Lucky Charms

Wishbone Objet. Photo via: High Street Market

When news broke that our penny would be no more, I was more than a little upset.  I'm the type of girl who purposely avoids cracks in the sidewalk, who refuses to open an umbrella indoors and naturally, who picks up every single lost penny she finds.  Without pennies, where would I find my luck?  So, I hit up google and tracked down pretty lucky talismans to see me through our penniless future, from a pretty Jennifer Meyer-esque horseshoe necklace by Lilly Lawson that I now wear every day, to kitschy evil eye bracelets from L.A (both on Etsy..love Etsy...).  Now, I'm fully stocked in the luck department. Knock on wood.

Still, a girl needs a break to keep her luck intact so with that, I bid you adieu for a week.  I'm off with my family for some much-needed summer R & R.  We're heading to Ottawa to check out some Van Gogh at the National Gallery, market-strolling at ByWard, then off to cottage country for the rest of the week. Whee!

Happy Friday the 13th, everyone (one of my favourite days, strangely enough). Thanks for all your love over this past little while.  Your comments, tweets and facebook 'likes' make me smile every single day. With you, my lucky charms, a girl doesn't really need pennies...

Gold Wishbone Paperweight, $48, Jayson Home

Printed Ruffled Top, $27.94, Old Navy

Belle Noel Wishbone Cuff, $140, The Bay 

Jennifer Aniston in her Jennifer Meyer Wishbone Necklace

Lilly Lawson Wishbone Necklace, $32, Etsy 

For the Bees Bracelet by Jenny Bird and Burts Bees, $24, available at The Bay starting July 25th (100% of proceeds go towards the Pollinator Partnership)

Geox 'Donna' Loafer, $160, Nordstrom

French Connection Horseshoe Scarf, $36.50, asos.com

SerenaLeena Crystal Evil Eye Bracelet, $13, Etsy

Art Passions Design Dragon Pendant, $5, Etsy

Wegner Wishbone Chair, $641, Design Within Reach

Rosita Bonita Horseshoe Necklace, $202, FarFetch.com 

The Taylor Tomasi Hill Effect

Taylor Tomasi Hill mixes it up in at the Rochas show in Paris. Source: StyleBistro

As former Style and Accessories Director at Marie Claire and current Artistic Director at Moda Operandi, Taylor Tomasi Hill has an eye for the extras. Add to that her fearless approach to fashion (she’s the current one-to-watch in the street style world) and her supermodel looks and we’re completely smitten.

So, how do you pull off Taylor’s aristo-chic look? Mix up unexpected colours and textures, always keep your hair well-groomed (fiery red hue optional) and of course, never forget the power of killer statement accessories.  For all the luxe-for-less pieces to help you nab the coveted TTH vibe, check out my story this week at iVillage.ca.  Love her!

Summer Lovin'

Models Sunbathing... by Nina Leen for LIFE - source: art.com

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Summer has arrived and with it comes a decidedly more chilled-out, laid-back 'tude. Deadlines? To that I say shmeadlines! You want to hand that project in a day late because last night's mojitos did you in? Fine! Noooo problem. You skipped washing your hair because yesterday's trip to Port Stanley gave you the perfect beachy waves? Lucky!  Still, there's a fine line in the sand between chilling and schlepping, especially when it comes to your summer wardrobe. The key to easy style? Find pretty pieces that you can throw on at a moment's notice so that no matter what fly-by-the-seat-of-your-bikini-bottoms adventures await, you'll always be wardrobe ready. Now back to my seaside chaise. Fine, I'm on a rollie chair in my office with an ocean view screensaver, but one can always dream...

Here are 25 essential pieces for a pretty, chic summer: 

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Cool Marinière

A Harper's Bazaar cover from June 1951

Broadway T, $29.99, StyleMint 

Shorts, $24, Joe Fresh

Pursuitment Espadrilles, $98, Anthropologie

Buoy 6 Nautical Rope Bracelet $22.95, Etsy 

Women's Bahama Boat Shoes, $75, Sperry Topsider 

Striped Underwire, $100, J. Crew

Nutcase Fashion Rope Necklace, $47, Etsy 

Pleated Mini in Awning Stripe, $104.99,  J.Crew

J. Crew Dapper Striped Linen-Blend Shorts, $65, Net-A-Porter

Hey, Sailor! Suntints SPF 20 Liquid Lip Balm, $19, MAC Cosmetics 

When it comes to fashion, only a handful of trends stay afloat from season to season.  I like to think of nautical stripes as the Madonna of fashion - perenially cool, always relevant, with nary a major screw-up.  This year's nautical finds are (kinda like Madge) a little bit knotty, a little bit nice, esp. in the accessory dept. with wild chains, glitter, neon ropes, and oversized clamps guaranteed to float your boat.

As for the Breton striped shirt, you can never go wrong with a legendary Saint James (spun in Normandy by the French purveyor since 1850, and worn by everyone from Pablo Picasso to Coco Chanel).  If your budget (or your conscience) can't navigate the splurge quite yet, I've found a comparable version (point your eyes north, maties...or up, whatever...) for 1/3 of the price at StyleMint that looks and feels mega-yacht luxe.  Scared of the horizontal stripe?  Just remember:  the smaller the stripe, the more slimming the effect.  As for fit, keep pieces relaxed, not tight.

Now go ahead, go overboard.  I dare you...;)

Style Crush: Poppy Delevingne

Style Crush: It-Brit and Chanel Brand Ambassador, Poppy Delevingne

Sibling Connection: Poppy's younger sis, Cara, is Burberry Prorsum's current model/muse

Her Crush-Worthy Look: A London cool girl by day and fearless print-mixer by night, Poppy always keeps things sophisticated. Her look at the Christian Dior Spring '12 show in Paris is a lesson in simple chic; one standout piece (like her OTT necklace) is all it takes to bring her outfit from basic to brilliant.  This Stella & Dot white coral pendant adds the perfect pop to a cool cobalt dress, while the strappy neutral sandals will give you the illusion of extra-long legs.