fashion

Closet confidential: my attempt to simplify my closet — and life

~ valsbitsandbites ~ Leave a comment
A tailored black blazer like this Rag & Bone one (bought 50 percent off in January!) is a wardrobe staple.

If your closet could speak, what would it say? I blame the emails with the subject line “spring cleaning” that have been inundating my inbox as of late for putting this question on my radar. It also doesn’t bode well that recently, I can’t seem to pull anything out of my wardrobe without another item falling on me
— a telltale sign I’m one blazer away from sustaining a minor head injury.

In effect, I’ve reached the age — and the space capacity (thanks NYC), where I’ve decided it’s time to pare down my sartorial choices in an effort to simplify my life, boost my savings and create that elusive thing known as personal style.

Interning at a prestigious fashion magazine, I’m surrounded by impeccably dressed editors, and if I’ve gleaned anything from observing their style, it’s you don’t need a lot of clothes to look great — in fact,  quite the opposite. Ask me what their closets would say if they could speak and I could answer you in three words without flinching, but ask me about mine, and,  — multiple pauses would ensue. Not acceptable. Instead of embracing numerous trends and striving to never repeat the same outfit, they stick to a well-defined aesthetic that compliments their figures and personalities. For instance, skinny blue jeans with button-up shirts and pointy-toe stilettos, or black shift dresses punctuated by bold jewelry.

It seems the unspoken rule to carving out a signature “look” is to stick to a few colors and cuts, and not exceed two style personas, like feminine minimalist or boyish rocker. Hit repeat and you’re good as gold. And of course adding an on-trend accessory makes any outfit more au-courant.

You could argue that being 25, the time is now to experiment with looks and trends, but while I do shop at fast-fashion retailers, I gravitate towards high-quality, well-tailored garments with price tags to match. Given I don’t want to be in the red as I prepare to enter the work-force full time, streamlining my closet now is a no brainer.

To begin, I perform a wardrobe autopsy. Clearly I’m a fan of the colored skinny jean trend, but was it really necessary to buy them in so many colors? The same can be said for button-up blouses, colorful blazers and printed pants. Also, I need to stop buying skirts I can’t match with tops I already own — such a nuisance. Considering I hate how I feel when my jeans are too tight, the lesson here is I’ve got to enforce a strict quota on skinny styles and stick to the menswear cuts I’m more confident in.

When I break it down, I realize my favorite items are feminine dresses with clean silhouettes; not too tight yet still subtly sexy. Plain cashmere sweaters are another go-to, as are lightweight black blazers that can be worn under winter jackets. And when in doubt, I always turn to my trusted black leather pencil skirt. Leather in general is one of my greatest loves. Voila — I’m getting closer to completing my closet detox.

From this point forward I, Valeria Nekhim, do solemnly swear all future purchases (okay, almost all future purchases) will be made with careful attention to the knowledge I’ve garnered from the aformentioned autopsy report. Can I tell you what my style personality is just yet? No, although I’m leaning towards classic feminine mixed in with elements of rock ‘n’ roll’ and boyish prepster. Does that even make sense? At 25, I’m simply not there yet, nor can I part with enough clothing to mimic the sartorial aptitude of the fashionable women I aspire to dress like. One day I will though, because I’ll have the benefit of a getting a head start. In the meantime, I’ll settle for more space and less time spent on deciding what to wear — now that’s something.

Another 50 percent off steal — I know I won’t tire of this T By Alexander Wang leather sleeve varsity jacket. 

A curve hugging pencil skirt in a stretchy fabric by Canadian brand Judith & Charles can be worn for day and night and will never go out of fashion. This one’s my most recent closet addition following a trip to Ogilvy  in Montreal, and it definitely passes the test.  

The perfect T-shirt at the perfect price — hallelujah

~ valsbitsandbites ~ Leave a comment

While it’s unlikely Leonard Cohen’s infamous “Hallelujah” was an ode to the perfect T-shirt, it’s precisely the word that springs to mind when I think of my newfound favorite basics brand, Everlane. I mean, wouldn’t you jump for joy if you spent a mere $15 on a tee and the fit was as good as the ultra-soft feel?

