Fashion

My “Must Pack” List for Fun Weekend Getaways

July 12, 2017 By Lena

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

We’ve been travelling a lot lately, normally for a week at a time. In fact, since February 2017, we’ve been away from home every single month! I don’t always love pulling my kids out of school, but some of the opportunities that have come our way (Disney Social Media Moms, Expedia/ Visit Orlando, Pandora – The World of Avatar and Visit California) were just too good to turn down. So, we accepted, we experienced, we have the incredible memories. Hashtag blessed.

However, the only negative aspect about constantly being on the go is the catch-up phase, which never seems to end. Over the past few months, most of my emails began with “I apologize, I’ve been travelling, I’m just catching up…”. Ugh. It seems so lame, but it’s the truth! One press trip blended into the next and I still have about 436 emails to go. But I’m not complaining – just acknowledging the underlying reasons for my douchery.

So when my 10 YEAR wedding anniversary rolled around – yes, a HUGE milestone – I couldn’t bear another long vacation, another month of catch up, another relocation which involved packing, passports, etc. I know it’s awful that I was burned out for our special day, but, given our previous travel experiences and the fact that I already have four more press trips booked for later this year, I like to think that we have a year long celebration going on!
But we couldn’t just let the big day pass without acknowledging it in some way. And our decision was an easy one – spend a weekend in Niagara-on-the-Lake, where we were married 10 years ago. We knew it would bring back such wonderful memories of 07-07-07, our very lucky wedding date. …

You’re Invited: Laura Concept Store Grand Opening!

May 24, 2016 By Lena

Calling all fashion lovers in the GTA – have I got an invitation for YOU!

The latest fashions, impeccable service and practical style advice. That’s the Laura philosophy.
13103543_1262976010396366_3552315898681950462_n Laura has come a long way since 1930, when company founder Laura Wolstein opened her first boutique in downtown Montreal. Today, Laura has over 170 stores (and still growing). However, perhaps most exciting is that you can now shop from home; Laura has launched an eCommerce website, where you can browse the entire Laura collection and have it delivered right to your door. (Tees and capris are currently buy one, get one 50% off.) Love it! …

From Boardroom to Bar to… Boardwalk? YES!

June 10, 2015 By Lena

*BUMPING* because 99% of Style&co merchandise is now on sale! You can grab the looks below for 30-60% off the regular price – and summer hasn’t even begun! Start shopping.

I know you’ve heard the term “double-duty” fashion, or “it takes you from boardroom to bar” (translation: day to night). But what if you require outfits for:

a) a professional conference
b) a cocktail party
c) a special occasion brunch
d) a day in a theme park

Where should you shop? For me, I love Style&co. Available exclusively at Hudson’s Bay, they offer stylish, on trend, and most importantly, affordable pieces that will allow you to effortlessly create a summer makeover!

And today, I’m so pleased to show you a variety of easy, casual chic, and office-appropriate summer looks that are at the top of my rotation, especially while I was in Orlando for the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration! Yep… these outfits were modeled on location from my hotel room, at the resort, and of course, in the parks!
First, every mom needs a pair of Tummy Control Capri Pants. They have a control panel that helps smooth the silhouette; however, they’re not overly constrictive and are actually quite comfy to wear. Dress them up with a blouse for the office, or pair them with a tee for a weekend of shopping or lunch with the family. The capris feature a 5-pocket style and are available in 3 colours!
I chose to go casual-chic with a simple white Style&co tee with a scoop neck and woven cap sleeves. And to drop the “office” feel, I can simply switch out for these Drawstring Cargo Roll Up Capris in “Titanium”. I wore this exact outfit at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, and felt both stylish and comfortable! (The pendant necklace above is the GUESS Double Heart And Crystal Fireball Pendant Necklace.) …

Peer Pressure is (Probably) Okay

April 25, 2015 By Lena

In fact, it’s probably good for you, too.

It all started when Zeba of Ella Pretty Blog assured me that I should totally buy the Michael Kors “Colette” Medium Leather Messenger in Sun. Normally, I wouldn’t necessarily be swayed – it takes me forever to make a new handbag purchase, and even then, I create spreadsheets to analyze pros and cons – however, it was just before my birthday and I thought hell yeah, I totally should buy this.

Solidifying my decision was the fact that it was sold out everywhere (trust me, we checked!) which of course, created an inflated sense of “need” based solely on the fact that I couldn’t “have” it.

Introducing michaelkors.ca. YES! An online MK shop for Canadians, where (for a limited time) you can take advantage of FREE ground shipping to Canadian addresses, plus, the Canadian prices are on par with the US. It was literally a sign from the handbag gods that I happened to discover the online shop at the exact moment I decided to purchase a Michael Kors messenger bag, so I threw caution to the wind and smacked my credit card down onto the virtual checkout.

