A life & style blog for all things affordable
When you think of Halloween, the first colours that come to mind are typically orange and black! I decided to push the envelope and go with a blush pink Halloween party a la Lauren Conrad. I figured I love everything pink so why not incorporate it everywhere and anywhere I can?
Continue reading “Ghouls’ Night- A Perfectly Pink Halloween Party”
If you follow along on my Instagram you would have seen my sneak peek story on these yummy Butterscotch Pumpkin Cheerio Bars. I decided to kick-start my Fall baking early and get some recipes in before Thanksgiving weekend! Here we are, now just over a week away. After posting the bars and creating a poll, it came back as a huge success for me to post the recipe on my blog.
Gingham print everything has been taking over the fashion industry and I totally got in on the action.
This gingham print dress has the cutest crisscross waist, and ties at the back in a bow! It’s the perfect piece for summer to wear all on its own, throw on a jean jacket, or dress it up and pair it with.a blazer and cute heels for work! I picked mine up on sale at the start of the summer for $10.00, it’s no longer in stock, but they have an adorable one currently on sale that is very similar!
Transport back to the 50’s and host the ultimate retro diner themed party! I was first inspired to pick this theme for my party after visiting Daddy O Doughnuts– the cutest little retro doughnut shop just outside of downtown Toronto. After visiting there, all the ideas starting flowing, and the fun part of planning the flashback to the 50’s began!
Once I had the theme, I was pleasantly surprised to see how much I could do with it. I didn’t want to impose on my guests to have to put too much effort or money into their themed outfit, but still wanted them to have fun with it. With that being said, everyone gave it 110% and looked so amazing!
If you have followed along with any of my previous parties, you will have noticed that once the theme is picked, I pretty much go into full party planning mode. It starts with the colour theme all the way through to decorations and on-theme food and drinks. Right away I knew I wanted the classic aqua blue, pink, red, black, white, and of course checkered!
The fashion in the 50’s really looked like so much fun, and a lot of the old styles have come back. One quick look for an outfit at the mall made me realize how full skirts, polka dots, neck-ties and cat eye sunglasses were taking the shelves by storm, and I was allllll for it!
With that being said, it is usually the girls who are more into dressing up, and had more options when it comes to variation on 50’s inspired looks- I think us ladies killed it! The boys actually knocked it out of the park too with their James Dean digs and totally played the part of cool greasers.
Food is always an important part at any party and I had so much fun coming up with the menu. I kept it pretty simple with a major nod to classic diner grub. I went with sliders, fries, hot dogs (which were on a functioning hot dog roller), movie-theatre popcorn, fountain drinks, homemade soda floats and milkshakes, snow cones, cotton candy, and of course, all the retro-themed candy from that time that I could possibly find! I found the cutest red plastic baskets with the classic checkered paper liners in them along with condiment bottles at Party Packagers. I picked up the mini glass coke glasses that were 2 for $1 from the Dollar Tree and the float glasses from Bed Bath and Beyond. One search online and I found a ton of Coca Cola themed kitchen items, which ended up working out perfectly on the food table and really fit in with the theme.
The decor surrounding the rest of the party were old vinyl records lent to me from my grandma and my fiancé’s parents, it was really special to be able to have actual records from so long ago out on display! We also came across an old camera and camcorder when we were digging for records, and of course, no 50’s party is complete without an authentic turntable!
When I decided on this theme I instantly remembered this incredible old ’55 Chevy painting that my brother had in his room, and luckily after all these years he still had it. It was so cool to see that the headlights and taillights still light up too! I also made a backdrop that was designed to look like stools in a diner (I ordered the stickers on Amazon and added them to plastic table cloths), it was finished off with a plastic checkered table cloth. While I was looking online I also came across this 10-pack of cardboard cut-outs that I tied with fishing line and hung around the party. I kept costs down by building my own backdrop, most complete ones I saw were $50.00 and I made this one for around $15.0 total! It’s a fun for guests to take pictures in front of and was a huge part of the overall decor.
