Sam Edelman Lynn Espadrilles in Rich Gold

I don’t talk a lot about fashion or accessories on here, but I got the most perfect pair of espadrilles for the summer and I needed to share them with you. Don’t get me wrong sandals are great in summer, but sometimes it’s nice to have a closed toe shoe to wear no matter what the weather is. Meet my lovely Sam Edelman Lynn Espadrille in rich gold.

Espadrilles have been gaining popularity and it’s easy to understand why, they are super cute and comfortable! That being said I didn’t want to spend a fortune on a pair and honestly all the ones I have tried before were not as comfortable as I thought they should be. Well that all changed when I tried the Lynn espadrilles, they are not too stiff and the color is perfect. The gold shade looks good with everything but it’s not in your face gold either. I think they will also look great both in the early fall and next spring because they have quite a classic shape that makes your feet look nice. That can be hard for flat shoes to do.

These espadrilles also come in tons of other colors and fabrics so you are sure to find a pair that suits your style (see them all here). If you have very sensitive feet, I recommend trying them on first just to make sure the woven sole does not irritate you and that it is bump free (I have seen a few pairs with that defect since it’s not a typical leather sole). That being said, mine are very comfortable and a nice lightweight shoe to where on a daily basis. I am so glad I found them, they are the perfect addition to any summer wardrobe.

You can find the Sam Edelman Lynn Espadrilles on their website (they are currently on sale) and in department stores that carry the brand. 

H&M Gem Bangle

I rarely purchase jewelry, but I have a weakness for dainty pieces and embellished statement necklaces. So when I saw the loveliest of bracelets on Becky’s (Milk Bubble Tea) February wish list I just had to get it. 

This is a gold bangle with a clear gem in the middle and what makes it so special are the little crystals that move inside the gem. It’s so beautiful and looks great on its own or you could stack it with other bracelets. I like how it adds something to a simple outfit and looks like an expensive piece of jewelry. It’s really well made and comes in different size, so even if you have a small wrist like me, it should fit. The other best thing about this bangle is that you can get it for less than £5 from H&M. 

This gem bangle is available from any H&M store and you can find it online here. 

My Top Magazines for March 2015

When I did my first post on magazines back in August, I thought it was going to be a regular fixture on the blog, but as it happened I wasn’t super excited over the past few releases. Obviously there were some exceptions (mostly InStyle), but they never made it here for some reason.

This month however, as proven to be quite fun with spring-focused issues that make me yearn for warmer weather, light coats and dresses. In an effort to be reasonable, I only picked up 2 magazines: InStyle and Vanity Fair. I feel like a get the best of both worlds with these publications, great fashion insights as well as culturally-intelligent content.

You can get your copies of the March 2015 issue of InStyle and Vanity Fair from any news agent and magazine counters. 

The Bay's Olympic Mittens

One of my winter must-have every year is a new pair of mittens to protect my hands from the cold and add a touch of color to my outfits. For the past four years or so, the mittens from The Bays’ Olympic Collection have been winners for me. Every winter, they come up with a new design whilst keeping Canada’s color: red and white, and adding a touch of black to keep them fashionable. They are made of acrylic, giving a woollen look on the outside, but the lining is made of polyester. This combination keeps your hands warm and cozy without causing any irritation to the skin like woollen mittens can do.

With the purchase of these mittens, a portion of the profits goes to the Canadian Olympic Foundation to help support our athletes. This is a great way to support our athletes as well as adding a fashionable and useful accessory to your winter wardrobe.

You can find the Olympic mittens at The Bay for 10$ and they are also available online.  

My September Issues Picks

For anyone who loves magazines, this is probably the best time of the year. September issues have just hit the shelves, so I felt obligated to stop by my favorite shop and have a look at all the new offerings.

In past years, I used to buy pretty much every new fashion issue that came out, I am now much more reasonable. To be honest I’m not sure picking up 6 different fashion issues is worth it because at the end of the day, ads will be the same and if you don’t like the articles or the layout of the magazine, reading it won’t be the fun experience it should be.

So today I thought I’d share with you my favorite picks amongst the September issues. These are all the American versions of the magazines, we typically get European issues a month later in Canada. Also the newest Vogue has not been released yet but I’ll be sure to pick it up as soon as it’s released, it’s a classic after all.

