Joules Posh Premium Welly Review

I hadn't owned a pair of rain boots since before I can remember, but I knew it was time to get some. When I was presented the offer to test out this Premium Welly from Joules, I just couldn't say no! Joules is a popular clothing company in Great Britain that is very welly (hehe) known for their Wellies. They have over 70 store locations in the United Kingdom and deliver to many countries throughout the world. Fortunately, they do deliver to Canada and the United States. Shipping is $9.95 USD for the United States, and quite pricey at $30 CAD for Canadians. 

The Premium Welly is 'designed to be more fitted and built to last season after season'.

Features:

• New tread pattern for enhanced grip
• Hardwearing rubber sole
• Exceptional cold weather resistance

When I opened the box, I was immediately in love, but they looked huge! They were heavier than the typical pleather boots I was used to wearing throughout the winter, although this seems to be a pretty common feature that comes with rubber rain boots! The design and look of these boots, with the floral lining, vertical stripe on the back, and the signature 'Joules' plaque on the front gave the boot a more classy look. I actually adore the coloured stripe going down the back of the boot, as it gave it differentiation from other brands of rain boots. 

The wellies were quite comfortable and a bit roomy as they didn't have a half size, so I ordered up to a UK 6 (US 8) just to careful. I'd rather have them too large so there is room for thicker socks, and insoles. The boots claim to have exceptional cold weather resistance and I did find them to be warm enough to wear during a Canadian winter.

Now did they serve their main purpose and prevent my feet from getting soaked in the rain?! Well, I don't often take long walks in the rain.. but my feet did stay dry from the wet ground and puddles. I also put these to the ultimate test and soaked them in a sink filled with water for a minute, and the interior stayed dry.

The main issue I had with these boots were that they were too large for my calves. I initially had chosen this style, the Joules (PoshWelly) Premium Welly, because the more affordable (FieldWelly) was sold out in the size and colour I was interested in. Also, these looked as if they could be adjusted to a smaller circumference with the strap at the top of the boot. It turns out that it is just for looks, as the strap had no adjustable holes in it, and I couldn't see this working well with rubber boots anyway. Because these boots were a little too large on the tops of my calves, they were a bit difficult to walk in.

Tips for boots that are a bit too large for you:

•  If the boot is too large lengthwise, add a sole insert, it will also add more comfort to your step :)
• If the boot is too large on your calves, adding welly socks is a must, and looks cuter too! Also wearing jeans (instead of thinner leggings) gives the illusion and feel of a better fit.

Overall, I think these boots are an excellent choice if you are looking for stylish wellies that are made to withstand puddles and mud, and can also keep you warm during the colder months. The look of this welly is probably one of my favourites (I'm obsessed with black and gold), and it's definitely something you want to have in your closet, unless you live where it never rains! I do wish these had fit my calves better, but I'm pretty petite and all boots are typically quite large on me.

I have gotten compliments from friends and even my family on these wellies. I even had a male friend tell me they were stylish and he was instantly obsessed with them!

So far the wellies have been holding up fine as we are just beginning to have a ton of rain here in Toronto and I haven't been able to wear them as often as I'd like, but I will definitely update the post as I go on wearing them. The Posh Premium Welly is $148 USD on Joules.com in either black or green, available in US women's sizes 5-10.

I received these wellies for consideration :) All opinions stated are my own and are not influenced by any affiliates.

Trend Trunk Mystery Gift Card Giveaway

For all my Canadian fashionistas! Do you remember the post I did on Trend Trunk at the beginning of December? I was introduced by Sean Snyder, the founder of Trend Trunk himself, to a new alternative in selling pre-owned jewellery, bags, or even beauty products! Click here to read the full post and learn a little more about Trend Trunk.

