Finding Inspiration For Blogging

One of the biggest challenges that I find as a blogger is staying inspired. I feel as though I'm constantly searching for inspiration and finding it in everyday situations and places; however my biggest source of inspiration comes from the internet. I honestly spend hours perusing the web and finding inspiration in the form of images, articles and video - some may call it an addiction, but I find it necessary to stay creative.

The only problem with finding so much inspiration on the internet is having a way to sort it - this is where Wantfolio comes in.  I was turned on to Wantfolio by the app's creator Lesley and have not looked back since! I love how you can categorize and save images, articles and videos that you find on the web and originally that is the only way that I was using it - until I discovered the interest categories. Now I make scrolling through different interest categories a part of my everyday routine and adding different articles and images to my want boards. It's funny because even my Wantfolio feed is decidedly pink - it looks like old habits truly do die hard!

Recently I had the pleasure of sitting down with Wantfolio's editor Lesley Metcalfe over matcha lattes (her first one) to catch up and chat about my personal style, my morbid past-career and the meaning behind my blog's name. Head over to the Wantfolio Blog to read the interview and let me know what you think!

What do you guys think?  Where do you find everyday inspiration? Have you downloaded Wantfolio yet? Let me know!

xo Joelle

OOTD - Pink Faux Fur

Do you ever wake up some days and just feel over-the-top? Maybe it's a piece of clothing that contributes to this feeling of excess, but on Sunday I woke up thinking "today is the day that I pull out the pink fur." One all-pink outfit, a pair of over-the-boots and one horrified husband later and I had satisfied by need to be a little extra.

Coat - c/o Chicwish, Skirt + Sweater - Topshop, Boots - c/o Le Chateau
Bag-  Chanel

This pink marshmallow coat for Chicwish is seriously something else.  I love how fun it is to wear, and how it completely inspired this over-the-top pink outfit. The jacket can also be paired with all-black to tone it down a bit.  With the weather getting colder and colder, I certainly expect to get a lot of wear from this fuzzy jacket.

I have the hardest time with over-the-knee boots. As a petite girl who has very muscular legs, it's hard to find a good fit.  These boots from Le Chateau are seriously perfect. The stretchy back makes sure that the boots fit perfectly, and I love that it's just a panel in the front that goes over-the-knee.

OOTD - Soft Grey Midi Skirt

If you guys have been following me on Instagram, you would notice that I have a serious love affair going with midi skirts - specifically this light great midi skirt from Aritzia!  I love this skirt so much that I literally have been wearing it to the ground, which you will see in a few event recap posts coming up where I'm wearing this exact same outfit for all of them.  Embarrassing.

Embarrassment aside, my love of pleated midi skirts have taken me well into the colder weather.  I certainly wouldn't reach for one of these skirts when I'm planning on walking around the city in the cold, but they're my first pick when I know that I'm going to be going from Uber to venue. Shown here paired with a giant blanket scarf, the pleated maxi skirt is the perfect way to add a touch of romance to the colder months.

Skirt - Aritzia, Camisole - c/o Dynamite, Scarf - Aritzia, Bag - c/o HiEleven

What do you guys think?  Do you share my love for the midi skirt in the colder months, or do you think that it's best left for summer?  Have you fallen in love with an outfit so much that you literally wear it every chance you get?  Let me know!

xo Joëlle

OOTD - Studio Fitzroy Dress Rental

This past week I had accepted a last-minute invite to a large event in Toronto and, although I was so excited, my first thought was: I need a dress. Thankfully I have the option to head to the West End to Studio Fitzroy to browse from countless gorgeous dresses to rent for the evening. With price ranges from $50-$100 (which include dry-cleaning) and a very welcoming walk-in environment, the most difficult part of the whole experience was choosing a dress. Finally after trying on one gorgeous piece after another, I decided on this beautiful dark pink lace dress from For Love and Lemons. The dress was exactly what the evening called for, and the best part is that I saved the whole 'desperately run to the mall in search of a dress, only to purchase something I hate on impulse' routine.

