Posts by stacie | Stacie Ha | Beauty, fashion & lifestyle blog

Say goodbye to panty lines

April 16, 2018 by stacie Leave a Comment

Anyone who knows me knows that comfort comes before anything! When Chantelle approached me to try out their Soft Stretch collection, to be honest I was already sold at “soft”, but of course I still wanted to try it out for myself especially since they claim to be one-size-fits-all. While I’ve always been open to the idea of one-size fits-all clothing, I’ve also been a bit of a skeptic. I never could wrap my head around the fact that a one-sized garment could fit people of all shapes and sizes. But, boy was I ever proven wrong with the Soft Stretch line!

You can definitely tell they did their research to create an innovative wardrobe staple (I’m still shocked that I had never heard of the brand previously!). Seriously, not only does the fabric feel luxurious, but you can literally stretch it to every which way all the way to Texas and its shape stays in tact! Also, at no point did I feel like the fabric was see-through even while being stretched.

I was pleasantly surprised when the crop top and underwear fit me like a glove because at a first glance I was convinced that there was no possible way they would fit me. I expected it to be too loose because lets just say I’m not incredibly blessed in both regions, but honestly they hugged every baby curve of mine perfectly!

Not only is their line super stretchy, but the fabric is seamless! You no longer have to worry about whether or not your co-workers can see your panty lines through your skirt or dress when you’re giving your presentation. There’s no doubt that every boss lady would feel confident in this set!

The crop top has also become my go to t-shirt and at-home bra. Ladies of the web hear this, I no longer have that urge to rip off my bra right when I get home! To be honest I completely forget that I’m even wearing it, it’s that comfy and soft! Honestly, if I could be enveloped by this material I would be the the first in line for that experience. The silkiness of the material, gives you luxurious vibes, while still remaining practical. My dream combo! The only tiny qualm with the pieces I received was that they are quite prone to wrinkles, but I was able to steam them out without a fuss.

Also included in this range are a non-wired bra, tank top and body suits. The entire Soft Stretch collection comes in several shades such as nude, pinks and baby blues. Of course when I had the choice I chose all black because I’m a basic b****, but I’m going to be needing to pick one up in every colour after such a positive experience! I must say my favourite piece was definitely the panties. The high cut is super flattery, while feeling like I’m wearing nothing! Who needs to go commando when you got these babies?

Seriously these are a must-have in any woman’s wardrobe! Any one of these pieces could step up someone’s game. Who says you can’t feel comfortable and sexy all at the same time?

Thank you Chantelle for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

May 4, 2017 by stacie Leave a Comment

The Face Shop Mannequin by Harmony Florals

I recently had the pleasure to get a first look of the Fleurs de Villes exhibition at Bayshore Shopping Centre. Not going to lie, I was a little afraid to attend the event because flowers and I are kind of frenemies. On one hand they’re beautiful to look at, on the other hand, it’s like they’re trying to murder me. (Psst…in case you didn’t know I’m pretty deathly allergic to pollen). But, boy am I thankful that I didn’t listen to reasoning! I was absolutely blown away by the sheer amount of detail and effort that went into creating these wonderful works of art!

Ottawa Cancer Foundation Mannequin by Beaudry Flowers

Weddingbells Mannequin by The Design Co

Co-founded in 2015 by Tina Barkley and Karen Marshall, Fleurs de Villes is truly pioneering its way onto the scene, as being one of the first of its kind to blend both fashion design and flowers with handcrafted floral-dressed mannequins. These two passionate ladies put a lot of trust in the local florists because they literally never know what they’re going to get at each stop! Everyone one-of-a-kind piece is as much as a surprise to you and me as it is to them.

Au Naturel Spa Mannequin by Kelly’s Flowers

This unique event showcases more than a dozen top local Ottawa florists, including Flower Essence, Kelly’s Flowers & Gift Boutique, Mill Street Florist, just to name a few. I always find it refreshing to discover local artists and businesses. Having lived in Ottawa my whole life, I often get stuck in the notion that Ottawa doesn’t have a lot to offer, but this past year I’ve quickly come to realize that that is absolutely false! This was the perfect event to remind me of how talented and cultured my city can be.

Metro Newspaper Mannequin by Flower Essence

My favourite look of the night was by far the piece created by Flower Essence, which took home the award for “Most Original” design. I love how they incorporated the coral roses with the black feathering. It really gave a mix of different textures for the ever-so bold whimsical skirt. I could honestly imagine my idol RiRi working that number on the steps of the Met Gala.

