A Fail-Proof Father's Day Guide

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

It takes one to know one; and by that I mean parents. You know, those of us who nod at each other in the diaper aisle, bleary-eyed, stressed out, shaky from a month straight of 6 hours of sleep (total), at which point we resort to drinking massive jugs of black coffee, even though we swore we'd never touch the stuff. And don't even get me started on the colds, flus, foot & mouth and other random rashes we encounter on a weekly basis. 'Didn't your son have the flu a few weeks ago?' your boss will say skeptically. 'Yup, he did. But he has it again, only a totally rare, more horrendous version. What's that? Oh, yes, he got the flu shot. My kid was the one at the clinic wailing at the top of his lungs, flinging cotton balls at the nurses and then screaming some more when the volunteer had the gall to give him an Angry Birds sticker instead of an Angry Birds Starwars sticker. So yes, I am working from home today whilst changing bedsheets, eating peanut butter from a spoon and listening to the Frozen soundtrack on repeat. What's that you said about deadlines?'

Most dads today get this every bit as well as moms. I mean, I can't tell you how amazing my husband is at singing 'Let It Go' while simultaneously baking kale chips and responding to emails. The dads of today are modern day superheroes, able to leap tall Lego towers in a single bound and go where no other generation of dads has gone before. And by that I mean to playdates, bake sales and diaper drawers. It's a tough job, the very best job, and luckily, we have such amazing dads to tackle it with.

Looking for a thank-you for a parental job well done? We've rounded up our fav gifts for the dad in your life to help you get it just right this year. Happy Father's Day!

See our Father's Day Guide here...

Crop It Like It's Hot

Swedish blogette, Lisa Olsson, shows how the crop is done. Pic via imnext.se

Originally posted in The LOOK

We spend so many months of the year completely covered up that it's no wonder we want to show some skin once the warm weather hits. There's just nothing like the feeling of the breeze through your hair, the sun on your shoulders, and the wind on your rock-hard abs. What's that? You normally keep those covered up, do you?

This summer, I'm throwing out a serious fashion dare, whether you have a 6-pack or a Timbit 10-pack: the crop top. I know, I know, it seems like something reserved for 13 year-olds and Rihanna. But, you might be surprised by just how wearable the new crop of crop tops can be. If you've got a super toned tummy, you can get away with showing off more skin. But for most of us, showing just a sliver above the belly-button is the way to go. A cute crop worn with shorts, tailored trousers or a skirt (worn high on the waist) will make you look like a total trendsetter all season long. But don't take my word for it; check out the 3 sweet crop top looks below and get inspired to take it up a notch this summer. You can SO do this (minimal sit-ups required).

Happy Friday xo

Get inspired by these 3 seriously cute crop top looks...

An Epic Father's Day Guide

via someecards.com

I'll never pretend to understand what makes guys tick. I mean, things that moms would just never allow seem completely okay in a dad's mind. Watermelons as a snack? Yes. Empty watermelons as helmets? Better. Red tights worn under a dress? Conventional for a 5-year old girl right? Red tights as superhero pants paired with your son's Superman tee? Super freaking awesome. 

The same illogical logic usually applies to gifts, too. There's something about boxes that hold fire and cook bacon, and things that drill into other things, and machines that record vital stats while he's walking to the beer fridge that make him really, really happy. But as we all know, a happy wife (or daughter) makes for a happy life so I've pulled together a Father's Day guide to please all parties.

There's gym gear for the athlete and gadgets that will appease his inner geek, plus clothes that he can wear whilst washing his grown-up Hot Wheels. And yet everything in this guide looks super stylish (and might even push him outside of his style safe-zone) so you can rest assured that he will not be greeting the neighbours in his tragic Crocs and Budweiser tee at your next backyard BBQ. Shudder.

Breathe a sigh of relief and find your perfect gift here. Happy Father's Day!

SEE THE GIFT GUIDE HERE...

Friday Find: Beach Beauties

All bags from GAP

Anything goes at the beach. While time might slow down when your feet are planted firmly in the sand, horrendous fashion crimes are committed every 1.6 seconds.  From Crocs to too-tight-everythings, it's best to keep one's eyes focused on a trashy beach read to avoid Speedo PTSD later on. 

You, of course, are a beacon of chic, in your super cute 'kini, sweet shades and killer curves. But even the most savvy of beach-goers sometimes forget about a perfect bag. Consider it the icing on the cake (or the lime in your Corona) to your perfect playa look; and in my mind, the brighter, the more stripey, the better. I've tracked down the cutest under-$40 totes to carry all of your summer essentials, from sunscreen to your cellphone, in style...

SEE MORE... 

My One-on-One with John Muscat & Jennifer Wells of LINE Knitwear

After noticing the luxury knitwear market needed a serious shake-up, best friends John Muscat and Jennifer Wells joined forces to create LINE Knitwear. Since 2000, LINE’s novelty knits have used smart draping, exaggerated cuts and edgy embellishments to woo some the world’s most fashionable, from Kate Bosworth to Taylor Swift. But it’s Canada’s winter-weariest who benefit the most from the brand’s cozy knits (read: your closet just isn’t complete without a chic LINE knit). Read on for my Q&A for iVillage.ca with John Muscat and Jennifer Wells, the knit wits behind this unique Canadian design house...

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