TRUE LOVE: Amal's Wedding Dress

Amal & George cover People Magazine. Photo: People.com

I don't know if George and Amal's love is real or just a pre-fab Hollywood closet block. And I still don't know whether or not George Clooney is gay. But I do know, since everyone is debating this right now, that Amal Alamuddin is officially > Kate Middleton when it comes to style. Amal has been nothing short of spectacular all week, from her hi-low fiery red McQueen micro-mini on her hen night, to her chic Bianca Jagger-inspired white pantsuit at her civil ceremony. Like Kate, Amal rarely has a fashion miss but here's the difference: Amal pushes it every single time. Kate? It's safe, pleasant, ironed. Excuse me while I take a Royal nap. Um Kate, the Queen called, she wants her nude hose back.  

Though Amal went leggy and edgy leading up to the big day, she opted for classic and timeless for her wedding day. People just released the first pics of her custom Oscar de la Renta French lace wedding gown, complete with hand-embroidered pearls and diamanté accents, plus an off-the-shoulder neckline and full circular train. Pretty, right? Here's the thing - Kate knows classic. Kate was perfect on her wedding day and so on that day she wins. I will give Kate her wedding day. But for everyday fashion choices, it's Amal. I love her brains, her hair and her style, and I wish her a long, happy life with George's credit card. Not that she needs it. 

Did you love Amal's Venetian Fashion Week? What did you think of her dress? And do you think that, wedding day aside, Amal beats Kate when it comes to style?

THE EDIT: 10 FALL TRENDS TO TRY

Gisele Bundchen in the Isabel Marant F/W 2014 Campaign. Via Isabel Marant.

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

Every season brings its own fashion joys. And while spring, summer and winter each hold their own unique temptations, nothing beats fall fashion. The cozy sweaters are enough to make us excited for below-average temps, the perfectly-ripped jeans give us instant edge, and the gorgeous boots inspire us to walk that extra mile, if only so we can show them off to admiring passersby.

From the hip new fedoras to the season's must-own handbag silhouette, I've rounded up the 10 fall trends to try this season from New Sudbury Centre. Speaking of temptations...

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CHECKMATE: How to Pull Off Plaid

A street style plaid pic from Paris Fashion Week. Photo via Harper's Bazaar.

Originally posted in The LOOK

Though plaid has proven its staying power throughout the ages, it's a print that waffles between incredibly cool and tragically nerdy. While plaid is the Royals, Kurt Cobain and Gwen Stefani, it's also lumberjacks, farmers and really bad golf pants. Plaid has clearly ingratiated itself with the cool kids again this fall, since everyone (l mean EVERYone) is parading around in plaid shirts right now. From buttoned right up to worn open over a graphic tee, (aka. the hipster blazer) plaid shirts are the layer of choice for this in-between fall weather, while plaid pants, skirts and leggings are perfect for those willing to take some fashion risks. And, of course, it's easy to get behind all of the pretty plaid accessories, from classic tartan scarves to studded plaid crossbody bags. 

So, how do you pull off plaid this season? Luckily, it doesn't take a lot of fashion know-how to make it work...

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FALL FASHION: Boots, Handbags, Yum.

Photo via H&M

Originally posted in The CLOSET

It's like a conspiracy this time of year. While we've all been taught about the dangers of jealousy, how can any woman, no matter how sane, help herself? You hear them clicking down the sidewalk behind you. You see them on the periphery in the playground. Then in line at Starbucks, they are literally right in your face as women on both sides go to pull out their credit cards. And we know we don't need them. I mean, most of us have a spare pair of boots and an extra handbag in our closets (I happen to be blessed with a rather large contingent of back-ups). But, we all know it has nothing to do with needs at all. It's about wanting, craving, have-to-have-ing that sublime handbag. It's about knowing that those sick boots you saw on that twenty-something will make us feel twenty-something again. And we work hard, damnit. We deserve them and so we should have them, whether we actually need them or, like me, we really, seriously do not. Butwe'llwearthemeverydaysowhenyouthinkaboutitthatwayyoucanjustifythemanyway. There. 

Let's do this. Here are my fav mostly-neutral but oh-so-pretty fall handbags and boots. I already did another handbag round-up last month but as I said, I just couldn't help myself. I hope you understand...

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A Hair Save From Clairol

Anyone who knows me understands that my hair is not big on my list of priorities. It goes: family, friends, work, dessert, shoes, accessories, clothes, and then way, way, down, barely even making the bottom of the list is my hair. I shampoo and condition it. Sometimes I brush it. And, let's be honest, sometimes I don't even do that. I only bust out the dryer/straightener/curling wand in emergency situations where I’m called upon to look extra polished – say for a parent-teacher interview, an editor preview, or Fashion Week. So my day-to-day hair routine consists of (what I like to think of as) 'beachy' waves (read: let’s fall asleep on wet hair and see what happens) and loads of chignons, ponytails and cute hats. The first step, as they say, is admitting you have a problem: my life is a series of hair fails. 

So, when I was asked to partner with Clairol for their “Shift a Shade” campaign, complete with a colour update from Clairol Consulting Colourist, Luis Pacheco, a session with pro makeup artist, Patrick Rahme, and a fashion consult with super stylist Alexandra Melancon, to be documented at an all-day video shoot at Hair on the Avenue no less, I was stoked. It has been one of my perennial resolutions to make my hair a priority and given that I've started to sprout a few greys, colour seems like the best place to start. (if you can relate, print out this $2-off coupon for Clairol Nice n' Easy)

I've always wondered what it would be like to play celeb for a day and let a team of pros have their way with me. Or my hair at least. You know what I mean. Will they turn me into a bombshell Jessica Rabbit redhead? Or a bubbly blonde? Or perhaps I'll be transformed into a deep, dark, sultry brunette. I'll be sure to report back with my pics and the big video reveal from our Clairol shoot. Eeek! How exciting is this?! Stay tuned...  

Go bolder. Go warmer. Go deeper. Go golder. With our broadest spectrum of natural looking shades, you can change it up and still look like your most amazing you. Get inspired and #shiftashade. Nice ‘n Easy with Colour-blend Technology is available in 44 shades. For more information visit Clairol.ca.  

Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Procter & Gamble via Glam Media Canada. The bloggers were compensated for the Clairol Shift A Shade campaign and were asked to review our products. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Procter & Gamble.