All posts filed under: Fashion

I Heart StyleLikeU

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It’s not everyday that you get to meet your Instagram crushes, but that’s exactly what happened to me earlier this year when the amazing pair behind StyleLikeU materialized before my eyes at a press event. Helmed by mother-daughter duo Elisa Goodkind and Lily  Mandelbaum, the StyleLikeU mission seeks to empower people to discover a sense of unique personal style and, in turn, create a society that values and encourages individual expression. What I love about their work is how it focuses on being different as a good thing – cuz it is. Which is probably because I grew up feeling very much different – cuz I was. Anyhoo, I had the privilege to write about their endlessly gorgeous & newly available book True Style is What’s Underneath. It’s a full-on manifesto overflowing with inspiration for your closet and your spirit, and I highly recommend it for anyone interested in personal style, self-acceptance and/or looking to ignite a creative spark. One of my fave quotes in the book is this nugget from Amy van Doran: “I had no chance of being normal, so I always …

Coat Tales… à la Canadiana

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Pink! Curls! Legs! Silver! Isn’t this shot everything?! Loved styling this fall fashion story with amazing Canadian-designed coats. Photography by Alvaro Goveia / Makeup & Hair by Diana Carreiro / Canadian beauty by Anna, Elite Models / Styling by me. Thanks Jute Magazine for running it! Clothing credits below… Look 1: Ellie Mae pink coat, Browns boots Look 2: Sentaler purple trench Look 3: SØSKEN checkered coat, MICHAEL Michael Kors boots Look 4: Sentaler moto coat Look 5: SØSKEN yellow coat, Browns boots Look 6: Rudsak red moto and slip dress

No Safe Shades!!!

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Because on the first day of summer, I wanna wear all the brights!   Here’s credits for everything in the vid: Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Lavender Jam, $30, Sephora Susana Monaco Philomena Dress, $203, Shopbop Banana Republic Italian Suede Accordion Bag, $215 H&M Textured Skirt, $60 Timex Weekender Fairfield Watch, $95 J. Crew Tie-Waist Romper, $149 Birkenstock sandals, Arizona (pink), $129, and Madrid (yellow), $99, mybirkenstockshop.ca Oscar de la Renta earrings, US $425, Net-A-Porter French Connection Celia Sequinned Dress, $90 (green) and $80 (pink) Stella McCartney The Falabella Mini Bag, US $1055, Net-A-Porter Zara PomPom Sandals, $90

Budget Dresses to Buy Now

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I had a real hankering for a wardrobe update last week and fully intended to satisfy my sartorial craving with a pretty top of some sort. I had my eyes peeled for something off the shoulder or printed, you know, anything that felt new & now. I gave it a real good effort but for whatever reason, price point or dissatisfactory fabric, it did not happen. However, in my travels I came across this dress, above, that did everything I asked of it. My demands were: easy-to-wear cut (ruching = buh bye belly), not-so-basic detailing (asymmetrical reads as cool) and budget-friendly price (under $100). I wore it out the next day, which is always a good sign. In fact, Jenn Rogien, the costume designer for Girls AND Orange is the New Black (NBD!), once told me that if you buy a garment and don’t want to wear it immediately that you should return it. It’s just not speaking to you strong enough and will end up being a waste of space in your closet. Wearing my winning frock (you’ll find the particulars below) only …

My Greedy Gift Guide

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My holiday shopping is all wrapped up, which leaves just enough time to indulge in my own wish list. Hence, the title of this post and a gift guide of five prezzie suggestions. A few lean more towards want than need. A couple are things I already own and love – and therefore never want to run out of. And yes, while these are things I shamelessly admit to lusting after for myself, I guarantee any stylish gal you know wouldn’t be mad to receive them. Happy Holidays! 1. Gimme A Chic Coat! With Mother Nature being on her best behaviour it only seems fair to reward her by stepping out in an eye-catching lightweight coat. I like my outerwear packed to the gills with personality, so this printed one is right up my ally. H&M Pattern Coat, $60       2. Gimme Gorgeous Skin! As a clay mask aficionado I can attest to this being a must-have beauty product. It’s splurgy, for sure. But its ability to suck the gunk out pores while leaving skin super hydrated is worth every penny. If she likes skin care, she’ll …

