July 09, 2014
May 21, 2014
April 28, 2014
Online Shopping Guide: Hudson's Bay
Recently (over Easter weekend) as I was checking through the many retail emails that I receive daily, I came across one from Hudon's Bay, they were announcing the beginning of Bay Days (a mega sale that lasts until April 24th, see here for included deals).
For those of you who may not be familiar with Hudson's Bay (or the Bay as it was once referred to) it is a company with Canadian roots dating back to 1670 (for more info see here). Some of the brands that they carry both in their stores and on their website include: Alberta Ferreti, Alfred Sung, B Brian Atwood, Balenciaga, Badgley Mischka, BCBGMaxAzria, Birkenstock, Calvin Kleine, Coach, Cole Haan, Diane von Furstenberg, Diesel, DKNY, Guess, Hunter, Ivanka Trump, Jones New York, Tommy Hilfiger, TopShop, Ralph Lauren and many more.
As I was browsing through the shoe section, I found several pairs of sandals that I liked and therefore felt I must buy (serious shop-a-holics will understand me here) and although I had never ordered from their site before I decided to give it a go.
The website is easy to use and is tablet-friendly, they offer many clear, high-quality photos of each item as well as a zoom tool, there is a size guide included so you can check the dimensions in case you are concerned about fit. I did not experience any issue with sizes being unavailable and most shoes were offered in a variety of colours. Some items were already marked down and these items would still qualify for the Bay Days discount (for shoes it was - get 30% off when you buy 3 pairs or more).
Once I had added all the items to my virtual shopping cart, I was then prompted to create an online profile (if you have an HBC rewards card you can connect it so you can receive points for your purchase). One downside was that I did have some issues adding my credit card and after determining that it was not an issue with my card, I opted to complete my order over the phone. The service rep that I spoke with was extremely nice and she helped me to complete my order quickly and efficiently. The best part of this experience was that with the shipping option I chose (standard shipping 6-7 days with Canada Post is free if you order over $99) my package arrived in 2 days, after a holiday no less! So if you are interested in ordering high-quality clothing, footwear, accessories and more, you want free shipping and an easy checkout process, and want more for your money, then I highly recommend checking out Hudson's Bay.
Any questions or comments are welcome!
Erin
For those of you who may not be familiar with Hudson's Bay (or the Bay as it was once referred to) it is a company with Canadian roots dating back to 1670 (for more info see here). Some of the brands that they carry both in their stores and on their website include: Alberta Ferreti, Alfred Sung, B Brian Atwood, Balenciaga, Badgley Mischka, BCBGMaxAzria, Birkenstock, Calvin Kleine, Coach, Cole Haan, Diane von Furstenberg, Diesel, DKNY, Guess, Hunter, Ivanka Trump, Jones New York, Tommy Hilfiger, TopShop, Ralph Lauren and many more.
As I was browsing through the shoe section, I found several pairs of sandals that I liked and therefore felt I must buy (serious shop-a-holics will understand me here) and although I had never ordered from their site before I decided to give it a go.
The website is easy to use and is tablet-friendly, they offer many clear, high-quality photos of each item as well as a zoom tool, there is a size guide included so you can check the dimensions in case you are concerned about fit. I did not experience any issue with sizes being unavailable and most shoes were offered in a variety of colours. Some items were already marked down and these items would still qualify for the Bay Days discount (for shoes it was - get 30% off when you buy 3 pairs or more).
Once I had added all the items to my virtual shopping cart, I was then prompted to create an online profile (if you have an HBC rewards card you can connect it so you can receive points for your purchase). One downside was that I did have some issues adding my credit card and after determining that it was not an issue with my card, I opted to complete my order over the phone. The service rep that I spoke with was extremely nice and she helped me to complete my order quickly and efficiently. The best part of this experience was that with the shipping option I chose (standard shipping 6-7 days with Canada Post is free if you order over $99) my package arrived in 2 days, after a holiday no less! So if you are interested in ordering high-quality clothing, footwear, accessories and more, you want free shipping and an easy checkout process, and want more for your money, then I highly recommend checking out Hudson's Bay.
Any questions or comments are welcome!
Erin
April 14, 2014
Your Spring/Summer Fashion Staples: Sandals
The best thing about the start of the warm weather months, in my opinion, is that I do not have to wear socks (except for the gym of course) for the next 6 months or so. This means that I need to have at least a few pairs of sandals to match with all my summer outfits.
