please 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!

western 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?

falling 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?

1 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!

1 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!) 

 

a 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!

 



SMASH 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!

 



 http://www.smashstyling.com

 

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