Zara Canada is now LIVE

So many of you have been asking for details about the Zara Canada online launch that I had to share the latest news. The site officially launches on March 6th but you can start shopping the site NOW at zara.com/hicanada (click where it says 'Bienvenue' and don't let the March 6 thing throw you off)  Confusing, I know, but let's just go with it since it means we can shop even earlier than we'd planned.  The site carries the same full range of women's, men's, and children's clothes carried in Zara stores and delivers to the entire country - so whether you live in Wawa, ON, Spread Eagle Nfld., or St. Louis du Ha! Ha!, QC, you can now access the affordable fashion fantasy that is Zara. Finally!

Shipping and returns are free for orders over $50 or $9.95 for express shipping (2-3 business days), or you can opt to pick up your items in store. Do you know how amazing this is? So, instead of having to troll the mall and hope you score the cute stuff right when it arrives, you can now troll online.  This is how addictions start. The return and exchange policy will be the same as that in Zara stores and customers can choose to have items picked up at their home or return them at any Zara store.  Anyone else as excited as I am? Anyone else see some major credit card damage in their future? Sigh... 

Sorry for the paltry postage this week.  Let me just say that if you ever consider selling your house, don't. Just don't.  At least my house is clean for the weekend...AND rlr mini is coming to visit with her beyond adorbs family.  Can't wait! Happy, happy weekend everyone! X

P.S- I just bought these. :) :) :)

Sandal with Studded Instep, $99.90, Zara.com

Good Things Come in Threes

Printed Long Sleeve Blouse in Turquoise, Red and Blue, $39 each, Smart Set

Perforated Oxford in Oslo Gray, Yellow and Camel, $69.95 per pair, Gap 

Women's Stripe Rash Guard in Navy, Frosted Lilac and Positano Blue, $90 each, J.Crew

From a very early age, my mom taught me the value of threes.  Her style math boiled down to this: even = bad, odd = good.  Just for kicks, I would often offer to set the table if we were having dinner guests and would purposely put two candles in two candle-holders in the middle of the table.  Even if she was at the opposite end of the house, my mom could instantly sense the dissonance.  She'd beeline it to the dining room and stand in the doorway, a look of confusion, discomfort even, crossing her lovely face.  Out came the third candle holder, a little 45 degree turn to the right (to give the arrangement a certain je-ne-sais-quoi) and balance was restored. Ahhh..that's better.  Call it Granny's Mantel, matchy-matchy or classic feng shui but I have to admit that I feel the same way.  Good things always come in threes, don't you think? Hmmm...does this mean I should buy 3 of each?

Spring 2013: Accessory Report

ALDO's fun Spring '13 Campaign - Photo courtesy ALDO

As a fashion blogger, I'm  constantly tempted by trends.  I spend a good 8-10 hours each day either staring at, speaking about, shopping for, or writing articles about pretty clothes.  In the beginning, it was total torture;  I wanted every single thing and would rearrange my whole day so that I would just 'happen' to be in the 'hood of say, Club Monaco, just when that to-die-for piece hit stores.  While researching a trend story on shoes online, I would often accidentally click on the 'add to shopping cart' button and somehow click the 'buy' button in the process.  'Whoops!?'  In the beginning, I felt cheated because my fashion blogger salary was nowhere near my Dior/McCartney/Tibi tastes...

For the full story (and the rest of my fave Spring '13 accessories) head to The Fashion Scoop! x

Eagle Necklace, $18, ALDO; Cat-Eye Sunglasses, $18, Laura; Snake Ring, $10, ALDO; Leopard Necklace, $17,Dynamite; Python Clutch, $59, Danier; Jaguar Ring, $15, Le Château; Leopard Belt, $20, American Eagle 

Cuff, $12, ALDO; Linen Blend Clutch, $30, Le Château; Plastic & Metal Link Necklace, $18, ALDO; Rosette Ring, $8, Reitmans; Attitude Jay Manuel Pump, $60, Sears; Two-Tone High-Tops, $26, American Eagle; Cap-Toe Flats, $31, American Eagle; Woven Bracelets, $15, Spring

