2020 Small Space Reno: Wall-Inspiration from 5 Etsy Shops

February is a beast of a month. The weather is brutal, the holiday season is over, and classes are in full swing. And as I trudged to lectures this week - first in a snow storm, then in a downpour, and lastly in thick fog - I realized how easy it would be to succumb to the winter doldrums. After all, it’s too cold to be outside for long, coursework is piling up, and the sun is increasingly a stranger.

As such, while I battled my way through the wind and rain this evening, I couldn’t help planning ahead for my apartment next year: the colors, the furniture, “the theme.” And I realized that, while living plans are still undetermined for most of us, there’s no reason why we can’t renovate our current homes right now.

My hope for the following list is to provide an escape from Chicago - to encourage momentary wanderlust, future planning, and a brief respite from the obligations of every day life. So pour yourself a cup of tea, find a warm blanket, and start brainstorming; a brief renovation might just be the key to warding off the February blues.

1. Dick Vincent from Manchester, UK

2. Papio Press from Penzance, UK

3. Wall Arty from Istanbul, Turkey

4. Eye Poetry Photography from Montreal, Canada

5. Pink Palm Decor from Gdansk, Poland

Featured Image via

Welcome in Winter with this Season's Iciest Jewelry

When the first snowfall of the year came at the end of October, one thing was clear: winter is coming early this year. With the holiday season on its way, everyone is just a little busier with gift shopping, parties, and festivities of all sorts. No matter what you’re up to this season, we’ve got you covered with the perfect holiday jewelry for any occasion. Here’s the roundup:

Jules Smith Earrings:

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Pearls are a classic, but they don’t have to be outdated. The crystal accents on these drop-style earrings add a modern twist to the more traditional pearls.

Wear to: an elegant holiday dinner party or any family function: pearls are always mom-approved.

Gorjana Bracelets:

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These delicate bracelets will match any outfit you throw on this winter. And the stars are festive!

Wear to: Anywhere and everywhere. You can keep these on your wrist at all times and you’ll look that much more put together (even if you feel like you’re falling apart).

BaubleBar Necklace:

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This layered statement necklace instantly upgrades even the simplest outfits. So if it’s one of those days where your outfit is feeling a bit “blah” and you start to hate all of your clothes, this necklace is for you.

Wear to: that holiday party you will inevitably end up at this season– the one where you don’t really know anyone and could use a good conversation starter (this necklace).

Gorjana Locket:

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You could get this locket for yourself and look cute, but it would also make a really nice gift. It combines the two most important elements of a great present: it’s sentimental, and it’s jewelry. I mean, what more could you want?

Wear to: Ummm, somewhere you want to seem extra sensitive and sweet. Maybe an interview? Or church. I feel like only good people wear lockets.

Mejuri Earrings:

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We’ve talked about Mejuri before on MODA: the brand sells high quality pieces of jewelry at not-outrageous price points. These hoops come in white sapphire, ruby, tsavorite, or blue sapphire, all set in 14k gold. Because these are sold as individual hoops, it’s easy for people with multiple piercings to mix and match.

Wear to: somewhere themed– the different gemstone options for these earrings cover pretty much all the basic holiday colors.

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Affordable Winter Wardrobe Staples

Get excited because the time has (already) come for winter fashion! Even though fall doesn’t really exist here in Chicago, winter sure does and she comes in full force. Which is why it’s so important to have some of those classic winter pieces. Things can get pretty hectic around this time of year as the weather gets rough and school gets even rougher, so having simple, easy staple pieces on hand can make life a little easier. As my gift to you, I’ve scoured the the internet for all the best finds, at some really affordable prices (all under $100!!). Get pumped because there are SO many boots and winter accessories coming your way.

***Warning you are about to see A LOT of black boots***

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ASOS. Need I say more? A one stop shop for literally anything you could ever want, um yes sign me up! Students get a 10% discount on every purchase, and the sales run large and frequent. You'll be able to find some ASOS brand things for cheap as well as other higher end brands like Moschino at a significant discount, so really there’s something for everyone.

So I’m not even completely sure how Nasty Gal makes money because they are literally always having a 50% off everything sale (I’m not joking, always). But you won’t find me complaining about it because I’ll be too busy adding everything to my shopping cart. While the selection is smaller than that of a megastore like ASOS, I promise they have really great staple pieces, that work both for a casual or more dressed up look. And if you don’t like it, there are free returns, so you really have nothing to lose here!

And last but certainly not least, I recommend you go check out ZARA. While a lot of their stuff can be a little pricier than the other retailers I recommended, they still have a lot to offer for around the same price point. Sadly ZARA does not have any student discount at the moment, but there are sales, so if you’re really eyeing some boots, definitely be on the look out!

