DIY: Studded bag

Before:

After:

Black velvet shoulder bag from Value Village $3.99, Assorted studs: $9.99 Michaels, Fleur de Lis deckle: Michaels .50c, chic studded bag: priceless

Sisters, Sisters, Never were there such devoted sisters

On moi: Costa Blanca black tights, sequin skirt: Hush Winnipeg, black tank top, gold necklace: Forever 21, Grey Blazer: Zara, Red lipstick: MAC

On Katie: my gold dress from Forever 21, my black tuxedo blazer (Eryn Brinie New York) Moule Winnipeg, statement necklace: Aldo Accessories, Gold/Black ring: Trust Fund Ottawa

A night out on the town with my big sis means great pics, several hours of dancing and it least one stage appearance. She is my best friend and best fashion consultant when I try wearing/buying something ridiculous. Each year at christmas her, my Dad and I watch White Christmas and sing and dance the whole time- especially to the song "Sisters".

I don't want to go back to school!

Tamborine: Live Band at Alive Night Club

New Years Princess

polyvore.com

I find New Years extremely overrated, it never turns out the way anyone wants it to. But it IS a great excuse to dress up and if you look amazing then you will feel amazing and maybe, just maybe that will turn in to a great night. If I wanted to have the best night ever, this is what I would wear - tiara included.

Haute Holidays

Girls Night Out!

My outfit: lace tights- Club Monaco, skirt: Aritiza, ruffle top: Winners, Blazer: Teen Flo, bag: Hush Winnipeg

Trendy leopard on Emma, colored tights and vintage bf blazer on Caitie!

Formal:

Vintage Gold Statement Necklace

BCBG scrunch dress

Juicy Couture Gold Chain Bag

New York designer gold/silver ring (will get the name!)

Katie enjoying the many christmas presents left over from the party!

Diane Von Furstenburg blue silk dress

MAC purple lipstick.

Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

xoxo

Party Hopping

Grey Blazer- Rag & Bone, Sequin Layered Dress - Forever 21, Lace tights - Club Monaco, Shoes- Dolce Vita (Soul Shoes Winnipeg), Fringe Bag- Shout (Winnipeg), Belt - Miss Sixty (Unfold Winnipeg)

The perfect holiday hopping outfit -- sparkle, sophistication and a little bit of sass. This number can take you from a casual get together to the hottest party of the year. Bonus features: it is red wine spill proof!

Photography by best brother Nicholas.

Joy to the World

Grey Cashmere Sweater- Club Monaco, Black Silk Skirt- Forever 21, Belt- Holt Renfrew (Vancouver), Black Heeled Booties- Winners (Toronto), Gold Key Charm Necklace- Tiffany & Co, Purple Lipstick- MAC cosmetics

I spent the day catching up with old friends, christmas browsing (and shopping!) and decorating the family tree. I could not imagine a more wonderful way to spend the holidays and I am loving every minute of being home!

This black skirt is actually high waisted but I decided to create a more casual look by wearing a baggier sweater and leaving it untucked. Did I mention how comfortable this outfit is? My definition of "sweats and a hoodie" is tights and a sweater (especially if its cashmere).

I hope you can stay warm, stylish and comfortable over the holidays!

Great Depression = Great style

Vintage Fur Coat (my basement--Great Grandmother's), Black Leather Belt (Hudsons Bay Company), Over the Knee Suede Boots (Cha Cha Palace in Winnipeg)

This is the mink coat I wrote about in one of my first posts . It was my great grandmother's making it more than 75 years old. I always thought it was luxurious and fun but today was the first day in my 18 years of marveling at it that I put it on and wore it in public. The belt definitely added to the modernity of the outfit as I had to be careful not to resemble a 1930s aristocrat. I must have pulled it off because I received many compliments and more importantly it kept me warm in the bitterly cold weather (-22 celsius).

Many people may not have the opportunity to snatch up an antique fur coat from an ancient ancestor but thrift stores are bursting with them. For in between $50-100, you can purchase a good quality fur coat and feel better about the reuse of animal fur.  I would recommend tailoring it to suit your needs as many old fur coats tend to go for the "blanket" look. Add a trendy belt and voila you look set to hit the runway but warm enough to hit the town.

Rockin' the Rachel

A few of my faves from the Rachel Rachel Roy 2010 Collection

Each item- Under $150.

For the beauty, quality, and designer name it comes with - a pretty amazing price for an item you'll adore forever...well it least until it goes out of style.

I have not decided on my most favorite yet...the fun yet sophisticated jumpsuit makes me long for spring, while I feel like the studded leather and lace dress might have been made for me...I want, want, want!

