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.