rose&violette

Inspiration: Montreal Fashion Week F|W12 - February 9

2012-02-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

As I told you last Monday, I watched the fashion shows from Montreal Fashion Week at home. It was the first time and I absolutely loved it! It gave me the opportunity to watch all the shows live, even those not open to public.

Being no fashion expert, I decided to show you what inspired me at this 22nd edition of Montreal Fashion Week.

February 9

Rud Styled by Rudsak

A-line shape.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Duffle coat details.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Brown shades.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Anastasia Lomolova

Pleats, pleats, pleats!

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Lyn

Beautiful knits.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

UNTTLD

Rib cage-like ornaments.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Texture and sheerness.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Mix of textures, once again.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Did you see these fashion shows or other shows presented on February 9? What inspired you?

Inspiration: Montreal Fashion Week F|W12 - February 8

2012-02-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

Being no fashion expert, I decided to show you what inspired me at this 22nd edition of Montreal Fashion Week.

February 8

Ça va de soi

Softness and minimalism.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Samuel Dong

This red dress.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Abol Eco Haute Couture

All recycled materials... without looking like patchwork.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Black, white and a train.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Pretty dresses that could make wonderful wedding dresses.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Did you see these fashion shows or other shows presented on February 8? What inspired you?

To be continued tomorrow.

Inspiration: Montreal Fashion Week F|W12 - February 7

2012-02-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

Being no fashion expert, I decided to show you what inspired me at this 22nd edition of Montreal Fashion Week.

February 7

MARTIN LIM

Graphic dresses and coral.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Long, flowing dresses.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Hanging strips.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Annie 50

Lace insert and full skirt.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Eiffel tour print.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Dinh Bá Design

Black on black.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Mix of leather and frills.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Eve Gravel

Leather skirt and printed coat.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Colorblock sequins.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Grey stripes.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Feathers.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Lady like and casual.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Did you see these fashion shows or other shows presented on February 7? What inspired you?

To be continued tomorrow.

Inspiration: Montreal Fashion Week F|W12 - February 6

2012-02-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

Being no fashion expert, I decided to show you what inspired me at this 22nd edition of Montreal Fashion Week.

February 6

Tavan & Mitto

Mix of textures.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Mustard, midi skirt and pockets.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

White-white in winter.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

DUY

Peplum tops and dresses.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Textured stripes.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Mélissa Nepton

Cozy knits.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

White collar and lace insert.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin, SMM

Did you see these fashion shows or other shows presented on February 6? What inspired you?

To be continued tomorrow.

Montreal Fashion Week F|W12 - February 9

2012-02-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

As I told you Monday, I'll be watching the shows from Montreal's fashion week at home here.

My own fashion week schedule:

Thursday, February 9

18h30 - Rud Styled by Rudsak

21h00 - Collectif: UNTTLD, Anastasia Lomonova & Lyn

For all the shows presented on Thursday and the complete fashion week schedule, click here.

Montreal Fashion Week F|W12 - February 8

2012-02-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

As I told you Monday, I'll be watching the shows from Montreal's fashion week at home here.

My own fashion week schedule:

Wednesday, February 8

18h30 - Ça va de soi *Open to public

19h30 - Samuel Dong

For all the shows presented on Wednesday and the complete fashion week schedule, click here.

To be continued tomorrow.

Montreal Fashion Week F|W12 - February 7

2012-02-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

As I told you yesterday, I'll be watching the shows from Montreal's fashion week at home here.

My own fashion week schedule:

Tuesday, February 7

18h30 - MARTIN LIM *Open to public

19h30 - Annie 50

20h30 - Dinh Bá Design

21h30 - Ève Gravel

For all the shows presented on Tuesday and the complete fashion week schedule, click here.

To be continued tomorrow.

Montreal Fashion Week F|W12 - February 6

2012-02-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

As you probably know, today marks the opening of Montreal's 22nd fashion week, presenting fall and winter 2012 collections.

As much as you might love fashion, unless you 1) are part of the fashion industry or 2) have your media accreditation or 3) are invited by a designer, getting to SMM22 might not be as easy as you think.

But don't worry, you can still catch a glimpse of the fashion week! You have two options: pay to get in (and several shows aren't open to the public) or watch the shows live in the comfort of your home, on the web. Last year, I bought tickets and went to Nadya Toto's show (see my "review" here, in french). I really enjoyed the show and the overall feeling of being there as it happens, but this year I will be watching from my couch.

My own fashion-week schedule:

Monday, February 6

18h30 - Tavan&Mitto *Open to public

19h30 - Duy *Open to public

20h30 - Mélissa Nepton

For all the shows presented on Monday and the complete fashion week schedule, click here.

To be continued tomorrow.

I Want: Cheap Accessories

2012-01-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

1. Necklace CAD15,80

2. Bag CAD 31,80

3. Bracelet CAD 9,80

4. Earrings CAD 4,80

5. Clutch CAD 31,80

6. Bracelet CAD 1,50

7. Bag CAD 41,80

8. Earrings CAD 3,80

9. Coin Purse CAD 5,80

10. Bracelet CAD 4,80

All from Forever 21.

It's January. We are all broke. Well, I know I am. To be honest, I'm on a serious shopping diet. Anyways, the clothes available in stores right now are either Boxing Day residues or previews of spring collections, which sadly we aren't going to wear before a couple of months.

But I still get bored by my clothes (perhaps I should do another 30 for 30?). Luckily, one of the easiest ways to spice up outfits while not spending too much money is by changing or adding accessories. I enjoy going to Forever 21 when I want cheap and trendy accessories, so I took a virtual look at the accessories section. What's even better is that I found a gift card in my wallet so I might even get a couple of them for real!

Where do you shop for cheap accessories?

The Size of The Sizes

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

mildlyfab.wordpress.com

Let's talk about something that really bothers me.

Am I the only one feeling that stores like H&M and Zara's sizes are getting smaller and smaller?

Even though I might have been slimmer a few years ago, my size at H&M is constantly getting higher. To be honest, I'm almost on the verge of not being able to fit in their clothes anymore. And the terrifying thing about this is that I'm clearly not plus-size. What is going on, H&M?!

It really makes me feel angry for all the girls who might be a little bigger than me. Are those stores sending them the message that they are overweight? We all know that the population is getting bigger, so why are those stores going the opposite way? Are they trying to target younger people, maybe pre-teens for instance? And if this is the case, where are we, young (and not so young) adults going to buy our clothes? Should we just all diet?

What are your thoughts about this?

Confessions of a Pinaholic

2012-01-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

Wonder where I've been hiding since the beginning of 2012?

Well, I've been pinning like a mad men. On Pinterest, that is.

If you're not hooked yet, Pinterest is a virtual pinboard. And it's extremely addictive. I warn you.

You can check out rose&violette's account on Pinterest and find what inspires me in style, hair and makeup but also in various topics such as home and weddings (why not!). If you don't have a Pinterest account yet, just ask me and I'll send you an invitation, so you too can become a crazy pinner and make me feel less guilty to spend all my free time on it. Ha!

Happy pinning everyone!

Hello, 2012!

2012-01-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

Source: knetbooksblog.com

Happy New Year! Wishing everyone a very stylish 2012.

If you follow this blog for long enough, you might remember that I did make some fashion-related wishes for 2011 (see here). I think I succeeded for most of them, but this year I need to go even further with my fashion sense.

My fashion-related wishes for 2012:

1. Buying only clothes and accessories that really add something to my wardrobe.

2. Buying classic and quality items.

3. Stop following every trend that suits me and focus on building my personal style.

4. Clean up my closet more often.

5. Continue to push the limits at work and wear what I really feel like wearing (and still be professional and appropriate).

6. Continue to overdress and wear my beautiful clothes for any occasion. Life is too short to save pretty dresses for weddings (which happen like, every five years or so?).

7. Thrift more (I give it another try).

What are your fashion-related wishes for 2012?

Beauty Talk: Makeup and Acne

2011-12-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

Based on the 3 million views of this video by DiamondsAndHeels14 on YouTube, you have probably already seen it, but I had to share it with you.

This girl is truly amazing (and very talented in makeup application). It must take a lot of courage to do a video like that. Honestly, I would not be able to do it. As an acne sufferer myself, I ~~rarely~~ never go out without any makeup on (except maybe on days when I'm sick and I have to get to the hospital).

I really wanted to share this video with you is because it shows how makeup can do miracles for your self-esteem. We always hear about those "makeup free" days and how we must accept ourselves for what we are and bla bla blah. But let me tell you: makeup can act like a pair of bright red pumps or sexy skinny jeans. Of course, too much makeup doesn't look good, as too much cleavage or too tight clothes won't look good. But makeup should not be considered as bad per se. I guess this is my point. Don't judge the girl with makeup. If you happen to have pretty skin, good for you. But for some girls, especially those with acne or other skin problems, makeup, more than an accessory (because I do think makeup can be a very cool accessory, as a necklace or a scarf), can actually be empowering.

City Fox by Style & Conscience

2011-12-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

Style & Conscience

Style & Conscience presents City Fox: upcycled leather and fur boot cuffs. This a project based here in Montreal and they need your help to make it happen!

The boot cuffs are made of 100% upcycled fur, leather and fabric from vintage fur coats and are so pretty!

Desert Fox fur boot cuff

City Fox fur boot cuff

My favorite color is City Fox. It just looks so soft and warm!

You can preorder your fur boot cuff for 195$, which will help Style & Conscience achieve their goal of $5K by Saturday, December 17th, to have the funds for the project.

