FLOWER POWER | 10 Ways to Pull Off Fall's Floral Trend

via @howimetmystyle

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

While summer might be officially over, I'm not ready to say goodbye just yet. Luckily, the fashion world isn't great at letting go either. One only has to glance at any fashion influencer to see that when it comes to fall fashion, it's all about embracing the season with a healthy dose of denial. Yup, I'm talking fall florals. The runways were loaded with moody blooms that perfectly echo our feelings about fall. We love it, we're ready for it, but at the same time, those lasting memories of gardens in bloom and a long, lazy summer can't help but bring us joy. The leaves might be falling but our wardrobes are just getting ready to bloom - think embroidered floral sweaters and jeans, pretty floral ankle boots, and fun floral printed pants that bring life to our solids and let us think warm thoughts. Alright fall we're ready for you...kind of..sort of...;)

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CANADA 150, EH? | These Fashionable Finds Will Make You Feel SO Canadian

via Roots

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Campfires. Gord Downie. Timmies. Pond hockey. Muskoka chairs. Loon calls. Bautista bat flips. Complaining about the weather. Saying sorry. A lot. Paleness. Patio parties. Backyard bbqs. Justin Trudeau doing push-ups.

We might all be different but there's something about being Canadian that unites us. We work hard but we play harder. We love fiercely, we're polite and we're kind - buuut we still like to cause some trouble because how else could we possibly get through 8 months of winter? We love our nature and we love our summers because we know that before too long, they're gone. We're far from perfect but we're working on it. Most of us have never seen a beaver. And most of us will find that last sentence funny. 

Unlike our American counterparts, our patriotism is a steady, quiet sort. While we love Canada, it's not the decal-your-car-in-Canadian-flags kinda love. But with Canada 150 just a few weeks away, this might be the year to get just a little bit loud. 

Rock maple-leaf hats & sweatshirts from Roots (one of our country's biggest retail success stories) or Made in Canada finds from Le Château. Try flirty dresses from stores that you didn't even know were Canadian or homegrown beauty products to help you embrace your short-lived summer glow. Pick up some new shoes from a Canadian fave (shout-out to ALDO) or treat yourself to a few things from Hudson's Bay.  Love this country as much as we do? Scroll below for some fashionable finds that will help you wear your heart on your sleeve this summer.

Happy 150th birthday Canada! We love you xx

SEE OUR CANADIAN FASHION FINDS HERE...

TOP MODELS | Check Out 35 Statement-Making Tops You'll Live In This Spring

via Fashion Jackson

Originally posted in The CLOSET

There's a backlash against basics going on right now and I'm totally ready for it; I'm ready to stash away my plain white tees and solid crew necks for now and replace them with something a little more amazeballs. I'm set to throw caution to the spring wind and step out of my comfort zone. I'm down with getting a lil' bit cray in my shopping cart. Don't get me wrong - I will never hate on the classics. Classics will always have a place in my heart. Classics are classics for a reason.

But if the Spring '17 runways were any indication, our top halves are about to get turned up. When you shop for new tops this season, remember this:

1) MAKE A STATEMENT | Statement sleeves are the major story this spring, allowing us to risk it all with seriously stylish consequences. Sleeves aren't just two tubes of fabric - this season, they're tied up, ruffled, bell-sleeved and dramatically oversized. Sleeves, once just an afterthought, have become the main event.

2) BRUSH YOUR SHOULDER OFF | Exposed shoulders are still a big story, but the game has been raised for Spring '17. Added ruffles, exaggerated openings and playful prints let you bring out your inner flirt, whether you opt for a cold shoulder sweater, an off-the-shoulder shirt or a one-shoulder stunner. 

3) PRINTS CHARMING | Speaking of prints, I'm excited to see the return of bright, bold, colourful prints this spring, after SO many seasons of solids. A basic bottom half calls for a gorgeous floral, a pretty gingham or an artful abstract to draw attention to your upper half. Add a pair of shoulder skimming earrings and you'll never go unnoticed. 

Read on for 35 statement-making tops that you'll live in this spring...

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TREND REPORT | Why Spring 2017 Is All About Doing You

 via Coach

Originally posted in The CLOSET

We go through different phases in life of wanting to conform and dying to be different. As a teenager, I remember thinking that I had my own amazing sense of style, only to look back at pics and realize my group of friends had a very distinct uniform - a tragic, Disney-sponsored-skate-park-by-day-rave-by-night uniform. It's really hard to describe, and I won't torture you with the pics, but it basically consisted of mini skirts or dresses, tiny logo tees (my monster truck tee was my fave), over-the-knee socks and Converse or Gazelles.  Occasionally we wore our Little Mermaid backpacks, but they were way too small to hold anything other than a few tubes of LipSmackers so we usually just carried them on empty. For the record, there were no soothers. Whether we knew it at the time or not, wearing this uniform made us part of a club, made us look like a team, made us feel like we belonged.

As you grow up, you reach a point where the last thing you want to do is look like everyone else. Some people get tattoos, others chop their hair, but however we decide to define ourselves, we take action to stand out. We want to be noticed and respected, and while we don't always feel in control of our lives, there is always fashion to help us make our mark. Sure, we might look back to regret the fashion choices we've made (let's just forget my Spice Girl sneakers in 2001, please), but every fashion phase we endure comes to define us in some way... 

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MOVE IT, MOVE IT | 5 Active Looks We're Loving Right Now

via Reitmans (really)...

Originally posted in The CLOSET

I have my reasons. I mean, there was Christmas and all of the holiday sangria and cookies and boxes of Turtles that came with it. Then, there's the weather. I mean, I tell my kids that running on ice is dangerous, so what example would I set by doing the same? Then, of course, there's simply the fact that until this very moment, I just haven't felt like working out.  But then, I went shopping. And I've started seeing the coolest new leggings that I have to have. And looking at all the rad new running shoes that make my current kicks look old-school in the worst possible way. Sexy cut-out tops make my old workout tees look so 'mom' it hurts. Not to mention the fact that my pants are so much harder to do up these days. Sigh....

All signs point to the fact that it's time to finally get moving again. First, the mall. Next the yoga mat where I'll finally conquer that headstand. Then, the Zumba class where I'll shake what my mama gave me. And finally, a run that doesn't involve getting anything with the word 'grande' in it when I'm done.

Check out these 5 workout looks I'm loving right now. After all, looking the part is half the battle ;)

SEE THE LOOKS HERE...