Tag: Style

Fall Style with CF Eaton Centre

Leave a comment

CF Eaton Centre Header

It’s that time of year again! We’re breaking out the layers, leather jackets and booties and preparing for the short (but oh-so-sweet) fall weather in Toronto. I have to admit while I know this is a favourite time for fashion for many, I’ve always struggled to dress for this season. As soon as the temperatures drop you’ll typically find me in my sweats and Uggs, as much as I’m embarrassed to admit! I find it a bit of challenge to put together outfits that are cute, but also practical and weather appropriate.

So when CF Toronto Eaton Centre approached me to collaborate with them on their fall campaign, I thought it was the perfect time to step up my style for the new season. What better way to prep for fall than a visit to one of the city’s largest malls? I stopped by early on Saturday morning to beat the crowds and was invited to visit the property’s Fall Inspiration Station, which is running on weekends (Friday – Sunday) until September 17th.

Eaton Centre 1

Eaton Centre 2

Eaton Centre 3

Fall Inspiration Station

The CF Inspiration Stations, which are running in all Cadillac Fairview shopping centres including CF Toronto Eaton Centre, are interactive installations that help shoppers freshen up their style for fall. Fall is a time for transformation – the leaves are changing, students head back to school, and closets are refreshed. To celebrate the change in seasons, CF is offering shoppers an adorable complimentary tote bag that can be personalized with one of six inspirational quotes that capture different intentions for the new season, from self-improvement to giving back to others.

The totes are screen printed on site, making them totally custom. After scrolling through the different designs available on the touch screen display provided, I settled on “Throw Kindness Like Confetti” as my personal motto for fall. I think this is a fitting phrase given the current state of some parts of the world, and it’s just an awesome, positive outlook to have on life.

Fall Inspiration Station

Fall Inspiration Station 3

To complement the Inspiration Station, word art installations can be found around the mall until October 8th – the perfect photo opp to spread positivity with friends and family to mark the start of fall. What I love most about this installation are the super positive vibes it communicates! It put a smile on my face to see others snapping photos with the quotes, and to see the excitement of shoppers personalizing their own tote bags.

Fall Inspiration Station 4

Fall Inspiration Station 5

My Fall Style Haul

I was also lucky enough to receive a CF Shop! card to help build my fall wardrobe, and picked up some key pieces that I know will be staples in my closet this fall:

Fall Style Haul

  1. Uniqlo Teddy Bear Coat

The teddy bear trend is definitely not over for me yet, and at only $50, this adorable coat from Uniqlo grabbed me immediately. Not only is the outside super soft and cozy, the inside is lined with fleece for that uber-comfy, warm feeling that automatically makes you want to fall asleep.

  1. Free People Denim Button Up*

I think sticking to some good, neutral basics is key to building a stylish, yet wearable fall wardrobe. This simple denim shirt by Free People checked all the boxes for me, and will be super easy to throw on with leggings or jeans for an easy, put together look. It has the perfect slouchy silhouette and looks super cute with the sleeves rolled up!

*Unfortunately I found this on clearance at The Bay, and it seems to be sold out everywhere online 😦

  1. Topshop Tote

I love seeing colour in my closet, so switching to more subdued tones in the fall is challenging for me. Adding a pop of colour with a handbag is a great way to add some personality to an outfit, and I loved the pretty blush tone of this bag.

  1. Zara Super Soft Coat

I’ve been desperately searching for a coat like this for years – a timeless grey coat with enough structure to look chic when dressed up, but comfortable enough to wear with casual outfits as well. This was another steal at only $70 from Zara.

  1. Steve Madden Chelsea Booties

I’ve finally found the perfect black leather booties! Every year I buy a new pair, hoping I’ll fall in love with them, but end up with pinched toes, the wrong heel height, or boots that fall apart with only a few wears. These were a bit pricier then I’m used to, but I think they’ll serve me well over the colder months.

This is the last weekend the Inspiration Stations will be running at CF properties across the country. Make sure you stop by to pick up your complimentary tote and to reflect on your personal goals (and closet goals) for the new season! Which fall staples are you planning to invest in this year? Let me know in the comments below.

