I know It's the Middle of Summer, But . . .

     When I checked the mail this morning and found my September issue of Fashion at the bottom of the pile (thankfully unbent!), it was a quick reminder of what's to come. . .  Fall 2013!  There is something about fall fashion that I have always loved.  The layers, textures, colours and new trends help me transition into cooling temperatures without totally loosing it!

     The retail sale season is coming to an end as stores are now receiving new merchandise almost everyday.  Although we just started into August and have another 5-6 weeks of summer weather to look forward to, it is still my favourite time to shop!  I love being the first to see (and sometimes purchase) the latest items for the upcoming season.

     There are lots of new trends and must-have items to discuss so let's start with something I recently came across that got me extremely excited: Mackage's new line of handbags!  This will no doubt be the best fall season yet!

The Rubie Bag from WWD

The Bookie Bag from WWD

     The Rubie and the Bookie are my top two faves but the line is complete with 12 styles.  I love the combination of the smooth leather with the texture and colour.   The arrow closure is a sleek finish which suddenly states "It's a Mackage".  As for the price? I guess we will have to wait and see!

Anthropologie Summer Fashion Show

     Last week I had the pleasure of attending Anthropologie's in store fashion show at Don Mills.  I was lucky enough to be asked to model and saw first hand the new, gorgeous collection for summer 2013.

     The summer pieces are true to Anthro's feminine, flirty style.  Flowy skirts and shorts were showcased in colourful prints alongside fun, casual layered looks. The models were all friends, sisters and mothers of the Anthro staff creating a diverse look on the runway.  I was proudly representing the curvy girls of the world! 

Wearing the Pindot Ruffle Dress in orange and the Ruffled Lexa Romper in black.

      The store looked amazing for the event and there was a fabulous turn out.  All seats were filled and the camera flashes never stopped.  The runway was outlined with tea lights in mason jars which created a romantic feel and was the perfect way to transform the space.

     Of course there were yummy treats for all who attended.  Sangria to sip on, bocconcini salad skewers and cake pops, all neatly present on an Anthropologie tablecloth which I love!  The staff was amazing, not to mention their individual, unbelievable styles.  By the end of the night, I wanted to take home the amazing outfits I walked down the runway in and more!

Anthro managers (and personal friends!):
Holly wearing the Lasercut Fleur-De-Lys Sheath dress
and Courtney wearing the Macrame Day Dress in black.

     For more photos of the show and other outfits, please check out Crazy Style Love and Toronto Shopaholic. 

mix it up

     I've always found mixing prints to be a challenge.  Maybe because I'm a matchy matchy kind of girl.  Maybe because my mother drilled it in that one should never mix pok-a-dots with stripes (or black with navy for that matter, which I now love).  Either way, when I do come across a successfully executed mixed print outfit, it deserves to be credited.

     The best way to go about mixing and matching is to pair two prints in the same colour family or to pair a colourful print with a neutral of a similar pattern.  If one print is busy, the other should be minimal to maintain balance.  Most importantly, have fun with it and you will look as glamourous as theses two!

Courtney and Candace 

revenge is sweet

     Just in time for cottage season, Lauren Weisberger has once again graced us with her talents and released the sequel to The Devil Wears Parada.  I picked up my copy of Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns today and can not wait to get away this weekend to crack this while tanning on the dock!

     Warning: this book may lead to unnecessary spending on designer products, too many consumed Starbucks coffees and unexplained anxiety attacks when hearing the name Miranda Priestly.

Purchased at Chapters for 40% off in the Bestsellers section!

     All we need now is a sequel to the movie.  Start growing those locks, Anne Hathaway!

   

make it a maxi

     We are our worst critics and have that one body part that tends to be covered up a bit more than anything else.  In my case, I have two: my legs.  I unfortunately had the pleasure of inheriting spider veins, varicose veins and cellulite at a young age and the ten years I spent working on my feet in retail have been anything but a solution to the problem.  However, being the savvy fashionista that I am, there is always a solution to any problem and for me, it's the maxi!

     A maxi refers to a dress or skirt that is full length and is very versatile as it can easily be worn casually or dressed up (but not formal!).  The maxi dress has been in style for many summers but the maxi skirt is new on the radar and now one of my favourite trends this year.  To my rescue, the maxi is full coverage but is still comfortable to wear in warmer weather.  It is flowy and usually made out of a cotton or modal fabric which is breathable.  The best part is, most maxi skirts are convertible and can be pulled up and worn as a strapless dress! 

     My favourite way to wear my printed maxi skirt is with a tied up denim shirt and a basic tank.

     How do you wear your maxi?

 

work it out!

    Now that my mini hiatus is over, I've jumped back into life with both feet, a new pair of neon pink runners and what I thought were a quality pair of workout capri pants.  It was brought to my attention earlier this week, during a set of squats, that indeed the capris were not quality, they were see through (and not lulus!) . . . therefore, my neon thong was no longer a sexy secret.  Most would be embarrassed but in my new positive mind set (and the fact I've embraced my voluptuous booty for years) I took the higher road and decided this was the perfect excuse for a nice new non-see through pair of workout capris.  

     Lesson of the day: if you ever need to justify shopping you know who to turn to.

     No final decisions have been made but here are the runners up for cutest workout capris: 

Adidas Techfit Perfect 3/4 Tights in pink.

Adidas Techfit Perfect 3/4 Tights in blue.

 

Lulu Lemon Pace Crop in green.
These also come in a bunch of other yummy colours!

Nike Legend Print Tights in grey, also available in black.

Niki Limitless Capris in grey.
I love the little neon swoosh!

     

Denim on Denim

     The recent rise in popularity of the chambray/denim shirt has lead me to a crossroads in my long time belief that denim should never be worn with denim.  My denim don'ts include, but are not limited to: denim jeans with a denim shirt, a denim skirt with a denim shirt or even the addition of denim shoes with jeans, a denim shirt and any other denim accessory.  Denim, denim, denim.  However, I will take this opportunity to publicly admit to (and possibly avoid any mistaken hypocrisy), succumbing to my intrigue.  Yes, I wore denim on denim . . . and I liked it.

     I have now revised my denim on denim do's and don'ts and have deemed them appropriate if only followed to the T.

Do: wear your denim on denim, especially if you have a great pair of coloured jeans and are looking for something other than a basic white t-shirt to pair with them.

Image from Google Images.

Do: wear a light wash denim shirt with dark denim jeans or vice versa.  As long as they are distinguishably different, you're in the clear.  

Image from Google Images. 

Don't: wear the same wash from head to toe.  It's too much...  and awful.  

I came across this little gem of Brit and JT, curiosity of
childrenofthenineties.blogspot.ca

   Lesson of the day, have fun with this trend but don't over do it.  Also, personal photos to come.