The online only retailer succeeds in offering high-quality, meticulously-curated garments at affordable prices by cutting out wholesale middlemen and doing away with the operating costs of running a bricks and mortar store. Everlane partners with various factories the world over deemed the best in a particular domain, such as L.A. for tees. For women, (there’s men’s stuff too!), the product categories are silk blouses ($80); cashmere sweaters ($120-130); tees ($15) and terry-cloth sweatshirts ($40). There’s also accessories, including wool scarves ($65) and totes ($35). Each style is offered in only a few basic colors, and at these prices — they sell out fast.

The “His for Her” items are an absolute must if, like me, you’ve tried and failed miserably at finding the  boyfriend sweater that channels Parisian insouciance rather than your grandpa Hermie. I swear I feel noticeably more seductive when I put on my Men’s Cashmere Crew in emerald, or when I’m wearing the Men’s Crew  T-shirt under a fitted blazer. And when clothing can invoke such emotions — well, that’s just priceless n’est-ce pas?

My insanely soft Everlane The Men’s Cashmere Crew sweater  

Words of Wisdom from a 25 year old

~ valsbitsandbites ~ Leave a comment
Toasting 25 years of wisdom (yeah right!) at Kingswood 

Twenty-five. The big 2-5. Quarter. Life. Crisis. Any Sex and the City devotee likely recalls the episode where Carrie goes to an Italian restaurant to celebrate her 35th birthday (or maybe it was 34th?) and none of her friends show up. And if the situation wasn’t dire enough – the girl next to her loudly proclaims: “25 – f#&% I’m old”. Ouch. Well today I’m 25, and for some reason, that’s all I seem to want to say right now. Now I know 25 isn’t actually old, especially in today’s world where the notion of age is constantly being redefined. I need not look any further than my 82 year-old grandfather who walks at such a brisk pace, few 25 year-olds (cough, cough) can keep up. Besides, with age comes wisdom, and just like I did last year, I want to share some of what I’ve learned over the last year with you. Having lived in New York City since January, this past year has been quite the whirlwind; I’ve often found myself exclaiming: “I feel like I’ve lived 10 years in the last year”.  I’ve always had a flair for the dramatic, but needless to say – I’ve got lots to share, so let’s get on with it.


1) Two words: emerging adulthood. Yup, that’s the name developmental psychologist Jeffrey Arnett calls the period between ages 18-29 — a period his research shows ought to be recognized as a distinct developmental stage that occurs between adolescence and full-on adulthood. His theory is supported by findings that the area of our brain in charge of planning, prioritizing and controlling impulses isn’t entirely developed until our late twenties. Jackpot. I’ve been reading a lot about Arnett and similar research, most recently in the November issue of ELLE, and I couldn’t agree more. Neither Arnett nor I am saying we should put off growing up and decision making, but given the changing society twenty-somethings live in today (globalization, changes in corporate culture, delaying marriage and having children), there’s nothing wrong with taking this time to explore various lifestyles, career/education paths and relationships. It’s nice to know that science supports — even encourages us to make mistakes and figure things out during these formative years, which is why why we shouldn’t get down on ourselves when we have to stop, re-think and reboot. Can you hear that? It was a sigh of relief.

2) We are all works in progress. Harking back somewhat to my first point, I’m slowly learning results don’t come overnight — they hardly ever come over lots and lots of nights
 — sometimes even years. I’m someone who want to see the fruits of my labors very quickly; I start working out more, well I want to see some definition within weeks, or I start dating and I get discouraged when I don’t meet the man of my dreams on the third try. Well, I’m slowly learning life just doesn’t work that way — it really is a constant fight. When all we think about are results, what we’re really doing is setting ourselves up for disappointment. On the other hand, if we tell ourselves that we’re a constant work in progress and that it’s okay to lose track of our goals, or that we might not get what we want when we want it, we’ll be able to enjoy the journey. The important thing is to keep trying and to not waste time chastising yourself if you fall off the horse, but rather get back on it and charge ahead.

3) Never under-estimate the importance of looking put together. I’m not referring to having your hair blown-out daily — I’m a weekday bun-wearer myself, however, you always feel better and have a happier, more productive day when you take that extra step. That means wearing a touch of makeup, a little jewelry and some nice shoes. Oh, and for gods-sake NO Lululemon’s unless you just worked out or are planning on doing so within 2.5 hours, are nursing an abominable hangover, or if there’s a hurricane approaching. And don’t even get me started on leggings as pants. 

