Online Shopping to Canada: An Elaborate List for Canadian Divas

I was recently chatting with a friend of mine on why some online stores run out of America or the UK ship to the ends of the earth but don't ship to Canada. This of course is frustrating because I want to shout, "shut up and take my money" only to realize that they can't. It's a little bumming but I thought that it would be helpful to all of my other Canadian ladies out there to have a list of stores that ship to Canada. So without further ado, the list of shopping destinations!

$0-$50 Range
Forever 21
I'm sure that you're familiar with this one! They have free shipping on orders over $60.
Ruche
Very similar to Forever 21 with the style of simple, bohemian flower girl.
Lulus
More for youth and young adults, Lulus has a great selection of fun and trendy clothes. Shipping is a flat rate of $22.
Design by Humans
A sweet t-shirt company with an option to randomly pick three tees in your size by using their Tee Grinder for a good discount.
Threadless
Another t-shirt company, specializing in community driven designs.
Mango
A nice selection of basic to dress clothes. Free standard shipping on orders over $150.
Oasap
Two words: super trendy. I've heard quite a lot of good things from this mass-online shopping giant but I've never tried it. As far as I'm aware, it comes from China but many of the reviews I read were positive. Free shipping worldwide!

$50-$100
La Redoute
Nice, leisurely basics for the woman who likes to wear functional clothes. Based out of Portugal. Prices vary according to brand. Free shipping on orders over $119.
Urban Outfitters
Great selection for those looking for grungy vintage. They carry a bit (including their apartment section) not found in stores. Free shipping on orders over $50!
Asos
The fashion marketplace of the internet. Prices vary according to brand. They also have the Marketplace, where individuals can sell vintage as well as independent brands. Free delivery worldwide!
Gap
If you're looking for something simple and laid back, this is the place to look. Free shipping on orders over $50!
Modcloth
Quirky, fun, and vintage. Prices (sizes, and quality) vary wildly between brands.
Zara
Sleek and fashionable with free shipping on orders over $50!
Nasty Gal
A favourite of mine. A little grungy, unorthodox, and utterly fascinating. Free international shipping on orders over $150.
Anthropologie
Bohemian french fashion at its most wanderlust. They carry a few products not found in store.
Lip Service
Dark, alternative and gothic clothes.
Banana Republic
Classy and timeless. Again, free shipping on orders over $50!
Boden
If Banana Republic is classy and timeless, Boden is its little but more spunky sister. I love a lot of the clothes here!
Etsy
An online collective of many stores that sell diverse goods. This is a good place to check if you're looking for accessories. You can't go wrong with handmade but watch out for Chinese resellers!
Free People
The high class bohemian who prefers to wander from vintage store to Coachella without a thought. Free shipping on orders over $100.
Topshop
Great selection with free international shipping on orders over 30 pounds.
Black Milk Clothing
This is my absolute favourite company to buy from! They have awesome and stunning tights and leggings! I I get a lot of compliments when I wear them. They also carry clothing and shoes. International standard shipping is free, however express shipping to Canada could get you hit with high extra costs.

+$100
Ssense
Designer clothes with big brands like Alexander McQueen, Balmain, and Saint Laurent. Shipping prices based on province.
The Outnet
Discount designer clothes with lesser brands such as Stella McCartney and Alice + Olivia.
J.Crew
Preppy with a nice dose of cashmere! They carry a few products not found in store. 9.95 flat rate shipping!
Nordstrom
An awesome selection of high couture. Free shipping!
Gravity Pope
Shoes, shoes, shoes! This is an awesome place to look for both designer and non-designer shoes. Free shipping on orders over $300.

If you know of any other stores, please leave it in the comments. I'll add it to the list!

Mixed Greens are a Dime a Dozen

First it was all rain and now it's all sun. That means photos, photos, photos! Unfortunately, the mosquitos don't care if you look fabulous or not. I actually got a mosquito bite on my arm before the photos! Sheesh!

Just to let you in on a little secret, I'm not really wearing proper shorts. I know this may be shocking but they're actually pajama bottoms! Hehe, don't tell anyone!

Top: thrifted; Shorts: gift; Sandals: Rusty Lopez; Belt: Buffalo; Necklace: gift

Big Bling Ring and Denim Deja Vu

It’s been one of the nicer days of the year. Of course, I’m still hiding inside. After all, there’s mosquitos out there! Anyway, I bought this denim shirt from Zara the other day, and I’ve been itching to wear it out. It reminds me of the good old cowboy days… that is if they wore harem pants and had a giant knuckle ring to punch out the outlaws!

