Category: fashion

Shoe Diaries: Pearly Flat Mules

by mandimlee, posted in fashion

I love shoes.  Like really love them.  Before babies I wore heels all the time.  I would suffer for a great pair of heels.  My poor feet.  Now that I am carrying a baby on my hip and chasing a two year old round, I have come to terms with the fact that I need something more sensible.  So its been fun, albeit challenging,  to find a new shoe wardrobe that marries comfort (or at least more comfortable than a 4 inch pair of heels) and fashion.

And I know I am not alone in this challenge so every week I am going to share a pair of shoes that are both fashionable and functional and a few ways to style them.  This first week I am going to share a pair that I ordered from Zara last week.  And they were only $40.

Click the image to shop or click here.

zara pearly slides

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Spring Trend: Florals

by mandimlee, posted in fashion

Okay so I am in full on Spring mode – I’ve started my Spring cleaning, Spring clothes have come out of storage and most importantly I have started my Spring shopping.  For me, shopping for florals, bright colours and lighter fabrics is my way of keeping those Winter blues at bay for these last few long weeks.  And I thought I might as well share.  So over the next few weeks I am going to share different spring trends and my top picks for each trend.  Many of which will likely be either in my closet already or in the mail.

Week 1:  Florals

I mean its Spring, so of course florals are a trend.  But this season I am loving the bright colours  and large graphic prints.  And you really don’t need to wait for Spring to start wearing florals, they totally work layered with your warm winter knits (read more about Winter to Spring transition pieces).

 

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My Fav Postpartum Denim

by mandimlee, posted in fashion

Finding the perfect pair of jeans is hard, especially after you’ve had a baby or two.  A few months after I had my second and had lost most of the baby weight I decided it was time to wear something other than leggings.  I was going to buy new jeans.  While I had  lost alot of the baby weight, my body was just different; specifically it was rounder in the middle (still working on that).  So I was on the hunt for jeans that would help slim my tummy.  And I didn’t want to spend alot because I knew my body would continue to change over the new few months.  So my budget was <$100.

I took me alot of try ons but I finally found a few pairs that I love.

BTW -the  best way to try on denim is to order online in a few sizes and try them on in the comfort of your own home.  Same applies to bathing suits.

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Three Styling Options for Day 2, or Day 5, Hair

by mandimlee, posted in fashion

half up top knot

Lets be real, who wants to wash their hair everyday, or every other day for that matter.  My hair is thick and curly (not the nice curls, the frizzy ones) so washing and styling takes at least an hour. The wash is easy enough, but then there’s the brushing, oh how I hate to brush out all the tangles.  Even with my @thewetbrush it’s still an ordeal.  And then comes the blow dry which takes forever because I have to smooth it out in such small sections.  Finally,  if time permits,  I flat iron the ends and use a curling wand for loose beachy waves.

Needless to say I hate washing and styling my hair so I try to do it every 4-5 days, or longer if it’s not too uncomfortable.  And I hate the way dry shampoo feels so I need to get a little creative with my styling to hide my greasy roots. And as much as we all love a top knot, I am just not feeling it these days, so here are a few alternatives.

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Say Goodbye to Dull Winter Skin

by mandimlee, posted in fashion

The Winter has wreaked havoc on my skin.  It feels dry no matter how much moisturizer I apply (yes, I know I need to drink more water) and it just feels dull.  So I went on a mission to track down some products that will help give my skin that well rested, youthful, dewy glow.  And since I have been hoarding my Shoppers Optimum Points, I decided I would start at BeautyBoutique.ca where I knew I could redeem my points.

What I love about shopping at BeautyBoutique.ca is that I can take my time researching products instead of feeling pressured in store to buy what the sales associate has recommended.  And if I am unsure on something I can always go into a Shoppers Drugmart to sample out the product before I buy online.

Here are a few of the items I bought that I love.

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Ideas to Restyle Your Winter Wardrobe

by mandimlee, posted in fashion

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Come end of January I always get a little, actually REALLY, tired of my Winter wardrobe. Most likely because in August I am so excited about my new Fall purchases that I start wearing sweaters and boots way too early.  No wonder I am bored of oversized knits already.

So to combat the Winter blahs, both in terms of wardrobe and mood, I try to restyle items I already have in my closet.  I like to get my Spring wardrobe from storage and so I can start mixing Spring pieces with my Winter wardrobe to create new looks.  Plus it adds a little colour to my very grey Winter wardobe which makes me happy in these last few dark, cold and oh so long Winter months.

Below I have included some ideas on how you can start to mix and match your Spring and Winter wardrobes.  So get creative and have fun.

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Four Festive Looks

by mandimlee, posted in fashion

I love getting dressed up.  Obviously.  Often I find myself all dressed up with nowhere to go.  So one of the things I love abut the holidays is having an excuse to get all dressed up.  I built most of these looks with items already in my closet (trying to stay on a budget) and it was so much fun.  I am much more creative when I am challenged to work with what I already have.  It’s easy to just buy something new.

1. Plaid + Leather

Leather is a great way to add some edge to this iconic print. I paired a plaid shirt dress from H&M (love wearing shirt dresses as a shirt because they actually stay tucked in) with a leather wrap midi shirt from TopShop.  Both of these items were from last year so I linked a few similar items below, just click the product pics.

leather and plaid 1

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plaid shirt                  h and m leahter skirt

 

2. Subtle Sparkle

I scooped this voluminous metallic skirt up from Winners for just $29.99.  I was tempted to pair it with an oversized sweater.  But instead I decided at go for something a little more sparkly – this sweater has jewel embellished shoulders.  And to top it all off I added a brushed gold hairband to my messy and unwashed pony.

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3. Casual Sequins

I love me some sequins but often I find they are just a little too glam.  I find the best way to tone down your sequins is with a chunky knit.  I went for  a winter white and added a pom pom beanie.  Both of these items are a couple of years old so I added a few similar options below if you are in need of some sequins or knits.

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zara white sweeater        image1.png             image2.png

4. Bold Colour

I love mixing bold colours.  And when they are as bold as this red and eggplant I go all in with the accessories.  The sweater is from Marshalls so I linked a couple similar ones below and the jeans are from The Gap.  Links below, just click the pics.

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red sweater zara       red sweater with bow zara       eggplant jeans

 

Hope this helps inspire you as you don your festive looks this holiday season.

Happy Shopping

♥ mandi

Holiday Gifting: Gifts For The Homebody

by mandimlee, posted in fashion, holiday gifts

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Personally I don’t think its ever too early to start getting into the holiday spirit.  My husband would disagree but he knows when to pick his battles.  So yes, the tree is up and I have started my holiday shopping.  I love to get an early start on my shopping; in fact, my goal is to finish up by Dec 1.  This way I can avoid the December shopping madness.  I don’t do well with crowds and line-ups, especially with two kids in tow.  I can’t say I am always successful in meeting that goal and I am very thankful for amazon prime but nonetheless I am usually in full swing gift buying mode come November.

So here is some holiday gifting inspiration for those of you looking to get a head start.

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Its All in the Details – Sweater Edition

by mandimlee, posted in fashion

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As much as I love cozying up in a good chunky knit, I find that sweaters can get sort of boring which is why I am loving the all the little details and embellishments this Fall. From fringe, pom poms and lace ups to pearls and embroidery, this season its all about the details.

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