ONLY GIRL (IN THE WORLD)

I've always had a girl crush on Rihanna for her style and music.  But I'm crazy about her latest fire red hair in the "ONLY GIRL (IN THE WORLD)"!!!  I'm also envious of her super girly outfits in that video, especially that crystal headband (will be my next DIY project).  Such a fresh take from her previous bad-ass girl look.  Can't stop watching that MTV...

Should we obsess over her new MTV together?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa14VNsdSYM

OUTFIT DU JOUR - My Boyfriend is BIGGER

...my boyfriend jeans that is!  Nowhere to go, just lounging around my loft and trying on my new boots.  Sorry, too lazy to even comb my hair or put on make-up.

Sweatshirt - vintage; Jeans - Diesel; Boots - Burberry Prorsum

LET TAKE A MINUTE...

...to talk about shoes!  I LOVE SHOES.  I love heels, I love fats.  I love them neutral, I love them colourful.  I love statement-makers, I love shy basics.  I love to buy shoes when I feel fat and depressed, I love to buy shoes when I need to celebrate a memorable occasion.

It was a debate wether I love shoes more or I love purses more.  But I come to realize that I cannot live without shoes (unless if I move to a beach-front resort).  I mean the shoes are part of my sillouette.  Heels (4" & up please) elongate my legs and give me a better posture! 

Having collected as many pairs as  I have donated to the Salvation Army over the past 15 years (I'm an early bloomer), I now have a better understanding of what suit me and my lifestyle best.  Here are my rules regardless how much of a "deal" it seems:

• Never buy shoes that don't fit - there's nothing uglier than shoes that are too big or too small (and let's not forget the possible injuries involved)
• Never buy cheap-looking shoes - this is hard to describe but you just know when they look "cheap"
• Never buy shoes that are not comfortable at the store - they're not going to get better after 3 hrs of walking in them!!
• Never buy shoes if I can't think of a single occasion that I can wear them (unless they are collectables)

Here are some of my current favorites:

from top row left to right:

Hermes, Louboutin, Hermes, Le Pepe, Miu Miu, Modern Vintage, Modern Vintage, Alaia
Stella McCartney, Gucci, Hermes, Modern Vintage, Modern Vintage, Zara, Stella, Zara
Louboutin, Louboutin, Stella McCartney, Rebel, Tahari, Belle by Sigerson Morrison, Converse, Converse

SHOPPING - L'Oreal Sample Sale

So I went to the L'Oreal sample sale today.  Stood in line for over an hour with my mom (thank god I decided not to bring my son with me!).  Once in, I immediately asked the sales clerk to direct me towards Kiehl's (sold out) and La Roche Posay.  As you can see, they have the Active C Day/Night Emulsion for normal to combination skin (which I picked up 2 tubes) and the Hydraphase UV Eyes (another 2 tubes).  I have the Active C already but for dry skin and find it leaves a bit of film on my skin so the normal to combination skin should be perfect.

Also got the Roger & Gallet Exfoliating gel for body.  I use to buy their lotion and shower scrub at Holt's until a discovered that they carry this brand at the sample sale.

Finally, a bunch of cheapies from L'Oreal: Extra-Volume mascara in blk, Extra-Intense liquid pencil in brown, Wear Infinite eyeshadow quad in Aquatic Escape, HIP cream shadow paint in Secretive and Nervy (love those two colours and hope they wont crease).

OUTFIT DU JOUR - Cocooned

Its finally cold enough to wear my favorite scarf!  This gigantic camel wool scarf was design by myself and handknit by my mom.  And surprisingly, the final result was beyond what I've imagined.  Sooo cozy...and so many ways to wear it!

Anyways, I was heading out for two of my friends' birthday dinner.

Scarf - DIY; Leather jacket - Zara; T-shirt - H&M; Pants - Diesel; Shoes - YSL

LANVIN + H&M Preview

Dear Alber,

What a tease...so I have to wait another 9 days before seeing the whole collection?  But I must say, so far, you meet all my expectations!  See you soon at the downtown Mtl store in a month!

love,
Janet xxx

SHOPPING - Hats Off

So this is what I brought back home from The Braderie sample sale: OPHELIE Fedora hat in Aubergine colour with braided brown leather belt.  I have been buying hats from Ophelie for the past two years at the sample sale and get compliements whenever I wear them.

ps. sorry for my bare face as I am still using the anti-bacteria cream from my esthetician for my  lazer treatment.  actually, can you see when my freckles were removed from the glare of the cream?

ACHIEVING FLAWLESS SKIN

Nope, that's not me...but it's my inspiration in achieving flawless skin!  I'm on this everquest of searching new skincare, trying new treatments and adapting my routine to my new skin conditions.  Pre pregnancy, my main concern was my T-zone.  I had combination skin and was very prone to whiteheads and had occasional acne.  However, since the 2nd trimester of my pregnancy, my skin just became "normal" without much whiteheads or acne! 

Well, let's not celebrate just yet.  Being who I am, I turned to my next skin obsession: clarity and skin texture.  Without the distraction of the white little dots on my forehead, I start noticing how I've accumulated freckles on my cheeks from sunbathing!  And we all know that Asians are more prone to hyperpigmentation than others...which means these "cute" freckles will turn into AGE MARKS in no time!!! Ahhhh!!!  Without delay, I had my first lazer treatment yesterday and will follow a month-long use of LA PRAIRIE WHITE CAVIAR ILLUMINATING SERUM (I got samples to try - full size is $450 USD - ouch!).    I will do a follow-up post in a month for updates.

SAMPLE SALE - La Braderie

La Braderie de Mode Quebecoise is back again!!! 

