The Magical Third Element

Hello lovely readers,

I'm back after a four month hiatus with a deep and heartfelt apology. Due to foreseen circumstances (school, work, and other highly significant stress inducers), I put the blog on hold and am full of regret and a powerful new craving to write. Hopefully, this powerful new craving will translate into something magical in today's post.

Speaking of magic, for the last few months, I've been trying to determine what sets a fashionista apart from the rest. Don't get me wrong. I think we are all equals and that was in no way meant to place the fashionista on some kind of pedestal encrusted with Swarovski crystals (if it must). What I am inferring is that there is something special that makes one look at a girl on the street and exclaim (in our minds, of course), "that girl is a total fashionista" (perhaps in more natural-sounding words).

The question is: what is it? What is that magical element?

After much contemplation and a tad bit of research, I discovered that it must be her "third element". While my foray through Paris led me to believe that less is more, Montreal is all about "a little bit more is better than less". Allow me to explain.

When I get up in the morning, I have my outfit planned from the basic blue jean to the little black dress. However, once I am dressed and ready to go, I often feel like there's something missing. That feeling should not be ignored, my friends. Sometimes it's a sign that your outfit is incomplete and requires a little extra something to make it capital f Fashion. While anyone can throw on a pair of jeans with a basic white-tee (i.e sweater), it takes a fashionista to find that one extra piece that can attract onlookers and lead them to believe she is worthy of the title.

Here are some examples of pieces you may add to make your look go from regular to fashion girl (if those are indeed your aspirations):

1) A belt (preferably one with some fringe or some elaborate buckle)

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2) A statement necklace (for those times when you have no clue what to add)

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3) A fur vest (it's almost winter and you know you'll thank yourself later)

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4) A scarf (because all the cool french girls are doing it)

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5) A hat (if you claim to have a hat head and nobody has told you otherwise)

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6) Funky socks (only when appropriate and can be shown off)

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7) A headband (if you're feeling a bit nostalgic for Blair Waldorf)

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So, ladies and gents (but probably mostly ladies), I challenge you to add a third element every day for one week. And believe you me, this is a challenge because I have tried it myself. If you can pull it off, you may put on the fashion girl crown and prance around the streets like you own the place (respectfully, of course). Have a lovely week and ponder it.

KISSES,

Bella

Five Easy Ways To Improve A Basic Outfit

This may look like your average style guide, but it's actually your average style guide simplified. Ever wonder how your favourite model-off-duty (Cara Delevingne) pulls off her basics without deviating into boring territory? Ever wonder how fashion editors stay unique all the time without busting their budget? Ever wonder how you can turn your white t-shirt into a style statement? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have stumbled upon your perfect list. This basic guide is here to help you pick out the best accessories to compliment your white-tee and jeans. Let's face it, some of us don't have the patience to pick out an elaborately extravagant look every single day and need a little help finding that one piece that can take our outfit from simple to every photographer's dream. Are you ready?

NUMBER 5: The Vibrant Scarf

When trying to figure out what to wear, take your tips from Giovanna Battaglia. This woman knows what she's doing. This may look like a basic grey sweater dress, but Battaglia transforms into a fashion editor extraordinaire with this vibrant printed scarf.

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NUMBER 4: Show Stopping Shoes

If it's alliterated, than it's most definitely true. A pair of killer shoes will transform any outfit. Don't be afraid of a wild color (no more black!) and even dare to try a print, because sometimes a crazy shoe is even better than a crazy outfit.

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NUMBER 3: A Statement Necklace

Your plain white tee will never look better than with a statement necklace. If you're planning a casual day and have no time to change for your night out, this might be just what you need to prepare yourself for a 5 a 7 with the girls.

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NUMBER 2: A Printed Handbag

Preferably, an animal print. Nothing says "I know style" better than a bold handbag. While most will opt for their basic black, some of us prefer to make a statement with a bright pink or some stripes. If your wardrobe consists of basics anyway, who wants a black purse?

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NUMBER 1: A Killer Hat

Nothing makes a statement better than some wild headgear. Not sure if you're ready to walk out the door? Add a hat to your look that suits the season. Trust me when I say that this will turn you into an instant fashion girl.

