I didn't go too crazy shopping in Paris because I wanted to stick to a budget, we were traveling with carry-on only, and some of our luggage space was devoted to gifts for friends and family. What's photographed above represents the remaining 75-80% of my purchases, 6 months after our trip. The gourmet treats have been consumed and a lot of my Saeve purchases have been used up, but I still wanted to do a shopping haul post. Better late than never, right?
It's hard to believe outfit posts used to be a mainstay on this blog. I don't post my outfits as much anymore because, quite simply, I don't have a lot of variety in my wardrobe. But the flip side of that is when I do purchase something it's usually a thoughtful addition that goes into heavy rotation and has a big impact on the rest of my wardrobe and updating my overall look. For this spring, the new additions comprise white platform sneakers, tees with a slightly retro vibe (like this one with its 70s-inspired stripes), a new crossbody bag from Paris and wide leg pants.
When I was in my early 20s I was obsessed with Chanel as the epitome of all things luxurious, chic, and in good taste. That obsession has waned in recent years; now I have responsibilities like a mortgage and I'm trying to be a good minimalist. I'm also more inclined to spend money on fitness (oh hi, Bar Method) or a vacation with Hubs. But the Chanel love had never disappeared fully, it was just dormant, and it flared up when I bought my new blue Chanel Boy coin purse on our recent trip to Portland.
As you may have noticed here or on Instagram, I haven't been posting as much lately. Work projects and participating in the Bar Method Fitness Challenge have proven surprisingly tiring! The last thing I want to do these days is put on uncomfortable clothes, which is why I've been reaching for denim and leggings almost 24/7 and which is where the Lola Jeans 'Julia' jeans ($80) featured today come into play. Think of these pants as a hybrid of your comfiest leggings and stretchiest jeans. Lola Jeans actually kindly sent me a pair to review back in November, but with one thing and another, I didn't have a chance to feature them until now. If you're thinking of ordering a pair for yourself for all those casual #ootd moments, read on for my (admittedly very detailed and honest) thoughts!
These days I gravitate towards easy-to-wear pieces that combine fashion and function, and if they streamline my routine, all the better. Case in point? This gorgeous 'Maya' wallet from the Matt & Nat x Indigo collection (now available at Indigo stores and through indigo.ca), which has integrated into my daily life seamlessly ever since I received it for review.
I'll be the first to admit that my spring shopping list is a little all over the place and kind of boring. As an aspiring minimalist, I'm favouring a handful of quality items that are in it for the sartorial long haul. Half of these items are meant to replace essentials that have worn out or don't fit anymore, while the other half references this season's trends in a way that still works with my closet's classic yet casual, denim-heavy vibe.
If you've been reading this blog for a while, you've probably seen me describe myself as an "aspiring minimalist" at least once in the last couple years, ever since I tried spring-cleaning with the KonMari method and some strategies for shopping less. One of these strategies was writing down all the non-consumables I purchased so I could better track how much I was spending on what. Looking back on a year's worth of data about my random purchases has been both enlightening and appalling, to say the least, and I'm sharing details today along with pie charts (because yes, I am type A and proud of it) in the hopes it will help you on your journey towards living with less.
This might very well be the most boring blogger's wishlist you're going to see this season. The truth is, there isn't much in the way of material things I want for Christmas. The husband and I are most excited about enjoying a well-deserved vacation together, so instead of getting each other gifts this year we're doing a mini getaway to Harrison Hot Springs for New Year's Day. The items on this list are either consumables or things I'd use everyday.
As I touched on in my last post, even a minimalist with the best intentions can go astray amidst the excesses of the holiday season. The truth is despite the plethora of style guides at this time of year, you really only need a couple of staples to carry you through winter in warmth and style. Here are my essentials at this time of year, as well as a couple of alternatives and "inspired by" picks, if you need help sticking to a "Buy less, choose well" philosophy.
Minimalism is a hard edict to follow when you're in a seasonal whirl of stressful deadlines, now-or-never sales, and dismal weather. It's bleak and dark outside. You know what isn't dark or bleak? The inside of a mall, where things are warm and glowy and sparkly and (if you're in an Anthropologie store with a scented candle burning) it smells divine. And you know what's a welcome distraction from work? Online shopping. That's probably how I found myself buying a cashmere sweater with bows down the back for Black Friday, which I'm now returning because: 1) the bows are so big and stick out so far in the back, when I tried it on I felt like a girly stegosaurus who wouldn't ever be able to lean back in a chair comfortably; and 2) when I thought long and hard about the contents of my closet, I decided my purchase was probably driven by emotion more than need. Instead, I could rely on the Uniqlo HEATTECH Camisole to get more mileage and warmth out of what I have already.
