5 Ways to Score an Instantly Pretty Office Space

The kids are back at it, easing their way back into the school routine as we speak. But while the focus is usually on students, many grown-ups get those back to school feels, too. After a long and lazy summer, September feels like the perfect time for a fresh start, for a renewed sense of focus to hit our career goals.
But getting motivated in a boring all-beige cubicle? Um, so not gonna happen. If any of you are feeling similarly disenchanted with your work space right now, it’s really no big deal. Sometimes a fresh coat of white paint and a handful of pretty pieces are all it takes to bring your office space from boring to beyooond. Check out my post on the Vaughan Mills blog for 5 steps to an instantly prettier office space. Warning: these finds may cause serious office envy… 

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THE SOFTER SIDE | The Cool New Way to Wear Spring Pastels

via J.Crew

Originally posted in The LOOK

It's the last day of winter. Let me repeat that - the LAST day of winter! This is no joke. Hard to believe that the spring we've been waiting for has finally arrived, and with it, a new crop of pretty spring colours in stores. While I'll always rely on black and white, and do love my brights, there's something irresistible about soft pastels, especially this season. 

While pastels can be sweet and pretty and mega girly-girly, you might not think of them as cool. I mean, black is cool and metallics are cool but pink? Cool? You might be surprised. From the always on point J.Crew runway to the most-copied street stylers, fashion know-it-alls are already tossing off their blacks and switching them up for powdery blues, ballet pinks and vibrant yellows. 

So, how do you make pastels look edgy? Here are 3 easy ways:

1) ADD BLACK | It never fails to pair your pastels with black to add depth to a super-sweet shade. Bonus points if you can add some leather (faux or real) and either a leopard or snake print to the mix.

2) MIX IT UP | Instead of sticking to one pastel shade, why not mix them up? Shades of blues and pinks mixed up look amazing worn head to toe, especially when you add some distressed denim to the mix. 

3) COMBINE SOFT & BRIGHT PASTELS | Soft pink with white and a khaki trench is pretty but, let's face it, predictable. The addition of one super bright pastel (think a bright yellow like in the J.Crew pic above and the outfit below) totally takes your spring outfit to the next level. Neon orange looks amazing with soft pink, too. 

Looking for some spring outfit inspo? I've put together 3 cool pastel looks to try out now. Happy Spring!

SEE THE LOOKS HERE...

Beat the Heat in Sweet Pastels

Pretty pastels at J.Crew Spring/Summer 2013. Love this pic! Photo via The Cut

Originally posted in The LOOK

I am sooo hot. I mean, literally. I'm overheated, frizzy-haired, and panting more than breathing at this point as I make my way from place to air-conditioned place. Forget looking polished, I'm a total hottie in the worst possible sense. I just took my dog to the groomer and the poor guy is now practically bald, hiding shamefully in the corner, and yet I can see the sweet relief on his little doggy face. Imagine walking around in a fur coat in this??

When the mercury soars, it's tempting to wear nothing at all but since that law has yet to pass in Canada and most of us still have to bring home a paycheque, it's all about choosing cooling, heatwave-friendly colours to avoid looking like a hot mess, even if you feel like one.  On days like today, white is always right, cobalt blue is cool, too but lately, I've been drawn to the softer side of the spectrum. Like a triple-scoop of gelato to quench your heatwave hunger, sweet pastel pinks, yellows, watery blues and minty greens work wonders at cooling off your summer wardrobe...

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Spring Forward: The Top Trends to Try

A shot from the H&M Conscious Campaign starring Vanessa Paradis - photo courtesy H&M

Originally posted in The LOOK

As Spring finally (finally!) starts to show itself, it's time to crank open our windows, take off our snow tires and start to clear our closets of all the coats, hats, mitts, & gloves (Good Riddance!). The promise of warm weather always brings so many fun things but to me, the best part is trying out all the new trends I've been seeing on the runways.  This season, I'm especially stoked for all of the fun accessories - the mini bags (a perfect ode the freedom of summer - lipgloss, credit card, keys, GO!), the chic new pointy-toed flats and the lucite and hologram heels, sunglasses and bags that are topping every editor's Spring wishlist.  For colour, I can't wait to wear all of the pretty pastels, toughened up a little thanks to studs, chains and super high heels and I'm even ready to try some sexy cut-outs once the last drop of snow melts...

To check out all of my top spring picks, read the full story here

A mini bag from the Michael Kors Spring '13 show

Studded Crossbody Bag, $75, RW&CO.; Laser-Cut Mini Bag, $35, ALDO; Reptile Clutch, $45, RW&CO.; Floral Mini Crossbody, $15, Aeropostale; Woven Tassel Bag, $20, American Eagle; Crossbody Bag, $50, Le Château 

Cut-out evening stunners at Michael Kors Spring '13

Plunge One-Piece, $50, American Eagle; Mesh Cut-Out Dress, $150, Le Château; Cut-Out Flat, $20, Aeropostale; Cut-Out Ankle Boot, $130, ALDO; Preen x ALDO RISE Pump, $155, ALDO; Laser-Cut Clutch, $40, ALDO

Model Liu Wen holds her lucite clutch backstage at Stella McCartney Spring '13 

Iridescent Sandal, 2 for $15, Ardene; Lucite Heel Pump, $100, ALDO; Hologram Wedges, $90, ALDO; Hologram Sunglasses, 2 for $15, Ardene; Lucite Wedges, $90, ALDO; Oakley Sunglasses, $125, Sunglass Hut

All runway photos via Fairchild Photo Services

Spring Fling

Leather School Bags, Joe Fresh, $99 each. Photo courtesy Joe Fresh

Back to work, back to the grind, and a headache's en route to my too-relaxed mind.  

Mondays can be a real shock to the system; which is why I was thrilled to come across these cool leather school bags from Joe Fresh.  Briefcases/laptop bags don't often turn my crank but these are both pretty and practical - sort of like a spoonful of sugar for your work week. I plan on getting the white one to tote around during World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto. It looks sturdy enough to handle my laptop, a pair of heels, and any treats that come my way, while simultaneously satisfying the street-style paps lurking outside.

One other thing that makes this particular Monday a little easier? It's March! Could not be more thrilled that spring is almost here...xx