Heel of the season..

Introducing the new heel of summer, the 'Flatform'! Taking a cue from the 70's.

Urban Outfitters; $49

I first got my hands on a pair a few years ago and I fell head over my old heels for this new take on the platform. I wore them into the ground, literally. 


The first time you put them on, they're kind of like moonboots or trying to balance on two Kleenex boxes. But once you get use to them I promise they will turn into your most comfortable day-to-evening pair of heels. 

Le Chateau; $79.95

Urban Outfitters; $59

Aldo; $90

 Remember in my previous blog, Okay let's talk trends, I said there were exceptions to every fashion rule. Well these white flatforms are one of them!

This summer strap on the 70's from head to toe!

Etro

From statement to understated..

The other day it was all about making a statement, and now here's some everyday jewelry for less.

Tiffany & Co.

Oasis

Tiffany's Padlock Watch Charm

$450

http://www.tiffanys.ca or http://www.tiffanys.com

Oasis Steel Padlock Pendant Watch

$32

http://www.asos.com

Elizabeth & James

Dogeared

Target

Elizabeth & James 

$110

http://www.shopbop.com

Dogeared Make a Wish Necklace

$56

http://www.dogeared.com

Target

$15 USD

Available in-stores or online at http://www.target.com (US Only)

MARC by Marc Jacobs

Lucky Brand

MARC by Marc Jacobs Starfish Ring

$88

http://www.neimanmarcus.com

Lucky Brand Metal Starfish Ring

$29 (now offered at 30% off)

http://www.luckybrand.com

Opposites attract..

As Spring turns to Summer and temperatures start to sore, there's nothing more exhilarating than the first time we get to bare our (albeit, sometimes pasty) legs for all to see.

It seems we are in a transitional period of fashion; one where anything goes, especially when it comes to our hemlines! Is it mini's, midi's or maxi's that we're suppose to be wearing right now? The answer-Whatever you want! 


No matter which fabric direction you go in, let's keep it all proportional when it comes to a girl's second best friend - her handbag of course!


I love pairing a mini with a slouchy hobo, tote bag or oversized satchel. The whole shrinking ensemble look is never in.  A big bag gives this sexy skirt an effortless fashion element.

Amanda Bynes pairs it right 

Starlets: loose minis, big bags

 

MARC by Marc Jacobs Preppy Nylon Hobo

Midi's, or a-line skirts, which are knee-length, or just above or below, are great with cylindrical or bowling bag styles, think Louis Vuitton's iconic Speedy bag. 

Victoria Beckham 

Louis Vuitton 'Speedy'

When living loose in a maxi, go for a smaller shoulder bag or my favourite for the season, a fabulous cross-body, or take a cue from Ashley Olsen and pair it with a small handbag. A smaller bag evens out the look and doesn't weigh you down.

Ashley Olsen is proportion perfect!

I just picked up this crossbody bag from Aldo $40

This summer, when you're not sure which purse will complete your stellar outfit, just remember opposites attract!

Make a statement..

Make a big statement this Spring! Bold jewelry for casual prices.

                             AV Max                                                  Urban Outfitters

AV Max Chain-Wrapped Agate Cuff

$95

Cusp by Neiman Marcus, available at http://www.cusp.com

Urban Outfitters Stone Cluster Cuff Bracelet

$28

Exclusively online at http://www.urbanoutfitters.com

Elizabeth & James

MARC by Marc Jacobs

Elizabeth & James Double Wishbone Ring

$125

Available at http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com

MARC by Marc Jacobs Coral Seas Ring
$68
Available at http://www.shopbop.com

Forever 21

Vanessa Hudgens wearing Soixante Neuf

Soixante Neuf Hammered Gold Ring

$178

Available at http://www.jades24.com

Forever 21 Hammered Knuckle Ring

$5.80

Available in store and online at http://canada.forever21.com

Serefina

Arden B

Serefina Feather Bib Necklace

$81

Available at http://www.boutiquetoyou.com

Arden B Feather Statement Necklace

$29

Available at http://www.ardenb.com

When sporting spots..



