True North, Strong & Fab

Canada: An Infographic, by Kirstin Hallett

MILCK Clutch, $196, thecode.ca

Oh Canada Tea Towel, $26, Roots

Suede Bootie, $100, ALDO

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

We're pretty lucky to live where we do. Sure, we've got unpredictable weather, from our breathtaking cold-snaps in the winter to our sweltering heat waves in the summer. We've got pesky black flies and longer-than-average wait-times and sometimes, our politicians can't quite make up their minds.  Yet this gorgeous country allows us to raise our kids in safety, with its good schools and relatively good healthcare system.  Add to the mix our Timbits (yum), poutine (double yum), maple syrup (I'll spare you the agony...), hockey games, CBC and of course, Justin Bieber, and there's really nowhere in the world I'd rather be.  This weekend, we'll bust out the red and white, crack open a few cold ones and shoot fireworks into the sky. We'll eat strawberry cake, splash around in our lovely lakes and generally just get out (and aboot) to soak up our beautiful outdoors. Though Canadiana kitsch is a lot less rampant (and a lot less loud) than that of our neighbours to the south, it doesn't mean we can't show our pride this Canada Day.  These fun and stylish finds will help you do just that, whether you buy them for yourself or give them as a gift to your Canada Day hosts.  Great idea, eh? For more Canadiana gems, read on...

Kate Spade, Ted Baker Coming to Canada

Kate Spade NY Fall '12 Presentation - photo courtesy southmoltonststyle.com

An illustration of the Kate Spade model by Inslee

Floral Print Shorts - Ted Baker London

Just when I thought my cross-border hops had been made completely redundant, news broke today that It-Brit fashion brand Ted Baker London and U.S.-based Kate Spade New York will both be arriving in Canada this fall, with 2 new stand-alone stores coming to Yorkdale Mall. 

I've always been a fan of Kate Spade with her happy prints, preppy colours and must-bookmark blog, behind the curtain.  The Fall 2012 collection, though, is exceptionally charming, with loads of Parisian references and a highly-anticipated collaboration with French street-style blogger Garance Doré.  Youpeee! As for Ted Baker, I'm just getting to know the brand but am already in love with the super chic collection and foresee this being a long and highly profitable relationship (for Ted Baker, anyway..though, I'll surely reap the wardrobe rewards).

Will keep you posted on all the store opening deets.  I so want an invite to those parties!  Hint. Hint.

Meet Monte

Well, hello there ladies. My name is Monte.  I'm True North, super strong and all that, but well, it's my teeth.  Think I should have these things filed?  Not sure if OHIP covers cosmetic dentistry... Thank God this uniform brings home the babes (Moths...meet Flame) or I'd have to crack some serious nuts over at the RCMP.  

Bring me (and another organically hot 6-pack: Beau's LugTread Lagered Ale) as a little hostess gift to your Canada Day fête.  I stand on guard at Real Canadian Superstore, and they refer to me as the 'PC Canada Day Beach Towel' (but if you slip the cashier guards $6, they'll let you take me home).  I'm worth it. Oh, I'm sooo worth it.

Ohhh Canadaaa

Birthday parties are always fun, but Canada Day brings it to an entirely new level. As we approach our country’s 145th birthday, we prepare to honour our true north, strong and free with barbeques, beer (a local microbrew, of course), and a round of light-up-the-sky fireworks.

Whether you’re heading to our nation’s capital to party with thousands, or are keeping it tight with friends and family in your very own backyard, these finds will help you wear Canada from head to toe. They might not scream red & white loud, but these two looks are a subtle way to show that you’re proud.

For the full story (and where to score these great Canadian finds from La Canadienne, Matt & Nat, Joe Fresh and more), check out my story this week at iVillage.ca.

Short Story

 

Capris have always confused me; They're not quite pants and they're not quite shorts but sort of an awkward limbo between the two. I totally get it; summers are 'freaking hot' (as my nephew would say) and in the middle of a heat wave, pants sometimes feel inappropriate. And yet, will those extra five inches of exposed skin really keep you cooler? Really?? Do you feel the breeze on your exposed shin and think, "Yes!! Thank goodness I wore capris today! My ankles feel sooo refreshed!" My husband likens capris to running a marathon and then stopping just short of the finish line, jogging through the perplexed crowd on the sidelines and making a beeline for the bar. And designers tend to agree: since they stop at the widest part of your calf, capris visually shorten your legs, spelling disaster for those impossibly leggy babe-azons, which is why you rarely (if ever) see just-below-the-knee capris on the international runways.

So, what's a girl to do in the middle of a heat wave? Stick with dresses, skirts, and lightweight pants (either full length, ankle length or slightly cropped but avoid tight capris, per favore). Still feeling hot and bothered? This year marks the triumphant return of the short and the spring runways were full of them, worn both chilled out casual and totally dressed up. My biggest inspiration (as always) is Rosie Huntington-Whitely at Coachella; Her festival look reminds me that shorts don't have to be plain, pocketed and frumpy. A printed pair, worn with a breezy white blouse totally screams summer. As for the biggest short story of the season? The short suit, as seen in innumerable designer collections this season, is now the uniform of choice for New York's chic working girls. As trends tend to do, they've filtered down from runway to real life, from big cities to small, and if you haven't already noticed them, you'll start to spy them soon. (Of course, not all offices will approve, but if you work in a more laid-back place, a short suit is the perfect way to look current and stay cool all summer long.) Pick your fave legal-length pair, commit to some nightly squats (and a bottle of St. Tropez Self-Tanner from Sephora, hallelujah!) and you're ready to rock the short. My only rule? Mind your footwear, madams. Flat sandals are always good, as are wedges or tan booties to give your legs a little lift. But please (PLEASE!) steer clear of the stiletto/short combo. It's just never good, even if you are Rosie Huntington-Whitely.

Happy Friday (and happy summer) to you!  Squeee!