WEEKEND FEELS | Where We Give Thanks for a Comfy Weekend Wardrobe

via H&M on Instagram

Originally posted in The CLOSET

It's a well-documented fact that the way you dress affects the way you act. All polished up in your tailored business suit? Looking like a boss is half the battle for a killer presentation. Found sick new hi-tops for your Wednesday night adult hip-hop class? Don't hurt yourself with all that swagger. When it comes to weekends, dressing comfy is meant to put you in the right frame of mind - a chill wardrobe after all, can't help but set you up for having a chill attitude.

Whether you're entertaining your loud family for a big Thanksgiving dinner, are heading to a place where someone else is doing the cooking for you (lucky!) or have nothing but take-out and Netflix on the agenda, these stylishly comfy pieces will put you in a perfectly chill frame of mind for the long weekend ahead. 

Happy Thanksgiving, lovelies. But first, let's shop...

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A FRESH CROP

via Thrifts and Threads

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Call them floods, call them shpants, call them what you want - cropped pants are back in a big way for spring. Designers showed off loads of cute crops on the spring runways, exposing long-hidden ankles and putting spring shoes on full display. But forget about your old capris (note to selves: never call them capris), the new crop of crops are wider, more flared and way cooler than their predecessors. Whether you're a fashion risk-taker or like to take things slow, there's a pair of crops that's just right for you. For the beginner, try out a pair of cropped kick chinos or jeans - relaxed, slightly flared, and super easy to wear with cute kicks or strappy spring sandals. Ready to go next level?  Super wide crops are right on point for spring - opt for loose, flowy crops for work, or keep it structured with black faux-leather culottes for street style domination.  The cropped-pant bonus? You'll be totally ready for those April puddles ;)

Check out these 3 looks and get ready to raise your pant game, like, literally... 

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SPRING STYLE CLASS | 3 New Ways to Wear Wide Pants

via H&M

Originally posted in The CLOSET

There's no denying the staying power of the skinny. Some of you might not remember when skinny jeans blew up but I remember it very well. I was living in Toronto in 2005 when I started to notice women give up their bootcuts in favour of calf-clenching skin-tight jeans. I remember waiting for the subway, watching girls of all shapes and sizes get strangled by their new skinnies, thinking how super awkward they looked, and how I would never, ever intentionally choose pants that made my bum look big.

Of course, I gave in. We collectively figured out how to wear them right. We learned to balance out our super fitted bottoms with loose sweaters, long tunics and oversized cardis. We discovered in pictures how cruel white skinnies could be and how tan skinnies made it look like we weren't wearing pants at all. Stores finally started offering us varying styles of skinnies to suit our bods, from jeggings to skinny boots, with loads of stretch thrown in for good measure.  And while I swore I'd never go there, turns out skinny jeans are pretty much all I've worn for the past 10 years.

I'm not going to claim that this is the end of the skinny but there's clearly a style shake-up happening with the fashion pack right now. Cool girls everywhere, from Jennifer Lawrence to Kendall Jenner are currently opting for wider leg pants - think super flared '70s jeans, wide cropped culottes and flowy palazzos that make skinnies look SO last season. I don't know about you but I'm ready for some breathing room. They might look a little funny now but remember - we said that about the skinny, too. 

Read on for 3 cute ways to wear wide pants this spring. And breathe...

GOOD JEANS | Get to Know Spring's New Cleaned-Up Denim

A relaxed but refined denim look from Chloé Spring '15

Originally posted in The LOOK

When it comes to fabrics, nobody has it as tough as denim. Seemingly gentle women have been known to go to violent extremes to get what they want out of their fav pair of jeans. In fact, I've committed a few heinous denim crimes myself - I'm ashamed to admit that I've thrown acid on, rubbed sandpaper across, even ripped apart the knees of a perfectly innocent pair of skinnies, just because they didn't look cool enough. Well, enough. The guilt is too much. 

For Spring '15, designers must have been feeling a little remorseful, too (or, um, maybe they just missed the seventies). From Chloé to Michael Kors to Stella McCartney, taste-makers opted to return to pure, clean denim in everything from wide-legged jeans to denim shirts to refined little dresses and long skirts. While dark indigo is back in a big way, powder blue denim is right on trend, too. The key? Keep it simple, sweeties. Step away from the sandpaper and give your jeans a break.  I've handpicked 30 pieces from Intercity Shopping Centre to help you as you shop, plus a few slightly distressed picks for those of you who need a little time to transition...

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The All New Jean Machine

I love the idea of jean shopping but in practice? Let's just say it can be overwhelming. A few weeks ago, Jean Machine asked me to be one of the first to come in and shop their newly remerchandised store at Toronto Eaton Centre and since I hadn't set foot in the store in a few years, could not wait to check it out. After all, I bought my first pair of Silvers at Jean Machine with my first real paycheque and picked up many more pairs throughout the years, so we have a long history of hits and misses. Oh, if those changerooms could talk...

The invite to check out the new Jean Machine store came with a few exciting promises: a new and improved product mix (curated with the help of famed fashion/creative director, Susie Sheffman), a little personal shopping help from Jean Machine's expert in-store stylists, plus a $200 credit to pick out a full look. Um, yay?!

I showed up at Toronto Eaton Centre and right away, noticed the super cute campaign styling and a slightly more airy feel to the space than before. I was greeted by the team of Jean Machine beauties, eager to help me find my perfect pair. I let them have their way with me. 'Size me up, show me what's new. Only one thing: no blue. I want black.'

I passed loads of jeans, all beautifully organized by fit to make the jean-shopping process more manageable and was thrilled to see some of my favourite denim brands in stock throughout the store plus other labels I love like Soia & Kyo, ONLY, and Vero Moda. Beyond jeans, I saw loads of gorgeous coats, some super pretty dresses and fashion-girl musts like felt fedoras and oversized plaid scarves.

The girls picked out a dozen super pretty pieces (mostly black) and I had a super fun try-on sesh. While one Jean Machiner was rooting for an emerald blouse and body-hugging leggings, it just wasn't me. So we agreed that I should go for all black with loads of texture to keep it interesting. Being a mom can make you feel too good, if that makes sense. I needed some pieces with edge.

I ended up with a Guess faux-fur vest which I LOVE, a pair of perfect faux leather joggers from YDE Studio and a fun textured black tee. They look great together but I especially love that I'll be able to easily mix each piece into my wardrobe this winter.

If you haven't had the chance, be sure to check out the new Jean Machine. You'll love what they've done with the place.