Category Archives: Guide

Casual Fridays

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Casual Fridays in an office setting are such a nightmare.  Is it smart casual or business casual?  What do those terms even mean?  Should I wear my grungy jeans?  Are tees appropriate?  Can I come in with a faux hawk?  Fortunately, my office isn’t too uptight when it comes to dress code, so I define Casual Fridays as Comfortable Fridays.  However, the style culture of every workplace is different, so here are 2 casual tips to follow when you’re scratching your head on a Thursday night wondering how to present yourself on the chillest day of the week:

1. Minimal effort to get ready, put on and stay in

Dude, it’s Casual Friday.  Take advantage of it.  You don’t have to show up in a suit.  Besides, why bust out an iron when you don’t need to?  Let your hair down!

2. VIP-proof

Step away from those yoga pants (aka bane of my existence) and flip-flops.  The question is, would you want to be in the outfit if someone important comes through the door?  You never know who you will see during the course of your day.  A colleague of mine came in with a graphic tee, capris and dirty crocs on a Friday only to be surprised by a request to present to the Board of Directors.  Oops.

The only rules I like to follow are my own, so here’s a Friday outfit that is both easy and presentable.  In keeping with my style goal of going easy on the denim, I’ve ditched the jeans and put on something nauti. (ha.. ha…)

I am wearing:

Cardigan:  BCBG – This is one of my favourite pieces in my closet.  It’s super resort – kinda makes me feel like I am on an exotic getaway even when all I am doing is slave away at my desk.
Top:  Zara
Pants:  Urban Behaviour
Purse:  Vintage J&ANS Dolce & Gabbana purse from a family friend

Guide: X marks the stupid

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Wipe that goofy grin off your face and focus on the words I am about to tell you.  I want you to drop everything you are doing and execute the following immediately.  Failure in compliance will result in a wack in the head with a Dr. Marten boot.  Trust me, it’s for your own good.

  1. Run to your closet
    Even if you’re not at home, you’ll just have to run back.
  2. Gather all coats, jackets, skirts or tops that sport a slit, vent or pleat
    Some common places to look include the tail of a coat and the side of a skirt.
  3. Identify any threads in the form of an X holding the slit together
  4. If you find said dreadful X on a garment you have worn out in public, proceed to hang your head in shame
  5. Snip the thread off with a pair of scissors at once
    Use your teeth if you have to.  Seriously.
  6. Remove any remnants of this mark of stupidity
  7. Vow to cut every X out of your life
    Hey, I sound like a relationship advice columist!

The loose X stitch is only meant to keep the slit or vent flat so it doesn’t get wrinkled during shipping or display.  Once the garment reaches your home, the X will have served its purpose in life and should go on to die a glorious death.

You might think I am causing a big fuss, but this seemingly innocent X can do a lot of harm.  A well-suited man wearing Ferragamo shoes and a Rolex can look like a fool in a second the moment he turns around and reveals the tack stitch he didn’t remove.  A classy lady sporting a beautifully-fitted pencil skirt would not be able to walk gracefully if the stitch were still holding the slit together.  No matter how polished the rest of you looks, the X will undo it all.  Danger danger! Threads are threats!

If you are X free, extend your arms so I can give you a virtual hug.  Friends don’t let friends leave their threads uncut and you are certainly a friend of Tiny Tines!



Guide: Style Goals of 2011

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Have you drafted out your new year’s resolution yet?  Other than the usual suspects like losing weight, completing a marathon, saving money and mastering the art of flying, I strongly encourage you to jot down some fashion resolutions for the new year.  Give yourself the reason to rethink your current style and perhaps add some elements that will rejuvenate and inspire!

I have nailed down 5 style goals for the new year:

1)  BIG HAIR - I’ve always been a fan of voluminous locks.  For this year, I intend to keep the hair long and oh so big.  I normally don’t wear my hair pin straight anyway, but I wanna go poofier and bigger.  I’m seriously contemplating some type of perm, or at least mad curls to amp up the volume.

