Metallica

From top: Espadrille Sandals, $54.95, GAP; Gold Flatform, $60, ALDO; Silver Wedges, $70, ALDO

Worst. Cold. Ever. Is it just me or are colds getting worse? I'm talking 4 straight days of sinus torture with no relief. My mom has had a cold for 6 weeks. Is this the new normal? I try to keep things happy on this blog so let's talk shoes instead, shall we? Looking at these metallic sandals reminds me that sunnier days aren't far away and that pretty soon, the clouds will blow away, the haze that's taken up residence inside my head will move out, and we'll be strolling around in sandals once more. 

Sometimes a little shoe shopping is all you need. That, and Tylenol Cold. Yup, you need that, too.

SOLE MATES: Your Under-$100 Spring Shoe Guide

A pic from the Vince Camuto Spring '14 Campaign. Photo via Vince Camuto.

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

We are moving this weekend and if you haven't moved lately, let me remind you - don't. Just don't. The grass might look greener, but is slightly brighter grass worth the hours and hours of packing, back-breaking box-lifting and complete mid-life chaos? Simply pick up a pair of green-tinted glasses at Claire's (it's St. Patrick's Day on Monday so the timing couldn't be better) and promptly ban MLS from your web browser. It's too late for me - you still have time to save yourself. 

There is, however, a silver lining to this stormcloud of moving chaos; it's called inventory. After going through boxes, sifting through receipts and tearing apart my closet, I have confirmed the suspicions that my husband has had all along. I am, in fact, a shoe hoarder. Case in point:

You don't have to be a graphologist to see the frustration in my husband's handwriting on the moving boxes above. I believe the word 'sentimental' is actually in the shape of a furrowed eyebrow. I mean, sentimental shoes? Really? I do have all kinds of compelling justifications for that box - my kids' first baby shoes, my dad's old shoes, my first pair of pointe shoes, the heels I wore when my husband and I got married etc. etc. but of course, this is just one box of many including summer shoes, winter shoes, and 'vintage' shoes that I'm sure my daughter will love to wear one day. Oh, and then there are the boots - ski boots, winter boots, rain boots etc. etc. etc.  

It goes without saying that I am seriously smitten with shoes. But because we're moving, I have actually managed to give away a fair number of out-of-date, worn out kicks to (naturally) make way for some of spring's most covetable sandals, heels and ankle boots. And let me tell you, there are plenty to covet this spring.

Because it's always nice to buy anything for under $100 these days, I've focused this guide on all under-$100 shoes, perfect for wearing the very minute the snow melts...

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(Happy Friday! And please wish me luck with this shmove!)

Transitional Dressing 101

A perfect transitional look from street-styler Elizabeth Victoria Clark.

Originally posted in The CLOSET

I'm done. Like, SO over it. Aren't you? I'm all about being a glass half full kinda girl but this unrelenting winter is enough to transform even the most optimistic among us into pouting, snivelling, whiny, cranky babies. Waahhh.

Happily, fashion has a way of tinting the lenses of our ski goggles rose-coloured and since we've been lucky to experience a few days of balmy weather lately, that means it's officially time to think spring. 

If you're super sick of your parkas, puffers and Sorels, it's time to take our basic course in winter to spring fashion. Welcome to Transitional Dressing 101, where the lecture discusses pretty shoes, the only test involves shopping, and instead of a diploma, you can win a gift card. Now this is the kind of continuing education I thoroughly enjoy...

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Nautical by Nature

A refined Spring '14 take on the nautical trend from Pringle of Scotland.

aaand, a much more literal interpretation from Olympia Le-Tan.

Originally posted in The LOOK

I grew up surrounded on all sides by land. Instead of a lake or ocean, my water came mostly in the form of bathtubs, lawn sprinklers and friends' backyard pools. But there were those rare times when we'd make a day trip to the beach, and even more rare times when we'd make it all the way to the ocean. And it was in those times that I realized how much I love the water.

Whether swimming in it or staring at it, the water just has this way of winning me over. And anytime I get the chance, I'm on a boat, a beach or a dock, waiting for my yacht to come in.  Or a canoe. A canoe is fine, too...

For Spring '14, designers showed their love for all things nautical, too, with stripes, blue and white looks, and even fun anchors, fish and sailboat patterns at Olympia Le-Tan. Whether you like to keep your seafaring style subtle or totally in-your-face, there are plenty of fish in the sea for spring.

Here are some tips for going nautical this season:

• Stripes are a classic that will never go out of style. But fear not, figure-conscious females, stripes can be super flattering. Simply opt for narrow stripes over wide to appear thinner.
• Not sure which metal to choose to complement your blues, whites and reds? Gold is the perfect fit for all of your nautical looks.
• Keep It Simple, Sailors! A delicate starfish necklace here or an anchor charm bracelet there is all you need to amp up your stripes. Read: don't go overboard. 

Read on for my fav nautical finds in stores right now and get ready to sail away...

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THINK SPRING: Bright Buys to Wear Now

Photo source: Ciaté.

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

Maybe it's all this talk of March Break (I know, I know, you are SOOOO excited to go to Turks & Caicos), but I feel like my fashion choices right now have a decidedly defiant feel. You want to snow for 3 days straight? I'm just going to wear my bright yellow blazer. Booyah! You want to blow white-outs across the road so my frostbitten hands have to constantly death-grip the steering wheel. Fine. At least my nails are painted in OPI's 'Kiss Me, I'm Brazilian'. While you snow and sleet in this never-ending winter, I'm mentally lounging on a yacht in my breton striped shirt and laissez-faire loafers. In yo face!

Because when it comes right down to it, the mind is in fact stronger than the matter. And my mind is made up - it's March in a few days and it IS spring, no matter what you do, Old Man Winter. I wave my floral scarf high in the air to you. Can we just call a truce?

Read on for my favourite early spring buys to wear right now....

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