Advertisement

Spring Outfit Inspiration

1 Comment

IMG_9772

Spring has finally sprung in Toronto, and one of my favourite things about the warmer weather is the outfits! It’s finally time to break out the colour, pretty blouses, and to ditch the winter coat. Cherry blossom madness recently hit the city, with hoards of people flocking to High Park, Trinity Bellwoods and other popular spots to get a glimpse of the pretty petals. I did venture one weekend to High Park, but was disappointed to find that the blossoms hadn’t fully opened yet. I had heard that Robarts Library near the U of T had some stunning trees of their own, so decided to stop by – it definitely lived up to the hype!

The outfit I styled below is an easy spring look, incorporating two trends I’m currently loving: off the shoulder tops and frayed denim. My favourite thing about this blouse (besides the pretty colour) is the sleeves – they add a feminine boho vibe to the look, perfect for the spring!

Top – Forever 21 / Frayed Denim – Zara / Blush Slip-Ons – Target

FullSizeRender (3)

EF5338D5-EBE4-4D11-A6D7-48D407210891

IMG_9769

535CA351-D1F4-44DA-993C-6091C8BD20BD

IMG_9773

IMG_9774

595DB3FA-C023-409C-B17F-D25D88F6F429

IMG_9771

Sudio Sweden Regent Headphones

Leave a comment

 

IMG_9040.JPG

I’ve never owned a pair of wireless headphones – but recently Sudio Sweden, a Swedish audio brand, reached out to me about reviewing one of their products. After browsing through their site, I immediately fell in love with their “Regent” style in white – a beautiful pair of wireless on-ear headphones featuring stylish gold accents and a sleek design.

IMG_7514 edit

IMG_7521 edit

One of the things I love most about these headphones is how cute they are! The Regent features the ability to change out the headphone caps, and I just had to have the white marble style. Besides looking adorable, they also deliver on sound quality, providing crisp and clear audio for easy listening.

The main features of the headphones include:

  • 24+ hours of continuous playtime
  • Bluetooth compatibility
  • Built-in microphone and 3 button remote
  • Interchangeable caps to match your style

As someone who’s constantly traveling (whether commuting every day to and from work by subway, or flying out to visit friends in other cities), having the ability to listen to music in high quality is super important to me. While the headphones aren’t completely noise cancelling, they definitely do a great job of muffling background noise in comparison to the standard in-ear buds I’m used to. This is perfect for airplanes, noisy subways, and longer periods of time when you just want to get into your music and relax.

IMG_7520 edit

Another great feature is the wireless design – I don’t have to deal with getting tangled up in wires, especially on crowded trains! This will also come in super handy if I eventually decide to upgrade to the iPhone 7. The headphones come with a charging cable, and once fully charged will last 24+ hours. For forgetful people like me, the headphones also come with an audio cable (just in case) that can be plugged into your device in the traditional way. I love the flexibility of this, and that I don’t have to worry if I forget to charge them the night before.

The only downside about the pair I selected is that I have to be careful about makeup/foundation stains on the pristine white ear pads – but it’s totally worth it for how adorable they look! I highly recommend Sudio if you’re looking to try a pair of wireless headphones and are also on the lookout for something stylish. If you’re not into the look of on-ear headphones, Sudio also offers a number of other earphone options.

Use my code “angelaxo” for 15% off your purchase!

 

Denim Day x GUESS

Leave a comment

IMG_7098

Today is Denim Day: an international movement that began in LA in 1999 to raise awareness and end sexual violence. The campaign was originally started after a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court, where a rape conviction was overturned because the court felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans, thereby implying consent.

Peace Over Violence started the Denim Day campaign to acknowledge and stand up to the sexual violence that happen globally each day – and to support survivors worldwide. In 2014, GUESS made Denim Day its first social cause marketing campaign, spreading the word about this issue to a worldwide audience. The tagline of the Denim Day campaign is powerful: “there is no excuse and never an invitation to rape”.

I’ve partnered with GUESS to contribute to this campaign by making a social statement with my fashion statement. Wearing denim has become a symbol of protest against destructive attitudes attached to sexual violence and its cause. Today I wear denim with a purpose – to stand in solidarity with those who have been affected by sexual violence.

Discussing sexual violence, domestic violence, and child abuse is often taboo, particularly with mine, and the younger generation. I think it’s important to open up a conversation to help those who may be suffering in silence or may not feel like they can come forward (anyone watching 13 Reasons Why?). I’m happy to be using my voice to shed light on this tough and important issue.