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Are you ready for your close-up?

Ponder it,

Bella

The Multiple Things You Can Do With Your Ears

Ears seem like very arbitrary, though necessary, body parts that allow us to hear and listen to others, but they're also a vehicle for ornament. At a young age, parents pierce the ears of their daughters and as these girls grow into a women, there are many other piercings that follow (sometimes). This year, ears happen to be one of the most popular of all body parts when it comes to jewellery. Putting your hair up has never seemed more appealing. In the past few months, I've taken a look at some of the top ear trends of the moment and I must admit, there are many. While some would prefer a more subtle look, others are eager to opt for blingy ear cuffs that make a statement. Curious to know what you can do with your ears this season? Check out my top five favourite ear accessories of the moment.

NUMBER 1: The Ear Cuff

This ultra blingy accessory sparked an interest two years back at the Met Ball themed Punk: Chaos to Couture. Stars like Cara Delevingne and Sienna Miller rocked this look like the rockstars that they are and everyone wanted to be cool enough to wear one. While sparkle isn't necessary, it is encouraged for this particular look. After all, it started on the Red Carpet.

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NUMBER 2: Front and Back Pearls

Emma Watson wore this Dior look to the Golden Globes back in 2014 and a year later, we're all dying to own a pair. Everywhere you turn, one of these front and back pearl earrings are trending. Though the giant ball in the back may seem awkward at first, seeing it on Emma makes us feel ultra chic and modern doing it. It just goes to show that if you're Emma Watson, you can definitely make fetch happen.

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NUMBER 3: One Earring

Looking for an earring trend? All you have to do is keep your eyes out for Emma Watson and her bold ear candy choices. A single long earring may appear imbalanced and possibly a cause of lack of sleep, but in this case, it's intentional. Perhaps its intentionality is precisely what makes it so cool and defiant. Asymmetry has never been so hot.

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NUMBER 4: The Ear Climber

This one is kind of like the ear cuff's overshadowed sister. She's just as a bold, but slightly less dramatic. For the woman looking for something unique without drawing as much attention, an ear climber is the latest chic look to decorate the ear. Bonus? You can wear this one every day.

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NUMBER 5: The Ear Jacket

This one is called the ear jacket. Why, you ask? Nobody truly knows. The one thing I do know it that it looks incredibly cool, unique, and edgy. Could this be the latest rising trend in ear wear?

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Which ear trend are you loving this season? Are you ready to try one of these looks?

Ponder it,

Bella

How To Prepare For Winter And Avoid Hypothermia

Caution: This will not be a scientific analysis on cold temperatures or hypothermia.

As a Canadian, I am inherently qualified to give advice on how to dress for winter. For some, it seems basic, but you'd be surprised at the curve balls this season might throw your way. In the summer, all you have to worry about is the sun and the rain. In winter, there could be a snowstorm at any given moment, hail, a rainfall, sub-zero temperatures, and above zero global warming temperatures. It really is the luck of the draw. So, how do we prepare? Runway collections teach us how to dress for fall, but what happens when winter comes along? Essentially, if it goes down to 10 degrees, we're ready to face it. Unfortunately, Canada is the land of igloos and a cute wool coat often won't suffice.

Here are some style tips for the winter snow angel (aka YOU).

TIP 1: Wear a parka.

I know you want to look stylish and a parka makes you look like you ate your doppelganger, but it is essential to winter survival. Recently, fashionistas have been spotted wearing these monsters on the streets at Fashion Week. Designers have integrated them into their collections and we could all breathe a sigh of relief as they come to be recognized as fashion staples. These two looks from the Diesel Black and Gold Fall 2014/2015 collection are ideal for those chilly winter months. However, I wouldn't advise wearing them without pants.

via www.denimjeansobserver.com

TIP 2: Add some furccessories.

Fur is all the rage in the fashion world and the only reason we can all proclaim our love for winter. This season, fur takes on so many forms that you don't need the fluffy coat to feel glamorous. Whether a fur trim on your gloves or a Fendi fur stole, there are enough options to keep you warm and chic.

