What’s in Cydney’s Closet?: New in for Fall

After the great closet purge of 2018 my Fall wardrobe was looking a little lifeless. I took this past weekend to pick out some sure fire new additions to bring a little pep back into my outfits this season.

Let’s take a look inside my closet…

sunnies // zadar, croatia

earrings // forever 21

I’m on a bit of a colour and print kick this season, so these sunnies will be the perfect neutral accessory to keep things streamlined. They’re exaggerated cat-eye shape also adds interest to an otherwise basic add-on to any outfit.

Tortoise shell is a girl’s new best friend for this coming season. One of my favourite ways to incorporate it is through a pair of earrings. Tortoise hoops are a very “of the moment” way to style this look, but I opted for this slightly less mainstream pair of chain link loops. Currently still on the hunt for a tortoise bag, so give a sister a shout should you stumble across one.

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All the starry eyed emojis for these boots! While on the hunt for a pair of low-lying boots for tromping around the city I found these beauties. One of my favourite tricks when attempting to spice up your wardrobe is to use basic prints as a neutral. These boots are black with pewter coloured stars, making them subtle enough to mix with bold colours or even other prints. I find myself reaching for these bad boys at least every other day. They’re quickly becoming my Fall staples.

boots // seven foowtwear

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coat // salvation army thrift store

sweater // the rag machine

You know that saying, “If it ain’t black put it back on the rack”? That is 100% the opposite of my life motto. Bring on the colour and print! This season the Fall colour palette has broadened it’s horizons and dabbled in the world of pastels and bold neons. The most popular way to style them? With leopard print, of course. Leopard acts as a neutral in our Fall wardrobes this season, allowing it to be mixed and matched with almost anything. Coat’s and skirts happen to be the “it” leopard items of the moment, but why not try a pair of spotted loafers or a fuzzy leopard bag to get a taste of the trend.

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Want to see know how I  style my new goodies?

Follow me on Instagram (@cydney.burton) for all the action.

-Cyd

OOTD: a really good, bad decision.

My mother always warned me against shopping the extras at the cash counter in stores.

“Those products are put there for you to purchase impulsively”, she’d tell me, and she wasn’t wrong.

Marketing geniuses had carefully curated the items sitting beside the cash register to be oh-so perfectly priced and harmless that you could easily toss one lip gloss or pair of socks into your purchase.

I was trained to make my educated and well thought out purchasing decisions and vacate the premises.

But sometimes I break the rules.

This was one of those times.

A routine run through my local thrift left me with some sweet, little finds (well thought out of course) and a clear path straight to the cash register.

When lo and behold, a little rack next to the till of 4.99 sweaters.

“$4.99! How inexpensive and harmless”, I recall thinking to myself, “One more can’t possibly hurt”.

And into the basket this tangerine coloured beauty went.

I had not tried it on.

I had barely looked at it.

And it was most definitely purchased impulsively.

Little did I know it would be one of the best “bad decisions” I had ever made!

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sweater- value village // jeans- gap // shoes – converse // bag- amazon // scarf- the rag machine 

This little number is the perfect addition for those chillier West Coast summer days: easy to layer with and a lot more exciting than a basic beige cardigan. Not to mention the over sized silhouette makes it feel like a hug.

Now, I’m not telling you to break ALL the rules.

Just the ones that can result in hidden thrift store gems and cute little island adventures.

Happy monday,

-Cyd

 

 

OOTD: a lesson in layering

Spring has sprung (or so they say), but Vancouver seems to be unsure of exactly how to feel at the moment.

Rain one day, sunshine and butterflies the next.

What’s a girl to do?

Cue the art of transitional layering.

A denim jacket here, a pair of gucci-esque yet entirely waterproof combat boots there, and you’ve got an outfit that’s ready for whatever mood Vancity seems to be in that day.

sweater-GAP men // dress- borrowed from Grandma // jacket- the rag machine // bag- forever 21 // boots – weather proof 

 

So until Vancouver decides whether or not Spring is here to stay: floral dress, meet denim jacket.

You two are going to become very good friends.

-Cydney

Sorry, Mom.