You can also support the project by giving anything over 1$ and you will receive different gifts for your help depending on the amount you chose to give: thank yous, vintage scarf, fur tassel and more!

I will definitely support this very cool, eco-friendly and local project. Will you?

EDIT - Done! I'm a backer now!

I Want: Kitten Shoes

2011-12-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Source: m5.paperblog.com

It all started with this picture of Alexa Chung at Valentino Ready to Wear Spring 2011 show.

I first noticed the dress, with the oh-so-cute bows on the shoulders. I think this is the way to do strapless! Then, I saw that her shoes have kittens on it. Yes, KITTENS! No way. I never thought at my age, I would be jealous of someone wearing kitten shoes. But it happened.

Lately, she did it again. At the 2011 British Fashion Awards.

Source: cdn-public.ladmedia.fr

It might not show on the picture, but she's wearing the pump version of the kitten shoe.

That was it: I so deeply need cat shoes.

After a search on the web (thanks Rose!), I found them. They are from Charlotte Olympia.

Source: snapfashion.files.wordpress.com

There is only one slight little problem... they are priced about 700CA$.

Maybe in another (cat) life.

Inspiration: Emma Stone - 2011 MTV Movie Awards

2011-12-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

Source: hollywoodpix.net

This picture of Emma Stone is absolute perfection. The Bottega Veneta dress is simply stunning: I love the black lacy fabric with the gold, silver and bronze underlining, the bow at the waist, the high but sexy neckline, the frills at the bottom. The caramel clutch, the metallic pumps, the hair, the makeup... every single thing is amazing.

While shopping at H&M, I saw this dress that kind of reminds me of Emma's Bottega Veneta dress.

Source: H&M

I think this is what you call love at first sight. Of course it's not as pretty as Emma's, but it has a similar vibe with the nude lining, the high neckline and the defined waist. The polka dots add cuteness and the sleeves are great (untoned triceps, anyone?).

It's now waiting in my closet for the perfect occasion.

Fashion Reading: Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself

2011-12-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself by François Nars

This is not a book about fashion, but I decided to talk about it anyway because it is so inspiring! Yes, this is a makeup book. There are makeup tips but this book really is interesting because of the pictures of people with and without makeup. The results are unbelievable. It's inspiring because no matter how you look, makeup can accentuate or minimize features in your face. This is true for women (and men) at every age. Between the before-after pictures, a transparent page tells you which product was applied and where. I cannot wait to try some of the makeups!

Did you read Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself? Did you like it?

Any suggestion of fashion, style and beauty books?

Violette: Casual at Work

2011-11-30T08:00:00.003-05:00

Work. Joe Fresh sweater, Swapped skirt, Aldo shoes, Topshop bracelet

Matt&Nat Sample Sale

2011-11-28T08:00:00.001-05:00

Matt&Nat is having its biannual sample sale! From November 29th (tomorrow!) to December 3rd.

I bought the bag on the ad last sample sale (see here and here) for something like 55CA$. You should definitely check it out. I know I will!

RSVP to the event on Facebook.

(And while you're at it, please like Rose&Violette's Facebook page!)

Violette: I Bought

2011-11-25T08:00:00.001-05:00

Simons leather bracelet, mirror necklace, cameo brooch

After my unfortunate shopping experience with Marie Saint Pierre for Reitmans (see here), I headed to Simons to see their jewellery section.

Jackpot! I found a (real) leather double bracelet, a cute necklace with a little mirror and A CAMEO BROOCH. I had to write this in capital letters because on my last vacation I went to cameo factory and I was amazed by the making of these beauties. I wanted to buy one, but they were way too expensive. So imagine my happiness when I randomly saw one at Simons! I know it isn't a hand-crafted cameo from Italy, but it still makes me happy.

Have a nice weekend!

Violette: Black and White, Again

2011-11-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

Work. Vero Moda shirt, H&M jeans and flower pin, Aldo shoes, Warby Parker glasses, Joe Fresh nailpolish in Fog

I didn't realize that I wore a white shirt and black bottom a few days before (see here) until I downloaded my pictures. Well, this is real life. But I believe no one noticed, the overall look isn't the same. Anyway, people were so stuck on my glasses (which I don't often wear at work) that they probably all forgot what I was wearing, haha!

Bangs speaking, having my glasses on helped me manage a side part with too long bangs. But still, I had hair in my face all day, ugh. Problem not solved yet!

Rose: My Birthday Wishlist

2011-11-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

Merde, il pleut! umbrella: because it's a fun way to face the winter weather.
Flowery business cards holder: because now that I have some, I feel bad just leaving them in my wallet.
Black lace dress: because I desperately want one, but can't seem to actually find any.
Flowery dress: because it's pretty, even though I have no occasion to wear it.
Fair isle sweater dress: because I am in desperate search of fair isle items.
Earrings: because I like the chic feel to them.
Cupcake kit: because I have housewife hobbys.
Black ballerinas: because I had to throw mine in the garbage.
Purple low-heel wedges: because they're on sale and well, they're purple.
Black knee-high boots: because I don't have fall boots, and they're just amazing.
iPhone 4: because I am sick of the stupid iPhone3 camera.
Keep Calm and Drink Tea mug: because I drink lots of tea and love this memorabilia
Slipper booties: because my feet are always cold lately and I hate wearing socks.
Born to Shop, Forced to Cook apron: because that's my housewife life.
Gray/black striped sweater: because one can never own too many striped items.
Silver nail polish: because it's glamorous, fun and cute.
Canon 60D camera: because my DSLR is starting to get tired, and this one looks amazing.
UK flag cushion: because even though I live in France, I'm still a britophile at heart.
Comfy pyjama pants: because yes, sometimes I do spend my whole day in my pyjamas.
Bow headband: because it's really cute and simple.
Book on history of architecture: because I travel a lot and would like to have a clue what I'm actually looking at.

Someone give me the winning ticket, okay? Thanks :-)

Violette: Bangs Story

2011-11-18T08:00:00.005-05:00

Work. Zara dress, Dynamite jacket, Forever 21 necklace

My bangs are getting too long. And one thing I absolutely hate in life in general is having to deal with hair in my face/eyes. Because I'm such a lazy person, I decided to try to let my bangs grow. I've had bangs for so many years now, it might be a good change. But for now, honestly it's only annoying because they aren't long enough to do anything good with them. But I'm experimenting different things, like the center part today. Not quite sure about it yet... I guess we'll see! Do you have any bangs stories to share?

Have a nice weekend!

Violette: Today is a Special Day...

2011-11-16T08:00:00.002-05:00

Picture from vacation. H&M dress, Forever 21 necklace

... because it's my birthday!

And it's a significant one: Today I'm officially Old with a capital O. (Booh.)

Because of that, I'm celebrating my birthday all week long. Rose also came back from France yesterday (she'll stay until the beginning of January, yay!), so it's been a great week this far.

Let's hope the rest of my "birthday week" is going to be as awesome! It makes getting old a little less painful, ha!

Violette: I Bought (All Black)

2011-11-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

Joe Fresh (from top) sequin skirt, suede leggings, velvet/corduroy skirt and knit sweater (and hum, cat hair... sorry!)

I went to Joe Fresh last week and bought a couple of things... all black. I find myself attracted not so much to different colors these days, but clearly I have a thing for textures.

If you are going for an all black look, why not break it with different textures? Fall (and winter) is the perfect season to experiment with all kinds of textures. Have fun mixing them!

Violette: Photography is Hard

2011-11-11T08:00:00.004-05:00

Work outfit. Gap top, H&M skirt and bracelet, Rockport shoes, Joe Fresh nailpolish in Denim

Wow. It's been so long since I did an outfit post. The reason is that I have a hard time with my pictures. I struggle finding natural light and when I take pictures with the flash, my pictures are just awful. I really ain't skilled at photography, let me tell you that.

But with the time change last weekend, I now have the opportunity to quickly snap my outfit in the morning before going out (if I'm not too late!). These aren't the best pictures ever, but at least you can have a glimpse at my outfit! Hope you like it!

Have a nice weekend!

Marie Saint Pierre for Reitmans

2011-11-09T08:00:00.006-05:00

Marie Saint Pierre + Reitmans? It might sounds odd, but it's true... and I must say, I really like the result. Of course now I need one of those dresses.

Marie Saint Pierre has created a collection of 10 (party) dresses for Reitmans, including a few dresses for plus and petite sizes. Priced at 85CA$, these little black dresses aren't going to last long! I will definitely take at look at the collection, starting this Thursday November 10th (that's tomorrow, yay!).

Here are my favorite dresses from the collection (the last one is my favorite-favorite... but it's a petite dress, booh.) (If I see it, I'll try it even though. You aren't held responsible if the dress rips while you try it, right?)

All images: Reitmans

EDIT: I went to Reitmans today (November 10th) to see the collection. Unfortunately, I really wasn't impressed with the quality. I didn't like the material of the dresses and overall, I thought they looked a little cheap. Even if I know that I couldn't ask for high quality designer clothes at 85$, maybe my expectations were too high.

Did you see the collection in stores? How did you find it? Did you buy a dress?

Violette: I Want (Birthday Edition, Part 2)

2011-11-07T08:00:00.004-05:00

Here is my birthday wishlist, part 2. (You can see part 1 here.)

(Click on the numbers below for the links.)

1. Cute makeup pouch. Like this one from Madewell.

2. The prettiest ballerinas/slippers of the world. Like these from Madewell (tell me if you find a cheaper version... I really want them!)

