The Spring Colour Challenge

via laddiez.com

March is officially here and that means we can finally count down the days until spring (March 20th, people). Yes, it's still snowing outside and the weather remains below zero, but hope has swept into town in the form of spring collections at retailers across the globe. You know what that means? It's time for some serious spring cleaning. As we shop for the latest fashions at our favourite boutiques, we can say goodbye to some of our beloved oversized sweaters because frankly, we've worn you in too much this year dears. Personally, I have already begun sifting through my closet and to my utter horror, I have noticed a serious absence of colour. Though many of us have a tendency to buy black, white, and beige in bulk (guilty as charged), we must resist our attraction to muted tones because if there's anything we need this spring to revive our spirits, it's colour.

Generally, wardrobe building begins with a wide selection of neutrals. We start with our basic must-haves: the white blouse, a pair of black stilettos, basic blue jeans, a black pencil skirt, an LBD, an LWD, and a black leather jacket. Once these items have been purchased, we can take our creativity on a ride by popping in a bit of colour or even a print.

Since this blog is all about encouraging the average shopper to be bolder, my challenge to you is to ignore those neutrals when you hit the shops and opt for something a little more colourful this season. Yes, everything matches with black and it's the easiest choice, but if you want to be a true fashion girl and join the ranks of the Olivia Palermos and Alexa Chungs of this world, you have to take the road less traveled. Train your eyes to catch sight of bright yellow (perhaps it'll make the sun come faster), emerald green (maybe the grass will grow sooner), and fuchsia (flowers?). Even if you aren't ready to leap into prints, colour is another great way to spice up that wardrobe.

It's been a long and dark winter and we could all use something uplifting to get us through the next couple of months. So next time you walk into a store, select that blouse in a bright pink instead of white or that skirt in red instead of black. After all, colours have been proven to affect our mood and we can all use a little more yellow in our lives.

Ponder it,

XOXO,

Bella

Navy and Black: Enemies That Became Friends

via hiphunters.com

Back in the day (which day, I couldn't tell you), wearing navy and black together in the same outfit was unheard of. Who would dare combine these two similar colours in one look? It's bland, dull, and creates an aura of overall darkness. Also, the fashion world scolds those who try to match and fail miserably by choosing two colours that are close, but no cigar. Any artist knows that it's better to opt for contrasting colours than to attempt at a perfect match. Unless your wearing black on black, navy just looks like you went colour blind for a split second, like when you put on navy tights and only realize that they aren't black once you walk out the door.

Today, all of this has changed, my friends, as the black and navy debate has resurfaced. The fashion gods have bestowed upon us the right to wear these two colours alongside one another. Rules? Who needs 'em! In a world where fashion is constantly trying to innovate, we need to start reevaluating our current system of laws that govern how we dress.

If one can even fathom pants under a skirt, why can't we wear navy with black? It seems so banal.

In the fashion world, matching is a touchy subject. This is primarily caused by its subjectivity. While one person may tell you to NEVER mix your metals, another might say that silver and gold worn simultaneously on the same wrist is very on trend. While one person might wear stripes with polka dots, another might declare this look pattern overkill. While some will only wear colours in the same family, others will spread their wings towards friends and acquaintances on the spectrum. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone wants to express it. Well, perhaps not everyone. But for those who like to take a little fashion risk every now and then, the thrill of a new rule collapsed at the seams is a cause for celebration.

Sceptical? Feeling uncertain about this black and navy combo you were taught to hate? Well, to convince you of its potential, I've put together a few looks that might inspire you to change your mind. Open your mind and take a look. Your wardrobe may soon be filled with possibilities.

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What do you think of this trend? Does it work or is it unheard of in your book?

Ponder it,

XOXO,

Bella

What's YOUR Favourite Fall Colour?

One of the colours that sings fall is burgundy. It returns every season, refreshed and renewed. Fashion folk prefer to call it oxblood because it sounds more dramatic (and many of us have a penchant for drama). From our oversized sweaters to our lipstick, burgundy is always the best choice because the alternatives are usually grey, black, or greige (aka boring). It's a colour that everyone associates with this season and I am about to tell you why. Prepare to have your mind blown because I have made a list of 10 things that burgundy reminds me of.

via www.obviousmag.com

NUMBER 10

Red Wine

Yes, you can have red wine all year long. In fact, they say it's good for the soul, or perhaps the heart (one of the two). Red wine reminds us of romantic evenings with our significant other cuddling under blankets and simply enjoying life. Red wine is sophisticated and fall is the season of sophistication with conservative clothing and leather boots.

NUMBER 9

Fire

Yes, fire is a brighter shade of red, but in a certain light, the colour alters. What says winter better than a cozy fireplace with a hot chocolate in hand?

NUMBER 8

Leaves

In the fall, leaves turn burgundy. That's the original reason we wear burgundy. You can stop reading now. Just kidding.

NUMBER 7

Roses

Roses are another romantic symbol and fall is mating season. We may all be depressed about the colder weather, but it gives us an excuse to cozy up with someone for body heat. Love is in the air, no?