Winter Garden

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Here’s what happens: I buy something new for my wardrobe and it automatically becomes the only thing I want to wear. Like, to an embarrassing degree. My latest obsession has been with a floral print dress I picked up when I was in London awhile back. It’s dark in palette, easy in shape, and the kind of item you slip on and instantly look extra polished in – like you could run into anyone that day (former boss, an ex, what have you) and feel pretty darn good about yourself because you know you look gooood. Amy Poehler knows what I’m talking about, she chose something similar to wear to her Hollywood Walk of Fame induction ceremony. My floral frock has become a go-to garment this winter, which makes getting dressed on any given day super quick (add tights and booties, done), but there’s only so many times in a week I can bust it out. Hence, I’ve rounded up a few potential candidates that would make chic new friends. Check ’em out in the slideshow. More floral dresses? Yes, please!  

Back to Black

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Ok, so, sticking to black for holiday dressing isn’t anything new (it’s basically the ‘Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking’ festive equivalent), BUT I swear that updated silhouettes, textures and details make the go-to neutral as exciting as ever. We’re going well beyond the LBD. See slideshow below to peep my favourite options which include sexy jumpsuits, body skimming fits that are more covered than not, oversize lace and sequins in new shapes (j’adore that kimono wrap dress!). Don’t forget to add statement jewelry, I’m big on big earrings at the moment, plus a deliciously dark lip colour and any style of flashy footwear. I’ll be in silver flats, FYI. Best Health Nov/Dec 2015 Photography: Genevieve Charbonneau / Hair & Makeup: Cia Mandarello Art Direction: Jackie Shipley / Styling: me!  

Yoga, Girl, Yoga

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This image of Caley Alyssa Yavorsky, yogi supreme, in an incredible backbend yoga pose has been seared into my brain since I came across it in Self magazine last summer. I think it’s a jaw-dropping image of beauty and strength, and I find it majorly inspiring. So much so that I may or may not have nabbed the pic as my avatar image on my MindBody app log-in. It’s all about visualization, people! Am I anywhere near as flexible? Hells no. But I’m working on it, and have been committed to hot yoga for the past few years. I remember thinking “I’ve never sweated this much in my life, I love it!” during the very first class I tried. Now it’s all I do in terms of a workout and I can’t imagine life without it. Going to class and sweating to death keeps me sane and kicks my butt. Every. Single. Time. At the beginning of November I decided to embark on a 30-day yoga challenge, which, no surprise, is an attempt to hit the mat every day for a month. It had been a couple …

Coat Check

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Winter is legit coming, which means the time is now to secure yourself a super chic coat. My advice when it comes to outerwear? Embrace a print, shake things up with a bit of sparkle or leather details, get wrapped up in a fluffy texture or try a surprising colour. Basically, anything but basic black is the way to go. Coat Check story, as seen in 1968 Magazine Photography, Alvaro Goveia Makeup and hair, Jukka Model, Karis at Elmer Olsen Models Styling, me

Sweater Weather

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  I don’t know about you, but getting ready to face chilly weather takes both mental and sartorial prep on my part. I need to take my winter coat to the dry cleaner, see if any pairs of boots could use a cobblin’ and pull out all those heavy layers I’ve stowed away since spring. And assembling pieces I love to wear is mandatory because long and dark is just how Canadian winters like to roll. If you’re not able to bundle up in items you adore you’re doomed. Knits obviously play a big role here, which makes this the perfect time to re-visit a few of my favourite looks from the Best Health October 2015 issue. Any of these plush pieces would be a warm welcome on a frosty day. Art Direction by Jackie Shipley Photography by Genevieve Charbonneau Makeup and Hair by Cia Mandarello Styling by me Look 1: Cardigan, Line. Dress, Winners. Scarf, Marshalls. Belt, Stylist’s Own. Look 2: Sweater dress, Banana Republic. Scarf, Wilfred. Socks, Roots. Boots, Hunter. Look 3: Sweater, Club Monaco. Skirt, GAP. Poncho, Babaton. Look 4: Pullover, Melow …