Fête Accomplie: Part 1

Beyonce in the November 2011 issue of Harper's Bazaar

Originally posted in The CLOSET

So, I realize that you probably haven't even bought your Hallowe'en candy yet. And I know that the holiday season is probably not the first thing on your mind.  But, you have to admit, the scattered mentions of parties, presents and the chubby guy in red mean that Christmas, Kwanzaa and other merry festivities are really not that far away.  And since several friends have mentioned that their offices have already booked their holiday fêtes (crazy, I know), it means that now is a fabulous time to start pre-planning your party wardrobe.  

This season, step away from your basic little black dress and instead, think outside of the perfectly wrapped box.  White Oaks Mall is full of pretty finds sure to set you apart from the crowd at your next office party, cocktail toast, or full-out holiday bender.   Here, we share 3 chic, party-ready looks (PS - Be sure to check back next week for 3 more)

I know it's early but I'm already excited.  You? xo

Photos courtesy 3.1 Phillip Lim

1. Short-Sleeved Dress, $39.95, H&M; 2. Statement Necklace, $17.95, H&M; 3. Icon Sunglasses, $16,American Eagle Outfitters; 4. Striped Top, $19.95, H&M; 5. Laser-Cut Clutch, $40, ALDO Accessories; 6. Red Suede Pump, $69.98, ALDO

1. Pinstripe Trousers, $69.50, Gap; 2. Statement Choker, $24.95, H&M; 3. Leather Bomber, $349, Danier; 4. Stretch Cami, 2 for $26, Smart Set; 5. Mimi Bow Belt, $59.50, Club Monaco; 6. Schutz Eunice T-Straps, Club Monaco; 7. Gemstone Flapover Clutch, $69.95, Le Château

1. Red Carpet Collection Clutch, $89.95, Town Shoes; 2. Red Peplum Dress, $39.90, Dynamite; 3. Erickson Beamon Earrings, $149.50, Club Monaco; 4. Calvin Klein for Town Shoes Strappy Heels, $170, Town Shoes; 5. Sephora by O.P.I Trend Tips Real Lacquer Strips, $14, Sephora

Top Coats

Wool Blend Bridge Coat, $248, Ann Taylor

In our unpredictable Canadian climate, there’s one wardrobe staple we can always count on; a proper topper. So what then to look for when choosing a new cold-season coat? A great colour, quality fabric and a flattering silhouette. Beyond that, it all comes down to love. To help you in your search, we’ve tracked down 10 of the season’s best outfit-making coats for every budget, so you’ll be totally covered once the weather turns.

For all 10 coats, check out this week's article at iVillage.ca

You Know What You Need?

You need a fashion shower.  Que???  Check out Anna Dello Russo in this new video for H&M. Her OTT accessory collection hits H&M stores Oct 4th.  Lesson #1:  Don't miss it.  And just to recap, here are ADR's fashion lessons to live by:

1) Fashion is a declaration of your own freedom

2) Between style and fashion?  Absolutely fashion.

3) Fashion is always uncomfortable.  If you feel comfortable, you never get the look.

4) Fabulous at EVERY age.

5) Wearing night clothes in the daytime is unexpected.

6) Somebody wearing your same outfit?  Wonderful! You made the right choice.

7) You must wear outfit ONCE!

8) Wear a coat as a dress.

9) It doesn't matter the size of your body.  Fashion flatters everybody.

10) Fashion jewels personalize your style.

First person to tell me Anna Dello Russo's actual age wins a gift card to H&M.  It's really a toss-up in the crazy-fabulous competition.  

Karl or Anna?  Hmmm...I love them both so...

CIAO! X (Image and video courtesy H&M)

Summer Hours

Printed Cotton Shirtdress, $39.95, Gap

Printed Espadrilles, $14.95, H&M

It's Thursday, which in summer terms really means Friday, non?  And at 4 pm, your mind may have already transported you up north somewhere; the inviting waters gently rocking the dock, the sounds of loons and cork pops and crackling fires making up your hot summer playlist.  Whether you have a family cottage (don't even tell me if you do...) or have been lucky enough to make the invite list, you'll need pretty packables to look chic all weekend long.  For my list of 10 cottage essentials, check out this week's post at iVillage.ca

Is it wine time yet? x

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!