Cheers to the Freakin' Weekend

Yes to this. Photo courtesy thedecoratedcookie.com 

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

The only thing worse than a hungry mosquito stuck in your tent on a camping trip is a bad wardrobe. Forgive me for the following fashion rant but hear me out;  When it comes to our long weekend packing list, I just think we can do a little better. I mean, those ripped-up Coors Light-stained joggers you see oot and aboot every weekend on campgrounds across Canada just don't cut it, even around the campfire. Same goes for other weekend fashion offenders - grimy old flip-flops, matchy-matchy Adidas tracksuits (Ole, ole ole oleeee), cheek-exposing Daisy Dukes and white tube socks, awesome as they are.  Call in the trailer park police, arrest those bad boys, and throw away the key. Even though I wear heels 96% of the time, I am a surprisingly apt camper. You see, I spent every summer at a hardcore(ish) tripping camp, became a counsellor, navigated our glorious Ontario lakes, even learned how to portage (solo..BOOYAH!). So while I can totally appreciate gettin' dirty and roughing it with the best of 'em, there comes a time when you need to toss your old jogging suits and refine your look, if only for the Facebook tags you'll be getting next Tuesday. I'm not suggesting you bust out your falsies and stilettos just yet - this is May 24 after all - you can still wear your comfy shorts, your bear-ready runners and of course, your cozy hoodie, but it's all about how you wear your off-duty pieces that will help you look terrific, not tragic. I've put together 4 cute outfits to get you from Friday to Monday in style, whether you're heading to the campground, cottage or backyard BBQ this May 24. Click here for the looks.

Happy Long Weekend, y'all! Hope the weather's great, the beers icy cold and the marshmallows juuuust right x

Feeling Blue

Photo courtesy H&M

Originally posted in The CLOSET

What is it they say, 'If you think it, it will come,' or something like that...

Well, I don't know about you but I'm thinking about summer and I subscribe to the philosophy of dressing for the season, even if The Weather Network disagrees. Once I've put away my winter coats, they're away for the next 5 months. Once I've stopped wearing socks, it's pedicure time from here on out. People might stare at my bare legs and sandals in the middle of a mid-May hailstorm but you know what I say to them? Stare all you want, I am not, repeat NOT, going back to tights and winter boots. Fuhgeddaboudit, donezo, screw you winter, we've had our fun, but I am more than ready for patios, sunhats, heatwaves and blasting A/C. Though Mother Nature might be waffling, I, for one, am fully committed to the hotness ahead and when the pavement sizzles, nothing cools me down quite like blue. I've always loved the serene colour in all of its many hues, reminiscent of crystal clear lakes, cloudless skies and a bottle of Bombay Sapphire (well, maybe not the whole bottle...)

Are you feeling blue like I am? Read the full article here for my favourite blue finds, from breezy cobalt dresses to easy striped espadrilles, perfect for shuffling to the pool and back again. Sigh...doesn't it just make you want to dive right in? 

A Peek at Peter Som for Anthropologie

Photos via Style.com

'Tis the season where wedding invites make their way to our mailboxes and after the RSVP comes the inevitable hunt for the perfect dress.  Black is too funerial and white grounds for bridezilla backlash, and so we're left with colour and print. Enter the new Peter Som capsule collection for Anthropologie, full of punchy bright florals and other whimsical prints, guaranteed to help you stand out at any summer celebration.

“The collection has that off-kilter, patchwork, kind of magpie sensibility. It’s about a quirky elegance,” offers Som. As for the zebra print, already seen in his Spring 2012 collection, Som quips “I’m of the Diana Vreeland school of thought - Zebra is a neutral.”

Available online at anthropologie.com and in stores starting this Friday, the collection ranges from $128 to $360. Thoughts? Any pieces catching your eye? I'm ALL over that zebra dress, recycled print or not. Giddy-up.

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Splish, Splash: The Best Bathers for your Body

Photo courtesy H&M

Whether you’re well-endowed, stick straight or curvy all over, don’t let a bad bathing suit wreak havoc on your summer fun. Simply keep these figure-flattering tips in mind next time you hit the fitting room:

If You Have a Small Bust: String bikinis or a bra-type top with underwires or padding help fill you out. Interesting necklines, ruching or detailing, and bright colours at the top also help the cause.

If You're Curvy: If you’re curvy or plus-size, coverage is key. Look for tops with lots of support, and higher-cut leg openings to lengthen. Allover patterns (in a smaller print) and ruching or shirring help distract the eye from settling on one place.

If You Have a Tummy: Look for vertical details like a v-neck, and suits with built-in tummy-control panels. Try shirring at the waist and details on the neckline or straps to draw the eye up.

If You're Petite: Sweet petites should look for details that elongate, like a plunge neckline that will lengthen the neck and flattering, high-cut bottoms to make legs look extra long.

If You Have a Large Bust: If your cups runneth over, you’ll need a swimsuit that will give you the right kind of coverage and support. Look for underwires, minimizers and halter styles to keep you uplifted while at the beach.

If You're Hippy and You Know It: Next time you’re shopping, look for interesting details at the top to draw the eye upward, avoiding string styles or any other details at the hips. High-cut leg openings are more flattering than boycut styles, which only accentuate your widest point.

If You're Athletic: Sporty girls with a stick-straight frame need to create curves if few exist. Look for ruffles, cut-outs and peplum details to become an instant bombshell.

For more swimsuit shopping tips (including my top swimsuit picks for every body) check out my full article at iVillage.ca

The Vogue Festival 2013: Meet Victoria Beckham and NET-A-PORTER's Natalie Massenet

Photo and videos courtesy Vogue UK

The Vogue Festival 2013 just wrapped up in London and I've been given access to all of the style sessions from the prestigious event held last week. Lucky me - I feel like I'm back in University except instead of being scruffy and disheveled, the profs are wearing Céline!  If you love fashion (which I'm assuming you do, since you're here) and have a lunchbreak or evening free this week, check out a few of the fantastic sessions from the event including NET-A-PORTER's stylish and inspiring founder, Natalie Massenet, plus a glimpse at the surprisingly charming Victoria Beckham. Wait 'til you see N.M's dress - drool! 

Class is now in session. Enjoy! x

(P.S - I just added the Michael Kors session, too, just b/c I love him so)