To summarize, Trend Trunk combines eBay, Kijiji, and consigning to allow for simple nation-wide buying and selling. It is easy to set up an account and post items for sale, and the fees are quite reasonable. Trend Trunk only charges a 20% commission whereas consignment shops can run anywhere from 40%-60%. Once your item is sold, Trend Trunk provides you with a pre-paid shipping label (which is initially added onto the cost of your item, so a flat rate of $8 is paid by the seller) and all you have to do is drop the package off at your nearest Canada Post! I think that Trend Trunk is a convenient service because there are no surprise/hidden fees, and the profit you will receive is shown to you at the start, right before you post the item for sale. The only inconvenience, is that they do not currently allow you to pay or receive money using PayPal. To receive your payment, you will need to do a direct deposit. However, I have been told that PayPal is coming soon *crosses fingers*.

MYSTERY GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY

Thanks to the lovely people behind Trend Trunk, we were able to collaborate on a giveaway for my readers! Sign up for a free Trend Trunk membership by clicking the photo below and you will receive a gift card with a minimum of $5, that could be worth up to $250! This gift card is not redeemable for cash and will only be used towards your first purchase on Trend Trunk.

 If you do not already follow me, I'd appreciate a follow via BlogLovin or GFC (even Twitter!) before signing up! :)

Note: Gift card will expire 4 months after sign up. One card per email address. Canadian Residents only.

Mystery Gift Card Giveaway: https://www.trendtrunk.com/mystery/a-lovely-allure
& Check Out and Shop my Closet: https://www.trendtrunk.com/ALovelyAllure

My Christmas Wish List: Fashion Edition

1)  Sorel Conquest Carly Short Boot $185

I have a pair of UGGs, but I want something easier to walk in, and less silly looking for school. Sorel is a slightly more affordable alternative that claims waterproof and warmth!

2)  Wilfred Coquette Scarf in Wind $75

The blanket scarves by Wilfred are such popular scarves, but I can't help but stare every time I see someone wearing it! I love how versatile it is and I have resisted from buying one for so long. 

3)  CHI Elite Gold Rush Flat Iron $90

My flat iron has been consistently damaging my hair for years, and I think it's about time for me to invest in a new one. After doing research, CHI seems like the best option in my budget, and I love the ombre look of the Elite Gold Rush!

4)  Mackage Adali Down Coat with Fur Trimmed Hood $650

The Mackage Adali really looks like a classic coat that offers warmth and style at the same time. I can't help but want one, after seeing how fashionable it looks on others.

5)  Wilfred Chevalier Jacket $225

I've loved the look of this Blazer for ages, and although the colour I want is not currently in stock, it is definitely something that I hope I can find on Kijiji or eBay.

6)  Opelle Creative Vanda Morse Satchel $382

Opelle's made-to-order handbags are designed to be functional and fashionable, composed of real italian leather and produced with quality in mind rather than mass production. I saw this bag on Instagram and I immediately wanted it! I love how simple yet elegant it looks, and it looks to be big enough for all my necessities!

Do you like any of my picks? What are you hoping to get for Christmas? 

Click here to check out My Christmas Wish List: Beauty Edition!

Sell Your Unwanted Clothes & Blogger Fashion Week on Trend Trunk

I'm sure you all have unwanted clothes, bags, or jewellery that you would like to sell, but can't seem to sell on Kijiji without getting ridiculously low offers.. or even worse.. you have buyers that are interested that aren't even in a nearby city to you? I was recently introduced to online fashion marketplace, Trend Trunk, by the founder himself, and I am already pretty addicted to the concept of it!

Trend Trunk is essentially a way for Canadians to safely buy/sell their clothing and accessories. Their membership base includes 30,000+ buyers/sellers so far, meaning there are plenty of items to choose from! They were previously featured on Dragons' Den and did receive an offer, but ultimately decided not to go through with it. 

So you might be wondering what makes this online marketplace any different from Kijiji? Well first of all, there is no inconvenient stress of having to meet up, and the seller will ship the 'sold' item to the buyer using a shipping label provided by Trend Trunk themselves. This is paid by the buyer (flat rate of $8), and is added to the cost of the item the buyer sees on the listing, so there are no additional costs to the buyer. The buyer's payment is held by Trend Trunk and released to the seller when the shipment is received. Trend Trunk only takes a 20% commission from each sale, which is a small percentage in comparison to traditional consignment stores. Trend Trunk offers the buyer and seller both a guarantee, leaving the transaction smooth and allowing you to feel safe.