And four days later, ta-da! Sunny days ahead.
michael kors colette medium leather messenger tote I’m so happy with this purchase. Not only is it the perfect size – holding my oversized wallet, sunglasses and phone with ease – but I love that I can wear it messenger-style, as a shoulder purse, or remove the strap completely and use it as a tote. Plus, it brightens up practically every outfit that I’ve paired it with! See? Peer pressure is probably – no, definitely – a good thing from time to time.

Outfit: Jean Jacket, Express; Black Top, Marshalls; Leggings, Sweet Legs; Shoes, Tory Burch.

Have you made any impulse purchases this season? Do tell!

(Psst! With the warming weather returning, I think it’s time to bring back the covet list. So many things I want, need, have to have! It’s a good thing I’m fabulous with my finances… always practice safe spending, friends!)

Just Call Me Ms. Diaz

March 1, 2015 By Lena

Er… or maybe Mrs. Madden. Cameron Diaz is married now, yes?

Nevertheless, I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m obsessed with Cameron’s… everything.

Her style! Her hair! Her effortless way of exuding the perfect California beach babe. And through it all, remaining likable to both males (duh) and females alike. I mean, can anyone really hate on Cameron Diaz? She’s like the dream BFF (no offense to my BFF).

So it’s obvious that when I watched her performance in 2014’s The Other Woman, I instantly fell in love with her all over again. Of course, it *may* have had something to do with the fact that her character boasted the hottest collection of designer outfits and accessories – I’m talking drool-worthy with a capital D.

At the top of my list – her statement sunglasses from Saint Laurent, aptly named “BOLD1”. These YSL beauties are coveted for their classical look with a hint of modern styling, and although they are often listed as men’s sunglasses, they are striking on women as well.
The only problem? Finding them online was a chore, and when I did, they retailed for $345.00 USD. That’s over $430 Canadian! And while I’d be happy to spend that on a pair of sunnies I loved, I happen to own a lot of sunnies. So it just wasn’t in the cards.

Enter SmartBuyGlasses.ca. They afforded me the opportunity to review the site, and of course the very first thing I did was hunt down the Saint Laurent glasses. And not only did I find them; I found them for just $233.95 CDN with fast and FREE shipping. Hello! …

Oshawa Centre: Style Approved

September 7, 2013 By Lena

A few weeks ago, I received an invitation from the Oshawa Centre to check out their newest fashions for Fall 2013.

Cue the confusion. Oshawa Centre? Fashion? Now don’t get me wrong, but I’ve actually never equated the OC with style. After all, we’re talking about a mall whose anchor store, Sears, bares a decrepit, previous-generation logo that is normally seen flashed across liquidation centres, not fashion malls. However, since the Oshawa Centre is just steps away from my in-laws, and as a shopaholic, I am an equal-opportunity fashionista, I accepted the invitation to visit the centre and check out what’s in store for Fall.

First good sign: I looked past the King Street/Sears entrance. The main entrance to the mall is actually very well designed; welcoming, architecturally interesting and in keeping with their newly refurbished look. I entered the mall with an adjusted attitude….

… and immediately, I realized that my prejudices were completely unfounded. Inside – the Oshawa Centre is chic, contemporary and frankly, quite gorgeous.

A brief history of the mall:

“Oshawa Centre opened in 1956. It began as an open-air shopping centre and in the early days included only 28 stores in its directory – just one sixth of the size that it is today. The 10 million dollar project was coined ‘Canada’s Most Beautiful Shopping Centre’ and housed the historic Eaton’s of Canada as its major anchor store. The centre undertook a major renovation into a completely indoor mall complex in 1968, renovated again in 1994, and redesigned the south end in 2009 to include H&M, Sport Chek, and Shoppers Drug Mart. Today, Oshawa Centre has grown into a 1,219,962 square foot super-regional shopping centre serving as Durham’s fashion, service, and entertainment hub.”

With fashion-forward retailers such as H&M, Melanie Lyne, Danier Leather, Aldo Shoes, Guess and Rockport – to name a few – it’s pretty clear that Oshawa Centre is a prime contender for one-stop shopping, including affordable and trendy fashion options. Colour me impressed! And, for shoppers in Durham Region, it’s a great alternative to braving the traffic flowing into the city….

The Not-So-Viral Picture You Loved

June 9, 2013 By Lena

There are so many buzzwords in social media today: trending, clickability, engagement, advertainment… I could go on. And on.

But the single most overused buzzword? Viral. As in, “My Facebook post went viral! It was liked and shared a gazillion times.”

Amazing! And having a “viral” post or picture is certainly a measurement of success – one that should be both applauded and respected. (Unless you’re spamming people with voting requests, “earn $100/hour” ads or funny animal pictures. Then you’re not a viral success; you’re a douche.)