And since winter isn’t complete (or bearable) without some warm accessories, I've found some great options for when you’re gearing up to face the cold.

Hopefully you’ve found at least one piece that you like or at least now have three great places to find affordable winter staples. As we enter the colder season I wish you luck; may it be mild (probably not), and make sure to keep warm!

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A Roundup of the Best Winter Sales

As someone with a shopping addiction, I love sales more than anyone else, and online shopping is undeniably one of my favorite things to do while I'm bundled up indoors and avoiding the harsh winter weather. Below is a list of my personal favorite ongoing sales.

Acne Studios - Up to 40% off select FW17 styles

Aldo - Up to 70% off select styles

Aritzia - 40-60% off select styles

Banana Republic - 40% off full-price styles

Boohoo - Up to 80% off everything

Cos - Up to 50% off winter styles

Express - Extra 50% off clearance

Gap - Up to 50% off almost everything and extra 20% off your purchase with code FRESHSTYLE

J.Crew - Extra 50% off final sale styles with code SAVENOW

Loft - 40% off full-price styles

Mango - Up to 70% off select styles

Matchesfashion.com - Extra 20% select styles with code EXTRA20

Nasty Gal - Up to 80% off everything

Net-a-Porter - Extra 20% sale must-haves

Old Navy - Up to 75% off select styles

Pacsun - Up to 50% off select styles

Stylenanda - Up to 80% off select styles

Topshop - Up to 70& off select styles

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MODA Blog Favorites: January 2018

After the end of a grueling month of p-sets, essays, and juggling who knows how many other responsibilities and obligations, MODA Blog brings you a refreshing list of favorites from our bloggers and photographers to fill you with inspiration and energy for the next month. 

Olivia

Call Me By Your Name (the book not the movie!!)

Call Me By Your Name was undoubtedly one of my favorite movies from last year, and I think it's in part because I decided to stay true to the source material and read the novel before I saw the film in theaters. While Luca Guadagnino's interpretation of the work is stunning and draws incredible strength from Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer's chemistry and raw performances, André Aciman's writing is simply riveting and so poetic. It is truly one of the most beautiful novels I've ever read, and Aciman's lyrical writing style rivals those of other literary giants like Ian McEwan, Haruki Murakami and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Trader Joe's ends & pieces

I realize there are bigger fish to fry, but can I just take a moment to give Trader Joe's ends & pieces a shoutout. It's essentially a bag of leftovers corners from the fruit bars they make, but let me tell you these are so amazing and delicious and the perfect "healthy" snack. I found out recently that these are a seasonal product (which is honestly rude... give the people what they want, Trader Joe's!!!), so whenever you see them at TJs you must stockpile at all costs.

Glossier mint balm dotcom

This winter hasn't been as bad as ones in the past, but you can still run the risk of dry skin and chapped lips. While a lot of Glossier's skincare products are iffy, their lip balms are actually pretty great. I use mine as a lip salve at night and it's quickly become my go to lip balm (even over tried and true loves like Burts Bees and Mongo Kiss chapstick). 

Images via here, here, and here. 

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Olinka 

First Aid Beauty Skincare 

I hate a lot of things about winter, but the thing I definetely hate most is the impact the harsh dry weather does to my skin. A few weeks of walking around campus in the bitter cold made my already-dry-skin even dryer. My skin savior has been First Aid Beauty Skincare, especially their sensitve-skin-friendly Face Cleanser and their Ultra Repair Instense Hydration Cream.  Since using these products, my skin has gone from a red, flaky, mess to smooth and supple. 

Moleskine Notebooks

Ever since coming to campus, I've started religiously using Moleskine notebooks for all of my notebook needs. Even though they're more expensive than regular spiral notebooks, the quality is worth it, especially since I rarely fill regular notebooks.  I like to use their Cahier Notebooks for notes, their Classic Notebook for journaling, and their 12 Month Daily Planner to schedule out my life. 

LÄRABARs 

One of my goals this year has been to eat breakfast every morning. For someone who's a chronic oversleeper like me, it can be really tricky to make it to the dining hall in the midst of rushing to class. Whenever i'm running late, I just grab a LARABAR and eat it while I'm walking to class.  Despite only being made from a few simple igredients (with no added sugar!), these are super tasty and come in a variety of favors. 

Images via here, here, and here. 

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Yeju 

Living Proof Restore Collection

My hair has braved through endless curling, straightening, and dyeing throughout this year thanks to my inability to commit to a certain hairstyle. Sadly enough, the effects started showing with split ends, breakage, and a generally unkempt look that might've fit my mood for finals week. But over break, I decided to experiment with Living Proof's Restore line (since I already love their Perfect Hair Day collection) and I don't think I'm turning back. Since I started using the shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in cream, my hair has become softer, shinier, and more manageable in general. Its appearance is less frizzy and also doesn't get static-ridden in this dry, windy sweater season.