4) You can’t please everyone, so just stop trying. Stop it. Now. I’m the epitome of a people-pleaser, and let me tell you — it’s exhausting.  I mean I have lost sleep worrying about whether I had hurt someone’s feelings, someone who wasn’t even a good friend, only to later learn they had no recollection of the conversation. My mom has always said: “you’re not a $10 bill — not everyone will like you”. Wise words spoken by an even wiser woman. Between dating, working in different offices and socializing,  I find myself interacting with an increasing number of people, and I know if I continue over-analyzing whether my words and/or actions might’ve negatively affected someone, or worse — their view of me —  I’ll look 50 by the time I hit 30.  Now there’s food for thought.

5) When a guy tells you he’s bad at relationships, isn’t a good communicator and doesn’t know what he wants in his life despite being in his thirties — run. Fast. Never look back. I know I’m regurgitating words from a previous post about dating, but it’s something I had to learn the hard way this year, so if I can spare you a lil pain — than all the better. In fact, I’m considering putting these words on T-shirts. Thoughts? 

6) Be flexible. I’m not talking about the yoga-kind of flexibility, even though I think it does wonders for the mind and body, but rather being flexible in life. I’ve never been good at either, but as I get older (gaaaaa), I realize the importance of being able to go with the flow and the need to shake things up from time to time. I’m a stickler for routine, but some of the greatest nights of the past year took place when I abandoned my “plan” and did something unexpected, or that I didn’t necessarily want to do. 

7) Read. Books, newspapers, magazines, blogs — the more the merrier. Reading is exercise for our brains and it’s never too early to start thinking about ways we can stave off the horrible disease that is Alzheimer’s. What’s more, reading makes us smarter, more well-rounded humans — yuppie! It’s also the best way to become a stronger writer and a better conversationalist, plus, it’s enjoyable and a great way to unwind.  I always start my day by reading a couple articles from the New York Times and New York Magazine, while ensuring to check my style blogs (duh). Below are some  books I’ve read and liked recently:

– This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper
– The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides 
– The Starboard Sea by Amber Dermont
– Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

8) Dating isn’t easy. Throw that notion out the window and enter the dating world helmut in hand because there will be bumps and you will sustain bruises along the way. I promise though, it will be fun too. Another bit of wisdom: go into every date open-minded. To quote my mother: “you may not like him but you might just like his friend…” Life is full of surprises and you literally never know who’s waiting around the corner which is why I think it’s  important to get out there and date — as daunting and painful as it might be. After all, it’s kind of hard to win the lottery if you never bought a ticket in the first place. 

9) Throw out the dating rules. When I first forayed into the Manhattan dating world, I was  so focused on how things “ought” to be according to some arbitrary “rules”  that were ingrained in my head, that I spent an inordinate amount of time obsessing over whether I had done something “wrong”. With time and a little experience, I’ve come to believe that rules are stupid, and that when it’s “right”, no one’s going to care who made the first move or who over-shared on the first-date. If you want to call him — do it! If you’re scared, then maybe that’s all the more reason to do it. I didn’t always think this way, but I’m learnin’.

 10) Listen to your body. Just because your friend can workout six days a week and feel perfectly fine, doesn’t mean it’s right for you. Take cues from your body because it’s always communicating with you. I said this back when I was a young lass at 24: our health is the most important thing we’ve got in this world, so we have to take care of our bodies and our minds. If something doesn’t feel right, stop. There’s nothing wrong with trying again, but take it easy. And always remember to inhale and exhale. I tend to forget so I figured I’d remind y’all. 

And one more for good luck: Don’t knock online dating until you’ve tried it. All you skeptics out there need to step into 2012 and realize it’s not your mama’s dating world anymore. Trust me on this one. Just give it a try. Just one — or two, or three. I’ll shut up now. 

Happy Birthday Me!

xoxox
Val

What better time to try a bold lip than on my birthday?
Nars Lip Lacquer in Hot Wired 
Kisses to y’all! 







Fall style: what I can’t wait to wear this season

~ valsbitsandbites ~ Leave a comment

1. Animal prints

Silk leopard pants from Zara

How delightful that these lightweight silk pants feel like pyjamas, but unlike the many other pairs I’ve tried on — they don’t look like they were never meant to leave the boudoir. Me loves a good animal print because one only has to add killer accessories and keep the rest of the outfit simple. I see these pants with a plain black or white T, a bold necklace or even ladylike pearls for contrast, my black leather jacket and my black Chloe booties (shown below). It’s what I call instant chic with a hint of badass thrown in for good measure. And because I think everything looks awesome with a denim shirt — think Jenna Lyons — I’ll be sure to pair it with one at some point and perhaps some classic pumps in black or a bold solid color.

