HOW TO: NAKED FACE

Some days you just gotta go naked. Don't get me wrong, I love makeup, but every once in awhile I feel like my skin needs to breathe.

When I lived in Montreal, I would see these beautiful girls on the street sporting fresh, dewy, makeupless faces and wonder how they did it. For instance, my friend Daniela always breezed into our coffee dates with lovely natural skin. I'm not saying that we should all throw our makeup cases to the wind, but now and again it's nice to leave the house just the way you are.

The biggest problem that I have with wearing no makeup is that I usually end up regretting it mid-way though the day. Maybe I stumble into a classmate who is looking fabulous with not a dark circle in sight or maybe I start to feel self-conscious when the cold air makes my face red. But after some thought, I've found a solution ... be completely and utterly unashamed of your makeupless-ness. Avoid bashing yourself by saying things like, "Oops, excuse my face - I was just running errands." Instead, give yourself a little mental compliment like, "I look fresh and healthy today." I know, I know. This sounds completely over-the-top-I-watch-too-much-Oprah (fun fact: I've actually never seen an entire episode), but I figure it's better to be cheesy and self-helpful than self-destructive.

If you feel weird without makeup, try doing it in baby steps. Start with a clean face and then lightly add a little concealer under your eyes. Set it with a smidge of powder. Skip foundation, eye shadow, primer, eyebrow pencils, lipstick and eyeliner. Sweep on a touch of blush (just a little!) and if you still feel uncomfortable put on one coat of brown mascara. Then get dressed, take a deep breath and go along with your day. You'll be surprised how many compliments you get :) And when you bump into your oh-so-chic friend on the street, just remember, she's probably wondering how you look so pretty without makeup on.

Talk soon,
Vi

SNAPSHOT INSPIRATION

OUTFIT OF THE DAY

Sweater: Gap (find a similar one here)

Scarf: The ROM (find a similar one here)

Earrings: Joe Fresh (find a similar one here)

Boots: Kolding, Ecco (find it here) 

Leggings: Dynamite (find a similar pair here)
 

Hi everyone :) Here's the outfit that I wore on Christmas day. We all piled over to my grandfather's house, so I kept it casual but pulled together. I'm really loving this grey sweater - it reminds me of Jennifer Beals' workout sweater in Flash Dance. I borrowed it from my friend a couple of weeks ago and it was all washed and folded before I cracked and wore it again for Christmas!

I used my new scarf and purse from last week's post (click here to read it) too! I really like the shape of this scarf, because the long vertical line makes your figure look taller and leaner. Another trick for elongating your silhouette is to pair black boots with black leggings. The colour block will extend the line of your leg and keep them looking lovely! That being said, a nice brown leather boot would also be great with this look. 

Since I went for big hair, I kept my jewelry simple. I wore the new drop-pearl earrings that my mom got me for Christmas. I had been eying them at Joe Fresh the last time that we shopped together, so she surprised me with them. If you have a Joe Fresh near you, check out their new jewelry line - they have really nice costume jewelry for affordable prices.

Talk soon,

Vi

CHRISTMAS: TAKE 2

As promised, here is part two of my Christmas celebration, this time with my dad's side of the family. I got some great shots from Christmas weekend, so I'll share them with you over the coming week :) Hope everyone had a happy holiday!!

 My sister and me at my Pappou's house. 

 Pappouli <3 - my dad's dad. 

 My mama looking lovely. 

Aunty Fanitsa - love her festive sweater and scarf combo!

Group shot :)

Talk soon,
Vi

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I have tons of great photos to share with you (some OOTDs, a Snapshot Inspiration and more!), but we forgot my dad's camera at my grandpa's house so we're going back tomorrow evening to pick it up - I'll upload the pictures then! In the meantime, here are two of my favourite Christmas songs to tide you over.

For a little Canadian flavour - The Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLaughlan's "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" 

And for the Stevie fans out there - Stevie Nicks' "Silent Night"


Christmas hugs!
Talk soon,
Vi

PRESENTS, PUPPIES and PURSES

Check out these amazing gifts that I got for Christmas from my friends! My friend (and former roomie) Alex got me this great scarf from the Royal Ontario Museum. I can't wait to wear it! The bold pattern will be great all year round. It's also a really interesting shape - long and thin - which will be fun to style.

