Tuesday, December 30, 2014

tiaraiconplease excuse the cat hair

Preface: This blog post and these photos were taken months ago but I forgot to hit publish until just now when I realized how barrren my blog has been as of late.  I also have a confession to make, the no shopping challenge died around early November but hey I lasted 3 months without shopping, that's a personal triumph in and of itself.  More on why I had to hit the stores to come, but for now, photos when there was no snow on the ground and writing from when I had time to blog.  Enjoy!

Sweater- Thrifted; Skirt- Twiss & Weber; Purse- Clothing Swap; Shoes- Fundraising Sale; Earrings- Vintage; Ring- Gifted & Scarf- Shepherd's Fashions


With my fashion styling business, I help women (and men!) decipher the colours that look best on them.  This not only helps their skin tone appear brighter, it also makes getting dressed and going shopping easier because you can gravitate towards your hues.  I'm a Warm Autumn so I look best in gold coloured jewellery and shades of brown, beige, army green and cream.  When I was younger, I wore whatever colour I wanted to and didn't pay much attention to whether the colour worked with my palette (especially because I prefer to stock my summer palette with brights and neons). I still think it's important to wear what you love, regardless of colour, however I know that when I wear my colours I am looking and feeling my best. 





Unsure of your colour palette (aka season?) You can check out this easy quiz for fast results.

PS And yes about the post title, please excuse the cat hair, I didn't have time to lint brush before outfit photos and Mama Sita's hair particles are clingy fellas!

Saturday, October 25, 2014

tiaraiconwestern tulle

Tulle Skirt- Spoof Toronto; Vest, Sweater, Ring & Necklaces- Thrifted; Earrings & Purse- Vintage; Bracelets- Gifted and Shoes- Charlotte Russe


If I had a uniform, it would be a splash of tulle with a dash of funky accessories.  There's something about this combination that feels both feminine and edgy. The skirt was a bargain I bought at a small Toronto boutique a few years ago for only $7.  Considering how often I wear the skirt, its cost per wear is probably a few cents, if that. The cowgirl esque vest was a recent gift from my Mum from Guy's Frenchy's (only the best second hand chain!)  I wore this outfit a couple of weekends ago on Canadian Thanksgiving for a dinner out with my man.
 




What would be your ideal outfit uniform?

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

tiaraiconfalling for fall

Top, Sweater, Heels, Bracelet & Necklace- Thrifted; Skirt- Sirens; Purse & Earrings- Gifted & Flower Clip- Vintage


Maybe because my colour palette is Warm Autumn but there's something about dressing for fall that I love. Wearing the hues of leaves; draping scarves and sporting layers. Cool enough to wear tights but warm enough to avoid a jacket, it's the in between season that feels fresh and new.




What's your favourite season to dress for?

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

tiaraicon1 month down, 11 to go!



Skirt (worn like this), Blouse (worn like this) & Shoes- Thrifted; Necklace- Sears; Bracelet- Le Chateau; Purse- Jeanne Lottie Toronto

I have completed month one of my year without shopping challenge. So far, so good.  The first week was the most challenging as I was changing my shopping patterns and behavior.  I never before understood the purpose of window shopping, it was rare that I went into a clothing store without purchasing something.  Now I find myself perusing shops, looking at the trends and fabrics and seeing what I could use to replicate the look from my own wardrobe. 



I work part-time at two clothing stores (twiss & weber and Shepherd's) so the temptation is always there.  Now instead of buying everything I like, I will try on new arrivals and take photos of the pieces I like.  Somehow this satisfies a small part of my shopping addiction, at least feeling the fabric and seeing how it looks on.  So I'm not avoiding temptation (I'm like an alcoholic who works in a bar but isn't drinking) but instead allowing myself to enjoy fashion without having to own it. 
 
 

I'm entering my second month, wish me luck!

Monday, August 11, 2014

tiaraicon1 week down, 51 to go!


Dress- E-Bay; Fedora- Sears; Sandals & Belt- Thrifted; Backpack- Boutique in Colchester, England (don't remember the store's name); Sunglasses- Ardene; Nail Polish- Shellack 



They say it takes 21-28 days to form a new habit or break a bad habit. I've just completed my first week of my year of no shopping and I'm going to be honest, it's been tough.  Maybe even harder than I thought because I wasn't fully aware of how often I give in to my temptations.  My first day of the challenge I was working at twiss & weber and tights were on sale for $20.  I immediately started justifying to myself how tights could count as hosiery (on my can buy list) and that maybe I would start my shopping ban the following day.  After consulting with a friend, she reminded me that I wouldn't need tights for a couple of months yet and that I still have plenty of tights I can wear.  A few days later I was picking up a prescription at the pharmacy.  After being told it was going to be a thirty minute wait, I figured I would just browse until the time was up.  Until I realized that I would be tempted to look at and possibly buy nail polish (on my not to buy list).  So instead I drove home, did some tidying and walked to the pharmacy half an hour later.  So not only did I not shop unnecessarily, I also got some exercise and a tidier home!
 


