Friday, December 27, 2013

tiaraiconwinter wonderland

Faux Fur Jacket, Sequin Tank & Skirt- Thrifted; Blazer, Booties & Clutch- Gifted; Faux Fur Earmuffs- Gap; Gloves- Walmart; Tights- Aldo; Ring- Easy Pickin's; Earrings & Necklace- Ursa from twiss & weber

For the most part, I prefer dressing for the warmer months- with strappy sandals, bare shoulders & floral prints.  However, seeing as I reside in the coldest capital city in the world (welcome to Ottawa, Canada, eh!), I am resigned to layering and bundling up for at least four months of the year.  To make winter wear fun (while at the same time warm), I love incorporating faux fur, coloured tights & sequins into my outfits.  For this holiday party ensemble, I decided to throw caution to the wind (or snow in this case), and combine all three for a look that screams winter wonderland!






Happy New Years- hope yours is festive & fashionable!

Monday, November 18, 2013

tiaraiconlights & brights

Jacket- Gap; Scarf & Earrings- Smart Set; Purse- Jeanne Lottie; Beanie- H&M; Skirt, Cardigan, Bracelets & Boots- Thrifted; Nail Polish- Black Cherry Chutney by OPI (Shellac)
While many people gravitate towards dark clothing in the colder months, I like to wear lights & brights to contrast the dreary weather.  I took colour cues from my favourite brightly patterned scarf and paired winter white with a pastel cardigan and vivid accessories.  I wore this outfit on Saturday for an afternoon of shopping at a holiday craft show, enjoying peppermint hot chocolate at a local cafe and date night at "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" (adorable, highly recommended!)



I wish days were longer so that I could blog on a regular basis like before, but life has other plans for me.  I'm still working full-time at Dress for Success Ottawa but have now added to that a part-time job at twiss & weber, designing a new website, taking a stylist course at QC Style Academy and thinking about starting a non-profit.  Phew its busy over at Tinfoil Tiaras but I'm still finding minutes in the day to put together cute outfits- because there's always time for that!

 



What's your cold weather dressing style?

Sunday, November 3, 2013

tiaraiconCastellammare Jewellery

It's been over a month since I last blogged and I've missed y'all! I've been busy with work, cruising the Southern Carribean seas (photos to come) and an exciting new collaboration with Castellammare JewelleryCastellammare designer Marianna asked me if I would act as her vlogger for a few short videos on accessorizing and jewellery display for her website.  We had a lot of fun and I wanted to share with you the first 3 videos (shot on location in my clothes room by Kelly of Enter Kelly).

Happy watching (perhaps followed by some Castellammare jewellery shopping!) and until next time, ciao bella!


Wednesday, October 2, 2013

tiaraiconthrifted treasures

Skirt, Top, Shoes & Purse- Thrifted; Necklace- Joe Fresh; Bracelets- Le Chateau, Zellers & Thrifted; Toe Nail Polish- by Revlon; Finger Nail Polish- Mind your Mittens by Essie
 The tagline for my blog is affordable elegance (like an aluminum crown wearing princess), because I don't believe in paying full price for anything.  For that reason (as well as promoting sustainability and finding unique pieces) , I love thrift shopping.  My favourite second hand shop is Guy's Frenchy's, an Atlantic Canadian franchise I frequent every time I'm visiting family in Nova Scotia.  I bought this top and skirt from Guy's this summer and threw them together this morning in a hurry.  I love how the patterns and colours managed to both compliment and offset each other.  Add a quilted purse (also a Guy's thrifted treasure), neutral wedges & statement jewellery and voila, a cheap and cheerful work ensemble for fall (which feels more like summer) that cost less than $25 from head to toe!


Forget toe cleavage, I present to you the latest foot fetish: baby toe runneth over!


This poor boy has been licking off his fur so when I took him to (a very expensive) vet appointment, the x-rays showed that he has a bowel disorder as well as reoccurring urinary crystals, poor Mr. Marley and poor Emily's wallet!

Do you like thrifting? Why/why not?

Friday, September 20, 2013

tiaraiconTarget- Canuck style!


Skirt- Bettie Page; Sweater- Smart Set; Shoes- Thrifted; Fedora- Zellers; Necklace- The Bay; Bracelets- Le Chateau (Photo courtesy of Anna Epp Photography)
This week marked a bargain milestone in Ottawa's fashion community, the grand opening of Target! If you're an American reader, you're probably scratching your head and thinking huh? but it's true, the red bulls eye is just making its way up North and let me tell you, us Canucks are loving it!