The next day, my friend Lauren gave me an awesome red patent leather purse from Coach. I'm usually a little wary about Coach products because they have such prominent logos, but I adore this purse! She couldn't have picked better. The material is so nice and buttery, I could just eat it up :)

Speaking of yummy, check out Laurent's heart-warming new puppy, Olive. She's a baby Yorkie who weighs in at a whopping 2 lbs! I went over to visit yesterday and played with her all evening. She even 'helped me' open my present. Her mama bought her all these fabulous little outfits - she's such a stylin' pup!

Thank you to my amazing friends!
Talk soon,
Vi

OUTFIT OF THE DAY

Sweater: Jacob Connection (find a similar one here)

Leggings: Forever 21 (find a similar pair here)

Boots: Kolding, Ecco (find it here)

Cami: Pure Body Cami, Gap (find it here)

Hi everyone! Just a quick post for today. Tomorrow is my last day of work before Christmas, so I'll have more time to blog once I'm off :) This is a super casual and comfy outfit that I wore a couple of days ago. I really love these new leggings from Forever 21 - they're so festive! Be sure that the hemline of your shirt falls low when you wear leggings. Since they aren't constructed the same way as pants, they can be very revealing if you aren't careful. If you're looking for a fun pair of patterned leggings, Forever 21 has a huge selection this season. I tried on a couple of pairs, but the thin horizontal stripes on these ones (as opposed to the bold, thick stripes on some of the other pairs) were the most flattering.

Since the leggings are so bold, I kept the rest of the outfit simple. I wore the same navy sweater that I wore in my first ever Outfit of the Day post (see it here) - it really can be wore year-round! This time, I added a white cami underneath for warmth. My black leather boots were the best choice for the rainy weather, but a pair of flats would have looked nice too.

Talk soon!

Vi

CHRISTMAS: TAKE 1

This past weekend, I had my first family Christmas party. Sunday was my nana's (my mom's stepmom) family gathering. Here are some pictures :)

My mom has three brothers and three sisters - and most of them have children - so it can get pretty crowded!

Two of my aunts showing off their presents :)

Cutie patootie - my littlest cousin with his new Transformer.

 The hostess with the mostess.

My nana does a lot of work with the Hôpital Albert Schweitzer in Haiti. These are their snazzy new Christmas cards!

My mama (and dad in the background) looking extra pretty with her Christmas card and her new purse. That's the same shirt that I wore in my Outfit of the Day post a couple of weeks ago. It's such a pretty fabric!

 My nana gave me this cool bracelet from her last trip to Haiti.

I wore the same black turtleneck outfit that you can find in my Holiday Outfit Guide post. 5 days until Christmas!!

Talk soon,
Vi

HOLIDAY OUTFIT GUIDE

LOOK #1: Dress

The dress is a classic holiday staple. For a casual event, try bundling up in a cozy sweater dress. Belt it at the waist to give yourself a nice hourglass shape and add opaque tights for warmth. Dress it up a little with a pair of pumps, or try a great pair of riding boots for modern twist. Play with texture, pattern and colour in your accessories. Use a scarf to add dimension and a pop of bright jewelry.

For a formal occasion, you can't go wrong with an elegant red dress. The colour is festive without being campy and you'll feel beautiful all night long. Look for flattering details like a v-neck and  belting and darting at the waist. Hemlines that fall at the knee are usually a pretty safe bet for most body types.

If you're feeling daring, go retro with a 1940's-style floral dress. Try grey tights instead of black and add a bowler hat for fun! Choose a sweater in a complimentary colour to keep off the winter chill.

LOOK #2: Pants

For a casual event, a classic black turtleneck is a great option. Pair it with your favourite pair of fitted jeans to balance out your silhouette. If you're going to be doing a lot of walking, try a sturdy leather ankle boot; if not, rock a sexy black heel.