Not quite an animal print, but how chic is this silk polka dot and tiger head top from Sandro? Always enjoy an exposed zipper. From The Bay in Montreal.

2. Funky sweaters
J.Crew wool and cashmere blend bird sweater and J.Crew 100% cashmere sweater. 
Can’t say I’ve missed the sensation of cashmere and wool — I’m a total summer girl, but sweaters are essential to any fall/winter wardrobe and I figure I might as well have a lil fun while staying warm. Since this is the season of the collar, I’m looking forward to wearing both these sweaters with bright colored silk shirts underneath, and obviously — with denim shirts too. I even bought a pearl collar necklace to add some whimsy. 
Collar necklace from The Bay in Montreal

3.  Ankle boots

Chloe ankle boots

The photo doesn’t do these booties justice as some of the beautiful detailing is lost, but trust me — they’re a work of art. My birthday’s only in November, but when I saw these I knew I had to ask for an advance on my gift. Chloe designs footwear that feels like butter, holds up over time, and fits me to perfection so I simply couldn’t resist. That’s a good enough reason to splurge, no? They’re not exactly Chelsea boots, since they don’t have the characteristic elastic siding that goes from the welt to the top of the shoe, but they definitely resemble the tight fitting ankle boots that came about in the Victorian era and were worn for horse-back riding. Well, they’re kind of a more punked out version and they’re bound to earn me some cool points.

4. Peplums
Peplum top from H&M

If you asked me to describe the forthcoming season in one word it would be “peplum”. Peplum tops, dresses and skirts are so ubiquitous this season, part of me is already sick of them. However, the right one can look so fabulous (hello waist!) that I can’t help but embrace the trend myself. If you can’t beat ’em…  I’m anticipating wearing my bordeaux number with my J Brand brocade jeans (pictured below) and my leather pencil skirt for a vamped up ladylike effect.

5. Brocade jeans
J Brand brocade jeans

It’s tough to tell, but the brocade detailing is actually velvet — nice! J Brand mid-rise skinny jeans are ultra comfortable and fit me rather well if I do say so myself, therefore when I spotted them in this gorgeous and easy to match print — I succumbed. And there you have it my friends. Have a happy fall! 

xoxo
Val 

Summer style: what I can’t wait to wear this season

~ valsbitsandbites ~ Leave a comment
These Luciano Padovan sandals are circa ’08 but I adore them and also this shot taken in Toronto in ’10. I’ll be forever grateful to anyone who can name the Essie polish shade I’m sporting because I want it NOW. 



Oh summer I have missed you so! What have I missed the most you ask? Summer fashion of course, especially summer shoes. Ahh, I get giddy just thinking about it. And given my excitement, how could I not share with you what I’m most excited about wearing this season. Here we go…

1. Yellow Accessories

Jil Sandar Clutch; Stuart Weitzman shoes

I bought this Jil Sander clutch last summer at a small boutique in Taormina, Sicily, a picturesque little town that had surprisingly excellent shopping. I remember my mom asking me what I’d wear such a color with and me replying “everything”, and indeed — it goes with everything. Thus began my yellow accessory obsession because you can match the color much like you would a neutral, yet it conveniently brightens any outfit. At the height of my color blocking phase last summer, I paired my yellow clutch with nude sandals, red jeans and a cobalt blue silk tank. At least I thought I looked cool. No? No one else?


The sandals I got two weeks ago for 50% off on Gilt.com (I’m obsessed). Stuart Weitzman makes some of the most comfortable footwear imaginable and I spent two summers working the sales floor at BCBG in a similar version in black patent leather. When I saw these babies in yellow — all self-control flew out the window.

2. The Men’s Shirt

J. Crew “The Boy Shirt”

Those of you who know me know my penchant for button-down shirts, specifically ones from J. Crew. I wear em year round, and I especially love linen/cotton blend ones in the summer. In fact, my default summer outfit is a button-down worn open over a t -shirt or tank top tucked into jeans or denim shorts, and a sweet belt. I also love tossing ’em over a summer dress for just the right amount of warmth if I’m indoors, or if I’m outdoors and simply don’t feel like baring arms. This one from J.Crew is 54% linen, 46% cotton and is aptly called “The Boy Shirt” ($79.50) because of its washed out, loose fit. I’m a big fan of the preppy look, but I can’t stand looking too proper so this piece is the ideal compromise. In this shirt, I know I’ll feel like I just rolled out of my boyfriend’s bed in the Hamptons and nonchalantly threw on one of his shirts. What? A girl can dream right?

