Let’s start with the “casual Friday” look this time, even though the concept of casual Friday has really disappeared over the past year. I can wear jeans every day now, if I felt like it which I don’t. In fact, I’ve never worn jeans more seldom. But I’ve added some extra stretchy pairs to my closet, so I’m cautiously dipping a toe back into that particular pool. My love of graphic tops kinda demands me because what better pairing than with jeans? This bl_nk London top was a recent thrifting find, and I am now obsessed with the brand (sold at Anthro). The quality of their fabrics, in my admittedly limited experience, is kinda garbagey buuuuuut the prints are absolutely wonderful. This top is a prime example – I am obsessed with the coordinating mixed patterns.
Mixed Signals
Speaking of mixed patterns, here is that MaxMara skirt I recently snagged on Posh; instead of going with a simple coordinating top, I chose a clashing pattern. What pulls it all together is the colour palette; red and blue are such a classic combo. And the Gemma Redux necklace is the perfect finishing touch:
But Also, Monochrome
Sometimes I go all out with colour and patterns; sometimes I keep it simple. This Pink Tartan dress continues to be one of those pieces that makes me smile every time I see it; I still can’t quite believe how I was able to find it, after 5 years of searching and regrets, at my local thrift store … after I watched someone else almost buy it. And it’s not just the backstory that makes it special. It’s a hella cool dress, period. Also hella cool is this Stella & Dot necklace. I have it in gold, and loved it so much that I bought in silver as well. Solid decision, 10/10, would again.
Graphic x 2
I’ll leave you with this Graphic Saturday outfit featuring a double dose of, what else, graphic prints. I was going to wear the Kenzo sweatshirt with a different, plainer skirt but then I saw this one hanging on the rack and thought “why not”. And it worked! Also, remember how I used to have such cute shoes? Look at those Tiffany blue Ferragamo flats. Sigh. Someday, maybe they will see the light of day again (and not simply for a photo op).
I’m going into my 3rd annual FabFitFun subscription period, and my thought process for renewing was simple: I still enjoy the surprise element, and I still get enough value from each box to make the subscription cost worthwhile. Most of that value comes from skincare and beauty products I would be buying anyway (moisturizer, shampoo and conditioner, etc.); FFF allows me to try new brands at a lower cost, especially higher-end stuff that I wouldn’t otherwise splurge on. I do think that when the pandemic is over, and casual trips to Winners are back on the table, I will re-think my subscription — I used to get a lot of my skincare on discount from the Winners beauty aisle. But, for now, I’m happy to continue with FFF.
The Spring 2021 box was one of the best ones within the past year, although I have a less than happy addendum to that (more below). It seems like FFF is offering way more variety of products than before for most of the customizable options in the box, which is great; there was less of “I don’t like any of the choices, so I’ll pick something random”. The FFF picks (3 of the 8 items) continue to be the weakest part of the box for me, but they were pretty good this time around.
Here’s what was in my box.
The only item I picked from the Add-On Sale was the Sunday Riley CEO Glow oil. I got this before, and it’s part of my regular skincare routine now. I’m still only about half way through my first bottle, but I wanted to stock up at the discount price because there is no way I would pay $100CAD for this. I think I paid about $45 or so, which is not inexpensive but seems reasonable to me — it lasts a long time. I didn’t see this in the last Add-On sale, so it’s not a regular item hence why I jumped on it when I saw it this time around.
This was a FFF pick – they are reusable make-up remover cloths. Or something like that. I gave these to my sister-in-law, as I wouldn’t use them.
Retail value: $15USD.
Another FFF pick, these lip masks wouldn’t have been my first choice for this option (there was a cactus shaped water bottle I really wanted!) but they’re fun enough to try.
Retail value: $16USD
The last FFF pick, this oil is something I’m very excited to try. I’ve recently discovered blue tansy products, and I love them. I’ve been alternating between Lapis by Herbivore (love it but it’s way pricey) and Acure Blue Tansy oil (also good, far less expensive). This is a spirulina and blue tansy brightening oil, so I’m curious how it will measure up. Haven’t tried it yet, but will report back.
Retail value: $38USD
This was probably the tier/option I was least excited about, so I chose the Cocofloss but, honestly, it’s probably one of the most useful items of the whole lot. I’m not sure I know why “bougie floss” is a thing, but I’ll take it. It does smell nice. There is one container (with roll) and 2 refills.