Success on the City

Quite a few episodes back, Olivia proved to Joe and Erin that she DOES have a great eye for style (obviously, everyone else knows that) when she did the A-Z accessory segment featuring designers with items under $100. As I was browsing websites I stumbled across Rachel Roy and realized that she was one of the designers Olivia featured. Anyone remember the "lip" ring?

Only $38.00 and very "fly" as Olivia would say!

Rachel Roy does everything in her affordable Rachel Rachel Roy line -- accesories, clothes, shoes and handbags. All very lustworthy and so affordable compared to Rachel Roy New York. www.rachelroy.com

A post about my favorite pieces of hers will come soon!

For now, enjoy this cute kiss!

WHERE have these been all of my life?

Love at first site.

The site? http://www.wherefashion.co.uk

FREE TRADE SHOES. A very interesting, and revolutionary concept. Take that nike!

 I would trade anything for these.

Foresight

What makes a great stylist? Foresight. Last fall 08' my lovely friend CL put together a photoshoot, she styled, MS shot and yours truly modeled. Everything seemed pretty risk-ay at the time...well guess what? Every trend she picked out is this seasons hottest must have. If that isn't trend prediction I don't know what it is. Here are a few of the best...

We are all returning home next week, M from Paris and C from Toronto. Maybe another futuristic shoot is in store.

fffffffffffur (faux!)

Laaaaaace

Ppppppppplaid AND tulle skirts and menswear boots! (Man C, you really did it!)

I wonder what is in store for fall/winter 2010??

Beauty and the Beast

Putting off studying and reading blog after blog led me to two beautiful images (among several others)

How beautiful does Sasha look here. And just a paparazzi photo, this could be an editorial, and I LOVE her bag. So fierce, so chic. I am moving to Paris so that I can see this everyday! Is it like this everyday?

This next one is the perfect menswear outfit to me. And can definitely be done in many ways for the winter season! Add some tights to a silk mens shirt like this (jewel tones would look fabulous) leave a few buttons open and throw a black blazer over top.

Both images courtesy of JackandJillblog.com

All I want for christmas

Not even close to ALL, but I like to think SOME of these items are attainable...

Love love love Zara's winter coats. May or may not have purchased one to be wrapped and given to me on xmas morning...

2.5 inch, diamond Tiffany key.

Sometimes dreams DO come true.

Attention: EVERYONE! A very chic and very practical shearling boot.

Courtesy of Tory Burch.

Topshop boyfriend blazer.

Would make a lovely New Years item, would it not?

Perfectly practical Oxfords.

(shopbop)

A hunting hat for doing everything BUT hunting.

(shopbop)

It seems like I am all about practicality these days...I mean come on, we are just exiting a recession. Clearly why the Tiffany necklace is soooooo needed.

Lets hope Santa is nice:) Happy Holidays!

If only, if only

If only I could go on a net-a-porter shopping spree, this would be my wishlist...

Clearly studying is NOT going so well. My favorite piece is a toss up between the incredibly practical See by Chloe over the shoulder bag or the insanely not so practical embellished sandals.

Ottawa's Treasures

Just when I was doubting the fashion-abilities of humble Ottawa I stumbled across "The Clothing Secret". The name does not lie. The store is stuffed to the ceiling with seemingly junk but with a little browsing, scavenging and excessive flipping, one will head to the changing room for over a good hour. I loved so much I did not know what to choose...and the bank account restricts this as well. So for now, I got....

A Diane Von Furstenburg wrap dress, J Brands, Gold statement necklace AND an 18th century to the floor long sleeve, low back velvet black dress WHICH I took my scissors too make it a mini dress, and kept the long sleeve and deep-v back. PRICELESS...

Where do you find strings of leather?

I bought another pair of thigh high boots awhile back...thinking that these new leather ones would be much more behaved than my suede ones purchased last year. I imagined us pounding the pavement, shopping, schooling, walking, with the boots in perfect position above my knee. But just like my suede ones, they disappointed me! So? What is my newest idea to solve the problem? Buying long strings of leather, tying them in a knot, wrapping them around the knee of the boot and tying them in place!

Will look like gucci, non?

Not so big a secret...

1/4 bitchy, 3/4 stylish. Olivia Palermo is my favorite City girl, New Yorker, socialite, celebrity and just all around girl in tabloids. This post is not that original as she does star in one of the most watched reality shows but I just need to point out that she is MY style-icon. She is my go-to girl on a Friday night when I just don't have any clue what to pull out of the closet. She has never worn an outfit that I do not goggle over and has 100% delivery rate when giving me ideas of what to wear or buy. Her personal style on and off the screen exudes sophistication. Wouldn't it be nice if her personality matched?

I feel like I have done this...

I feel like this needs to be done.

(Note to self: add necklace to christmas list)

Please hold the snow for a FEW more days so I can attempt this...

Done and Done. These exact pants are at Le Chateau, necklace already on list and faux-fur vest is already in possession (though I do like the grey color...).

Risky Business

Some people think that even light, nudes, pinks and peach lipsticks are pushing it for everyday makeup. Dark lips are a whole new ball game. While you should try to stay away from rockin' the dark lips during the day, for night time, they are THE new red. Beautiful matched for this seasons looks of jewel tones and sparkly accessories, dark purple-plum lips are the hottest new fashion statement. And I mean statement- you need to have confidence to sport this trendy look. Big purple lips, simple hair, and not too much black (this look IS flirting with gothic)...will have you standing out at all the holiday parties.

 But stay away from the mistletoe...smudges are just not attractive.

Memoirs of Toronto

An amazing weekend with amazing friends in an amazing city. I thought that these were the perfect souvenir.

Black suede, 4 inch heel, zip up booties. So divine with my new emerald green tights or no tights at all...

However, I am not sure if I can rock these in the Ottawa scene...I mean, is Harper really ready for that?

Regardless, Thank you Toronto!

Consider this...

Starbucks christmas cups are out.
Mall and city street light decorations are out.
My christmas wishlist is in the works! (stay tuned)

It must be that time of year!!!

As much as I love holiday dresses and plan to find many occasions to wear several of them, a new idea for the season had my heada' turnin'.

Rather than the traditional, black, red or green, with sparkles and sequins, silk or chiffon dress of some sort for your holiday events, maybe mix it up a bit?

Personally Im not a fan of the whole ensemble, I just dig the vest. It would look fabulous with a black mini skirt, tights and simple cami or t for a holiday event!

Again I would dress this up a bit more for a party. But for lunch or the office, the paparazzi would probably be chasing you for wearing this...

My Reward

As a reward for focusing and completing 2 essays and one outline, I decided to style.com stalk Diane Kruger...you can see why....

What a beautiful man- I mean smile, I mean dress! Seriously, her outfit is gorgeous, but I do suddenly feel the need to watch seasons 1-6 of Dawsons Creek.

If only grad could be redone.....

Whenever I try to wear plaid I look like a farmer... but don't you love this? Maybe the chiffon material rather than flannel/cotton helps prevent the milking cow effect.

Sorry Lee Angel

A little DIY.

We wear them in our hair on clips and headbands...but until now I had never seen fabric flowers on jewelry. The thought of a colorful, flowered statement necklace is quite exciting and wouldn't a bracelet be beautiful? This Lee Angel piece is so lovely, but for $168, I think I would rather make the trip to Michaels....I think it would be quite easy to assemble.

Maybe one day I will move past Michael's and buy some real Lee Angel. If you haven't seen this New York designers jewelry, check it out . From gorgeous statement accessories that will make any outfit stand out to simple everyday pieces crafted with exquisite detail to perfection.

Until then, Im heating up my glue gun.

I take it all back..

Remember that thing I said that time.....about Hunters....and like not..wanting them...?

I take it back. Jimmy Choo for Hunter is rockin' my world. These wellies look like they could help conquer the world.

Jimmy does it again. Oh and AGAIN, Jimmy Choo for H&M!!!

I am going to Toronto next weekend and I cannot wait..please still have stock, please still have stock!

Teasing my addiction

When I am in the mood to learn about new trends and look at clothes that are a bit out of reach (store based in U.K - yes there is overseas shipping I know), I go to asos.com. On my most recent visit, I discovered an attraction that I had not yet been to. Their ONLINE free (!) magazine. I figured this may be just a lookbook that they decided to name magazine to seem cool but no, no, no. It is a full fledge fashion magazine. And because it is online, if you like a dress, scarf, bag or studded suede platform sandal- you just click and voila you are looking at it close up, choosing your size and pullin' out the card. This is taking out all of the work of looking through magazines, searching online, scowering blogs and celebrity pictures and searching for products on the hundreds of online shops. This is like the ULTIMATE shoppers guide. Just browse, admire, love, click, punch numbers, confirm address and you have the hottest trends on the way from the U.K. I have a feeling asos.com has become a little bit more to me than a site in my "browsing" list. How will I ever restrain myself? Must repeat 7 steps to recovery...

Follow link to the best magazine ever! http://www.asos.com/Women/Asos-Magazine/Cat/pgehtml.aspx?cid=8647

Lovin Lepore

Which is your favorite? Nanette Lepore fall 2009 is to-die-for. Blair Waldorf meets boho chic. Plaid, yellow, sparkles, earth tones, wavy hair, even animal print is thrown in there- what else can I say? The clothes do most of the talking. These 3 outfits have made my brain flourish with ideas for November and holiday style. Thank you Nanette!