Tag: fashion fun

TUESDAY LINKS:

Walking in Memphis in High Heels and The Fashion Canvas

Jenerally Informed

WEDNESDAY LINKS:

Jersey Girl Texan Heart

Straight A Style Blog

THURSDAY LINKS:

North West Mountain Living

Thursday Moda by Elegance & Mommyhood

My Bijou Life Online 1-Creative Compulsions AND 2-Traffic Jam

FRIDAY Links:

I also do a Link Party every Friday! Confessions of a Montreal Styling Diva

The Ageless Style Link Up- The first Monday of every month

August 21, 2020 32

Why Styling Challenges are Good For You…

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 @clothesandpizza** **This 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.

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I love this blogging community so much! (Click on the Links below to see where I go read, comment and link up every week!)

MONDAY LINKS

TUESDAY LINKS:

Walking in Memphis in High Heels and The Fashion Canvas

Jenerally Informed

WEDNESDAY LINKS:

Jersey Girl Texan Heart

Straight A Style Blog

THURSDAY LINKS:

Thursday Moda by Elegance & Mommyhood

North West Mountain Living

FRIDAY Links:

I also do a Link Party every Friday! Confessions of a Montreal Styling Diva

August 18, 2020 24

Fashionphile Focus #7: When Fashion is Your Muse- Part 2

It would be impossible for me to speak about Fashion as my Muse without any reference to historical attire. As we all know, everything in fashion repeats itself; or comes back in some form or another.

Designers are always referring to the past when they create- And what a rich source of inspiration that can be! Alexander McQueen was notorious for doing this! He loved Victorian and Gothic fashion and it can be seen in his own designs.

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How does this even relate to us?? These designs are at the very top of creativity. These are a springboard for all other creatives to base themselves on and to produce garments that have a nuance or taste of these beauties. Consequently, they create tones or patterns or cuts that we can actually wear and keep looking trendy.

Hard to imagine? Not really-You already own some of these ‘historical fashion’ items! Let’s see; do you own…

Flair sleeve tops?

Bell sleeve tops?

Ruffled blouses?

Hoop skirts?

Long dresses or skirts?

Velvet pants or jacket?

Chunky gold accessories?

Platform shoes?

Ankle booties?

Ballerinas?

Button-down vests or jackets?

Turtlenecks?

High-collar shirts?

Gloves?

Lace (something or other)?

This list can go on and on!!

So it’s no wonder that designers need to rehash what has already been done and bring back with a twist of their own. From there, the rest of us will end up buying (or thrifting!) diluted forms of these creations. So why not take some of those incredible elements and bring them into our own styling?

Here are more designers getting inspired by history:

The genius, Galliano and his take:

Givenchy:

And- I could not write about this without making note of fashion’s all-time bad boy- who also plucked his creativity straight from the past…Here are some of Jean Paul Gauthier’s creations.

When his Exhibit came to Montreal, I just had to go! Here’s a mini clip of one magnificent ‘caged’ creation taken right out of the ‘pallier’ times.

And as for myself, I can’t really pinpoint which part of the history inspired my own two dresses (for when my daughters got married both in the same year- 3 months apart). But I know that the inspiration and idea of these two designs (I helped co-create) were definitely a spin-off from the past. What do you think?

STAY TUNED for the last part of this Fashion is My Muse Edition, for next week when I highlight my Historical Muses…You’re gonna love them!

Here’s a glimpse:

#Confessionoftheday: My go-to inspiration will forever be a fantastically dramatic sleeve…and I wonder where I got that inspiration from…past life for sure lol!

1-Source

2-Source

Oh and, So happy that my post: Fabulous Friday’s Linkup and Runway Talk was featured in IFB on Links a la Mode!!

Here are the featured bloggers chosen by IFB:

What is your body shape? by LaMoumous
Fabulous Friday’s Linkup and Runway Talk by Confessions of a Montreal Styling Diva, by Lucy Bertoldi
Best Advice for Working from Home by Bombshell Whims

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I love this blogging community so much! (Click on the Links below to see where I go read, comment and link up every week!)

MONDAY LINKS

TUESDAY LINKS:

Walking in Memphis in High Heels and The Fashion Canvas

Jenerally Informed

WEDNESDAY LINKS:

Jersey Girl Texan Heart

Straight A Style Blog

THURSDAY LINKS:

Thursday Moda by Elegance & Mommyhood

North West Mountain Living

FRIDAY Links:

I also do a Link Party every Friday! Confessions of a Montreal Styling Diva

July 21, 2020 27

FABULOUS FRIDAY’S Link Up Party- Canada Day and a Styling Challenge…

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…

First week of July also started with a Styling Tips post for Northern summers, by your very own Montreal Styling Diva here..You can go check that out here: How Does a Montreal Girl Adapt her Styling to the Summer Season

And, just because styling is my very favourite thing, a fun challenge! Norbyah and Anna started the Trends In Your Closet Challenge– which I’m crazy about!

A mix of Style and Sustainability, go check out the looks and go ahead and join too! The challenge is on until July 5^th.

Most Clicked Post of Last Week’s Link Up Party was by Nicole Molders of High Latitude Style’s: How To Look Stunning in Romantic Style

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Favourite Fashion Post of the Week’s Link UP was by Cate of Posh and Pure for: Stylish Swim Looks For The 50+ Year Old Woman

And- I’m so happy to have been featured on these amazing blogs!! Emma from Style Splash AND Michelle from My Bijou Life Online for my St-Jean post last Friday.