Statement Necklace, $16, ALDO; Metal Mesh Bracelet, $17, Le Château; Wide Basket Weave Cuff, $21, Cleo; Pointy Cap-Toe Pumps, $100, ALDO; Woven Metallic Band, $15, Le Château; Sterling Silver Ring, $99,People's Jewellers; Metallic Envelope Clutch, $40, Le Château

Red Carpet Rockers

Jennifer Lawrence (holding her Best Actress Oscar for Silver Linings Playbook) wears a custom gunmetal beaded gown designed by Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein Collection - image source: WireImage 

Supermodel Carolyn Murphy in a custom Calvin Klein Collection orange silk crepe strapless dress. Image source: Wire Image

A long night, a few too many glasses of pinot and now I'm feeling the Oscar after-effects.  I liken the Academy Awards to the Superbowl, except somehow, nobody thought to make me snacks.  Anyone else experience this overt injustice? In a few short words, I was generally impressed by this year's red carpet turnout. Most starlets were smart enough to take the advice of their stylists so I found way more 'hits' than 'misses' this year. Boring. Can somebody bring back Bjork, please?

Since the web is so inundated with red carpet pics today, I'll save the redundancy and leave you to your own Google-y devices. Instead, thought I'd post a few pics of stars rocking Calvin Klein Collection at last night's Vanity Fair after-party. I know I just mentioned her last week but, how gorgeous is Carolyn Murphy? 

Best:

Charlize Theron - I loved her close-cropped hair, her dewy makeup, her stark white Dior peplum confection and her general statuesque amazingness

Jessica Chastain - Unlike her ill-fitting turquoise number from the SAGs, her metallic Armani Prive gown and Jessica Lake waves screamed Old Hollywood glam. Such a fan.

Kerry Washington - I don't know if I've ever actually seen her in a movie but Kerry Washington always kills it on the carpet.  Props to Rachel Zoe for always making her look OTT amazing

Naomi Watts - Her sequined gunmetal  Giorgio Armani dress was out of this world.  Some people questioned the cut-outs but to me, they were edgy, cool and just perfect on her body. 

Jennifer Lawrence - Elegant, age-appropriate and the perfect shade of pale pink, though I'm still torn about whether I liked/hated the skirt.  I know that I absolutely loved her after-party dress (see above) If I'm honest, I would probably put her on my best-dressed list no matter what she chose, just because I love her so

Jane Fonda - She owned that canary yellow Versace dress and showed up women half (even a third) her age. She is 75.  75!! #inspired

Worst:

Anne Hathaway - She picked her Prada 3 hours before the show, dismissing the custom-made Valentino couture gown the fashion house took such great pains to create for her, and thus became the unfortunate recipient of bad fashion karma. All I can say is 'Les Nipperables'. Awkward.

Helen Hunt - $700,000 worth of jewels were cheapened by her wrinkled H&M dress. I'm all about the high-low mix and actually didn't mind the dress, but if you're going to go low, you need to invest in a steamer. 

Kristen Stewart - Did the girl just roll out of bed? Did she forget to shower? Even with crutches, I feel no sympathy. Geez, that sounded harsh. What is it about the red carpet that brings out my inner Regina George?

Whose looks did you love/loathe? I want to hear. Did I miss anyone? x

ps - Yay for Argo! Ben Affleck has really come full circle, non? I am so happy for him!

The Perks of Being a Joe Fresh Ambassador

The powers-that-be at Purolator just delivered these sweet spring treats from Joe Fresh - my first delivery as a Joe Fresh Ambassador! There's a fresh off the runway black wool-blend dress with cool patent sleeves, a beyond soft mint cashmere sweater, a super fun printed pencil skirt - plus some ice-cream pastel polishes, an eye shadow quad and a sheer tint that I can't wait to test out.  Yay! Could not be more excited. Stay tuned - promise to post pics of me wearing everything. Just have to git my hair/makeup did first :)

Thank you Joe Fresh! mwah mwah mwah

Happy Friday, y'all! #TGIF