All of your hearts desires

"Dear Shopahallic, how do I pull off the pink lipstick trend without looking like the scary, g-string showing, hoop earring wearing, gum chewing girls from my highschool?"

There is nowhere better to place to look in answering this question than whowhatwear.com. Below are a few examples of chic ways of pullin off the pink pout. 

My sister and I invested and rocked it just last night, we tried the trend for the first time of the season below....

Wearing: MAC "Girl About Town"

Wearing: MAC "Snob"

In other news....

Two fabulously french trendsetters wore matching motos, paired with cute purses and big smiles proving you don't have to own a Harley to totally nail the oversized leather. Hillary and Katherine of whowhatwear watch out -- these ladies picked up their jackets long before your recent post came out.

 

                    M and S, motorcycle jackets from Danier, floral purse from Winners

Did I mention I'd fight Winner's scavengers for the floral purse M is holding?

Apparently she picked up the last one at 1 of Winnipeg's 3 Winner's... I now will search out the other 2. Wish me luck, or should I say..fais moi bon chance!

Perfectly Pink

I'm all about lipstick these days. There's something about a woman's defined lips that just needs to extenuated, sometimes the best outfits are the ones centered on the lips. Little black dress, purple lips...heels, loose t, red lips, and now this spring/summer, whites, pinks and florals will loosely hang off my (hopefully) bronzed self with light, pale, candy, colored lips.   

It can be fun and flirty, 

It can be sophisticated

and it is most definitely trendy.

Positively in love with this Chanel ad. Just so perfect. 

Oscar Report

I am so happy with the red carpet turn out at the Oscars. The stars certainly redeemed themselves and allowed me to once again, dream to be right there with them. 

For that reason, I shall be positive. I will not post awful pictures of celebrities who just can't get it right.  (ahem, Mariah Carey)

Rather, I will show my favorite dresses which I would give anything to wear, while accepting my Academy Award. 

Hate the girl, love the dress. Love as in cant describe how much I love and hate as in..will make it so much easier to steal guiltlessly. 

A true winner.

Stunning woman, stunning dress. 

Love hair, love dress, love earrings, love face, love girl (am I creepy?) AND she's Canadian.

   

Honorable Mention to my girl Diane Kruger in Chanel. Classy, unique... but not breathtaking.

In one hand I'll carry a little gold man, and in the other I'll hold this golden man!

Jake Gyllenhal... I've loved you since you were in October Sky.

Sunshine after the Rain

My favorite thing about spring...

When the precipitation coming from the sky is not white and sticky, but big wet drops which wash the snow away. Then, a few hours or day later, the sun shines down, drying it all up, exposing the grass and making the world sparkle. Everyone takes out their sunglasses, puts their parkas away and the introduction of the highly anticipated spring wardrobes work their way into chilly mornings and warm afternoons. 

I love that it is not fully spring or summer but people are starting to wear those clothes anyway, as if its going to make it happen sooner. I decided to do the same today... 

It is highly recommended to follow suit, because maybe if we all do this, it will encourage the weather to keep up the great work and get HOT!

Floral skirts, jean shorts, trench coats-- do not fear! Just pair them with warm tights, high boots (rubber!) and light scarfs! And leave those mitts at home...

A few favorite spring essentials which would make a great outfit with my newly cut, vintage jean shorts....

Short, suede boots will be amazing when it gets even warmer... picture with tanned legs and summer dresses! Minnetonkas (Moccasins-by-mail.com $40), Brian Atwood Suede Dye Boots $230

 The Brian Atwood ones are blissful.

This season, everyone needs a crop top. This one brings grunge chic to a whole new level. 

Life with Bird, $130

Next essential: light blazer and jacket. Lets not get ahead of ourselves here, it is still spring, and there is still that hint of Canadian briskness biting at our arms...so, don't leave the house without a cover up. The more boyish the better.

Reiss Jones, Double Lapel Relaxed Jacket (ASOS $280), Whistles D-Ring Acid Wash Biker Jacket (ASOS $260)

Season don't: do not find yourself dodging the puddles in your gladiator sandals...its not that warm yet!

Up, Up, Up and Away

Things are looking up. 

I moved to Ottawa 6 months ago and was unsure of what it would have in store for me. A town of politics, history, and more politics I doubted its ability to produce anything fashionable, unique or fun. For the first few months, I'm sorry Ottawa, thats how I felt. But upon further research, time, and amazing friends, I have discovered all of those things are in this city... where ever you are, you just have to give it a chance. I decided to stop caring about the way the people in my classes dressed, the apparent uniform of school sweaters and sweats and decided to dress from me. Not that I look down on the way people dress here but I decided that they are not trying to impress me, so why should I impress them. I wore a uniform for a few years, so I want to exercise some creativity. Slowly, I have bonded with people with their own unique style and personalities, realizing that they are way more than the way they dress (although it is very well), they are my friends who have helped me let go, discover Ottawa and have fun. 

No matter where I am in the future, I know I will find those people who are right for me, who I can depend on and who I can admire, but I will not be able to find the same girls I have here. And for that I am thankful. 

I have learned a lot about style, vintage shopping, that scissors can do so much more than I thought, and about life. I know the next month will be filled with Value Village, dancing with our eyes closed, bussing to the bars, and ripping off school convenience stores.  

Wherever I was last year, deciding to come to this school, no matter where I am next year, I have not regretted a thing. 

Enjoy a few pics of my scavenger friends, who can find fun and fashion anywhere they go. 

Glamourous, USA

 

 

Ralph Lauren: Canadian Polo, GO CANADA!

White Jeans: Devinbird, Grey Leather Jacket: Winners, Michael Kors Fringe: Saks 5th Avenue, Dolce Vita Egyptian Sandals

Whats not glamorous about lobster helpings bigger than your new cat eye sunglasses, valet parking at the mall, private yachts that could fit my house inside of them and beaches filled with tanned retirees. Fort Lauderdale, Florida.... the place to be when you hit 65. For those under the average age, I would maybe recommend a more...modern (no pun intended) place. Nonetheless, reading week was relaxing, sunny, beautiful and very satisfying in the shopping department. A few key items were purchased to add to my new summer wardrobe (following all of my rules). 

Rules: No black, lots of textures, jean, jean, jean, floral, whites, nudes, pales in every shade. 

Now the trick will be to save the special ones for summer and incorporate the extra special ones into slushy, snowy, Canadian weather. Being back in Ottawa has made me loath the feeling of wool socks and wellies....

Countdown to summer begins now. 

V-Day

Happy Valentines Day!

I hope you all had..whatever you wanted out of the day! Romantic gestures, burning pictures, kissing, crying or none of the above.  What is valentines day anyways? Whatever you want it to be.

 I did not celebrate too much as long distance relationships restrict that, however, if I was to celebrate, I would rock the black and white trend, mixed with a little festive red!

Wanted: Chic Clown Pants

My crazy friends were right again. (ATTENTION FASTER EARTH)

My lovelies and I did a crazy shoot on some random train in The Middle of Nowhere, Canada and I thought they were just crazy for making me put these on. But now, all day and all night I find myself lusting after a pair of pants just like these. . However, I would prefer that they were not red with sequin stripes (sequin stripes not visible in picture). 

I tried on a few pairs a while back and they either seemed to make me look like a clown, or a horse. And not a chic clown or horse, so chic clown/horse pants- where ever you are, find me!

Maybe these are good Valentines Day pants?

I think I might go a bit more conservative for that outfit. 

Love, Shopahallic.

Too Cool for Canada

Yes, this is our closet. 

Bon Voyage K. 

Canadian lawyer goes global. Paris, rest of world, look out. With her style, they'll give her the trophy before she makes her leading statement. But still, good luck!

While she's too cool for us, Im just too cool for homework. Literally drowning in it, but can't stop day dreaming about the other half of the world. Until I write my conclusion on "technological nationalism" I'll distract myself with old photos. 

Hopefully this post will distract one particular, french law student, lonely in her classes ;)

Mission: Not Quite Impossible

A big trend this fall and especially into this spring is the"lingerie inspired"look. I personally had not delved into it at the risk of looking...well, riskay. But done right, it can look sophisticated, elegant and beautiful.  Done wrong it can look tacky, cheap and like you forgot to put a shirt on. Yet, it has proven to be a hit all over the runways, bringing back the 30's pin up girl look. 

(Hint: also amazing in swimwear this summer!)

Courtesy of Elle.com

I had been keeping my eyes open on the vintage racks to literally, get the 30s look (Yes, I would wash it first!) And I actually had some luck just last weekend in Kensington Market. 

For a mere $10, I picked up a lovely vintage bustier, simple and conservative enough to be worn out, but pretty enough to feel amazing. 

With a blazer, and a high waist, full skirt, I truly felt like I had gone back in time. I wish I had a picture of the studded rocker boots I wore to bring it up to our era! While still obsessing with how much fun it was to wear this, I did my usual browse of some designers and websites and here are a few of my favorites. 

This look can be very hard to wear, while it can look VERY RIGHT, I have seen it VERY WRONG. 

You do not want to be in the second category...

DO: simple colors, modest bust lines, and pair with a more conservative outfit- high waisted jean shorts for casual, high waisted skirt or trousers for evening, studded and a bit of lace can be fabulous...provided that it is Alexander McQueen...

From the left to right: asos.com studded numba, Marc Jacobs floral (net-a-porter), Alexander McQueen yellow-crazy beautifulness, and Alexander McQueen IDEAL black bustier- and the outfit net-a-porter.com paired it with just completes me. 

 A few precautions that one must take when trying to wear lingerie in public. 

DO NOT: bright colors mixed with lace, ties, sparkles, sequins (yes they do make them with all of the above one small piece of fabric framing your bust....what a disappointment to the trend) 

I bid you good luck on your journey to fulfill this promising, yet daunting fashion mission. 

Downtown, Uptown, Yourtown

No such thing as too much fun...

Oxfords? Combat? A little bit of both!

The sign of a great weekend?

Nodding off in front of the best view of downtown..

Dont you love those cute combat/oxford boots! Unfortunately my weekend plan of finding a pair for myself failed. However, my several other purchases most definitely made up for it.

(Kensington Market is a goldmine)

A wonderful weekend getaway which just may turn into a permanent stay. Pictures and words cannot describe the fun, beauty, chic-it-ee that was experienced. Filled with beautiful people, fabulous restaurants and the coolest clubs.

 Fashion students definitely live up to their reputation.