I die for miu miu´s convex heels..



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 ''Ninety dollar shoes last half as long as $180 shoes... But $360 shoes will last you your whole life.''



Available at bluefly.com SALE! $450





Happy new year..!!

It's September, fashion's official start to the new year. It's also my FAVOURITE time of the year. I love layers; camis with tanks and t-shirts under a chunky knit and leather jacket! Okay maybe that's too much. But, living in endless 30+ degrees does make me yearn for 12° days. Trench coats, scarves, knit berets how I miss thee! Okay while I sit here and dream of brisk days past, let me fill you in on the top 2011 fall fashion trends and must-haves.

Maxi Skirts + Cozy Knits

This unexpected combination is the perfect way to bring your summer clothes into the fall season. Wear it loose as seen on the runways of Tracey Reese, or belt it up like Olivia Palermo.


Desert Boots

Clark's Desert Boots  for Banana Republic
Now $89.99

Old Navy $37

This 70's staple reinvents itself every fall. This year we see the classic desert boot done in leather over the traditional suede by Clark for their collaboration with BR. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Old Navy decided to add height bringing these affordable booties to the next level.


Capes & Ponchos

(L) Rapsodia (R) Rachel Zoe

In that perfect time of year when we can leave the house with just a light jacket, try incorporating a new outer layer into your wardrobe instead. I know a poncho can be a little intimdating, we don't want to look like walking tents. But now there is such an array on the market, try the uber-modern cape from Rapsodia or go more classic and figure-friendly with this belted poncho from Rachel Zoe.


Mad Mod

Banana Republic's Mad Men collection

You love the TV show, now with Banana Republic's fall 'Mad Men' collection you can bring 60's chic into the office. 


Sheer shoulders

(L) Mackage
(R) French Connection $148

For night's out, the new sexy is all in the shoulders!

Peplum Silhouette

Kate Moss shows us her exaggerated peplum silhouette in a fashion spread

Look 1: Alice+Olivia Kylie $368
Look 2: Alice+Olivia Belted $396
Look 3: BCBGMAXAZRIA Strapless Peplum $278 

Kate Moss shows us the extreme end of this silhouette, but I've also included some real way pieces to incorporate into your wardrobe. This is a great silhouette for the girls who want a more pronounced waist. Although you are adding more volume to your hips, your cinched in waist is where you'll draw the eye and give yourself that all so sexy hour glass figure. 


Untamed Tresses

Girls rejoice! We can drop our damaging heat tools and go for a more "au-naturel" look.

Pinned-up Pony

Take your normal pony and bring it into fall by taking the base and pinning it under the hair, as seen on the Vera Wang runways. 

Thakoon

Spice it Up

Fendi

Look no further than your spice rack for fall's hottest palette; burnt reds, mustard yellows and olive greens.



Polka dot tights

This is a big step for me, I do not like patterned tights or polka dots persay. But by somehow mixing them together as seen in magazines and on uber-fashionable actress Emma Watson, it does make a charming combination.


Metallic Eyes

(L) Models shimmered on the runways of Chanel
(R) Get the look with Cover Girl's Intense Shadow Blast 

Make your eyes sparkle and pop with silver/blue shadow.


Leather skirt

Club Monaco

A hugely predominant trend for fall was the pencil skirt. To bring this look into 2011, find one with leather details as seen on this Club Monaco skirt. 


Bow neck

3.1 Phillip Lim

(L) Steffen Schraut 

(R) French Connection $198

 

Tie it up for a bit of sophistication. Going into the new season, we see that our favourite bow-tie tops from Spring can still be worn into Autumn. 

Shearling

Leather jacket by Mackage
Jean jacket by Rapsodia

Nothing says fall has arrived more than a little shearling. This luxurious trim is great on a light jacket or vest. 

Fashion Infraction Friday: Just because it ZIPS, doesn't mean it FITS..