Check out the sampler trio here

L'Occitane Hand Cream

Bless my mother's soul for gifting me this because it's the only thing keeping my hands from flaking in this merciless cold weather. I've always been a bit skeptical with hand creams because my hands just aren't soft, but this one does the job. It doesn't feel greasy or stay on the top layer of your palms. Not only are my hands noticeably softer, but they also smell like heaven in a bottle. Grab yourself a tube or two. There's a small store in Lincoln Park that you could check out, but Sephora and L'Occitane's websites also have an extensive line of scents and different intensities of moisturizing effect.

Brandless Chocolate Chip Cookies

I've made it a New Years Resolution to not leave my apartment when necessary because it's cold. Now that I can order bags of chocolate chip cookies through Brandless and munch on them while reading for my next discussion, life is 100% better. Discovering Brandless not only saves you money from buying overpriced brand-name snacks, the taste rivals the simplicity of the packaging and company's mission.

Images via here, here, and here. 

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Kardelen

L'Oreal Lash Primer

This month I bring you my favorites, all of which hail from the beauty aisle at Target. Makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes made the recommendation of this primer- and it works. It does its job beautifully with my other new favorite mascara- MAC's False Lashes.

Ponds Cold Cream

Hot take- Neutrogena makeup remover wipes can be alarmingly drying, especially in the winter, and don't always remove stubborn mascara and eye makeup as well as I'd prefer. I picked up a jar of this cold cream at Target and noticed instantly that it works beautifully to remove all traces of makeup as well as to keep my skin hydrated.

Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless Foundation

I picked up a bottle of this in the summer because I had run out of foundation, but set it aside in favor of another one. I rediscovered this and am absolutely in love with it, as it sets beautifully and doesn't get too separated during the day. A cult favorite of YouTubers and laymen alike, this can be found in any drugstore with an impressive range of colors.

Images via ulta.com

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What have you been loving this month? MODA Blog wants to know (our bloggers and readers are always seeking new inspiration and cool things to try out!). 

Featured image via Kathryn Hicks. 

Canada Goose: Fashion or Fad?

Winter ushers in one of my favorite times of year: Parka Season. Unfortunately, here in Chicago the temperatures have only briefly dipped below 35℉, which in my opinion does not make it cold enough to finally break out the parka. My fellow UChicago students appear to feel very differently about this matter as parkas appeared all across campus the first day below 50℉. Upon the beginning of Parka Season here in Chicago, I could not help but notice the disproportionate amount of Canada Goose parkas on the quad. Now, I understand that the University of Chicago as a whole has a relatively affluent student body—to put it modestly—but I am continually shocked by the amount of students casually wearing $800-$1400 jackets. And to be clear, I am theoretically guilty of this very offense; if I could afford a Canada Goose jacket, you bet I would wear it the first day I feel a cool breeze. But why are students (or their parents/benefactors) willing to indulge in such a luxurious jacket? Are these jackets being worn for fashion, practicality, or to publicly demonstrate affluence? Let’s consider the case for Canada Goose.

The History of Canada Goose

In one sentence, Canada Goose characterizes their history as, “Founded in a small warehouse in Toronto almost sixty years ago, Canada Goose has grown into one of the world’s leading makers of luxury apparel.” Despite this description as a “luxury apparel” brand, they began as a company focused on performance rather than luxury. They developed the signature Expedition Parka for scientists in Antarctica, which soon became standard issue for researchers and those spending extended time in Antarctica. In the early 2000s Canada Goose continued their mindset of “embracing Arctic adventure” by partnering with professional dogsledder Lance Mackey.

Actor Daniel Craig sports a Canada Goose jacket in Spectre. Image via here

Today, they partner with Goose People, Canadians they see as “everyday heroes who strive for excellence. Their journeys, achievements and ‘can do’ attitudes inspire us.” Among these Goose People are extreme adventure athletes, polar explorers, basketball players, climbers, movie directors, soccer players, and tennis players, to name a few.

Given their success as a performance jacket company, a little over 20 years ago Canada Goose began partnering with the film industry to outfit cast and crew in their jackets during production in extreme climates. This decision single handedly changed the direction of Canada Goose forever. It was only a matter of time before the jackets went from being off the screen to on the screen in films such as The Day After Tomorrow, National Treasure, the James Bond series’ Spectre, and most recently Manchester by the Sea. Now entering into the realm of celebrities, the jackets started spreading among the rich and famous, eventually spreading to upper-class North Americans.