Unfortunately, I’ve never experienced the high of having a viral post or image, but I have received amazing feedback and engagement from a few posts in particular. It’s a nice feeling! Of course, when I published the following picture last Thursday, clearly I had no idea it would be received so well…

It’s just a photo of me and the Director of Menu Management at McDonald’s Canada, Anne Parks – from the post They Came. They Tasted. They Savoured the Flavour. I didn’t think much about it until over the course of the next few days, my inbox was filled with questions about my hair, beauty routine, makeup and wardrobe. Er… I’m flattered, friends!

And while I would normally just respond to e-mails individually, I thought this was a great way to share the “secrets” of my beauty routine. (Prepare to be underwhelmed. Seriously – I’m pretty much no-frills and no-fuss.) Below is a collection of questions I received stemming from the photo I posted on Thursday – except the first, which I received a few weeks ago and just had to include!

Hi Gorgeous – Do you do botox?!? Your skin is flawless. Secret safe with me if its a yes – please tell me where you go! xo – R

LOL! I wish I was interesting enough to have a reason to botox, but alas, the kindergarten carpool in sweatpants does not necessitate a smooth and wrinkle-free forehead. I am, however, blessed with good genes – and I do use a “miracle” cream called Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum. It is seriously the best thing you can ever put on a problem area; just a few dabs on fine lines and they disappear like magic.

Since I only use it from time to time (usually for big events), I’ve had the same bottle for almost three years! A little goes a looong way.

Love your orange dress! Where did you get it? – A

It’s my “little orange dress” from the Old Navy Fall/Winter 2013 collection. A steal at under $30; it originally came paired with a black belt, but I swapped it for a pink belt to add a punch of fun colour!…

I Have Nothing to Wear.

May 3, 2013 By Lena

It happens each and every time before a big event. I wait until about a week before I depart, and then frantically tear apart my closet.

I have nothing to wear.

“This won’t do! Ugh – why do I own that? This will work if I can lose 10 pounds in 4 days… That looked good in 2006. OMG I SUCK!”

*Technically* I have a few clothes to wear. Okay, more than a few. But come on, how can I go to an event as special as the Disney Social Media Moms Conference next week – without at least a few brand spanking new threads to show off?

(I know y’all are all wondering about this #DisneySMMoms hashtag I keep tweeting. Simply put – “The Disney Social Media Moms Celebration was created as one of the first family-friendly conferences where social media savvy moms and dads can network, learn, and share knowledge of social media while experiencing the magic of Disney with their families. The goal is to provide an intimate experience packed with access to industry leaders and opportunities to network with peers.” Translation: being the BEST social bee I can be… at the happiest place on earth. PINCH ME!)

To tell the truth, I know I’m not alone. Much discussion has flown back and forth between fellow attendees about what to wear, who’s going shopping – where, when, and what did she buy. (This gets a little complicated when you have friends with similar tastes and styles – yes, there will be an influx of long, flowing maxi dresses at the event.) We all seem to have one thing in common: a closet completely devoid of anything we want to take along with us. Buy. Buy. Buy. Spend. Spend. Spend.

So why do most women have the uncontrollable desire to pack a suitcase filled with brand new clothing? Certainly 99.9% of the attendees would have no clue if we are wearing a new top or one that is 5 years old. And 100% of the attendees wouldn’t care either way.

In fact, I’m willing to bet that some women will spend over 10 hours doing a combination of online research, in-person shopping, closet raiding, Spanx fitting, closet raiding part II, and finally, a Hail Mary trip to Insert-Your-Favourite-Store-Here a mere 12 hours before they jet off to Orlando. Not that I’m speaking from previous experience.

So why is there pressure to walk off the airport runway like we’re walking on a fashion runway?

I suppose when it comes down to it, it’s because most women feel their best when they look their best. And it’s hard to feel your best in a shirt that you know has been crumpled at the bottom of your closet for months; a pair of pants that you swear your baby once peed on; or a dress that has been worn so many times, it has stretched and faded to accommodate your more voluptuous areas. A new outfit means a new me; a “me” that has taken much care and attention to present the best Lena possible.

(“Don’t be fooled by the dress that I bought; I’m still, I’m still Lena from the block…” – Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)

The last conference I attended was BlogHer ’12 in New York City – you’ll recall that I wrote up a “Frugal Fashion Recap” that included the following looks:

Since purchasing the dresses for BlogHer, I’m happy to report that I’ve worn the first two outfits once more, and I’ll be bringing the last one to Disney SM Moms to wear again at the opening family dinner. See? My entire wardrobe does not have to be new – I am capable of recycling outfits!

However, I am currently in fashion panic mode and will be undertaking a shopping mission of epic proportions this weekend, as I only have five (5) shopping days left before we leave. This time, I’m trying to plan for an outfit that can withstand 40-degree weather, but also be fashionable enough to identify myself as someone who is attending a professional conference. I’m thinking tank dress? Perhaps an airy cotton wrap dress? Fashion gods, have mercy.

Do you rush out to buy new clothes before a special event? Or do you work with what you’ve got?