Bag Yourself the Hottest Hand Bag!

I know I'm always rattling on about the hottest fashions, and I tend to neglect what can sometimes be, the most significant part of an outfit, the handbag! What's the big deal, you're just slinging it over your shoulder right? Ummm, WRONG! C'mon gals, a hot handbag is the ultimate conversation starter, and there's nothing better than being the talk of a sizzling soiree! As you all know by now, colour blocking is the hottest trend going right now, but nudes and pastels are also hitting the streets, so let's have a look at what's hot, and what you should be clutching!

Colour Me Good! I cannot express to you how enamored I am with the colours I see strutting down the street (well, not down my street yet, it may be Spring, but we're still waiting for that warm breeze!). But my girlfriends from back East are stompin' around town with the likes of Marc Jacob and Victoria Beckham.

In the Nude. Fleshy tones are really big this season, and when you throw that together with a woven design, it makes magic. Not every bag designer can pull this off, but brands like Marni sure can. The $1700 price tag might be a bit steep for you, or you can snag something cute and chic at Target for a mere $15. Thank goodness someone's lookin' out for us poor folks!

A Punch of Colour. If you love colour, but want to keep it subtle, you'll probably fall in love with Fendi's Confetti Bag. I'm sure it costs a mint, and for a gal who's trying to keep up with bills, getting my online degree, a Fendi bag can cost as much as a semester of school, yikes! Oh well, a girl can dream right? Here's hoping I see Fendi, Marni and Marc Jacob in dreamland.

Fall in Love with Flats All Over Again

I know I'm always going on and on about all the latest clothing trends, but lest we forget about the piece de resistance for every great outfit, the all important footwear. Hot shoes can make or break an outfit. It can pull an ensemble all together, or obliterate whatever concept you've dreamt up in your overly creative head!   I hate to be a forgone conclusion, but I admittedly, like many fashion-wannabe's before me, have an insatiable shoe fetish. And of course, the majority of my shoe collection is made up of pumps, peep toes and stiletto's that I've worn no more than a handful of times and they're not shoes that are conducive to my everyday coming and goings. Sure, I'd love to think that I'm chic enough to pick-up my dry cleaning or strut down the frozen food section at the grocery store in my favourite Ralph Lauren platform pumps, but I'm no Carrie Bradshaw. Those babies are reserved for special occasions.

Thankfully for a sneaker-donning tomboy like myself who would love to make more of an effort to be fashionable and fabulous, flats are coming back with a vengeance and I couldn't be happier. Not only are flats a fabulously versatile footwear option, but if you're shopping in the right shops and boutiques, you're going to have hire yourself an executive assistant to help carry your shopping bags!

Okay, so first stop for shoe bargains, Payless Shoes! Whether I happen to be shopping in Canada or when I'm outlet shopping in the USA, this is generally my first stop for cute, affordable shoes. And despite it's reputation for being suspiciously "cheap", I have Payless shoes in my closet that are well over five years old!

H&M is another great stop for fab and affordable flats, especially if you're really into the pastel trend that's really hot right now. Their selection isn't as varied as a Payless of course, but what's convenient about shopping here, is that all of their shoes can easily be coordinated with anything you buy, and you know it's damn near impossible to leave H&M without buying an armful of goodies!

GoJane is another one of personal faves and with flats as low as $14, how the heck can you go wrong! Gojane is often featured in InStyle, Cosmo and Elle, and for all you budget-concious fashionistas lusting after the hottest shoes, completing your collection at GoJane couldn't be easier!

Crazy for Colour Blocking!

There are so many hot trends for this upcoming Spring and Summer season, but one of my absolute favourites and one that I can't wait to start experimenting with is the colour blocking trend. If you're a pastel, or muted-colour kind of gal, it's time to spread your wings and embrace the rainbow girl! Don't panic. You might be telling yourself, "but I can't wear colour!" Hogwash, of course you can! Don't worry, we're not going to send you out onto the street without a few tips first! Does a tattoo artist start their work without the correct tools, of course not! So here's why we're loving this trend and how to wear it!

Why we love it! I am an accessory freak! I adore dressing up my outfits, so any excuse to get some new baubles, sign me up! Colour block accessories are plentiful, and adding an oversized ring, bangles, necklaces, earrings and headscarves. Once you know what colours compliment each other, you can start manufacturing your own style!