3. Nude slip dress. Like this one from Gap.

4. Perfect blue dress. Like this one from Zara.

5. Camera (and a cordless remote, not shown). Like this one from Canon.

6. Expresso and cappucino single-cup machine. Like this one from Nespresso (Please note: picture and link aren't the same.)

7. 9. 11. Winter hats. Like these from Urban Outfitters, Forever 21 and Harricana.

8. Leather skirt or shorts. Like this skirt from Madewell.

10. Medallion necklace. Like this one from Madewell.

12. Polka dot anything. Like this polka dot mini skirt from Zara.

13. Funny wall/window sticker. Like this "Warning: Obese cat inside" sticker from Loyal Luxe.

14. 16. Brain-related items. Like these phrenology head and brain poster both from Urban Outfitters.

15. Leopard handbag/clutch. Like this one from Forever 21.

17. Top with leather inserts. Like this t-shirt from Zara.

18. Pretty cat house. Like this one from Loyal Luxe.

Violette: I Want (Birthday Edition, Part 1)

2011-11-03T08:00:00.002-04:00

November is the month of my birthday, yay!

In case someone wants to give me a gift... here are some ideas, part 1. (I always have wishlists that never end. Never.)

(Click on the numbers below for the links.)

~~1. Sequin mini skirt. Like this one from Joe Fresh.~~ (Ok I confess: I went to Joe Fresh and bought one very similar, but in black.)

2. 9. 12. 13. 15. 17. 19. Fashion related books and cat crazy stories. Like these.

3. Shirt-dress (long enough to be worn as a dress and not a tunic). Like this one from Zara.

4. Cool wall art. Like this calendar that can be reused as little boxes afterwards.

5. Leopard ballerinas or very low pumps. Like these from Yellow.

6. 8. Loose minimalist long sleeve tops. Like these both from Zara.

7. New computer. Like this MacBook Air, perhaps... haha.

10. Cute slippers-like shoes. Like these glittery ones from Aldo (currently on sale... ohhh. I might even make it a "from me to me" gift. Yes, another one.)

~~11. White or cream long sleeve dress. Like this one from Zara.~~ (Edit: Hum... I kind of bought it today...!)

14. Quirky cushion for my bed. This one is perfect with a) russian dolls and b) grey and yellow colors.

~~16. Chunky black knit. Like this one from H&M.~~ (You know my trip to Joe Fresh ...? Well, I found a black knit also. haha)

18. Black feather clutch. Like this one from Zara.

Happy Halloween...

2011-10-31T08:00:00.001-04:00

... from Bollywood!

A Little Pause.

2011-10-10T12:12:00.006-04:00

Hi there. You probably noticed that everything is quite calm around here. I am actually taking a much needed break. I feel uninspired. But I'll be back, no worries.

The good news is that Rose is coming back in Montreal for a whole month before Christmas! Yay! So we'll probably have some shopping stories to share with you then! I miss so much shopping with her (among other things).

In the meanwhile, I am looking forward to share with you some new outfits and other fashion and beauty posts. I am always trying to find the right balance between my personal life, work and this blog, so I am looking for a way to be able to blog regularly while enjoying life. This is a hobby, and I cannot compete with all the wonderful fashion blogs out there... especially with bloggers getting paid for writing about something, for wearing gifted clothes, with bloggers that have hours and hours to put to it, with bloggers invited to every fashion event, and even with bloggers that have real good photography and technology skills (or helpers). I even wonder why people would read this particular blog when there are thousands and thousands of them (and really good ones!). I need to reaffirm why I am doing this and what I want to do with it.

There is also this language thing always in the back of my mind... English isn't my first language, and it gives me a hard time when I do want to write something more informative or serious. But French isn't understood by that many people. Translating all the posts isn't very appealing to me.

Well... A girl has got a lot of thinking to do! Do you understand why I need a break now? Haha. If you have any comments or ideas, please do share with me, in the Comments section of this post or by email, some feedback would definitely help me. Thank you.

Take care everyone. Hope to see you back again very soon!
-Violette

Guest Post: Maternity Series - TGIF

2011-09-30T08:00:00.000-04:00

H&M Mama top and shorts, H&M flower pin, Forever 21 sunglasses

This concludes our special Maternity series. Hope you enjoyed it! Your comments are welcome, as always.

Thank you again, Nancy!

Guest Post: Maternity Series - Classique

2011-09-28T08:00:00.001-04:00

Zara cardigan (non maternity), H&M Mama top, Thyme Maternity skirt, H&M flower pin, Aldo earrings, Forever 21 sunglasses

Guest Post: Maternity Series - Trouvez la robe

2011-09-26T08:00:00.002-04:00

Zara dress (non maternity), Thyme Maternity jeans, Flower pin gift from Violette

Guest Post: Maternity Series - Nancing The Dancing

2011-09-23T08:00:00.002-04:00

Zara top (non maternity), Thyme Maternity pants, H&M scarf

Guest Post: Maternity Series - 5 @ 7

2011-09-21T08:00:00.001-04:00

Zara jacket (non maternity), Mango dress (non maternity), Thyme Maternity jeans, Urban Outfitters belt, Geox shoes

Inspiration: Zooey Deschanel

2011-09-20T08:00:00.000-04:00

What's not to like about this girl, really? Doll face, raven hair, acting talent and a lovely voice. But what strike me the most is her seemingly effortless 60s vibe she pulls off, from her clothes to her haircut to her makeup.

What do you think of Zooey's style? Here are a few of my own favorites:

What do you think?

Guest Post: Maternity Series - Baby Shower

2011-09-19T08:00:00.001-04:00

Mexx Maternity dress, Havaianas thongs, Aldo earrings, Bangle souvenir from Thailand

Guest Post: Maternity Series - Bohème

2011-09-16T08:00:00.000-04:00

H&M Mama top and shorts, Forever 21 sunglasses, Aldo earrings

Ten Items: In the Office

2011-09-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

Following the school-days tradition, fall is always the most important moment of year in terms of shopping. Whether you need all the sturdy basics or just a couple of whimsical items, building a working closet is not an easy task - make sure to consult Kendi's guide in all cases.

If you are starting from scratch, here are 10 items that you will absolutely need to cover the basics. Remember that a working closet doesn't have to be boring - sure, you need to follow certain rules, but being boring is not listed as one. Revisit the classics - opt for a high-waisted black pair of trousers instead of regular ones, choose a colored dress instead of a black one, pop in some red shoes, etc. Have fun experimenting!

1. Colorful cardigan - Dorothy Perkins - £25

2. Light structured blazer - New Look - £25

3. Funky dress - Smart Set - $45

4. Flower pin - Dorothy Perkins - £8.50

5. Elegant patterned blouse - HM - $10

6. Red shoes - Miss KG - £45

7. Pleat & high-waist skirt - Dorothy Perkins - £23

8. Colorful dress - HM - $30

9. Colored thighs - Dorothy Perkins - £8

10. High-waisted pants - House of Fraser - £42

Guest Post: Maternity Series - Oka Style

2011-09-14T08:00:00.002-04:00

Dex top (non maternity), Thyme Maternity jeans

Guest Post: Maternity Series - Métro, Boulot, Dodo

2011-09-12T08:00:00.001-04:00

Zara jacket (non maternity), H&M Mama top, Thyme Maternity jeans, Geox shoes, Aldo earrings, Flower pin gift from Violette

Guest Post: Maternity Series

2011-09-09T08:00:00.002-04:00

H&M Mama top, Thyme Maternity jeans, Aldo earrings

This is my good friend Nancy.

Isn't she cute? And pregnant, you might say. (Remember the Baby shower I talked about last spring? Well yes, it was hers!) She gave birth a month ago to a beautiful and healthy little girl named Lily.

Nancy has great style and she's the proof that you can still dress like yourself while being pregnant. Nancy admits that she had a hard time finding cute maternity clothes. Her favorite place to shop for cute and inexpensive maternity clothes was H&M (Mama collection), but the selection is small. She also managed to wear non maternity clothes troughout her entire pregnancy, except of course for pants!

I asked Nancy to show you how to be a stylish pregnant mama. She will be our guest blogger at rose&violette for the next two weeks.

Welcome to rose&violette Nancy, and thank you so much for participating in this special Maternity series!

Beauty Talk: Live Clean Products

2011-09-07T08:00:00.000-04:00

Source: live-clean.com

As promised last week, this week I share the hair products I use for my low-poo, no-cone hair routine.

What: Live Clean

Why: These products are sulfate and silicone free. The shampoos contain palm and coconut derived surfactant.

Where: In Québec, these products are available in drugstores. Pharmaprix has a great selection. Everywhere else in Canada, click here.

How much: Between 6 and 12 CA$.

Love: Exotic Nectar Argan Oil Collection

Source: live-clean.com

These products contain argan oil, like the well-known Moroccanoil line. But the difference is that Morrocanoil contains silicone and the oil treatment is about 40-50 CA$, compared to 12 CA$ for the Live Clean argan oil treatment... the choice is yours! I absolutely love the Exotic Argan Oil Collection, it smells so good!

I use:

the restorative shampoo;
the conditioning mask (as a conditionner);
the leave in spray (after washing my hair, on damp hair);
the oil treatment (same thing);
the smooth and shine cream (on dry hair).

In fact, I love them so much I even switched to the argan oil body wash!

Did you ever try Live Clean products?

Please note: This post is not sponsored. The author bought the product herself and the review presented here reflects the author's opinion.

Yay or Nay: Fancy Fannypacks

2011-09-05T04:56:00.000-04:00

We all had one when we were kids. Some of our parents might still even own one, or God forbid, use one from time to time (along with stone-washed jeans and white sneakers).

