Holiday Party Black Dress Style Guide

I absolutely love the holidays and love finding any excuse to dress up. I will admit dressing the bump has been more challenging as time goes on but it still has not stopped me from working with what I got. This year my go to holiday look is sporting a little black dress because its versatile, spill friendly, and gives a slimmer appearance. Plus its a classic that can be worn all year round.
If you need some inspiration for black dresses for a holiday party you’ve come to the right place.

Three fashion Tips to help elevate your fall fashion game

With every season comes the temptation to reinvent your whole wardrobe with all the new must-haves. I've learned that you don't have to spend money on a new wardrobe to step up your outfits each season. Investing in some fun and chic accessories as well as layering some pieces can elevate any basic outfit. Here are three tips that helped me elevate my fall fashion game.

New beginnings + New #BumpStyle

"I  have never meet you yet, but I am in love"

My husband and I are happy to announce we are expecting the first addition to our family. It has been an exciting and exhausting journey thus far but I would not change it for anything else in the world. We're so thankful for this blessing. 

My mini hair makeover with Clore Beauty Supply and Sensationnel EMPIRE Hair

If you're following me on instagram (smissjblog), you may have seen that I was one of many Toronto influencers hosting an in- store event with Clore Beauty Supply to help promote the launch of the new Sensationnel EMPIRE hair line at their Customer Appreciation day a couple of weeks ago. I am going to honest and say that this was one of the first and few events that I had the opportunity to participate in after being stuck indoors at home for a few weeks due to being ill.

Collecting Charms: Michael Hill Charm Bracelet

As many of you may know I am not too huge on jewellery and if I do wear jewellery, I choose to wear everyday pieces that are pretty minimal. When Michael Hill asked me to style a piece that best fit my personality and style, I couldn’t say “yes,” fast enough. However, I wanted to make sure that it was something that I could wear practically everyday and could potentially be modified or styled differently in the future. I found the idea of a charm bracelet fascinating for this reason. 

My summer go to dress and some funky sneakers

I am sorry that I disappeared suddenly from my blog and social media. Unfortunately, I needed to take an unexpected social media break due to health reasons. Sometimes when your body says enough, you have to listen to it.

May Favorites 2017: Travel Edition

I love reading and watching "my favorites" blog posts and YouTube videos so I thought I might start a monthly favorites of my own! 

The items pictured above are my favorite discoveries in May. Now that I caught the travel bug I am planning to travel and explore more this summer and I am definitely packing these items with me.

1. Essie Nail polishes

With open toe season here in full swing, a pretty pedicure becomes pretty important. I'm loving the variety of spring shades that are available in Essie nail polishes. 
My favorite colors are Mint Candy Apple (754), Resort Romanza ( hot pink), and Sugar Daddy ( light pink 473)

2. Kendra Dandy Vans Sneakers

 I love a good sneaker and they sure come in handy when walking long distances while traveling. I love these ones because they are so fun and girly. I have been rocking them everywhere since recently getting them. 
Curious on how to rock these cool sneakers? Stay tuned, next week I show you how to style them.

3. The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector

This is my go to hand cream because I suffer from dry and irritated hands due to frequently using the alcohol sanitizers at work. I also use it on my feet as well. I love it because it  keeps my hands and feet moisturized and soft without a greasy build- up.

4. The Ordinary: Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum

This facial serum is extremely affordable (less than $7 CAD) but it does the trick. You only need a few drops before applying your moisturizer or sunscreen. 

Hope you enjoyed the post 
Until Next Time 
Sincerely Miss J

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Travel Guide: 48 hours in Paris

Roof top view of Paris

As mentioned in a previous post here, my husband and I took a trip to France, Spain and Italy for our honeymoon. I had been to all three countries before but only visited both France and Spain at a surface compared to Italy where I spent three weeks years ago. 

Overall, our trip was amazing!! 

The first stop was the romantic city of Paris where we were fortunate to be able to meet up with our Parisian friend. She was able to show us first hand Parisian lifestyle in a short amount of time. In 48 hours I can safely say we saw quite a bit of Paris and I wanted to share with you the amazing things you could do if you were strapped for time.

Travel Guide: 48 hours in Paris 

Musee du Louvre

Palais Royal

Eiffel Tower

Transportation

The cheapest way to get around in Paris is with the metro (subway) or by bus. The metro is quite complex but once you figure it out, you can easily go to most tourist attractions on a budget. Another, option is taking a bus tour which gives you a quick introduction to all the attractions

Attractions 

Paris has tons of attractions to visit while you're there. My favorite places were the Eiffel Tower, Musee du Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, Luxembourg Gardens, Pont-Neuf,

 Arc de Triomphe, and Palais Royal.