For a formal occasion steer clear of jeans. Instead, opt for a trouser. Camel and black are universally flattering neutrals that will go with everything. Add some dimension and texture to your look with a cable-knit sweater. Remember to pick one that flatters your shape to avoid looking boxy. Take the outfit to the next level with a bunch of sexy accessories. Shiny belts, strapy heels and over-sized earrings are all great options!

If you're feeling daring, mix patterns, colours and textures together. Layer a lace top underneath a bold, heavy-knit sweater and add multi-coloured accessories. Add a festive touch with snowflake earrings or a Christmas pendant.

LOOK #3: Skirt

The skirt/top combo is my all-time favourite holiday look. For a casual event, pair a bright knee-length skirt with a white blouse. Add opaque tights and riding boots to keep it cool and classy. Look for a thick, rustic belt to add extra definition to your waist. Stud earrings will be an elegant finishing touch.

For a formal occasion, layer a light-knit sweater over a bandage skirt. Add tights underneath if you're looking for a bit more coverage or rock bare legs for a sexier look. Tuck a cute clutch under your arm to keep all of your personal effects close and grab some bedazzled accessories. Steal the show with a bold heel with jewels and a statement necklace.

If you're feeling daring go with head to toe black. Mix textures and fabrics to keep it interesting. Layer a tank underneath a sheer top, then offset the volume with a tight black mini. Break up the colour with a gold or brown skinny belt. This will also create a great hourglass figure! If you're feeling extra naughty, ditch the tank top and wear only a lacy bra underneath a sheer blouse.

Wishing you fabulous holiday parties!

Talk soon,

Vi

WHAT'S IN MY BAG?

1. Bag
This bag is my all-time favourite! I bought it at the Marché aux Puces St-Ouen de Clignancourt in Paris. It's a big antiques market with tons of goodies - if you're doing some traveling in the area, it's definitely worth the trip! I love this leather satchel and it has so many great memories from my trip. I went to visit my friend Daniela for a week and we had an amazing time exploring the city :)

2. Change Purse 
 I think this orange leather change purse is just the coolest thing. It was a present from Daniela; I think she said that she bought it in Berlin. Daniela has such a distinct personal style, I love it! Check out her outfit in my "Snapshot Inspiration" post here. It's too small to hold all my change, so it's become part of the decor.

3. Wallet
 I'm weirdly picky about wallets. I don't know why, but I find them really hard to shop for. I found this one at the luggage store Bentley. I was walking through the mall looking for something completely different and I saw it. I love the dark green faux-crocodile print! It's also big enough to hold all my stuff. I'm a bit of a card hoarder - my wallet it packed with various library cards, movie theatre cards, discount cards and business cards (from the doctor, from my favourite restaurants, etc.) Poor thing is always bursting at the seams!

4. Makeup Bag
This Coach clutch was another gift. My friend Lauren gave it to me for Christmas a couple of years ago. I usually don't like pieces with lots of logos (things like Guess, Coach, American Eagle, etc.) but this bag is the perfect size for my makeup. Since I'm so Type A, I like to keep all of my makeup organized in my bathroom, but there are certain things that I carry with me. Here's the list:

- Chapstick: I can't stand chapped lips. Not on myself. Not on other people. You know that Subway commercial where the guy says he lost 300lbs on sandwiches? All I can focus on is how chapped his lips are. Always better safe than sorry.

- Nude Lipsick: I carry Revlon's Matte Lipstick in Nude Attitude. It's perfect for quick touch ups no matter what you're wearing. Revlon's lipsticks are nice and moisturizing too and not at all sticky.

- Mirror: Pretty standard. My mom got me this pretty silver one for Christmas a couple of years ago. It's nice and small so it doesn't take up much room.

- Perfume: I got this sample of Joe Malone perfume at a department store a couple of months ago and it's made its way into my makeup bag. I actually don't really like it very much, which is why it's my emergency mini bottle - better a not-your-favourite perfume than an I-work-around-food-all-day smell.

5. Agenda
 Type A. I like making lists. Enough said.  

6. Glasses 
I wear glasses for distance, so I keep a pair of sunglasses (my beloved Ray Ban Wayfarers) in my purse. I only have one case to maximize space, so I just switch my sunglasses out for my eyeglasses whenever I need them.
 