The last season has experienced an unforeseen and often costly comeback of the unfamous fannypack. Many high end brands have produced one - so now not only can you wear a fannypack in style, you can even pay lots of money for it. Has the dreaded bag become chic?

What's your take on that? Is an expensive fannypack still a fannypack? Would a rose smell as sweet with another name (or in this case, price tag)?

1. Adidas and Stella McCartney - $90

2. Bottega Venata - $840

3. BCBG - $58

4. Zambos & Siega - $99

5. Lacoste - $80

Personally, I am not a big fan - but I have to say, the BCBG one has caught my eye. It's more of a waist-clutch, really, but I actually really like it. I can see it being handy (well, quite the opposite) on nights out in the town!

Beauty Talk: Low-Poo, No-Cone Hair Routine

2011-09-01T08:00:00.001-04:00

Source: health-tricks.com

As a naturally curly girl, as long as I can remember, I struggled with my hair: Hard to manage, frizzy and damaged.

I always had to put some sort of hair product to make my hair look good. If I let it air dry without any product, the result was horrifying.

But then I discovered about the no-poo, no-cone hair routine for curly hair on some blogs and websites. Basically, this hair routine eliminates shampoo and silicone. Washing the hair is done with conditionner (without silicone). I tried it, but I believe it works better for curly people with coarse hair. Mine is fine (I just happen to have a lot of it haha!). So I tried another version of it: the low-poo, no-cone hair routine.

What is the low-poo, no-cone hair routine?

***

Low-poo:

Poo means shampoo. The "bad" ingredient in shampoo is sulfate. You can often find it under "Sodium Laureth Sulfate". Sulfate strips off all the natural oils of the hair, causing hair to respond by producing more oil. The No-poo routine eliminates sulfate completely by washing the hair with conditionner: For curly people, this is often enough to eliminate dirt. But for people with fine hair, sometimes a little poo is better. For example, "Sodium Methyl-2 Sulfolaurate" is a form of low-poo.

***

No-cone:

Cone means silicone. Silicone is often used in conditionners and most hair products meant to add shine and to have sleek hair. The problem with silicone is that it doesn't dissolve in water, so it justs build up on the hair, damaging it with time. Silicone makes the hair look healthy, but really is just damaging it. You can find silicone under most names that finishes with "-cone", like "Dimethicone".

Some products contains a form of silicone that is (partially or entirely) soluble in water, which is less damaging. You can find this form of silicone under "PEG-" before the name with the "-cone". Personnally, I prefer to have no cone at all in my hair.

***

I've been doing the low-poo, no-cone routine for now over a year, and honestly, my hair never looked that good, never was that healthy and has never been this easy to take care and and to style. It's a revelation to me! That's why I wanted to share it with you.

But beware! If you decide to switch to this hair routine, you must know:

This routine might not be suitable for you, especially if you have fine and straight hair.
At first, your hair might look a little more greasy which can sometimes be embarrassing. But keep going, in a couple of weeks you will be able to wash your hair 2 or max 3 times a week.
You hair might also look more damaged at first. This is because of the silicone. You might want to get a little trim.
You will have to become familiar with complicated chemical names and you will have to read the list of ingredients of hair products as carefully as if you had an allergy.
You might become frustrated on how many products contain sulfate or silicone, even salon or high brand products. It's unbelievable!

Are you doing the low-poo, no-cone hair routine? What do you think of it?

Next Beauty Talk post: my favorite products for my low-poo, no-cone hair routine.

Fashion Reading: I Love Your Style

2011-08-24T08:00:00.002-04:00

I Love Your Style by Amanda Brooks

This is a new kind of post here on rose&violette. I was shopping at Urban Outfitters and I was sad because I found everything to be so expensive (for something with the same quality you can find at Forever 21 for a third of the price or less).So I wandered around in the books section, which I never did. And BANG! Illumination: I need to start collecting fashion, style and beauty books.

The first book I bought is I Love Your Style by Amanda Brooks. The book illustrates different styles (classic, high fashion, minimalist, etc.) and how to achieve them. There are a lot of pictures of women from now and then. I haven't read all the book yet, but I really like how it is written: It feels like Amanda Brooks is talking with you. It's easy to read (even if English is my second language) and I feel like I will refer to this book to from time to time. Style is forever, no?

And you, did you read this book? What do you think about it? Do you have any suggestions of fashion, style and beauty books?

Violette: Going Long (Repost)

2011-08-22T08:00:00.000-04:00

Hi! I've been so busy last week and last weekend that I didn't have any time to take outfit pictures. But I found this outfit post from last summer and I still wear this dress, so I decided to repost it.

***************************

robe maxi - h&m - maxi dress

sandales - spring (old) - sandals

bague - ardène (old) - ring

Here it is! My first and new maxi dress! It's like a very, very long t-shirt. I thought that if I get tired of it, I could just take the hem up to the knee (hi, mom! haha) and it would be a nice little summer dress. But for now, I like it. It's different from what I'm used to wear. I also like the black and blue together, a mix I wouldn't wear before.

***

La voici! Ma première et nouvelle robe maxi! C'est comme un très, très long t-shirt. J'ai pensé que si jamais je n'aimais plus le look de la robe longue, je pourrais toujours la faire racourcir au-dessus du genou (bonjour maman! haha) et ce serait une jolie petite robe d'été. Mais pour le moment, je l'aime. C'est différent de ce que j'ai l'habitude de porter. J'aime aussi le bleu et le noir ensemble, un mélange que je n'aurais pas porté il y a quelques années.

Violette: I Want (Black Ballerina Edition)

2011-08-17T08:00:00.001-04:00

If you are anything like me, as much as I love fancy shoes and everything, I always end up wearing my trusted black ballerinas for comfort. But sadly, ballerinas have a very short life span. Every season, I must try to find a new pair and the problem is, I'm picky. Oh-so-picky.

My ballerina must have:

a somewhat pointy toe (to elongate the leg)
a slight heel (if you never experienced the difference between flat and 0.5-1" heel... try it you'll be amazed by the comfort)
a simple design (the ballerina must not be the focal point of my outfit).

If it can be in real leather, it's a plus (to me, leather is more comfortable because it can breathe).

So, I always have a hard time finding new ballerinas. Here are a few models currently on my "to-try" list.

1. Aldo, 75 CA$
2. No Angel via Globo, 14,98 CA$ (on sale)
3. Asos, 44,26 CA$
4. Spring, 49,99 CA$

But still, I would prefer something even more plain than these ones. Any suggestions for me?

And what about you? Do you wear ballerinas? Are you as picky as I am?

Inspiration: Clémence Poésy

2011-08-16T08:00:00.000-04:00

I really, really love her effortless, minimalist but polished style. I also love her hair. And I'm jealous that she played in Harry Potter, but we're getting out of subject.

What do you think of Clémence Poésy's style?

Source: bigbangpang.blogspot.com

Source: toppayingideas.com

Source: twigandbone.blogspot.com

Source: norandom.com

Source: perditabradshaw.blogspot.com

Source: aufeminin.com

source: madame.lefigaro.fr

Violette: Hair Evolution (2011 Edition)

2011-08-15T08:00:00.001-04:00

If you are following rose&violette for long enough, this post might be familiar. In fact, I published this post last year in August. It's still relevant because I'm still growing out my hair and August 2011 marks the third year of it. I enjoy looking at these old (and not necessary flattering... ugh!) pictures of myself to see how much my hair has grown. Sometimes I feel my hair isn't growing fast enough but seeing these pictures is encouraging! I would love my hair to really go past my shoulders while being curly (remember that curly hair shrinks!). Will I reach my goal? We'll see next year for the comparison.

And in case you are wondering, this time I'm not planning to change my haircolor anytime soon. (But I might change my mind haha!)

Here's a recent picture of my hair (August, 2011).

(You can see the whole outfit post here)

The picture doesn't really do justice to the lenght of my hair, but now my curly hair goes a little bit past my shoulders. The "problem" is, the more it grows, the more it curls like ringlets, so the more it shrinks haha! But I wouldn't trade my curly hair for straight hair, even if I sometimes say so. Being curly is part of who I am.

P.S. The post on my hair products is coming up soon!

**************************************************************************

Originally published in August, 2010

Like I promised before, let's take a look at my hair evolution for the last two years. You may think my actual hair is not very long, but I've been growing it for two years, along with coming back to a more natural color.

Let's start. (Please excuse the quality of the pictures!)

This is me in May 2008. I was so bored with my hair, I let my hairdressed convinced me to go platinum and get the cut long at the front, short behind (very trendy at that moment). It wasn't that yellow for real. It was pretty, I liked it a lot, I could go curly (as you know I'm naturally curly) or straight (very cool with bangs).

***

Comme je l'ai déjà promis auparavant, regardons ensemble l'évolution de mes cheveux depuis les deux dernières années. Peut-être trouvez-vous que mes cheveux ne sont pas très longs, mais je les fais allonger depuis deux ans, tout en essayant de retourner à une couleur un peu plus naturelle.

Commençons! (Veuillez excuser la qualité des photos.)

Me voici en mai 2008. J'avais envie d'un changement. Ma coiffeuse m'a convaincue d'aller platine avec la fameuse coupe "concave" (longue en avant, courte à l'arrière, très populaire à l'époque). Ce n'était pas si jaune en réalité. C'était très joli, j'aimais beaucoup, je pouvais laisser mes cheveux frisés (comme vous savez, mes cheveux frisent naturellement) ou encore les lisser (pour un look assez mode, avec une frange/toupet).

