It has been rather quiet on the Online scene this week for this Montreal Diva..
But behind the scenes- I have my share’s worth of assignment corrections! Looks like it’s gonna get busy this way right upto Christmas. Still managed some styling shots though and recommendations for clients and collabs as well. Take a look:
If you know me then you know that I love anything a bit (a lot( over the top – and print mixing heave is what I’m aiming for all the time! How good is this top with all this animal print glory?!!
I’m nuts over this collaboration!! These are all ladies that I admire so much- they have so much style and love thrifting as much as I do! Love this so much! I do hope you’ll follow our thrifting adventures to see what we love to style up!!
Onto my Favourite Fashion Diva of the Linkup Party! I am freaking out over this skirt!!! Look at this look from Gail of: Is This Mutton– how gorgeous does she look in this gem of a skirt?!
Now Lovies… Are you ready for THE LINKUP PARTY?!!! Please come and join the party by LINKING UP!!! AND- Please SPREAD THE WORD! The more the merrier:))
I love this blogging community so much! And I know how much goes into writing every single post, every single week. It’s a dedication thing. And- we wouldn’t do it if we didn’t love it. So we put our everything in it! Please take the time to check out these wonderful bloggers and what they have to say. It’s good for everyone:)
(Click on the Links below to see where I go read, comment and link up every week!)
I’m so thrilled with this blogger collaboration that’s coming to you every 3rd Monday of the month with a fun thrifted or vintage theme!
This month’s theme is PLAID! I have to admit I do have a few pieces of plaid in my beloved closet…but I honestly don’t style them up enough! I don’t know why…maybe squares are not the first things I’m attracted to? Well that’s gonna change! From now on, amma style me up some good loving hodgepodge- you just wait and see!
“The Thrifty Six: “Check” Out Our Preloved Styles in Heritage Prints”
This vintage plaid dress has been hanging quietly for too long. I mean just look at her personality- I just had to take her out for a spin! She’s also super versatile, in that I love styling her up as a coat too! Everything about this (except the reversible Gucci belt) has either been thrifted or bought ages ago (some even decades!).
But that’s not all! This dress not only fits me way better than back in the 80’s (scrawny thing with the hugest shoulder pads thinking I was so cool lol!)- It also doubles as a coat!! OMG I love it this way even more! Not sure if I prefer the patent boots with it or the red cowboys…Your thoughts?
Please visit all my lovely friends to see more of their gorgeous outfits and to get to know them better!
“I found this dress in a charity shop recently for less than £5. Blue and brown is a very on trend colour combination for this season, although that isn’t why I bought it. I love to wear all types of check patterns in Autumn and Winter, and this dress is great for layering over a thin roll neck sweater and tights. It has pockets too…happy days!”
“If I were home right now, I would’ve had plenty of thrifted plaid/check/houndstooth pieces to choose from. But unfortunately, I’m away at college with only 17% of my wardrobe (gasp!), which meant I had to get creative for this month’s collaboration. I made a quick stop by a local thrift store and was largely unsuccessful, so I decided to try out a thrifted man’s flannel instead for the sake of this blog post. I decided it would be fun to turn it into a lil’ style challenge to see if I could make a huge male shirt flattering… How did I do??”
“The traditional to the avant-guard…The Thrifty Six are showcasing Heritage prints this month and here I bring you Royal Stuart Tartan – Highland Heritage in its purest form! It can be traditional or somewhat avant-garde. I go both ways, buttoned-up Victoriana to raw Punk Rock; reminiscent of Vivienne Westwood back in the anarchic 1970’s…I bought the skirt and waistcoat separately (on eBay), they’re from two different brands but the fabric is identical in every way so they make a perfect suit. They’re both vintage and the waistcoat has a very interesting brand label. It says… ‘Susan Barry – the clothes that men admire’ I’m really not kidding – HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED!!!!”
“When I heard that the theme for this month’s collaboration would be check, I thought: ‘Oh boy, have to search for something checked online!’ But instead I searched my closet and there came out my old checked tweed skirt. The funny story about the skirt is that I had bought this one years and years ago in the shop where I used to work. I gave it away at one point and discovered it two years ago on the preloved online shop. And bought it again! Just love the tweed and Chanel-esque feel. Especially with all the pearls!”
“When Emma announced the checkered theme for this month, I used it as an excuse to go thrift shopping. I definitely have plaid and checked preloved items in my wardrobe, but I don’t venture out much these days so it was the perfect excuse. I found this adorable black and white gingham dress (NWT) and these camouflage joggers (NWT) during that trip. I had no intention of wearing them together until I saw them lying in my cart next to each other. It was a match made in print mixing heaven! I added this preloved velvet off the shoulder sweatshirt because the dress is sleeveless and it’s getting cold around here. My furry clutch is also preloved (Poshmark). And the tie in my hair is the belt from the dress. We headed off to the park to capture some of the beautiful fall foliage in my photos.”
We will be back next month with another pre loved theme!