7. Phone
 My poor old phone has really taken a beating. I get a new one in January - exciting! Any suggestions? My blackberry was the first Curve model and it's lasted me three years and many an accidental drop down the stairs.

8. Car Keys
I use my parents car to get to and from work. It's a tiny silver two-door with manual windows, no air conditioning and it sometimes struggles with hills. My baby :)

9. iPod
I don't think that anything can beat plugging your iPod into the car stereo, turning up the volume, sipping your coffee and driving to work. Best way to start your day.

Talk soon!
Vi

FAMILY FASHION

Hello everyone :) Yesterday, I went to see Handel's Messiah with my parents at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto. The music was performed by the very talented Toronto Symphony Orchestra. It was such a good show - the alto and soprano were both really amazing and the chorus was enormous! There are still some dates left, so if you're in the area I would definitely suggest checking it out (click here).

We grabbed our old camera on the way out the door, so the pictures are pretty grainy, but you get the idea. I didn't have very much time to get ready after work, so I went for something simple and classic. The weather was rainy and cool, so I wore a long black peacoat with opaque tights and boots to keep warm and dry. Ideally, I would have liked to wear my black leather pumps, but I didn't want to sit with wet feet for two hours. I finally got the opportunity to wear my new hat from Forever 21 - woo!

Although you can't see it, I wore a high-waisted bronze skirt with a black v-neck sweater underneath. I want to do a holiday clothing post, so I'll save that outfit for then.

My parents were looking extra dapper yesterday! My dad was finally able to wear these great dark-brown trousers again (he had surgery and the waistline rubs against his scar) and he paired them with a cinnamon-coloured sweater with a shallow v-neck. He also wore his black pea coat to keep the rain off - I really love this coat, it's so nicely cut! I especially like the exaggerated collar. 

My mom continued our family pea coat trend with her red number :) I featured this coat in my "Building a Wardrobe: Outerwear" post (see it here). The cut is ultra-flattering, since it nips in at the waist and then drifts away from the body, stopping mid-thigh. My mom wore it over a black skirt and opaque tights with dark brown leather boots. Guess it must run in the family :) I can only hope that my legs look that good at 48!


Wishing you musical adventures!
Talk soon,
Vi

CHRISTMAS DECORATING PART II

Taaa-daaaa! As promised, here's a picture of our Christmas tree. I just got off work and I'm too tired to do a long post today, but I'll make up for it tomorrow :)

Talk soon,
Vi

CHRISTMAS DECORATING PART I

 

 

I promised some pictures of our decorating extravaganza and here they are! We didn't have time to decorate the tree, so we set it up and we'll put the decorations on tomorrow night. I'll show you guys another picture when it's all done. What are your holiday traditions?

Talk soon,
Vi

OUTFIT OF THE DAY

Jeans: United Colours of Benetton (find a similar pair here)

Sweater: Forever 21 (find a similar one here)

Cami: Gap Pure Body Cami (find it here)

Watch: Couturier, Tissot (find it here)

Boots: Ecco (find them here)

Hello! I know it's been a while since I did an OOTD - I'm working for a catering company and the holidays are their busiest time of year. Today I stocked up on a couple of shots though, so I'll have some to post this coming week.

Today we're decorating the house for Christmas. Woo! I just stocked up the CD player with all of our Christmas selections! I LOVE decorating the house because it always gets me in a holiday frame of mind. My sister is coming home from university for a couple of days before her exams, so we'll be able to decorate the tree as a family :) I'll be sure to put up some pictures tomorrow to show you.

As for my outfit, it's a pretty simple, monochromatic look. I love the detailing on this sweater. It adds such a nice pop of texture and saves you the trouble of finding a necklace. When I originally bought it a couple of years ago, it was really trendy to wear short sweaters with your midriff showing (which actually seems to be coming back again.) Since I'm not a big fan of showing off my tummy outside of the beach or poolside, I added a plain white cami underneath for some length. The white band also works well to break up the navy-on-navy look.