When I shot this outfit, I felt the beautiful blooms on the cherry blossom trees were the perfect fit to represent hope for a future. Spring signifies a fresh start, and also serves as a beautiful metaphor for the recovery and rebirth of those who survive sexual violence with the love and support of others.

See my Denim Day look below:

Denim Jacket – Guess / T-shirt – Wilfred Free, Aritzia / Jeans – J Brand / Shoes – Shellys

IMG_7075

IMG_7164

IMG_7019

IMG_7082

IMG_7016

 

 

CF Hello Spring!

Leave a comment

CF - Fairview Mall - Garden of Light-12

Spring is one of my favourite times of the year – after a seemingly never-ending winter, the sunlight and warmer weather are a huge breath of fresh air! I recently teamed up with CF Fairview Mall for a fun little video shoot featuring the stunning “Garden of Light” display they currently have featured at the mall.

The whole experience was pretty surreal for me, having worked a not-so-glamorous retail job at Fairview Mall myself in high school. Having the opportunity to film a video with them was beyond exciting (if not a little nerve wracking) and I had such an amazing time!

Check out the video below:

The Garden of Light

The interactive display features 1,600 LED flowers that light up to music, spreading the spirit of spring! The installation currently features light shows set to an upbeat soundtrack and the soothing sounds of nature. Shoppers can also activate the display with the touch pads featured in the video, or by using the hashtag #CFHelloSpring (this blew my mind!).

CF - Fairview Mall - Garden of Light-10

CF - Fairview Mall - Garden of Light-11

I think what I miss most in the winter is colour – I love the beautiful flowers, green grass and bright shades I can inject into my wardrobe during the springtime! The Garden of Light does an amazing job capturing the colours, sounds and feeling of spring, and I love how it has the power to instantly brighten someone’s day. I saw so many people, families and children having a blast interacting with the installation, which made me smile!

The Outfit

To celebrate the season, I picked out a new outfit to channel my inner springtime goddess. Naturally, I gravitated towards a floral piece – this beautiful cold shoulder fit and flare dress from Dynamite with adorable shoulder cutouts. I paired the dress with a simple gold choker also from Dynamite, little rose gold hoops from Aldo, and a pair of chunky heeled sandals from Call it Spring.

CF - Fairview Mall - Garden of Light-1

CF - Fairview Mall - Garden of Light-2

It felt SO good to release my legs from my winter uniform of sweats and Uggs! I feel like my closet comes alive in the spring, and this outfit made me so excited to start wearing cute dresses and skirts again for the warmer weather!

If you’re a spring lover like myself, definitely make time to head to CF Fairview Mall to check out the Garden of Light for yourself – I promise it’ll get you into the spring spirit and you won’t be disappointed!

Laundry Day

1 Comment

IMG_5881 edit

Since starting my blog and Instagram, I’ve only worked with a professional photographer once, instead enlisting my friends or family members to help snap my photos. This means the creative direction, styling and and vision are completely up to me!

Okay I’ll admit, I’ve never actually had to use a laundromat. But I’ve always loved their charm and the retro aesthetic they embody. I recently was inspired to shoot at one and landed on Queen Street Laundry – a standard wash and dry establishment, that also happens to double as an awesome photoshoot location!

I kept my look simple with a basic white off the shoulder top, plus a pair of jeans and a flannel that I actually thrifted from my local Value Village. I love thrifted denim but find the waists on old school, true blue, 100% cotton jeans to run small. I could barely sit in this pair when I bought them, but found an easy way to stretch them out. After washing them in cold water and letting them air dry for a bit, I put them on while they were still damp (icky, but worth it) and did a few squats to loosen them up. I took them off to finish air drying, and when I tried them on again they were the perfect fit.

We had so much fun with this shoot and I love how the photos turned out, despite my inability to look at the camera! I really do need to perfect a new pose. A huge thanks goes out to my girl Rebecca who helped me capture these ♥

Check out my favourite shots below:

Off The Shoulder Top – Forever 21 / Flannel – Thrifted / Jeans – Thrifted / Shoes – Converse

IMG_5877 edit
IMG_5880 edit
IMG_5884 edit
IMG_5889 edit
IMG_5878 edit
IMG_5879 edit

Processed with VSCO with hb2 preset

If you’re interested in hosting your own shoot at Queen Street Laundry, you can contact the owner Ash at queenstreetlaundry@gmail.com.

