, he’d be the only one that would be close enough to really smell it on me.
I do enjoy this one a lot. It’s more sweet and flirty and has a dewy feel to it. As well, very feminine and gives off hints of fruit. And it’s not over powering, so I like that I can wear it any season, day or night.
Giorgio Armani, Si Si was something that I randomly stumbled upon. I worked in the mall and Sephora was just a few stores down from me, so I’d spend many break times in there. I would play around wearing various scents on different days, but I kept going back to Si for some reason. I was totally drawn to it. And when one of my coworkers complimented me on what I was wearing one day, that definitely solidified my decision.
This one I think is more timeless. It feels more mature than my other perfumes. It’s more wood base and kind of musky – not in a dirty ‘I haven’t showered’ sort of way. I get this hint of amber and cinnamon which gives it a strong GIRLBOSS essence. So I wear this when I want to exude my sexy and confident, ‘I’m gonna kick today’s ass’ side.
Kenzo, Flower by Kenzo Flower I actually got as a Sephora sample. I had never heard of it before, but the second I applied it to my wrist I was intrigued. Though it’s called Flower, all I think is baby powder. And who doesn’t want that fresh scent?
This is the only spray bottle vs rollerball, but it’s still travel size. The powdery scent makes it very youthful and light. And it’s softer than the rest of my collection, so I thought it would be a great addition because it adds variation. Since it’s more playful, it’s definitely a day time scent, or I’d use it after a nice shower to continue that fresh feeling. It for sure belongs to a sunny, Spring day. So now is the perfect time for me to use it.
I do plan on adding more to my rollerball collection. At first, I wanted to see if these were the thing for me, but overall I really do enjoy them.
They’re inexpensive and they’re convenient for travel – whether I’m throwing them in my purse, putting them in an overnight bag, or packing them in my luggage for overseas. It doesn’t break the bank which it allows for many options. So, just as I like to switch up my handbags and jewellery, this is another accessory that I definitely enjoy having choices.
I’m already thinking of what’s next.
Perhaps Marc Jacobs, Daisy? Or Gucci, Flora?
Luxe & Loaded 