Dress - For Love and Lemons via Studio Fitzroy

What do you guys think? Have you ever used a dress rental service? What do you do when you need a dress for a last-minute big event? Let me know!

xo Joëlle

GIVEAWAY: Lise Watier Cushion Compacts

Not to brag, but I am the Queen of day-to-night makeup. Having an office job and blogging events and commitments at night means that I am no stranger to touching up my makeup and getting evening appropriate in some poorly-lit bathroom somewhere. Typically I need to bring my entire makeup bag with me for touch ups, which is not ideal considering I like wearing smaller bags at night.

I was so happy when I was turned onto Lise Watier's line of cushion products.  I have heard so many raves and reviews about their cushion foundation, so I was anxious to give it a try for myself; and I was so impressed with the results. Their Lumière Cushion Compact Liquid Foundation is an essential for someone who is constantly doing their makeup on-the-go; the coverage is totally build-able, and it doesn't cake when I touch up my problem areas between events. The finish is very natural and dewy, even after building it up to a full coverage.  I like to keep the dewiness of the foundation for the day, and use it for touchups with a little powder over top for a more dramatic nighttime look.  Plus the fact that the compact fits so easily in all of my small bags and I never have to worry about any mess is a huge plus!  Another perk is that the compacts are easily re-fillable, producing less waste.

Another product that I'm loving from the line is the Lise Watier Beauty Cushion Liquid Blush-To-Go.  I don't know about you, but one of the first things to fade during the day is my blush and I always need to touch up after work. This cushion blush is perfect, since it's in the same mess-free compact as the foundation, is totally portable and produces the most gorgeous dewy flush on your cheeks!

TIP: A little of this product goes a long way. I like to dab just the tiniest amount of product on my cheeks and use the sponge to blend, blend, blend! The result is a radiant, natural flush.

See how easily the Lise Watier Cushion Blush and Foundation fit in a small bag?  I'm definitely a cushion-convert, and I love how they have fit so well into my on-the-go lifestyle.

I'm thrilled to be able to giveaway a Lise Watier Cushion Prize Pack, which includes all three shades of the foundation and the blush!

Contest is open to Canadian residents only.

Let me know what your makeup routine is like! Are you on-the-go, always touching up or are you a one-time-application person.  Let me know!

xo Joëlle

a Rafflecopter giveaway

OOTD - Holiday Ready With Dynamite

Holiday outfits are among us and as much as I love the glitz and glam, sometimes the simplest of outfits pack the most punch.  Take this combination from one of my favourite retailers, Dynamite Clothing; the simplicity of a black skirt and white sweater make the outfit so comfortable, but the texture elevates it for the holidays. I'm such a fan of a black faux-leather skirt, and especially love it paired with something more conservative like this thin white sweater. and you're all set! Throw on a pair of black boots and your favourite bag, The sequins and glitter for the holidays are inevitable, but for a casual affair you really can't go wrong with a black skirt and white sweater.

Skirt - c/o Dynamite, Sweater - c/o Dynamite, Boots - c/o Le Chateau
Bag - Chloe

What do you guys think?  Are you into simple outfits for the holidays, or are you looking forward to all of the glitter? Let me know!

xo Joëlle
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OOTD - Over The Knee Boots

There are few things that I like more than juxtaposition in an outfit; contrasting items that wouldn't normally pair together, but create a lot of interest. Take these over the knee boots - typically a little too riské for my personal tastes to wear with a mini skirt, but made totally PG with the addition of my favourite Grandpa glasses. Add my favourite pink bag and an oversized sweater and you've got my Sunday outfit - daytime appropriate.

Boots - Zara (old), Sweater - Zara, Skirt - c/o Dynamite
Bag - c/o Hieleven

What do you guys think? Are you into the over-the-knee boots? What do you do to feel more comfortable in an outfit?  Let me know!

xo Joëlle