JEANIOUS: My DENIZEN Ambassador Gig

We all know about Levi's, of course, the cool-since-1873 denim brand. But have you heard of the brand's newest off-shoot, DENIZEN yet?  The line just launched in Canada at Target last year so like me, you may not have tried them on quite yet.

When DENIZEN asked me to be their brand ambassador recently, I finally had a chance to check them out in earnest.  They sent me several pairs of jeans in different fits and washes to test drive - modern skinnies, modern straights, pull-on skinnies and super soft leggings. The two things that impressed me the most? The modern styling and, most importantly (especially when it comes to denim), the fit. And unlike most affordable jean brands, the quality's there, too, with reinforced side seams, metal rivets at the corners and Levi's premium quality denim, ensuring jeans that will last.

I've been in desperate need of great black skinnies and happened to be at Target grabbing Hallowe'en gear yesterday so picked up a pair of DENIZEN's hi-rise skinnies to try (on sale for $25 - most styles sell for around $30 at regular price. So seriously, how could I not?) You know how a lot of black jeans can look faded and worn out from the start? Well, DENIZEN's black is perfect - a true, saturated black that I'll wear anytime I want the look of leggings with the flattering structure of jeans. 

Stay tuned for more how-I-wore-them posts from DENIZEN and a video series we have in the works for the holidays. So exciting!

Happy Hallowe'en my sweets! When faced with the option of trick or treat tonight, might I suggest the treat :)

INTERGALACTIC PLANETARY

Photo via Shopbop

I still refuse to watch Gravity - like, seriously, the idea of being stuck in space forever (or at least until the oxygen runs out) with George Clooney is enough to give me nightmares. And Star Trek/Star Wars (same thing, right?) are things I hear randomly referenced but end up sounding like blah, blah, blah, klingon, blah, there is no try, blah, blah. Beam me up, but never make me watch either, please. Space-inspired gear, though? All over that like an astronaut on a pack of freeze-dried ice cream. 

Give me hologram, shiny silver, alien-ripped waxed jeans and anything with stars this fall. But especially today. Because it's Hallowe'en y'all, which makes it the ideal day to shop for something fun. 

Here are some of my subtly spacey finds from Shopbop, the final frontier (or something like that...)

ps - my daughter's going as a peacock. my son has chosen a (REALLY SCARY, MOM) dinosaur. and my dog will be transformed into a hot dog tonight. i will document.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Liya Lurex Dress, $451, Shopbop

Marc by Marc Jacobs iPad Mini Case, $66, Shopbop

Westward Leaning Mercury Seven Sunglasses, $204, Shopbop

SOL SANA Jules Loafers, $176, Shopbop

Tibi Star Fields Cami, $225, Shopbop

Deux Lux Sunset Clutch, $102, Shopbop

Gorjana Super Star Necklace, $91, Shopbop

Marc by Marc Jacobs Messenger Bag, $429, Shopbop

Paige Denim Verdugo Ultra Skinny Jeans, $177, Shopbop

BLANKET STATEMENT: How to Wear Fall's Most-Wanted Piece

via WhoWhatWear.com

Originally posted in The LOOK

If there's one trend that's clearly resonated with the Canadian style set this fall, it's the blanket. And before you think that editors and bloggers have escaped their deadlines for a long winter's nap, the new wearable blankets are anything but sleepy.

After Burberry Prorsum closed its Fall '14 show with a parade of blanket-bedecked beauties, it seems like every supermodel and her sister woke up to the trend. The brilliance of the blanket? As far as trends go, this one's as cozy as they come. Here are my fav ways to rock the blanket this fall:

THE BLANKET COAT: The blanket (aka wrap) coat makes a strong outerwear statement thanks to its ability to look laissez-faire while stil letting you flaunt your figure. While you can go quite literal by choosing a patterned blanket print, I'm particularly loving fall's pastel blanket coats which look killer when worn with sleek, edgy pieces underneath. Since the blanket coat can look sloppy if you're not careful, be sure to pair it with tailored silhouettes, thoughtful accessories and a sleek blow-out before you leave your house.

THE BLANKET SHAWL: You don't have to be a scarf-tying genius to rock this season's easy blanket coat - literally throw it over your shoulders and you'll look instantly in-the-know. Whether you opt for a proper shawl or choose a huge square scarf, look for a wool or wool-blend to keep you extra cozy. Then, wear it alone over your sweater and jeans, with a knit dress and over-the-knee boots or even over top of your coat to change up your outerwear look. 

THE BLANKET CARDI: Think of the open blanket cardi as a cozier version of your blazer. This type of cardi looks best when extra long and oversized. Make it modern by pairing it up with leather leggings and skater shoes for the weekend. 