No birthday party is complete without a cake and this was definitely the centrepiece to my entire food table! I was lucky enough to have the creative mind of Sweet and Shy Cake Co. behind the amazing retro diner-themed cake. Check out Shay of Sweet and Shy Cake Co.’s Instagram for pics of all her sweet creations! I had given some ideas but really let her take the wheel on this one, and she did such an amazing job picking up on all the small details of the theme. Once we dug into the cake we were hit with this amazing orange creamsicle flavoured icing (talk about the icing on top of a cake). Such a small little detail did not go unnoticed and it was such a personal and thoughtful touch! I just loved the name banner at the top of the cake and could not have been happier with how it turned out .
Having help cut the cake HAHA
Cake c/o: Sweet and Shy Cake Co.
I am so grateful for all my friends who made it out through a terrible storm to come help me celebrate, and to my fiancé of course for helping me pull off yet another themed birthday bash (when will I be too old for this?! NEVER I SAY!)
This was one of my favourite themes to do yet, and I already can’t wait to start planning the next one!
Thanks for stopping in!
And of course, the super talented work on Facetime With Daniela for giving me the most flawless makeup ever (no filter required!) Check out her Instagram to follow along with all her luxury makeup artistry!
xoxo,
Sara
Last year Vans shoes made a huge comeback and they don’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. We’ve seen them being styled on just about every celebrity, especially in the classic black with white stripe. There are so many fun patterns and styles to choose from, but I thought I would still with a classic to add to my collection.
One quick scroll through Instagram, or a quick search on Pinterest, you will see the many ways these versatile shoes can be worn. From joggers to ripped jeans and even summer dresses, you name it, these shoes can be rocked however you chose! They are quite similar to the Converse All-Stars which we know had their comeback a few years ago and have stuck. I have a few Converse in my collection, although find that they are not always the most comfortable for long wear. The Vans seems to have a little more material to them, and a little more cushion inside the actually sole of the shoe. Both are considered “skateboarding shoes” but don’t let that scare you away.
I went with the classic black and white stripe as I figured they would match with just about anything. I had tried them on at a couple of stores since I wasn’t sure of my size and sometimes these style of shoes run differently than what you are typically used to. I wasn’t surprised by the $90.00 price tag that these shoes carry, and unfortunately they are just one of those styles that don’t really go on sale, much like Converse, unless you went for a different pattern or not so typical colour.
It was then that my “Staffordable Savings” brained turned on. I had searched online to see where the shoes were available, and to see if the prices varied among them at all. Not to my surprise at all, they all ran about the same price-tag. I then began looking at the kids section, if you are lucky enough to fit into kid’s sizes you will be so surprised at how much money you can save on shoes! My size runs anywhere from about an 8 to an 8.5 depending on the fit and style. I went to a store to try on a kid’s size first, before ultimately placing an order online.
Now while mine differ a little bit from the classic Van’s Oldskool which are what I was initially looking for, the Van’s Ward look so similar, the difference is ever so slight. Women’s sizing runs typically 1.5 sizes larger than a youth size. Since I typically wear an 8-8.5 I went with a kid’s size 6 and they fit perfectly!
To show you an example of how much I saved by going with a kid’s size, in a slightly differently style I have compared them below:
Van’s Old Skool (Men or Women’s)- $90.00
Van’s Ward (Women’s)- $84.00
Van’s Ward (Kid’s)- $62.00
The savings don’t end there! There are a lot of welcome membership promotions that if you sign up for emails you can receive 10-15% of your first purchase. It’s not much, but it takes off the tax and hey, it’s saving you money so why not! On top of my 10% discount promo from signing up with The Shoe Company, I also made my purchase through Ebates which got me back another $5.00 off my total purchase. All in all, my shoes went from being $90.00 to just over $50.00 (just about half the price!)
Sometimes it pays (literally) to search around, browse for the best deals, and look for coupons and other promo codes that can be applied at checkout!
Hope you enjoyed!
xoxo,
Staffordable
Sometimes life doesn’t work out exactly as planned, and sometimes, when it doesn’t, it means that better things are coming your way. Sometimes, you just have to let go, go with the flow, and know that everything will and does work out. Those last few words are a few that my fiancé repeats to me, and are things that he is really good at and what I really admire about him.
Can we just take a moment to appreciate how this bouquet is pastel perfection!