Something fun that has come out of this challenge so far has been shopping my own closet.  I have been organizing my clothes room and came across over a dozen summer dresses I had forgotten about(counting this printed bird number) along with a few bags (including this butterfly backpack- and backpacks just happen to be trending again- hooray!) Finding items you didn't realize you owned is almost as satisfying as shopping for new pieces- bonus you don't have to spend any money!
 



Have you ever had to break any bad habits? How long did it take you? (P.S. yes that is a pug in a lifejacket- my friends' little guy Rupert!) 

 

Friday, August 1, 2014

tiaraicona year without shopping


I have an unhealthy relationship with shopping and it's time I do something about it.  And since I'm a go big or go home kind of girl, I'm going all the way and taking the drastic  measures to challenge myself to a year without shopping.  You see I'm not just your average gal who loves shopping, budgets themselves and enjoys their purchases for years to come.  I'm an impulsive, compulsive shopper with an addictive personality.  I treat my credit card and line of credit like free money, I buy in excess and without need.  I don't think through my purchases which often leads to consumer guilt and debt. 
 
Why now? I participated in Kendi Everyday's 30x30 remix a few times where I didn't shop for the month and I found it very rewarding to shop my closet but found the 30 items (including shoes) limiting.  I have a massive closet (it's actually a small bedroom) and I have no shortage of clothing, accessories, shoes or purses.  As someone who doesn't follow trends but instead wears what I like, there's no need for me to buy anything else because my weight rarely fluctuates, I know what I like and what looks good on me and I am an accessory addict who believes in the transformative abilities of a great hat, statement necklace or stiletto heel. 
 
The hardest part about this challenge for me will be the temptation as I work at two local clothing boutiques and see new merchandise being delivered and sewn on a regular basis.  It's kind of like an alcoholic trying to abstain from drinking while working as a bartender.  It's the ultimate in exercising willpower!

 
 
The main things I want to get out of this challenge and what will keep me motivated:
 
1) Get out of debt and start saving! As I've been working in non-profit and fashion for the past eight years, I have no pension plan or health benefits.  I recently opened TFSA and RRSP accounts and would like to start saving for my future, for a European trip and to pay off my mortgage quickly. 
 
2) Create it vs. Charge it.  Shopping can take up a lot of time and energy that I would prefer to invest in more creative endeavors.  I have a sewing machine, I'd like to learn how to use it. I have a craft room full of supplies and ideas, now I just need the motivation!
 
3) Closet shopping.  I think this is a very important skill to learn and one that I teach my SMASH styling clients about.  You won't always have the resources (financial, mobility or time) to buy a new outfit so why not learn how to create exciting new ensembles from your own wardrobe!
 
4) Healthier ways to relieve stress.  I've noticed a pattern with my impulsive binge shopping, it often happens when I'm stressed out, anxious or not feeling well.  Shopping is like a drug to me, it gives me an immediate euphoric feeling like a high but then I get guilty and crash.  I have recently been dabbling in the world of yoga and I want to explore this practice more along with mindfulness, meditation and exercise as coping mechanisms.

 
My Year without Shopping Rules:
 
From August 1, 2014- to August 1, 2015:
 
ALLOWED: clothing swaps, product reviews for my blog, lunch out (once a week), dinner out (once a week), drinks out (once a week), toiletries, makeup (as needed), hosiery (as needed), office supplies, anything for SMASH styling (except clothes for me of course!) and gifts for others birthdays/Christmas/special occasions
 
NOT ALLOWED: shopping for clothing (new or used), shoes, jewellery, purses, handbags, accessories, jackets, winter accessories, nail polish, household decor, knick knacks, books or just because gifts for others

During this challenge I will be posting at least monthly about the challenges, triumphs and any tips and tricks I learn along the way! Stay tuned and wish me luck!
 