NUMBER 6

Christmas Sweaters

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, it is probably a part of your life since the music starts playing before you can say Halloween. Most of the time, Christmas sweaters are burgundy, and even when we don't receive any, we feel that desire to buy one and throw it on for comfort.

NUMBER 5

Cherries

Cherries are known to be a very seductive fruit and we are drawn to cherries primarily because of their colour. Who doesn't love a rich red healthy fruit?

NUMBER 4

Grapes

Grapes are another great fruit to have in the fall. Take this opportunity to switch from green to purple for a more luxurious feel.

NUMBER 3

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Planning a party to celebrate fall? Red velvet cupcakes are a perfect way to keep up with the theme. In our depressive states, we need delicious cupcakes to cheer us up.

NUMBER 2

Redheads

Redheads are rare and therefore, everyone wants hair just like them. Fall is a month of experimentation, so why not try the new oxblood trend on your hair?

NUMBER 1

Blood

I know. It's gross. However, the thought of your blood rushing from exciting new experiences is definitely not.

What is your favourite fall colour? Are you going to be sporting burgundy this season?

Ponder it,

XOXO,

Bella  

What Your Nail Polish Collection Says About You

My Collection

I wrote this post back in 2013 about my addiction to Essie nail polish (read it!). For some inexplicable reason, I LOVE Essie (good marketing?). All my friends wear Essie, my aesthetician uses Essie, and it has every shade your brain could possibly imagine. When it is on sale, my heart leaps out of my chest and it instantly becomes the best day of my life. I can't explain why. It just is.

Yet, there are so many other amazing brands to choose from:
OPI
Deborah Lippman
China Glaze
Marc Jacobs
Butter London
NARS
Hard Candy
ZOYA

The list goes on. So, why Essie? It feels right to me and perhaps someday I will be open to other brands, but for now, this is my poison.

Your nail polish collection is not only about the brand you choose but the colours you select. Let me tell you, this says a lot about the kind of person you are. Based on my pre-conceived notions of people, I've decided to help you figure out who you are and whether you'd like to become more experimental based on your nail lacquer collection.

If Your Collection Consists Of...

MOSTLY Reds, Pinks, and Orange Tones
You're a classicist. You're not really a nail polish risk-taker, but you like it that way. You want to look classy and put-together at ALL TIMES. That is perfectly fine. I won't look down on you. I admire your loyalty to a chic selection of colours. Your number one is probably Essie's cult favourite Fiji. That's fine. I own it too. Keep on wearing Fiji. It's lovely.

MOSTLY Blues, Greens, and Shades of Black.
You're a little edgier than most. Your aunt might give your nails a looksie and cringe a little bit, but you like it. You want that reaction. The weirder the colour, the better you feel. Who needs those standard colours? You especially LOVE that there are so many versions of black on the market. After all, who can pick just one? You're probably a big fan of Essie's Butler Please, Turquoise and Caicos, or Devil's Advocate. Your nails are always bold and edgy, exactly like you. And who's to judge?

MOSTLY Nail Art
You are the most patient person on the planet (in my biased opinion). You love YouTube because it offers a world of options. Who needs one colour on your nails when you can have 3? Louboutin nails? Love it. Polka dots? Bring it on. Multi-coloured french mani? That's the ONLY way to do it. You love experimenting and you're a major risk-taker. If you make a mess, who cares? It's all art, isn't it? You're a lot of fun to be around because you'll try anything once. People really love you.

MOSTLY French Manicures, White, or Nudes
You ONLY paint your nails on special occasions. You like them clean and cut. You are very clean cut yourself. You love a classic pantsuit for work with a chic bob or blunt bang. Your nude Celine handbag is your best friend. Who needs wild colours? Those are for children, you say. I'm ready to be a woman. You ALWAYS look sophisticated and people envy your for it. You don't need to try new things because you know what you like and you're more experience driven than trend driven. I salute you.

This may be a product of my imagination, but you might find some truth to it. Take a peak at your nail polish collection tonight and let me know where you stand.

Ponder That,

XOXO,

Bella

The Black Shoe Problem

We all have a common disease. When it comes to shoes, black is always our first choice. Why? Duh. It matches EVERYTHING. It's a classic. It'll never go out of style. It's a great go-to. Shall I list more obvious reasons?

So what happens to all the other shoes?
They go to all those famous celebrities with enough money to explore other colours.
They go to the bloggers who seek unique pieces that will amp up their outfits.
They go to the shopaholics of the world.

via nymag.com

Why don't we normal folk appreciate a coloured shoe? Are we simply too afraid to try it? What if we all decided that our clothing should remain neutral and our shoes should stand out? (I'd vouch for that)

Now, this is a huge problem because we find ourselves in a sea of black shoes without a colour in sight. And a world with no colour(ful shoes) simply isn't a world!

How do we solve this problem?

Let's make a pact. We should all purchase one pair of impractical shoes in a colour we'd usually never dream of wearing. Remember that anything is possible with a basic black or white tee and jeans and of course, colour blocking skills.

So, what are you afraid of?

