Get the Look: Summer Style Staples

The Long Jersey Dress - Dressed Up

If you get Gwyneth's GOOP newsletter then you've already seen the looks she put together in conjunction with net-a-porter.com using three staple items perfect for any summer wardrobe. These looks were an attempt to make the clothing Gwyneth chooses more accessible to her readers, and I get that this is why some people dislike her--not too many of us find Proenza Schouler satchels accessible no matter how beautiful they are (or readily available online). Still, the reason I like Gwyneth is because she provides some good ideas and inspiration, and she looks great in clothes. I've used the net-a-porter looks as a jumping board for some great Get It For Less looks perfect for summer--if it should ever decide to arrive.

Casual {Love the Antik Batik Sandals!}

The Short Flirty Jacket

Dressed Up

Casual

The Printed Dress

Dressed Up

Casual

What are some of your warm weather style staples?


And Happy Birthday to my nephew Luca who is turning a big boy four today!

Bridal Shower Outfit: Chic Shorts

Wedding season has definitely kicked off for me. The schedule this year isn't as bad as last (we had thirteen weddings + assorted related events at last count), but it is definitely pretty busy. Which always raises the question of what to wear. My rundown usually goes something like...is it cute? fashionable? comfortable? have these people seen it before? It's never ending. This Sunday I had another bridal shower and got a call from a friend who had decided she wanted to wear a pair of dressy navy shorts. Now my friend has the height and the legs to pull this look off (I don't) so I was totally for it although she wasn't sure what to pair with it. My suggestion went something like this...

A feminine top paired with metallic high heels (nude platform heels were also considered) brought to life by some bright accessories. My friend pulled off a variation of the above and she looked great, although ended up a bit chilly because there was, like, snow or hail or somesuch yesterday, which is so not cool for mid-April. What did you do this weekend?

Street Chic: Get Elettra's Look

I'm really liking the fresh look sported by Elettra Wiedemann at Fashion Week. Easy, pretty and feminine. Like the look but not willing to spring for Michael Kors (dress and jacket) or Prada (shoes)? Don't have a string of family heirloom pearls? No problem. The great thing about this outfit is that it's easily achievable for much less. Photo via Vogue.com.

What do you think of this look?

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Cold Weather Chic

Combining style with appropriate winter clothes is sometimes a challenge for me. You want things that are functional and warm, but don't want to look like an abominable snowman either. When it comes to splurging I think a good winter jacket is one of those items that is worth spending some extra money on.

How do you make your cold weather gear stylish?

Happy Weekend!

Everything is Coming Up Roses

I recall a time when I wore nothing but silver, platinum

 or white gold jewellery. Anything else was just unheard of.

Then gold began sneaking back into my heart, little by little.

Over time mixing the two metals suddenly didn't seem so taboo.

Frankly, at this point the mix of gold and silver is one of my

favourite looks. Which brings us to the hottest metal for spring:

Rose Gold.

Soft. Sweet. Pretty. Feminine. It's also stylish and on trend.

I don't even wear watches, nor do I particularly like

them, but I find myself craving the Michael Kors one above.

 And the great thing about rose gold is that it really works

on a variety of complexions and skin tones.

So what do you think?

Are you in for some rose gold come spring?

 

Fall/Winter Trend 2010: Caped Crusader

Capes and ponchos were both big on the runways for Fall 2010 coming in many different fabrics, shapes and sizes. The look has hit the street and the stores, too, with tons of options to choose from.

I'm still not entirely sold that this trend is for me, although I love the look of certain styles especially when paired with a sequined mini or a pair of leggings, jeggings and the like.

Alexander McQueen Fall 2010

The great thing about capes is that they can be gothic or preppy,

 opulent like at McQueen or classic like L'Wren Scott's version.

L'Wren Scott Fall 2010

Sacai Fall 2010

YSL Fall 2010

Zac Posen Fall 2010

 

Gap Fall 2010

 

J. Crew Fall 2010

Rag and Bone Northfield Shearling-Lined Poncho

Here are some more reasonably priced capes to help you get this look...

Any favourites?

Will you be sporting a cape this fall and winter?

Images: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

Runway Photos Courtesy of Style.Com

Street Style: 09.21.10 and Gossip Girl, 4.2

Rebecka is wearing a mix of vintage and modern (the top and shorts are H and M) for a really great late-summer, early-fall look. Photo courtesy of Stockholm Street Style.

What did everyone think of Gossip Girl last night?

(some spoilers below)

"They're Vivier and a hell of a lot more expensive than a glass slipper!"

~ Blair, Gossip Girl, "Double Identity," Season 4, Episode 2

I was swooning again over Blair's de la Renta (with that pink clutch) and I loved the combo of the gold Pucci and blue Tibi pants on Serena even if it was a bit shoulderpad-tastic and M was not feeling the outfit at all. Blair and Chuck at the train station and her realizing he has been going to propose to her was a good moment and I'm glad Chuck Bass is back. 

Blair: "You should have told me you got shot."

Chuck: "I'm surprised you didn't shoot me yourself."

Blair: "I have...many times in my dreams. The good ones."

~Gossip Girl, "Double Identity," 4.2

The whole Baby Milo controversy is a wearing thin (just get a DNA test already!), although Milo's monkey nursery was cute. I'm pretty much at the point where I want to punch Dan in the face. What is his deal? He should have been ecstatic that Nate lied to Vanessa. And how can anyone feel bad for Serena when she's been with different guys all summer? Although the question remains what would you choose a good shoulder to cry on or good shoulders? These are life questions, peeps. And then there's the mysterious Juliet, wonder who she's working with.

An All Weather Wardrobe Item: The Denim Short

As much as I try to fight it, the signs are all pointing in the same direction--fall will soon be here. Granted, these last few years where I'm from the hot weather has extended into October, and I will be the last person you will see complaining about that, but with kids scampering back to school and The Ex officially open here (the definitive Toronto sign that summer is wrapping up) it's time to start thinking about transitioning into fall. Along this train of thought, the other day I put together a guest post for Dawn's amazing blog about the shirtdress, a piece of clothing that with some layering and accessorizing can be a year-round part of your wardrobe. And that got me thinking about other items that could also do warm and cold weather double duty, pieces like the cut off jean short. Personally, I'm not much of a shorts person, but if you can pull them off then you can definitely still hang on to your denim cut offs once the cooler weather hits.

For summer pair your denim cutoffs with a simple tank or tee--you can also add a vest or denim button-down if you like--and some flat sandals for a casual day look.

Nicole Richie has perfected this laid back, bohemian style.

Alexa Chung is another fan of the jean short. Here she shows us just how easy it is to take them from warm to cold. Add tights, a blazer and some boots or Mary Janes and your shorts have a whole new life.

Wondering how to make your shorts more sophisticated for fall? Take some hints from Olivia or Kate.

Some ideas to work this look into your own wardrobe...

Images: 1 / 2 / 3-4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12

I'm also so excited to have reached 400 followers! Honestly, thank you guys for hanging in there with me and reading and commenting every day. It really means the world to me and I'm so happy to have "met" some really great people and friends through this blogging process. To show my appreciation I've planned for a week of giveaways to say thank you to all of you! xo