Today’s the day you call your Mom to apologize for all those times you made fun of her fanny pack in the 90’s.

That’s right, the nylon bag that you always cringe at in family vacation photos is back with a vengeance (and a slight upgrade, never fear).

The belt bag is on the waist of fashion’s finest this season, and it’s taken a much sleeker, fashion forward approach this time around.

Picture leather, texture, and a whole new colour palette, making this accessory a welcome addition to our transitioning wardrobes.

It was love at first sight for the belt bag and I (the more free hands you have, the more coffees you can hold. Am I right ladies?).

Taste the freedom of hands free fashion for yourself:

Forever 21

The ultimate stop for nabbing an “of the moment” piece without the heavy price tag (somebody buy the plaid one, please!).

Urban Outfitters

Lots of colour and texture here, plus some more athleisure vibes if that’s your thing.

ASOS

Let’s all just take a moment to appreciate the “bum bag” that ASOS offers.

Purses with handles just don’t feel the same now that I’ve crossed over to the dark side.

Join me, why don’t you?

-Cydney

 

 

 

5 Things You Need to Know Before Taking the Purple Hair Plunge.

I get the itch all the time: I’m bored with my look and need something fresh and exciting to shake things up a bit.

If you’re anything like me your hair is the first place you look when you’re craving change in your aesthetic. Whether it’s a fresh cut or a new colour, a visit to my uber talented hair stylist (visit Natalie at Brush Salon in Vancouver. She’s magical)  always seems to leave me feeling like a new woman.

If you’re thinking of taking the plunge and opting for a slightly more unconventional colour next time you’re in the chair, might I make a couple suggestions?

Here’s 5 things I think you should know:

1.Time– achieving that dream colour will take a while. The first time my stylist took my hair from brown to purple it took us roughly 6 hours. Needless to say I was in the chair for the majority of my day. No complaints from me, though! I’d much rather have a seasoned stylist go through all the steps and leave me with beautiful space princess tresses than to cut corners. Just bear this in mind when you’re planning your appointment. You might not want to schedule your hair transformation and brunch back to back…

2. Damage– if you have already fairly light locks you’re one of the lucky ones in this case! Your bleach will be minimal. My dark hair needed to be bleached in order for the hair to be light enough for the colour to show up vibrant. My stylist was diligent in making sure my hair was healthy through the process (she specializes in blondes), and I would strongly encourage you to make sure your stylist is just as skilled! My hair felt just as fresh after this colour as it did during my regular appointments!

3. Cost– Purple hair (or any brightly coloured hair) can be costly. As I mentioned before, blondes may require less bleaching, which can cut costs a bit. Us dark haired gals however require bleaching before the colouring can even begin. I also had my roots coloured darker (see picture above) to better compliment the purple which added yet another cost to my look. Have a consultation with your stylist before you begin so he or she can give you an estimate of costs before you commit.

4. Maintenance– this combines both time and cost. Any hair colour that’s different from your natural look requires maintenance. This comes even more so with bright hues like purple. I left my root a more natural colour (and I’d highly recommend it!) which allowed me to wait a little longer before re-dying my hair due to not having harsh new growth to compete with. The rich purple, however, fades quite quickly and requires a refresh within 4-5 weeks. Be prepared to visit your hair stylist often if you want to keep your look fresh.

5. Not everyone’s a fan– some employers have strict rules regarding your aesthetic in the work place.  Unless you’re able to tuck your coloured ends away, you may want to consult your workplace before spending your time and money on a risky new look. Some employers dont mind, and may even encourage your change (mine was a full on supporter of the lilac locks, which I greatly appreciated).

Still have questions regarding your new purple do?

Fire away. I’d love to answer your questions via e-mail or the comments below.

-Cydney

OOTD: something old, something new.

My coworkers and I had a conversation the other day that ran along the lines of defining our personal aesthetics with just a few, simple words.

It was decided that the best word to describe my look would be “eclectic”.

At first I disagreed, as I tend to associate that word with a mismatched wardrobe of pieces that don’t quite work together. A phrase you might say to someone when you want to politely tell them they look like they donned all the articles of their closet at once.

