Recent Favourite Outfits

Hi friends – you might say it’s been a while since I last blogged – a full three months to be exact. Life has been particularly hectic, not leaving a lot of time for outfit planning, let alone actually BLOGGING about looks. But I do know that when I’m not blogging regularly, I really do MISS it; the creativity that flows from thinking about pieces I have and love and how to style them and the ability to express myself using both fashion AND words – those are all the things I love about blogging.

So I am trying to get back into things without putting pressure on myself, with the intent of blogging when I feel like it, filming Reels when it works for me, and posting what I want, when I want on my platforms. With this in mind, I’m sharing a coupe of recent outfits I’ve loved and some details on a fabulous discount code I’m able to pass on to all of you.

SWEATER || JEANS || CAMI || SHOES || CHAIN || CHARM

First up is this easy look that I only had a chance to capture through mirror selfie in between meetings one day. This combo of a super soft button front cardigan and cropped jeans (which I cropped myself – more on that in a minute) screams classic style – the type of outfit I’d see on one of my favourite influencers, Lilly DeMello. The neutral shades and simple accessories are part of what makes this so classic – it’s not overpowered by too many accessories or too many layers. Just a simple cami underneath and some flats (which only worked this day because I wasn’t leaving the house – damn you winter!).

 

I have a really hard time finding cropped straight-leg jeans that work for me, so I’ve tended to create my own to get the exact look I want. These jeans actually started out as bootcut jeans, but I cut about four inches off the bottom to create a cropped straight leg look. I pulled a few of the threads out, but mostly let the washing machine do the work of fraying the edges perfectly. I did the same with a light denim pair in the summer and wore them constantly because they were so comfortable and very on trend. Maybe someday I’ll find the right cropped jeans off the rack,  but until then, this will do just fine.

SWEATER || LEGGINGS (use code EMILYHXSPANX for 10% off) || BOOTIES

The second look I’m loving lately is this oversized striped sweater (I know, so unlike me) and faux leather leggings outfit. I found this sweater when I wasn’t planning on shopping at all, but as soon as I saw it, I knew I needed to have it. In my defence, while I DO have a lot of striped sweaters, usually they are cream or white with a black stripe, instead of black with a white stripe, so I definitely needed it. I went with my normal size (M) and it’s perfectly oversized without being overwhelming. While it will look great with jeans, I love that the length is perfect for leggings.

 

Of course, many of you probably know that my favourite faux leather leggings are the ones from Spanx, and while they are a favourite of all bloggers/influencers it seems, it’s truly for a good reason. They look and feel amazing on and can be styled so many ways! I’ve dressed mine up and also worn them with sweatshirts – regardless of what’s with them, they just look polished. The good news is that my friends at Spanx have been kind enough to share a discount code you can use to get 10% off your total order PLUS free shipping, whether you’re shopping from the US or Canada or abroad! Use code EMILYHXSPANX to save on my fave leggings or any of their other styles (I have a few other pieces on the way as we speak!).

 

What do you think of these looks? Let me know in the comments below. They may not be ground-breaking, but they’re definitely classic and that’s what my style is all about these days.

Swipe through to shop all the products featured in this post. 

My Top Cyber Week Picks

Ahh, Cyber Week - that fantastic sale time right before the holidays. It used to be that we had to wait for Black Friday and Cyber Monday to snag the best deals, but in recent years, a lot of retailers have shifted to feature the best deals leading up to American Thanksgiving (we Canadians celebrated in October). This year is no exception, with some of my favourite retailers featuring deals up to 50% off regular prices on all styles, including classic pieces and perfect-for-the-holidays looks. I’ve rounded up my favourite deals and style picks into one post that you can easily shop. Watch my Instagram this week for any updates as well! 

 

J. Crew Picks

First up is J. Crew, one of my all time favourites. I am still devastated that J. Crew AND J. Crew Factory didn’t survive the pandemic in Edmonton and I keep hoping they’ll come back. Their styles are simple, classic, and timeless - I have a J. Crew plaid shirt that is six years old and still looks perfect. During the lead up to Black Friday, you can snag 50% off all styles, sale and regular-priced if you’re shopping from the US with code SHOPEARLY. For us Canadians, it looks like we’ll have to wait until Black Friday (or right before) to get the deals. I will keep you all posted. 

Here are some of my top sale picks:

Express Picks

Express always has beautiful, dressy styles for the holidays. From dresses, to jumpsuits, to cozy sweaters, this year, there are some fabulous picks that will work for the holidays and beyond. I love the tweed jacket and faux leather pants - they would look fabulous for just about any occasion. And these velvet pants are the perfect way to try out the revived flares that are everywhere this year. Add some heels and a cute top and you’re set. Or, go for full-on glam with the sequined blazer (swoon!). Their pre-Black Friday sale is 50% for members (you can join for free) or 30% off everything if you’re not a member. 

