Game On

U.S Olympic Athletes go glam with supermodel Karlie Kloss in the June '12 issue of Vogue / Photos: Annie Leibovitz/VOGUE 

Originally posted in The LOOK

With the London 2012 Olympics gearing up, it's hard not to feel inspired.  I mean, these superhuman athletes train their entire lives, pushing their bodies to their ultimate limits with the hopes of eventually grasping that glorious gold to bring hope and joy to their respective nations.  Meanwhile, the couch is my own little podium, complete with my laptop and a bag of chips.  I occasionally nod my head or do a little fistpump and sure, my heart races while I watch the games, but it's entirely due to excitement, not because of any physical exertion on my part whatsoever.  With 2 toddlers running around the house and a busy work schedule, I just can't seem to find the time (or the energy) to get my run on.

Well, no more I say!  I might not make it to the Olympics (might not? okay, will not, like, ever..) but all this talk of athletic prowess and rippling, muscle-bound bodies is making me feel awfully static.  I don't know about you but between London 2012 and all the cute workout wear out there this season, I'm feeling inspired to get back in shape. 

These cute fitness finds should have you breaking a sweat in no time.   And if all else fails, just tune into the men's swim events.  Um, just me or is it getting hot in here? 

Click on the thumbnails below to get a little chic sportif:

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You're Hot and You're Cold

How’s a girl to dress when hit by a commuter-headache heatwave on your way to work followed by a 9-5 in a frigid, over-air-conditioned office? I mean, you’re hot and you’re cold, you’re yes and you’re no, you’re in and you’re out... Katy Perry, you are so wise...

It’s all about the layers, ladies. Keep these très chic toppers handy to help you through the mercury madness. After all, a hoodie doesn’t exactly scream ‘promotion’, does it?  For my top 10 smart layering picks, check out my style article this week at iVillage.ca

Tough Love

Looks from Versace Spring 2012 (left and right), and Balmain Spring 2012 (middle). Via style.com 

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Opposites, as they say, always attract.  Whether it's the unexpected mash-up of a masculine cut with an ultra-feminine twist, the fresh contrast of mixing something traditional with something modern, or the proportional beauty of pairing a fitted piece with a super voluminous partner, things always work better when there's a yin and a yang to help achieve that perfect balance.  Case in point: my husband and I, who could not possibly be more different, are somehow just what the other needs.  He's rational where I'm completely not, he's a science and business nerd and I'm a fashion geek.  I'm a little immature and he's... Okay, maybe we're more similar than I like to admit...

Always in search of that perfect contrast, designers often rely on the stud to toughen up a too-pretty look. Those little metal details provide the perfect hit of toughness to add some bitter to the sweet.  And when you think of it, couldn't most of us use a little edge? After all, we spend so much time trying to look professional, trying to impress our mother-in-law, trying to look the part (blah, blah, blah) but somewhere underneath, there's a little trouble-maker trying to get out.  I'm not talking 50 Shades of Grey trouble..(not that there's anything wrong with that...)

And yet, the stud is just tough enough.  Wear it now and all the way into the fall, anytime you feel like your look needs a little edge.  You might be surprised how fun it is to break out your inner rebel, even if only in the form of a bad-ass little bracelet...

From summery neon sandals and little white dresses that you can wear right now to studded leather finds that will see you through the fall, here are some of my top picks from White Oaks Mall.  Oh, and unlike a tattoo, this trend is 100% removeable.  Phew ;)

Valentino Spring '12 Ad Campaign - photo source: whowhatwear.com

Studded Bag, $59.95, H&M

Doreen Studded Sunglasses, $90, Guess

Shauna Studded Dress, $349, Club Monaco 

A sweet summer look gets a little edge thanks to cool studded loafers. Photo source: Zara

Studded Loafer, $80, ALDO 

Neon Studded Sandals, $14, ALDO

Bed Stu Studded Heel, $127, American Eagle Outfitters

Studded T-Strap Sandals, $24.49, ALDO

The Burberry Prorsum Fall '12 Finale, complete with studded leather gloves. 

Button Cuff with Wrap Chains and Studs, $30, Guess

Suede Peep-Toe Booties, $120, ALDO

Wrap Bracelet with Studs, $12.99, Guess

Studded Ballet Flats, $50, ALDO

Studded Leather Tote, $168, Guess

Studded Pumps, $100, ALDO 

Found: A Luxe-for-Less Dress

This dress, to me, is the epitome of summer ease.  It comes in an array of pretty colours and can be dressed up or down, depending on the accessories and shoes you choose;  wear it with heels and a statement necklace for a ladies lunch or pair it unbuttoned with flat sandals for a lazy Saturday afternoon.  The luxe-for-less bonus? It looks almost exactly like the current collection of summer frocks over at Tory Burch, yet is selling for 1/4 of the price.  Squee! Is it bad that I want one in every colour? Ack...decisions, decisions...

The Roll-Sleeve Shirt Dress ($69.95) is available now at Gap

Summer Trends to Wear Now...

 

Nanette Lepore Spring '12 Runway - Source: Racked

Originally posted in The LOOK

I've always loved summer.  After all, this season is all about fun: chilled wine at an al fresco lunch, lazy days playing in the sand with my kids, grilled everything because it's too hot to turn on the oven, paddling around aimlessly in a sparkly pool, impromptu weekend road trips with the windows cranked down.  And as much as I love fall fashion (I mean, what stylephile doesn't?) there's something so brilliantly unfussy about summer dressing that I absolutely adore.  This season, it's all about having fun with fashion, whether it's playing with a bold new colour, attempting to wear a new trend or playing with print. Here are three of my current faves and super easy ways to make them work for you...

P.S - Is anyone else having a hard time dealing with the whole Monday thing today?

Taylor Tomasi Hill at the Preen Spring '12 Presentation - Source: amarmielife.com

NEON.  That four-letter word can elicit the most extreme reactions, from total disgust to pure joy.  If you're young (or young at heart), go for the bold with highlighter bright shorts or an in-your-face fluorescent tee.  If you prefer to make a subtle statement, there are loads of fun accessories to dial up a neutral look. Neon yellows, pinks, oranges or greens look amazing against white, black and grey (see Taylor Tomasi Hill above for a crash course) and are the perfect way to play with colour at any age.

Glamour Magazine's Maria Duenas Jacobs at NY Fashion Week - Source: vanessajackman.blogspot.ca

The lowly short has been elevated to new heights thanks to fun printed shorts seen on the spring runways. From supermodels to street-style stars, every It girl is playing with print this summer.  My best style tip? Let your shorts do all the talking and keep your top super simple;  a plain white tee tones down a busy print, while a lightweight slouchy sweater offers oversized proportion to the short's itty-bitty silhouette.

Michael Kors' Spring '12 Ad Campaign. Source: Michael Kors

There's a reason that the tribal trend comes back year after year: it's fun, it's wild and it's undeniably sexy. A neutral palette (think blacks, browns and metallics) keeps the focus on the OTT prints and works perfectly into your work wardrobe.  Finish off your tribal look with a fierce pair of cat-eye shades (one of the season's biggest trends) and you'll be ready for any urban adventure.