WEEKEND FEELS | Where We Give Thanks for a Comfy Weekend Wardrobe

via H&M on Instagram

Originally posted in The CLOSET

It's a well-documented fact that the way you dress affects the way you act. All polished up in your tailored business suit? Looking like a boss is half the battle for a killer presentation. Found sick new hi-tops for your Wednesday night adult hip-hop class? Don't hurt yourself with all that swagger. When it comes to weekends, dressing comfy is meant to put you in the right frame of mind - a chill wardrobe after all, can't help but set you up for having a chill attitude.

Whether you're entertaining your loud family for a big Thanksgiving dinner, are heading to a place where someone else is doing the cooking for you (lucky!) or have nothing but take-out and Netflix on the agenda, these stylishly comfy pieces will put you in a perfectly chill frame of mind for the long weekend ahead. 

Happy Thanksgiving, lovelies. But first, let's shop...

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STREET SMART | Vaughan Mills Welcomes WLKN to the 6

If you've never heard of Montreal brand WLKN, now's your time to get acquainted. The streetwear store has gained a massive following in Québec and has finally made its way to Ontario with its first GTA store at Vaughan Mills. See what I scored on opening day and get in-the-know about WLKN on the Vaughan Mills blog here...

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ICE ICE BABY | 3 Winning World Cup of Hockey Outfits

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

Alright stop, collaborate and listen: it's time to talk hockey. With Team Canada in the finals, much of our country has made plans to have absolutely no plans unless they involve hockey. And while I feel it's my duty as a fashion blogger to talk about fashion, I wouldn't be a true Canadian if I didn't work this post around our national sport - the sport that we grew up watching on TV with our dads, the one we perfected on bumpy backyard rinks long after the street lights had flickered on, the game that so often makes grown Canadian men break down and cry. Sure, our collective hope in Canadian hockey might have dimmed over these last few years but the spark is still there. Our hope still burns deep that Canada will rise to the top once again. Our love for the sport is pure and true. Our dreams of victory will never die. 

So while Crosby and co. get ready for a major game ahead, you can do your part, too. Be red, white and proud. Shake out those jerseys, jump into those Roots joggers, slap a maple leaf on your cheek and cheer like you've never cheered before. This is our game. This is our time. Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose. Oh wait, that's football isn't it...

We'll leave the pep talk to Babcock while I focus on what you're going to wear. Whether you're on the edge of your couch, with your squad at a sports bar or were lucky enough to score tickets to the main event, these winning outfits will get you through World Cup of Hockey finals and beyond...

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FALL FASHION | The New Way to Layer

via harperandharley on Instagram

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Don't let this last day of summer fool you for a single hot minute. Sure, it might not get freezing overnight, but before you know it, we'll be swapping our sandals for closed-toes, our tees for toppers and our breezy cute things for errthang cozy. The start of fall always signals a switch from simple, throw-on-and-go dressing to the all-important art of layering. For minimalists (aka the fashion lazy like me), layering can feel like a daunting task. I mean, seriously, who has time for mixing and matching textures and colours and playing with proportions to get it all just right when you've got 2 screaming kids, an early morning commute, or a snooze button addiction to contend with. Unless you're a stay-at-home stay-at-home, you don't.

Thankfully, this fall is all about laissez-faire layers that make all your casual go-to's look much cooler.  Whether it's an open grey sweater coat or cardi worn over your favourite slip dress, a plaid shirt dress worn open over your denim, or a  cozy statement sherpa bomber, you'll be begging for the cold weather to make an appearance, if only so you can start wearing these looks stat.

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GLOW GETTER | My TIFF Celebrity Facial with IMAGE Skincare

My Image Skincare O2 facial at the ready...

Anyone else notice that whilst on the red carpet, celebs always seem to carry an extra dose of glow? It can't just be the makeup, or the lighting, or the flattering reflection off the carpet itself. 'They must have something done,' I always mutter to myself as I sit on the couch watching the Emmys/Globes/Oscars, curtains sometimes drawn since I've probably put on a sheet mask at this point, often hugging my not-very-toned arms for comfort, always eating chips. And it's not just the women. The men always look like they've Benjamin Button-ed, too. I need their secret. I want in. 

And so, when the charming team at Charming Media invite me to TIFF to try out a celebrity red carpet treatment firsthand, I give a little fist pump and reply y-e-s. The first few weeks of school have all but destroyed any summer glow that I had so I neeeed this treatment. And there's a chance I might see Ryan Gosling. There's always that. 

I head up to a beautiful private suite at the very top of Trump Tower (you-know-who doesn't own it anymore btw) where Esthetics Plus has teamed up with Deadline Hollywood to provide spa treatments to TIFF's A-list talent to help them get red carpet ready. I'm given the choice between a Sunescape spray tan, NovaLash lash extensions or an IMAGE Skincare facial. I'm not big on spray tans, am super tempted by the idea of lash extensions, but decide that what I really need in my life right now is glowing skin. 

I'm told I just missed the Orphan Black girl as I lounge back and get ready for bliss. I've seen IMAGE Skincare products at Gee Beauty (one of my absolute fav spots in the 6ix) but have yet to try them out for myself. My esthetician tells me that IMAGE Skincare was created by a European plastic surgeon and is considered one of the most innovative skincare brands in the industry, with potent active ingredients that score results. As someone in her late-30's, I'm always looking for Results. And since I won't do Botox quite yet, I'm happy to invest in products that actually work. After looking at my skin, she decides on the O2 Lift Facial which uses oxygen, plant-derived technology and specially concentrated enzymatic botanicals to deliver instantly luminous, lifted skin. My oxygen facial (that red carpet secret I've been seeking) lasts about an hour but is so relaxing it feels like three. She massages and exfoliates my face, then puts on a mask that slowly, oh-so-awesomely sinks into my skin (see pic below) delivering O2 particles exactly where I need them. My dehydrated face takes it all in as my esthetician remarks that 'some people need it more than others.' Um, note to self: Must. Drink. More. Water. My stress level was close to a 9 when I walked in but I glide out at a solid 3. Maybe 2. I catch a glimpse of myself in the elevator on the way down and expect redness after the exfoliation but only see a pretty rush of colour in my cheeks. No downtime, no swelling - just calm, glowing skin. 

The week following my treatment, I'm given an IMAGE Skincare Post Treatment trial kit to keep my celeb glow going. My skin feels quite dry for the first few days post-treatment as it adjusts to all the attention, but then I notice that my skin looks healthier, plumped up, and I'd even saying glowing, even when I'm makeup-free. If only Ryan Gosling could see me now. Um, he might give me an autograph, right?

Want to try the products for yourself. Head to epbeauty.ca to find an IMAGE Skincare distributor near you. Scroll down for pics from my red carpet facial + see some of the celebs who tested out IMAGE Skincare during TIFF, including RG, of course :) 

 

You know your brand's made it when it has its own magazine...

Jason Sudeikis picks up some IMAGE Skincare products for his gorge wife, Olivia Wilde...

Anne Hathaway checks out IMAGE Skincare for the first time

John Legend. Wow, he really does have great skin, no?

Grace Van Patten takes home IMAGE Skincare

Ryan Gosling. Um sorry, where was I?

Dreaming of Ryan...sigh...  Oh wait, I mean my husband. Right, my husband...

My IMAGE Skincare post treatment kit keeps the glow going...