Drop It Like It's Hot: Spring's Cutest Raingear

A pretty in pink look from Burberry Prorsum Spring '13 - photo Fairchild Photo Services

Originally posted in The CLOSET

I never thought I'd say this but, I kind of love the rain. After a long Canadian winter, all of this wet stuff can only mean one thing - that the snow has actually melted, which means that the temperatures are rising, which means that pretty soon, we'll be chilling on patios, hopping in our drop top (if we had a drop top) and hitting the beach.  Okay, maybe I'm a little ahead of myself but I can handle April rain because it's really just a precursor for what's to come. I've made a commitment to look as cute as possible this month, so I did a little shopping (when am I not doing a little shopping?) and found the prettiest raincoats and wellies in moody blacks, playful prints and primary brights. Check out my top rainy day picks here.  Ooh, you're going to look so cute jumping in those puddles...xx

Here's are a few of my faves:

Rose Trench, $249, Club Monaco

Donia Rubber Boots, $45, ALDO

Classic Stripe Long Trench, $548, Coach

Hips Don't Lie

A model on the runway at Charlotte Ronson's spring 2013 show in The Stage at Lincoln Center. Photo source:Fairchild Photo Services

Type-casting is a dangerous thing.  Take Ben Affleck;  when he first came on the scene, he was Hollywood's golden boy.  The kid had talent (decent acting abilities and an Academy Award for co-writing Good Will Hunting), loads of charm, and the tall/dark/handsome looks to match.  Pretty soon, Hollywood had him spray-tanned, teeth-whitened and bootcamp buffed straight into Leading Man status. Armaggedon, Pearl Harbor and even a Gwyneth Paltrow score followed and Ben was raking in the box-office dough. Then, Gigli happened. Suddenly, Ben had gone from promising young thespian to sell-out. He started dating J.Lo (or was it Jenny from the Block?) and a string of forgettable Jersey-Girl-esque films followed. It took the poor guy nearly 10 years to do damage control, during which time he married the lovely Jennifer Garner and had 3 perfect little kids. Wah. Wah. Wahhh. Seemed like this acting thing wasn't going to work out. Then, out of nowhere, dude co-produced, directed and acted his way back to Oscar gold with Argo. Boo-yah! In true full circle fashion, Ben Affleck is Hollywood's golden boy once again. We so did not see that one coming.

The peplum, as it turns out, is kind of like the Ben Affleck of fashion (it's a stretch, I know)...

For the rest of this story, and cute outfit inspo (ie.how to wear peplums for work, weekend, and a night out) read here  

PLAY: I.N.C International Concepts Striped Peplum, $79, The Bay; Lauren Leather Jacket, $388, Roots; B&W Bracelets, $15, ALDO Accessories; Super Skinny Zip Pants, $60, Gap; Leather Booties, $120, ALDO; NARS Lipstick in 'Schiap', $30, Sephora; Faux Leather Clutch, $20, Smart Set; Cat-Eye Shades, $12, ALDO

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Best. Gift Guide. Ever.

Photo: Burberry.com

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Who am I to say what makes a great gift?  After all, the beauty of giving is always in the eye of the Christmas-morning-bushy-tailed-beholder and of course, it goes without saying that presents are utterly personal.  The thing that might make me squeal with joy might make someone else inwardly cringe, and while a grom (thanks Urban Dictionary) might go mental over that new board, I'd be like, "Ooh, thanks! Um, sorry, what do I do with this?"

Regardless, these gifts are pretty much guaranteed to delight, whether you're trying to find the perfect thing for your stylish sister, your fitness fanatic friend, your teenage Twihard, your Monster High-obsessed mini-me, your husband who doesn't want anything (really), or even your ever-loyal pooch.  Happy shopping y'all! Only 27 more sleeps! x 

1. Legacy Leather iPad Case, $178, Coach; 2. Chiffon Polka-Dot Blouse, $35, Smart Set; 3. Rowenta Precision Valet Garment Steamer, $159.99, Personal Edge; 4. Michael Kors Runway Watch, $220, Watch It; 5. Kate Spade Photo Frame, $50, The Bay; 6. Opera Length Leather Gloves, $85, Danier; 7. Rollover Boots in Tribe Leather, $248, Roots   

1. Metamorphosis by Tracy Anderson Set, $89.99, Showcase; 2. Yoga Mat, $40, Titika; 3. Burton Feather Snowboard, $399.99, SportChek; 4. Under Armour Seamless Tank, $44.99, SportChek; 5. New Balance Ioxnix Runners, $119.99, Footlocker; 6. Nike SportWatch with GPS, $169.99, SportChek 

 1. Nintendo Wii U 8GB Gaming System, $299.99, The Source; 2. Skull T-Shirt, $14.95, H&M; 3. Vanilla Bean Lipgloss, Bath & Body Works; 4. Just Dance 4, $49.99, EB Games; 5. Legacy Leather Large Wristlet, $108, Coach; 6. Sephora by OPI Gelshine At Home Colour System, $189, Sephora; 7. Wreck This Journal by Keri Smith, $15, Spencer's; 8. 4-Pack Hair Ties, $4.90, Garage