Bayshore Shopping Centre Mannequin by Bayshore Flowers

If fashion isn’t you’re shtick, the event will also be holding a pop-up fresh flower market at Bayshore Shopping Mall on Saturday, May 6, giving you the opportunity to purchase fresh-cut flowers, as well as gardening supplies.

The exhibition is a must-see for not only fashion and flower connoisseurs, but for anyone looking for a unique experience. (The photos seriously don’t do it justice!) If you’re looking for something to do this weekend be sure to stop by at Bayshore Shopping Centre! The exhibition only runs from May 3 to May 7, so go check it out before they leave to go to their next stop!

For more information visit http://www.fleursdevilles.com.

Thank you to Fleurs de Villes for sponsoring this post. All opinions shared are my own.

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A Girl’s Self Worth

March 20, 2017 by stacie Leave a Comment

I’m just going to preface this with an apology. The ideas and thoughts I’m going to be disccusing are most likely going to come off very rambly, incoherent and all over the place, but I just feel like I really need to get this off my chest. Let’s just say this is my diary entry, but instead of it being contained in a notebook for my eyes only, I’m sharing my inner-most personal thoughts to anyone who’s ever felt the same way I do. But enough procrastinating, let’s just get to it shall we?

For the majority of my life I don’t think I can ever really remember a time where I didn’t compare myself to other people, but specifically other females. And over this past year, (actually I think I’ve known this for quite some time, but just kind of shoved those feelings to the side because I didn’t want to have to deal with it), I fully came to the realization that if I don’t learn to stop comparing myself to other women I will never be able to accept myself for who I am. I will never be able to feel comfortable in my own skin. I will never be able to realize what I’m truly capable of. I will never be able to grow as an individual because I’ll be jumping from one ideal of myself to another. I will never be able to love myself. I will never be able to find my true purpose or meaning in life. Basically, if I don’t stop comparing myself to other women I won’t be able to spend what little of my time on Earth as my truest self. And to be honest, that thought is quite terrifying to me. I am the only one in charge of my destiny at the end of the day so if I don’t find the courage to be me then who will?

I need to stop trying to act how I believe society wants me to act or how even the people closest around me perceive me to be. It’s just so destructive to one’s character and mind. Personally, it’s made me incapable of forming my own thoughts and opinions on a given topic or I even find it difficult to make the most simple everyday decisions because I’m so preoccupied and in my head worrying about what other people may think, or okay this person is doing this should I be doing this too?

I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but women really need to stop judging and pitting other women against each other. Maybe if we spent less time judging one another we could all just be happy and at ease with ourselves because we’re not worried about being scrutinized for every action we make. Everyone knows how small you can possibly feel when someone looks you up and down and gives you THAT look, that look like they think they know everything about you and what you stand for just by your physical appearance.

I’m not going to pretend like I’m above judging other women because I’ll be the first person to tell you that I’m very guilty of this. I think so many distasteful things in my head and then two seconds later after mulling it over, I think why did I just think that? We only really judge others over jealousy and to make ourselves feel better about something we’re insecure about. We need to stop making comparisons because it belittles our own achievements and what we bring to this world.

I think the majority of women as a whole suffer from these same thoughts, but we never vocally share it because we don’t want to be viewed as being a complainer, weak, “crazy”, or any negative term you can possibly think of.

Women need to stop tearing each other down. We need to stop judging each other on how we look, how we act, how we talk, how we raise our children, and just frankly who we choose to be! We shouldn’t have to explain ourselves to anyone. Everyone is human at the end of the day. We all suffer through the same problems, so why are we fighting and making excuses when we could be helping each other? It’s such a waste of time and energy! Let other women inspire you and open your mind to new things. We should be celebrating our differences because lets face it it makes everything a little bit more interesting don’t you think?

And honestly, it’s not only ourselves we have to worry about. It’s men who think it’s okay to judge us on our appearances, our intellect, our personalities, and our aspirations in life. Their judgements shape what we think people want us to be. No wonder why so many women seem pigeonholed on what their purpose is. It’s for this reason that so many women find their meaning later in life. We’re so worried about pleasing everyone, that we never take the time to reflect and think “Am I actually pleasing myself? Is this for me?”

