Results of the Mode XLusive readership survey!

Most people hate taking surveys, but boy do they love reading the results! I can’t wait to show you the results of my readership survey, but first I have a few things to tell you.

I have been running this blog for just over two years now, and it’s incredible how it has grown from a personal journal to Ottawa’s hotspot for all things fashion and local Ottawa lifestyle scene. I have had some amazing opportunities come my way, have been gifted some pretty cool swag and mostly I have had the chance to meet and work with some incredible people.

You can see how after being distracted for the last two years, I felt almost out of touch with my readers. It was time to reevaluate what I was doing with the blog and see if my readers were happy. I wanted to reconnect with some of you, who have helped me get to where I am today. And like any good business person, I hosted a survey on my blog to see what you were all thinking. Today, I get to share the results with you.

But first, I want to say THANK YOU for reading and for sharing your kind words with me and for taking the time to complete the survey. Thank you for smiling at me at the grocery store, for stopping me at events and giving me your words of encouragement. I see you staring sometimes, hesitating to come talk to me. Please don’t, and come say hello! It means the world to me, to meet you all in real life. The digital world can get lonely behind the screen, so talking to humans feels good (also, I am an extrovert, I thrive on human contact!)

Without further ado, here is what you had to say…

mode-xlusive-survey-q1
I like knowing the type of person I am talking to when I write my blog posts. I think what shocked me the most (but shouldn’t) is that my audience is older than I imagined. You know what, though? I love it! I love that I can inspire and ignite the fashionista at any age!
mode-xlusive-survey-q2
Have you noticed that I am listening to you and trying my best to give you more outfit shots? You should follow me on Instagram if you haven’t already done it. I try to share at least 2 outfit posts a week. The biggest issue is not having anyone to take my photo, and my 3-year-old son Victor is not always compliant! haha Recently, I have also had lots of goodies gifted to me, so my beauty section on the blog should be abundant in no time! Blogging about curvy or plus-size specific is my jam, and you know I will always do my best to keep you updated on this front. Ottawa’s plus-size retail industry is very limited, and  lacking in the local scene, but I am and will keep trying to do my very best!
mode-xlusive-survey-q3
Who doesn’t love Facebook and Instagram? I am not surprised that these channels are popular. I practically live on those platforms! Please don’t be shy next time when it comes to commenting folks. I love getting your messages and I promise to get back to you when I have the chance! You have no idea how excited I get when I see a new comment… a real comment.. not the million spammy comments I get 🙁
mode-xlusive-survey-q4
I love the polar opposite audience I have on this blog! People with fashion sense judging me, or folks who are desperate to learn from me. Either way, I am having a blast talking fashion and I hope either group can take away something valuable from me!

So what do you think? Do you agree with the results? Did you miss the survey and did not have a chance to share your thoughts? Drop a comment below, you know how good it will make me feel! (It’s not about you, Chantal… it’s about your readers! Oops.. I have to keep reminding myself of that!)

XOX Chantsy

Continue Reading

Shop with Chantsy: Plus Size Personal Styling Feild Trip on November 10, 2016

Do you live in Ottawa and shop in plus-size stores? Are you in need of a fresh perspective for your style? Do you find yourself lost in the stores or better yet, have no idea where to buy fun clothes that actually fit? Have you thought of hiring a personal stylist, but are skeptical of the investment, or are not willing to pay the full rate?

How would you do in a cozy group setting, where girls like you can shop and get styling advice from a personal stylist?

If you’ve answered yes to one of these questions, it sounds like Shop with Chantsy is perfect for you!

Shop with Chantsy is my first of many personal styling field trips, where I will take a group of 4-5 women, for 3 hours and personally help them shop ’til they drop.

Tickets are $75 each. My rate for personal styling is $100 an hour, so consider this group rate a steal!

My first tour will be for plus-size women. On November 10, 2016, join me and fellow fashionistas for this fun shopping trip! We will be headed to Trainyards Ottawa, to shop their perfect selection of plus and inbetweenie shops including Addition Elle, Reitmans and Marshalls.

Space is limited, so don’t delay! Tickets sales have already begun 🙂

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at info@modeXLusive.com.

 

Continue Reading

Linking Fashion & Design tips with Samantha Pynn X Simons Maison collab

I love getting invited to non-fashion related events, it’s a chance for me to learn something new and connect the dots to what I love blogging about the most: fashion.

I had the chance to meet the lovely and talented Samantha Pynn, HGTV host and currently Contributing Design Editor for Chatelaine magazine. She was presenting her new line at Simons, the ultimate Canadian collaboration, if you ask me.

samantha-pynn-simons-maison-ottawa-fashion-blog samantha-pynn-simons-ottawa-fashion-blog-2samantha-pynn-curtain-simons-ottawa-fashion-blog-3

Samantha hosted a guided tour of her line and talked a lot about how her travels greatly influenced her designs. She dreams up all the prints and decides what fabric to use. She also stressed the importance of investing in high-quality materials and fabrics, because they feel great and look amazing. The notion of investing in key pieces was all too familiar to me. That’s exactly what I say when it comes to fashion.