FYI: J. Crew offers a 12% student discount with a valid I.D.

3. The Not Too-High, but High Enough Sandal 

Givenchy Sandals 

One of the advantages of having really tiny feet is you can often find heavily discounted footwear come season’s end. Believe it or not, I got these Givenchy sandals at the same boutique in Taromina, Sicily, where I got my Jil Sander yellow clutch. They were the last pair left and I fell for their relatively modest heel and butter soft leather woven to create an intricate web. Dainty yet edgy, and totally comfortable, these shoes were worth every penny.

4. The Summer Frock

Sportmax Code slip dress


The look as it’s meant to worn. What’s great is the sweater can also be worn separately.

It’s a dress, it’s a t-shirt, it’s a t-shirt worn over a dress! This drop waist t-shirt sweater/dress combo is by Sportmax Code, one of Maxmara’s many diffusion lines. What I love is you can wear the sweater t-shirt separately with jeans, and also with the slip dress it’s sold with. The top half lends the outfit a casual, sporty vibe, while the lace trim on the bottom of the top and the silk skirt give it a flirty, feminine feel. Sportswear inspired pieces and pastels are huge again this summer, but I bought this dress primarily because I adore garment’s with slightly quirky proportions and because this lightweight dress feels sooo luxurious on.

5. Printed Pants 

J. Crew Cafe Capri in “Paisley”. 

Prints? Yes please! I’ve never shied from color, so I’m thrilled that this season color is everywhere, J. Crew included. This Cafe Capri in “Paisley” ($148) instantly puts me in a good mood, and being a denim die-hard, I wanted to switch things up and give pants a try. Sure, I miss the stretch, but I like how I can pair these pants with a white cotton  pocket T (my favorites are from Club Monaco) and immediately look put-together. They’ll be perfect to wear to my internship at Miu Miu this summer.

Some Bits & one Bite to start off ’12

~ valsbitsandbites ~ 2 Comments

First of all HAPPY NEW YEAR to my dear readers. Second of all, I am deeply sorry for being MIA throughout December (c’mon, you know you missed me…). I promise I had plenty of good reasons to avoid blogging, but now I’m back and ready to rumble. This post is a random mishmash of bits and one bite to start off the new year. So let’s get rolling.

Fashion
What better way to welcome the new year than with photos of drool-worthy footwear. While in New York apartment hunting last month, I had to stop by the Bergdorf’s designer sale to see if there were any goodies worth splurging on – and as luck would have it there were. I’ve been wanting leopard pumps for quite some time now since they add an element of sophisticated spunk (does that even make sense?) to any ensemble. How perfect then that I stumbled upon a pair by one of my favourite shoe designers: Miu Miu. Don’t look at me like that, I swear they’re really comfortable.

Then my dear mother (god bless her soul), found a pair of Robert Cleregie ankle booties to carry me through the winter with style, comfort and relative warmth (I can wear my SmartWool socks). I had never tried anything by the French brand, but I instantly fell in love for the chunky heel (hello stability!) and touches of patent leather. I’ve found my sole-mate.

Interior Design
Since getting accepted to Parsons in NYC and knowing that I’d have an apartment to call my own, I’ve become slightly obsessed with interior design. It’s important for my place to be at least to some extent a reflection of me, which isn’t exactly the easiest thing considering most of my furniture is coming from Ikea. But much like in fashion, the secret to making a look truly your own lies in the details – i.e. it’s how you accessorize.

In the summer, while in the Amalfi Coast with my family, I bought two medium-large black and white photographs by a local photographer so that I’ll always be reminded of one of my most beloved spots on earth. The photographs weren’t expensive, but I took them to Art-en-ciel in Westmount to be framed. It wasn’t cheap, but it’s definitely worth it because now they look like a million bucks. Photos to be posted later.

My parents also happen to have bought colourful canvas paintings by a Jamaican artist during a trip to the island years ago. There’s three in total; each depicting a unique scene, and I know they’ll add much needed colour and oomph to my mainly black and white decor.

There are two others like this, but they’re horizontal and a different size. I think they’ll look great together.