Practicality

Canada Goose jackets remain the gold standard for Arctic jackets, but as a jacket for urban or suburban use, it has limited practicality. Even city dwellers will rarely face the intense levels of cold these jackets were designed for, however, when used by a city commuter finding themselves walking through snow and low temperatures, the comfort and warmth provided by the jackets may give a legitimate reason to warrant their purchase. But still, even if one justifies the practicality of a Canada Goose jacket, other companies make products that will function in the same capacity for half the price.

Image via here

Other big name outdoor brands such as North Face, Eddie Bauer, Patagonia, Columbia, Marmot, and Rab all offer parkas in the relatively less expensive $300 range. Considering these options, Canada Goose jackets decisively did not become popular solely due to function. It’s that patch on the side of the left arm—an indicator of status, luxury, and possibly superiority. Maybe those who can afford these jackets without thinking about it (a girl in my apartment owns three) would be appalled by my conclusions about what wearing a Canada Goose jacket means, but if it does not mean these things, why not just cut off the patch? I challenge you, Canada Goose jacket owner, cut off the patch or at least purchase from the Black Label line with the smaller, black/white patches.

Fashion?

When considering these jackets as fashion, the price should have little to no bearing. After taking away this factor, Canada Goose jackets make a beautiful addition to the winter wardrobe. Made with white duck down and coyote fur ruffs, the quality undeniably sets them apart from other outdoor brands. Their parkas bear the proud “Made in Canada” stamp and hold history of design with attention to detail for performance and style. As much as people like to talk down the fashion of the rich and famous, Canada Goose jackets caught on not because of a name—they became a name.

Their designs set the industry standard for parkas; other outdoor brands clearly try to replicate Canada Goose designs to keep up with their growing popularity. The company’s continued growth does present risks, namely becoming a sellout to mediocrity in some of its products in order to lower prices. This phenomena occurred with North Face, a brand originally known for making extreme climate gear for climbers that has since developed many levels to their brand. For example, American department stores across the country sell North Face jackets, which diminishes their exclusivity. North Face sells parkas ranging from $100-$800, creating a wide variance in the quality of their products. If Canada Goose wants to retain their reputation as an Arctic adventure outfitter, they must be careful in their expansion.

With United States flagship stores already in New York, Chicago, and Boston, the company plans to open 15-20 more stores in North America by 2020. This year they released a new line of knitwear, which they characterize as “bringing purpose-driven design and prowess in crafting function-first apparel to luxurious Merino wool garments.” The launch of the new knitwear line signals a shift in the brand’s focus from functionality to fashion.

The knitwear line also suggests the company’s willingness to sacrifice company mission for growth. Made in Italy and Romania, their knitwear does not have the “Made in Canada” assurance that defines part of the company’s appeal and mission. When asked about this decision by the Chicago Tribune, Canada Goose CEO Dani Reiss said, “If we could have made it in the same level in Canada, we would have, but we’re not able to… It’s not about price; it’s not about going to a low-cost environment; it’s about making it in the right place for the product to be made.”

Reiss also used to position himself against brands with distinct logos until the recent explosion in his own brand’s popularity. “I used to cut alligators off my shirts. Now I understand a brand is a reputation,” Reiss said.

Fashion, Fad, or Both?

• Fad- def. (n) an intense and widely shared enthusiasm for something, especially one that is short-lived and without basis in the object’s qualities
• Fashion- def. (n) a popular trend, especially in styles of dress and ornament or manners of behavior

Canada Goose products are fashionable, point blank. Any item that sets the industry standard deserves to be recognized as such. But well off college students wearing these jackets on 50 degree days indicate their status as a fad among this demographic. In this situation, these jackets have no real function other than to “look cool.” Come on, we live in Chicago during the midst of rather severe climate change (i.e. mild winters) and only have to walk a few hundred feet between the Reg and the quad. I have yet to meet a University of Chicago student who spends extensive time in the cold or goes on Arctic adventures necessitating the level of warmth and function provided by a Canada Goose jacket.

While still too early to tell if Canada Goose jackets will remain popular, current enthusiasm for the jackets stem from their association with luxury and reputation as a social statement, not their “objective qualities” as Antarctica-grade coldgear. Therefore, as students purchase these jackets based on this reasoning, I consider them a fad at the University of Chicago. This is not to say the company lacks a consumer base who uses these jackets for situations closer to functional intent. In those cases, the jackets should not be considered a fad, but among most college students—definitely a fad.

But what about fashion? Yes, across all boards these jackets (and anything with Canada Goose on it) constitutes fashion by definition. The desire and trend to wear Canada Goose only continues to grow in North America and adds a wonderful piece of clothing to anyone’s winter essentials.

Images via here