Where’s your dream shoot location? Tell me in the comments below!

Bluboho Queen Street

Leave a comment

IMG_6378

Bluboho‘s newest of three locations is a stunning space on Queen West, with exposed brick, beautiful gold accents and cases upon cases of delicate, handcrafted jewelry. I’ve been a fan of bluboho ever since a friend introduced me to the brand last year – we’ve always loved our jewelry dainty and feminine, and the designs here are simply breathtaking! Everything at the store is created from precious gems and materials, so you can bet whatever you leave with will be extra special. Bluboho offers both original pieces and jewelry from designers around the world who have inspired the owners.

IMG_6494.jpg

IMG_6482

I met with one half of the ownership team, Cheryl (Maggie is her partner) who invited me to take a look at their location on Queen. The store recently celebrated its first anniversary, and features a workshop at the back for creating custom pieces for their clients. The brand also recently launched its bridal line, for engagements and marriage, but also to celebrate women and their personal milestones.

What I love most about bluboho is that there’s a story or special meaning behind each piece at the store. You’re encouraged to choose jewelry that expresses your individual style, and to find a custom combination that fits your personal story. Almost all of the earrings at bluboho are sold as singles instead of pairs, so that you can mix and match and select which pieces fit best for you personally. The store even works closely with a local piercing artist to get you exactly the look you want!

My Blueboho Pieces

IMG_6639

unnamed

unnamed2

Cheryl was so generous in letting me pick out some of my favourite bluboho pieces to be gifted. I selected two of their rings (perfect for stacking – yet another way to customize!), the 10k Yellow Gold Namesake Ring and the 14k/10k Yellow Gold Tripod Ring. I love these pieces because they’re delicate and simple, yet still so beautiful!

The Namesake Ring can be stamped with up to five letters, but I’m still deciding whether I’d like to keep it blank as is, or to stamp it with my initials or another special message. The tripod ring is absolutely stunning, with three little diamonds representing the past, present and future. When I heard the meaning behind the ring, I instantly knew it was perfect for me, as a constant reminder of the goals I’m striving for and for what I hope to achieve in the future!

See more of the beautiful interior at bluboho, located at 350 Queen Street West in Toronto below:

IMG_6402

IMG_6386

IMG_6476

IMG_6429

IMG_6434

IMG_6490

IMG_6475

 

Easy Closet Organization Tips

Leave a comment

Closet Organization

It’s no secret, I love clothes – my shopping addiction is something out of a Sophie Kinsella novel. But recently, my wardrobe had grown to such a size that it began to overwhelm my room and my life. I had put off organizing my closet for so long that I ran out of places to store new purchases (which I kept in a laundry basket on my floor), and I would forget that I evened owned some of the items because they’d get swallowed up by the mess! Recently I spent a weekend trying to take control of my closet, and it felt so great when I was finished.

Here are some of the simple closet organization tips that I picked up while tackling my clothing situation:

Purge! Throw out your old clothes

The first step when cleaning out your closet is to get rid of your old clothes. Go through each section and clear out anything you haven’t worn in years, the things you’ve worn to death, and those purchases you thought were awesome at the time, but never ended up wearing.

Tips on what to do with your old clothes:

  • Take them to a consignment store: There’s an awesome chain of stores called Plato’s Closet that purchases younger, on-trend clothing from places like Forever 21, Zara, and Aritzia (perfect for someone like me). You bring them your old clothing, wait while they sort through it, and they’ll pay you cash on the spot for what they’re interested in. I brought four trash bags of clothing to their Scarborough location and received about $140 for the 20% of my clothes that they decided to purchase. This is a great way to make some money back on items you would otherwise be giving away!
  • Give them to friends: This is a perfect example of one man’s trash is another man’s treasure – chances are your friends will want some of your old clothing to add to their own wardrobe.
  • Donate! You can often find clothing donation drop offs in the parking lot of your local grocery store or community centre. Do a quick Google search in your area and donate your clothing to someone in need – you can even pick a charity that means something special to you.

