Thursday, December 31, 2015

#ForTheSakeOfFashion: Starting 2016 With The Hair Tuck

With the New Year rapidly approaching (it's tomorrow, in case you hadn't heard), it's time to start thinking about the trends that will jumpstart 2016. Rather than looking back at the most popular trends of 2015 such as Addidas Stan Smiths, fringe, and floppy hats (to name a few), let's look deep into the future and attempt to predict the next fashion trend to plague the (non)fashion world.

Based on my deductions, it seems that "turtleneck hair" may be the next mind-boggling fashion look of 2016. What is "turtleneck hair", you ask? According to several well-versed fashionistas (such as my personal favourite, The Man Repeller), turtleneck hair is the act of tucking your hair into your turtleneck. Though this isn't new within the fashion world, it has recently grown in popularity for some unbeknownst reason.

via honestlywtf.com

Could it be the faux bob it creates that allows us to change our hair without cutting off those beloved locks?

Could it be the cozy feeling it gives us by keeping every strand on our head snuggled inside our sweaters?

Could it be that our hair just needs a safe haven from that tumbling snow?

OR could it be that there is no reason at all?

Is it possible that we, the fashionistas, are doing it, "just because (it looks cool)"?

Whatever your reason for contemplating this trend, don't overthink it. Sometimes it's best to give it a shot and see if it feels like you. The benefit of looking just like a fashion girl? Well, that's just gravy.

Happy New Year!

(and ponder it),

Bella

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

All I Want For Christmas Is Boxing Week

via raredelights.com
The inevitable Christmas post is finally here and although the holiday is not in my Jewish family heritage, I can't help but get in the spirit. There are sparkling lights adorning the streets, a jumbo snowman on my street corner, fifty different versions of "Last Christmas" replaying in my head, and Christmas movie promotions all over Netflix. It's unavoidable. Christmas is everywhere (except on the ground in the form of snow and for once, all Montrealers are mourning over it). While it may be a green Christmas this year, there are still certain things that Mother Nature cannot take away from us (like Christmas-themed cupcakes). So whether we receive a little sprinkle of Christmas dust on Friday or nothing at all, people will still unite with their families in honour of the much-commercialized holiday, ideally giving it deeper meaning than the association with shopping it has come to represent. I, myself, will be spending time with my family since it is a national day off and everything is closed anyway.  While mine may not involve Christmas trees and presents, the end result of family unity will be the same. This year, I have chosen to define Christmas in my world.

Here is what it means to me:

NUMBER 1:
Michael Buble's voice radiating through store windows, singing "All I Want For Christmas Is You", serenading every window shopper around. All I want for Christmas is you, Michael Buble.

NUMBER 2
Elaborate Christmas displays in department store windows. If you don't stop and stare for at least a minute, you may in fact be a fashion grinch in disguise.
 
NUMBER 3
Endless shopping, just because I'm on holiday. Even though you aren't shopping for gifts, you can justify every purchase you make as "getting in the Christmas spirit". Nothing could be more wonderful.

NUMBER 4
Fluffy Santa-themed lingerie merely meant to get you in the mood, screaming "try me, try me".

NUMBER 5
Sequins. So many sequins. All day, every day.

NUMBER 6
Love, Actually. But actually, the film.

NUMBER 7
Friendlier people. This may be the only time of year when your grumpy next door neighbor will wish you happy holidays filled with Christmas cheer.

NUMBER 8
The last hurrah before the year comes to an end and you can make some resolutions you'll most inevitably break by February.

NUMBER 9
Chinese food.
Just kidding.

AND FINALLY:
NUMBER 10
BOXING WEEK: The seven day reward for your non-stop spending in December. Even though you thought you were all shopped-out, you just can't resist another sale, can you?

Happy Holidays, lovelies!

Bella

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

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)

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

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

via thefashiontag.com
4) A scarf (because all the cool french girls are doing it)

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

via wardrobelooks.com
6) Funky socks (only when appropriate and can be shown off)

via beirut.raghunter.com
7) A headband (if you're feeling a bit nostalgic for Blair Waldorf)

via blog.jelanieshop.com
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