Blurred Lines

Hudson Striped Skinnies, $215, Call 1.800.335.7268 or visit hudsonjeans.com for availability.

The second I saw these striped beauties, I knew I had to have them. First off, they're made by Hudson Jeans, so I know I'll love the way they fit (Hudsons are great like that). But I have to admit, I'm feeling some major black & white fatigue at the moment, so I especially adore that these are navy & white instead of the ubiquitous b&w.

Here are a few ways I imagine I'll wear them this summer: With a white floaty blouse, gold gladiator sandals and a little denim jacket/With a bright yellow sweater/With a red tank and silver sandals/With any of my merlot pieces from last Fall/With a white tee, black bomber and ankle-strap black sandals/With anything coral, etc. etc.

See how I just did that? I've justified them already. 

P.S - Crank up Blurred Lines below and imagine yourself dancing around in your new jeans. Isn't Robin Thicke one super cool mofo?

xx

R.S.V.Perfect

Summer is wedding season and you know what that means? Pretty party dresses and shoes, of course! Get ready to R.S.V.Perfect; whether black tie, ultra-conservative or casual country affair, I’ve got you covered with the perfect dresses and shoes to wear to your next summer wedding. 

Read more (and see my pretty picks) in my full article this week for iVillage.ca here

Never Say Never

Chambray Blazer, H&M; White Shirt, Banana Republic; Scarf, Club Monaco; Belt, Banana Republic; Pants, Zara; Polka-Dot Socks, Winners; Shoes, Johnston & Murphy

When I first met my husband way back in 2000, I had a serious style challenge on my hands. He was like a badly-kept, beautiful old home, except instead of shag-covered hardwood and dropped ceilings, his gorgeousness was hidden away by a bowl cut and tragic Eddie Bauer pleated khakis. 

I loved him right away, penny loafers and bad 'do notwithstanding, and could definitely see loads of potential in his tall/dark/handsome looks, but wondered if he'd ever actually let me make him over. Here's the thing with guys - they don't like to ask for directions, they prefer to find their own path, get lost along the way, and take a really, really, long time to do it, and then eventually, 10 - 12 years later will finally come to you. And when they do, you will be there, armed with a pair of slim-fit trousers and a chambray blazer. 

This outfit is what I consider James' graduation day. I have taught him what I know over the past few years, and this morning, this is what he came up with ALL BY HIMSELF. #proud #sniff

I'd give him a cap & gown but I'd hate to cover up all of this hotness.

Happy Friday, y'all! Any fun plans for the weekend?

Feeling Blue

Photo courtesy H&M

Originally posted in The CLOSET

What is it they say, 'If you think it, it will come,' or something like that...

Well, I don't know about you but I'm thinking about summer and I subscribe to the philosophy of dressing for the season, even if The Weather Network disagrees. Once I've put away my winter coats, they're away for the next 5 months. Once I've stopped wearing socks, it's pedicure time from here on out. People might stare at my bare legs and sandals in the middle of a mid-May hailstorm but you know what I say to them? Stare all you want, I am not, repeat NOT, going back to tights and winter boots. Fuhgeddaboudit, donezo, screw you winter, we've had our fun, but I am more than ready for patios, sunhats, heatwaves and blasting A/C. Though Mother Nature might be waffling, I, for one, am fully committed to the hotness ahead and when the pavement sizzles, nothing cools me down quite like blue. I've always loved the serene colour in all of its many hues, reminiscent of crystal clear lakes, cloudless skies and a bottle of Bombay Sapphire (well, maybe not the whole bottle...)

Are you feeling blue like I am? Read the full article here for my favourite blue finds, from breezy cobalt dresses to easy striped espadrilles, perfect for shuffling to the pool and back again. Sigh...doesn't it just make you want to dive right in? 

Splish, Splash: The Best Bathers for your Body

Photo courtesy H&M

Whether you’re well-endowed, stick straight or curvy all over, don’t let a bad bathing suit wreak havoc on your summer fun. Simply keep these figure-flattering tips in mind next time you hit the fitting room:

If You Have a Small Bust: String bikinis or a bra-type top with underwires or padding help fill you out. Interesting necklines, ruching or detailing, and bright colours at the top also help the cause.

If You're Curvy: If you’re curvy or plus-size, coverage is key. Look for tops with lots of support, and higher-cut leg openings to lengthen. Allover patterns (in a smaller print) and ruching or shirring help distract the eye from settling on one place.

If You Have a Tummy: Look for vertical details like a v-neck, and suits with built-in tummy-control panels. Try shirring at the waist and details on the neckline or straps to draw the eye up.

If You're Petite: Sweet petites should look for details that elongate, like a plunge neckline that will lengthen the neck and flattering, high-cut bottoms to make legs look extra long.

If You Have a Large Bust: If your cups runneth over, you’ll need a swimsuit that will give you the right kind of coverage and support. Look for underwires, minimizers and halter styles to keep you uplifted while at the beach.

If You're Hippy and You Know It: Next time you’re shopping, look for interesting details at the top to draw the eye upward, avoiding string styles or any other details at the hips. High-cut leg openings are more flattering than boycut styles, which only accentuate your widest point.

If You're Athletic: Sporty girls with a stick-straight frame need to create curves if few exist. Look for ruffles, cut-outs and peplum details to become an instant bombshell.

For more swimsuit shopping tips (including my top swimsuit picks for every body) check out my full article at iVillage.ca