Good for making your legs look miles long, heeled sandals should definitely have a place in any stylista's closet. Although I do tend to wear mostly flats, I do love the look of heels for a fancier occasion such as a date night, wedding or a night out with the ladies. My picks: Jash Slingback by BCBGMAXAZRIA, Dorthy Perkins Blue Hign Strappy Sandals and Seychelles On The Floor Sandals.
Wedges
Wedges are always in style so this is an ideal shoe to spend a bit more money on as you should be able to wear it every summer (at least I do anyway) that being said, there are plenty of inexpensive wedge sandals out there that look amazing so no need to break the bank either. My picks: Makers Capri 6 Wedge Sandals, Calvin Klein's Jennah Patent Leather Sandals and Palomitas by Paloma Barcelo Metallic Wede Sandals.
Clogs
If you do catch me in a high sandal this summer it will likely be a clog. I will NEVER forget the first time I was introduced to clogs, it was during my year living in Melbourne, Australia and I was looking at the street style section that appeared in one of their local newspapers (like Metro) where I noticed all these really cool shoes (Swedish Hasbeens). I of course was immediately in love and had to have some, it is miraculous that I only ever bought one pair but I have worn them every year since and the reason I love them is that the heel is much lower and thicker than most high heels but they still make my legs look longer and they are pretty easy to walk in. My picks: Sanita Matrix Clogs, DKNY Cadence Clog and the 10 Crosby Derek Lam Mule & Clogs.
So happy shopping everyone! Let me know in the comments below what your fav sandal style is for summer, if you have any brands that you absolutely love and if you buy new sandals every summer!
Erin
Now I know that there are allot of cute summer sandals out there that have a heel or a wedge, and for the benefit of the ladies that love a high sandal I will include these options, but I prefer a more comfortable footwear option (I do know that some heels can be comfy) so I tend to wear more flats.
Flats
There are so many beautiful options this year for flats, from comfy pool slides, to strappy gladiators, to jellies (throwback much?) everyone should be able to find at least one pair of flats to suit their style this summer. My picks: a patterned Birkenstock (so luxe it has gold buckles but also a hefty price tag), the HeartBreaker two-part low heeled sandals from TopShop, and the Penny Grosgrain and patent leather espadrilles by Tory Birch (I really love the bow).
Tory Burch navy blue espadrille, 190 CAD / Bertie leather sandals, 110 CAD / STELLA McCARTNEY black shoes, 625 CAD / Sandals, 135 CAD / Topshop black shoes, 49 CAD / Gladiator sandals, 415 CAD / Metallic sandals, 36 CAD / Topshop black shoes, 49 CAD / Birkenstock rose shoes, 270 CAD / Birkenstock sandals, 270 CAD / Wide shoes, 32 CAD / Ancient Greek Sandals leather sandals, 295 CAD
Heels
Good for making your legs look miles long, heeled sandals should definitely have a place in any stylista's closet. Although I do tend to wear mostly flats, I do love the look of heels for a fancier occasion such as a date night, wedding or a night out with the ladies. My picks: Jash Slingback by BCBGMAXAZRIA, Dorthy Perkins Blue Hign Strappy Sandals and Seychelles On The Floor Sandals.
Dorothy Perkins sandals, 54 CAD / Seychelles white shoes, 105 CAD / BCBGMAXAZRIA dress sandals, 245 CAD / Burberry strappy sandals, 740 CAD / Arturo Chiang high heels stiletto, 87 CAD / Calvin Klein blue suede shoes, 130 CAD
Wedges
Wedges are always in style so this is an ideal shoe to spend a bit more money on as you should be able to wear it every summer (at least I do anyway) that being said, there are plenty of inexpensive wedge sandals out there that look amazing so no need to break the bank either. My picks: Makers Capri 6 Wedge Sandals, Calvin Klein's Jennah Patent Leather Sandals and Palomitas by Paloma Barcelo Metallic Wede Sandals.
Steve Madden heel platform shoes, 87 CAD / Makers platform wedge shoes, 60 CAD / Calvin klein footwear, 59 CAD / Marni platform wedge shoes, 900 CAD / B Brian Atwood high heel wedge sandals, 385 CAD / High heel wedge sandals, 235 CAD / Dollhouse gold t strap sandals, 42 CAD
Clogs
If you do catch me in a high sandal this summer it will likely be a clog. I will NEVER forget the first time I was introduced to clogs, it was during my year living in Melbourne, Australia and I was looking at the street style section that appeared in one of their local newspapers (like Metro) where I noticed all these really cool shoes (Swedish Hasbeens). I of course was immediately in love and had to have some, it is miraculous that I only ever bought one pair but I have worn them every year since and the reason I love them is that the heel is much lower and thicker than most high heels but they still make my legs look longer and they are pretty easy to walk in. My picks: Sanita Matrix Clogs, DKNY Cadence Clog and the 10 Crosby Derek Lam Mule & Clogs.