Trend Trunk lets you give back too! They are actively working with roughly 60 charities in Canada, to which they run a Closets & Causes program. This program allows the seller to donate up to 100% of their net sale proceeds to any charity in Canada!

I'd also like to introduce #BFW (Blogger Fashion Week) to you all! From December 9th to 15th (go check it out! its on now), Trend Trunk is hosting the world's first Blogger Fashion Week! They will be featuring about 10 bloggers a day at www.BloggerFashionWeek.com where members will have the ability to visit and conveniently shop their favourite bloggers' closets! 

I will be featured on the last day, this coming Sunday December 15! You can check out my closet here, there will be more items up throughout the week. I've actually just sold a Coach Wristlet that I've been trying to sell for ages in 2 days!

If you haven't already signed up for Trend Trunk, you can use my invite code by clicking here! Otherwise, stay tuned for a potential giveaway for new subscribers!

Missed out on the Phillip Lim for Target Collection? Here are Some Affordable Alternatives

What were you doing yesterday morning? I was sound asleep, but many of you fashionistas all over Canada and the US were lined up for the launch of the Phillip Lim for Target Collection at Target! I sadly didn't even know about the collection until I woke up that morning, which of course by then, was already way too late. 

I had never paid much attention to Phillip Lim's designs but spent all day yesterday looking at them. I checked out Kijiji and eBay, and unsurprisingly found tons of resellers of the entire collection. To be honest, I was kind of mad at first, but I realized that you can't really blame the resellers. Target should know that this happens, and if they wanted to, they would offer more stock... especially in places where online shopping is not offered yet, like Canada. Ok so enough of my rambling, I basically spent all evening deciding whether to buy a 300% marked up bag! I decided to wait, and attempted to find lookalikes on the internet. I found quite a few and wanted to share them with you guys that weren't lucky enough to grab a Target one yesterday (which btw, are not real leather!).

1) JustFab Petite Midtown ($40)
The cheapest and my favourite, is this super mini version from JustFab! It comes in both black and red and I just ordered this last night! I'll update how I like it once I receive it! I received it and I love it! It's tiny but enough space for the essentials, although the only downside is no zipper! For Canadians it actually comes out to roughly $52, which is kind of pricey but I had a credit so it was worth it for me. I'd actually prefer this lookalike over the Phillip Lim for Target mini.... JustFab actually had a bigger-sized version of this bag but it isn't currently in stock :(
Ps. please please use my referral link if you aren't already signed up for JustFab and want this bag!

2) Daily Look Zippered Shape Shifting Handbag ($60)
This is my second favourite and the second cheapest! It comes in black and cognac, and is regular sized as opposed to the first one from JustFab. I like that the zippers are on the sides of this bag and you can always add strings to the zipper pulls, to make it look closer to the real thing!
Psst! It be appreciated if you could use my Dailylook referral link as well if you want to sign up!

3) Deena & Ozzy Vegan Leather Winged Tote Bag ($70)
I'm not much of a fan of this one, but I thought it was a good alternative that had silver hardware. Actually, you might have to double check with their CS as I can't really tell if the hardware is silver or gold! The bag itself isn't made of real leather so don't be fooled by the title. Vegan leather is animal-friendly and made out of synthetic material!

4) Zara Trafaluc Messenger Bag with Zips ($70)
I thought this one was pretty basic and classy! It comes in black and multicolour. The multicolour looks pretty interesting on their website, but I do not know if the colour is the same in person! It is made partly of reconstructed leather as well.

5) Zara Leather City Bag with Pocket and Zips ($180)

The most expensive lookalike that I found, but also composed of 100% cow leather. I like how Zara put a bit of a twist on the design and had the zippers only go up the bag halfway. The only drawback is the higher price, but this is also the only real leather lookalike I could find!