 When visiting these popular tourist spots be prepared for large crowds and long line ups unless visiting 

very early in the morning.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Shopping

Paris has multiple options for shopping. My favorite department store was Galeries Lafayette. This department store is one of the most gorgeous stores I have ever seen. It has a breathtaking cathedral ceiling as pictured below. My next  favorite shopping area was Le Printemps which is also nearby. It has similar brands as the Galeries Lafayette but is a much smaller department store. It has a beautiful roof top restaurant and terrace that gives you a perfect view of Paris while sipping on cocktails (see cover picture above). Lastly,  I recommend visiting Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Champs- Elysess is a well known commercial street with many bistros, restaurants and shopping. It's also one of the most famous streets in the world and extends from the Arc de Triomphe area to the Louvre.

Galeries Lafayette

My favorite Neighborhoods

Paris has many buzzing and beautiful neighborhoods.  The following were my favorite neighborhoods for their beautiful architecture, tasty cafes/ bistros, and  endless things to do.
We stayed in the Saint Germain de Pres area. It was a central area with easy access to Notre Dame Cathedral and to the Metro. I also enjoyed the Latin Quarter  which had a very lively atmosphere close to the universities. It has a lot of places to eat that is reasonably priced. 

Things to know: 

1. Be prepared to pay to use the restrooms in public places 

2. Be aware of pickpockets in tourist concentrated areas, always have your personal belongings in sight 

3. Be prepared to be solicited by individuals selling multiple items

Hope you enjoyed the post 

Until next time,
Sincerely Miss J 

Have you ever visited Paris? 

What did you enjoy doing when you visited? 

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Travel Diary: Comfortable Chic

Travel Diary: Comfortable Chic

If you have been following me on Instagram you would have noticed that my husband and I escaped to Europe for our honeymoon. We finally got to go on that honeymoon that we had been waiting for. We decided to travel to France, Spain, and Italy and explored a few cities in each of these countries over the past couple of weeks. The trip was amazing but we were definitely on the go much more than we thought we would be, which means not enough relaxation. It was a challenge looking chic while being comfortable on our daily adventures.

The Perfect Staycation At The Grand Hotel and Suites

For many who know me personally there is no secret that these last few months have been stressful and exhausting. However, with stresses and obstacles come great opportunities for learning and growth. 

You may have noticed on some of my social media channels and Instagram that my husband and I recently had a staycation in Toronto. We needed to escape without going too far. We decided to take a staycation right here in Toronto at The Grand Hotel and Suites.

Currently Crushing on Embroidered Jeans

Without a doubt, jeans are the one pair of pants that a majority of us reach for. They're just so easy to style and wear for any occasion. That is why regardless of the season jeans are always in. This season jeans are getting a fun makeover with the fringe hem or decorative embellishments such as pearls and embroidery.  I am currently crushing on embroidered jeans the most this season.

Vacation Prints + OOTD from Boa Boutique

My husband and I didn't get to go on a honeymoon immediately after our wedding. Due to bad timing and planning fatigue we decided to plan it later on. 

I love traveling and there are so many places around the world that I would love to visit. My top three are Morocco, Greece, and Kenya.

Slaying in a Gingham Suit: The Perfect Confidence Booster

How confident are you? I am sure if you ask the most confident person they have most likely had days where they were insecure and unsure about themselves. Building confidence takes time and is an ongoing process. For many men a good fitting suit is tied to confidence. For women I feel the same way as a good fitting suit can definitely make you feel in command and confident. Plus, a suit is a wonderful investment as both pieces can be interchanged with other items.

5 Tips to Building Your Network

In any industry building a network is essential because it allows you to connect with like minded people, which can essentially grow multiple aspects of your life.

This concept is no different in blogging or social media. Networking is key if you want to survive in this large world of blogging. I found out the hard way years ago how difficult it was when you don't make an effort to build your network. This resulted in stunted growth for me and blogging became a pretty lonely place.

Currently Crushing on... The mule

It has taken me a while but I'm glad to say that I jumped onto the mule bandwagon and I am currently crushing on everything mules. The mule is a style of shoe that is backless. Why do I enjoy mules so much? They are so dang easy to put on, which is a nice change from the struggle of putting and lacing up my winter boots. I also love the fact that they come in all different styles, colors, and price points. 

How Do You Like Your Trench Coat? + Giveaway Winner

How Do You Like Your TRENCH COAT? 

Beige, black, colored? Short or long? Belted or unbelted? The trench coat is my forever go to transition staple. I love this one from Sears Canada because it's long, fits well and is a neutral color. The great thing about this trench coat is that it can be paired with tons of basic items like a simple white t-shirt and jeans. There are a variety of different outfits that a trench coat would go great with!