Anna Kendrick in a youthful sheer cheetah dress



       Helen Mirren shows us prints look good at any age




Ginnifer Goodwin in Louis Vuitton



I like animal prints just as much as the next girl, with the obvious exception of any girl from New Jersey, let's face it nobody loves animal prints as much as those girls. Not only have animal prints been seen widely across the fashion universe lately, everyone from Anna Kendrick (Twilight) to Helen Mirren have been sporting the spots, we're also seeing a plether of animal-faced garments. Ginnifer Goodwin recently wore a Louis Vuitton white silk jacket emblazed with giraffe faces. 



Animal prints are a style-do, but please do sparingly. Choose one item to be wild and keep the rest of your outfit reasonably tamed. Cheetah prints are great as a top, or on heeled booties, just keep it within a neutral palette. When you rock spots, leave your favourite zebra scarf or snake-skin purse at home! This rule should also be applied to your tech gadgets. If your Blackberry is a bedazzled hot mess of neon green and fuschia animal spots, it's probably making more of a statement about your fashion sense than you had hoped.

Speaking of all things gawdy, I have a newly acquired (although should not be admitted) love for trashy television, in the form of Jerseylicious. Imagine Jersey Shore solely dedicated to how to tease your hair and bronze your skin. Amazing!







This inspired my own, Top 5 Style Tips NOT to Take from Girls of the Garden State

• Through the Roof Hair, overly teased hair, I'm all for volume but when girls start using hair instead of heels to add height, it's a little much
• 9-Inch Nails, preventing you from doing basic daily functions
• Tan Fan, I love a healthy glow, but orange hues & sparkles do not belong on your skin 
• Bold Eyeliner, when it looks like you traded in your Mac pencil for a blunt tip sharpie
• Earrings that are larger than your ears themselves
• More rings than fingers
• Daily smokey-eyes, this look is best saved for after the sun goes down
• Frosty pink lips, I thought this shade was discontinued back in 1989 ?

Cast of Jerseylicious

 No matter what end of the 'Glamazon' (Jersery for when too much is never enough) scale you're on, I guess we can say style is truly in the smokey-eye of the beholder.

Here today, out of style tomorrow..

Sometimes it's best to get the look, less the designer price tag.

When this MARC by Marc Jacobs dress stomped it's way down the runway, was showcased in ad campaigns and popped up in virtually every Spring fashion magazine, I knew this would be Marc's hot ticket item of the season. Although this dress is sold out on all my favourite .com fashion avenues, I found an interpretation of the design that offers a better fit for everyone's budget.

MARC by Marc Jacobs                         Urban Outfitters

MARC by Marc Jacobs Simone Striped Dress

$628  

Sold out almost everywhere!

Urban Outfitters Cooperative Tank Dress

$49

Urban Outfitters stores & online at http://www.urbanoutfitters.com

Men don't get harem pants..

And I suspect they never will. 


This is for all the women with men in our lives who look at us with all kinds of crazy when we rock any of these trends. 


My top fashion trends that men just don't understand:

Harem Pants Aka jodhpur/balloon/MC Hammer pants, whatever you want to call them, unless you've tried on a pair you can't deny their comfort. That being said harem pants are not for everybody. They do have a tendency to make your bottom look droopy, but these pants have definitely had their moment numerous seasons across the runways. So guys, I'm not trying to look like Princess Jasmine, but the play on silhouettes is a fun way to mix it up.

Kim Kardashian

Big Sunglasses Yes I do look like an insect, and no I don't care. Oversized sunglasses are so multi-functional, great for covering up a 'night-before' or when I am in one of my anti-makeup days (another thing men don't understand, we do get tired of our daily makeup routines). 

 

Nicole Richie wears it right, just the top half.

Head to toe-too much bag!

Loose Fit Anything Men don't understand your fashion choices if it isn't body hugging, bootylicious and accentuates every curve on your body. It's not only fashionable, its comfortable as well and why not throw that element in as often as we can? I especially love loose fit tops. Just be sure if one half is loose, the other half should be body-conscious. We don't want to look like bag-ladies.. unless that comes back into style, in that case then we'll talk.