Every year my budget gift guide is far and away the most popular of them all, which just goes to show a thoughtful, stylish gift doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. This year's cutoff is a bit higher to allow for some lovely finds with a slightly higher price tag. Read on for more details on the picks above and loads of other under $20 gift ideas!
Things I Bought That I Love highlights the (hopefully) rare, carefully considered new purchases that spark joy in this aspiring minimalist.
Oh J. Crew, Tippi star sweater ($118.50 25% off with code WARMSTYLE today), how do I love thee? Let me count the ways as I welcome you into my closet.
Things I Bought That I Love highlights the (hopefully) rare, carefully considered new purchases that spark joy in this aspiring minimalist.
When I first KonMari'd my life, I thought it'd be a one-and-done deal. The marathon tidying session would signal the start of a blissful stasis where I'd be perfectly content with my possessions, never feeling tempted to buy anything new again; however, reality is more nuanced than that. I've still been shopping here and there for new clothes, albeit much less than I used to and mostly replacing pieces that have worn out or don't fit anymore. However, my Kowtow Building Block Scoop Tee ($79) is not one of these conscientious replacement purchases. I have plenty of striped tees already, but I knew I had to have this one when I saw it on the sale rack at Still Life and I wouldn't regret it either.
Other than our wedding and mini-moon, the Gilmore Girls revival hitting Netflix on November 25th has been the fall event I'm anticipating most. I've already taken the day off to binge-watch them all (with copious cups of coffee in tow, naturally), and every new trailer or tidbit released online leading up to the main event has me giddy with joy over the prospect of re-visiting a show I've loved since I was 16. Are you a Gilmore Girls superfan like I am or do you know someone who is? Here are 12 Etsy finds that'll make the return to Stars Hollow all the sweeter (and—hint hint—they make excellent stocking stuffers and gifts).
Things I Bought That I Love highlights the (hopefully) rare, carefully considered new purchases that spark joy in this aspiring minimalist.
A casual jacket with a fuzzy sherpa or shearling collar has been on my fall shopping wishlist since August. My style has evolved in the last two years and become more informal, and during spring cleaning I got rid of a bunch of structured blazers and jackets that were suddenly feeling too tight across the shoulders—both good reasons for a new transitional topper. The other reason I've been wanting a shearling-collar jacket? Gilmore Girls.
Happy Monday, dear readers! Here at Solo Lisa headquarters, things weren't too productive on the weekend: The boy and I were trying to take it easy before his upcoming work trip and we binge-watched Stranger Things on Netflix in a single sitting. (So good!) But I did get a chance to peruse the Nordstrom anniversary sale catalogue and pick out all of my favourites to share with you today. Read on for all the details, plus tips on how to shop the sale strategically!
Shopping sales as an aspiring minimalist is tricky business. My style strategy for avoiding missteps: I only buy something if it sparks that "I can't wait to wear it right away" sense of joy; it complements my casual denim- and neutrals-heavy wardrobe; and it might let a worn-out staple retire. In anticipation of the major Nordstrom anniversary sale starting in just a few days, I couldn't resist peeking at the Nordstrom women's summer sale where I found plenty of pieces that ticked all the boxes. These wear-all-the-time staples will take you through summer into fall and beyond.
Things I Bought That I Love highlights the (hopefully) rare, carefully considered new purchases that spark joy in this aspiring minimalist.
My style has changed a lot since we KonMari'd our condo and I stopped posting outfits. It's more casual, streamlined, neutrals-heavy—and I'm almost always wearing denim. With denim playing such a crucial role in my everyday looks, it seems inevitable that I would be replacing and adding a few basics to give my spring/summer wardrobe much more mileage.
Some wedding decisions come after lots of agonizing, while others fall into place so easily they might as well be kismet. Choosing to buy my wedding day shoes from the Stuart Weitzman Bridal Collection was both a stroke of serendipity and a no-brainer. It had just occurred to me that I needed to shop for the shoes before I could get my dress altered when, lo and behold, there was the press release in my inbox with the most perfect collection of bridal shoes I'd ever seen—something for every type of wedding, dress, and bride imaginable.
Things I Bought That I Love highlights the (hopefully) rare, carefully considered new purchases that spark joy in this aspiring minimalist.
Most of the time, I don't go actively looking for the Perfect Summer Dress; that dress usually finds me when I least expect it, which is exactly what happened when I nabbed the LOFT stripe gathered dress ($93.58 $60.43 on sale now) at Park Royal several weeks ago. Since then I've worn it three times, and I'm looking forward to many more warm days when I'll be reaching for this frock first thing in the morning.