I can only dream, I can only dream.

But seriously. Wouldn’t knuckle-wielding desperados with sharp shooting heels and billowing trousers just rock your world?

Top: Zara; Trousers: Suzy Shier; Shoes: Jeffery Campbell; Bag: Esprit

Hello everyone! Sorry for the lack of posts lately. My city has been flooding like crazy and so I've been dealing with the consequences of it. A lot of major roads have been closed and people evacuated. I'm still fine where I live, but the rain hasn't made things easy. I promise I'll get back to blogging when this is all over.

For now, everyone take care and I'll see you soon!

Handsome Girl Editorial

There are days where I wish that the stud trend would just die. Studs here, studs there, no one looks edgy anymore. Its all contrived and lazy. However, today is not one of those days. Today, I bring you Vogue China's editorial, Handsome Girl with Tao Okomoto. 

Source: Noir Facade

Okomoto is so gorgeous, grungy and edgy. And I'm simply in love with the flannel-sequin combination!

With Mucha Do!

Despite being excited beyond belief when I first received them, I still haven't worn my leggings out in public yet. But do not fear! After I took some initial photos with a shitty camera, I headed off to a local Neapolitan pizza place by my house for some fresh eats.

 While I silently curse the quality of this camera and its images, I remember that at least it took a photo.

Top: Zara; Leggings: Black Milk Clothing; Shoes: Kelsi Dagger; Watch: Swatch x Rankin

Black Milk Haul and Review

Today is a very joyous day! I've received my Black Milk leggings from FedEx this morning, even after missing it yesterday. I just couldn't resist buying them. I even had them shipped express because I couldn't wait. Black Milk is like a dream come true!

For those unfamiliar, Black Milk Clothing is a brand based out of Australia. They focus on outrageous and fantastic prints, primarily on nylon leggings. You can also find many designs on shoes, swim suits, dresses, and their newest line of sport wear. They also have free standard shipping world wide!

Two tights (La Trappistine, and the Suicide of Morozumi, both size small) with a nice letter of congratulations on the purchase. Super sweet!

 I love the detailing on this pair. I'm wearing right now and they feel like HEAVEN!

 Oh how I adore art nouveau and Mucha. What great art! La Trappistine is one of my favourite prints in terms of symmetry. It looks really good with a cardigan and a fancy blouse.

 This is the tag that comes with the leggings with instructions on how to care for them. I love the last point! How fun!

 Though I was leaving for work in a bit, I couldn't wait to try them on. I really do love the way the women curve into the calves. And even wearing a tee shirt, I noticed that you could see the halos peeking out, so that's really nice too.

 The halos also frame your bum. Haha.

 Ah, The Suicide of Morozumi. These are my boyfriend's favourite leggings. He loves the red at the ankles and I adore the script at the waist.

Pros:

• They are ULTRA comfortable. Oh my gosh. They feel so natural, silky, and nice!
• The prints are stellar! They're evenly printed all around and the colour is bright and on par with the website's pictures.
•  They've got lots of seams inside to reinforce the leggings. 
• They are so friendly with their customer service! Way nice people!

Cons:

• Shipping to Canada cost me an arm and a leg. I paid about $160 C for my leggings and then I had to pay an additional $46 for customs and tax. That's pretty ridiculous. I'm not sure if that had anything more to do with FedEx but you never know. 

Final note:

I measured myself multiple times to make sure that I ordered the correct size. I happened to fall in between a small and a medium and their website claims that you should size down (which is why I got the small). While nylon is supposed to stretch, next time I think I'll go with a medium. I don't want to stretch them out too quickly! 

Also, this definitely will not be the last time I order from Black Milk. However, for future reference, I'm definitely going to have to find away around these ridiculous duty taxes and whatnot.

The Great Gatsby: A Review and Outfit Set

By now the buzz has worn down over Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby. As soon as the movie hit theatres, it received lukewarm reviews from critics around the world. Lurhmann's vision of the Roaring 20's, one of over-dramatic glitz and glamour, gold and silver, liquor and parties, capitalism and prosperity, are brought in a dizzying array of eloquently crafted scenes each worthy of perfection in their own rights. However, that being said, it is in this same frame that the film can be seen as nothing more than eye candy.

Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan
Source: Grazia Daily

The whole movie reeks of elegance and opulence key to Luhrmann's direction but in focusing on the high visual appeal, I feel that some amount of character development was sacrificed. That's not to say that the actors were two-dimensional; if anything Joel Edgerton as Tom Buchanan makes the strongest case for brilliant acting in the whole film. If you've read the book, you'll find that the movie in its attempts to truly grasp at deeper motivations and symbols, glazes over them like skaters on a rink with stylistic 3D text and anachronistic music.

Lana Del Ray was one of the greatest songs on the soundtrack and it's definitely worth a listen

However, taking all of this into account, I still enjoyed the film very, very much. Leonardo DiCaprio was great and charming. I believed in him not as an actor but as Jay Gatsby. He fit so easily into that role that it was hard to pry him away from his character. In addition, the rest of the cast was stellar and boy, oh boy was the art direction and design stunning. I'd definitely recommend it, even if you just watch it to see its beauty.

And now onto the set! The Roaring 20's a la Luhrmann is all about the ritzy gold and the sleek nightly black mingling in anachronistic pleasure with one another. These elements lend an interesting and unique aspect through which glamour, charm, and intrigue can be felt and lived through.

Source: Polyvore

Have you seen The Great Gatsby? What did you think?

Metal Leggings and the Rise of Robotic Runways

These days I feel like I'm wasting the whole summer away. It hasn't even been a month yet and I'm ready for school to pick back up again. However, while idleness starts to get the best of me, the internet has proven once again to be a well of inspiration. Enter Balenciaga's SS '07 collection of sleek, metal leggings. The moment I saw them, I thought of Fritz Lang's stunning sci-fi film, Metropolis. 

Source:  Cinematoria

I love the appeal of the golden metallic sheen. While it isn't practical nor easy to simply wear something so lengthy and outlandish, who says it can't be done? But while there is a will, there is a way and as Balenciaga proves, there is much more elegance to metal than meets the eye.

Source: Augustine Wong

Balenciaga's beautifully robotic leggings retail for $100,000 USD! Holy moly, that's a lotta dough! 

Swimming in the Earl's Garden

Today's post is a short one dedicated to one thing: this flower blazer! The moment I saw it at Zara, I knew I had to have it. A few weeks later, here it is in my closet!

Blazer: Zara; Tank top: Rickies; Necklace: ?; Skirt: Three Belles Down; Socks

Perusing the Pages

Yesterday, there was a big book sale in my city. It was so great that I couldn't refuse to take a picture of one of my finds with a nice preppy outfit. Despite it being +25 C, I braved wool; the outfit wouldn't be complete without a thrifted tartan kilt! 

Shirt: Zara; Sweater: H&M; Blazer: Zara; Skirt: Thrifted

Oh, My Ophelia

Spring has finally arrived. The weather, a nice balmy nineteen degrees plus a wide blue sky, has finally captured my attention. Soon, the plants will grow rich and green again. However for now, we can turn to Vogue Korea for a stunning look into the summer heat in the editorial, Oh, My Ophelia.

Source: Jottings of a Fashionista

Windy Days and the First True Day of Spring

Sorry about the silence on my part! School has been very busy and I'm still in finals. Hopefully after this week, we can get some action back on this blog. However, I was lucky enough to get some quick photos with my boyfriend today! It was very windy and dusty but it got done!

 Dusty shoes, oh no! And I only walked through the grass!

 Look at that handsome man!

And here's my new Swatch watch! Isn't that iris cool?

Shirt: Zara; Skirt: Thrifted; Belt: Nasty Gal; Watch: Swatch x Rankin; Shoes: Jeffery Campbell

The Underground World of Russian Architecture

I've fallen madly in love with Russia. It's no secret. However, what is a secret is the astounding beauty of Russian architecture. From golden spun cupolas to Gothic Soviet Stalinist sky scrapers, the feel of design around you is beyond breathtaking. For new ads promoting the Schusev Museum of State Architecture in Moscow, they've taken this secret one step farther.

Source: Design You Trust

"So Fern, So Nah" Editorial

While spring has already set foot in my tiny town, the weather has been constantly promising snow, snow, and more snow. I can't say this is exactly a good thing, but if the snowfall had more of a mysterious and delicate tone akin to a lost Russian lullaby to it then I'd be all over it.

However, this romanticized idea of winter is really brought to life by Alexi Lubomirski in the German Vogue December 2012 editorial entitled, "So Fern, So Nah", styled by Christiane Arp. You can almost feel the play of felt, wool, silk, and fur through the dotted landscape.

Source: The Fashion Spot