Local designers includes:

Mackage

Andy Thê-Anh

Rudsak

Tavan & Mitto

and many more!!

Date: Oct 21-24th
Location: Marché Bonsecours - 350 St-Paul Est et 325 de la Commune Est

See you all there!

LANVIN + H&M

Is everyone as excited about the upcoming limited collection of Lanvin at H&M?  Launch date is November 23rd...need to mark this in my agenda!!!

MID-SKIRTS: Attempts to the "new skirt"

Attempt #1: WILD WILD WEST

Shirt - Ralph Laurent; Skirt - Tristan & Iseult; Shoes - Balenciaga; Hat - Zara

Attempt #2: 60's ROCK & ROLL

Leather Jacket - H&M; Skirt - Beige; Booties - Modern Vintage

Attempt #3: URBAN GRUNGE

Fur Vest - vintage; Hoodie - American Eagle; Skirt - BCBG; Boots - Modern Vintage

Here are my three attempts of the calf lenght flowy skirt.  Which one is your favorite look?  Or should I just retire this skirt trend for good?

ps. sorry for my cat in the first two shots...

MID-SKIRTS: what say you?

I'm partial about the new skirt: flowy mid-calf length.  Although it seems like a natural fit to hide problem areas of most women (hips, thighs and derriere) while accentuating the waist, it's just not the most flattering length for my below average height (I'm barely 5'4 1/2" and average height of women in North America is 5'5").

So, how can I make it work??  I'll try to post some outfits with the "new skirts" this week for your feedback. 

(source: Louis Vuitton Fall10, Marc Jacobs Fall10, Prada Fall10, Rag&Bone Fall10 via Style.com)

OBSESSION DU JOUR - Alaïa Suede Cutout Wedge Boots

I have been obsessed with these Alaïas for over a year now...LOVE the richness of black suede; LOVE the architectural cutout heels; LOVE the versatility of a pair of ankle boots.  And the are soon to be available in my size on TheOutnet.com at 60% off!!!  TheOutnet.com has these "Pop-Up Sale" that features a select designer at deep discount for a limited time.  The Alaïa shoe sale starts in 2 days!!  But at 60% discount is still a hefty $628 USD (plus shipping and duty).  Ahhh...what is a girl to do?!?

For more details on the Alaïa shoe sale: https://www.theoutnet.com/Shop/Designers/Alaia/Shoes?viewall=on

OUTFIT DU JOUR - The Blazer

Love the pipping on this college uniform-like blazer.  And the oversize fit is just what I need.

Blazer - Club Monaco; Dress - H&M; Bag - Givenchy; Boots - Le Pepe

MAIN EVENT - Wedding of the Year

This past weekend was my best friend's wedding.  She looked absolutely gorgeous!

SHOPPING - Wang Band

Went shopping the other day, and while waiting for my friend, I wandered off to check out whats new for fall at Holts.  Since I still have 10 lbs to go before I reach my pre-preg weight, I refuse to buy anything that would only fit now...until I saw this: Alexander Wang modal spandex ruched skirt.  It was love at first sight: the strechy t-shirt material, the ruching AND the elastic waistband!  Actually, I was sold at the ELASTIC WAISTBAND.  Perfection, including the price: $110 CAD!!  Can't wait to wear it!

(source: net-a-porter.com)

OUTFIT DU JOUR - Snow Leopard

Leopard print is on of those trends that carries itself through time...like a crisp white shirt or a little black dress.  I have a few pieces of leopard print, however, this snow leopard ponyhair YSL Besace must be my favorite!  I love that its not the usual yellow/camel/brown, but rather a off-white/taupe/brown colouring, which makes it more versatile.  It can be worn with greys or browns.

Cardigan - Club Monaco; tank - Space FB; leggings - no name from Winners; Bag - YSL; Boots - Le Pepe; belt - Barbara Bui

SAMPLE SALE - L'Oreal

IT'S SAMPLE SALE SEASON AGAIN!!! oh...I have a LOVE/HATE relationship with sample sale.  I absolutely love bargain hunting.  In fact, I'm the bargain queen: never pay full price and always ask for a discount!!!  That paired with the fact that I'm on mat leave, which means I'll have the time to hit all the sample sales in the greater Montreal area, this might be a very painful season for my wallet.

Anyways, I just got my invitation to the upcoming L'Oreal Sample sale!  It's not just L'Oreal, but all the brands under the L'Oreal parent company!  Kiehl's and La Roche Posay are the two brands that I look...CAN'T WAIT!

L'Oreal Sample sale (with invitation only): Wed-Sun, from Oct. 27th-Nov 28th

Girls Night Out

My best friend's bachelorette last night was a blast!!!  I haven't had so much fun in a while...although nothing inspirational style-wise, I just wanted to share with you all an amazing night.   We started off melow with an afternoon of pedi/mani, then dinner and dancing at Kabana Supperclub.  Oh, btw, if you guys haven't figured it out, the bride-to-be is in the Hawaiien outfit I made her wear.

OUTFIT DU JOUR - Comfort in Green

Yesterday was my best friend's bachelorette party.  I was going to wear a dress but given the  weather condition, I resorted to my "jean/t-shirt" combo.

Leather jacket - Zara; t-shirt - Zara; jeans - Rich & Skinny; Bag - A Wang; booties - Modern Vintage  

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OUTFIT DU JOUR - Trench out

All you really need is a great neutral trench coat to pull together an otherwise very boring outfit.  This is what I wore today to run some errands with my son Ayden (yes, I'm a proud mother of a two month old baby).

Trench - Max Azria; t-shirt - Gap; leggings - American Apparel; bag - Givenchy; boots - Modern Vintage