As usual, I'm wearing my brown Ecco ankle boots. They are so comfy, I just can't get enough. They also have a warm lining and deep treads which is nice for cold climates like this one. I'm so clumsy that I fall enough without having to worry about snow and ice :P

Last but not least I'm wearing my new jeans, which are fast becoming favourites. I found them at the United Colours of Benetton outlet store in the Vaughn Mills mall. If you live in the Toronto area, then I would definitely recommend checking it out - it's full of great outlets and reduced-priced clothing stores. They even have a Betsy Johnson outlet! These jeans were such a great price that I couldn't resist. They have a really flattering shape as well; a straight, dark leg. This is a nice alternative for women with bigger hips or thighs who find skinny jeans difficult. Don't be afraid to alter your clothes either! I had to take up the legs about 4 inches to fit.

Talk soon!
Vi

BUILDING A WARDROBE: EARRINGS

"You can always tell what kind of a person a man really thinks you are by the earrings he gives you." - Audrey Hepburn

1. Chandelier

Chandelier earrings are a great wardrobe staple because they can add visual interest and colour to an outfit. When you buy earrings, ask yourself some questions: What kind of metal do you prefer (silver, gold or bronze)? What colours compliment your existing wardrobe? What kinds of earring back do you like (metal, hook, rubber or clip-on)? Chandelier earrings come in a huge range of colours and styles, so play with shape, texture and shine. Wear With: Try pairing them with dress pants and a blouse to dress up an office outfit. Suggested: Try this monochromatic pair from Forever 21 (find them here) or rock this bright pink pair from H&M for a pop of colour (find them here)

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2. Stud

Stud earrings are my favourite! A small, subtle stud can be the perfect finishing touch to a sophisticated and elegant outfit. To add a little personality to your look, play with different shapes. Try hearts, letters, stars and animal silhouettes for a fun twist. If you want to add a bit more drama to your outfit, wear an oversized pair like the ones above left. They have a great 1940s vibe that can be dressed up or down depending on the event. Easy peasy. Wear With: Style an oversized pair of stud earrings with some white shorts and a light-knit sweater for a classy summer look. Suggested: Try these gold and blue studs from Tiffany and Co. (find them here) or a more affordable pair from Forever 21 (find them here). 

 

3. Pearl

Pearls are the perfect go-to earring for a quick, classy outfit. The best part is that you can find a pair that's perfect for your style and budget. Scope out the choices at affordable accessories stores like Forever 21, Ardene and H&M or splurge on a pair of Tiffany and Co. classics. Wear With: Try pairing with a v-neck sweater, a pair of black jeans and a classic black pump. Suggested: Splurge (find them here) or steal (find them here).

4. Hanging

Hanging earrings are another great way to add colour and texture to your outfit. Feathers can instantly to spice up a boring look. Buy a brightly coloured pair for a funky twist or a neutral-toned set that mixes in with your hair. If you're feeling extra daring, then pop a stud into one ear and a feather into the other. As usual, metallics are a solid choice; mix in other textures like wood and gems to keep things interesting. Wear With: Choose a pair of extra long brown feather earrings with a LBD for an unexpected choice. Suggested: Get an amazing pair of handmade feather earrings at Salvage LA (find them here) or this turquoise and silver pair from Forever 21 (find them here).

5. Hoop

Last but not least is the hoop earring. Hoops come in a huge variety of size and colour, so play around and see which one suits your style. Try a little pair of gold hoops for a classic look or a bigger pair of plain silver ones for more drama. Avoid too much bling on the hoop itself, as well as overly dazzled outfits; you don't want to look like the latest cast member on Jersey Shore. Braided designs, brushed textures and hammered metal are all great details that can add interest and texture to your outfit. Wear With: For a tailored, elegant look, pair with a sheath dress and heels. Suggested: Try this braided, demi hoop from Forever 21 (find it here) or a forward-facing gold hoop from Tiffany and Co. (find them here).

Wishing you good shopping luck! I've been working crazy hours this week, but I promise to put up a new OOTD this weekend :)

Talk soon,

Vi