These are some of my favourite styles:

J. Crew Factory Picks

J. Crew Factory was my favourite place to shop in person for years, until the Edmonton store closed (I am still sad!!). The good news is that at least I can still shop online. If you love J. Crew styles but want more budget-friendly options, J. Crew Factory is definitely a fantastic option. Their deals include up to 60% off everything, plus an additional 50% off all sale styles! My favourite winter parka is this one, which is still available and a great option. 

Here are some of my other style picks:

Besides my favourite fashion deals, there are of course SO MANY other sales happening, including some with my favourite accessories and beauty brands. Check them out below. 

MEJURI - My go-to jewelry brand (I wear this ring, this ring, and this bracelet every single day) starts their only sale of the year tomorrow. Save 20% by signing up HERE. (Valid on purchases over $150 CAD.)

ULTA BEAUTY - From now until 11/26, find the best beauty deals going live throughout the week on your favourite products, like 25% off Elemis, 50% off Morphe 35 Pan Palettes, and 50% off select hair care products.

NORDSTROM & NORDSTROM CANADA - Save up to  60% off with exclusive sale prices in every department.

MADEWELL - Save 40% off your purchase before Black Friday with code OHJOY.

And of course, Sephora, Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and so many more retailers will have individual sales and deals all week long. 

Are you shopping Cyber Week this year? Let me know in the comments below. 

All About Chicwish

If you followed my previous blog, Sparkles, Lace & Sequins, you likely know that one of the retailers I often featured is Chicwish. I’ve been a fan of their unique and elegant styles for quite a while and have a number of their items in my closet that I wear on repeat. Today, I’m sharing an updated review post to give you a sense of what I love about Chicwish, answer some questions, and share some areas where I think they could improve.

Over the years, I’ve collected a number of pieces from Chicwish, including sweaters, dresses, outerwear, and more. What I’ve always been drawn to with Chicwish is the unique styles their designers create, whether it’s pieces with a vintage vibe or trendy looks that can’t be found anywhere else. Here are my thoughts on some key items I’ve picked up over the years. 

Sweaters

I love the sweaters from Chicwish. They’re usually unique and very cozy, which is something that always draws me to them. My favourite sweaters that I wear on repeat are the Chicwish versions of the popular ottoman tunic, which I have shared a lot on IG and here on the blog.

The two sweaters pictured above, the Ivory Leopard Spot Printed Buttoned Cardigan ($69.90 USD) and the Effortless Chic Turtleneck Hi-Lo Sweater ($39.90 USD) are two I love for fall. The cardigan is super soft and perfect to pair with jeans, leggings, or even over a simple dress. It does run very oversized, as I find most of their cardigans do, so I recommend sizing down at least one size (I’m wearing a S/M in this one).

The hi-lo sweater is very similar to a super popular Amazon find, but much better quality. It’s thick without being heavy, something I hate in a sweater. I want warmth without bulk. I sized up to a M/L in this one but didn’t need to – it’s perfectly oversized, so I recommend taking your normal size.

Outerwear

Chicwish is known for it’s coats and outerwear, including the very popular Prairie Rabato Coat($93.90 USD). This cozy blanket style coat has been featured by lots of bloggers, including myself. This is the second Rabato Coat that I’ve ordered and this black version is even cozier than the plaid version I’ve had for a few years. The Rabato Coats hold up well to most winter weather, even here in Edmonton, though I don’t recommend them for anything about -15 Celsius or below. The wrap style is very forgiving, though I suggest sizing up one size if you want to layer heavier sweaters under it.

With the holiday season around the corner, the Winter Essential Faux Fur Coat ($67.90 USD) is a fun piece that is perfect for the holiday season. It’s not very warm, but a great coat to throw on over a dress or faux leather leggings for a fun night out. This one does run small, so I recommend sizing up one to two sizes, depending on whether you plan to wear it open or closed. I sized up two sizes from my normal size, to give you a sense of the fit.

Dresses

Chicwish makes beautiful dresses for just about any occasion and for all seasons. From casual dresses to party dresses to formal pieces, I’m always drawn to their beautiful dresses.

For the holidays, which are coming up sooner than we think, I love the Magnolia Blossom Shimmer Jacquard Waterfall Dress ($69.90 USD), a fun party style that is perfect for twirling. The navy and gold jacquard fabric reminds me of Christmas and it would be perfect for a holiday party or even for New Year’s Eve. This dress fits a bit small, so I recommend sizing up one size.