Option 1: The Fur Hat

For the bolder type...

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Option 2: The Fur Scarf

For that subtle glamour...

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TIP 3: Opt for REAL winter boots.

Lies fashion people tell you: you can wear leather boots all winter. At a certain point, those thermal socks probably won't cut it. You'll need something a little warmer for days where it hits -30 degrees. Get yourself a pair of insulated winter boots. Tommy Hilfiger knows what I'm talking about.

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TIP 4: Embrace the hat.

Lucky for us, hats are currently a major trend. Keep your ears warm with a cozy wool hat. It can be stylish. I promise.

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TIP 5. Wear pants under your skirt or dress. It's high fashion.

This may seem quasi-crazy, but all the designers are making it acceptable. Just when you thought you could never do such a thing (in public), it becomes a fashion statement that we're all secretly dying to try. This was definitely a shout-out to Canadians.

via www.womensfashionstyles.com

TIP 6: Invest in thigh high socks. They can be SO chic.

If pants under skirts is just not for you, try a pair of cozy long socks. Worn with the current mod trend, this look reminds us of the best part about high school uniforms. If Tory Burch did it, why can't you?

via www.live-life-in-style.com

TIP 7: Don't forget your gloves.

Your extremities can make you freeze faster than your average ice cube. Cover them. They will improve the state of your body in a matter of minutes. Try long gloves for added warmth as shown at Vera Wang, Altuzarra, and Christian Dior during Fall 2014 Fashion Week.

via www.fashioniser.com

TIP 8: Buy a large variety of oversized sweaters

Oversized sweaters are my favourite winter piece. They're cozy AND stylish, which makes them a seasonal must-have. Buy a few in wool or acrylic to make sure you stay warm under your parka.

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Ready for winter yet? Follow this list one step at a time and you'll be prepared to face December in head-to-toe style.

XOXO,

Bella

Chic Marie Makes Dreams Come True

Every year, awards season sweeps us off our feet with elegant dresses worn by our favourite celebrities by designers like Oscar de la Renta, Elie Saab, and Naeem Khan. Ever since I was a little girl, before I even understood the meaning of fashion, I've been fantasizing about walking down that Red Carpet in a stunning gown that would make it onto everyone's best-dressed lists. At 6, I would watch Cinderella and wish I could pull off that chic baby blue gown because inevitably, it would bring me my Prince Charming.

Chic Marie is about to make that dream come true.

I spoke to Marie-Philip Simard, co-founder of Chic Marie, and she gave me the scoop on her new startup dress, suit, and accessories rental business.

Image from Source

Marie-Philip Simard is a girl just like you and me. She simply didn't drink the fashion juice that made its way into my diet, but rather, followed her brains and became a lawyer. After finishing her studies at Universite de Montreal, she currently works at the law firm, Fasken Martineau. For the past year and a half, she's been attending glamorous charity events with simply one worry in mind.

What am I going to wear?

A month ago, she managed to answer that question (sometimes it takes that long). After searching the closets of her mind and speaking to various people in her surroundings, she teamed up with Philip Rivard and together they came up with Chic Marie, the solution to your evening affairs and the product of all your Oscar fantasies.

According to Marie-Philip, "some company in New York was doing it. They weren't shipping in Canada. That's why I decided to push this idea with men and women."

Hear that, Canadians? We're about the become the coolest kids on the block.

After joining the Founders Institute Incubator, they began building their own team of stylists to put together a dress rental website that would fulfill the needs of every business professional. Not the most fashionably inclined? Neither was she. Lucky for you, these stylists will put together three looks to suit your needs and all you have to do is present your measurements on an avatar of yourself and await the dress of your dreams.

"We wanted to democratize fashion, she said, people cannot afford these kinds of things. People want to look good. It's important to look good at a big evening. You can be Cinderella for a night."

And isn't that what we all really want?

With names like Harry Rosen, Birks, Tiffanys, Marie St. Pierre, Denis Gagnon, Hugo Boss, BCBG, and Louboutin being name dropped as potential suitors, we're all well on our way to falling in love. The best part? The dresses will be available to rent for 10% of the buying price! Moreover, shipping, returns, and cleaning will be free. I don't know about you, but I'm already drooling.