MARC BY MARC JACOBS ankle strap platform shoes, 170 CAD / Sanita cap toe shoes, 140 CAD / Lalù black velvet shoes, 79 CAD / DKNY velcro strap shoes, 170 CAD / Cap toe shoes, 120 CAD / 10 Crosby Derek Lam clog, 385 CAD / U.S. Polo Assn cap toe shoes, 92 CAD
So happy shopping everyone! Let me know in the comments below what your fav sandal style is for summer, if you have any brands that you absolutely love and if you buy new sandals every summer!
Erin
April 09, 2014
Your Spring/Summer Fashion Staples: Let's Talk About Shorts Baby
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| St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia |
After months upon months of frigid winter weather in Canada's capital, who of us is not ready to bust out the shorts? But unlike the guy I saw wearing shorts and a t-shirt the other morning (there's a handful of these crazies every year) when the temperature was still below zero, shorts season is not yet upon us.
This being so, it's NEVER too early to start talking about shopping for spring/summer wardrobes and to decide on what shorts we have, what shorts we need and what shorts should be donated. The shorts that I own typically fall into one of two categories: shorts for work and shorts for play, with the former consisting of bermuda length shorts and capri length pants, and the latter having shorter (but not butt cheek showing since I am a mom) hem lines.
Different Lengths
There are so many different styles of shorts out there but generally shorts will fall into one of three length categories: short, medium and long (there is of course teeny tiny show your butt cheeks bootie shorts but that's not a good look for anyone). The short length are probably the most common and widely worn length because they show off the most of your lovely legs, they are comfortable, and they keep you cooler (or so it would seem). The mid length (which I am loving for this year) is a little more formal but still shows some leg while making them a bit more appropriate for family gatherings or mom duties. Then there is the long length or "bermuda" short, which is one that I would wear to work as they fall under the dress code and it allows me to avoid wearing long pants but also have a break from skirts and dresses.
Textile Choices
Well we all know that denim is the mainstay for shorts but there is also cotton, linen, leather, lace, chiffron, lycra, polyester, etc. Choose something that's going to be comfortable with a bit of give to it, especially if you live somewhere that is humid in the summer (mmmm humidity).
My Picks
For my summer wardrobe, I plan to add several pairs as I am seriously lacking in shorts. I have been lusting after a pair of black leather (or faux leather) shorts for awhile, I would love a pair with a laser-cut detail or scalloped hem. Floral shorts are a big trend this year (bandwagon will be jumped on) so I would love a pair with a beige or blush base and multicolored flowers. I really need a new pair of denim shorts but rather than buying the cutoffs with holes in them, I will be looking for a high-waisted pair with a hemmed cuff. Lastly, if I can find it in my fashion budget, I will also be on the look-out for a pair of lace shorts in an unexpected colour like green, mint, coral, yellow or magenta (just to keep things interesting).
Question for you!
STELLA McCARTNEY colorful shorts, 855 CAD / Christopher Kane short jean shorts, 535 CAD / Alice + Olivia white short shorts, 420 CAD / Alice + Olivia high waisted short shorts, 420 CAD / Shorts, 620 CAD / T By Alexander Wang shorts, 365 CAD / Topshop black leather shorts, 140 CAD / Paper Dolls black short shorts, 75 CAD / Miss Selfridge floral print shorts, 20 CAD / Topshop hot cotton pants, 61 CAD / Boohoo pink mini skirt, 35 CAD / River Island short jean shorts, 46 CAD / Boohoo flower print shorts, 22 CAD / Short jean shorts, 33 CAD / Vero Moda loose shorts, 15 CAD
Question for you!
What shorts will you be rocking this ss? How do you style your favorite shorts? Post your comments below! Thanks for your likes/shares!
March 26, 2014
Back to Work: Shopping After Baby
Now that you've been through the pain of childbirth, and have spent a wonderful year tending to your baby's every need, it's time to think about a major transition - going back to work.
After having Audrey, I had a dilemma, all my pre-baby work clothes either didn't fit me the way that they used to or I simply felt that they no longer fit my style. So if you are returning to work after a maternity leave, no matter what you budget is, you should definitely do some back to work shopping, especially if you are not looking forward to the transition.