Read on to see 3 super cute ways to wear your blanket out this fall...

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SNAP HAPPY: My Toronto Fashion Week Pics with a little (lot of) help from BLACKS

Training day with the talented Bardya at BLACKS. 

Okay, so here's my dilemma. I'm a fashion blogger. But my camera sucks. That is, it could be the camera, or it could totally be me. So, let's blame the camera.

With World MasterCard Fashion Week on the horizon and a new gig as digital correspondent for iVillage.ca, I reach out in a desperate eleventh hour appeal to my friends at BLACKS to see if I might be able to borrow a camera for Fashion Week. I already own an expensive SLR camera which is fantastic for shots of my family but for Fashion Week, not so much. I'm talking big, bulky and way too complicated for my basic photography knowledge - plus I have yet to invest in a proper zoom lens so can never get close enough to get any decent runway shots. For the last few seasons, I've relied on my smartphone to capture the action. But let's just say my pics are falling flat.

So I tell BLACKS what I'm after - something super easy to use, not too big (after all, I'll be running from show to show and don't need the hassle of a heavyweight), with high quality images and a stellar zoom. The response? We have the perfect camera for you. Oh, and by the way, you get to KEEP IT. Seriously?! Pinch me. 

Where it all went down - the brand new BLACKS boutique at Yonge & Eg.

I meet up with my camera guru, Bardya, at the BLACKS at Yonge & Eg in the middle of Fashion Week to pick up my new camera and get a one-hour tutorial between the shows. The new BLACKS stores (if you haven't had a chance to check them out) have been made modern for our digital lives with the coolest ways to finally get pics off of our phones and computers, including fun photo wall art printed on acrylic and metal, gorgeous photo books (Christmas gifts, anyone?), and even Made for Instagram prints.

They hook me up with a Canon PowerShot SX50 HS, a next generation point-and-shoot that Bardya believes will answer all of my Fashion Week woes. He gives me the lowdown: this camera offers the world's first 50x Optical Zoom lens in a compact digital camera, which goes all the way from a wide-angle 24mm to 1200mm to capture any shot. The camera even features 1080p Full HD video for any live action I might want to cover throughout the week. Bardya assures me that I don't need to know anything about aperture or shutter speed or even settings at first because the auto setting will pretty much do it all for me. Perf. 

Still, he takes me through the camera's super cool features anyway, including an Instagram-like 1x1 sizing option, an action mode for fast-moving models and my personal fav: the smooth skin feature, which irons out fine lines and wrinkles, evens out blotchy skin, and basically nixes the need for any post-pic Photoshopping. Genius. I head to Fashion Week and get to work (if you can call it work). 

I'm already totally smitten with this camera and can't wait to keep testing it out - from my glam fashion life to my photogenic little ones. Check out my Fashion Week pics below and see the results for yourself. Keep in mind that all of these pics were taken on the auto setting because I'm lazy and because this camera is SO FREAKING AWESOME. Next up? Street style.

Big love, BLACKS, for my amazing new camera! Mind blown.

Testing out the camera's black & white feature with the models backstage.

Pretty meets punk backstage. 

Sorry, got distracted there for a second. Nom nom nom....

The Caitlin Power presentation where I jostled for a place next to the pro photogs...

...but didn't really need to thanks to my crazy zooooom. Booyah.

Love this model.

Sometimes there's more action in the front row than on the runway.

A stunning look from Hilary Macmillan.

Cannot get over the details you can see with this camera!

A model gets a little touch-up at the Minnie Mouse dress competition.

Playing with shadow and light. 

iPhone vs. my new Canon PowerShot SX50 HS - think it's obvious which one's the winner. Speaking of winners, this dress designed by Sid Neigum won the Minnie Mouse competition.

Gorgeous colours at the WMCFW Press & Buyers' Brunch.

The lighting at a runway show is always the tricky part. 

Luckily, my new Canon PowerShot SX50 HS picks up every detail, even the fine print.

Love this big, bad, bearded model at Christopher Bates.

WERK.

Obsessed with this dress from Narces. This camera's so fast I caught it coming and going.

The way my runway pics look with my iPhone...

...and the way they look now. SUCH a difference!

#WMCFW: My 10 Fav Spring Trends from Toronto Fashion Week

Photo by George Pimentel/Getty.

World MasterCard Fashion Week has come to a close and after witnessing hundreds of tempting creations strut down the runways, I've compiled a shortlist of what I want to wear once the snow melts. Check out my article in iVillage.ca today to see which trends we'll all be wearing for Spring '15...

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