Monday, July 28, 2014

tiaraiconSMASH styling

A big thanks to everyone who read, commented and shared my latest blog post about anxiety.  If you ever want to talk more about mental health, please e-mail me at tinfoilstiaras{at}gmail{dot}com
 
For now, we're back to our regular Tinfoil Tiaras scheduling, time to talk fashion! A few months ago I turned 26 and for some reason that age felt 'scary' to me.  No longer in my early twenties, I felt like it was time to start getting serious about life.  I own a house with a man and a cat that I love, I live in a beautiful city and I have a wonderful support system. The career? I wasn't so happy with.  So after months of complaining (and some crying), I decided to quit my full-time job back in June.  It was no longer filling me with a sense of satisfaction and I was becoming jaded and grumpy.  When I quit my job I had nothing but a three week fashion styling contract and a part-time retail job to fall back on. 
 
For years I have been wanting to start my own company so about a month ago, I launched SMASH styling, a fashion company for men & women based out of Ottawa.  I provide closet consultations, personal shopping, photo-shoot styling and style workshops.  Besides running my own business, I continue to volunteer as the Co-Founder of non-profit Suits his Style and am merchandising and selling for a couple of local fashion boutiques.  Variety is the spice of life and I am thoroughly enjoying the diversity in my days.  A little fashion here, a little social work there. 
Dress- Vintage; Blazer- Thrifted; Hat- Simons (Montreal); Booties- Pour la Victoire (Santa Monica); Necklaces- Lia Sophia (Gifted)



 I'm going to continue blogging about affordable elegance over here at Tinfoil Tiaras, but if you'd like to check out what I'm at to at SMASH, I'd love to connect with you on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest.  Be sure to leave your social media links in the comment section below so I can follow you as well!
 


 
SMASHstyling{at}gmail{dot}com
@SMASHStyling (twitter & Instragram)
 


Wednesday, July 16, 2014

tiaraiconanxiety anniversary

*This is not a fashion related post, but as the title suggests, it's about my recent struggle with anxiety, my nervous breakdown and how I'm feeling one year after my first panic attack.  This was an extremely difficult post to write as I try to keep Tinfoil Tiaras light & fun, but living with anxiety has shaped who I am.  I did not write this to evoke pity, but instead to share my experience in hopes of resonating with readers and shedding some light on mental health.


 It started with a tingle in my toe while doing the swan pose in a Body Flow class in July 2013.  Harmless really, felt like long lasting pins & needles. After the class, I asked the yoga instructor about it and she wasn't sure, said I should talk to my Doctor.  I didn't think anything else of it, until later in the week when I noticed the tingling had spread to all my extremities, my stomach and even my bottom.  I made an appointment to see my Doctor but as somewhat of a hypochondriac, I wanted to do some research before getting medical advice.  So I asked Dr. Google what he thought of my tingling extremities and he told me I had MS. OMG Multiple Sclerosis? The chronic debilitating disease that may leave me unable to walk, feed myself or talk? This triggered a heightened sense of anxiety and I couldn't get the idea that I might have MS off my mind.  After seeing the DR, she wasn't convinced it was MS, but wanted to run some blood work. It turned out that I was severely deficient in vitamin b12 which caused my iron levels to drop.  I had been eating a whole foods vegan diet for 1.5 years and wasn't supplementing with B12, something I hadn't even thought of.  I immediately started B12 treatments via weekly injections, followed by daily supplements until my levels were normal again.  You'd think that would be the end of that but my mind wouldn't give up the idea of MS, in fact the idea started to grow.  


One morning, I woke up around 3am and my body and face were tingling like crazy.  My heart was pounding so quickly I thought I was having a heart attack and I felt like I was dying.  That was the first time I had a panic attack.  I was so scared, I had my partner take me to ER.  They conducted a series of tests, including a very uncomfortable moment where a Q-tip was in my butthole to test for numbness! They couldn't find anything and suggested it was caused by anxiety.  Anxiety? I thought I'd been anxious before, butterflies in the stomach before a public presentation but this? This was something very foreign and very scary to me.  From July 16, 2013 to sometime in January 2014 I lived with this anxiety, it followed me wherever I went, whatever I was doing.  
 
 
It's not like my life slowed down during this time, in fact I continued to work full-time, co-founded a non-profit, started a part-time fashion job, volunteered and went on vacations.  But my mind was erratic, dark and terrified.  I was crying almost everyday, and not just in the comfort of my own home but at the gym, while running errands and hanging out with friends. One time I was hysterically bawling at the post office with people staring and whispering but I couldn't stop. I didn't know what was wrong with me, half of the time I didn't even know why I was crying.  I saw my Doctor almost every week, a Hematologist, and a Neurologist and still nothing seemed to be physically wrong with me except severe anxiety. I was referred to a Hospital Psychiatrist for an intake and he told me I should 'strap my balls on'.  I ended up in ER again a few months later, this time because I temporarily lost my vision while taking a shower.  I fell to my knees, everything went black and I stared dry heaving.  I was referred to an eye clinic and again, nothing was wrong, probably just a panic attack. 
 
