Category: fashion

It’s Swimwear shopping time again! How I make the most of it.

~ Emmie ~ Leave a comment

It’s well into the spring, and if you’re like me, we’re now deciding on buying a new bikini or one-piece. I know, I know, we already have enough! More than necessary to epically wear a different style each day on a week long vacation! But for me, the obsession with collecting swim fashion continues even so. There is no better way to celebrate a warm weather getaway than with buying one new suit–ONE. The reason I say just buy one is because years ago, I got sucked into how cheap bathing suits were, especially with pop up online retailers (remember Cup She?) I bought way too many swimsuits and I didn’t wear any of them much more than once. Then I got bored of the half a dozen I had just bought and a year later, they were off to the landfill. Fashion should be fun, but also sustainable. The way I learned to be at peace with the matter is like with any collection; it has to be made with curated pieces that are loved and each new swimwear is adding something different and loveable to the wardrobe. Here are my tips for a guideline when adding to the collection:

I love, love, love this suit and how it just has the most pretty tropical print: not too large or small and on a white backdrop!
  1. Think of the purpose of the new swimsuit: What is the destination or setting going to be? A quiet beach in the Mediterranean? City side Venice Beach in California, LA? Poolside on a cruise to the Caribbean? Sun tanning on the white sand beaches in Miami? For example, for a past trip to the Bahamas by cruise, I wanted a tropical print bikini! And I didn’t have one, so I scoured the internet for one that I absolutely adored. The colours, and size of the flora and fauna were perfect! I am not bored of that one and will definitely wear it again on the beach!
  2. Know which colour group you belong to: Certain colours when placed next to our faces, brighten us up, and compliment our complexions. And other colours do not look great next to our skin. For example I’m a cool toned gal, but on the lighter end of the spectrum. Think baby pinks, blues and lavender. And my neutral colours are white or grey, versus black or brown. My worst colours are orange, red, and coral…too intense for my complexion and too warm. Yellow sometimes works on me because at least it’s on the lighter side! But that’s my colour palette. Everyone’s colour palette is different. I have met people who were cool dark palette; so imagine: burgundy, charcoal, black, ultramarine blue. And I have met someone who absolutely glows when wearing orange and corals, unlike me! Buying a suit in a colour that works with your complexion is a key to loving it!
  3. Know your body shape: I have broad square shoulders, so I tend to opt for halter styles on the top that focus on the center of my chest. If you have big hips, maybe don’t go for the boy-shorts cut. Apple and round shaped bodies might actually look good in a two piece where the middle is not visually accentuated, instead of squeezed into a one-piece. Think about your body and where the eye will be drawn to in different swimwear. Think about places on your body you want to accentuate (i.e.. that tiny waist, long legs…etc.) and choose the cuts that match that aesthetic!
  4. Solid bathing suits are boring. It’s nice to have that simple black or white matching bikini set in some cases, but in general, one colour bathing suits don’t really catch the eye. When I wear solid colour suits, there are two things that are a must: they must be an exact colour match with the top and bottom, and they should have something interesting about them. Are they made of some fun material? Not the standard spandex suit, but maybe they are made of terry cloth, or cotton eyelet, or crochet? Texture and interesting fabrics is important when choosing solid colours.
  5. Common sense details to think about when swimwear shopping such as: The fit of the suit: we all want to buy the right size when it comes to any clothing item, but it’s ever more important with swim…because breasts need to be supported and covered, and any suit that is too tight will not be flattering! Another thing, and I don’t want to get people too stressed about it, but most people know when bathing suit season is coming, or a vacation as well–so getting ready to be in swimwear may mean skipping dessert more often than not and hitting the gym occasionally. Just sayin’!
The newest addition to my collection! I love the coverage of this bikini, it’s classy. And the solid blue colour has some sparkles woven in!

All in all, guys, just have fun. Adding new pieces of clothing to any capsule wardrobe, or well-curated collection takes time, thought and effort. But if all of these things align, you can have fun, and look good wearing the fruits of your labour! And who doesn’t want to look good while hanging poolside with a margarita in hand? Happy shopping and summer guys! For more swim content check out this article from before!

How I try to look like an off duty model…

~ Emmie ~ Leave a comment

I grew up in the 90’s where the now familiar term “super model” was coined. The fashion model was not only an unattainable example of female physical beauty, but it was also a lifestyle that was coveted by many teenagers in my days. Travel, fashion, culture and a way for young women to make good money was the image the modeling world was trying to show off. We all know later on, that the truth of the industry was far from glamourous; a lot of exploitation, eating disorders and mental health horrors bestowed onto young women that were just barely finished childhood. The pressures of the beauty and fashion world combined to crush the souls of the small percentage of girls that fit the super thin, super tall, and not ethnic look and standard of the runway model.

The trauma of the model culture backlash has since subsided, I feel. Or it could be later in my life as a more experienced woman, I just don’t have the ability to see it as much. But I still remember the fairy tale glamour the modeling industry used to supply me. After two decades of being a mom and living in the biggest city in Canada, traveling and being creative, I feel cultured, educated and worldly. I didn’t have to be a model to get that achievement. As much as the dreams of being a model did charm me in the past, in a way I am glad I never did it. We can find everyday ways to channel our inner diva, our inner model.

