Tag: shoppinghaul

FAB FINDS Feat. Kate Spade Jewellery

I may have a little shopping addiction when it comes to Kate Spade. More specifically their outlet stores.

They’re not the biggest of outlet stores here in the Toronto area, but I could easily spend over an hour in there without even realizing it. They just lure me in, because every visit I find they have new items.
Thus, leaving me in the same scenario which always ends up as follows – I’m waiting on a sales associate to price check an item for me that doesn’t have a tag, while I’ve got two purses on my shoulder and I’m balancing five items in my left hand so I can use my phone in my right to calculate my totals.

Never changes.

My last visit though, I told myself I was not going to buy anything since I was only there to help my sister shop for a birthday present. And I was doing very well, until I hit the jewellery stand. As mentioned before, accessories are my thing. Plus, who could turn down an extra 70% off?!

I’m a sucker for bows so I just love this detail. I had been eyeing this rose gold bracelet for a while. I passed it up a few times in exchange for some new purses during past visits. Then for a period, I never saw it in stores anymore and I thought I lost my chance, but when I saw they had stock, I couldn’t miss out again.

I especially like how this bracelet fits my hand nicely. I usually have trouble with sizing bracelets and bangles since a lot of them are too big for my hand and fall off.
This Kate Spade one is made smaller and has a clasp so I won’t need to worry about it slipping off. And I am obsessing over rose gold right now. I’m trying to build a collection and this piece will fit in perfectly!

Though I was content with just the bracelet, but I couldn’t pass up these earrings. I’m in love with this shade of blue. It’s not too bright and they’re just smaller than a dime, so I like how it subtly stands out against my brown hair. It just adds a little something extra, rather than your usual pair of clear gem studs. And they came in at just under $13!

I do love a good sale, so when I see a minimum of 50% off, I usually leave with a larger purchase like a handbag or wallet. Their small accessories always get me too. You can never have too many coin purses or card holders – at least that’s what I tell myself. Stop making such cute stuff Kate Spade!.. but don’t stop, because I love them.

In the end, I spent just over $32 for both items, which is a record for me in that store. So, I’m happy.

‘Til next time Kate Spade!

xo
Stephanie

March 15, 2017
STYLE STEALS Feat. Dynamite

Working in a mall has its perks if you love to shop, but working in a mall can also be the death of your wallet if you love to shop.

When I have time to spare on my lunch or after work, I’m aimlessly walking the mall. I’m always checking out what’s new in store fronts and seeing if I can find those items I’ve recently seen on my Insta feed, in store.
Though, for some reason I notice when I’m on the hunt for a specific item, I can never find exactly what I’m looking for. Or, what happens is I’ll go into a store on the hunt for a particular item, but leave with another. Especially if there’s a sale. I generally have good will power, but sometimes you just come across a really good buy that you can’t pass up!

Most recently, I stumbled into Dynamite because I was looking for this sweater I saw on @jessicajuliien‘s Instagram. Because obviously Instagram is where I do my online window shopping now. It was this black sweatshirt that read, in white print, ‘MY LITTLE BLACK SWEATSHIRT.’ I know, Captain Obvious, right? I just thought it was cute!

Photo by: @jessicajuliien

So I make my way around, scoping the racks of clothing and folded displays. Eventually finding it hanging in the back of the store and it’s as cute as it looks in the photo. At this point I’m basically taking out my wallet, but as I’m reaching to find a size, I’m surprised by the material. I was expecting your basic cotton blend because you cannot go wrong with a cotton sweatshirt. Instead, I’m feeling some shiny scuba knit, which I’m okay with on a skirt or dress, but not what I’m looking for in a cozy casual sweatshirt. How am I supposed to stay cozy, yet fashionable on my lazy days in scuba? It still looks really cute though… And the more I’m staring at this photo, the more I’m wishing it bought it. Dammit.

Anywho… Disappointed, I turn to leave, but of course have to stop by the sale rack to satisfy my internal bargain hunter. You just never know what you’re going to find.
Unexpectedly, I come across a navy blue, velour cami with straps that criss cross in the back. Only one left and a price tag of $5 – I am sold. I mean, duh. It’s $5! The cut for me is too low in the front because the straps are a tad too long, but that’s nothing a little needle and thread can’t fix.

Besides the price, I love how this velour cami can be dressed up or down. The blue is so rich, yet subtle that it can be your pop of colour or stay neutral. I can dress it up by tucking it into black trousers/pencil skirt and throw a blazer/cardigan on top. Or, pair it with denim/ripped jean shorts if I’m going casual. It’s also a stretch material, which I like because I won’t feel constricted if I’m wearing it all day.