So, when I had a shoot “perfectly” planned for us, and our shooting location shut down unexpectedly, it was on to plan b. The problem was, there was no plan b, a big no no on my part. I was so set on this specific photo-shoot location, I planned my outfits around it, and thought everything was going to be just perfect. When Krenare, our photographer messaged me 10 minutes before we were supposed to meet telling me that news you could imagine my disappointment. I really had to think quick on my feet and find somewhere that we could shoot indoors (the weather was not on our side that day).
Luckily, I had recently seen some pictures of the most adorable doughnut shop on Instagram, and it was the first thing that popped into my mind. So, on our way to meet with the photographer I called the doughnut shop (which was down the road from our initial spot) to make sure they were okay if we came in and took some pictures. When they said yes, that panic was all of a sudden swept away with a huge feeling of relief.
Now while I was upset that the initial location didn’t work out, and that the weather didn’t exactly cooperate with us for outdoor photos, I cannot believe how amazing and perfect the shots that we got turned out. It really goes to show you that things really do work out, and to not stress the small things.
The shoot location was so inspiring that it also was what helped me land on the theme for my birthday party this year. Every year, I plan a party, where everyone comes in costume, and I decorate and serve food and drinks according to the theme. After this shoot, I fell in love with the 1950’s so much so, that I have even been purchasing a lot of retro items of clothes–lucky for me, the retro theme hit stores HUGE, and came perfectly timed for my party (early birthday gift, I think so!) The pastels, the polka dots, the full swing skirts, I could just go on and on about how much I love all of it!
It helped having an amazing and patient photographer and THE cutest retro doughnut shop to shoot at.
I am so excited to share with you guys our little couples shoot, because really, no matter where the pictures were taken, it was always about love, and that would shine through wherever we went.
This was my first time visiting Daddy O Doughnuts, and I can assure you it won’t be my last. I’m not a huge fan of doughnuts, or sweets in general really, so when I actually enjoyed my ‘Homer Simpson’ doughnut, you know it had to be good. My financé of course was happier than a kid in a candy store when he found out the new shooting location and that eating of doughnuts would be involved. It really was a win win for everyone involved.
A special thank you to everyone who made this shoot so special, these are a few pictures that are a keepsake to remind me everyday why I love my fiancé, and how he’s helping shape me into a better person.
Stay tuned for lots of behind the scenes and for highlights from my Retro/50’s Diner themed birthday party coming up in less than a week! You can follow along on my Instagram to see what I’m up to leading up to the day, and of course, lots of day of sneak peaks!
Location: Daddy O Dougnuts , Photographer: Krenare Ali, Makeup: Facetime With Daniela ,Makeup: Hair Addictz Studio , Flowers: Blossom Moments
xoxo,
Staffordable
This week’s style edition puts a modern twist on a classic print! Continue reading to see how I styled this off-the-shoulder polka dot blouse.
The feminine polka dot print has been around for decades, and became increasingly popular by fashion icons such as Marilyn Monroe, Kate Moss, the ever stylish and beautiful Princess Diana, and more recently Kate Middleton as a nod to her late mother-in-law.
When we take a look at the runways and street style during fashion week, there is no question that polka dots are BACK! So now it’s time to find pieces that best suit you, in a sophisticated (non-Mini-Mouse type of way)
With it’s bold, fun and feminine undertones, polka dots are a sure way to have your style stand out and get noticed.
The modern twist on this classic print is the popular off-the-shoulder trend. We’ve seen this trend develop over the last few years, and judging from the Spring/Summer 2018 styles, it’s here to stay for at least another season, if not longer.
The key to styling such a loud print is to keep accessories minimal, and pair it with something solid if you’re not up to mixing prints. I’ve styled smaller polka dots with floral prints before and I loved it! It’s all about colours, size of the print, and even texture. You’ll find out what works and what doesn’t for your personal style!
The billowing sleeves add a touch of elegance and flair. Statement sleeves are another trend you totally need to get behind this season. 
I love how fun and flirty the pairing of off-the-shoulder and a bold polka dot print is!
This top is the perfect transition into Spring, and is light-weight to bring into summer with a pair of jean shorts or a skirt.
You too can rock the dot!