Finally, the Wrapped Pleated Sleeveless Knit Dress ($62.90 USD) is the perfect little black dress to add to your wardrobe. This was probably my favourite piece of all – the fit of the dress is incredibly flattering and the knit fabric allows for some stretch, so it’s very comfortable too. This dress is perfect for so many occasions. This one runs true to size – I am wearing my normal size, M.

Overall Impressions

I have been a fan of Chicwish for a number of years – the products are fun and feminine, which fits well with my personal style. Honestly, if I had more places to go, I would probably gravitate even more to some of their unique dresses and skirts, but I tend to not have a lot of formal events going on these days that would fit some of those styles. I stick to items I know I can wear multiple ways and style over multiple seasons, which is why I love their sweaters, coats, and more informal dresses. Though for special occasions, their formal dresses definitely are a beautiful choice.

What About Quality

I’ve had lots of questions about quality and can share that I have always been impressed with Chicwish – they use good materials and fabrics and I’ve had no issues with holes, seams splitting, products falling apart, etc. that can sometimes be the case with other overseas brands. 

What About Shipping

One of the most common questions I’ve had is about shipping. For Canadian orders,  shipping normally takes about two weeks on average, so bear that in mind if you’re ordering something that you want within a specific timeframe. Currently, Chicwish ships from warehouses in the US, the UK, Belgium, or China, depending on your location and where the items are in stock. Shipping rates depend on the location, but here’s the breakdown for orders in the US:

• USPS Ground (8 to 10 days): free over $50 or a flat rate of $3
• USPS First-Class (6 to 8 days): flat rate of $5
• DHL Express (4 to 6 days): free over $150 or a flat rate of $18

Where To Shop

While the Chicwish website is the place to find the full collection, select items are available on Amazon. My favourite open front sweater coat, as well as the rabato coat and black dress pictured above are all available on Amazon.ca. 

The main area where I think Chicwish needs to improve is in their sizing. Chicwish sizing tends to be inconsistent, as well as limited with some items, which I’ve always found a bit confusing. Some items will range in size from XS to XXL, while others are only available in S-M. This can make shopping the site a bit difficult. The sizes often vary quite a bit by item, so I do recommend taking a close look at the size charts and reading any reviews for comments about the sizing. With some items, I’ve definitely needed to size up; with others, I’ve ended up needing to size down (without realizing it at the time of ordering). Even after years of ordering from them, it can be a bit hit or miss on whether something will fit exactly as I want it to. I try to share try-on sessions for items I’ve received so that I can let you know about specific product sizing information and I always include this in my posts. Outerwear tends to run true to size, though because I live up north, I always ensure I’m leaving myself a bit of room for layers underneath, so I do sometimes size up there too. Overall, I would love to see them be more size inclusive and consistent across their products.

As for the items I’ve reviewed today, I do recommend all of them, especially if you have some special events coming up over the holidays. The cozy sweaters and Rabato Coat are perfect for the colder winter weather as well.

Have you ordered anything from Chicwish before? Have any experiences you want to share or advice on items, sizing, etc.? Let me know in the comments below.

Back to the Office Style

This week, I had to return to the office for the first time in over two and a half years. Which meant having a wear a REAL outfit and an office-appropriate one at that. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t work in pyjamas all day working from home, I never have, BUT I do have a tendency to dress up on top and wear leggings or sweat pants, just to stay a bit comfy. Fortunately, I knew I would occasionally being going back to the office starting this fall, so I had reviewed my wardrobe to make sure it was office-ready. 

 

While I haven’t been adding much office-wear to my wardrobe since the pandemic began, I did pick up a pair of wide leg black trousers in late summer that I knew would be perfect for the office and also work for just about any other occasion that required me to dress up. The Yasmin Wide Leg Pants from Dynamite have become a my favourite wardrobe addition in a long time because they look elegant and are super soft. These high-waist pants look amazing with heels (which is how I styled them this week) to create a long ling that makes it look like you have legs for days. But they also look equally good with flats, slightly pooled at the feet (just like we wore all our pants in the late 90s – I can’t believe everything old is new again). I went with my normal pant size – 6 and they’re perfect, with just a bit of stretch to make them comfortable when you’re sitting at a boardroom table all day like I was this week.