2)  BRIGHT LIPS – You will recall that I’ve been wanting to wear more lip colours other than the usual neutral and boring.  I had some success in the year 2010 with burgundies/reds and wish to continue with the trend.  (Side story:  I gathered enough courage to wear a red lip out a few months ago only to be reminded by my dad that “it was not Halloween yet”.  I guess he’s not in support of this style goal!  Whatevs, whatevs.)

3)  SPEND OUT – Spending out, according to The Happiness Project, means using up what you have instead of hoarding and saving them.  For example, I have clothes in my closet that still have their price tags because I want to save them for that “special occasion”.  I own pairs of gorgeous shoes that I spent a small fortune on but only wore once because I am afraid of scratching them.  I have to get it through to my head that these are items I’ve already spent money on and they are just collecting dust!  To spend out also includes throwing things out or giving things away.  I’m so sure I can chuck nail polishes that have dried out or black pants that have faded from wash.  Selling some of my clothes on websites like craigslist or kijiji is also something I want to do this year.

4)  DIFFERENT SILHOUETTES – My default silhouette is a loose top paired with snugly fitted pants/jeans.  This shape has become so boring to me!  I want to try creating new lines on the body with items like maxi skirts, dresses with a relaxed waist, wide-legged pants and body-hugging bodycon dresses.

5)  MINIMAL JEANS – I find that owning jeans really curbs my creativity.  Throwing on a pair of denim with a graphic tee is just too much of an easy way out for my lazy days, and I have too many lazy days.

Tell us, what are your style goals of 2011?

Just to give you some visuals for the new year, here’s a look I did over the Christmas holiday.  Obviously I was quite literal with the colours.  I find that I put my fashion hat on so often that I forget makeup art is my first love.

I present to you my best squinty-eye smile!  Happy New Year, friends of Tinytines. Thank you for your companionship throughout the year and we hope to continue to provide content that is worth your while in 2011.

Carving out your style: What not to wear

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Style goes beyond what you choose to put on your body; what you DON’T wear makes an equally profound statement in self-expression.  Yaya, we all know boundaries and rules are silly when it comes to fashion and everyone is free to try anything, but we all have individual preferences that make us unique. Certain items exude this unexplainable magnetic force that draws us in (and pulls money out of our wallets). Then there are some that we can’t and won’t welcome into our wardrobe and on our bodies.  Somewhere along the line, you decided for yourself that you like bodycon dresses, lace leggings and booties, but won’t touch ruffle blouses, jean cut-offs and gladiator sandals.  That’s the beauty of individuality!  I’m not saying you can’t change your mind once you’ve established your preferences, but a big part of your style definition is consciously knowing what you don’t wear.

I’m going to share my list* with you.  Before you proceed, please understand that these are not necessarily things I don’t like, just what I don’t wear. Do not blast me.

  • Flip flops
  • UGGS
  • LV / Coach purses
  • Anything A&F / Hollister
  • Crocs
  • Yoga Pants
  • Anything with polka dots on it
  • Peep toe
  • Earrings
  • Plunging necklines
  • Turtlenecks

* Of course, fashion non-rule number 1 is never say never.  After all, people are as static as Katie Holmes’s hair style.  I give myself the freedom of wearing polka dot flip flops with Yoga pants carrying a coach wristlet one day if I choose to, but not today.  I am not trying to be elitist in any fashion (oh puns I love thee), nor am I knocking you if you like any of the above.  My stylistic realm simply doesn’t include these at this moment.  You have your very own taste and I completely and utterly respect it.  Vive la différence!

So tell me, what’s on your current list of I-don’t-wears?

How to make your shoes more comfortable

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I can say with absolute certainty that all women have worn shoes that kill their feet.  From flats to 6 inch heels, $10 to $2000, all shoes have the potential to be lethal.  Unfortunately, that’s just the way it goes.  Hot shoes are actually horrible nightmares in disguise.  Unless you plan to live in sneakers for the rest of your life, you need to know how to make your shoes more comfortable so you can get the most out of your collection and wear every pair worry-free.  Instead of giving tips on how to purchase good shoes (which I will do in the near future as well), I will provide some ideas on how to make the shoes you already own more wearable.  Not only will your feet thank you, your neglected shoes will too.

