TUNE IN: Festival Fashion Essentials

Photo via American Eagle

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

I'm embarrassed to even talk about it. I hesitated before writing this post because I don't want you to judge my coolness based on the concerts I've attended over the years. But now I kind of have to tell you, don't I? Okay, fine, here goes:

The Bangles (first concert ever at Canada's Wonderland)

Celine Dion (free tickets - please don't judge me...)

Meatloaf (free tickets. dressed up. hilarious)

Ozzy Osbourne (free. this is getting worse, isn't it...)

Coldplay (free. way before the conscious uncoupling)

Jack Johnson (not free)

Sarah McLaughlin & Dixie Chicks & Sheryl Crow (at Lillith Fair)

Backstreet Boys (free courtesy of, to add insult to injury, my newly-ex-boyfriend) 

U2 (free but unfortunately past the point of them being cool)

You see, here's the thing...my dad worked for a classic rock radio station so I was given many free concert tickets over the years. When you're 15 and broke, any concert seems cool.  Then, I worked for a magazine so was again given the occasional concert ticket amidst all of the fashion shows. Of course, I rarely ever got free tickets to any of the cool concerts. Nobody ever said, 'Hey, I have 2 tickets to Arcade Fire...can you please take them for me?' Or 'Jay Z is in town and nobody else wants to go. Will you do me a huuuge favour and come with?' Except for the one time when my boss took me to Coldplay, we got front row and Chris Martin handed me his water bottle. Does this excuse my abysmal concert history? No. It really does not. But here's the thing: until recently, it's always been a question of spending my extra money on concerts or shoes. And as you can probably guess based on the above list and my area of expertise, shoes always won. And I expect they always will. Which is why I am all about dressing like a Coachella-regular with a wicked playlist on my iPod and the deep, dark, highly embarrassing secret of that free Weird Al Jankovic concert I once attended (front row) when I was 13...

Whether you're crossing the border for Bonnaroo, staying local at Northern Lights Festival Boreal, or just want to dress like a Coachella regular (like me), these rockstar-worthy pieces will help you look the part all spring and summer long....

SEE ALL OF MY FESTIVAL ESSENTIALS HERE...

50 Dreamy Spring Dresses

Gisele Bundchen for H&M Spring/Summer 2014. Photo via H&M.

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Once the weather warms up, I'm quite happy to go pantless. Whether in a board meeting or at lunch with my mother-in-law, I find that pants are a bit of a bother. I mean, all the buttons and zips and worrying about how I look when I leave - it's all so much stress with little sartorial pay-off. And I've never met a boss, friend or boyfriend who doesn't load on the compliments when I leave my pants at home.

I say let's all go pant-free, ladies. I don't care whether you're a girly-girl or not. It doesn't matter if you're a risk-taker or a play-it-safe kind of girl. And it certainly doesn't matter what body type you've been blessed with. A dress, my friends, is always the answer. And now that the long range forecast is calling for a steady stream of double-digits (FI.NA.LLY.) you really need little else. From minis to maxis, and Kate Middleton-esque long-sleeves to bicep-baring sleeveless shifts, White Oaks Mall is full of frock stars just waiting to be worked. So say sayonara to your socks, see you later to your skinnies, and an emphatic 'YES' to the dress. I've rounded up 50 of my fav frocks in stores right now...

SEE MY DRESS ROUND-UP HERE...

My Q&A with Greta Constantine

Kirk Pickersgill & Stephen Wong of Greta Constantine. Photo by George Pimentel.

As fearless designers, brand magnets and epic party hosts, Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong are a Canadian fashion force unlike any other. The duo’s fashion label, Greta Constantine, has garnered an impressive lineup of clients and celebrity devotees, from Hollywood’s PYT’s to top fashion icons like Naomi Campbell and Iman, thanks to their to-die-for dresses and right-now sensibility. I caught up with Stephen and Kirk leading up to the launch of their new bridal collection for Kleinfeld to chat about business, ageless beauty and, yes, bridezillas...

READ THE INTERVIEW HERE...

Oh-So Cinco de Mayo

Handmade Embroidery Blouse, $59.95, Mango

Necklace with Tassels, $19.95, H&M

1969 Cuffed Always Skinny Jeans, $49.99, GAP

Deborah Lippmann Summer Nail Polish in Don't Stop Believin', $22, Sephora

Printed Espadrille Slip-Ons, $44.95, GAP

Well, Spring, you're fashionably late, I'll give you that. And while I can relate, especially on this particular Monday, it's inevitable that deadlines must be met - fashion stories in my case, blooming flowers in yours - and we will get back on track. 

Since it's Cinco de Mayo, let's make today the day to get this spring party started. These bright celebratory pieces are just the thing to heat things up.  Try taking a canvas of all white, then add in splashes of fiesta-friendly brights in the form of orange polish or lipstick, a super fun tasseled necklace, and striped espadrilles. So fun, si?

My job is done. Spring? Looks like you're up...

Kate Moss x Topshop is Finally Here

Photos courtesy Topshop

The long-awaited Kate Moss x Topshop collection has finally arrived and I want everything. Like the supermodel herself, the collection is edgy, eclectic and incomparably cool. From the rocker (see the floral metallic blouse, star camis and a fringed black dress), to the boho babe (embroidered smock dresses and pyjama trousers) to the innocent ingénue, (bright chiffon dresses), the line covers Moss's many sides. And for someone like me who dresses to suit my daily mood, the collection feels deeply (albeit most superficially) satisfying. Pick up the collection now online and at select Hudson's Bay stores across Canada.

Kate made an appearance at Topshop’s Oxford Circus store this week before hosting a star-studded dinner to celebrate the launch, attended by Cara Delevigne, Sienna Miller, Suki Waterhouse and Naomi Campbell.  See the photos – and what everyone wore – below: