Spark Sessions: Fashion & Beauty Blogger Conference

On the weekend of November 15th and 16th, in Toronto, I will be attending a fashion and beauty blogger conference. If you have always wanted to start a blog but have just never taken that leap, have started a blog and it's still in the beginner stages, or if you've even had a blog for a while and just want some more tips and tricks, you won't want to miss this weekend!

There will be networking opportunities with brands, PR professionals, and other fellow bloggers, and that kind of real-time, face-to-face networking is something that can't be replicated over the internet or email (no matter how much we bloggers love our computers). You can check out the Spark Sessions team here!

The agenda for the weekend includes workshops such as how to turn blogging into a full time job, good things to know about ad networks before you sign with them, and also about getting contributors for your blog. You can see a schedule and a list of all the workshops for the weekend here.

I'm super excited to not only meet fellow bloggers but to also get a chance to network and chat with them, as well the amazing and influential people on the directing and managing team. The greatest part is is that the focus is on Canadian blogging. When an opportunity like this comes up, it's pretty hard to pass on it, so grab a friend, fellow blogger, or go solo (you'll meet enough people and make enough friends!) and get your tickets (here) before they sell out. Can't wait to see you all there!

Say Something

In this era of texting, blogging, tweeting, and every other form of social media and communication, getting your thoughts out into the world and "saying something" has never been easier, or really more common. And lately this trend of captioning has found its way into the fashion industry and onto our clothing. 

I for one love this trend. These graphic garments mostly come in black and white and grey, and so they match with pretty much anything in your closet. Pair a printed T with skinny ripped jeans and a sleek blazer (like Sheryl Luke of Walk In Wonderland above), and not only do you look ultra chic, but you've just elevated a basic shirt to a whole new fashion level. They really make a statement, and give the people reading your shirt a small glimpse of who you are. And at the end of the day, isn't that what fashion is all about?

From left to right:

(Top row)

Etsy; Etsy; Batoko; H&M

(Bottom row)

Daytrip; DKNY; Delia's; H&M

There is just one more that I wanted to add to this post, but didn't want to include in the collage since it wasn't black and white (it would just throw the whole flow off). But this is probably one of my favourites!

What are your favourite pieces that "say something"?

Robyn Styles Turns 1!

Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of Robyn Styles! I can't believe it's already been a whole year since I started blogging. I remember contemplating for a long time whether or not to start a blog, and to put my thoughts out there. Finally I told myself "just do it", and I'm so glad that I did. This has been such a great year of blogging and figuring out what I like, and even though I'm still discovering the world of fashion, writing, and blogging, Robyn Styles has definitely been an open door for all of
it.

But I could not have gotten through this year without my family and friends, who have supported me from the beginning. Thanks for sharing links, liking my status and posts, and most of all, for reading! I would also like to thank my sister, Elana, for taking all the photos for my outfit posts (more to come). And last but not least, I would like to thank you, my readers. I definitely could not have done any of this or gotten Robyn Styles to where it is today without you. Keep reading and stay awesome!

xo Robyn

NYE 2014

Happy new year everyone!! This has been an amazing year for me, in all aspects of my life. I graduated university, completed two internships, started a fashion certificate program, and learned a lot about myself overall. I also started my blog. It has been so much fun and I want to thank everyone for all the support. I hope you all have enjoyed reading it as much as I have writing it!

I spent new year's eve with one of my favourite people in the world: my sister. She is my best friend and we always have the best times together and make the greatest memories, so there was no one i would have rather said goodbye to 2013 and ring in 2014 with than her.

We started out at Joey's for dinner, where we enjoyed drinks at delicious appetizers and dishes, and then headed over to Nathan Phillips Square for the countdown and new year's celebrations. It was a hell of a night, and I know it's going to be a hell of a year!

For my outfit I decided to stick with a classic black and white colour scheme and pearls, but throw in some sparkle  with this lace shirt.

(Shirt and blazer: H&M, Crop bustier: Dynamite, Necklaces: my mother)

Plaid and Simple

I know everyone is just dying for another fall fashion post (you can never have too many). Today I want to talk about plaid, since it's a new love for me. People have been wearing plaid for ages, and it changes every season. I used to own some plaid shirts back in high school, when I just wore them casually with a T underneath and some leggings. But since it's everywhere this fall, I've been seeing it almost everyday in malls, on the street, and on blogs.



The thing I love about the current plaid being shown is that it takes a predominantly masculine pattern (it's generally shown in oversized button-ups with very little shape), and has made it sultry and feminine. By tapering plaid trousers or shortening a traditional office skirt, designers and retailers are feminizing plaid. I also believe that if you take a plaid print in a sheer or silky fabric, instead of flannel or cotton, it'll become more sultry. That being said, I still love to cozy up on a cold winter day in a flannel plaid shirt and sweats.






All of the pictures on this post are from Zara (all taken from their website), since I am absolutely in love with their plaid items for this fall, and that store really sticks out to me when I think about plaid (at least recently). I particularly love these plaid suits; you would think that a plaid blazer with matching pants or skirt would be overkill (or at least make you look like an old man), but Zara definitely got it right. The tailored fit combined with the colour lends a sexy look to the outfit.

And what could be sexier and more feminine than a lingerie-inspired dress? (I also loved that they styled it with a black turtle-neck to make the look perfect for fall.) Or shorts? Or perhaps a sheer blouse with a thin cami underneath?

The shape of these trousers is what really pulls me in. Aside from the colour, which I love (an essential for any fall season), I like how these just sit so nicely over the curves and on the leg. The fact that they get a bit slimmer closer to the bottom, and that they're a bit above the ankle just makes me wish they came in a hundred different colours.

Surprise, Surprise

I'm usually pretty on the ball with fall fashion- fur, boots, dark tones (just look at my fall fashion post)- it generally stays consistent from year to year. But this fall/winter I've seen some trends that have really surprised me, but after much consideration and a lot of exposure to them, I decided I really love.

Bright Blue

This never struck me as a fall colour. I mean, fall is all about the warm tones, wouldn't you feel cold in a bright blue in November? But after seeing it styled in store window after store window and street style after street style, I just couldn't resist.

I like to warm up the blue by adding some earth tones to the look, like this look from the Paul Smith F/W 2013 runway. Another way to make the blue look more for fall, pair it with something that couldn't be more autumn; a fur or shearling vest (this one's from Michael Kors). Also, an accessory, purse, or shoe (like these Nine West ones) in the colour is also great.

 

Floral

As much as I love spring and summer, when October and November roll around, I'm really looking forward to the hot chocolate, sitting around the fire, watching Christmas movies season. That's why when I first saw floral showing up in stores after labour day I had mixed feelings. But it's just so hard to not love this trend; if you love it in April, why not love it in October too?

Style it for fall by adding a knit cardigan, fur, or velvet pant with it (velvet is soo in this fall too).

I like this H&M dress with this heavy knit cardigan with fur trim, from Topshop. The contrasting materials lend the outfit an extra something. I also loved this floral Zara blouse with these J. Crew velvet green trousers.

Props to the visual merchandiser at Club Monaco and blogger A Keene Sense of Style for incorporating both of these trends!