Clothing c/o: Suzy Shier, Photography c/o: Kyle Benjamin Turner Photography, Makeup c/o: Facetime with Daniela, Hair c/o: Hair Addictz
xoxo,
Sara
Slogan tees/ band tees, have been around forever, but they have increasingly become popular fashion pieces, and the days of them only being worn at concerts are over. Taking one look at the street style during fashion week, you will see this trend popping up everywhere, with tees paired on their own, or underneath a leather jacket or blazer.
I thought I would give the look a try, and I will definitely be styling my band tees like this more often. It’s a great way to add a little edgy style to your everyday look.
These tees can be worn any season, paired with a jacket or blazer if its cool, or on its own with jeans or distressed denim shorts in the warmer months! Adding a leather element to this piece instantly amps up your rock and roll status!
Pairing the slogan tee with a pair of black pants and pumps instantly amps up a casual look.
Add polish to your easygoing tee look by adding a blazer. I loved the pop of red that tied together the red slogan on the tee.
If you’re not into the whole tee look, here’s the red, ruffle-sleeve blazer paired with just a plain black tank.
Clothing- c/o: Suzy Shier
Goodbye millennial pink, HELLO lavender. Okay…maybe not goodbye forever, but so long for now, because shades of purple are taking over in 2018!
When Pantone announced Ultra Violet as 2018’s colour of the year, we began seeing it, along with different swatches of purple popping up on Spring/Summer runways, decor, etc. I for one am loving every minute of it, it’s it’s such a refreshing shade for Spring!
When Bench Canada asked me to partner up with them, and I saw these lovely lavender pieces, I knew I had to have them and style them! The soft fleece zip-up sweater and bouclé jacket were perfect for a chilly day in Montreal. I topped the look off with my favourite winter accessory (a pom-pom hat)– in the matching lavender shade to boot!
All sale items are an additional 60% off and selected New Arrivals at 40% off right now!
Head to toe lavender, I LOVE how this look came together! I’ve styled it 3 different ways to show you how versatile the pieces are!
The standing collar worked great as a neck warmer, and was perfect for the cold! I loved the asymmetrical zip, added a little different element to the jacket! It also has thumb holes on the cuffs (bonus WIN!)
Don’t mind my big winter boots- it was cold, and snowy and we walked around ALL day!
Not only perfect for outside, but it was the perfect coat to throw over inside this adorable café
Safe to say I’ll be living in this sweater for the rest of Winter into Spring!
When your sweater matches the sunset (SWOON!)
I hope you enjoyed this look and hop on the purple bandwagon for Spring, you won’t be disappointed!
Clothing c/o Bench Canada: Jacket, Sweater , Pom Pom Hat (Similar). Pants- Banana Republic, Sunglasses- Quay Australia
This past Sunday I met up with local photographer and blogger Krenare! She did an amazing job not only capturing my Valentine’s inspired outfit, but also caught some adorable moments with my fiancé I can now cherish forever. We initially planned on shooting inside Sweet Philosophy, but they unexpectedly had to close for a few days due to a family emergency. I can tell you however, it is even cuter inside than it is outside (if that’s even possible), and I definitely want to go back to get some shots!
The weather may not have been on our side that day for outdoor photos (welcome to Canadian winters), but we managed to get a small break in freezing rain for Krenare to do her magic! After all, love is all about making sacrifices right?!
What girl wouldn’t swoon over a boy holding the most beautiful floral bouquet? A huge thank you to Blossom Moments Flowers for making dreams into a reality! Be sure to follow along with them on Instagram for the most beautiful bloom feed and inspiration!
Grab your sweetheart, put on something red/pink and do a cute little photoshoot, you won’t regret it!
Okay…so maybe I picked up this adorable scarf and thought it would be the perfect focal point for a shoot all about love! Either way, the outfit turned out almost as cute as the photos themselves!
Sorry in advance to my fiancé, I’m painting our house and door pink!
Windy, cold, freezing rain day= shrinking balloons…luckily we managed to get some good shots in!
Photography: c/o Krenare Ali Floral Bouquet: c/o Blossom Moments Hair: c/o Hair Addictz Studio , Makeup: c/o: Facetime With Daniela , Pants: c/o: Suzy Shier , Scarf: H&M (similar)
xoxo, Staffordable