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)
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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!
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We are taught at a young age, that when dressing ourselves there are certain colours that go nicely together, and other that should NEVER be paired for an outfit. Today I’m breaking those silly rules, as I’m wearing the perfect cropped black tank and an amazing pair of navy linen pants. This bruise inspired colour-way, is the number one combination I’ve been told to stay away from with the rhyme, “black and blue should never been seen, unless they’re in the washing machine” always playing in my head. Ensuring that the black is a rich dark black and that the navy has blue and purple qualities will help make sure this tricky coupling will work.
This is a very old way of looking at colour and fashion. I dare you to break some rules, if not daily at least on the weekend, when your fashion choices can be a bit more liberal.
Tank: Zara, Pants: Topshop Canada, Mules: Design Lab by Lord and Taylor, Name Necklace: Jewlr, Glasses: Derek Cardigan by Clearly.ca, Earrings: Hortense
Photography by Trevor Negin
Just wanted to take a quick moment to thank everyone who has supported and followed Barbara Ann Style blog in 2014! I feel grateful everyday to have the opportunity to connect with some many fashion lovers from around the world! Thank you and I wish everyone the best New Year’s Eve tomorrow, and the happiest 2015!
Love always Barbara Ann and Trevor Negin
Vest: Kristen Blake, Sweater: Joe Fresh (similar), Jeans: American Eagle, Purse: Coach (similar), Boots: Zara
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Welcome back from the holidays! Sorry that I’ve been away from the blogging action, but I was celebrating a bit too much with family and friends, sipping and snacking the holidays season away. We will soon be back into the normal swing of things, I have put myself on heavy restriction, to purchase nothing new, (unless it’s a steal) and to save for my upcoming winter get-away. We are exactly 1 month away until we hit the beach, and the goal will be to spend less time in the mall, and more time at the gym, working off that last bottle of red, enjoyed with friends.
A yearly, New Year’s Resolution for me, is to live a healthier life, and 2014, I took up the lifestyle of juicing which has introduced so many more fruits and vegetables into my life. I also created the hashtag #onawalkwiththenegins, which allowed for my Instagram followers to join my husband and I (with friends) on our walks around the city with the goal to help you get outside.
In 2015, I hope to add some more physical activities to help with having better overall balance, and learn to cook meals, which will allow for us to save money and take control of what we are putting in our bodies. I hope the last bit of 2014 is magical and that all of your dreams come true in 2015! Thanks for spending so much time with me this year!
xx.
B
Dress: Zara (on sale and amazing), Boots: Christopher Kane from The Room at Hudson’s Bay, Earrings: BaubleBar.com, Mitts: Hudson’s Bay
Photography by my love and supportive husband Trevor Negin
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Today marks the first sighting of snow for me, and though it didn’t last long, or stay on the ground, the fact that winter is about to hit the city of Toronto, is a frightening thought.
During the winter months, I turn to fashion to keep moods cheerful, both mine and my peers. Sometimes a playful print or bright colour can do magic to change someone’s perspective on an entire day. Animal prints are always on trend, so recently I stole my husband’s dress shirt on an extremely stressful day, which is covered in simple illustrations of Dalmatians. The playful print was the perfect comic relief to what could have been a long and daunting day.
Do you have any prints or colours that you wear to lift your spirits?
Photography by Trevor Negin
coat: Comptoir Des Cotonniers, shirt: Hawkings McGill, skirt: Forever 21, thigh-high socks: gift, platforms: Vagabond, necklace: Fallon Jewellery
This summer season is truly about colour, as the gardens are in full bloom and the days seem to last forever. This season’s bright colours influenced the newest collection of Derek Cardigan frames available at Clearly Contacts. Available in the classic 7003 frame in fluoro fuchsia, blue, purple, and an amazing neon green that will turn heads! So far I’ve loved every look I’ve styled these frames with, and they are quickly becoming my favourite accessory of the season.
Photography by Trevor Negin
Frames: Derek Cardigan thanks to Clearlycontacts.ca, Shirt and pants: Zara, earrings: Hortense, shoes: Aldo
Trevor’s frames: Derek Cardigan from Clearlycontacts.ca
Happy Canada Day everyone who lives in this beautiful country! Hope you enjoy this wonderful day off!
Photography by Trevor Negin
Tshirt: thrifted, skirt: 424fiftth available at Hudson’s Bay, mug: Vintage Hudson’s Bay (similar), mules: Aldo, earrings: Woudenberg
Fashion Magazine got all excited about spring’s trends and asked their style panel to talk about their favourite things for the up coming season. My favourite trend seen throughout the runway for this spring/summer is all about the artistic touch. Here is what I said.
Photography by Trevor Negin
Shirt, Pants, Shoes: Joe Fresh, Glasses: Raybans from Clearly Contacts, Earrings: Hortense from Catbird