Spring 2013: Accessory Report

ALDO's fun Spring '13 Campaign - Photo courtesy ALDO

As a fashion blogger, I'm  constantly tempted by trends.  I spend a good 8-10 hours each day either staring at, speaking about, shopping for, or writing articles about pretty clothes.  In the beginning, it was total torture;  I wanted every single thing and would rearrange my whole day so that I would just 'happen' to be in the 'hood of say, Club Monaco, just when that to-die-for piece hit stores.  While researching a trend story on shoes online, I would often accidentally click on the 'add to shopping cart' button and somehow click the 'buy' button in the process.  'Whoops!?'  In the beginning, I felt cheated because my fashion blogger salary was nowhere near my Dior/McCartney/Tibi tastes...

For the full story (and the rest of my fave Spring '13 accessories) head to The Fashion Scoop! x

Eagle Necklace, $18, ALDO; Cat-Eye Sunglasses, $18, Laura; Snake Ring, $10, ALDO; Leopard Necklace, $17,Dynamite; Python Clutch, $59, Danier; Jaguar Ring, $15, Le Château; Leopard Belt, $20, American Eagle 

Cuff, $12, ALDO; Linen Blend Clutch, $30, Le Château; Plastic & Metal Link Necklace, $18, ALDO; Rosette Ring, $8, Reitmans; Attitude Jay Manuel Pump, $60, Sears; Two-Tone High-Tops, $26, American Eagle; Cap-Toe Flats, $31, American Eagle; Woven Bracelets, $15, Spring

Statement Necklace, $16, ALDO; Metal Mesh Bracelet, $17, Le Château; Wide Basket Weave Cuff, $21, Cleo; Pointy Cap-Toe Pumps, $100, ALDO; Woven Metallic Band, $15, Le Château; Sterling Silver Ring, $99,People's Jewellers; Metallic Envelope Clutch, $40, Le Château

Totally Shady

Brilliant shades of blue, bordeaux and bright mustard from Nanette Lepore Fall 2012

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

It's funny but every fall I do the exact same thing. Sometime right around now, when the mornings are just starting to feel crisp and the leaves are gradually leaving the trees (is that why they call them leaves?), I find myself doing the fall change-up. I'll pack away all of my bright summer dresses, skirts & tees and shove them into an empty closet in our guest room. The more I pack, the darker my closet gets as yellow, pink and orange make way for loads of grey sweaters and black pants. Um, depressing much?

There's absolutely no reason (especially now!) to live in a black hole for 6 months of the year. I've slowly been building up my colour arsenal and this year, I'm happy to report that my fall/winter wardrobe is equally as exciting as my spring & summer stuff. I can't tell you how much more inspiring it is, especially on a cold, grey day, to have shades of rich yellow, bright reds and deep greens to get me going in the morning. This season, I'm obsessed with bordeaux and mustard and can't wait to work them into my look (see below for cool new ways to wear them).

Since I've been on a bright binge for a few years now, I'm actually equally stoked about the black on black trend for fall - great news for colour-phobes, and perfect for those days when you need a colour detox. The key to keeping it interesting? Try mixing and matching loads of textures - pair a great chunky knit with a pair of leather leggings, shiny patent black boots and a bright red lip. Or, pair your black with either deep navy or bright cobalt blue for a dose of Parisian chic.

Happy Friday!  Is it bad that all I want to do this weekend is shop? x

TRY: BLACK & BLUE

ATTITUDE Jay Manuel Peplum Top, $24.88, Sears 

TRY: MUSTARD & TAUPE

Floral Crepe Pencil Skirt - Petites, $64, Cleo

TRY: BLACK ON BLACK 

Mallia for Danier Wool & Cashmere Coat with Leather Piping, $749, Danier

TRY: BORDEAUX & PINK

Bar Stripe Cardigan, $15, Aeropostale

The Horsey Set

Dree Hemingway for Ermanno Scervino - Autumn 2012

Originally posted in The LOOK

As long as I can remember, I've been a city girl. I would look at the cowboy boots, hats, spurs and far-from-rad plaid in country music videos and feel something akin to mild food poisoning. When my friends would flock to our local bar for some honky-tonk, I'd tag along and even sing (Ohhh, way down 'yonder on the Chatahoochie, never knew how much that muddy water meant to me....). I'd even line-dance a little (because seriously, it was kind of a precursor to the flash mob, no?) but the stylista in me just couldn't handle the ill-fitting jeans, the tacky hats or the cliché my-dog-just-croaked-and-now-I'm-gon'-die-toooo lyrics. Not to mention horses; as in, I won't even mention horses after the number of near-death experiences I've had in their presence. Can horses smell fear? Then again, as the years went by, I grew to admire a small but mighty group of boot-stompin' babes: the fearless Dixie Chicks, the hilarious Dolly Parton, the style-obsessed Carrie Underwood and the bad-boy bashing Taylor Swift. Even A-listers like Gwyneth Paltrow have gone a little bit country these days.