Lanvin SS 2010 RTW from Style.com

First step, just wear them out! Chances are, you’ve done this already which subsequently led you to draw the conclusion that a certain pair of shoes is hurty therefore no good.  But wait, do you know why exactly?  Where does it hurt?  When you are wearing the shoes and enduring the pain (no pain no gain, soldier), take a mental note of how the shoes make you feel.  Where are the pressure points?  How do they feel on your feet?

  • Material too rough or stiff:  Don’t be quick to dismiss a pair of shoes just from wearing them once.  Most shoes need to be broken in.  If the shoes feel stiff, try wearing them around the house with a pair of thick wool socks.  Sit, walk, cook, do chores..  Just get used wearing them!  Keep the shoes on your feet at least 30 minutes at a time.  Repeat for a couple of weeks, until you notice the shape of the shoe change slightly from wear.  Another great idea is to use your fingers to manually flex the leather, especially the heel and toe area.
  • Heels slipping off the shoe: Sometimes the size can be just right, but the back of the shoe just refuses to grab on to your heel.  Even worse than slipping is scratching.  Yes I’m looking at you and your band-aided heels. Both of these problems can be solved by adding heel cushions to the back of your shoes.  I’ve tried different brands and have had great success with Foot Petal’s Heavenly Heelz.  No slipping, no sliding, no scratching.

    Source:  Amazon.com
  • Slippery shoes: There’s no way you can walk comfortably and confidently when you are slipping and sliding.  I read somewhere that you can use your keys to score scratches on the bottom of a shoe to make it less slippery.  I don’t recommend this at all!  Scratching $500 Christian Louboutins is like scratching my heart.  Just take the shoes to your cobbler and get rubber soles added.  They can be replaced when they wear out.  You will make your ankles very happy.
  • Pressure points at balls and heels of feet: The higher the heel is, the more pressure is exerted on the ball of your foot.  Most shoes you buy are not padded for comfort.  Of course your feet will hurt if the interior of a shoe feels like  a small stone cave.  Adding insoles will help absorb some of the shock and alleviate the pressures.  You will be surprised at the difference it makes!  Don’t buy the cheaply made ones the associates at the shoe store suggest (Justine can tell you more).  Go for quality like Dr. Scholl’s.  Trust.
  • Raw and scratched feet / blisters: Dry skin is more susceptible to scratching.  To minimize chafing, slather Vaseline on the areas your feet get rubbed the most.
  • Just in case… Always carry around a few band-aids with you.  Always.  This will save your life.

Great tips from friends of Tiny Tines:

  • The neatest trick I’ve found relating to shoes was how to stretch them out a bit using the magical powers of… ice! It can make leather shoes a half size bigger. You fill 2 lunch/sandwich size ziploc bags halfway with water, seal, mush them into the toe of the shoes, and then pop the shoes in the freezer. as the ice expands, it will stretch the shoe!
    Meghan @ Out of Order

Share your shoe experience with us.  Do you have more tips?  I will update this guide according to your feedback.

Guide to Clothes Shopping: Smart Question #10

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A continuation of Guide to Clothes Shopping: Smart Questions #1-3, #4-6 and #7-9

Smart Question #10:  Do you feel good and proud to be wearing it?
This is perhaps the single most important question you can ever ask yourself when you are browsing for clothes.  Never mind if you can’t remember the other 9 – this is the one to sear into your brain.  If you are not proud to wear something, there’s no point in owning it.  Even if you’ve considered questions 1 through 9 and reach the conclusion of a beaming YES, don’t buy it if putting it on doesn’t make you feel flippin’ fantabulously.  An item can be:

  1. affordable
  2. a dream addition to your current wardrobe
  3. great for mixing and matching
  4. an absolute classic
  5. worth its weight in gold
  6. of top notch quality
  7. a perfect fit
  8. flattering to your body
  9. so very unique to what you already own

BUT.. if you don’t feel comfortable enough to wear it PROUDLY, it’s a no cigar.  Simple as that.   We’ve all seen girls with tops too low and skirts too short trying to adjust themselves awkwardly every 5 seconds.  How about people who wear things to impress certain crowds of people or portray an image they are not even comfortable with?  Au contraire, something can be totally wrong for you in every imaginable and unimaginable way, but if wearing it makes you feel fierce, power to you!  Clothing is just an extension of who you are.  Be true to yourself.  You are too wonderful to sport anything that makes you feel less than that.

