Friday Find: Beach Beauties

All bags from GAP

Anything goes at the beach. While time might slow down when your feet are planted firmly in the sand, horrendous fashion crimes are committed every 1.6 seconds.  From Crocs to too-tight-everythings, it's best to keep one's eyes focused on a trashy beach read to avoid Speedo PTSD later on. 

You, of course, are a beacon of chic, in your super cute 'kini, sweet shades and killer curves. But even the most savvy of beach-goers sometimes forget about a perfect bag. Consider it the icing on the cake (or the lime in your Corona) to your perfect playa look; and in my mind, the brighter, the more stripey, the better. I've tracked down the cutest under-$40 totes to carry all of your summer essentials, from sunscreen to your cellphone, in style...

SEE MORE... 

Trouble: Gap's Fall 2013 Collection

Textural Raw-Edge Tee, $31.95, Gap

I can justify anything and have found plenty of ways to do so at Gap this fall. I could wear the above tee with everything and I definitely hope to bust it out with a black flared mini and ankle boots at Toronto Fashion Week. The clutch below isn't just a clutch, but a very practical cross-body which totally makes sense for my day-to-day. The varsity jacket? Okay, fine, it's basically the tee with long sleeves, isn't it? Hmm... And yet, it's the perfect fall layer since while I feel a little too old to wear a proper varsity jacket, this collegiate nod seems just right. Polka-dot jeans on their own? Totally don't need. Polka-dot pre-distressed jeans? Need. The amazing coated merlot skinnies look like leather but are so much friendlier on the wallet. And at $89.95, I don't really even have to justify the back zip moto boots, do I? While these ramblings are pretty convincing, the current sale online at Gap is enough to make it all officially okay: 35% off any purchase of $140 or more. Shoot, don't you just love/hate it when they do that?

Colorblock Leather Crossbody Bag, $59.95, Gap

Textural Bomber Jacket, $59.95, Gap

1969 Destructed Polka-Dot Always Skinny Jeans, $79.95, Gap (in stores)

1969 Coated Biker Legging Jeans, $89.95, Gap (available Sept 30th)

 Leather Zipped Booties, $89.95, Gap 

Floppies and Fedoras

Photo courtesy Gap

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Why is it that on vacation, no matter what the weather, fun hats are such an essential part of our wardrobe? In our relaxed state of mind, OTT floppy hats and playful fedoras seem so at home on our heads, but at home? Not so much. I mean, how many times have you thought about wearing a hat and then taken it off? I can't explain it - maybe it just doesn't feel very Canadian, or maybe it's a short supply of margaritas (#tragic) but whatever the reason, let's all commit to wearing more hats this summer. Not only will they protect our faces from the sun's rays but let's face it: hats are super cool. Just look at Jessica Alba, Emma Roberts or Reese Witherspoon who regularly rock hats for some celeb inspiration.

I for one am going to go incognito with a good mojito in these wicked hats from Gap. I'm loving the ombré effect floppies and the brightly-hued fedoras, perfect for adding the cherry on top to any summer look. Aren't they pretty? xx

Ombre Floppy Hats and Straw Fedoras, $29.95, Gap 

Drop It Like It's Hot: Spring's Cutest Raingear

A pretty in pink look from Burberry Prorsum Spring '13 - photo Fairchild Photo Services

Originally posted in The CLOSET

I never thought I'd say this but, I kind of love the rain. After a long Canadian winter, all of this wet stuff can only mean one thing - that the snow has actually melted, which means that the temperatures are rising, which means that pretty soon, we'll be chilling on patios, hopping in our drop top (if we had a drop top) and hitting the beach.  Okay, maybe I'm a little ahead of myself but I can handle April rain because it's really just a precursor for what's to come. I've made a commitment to look as cute as possible this month, so I did a little shopping (when am I not doing a little shopping?) and found the prettiest raincoats and wellies in moody blacks, playful prints and primary brights. Check out my top rainy day picks here.  Ooh, you're going to look so cute jumping in those puddles...xx

Here's are a few of my faves:

Rose Trench, $249, Club Monaco

Donia Rubber Boots, $45, ALDO

Classic Stripe Long Trench, $548, Coach

Frock Stars

Nothing signals the arrival of spring quite like an easy, breezy dress. I’ve rounded up some of my favourite under-$200 frocks, perfect for the warm-weather months coming our way. To check out 9 dreamy spring dresses (including the beauties above), check out my article this week at iVillage.ca