Retail value: $28USD (LOLOLOL!)
I’ve been curious to try this brand (Elemis) for a while, but it retails for a price point that I don’t normally go for. I’ve used this peel (it’s really more like a face mask) once, and I can’t say that I saw immediate noticeable results, but it smells lovely and I am happy to continue using it to see if it makes a difference.
Retailvalue: $45USD
I was super excited for these MAC lipsticks because one of them is red, and I’ve been looking for a new red lipstick. I recently realized that having a bright lip really helps me look better on Zoom calls, even when I’m not wearing any other make-up (apart from eyebrow pencil, always). I haven’t tried the other colour yet – it looks to be a pinky beige – but I like the red. The formula is powdery, not creamy, and somewhat sheer at first but easily buildable. Staying power is about average for regular lipsticks. Overall, I am a fan; you can control the intensity of the colour from a more sheer “wash” to a full red lip.
Retail value: $42USD
I needed a new moisturizer (my last one, Caudalie, came in the Fall 2020 box and is almost done) so I decided to pick this as one of my “expensive” tier options. I like the smell a lot – it’s kinda graprefruity? – and so far, it seems to work about as well as my old moisturizer. Which is to say, I am happy with it. I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to buy this again, but it will do just fine until it runs out.
Retail value: $98USD (holy smokes!)
Lastly, I was very excited about this ring. My experience with FFF jewelry has been mixed, but I really like the Jenny Bird cuff I got a while back, so I thought it would be worth trying again. The ring looks lovely in real life:
I was quite pleased with it … and then the stone fell out the second time I wore it. Luckily, it happened at home; I found the stone and was able to pop it back in. But talk about shoddy quality! I’ve seen a few of these floating around on Poshmark already and if you were considering it, I would say (a) don’t bother, and (b) if you must, don’t pay more than $10 for it. And even that is a stretch.
Retail value: $75 (this is actively offensive)
Apart from the ring, the rest of the box was a winner for me and I’m quite pleased with the products I’ve tried so far especially the lipstick and the moisturizer. If you’ve also ordered the Spring 2021 box, let me know what you thought about the products. Next month, I think I will do a round-up of some of my fave products I discovered via FFF over the past 2 years, and I would love to hear about yours as well.
I just *had* to get these rainbow sequin jeans, and I simply *had* to wear them for Valentine’s Day. This is where my style journey has brought me in 2021, and I’m okay with that. It’s a fun (and sparkly) place to be. If, like me, you’re feeling this energy and already on your way to google these jeans, here’s my tip: they’re from Topshop, and I recommend sizing up. I got my usual denim size (Poshmark for the win!) but they juuuust fit, and not as intended. It’s supposed to be a loose, boyfriend fit and, ummm, it’s not on me. They’re also quite cropped, which considering how short my legs are, is somewhat of a feat. But otherwise, they’re fun. Go on, and get some sequins in your life!
Mixed Prints Encore
If you’ve been reading the blog since 2013 or so, you may remember this sweater. I was super into it at the time. Then, around 2016 or so, I gave it up. Years later, I came to regret that decision; my style has moved in such mysterious way that, while on the whole I dress nothing like my 2013 self, this sweater now once again appeals greatly. I am so lucky to have made some wonderful friends through social media, because one of the them helped to find this sweater again — brand new with tags, no less. A feat, considering how long it’s been since it was actually released. And here it is again, paired with another new-to-me piece that I love just as much. Bold graphics, what can I say!
Casual Cozy Chic
This is my version of sweats-but-make-it-look-like-you-tried. Instead of pants, a lighweight, potato-sacky skirt with a generous elastic waist. And instead of a sweatshirt, well, a cozy, soft sweater. They both, ummm, have the word “sweat” in them? Anyway, I love this shade of blue and being swathed in it is heavenly.
Throwback, Academichic Style
How’s this for a 2017/2018 throwback? Since re-discovering this Theory plaid blazer in my closet, I’ve wanted to do something interesting with it, colour story-wise. In the end, I picked this blue-forest green (not quite teal, not quite sage) sweater to pair with it and bring out the purple in the plaid. Love it. Added a shirt for a bit of extra layering, and to extend the line since the blazer is somewhat cropped on me, and I quite like how the pop of white brings out the other colours. Professor chic is timeless, I guess.