Group by category

Closet Orgranization 5

Grouping your clothing by category can really help you keep track of things and locate the items you’re looking for quicker. This is super important for me when I’m rushing to get ready in the morning to get out the door to go to work. You won’t have to think twice about where your favourite pair of skinnies are if you have a designated area for all of your denim!

Store off season clothing out of sight

Closet Organization 2

If you live in city like I do where the seasons change and vary greatly, chances are you won’t be using part of your wardobe during a large chunk of the year. I keep these cute storage bins from IKEA above my wardrobe to store summer items (swimsuits, shorts, etc.) in the winter, and winter items (thick knits, scarves, etc.) in the summer. This keeps your most relevant pieces easy to access and gets rid of some of the extra bulk.

I use a variation of the PAX system from IKEA, which has served my wardrobe well over the past few years. I personally like to be able to see all my clothes so I can take stock of what I have, but adding doors would be another easy way to keep things looking neater.

Sort by colour

Closet Organization 4

Another easy way to categorize your clothing is to sort your pieces by colour. This is an extra step to help you find what you’re looking for – a Dewey Decimal System for your clothing. For example if I’m looking for a specific pink skirt, I’ll know to go to my skirt section, and then can easily spot where it is based on colour.

Use skinny hangers

Closet Organization 3

My number one space saving tip? Use skinny hangers! I had been using the cheap wooden hangers from IKEA for the longest time, but realized I could fit three skinny hangers (you can usually find these at any home ware store – Winners, Homesense, Solutions) for each wooden hanger I had. This tripled the capacity of my closet! The velvet kind are my absolute favourite, as they keep spaghetti straps and silky fabrics from slipping off the hanger.

These tips work best for someone trying to tackle a closet that’s gotten out of hand, or has hoarding tendencies like I do. I’ve always lusted after that perfect, minimalist blogger closet (with a few neutral staple pieces hanging gracefully on the rack) – but I know my reality is that I’ll always have drawers and shelves stuffed to the brim. At least I’m learning how to manage it a bit better!

 

Valentine’s Day Outfit Ideas

2 Comments

valentines-2

Valentine’s day is one of my favourite occasions to style an outfit for, since it’s so flirty and fun! If there was ever a time to wear crushed velvet and baby pink satin, this is it. Whether you’re planning something casual with your girls, or going for date night with your special someone, I’ve created two easy looks to get you inspired.

The first outfit features an awesome pair of embroidered jeans from Zara that I’ve absolutely been loving. The embroidery trend (especially floral) is a fun way to incorporate a feminine vibe into your outfit, and I like that these jeans are still super easy to wear for every day. This look would be great for a day date or Galentine’s lunch!

For night, I created a simple look with everyone’s new favourite staple – the satin slip dress. I paired it with a black moto jacket, chunky booties and a choker to add a bit of edge to the sweet pink frock.

Look One: Teddy Bear Jacket – Zara / Velvet Top – Zara / Embroidered Jeans – Zara / Sandals – Target

valentines-3

valentines-1

Valentines 4.jpg

valentines-5

Look Two: Leather Jacket – Zara / Satin Slip Dress – Urban Planet / Booties – BCBGeneration

Valentines 6.jpg

Valentines 7.jpg

Valentines 8.jpg

Try the trend: Teddy bear jacket

3 Comments

look-1-v2

Teddy bear jackets are having a bit of a moment right now, and I have to say I am totally into this trend! I’m a sucker for anything soft and snuggly, and I love that this style can look so chic while still being super cozy. After lusting for a coat of my own after seeing bloggers and Instagrammers rocking the trend, I had to get my hands on one. The piece I styled below is the Penelope Coat by Gentle Fawn, which I got from an awesome Canadian online boutique called Mad Monkey Clothing.

I love the versatility of this jacket – it looks amazing dressed down with jeans and a tee, or can easily be glammed up for night. It has hidden clasp closures for a seamless look and my favourite feature on any item of clothing – pockets!

Look One: Coat – Gentle Fawn from Mad Monkey Clothing / Bodysuit – Urban Planet / Jeans – Zara / Boots – Jeffrey Campbell

look-1

img_5707

Look Two: Coat – Gentle Fawn from Mad Monkey Clothing / Dress – Mendocino

img_5655

img_5680