The weather in Toronto over the next few days is filled with snow to blanket the city and slow down what is suppose to be a busy week.
We leave on our first family vacation in one week and I cannot wait to escape. I typically can handle the cold temperatures fairly well (1, 2, 3,) and feel confident driving in the snow (I’ve always invested in the best winter tires) but now, with Sterling, it’s harder to prioritize leaving the house when conditions are bad. Meaning we’ve been home bound for a while over the last few weeks. So I’m looking forward to spending time outside while showing my son one of my favourite cities and spending time with my grandparents.
But first, there are a lot of planning to do for this vacation, and my number one plan for success is giving myself the most amount of time to do every task, especially on travel days.
Sterling and I traveled to Miami last year, when he was a few weeks old around the same time, but he was a newborn and only the essentials were necessary to bring along. This time he has a pretty good, yet flexible, routine. Lately, he’s become more picky with food, but he definitely has his favourites so I can plan and make sure I’m prepared.
I’ve already started pack, like 3 weeks out. I started with Sterling, checking out this spring wardrobe I’ve been building for a while now. I picked up a few shorts, bathing suits and new shoes which will give us more than enough for him, plus I’m sure I’ll be hitting up a Target upon arrival.
I also began trying on my summer stuff and didn’t love most of what I have. It’s been about a year and a half since I’ve bought non-pregnancy clothes and the few pieces I did buy this summer are probably the ones coming. So I also picked up a few things that I’m excited to wear and show you.
So, until next week when #theNegins escape to Miami, I’ll be hibernating, making lists and packing while trying to get over this cold.
Puffer: Lacoste, Sweater: Zara, Pants: from my grandmother, Boots: Uggs (old but similar), Glasses: C/O Clearly
]]>
I never thought I’d say this, but I’m exhausted from shopping. Over the last 5 years since my blogging career started, and truthfully long before that, I’ve accumulated and discarded so much clothing that I can’t even begin to understand my purchasing decisions that I’ve been making. I’ve always tried to rationalize this bad habit, by distributing my old clothing to my friends and family, who were always happy to accept my barely worn pieces.
But recently something has changed for me. I’ve found myself no longer drawn to the world of fast fashion, but to higher end pieces, that at the rate I shop would bankrupt me quickly. So I’ve slowed down my shopping, and instead of getting the fast fashion version of a piece, I’ve saved a bit longer and really thought about the purchase before investing in the designer’s collection. I’m not saying that I won’t shop at accessible stores, but my frequency of shopping will be limited to allow for smarter decisions to be made.
How have your shopping habits changed recently? Let me know if you’ve also seen a switch to shop smarter and invest in higher quality pieces.
Halter: Diane Von Furstenberg, Pants: Fabiana Filippi, Shoes: Pierre Hardy, Frames: C/O Main & Central (by Clearly.ca)
]]>
It’s spring time in Toronto and everybody knows that the one place to go at the end of April-to-early May is High Park to try to snap some beautiful shots of the Cherry Blossoms. Trevor and I explore High Park as often as possible, as the trails are simply beautiful and even when the main attraction (the Cherry Blossoms) aren’t in full bloom there is so much magic to discover there.
With the cooler weather this year, I’ve found myself living in denim. I can’t seem to get myself into the season’s dresses and skirts, so jeans has been my go-to staple these last few weeks.
When dressing up this essential, I’ve found myself always looking for statement coats to really add that something special to my rather basic outfit. This collared-floral coat by Diane Von Furstenberg (which I have the matching dress for) is the perfect nod to the cherry blossom season and the right weight for these confusion spring days.
Coat: Diane Von Furstenberg, Denim: Marc Jacobs, Tank: Helmut Lang, Boots: Timberland, Hat: Lack of Color, Frames: Clearly.ca
Photography by 2Boo Studio
I’m a T-Rex. At least that’s what I tell myself everyday. Allow me to explain.
A few years ago, when I was suffering from my first round of anxiety in my adulthood, my loving husband (boyfriend at the time) went out and purchased me a dragon (they didn’t carry dinos at the time) Kigurumi suit from Japan. His theory for the animal he chose for me was that, “no matter how bad my day was or how I felt, I could come home and be strong and brave like a Tyrannosaurus”. And it worked, to this day I still come home, after bad days, and he’ll find me curled up in my suit.