While visiting my birthplace this summer, I stole some wooden decorative pieces painted in a traditional Ukrainian folkloric style from my dad’s apartment. They don’t exactly go with the modern look of my digs, but they have sentimental value and at the end of the day that always wins.

Ukrainian folkloric art

In Saint Martin last week, I came upon a relatively new home decor store called Ambiance, where they sell original pieces designed and made in France (St. Martin is half owned by the French). I’m a sucker for throw pillows and these Paris themed ones have just the right amount of whimsy. Plus, they’ll remind me of two wonderful places that I adore: Paris and St. Martin. La vie est belle!

Food
Bistro Lustucru in the Mile-End has been on my to-eat list since last spring, but I only made my way there just before Christmas. What enticed me was their extensive raw bar featuring every kind of tartar under the sun along with other raw items such as beef carpaccio and grouper ceviche. The raw offerings didn’t disappoint, particularly the citrusy salmon tartar. Oh, and the fries were beyond. Meanwhile, my friend ordered the fish soup and was pleasantly surprised by how delicious it was. The real piece de resistance, however, was the dessert special. It was a roasted marshmallow and lemon concoction, the details of which have unfortunately escaped me (too delighted to write notes I suppose). And while the service was a little haphazard, the reasonable prices, good music and the laid back, youthful vibe more than made up for it.

Our raw assortment: Salmon tartar, tuna tataki with veal filet carpaccio and beef carpaccio 
The unidentifiable but unbelievably good lemony dessert 

My favourite things: Dealuxe online shopping site

~ valsbitsandbites ~ Leave a comment

My relationship with online shopping is best described as a love/hate one. It was love when my 13 year-old self discovered that Abercrombie and Fitch delivers to Canada, but it quickly turned to hate when my $30 t-shirt wound up costing me double thanks to a little something called customs duties. The love was re-ignited when I realized I could ship to my friend’s homes in the United States, but it quickly dissipated when the pair of Miu Miu’s I was salivating over went down 50 per cent and none of my friend’s were going to be in the U.S. anytime soon to retrieve them. Sigh. To this day I can still recall the joy I felt upon hearing that Amazon and Gap/Old Navy/Banana Republic had opened Canadian shopping sites. However, said sites cannot account for our lack of mid to high end shopping destinations like Shopbop.com, net-a-porter, Gilt and myriad others that U.S. citizens can call their own.

Though the scales remain tipped disproportionately in favour of our Southern neighbors, I am pleased to report we are getting warmer. Take SSENSE for instance. It’s a luxury online retailer that ships worldwide, but since it’s based out of Montreal – we Canadians pay low shipping and return costs and we avoid the real killer: CUSTOMS DUTIES! SSENSE stocks dozens of “it” brands for men and women, including some of my personal favourties: Rag & Bone, Loeffler Randall, Lanvin, Guisseppe Zanotti, Diane Von Furstenburg and T by Alexander Wang. And while prices are still a little lower in the States, SSENSE has seasonal sales. Plus, they have a store in Old Montreal and they allow you to phone the site and order an item(s) to be delivered to the store the following day for you to try on without any fees or obligations. Take note, however, the retail location is small and only carries high end designer labels.

Call me needy, but the problem with SSENSE is neither shipping nor returns are free. These are just two of the reasons why I love Dealuxe, a Canadian women’s fashion, beauty and accessories site that prides itself in superior customer service and regular deals. The lines available are great, though not as high end as those on SSSENSE (think Joie, Velvet, James Perse, Pink Tartan, Autumn Cashmere etc.), and the selection not as abundant, but the nascent site grows daily.

All orders arrive in a shiny red Dealuxe dust bag that’s perfect for packing your shoes when traveling 

My first Dealuxe experience was when I bought a pair of red skinny J-Brands during a two day 25% off sale. They didn’t fit and I was worried that if I tried to exchange them for a different size, I wouldn’t get the discount since the deal had ended. However, when I called, the girl I spoke with was so nice and gave me the deal, and of course the return was free. Another time I ordered from them, my package arrived with a $25 gift card to spend on purchases over $100. Of course I liked a top for $98. Knowing my promotional code wouldn’t work online, I phoned and explained my conundrum and without any hesitation the customer service rep let me use my card on a $98 top. Canadians are known for being nice, but at Dealuxe they make a business out of it.