Available at urbanoutfitters.com

Adorned Headbands Juvenile no more! Headbands have come back in a very big way over the past couple years. A great quick fix when your bangs just aren't working for you. I guess when men think of headbands they revert back to their 8-year old selves and immediately want to pull it off your head and give your hair a 'messy', but thats just their problem. And while we're on the subject of hair, why can't I wear my hair in some crazy top of the head messy bun every once in awhile?

The Addison Story                       C&C California

Jumpsuits An outfit all in one, something I do advocate. My suggestion when wearing this trend; a belt is going to really pull the look together. To make it more sophisticated and office-appropriated, pair with a black blazer. The jumpsuit is again not a trend for everybody, especially if you have a longer torso, and well you know where I'm getting at..

Oversized Handbags I have a lot of stuff to cart around everyday. So when my handbag takes up half my body length, it is necessary.

Everything Mary-Kate and Ashley Wear To some; crazy boho miniature bag-ladies. To me; Fashion Icons. Although they are usually way ahead of the fashion curve, I find both their ready-to-wear lines, The Row and somewhat more affordable Elizabeth and James, very wearer-friendly. They make clothes that look good on a variety of body types, not just theirs, because well come on!


Sorry guys, if MK and Ash wear something, it's going to become cool!

Calling all carboholics..

Has anyone else heard of these Miracle Noodles? My mom brought them to my attention the other day and I thought it was too good of a secret not to share. 


Imported from Japan, Miracle Noodles are made from soluble plant fiber. When they enter your stomach they expand slightly giving you a full feeling. They are gluten, soy and calorie free.. yes you read that correctly... NO CALORIES !

• Nutrition Facts

  Serving Size: 3 oz
  Servings Per Container: 2.3
• Amount Per Serving
• Calories 0
• Total Fat 0g0%
• Protein 0g0%
• Protein <1g0%
• Sugar 0g0%
• Carbohydrate <1g - only fiber
• Zero Net Carbs, Zero Calories, Zero Glycemic Index
  Ingredients : Water, glucomannan (soluble fiber), calcium additive.

Miracle Noodles come in a variety of pasta shapes, Angel Hair, Fettucini, Mini-Pearls, Rigatoni and even Rice.


Although they don't exactly taste like traditional pasta, I mean what can you expect from gluten free anything, they are successful in tricking your body into thinking you're indulging in a big bowl of pasta. 

Even if you're stove-top challenged like myself, these noodles require no cooking! Just drain, rinse and dry. Make some low cal Mac n' Cheese, throw them into a soup, or heat up with some tomato sauce.


But if you're trying to go skinny, be aware your wallet might go on the skinny as well. For my fellow Canadian customers 10 7oz. packs go for $24.99 CAD plus a $12.99 shipping fee, but you can also find them in health food stores 1 serving for about $3. For my mates Down Under $37.98 AUS including shipping.  


Unfortunately as of right now there are no indications they are available in Mexico.


For more information check out their website:
http://www.miraclenoodle.com 

Have your pasta and eat it too!

How to make high value purchases...

This is my formula to determine the monetary value of an item before you purchase it. It will aid you in the decision whether an article of clothing or an accessory is worth the price tag!

Ex. $250 Prada sunglasses that fit your face perfectly, and go with everything

$250 ÷ 200 days (let's say about 6 months of the year) = $1.25 


High value items are those with a low amount determined through the formula 


Other high value items include,

• Handbags
• A great pair of black pumps (don't go with an overly pointy or rounded toe, as these styles come and go)
• Sunglasses
• Cashmere winter scarf 
• Beige or black trench coat
• Button down dress shirt
• Black pants



Marc Jacobs 2007

• Dark wash jeans, bootcut, or loose ankle skinny 

These items can be worn for years, as long as you don't take these classics too trendy.


Low value items are those that are only trendy for one season and look 'dated'. Let's all remember Marc Jacob's 2007 misplaced heel shoes, or Balenciaga's knee high gladiator sandals (guilty!), or how low can you go low-rise jeans. 


Next time you're out about to grab that bright orange floral frock from H&M, do a quick calculation to see if you really want to spend the cash, just because its in now, there's no telling what next season holds. And, when someone asks you how much that Coach handbag was, smile and say $5, (because it was, well as determined through our formula)

So maybe it's not exactly scientific, but it's a good way to justify your credit card statement to your significant other, parents, or yourself.