So when Coach launched their Rexy collection in 2015 (as a bag charm), I was OBSESSED. It was on my wish list from the second I saw it on the runway. For F/W 2016, Rexy starred in her own capsule collection and appeared with her wild beast friends on bags, charms and some insanely amazing clothes (this jacket), and it was my chance to snag a piece. I must say it was love at first sight.
Coat: Banana Republic, Sweater: Alice and Olivia, Skirt: Tanya Taylor, Boots: Topshop Canada, Glasses: Kam Dhillon from Clearly.ca, Bag: C/O Coach
Photography by 2Boo Studio
Coat Confessions: Part 3 Winter Formal Edition
Coat Confessions: Part 4 – The Denim Details
I’ve never been so happy to see the end of a year come. 2016 was rough, emotionally for me, and the last few weeks I’ve spent focused on my health and wellness, which will continue through into 2017 and hopefully make it my most successful year. Thank you for all of the love and support this past year!
]]>
For the last few weeks, Fashion Magazine has asked their style panel to discuss this season’s top colour trends, Metallics and millennial pink. Without realizing it, I basically wore the same outfit twice. My love for these trends is real.
Read about Metallics
Read about millennial pink
Metallics: Sweatshirt: Skinny Sweats, Skirt: Pink Tartan, Boots: Zara, Frames: Clearly.ca, Earrings & Necklace: Catbird
Millennial pink: Blazer: Theory, Sweater: Halogen Cashmere, Pants: Topshop Canada, Earrings: Vintage, Glasses: Clearly.ca, Shoes: Carven x Robert Clergerie at The Room
Photography by 2Boo Studio
Being a blogger, I’ve come to learn a few tips and tricks to styling insta-worthy pieces that can guarantee to be a hit on your social media accounts. Other than nailing a great pose with ideal natural lighting, I like to let my statement pieces shine but ensuring that other elements are toned-down. Fashion Magazine asked their style panel to style a pair heels from Ecco’s new fall collection – which is bringing a new era of high heels that look as good as they feel and here is what I said.
Photography : 2Boo Studio
Jacket: Marc Jacobs, Dress: Diane Von Frustenberg, Mary- Janes: C/O Ecco, Glasses: Xavier Garcia from The Eyeglass Factory, Watch: C/O Daniel Wellington
]]>
There are very few times that I wear graphic tees, and I discussed this week with Fashion Magazine about how to elevate one.
It also got me looking back to the last time I shot one, which sure enough was for Team Canada during the Pam Am Games, and with the summer Olympic coming up I’ll be sure wearing something from the new Canada Collection, available at Hudson’s Bay designed with the fab DSQUARED2.
Suit: Theory, Graphic Tee: Peace Collective, Heels: Design Lab, Frames: Clearly.ca
Photography by Trevor Negin
]]>
As a designer and fashion lover, I’ve always had a thing for the Finnish design brand Marimekko. Known for their bright prints and bold patterns I was drawn to the natural playful and simple designs.
When Target launched a design collab with the brand last month (during the same weekend my parents were visiting NYC) I knew I was going to try to score some of the brands most famous prints made into new pieces. My parents killed it. This monochromatic outfit is one of my favourite looks.
Oh and I love the the tags, they tell you the history of the print you are wearing. My pants are Okariino meaning “ocarina” in Finnish and was designed in 1973. My shirt, which is actually terry cloth, was designed in 1986 and is named Ministeri, Finnish for “minister”.
Dress & Pants: Marimekko for Target, Shoes: Zara, Frames: Clearly, Coat: Banana Republic
I realized recently, that I don’t really do basic well. I mean I can put together a very casual or simple outfit and rock it with confidence, I just feel my personal best wearing bright colours and bold prints. For this reason, I’ve fallen in love with Toronto native designer Tanya Taylor. Based out of New York, her playful patterns excite my eyes and have jumped right into my heart.
If rocking a head-to-toe printed ensemble is too daring for you, try one bold piece at a time. A striking colour or breath-taking print, can add so much to an outfit.
Skirt and Top: Tanya Taylor, Boots: Kurt Geiger (old but similar), sunglasses: Fendi from Holly Eyewear
]]>