Now get out there, shop (or not), and ROCK your clothes!

My wallet rejoices!! :]

Guide to Clothes Shopping: Smart Questions #7-9

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See Smart Questions #1 – 3 & #4 – 6


BCBG change room, probably one of my favourite places on earth (I was trying on the pants).  The blouse is from BCBG 3 years ago and the cardigan is GAP.

Smart Question #7:  Does it fit the way you want it to perfectly?
Depending on the look you want to achieve, you might need an item to fit skin tight, just right, a little baggy or downright oversized.  Think about this.  Don’t be restricted by the sizing on the item.  XXS and XL can work equally well for different reasons.

Smart Question #8:  Does it flatter your shape?
Great!  That pair of skinny jeans fits your thighs like a dream, but are you sporting a muffin top?  I know we all want to try our hand at must-have items of the season, but we have to be honest about our bodies too.  A good example of this is my search for a narrow-legged suit pant for work.  There were ones that fit me quite well, but I had to step away because they made me look emaciated.   Great for the runway, but not so hot for the work place.  Don’t pick up anything that gives you a bad “shape”.

Smart Question #9: Is it unique (to what you already own)?
Too often we gravitate towards clothing we already have.  Our eyes love what is familiar.  Honestly, you don’t need 5 pairs of black skinny jeans, no matter how “different” the “detailing” of each pair is.  This type of thing is what gets you stuck in a boring rut.  Stop buying cardigans if you already have on in every colour of the rainbow.  Try new things!  One of the best piece of fashion advice I’ve received from my very chic and dear friend Albert Chen is, don’t buy something that people won’t notice it’s new.  Your friends are a good resource.

Guide to Clothes Shopping: Smart Questions #4-6

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… a continuation of Guide to Clothes Shopping: Smart Questions #1-3


Smart Question #4: Will you wear this item after 3 months?  1 year?  5 years?
While you need some trendy items to spice up your wardrobe, you also want to pick up clothes that can weather the storms of evil fashion trends.  Try to picture yourself wearing it when you are 2 years older.  Give this question at least a passing thought, especially if you are about to purchase something pricy.

Smart Question #5:  Is the piece worth full price?
It’s only human nature that we love the word SALE.  We’ve all purchased things that seemed like a total steal at the time but ended up at the back of our closets collecting toll from dust bunnies.  Before you dig through the pile of clearance $5 items and pick out 13 things, carefully assess whether you would pay full price for an item.  No matter how great the discount is (try to distract yourself from that “75% off” tag), give yourself some space to think about how much the item is worth to you.  Do you like it enough to pay more for it?  If not, why would you even waste $5 on something that’s only going to take up precious closet space?  Just remember, it’s on sale for a reason.

Smart Question #6:  How is the quality of the fabric?
A lot of us shop only with our eyes.  It’s time to engage your sense of touch!  Is the fabric prickly?  Are you suffocating in it?  Does it give you the itch?  Are you comfortable with the way the fabric feels to your skin?  You’re not going to wear something that gives you hives, no matter how hot it is.  Also consider how well the item will hold up after several washes or dry clean runs.  Other than your finger tips, the care label is your best friend. Make sure to check it for the fibre blend percentage and washing instructions then decide whether you are ready to commit to it.


more to come, of course..

Guide to Clothes Shopping: Smart Questions #1-3

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The most powerful enemy of our wallets is the big “i” – impulse.  This strong urge from within is responsible for silly in-the-heat-of-the-moment decisions such as spending $300 on a white shredded tee or exceeding our budget by a landslide just to outbid our comrades on eBay for that DVF dress.  I started writing a guide to shopping for clothes wisely while I was on lent last year.  I did it mainly to curb my own impulses, but perhaps the rest of you can take something away from this information as well.