Here are some shoes to inspire you:

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My Hair And My Crayola Box Have A Lot In Common

When I was 16, I finally felt like an adult (even though I wasn't even legally an adult...). There's something about that sweet 16 that feels different. You've crossed the bridge of preteen anguish and you can finally breathe a sigh of relief as you enter your teens. That year, I decided to cut my waist length locks, donate them to Locks For Love, and sport a brand new shoulder length do. When I stepped into school that day, my friends were in awe at my bold decision and the squeals of excitement awoke my internal butterflies. For the first time, I had made a brave decision about my hair and I felt as though my entire world would change.

via deviantart.com

For a woman, hair is not just a series of strands that fall down your head. It's our power source. However, it does not define us. When we're about to take a big step in our lives, many of us opt for a dramatic haircut as a symbolic gesture to mark this moment in time. It has the power to completely change our mood and it's as easy as a pair of scissors. Sometimes, in moments of passion, we allow our siblings to snip at our bangs or perhaps we accidentally get gum in our hair and need a quick fix. When those locks tumble to the ground, we often shed a tear and when anyone compliments our mane, the joy wriggles through our bodies as we offer a shy "thank you". Hair is everything and if a hair salon is easily accessible, it makes change all the more enticing, hence why celebrities changes their hair like underwear.

via taz.com

Last year, the pixie was the biggest celebrity hair trend and as it trickled down to the public, it became a sign of an empowered woman with enough sex appeal to pull off a shorter do. Before that, ombre was the fad that every girl wanted in order to be simultaneously blond and brunette (best of both worlds, right?). And before that, every woman was changing her bangs on the fly to get that playful look that they provide. These past few months, it's been all about the colour. And I'm not talking about bleach blond.

Recently, Nicole Richie went lilac, Kristen Stewart went burnt orange, and Katy Perry just introduced her slime green locks on Instragram. It turns out, all the celebrities have spring fever and what better way to indulge in the disease than with one's hair? Will this look make its way to the general public? How far will people go? Will hair become a flavour of the week? What colour is next? Is Rihanna's bright red look so five years ago?

via the-collectiveonline.com

All I know for certain is that I probably wouldn't go green. Perhaps purple heads have more fun?


Bella

End of Term Blues, Greens, and Pinks

The decision to wake up in the morning is becoming increasingly difficult as the term comes to a close and sweatpants seem to be the only appealing article of clothing in your closet. Your brain is clogged with information and there simply isn't space for fashion choices.

Karl Lagerfeld once said: "Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life, so you bought some sweatpants".

There's something about sweatpants that smells like defeat (not just because you couldn't run as many miles on the treadmill as you'd hoped) and the stench follows you throughout the day as each task becomes more and more daunting. The desire to select an outfit diminishes as your internal anguish translates into your wardrobe. You don't have time to fix your hair, so what's the point of wearing something cute? Your patience is limited to a quick dash of eyeliner and perhaps some lipstick, but somehow, you still don't feel refreshed.

The reason: Exams.

During exams, fashion dies. We hibernate in the library and study for consecutive hours devouring one coffee after another to stay awake. But, we CANNOT allow this to happen. It's time to stop letting your exam stress dictate your fashion choices, or lack thereof.

Let's all take a moment to remember that it's spring. The warm weather is approaching, the grass is getting greener, and the sun is getting brighter. It's time for pastels and bold florals. Don't let your mood permeate your wardrobe, but invite your wardrobe to save you from your misery. Bright colours release endorphins and can potentially stimulate your brain flow. Colours are known to ignite a variety of emotions in human beings, so get rid of those blacks and greys in exchange for oranges and pinks. The brighter the wardrobe, the brighter your future.

Good Luck!

Bella

Hi, My Name is Bella and I'm An Essieholic

HI!

I'm officially done exams for the semester and my biggest problem has now become what colour I want to paint my nails. This may sound banal, when you have an addiction as grave as mine, it's quite stressful. Sometimes you're just feeling moody and Devil's Advocate is absolutely perfect. On occasion, you become a classic lady and Fiji comes to mind. When I'm feeling a little wild, I go for Butler Please. Oh, I'm sorry. Did that confuse you? I only speak Essie. 

When it comes to my nail polish, I'm a loyal Essie follower and every shade matters. This does not make me insane. Other women suffer from the same ailment. It becomes a serious problem when your favourite nail polish brand comes out with a new collection every season and a whole new world of colours surfaces. I'm the type of girl who can't just stick to one colour due to my vivacious mood swings. One rule though: I rarely wear red. Call me feminist, but it's so traditional, I'm yawning as I talk about it. I'm definitely in the 50 shades of blue. It's usually quite a process to select one because you need to make sure it suits your complexion perfectly and that you don't choose the wrong shade. Occasionally, you pick something a tad streaky and regret your decision. Nail polish colour is everything and in Essieland, shade is everything. Here are some of my personal favourites and with these, you can't go wrong:

1) Devil's Advocate

via www.kalynlord.com

2) Fiji

via lissaspolishaddiction.blogspot.ca

3) Butler Please

via fingernailsaregood.tumblr.com

4) In the Cab-ana

via mychihuahua-bites.blogspot.be

5) Shearling Darling

via ommorphiabeautybar.com

Enjoy!

Bella