Imitating Annabelle Fleur

The Inspiration: Annabelle Fleur of Viva Luxury (is that her real name?) Love how she mixed bright red denim with a breton striped shirt.  Her little touch of leopard looks cute, not cougarific.

The Pose:  Hand on wall (this felt really, really awkward to me...I don't generally lean on walls, unless I've had one of those nights...), legs crossed (makes legs look longer, thinner, apparently), a look of complete boredom (I looked pretty bored last time so thought I'd smile this one out).  Immediately after taking this pic, I was all set to...um, go back inside, change into something I could get dirty and plant flowers with my kids all day.  At least I looked good at breakfast :) 

The Must-Have Spring Item:  The Bright Jean

The Find:  JACOB's Coloured Denim Jeans ($39.90) 

The Verdict:  I've worn them, I've washed them and I love them.  They're stretchy, slim and a great vibrant shade of red, and don't stretch out like so many of the other inexpensive bright jeans I've sampled.  Since they're red, I'll be able to wear them all year long.  Such a score for under $40! 

Imitating Amanda Brooks

  

Fashion Icon Amanda Brooks of 'I Love Your Style' - photo source harpersbazaar.com

The Inspiration: Amanda Brooks, former Fashion Director of Barneys NY

The Pose:  Hand in pocket (perfect for avoiding stiff arms), full frontal pose (makes you look über confident), shades on (even though it was raining outside), no smile ('cause that's the way Amanda Brooks rolls...at least in this pic) 

The Must-Have Spring Item:  The Pajama Shirt (à la Thakoon)

The Find:  JACOB's Contrast-Collar Shirt

The Verdict:  I love this shirt!  Looks good loose and laissez-faire (with white or black skinnies or great summer shorts) or tucked in and proper for work with a pencil skirt and killer heels. Sold out online but still available in select stores

Over a month ago, JACOB got in touch with me to see if I could try out a few of their new spring pieces.  The nearest JACOB is about an hour away so I rarely get to shop there anymore, but I was stoked to test out their online store.  So, I ordered 3 great pieces, waited 3 days and they arrived, shiny and new on my doorstep.  I've been a JACOB fan for a long time and I have to admit, I was super impressed with their new collection.  Plus, they're a Canadian company - all the more reason to shop there when I can.

The reason for the delay?  The same reason that I rarely post pics of myself and the reason that the lovely Ashley models all of my street style looks - I hate getting my picture taken.  I'm okay in a group but when asked to pose on my own, I get really stiff soldier arms, my hands do super weird things and I look like I've gone a little loco with the tequilaaa.  So, in this 3-piece instalment I like to call 'Ghetto Poseur Street Style', I've gone to some of my most-loved street stylers for some sartorial inspiration.  I'll be wearing my new JACOB pieces and will attempt to emulate their looks...to pose like the posers as it were. It somehow feels way more natural that way...Check back Wed for Attempt #2.  Merci bien, JACOB.  Je t'aime!  xoxo

A Little Behind

My sweet little niece perpetually underestimates the size of her behind.  So glad that I'm not the only one.

Happy Friday!  Woot, Woot!

xo

Gap & LOULOU Shop 'Til You Drop 2012

The calm before the shopping storm at Gap Masonville last week

My big head on a big poster featuring all the fun extras for Gap LOULOU Shop 'Til You Drop shoppers.  I've got one night onlyyy, one night onlyy, that's all I have to spare...

Chillin' with my mannequins, all decked out in pastels & pretty spring brights. 

The LOULOU & Gap Candy Bar where shoppers filled out ballots to win sweet prizes (& eat sweets, obvs)

RLR's resident street-styler Ashley kills 2 trends in one look:  perfect length mint green boyfriend roll-up shorts and a bold paisley blouse.

Friends Colleen and Jill add some brights to their spring wardrobes.  LOVE Gap's cobalt broken-in straight khakis (yup, I'm wearing the same ones above...).  Photos by Ashley Dance.

Gap asked me to be part of LOULOU Shop 'Til You Drop last Wednesday at Masonville Place in London and I just had to share pics from the night with you.  Shoppers came in droves to shop with us and walked away with great prizes, gift bags, treats and 30% off everything at Gap.  My spring trend report highlighted the season's key trends: from ways to wear pastels, to mixing prints, to bright whites, to the new distressed, low-slung denim.  Afterwards, my stylish shutterbug, Ashley and I invaded the change rooms to get ladies out of their dull winter duds and into Gap's spring brights, sweet pastels, pretty printed shorts and flirty spring dresses.  The result?  Loads of happy shoppers and some very refreshed closets. A huge thanks to Ashley, my friends at Gap and LOULOU Magazine for a super fun night.  Can't wait for next year!

Check out more pics from LOULOU Shop 'Til You Drop here:

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Ashley Vamps it Up

Ashley in animal print, denim & hot pops of red - (Sweater: Forever 21; Sunglasses: ALDO Accessories; Jeans: H&M; Pumps: Spring; Wristlet: Coach)

As the weather teeters between spring and summer try an animal-print pointy-toed pump with black pants, a trench coat and a great red bag or do as Ashley did by teaming denim with a printed sweater and red pumps.  Va va voom!  Thanks Miss Ashley Shutterbug for all your help at Lou Lou Mag's 'Shop 'Til You Drop' at Gap the other night.  You totally saved my life and helped make the night super fun. Ashley's pics from the night (she's a budding photographer, too) up on RLR next week!

xo