Spring Trends Part 3: The Scarf

I can remember a time, not so long ago, when scarves were only worn by the ladies who lunch at Le Cirque.  Hermes' classics aside (and I can't even tell you how much I want this orange one at left), scarves have gone totally mainstream over the past decade, as have their price points.

Few things dress up a simple look (even jeans & a plain white tee) like a well-tied scarf.   It's also a far softer, and more casual way to accessorize than jewellery, making it much more appropriate for daytime activities like running errands or coffee with a friend.

If you're looking for fresh ways to wear one, I absolutely adore this video from FabSugar on 10 Ways To Wear One Scarf, including a hairband, belt, bangle, and purse handle.  Of course, "there's an app for that" on iTunes as well, called "How To Tie A Scarf" if you need more help!

Scarves really aren't as intimidating as many people think.  Just think of your favourite outfits, and when you're out shopping, grab scarves with complementary colours in them.   It's great to pair a scarf with your favourite spring trench to a) add some flare when you're strolling around outside, and b) keep your neck warm when those spring breezes attack, even on a sunny day like today.

Spring Trends Part 2: Coloured Denim

Blue denim from Boa in Oakville

Whether you opt for peachy pastels and muted reds or vibrant hues of cobalt blue or electric pink, coloured denim is a must-have for spring and summer this year.

There is literally no Store on the planet right now that doesn't have something to offer in this regard, from the huge chains like Old Navy, Gap and H&M to the affordable $19 price points at Joe Fresh to hourglass-figure-friendly brand Jessica Simpson at The Bay to trendy top brands at local boutiques like Joelle's in Burlington or Boa in Oakville. 

Coloured denim is so versatile.  Dress them down with flip flops, a white crewneck tee and a cute scarf on the playground or going out for coffee with a girlfriend.  Dress them up for date night with stilettos, a boyfriend blazer, loose flowing tank and a long necklace.  Don't worry that everyone might be wearing them - you can always put your own spin on this trendy look with a few personal and oh-so-you pieces from your own closet! 

Spring Trends 2012

This week let's talk Spring Trends for 2012. With delightfully high temperatures and abundant sunshine, what better time to start culling through your closet and thinking about how you're going to donate the things that aren't working for you anymore, and infuse some fresh, trendy pieces to take their place!

Franco Sarto block heel

Let's begin the week by exploring this season's trends in footwear.  First up - the block heel.  It's been a while since we saw this shape, but those of us who easily tire of teetering on stilettos couldn't be more thrilled.  A far cry from yesteryear's downright orthopedic-inspired block heels, you'll now find vibrant hues like cobalt and tangerine and lots of colour blocking and shiny patent leather.  Franco Sarto has a few gems!

Franco Sarto Wedge

Next up: you can't go wrong with the metallic wedge.  While espadrilles have been all the rage in the past few spring seasons, the understated metallic wedge will take you from daytime denim to dressed-up-dinner in the blink of an eye without the often problematic (and dirt-attracting) fabrics of those traditional canvas espadrilles. 

Havaianas Flip Flops

Finally, do your feet a favour and invest in some cute flip flops.  Havaianas are my long-time faves for the pool & beach, as their natural rubber doesn't fade or crack, is easily cleaned, they don't lose their shape and they won't absorb any odour.  I've had mine for years and can attest that all those claims are true.  At $20, you can't go wrong.  If you want something dressier, I'm loving Michael Kors line of summer sandals.  All gorgeous!

The one thing I have to stress more than anything ladies: no matter what shoes you're wearing, remember that a great pedicure will make them look even better!  Don't let those toes out of the house naked :) 

Burlington gets high marks for Best Places To Live AGAIN!

Thanks MoneySense - we knew it all along, but it's always nice to continue to get validation that Burlington is one of the top Canadian cities to live in - ranking #2 of 190 cities evaluated!

Factors like affordable housing, access to Doctors, access to commuting, low crime, weather and culture help round out our 2nd place finish.  Ottawa needs to watch out because I think we can beat them next time!  Especially after our mild winter and the opening of our new Performing Arts Centre.  Go Btown! 