One of the fascinating ideas and life styles that I want to adopt from fashion models is the look of when they have days off. Not on the runway. Where once glamourous modelled looks are only suggested by the bare bones look of effortless “cool”. Models on their off days I learned, often have to audition for jobs in what is called “go-sees”. That’s when models often are dressed very basically, very simply…and run around the city to go visit big designers to interview for jobs. In a way, models have to look like a blank canvas, fresh faced, and ready to represent/sell any campaign. They have a daily look that is still polished, but so pure. I like to achieve this look in various ways:

  • Don’t wear make-up. A made up face is a finished, polished product. I like to show my raw potential. So I don’t cover up with any make-up. Just show off a nicely hydrated face. Sunscreen is always flattering because it has a naturally dewy look
  • Have clean, un-styled hair. The reason for this is hair is also a form of expression. So having the hair natural shows texture, colour and potential for different ways of styling. It shows an ability for a range of looks. And that’s exciting.
  • Clothes for go sees are very basic. Tank top and jeans, a white fitted tee, jean skirts. They show off the silhouette of the body without speaking too loudly and distracting from the shapes and forms that already exist. They are casual, carefree clothing. Not sloppy, but not dressy.
  • I try to channel a youthful spirit with my “off duty model” look. I try to show off some humanity, some quirkiness. That’s because I believe even the most beautiful models in the world, are truly very ordinary people. Those that have the right to execute this mundanity in the purest, most effortless way. Daily life in the city as a common person can be very exotic if viewed by top model!
So this is me. My everyday look. Unpolished effortless cool. Would I be hired at a “go-see”? Maybe? haha

Get Ready with Me for a Date Night:

~ Emmie ~ Leave a comment

Getting ready for “date night” is a really basic beauty ritual that needs no explaining, in my opinion. We all do it, primp and preen and get our skin glowing for that special someone. But there is actually a lot more to it that flexing our vanity and grooming muscles. There is an order and logic to it. It’s a process, so let’s talk about that process. I will start by talking about my emotional state recently and how getting ready for this one date was so interesting to me.

So I do have a boyfriend. I guess that’s what he is, considering that it we’re monogamous and it’s pretty regular that we see each other. And it’s really difficult making time for each other with our busy adult lives. And the future is always uncertain, in terms of the longevity and meaning of the relationship. I recently feared a lot of things after some revealing text messages from my boyfriend. And I didn’t know how to deal with them. I am a hairstylist in Toronto; my day to day consists of taking care of the business of looking good, and not much else. So there it was–a wall of emotions that floored me and I didn’t know what to do for days. But as a date night with my beau approached, I did what I had to do. What I always knew how to do…prep and get ready. And believe it or not, the process of selfcare and beautification really made me feel more secure of myself and what I want and was therapy in a way.

After showering I love to just relax in my robe and plan my next beauty moves. Usually it involves grabbing a tea!

The Ritual of Getting Ready:

  1. Facial Pampering: I like to do this the night before a date, or the morning of. It’s exfoliating with a gentle face exfoliator. I used Deciem’s Lactic Acid. Then applying a mask. The exfoliating makes the skin cleaner by removing dead skin cells so that it can absorb the nutrients of a moisturizing mask and expel toxins trapped within. It’s also creating the ideal canvas for make-up application. Also the best time to do my nails is the night before!
  2. Cleansing face, body and hair: I like to do this a few hours before the date: I do the whole enchilada; shampoo, condition my hair, shave, brush my teeth. After all the cleansing, don’t forget to moisturize with a nice light body lotion.
  3. Blow Dry and Style hair. My hair style depends on the formality of the night. After being apart for a while from my beau, I needed to have a more carefree, low maintenance look. This was because I wanted to create a more relaxed vibe between us after the awkwardness of the previous week and the messages. So I opted for a tousled look without flat ironing or curling. It was very natural. To achieve this I just blow dry and add a bit of serum for shine and de frizzing.
  4. Decide on outfit: Do this before putting make up on. Even if I don’t dress until right before the date, I still need to know what colors I’m working with. After choosing the appropriate outfit, for this one night I chose a lace turquoise body suit spaghetti strap tank and flare jeans. Casual but stylish attire to match my mood.
  5. Make up time: I decided since few colours didn’t clash with turquoise I would wear a smokey beige shadow with a bit of shimmer. It was perfect. Subtle, but alluring none the less. Liquid line with a pen, my usual day to day make up. Blush, brows, and lots of mascara.
I’m a fan of mascara. I truly believe that is there is one make up arsenal that really makes or breaks a look, it’s the mascara on lashes!!
Tada! The finished look. Is it possible that something so subtle and easy looking took about 2 hours? That is the mystery of getting ready!

By the time I got picked up by him, I was looking fine. Not overdone…even with all the work and prep it took. I enjoy the process. By the end of out date, after a hard couple of weeks second guessing our relationship, it felt nice that at least I always knew how to put on a good show; even if the future is uncertain with my beau. And well…it’s who I am to put my best face forward.