 
I was getting fed up with living my life one day at a time and not knowing what in the hell was wrong with me.  I didn't want to kill myself but I just didn't want to wake up, I wanted to die in my sleep because every morning I woke up to a living nightmare and I didn't know how to get out.  I tried everything I could think of, from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, journaling, practicing mindfulness, attending church for the first time in many years, yoga, cutting out alcohol and refined sugar, eating meat, not eating meat, working out everyday, meditation, passionflower extract, relaxation candles, praying and hot baths.  I lost almost fifteen pounds and looked gaunt and sickly. I took sleeping pills and tried three different anti-depressants.  The side effects made me feel suicidal and gave me migraines so bad I couldn't leave my bed one weekend.  I consulted online depression and anxiety forums but gained little relief from knowing there were other people going through the same illness because I didn't know them and they didn't know me.  

 
 In October, my partner took me on a 11 day Caribbean cruise in hopes that a break from everyday life would make me feel better.  In fact, it made me feel worse, I fantasized about jumping off the cruise ship, I cried in our tiny cabin's shower and I assumed everyone on the boat could tell I was losing my mind.  I wanted to appreciate this loving gesture but instead I just wanted to go back home and try to sleep.  As someone who needs to sleep 8-12 hours a night, the insomnia just added to my anxiety levels.  The health anxiety morphed from a fear of having MS to a fear of myself dying, my loved ones dying, becoming blind and a fear of ending up in a mental institution.  The latter notion is what scared me (and still scares me) the most.  I remember wondering what the meaning of life is, why are we here, what is our purpose.
 
 
Throughout these six months of hell, my friends, partner and family were remarkable.  My partner held me when I cried, took me on car rides for a change in scenery and we became biking enthusiasts (even though I would often be crying hysterically while biking).  My best friend came over almost everyday, played tennis with me, let me cry and sent me motivational quotes.  Another friend introduced me to the therapeutic exercise of gardening and cooked delicious and healthy meals for me.  My Dad emphasized with me as someone who lives with and manages his health anxiety and he financed a flight to visit family in Nova Scotia.  My sister called me often even when I didn't want to talk, and told me everything would be ok.  My Mum flew up to Ottawa twice and spent weeks with us, making meals and cleaning up, chores that suddenly seemed overwhelming and ominous.  I also started to see a wonderful Psychiatrist for an hour a week.  She didn't make me feel crazy and she prescribed me Cipralex, the only antidepressant that started to make me feel better, like I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.   
 
 
I don't know exactly when or how the anxiety started to dissipate but shortly after Christmas I realized my mind was more at peace, I wasn't having suicidal thoughts and I was singing in the shower instead of crying. The relief of starting to feel like myself again and not overanalyzing everything or having to carry my Clonazepam (an addictive narcotic prescribed on a short-term basis for anxiety) everywhere I went was so comforting, it was like the black dog (how Winston Churchill referred to his depression) had stopped lurking in the shadows.

 
Surviving a nervous breakdown, makes me feel both strong but also vulnerable because I've experienced firsthand the power of the mind/body connection.  Even writing this brought on some anxiety as it's almost like reliving the horrific experience.  Although I mostly only cry now when PMS'ing and watching sappy commercials and the majority of days are great, I still have bad moments when the mean reds come out to play. Just like with a physical illness, recovering from mental illness is a process of recovery and it can take time.
 

 
Why am I sharing this with you? In my darkest moments, it helped a little to know that people I perceived as 'normal' (what's normal anyways?) had gone through struggles with mental illness.  Like  fashion blogger Kendi Everyday for example.  1 in 5 Canadians will personally experience mental illness at some point in their lives, but it's still stigmatized, it's almost a taboo to talk about.  As a result I never felt comfortable telling my employers what I was going through and often felt alone in my struggle.



 Imagine if we could talk about mental illness as easily as we could physical illness, the relief it would be for us struggling and the understanding it could provide for those around us.  Online campaigns like Bell Let's Talk are starting the conversations but we need to keep talking, year round!

 

If this post resonates with someone or helps in any way, I would love to hear about it in the comments below or via e-mail at tinfoilstiaras{at}gmail{dot}com Together, let's remove the stigma and work towards positive mental health!
 

Thursday, June 5, 2014

tiaraiconHavana street style {2}

While uploading photos from my recent trip to Cuba, I realized that I took more photos of street style than anything else.  I shared the first round of photos with you a few weeks ago, here are some extras:









"The best fashion show is definitely on the streets.  Always has been, and always will be." (Bill Cunningham)