A common fashion mistake I see women making is trying to squeeze into a sized too-small garment because they want to give the illusion of a smaller silhouette. This is probably one of the worst things you can do! In fact, it creates the exact opposite impression. Barely-buttonable shirts, muffin-top inducing jeans and too tight sleeves actually make you look bigger, and not too mention, so uncomfortable! 

I find that my shirts and even more so my pants can be anywhere between 2 sizes depending where I shop. 

Don't dwell on the number, find clothes that fit YOUR body. Comfort is confidence!

Fashion Infraction Friday: Clearly visible..

What does everyone think about seeing a girl's bra straps sticking out the sides of her shirt? I am not a fan. I get that it's summer and racerbacks are in and, but have we not seen endless infomercials about how to keep this situation under wraps?!

Even more frightful is a mixmatch colour set, ie. black tank/red bra. OR my ultimate citation-worthy offense.. plastic bra straps. I cringe people! They are not invisible, they do not go unnoticed. 

Quick fixes:

(L): Hook-Ups bra clips, turn any bra into a convertible
(R): La Senza 'Beyond Cleavage' clip-able bra

The rules according to B..

Always put your best foot forward.. and never let them forget you are a DIVA!

I love glitter pumps! I guess they remind me of disco balls that let me boogie down anywhere I step, and are fitting with the 70's trends seen all over the runways. To give us more proof that her lifestyle is nothing like that of our own, Beyonce rocked these 6-inch crystal-embellished Christian Louboutin Daffodil pumps courtside to the NBA All-Star game in LA. Yes, to a basketball game! But it's Beyonce people, there's no shimmying through the rafters for her.

Shoe envy. 

Fashion Infraction Friday presents..

Dark lipliner/light(er) lipstick

This seems like a pretty obvious one. But you may be surprised how prevalent this 80's flashback is, especially in my southern stomping grounds. (I've seen women applying lipliner without a mirror! Or worse, wearing lipliner on its own, shudder) In addition to giving your puckers an ashy look, the even more offending mistake I see is thinking that lipliner is an alternative to restalyne. Lipliner should never go above or beneath your actual lips for that stuck-on pucker face. Please.


Anyone who knows me knows that I am not an advocator of using lip liner at all. But what numerous beauty blogs will tell you is that the purpose of lipliner is to ensure your lipstick stays on all day. 


So if you simply cannot drop the liner all together find a shade that is sheer or the same colour as your lipstick. The proper way to use liner is to follow the natural shape of your lips. If you want extra staying power, fill in your lips with that same shade as if it were lipstick, you can finish the look with just gloss or apply lipstick of the same colour.  

When in doubt, drop the lipliner, step away from the lipliner!

Introducing..

This week will be vanessa angelique's first ever, Fashion Infraction Friday! The most common fashion mistakes I see women making, and solutions to not fall into future faux-pas. Don't get caught committing these offenses!


Oh Mischa, Mischa, Mischa.. I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot more of you..

Attention recessionistas!..

To quote the one and only Samantha Jones, "Two years of bad business and this bullsh*t economy and I'm done - we need to go somewhere rich!"


So maybe we can't all jet off to the new Middle East to escape the money woes of the western world, but while we're waiting for the economists to dig up that hole all the money is stashed in, I've become a huge advocate of looks for less.


Taking inspiration from my favourite designers, I have created a line of silver statement jewelry that incorporates my favourite looks with my own personal flare, and of course for much less!

The first piece is a 100% sterling silver wishbone on a thin silver chain, $55. (I saw this same look in-store and online starting at $110 to $225!) Every piece is custom-made, so size of pendants and length of chains are made by request.


If you've got a piece you would like custom-made please send me an email with the symbol, image or cursive initial. One-of-a-kind pendants are a great way to personalize your style or a meaningful gift for that hard to shop for girl.


Fast delivery for Canadian customers; orders can be placed until July 20th for delivery July 24th.


Contact - vanessagroppmair@hotmail.com 

Fashion patriotism..

Another Canada Day related post..

Note: I have also joined the bandwagon of royal obsession every since Kate Middleton has stepped up her fashion palette. No one does high fashion conservative elegance like this new royal; the girl was born for this role!

