Skinny Dip

Giveaway | Design Your Own Bracelet with ULINX

2012 will go down as “the year of many bracelets”  (just like 2010 was “the year of statement necklaces”) My bracelet wardrobe used to consist of a carved sterling silver bangle that I would pair with an engraved silver heart charm bracelet.  However, over the past few months I have become completely obsessed with bracelets. Whether I’m searching my local thrift store for quirky vintage charm bracelets or adding to my growing collection of enamel bangles, when it comes to bracelets I can’t get enough and I have the Instagram photos to prove it!

I love it when other people help fuel my latest obsession, so I was really excited when the nice people at ULINX contacted me and asked me if I’d be interested in designing my own bracelet!

ULINX are customizable bracelets made of magnetic links. Yes, magnets. You choose your bracelet design, pick your charms & TADA! You have your very own customized magnetic charm bracelet.

Here is the “Skinny Dip” bracelet I designed. I wear a lot of black and white but love pops of pink. I went with a mix of black and white charms from the mosaic collection with a few hot pink charms from their classic collection and sterling silver beads throughout.

Et Voila! A few weeks later I received my very own personalized charm bracelet in the mail. I’m really happy with the results and have been wearing the bracelet non-stop ever since.

Here’s a few things I really like about my ULINX bracelet:

Quality: The charms and the beads are both made of sterling silver. The charms coated in a shiny, enamel finish.

Sizing: As someone who has really small, bony wrists and often has problems finding watches and bracelets that fit, all I had to do was remove two of the silver beads to make my ULINX bracelet fit perfectly.

Customizable:  In Toronto, luxe charm bracelets have been a popular trend for the past few years. However between all the different brands (Tiffany, Pandora, Links of London etc.) it’s hard to find a piece that hundreds of other girls don’t already own. What’s a bougie girl like me to do?! I like ULINX  because it’s a high quality alternative that’s just a bit different. You can mix the beads however you want and when you get bored, add in new colours.

Here are some more views of the bracelet. I like how it looks alone or layered with one of my favourite bracelets from Metal Pointus.

See, I wasn’t joking about the bony wrists! What you’re probably wondering about is the magnets – i.e. does this bracelet actually stay on? I was skeptical as well, however the magnets are really strong and I didn’t have any problems with it falling off during the day. The only thing you should be aware of is that if you’re doing really vigorous activity (ie. running through a subway station carrying a giant shopping bag that’s rubbing against your wrist) the bracelet won’t fall off but it might get tangled up like this:

I wouldn’t recommend  wearing this bracelet for Mom’s of young children. Toddler wrangling and this bracelet do not mix as the pieces could easily be a choking hazard.

Now here’s the exciting news! ULINX is generously offering one of my readers the opportunity to design their own bracelet from the mosaic collection ($75 value)

Here are the giveaway details:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Put a Ring on it: Marc by Marc Jacobs Anniversary Giveaway.

Happy September everyone!

September is always an exciting month for me because:

1) It’s my birthday month. I’ll be turning 32 next week (eek!)

2) It’s Skinny Dip‘s blogoversary. Yep, this blog is now 3 years old!

Thank you for reading and helping me grow this blog into a space that I am really proud of.

We all deserve a few pretty things and I certainly don’t believe in waiting around for a guy to buy you jewelry. So, in honour of Skinny Dip‘s three anniversary and because I love you guys, I want to give one of you a ring. Not just any ring but a silver plated engraved ring from the Marc by Marc Jacobs store on the  Las Vegas Strip (located in the super fab Caesars Palace!)

While at Bloggers in Sin City, I snuck over to the Forum Shops and bought two of these rings: one for me and one for my sister. Keeping with the theme of Caesars Palace, the outer circumference of the ring is engraved with “DATUMAMORE AD DEFENDENDUM” which in Latin means: “Given in Love. For Protection” (which couldn’t be more perfect if you ask me) The ring didn’t fit my sister so she suggested I give it away to a reader.

As you can see, the outside of the ring is engraved with the phrase in Latin and the inside is engraved with the designer’s name.

FYI: The Marc by Marc Jacobs store is impossible to miss if you’re visiting the Forum Shops because it has a giant hot pink elephant parked in the window. As soon as Sara showed me a photo of the elephant I knew I had to visit the store and see it for myself! The store was full of lots of fun, bright, colourful pieces…I loved it! I’m a big fan of Marc by Marc Jacobs stuff – it’s playful, quirky yet totally wearable. I hope you guys are too!

Best part of this giveaway: if you win we can be ring twinsies! 

I’ve worn mine so much that the black enamel has actually worn off. I still really like the ring and sometimes wear it on a chain as a necklace.

Here’s what you have to do to win:

1) Comment on this entry letting me know why you’d like to win. 

2) Like Skinny Dip on Facebook. 

*Get an extra entry every time you tweet about the contest i.e. “Hey @by_simone. I want to win a Marc by Marc Jacobs ring! http://su.pr/2zRfwP” 

*Get an additional extra entries by tweeting your favourite Skinny Dip post from the archives. 

EDIT: Giveaway runs until Wednesday September 12th at 11:59pm. 

Stay tuned for more giveaways! To celebrate Skinny Dip’s 3 year anniversary, I’ll be giving away treats all month long!

Thanks again for reading & good luck! xo

Review | Champagne Coloured Lace Stockings? Oh My!

When it comes to lingerie, I love  vintage inspired pieces and anything that gives a nod to the days of Old Hollywood glamor. That’s why I was super excited when Katrina from Ohhh Canada offered to send me a pair of Baci’s Champagne Floral Lace Thigh Highs. 

These gorgeous lace thigh highs are the second piece by Baci that I have received from Katrina to review. Back in November, I reviewed their red mesh chemise with attached garters and was really impressed by the quality of the outfit, especially given the ultra budget conscious price tag. As I like to joke, Baci is a great lingerie brand for those of us “with Agent Provocateur taste & a Costco budget.”

Once again, these Baci thigh highs didn’t disappoint. The delicate champagne coloured lace is luxuriously soft but still feels substantial enough to hold up to multiple wears. The thigh highs feature a seductive seam up the back and a thick band at the top that helps keep them in place. You can wear these with garters however, the elastic band is actually secure enough (without being uncomfortable and digging in to your skin) that these will stay up on their own. I don’t know if I’d actually leave the house without the security of having them attached to a garter, but I managed to lounge around the house in them for several hours without once having to pull them up or re-adjust them. What I love about these thigh highs:

1) The fit: As someone who loves to wear skirts but hates the elastic waistband of tights, I love the idea of thigh highs. However, more often than not they never fit my thighs properly and I end up spending the whole day yanking them up or worrying that they are going to fall down, which defeats the purpose of wearing them in the first place. Baci stockings are the only thigh-highs I’ve never had this experience with.

2) The style: These champagne coloured stockings are simply gorgeous. These would be perfect to wear in the bedroom with a nice lingerie set. However, as a fan of funky, printed tights, I like these so much I wouldn’t think twice of wearing them outside of the house with a nice dress. At $14.99 a pair, they are very reasonably priced for what you get.

3) Sex appeal: When it comes to what makes you feel sexy, everyone is different. These stockings make me think of the days of Old Hollywood and like something you might find in Mae West’s boudoir. When I put them on I feel like a sexy starlet ready to seduce her leading man (Um, I just need a suitable leading man for this scenario.)

Contrary to what the photo may suggest, you don’t have to be a skinny Asian girl with hair long enough to cover your boobs to pull these off. To prove this, I’ve snapped a few photos of myself in the thigh highs:

(Please ignore the lowly lit iPhone photography. I just got a new lap top and haven’t installed photoshop on it yet!)

{Legs}

 {More legs}

{I wore them with blush coloured shoes, but they also look nice with a black garter set & shoes!}

{I also took a full body shot but without photoshop I’m not going to post it. I’m ballsy, but not that ballsy.}

The only thing you should be aware of when purchasing these stockings is that they come in “one size fits most.” They are super stretchy so I definitely think they could fit multiple sizes. However, Baci products tend to run on the small side, so Ohhh Canada advises that the stockings fit best on sizes 2-8. Also, since they are delicate – make sure to hand wash them in cold water & line dry to keep them looking their best 🙂

These gorgeous babies are available at Ohhh Canada  & Vixen Burlesque Boutique. Thanks for the lovely gift guys!

I received the Baci Champagne Floral Lace Thigh Highs free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion of the product. All views are my own. 

Ridiculously Cute Shoes for Less? Um, Yes Please.

Anyone who has seen photos of my former shoe closet can vouch for the fact that I am a certified shoe addict.

When it comes to my love for shoes, I don’t discriminate. I love all footwear: comfy flats, riding boots, wedges, gladiator sandals. I do however, have a special place in my heart for my heels. Although my feet often beg to differ, for me there’s nothing like the confidence boost that comes along with stepping into a fantastic pair of heels.

However, since moving back to the West Coast, I’ve barely worn any of my heels. The fashion style here is very laid back. With the exception of certified “fancy” occasions like best friends birthdays, concerts or New Years Eve, there just doesn’t seem to be many opportunities to really dress up. Often dressing up just means that you look out of place. With the exception of going out for drinks with Kimberley last week (I wore a pair of sky high espadrille wedges & my favourite maxi) every time I’ve tried to leave the house dressed in anything other than flats, my Mom has said:

“What are you wearing?! You know you’re going to be too dressed up compared to everyone else right? You’re going to make people feel weird. Go change!”

Being slightly overdressed in Toronto is totally acceptable and almost expected. Being overdressed here in Sleepy Town, is apparently a major faux pas.

With that said, I was still tickled pink when Valerie from Charming Media contacted me and offered a gift certificate for $100 worth of product from heels.com, as part of their promotion of their latest deal on Buytopia. This deal is too good not to share with you guys:

Yep, that’s right.

For $25 you get a $50 voucher.

For $50 you get a $100 voucher. 

Looking through the heels.com, I was actually quite impressed by their selection. They carry some of my favourite show brands like Dolce Vita, Vince Camuto, Steve Madden and Sam Edelman. It wasn’t hard to find a few pairs that I would like to add to my collection. Anyways, I thought I would share this in case any of you are looking to get new shoes for fall or take advantage of the summer sales that are on right now….because, who doesn’t enjoy discounted shoes?!

(Edit: I just checked Buytopia and noticed that the deal expires really soon, so if you’re craving new shoes, you’ll want to act fast)

Since you’re probably wondering, these are the shoes I am hoping to grab once my voucher can be redeemed on Tuesday:

The Janna Natural Snake Wedge by DV Dolce Vita – These are totally my style and their laid back glamor makes them perfect for wearing on the West Coast (or anywhere really.)

However, if my dream wedges are sold out I might decide to be completely ridiculous and get these. Crazy Barbie shoes anyone?!

What do you guys think?!

Thanks to everyone at Charming Media & Buytopia for the lovely gift!

HAPPY FRIDAY! xox

Vintage, Palm Trees, Coffee & Martinis – My Life in Snapshots.

After doing a lot of writing and turning in a bunch of projects last week, I’m now having a bit of writers block. So, I’ve decided to let the pictures do the talking today. I know I’m a little late to the party, but I’ve become completely obsessed with using Instagram. This has never been a “dear diary” kind of blog (because if I blogged about what I actually do everyday you guys would be bored to tears.) However, the exhibitionist within sometimes gets the urge to share more than just stories about dating, sex toys or my interactions with the “locals”. I love Instagram because it allows me to share these day-to-day moments and thanks to nifty filters, makes them (and me) look way cooler than they actually are.

I now present to you…

MY EVERYDAY LIFE.

 

1. Bust Magazine – the only print magazine I still buy religiously every month.

2. Pink Petals – Spring is really beautiful here.

3. Daily Essentials – silver chain bracelet, Marc by Marc Jacobs locket (purchased with casino winnings in Vegas), vintage red enamel bracelet, Tryst “Virgo” necklace, my Burt’s Bee’s Lip balm & some more arm candy. Is anyone else completely obsessed with bracelets lately? There seems to be so many cute ones this season.

4. Palm Tree! – I bet some of you didn’t realize that you can grow palm trees on the West Coast of Canada. Here’s the proof! This is my neighbor’s tree that I walk by almost every day.

5. New Black Platforms – during one of my “Senior Day” excursions to Value Village, I found these espadrille wedges for $8. It doesn’t look like they were ever worn. I love them.

6. A good book & some coffee (my Sunday morning ritual) – The book is Caramba! by Nina Marie Martinez. I shallowly bought this book just because I loved the cover art, however it’s actually turning out to be a pretty good read. I’m only 1/3 of the way through and there has already been a scene that involves a high-speed chase between the police and a taco truck. In other words, it’s the perfect book for me.

7. Turquoise VW Van – Spotted while out for a walk around the neighborhood last week. If I owned this van I would totally take it for a road trip down the California coast.

8. Consignment Store Deals – Every season, I make it a habit to sell off pieces of my wardrobe that I no longer wear. I had a bunch of summer stuff kicking around which I finally dropped off at my local consignment store. I traded in a pile of clothes I no longer wore for store credit that was enough to buy this Dolce & Gabbana blazer and a new pair of J-Brand jeans. Now, that’s what I call a good deal!

9. Early Father’s Day Dinner with my Dad– My Dad and I went for Sushi at Azuma and I had this delicious martini. It had a blend of peach, guava and lychee – so tasty & totally Instagram worthy.

10. Animal Print Madness – My Michael Kors Zebra Print shoes (another lucky thrifting find). I love these shoes but I haven’t had a chance to wear them yet. I’m going to see Janelle Monae next week (!!!!!) and I think these will work perfectly.

11. More palm tree porn – This looks like it should be in California, but it’s not – it’s in Canada!

12. One of many painted vans in this city – Also totally road-trip worthy.

13. Vintage Bracelet – I found this bracelet during another vintage shopping adventure with my Mom. It’s from Expo 1967 and has “Marion” engraved on the back. It was $3. The anthropologist in me loves the idea of holding a tiny piece of history in my hand.

14. The reason I love living here – One of my favorite views. I grew up two blocks from this.

Do you have Instagram? You can follow me @ simone_sd. Let’s be friends!