Alternatively, if you still want a Phillip Lim for Target bag (which, I don't blame you for! I might even pick up a large taupe one myself if I can) there is always Kijiji for Torontonians and eBay for the rest of the world!

Did you find this post helpful? Are you interested in purchasing any of these bags? Or did you line up for Phillip Lim for Target? What was your experience like?

xox.

Back to School: Fall Fashion Picks

For fall, print on print is in. Don't be afraid to mix up different prints, classic prints, or different fabrics. Menswear inspired pieces are also going to be quite the trend, and one of my favourites to look at, leather (but so hard for me to wear, eek!)

But for those lazy school days, we prefer to just throw on something quick, because, face it, we lie in bed for a LONG time and then are left with only 20 minutes to get ready! (Please tell me this isn't just me?) Below I have linked some basic pieces that I am lusting over for fall, that are effortless but still fashionable.

One of the things for fall I can't go without are knits! Brandy Melville brings in some amazing knits a little later on in the season. Ever since they came to Toronto I cannot resist stopping into the store whenever I'm closeby. Aritzia is another place that has some cute and girly knits. If you don't have a location near you, both of these shops have an online store.

This just sold out in a small size, but not to fear! It might be re-stocked. Similar - here. Also here is another pullover I've been eyeing.

Slouchy cardigans are an end of summer/fall necessity. You have the ability to show off a cute tee, but still keep warm. The one above is from Tobi. If you haven't signed up for Tobi yet, I suggest doing it right now! They give you 50% off your first order, and if 5 of you sign up with my link, I get 50% off an order as well :)

I tend to go for open round-neckline pullovers, because I feel they look best with my neck and body shape. The first 2 sweaters above are from Chicnova, and very affordable. The grey pullover comes in neutral colours while the purple looks quite sheer and comes in either a purple, green, or orange pastel. The third pullover is made by Talula, from Aritzia.

I've been in love with Kris Tate's designs since I laid my eyes on them, and I've been holding back on buying a crewneck for so long! I think I am going to take the plunge for this fall! The interesting thing about his designs is that you can also get them on a tank top, t-shirt, pillow, as a print, or iphone case! I don't think he gets enough credit for his amazing designs.

I realized I don't own many graphic tops and I want to change that! They are so easy to just throw on with shorts or jeans, and I don't have to worry about showing my embarrassingly skinny shoulders! I saw this kitty top worn on instagram and I thought it was adorable that it is throwing a grenade (is that weird?!) Arm the Animals is the designer, who focuses on creating cute t-shirts to help generate funds for struggling small animal rescues. The second top is from Chicnova. I don't know if graphic tops with lips on it are in style, but I love how girly it is and I want one regardless! The last top is from Dailylook.

I'm slowly learning how to wear the right clothes for my body type, and I have learnt that collared blouses don't look good on me. I have a short neck and would much prefer a collar-less blouse, or a blouse with a small collar. The mint blouse is from SheInside, and I believe it is inspired by Zara. The peach top is actually a chiffon top with a cutout back from Tobi.

I think fleece jeggings are a great piece for lazy school days! They aren't too baggy, but that have that comfy sweatpant feel to it. These are from Garage, and come in a few different shades of grey.

I don't know about you, but I desperately need some new boots for fall! I have small calves, so I'd prefer boots that are adjustable at the top, so I can tighten them if they are too loose. The last pair is just a cute bootie that I think would look great casually or for a night out. These boots are actually all from JustFab. If you haven't already signed up for a membership, I would appreciate you to use my referral link here!

And finally, le statement necklaces! I think these are necessary for fall. They look great with almost any outfit and can instantly dress up look. These are both exclusively from an online jewelry boutique, LuxeCraving.

Do you like any of my picks for fall? What are your fashion picks?