What this guide entails is a list of 10 questions to ask oneself before making a clothing purchase.  The objective of said guide is to empower the consumer to make an informed decision by keeping impulses in check and prompting him/her to think about the purchase in a multidimensional way.  Note the point of these questions is not to discourage you from buying something.  They simply address issues that we tend to miss when the glory of an attractive item blinds our eyes.


(from St. Regis Room at The Bay on Queen Street)

Smart Question #1: Can you afford it?
This is obviously the most important question you need to ask yourself. Can you afford it?  No, seriously, can you really?  I’m not talking about putting it on your credit card and shredding the statement when it comes in.  Do you have money in the bank that can pay for this item right now?  If not, forget about it.  Clothes are just clothes.  There’s nothing you can’t live without.  The last thing you want to do is rack up debt from clothing.  It’s not worth it.  Just walk away.

Smart Question #2:  Does it go with other items in your current wardrobe?
Do you have clothes in your wardrobe that can work with this item?  I know what you’re thinking, I’ll just pick up those shoes and that belt to make this outfit perfect!  Oh and this would be really hot with that cute little clutch that I’ve been eyeing too! Stop.  I understand if you’re shopping an entire new outfit, but this is rarely the case and we simply can’t afford to think this way all the time.  You’re more likely to wear an item if it mixes well with your wardrobe.

Smart Question #3:  Off the top of your head, can you think of at least 3 ways to wear / style the item?
So yes, it goes with other items in your wardrobe!  Before you let the associate ring it up, stop.  Think about specific things in your wardrobe.  You need to be able to have this conversation with yourself: This navy bandage skirt I am about to buy can go with nicely with my white ruffled blouse and blue cardigan.. Another great idea would be wearing it with my black turtle neck and my pearl necklace.. How about dressing it down with my forest green oversized tee and grey tights?.. ohohoh, also with that men’s blazer I got from the thrift store last week.

Stay tuned for more..


I Want Wednesdays: To last through lent!

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Last year, I successfully completed 40 days of lent; I gave up purchasing personal possessions.  Other than a pair of socks that cost $4, I bought nothing else for myself (except for food, which I obviously needed to sustain my hyperactive lifestyle).   Going through the experience last year opened up my mind to appreciating rather than owning, enjoying rather than wanting.  I want to revisit that state of being again.  I think it’s going to be more difficult this year because I keep exposing myself to fashion blogs and shows and forums and things to upgrade myself as a wannabe-fashion blogger.  BUT, no excuses.  I will do it and do it well.

I always hear people talk about shopping their own closets and I wonder how successful I would be if I tried it.  In order to facilitate this “shopping”, I have started a wardrobe inventory spreadsheet on Excel.  This is an ongoing project I have yet to finish due to the amount of work it requires, but I feel like keeping my closet virtually organized will help me make sense of what I have and how I can maximize my wardrobe capital.

Here’s my layout:


Current Value: This is set up to automatically calculate the sum of all entries in $.  It’s right on top of the page to present a reality check.
Category: Assign a category for the item (e.g. blazer, dress pants, blouse, belt)
Dominant Colour: I like to sort by the main colour of the item for ease of mix and match
Brand/Designer: Self-explanatory
Place of Purchase: Sometimes I forget where I purchase things.  It’s a good idea to keep track if you travel and pick things up all around the world (eBay counts too!)
Description: I try to describe the item in my own words and include any special characteristics (e.g. pleated, gold buttons, metallic finish)
Wear rate: This is the number of times an item is worn if you update this on a regular basis.  It will show you just how much you love a certain pair of skinny jeans (dingdingding!!) or how much money you’ve wasted purchasing something you never ever wear.
Price: Obviously this is important information to capture!
Outfit ideas: Room to make other notes..

My spreadsheet is set up so I can sort by any of the above categories, giving me the flexibility to find out what the most expensive item in my closet is, how exceedingly often I shop at BCBG and Hugo Boss or how many darn blazers I already have.  Oh, knowledge is power indeed!

Click here to download my template.