Is everyone weekend-ready? It’s going to be Thanksgiving weekend for us here in Canada. But this year will be so different. This pandemic has got us almost on lockdown- well not really, but it sure feels like it since we aren’t allowed anyone in our homes except for those living with us. What are we gonna do?? My husband says he’s still cooking that turkey and I guess the kids will have to do the ‘pick- up- at- Mom & Dad’s- curb’ thing!
So what have I been styling up since last Friday? Well, last Saturday had me posting thesefabulous leopard-hemmed jeansby Joseph Ribkoff from 1ereavenue.com. I am crazy about the fit! And you all know how hard it is for me to style and wear jeans if the fit isn’t perfect and comfy. But just look at these!!
And this week I also styled up this gorgeousness of a dress by Eva Varro – LA Designer. I mean can you believe the motif and colours in this beauty?!! I’ll be styling up more of the Eva Varro Collection and posting it for you to see. It’s mind-blowingly stunning!!
And of course more styling challenges! This one was on Instagram for #trendsinyourcloset by @imanorbyah and @annazzon. I styled up a mix of Leather, vests, and mixing prints.
And my favourite challenge always has to be by @affectionatelyaudreyfor Intimates worn outside! And it was a double- whammy since Anna and Norbyah both had this in their challenge as well! So it worked out perfectly. Loved wearing my nighty-wear out!
I always feel honoured and so blessed to be part of this fabulous community. I love what we all contribute to this platform- but even more than that, I love what you fabulous blogger ladies are all about!!
I‘m crazy about these boots and this whole look!!Isn’t she just adorable!!!
And- My Favourite Linkup Read of the Week was by: Alison of Midlife and Beyond for her post Turning Sixty – No Big Deal! Such a fascinating read that brought me down my own memory lane as well. Such an interesting and fun read that defies ageism and its stereotypes! Loved this!
Now Lovies… Are you ready for THE LINKUP PARTY?!!! Please come and join the party by LINKING UP!!! AND- Please SPREAD THE WORD! The more the merrier:))
I love this blogging community so much! And I know how much goes into writing every single post, every single week. It’s a dedication thing. And- we wouldn’t do it if we didn’t love it. So we put our everything in it! Please take the time to check out these wonderful bloggers and what they have to say. It’s good for everyone:)
(Click on the Links below to see where I go read, comment and link up every week!)
Fridays , are for fun and relaxation anticipation- don’t you agree?! Full on-going week days have me begging for Fridays.
It started with some fun photo shoots for my new collaboration with 1ere Avenue– so much to show you about this! Click this link to read the blog post I wrote for them! 1ere Avenue is where you can find the fabulous Joseph Ribkoff collection- I’ve been in love with this line for as long as I can remember. (I still have gorgeous gowns from 30 years ago- vintage at its best!) So needless to say, I’m thrilled to be part of this collab!
If you haven’t seen my OOTD’s on Insta (for those who follow me there @lucybertoldi) here’s a few…
I wore the first outfit to my grandson’s Christening! The other was on a regular day:)
And- have been having so much fun with all the challenges by Audrey (I’m addicted to her challenges). The first look was for Fashion Week- and this week was a Hodgepodgestyle, chanelling Dolly Parton! How did I do?
That was so much fun!
There was also Dr. Ingrid Mida’s book launch: Reading Fashion in Art – given by Ryerson Fashion, with a Giveaway by Bloomsbury. This was such an amazing event! The speakers were extremely interesting- I need this book!I love everything about fashion- especially fashion books.
Speaking of fashion books- how timely that Dr. Ingrid Mida’s book: The Dress Detective arrived as well this week! I’m gonna try to get some good reading time somewhere during the weekend😊
And the week did not go by without another DIY of course!
This was a blouse with long flappy lapels. I cut them right off and created a criss-cross top that I can wear front or back! Wearing it so much more now!
Lastly, I’m part of a new monthly blogger series with 5 other fashion divas: The Thrifty Six! (wrote my first post here). Can’t wait to style up something fun and thrifty next month with them:) these ladies are so fabulous and I’m honoured to be part of this endeavour with them!
I love this blogging community so much! And I know how much goes into writing every single post, every single week. It’s a dedication thing. And- we wouldn’t do it if we didn’t love it. So we put our everything in it! Please take the time to check out these wonderful bloggers and what they have to say. It’s good for everyone:)
(Click on the Links below to see where I go read, comment and link up every week!)
Is it Friday already! First time in awhile during Covid that I see a week fly by this quickly- must be a good thing! Lots of creativity and so many things happening for the fall- sadly around here we’re already sporting our cardi’s…oh well! I feel like life is on a roll despite the pandemic- Yay!!
This week I wrote a post about styling challenges, which so many of you emailed me about- Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I encourage you to challenge your styling creativity always- it’s totally a wardrobe refresher! If you haven’t read my article, just click on the link: Why Styling Challenges Are Good For You
The week ended with yet another of these challenges: Victorian Core (Modern Victorian Styling)- Again by @affectionatelyaudrey. How do you like it?
Here’s a Clip of me explaining how to capture the modern Victorian style…
Besides that, lots of time spent with my grandson and catching up on all my mending and upcycling and reading…More on that next week!
And- this gal’s been back on track with walk and talk! FINALLY getting my exercise and groove back!
