SPRING TREND ALERT: Rainbow Brights

Models on the runway at Chanel's Spring 2014 show at the Grand Palais. Credit: Giovanni Giannoni/Fairchild Photo Service.

Originally posted in The CLOSET

I've just returned from an incredible week in Cuba (sigh...can I go back now?) celebrating one of my best friend's weddings. While I was packing up my brightest things, it made me wonder why we don't dress like we're on vacation all the time? So many of us choose the most practical things on the racks, the things we'll get the 'most wear out of' which is not only terrible sentence structure but is also incredibly depressing. Getting the most 'wear out of something' is a sentence that should be promptly abolished, don't you think? I mean timeless and well-made are important sartorial attributes but practicality is only part of the equation.

My head might still be in the clouds but in my vacay-ted state of mind, I say let's start only buying things that make us happy. The rainbow bright looks that Karl Lagerfeld sent down the Chanel Spring '14 runway are a perfect example of fashion joy. Why choose one fav colour? Every-hued pieces let us have our rainbow cake and eat it, too, and while you might not have worn so much colour since grade 1, spring is the perfect season to get insanely colourful. To feel appropriately adult-like, I've toned down these rainbow-hued finds with stark black & white which has an instant grounding effect on every look, keeping you looking modern and grown-up without taking away any of the fun.

With wedding season top of mind, I've shown four pretty looks that would be perfect for any bride or wedding guest, but would be just lovely for loads of other occasions, too...

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Line We Love: 424 Fifth Collection

Originally posted in The CLOSET

When Lord & Taylor and Hudson's Bay joined forces a few years ago, we knew that good things were bound to come from the merger. After all, both department stores are the oldest in their respective countries yet have somehow managed to stay cool and current through the years, kind of like Prince. Or Madonna. Or anyone else epic enough to go by one name. I digress. 

The latest offspring of these hip department store parents? The exclusive new private brand, 424 Fifth, named after the address of Lord & Taylor's iconic Manhattan flagship. Just launched at Hudson's Bay and Lord & Taylor stores across Canada and the U.S, the already-buzzed-about line, comprised of women's apparel and accessories, is already being touted by editors and bloggers as a must for fashion savvy women. And this fashion blogger wholeheartedly agrees...

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Transitional Dressing 101

A perfect transitional look from street-styler Elizabeth Victoria Clark.

Originally posted in The CLOSET

I'm done. Like, SO over it. Aren't you? I'm all about being a glass half full kinda girl but this unrelenting winter is enough to transform even the most optimistic among us into pouting, snivelling, whiny, cranky babies. Waahhh.

Happily, fashion has a way of tinting the lenses of our ski goggles rose-coloured and since we've been lucky to experience a few days of balmy weather lately, that means it's officially time to think spring. 

If you're super sick of your parkas, puffers and Sorels, it's time to take our basic course in winter to spring fashion. Welcome to Transitional Dressing 101, where the lecture discusses pretty shoes, the only test involves shopping, and instead of a diploma, you can win a gift card. Now this is the kind of continuing education I thoroughly enjoy...

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Bomb Girls: How to Wear Spring's Cutest New Jacket

Photo courtesy GAP.

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Now that March is only days away (squeee!), we can finally start planning our spring wardrobes in earnest. Forget the fact that the forecast shows no signs of letting up, ignore the naysayers who claim that spring weather is light years away and instead, let's let fashion lead the charge into spring. First step? Spring's newest outerwear trend that I am LOV-ing: the soft cropped bomber jacket seen at Rebecca Minkoff, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Jonathan Saunders. Somewhere between a classic bomber, a varsity jacket and a baseball jacket, the new soft bomber lends a decidedly sporty vibe to any outfit.   

So how do you pull it off? You might be amazed by how super versatile this jacket can be, whether worn with jeans or skirts or dresses, from work to weekend and everywhere in between. But the best part of all is that while this cray-cray weather makes up its mind, the bomber acts as cute extra layer to ward off any spring chill that comes your way. 

Check out these 3 chic looks for some serious spring-spiration (thank you NH for coining this term - you know who you are)...

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Spring's Sole Mates

Photo courtesy Coach.

Originally posted in The CLOSET

You never have to convince me to buy new shoes. While I consider myself to be pretty responsible in most areas of my life, my self-control around strappy sandals, beautiful boots and pointy-toe pumps is nil. No really, the effort it takes me to walk past a shoe store without going inside is enough to make me feel like I've run 5K. And when I hear of a shoe sale, I self-impose a restraining order so I won't allow myself to come within 100 metres of the place. The fashion police are waiting. And by fashion police, I mean my husband.

I guess it could be worse. I mean, of all the addictions a person could have, shoes are pretty harmless. They're pink, and have bows and pretty little heels. I mean seriously, how dangerous can they really be? 

Love shoes, too? Read up on spring's top footwear trends (already starting to file into stores - yay!) to get a lovely jump on the new season. Happy shopping! Sigh...isn't it always?

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