Everyone needs to stop living in their own shadow and needs to find their confidence. I know it’s going to be a tough journey for me because I’m a super introverted and insecure individual who ties my self worth in pleasing others. I am constantly being bombarded by the thought that I don’t want to be a spectator in my own life, I want to be living in it. I need to learn how to be my own boss and to stop questioning my every move because the world needs strong women especially in these challenging times. We should be allowed to be in charge of our life and to have control, without being described as cold, a biatch, manipulative or bossy. There’s only one you in this world, that should be your greatest weapon. Stop doubting your self worth! Know that any emotion or thought you’re feeling is valid. Stop clouding your goals with fear of what other people may think because before you know it, it will be too late.

I don’t really know what kind of verbal diarrhea I spewed out to the universe, but I know I just had to get these thoughts out of my head for my own sanity and to just get a dialogue going. It’s sad to think that so many people, myself included, suffer so much from caging their emotions and thoughts even to the closest people in their life just because they don’t want to burden others with their problems or to feel weak. But maybe we wouldn’t feel so guilty if people were more accepting and just openly had conversations with one another without the overwhelming fear of feeling judged.

All I know is I’m just a girl trying to find myself and trying to understand what life is all about and what life has to offer. I am the only who can dictate what my story is going to be, so I need to just pick up the pen and go.

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Year of No “Fear”

February 23, 2017 by stacie Leave a Comment

Cheers to my annual blog post! (Seriously I need to start getting better at posting here)

2016 was a roller coaster of emotions. I moved out from my family home with my boyfriend, bought my first home, and probably gave myself far too much time for personal reflections. It was apparent to me that I needed to be a little more selfish and to start taking care of myself. I realized that life is far too short and that I needed to push myself out of my comfort zone. Do things that will help me grow as a person. And to be honest, just do things that will make me happy. I’ve spent far too much time living for other people in fear of what they may think of me.

I realized that for the past 25 years I’ve been living in a bubble of “perfection”. I’ve never really been one to show my hand and have become comfortable—maybe a little too comfortable—hiding behind a veil, even to my closest family members and friends. I never like burdening people with my problems because I often feel guilty for putting others in an uncomfortable position. Suppressing my deepest thoughts and emotions has become as easy as breathing for me, which will always lead to a breaking point eventually. Trust me, I’ve had my fair share of breakdowns within my small window of time on Earth. Just know that even though someone’s life seems perfect, it is rarely ever the case. I kept it too much together on the surface, while on the inside I was unraveling. It’s okay not to be okay. We should really stop pretending like everything is fine because it only hurts ourselves in the end.

I need to stop worrying about keeping it together all of the time because life isn’t perfect. It can’t be calculated. It always throws curveballs at you and you just need to take the hit and learn from it. I’ve wasted far too much time playing the pity card in my mind. Yes, I’ve been dealing with a lot of personal struggles, but the longer you sit back the more life flashes before your eyes into oblivion. I mean, for Pete’s sake, didn’t this year just start and somehow we’re already at the end of February?! How did that even happen?

I need to learn to start appreciating the little things in life. The smiles and laughter of my loved ones. The rich taste of my favourite dark chocolate. Being able to walk outside and know that I’m safe. The smell of my clean laundry (seriously Bounce Bursts just got introduced into my life and I don’t know why it took so long). I also need to take the time to see if certain things are really worth stressing over. How much does this moment mean in the grand scheme of things? Are things really worth the worry and headache that you make them out to be?

Last year felt like a year of self-discovery. A stepping stone into trying to visualize and understand what I want out of life. I don’t want to be at the end of my life regretting not taking more chances. I need to start doing things that will make me feel more fulfilled. There were definitely some dark moments last year where I just felt completely numb, and frankly lost. I thought to myself, “Is this what I’ve been building up my life for? Is this what I truly want to do for my whole life?” I just felt stuck. Honestly, I still feel stuck. I’m still trying to pick up the pieces and figure out what my purpose in life is. I just need to learn how to take a breather and live in the moment, instead of constantly dreaming for the weekend.

One of the things I wanted to start doing to help me break into my own is to start a YouTube channel. I wanted to be able to share a side of me that only the closest people in my life have seen. I’ve been shy my whole life and have made it a habit to just hide and not be seen. But, where’s the fun in that? How do you expect to build meaningful relationships if you can’t share the best part of you? (Hint: the best part of any human is just being theirself)

On that note, just remember it’s never too late to start again. Life may be short, but it doesn’t mean you can’t make the most out of it.

