Vintage Chanel: Day 5/365 Frugal Fashion Challenge

In the fashion realm, you often hear a lot about the 'classics' - the pieces worth investing in as an avenue to have a beautiful, and more importantly, time-bound, wardrobe.

Staying consistent with my 12 months of Frugal Fashion Challenge (read about it here), this Pre-owned Chanel Vintage hand-bag will be my first, and likely, only, investment piece of the season.

It's texture adds interest, shape gives it a polished look, and it's hue keeps it casual. I can also see this piece being carried easily into Fall (this Fall, and the next, and the...)...

...And, that is what classic pieces are all about.

...And this is what my Frugal Fashion Challenge is all about:

1) Reusing and Renewing
2) Eliminating Waste
3) Maintaining Style

Join me! It could be fun, or 12 months of practical-hell!

Office Chic: Spaghetti Straps & Anti-Progressive Dress-Code Policies

There has been some media debate lately around the topic of dress-codes within institutions and the gender discrimination immersed within them.

Some of this debate, comes from a father in Houston Texas, whose daughter allegedly violated the 'rules' after coming to school in a spaghetti strap sun-dress, and was asked to change. The full story here:

The Apparently Immoral Shoulders of My Five Year Old Daughter

My stance? I completely agree with this father, and, on the whole, that gender discrimination is embedded in School, as well as Work Place Dress-Code policies.

Such policies, especially when not applied equally to both genders, promote the idea that women are to be viewed as objects, and such objects can be sexually distracting. It further promotes the notion girls and women should be act, behave, and dress in a certain way, and be reprimanded and accused of low-morale standards should they not meet this preconceived notion of what a girl/lady is.

Surely, institutions should instead focus on dispelling this distorted perception, and empowering women, as opposed to oppressing them.

Enforcing outdated, gender-inconsistent, 'rules' shows an outdated, discriminatory mindset, and that is what needs the attention and correction; not my body or clothing and not any women or girl's body or clothing.

 Shop the modern office-look inspired by this topic below:

Office Chic: Spaghetti Straps

Fashion & Social Anxiety: The Connection

Social anxiety can often cause a high level of public self-consciousness. Individuals with social anxiety may perceive themselves as social objects and to be particularly concerned with their public self-presentation.
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 Fashion variety and quality can aid such symptom management.

One behaviourally based approach is called "Fashion Exposure". As detailed on the  Social Anxiety Website, some more specific examples of this approach:

1) Wear something different each day.

2) If you are nervous about shorts and short-sleeves, wear them, often.

3) Wear quality, regularly.

Shop the look inspired by this topic above. I do know first hand that dressing in a fun, unique, true to me, way, has helped me to have the confidence I need to live a positive, fearless, 'I am the captain of my own ship', life and minimize social anxiety.

         

Red Lips, Nude Pumps: Classics to Keep

Some of my favourite nude pumps for the season are above. Click on the icons to shop the pieces.

Two key staples every fashionista, on a budget or not, should maintain in their wardrobe is 1) the Nude Heel/Pump 2)A perfect red lip shade that suites your skin tone.

Make Up Geek shares super cool tips for picking your perfect red lip shade here:

https://www.makeupgeek.com/best-of/my-top-5-red-lipsticks/

While blogger the Chic Fashionista, shares some equally rad tips on selecting your perfect nude-toned heel here:

http://www.thechicfashionista.com/nude-color-heel-crazy.html

What are your tips and tricks for finding the perfect colour tone in these  two classics?

Darker Days: Fashion Refllects

This outfit best describes my look, and emotions today. After several setbacks while planning a last minute 'official' move to Ottawa, ON next week, I am feeling dark and down.

The pieces, the textures, and the way what you wear can be an extension of your inner self, is beautiful non-the-less

It is a darker day, but I will be OK.

Shop the look above.

Summer Sling Backs: Classics for Less Than Fifty

Enjoy a more classic, sophisticated look, that you can perhaps carry into spring/summer 2016 and beyond?

Check out these sassy sling backs, all under $50!

Dressing beautifully doesn't equal big dollars spent.

And I am here to prove it.

In a way that is more extreme than is comfortable for me...

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It is in the uncomfortable moments or situations, we grow.

And if we don't grow, what are we here for?
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Moody Crab (About Everything Else to Do with My Zodiac Sign)

While Ruby works for me as a birthstone, and Cancer character qualities mostly reflect me as a person, the sign itself could use come work. I recall being a naive 12 year old proudly sporting a choker with the top right image as it's charm. The proudness faded quickly however upon comments from my 12 year old male classmates on it's 'true meaning'.

As such, my non-birthstone pics for jewelry are above. Silver, gray, white (flowers) in lieu of a sign 12 year old boys are not equipped to handle.