Parisian Secrets and a very Chic Giveaway

 

When it comes to dressing, nobody knows how to do it quite like a French woman.  She never quite matches, her hair looks like she's just rolled out of bed, and she always smells faintly of wine and cigarettes yet somehow, she is fabulous.  Somehow, the fact that she doesn't seem to care about how she looks is the most appealing thing of all.  A French woman's sense of style seems so innate that I always imagined Parisian maternity wards where instead of swaddling the baby, nurses would immediately stuff pudgy newborn feet into high heels and instead of dispensing formula, bottles would be filled to the brim with a good Pinot.  Pourquoi pas?

After reading Parisian Chic:  A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange, I've come to realize that getting the laissez-faire look isn't actually effortless at all.   And she should know - at 53, Ines has spent decades in the fashion industry as model, Karl-Lagerfeld muse and fashion designer and has come to be known as 'France's icon of chic'. In the new guide, she spills her secrets for achieving that much-coveted Parisian look, showing us how to achieve wardrobe nirvana with the 'Magnificent Seven': a man's blazer, a trench coat, a navy sweater, a tank top, a little black dress, jeans and a leather jacket.  She shares her rules for accessorizing, ('Never wear a necklace and earrings at the same time...Non, non, non, non, non!  Even at Christmas..') and how to avoid looking like a 'makeup victim'.  Ines also reveals her secret Paris, with a perfectly edited list of must-visit restaurants, shops and hotels, unusual places to discover, and even fun, kid-friendly stops, all written in an irreverent, tongue-in-cheek (make that chic) tone.    

Whether you plan on going to Paris or not, Parisian Chic ($34 at Chapters) is a must-read for every wannabe-Parisienne.

Want to take home Parisian Chic?  Simply tell me your favourite thing about Paris to win a copy.  Leave a comment here, on my facebook page, or follow me on twitter and re-tweet to win.

Thanks to my friends at Chapters for the great giveaway.  Bisous and bonne chance!  I'll draw the lucky winner this Friday.

xo

A Royal Do

1. Modern glass teacup w. double wall, Teaopia, $12;  2. PC Scone Baking Mix, President’s Choice;  3. William and Kate: A Royal Love Story by Christopher Andersen, Chapters, $19.79;  4. The Kate Bag, Roots, $288;  5. Sterling Silver William and Kate Charm, Thomas Sabo, $69;  6. Anise Fascinator, Lilliput Hats, $245;  7. 18K White Gold Sapphire and Diamond Ring, Bluenile, $8,400;  8. Black Currant Tea and Stirrers Set, Chapters, $22.99 

Whether you've set your alarm clock or your PVR for 4 a.m, tomorrow's wedding is kind of a big deal.  I've found some royal must-haves so you're properly prepared for the moment Wills & Kate say, 'I do!'

Colour Confidential

Jil Sander, Christian Dior, Gucci & Christian Dior Spring 2011 - photos Monica Feudi and Yannis Vlamos style.com 

Originally posted in The CLOSET

The way you dress can say a lot about who you are - but is the real you getting lost in translation?  I like to think that I'm a fun-loving, spontaneous kind of girl but a few years ago, I used to wear practically nothing but black or grey.  When I used to shop, I would never choose the bright yellow skirt or the hot pink wedges, opting instead for pieces that would go with everything.  Boooring!  I'm not sure what made me change my ways, but today my closet is filled with a happy assortment of pants, dresses and shirts in every shade of the rainbow.  I buy my basics -white and blue jeans, perfect black pants, great white shirts, grey cashmere sweaters - as the neutral base of my wardrobe and then choose colour for the rest.  I can tell you that getting dressed has gotten WAY more fun since I got in touch with my colourful side.

And if ever you should embrace brights, this spring is the time to indulge.  Models in virtually every spring runway show rocked saturated colour and the result was stunning.  Whether you choose sweet pops of brights against basic white (think white jeans with a bright yellow top), a totally neutral outfit with a surprisingly vibrant shoe or head-to-toe colour-blocking (see Gucci look above), you'll be happy you went for colour this spring.  Plus, your winning personality will shine through without you having to utter a single word.   

Check out some of fave bright finds in stores right now:

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Sweet Tart

Like a lemonade stand come to life, Christopher Kane's spring collection was bursting with eye-popping citrusy hues.  And while you can't snap up Kane's pieces with mere pocket change, these neon lemon and lime finds won't do much damage to your piggy bank.  Worried about looking like you're stuck in the '80s?  Go dramatic and modern by pairing neon pieces with black (see Lanvin) or lighten up with whites and tans.  How refreshing!

Anna Dello Gaga and Tommy Ton Cause a Tizzy in T.O

Anna Dello Russo is presented with a one-of-a-kind Hudson's Bay Company striped coat by Erdem yesterday in Toronto - photos courtesy The Bay.

Ever since Bonnie Brooks arrived on the scene, the buzz surrounding The Bay has been steadily swelling and with the arrival of fashion stars Tommy Ton and Anna Dello Russo yesterday, things have reached a fever pitch.  The editor-at-large of Vogue Nippon (aka Vogue Japan) is in town for the Jak & Jil blogger's photo retrospective - an exhibit called 'When Tommy Met Anna' - which traces how Tommy's street-style photographs have transformed the editor into a living fashion legend.

Never heard of her?  Here's a little breakdown of ADR by the numbers:

• The self-proclaimed 'fashion victim' has admitted to owning over 4,000 pairs of shoes (ADR coming soon to an episode of Hoarders?)
• She owns 2 apartments in Milan - 1 for herself and 1 for her clothes
• She spent 18 years as Fashion Editor at Vogue Italia and served as Editor of L'Uomo Vogue from 2000-2006
• To celebrate their 10th anniversary, yoox.com printed 10 different shirts for sale, each with one of Dello Russo's top 10 outfits. The shirts sold out within the first day.
• She's known to undergo several 'costume changes' per day - insiders who met her yesterday told me that they saw her change outfits "at least 3 times" (and this was before 5 pm)

According to friends who met her, Anna has declared that colour is in for this spring but out for summer.  She's predicting that the summer should be all about rock 'n roll black and that next winter will be about 'hot winter white'.  Forget hue?  Forget you, ADR!  (I mean, your Royal Fabulousness)

Be sure to check out 'When Tommy Met Anna', on now until April 29th at The Room (Bay Queen Street) 

Happy Easter everyone!  Hope the Easter bunny is good to you!