For this particular look, I paired them with one of my favourite sweaters of all time, the Cotton-Wool Blend Teddy Sweater from J. Crew Factory. I have had this one for years and it’s held up so well. My only regret is that I didn’t pick up more colours before the J. Crew Factory in Edmonton closed down during the pandemic (sigh). This is the perfect crew-neck sweater – it’s not too form-fitting, but not so loose that it looks sloppy. It also works perfectly with jeans, dress pants, and even skirts. I’ve worn it in every season too. Basically, it’s the perfect closet staple and I highly recommend it.

 For shoes, I went with the Pointed-Toe Chunky Heels from Vivaia, a sustainable footwear company I recently discovered. These stretchy and ultra comfortable heels are made of recycled plastic bottles and feature a cushioned foot bed that makes wearing heels all day super easy. I was drawn to the bow-topped heels because they were a great play on a basic style and I love that the bow is detachable so you can wear them multiple ways. Vivaia also features flats, sneakers, booties, and boots and if you’re looking for practical but stylish shoes, I highly recommend them. Texture-knit shoes are definitely having a moment right now, so I’ve also linked a pair of budget-friendly flats in the Shop the Post section. 

Finally, I was SO EXCITED when I saw that Marc Jacobs has relaunched his iconic Marc by Marc Jacobs Hillier Hobo Bag! It was one of my favourite handbags for years and I love that they’ve brought it back. My olive version is no longer available, but the classic brown or black are just as perfect. I’ve been carrying mine again non-stop. 

 

All in all, this look was easy to put together, which I needed after years of not really having to think about my outfits (or having enough time before I had to get out the door to really think about them) and it’s definitely one I’ll be repeating. Office style doesn’t have to be stuffy – it can still be comfortable, and I think this outfit really illustrates that. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

 

 

  

Skincare Powerhouses

 

I love makeup – always have, always will. It’s fun to play with different ways to create looks with all kinds of makeup products. But I get a bit annoyed when makeup is less about fun and more about hiding skin issues that I might be struggling with. Sure, that’s what a good foundation or concealer are designed to do, but I like it better when I can wear makeup just for fun. 

Enter skincare. Skincare is the key to creating a clean canvas that you can create fun makeup looks with. I’ve tried hundreds of products over the years and some have worked and some have most definitely not. But over the last few months, I think I’ve finally found the winning combination to treat the variety of skin issues I still face at 41 – tone and texture, breakouts, and fine lines. Today, I’m sharing the four types of products that have transformed my skin.

PRODUCT TYPE ONE: DIRECT ACIDS

Acids are my skincare must have. I love using a good glycolic acid cleanser (like this one) in the evening to cleanse my skin and I use a glycolic acid toner as needed to clear out my pores (I love this one and this budget friendly version). But adding an acid serum is the real key. I use these at night after cleansing and they have cleared up my blackheads, helped with exfoliation, and made my skin smoother than every before. While I love both of these products and alternate them regularly, The Ordinary Lactic Acid is a fabulous budget-friendly find that I absolutely adore.

PRODUCT TYPE TWO: VITAMIN C 

Vitamin C is a powerhouse ingredient that helps to improve skin tone and brightness. If you struggle with dull skin, this is definitely the product for you. I tend to use vitamin C serum in the mornings, before applying moisturizer because they perform so well under makeup. These are two that I love and alternate regularly. 

PRODUCT TYPE THREE: RETINOL

The final powerhouse ingredient that I use regularly is retinol. Retinol can pretty much do it all – it reduces fine lines and wrinkles, smooths skin, and even works to reduce breakouts. The one downside to retinol is that it can be very drying and irritating to some skin types, so you need to incorporate it very carefully. If you’re new to retinol, I recommend adding it very slowly to your routine, starting with once a week and gradually adding it more regularly as your skin becomes used to it. You’ll also need to wear sunscreen regularly, as retinol affects your sun exposure. These are two retinol products I regularly use. The IT Cosmetics Hello Results and CeraVe Skin Renewing Cream Serum are very similar, so I do recommend the CeraVe as a more budget-friendly option.

 

PRODUCT TYPE FOUR: SUNSCREEN

Last but not least - in fact, it maybe the most important, is sunscreen. Sunscreen has become the most vital part of my skincare routine because it truly helps prevent a variety of skincare concerns, including wrinkles, age spots, and discolouration. I have been using the Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen for five years and love it. It never clogs pores, mixes well with my foundation for light colour coverage, and it’s super budget-friendly. The Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen is a popular lightweight and effective sunscreen that works well under makeup.  

If you’re interested in trying any of these products, I do have a discount code for Tula, one of my favourite skincare brands. Check them out here:

TULA: https://tulaskincare.ca/SLS15
Use the link above and get 15% off your Tula order. 

Have you tried any of the skincare product types I shared above? If so, let me know your thoughts on them in the comments below.