1. Toddler Boys Knight Hoodie, $26.95, babyGap; 2. Monster High Skull Shores Doll, Walmart; 3. Apptivity Angry Birds Game, $19.99, Showcase; 4. VTech Text and Chat Walkie Talkies, $39.99, The Source; 5. Cat Slippers, $9.95, H&M; 6. My Pretty Petal Dollhouse, $82, Walmart

   1. Sephora Favourites Shaving Kit, $25, Sephora; 2. Bowery Quilted Jacket, $448, Coach; 3. Halo 4 Game, $59.99, EB Games; 4. UGG Ascot Men's Slippers, $164.99, Soft Moc; 5. Trans Canada Airlines Small Banff Bag in Tribe Leather, $448, Roots; 6. Samsung Galaxy Tablet 16 GB, $299.99, The Source

1. Jonathan Adler Dog Bowl Mat, $13, The Bay; 2. Printed Legacy Stripe Leather Dog Collar, $88, Coach; 3. Jonathan Adler Chevron Leash, $16, The Bay; 4. Temptation Treats and Hartz Cat Toys, Walmart; 5. HBC Collection Striped Dog Bed, $82.50, The Bay 

Holiday. Celebrate.

Hermes Boxes - source: Pinterest

Originally posted in The CLOSET

When it comes to gifting, practicality becomes a bit of a bad word around my house.  I could definitely use a new blender and we definitely need laundry detergent - but you see, those things remind me of work and at Christmas, for just one short time during the year, I kind of just feel like not working.  Are you with me?  Can I get a 'woot, woot' for that?  I remember once when my dad got my mom a microwave for Christmas.  She hated microwaves.  And of course, the time when my husband bought his poor mom a new power drill.  Guess who ended up using it?

Now, 'wishes' and 'wants' on the other hand are definitely top of mind.  The best gifts?  The ones that make your sister, wife, husband our bestie feel super special.  These ultra-stylish presents will do exactly that, and although they all technically serve a 'purpose', their raison d'être is really just to make your favourites look and feel fabulous.  Love!  Check back soon for more great gift ideas, including ideas for the athlete, the classic beauty, the kid (and kid-at-heart) and even your dog.  Oh he's going to get so spoiled this year...

1. Twill Parka, $168, Gap; 2. iPhone 5 32GB, $279.99, The Source; 3. Skull Loafers, $120, ZiGi at Town Shoes; 4. Lana Del Rey: Born to Die, $11.99, Sunrise Records; 5. Tory Burch Cat-Eye Glasses, $149,Sunglass Hut; 6. Eva Lace Skirt, $189.50, Club Monaco; 7. Two-Tone Leather iPad Case, $54.95, Gap; 8. Jewel-Encrusted Ring, $15.98, ALDO Accessories; 9. Jonathan Adler All-Occasion Card Set, $15, The Bay; 10. Laser-Cut Barrel Bag, $55, ALDO Accessories; 11. Isabelle Double-Breasted Coat, $369, Club Monaco; 12. Distressed Denim Shirt, $29.95, H&M; 13. Pushlock Crossbody Bag, $25, American Eagle Outfitters; 14. Metallic Sequin Blazer, $150, RW&CO.; 15. Mohair-Blend Cardigan with Sequins, $49.95,H&M; 16. NARS Lipstick in Schiap, $30, Sephora; 17. Delsey Aero-Lite 18" Carry On Spinner, $99.99, The Bay

1. Nixon 51-30 Watch, $599.99, Boathouse; 2. Native Union Soft Touch Pop Phone, $39.99, The Bay; 3. Bowery Quilted Jacket, $448, Coach; 4. Reversible Cotton Belt, $24.95, Gap; 5. Davis Slim-Fit Chino, $69.50, Club Monaco; 6. Soundgarden: King Animal, $14.99, Sunrise Records; 7. Sunglasses, $12, ALDO Accessories; 8. Bleecker Letter Opener, $98, Coach; 9. Mixed Media Camo Bag, $74.95, Gap; 10. Fitted Herringbone Shirt, $69, RW&CO.; 11. Tweed Tie, $34.95, Gap; 12. iPod Nano 16GB, $169.99, The Source; 13. Cable-Knit Sweater, $49.95, Gap; 14. Monster Beats by Dr. Dre Solo HD Headphones, $219.99, The Source 

Ohhh Canadaaa

Birthday parties are always fun, but Canada Day brings it to an entirely new level. As we approach our country’s 145th birthday, we prepare to honour our true north, strong and free with barbeques, beer (a local microbrew, of course), and a round of light-up-the-sky fireworks.

Whether you’re heading to our nation’s capital to party with thousands, or are keeping it tight with friends and family in your very own backyard, these finds will help you wear Canada from head to toe. They might not scream red & white loud, but these two looks are a subtle way to show that you’re proud.

For the full story (and where to score these great Canadian finds from La Canadienne, Matt & Nat, Joe Fresh and more), check out my story this week at iVillage.ca.