But platinum is very hard to maintain. You have to go to the salon every four weeks maximum (and my natural color is dark blonde/light brown). In August 2008, I was tired of that. I went to see a different hairdresser than my usual one, and she conviced me to stay platinum, but with another cut. Oh god! I never expected to go THAT short. But it looked awesome straight. Curly, that was another story. It looked like a mom's cut. It took me less than a week to want to grow my hair. I've been growing it since that day.

***

Mais platine est une couleur qui demande beaucoup d'entretien. Il faut aller au salon à toutes les quatre semaines maximum (et ma couleur naturelle est seulement blond foncé/châtain clair!). En août 2008, j'en avais marre. Je suis allée voir une coiffeuse différente, et celle-ci m'a convaincue de rester platine, mais avec une autre coupe. Mon dieu! Je n'ai jamais pensé avoir les cheveux SI courts. Mais c'était vraiment très beau lisse. Frisé, c'était une toute autre histoire. Ça avait l'air d'une coupe de cheveux de «matante». Ça m'a pris moins d'une semaine pour vouloir faire allonger les cheveux. Et je les fais allonger depuis ce jour.

At the end of August 2008, I was really tired of platinum and its maintenance. I also wanted a more natural color. So I went blonde. And as you can see, I was forced to wear my hair straight because of the cut.

***

À la fin août, je n'en pouvais plus du platine et de l'entretien que ça demandait. Je voulais aussi avoir une couleur plus naturelle. Donc j'ai teint mes cheveux en blond. Comme vous voyez sur la photo, je devais porter mes cheveux droits à cause de la coupe.

The month after, when I wanted to dye my roots, I had a problem: the roots turned orange and the rest of the hair was blonde. I HATE orange or yellow hair. I decided to dye my hair a little darker (as was a 8, I went for a 7, if you are familiar with the numbers associated with hair color). It didn't look very good. My hair went much darker than I expected, and with a kind of green highlight that wasn't pretty at all. AND on top of that, my hair sort of died... it all looked so much damaged after that change of color, it was like raw straw. I wasn't pleased. (Remember my goal of growing my hair...!)

***

Le mois suivant, quand j'ai voulu teindre ma repousse, j'ai eu un problème: la repousse était devenue orangée et le reste de mes cheveux étaient blonds. Je DÉTESTE les cheveux oranges ou jaunes. J'ai décidé de teindre mes cheveux un peu plus foncés (comme j'étais un 8, j'ai opté pour un 7, si vous êtes familiers avec les chiffres associés aux couleurs de cheveux). Ce n'était pas très joli. Mes cheveux étaient beaucoup plus foncés que ce à quoi je m'attendais, et ils avaient une sorte de reflet vert qui n'était vraiment pas joli. ET par-dessus tout ça, j'ai comme «tué» mes cheveux... ils paraissaient tellement endommagés après ce changement de couleur, ils étaient comme de la paille rêche. Je n'étais pas contente. (Rappelez-vous mon but de faire allonger mes cheveux...!)

So I returned to the salon. The girl explained to me that I did "burn" my hair. She couldn't dye my hair lighter than it was because of that. Because I didn't want to go brown, she dyed it deep purple. I DON'T have a picture of that because I hated it. One month later, I was back at the salon and, in spite of returning blonde, I had my hair dyed brown. It was supposed to be a 5, but it just looked almost black. A lot of people told me it was cute, but I hated it. I felt disguised.

***

Je suis donc retournée au salon. La coiffeuse m'a expliqué que j'avais bel et bien «brûlé» mes cheveux avec les teintures multiples. Elle ne pouvait pas ramener mes cheveux au blond puisqu'ils étaient beacuoup trop endommagés et risquaient de «tomber» (QUOI?!!). Parce que je ne voulais pas avoir les cheveux bruns, elle m'a teint les cheveux prune foncée. Je N'AI PAS de photo de cette couleur parce que je la détestais. Un mois plus tard, j'étais de retour au salon et, comme je ne pouvais toujours pas revenir blonde, elle a teint mes cheveux en brun. C'était supposé être un 5, mais ça paraissait pratiquement noir. Plein de gens m'ont dit que ça m'allait bien, que ça me donnait du «teint», mais j'ai détesté. Je me sentais déguisée.

Then, in December 2008, I returned to my usual hairdresser and she accepted to do some highlights in my hair. We would gradually go blonder, even though there would be some ackward orange/yellow stades. This picture is from January 2009, I had returned one time to the salon to get more highlights. And my hairdresser told me to skip the straightening if I could, to help my hair return to a healthy state. I tried, but it was bizarre because my hair wouldn't curl anymore, as if it was too damaged.

***

Et puis, en décembre 2008, je suis retournée voir ma coiffeuse habituelle et elle a accepté de faire des mèches dans mes cheveux. On retournerait graduellement blond, même si je devais accepter le fait qu'il y aurait quelques étapes orangées ou jaunâtres. Cette photo date de janvier 2009, j'étais retournée au salon une fois de plus pour plus de mèches. Et ma coiffeuse m'avait dit d'essayer le moins possible de lisser mes cheveux au fer plat pour les aider à revenir en santé. J'ai essayé, mais c'était bizarre parce que mes cheveux ne frisaient presque plus, comme s'ils étaient trop endommagés.

And this is what I've done since then. I've been going to the salon every three months to get highlights, sometimes all blonde highlights, sometimes blonde plus my natural color highlights. I also cut the ends every three months. This is me last November.

***

Et c'est ce que je fais depuis ce temps. Je vais au salon à tous les trois mois pour mes mèches. Parfois uniquement des mèches blondes, parfois des mèches blondes plus des mèches de ma couleur naturelle. Je fais aussi couper les pointes (mini pointes!) à tous les trois mois. La photo a été prise en novembre dernier.

And this me at this moment. When curly, my hair touches my shoulders (so they are in fact longer than that if straightened). I want to grow it more! The problem I have is that curly hair is very fragile, plus the highlighting process makes it weak. But it gradually grows. I read a lot on curly hair in the past months, I'm now using products without sulfate or silicone, and I hardly straighten my hair (except for bangs or fringe). I think I'll do a post about the products I use and how to treat curly hair, it was like a revelation to me so I want to share with you.

***

Et me voici donc en ce moment. Lorsqu'ils sont frisés, mes cheveux touchent mes épaules (donc ils sont en fait plus longs que ça lorsqu'ils sont droits). Je veux encore les faire allonger! Le problème est que les cheveux frisés sont très fragiles, et les mèches (décolorées) les rendent encore plus fragiles. Mais ils allongent tranquillement. J'ai beaucoup lu sur les cheveux frisés dernièrement, et j'utilise maintenant des produits sans sulfate ou silicone, et je ne défrise mes cheveux que rarement (sauf pour une frange ou toupet). Je pense que je vais faire un billet sur les produits que j'utilise et sur comment entretenir les cheveux frisés, c'était une sorte de révélation pour moi, donc je voudrais la partager avec vous.

I'll soon go to the salon to get highlights plus a little cut, I'll probably have blonde + natural color highlights, I think I'm getting a little too blonde. I also may get bangs. I'm in need for a change, but I'm kind of scared to change my haircolor (NO WAY I'm getting my hair cut). It just took me so much time to get to this color. I'm thinking about the ombre trend, but I'm not sure it will look that good on curly hair. My hair is mostly curly at the ends.

What do you think? Any ideas for a slight change? Or should I keep it as it is? And do you have any hair stories you would like to share?

***

Je vais bientôt aller au salon pour les mèches plus une petite coupe (pointes), je ferai probablement faire des mèches blondes + des mèches de ma couleur naturelle, je pense que je deviens un peu trop blonde. Je vais peut-être aussi me faire couper la frange ou encore un toupet. Je sens que j'ai besoin d'un changement, mais j'ai un peu peur de changer ma couleur (il est hors de question que je fasse couper mes cheveux!). Ça m' a pris tellement de temps pour retourner à une couleur un peu plus naturelle. La tendance dégradée («ombre hair») me tente, mais j'ai peur que ce ne soit pas très beau dans les cheveux frisés (surtout que les miens frisent au niveau des pointes).

Qu'en pensez-vous? Des idées pour un changement subtil? Ou devrais-je conserver mes cheveux tel qu'ils sont? Et avez-vous des histoires de cheveux que vous avez le goût de partager?

Rose: I Want

2011-08-10T18:32:00.000-04:00

Ahhh, the fall collection. Always a favorite of mine. I don't know why I've always been more of a fall person - I love the colors, the fabrics, the smells, the light. My usual shopping September shopping spree is coming soon and I honestly can't wait to get my hands on some of these pieces (of course, not being employed at the moment means I can't afford all these items, but I have a feeling number 2, 5, 9, 10 and 13 will soon be mine).

1. Necklace - HM - 5 €
2. Maryjanes - Etam - 35 €
3. Straight leg jeans - Naf Naf - 49 €
4. Striped long sleeved shirt - Naf Naf - 29 €
5. Black sweater with bow - Naf Naf - 35 €
6. Long wrapped cardigan - Dorothy Perkins - £38
7. Elbow-patch cardigan - HM - 15 €
8. Cream dress - HM - 30 €
9. Bag - Eram - 40 €
10. Ballerinas - Delia's - $19
11. Wrapped cardigan - HM - 25 €
12. Riding boots - HM - 60 €
13. Sleeveless wrapped cardigan - HM - €40

Rose: Pattern Mixing

2011-08-09T06:41:00.005-04:00

Dress: Smart Set

Cardigan: Primark

Sandals: Yellow

Necklace: HM

Hello everyone! Rose here filling in while Violette is getting better. Take care, girl, will you?

And I couldn't be more happy to take part of the newest EBEW challenge, pattern mixing - I got this lovely dress through the mail today, a kind exportation from Violette (I actually ordered her to do it, but I swear she was willing).

Hello there.

2011-08-08T08:00:00.000-04:00

Oh, hi. Remember me?

Sorry for being MIA for so long. Well, not only did I hurt my back, but I've also cought a virus. Unknown. I've been to the doctor and there isn't anything do to about it. He wouldn't even give me a few days off from work but I do feel like total crap. So I'll take the time I need to get better while working full time and I'll come back on the blog. As I said last week, you really need to feel relatively good about yourself to take outfit pictures.

But don't worry, I won't leave you without anything to read. I'll try to do some I want or Yay or Nay posts, repost some of our favorite posts, or link up to other great blogs. And maybe Rose will fill in for some outfit posts!

Anyway, thank you for your patience, I promise I'll be right back very soon.

- Violette xx

Ten Items: Summer Heat

2011-08-04T08:00:00.001-04:00

Since a large part of America has been suffering from a month-long heatwave, which temperatures skyrocketing as high as 45C, I thought it would be timely to present some items that are ideal for this kind of weather. There are basic and simple rules to help you get through the heat, like wearing breathable fabrics like cotton in comfortable, loose pieces (that leather bag and denim jeans will have to wait 'til the fall, ladies). Here's what we found to help you get through the summer without sacrificing your style:

1. Maxi dress - Dorothy Perkins - £15

2. Hat - Aldo - $20

3. Skirt - Dorothy Perkins - £20

4. Blouse - Oasis - £11

5. Espadrille sandals - Topshop - $50

6. Tote - Mollie & Fred - £12

7. Cami - Old Navy - $20

8. Dress - ModCloth - $70

9. Espadrille flats - Dorothy Perkins - £15

10. Hair band - Buckle - $5

Violette: I Want

2011-08-03T08:00:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the lack of post yesterday. I've been sick: I hurt my back on Monday. So I didn't go to work, neither did I take outfit pictures for the last two days.

I also have no pictures from Osheaga, it was way too hot to take beautiful outfit pictures, I was all sweaty and red. (Did I tell you how much I hate the heat?! Grrr.) But I'll try to recreate my outfit as soon as I feel better. There is this thing about style blogging, you need to feel relatively good about yourself to take outfit pictures!

I thought it was too early to post this, but as I don't have anything else prepared, and I don't want to leave you all week without any new post, there you go!

I went at H&M last week and I really loved the new items for fall. I had to force myself not to buy anything because summer is still going on strong here in Montreal. Anyway, here are my favorite items:

1. H&M dress, 39,95 CA$
2. H&M coat, 69,95 CA$
3. H&M bangle, 14,95 CA$
4. H&M shoes, 59,95 CA$
5. H&M dress, 29,95 CA$
6. H&M skirt, 34,95 CA$
7. H&M top, 29,95 CA$

What do you think of H&M's fall 2011 collection?

Violette: La Jupe-Culotte

2011-08-01T08:00:00.001-04:00

H&M top and belt, T.I.L. Darling shorts, Le Château shoes

These shorts look like a skirt (well, they do on me). It reminds me of something I wore when I was younger (I hope it will not betray my age...!). In French we called it "jupe-culotte", which means, litterally, skirt-short. I guess that's what you call skort in English? Well, anyway. Our jupe-culottes were like a skirt in the front, but like shorts in the back. Rethinking about it... my only question is.... why?! haha!

Violette: Casual All the Way

2011-07-29T08:00:00.001-04:00

Vero Moda Jeans shirt, Gap shorts, Payless sandals, Simons belt (old)

There you have it, my casual self on a relaxing weekend day.

Speaking of the weekend, even with Rose's great suggestions for Osheaga, I still don't know what to wear! I guess it will depend on my mood. I'll try to take outfit pictures (if my outfit isn't too bad haha!). I'm so not used to have my picture taken by other people though... we'll see how it goes!

Have a nice weekend everyone, whether you are going to Osheaga or not!

Violette: This is (Not) Work Wear

2011-07-28T08:00:00.001-04:00

Jacob romper, Zara sandals, H&M earrings

Well well well... I was looking for work-appropriate clothes at Jacob (everything is on sale - 50% off!) and I found this romper. As you can see, I have this abilty to really stay focused on my goals.

Yeah, right.

P.S. Rose, j'aurais aimé être à tes côtés aujourd'hui! J'y suis en pensée. <3 (Ouaiiiis.)

Violette: Pyjama Pants

2011-07-27T08:00:00.002-04:00

Smart Set top, T.I.L. Darling pants, H&M sandals and bangles, Ardène flower pin

These pants really are the dressy version of pyjamas. Can I wear them to bed, plus all day, everyday? (I might need another pair for laundry days.)

Happy Wednesday!

Rose: In the Navy

2011-07-26T08:04:00.001-04:00

Shirt - Esprit

Scarf - HM

Skirt - Gap

Shoes - HM

Earrings - Market

Living in France means I can indulge as much as I want in the nautical look - there are hundreds of different ways to wear it. White bottoms are very popular but I haven't found one that was perfect for me yet. The downside of this look, however, is that boat-neck striped shirt aren't particularly flattering on large chest and I'm always looking for new ways to take the attention elsewhere - a knotted scarf did the trick and is a nice alternative to chunky necklaces.

What do you think of this diversion?

Ten Items: Summer Festival

2011-07-25T08:00:00.002-04:00

With Violette heading to Osheaga festival this week-end, I thought this post would be particularly timely. Summer festival rhymes with breezy, hip and practical pieces - have a look at the 10 items we selected:

1. Multi-print vest - Topshop - £30

2. Gladiators - Steve Madden - $70

3. Denim shorts - House of Fraser - £45

4. Fedora - Nordstrom - $18

5. Belt - ModCloth - $15

6. Cross-body bag - Topshop - £28

7. Sunglasses - Ray Ban - $75

8. Dress - ModCloth - $73

9. Wellies - Hunter of Scotland - $125

10. Cropped jacket - Republic - £30

Rose: Choco Chanel Chocolat

2011-07-21T15:38:00.008-04:00

Cardigan - Primark

Cami - HM

Jeans - Gap

Shoes - Aldo

Earrings - Swapped

The advantage of not working in an office anymore (or not working at all, in fact) is that I can pretty much wear whatever I want, whenever I want to. Although the option of over sized fleece pieces is tempting, I don't want to fall in that habit, especially since my couch is awfully not comfortable. What's the point of being a couch potato without a proper couch (and a tv)?

I figured it would be easier to get new clothes and when I saw this cardigan at Primark during my recent trip to London, I couldn't resist. It has a Coco Chanel feel to it, no? And the red interior lining simply won me over.

P.S. The title of the post is inspired by this awful song that constantly plays on the French Virgin Radio. I hate it, but radio being radio, it's been stuck in my head for the last week.

Violette: Swapped

2011-07-21T08:00:00.001-04:00

Zara dress, Le Château shoes, swapped bag, H&M rings, Ardène bow

I didn't get the chance to talk about the swapping event I went to on July 9th!

Organized by the S.W.A.P. Team and called Take Off Your Clothes, the swap was held at Place des Arts of Montreal. People were asked to bring old clothes and for every accepted item, a coupon was given and could be used to swap an item. I'll soon do a post on what I found at the swap but my favorite item is definitely this bag. Real leather, perfect shape, two different lenghts straps, worn out just enough... I'm so happy someone decided to get rid of it haha!

Thanks, S.W.A.P. Team! One satisfied ~~customer~~ swapper here!

Violette: Day Job vs Blog

2011-07-20T08:00:00.008-04:00

Forever 21 dress, T.I.L. Darling top, Zara shoes, Smart Set bracelet

I'm way too tired to think of something somewhat interesting to say. Hard times at work.

That is also why I didn't reply to any of your comments on the blog yet. I'm so sorry! As soon as I get a little bit of sleep and energy, I'll do it. Blogging is hard when your day job is draining you. Oh I'm not complaining, without this job I wouldn't buy pretty clothes! I'm grateful for it, but it sometimes it's tough. Let's just hope everything gets back to normal very soon!

Violette: How Short is Too Short?

2011-07-19T08:00:00.002-04:00

H&M dress, Steve Madden shoes, Charlotte Russe necklace

I told you this dress was really short. Even with shorts underneath.

It's funny how I can wear short shorts and not feel half naked but not a short dress, even if the said dress is slightly longer. Maybe the heels aren't helping. I'll try wearing it with flats next time. But I think I'll probably wear this dress with skinny pants or opaque tights to stay in my comfort zone.

What do you think? Do you have the same problem with short dresses?

Violette: I Bought (T.I.L. Darling Edition)

2011-07-18T08:00:00.001-04:00

T.I.L. Darling top, shorts, dress, top and pants

As promised, here are the clothes I bought from T.I.L. Darling. You've already seen the blue top here. Stay tuned for outfits featuring the other items!

Violette: The Wait is Over

2011-07-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

T.I.L. Darling top, Gap shorts, H&M belt, Aldo shoes

Here's a sneak preview of the clothes I ordered from T.I.L. Darling. Remember when I asked you to guess what I chose to buy on their website? Well, I FINALLY received my order last week: It got stucked at the customs for a very long time because of Canada Post strike. Ugh. But the good news is I have new clothes and I like them. They're all a little big on me (I ordered large), but it's ok. I really prefer loose over fitted!

I'll show you the rest of my purchases next week. Meanwhile, have a nice weekend!

Please note: As part of T.I.L. blogger partnership program, I received a 50% discount on my order.

Violette: I Bought (On Sale)

2011-07-14T08:00:00.002-04:00

Clockwise from top left: Gap shorts (22CA$), Gap shorts (13CA$), Payless sandals (25CA$), Gap top (32CA$)

Blame it all on Montreal's metro.

Yes. I was really going home after a day at work, but the metro was closed for an undetermined period of time... so instead of waiting at the central metro station with thousands of people in the unbearable heat, well I... shopped. Everything is on sale right now so it's even more tempting to do some shopping.

Plus, I was in serious need of denim shorts. Whether I like it or not, my old ones don't fit anymore (I guess they shrunk, it's the ONLY reason I see, haha!). At this price, I decided to take both shorts (a very short one but still kind of loose and a longer boyfriend cut one).

Please don't ask me to educate children about money.

Rose: (Bis)

2011-07-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

Dress - HM

Jacket - RW&CO

Shoes - BCBG

Necklace - F21

I actually wore this a while ago, for a friend's birthday, but I didn't get the chance to get many photographs. But I love this outfit so much, I thought I could recreate it for your enjoyment and because I don't get many occasions to dress up on this side of the pond.

I remember the dress looking really odd on the rack when I tried it on, but it fits bootyliciously. Yes, I just made up that word for the sole purpose of this blog. And finding this jacket, my friend, felt like a lifetime achievement to find (slight exaggeration for way too long). I had been wanting one for over two years before I found this baby. Maybe I'm two years behind in fashion, but I don't care - I finally am the proud owner of a boyfriend jacket. Alleluia!

Violette: Channeling Princess Kate Middleton

2011-07-12T08:00:00.005-04:00

Zara dress, H&M bangles, Steve Madden shoes, Matt & Nat bag

Well, this is what I wore for my friend's babyshower a couple of weeks ago, except for the shoes. But what did I see last week on tv? Duchess Catherine Middleton wearing a pretty yellow dress ~~that I would like to steal~~ with her nude pumps that look very similar to the pair I own.

So after channeling my inner Princess Leia, this week I decided to channel my inner Princess Kate.

Source: myfashioncollection.com

Not too bad huh? I think I'd make a good princess. Someone please tell Harry ASAP!

Ten Items: Straw Accessories

2011-07-11T08:00:00.001-04:00

A few years ago, straw was always associated with two things: hippies and beach. Or worse: hippies at the beach. But this season has proven that straw items don't have to be sloppy - they can be très chic!

1. Flower fedora - Tilly's - $13

2. Bow clutch - Miss Selfridge - £25

3. Headband - Nordstrom - $15

4. Bag - HM - £15

5. Wedges - My Wardrobe - $90

6. Belt - Betsey Johnson - $38

7. Flower fedora - Dorothy Perkins - £18

8. Bangles - Topshop - $40

9. Striped espadrilles - HM - £12

10. Striped bag - Endless - $40

Rose: Created in London

2011-07-08T08:00:00.000-04:00

Cardigan - Joe Style Fresh

Dress - New Look

Sandals - Primark

Earrings - Etsy

Ring - HM

Okay the pictures were not actually taken in London but the outfit was carefully created in a changing room on Oxford St. When I visited my favourite place in the world last week, it coincided with a vibrant heat wave and most items of clothing were simply unbearable, including the t-shirt and the jeans skirt I had packed. I had no other choice than to go shopping and found these cute dress and sandals, and decided to wear it with the cardigan I had packed in the morning... in case I was cold.

See? One can never be too prepared.

I also took advantage of my time in London to wear my Eiffel Tower earrings. Because wearing them in France... well it's just like wearing a band'S t-shirt at their actual gig. Not cool!

Violette: The Hidden Truth

2011-07-07T08:00:00.000-04:00

Zara dress, Topshop and Forever 21 bracelets, H&M belt and bag, Aldo shoes

This is what I wore for going out on a Saturday night. You know how I manage to feel comfortable sitting down with such a short dress? Hidden shorts, my friends, hidden shorts. Best trick I know! But the dress must be somewhat loose in order to do that.

Violette: Channeling Princess Leia?

2011-07-06T08:00:00.001-04:00

Old Navy t-shirt and sandals, H&M shorts and flower pin, Forever 21 bracelets

I felt very Princess Leia with the flower pin in my hair! But still, I like this casual outfit. It's Comfort with a capital C.

And I really like my new high waisted pink shorts. After an orange skirt and pink shorts, I wonder which color I'll try next!

Violette: I Bought (H&M Edition)

2011-07-05T08:00:00.001-04:00

Clockwise from left: H&M shoes, shorts, rings

I finally found another pair of my beloved white shoes at H&M! Yay! I almost cried in the store. Remember what happened to the other pair? Well, I still have them and I still wear them on (very) casual occasions. Trust me: I'm keeping the new ones clean. I also found high waisted pink shorts and some pretty rings. Soon to appear in outfit posts!

Violette: In the Heat

2011-07-04T08:00:00.000-04:00

Urban Outfitters dress, H&M belt and flower, Old Navy sandals, Ailes de la mode hat

Hope you all had a great weekend. I had, until my A/C broke (well, if fact it's not really broken, but still it doesn't work) and unfortunately the weather is warm ever since.

Let's go to work to have some proper A/C!

Violette: Copycat (bis)

2011-07-01T12:12:00.002-04:00

RW&Co top, Zara jacket, H&M jeans, Aldo shoes, Smart Set ring, Joe Fresh Orchid nail polish

Oops! I did it again. Remember when I bought the same dress as my friend? Well, now I bought the same jacket as her. She has the heather gray one, I have the oatmeal one. I no longer seem to have any personality hahaha! In French we say "jamais deux sans trois", I guess that means I'll have to copy her once more!

Happy Canada Day! Have a nice weekend filled with sunshine (let's hope so)!

Violette: Back to Neutrals

2011-06-30T08:00:00.001-04:00

H&M top and skirt, Aldo shoes, Ardène necklace

After wearing a bright orange skirt, I needed to go back to my beloved neutrals. I thought playing the ballerina for a day would be fun. It was!

Violette: The Orange Skirt

2011-06-29T08:00:00.001-04:00

Forever 21 top, H&M skirt, Le Chateau shoes, Urban Behavior necklace

There you have it! A bright orange skirt. I decided to try it because it was on sale (for 10$!) and I was pleasantly surprised: I really liked the color. There was also a navy version of the skirt but I chose the orange one. Will I ever go for a color block look with it? We'll see!

Violette: I Bought

2011-06-28T08:00:00.001-04:00

Clockwise from top left: Forever 21 bracelets, H&M sweater, belt, flower pin and skirt (on sale for 10$!), Zara jacket.

Last week I decided to add some light colored items to my summer wardrobe. You'll soon see them in outfit posts! (Except for one set of bracelets that you've already seen!)

Violette: Over the Weekend

2011-06-27T08:00:00.002-04:00

H&M sweater and shorts, Steve Madden shoes, Warby Parker glasses, Forever 21 bracelets, Joe Fresh Fog nail polish

This weekend I was talking about 1) elbow patches and 2) this sweater.

1) A friend and I officially declared that elbow patches were cool. I add extra points for geeky glasses with it. And double extra points if you're a guy with elbow patches and geeky glasses (P.S. Wanna marry me?).

2) Then remembered I had a sweater with elbow patches. But it has 3/4 sleeves and is made of somewhat thick material so I never know when to wear it. Except for yesterday! The weather wasn't too warm or too cold : I decided to go for it and show you my super short shorts and my nude high heels at the same time.

Happy Monday everyone!

Violette: Keep it or Toss it

2011-06-24T13:04:00.000-04:00

Zara denim jacket

I bought this light blue denim jacket thinking it would be very practical for summer nights, instead of a cardigan. I really liked the light blue color, which I thought was different then other shades of denim you usually see on a denim jacket. But... I think I have the same feeling with this jacket as I do with faux-leather jackets. I'm not sure if it feels like "me".

So that's why I need your help! What do you think about it? Should I keep it or toss it? Do you have any denim jacket yourself?

* * *

P.S. Bonne Saint-Jean-Baptiste!

Pour moi, la Saint-Jean est avant toute chose la célébration de notre particularité qui me tient le plus à coeur: notre belle langue française. Vous pensez peut-être que j'ai l'air hypocrite de dire ça alors que le blogue est pratiquement seulement en anglais. Croyez-moi, le blogue est en anglais uniquement pour des raisons de visibilité et d'opportunités. Si j'avais la possibilité de faire du blogue mon travail principal (c'est-à-dire avoir plus de temps à y consacrer...!), chaque billet serait bien évidemment bilingue. D'ici là (on peut bien rêver, non?), bonne fête à tous les Québécois et Canadiens français et pourquoi pas, à tous ceux dans le monde qui parlent français!

Je vous laisse avec une chanson d'un groupe qui prouve que la langue française permet une grande poésie et qu'on peut en faire de la très bonne musique, loin de celle des spectacles de la St-Jean-Baptiste qu'on nous présente à la télévision...

Violette: Half Bright

2011-06-23T08:00:00.002-04:00

H&M dress worn as a top, Forever 21 skirt, Aldo shoes, Ardène ring, Joe Fresh Rainforest nail polish

For its first day out, I decided to wear this dress as a top, to slowly become used to the brightness of it. I still feel it's quite a statement dress, but I'll try to wear it by itself next time!

