35 Reasons to Love Winter White

via RW&CO.

Originally posted in The LOOK

There comes a time in every person's life where we're forced to grow up. Whether it's living on our own for the first time, having a massive work crisis, or raising kids, life has ways of showing us how capable we really are. My fashion awakening came when I realized that I could wear white. And not just a white t-shirt but all white, head-to-toe. I started one summer with the purchase of a little white dress. I loved this dress. Like wanted to marry it. And then 5 minutes in, I spilled a smoothie all over the front of my would-be spouse. I was like, 'Shoot. I should have known. I'm so clumsy. I, of all people, cannot pull off a white dress.' But then I realized, 'I have a washing machine. I have a Tide stick. I think I might even have bleach. I can handle this.' We had a summer like no other, me and that dress. And then I got pregnant and it didn't fit anymore. But that dress changed me. Sniff. It really did. 

I don't spill as much as I used to. I count on my kids to do all the spilling for me. But white remains one of my favourite colours (or non-colours) to buy, both for myself and for my kids, even though everyone swears its impractical. Solid white can be bleached or Oxi-Cleaned or put out in the sun to brighten it up. And it's so much less moody than black. 

I'm sure you know by now that it's encouraged to wear white after Labour Day, but how much do you actually wear it? Whether you opt for bright white or cream, or even a mix of the two, white has this subtle way of brightening up your complexion and your mood that few shades can. And as the snow starts to fall, I can't think of a better way to embrace winter than with a chic white coat, a cozy cream cable-knit sweater or even cool white runners. And if you're worried about them being impractical, don't. You're a grown-up. You can handle this.

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FASHION JOY | 15 Subtle Ways to Look Festive

via American Eagle

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

American Thanksgiving is nearly upon us which means only one thing to Canadians - it's officially okay to start decorating. Time to turn on the lights, put up the tree and start getting in the spirit. If you're not all into ugly Christmas sweaters and reindeer antlers but still like to look festive, we've got a perfect list for you. A little red here or a pop of plaid there goes a very long way to making you look merry and bright. See our round-up of fashion finds to help you look subtly festive all season long...

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BRRING IT ON | Our Cold-Weather Edit

Photo by Kuba Dabrowski via WWD

Originally posted in The LOOK

Even though we all know it's coming, it's always a surprise when the cold weather actually hits. If you find yourself wincing when the mercury drops, it's time to get prepared. And if emergency preparedness means shopping, I'm totally down.

While this year's coziest pieces will keep you covered from the cold, it's never enough to just be functional. I look for pieces that perform under the pressure, both from the weather and from my Instagram feed. Just consider it your essential duty as a Canadian to be winter-ready - kind of like paying your heating bills but way more fun. 

From the coziest faux-fur trapper hat to the loungiest, most luxe-looking sweaters, I've rounded up the pieces you need for the cold weather ahead.  xx

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MAD FOR PLAID | 3 Ways to Wear It Now

via FashionVibe.net

Fall and plaid are my idea of the perfect partners. When faced with a cold day, a great plaid accent always warms things up. Sure, a solid scarf, flannel shirt or cozy coat all get the job done, but it's the bold print that puts a unique stamp on any lacking outfit, adding colour and texture to any solid ensemble. This season, it seems like every store has checked off checks on their must-have lists. 

Here are my 3 fave ways to do plaid right now. Scroll down for outfit inspo:

1) THE REVERSIBLE SCARF | While silk scarves might be a Parisian thing, I see the chunky plaid scarf as our Canadian signature. Wear it draped over your shoulders or neck and belted around your waist, leave it long and flowing, tie it artfully around your neck or even toss it over your couch when you get home. This season, even the chain stores are doing luxe-looking reversible scarves so you don't have to commit to just one print. Genius. 

2) THE DRESSED-UP PLAID SHIRT | You can always wear a plaid shirt with jeans but this season, why not give it the glam treatment? I love a plaid shirt worn with a pencil skirt and sexy heels for a perfect date-night/going out look. The unexpected combo will help you achieve cool-girl status, no matter what your age. 

3) PARTY PLAID |  Tired of being stuck in a sea of LBD's? Plaid skirts, dresses and scarves are an easy way to look instantly festive and stand out in a crowd of black. If you've already got black pants and a white shirt, simply add a plaid coat or blazer, then tie a black grosgrain ribbon around your neck for your next cocktail party. Easy! 

CLICK HERE TO SEE 3 PLAID-PERFECT LOOKS...

INCOGNITO | 3 Fun Last-Minute DIY Costumes to Try This Hallowe'en

via Elle Spain

Dressing up is my jam. As kids, we'd tag along with my mom to the fabric store where she'd pick out pretty material, then magically produce the most gorgeous costumes you've ever seen. As I got older, I'd plan out my Hallowe'en costume months in advance, dreaming up ambitious DIY's that could be assembled with tape and glue since I never really learned how to sew. Some exceeded expectations, most didn't quite hit the mark (turns out it's impossible to sit down in a lifesize Smarties box). But no matter what costume came to mind, I'd always give it my all. 

Now, with two kids of my own and way too many to-do's to count, costumes are the last thing on my mind. I pick up my kids' costumes at HomeSense ($24.99 for the win), throw on my orange coat for trick-or-treating, then spend the next two weeks eating my kids' stash. This year, though. This year is different. We just got invited to a Hallowe'en party with a group of families who take this Hallowe'en thing very seriously. There's talk of sewing machines, late-night trips to craft supply stores and (duh duh duhhhh) Matching Couples Costumes. Um, I was just going to wear my orange scarf. 

Okay, Pinterest? Help? I have a white tulle skirt that I've never worn so I typed in 'DIY costumes with white tulle skirt' and happened upon this super cute ice-cream cone girl. White tank, white tutu, multicoloured popsicle sticks doubling as sprinkles pinned everywhere and a brown paper ice-cream cone hat. My husband doesn't like dressing up but he agreed on this one - a white shirt, black pants and a red apron. All we have to do is add a white paper hat and an ice-cream scoop and his costume is done.  I happened upon some other ideas that I thought I'd share in case you've been invited to a Hallowe'en party and are on the hunt for some last-minute ideas, too.

BAD BLOOD | Whether you go solo or want to achieve your #SquadGoals, I can't get enough of the Bad Blood girls. Grab any form-fitting black pieces you have, from a tight black dress to a black biker jacket and leggings. Add a pair of sexy (ideally over-the-knee) black boots. Now add a super smoky eye, a slicked-to-the-side low chignon and clear safety glasses. Training gloves will help you look extra bad-ass. 

PINK FLAMINGO | Safety pin 5 to 6 pink feather boas to a pink shirt and voila - instant flamingo! Add a pink baseball hat (you can attach a large black beak made out of construction paper to the brim if you have the time), pink nailpolish and black leggings. Oh, and if you're looking for an excuse to buy a new pair of kicks, $45 pink Converse are a super cute finishing touch.

DAY OF THE DEAD | The bright colours and spooky makeup make Day of the Dead costumes some of my all-time faves. Simply wear a boho white peasant blouse or lace-detailed white tank and a black maxi skirt, then pile on loads of bright flowers and beads. To get that signature candy skull look, face tattoos are a brilliant idea if you don't trust your face painting skills.

SEE ALL THE COSTUME DETAILS (& WHERE TO BUY 411) HERE...