But horses gone haute? This fall, designers joined the horsey set in a big way, giving us plenty of ways to get in touch with our inner country girl, be it full-blown spur-jangling country as seen on the Isabel Marant runway or the more refined equestrian aesthetic perfected by Altuzarra, Givenchy and Herve Leger, complete with sleek riding boots, equine prints, and chic tweed blazers. Like country music, I'm loving this trend in small doses, with a cute little cowboy boot here, or a cropped riding jacket there.

So, how 'bout you? Will you hop on the horsey bandwagon this fall? Yay, or neigh? Check out my favourite country finds at Intercity Shopping Centre right now. (And be sure to look at them boots, ya hear?) 

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Opulence Overdrive

Baroque opulence reigned at Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2012. Source: style.com

Originally posted in The LOOK

August always marks the beginning of fall..well, in the fashion world at least. The hotly-anticipated September issues hit newsstands bursting with fall's most covetable finds, while tired sale racks are replaced by shiny things for the new season.  I don't want to rush summer (I mean, it's only the first week of August) but now's the time to start thinking about fall...

And this season, there's a lot to dream about.  Where once opulence was considered over-the-top and out-of-touch, designers piled it on again in a big way, with brocade, feathers, black and gold all over the fall runways, from Dolce & Gabbana to Ralph Lauren.  So why all the flourish and fuss?  Blame it on the blockbusters;  The Great Gatsby hits the big screen this December, extending our spring obsession with the roaring twenties. Flapper fringe, drop waists, feathers and art deco accents will give you that Buchanan-babe vibe, perfect for an East Egg soirée.   I'm most excited about Anna Karenina, though, coming to TIFF this September.  My inner Czarina can't wait to layer up with faux fur, crystals and military wool coats once the mercury drops to Moscow levels.  With bold colour so prevalent for the past several seasons, moody black looks decidedly modern again, and lends a practical side to all the excess. Invest in the basics, be it a good wool coat or a well-made pair of boots, and then decorate with sparkly (yet affordable) abandon.  After all, excess is only good in moderation (or something like that...)

Load it up.  Pile it on.  'Tis the season for opulence, darlings!

Leo DiCaprio (as Jay Gatsby) with Carey Mulligan and Joel Edgerton (as Daisy and Tom Buchanan) in the upcoming The Great Gatsby

Source: IMDb

Stretch Deco Bracelet, $15, ALDO

Crochet Fringe Mini Dress, $150, Le Château

Metallic Snake Embossed Crossbody, $39.95, Le Château

Gilded feathers at Ralph Lauren Fall '12. Source: style.com

Necklace with Glass Beads and Fringe, $39.99, Sears

Colour Block Metallic Pumps, coming this fall to ALDO

Keira Knightley as Anna Karenina. Source: cineplex.com

ATTITUDE Belted Coat w Faux Fur Collar and Cuffs ($229.99) and Wrap Style Coat with Faux Fur Collar ($179.99), Sears

Ruched Lace T, $35, American Eagle Outfitters

Parkhurst Faux Fur Headbands, $20 each, Sears

Crepe de Chine Blouse, $39.99, Le Château

St. Basil's Cathedral X-Large 3-D Puzzle, $39.99, Sears

Cocoa Jewelry Crystal Antique Cuff, $60, Sears

Victorian Suede Ankle Boots, $119.98, ALDO

ATTITUDE Jay Manuel Spring 2012: Searsiously Decent

Pretending not to notice the camera, waiting for the ATTITUDE Jay Manuel by Sears show to start on Tues. night.  That's me sitting with the editors of Sweetspot.  (Image:  Erin Simkin - Toronto Life)

If you read this blog regularly, you know that I'm the furthest thing from a fashion snob.  Still, when it comes to stepping through the doors of Sears, I've always dragged my heels.  Though it's tough to change people's perceptions (especially fashion people), ATTITUDE is making me reconsider the store.  And, the ATTITUDE show has become one of the most coveted tickets of LG Fashion Week, especially since Jay Manuel took creative control of the brand.

Wednesday's show was packed with modern gypset looks, with tonnes of resort wear in punchy colours and prints, off-set by bold, graphic black & white looks.  The styling, not surprisingly, was what really made the clothes shine.  Yasmin Warsame & co. showed them off to their best potential, too.  But when it comes right down to it, will the clothes really be as great under the harsh fluorescent lights of Sears?  Hoping so... 

Here are some of my fave looks from the show.  I LOVE the white shirt with the pink pants.  Pretty!  What do you think? 

P.S - Check back next week for a full recap of Toronto's LG Fashion Week.  I've got behind-the-curtain pics, the latest fashion crowd favourites and, of course, a fun giveaway.  Happy weekend!  xo

(Images via Toronto Life:  Jenna Marie Wakani) 

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