Most I love though, is that it was on sale.
Sales are my best friend. Regular price for this shirt I believe was $29.99 – from what I could read of the original tag under all the markdown stickers. Either way, for $5 this was definitely a steal.
Totally happy.

xo
Stephanie

March 2, 2017
FAB FINDS Feat. Fabulips

As much as I love a white blanket of snow, Old Man Winter can definitely be a jerk sometimes. So if there’s one thing I hate about the winter, it’s how harsh the cold weather can be on my skin. Especially my lips. It seriously takes a toll where sometimes lip balm just won’t cut it.
I constantly find myself biting my lips or picking at the skin. Which is annoying when I’m dying to test out all my new lippies I got over the holidays! Plus, I get nervous wearing any colour to work because I feel so paranoid that people can see all the cracks and lines when I’m speaking to them. Come an hour later, I’ve rubbed off all my lipstick. Which then makes me sad because I feel like I’ve wasted my makeup. Then I’m back to my basic lip balm and the whole cycle continues again.

That’s why this season I promised myself I’d try an actual lip scrub.
I love rummaging through the beauty section at Winners, checking out all the different products. I start with my hands full, but usually never end up buying anything because I’m trying to force myself to finish what I have in my cupboards at home. So as I was browsing for Christmas presents this past season, I was super excited to find Fabulips, Sugar Lip Scrub by Bliss. I felt it was one of those ‘ask and you shall receive‘ moments… I wish that worked on others things I ask for in life… but I digress!

So I decided to give it a try. I purchased it at $12.99, when it retails for $22 at Sephora (which I just checked now and it’s out of stock online – so I feel better about buying it). After opening the box, off the top I am in love with the scent. It has this sort of nutty, citrus smell – which I know reading that back sounds gross, but I promise it’s delicious. If it was a candle I would totally buy. And of course, the ingredients state it contains citrus, almonds and bits of walnuts.

The first time I used it, I was a little underwhelmed when I started scrubbing a fingertip’s worth on my lips. It felt very smooth, so I questioned the whole exfoliant/scrub aspect of it. It literally felt like I was putting on lip balm in circular motions. I didn’t want to go into it disappointedly, so I continued to follow the instructions which the next step was ‘rub off with a warm cloth’. And tah-dah! My lips felt super smooth.
Like smoo-ooth!
I was happily surprised.

Apologies for underestimating you Fabulips.

I have used it a few times now and each time it does leave my lips feeling super smooth and smelling delicious. On my worst chapped days though, I find it doesn’t completely take off all the dead skin as I end up doing most of that rubbing off with the warm cloth. Though, as I mentioned before, the texture of the scrub isn’t rough like a typical face exfoliant. It’s very gentle. Most likely because your lips are more sensitive than the skin on your face.

My overall impression? I am pretty happy with the product and the results. I would definitely buy it again. However, it is my first time using a lip scrub, so I would like to try a couple of different ones just to compare before I personally pay the retail price (only because I got it for a deal).

Maybe I’ll save it for a Sephora gift card purchase as I still have many a cards to use.

Sending you extra smooth kisses!

xo
Stephanie

February 11, 2017
Fur vs. Faux

When it comes to fashion, I am sometimes faced with the biggest moral dilemma.
Fur vs. faux.

It’s a constant debate in the fashion industry. I am a huge animal lover so I’m totally against animal cruelty, but I also love luxury. And fur is luxurious. Perhaps it’s the makings of media brainwashing taking its toll on me, but fur has always been a representation of status. From royalty to socialites to celebrity, there’s just something about it.

Which brings me to one of my biggest shopping regrets to date. And I am reminded and think about my loss every Fall/Winter season, but I stick by my decision.

I have this habit of trying on things that I think look weird or gaudy or, in my opinion, just flat out ugly. It makes for a great laugh or fun surprise, because sometimes you’ll fall in love with something you never thought you’d like.
So a few years ago I was in a Benetton/Sisley store and tried on this fur vest. It was super Jlo. Something I thought I’d never wear because it was too extravagant for my closet, but I tried it on and *sigh* Fell. Hard.
It was soft. It was full. It was browns and whites and tans. The colour transitions were impeccable. It was gorgeous. And it was on sale for only $99. So it was a steal. And I did not buy it. And I still shed a little tear thinking about it.
And the reason I regret it is because years later I am yet to find something that could match it and make me forget I ever walked into that store.

I recently bought this cute pink faux vest from Guess when they had a sale on outerwear. It’s a light pastel colour with this tie up detailing. I do really like it, but it just reminds me of what I could have had.

No faux vest has come close to the quality, style, shape or price of that Sisley vest. It was the one that got away. And I just have to live with that because at the time I just couldn’t do it. It would have ate at my conscience so long as I had my little fur balls at home.

Cookie aka Baby

I had two chinchillas at the time and they were in my head as I debated in store for a good half hour. My Stinky would have pissed on it, while Baby would have just looked at me in disappointment. So I just couldn’t.

*Unfortunately, Smelly is no longer with me. Now, excuse me while I go cry for 10min.

So I respect vegans. Whether it’s a health choice or just strictly because of their love for animals. It’s a lifestyle and choice that takes a lot of dedication. I admire those who live it. Maybe one day I’ll have the will power to do so too, but until then I’ll continue to sob and hunt for my vest.

xo
Stephanie

Poopie aka Stinky aka Smelly aka Smelly cat ❤

January 14, 2017