Reiss dress

Her red hat fascinator is by her favourite milliner Sylvia Fletcher for Lock & Co. The red maple leaf motif and matching red shoes is a little quirky to say the least, but somehow it doesn't even look that ridiculous on Kate. I'm not sure I know anyone else on the planet that could exude such class wearing a 3D pop-up emblem atop their head. Seriously.


To complete the look she is wearing a Reiss dress, red shoes, and a diamond maple leaf broach borrowed from the Queen.

Royal engagement photos

And on a side note, this dress may look familiar to the fashion savvy! To show us yet again that her Monolo's are firmly planted on the ground, this dress is a royal recycle; from her official engagement photos.

An ode to Canadian fashion icons..

In honour of Canada Day, I thought we should all take a moment to celebrate our home grown Canadian icons that have put our home and native land on the fashion map.

The Veteran..

Jeanne Beker is synonymous with being the face of Canadian fashion news. She has been bringing us up-front and backstage of the international fashion scene since she became the host of Fashion Television back in 1985.

The Icon..

This St. Catherine's born beauty is known for being one of the world's first supermodels. Linda Evangalista has over 600 magazine covers under her belt, and once unabashedly commanded $10,000 just to wake up in the morning. That quote forever cemented this Canadian model as an international fashion icon.

The Designer..

Smythe, based out of Toronto, is fashion elite's go-to brand for contemporary tailored pieces. The duo behind this fashion house are quickly gaining recognition abroad recently as Kate Middleton wore one of their infamously Made in Canada blazers on her first official visit to Canada. So let's see how long that jacket stays in stores..

 The It Girl..

Coco Rocha is often referred to as the ''People's Model''. This BC raised fashionista infamously kicked and leaped her way down the runway of Jean Paul Gaultier and has since proved she was more than just a pretty face. She is quirky, accessible and has spoken out against numerous causes including eating disorders in the modelling industry.

The One to Watch..

Kate Somers. This Toronto born 19-year old Canadian rising star first debuted on the runway of Vera Wang back in 2008 and has since walked for everyone whose anyone in fashion. Known for her freckles and long legs this girl is not only stunning but is down to earth too, as I had the pleasure of working with her on set of a Flare magazine shoot.

The Man Behind the Brand..

Joe Mimran, the man behind Club Monaco, Alfred Sung, and a contributor of Pink Tartan, he is also the Joe of the Joe Fresh brand that can be found in Loblaws superstores across Canada. With over 25 years of experience in the Canadian fashion market, he proves with the Joe Fresh brand that he is as versatile as they come, with his affluence of a changing economy and that he is clearly here to stay.

The Photog...

Tommy Ton of Etobicoke, ON can now be called an international fashion loiterer. Where fashion runways and street style meet you will find him snapping away. Ton sets himself apart from the pack by his ability to recognize labels from afar and photograph split second fashion occurences as if they were in a high fashion editorial studio. His blog, Jak and Jil, has been touted by fashion enthusiasts around the world including Mary-Kate Olsen.
       

                                                                                                                                         

Shorts & heels, summer's perfect pair..

Bershka

Now that summer is upon us, so are a whole new onslaught of questionable fashion choices. How do we stay atop fashion when we're well, wearing less of it?

When the thermometer goes up it's easy to automatically pull on a pair of shorts and slip into your favourite Havaianas. But, why not pair your shorts with some platforms instead? 

This is a great daytime look for the hot months ahead, but how do we dress up shorts without crossing the shaky line of exuding more trash than class?

Here are some tips on how to make this pair perfection; 

Do...  

keep edges clean, always wear shorts with a finished hem

wear with chunky heels, wedges, platforms, or flatforms

Express $36

Zara $99.90

Don't...

Britney Spears.. daisy don'ts!

go too short or too tight, no hot pants!

wear frayed shorts, running your errands around the city shouldn't look like a jaunt to the rodeo 

More great pairings...

Shorts on, heels up!