The issue that I encountered was that I had lost allot of weight postpartum due to breast feeding and my weight didn't start to normalize until nearly 6 months later (thanks to the gym, less nursing and a heathy appetite). Then, once my weight went back to normal, all of the pants and skirts that I purchased for going back to work were too tight.
In order for you to avoid this problem, my advice would be to invest in more blouses, sweaters, and blazers until your weight goes back to normal (this will depend on many different factors from person to person) because it's not fun to have all these lovely trousers and skirts that are too tight and uncomfortable to wear several months down the road.
If you work in an office, the style of the clothes you buy will depend on how conservative the dress code is. My work is fairly lenient, in that you can wear any colours or styles you want but there is no flip flops, no leggings as pants, skirts must be a reasonable length, no extreme cleavage and no shorty shorts. All of those guidelines are fair and easy to follow, and I feel gives me ample room to be creative.
The first thing to decide on is a budget, this will make it easier for you to decide how many pieces you can buy and approximately how much you can spend on each item.
The second thing to consider, is whether you will go for quality or quantity in the clothes you buy. I now believe that certain wardrobe staples (a structured blazer, a pencil skirt, and a tailored pair of trousers for example) are worth spending a bit more money on - especially in neutral colours - because they are the classic pieces that will last through the years as trends come and go. On the other hand, things like t-shirts, dresses, blouses and accessories can be more affordable and are more likely to be trendier pieces that can fall out of favour relatively quickly.
My third and last recommendation, is where to buy this news and wonderful wardrobe. Over the last few years I have really fallen in love with online shopping, there was once a time when the concept seemed foreign, when I would have said "you're crazy" to anyone who said I would prefer shopping on my computer to the real physical experience, but here we are. The reason why I recommend online shopping for a larger purchase like a
back-to-work wardrobe is because it gives you the opportunity to visualize all the items in one place; you can add many items to your "cart" and sort through them to decide which you really want without the pressure to buy right away; most sites have serveral pictures of each item of clothing and the ability to zoom in; and the majority of large online shops have free shipping when you spend over a certain amount and free returns which is helpful if you happen to order the wrong size.
So there you have it! Those are my mom tips for getting yourself back into the work groove and looking fabulous while you're at it. Let me know if you're returning to work soon and how you went with your work wardrobe shopping.
Erin
In order for you to avoid this problem, my advice would be to invest in more blouses, sweaters, and blazers until your weight goes back to normal (this will depend on many different factors from person to person) because it's not fun to have all these lovely trousers and skirts that are too tight and uncomfortable to wear several months down the road.
If you work in an office, the style of the clothes you buy will depend on how conservative the dress code is. My work is fairly lenient, in that you can wear any colours or styles you want but there is no flip flops, no leggings as pants, skirts must be a reasonable length, no extreme cleavage and no shorty shorts. All of those guidelines are fair and easy to follow, and I feel gives me ample room to be creative.
The first thing to decide on is a budget, this will make it easier for you to decide how many pieces you can buy and approximately how much you can spend on each item.
The second thing to consider, is whether you will go for quality or quantity in the clothes you buy. I now believe that certain wardrobe staples (a structured blazer, a pencil skirt, and a tailored pair of trousers for example) are worth spending a bit more money on - especially in neutral colours - because they are the classic pieces that will last through the years as trends come and go. On the other hand, things like t-shirts, dresses, blouses and accessories can be more affordable and are more likely to be trendier pieces that can fall out of favour relatively quickly.
My third and last recommendation, is where to buy this news and wonderful wardrobe. Over the last few years I have really fallen in love with online shopping, there was once a time when the concept seemed foreign, when I would have said "you're crazy" to anyone who said I would prefer shopping on my computer to the real physical experience, but here we are. The reason why I recommend online shopping for a larger purchase like a
back-to-work wardrobe is because it gives you the opportunity to visualize all the items in one place; you can add many items to your "cart" and sort through them to decide which you really want without the pressure to buy right away; most sites have serveral pictures of each item of clothing and the ability to zoom in; and the majority of large online shops have free shipping when you spend over a certain amount and free returns which is helpful if you happen to order the wrong size.
So there you have it! Those are my mom tips for getting yourself back into the work groove and looking fabulous while you're at it. Let me know if you're returning to work soon and how you went with your work wardrobe shopping.
Erin
March 05, 2014
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