Calling All Stage Moms

A cute winner from last year's Gap Casting Call

Does your little one love to smize for the camera?  Do people stop you in the street to tell you how adorable your baby is?  Do you want to exploit your kids for personal gain?  Kidding..sort of...In case you missed the memo, Gap just announced their latest casting call for GapKids and babyGap.  The 4 grand prize winners will win a professional photo shoot and a chance to be in a national ad campaign, a $1000 gift card to Gap, and a $10,000 grant to be made in your child's name to Communities in Schools, an incredible non-profit which empowers kids to stay in school.  Awesome, right? Enter your child from newborn to age 12 now through April 22, 2012 by submitting your email address at Gap's casting call site.  Sure, we all think our own kids are the prettiest but will your cutie make the cut to be the next face of the brand?   

Rolling in the Deep

Seashells' by Florene Welenby - via fineartamerica.com

'Girl from Atlantis' - photo Vogue Nippon 

A starfish-encrusted maxi at Versace Spring '12 

Pearls by Guy Bourdin

Jacquelyn Jablonski in a sea-inspired Chanel concoction - photo Chanel

Chanel's underwater fantasy for Spring '12 at the Grand Palais in Paris - photo Chanel

Jessica Stein of Tuula Vintage in shades of seafoam and black

In their constant quest for inspiration, artists, photographers and designers often look beyond their own backyards, past the concrete jungle and bright city lights, and head straight to the source.  The ocean in all of its rolling, ever-changing coolness has captivated creative minds for eons and though the nautical trend seems to bob to the surface each and every spring, 2012 had designers diving right into the deep blue sea.  

At Chanel, shell clutches, pearl-adorned dresses, frothy fabrics and a full under the sea landscape signalled the arrival of a much more literal take on the aquatic trend than we've seen in the past.  Look for pearl and shell accents and starfish, coral or seahorse motifs to emulate the look. As for colour, the much-maligned seafoam (insert bad bridesmaid dress horror story here) has become a surprising It shade for spring. Here's how to wear it:

• Seafoam looks gorgeous with white, grey, deep blue, and sandy tan.  Want to colour block?  Bright yellow, aqua green, or coral make pretty partners.  
• Add metallic silver or gold accessories to give your look a little sea-worthy shine
• Black shoes or a black tote make the colour look thoroughly modern.  
• Want to test out the shade?  A seafoam green nail shows that you're riding the current, without having to totally take the plunge.  (Try out Illamasqua Nail Varnish in 'Nomad' from Sephora.)
• Resist the urge to wear red lips which will give the seafoam a vintagey feel.  Instead, opt for coral or peachy tones for your face and nails to get the right vibe 

Get into the motion of the ocean with these other sea-inspired finds.  (PS - Smart Set has amazing chinos in a pale seafoam for $45 right now - not pictured but totally worth a try).  Ariel, it's on!

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
   
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
   
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
   
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
   
• 
• 
• 
• 

 

Against the Grain

These gorgeous wooden bags have a fantastic artisanal vibe and are the perfect way to branch out this season.  Natural textures like raffia, wood and jute are all the rage right now, as seen on the spring runways at Burberry, Marni and Hermès, and lend an eclectic element to any ordinary outfit.  Wear the clutch out with your slinky summer dresses or throw on the raffia cross body bag to dial up your weekend looks.  The only question:  If your bag falls in the forest and nobody's around, does it still make a sound?

The Wonder Wood Clutch ($118) and Raffia Cross Body Bag ($58) are both available now at French Connection

Found: A-zure Thing

As soon as I saw this dress, I knew it had to be mine.  It's the type of dress that makes you feel refreshed, makes you feel pretty, makes you feel like a lady, even though you might not always act like one.  I'd ditch the belt, and mix it up with everything from a cream cincher to my husband's distressed leather belt (or this men's braided leather, infinitely adjustable belt ($24.50) from Old Navy) and strappy flat sandals or espadrille wedges.  Wear it with skinny white jeans in the spring, bare-legged on steamy days or as an elevated take on the cover-up whilst poolside.  Paint your toes bright red, pour yourself a glass of wine and prepare to look positively OTT amazing.  Resistance, I'm afraid, is futile.  Happy Friday, lovelies!

The Ikat Frequencies Shirtdress ($98) is available now at Anthropologie  

Club Monaco's Spring Lookbook

Full of free-spirited layers and eclectic prints, Club Monaco's late spring lookbook is like a little ode to Cali's massive upcoming music fest Coachella.  The textured fabrics act like pattern, with open weave and delicate lace detailing.  Meanwhile, graphic tees, bright accents and geometric prints add a modern twist to the collection.  For men, fabrics get a little messed up:  chambrays are acid-washed, seersucker is overdyed, and everything looks like it's been thrown out in the desert sun for a long, hot Coachella weekend.  

If it weren't for the porta-potties and the greasy hippies, I would totally be there.  Whoops! Did I just say that out loud? 

OOH!  And breaking news:  Club Monaco's US online shop is now officially open for business, with the Canadian e-shop set to launch in April.  Hooray!  Is anyone else doing a lot more online shopping lately?  Am I the only one who feels like this is a very, very bad thing for self-control?

Click on the thumbnails below (you know the drilly-o) to take a look at Club Monaco's late spring/summer collection:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
   
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
   
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
   
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
   
• 
• 
• 
•