FATHER'S DAY: The Best Gifts for Dad

Source: Pinterest

Originally posted in The LOOK

I was lucky to have the best dad. The kind who made every outing an adventure, told the most epic of bedtime stories, and even taught us how to toss a football - then graciously concede that with 2 girls, tutus would inevitably win out over touchdowns, which they did. As we got older, my dad somehow managed (usually) to keep his cool and maintain his infectious sense of humour, even when his two teenage girls were having daily meltdowns over boys and bad hair days. And when we went off to school, it was never too early, or too late, to call my wonderful dad. In fact, I can't remember a single time that he said 'I'm too busy', even though I'm sure he often was. In my mind, my dad was the stuff of legends. Name a job and I'm sure he had it: lifeguard, bartender, pilot, truck driver, football coach, highschool teacher, ad exec. But the job he did best (and the one he loved most of all) was being our dad. 

For those of you looking for the perfect gift for your dad, we've rounded up our favourite finds for every type of guy, from the grill master to the gadget guru. And to all of the amazing guys out there who 'man up' every day to be a great dad, Happy Father's Day to you.

SEE THE GIFT GUIDE HERE...

WHITE ON: Our Fav White Picks

Supermodel Daria Werbowy for Mango Spring 2014. Photo via Mango.

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

It takes a brave woman to wear white. Mud, medium double doubles, toddlers covered in strawberry jam - the world is a minefield for a girl wearing all white. And yet, nothing screams summer like the crisp, clean hue. You'd think white would be boring but it's not. And even though every fashion expert proclaims the need to wear white all year round, it feels especially right once May arrives. 

The Spring '14 runways were filled with chic white looks, worn head-to-toe, with stark black, and with spring's prettiest pastels. Designers never tire of the non-colour colour and reinvent it season after season. This year, you'll find white tanks and blouses with loads of cool features like cut-outs, draped panels and laser-cut details. The little white dress has all but replaced the LBD as summer's frock of choice, and comes in styles to flatter every body. And accessories in white are a huge spring story, from modern necklaces to the coolest shoes.

We've rounded up our favourite white essentials in stores now, perfect for the steamy summer months ahead...

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In Weekend Stretches

I’ve always considered myself a city girl. While I grew up in Kitchener (not exactly an urban mecca, I know), I never missed an episode of Fashion Television where Jeanne Beker would take me to Paris, London and New York. These shiny capitals became my kindred city spirits and so there was no debate that after university, I would move to Toronto. Then came marriage and I found myself pin-dropped on an off-the-map plot of acreage outside of St. Thomas (insert birds chirping here). Not only was I miles away from my daily lattes, my fave sushi shop and my beloved Bloor St., I had no idea just what to do with all of this space. 

And so I drove. With my newborn napping in the back, I would make the 45-minute trek to London, just to get my green tea latte fix. And my husband, baby and I would jump on the 401 to head back to Toronto almost weekly, just to escape the silence of our bucolic abode.  

Nine years later, my drives have gotten more frequent but also much shorter as I’ve learned to adjust to life in a small town. And like any avid shopper knows, it’s the thrill of the hunt that produces the biggest rewards. Now, my weekends are packed with super fun things to do and incredible little places to visit, all within 20 minutes of where I live. 

Here’s how make the most of your weekend on a budget, no matter where you live:

• Talk to people! Nobody writes exhaustive guidebooks about tiny little towns. Your friends and neighbours are your best source for finding those hidden gems you’d otherwise pass by.
• Make a 30-kilometre weekend rule. Staying local helps you to visit shops, restaurants and local attractions you might have otherwise ignored. You’ll save time and money when you don’t have to stay somewhere overnight.
• Get creative. We might not regularly hit up big concerts or the coolest new restaurants, but we live 5 minutes from the lake. Every weekend, we get to take our kids for long walks on the beach (romantic, huh?) and feel like we’ve had a mini vacation.
• Lose the attitude. I wasted so much time those first few years focusing on the negative aspects of living in a small town. Look for the positives (no traffic jams, lower cost of living, less stress, stars you can actually see, loads of unpolluted oxygen?) and you will find them.
• Leave your wallet at home. Now that we have kids, our budgets are a bit more stretched than they used to be. Geocache on your local trails, visit a local farm (free petting zoo), and hit up weekend festivals. Every city, no matter how small, has loads of opportunities for free fun.

Happy weekend! (Isn’t it always?)

Disclosure  - This post was brought to you by Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited via Mode Media Canada. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited.

All About Target x Altuzarra

I can pretty much count on a monthly press release announcing a new collaboration. Since I'm not yet jaded (I promise) and I sincerely love fashion, I still feel that twinge of excitement when I hear the news.  This time around, Target has partnered up (way up) with Altuzarra, the luxury fashion label known for its mix of French sophistication and American ease. Yum. The limited-edition collection of women’s ready-to-wear apparel, accessories and shoes will include more than 30 items, ranging in price from $17.99 to $89.99 for apparel, and $29.99 to $79.99 for shoes and accessories.

  “As a designer, I believe firmly in the transformative power of fashion. It has the ability to not only change how you look, but also how you feel,” said Joseph Altuzarra, the brand’s designer and creative director. “I’ve admired the elegance that Target brings to fast fashion. By working together on this capsule collection, we hope to instill a sense of power, confidence and beauty in women everywhere.”  

Like Altuzarra's group of refined, independent fashion fans including Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Bosworth, Cameron Diaz, and Cate Blanchett, I can't wait to git me some Altuzarra. Though I expect those refined women would probably not used the words 'git me some'. Except for J. Law. She would totally throw that down. Mark your calendars: the Target x Altuzarra collection will be available Sept. 14 at most Target stores in the US and Canada, while an edited assortment of the Target collection will be available globally at NET-A-PORTER.COM.

Exciting, right? Is this collab enticing enough to make you wait in line? Or will you, like me, be hitting up NET-A-PORTER in the wee hours of the morning? 

Wedding Crashers

The bouquet toss via Vogue‘s June 2009 issue. Image via moodboard.

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Ever since the amazing Kleinfeld Bridal launch party for Hudson's Bay last week, I have been dreaming of weddings. The emotion of the day, the funny speeches, the reception which always starts so civilized and then almost inevitably degrades into open bar fails, from bridesmaids speeches gone horribly wrong to tipsy aunts dancing with drunken groomsmen.

But above all else, it's the fashion that makes me the most excited for a wedding. After all, it's not the '40's anymore, where women wore dresses daily and full hair and makeup were the norm. Since we rarely ever get to dress up, look beyond your basic LBD for your next wedding. The stores are loaded with fanciful frocks just begging to celebrate a happy marriage, plus shoes, jewellery and beauty 'musts' (waterproof mascara - check!) to help you shine bright on your..ahem, I mean her...big day...

Check out all 6 super chic wedding guest looks here...