Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Boxing Day (Week) Deals!

I hope everyone has been having an enjoyable holiday so far! :) I certainly have. Last week I had the opportunity to do some post-holiday shopping to take advantage of Boxing Week sales. I was unable to go right on Boxing Day (I was working, and was the mall ever crowded!), but I went the day after with some of my friends.

Some of the stores did have a good sale going on that was just for Boxing Week, but I noticed most of the stores had the same sales as they did the week before.


I didn't get too much, but they were all things that I needed and I got really good deals!
Chunky sweater- Eclipse, $20
Coral sweater- Jacob, $20
Black dress pants- Dynamite, $30
Blue blouse- Bluenotes, $12
Striped top- Eclipse, $15
I didn't get any sales on the pants or the blouse, but as I said, I was looking for some dress pants and, well, I couldn't pass up a blouse for $12! I found that Jacob had the best sale going on- everything was 50% off the last ticketed price, even sale items. I am super excited to incorporate these pieces into my wardrobe (I actually wore the striped top for a family dinner the next day :P); I already have some outfit ideas!

For 2014 I want to post more outfits of clothes that are actually in my closet, not just sets from Polyvore (though I do love my virtual wardrobe there). Let me know what you think!

I am also in the process of revamping my makeup collection, so when that's done I will do a similar post, but for makeup.

Stay stylish! :)

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Manicure Monday (a day late)

So yesterday I decided to get into the holiday spirit by painting my nails. I didn't go crazy and do nail art because it probably would have gotten ruined with all the baking and cleaning that I've been doing lately to get ready for Christmas, but I did add a bit of sparkle to my usual basic red polish.


I put gold glitter on my ring finger after putting two coats of red polish on my other nails. The glitter polish that I used was a little sheer so I had to layer on three coats to make it stand out. I'm sure I'll love taking that off in the coming weeks! :P I really like the idea of putting a different colour on the ring finger, I'll probably be doing that in the new year as well!


Polishes used: Sally Hansen Salon Nail Lacquer in Ruby or Not to Be, Love & Beauty by Forever 21 (doesn't say the name but it's a gold glitter and it came in a set of three- light pink and coral were the other colours in the set)
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! :)

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

How to Wear Leggings

How to Wear Leggings


Topshop dress
topshop.com


BLK DNM brown top
$67 - zalando.co.uk


Oasis gray top
$66 - oasis-stores.com


Mango side zip black pants
$33 - houseoffraser.co.uk


UGG Australia gray shoes
shoescribe.com





Forever 21 chevron necklace
forever21.com

I've been wanting to do a post on ways to wear leggings for quite some time now. I've seen too many people wear them as regular pants, such as with hoodies and short jackets- pretty much with anything, including see-through or worn out leggings with coloured underwear underneath.

*silent scream*
This is not okay. Leggings are not a substitute for pants. 

The number one rule I have for wearing leggings is that the top worn must cover your bottom. You've probably heard this a million times before but it's true. Acceptable pieces would then include tunics, shorter dresses, sweater dresses (for the winter), long or over-sized cardigans...etc. The second and third outfits above show these decent ways of wearing leggings. The third outfit is more casual; it would work for class or hanging out with friends. The second look is more dressy; it would be appropriate for a holiday party- leggings under dresses make a great (and often warmer) alternative to just plain tights. 
Now, you're probably wondering about the first outfit. This sweater is a little longer, but I doubt that it covers enough to wear out. So my second rule is that if you are at home studying, writing essays, or just lounging around the house, then you can rock your leggings as you wish. 
Well, except the see-through ones. I have to draw the line somewhere. 

Until my next post, stay stylish! :)

Update December 31st, 2013- Another way to wear leggings to keep warm in the winter is to put them underneath your jeans / pants. It gets extremely cold in Canada, so leggings as an extra layer keeps your legs nice and warm. Even warmer? Fleece-lined leggings. I just picked up two pairs of these and not only are they super soft, but they are also really warm! I definitely recommend them!

Monday, October 14, 2013

H&M Inspired

H&M Inspired



H M sweater
$40 - hm.com



H&M low jeans
$32 - hm.com


H&M skinny low jeans
$16 - hm.com


H M cable knit tight
$9.57 - hm.com


H&M cognac boots
$96 - hm.com


H&M ankle booties
$64 - hm.com


H&M zipper boots
$48 - hm.com



H M white shawl
$11 - hm.com


An H&M is finally opening in Ottawa! Finally! I thought I'd make a few outfits to show how versatile pieces from H&M can be. What I love is that there's a mix of inexpensive clothes and pieces for special events that may be a bit more pricey. This makes it easy for young people to upgrade their high school jeans and t-shirt look. I know when I first started University (and I still notice it now) I noticed that people do dress up for class! So I've been updating my style a lot (I don't think I owned that much floral or lace in high school...shocking right?) since then. 
For the first outfit I paired skinny jeans with a pretty blouse (instead of a plain tee). The leopard print scarf and ankle boots also dress up this look. I've found that simple accessories such as a scarf can really complete an outfit. 
The next outfit is an example of how to make your summer pieces work for fall- just add tights and boots (see, simple accessories is key!). To make a floral print work for fall, choose pieces with a dark background, like the dress in this outfit. Also, I'm loving knit circle scarves for fall!
The last outfit is just really comfortable- who doesn't love a chunky sweater on a cold fall day? I would add a leather jacket and a long necklace to complete this look. 
Hope this inspires your fall shopping / wardrobe!

Until my next post, stay stylish! :)


Friday, August 30, 2013

Summer to Fall

Summer to Fall

Summer to Fall by mariathefashionista featuring a stretch dress
Here are some easy ways to make your favourite summer pieces wearable in the fall: just add tights, a thick sweater or lightweight jacket, and ankle boots. :)

Stretch dress
modcloth.com


Red top
$36 - newlook.com


Kin by John Lewis slim t shirt
$23 - johnlewis.com


Moto jacket
$62 - newlook.com


Marni ribbed tight
marni.com


Miss Selfridge skater skirt
missselfridge.com


John lewis hosiery
$6.21 - johnlewis.com




Vintage charm
$29 - oliverbonas.com


Dorothy Perkins rose ring
dorothyperkins.com