But the more I think about it, the more I’m falling in love with this “eclectic” persona.

Pair a fast fashion skirt with a thrifted jacket, or a re-purposed dress from Grandma with this season’s latest Steve Madden boots.

High end meets refurbished.

Old meets new.

A well worn pair of gingham trousers from the Rag Machine meets a new intergalactic hair style fit for my spunky, space princess alter ego.

pants- the rag machine // top- brandy melville // shoes- topshop // bag-winners // hair- Natalie Ouellet @ BRUSH salon

Yes, perhaps eclectic is exactly what I wear.

A passionately curated collection of well loved classics fused with bold new ideas.

Eclectic.

-Cydney

A trick up our sleeves

There’s a new trick up the sleeves of some of the most prominent fashionistas this season, and it’s literally right at your fingertips.

Intricate additions to your sleeves are all the rage, with runway models and street style starlets alike sporting them in their own way.

Buckles, grommits, ties or pleats, the possibilities are endless when it comes to customizing your cuffs. Check out these options for a fast fix:

MISSGUIDED

Get frilly with this sheer number by the much loved UK brand.

ASOS

A classic “little white top” with a trendy twist at your wrist.

Free People

This darling peek-a-boo smock is spot on! (a few other good finds on here…keep an eye out!)

Pair it with boyfriend jeans for casual, off duty vibes, or add a tailored pant and heels for a look that’s 100% “unstoppable girl boss”.

Whatever way you style it, it’s all in the wrist this season!

-Cydney

*photos courtesy of ACK, Vogue, ZARA, Ann Demeulemeester and le cool et chic.

OOTD: perks

I’ve only lived with my dear Juliet for six and a half months, but I can honestly say they have been some of the most exciting, adventurous, eye opening months of my life.

Sharing an apartment with a roommate who also doubles as your best friend has a lot of perks.

Take some of these, for example:

-Although our closets are physically separated, we literally share all our clothes (I’m talking everything from coats to socks. “What’s mine is yours” strongly applies here).

-Being two fashion minded individuals, there’s always an expert second opinion on hand when it comes to selecting outfits. Having known each other for nearly three years now it’s also safe to say we don’t sugar coat the truth ( the phrase “You look like a sheep” has actually been tossed around when getting dressed for an outing. To this day I do not know if this was a positive or a negative remark).

-Having completed  a fashion design program together sewing is a skill we’ve refined to an art. Repairs and DIY projects are a piece of cake for two people that are used to producing a runway collection in two months. Not to mention, there’s a lot of those projects lying around the house…

Cue these pants from Juliet’s grad runway collection that just happen to fit me perfectly.

Coincidence? Fate?

I think we were destined to live together, if only to make the world a more fashionable place (the world might be presumptuous…our street perhaps? We’ve at least improved the  overall style of our apartment building. This I can guarantee).

jacket- ZARA // pants- designed by Juliet // shirt- phantom souvenirs NYC // bag- alie express // sneakers- old navy 

Needless to say, today’s outfit is brought to you by my fashionable roommate and her latest work.

Here’s to half a year of cramming our vast closets and 500 pairs of shoes into one tiny apartment together.

We’ve got a good thing going on.

-Cydney

Follow Me Around: Vancouver Fashion Week SS17

As always, fashion week was full of nights to remember.

Come along with me and relive the fashionable fun.

-Cydney

OOTD: kitten heels (VFW day 6)

It seems Vancouver Fashion Week comes and goes faster and faster each season, leaving us with visions of elaborate runway creations and already counting down the days until next season.

This year was no exception with the festivities coming to a close faster than I could strap into my fluffy little heels.

 

dress- designed by Cydney  // Shoes- G21 (with a little added pizazz from yours truly) // bag- forever 21

Fashionistas from far and wide came to celebrate another season of new fashion, and Vancouver was kind enough to hold off on the rain long enough for us to look chic while doing so.

My fluffy little kitten heels are ever so grateful there weren’t any puddles to tread through.

Let’s just say they’re not quite water resistant.

Here’s to a fabulous show VFW. See you next season!

-Cydney