AND NOW…Are you ready for the Link Up Party?!!!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!Click here to enter

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I love this blogging community so much! (Click on the Links below to see where I go read, comment and link up every week!)

MONDAY LINKS

TUESDAY LINKS:

Walking in Memphis in High Heels and The Fashion Canvas

Jenerally Informed

WEDNESDAY LINKS:

Jersey Girl Texan Heart

Straight A Style Blog

THURSDAY LINKS:

Thursday Moda by Elegance & Mommyhood

FRIDAY Links:

I also do a Link Party every Friday! Confessions of a Montreal Styling Diva

Have a Great Weekend Everyone!

July 3, 2020 37

Styling your LSD is the Easiest OOTS! Slip on- Slip off!

The Little Summer Dress is for real the easiest Outfit Of The Summer! It also gets A+ for its 3 ‘F’s : Fresh, Free, Fun!

So- start wearing your cute dresses! There’s nothing easier than a simple LSD. When you get your hands on one- don’t let go! You’ll be wearing it summer after summer trust me! If you’re more of a pants girl and think dresses don’t suit you…think again!

Summer heat cries out for flair and a non-conforming fit when it comes to dresses- so how can it not suit you? LSD’s were born to camouflage and set you free! And the plus side? You have to do nothing else than wear it- no layering- no matching, no coordinating, no additions necessary.

This little green striped number needs absolutely no help! I mean, you can obviously change it up with accessories and different sandals and there you go- different looks! That’s why you just can never get rid such gems- ever!

The only thing you need to think of in terms of styling is whether you want to dress it up for day or evening. You do know that you can dress these little darlings up for both, right? Coz you can! Go from laundry room, out to lunch with the girls, to the grocery store and back for supper preps and a nightcap on the porch or off for a nightly walk- without ever having to change!

Slip on and slip out!

Let’s look at a few others that don’t disappoint. I’ve worn these for a few summers already and will keep on doing so😊

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is img_4326_facetune_31-07-2019-15-16-05.jpg — Twinning with my daughter here:)

Also…the LSD seems to always be part of the most fun and memorable times- this was taken in Greece last year!

#Confessionoftheday: Come to think of it…Yes- I am completely addicted to the LSD! Super freeing, fresh and fun!

And now drum roll…This Week’s Favourite Fashion Styling Diva on Instagram is:

Raquel of Beauty For The Queens!

Her feed and posts will blow you away- such great style always to inspire!

If you would like a chance to be featured, make sure to follow me on Instagram – if I fall in love with your style, I’ll feature you for sure!

And now time to spread some blog love! I love reading other great blog posts- so I thought to include some really good ones for you to check out! They have linkup parties where you can link your own posts. Go check them out and show some love. Have a good one!

MONDAY LINKS

Ask Suzanne Bell

TUESDAY LINKS:

Links a la Mode

I Do De Claire

Walking in Memphis in High Heels and The Fashion Canvas

Jenerally Informed

WEDNESDAY LINKS:

Jersey Girl Texan Heart

Straight A Style Blog

THURSDAY LINKS:

Thursday Moda by Elegance & Mommyhood

FRIDAY Links:

I also do a Link Party every Friday! Confessions of a Montreal Styling Diva

May 27, 2020 22

Is Covid Responsible for my Ever-Growing DIY Compulsion?

I believe so. As if I weren’t already obsessed enough with transformations, here I go with even more of an excuse: Time.

Time- that luxury we crave. The obsession of never having enough of it. Well, now that we are forced to making some…we start packing it all in. I’ve mentioned before how we gotta be careful with this feeling of always needing to be busy- READ that Article here.

This time however, I won’t be blaming myself for induging in compulsive behaviour, I’m just gonna blame it all on Covid. Or rather…my personal cure to stop-obsessing about Covid! How do I do that? I re-style, re-purpose, re-love, re-wear, re-fashion my clothes!

I’m getting a clearer vision of what it is I want to wear; what I need to wear; what I feel happy wearing- and then: Out come the scissors!

This time I’ve changed up an animal print, turtle-neck dress…into a Cardi! But there’s more! I’ve incorporated a scarf (just in case I want that option), and a turban (or headband) as well!

**This dress is cute…but a bit limiting (I’m too warm in it- it suffocates me!) So, layering is the last thing I want to do with this one…So: A-Chopping-it-will-go!**

**What a difference! And so many possibilities…**

**Can you see that the scarf is an integral part of it…**

**I linked the scarf through the two openings I slit…**

**Oh…and also made use of this turban…**

Wanna see how I worked this DIY and styled the whole look? You can watch the process here:

What have you been DIYing?

#Confessionoftheday: My compulsion is real. But it’s healthy, right?

This Week’s Favourite Fashion Styling Diva is: Maddy! Check her out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mady_robinson/

**No but Seriously…all her looks are this COOL!!**

Linking time!

I love reading other great blog posts- so I thought to include some really good ones for you to check out! They have linkup parties where you can link your own posts. Go check them out and show some love. Have a good one!

MONDAY LINKS

TUESDAY LINKS:

Walking in Memphis in High Heels

The Fashion Canvas

Myriad Musings

Fashion Fairydust

WEDNESDAY LINKS:

Jersey Girl Texan Heart

Straight A Style Blog

THURSDAY LINKS:

Doused in Pink & Curly Crafty Mom

Thursday Moda by Elegance & Mommyhood

FRIDAY Links: