GYM CLASS HEROES

via ELLE

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

Wearing your gym clothes outside of the gym used to be a fatal fashion offense. Bright white running shoes worn with a dress would just never have happened a few years ago. When it came to footwear, comfort equated with totally out-of-touch. And then there were the leggings. Girls who wore Lululemons in public after yoga class were publicly (make that behind-your-back, semi-privately) shamed. 

But like everything in fashion, what was once a faux pass has become a big fashion do. From Gigi Hadid to Karlie Kloss, I'm sure that models started this whole athleisure trend. Instagram shots of leggy supers leaving their ballet classes, yoga studios and boxing rings in their classic old-school Adidas gear made us collectively want to look just like them. And since the fitness movement has recently turned sedentary stylistas into goal-crushing workout freaks, everyone is wearing gym gear 24/7.

This summer, a little sporty goes a long way. An old-school Nike swoosh or Adidas symbol will help you look right on point when wearing black & white. Prefer to keep your logos on lockdown? Look for mesh fabrics and sporty sandals or shower slides to look athletic, no push-ups required. Hair can stay a little roughed up (did you hear sugar spray is the new salt spray?) and makeup should stay minimal, but a bright orangey-red or bright pink matte lip never hurt. After all, even hardcore athletes like to have a little fun. 

See below for some sporty summer outfit inspo. Come on. Just do it ;)

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#WIN IT | The Ultimate Queen's Plate Experience with Vaughan Mills + Watch Our Queen's Plate 2015 Style Guide

A behind-the-scenes shot of us on shoot day.

Yup, we're total posers.

Have I told you about my new job? As the Official Stylist of Vaughan Mills, I knew I'd have the chance to get out from behind my computer screen, but styling one of summer's biggest fashion events? Now that's awesome. Since Vaughan Mills has teamed up with Woodbine Racetrack as the official Fashion Sponsor of the upcoming Queen's Plate, my first mission (and I chose to accept it) was styling Queen's Plate 2015. As the most historic horse race in North America and the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, this year marks the 156th running of the Queen's Plate, one of Canada's top sporting and fashion events. We don't get too many chances in Canada to really dress up so this event is my jam.

Since it's hard to know what to wear to such a high-stakes fashion affair, we put together a Queen's Plate Style Guide for outfit inspiration. The best part about Queen's Plate? Anything goes. Custom-made fascinators are welcome, but so are ballcaps, flower crowns and oversized wide-brim hats. From short & sweet dresses, to flowy maxis to chic jumpsuits, it's all about using your creativity to stand out. Men show up in classic suits and dapper bowties but on a really hot day, pastel shorts and blazers can be a winning combo, too.

Don't miss our Queen's Plate Style Guide below (styled and modelled by me and my cute husband, who does a mean Blue Steel btw), then make sure you visit in-mall from June 23rd-July 2nd for a chance to win The Ultimate Queen's Plate Experience including a $500 shopping spree, a one-on-one styling sesh with me and 2 VIP tickets to attend the Queen's Plate on July 5th. To enter the contest, take your photo at one of the Queen's Plate Style cut-outs located inside the Event Court and post it to your personal Instagram account using hashtag #VMStylesQP and #QP15, making sure to tag @vaughan_mills in it so we can see your pic. Visit http://bit.ly/1Boyl1C for full contest details. Oh, and be sure to tune into Breakfast Television on June 30th live from Woodbine where we'll be showing more pretty Queen's Plate looks.

Can't wait for the big day! See you at Queen's Plate!

SUMMER STYLE CLASS | 3 Must-Try Trends

via Stradivarius

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Summer is nearly here and while I've been lusting after the season's top trends for months now, many of them haven't felt all that feasible until now. I mean, busting out floral shorts on a frigid day just didn't seem right. And all that girly gingham really only makes sense during picnic weather.

For Spring '15, designers sent loads of tempting trends down the runways but as we all know, so many of them look better in performance than in practice. Luckily this summer, it's easy for even the most cautious dressers to diffuse the big trends down into outfits you can actually wear. 

Florals can feel too precious but the right blooms make for the perfect summer look. I'm loving the floral high-waisted shorts at H&M right now - add a chic white shirt and block-heeled city sandals and you're good to go for the Best Lunch-Date Look Ever.

The Seventies has been the biggest trend of the season so far but I like my disco-era in small doses. You dig? Round sunglasses, wooden accents and clean, pale denim feel like just enough to give off the right vibe. I'll be rocking summer's must-wear shirt - the short-sleeved chambray shirt - with my white girlfriend jeans and easy slides (another huge summer trend, btw).

And while stripes are a perpetual summer staple, the most fresh print of summer is gingham. The picnic print is back in a big way and will ensure you'll look right on point this season. I love the idea of a sweet gingham dress worn with sneakers or gladiators. I've shown a mildly risky pair but if you feel like pushing it even further, I'd highly recommend a pair of super tall gladiators this summer. 

Check out the looks below for some hot-weather style inspiration. Happy (summer) shopping! 

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Last-Minute Gifts for the Dapper Dad

Forget tried-and-true tool kits and perfunctory cases of beer—this Father’s Day, it’s all about raising your gift-giving game. In my latest story for W Dish, I've sussed out the raddest gifts for dad, from a coffee maker that will blow his mind to an 'anti-stink' running shirt that will change his workouts (and your post-workout hugs) forever. If you're still searching for the perfect gift, look no further...

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RLR FINDS | Liza's Little Things

via Etsy

All of my jewellery is so small, gold and minimal right now that I'm craving something way more fun for summer. Can't get enough of these tassel necklaces I just found on Etsy by Liza's Little Things. My plain white tees and LWD's will die when they see these. 

That's all I've got. Time to shop. Happy Fri beauties!