For example, I was looking for grown up curtains and decided to splurge on the Samantha Pynn navy and grey striped curtains. These curtains were the missing piece in my living room, they went with my current décor and really tied the room together. They were crisp, clean, and not too feminine. My husband was sold on them right away! I compare these curtains to investing in a really nice coat. A great coat can solidify any outfit, especially in our cool climate.

samantha-pynn-curtain-simons-ottawa-fashion-blog

Next up, I bought a new table cloth, something that was going to match my new kitchen. I wanted something playful but mature, something that had a bit of colour, and would hold up to a 3-year old’s mess. I give you the Tamara table cloth (also, that’s my sister’s name!). I love the blue and grey tone in this table cloth. It works perfectly in my kitchen and ties in nicely with my navy accents in the living room. I compare this tablecloth to a great dress. You know, something fun that you can wear out and wear to work too. And, depending on the accessories you pair it with, the dress gets a whole new life.

samantha-pynn-table-cloth-simons-maison-ottawa-fashion-blog

What I loved most about Samantha, was hearing the charming stories that came out of each design and print. Whether it was the influence of the Portuguese tiles or importing the traditional cotton bathmat, it reminded me that we too can have a piece of the world, in our homes.  No need to travel far and wide to get it either! Knowing the person and the passion that is behind each fluffy towel, cozy bed sheet or elegant shower curtain, really gave life to the work she has created. I also love the fact that this collaboration is of premium quality and 100% Canadian!

samantha-pynn-towels-simons-ottawa-fashion-blog samantha-pynn-simons-ottawa-fashion-blog-4 samantha-pynn-simons-ottawa-fashion-blog samantha-pynn-simons-ottawa-fashion-blog-5
BONUS- If you head over to Simons, it looks like most her product line is now on sale!

 

Continue Reading

Word of mouth: M.A.C. Select Lip Palette and Nutcracker Sweet Red Lip Gloss Kit

Have you been to MAC Cosmetics lately? They keep releasing gorgeous limited edition collections, and I got my hands on some pretty awesome goods.

I went to MAC a few weeks ago to replenish my boring essentials ( Select Cover-up NW20) and the lovely sales person was telling me all about their new Select rewards program. First, you get a good size sample with every purchase (I got the Prep + Prime Skin), and you all know how much I love freebies.

The MAC Select program comes in 3 levels: Seduced, Devoted and Obsessed. Each category comes with its own perks. After you spend a certain amount of money, you graduate to the next level. I wonder if they will release a “Rehab” level, you know, for folks like me who have spent every paycheque there since high school! Sadly, it does not include past purchases (I asked… haha).

One of the things that I love most about MAC is their “Back to MAC” recycling program. Bring 6 empties and get a free lipstick or eyeshadow. Now with the new Select program, you can bring your empties as you go, and they will record it in your file. No more holding on to garbage.. unless you’re doing an “Empties” vlog of course! I have to thank all my essentials for getting me hooked up in the lipstick department!

MAC Select Lip Palette x6 ($48)

Speaking of lipsticks, MAC sent over a few gorgeous products for me to try out and share the love with you. I received the Select Lip Palette (which is this month’s feature product under the Select program). It’s a perfect combination of 6 popular shades of lipstick in matte finishes:

  • Kinda Sexy : Neutral Pinky Rose (Matte)
  • All Fired Up : Bright fuschia matte (Retro Matte)
  • Lady Danger : Vivid bright coralred (Matte)
  • Candy Yum Yum : Neon pink (Matte)
  • Ruby Woo : Very matte vivid blue red (Retro Matte)
  • Flat Out Fabulous : Bright plum matte (Retro Matte)

I love the bright tones in this palette, and you can tell all the shades were thoughtfully selected. The 6-in-1 palette is perfect to pack away with you for the holidays or a vacation, and helps you pick the right colours, if you have a hard time deciding on what to bring. Because it runs a bit larger and requires a brush to apply, it isn’t something I would carry in my purse.

I always use any lipstick with Prep + Prime Lip, a base coat lip balm that helps keep the lipstick intact, and reduces feathering. I also typically use a lipliner when applying lipstick, but with a brush, I get the same precision.

mac-nutcraker-lip-gloss-mini-kit-mode-xlusive-ottawa-beauty-fashion-blog

Holiday Collection- Nutcracker Sweet Red Lip Gloss Mini Kit ($42)

Every year, MAC releases a holiday collection that make perfect gifts. I was given the Lip Gloss Mini Kit, a coordinated candy cane red kit of mini Cremesheen Glass and Dazzleglass in a stylish little box. These holiday kits are always a steal, which is why they don’t last very long (value $88). I love the brush kits that are released too, it’s great way to get your collection started, and at a crazy cheap price!

Think of this as a box of fat-free chocolates you can offer any girly girl as a gift, she will adore it and you! This kit includes a combination of 4 creamsheen glosses. Creamsheen gloss is a lip finish that fuses the creamy texture of a lipstick with the high shine of a gloss. It has a sweet vanilla scent and the classic honey-like texture MAC is known for. I love the combination of sparkle and red/pink tones in this kit.

  • Galaxy Rose: Midtone Violet Pink (Cremesheen)
  • Gumdrop: Intense cheery red (Cremesheen)
  • Courting Chic : Deep berry red w/gold sparkles (Cremesheen)
  • Phiff! : Sheer yellow peach (Dazzleglass)

mac-select-lip-palette-nutcraker-lip-gloss-mini-kit-mode-xlusive-ottawa-beauty-fashion-blog

I was playing around with the kit one evening and decided to paint my face with it! I used the Dazzlesheen on my cheeks as a highlighter and the Gumdrop pink/red on my lips.

Continue Reading