25 Things I’ve Learned

March 27, 2016 by stacie 1 Comment

I’m turning 25 today.

To be honest, I never thought those words would come out of my mouth. I don’t want to sound cliché, but it honestly feels like it was just yesterday that I turned 13. The days where my biggest worry was whether or not Gordo was going to end up with Lizzie are far gone. I would always hear grown-ups saying how time flies by before your eyes as you get older, but it never rang more true until this past year.

With a quarter of a decade under my belt, I just wanted to share 25 things I’ve learned throughout my 25 years here on this planet:

1. Surround yourself with good people.

Good friends are hard to come by. People always come and go, but take notice and appreciate the ones that stay, have been there for you and support you.

2. Nobody’s perfect.

It’s okay to make mistakes in your life. You have to keep reminding yourself that you’re only human. You learn best and grow from your own failures. Stop being so hard on yourself! As the very wise Miss Frizzle would say, “Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!”

3. Travel and explore.

Make lasting memories and experience new things! Remember, there is more out there in the world than your own backyard.

4. Family is everything.

As much as your family may irritate you sometimes, they’re coming from a good place. You will only ever have one family, so cherish them. Learn to ignore their annoying little quirks that drive you up the wall because one day you may miss them.

5. Fads come and go.

Don’t let yourself fall victim to the latest fad or you will be the proud owner of over 100 Beanie Babies…

6. Be unique.

There’s only one you and will only ever be one you. You shouldn’t be worried about fitting into anyone’s mold. People will start taking notice for the right reasons.

7. You can’t put a price on your health.

The sooner you start being active and taking care of yourself, the easier it will be to get into a routine. Health is so fragile. Take care of yourself. You may also start getting aches and pains for no reason whatsoever, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

8. Challenge yourself.

Don’t always take the easiest route in life. You may just surprise yourself.

9. Keep learning.

As much as you keep trying to tell yourself, you don’t know everything there is to know. Whether that be educational or life lessons. In order to keep growing as an individual you need to keep an open mind.

10. Start saving young.

The earlier you start budgeting your finances, the more secure you will feel. Money isn’t everything, but it definitely helps avoid unnecessary stress.

11. Appreciate the small things in life.

Not every day will be the best day of your life. Cherish the laughter of your friends, enjoy a good cuddle or let yourself get excited over a good Netflix binge. There are enough negative things in life to get you down. Allow the little things in life to keep you sane.

12. Eat good food.

For the love of god, stop counting every calorie! If you eat consistently healthy, it’s okay to have a cheat day. Don’t be too hard on yourself! You’re probably going to hold onto those dreaded extra pounds by raising your stress levels on such a strict diet. Eat that cupcake staring you square in the face because…YOLO.

13. Jealousy is a wasted past time.

It will only make you bitter and is a wasted energy. Instead, focus on you and let other people’s accomplishments inspire you. Stop comparing yourself to others. There is always going to be someone out there who’s better than you at something, or prettier than you and that’s okay. Miley Cyrus may be a year younger than you and has accomplished more than you could ever dream of…DEAL WITH IT!

14. You’re not Superwoman.

As much as you’d like to pretend you’re unbreakable, you can’t take care or worry about everyone else AND yourself. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. You’re only human at the end of the day.

15. Be more comfortable in your own skin.

Beauty is only skin deep. Looks fade, but intelligence lasts a lifetime. Keep reminding yourself that you don’t need to wear makeup everyday. Let your skin breathe girl! Also, never over-pluck your eyebrows again, unless you want to look like they were drawn on with a pencil…

16. Don’t sweat the little things.

Not everything in elementary school or high school was a big deal. Let’s be honest, grades really didn’t matter as much as you thought they did. In fact that was probably the easiest time of your life. Life gets much harder as you get older, so if you keep dwelling on the small things you will drive yourself completely mad! Just take one big deep breath and things will get brighter!

17. You can’t please everyone.

Don’t let other people’s judgements about you get you down. If they’re judging you about something, it’s probably stemming from one of their own insecurities. You just have to do what’s best for you.

18. Stuff is stuff.

Materialistic items only fill a temporary void. Having said that…if you MUST buy a cheeky item of clothing make sure it’s a staple item that will last.

19. Life’s unfair.

Deal with it. Don’t jump on the pity wagon, it will only hurt YOU in the long run. Instead, focus on all the positive things going on in your life or get excited for what the future may hold.