This year I really took my time to have a close look at all the magazines and came home with only 2 (I felt quite proud). The first one is InStyle which is one of my all-time favorite magazines. I love the layout, all the articles are short and easy reads, you also get a mix of high-end and more affordable fashion. Obviously this issue is all about new fashion and beauty trends, but it also marks 20^th anniversary of InStyle. This means a look back at past issues and great moments of the last 20 years. To add even more to the nostalgia, Julia Roberts is the cover girl (as well as a guest editor). This brings back so many good memories, as I loved her older movies and seeing her again makes me really happy.

Vanity Fair is the other magazine I bought, it offers beautiful pictures with their 2014 international best-dressed list and as always you can expect great feature articles. I haven’t had a chance to give this one a proper read yet, but the article on Natalia Vodianova as me yearning for some quality bedtime reading.

Do let me know which magazine you are currently enjoying and which ones you plan on picking up. 

The Victoria's Secret Swimsuit

Shopping for swimsuits is not something I enjoy. However, I’ve recently been spending more time by the pool which made me very grateful for having taken the time to get a nice swimsuit I feel comfortable in.

I went to a Victoria’s Secret store last year and after trying on many different styles, I found the one.

The selection at the store is quite impressive and you can mix and match all the different prints and colors in tones of different styles. Another thing I really enjoy is how the sizing for bikini tops is in bra sizes, this takes all the guess work out of shopping and is GREAT if you are making an online purchase.

After wearing mine a few times, I can say the quality is great, the bottom doesn’t expend too much in the water (that’s a concern with lower quality ones) and the top feel very secure. It also washes really 

well and the colors have not faded at all.

At the moment, Victoria’s Secret has an amazing sale going on all their swimwear so you can get a new bikini for less than 50$. Go have a look online or in stores, I’m pretty sure you won’t be disappointed. 

A Nice Treat

I love magazines! Ever since I was little I have loved them. They are the perfect bedtime read, articles aren't too long or too short and I don't get so absorbed in them that I can't sleep. There is also something great to be said about simply relaxing and flipping through glossy pages of beautifully constructed pictures.

However, even though I love them, I can be picky with the ones I choose to buy. The layout has to be nice, the writing fun and engaging and obviously the pictures need to be great.
Well, I recently discovered a magazine that ticks all those boxes and more: Town and Country UK edition.

I had never heard of the US edition, but the newly launched UK one really caught my eye. The summer issue was printed on the most luxurious paper ever, thick and glossy, which really showcases the pictures nicely (the fact that is is slightly oversized also adds to the feel of luxury).
The quality of the editorials is also fantastic, but you wouldn't expect anything less since the team behind this magazine also works on the British Harper's Bazaar.

The summer issue features Lily James (Downton Abbey) on the cover, editorials amazing British houses and summery English traditions like polo and cricket matches. Fashion and Beauty also have a place in the magazine alongside articles on great places to visit.

I honestly cannot explain how incredibly lavish this magazine feels, you can tell a lot of effort went into it. Reading it definitely feels like a treat and I urge you all to have a look at it.

The only downside to Town and Country is that they only publish 4 issues a year, but the quality and extent of the articles compensates for the waiting time.

I for one cannot wait for the next issue (set for November) and at 10$ it truly is a great buy.

The Gap scarf

There are only a few days left until it’s officially spring. However, if you leave in Canada (especially on the East coast) you’ll know that the weather is far from spring-like. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve had a lot of sunny days, but the weather has been so cold (the wind is seriously not helping). Because of this I’m still sporting my parka and I bundle up with a nice warm scarf.

Whilst all the spring clothes have been calling my name I have been resisting their call and couldn't help but notice all the nice winter things on sale. One thing I treat myself to every winter is a scarf from Gap, they are super cozy and soft but thick enough to keep you warm.

So if you have a Gap store near you (I could not find them online) and are enduring cold weather, I suggest you go and have a look, most of their winter scarves are on sale, as well as some really nice sweaters and other things. They are great quality for the price so they’ll last you quite a long time.

However, if you’re lucky enough to already be enjoying spring you should have a look at their lighter scarves, I particularly like this blue one and these stripy ones link link.

What kind of weather have you been enjoying lately?