Be Sure to join Andrea from Living on Cloud Nine, and I as we take our daily walk (I skip some though!) and we chat along!! Use hashtag: #walkandtalk and post on your stories and tag us both! @lucybertoldi @livingoncloudnine9
A little outside Canada- US inspo to get me going !!
Spotlight!!!
I’ve also been featured and I’m so happy and proud to stand beside such fabulous Styling Divas!!!
First by the beautiful: Fashion Canvas and Walking in Memphis in High Heels These two blogs are at the healm of trendiness every week- love reading them! Plus look who they paired me with- I adore Iris of La Moumous!
And also featured by the lovely Michelle of My Bijou Life Online (I just adore her so much!) Have you seen all the creativity on her blog- blows me away!! Here I was featured with my blogger friends which I adore!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
And now it’s time for my FAVOURITE LINKUP FASHION DIVA of the Week!!
Styling challenges generally happen on Instagram or Facebook, or other similar social platforms. They consist of a group, or individual, sending out a post which invites others to dress up for themes, trends, colors, patterns, or, to celebrate, or for a cause, or just for pure fun. The themes and reasons why, are endless.
Besides the fact that styling challenges are super fun- Today I’m here to give you my professional opinion as to why these challenges are good for you and why you should absolutely be joining some!
Here are some good enough reasons for you to jump in:
Boosts Creativity: Challenges force you to look for colors, patterns, etc. that are already in your closet. Making you put them together in ways you never thought of before. Gets your creative juices flowing.
Favors Style Evolution: Challenges help push you out of your comfort zone: This is essential if you want to evolve in your styling. We sometimes get stuck in a rut simply because we settle into a particular style.
Makes You More Daring: Enough with the wall-flower attitude! Challenges help break the ice! Pushes you out of the “I could never do or wear that” attitude. This is hard to accomplish on your own…but with a good challenge it’s as good a reason as ever to start!
Boosts Awareness: Challenges can bring out new awareness of styles, trends and more. It can be a learning experience that teaches you how to style up; what you really like; what you want to portray; what you need to add or take out of your closet…
Perfect Opportunity to Play Dress-Up: All it is, is an exercise for you to try on things and have fun and play with what you own. There’s nothing serious about it- it’s just styling up clothes (you’re not applying for a modeling job for Vogue).
Mood Booster: Remember how I’ve drilled you on the benefits of Dopamine dressing? How dressing up can improve your mood? So, this is actually fun which helps boost happiness-and who can’t use a good, no cost picker-upper these days? So why not?
Motivation: Let’s face it- these days we don’t always feel like getting dressed up. Challenges motivate you to get up and style- up!
Inspiration of course! Seeing what others are posting can give you so many ideas that maybe you haven’t thought of before!
It’s all positive! Plus, if you’re still not convinced, just do these challenges without posting online. Just get dressed on your own and see what you come up with- without posting. You’ll still reap the benefits😊
However, I strongly suggest that once you start on your own, at some point do try to get online and post as well. This will give you the affirmation that you did it by giving you that extra push (you got the courage to wear it out there!). As well, if you’re looking for a fun community to be part of- well, challenges can bring you that as well. Who knows how many new friends you’ll make (if you want to that is!).
Here are a few of the many of the challenges I’ve joined – and the benefits I’ve reaped from these:
If you follow me on Instagram you might remember this one from @affectionatelyaudrey’s Hodgepodge Challenge. This Challenge pushed me to see how many prints I could mix while still keeping it stylish.
Here’s another by @affectionatelyaudrey. We had to style a different mix of prints every day for a week: Animal print Print; Florals; Polka Dots and Stripes. Styling up a different look every day sure did challenge me to stay on top of my game! Creativity alert! This was a 5 day challenge but my time-frame only allowed three looks- still! This was perfect motivation!
Here’s another- it was a 7 days of dresses challenge given by @clothesandpizzaThis challenge forced me to wear so many of my dresses! I had been on a jeans and pants rut- so this was so good!
And this! The Diane Keaton Challenge by @annazzon and @imanorbyah This was one of my favourite challenges as I definitely played dress- up here. It forced me to take out clothes I haven’t even looked at in decades. As well, I rediscovered the power of a good suit! Plus this was purely fun (which I needed as a mood changer that particular week). It helped not to take myself so seriously. And- I got so many DM’s of people telling me how they secretly wanted to dress like Keaton and now maybe give it a try. So all worth it!
Maybe you’ll remember this one from my own Wanna-be Kimono Challenge! Creating this challenge was a lot of fun to create. It also helped my styling students come up with so many ideas of their own.
So there you have it! This is my intake for joining styling challenges. Personally, I love them- especially for the inspiration they bring out in me for further looks I create…like this one!
Have you joined any styling challenges yet? If so, which ones? And- if not…Why not?
Note: You can email me or DM me anytime if you need any ideas or where to go for fun challenges.
July is finally here- and along with that comes Canada Day! Such a different one for me, (the cover photo was taken last year in Greece for Canada Day) as I’m living with my daughter to help her out- so no partying! But anyway, who can really party with Covid still lurking. But! How fun that on my daughter’s quaint street they had mini parades and neighborly cook outs! See the video clip below…