Yay or Nay: Backless and Back cut out dresses

2011-06-22T08:00:00.000-04:00

Left to right: Nightcap Clothing, Shop318, Thayer Clothing, Madison Marcus, Elizabeth and James.

I personally LOVE those dresses. I have one very similar to the Madison Marcus (that I yet have to show you on the blog). It's not something for work, obviously, but I like to show my back because it's sexy without trying too hard. And I hate showing cleavage (which I don't have anyway). To me, the only problem with showing my back is the kind of bra to wear. Most of the times I'll show off my bra, I just can't go without one.

What do you think about backless and back cut out dresses?

Violette: Too Much Fajitas

2011-06-21T08:00:00.002-04:00

Vero Moda Jeans shirt, H&M jeans, Charlotte Russe necklace, Aldo shoes

I didn't eat too much fajitas when I wore this but I have as I write this post and seeing those pictures remind me how comfortable this outfit was. Even if I'm wearing skinny jeans, these are the "super squin" jeans from H&M and they feel like jeggings but with a little more structure, so yes this outfit is really made to eat too much fajitas. This or my pajamas. Guess which one I'm wearing right now!

P.S. Do you "like" our Facebook page?

Violette: How to Wear a Short Dress to Work

2011-06-20T08:00:00.000-04:00

BCBG Generation dress, Smart Set jacket

1. Choose your day wisely. I chose Friday because a lot of my coworkers don't work on Fridays and we don't usually have important meetings.
2. Pair it with something professional. I added a jacket.
3. Keep the top modest. If you're going short on the bottom, don't show any cleavage.
4. Choose a dress that isn't too tight. (A short bodycon dress to work is a no-no.)
5. Wear flats. Save the heels for a night out.
6. Most important: act normal. Don't let your behavior betray you!

P.S. Results may vary.

Do you have any tips on how to wear a short dress to work?

Violette: Copycat

2011-06-17T11:10:00.000-04:00

Zara dress, Forever 21 cardigan, Aldo shoes, Expression via The Bay ring

One of my friends bought this dress, in beige. I really liked it so I simply copied her, but in black. (Don't worry, I asked her if it was okay with her. It was, luckily, because I already bought the dress ha!)

I don't typically like to have the same clothes as my friends, but I thought this dress was perfect for work: length to the knees and very large straps. It's supposed to be an empire waist dress, but I bought it a size up to make it more flowly. And no one even noticed this dress was the same as my friend, so everything is alright! (But my secret is now revealed.)

Have a nice weekend everyone!

Rose: Mom Jeans? Check!

2011-06-16T08:00:00.000-04:00

Tunic - HM
Belt - Suki
Jeans - Gap
Shoes - BCBG

So I have these capri jeans. I never really know how to wear them, but I can never bring myself to throw them away because they're comfy and really useful for travel. I decided to dress them up a little bit by adding red shiny shoes and a waist belt.

P.S. I also thought of naming this post "How To Not Look Like a French Lady". I'm wearing too much makeup (!!!), I'm way too put together and I'm wearing too many bright colours. Be warned.

Welcome, T.I.L. Darling!

2011-06-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

Did you notice the banner at the left? rose&violette has teamed up with T.I.L. Darling and we couldn't be happier to have our first partner!

T.I.L. Darling is an online boutique that offers clothes for the young and stylish woman who like to stand out without breaking the bank. Brands like Alternative Apparel, Elsey Collection, Jack BB Dakota and Ya Los Angeles are available on their site. Check out some of their clothes:

1 - POL Clothing Crop Sequin Sweater 45 USD
2 - Asymmetrical Floaty Dress 45 USD
3 - Moon Collection Knit Maxi Dress 48 USD
4 - Crochet Kimono Crop Top 38 USD
5 - Mystic Head Mistress Dress 45 USD
6 - Minx Loose Fit Tie Waist Pants 38 USD
7 - High Waist Accordion Pleated Skirt 35 USD

P.S. Just for fun! I ordered 5 items from T.I.L. Darling. Three of them are listed above, can you guess which ones? And can you find the two other items on T.I.L. Darling's website? Tell us in the comments!

Rose: Casualace

2011-06-14T08:00:00.001-04:00

T-Shirt - Smart Set

Tank - Smart Set

Jeans - Gap

Sandals - Zara

Necklace - HM

So you guys thought I forgot about you, eh?

I didn't. I just needed some time to settle, and mostly sleep. The weeks before I left drained me!

The lace tank is probably one of the oldest items in my wardrobe. I bought during summer 2006. Very few items last that long! I just always find an occasion to wear it, like for this challenge. It also looks good layered with a cami or a button-down shirt (or up, really, it's your choice. is the glass half empty or half full?).

Violette: I Bought

2011-06-13T08:00:00.004-04:00

Left to right: H&M, H&M, H&M, Zara

Left to right: Vero Moda jeans, Zara, BCBG Generation, Zara

Expression via The Bay

Well, that is quite a shopping spree. For those who might be worried with my budget, I didn't buy all this at the same time... and I had some gift cards to spent at H&M and The Bay. As we speak, I'm not sure if I'll keep everything, but I'm pleased with my purchases. The ring is my favorite. I really love it.

You can bet the next outfit posts will include these items!

Violette: Eyes Wide Shut

2011-06-10T08:00:00.001-04:00

Gap dress, Dex cardigan, Aldo shoes, H&M bangles

Not the movie. My eyes. I guess I could say that closed eyes season has begun! In the summer, I just can't look in the sun's direction, so this is what happens in my outfit pictures. You have the choice: either closed eyes or sunglasses. I prefer closed eyes. At least you can see my pretty eyeliner!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Violette: Obsessed

2011-06-09T08:03:00.000-04:00

Top H&M, Skirt Forever 21, Shoes Le Château, Bracelets Ardène

I think I'm a little obsessed over small details that nobody would even notice.

For example, take the outfit I'm wearing... looks simple, huh? No! Honestly, I'm obsessed about the shape of the skirt (scalopped edges I might say to be exact) and I wanted to replicate it somewhere in my outfit. So I decided to pair the skirt with a top that has a round detail, in the front. See? Am I genius? Am I crazy? Hum... probably both.

Ten Items: Colour Block

2011-06-08T08:27:00.000-04:00

1. Ginger, cream and black dress - Dorothy Perkins - £32

2. Sandals - Zara - $110

3. Pink and beige top - Dorothy Perkins - £25

4. Belt - Dorothy Perkins - £10

5. Pink and red top - Dorothy Perkins - £20

6. Flats - Zara - $70

7. White, red and black dress - Karen Millen - $225

8. Pink, black and white dress - t.i.l. darling - $20

9. Purple and coral dress - Dorothy Perkins - £28

10. Handbag - Kate Spade - $215

Violette: Meet my New Hair Color

2011-06-07T08:00:00.001-04:00

Top and Necklace Smart Set, Shorts Supertrash via Simons, Sandals Zara, Bracelets H&M

Ok. I've made you wait long enough, here is my new hair color! What do you think? I honestly have to get used to it. It's been a while since I wore my hair a little darker. After all my hair disasters, I've became much more scared of changes. The color will lighten up for sure because it's a toner. But I'm very curious to see how my roots will show: this blonde is closer to my natural hair color. I guess it's a story to be continued!

Violette: I Bought (Matt&Nat Edition)

2011-06-06T08:01:00.000-04:00

As some of you already know if you follow us on twitter or on Facebook, I went to Matt&Nat sample sale. This sale happens two times a year and you can get beautiful handbags for a lot less.

I splurged and I bought two handbags and a wallet. Both handbags can be worn with or without the long strap, which is really practical. They are a little smaller than what I'm used to, but I was actually looking for smaller handbags for going out. I was also looking for a wallet because my actual wallet (also from Matt&Nat) had no paper money space. Very pleased with my purchases!

P.S. If you want to see a picture of my new hair color... it's exlcusively on our Facebook page since Saturday! Check it out and please like our page! Outfit post coming up tomorrow on the blog.

Violette: First time, Last time

2011-06-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

Top H&M, Skirt Thrifted, Necklace Terra Nostra

First time... I've worn something bare legs in 2011.

Last time... you'll see my hair that light! Yes, I changed my haircolor. I'll soon show you! Of course, if you follow us on twitter, you've already seen a sneak preview, lucky you!

P.S. The brand of my skirt is "Pretty Woman". How could you not buy it?!

Violette: I Bought (Ailes de la mode Edition)

2011-06-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

Hat, Nail polishes (L.A. Girl: Antique, Idol, Escape, Intoxicate, Light Show)

Last fall, Rose and I bought the same (false) leather jacket at Les Ailes de la Mode. Like the three other leather jackets I had previously returned (true story...), this one did not made the cut either (surprise!). I love the look on others, but it just doesn't feel like me. So I returned the jacket and since then, I had a store credit at Les Ailes de la mode.

Last week I figured it was time to spend my store credit (valid for a year). Let me be honest: I don't really enjoy shopping at this store, so I had a hard time finding something that I liked. I ended up with a hat and five (yes, five) nail polishes. The hat is a must for summer and the nail polishes... well, you just can't have too many nail polishes, right?

Violette: Be Scared...

2011-05-31T08:05:00.001-04:00

Dress Everly via Simons, Jacket Attitude via Sears, Pants H&M, Earrings Charlotte Russe

This is probably the last outfit post before I hurt your eyes with my white legs... until September! Yay! Those pictures are from last week and it was freezing. Luckily, the weather is now warm enough to be bare legs. Prepare your retinas!