What lies ahead for this power team?

"Once we have an agreement with designers, they have warehouses all over the world. Technically we can transfer to London, Paris, San Francisco," said Simard.

For now, Montrealers get the insiders privilege of accessing this service. Chic Marie plans on shipping to Toronto and Boston as well. Mark your calendars, ladies and gents. On Sept. 1st, you'll stop asking yourself "what am I going to wear?" because Chic Marie will have the answer for you.

Have a lovely day!

Bella

The Chunky Necklace Is My New Boyfriend

After several months of tasting the various flavours of jewelry, I've set my eyes upon the chunky necklace (despite my concerns that my petite frame couldn't handle it) and it was love at first sight (Or second. Whatever). We batted eyes for several weeks as I continued to delve deeper into the realm of arm candy, but I came to realize that I couldn't quite resist the "come hither" looks of that chunky necklace.

For those of you who don't know, a chunky necklace is one which commands attention. It is the centrepiece to your favourite LBD, the accent, the crowd pleaser, and a conversation starter all at once (Not that I'm saying that men are accessories, but aren't these the qualities we all search for in a man?) The best part about the chunky necklace is that you can have a wardrobe consisting entirely of basics and your accessory can make each look unique and individual as though it were brand new (cliche, but undeniable). The illusion of newness is what we all strive for in a world where we are constantly being seduced by fashion magazines and street stylers. Jewelry was a gift brought to us by the stork to refresh an expired look. Miracle? I'd say so.

I may be a delicate young lady, but I can't resist a little bling every now and then. While your outfit may say "I'm stylish", you're neck-ware says "I'm a fashionista". In this day and age, necklaces speak louder than words. Pearls invoke class and timelessness. Diamonds indicate high standards and a penchant for sparkle. Coloured crystals are for the imaginative woman with a playful attitude. Your necklace has more to say about you than you may think, so wear it well and don't be afraid to be bold. And with those final words of wisdom, I say adios.

Bella




30 Days Until NYFW

Accessories: The Material Equivalent of Human Quirks

A wise man once said: "Accessories are the exclamation point of a woman's outfit". Who was that wise man? He goes by the name of Michael Kors and he is THE accessory giant of the fashion industry. The woman who does not fantasize about a Michael Kors handbag or an MK watch has simply never seen one. This woman does not exist.

Good Morning ladies!

I am here to convince you that sterling accessories are the best investment you'll ever make and worth prioritizing. While those all sound like some very big words, they should not be taken lightly. Many of us fall into the "shopaholic" category, but not all of us have wads of cash to spend on everything that lights up our eyes in a store. As a result, we tend to spend all of our money on clothes only to arrive at the accessories counter a moment too late. I am guilty of this very crime.

Accessories are the material equivalent of human quirks. While trends may dictate what we choose to wear or influence our sense of style, accessories have the power to differentiate us from one another and provide the necessary punctuation to a drab look. What is a sentence without the proper punctuation? INCOMPLETE. What is an outfit without intriguing accessories? It is meaningless words without subtext, a body without a soul, a soup without vegetables, a salad without dressing. Accessories have the almighty power to make or break an outfit. They individualize your look by sprinkling it with personality. The fact of the matter is that NOBODY will be wearing all the same accessories at the same time, while this may not be the case with the consumption of "fast fashion". Let's just say that they have saved many a fashion crisis.

Exhibit A: Woman walks into New Years Eve party wearing a sequin-infested Herve Leger dress in a navy blue. Woman charms the room with her glamorous glitter, sparkling upon every encounter. Woman spots Other Woman across the room in the VERY SAME DRESS. Woman's heart stops. Woman's sheer black shall and layered pearl necklace salvage the situation as Other Woman arrives with a crystal necklace and faux fur arm candy. Crisis Averted.

This situation, ladies and gentlemen, is why it is important to buy the proper accessories to make a simple look your own. Even if you find yourself decked in the very same dress, nobody will notice if your accessories shine brighter. Accessories first. Clothing second.

Happy Shopping!

Bella