SWOON: 50 Fall Shoes & Boots Under $300

Nicole Kidman in the Fall '13 Campaign for Jimmy Choo. 

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

Whether you're mourning the loss of a season or are just having a tough time getting back to the grind, sometimes all it takes is a new pair of shoes or boots to feel refreshed, renewed and ready to tackle what lies ahead. As they say, cheaper than therapy, right?

For Fall '13, designers showed us loads of gorgeous kicks to get excited about. From fun flats to fierce boots, here's what to look for on your next shoe shopping trip:

ANKLE-STRAPPED FLATS: While the basic ballet flat will always be a wardrobe staple, there are loads of exciting options for those of us who want to stay grounded. This fall, look for fun details like ankle straps, pointy toes and wild animal prints to add some swagga to your step.

LUG SOLES: Need to get a grip? Then throw on a pair of lug-soled shoes or boots with oversized treads to keep you on track (and on trend).

PATTERN PLAY: Do you tend to stick with solids in your wardrobe? Printed shoes are the perfect way to dial up your look. A fun pair of plaid, leopard or fall floral heels will make a major impact on any outfit.

TOUGH BOOTS: If there's one message in everyday boots this fall, it's this: the tougher, the more roughed-up, the better. Go for bad-ass moto boots to look like a biker babe (even if you drive a mini-van), or studded lace-up boots to add some edge to your skirts and dresses. And don't forget to hop on the 90's grunge train - combat boots and Doc Martens are back in a big way for fall.

OVER-THE-KNEE BOOTS: If you live in leggings, these will be your new go-to. Opt for flat styles to avoid diving into Pretty Woman territory and pair them up with your leggings and knits. Or, go full out vixen and wear them with your skirts and dresses. Check out Reed Krakoff and Ralph Lauren for a crash course.

I did a little shoe shopping for you (I couldn't help myself). Check out these 50 pretty pairs of fall shoes and boots, in stores now and under $300!

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Joe Fresh to Launch Online Shop

This is good. This is exciting. Because while we non-Torontonians/Vancouverites/Montrealers can already shop our local Joe Fresh stores (and shop them, we do) we rarely ever get the really good stuff - the fresh off the runway collections, the super trendy Joe Fresh pieces so prevalent in the big city stores. Thanks for spreading the love Mr. Mimran. And if you have yet to see the full array of what Joe Fresh designers dream up, just you wait...

x

Tough Love: Grunge 2.0

Freja Beha Erichsen gets her grunge on in the Reserved Fall '13 Lookbook. 

Originally posted in The LOOK

You may not have been lucky enough to live through it; The days when Donna, David, Steve, Kelly, Brenda, Brandon, Dylan and some random girl named Andrea (An-DRAY-ah) ruled primetime and we all knew the Beverly Hills zip code. Where Liv Tyler and her besties worked at Empire Records, selling music (but not selling out, of course). Where Ethan Hawke and Jared Leto were so hot but everything else was like, 'Whatever'. Kurt Cobain and Eddie Vedder filled walkmans with All Apologies and Rear View Mirrors. And instead of selfies, tweets and Instagram, there were just camcorders, playing cards and bush parties. Then Kurt Cobain died, Soundgarden broke up, and Britney Spears put on her cheerleader outfit, and the grunge era was officially gone. Sigh...

Until now, that is. Grunge style is back in a very big way, with plaid flannel, ripped jeans, layered up tees, floral frocks, slip dresses and combat boots flooding the stores this fall. Wicked.

Whether you were a '90s teen or are just trying this out for the first time, see below for the essential pieces you need to be a total grunge goddess. (Oh, and don't forget to rock out to Nirvana to get in the (teen) spirit)...

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Found: Plaid Perfection

An Abbey Road-inspired pic from the JACOB Fall '13 Campaign. Love this!

We've been home for the past 5 days with our 5 year-old who has, by some unlucky stroke, come down with a 1 in 300 000 kind of disease that has her perpetually doubled over with cramps. The doctor says it's not serious, it's not contagious, and that we all just have to wait it out while it runs its course. Poor kid! The only thing that seems to make her feel better right now (other than Tylenol and Mamma Mia on repeat) are warm baths and a big plaid blanket that my parents picked up for us years ago on a trip to Europe. 

Plaid, by the way, is THE print for fall. Since Dancing Queen is playing (and my little chiquitita is having a rest), I thought I'd share some of these amazing plaids from the new Fall Collection at JACOB. Don't you just love? I'd be inclined to wear them as a full suit but if you're not feeling as bold, you can also wear them piece by piece to look right on trend this season.

K, back to my little patient and a big thanks for your patience while we battle this bug. xx

Plaid Blazers, $149.90 each, JACOB

Plaid Trousers, $89.90, JACOB

Test-Drive: Sears' Fall LOOK Report

I'm a sucker for a challenge, especially when it involves shopping. And so, when Sears Canada asked me to check out their new fall collection (and I saw how insanely beautiful Bar Refaeli looked in their new Nevada campaign), I replied 'Count me in!'

The mission? Test-drive the new fall looks from the Sears Fall Look! Report, including pieces from Nevada, Jessica and Attitude. I'll admit that I'm not a regular Sears shopper but was excited to see the new fashion direction in person. After all, Sears Canada was my first internship after fashion school. Meeemoriiies....

I arrived at the London Sears and immediately made a beeline for the Nevada section, plastered with posters of the lovely (and now Leo-less) Bar Refaeli. I loved the camo pants (if I didn't already own a pair, they would have been #1 on my list) and was smitten with the floaty blouses and cognac biker vest. 

Next, I cleaned up in the Attitude section. Graphic black & white pieces, from a perfect black skater skirt to sleek and super sexy leggings to cozy colour-blocked and patterned knits made their way into my ever-growing pile.  

Finally, I had to check out the Jessica section and scored a gorgeous merlot peplum dress (this would make a perfect office dress) and a printed Tory Burch-esque shirtdress. They both fit like a dream and were under $50 each. I honestly could have easily taken both home if not for my compulsive shopping problem. Remember what my imaginary therapist says, ‘Breathe. Control. Restraint. Is another pair of shoes really going to make it all better?’ The answer is yes. Yes, they will. But right, breathe, control, restraint. Phew.  

An hour later, I emerged with the skater skirt, faux-leather leggings and an amazing chevron print knit, all for just over $100. Don't be a hater, you need to check out this new collection. You will not believe how far Sears has come in the last few years.

Oh, and before you go, don't forget to check out the full Sears Fall Look! Report or follow Sears Canada on Pinterest for some outfit inspo. 

Happy shopping and happy Friday! 

 

As you may have guessed, this post was sponsored by Sears Canada. Mission complete!