Monday's Muse: Ashley Greene in NYC

Easily confused with a chic Parisienne, I am loving Ashley Greene in NYC last week with her blue and basketed bicycle.

Whether a stylist put this look together or not, the mismatched skirt, scarf, and multicoloured scarf pair perfectly with her loose updo and coffee-to-go.

I am such a bike fan, and constantly wish we enjoyed better weather year-round to make it my standard method of transportation.  I just can't get my head around having to pack another outfit into a bag and change once I get where I'm going though, which is an absolute necessity at least 50% of the time in the GTA.  

I can only strive to look so effortlessly cool as I go about my errands in whatever downtown mecca I happen to be in.   Maybe with the warm temps headed our way this week I'll go pump up my tires...

Friday Fetish: Vince Camuto's Jo Oxford Mary Jane

Vince Camuto is quickly becoming one of the sexiest affordable shoe brands around, with towering heels and get-noticed designs, colours, and materials.

You'll find his shoes in Canada at The Bay and select Le Chateau stores, plus online at Piperlime, among other places.

I don't know if I could pull of a heel this high in my daily travels, but I absolutely adore the oxford pump look, so I'm willing to give it a shot - if only I could find my size...

Diane Von Furstenberg for kids - now at Gap

Diane von Furstenberg's GapKids collection is now in Stores as of TODAY!

It is colourful, playful, and undeniably stylish.

I never thought a 3 year old would look great in a DVF wrap dress, but just look at this photo!   I have totally been proven wrong. 

What a way to welcome this beautiful spring weather! 

Whatever Wednesday: How to Tie a Tie

When the man in your life asks you for help in tying a tie, wouldn't it be nice to say "Sure, no problem"?

Enter this handy little infographic with all the deets on how to tie a tie, four different ways:

1. Four in Hand (never heard of that one, but who am I to say it's not legit...)

2. Half Windsor (if you've only got 50% of the time or energy for a full one?)

3. Windsor (looks the same in the end as a Half Windsor to me, but apparently not?)

4. Shell Knot.  Sounds dangerous.  I like it.

Now you and your man can head out into the social wilderness looking all polished and tied up right.  You're welcome :)

Monday's Muse: Jon Hamm

He's truly one of the most handsome men to grace our century.

Not since the days of Clark Gable and Bing Crosby - and perhaps Robert Redford in The Great Gatsby - have I swooned at the manly features, suave demeanor, and stop-me-in-my-tracks ability to wear a sharply tailored suit.

In addition to his fabulous style, his top-notch comedic timing in stints on 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live, and Bridesmaids (plus, apparently, he is pretty good at drama too since he keeps getting accolades for some show I've never heard of called Mad Men) make him ten times as sexy.

Jon Hamm: you're aces in my books.  Inside and out, a total 10 and my muse for today!

Friday Fetish: Pink Tartan Fall 2012

This dress is just too pretty, with the nipped in waist, full skirt, and smart logo design.  I love how they've paired it with bright blue tights and shoes.  From work to dinner, it's a classic for any closet.


Pink Tartan is quickly becoming one of my all-time-favourite brands.  The kind of brand you'd actually choose your whole wardrobe from, which is tough to find.


Now if only I could afford more of it...

Thrifty Thursday Deals: Online and in the GTA

Today Only: Gluckstein Home sale at the Bay

All denim at Jacob only $39.90 for a limited time

Eddie Bauer Spring Sale: up to 50% off over 200 styles

Happy Shopping!  What else is there to do in cold, rainy weather like this? 

Whatever Wednesday: My Lentil Soup Recipe

People often ask for this Red Lentil Vegetable Soup Recipe of mine, so I figure I'll just put it on the blog where it will always be easy to find!

This recipe is seriously healthy, low cal and low fat.  It also takes no time at all to make and it has been kid-approved by my 2 and 4 year olds!

While Cooking...

Ingredients:
1 yellow onion, chopped.
2-3 carrots, chopped.
2-3 stalks of celery, chopped.
1 clove of garlic, finely chopped or pressed.
800-1000 mL of vegetable soup broth.
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil.
1 cup of red lentils.
1/4 tsp of cumin.
1/4 tsp of salt.