20. Live your life for you.

Don’t live your life for someone else or through someone else’s terms. Life is too short to set aside your passions or dreams. You have to be happy with the life you’re living or you’ll be filled with regrets.

21. Early bed times.

You start noticing that you can no longer stay up until 4AM chatting with your friends on MSN (remember the MSN days?!). You will start going to bed earlier, and earlier, and earlier…embrace it. Own it!

22. Death.

It’s a natural part of life that can’t be ignored. It’s one of the hardest things you’ll ever have to deal with, but you will make it through. The pain will slowly fade and it will be replaced by beautiful memories you once shared.

23. Compromising.

Conflicts will arise, but in order to move past it you’ll have to learn to compromise. You can’t always be right, especially in relationships. It’s always a two-way street.

24. Take lots of photos.

Your mind won’t always stick around to remember the good times. Make sure to capture the big moments in your life.

25. Caffeine.

It’s your best friend. But no matter how many cups of caffeine you may drink you will never be able to talk as fast and as wittily as Lorelai Gilmore.

Here’s to many more years of learning and growing!
Stacie

Love it or Leave it: Kat Vonn D Ink Liner

January 29, 2015 by stacie Leave a Comment

Ever since I saw Taylor Swift rocking the winged eyeliner look back in 2009, I instantly became obsessed. Since then I’ve tried every drugstore liquid eyeliner known to man (or should I say woman). For the longest time I was using Revlon’s Colorstay Liquid Liner until last year when I finally took the plunge and tried Stila’s Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner (in Black). I was amazed by the lasting power and I thought “wow I finally found my match”, until I stumbled across Kat Von D’s Tattoo Liner thanks to HeyClaire‘s recommendation. Since I fell in love with Kat Von D’s Tattoo Liner so much and since I was on a Sephora VIB Rouge 20% off sale event high, I thought hey why not try her latest liquid liner release the Ink Liner.

Much like the Tattoo Liner it has great lasting power! Unlike many liquid eyeliners this will not fade or turn a greenish/grey throughout the day, as it’s highly pigmented. It not only lasts in different climates, but the long lasting formula can hold up against dry watery eyes.

I am no stranger to liquid liner and apply this baby on every day at 7AM. This product lasts until I remove it either right when I get home from work or if I’m a lazy little bugger at midnight before I go to bed…Though it doesn’t budge throughout the day, it’s still easy to remove with your common eye makeup remover even though it’s waterproof.

I love interchanging the Ink Liner with the Tattoo Liner depending on what look I’m going for. The Tattoo Liner is great for thinner, more precise, clean looks, whereas the Ink Liner is great for achieving bold, dramatic looks quickly. The Ink Liner has a thicker applicator than the Tattoo Liner. I would compare the Ink and Tattoo liners like a felt tip marker vs. a felt tip pen. I find myself grabbing the Ink Liner much more often in the morning when I’m in a rush to head out because I just need one simple stroke and I’m good to go, whereas I personally find you need to do multiple passes of the Tattoo Liner. I will say that if you’re a beginner when it comes to liquid liner I would lean towards the Tattoo Liner over the Ink Liner because you can build up your look to the intensity you want it to be.

Another great thing about the Ink Liner is that you can get different precisions. If you use the tip of the liner you can achieve a much more precise and thin stroke (seen on the right of the photo below) or use the side of the liner and get a fatter, more bold stroke (seen on the left of the photo below). I tend to do a combo and use the tip for the inner corner/wing and save the side of the applicator to fill in the middle of my eyelid.

My only qualm about the Ink Liner vs the Tattoo Liner is that it can bleed slightly due to the intensity and super rich opaque formula if you apply the product too hard. Where it wins over the Tattoo Liner is it’s ability to do multiple passes without crusting or seeming dry.

Pros:

Bold and truly jet black (in Trooper)
Great lasting power (lasts all day)
Super rich formula
Waterproof
Strong applicator

Cons:

Not the greatest for the most precise looks because of the thicker applicator (may need a Q-Tip to fix up any messes)
Slight bleeding

Overall: I would recommend this product to any winged eye lover. It has great lasting power and you won’t be disappointed with the quality of this product. Yes, it’s roughly $10 more than your average drugstore liquid liner, but this is one of those things in life where you get what you pay for. It’s now become a necessity and a holy grail product in my daily makeup routine.

Cost: $23 CAD

Where to purchase: Sephora

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored.

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