Mixing and Matching is easier than you think! Who knew that bright yellow went with so many things! Like other trends, there are some rules to follow so you don't end up walking down the street looking like a circus clown, but not so many that this trend gets left to the stick people on the New York and LA catwalks!

Eyescessorize

It's totally affordable! Sure, you've got everyone from Dries Von Noten to Salvatore Ferragamo pumping out colour-block couture for prices only our tiny bank accounts could imagine. Fear not, because vintage is so hot this season, thrift shops and consignment stores are brimming with bright coloured treasures, just waiting to be plucked from the rack, for prices that won't break the bank!

Things to remember. Neons colours can be a bit trickier to put together, and can date your look negatively. They can also make you look a little washed out. Stick with solid colours from solid palettes; Pretty purples, gorgeous greens, rich yellows, rich reds, funky fushia's, and perfect pinks. Take a peak at the pantone below courtesy of one of my favourite blogs, Eyecessorize.

The Perfect Peplum

Like many women, I can be a bit of a slave to fashion trends. But not all trends. I could not, in good conscious, jump on board with the whole Uggs phenomenon because I thought they looked like moon boots, and all of my Australian friends were gasping in horror when they heard North American women were donning Uggs out on the street, instead of wearing them in the comfort of their home where they are meant to be worn! So, I enthusiastically shelved the over-priced moon boots up there with tye-dye jeans, and wearing Lululemon to inappropriate places like anywhere outside of the gym or yoga studio. But one trend I am absolutely loving is the return of the Peplum.

The Peplum was a dominant feature of womens' dresses and skirts in the 1940's, 1960's and 1980's, and finally, it's made a fierce come back for 2012. Designers like Stella McCartney and Marc Jacobs dotted the runways with their pretty Peplum pieces. But well before New York and LA Fashion Week, women have been pining after this chic style since Mad Men came into our living rooms.

The Peplum-style waist is flirty, girly and ultra-sexy. It accentuates the curvature of a woman's hips and the smallness of her waist, which is good news for a boyish-figured gal like myself! The design itself is to be paired with sleek, well-fitted or tailored pieces. A beautiful pencil skirt or leggings are both great options. Peplums can be sewn onto the piece itself, or they can be removable. It's a style that's accessible to absolutely everyone in just about every setting. Whether you're an executive assistant at a big firm, or cocktail waitress, going to the movies, or heading out for a hot date, throw on a Peplum and turn your entire outfit into a showpiece!

Getting Nostalgic at the Oscars

As my love and adoration for fashion grows, despite the fact that I am a self-professed movie buff, I find myself looking forward to the pre-Oscar show far more than the awards ceremony itself! I don't really care who's wearing what, but watching the designer greats being paraded up and down the red carpet, is quite riveting for a fashion hopeful like myself! Unfortunately, I found the Oscar wardrobe ensemble to be about as exciting as the show itself. And with the exception of Angelina Jolie's emaciated right leg, who now has its own twitter page, and the JLo's apparent nipple slip, the entire night was a disappointing fashion snore! So let's not dwell on the recent past, but instead, let's step way back in time and pay homage to the some of the greatest Oscar dresses of all time. 

When Audrey Hepburn stepped on the red carpet, photographers couldn't get enough of this lacey little number. Audrey donned this exact dress in her Oscar winning role in the Roman Holiday . The dress went to auction a couple of years ago, and is worth an estimated £60,000! Who could forget Julia's vintage simple but exquisite Valentino gown for the 2001 Academy Awards. The dress, though understated, was brought to life when Julia took the stage and won her first Oscar for her brilliant role in Erin Brokovitch. Loved the dress, loved the speech, love the girl!

She may not have donned a little gold statue, but Diane Lane looked ravishing in her Oscar de la Renta Ostrich gown for the 2003 Academy Awards. I'm not usually a fan of women wearing colour palettes that match their skin tone, but this gorgeous gown brought out the natural tawny golds in Diane's perfect complexion. The off-shoulder design highlighted the gentle slope of her shoulders and accentuated her naturally curvy figure. 

One of my personal favourites was Penelope Cruz's shop-stopping Atelier Versace original that she wore for the 2003 Oscars. Penelope rarely disappoints when she steps onto any red carpet, but she was perfection in peach in this breathtaking work of art. 

And to round off our Oscar favourites, I'll leave you with Halle Berry's fabulous Elie Saab. The iconic satin train, and strategically placed embroidery left jaws agape on the red carpet.  This was to be the most poignant moment in Halle's professional life when she took home the Oscar for Best Actress for her role in the gritty film, Monster's Ball. 

Street Chic

Ever wonder where the term "street fashion" came from? I always did. I never really understood what designers meant when they used the term "street". To me, the streets were a place of survival, a constant quest to get the basic essentials, unforgiving and gritty. But many of the world's top fashion houses have all experimented with "street fashion" at one point or another. There really isn't an era or time period associated with street fashion, but it does seem to be generally associated with youth, or a youth movement. It's not a trend that originated in fashion houses, or with specific designers, and you don't have to learn how to become a fashion designer to harness the eclectic style that is street fashion. You just have to have a little imagination, and be a little risky!

One of my favourite street style looks, is bohemian. And I'm not talking about looking like a wandering gypsy with patchwork bohemian, I mean, "chic and sophisticated, I am a creative being and I am embracing it" bohemian. Despite what women think, it's a look that absolutely every woman can pull of. Whether you're a high-powered attorney at a swanky firm, or a Starbucks barista paying your way through college, it's a look that encourages you to let your hair down, and embrace your inner goddess.

Another signature aspect of street style, is the punctuation of colour. Since there are absolutely no rules, yellows, bright oranges, neons, you name it, it's all fair game! As long as you can coordinate with a funky colour palette,  and you don't look like a Las Vegas casino billboard, you can rock it! Long gone the days of black, grey and off whites, colour is the new couture, and as a woman of colour who loves to rock her lime greens and bumblebee yellows in the dead of Spring, I am loving it!

In the past, street fashion has often been edgy, sharp and borderline masculine, but it's finally gone feminine. There's no need to hide that girlish figure behind a harsh motorcycle jacket and a pair of doc martins. Designers are putting the girl back in girly and cranking out some salaciously feminine pieces, especially for this spring. Street means edgy, and if you want to get that certain edge in a frilly sundress, accessorize with a leather studded belt and a pair of sandals, voila, sassy street style!

Hit The Slopes in Style

It's mid February and and for Canadian students, many of us are about to go on our Reading Break, which is the equivalent of Spring Break for our neighbours down south. While American students tend to love soaking up rays on the beaches of Mexico or Florida, Canadians can't get enough of life on the slopes! Western Canada and the Laurentians in Quebec, are often inundated with university students from across the country, looking to ski, snowboard, snowmobile or anything else that involves being out in the crisp, cold powder. Whether you're just beginning or you're a seasoned veteran, everyone wants to not only have the best gear, but wants to look fabulous on the mountain.

Safety First. Okay, yes, we want you to look fabulous, but it's more important that you are wearing pieces that will keep you warm, comfortable and safe. When you're just learning how to ski or board, you are bound to spend a lot of time on your butt, so you are definitely going to want to layer up. As a rule, I always wear a base layer, a thermal layer and a fitted piece over top that hold the warmth into the other two layers.

Water Resistant Required. There is nothing chic about getting wet in the cold. Even if you're active, you can run the risk of getting hypothermia if your body isn't kept warm. It's most important to keep your feet dry and warm, so stick to synthetic fabrics, or lightweight wool like Merino. Don't wear socks that are too heavy, and don't wear 100% pure cotton, it's doesn't dry. Wearing brands like Columbia, Arcteryx and Burton, will not only guarantee your warmth, but you'll look like a pro!

Hats, Gloves and Scarves, Oh My! Along with keeping your core warm, it's important to keep your head and hands warm. I'm a huge fan of wool. It's a natural fiber and it has natural properties that make it an ideal material for the wet and cold. Vermont Originals is one of my favourite wool hat companies. Hand crafted in the USA, they feature a line of funky hats that can be designed specifically for you!

Gloves are an essential part of your ski ensemble. And too often, I see skiers on the slopes that are wearing ill-fitting gloves. There is no no need to go overboard, but there is nothing wrong with spending $40 - $50 for a pair of excellent quality gloves. Snow equipment is costly, but in order to get as many seasons out of it as possible, it's important to purchase items that are high quality!