Directions: 
Pour olive oil into a soup pot at medium high heat.
Turn heat to medium and add onions and stir 3-4 minutes until slightly translucent and aromatic.
Add carrots and celery and stir another 3-4 minutes.

Finished and Ready to Eat!

Add garlic and stir another minute.
Add salt and cumin, and stir for another minute to coat.
Add soup broth and bring to a quick boil.
Immediately turn heat to low/simmer and add lentils.
Simmer for 10-15 minutes until lentils are soft.
Put soup into a blender and blend until very smooth (no lumps, no bits)
Serve immediately or keep in the fridge for another day!

Try this: Print Your Own Stylish Sewing Patterns!

Victory Patterns is a Toronto-based website that will have you sewing like a stylish pro in no time.  Owner and DIY fashion-lover, Kristiann, has created a website full of hip and unique dress designs that you can easily download in PDF form and take to your local printer up the street.  No more waiting in line at your local fabric store or flipping through giant books of outdated patterns like your Mom and Grandmother used to do. 

Not only that, but the designs are absolutely adorable, and invoke a feeling of strolling along the Left Bank in Paris looking oh-so-chic and fabulous.  What girl doesn't love black & white stripes and a beret?

With varying levels of pattern difficulty, you can start with something easy and move on to something more complex whenever you're ready.  A great idea for anyone who loves being creative & original!

Monday's Muse: Florence Welch

It's time to have a Florence Welch kind of Monday!

Florence Welch, lead singer of the aptly named Florence and the Machine, is truly a rule-breaker when it comes to both fashion and music. Her voice is a true original, with the kind of rare depth that can fill an entire stadium and stop you in your tracks.  Florence and the Machine's music can't be easily categorized, which is why you'll hear their songs across all radio stations, no matter what their 'genre', and see them walking away with hardware at awards shows all over the world.  Congrats on those 2 NME awards in London on Saturday - nice to see someone finally beat out Adele for an award this year!  No small feat!

Florence Welch's style is just as unique and hard to describe as her music.  One minute she's an ethereal goddess, the next she is prim and proper, and then she's just as easily a rock star ready to hit the stage.  Who says you can't be all things?  Why let your 'usual' style define or restrict you.  Nobody is telling you to wear that classic suit today, or those jeans and trusty blazer again.  Grab that scarf you never wear from the back of your closet, or the hat you think might get too much attention.  Maybe layer every favourite necklace you have and create something showstopping on top of that crisp white dress shirt.  Be Florence for a minute this chilly Monday morning and conjure up the blissful freedom to ask yourself: Who do I want to be today?  Then, go be! 

Friday Fetish: DL 1961 Denim

DL 1961 is a New York based premium denim company that makes the most comfortable jeans I've tried on in a long time.  They use an exclusive 4-way stretch denim that honestly feels as comfortable as my yoga pants but has the polished look you want in a premium jean.

I'm coveting a fabulous pair of hot pink cropped skinny jeans for spring & summer (at Joelle's, of course) and we'll see if I treat myself and splurge on them tomorrow!

Regardless of brand, you can be sure that a boldly coloured skinny jean - slightly cropped at the ankle or rolled up a little boyfriend-style - will be completely on-trend when the sunshine and warm weather finally roll around!

95 different types of shoes and boots are on sale right now at J.Crew, and with the increasingly stratospheric prices of their shoes over the past 2 years, trust me - you will be grateful for the sale.  Not only are they already on sale, right now you get an extra 30% off final sale items plus free shipping on orders over $100 with code: MUSTSHOP.

Despite the growing price tag of their footwear, along with it has come better selection, beautiful design, and great craftsmanship - which we girls know makes all the difference in how a shoe looks and feels.

My personal fave right now has to be the leather Viv pump.  This bow is just right: not too girlie, not too big.  Reg price $344 (ouch), but with the sale price plus the added discount, you can grab it for $161 including shipping!!!  Yes please!