Nautical by Nature

A refined Spring '14 take on the nautical trend from Pringle of Scotland.

aaand, a much more literal interpretation from Olympia Le-Tan.

Originally posted in The LOOK

I grew up surrounded on all sides by land. Instead of a lake or ocean, my water came mostly in the form of bathtubs, lawn sprinklers and friends' backyard pools. But there were those rare times when we'd make a day trip to the beach, and even more rare times when we'd make it all the way to the ocean. And it was in those times that I realized how much I love the water.

Whether swimming in it or staring at it, the water just has this way of winning me over. And anytime I get the chance, I'm on a boat, a beach or a dock, waiting for my yacht to come in.  Or a canoe. A canoe is fine, too...

For Spring '14, designers showed their love for all things nautical, too, with stripes, blue and white looks, and even fun anchors, fish and sailboat patterns at Olympia Le-Tan. Whether you like to keep your seafaring style subtle or totally in-your-face, there are plenty of fish in the sea for spring.

Here are some tips for going nautical this season:

• Stripes are a classic that will never go out of style. But fear not, figure-conscious females, stripes can be super flattering. Simply opt for narrow stripes over wide to appear thinner.
• Not sure which metal to choose to complement your blues, whites and reds? Gold is the perfect fit for all of your nautical looks.
• Keep It Simple, Sailors! A delicate starfish necklace here or an anchor charm bracelet there is all you need to amp up your stripes. Read: don't go overboard. 

Read on for my fav nautical finds in stores right now and get ready to sail away...

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Bag It Like Burberry

Clutches seen on the Burberry Spring '14 runway. Photos via glamour.com.

Originally posted in The LOOK

While I don't normally condone overt copycatting, be it bad Liza Minelli impersonators or fake Louis Vuittons, there are some instances where I'm totally okay with it.  Case in point: this Burberry doppelgänger from ALDO. While I don't personally know anyone willing to fork over $1550 for a bag as season-specific as The Petal, I do know loads of women willing to part with $45 for a bag so similar in style, colour and feel as the ALDO version below, without having to resort to fake tags and loud logos. Yes, it's a direct copy - no original ideas here - but do we really care, especially when the attention to detail is so impressive? 

Pick up your Floral Appliqué Clutch (in white, mint or pink) at ALDO now. 

ps - Speaking of Liza Minelli, I would normally have done a full Oscars fashion recap yesterday if I wasn't so busy moving. To make it short and sweet, loved Lupita (the lobe cuff was amazing but wish she hadn't done the headband), thought Kate Hudson and Naomi Watts both looked amazing (as always) and that Cate Blanchett's dress was lovely (but she should have worn more blush). Jennifer Lawrence and Julia Roberts didn't get the memo that peplum is O-VER but their dresses fit them beautifully which counteracted the trend ignorance. As for the worst? Anna Kendrick, hands down. Chick seriously needs to get a stylist. Kerry Washington gets a hall pass bc she is 9 months pregant and if you've ever been 9 months pregnant, you know that absolutely nothing fits your body at that stage, that there is nothing graceful or elegant or unwrinkled when you are that close to D-Day, so I really wish everyone would leave the poor girl alone. Thoughts?

Stylish March Break Must-Packs

With March Break right around the snowbank, I’ve rounded up some pretty packing essentials to make any trip, near or far, far more chic. 

IT'S MAAAARCCHHHHH! In serious packing mode for our big move so please excuse my somewhat sporadic posts over the next few weeks!

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SJP's Shoe Line Launches at Nordstrom Today

Photo via Nordstrom

You knew this, right? Sarah Jessica Parker's brand new shoe line launches exclusively at Nordstrom today, finally giving all of us lowly non-New Yorkers a chance to score Carrie's sick shoe closet. The Sex and the City star is well-known, both on-screen and off, for her insanely gorge footwear that runs the gamut from classic to impractically perfect.

Available at Nordstrom and nordstrom.com, from Feb. 28 to March 2, the collection includes perfect T-strap pumps, pastel peep-toes, beach-ready espadrilles and even a few handbags. My personal favs? The Carrie T-Strap Pump, the Pola Pointy-Toe Pump, the Bobbie Sandal and the Wallace Sandal. 

And what about the starlet herself? According to SJP in an interview with New York Post, “I covet all of them in some way because they allow you to feel differently, or make something look different in your closet, or stand differently than you did yesterday, or get someplace faster,” she says. “I think that’s the beauty of this particular accessory.”

Priced between $195-$495, it's not a decision to be taken lightly. And yet, as they say, far cheaper than therapy?

Happy last day of February! (woot, woot!)

THINK SPRING: Bright Buys to Wear Now

Photo source: Ciaté.

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

Maybe it's all this talk of March Break (I know, I know, you are SOOOO excited to go to Turks & Caicos), but I feel like my fashion choices right now have a decidedly defiant feel. You want to snow for 3 days straight? I'm just going to wear my bright yellow blazer. Booyah! You want to blow white-outs across the road so my frostbitten hands have to constantly death-grip the steering wheel. Fine. At least my nails are painted in OPI's 'Kiss Me, I'm Brazilian'. While you snow and sleet in this never-ending winter, I'm mentally lounging on a yacht in my breton striped shirt and laissez-faire loafers. In yo face!

Because when it comes right down to it, the mind is in fact stronger than the matter. And my mind is made up - it's March in a few days and it IS spring, no matter what you do, Old Man Winter. I wave my floral scarf high in the air to you. Can we just call a truce?

Read on for my favourite early spring buys to wear right now....

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