Online & eBay Shopping Tips

Being an online shopping addict, I thought I'd share some of my tips I've learnt over the past few years. I have made many mistakes I hope to not make again, but it really helped me become a smart shopper! I hope these will help some of you, whether you are an experienced online shopper or a newbie! :) 

 Don't Shop Last Minute: 

If your looking for that perfect dress for your date tomorrow night, please do not online shop! Whatever you're buying will likely not show up that quickly. I have had a few instances where I've bought from Zara & Garage Clothing (online) and received the item in a day or two! But these were shipped from their warehouse in Montreal to me in Toronto. I have never had an online store from the USA or Europe show up faster than a week. Make sure you are ordering weeks ahead, and that you have a backup outfit, incase what you ordered does not fit!

 Avoid Impulse Buying: 

On 'deal' websites with time limits like Hautelook, Beyond the Rack, and Modnique, it is easy to impulse buy. You think you need it because the deal is so good. Make sure you thouroughly check measurements, fine print, model sizing, and even try googling the garment name. Sometimes you can find bloggers wearing the same item which can help you determine whether you really want it or not.

The same thing can happen with websites like Groupon, WagJag, and TeamBuy. Only buy what you know you will use, or what has already been on your want list. I spent $70+ on 2 vouchers for a Makeup Course and Styling Course on Groupon from TrendiMi, and it was the biggest waste of $70 ever! I learnt nothing from the repetitive, basic jot notes and cartoon face examples of how to apply makeup! I definitely should have done my research first, or only bought 1 course, rather than both courses.

PS. Use my invite links if you haven't signed up for any of those websites! :) (Just remember, don't impulse buy!)
Hautelook, Beyond the Rack, Modnique, Groupon, WagJag, TeamBuy

 Use a Credit Card or PayPal: 

I wouldn't recommend using a prepaid credit card, especially with small shop or boutique purchases. If you don't end up receiving the item, or it's not as described, it can be easier to go through your credit card company sometimes, for a chargeback. I have never done it, but I have seen many people do it over items not as described.

 Don't Send Your Money to a Boutique In an Envelope: 

There are a lot of Facebook boutiques out there, and I wouldn't recommend sending them money in an envelope like I have seen many people do. Even if they are reputable, you are putting your money in the hands of the postage company, and I have seen many instances where money has been stolen out of an envelope, or the envelope was never delivered. Instead, ask them if they accept PayPal. Many shops will.

Know Exactly What You're Buying....
 Be Careful Buying from Sellers with Low Ratings & Check Feedback: 

Please check the feedback of the seller before you make a purchase. And I'd recommend not buying multiple items until you have experience purchasing from that seller first, so you are familiar with the quality and accuracy of the item. For online shops, you can google "____ Shop Reviews" and you will often find enough information on them to make your decision.

 Be Wary of Sellers with Stock Photos: 

Buying clothes on websites that use other websites photos, or stock photos, always worries me. I'd prefer not to do it. I feel much more comfortable seeing a photo taken by the seller/website. Sometimes sellers that use stock photos, send you something that looks similar, but is not the exact same. The colour, material, and design could be slightly different!

 Go Over the Listing Multiple Times: 

If you are shopping on websites with sellers such as eBay, Etsy, Kijiji, make sure you go over the listing more than once. Sometimes you can miss small details, fine print, or in some cases the seller could potentially edit the listing before your chance to purchase.

 Check Measurements: 

No matter what you are buying; whether it be clothes, electronics, household items, decoratives, etc, make sure you are checking the measurements of the item! I have had tons of mishaps where I have bought something that looked huge, but in reality was very tiny, or vice versa. My boyfriend actually bought turn signals for his bike the other day, only to get them in a tiny package, that were 1/3 of the size they should be/looked on eBay because he didn't check the measurements.

 Don't Go Overboard: 

Just because the money isn't physically in your hand, do not overspend! You can spend hundreds of dollars without realizing it online. Record what you have bought, and make sure you budget yourself, and don't go over your credit limit!

 Prepare Yourself for Disappointment: 

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but if you don't shop smart, or even if you do, prepare yourself for disappointment! Great sellers and stores can even disappoint by sending defective items. The item colour could be slightly different, not fit you properly, or look terrible on you. There is always that risk you are taking when buying something without physically seeing it in your hand or trying it on.

I know this list is pretty long but the headings pretty much explain everything (if you just skimmed through it :p). What are your tips and tricks for online shopping?

OOTD(S): June Buffalo Love Culture & Papaya Haul

I picked up some really cute pieces during my one day trip to Buffalo, NY around the beginning of June, and I wanted to share them with you all. The clothing I bought was purchased mainly at Love Culture, Papaya, and a little something from Charlotte Russe. These pieces can look both casual and dressy, and are easy and comfortable to wear for both day and night...

 I hauled and blogged about all of the products/small items that I bought here but promised to do the clothing haul another time. I was finally able to get ahold of a tripod to take these photos with! I find it much more flattering and fun to look at that just laying the clothing out on a bed.

I am an amateur tripod user, outdoor photographer, and definitely not the greatest model!

 I tried my best.. although my face didn't.. so I saved all of your eyes by cropping it out in almost all of the photos haha.

Mint Lace Chiffon Maxi Dress: Papaya

When I saw this dress I fell in love. It is slightly long on me when I wear flip flops (I don't exactly know my height, I assume like, 5'2..) but I still don't need to hem it and with heels it would definitely be perfect. I love that I can wear this both casually as a summer dress and I'll still look classy if I wear it into the night.

Mint Lace Crop Top: Love Culture

Skirt: eBay

This crop top was too cute for me to pass up. Unfortunately, I will have a hard time wearing it because it is so short! You can kind of see in the photo that it shows my bra a bit when it rides up. It looked great with my bodycon skirt, yet the skirt wasn't high-waisted enough to cover enough of my middrift! I think it looks great paired with this flowy skirt, which I got from eBay for about $5. The skirt is slightly see-through, so you definitely need to wear shorts underneath. 

Cream Lacy Peplum Tube Top: Papaya

Skirt: Sirens (old)

Clearly my eyes were only on lace items when I went shopping here.. but to be honest they had a ton of lace, and I thought they were the cutest items in the store! The only problem with the lace, is the fact that it is so delicate (cheaply made I guess?) that it gets caught and snags on everything. This top is so cute but with the amount of times that I'm wearing it, I don't expect it to last long :(

Black Lace w/ Pleather Peplum Top: Love Culture

Skirt (Left): Sirens (old), Skirt (Right): Forever 21 (old)

I love the lace on this top and when I bought it I loved the pleather on it too! Now I'm starting to dislike it only because it looks a little bit cheap. I tried to wear it with pants and it looked awful, but it definitely works with bodycon skirts. I probably won't ever wear it with the skirt on the right, but I just wanted to model what the top looked like with a patterned skirt.

Infinity Love Crop Tank: Love Culture

Dip Dyed Shorts (Left): Love Culture, Skirt (Right): Sirens (old)

Love how this top falls on me but it is so thin and delicate that there is a tiny hole in it already! The sides are a bit low cut so you need to wear a bandeau underneath. I am in love with the dip dyed/ombre shorts on the right. I have been looking for ones like these that fit me for FOREVER... when I say forever I mean over a year! These were a bit tight on the waist but I am slowly getting used to them. 

Infinity Love Crop Tank: Love Culture

Black Maxi Skirt: Sirens

Another outfit with the top.. this is the one I have been wearing a lot lately because it is so easy and comfortable. 

Photo On Right: 

Scarf: Charlotte Russe

Romper: H&M (few months old)

The scarf was just an impulse buy that I thought I would include *sigh*

Infinity Ring: Love Culture

Other 2 Rings: Finger/Knuckle Rings from Aldo

All of these stores have websites for online shopping, however I'm pretty positive they only ship to the States, which is a huge bummer because there is so much more of a selection online! I'm sad to see these clothes wearing out so quickly but... I guess.. you get what you pay for. I think these pieces are all  great for summer, and easy to wear.. they are so beautiful on their own, they don't even need to be dressed up with jewellery!

Did you like any of the pieces I picked up? Which one is your favourite?!

If you have any additional questions feel free to comment below! I read all comments!