At Dealuxe,  there’s always a “daily deal”, whereby one item is offered at a discounted price, but there are other types of deals too. For instance, a couple times a month there will be something along the lines of buy one top get the other 50% off, or all bottoms will be 20% off etc. With those kinds of deals, your savings are equivalent to those you’d get in the States. Good, no? Moreover, as a member (anyone can become a member), I receive daily emails informing me of deals and new arrivals. There’s also an online magazine featuring celebrity looks, editor’s picks, trends and general fashion updates.

Dealuxe can never reach the level of say Shopbop, because their primary market is Canada and there aren’t that many Canadians, whereas Shopbop caters mainly the the U.S. as well as International countries. Still, the site’s dedication to customer care and its consistent growth and improvement is excellent news for all fashion-loving Canadians whose two least favourite words in the English language are CUSTOMS DUTIES! Check it out and tell me what you think.

Bits of wisdom from a 24 year-old

~ valsbitsandbites ~ 3 Comments

I am 24 years old today. Today, I am 24 years old. Hmm, maybe if I keep saying it I’ll start to believe it. Doubtful. Anyways, I have two choices: I can cry and wallow in self pity as I think of all the things I have yet to accomplish, or I can eat cake (from Cocoa Locale no less), and share some of the wisdom I’ve gained during my time on this planet. You’ve probably heard some, or most of it before, but in the event that you haven’t, perhaps I can spare you some of the mistakes I’ve made while helping to enrich your lives (I can’t believe I just wrote that). Be forewarned, there will be plenty of cheesiness so grab your barf bag in advance. Here we go…

1. Don’t skimp on quality shoes or a good haircut. Both can make or break a woman and you don’t want to be a broken woman now do you? Come to think of it, the same applies for men too.

2. Listen to your parents and older siblings as they might actually know a thing or two about life considering they’ve been alive longer. Try to learn from their mistakes and achievements and make an effort (if/when possible) to foster bonds with them and other members of your family. At the end of the day, family is the MOST important thing.

3. It’s better to have a few great friends than a lot of so-so friends. If you find your so-so friends aren’t adding anything to your life and are actually keeping you from building stronger relationships with the friends who are always there for you (well almost always, nobody’s perfect), then bid them adieu. Remember, it’s about quality and not quantity.

4.  Don’t go to an esthetician, masseuse, or any service professional for that matter without a referral or some thorough research. The last thing you want is to end up with a toe fungus and one pant-leg shorter than the other.

5. Don’t squeeze pimples! If you want to know how to properly pop a pimple, watch this video from Dr. Oz.
http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Dr-Oz-Demonstrates-How-to-Properly-Pop-a-Pimple-Video 

6. Admitting you need help and asking for it isn’t a sign of weakness – quite the opposite actually. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to lean on your loved ones during hard times and/or to seek professional help. Everyone and I mean EVERYONE goes through rough times and if people aren’t willing to be there for you when you’re not at your best – to hell with them.

7. Comparing yourself to others is a recipe for disaster. For example: “everyone has a boyfriend and I don’t”. First of all, that’s factually incorrect, second of all, it only exacerbates the problem. In grade one I learnt that everyone is different, not better or worse, just different, and today it’s something I have to remind myself of regularly. Besides, I whole heartedly believe everything happens for a reason. Wishful thinking?

8. No matter the situation, always be yourself. One of the best compliments I’ve ever received was when a good friend said to me: “no matter what, you’re always Val”. When I thought about it I realized it’s true, and I felt proud to not have changed who I am so that others would like me more. I don’t like myself all the time – not even close, but push comes to shove I wouldn’t want to be anyone else. I simply wouldn’t know how to. I never was that good of an actress.

9.  Happy people are attractive people. Smile. If you have to fake it till you make it, that’s okay too.

10. Your body is the most important thing you have, so treat it as such. Don’t eat processed crap and eat organic and local food when possible. Be sure to incorporate plenty of fruits and vegetables and drink copious amounts of water. And exercise! Try different fitness classes, sports, trainers etc. to figure out what you like and then just do it. Shake things up from time to time. Don’t feel guilty about sometimes canceling plans because you have to exercise, taking care of our bodies and in turn our minds is the best thing we can do for ourselves. This also means getting enough sleep, and finding ways to cope with our stress and anxiety. Oh, and floss for God’s sake!

And one more for good luck: Stop obsessing over what others think of you; most of the time they’re too busy thinking about their own lives. I mean that in the best way possible.