Five Marriage Lessons From the First 3 Months

The Fuchsia Dress + SB Clutch Giveaway

 Time for some bright colors and warmer weather. We've received a blast of spring weather the last couple of weeks here in Toronto and I'm hoping it will last (it probably won't).  

Although I'm not one to enjoy being the center of attention, I couldn't help but fall in love with this fuchsia attention grabbing dress. I love the dress because it's modest, bright, girly and fun. I paired the dress with this funky clutch made by Shasha of SB Clutch.  

How to Add Color to Your Office Look

If I start wearing spring colors now, will spring come sooner? 
Whenever I'm feeling the winter blues, I often try to add pops of color to my wardrobe.  Although some offices may be more conservative than others, you can still get creative and not have to resort to the same black, brown, and grey palette. 
If you are in a more conservative work environment and would like to wear more color, avoid wearing multiple bright colors at once. Pick one color to be your focus.

Love is in the air with JORD + GIVEAWAY

Photos by Armando from @origin.destiny

Love is in the air as couples around the world celebrate Valentine's Day. Ben and I are no exception, however we try our best to celebrate each other throughout the year. I always find it challenging to find thoughtful and meaningful gifts that he'll actually use for a long time.

How to Shop a Wedding Dress Clearance Sale And Find Amazing Deals

When I went to the Opportunity Bridal Sale to shop for a wedding dress , I gave you six tips for finding the perfect wedding dress. During that sale I walked away with a gorgeous wedding grown for an amazing deal. Even more amazing was the uniqueness of the dress. I had never seen anything like it after shopping at other bridal boutiques and it fit my personality very well. My dress was made of organza, had a strapless neckline and a corset tie back along with beautiful feathers, bows and beading details.

Six ways to boost your energy level

A couple of months ago I was feeling completely run down. I was extremely fatigued to the point that I often started drifting to sleep mid sentence after 8pm. I was stressed to the max with the wedding, new job and just keeping up with every day life. My lack of energy affected my mood, my productivity, and my memory. I was even too tried to participate in things that I loved doing including blogging.
I decided to change a few things in my life to help boost my energy level. So, in no particular order, here are my six things I did that helped boost my energy level.

The Perfect Sweater Dress: How to Style a Sweater Dress this Season

The sweater dress is such a great wardrobe staple for colder weather. Dressing up during winter can be a little tedious.Your options for what to wear naturally narrows due to having to give up certain items of clothing to be cold weather appropriate. Luckily for us here in Toronto the winter has been mild compared to the past. As a result, I have been able to still wear skirts and dresses without the tights.

Currently Crushing on... The Gucci GG Marmont Mini Camera Bag

Photo by Rose

I've been seeing the Gucci brand everywhere for the last 1-2 years but more so this past year. As they say if you get conditioned enough by seeing something frequently things tend to grow on you. When I read Rose's review from the blog Dadouchic on the Gucci GG Marmont Mini Camera Bag  I fell in love with it.
 I love the classic design which makes it practical to use on a daily basis. This is especially true when compared to some of Gucci's more flashy and unique bags. However, the price is a bit much and way out of my budget but a girl can dream right? 

Four Tips for Choosing the Perfect Wedding Cake

Cake by Fruitilicious Creations and Cakes & Photo by: Sincerely Miss J

One thing that was not that important to us initially during the wedding planning process was finding a perfect wedding cake. However, as we started shopping around we quickly realized  that finding the perfect wedding cake was not an easy task and the decision required much more thought. We finally found Fruitilicious Creations and Cakes, a wonderful cake vendor who guided us in creating the perfect wedding cake for our wedding (seen below).  Fruitilicious Creations and Cakes is a brand that offers luxury custom desserts, wedding cakes, dessert & candy table styling, fruit arrangements and personalized favours for all events. When choosing to go with them the most important things were the taste of the cake, pricing, flavour variation, and styling. The owner Sandra was extremely knowledgeable, offered explanations for every question we had and best of all, her cakes are incredibly delicious. Wedding cakes come in various shapes, sizes, flavors and styles so finding the one that fits you best can be overwhelming. 

The Rainbow Striped Sweater

The 90s kid in me opted for this colorful rainbow striped sweater. I was very hesitant to purchase it at first because it was a little too funky for my liking.  I was digging the color combo though and could not resist the awesome price point on it. The wide range of colors found in this rainbow striped sweater also made it very ideal for styling. I chose to pull the light pink and paired the sweater with baby pink heels and a pink bag.