What's even more exciting is that Billings Bridge Shopping Centre provided myself and fellow bloggers with the opportunity to tour the store the day before it opened to the public.  The following day we were treated to a lovely breakfast and given $50 to shop (which goes a long way at Target!) I ended up buying a delicate jewellery set and a fabulous red structured handbag for fall which I will showcase in an upcoming photoshoot.

Here's a look at some of my favourite Target treasures:
{I would love to add these ornamental elephants to my growing animal figurine collection.}

{Speaking of animals, I love these animal print bathroom accessories.}
{Neon sports bras, need I say more?}

{If I was still in University this would be my back to school ensemble of choice.}

{To infinity (scarf) and beyond!}


{The colours and prints on the Phillip Lim for Target collection are fab!}

{Leopard print, black and gold is a winning combination in my style books!} 
{One can never have too many statement necklaces!}

{Subtly patterned denim.}

(With Hippie Lace & Samantha Dolly ) Dress & Necklace- Thrifted; Shoes- Walmart; Tights- Aldo (Photo courtesy of Our Mode)

I'm looking forward to returning to Target, most likely for Halloween candy, Christmas shopping, beauty products, outfit replenishing etc. etc.  You name it and Target has it!
 
Are you a Target addict?

Monday, September 16, 2013

tiaraiconcolourful cheer

Pants- Gap; Belt- United Colors of Benetton; Purse- Jeanne Lottie; Necklace- The Dunes (PEI); Ring- Summerside Boutique (PEI); Top, Shoes & Bracelet- Thrifted; Nail Polish- Minted by Revlon

Dear summer, why must you leave us so abruptly? I miss you already! I'm reminding myself of summer's warmth & cheer with these fabulous colourful patterned pants I bought on sale for less than $10 at the Gap. Because when I dress in bright colours, I stand taller and feel happier :)



What's your favourite fashion season?

Thursday, September 5, 2013

tiaraiconClothing Sale

Hey lovely ladies, for all you Ottawans I will be holding a clothing sale this Saturday, September 7th,* between 10am-4pm at 125 Spencer Street (in Wellington West Village, off Holland Avenue

*We closed early due to rain but will be open again for business on Saturday, September 14th at 10am!

For sale will be a selection of clothing (mostly sizes 0-6) with a rack of vintage clothing in various sizes.  There will also be an assortment of shoes, purses, belts, scarves & jewellery.  


There will be a fitting room available and I will be on hand for free styling advice! Everything is priced to sell for $3 or less ($3 clothing, $2 jewellery, shoes & purses and $1 belts & scarves). You get a fabulous new outfit and I free up more room in my closet, it's a win win!  
 
 Hope to see you there, come one come all!

Monday, September 2, 2013

tiaraiconQC Style Academy {1}


I'm always looking for new challenges and avenues of professional development so when I received an e-mail about QC Style Academy 's online fashion stylist program, I was intrigued. 

As much as I like to dress myself, I enjoy choosing outfits for others and being a part of their transformations even more so.  I've had the opportunity to style various photoshoots and have volunteered as a wardrobe consultant at Dress for Success Ottawa (where I now work).  What's next for me? I would love to work part-time as a stylist & personal shopper, showing others how to combine affordability, uniqueness, elegance and personality to create their own personal styles.
 

The great part about QC Style Academy is that the program is entirely online so you can study at your own pace from anywhere in the world.  I recently completed the first unit which focuses on the history of fashion, modern fashion icons and the stylist's role. Did you know that shift dresses are modeled after the flapper dresses of the 30s? Or that music strongly influenced fashion in the 1970s and common styles were folk, glam rock, jazz, punk rock and disco? I'm looking forward to learning and sharing more fashion tidbits but in the meantime, here's my introduction to my style mentor (shot in my clothes room!




Wednesday, August 21, 2013

tiaraiconaccessory addict {purses & clutches}

For my next installment of accessory addict (previous posts about belts, scarves, hats and shoes), I decided to focus on an often overlooked outfit component- our money holders.  I adore evening clutches but have been guilty for using a boring everyday bag for months on end without thinking about it.  I now make a conscious effort before I leave the house to ensure that my purse works with my entire ensemble for a fashionable finishing touch! 
Thrifted


Thrifted

Gifted
Thrifted

Aldo

Thrifted

Vintage

 Thrifted

Gap

Thrifted

 Thrifted

 Thrifted

 Aldo

 
 Hidden Treasures, Dress for Success Fundraising Sale



 Thrifted

 Thrifted

 Demu

 Thrifted

 Thrifted
 
 Vintage

Are you passionate about purses?