2013 Wedding Trends: Dresses, Tuxedos and more!

If you or someone you know is getting married in 2013, check out Club Runway - one of my favourite blog's.

They've got the inside scoop on all the 2013 Wedding Trends.

I love the looks this year: elegant, classic, and minimalist.  Digging the guys in pale shades too.

Bridesmaids finally get lots of jewel tones, which is great since so few girls look good in washed out pastels.

My fave is this plunging back (to the left).  So sexy but classy at the same time!

Packing Light for your Winter Getaway...

PACKING LIGHT + WINTER VACATIONS

If you are one of the lucky ones headed somewhere warm and sunny in the coming weeks, visit Joelle's Blog for some tips on getting everything you need in ONE carry-on bag for a stylish weekend!

All you need is your bathing suit + 8 key items + 3 pairs of shoes and some jewelry.  You won't believe how easy it is!

If you're headed somewhere snowy, unfortunately with ski jackets and skis and snowpants and boots and thermal underwear and sweaters, you're kinda out of luck as far as carry-on goes.

But personally, I'm way too cold to think about anything but sunshine and pina coladas right now...

Ohh!! Say it isn't so...

Today the announcement is official.  One of the best little boutiques downtown Burlington has ever seen is preparing to close their doors.  I've spoken of them many times, and I am so sad this will likely be the last...

Ohh!! Beautiful Things on Brant Street is closing.  This dreamy store has been a favourite of mine since they first opened years ago across from Joelle's.  I vividly remember the first time I walked inside and was dazzled by an eclectic mix of carefully curated items, from seatbelt bags to girlish raincoats to sparkling jewelry and home decor.   They moved a little south on Brant and across the street a few years ago, and only got better with time.

I can't walk through a single room in my home without seeing something from Ohh!!  The twinkling chandelier in my daughter's bedroom (which my husband finally installed the morning she was born while I was in my bedroom down the hall in labour)...the Bellabagu "LOVE" necklace my husband gave me for our 5th wedding anniversary (yes, I picked it out but still)...the many unique dresses and feminine tops that hang in my closet and always get compliments whenever I wear them.

Yesterday I bought these bling-tastic earrings and I know I'll wear them as often as my outfits permit!  And how about all those Christmas or child's birthday presents that I've bought there, from retro tin cash registers to kaleidoscopes and sock monkeys.   Owner Ondrea Crockett and her lovely & creative staff always greeted me with a warm hello and friendly chat.  It was one of those stores that was a true pleasure to spend time in.

Despite the extremely good prices of everything she sold, and the easy access to her door from the ample street parking all around Brant Street, it's not easy being a retail entrepreneur.  There is so much competition, and in today's economy, people often look for the best bargain online before they head to the store.  But when we choose to save just a little bit of money, we often forget what we will lose.  I would always rather spend a few dollars for a truly unique product, sold to me by people who know my name, and genuinely appreciate my business.  Wouldn't you?  For every one trip I begrudgingly make to the mall, I bet I make 30 trips to downtown Burlington. We all need to take responsibility for how much we support our downtown businesses.  Without our conscious decision to support them, we'll end up with too many empty storefronts before we know it. 

Ondrea has been a dedicated member of the (volunteer) Burlington Downtown Business Association marketing committee, and always gave generously of her time and ideas to support the entire downtown community.  Their team dreamed up award-winning Christmas windows every year to delight passers by.  They were always involved in local events.  So much giving - if only we could have given enough back...

So this week, please take some time to visit Ohh!! Beautiful Things and send off Ondrea and her staff with a smile and gratitude.  They're only around for a few more weeks, and you'll get deals beyond your wildest dreams.  You'll find treasures for yourself, and gifts for every child and woman you know. 

xo

When You Just Can't Wear Heels...

Maybe I am the only one who loses sleep over things like this, but honestly - I really have trouble when I want to look stylish for a special event but I know I'm going to be standing for HOURS and heels are just not going to be an option.

Especially at this time of year - winter - when ballet flats are absolutely not happening (thank you snow).

So this month's dilemma (yes, I know I have first-world problems) is my planning for an upcoming concert I'm headed to in NYC.  No seats.  Just standing.  I'm guessing I'll be standing (and dancing in my own lame way) for approximately three to four hours.  Do you think even my most comfortable heels can take that kind of abuse?  Nope.  Definitely not.  And in February, I've still gotta wear something reasonably warm.  Sure, sure, riding boots - I know.  But I am just SO BORED with my riding boots.  And riding boots mean skinny jeans and I am really intent on wearing boyfriend jeans to this concert, ok?  I'm almost as sick of my skinny jeans as I am of my riding boots.

Steve Madden Camarro Boots

So for some reason I am having a bit of a love affair with combat boots right now.  I saw a girl working in the props department at Universal Studios in California 2 years ago wearing them with boyfriend jeans and the coolness of her look is still burned in my brain.  I'm not talking bulky Doc Martens, although memories of high school are always fun.  They're just a wee bit too heavy and big.  I love Steve Madden's Camarro combat boots with the funky red zipper at the back, but $149 is just out of my price range right now (The Bay didn't have my size anyway...which would have been awesome because they were 40% off there but oh well).  So...I wanted to see if I could do better today. 

AND I DID!  Thank you Forever 21, which is fast becoming my favourite place to get trendy, funky, cool pieces at a fraction of the cost everywhere else.   Here's my concert outfit: brown combat boots, faux leather jacket, faux leather purse and earrings all courtesy of Forever 21 and $128 for the whole lot!  (tank top is mine from Banana Republic).  Can't wait to spend the night enjoying great music with great friends - and not thinking about how much my feet hurt :)

NYC Concert Here I Come!

Golden Globes 2013 Highlights: Tina & Amy nailed it!

It's so hard to be really funny when you're hosting an awards show without purposely insulting the privileged group of celebs sitting in the audience.  If you're too soft on them, you get backlash for wimping out.  If you're too hard on them, you get backlash for being mean.  You almost can't win!  Unless...you're Tina Fey and Amy Poehler!

If they weren't my idols before, they're cemented as such now!  How perfect to call the weeks leading up to wearing those dresses "The Hunger Games" and suggesting their time after the show will involve a "Life of Pi(e)".  So true ladies!  And they looked spectacular, didn't they?  Tina Fey really worked her Garnier Fructis hair...and newly single Amy Poehler rocked the cleavage like a teenage superstar.

Not to be accused of lobbing softballs all night, they upped the offense-factor by lauding Zero Dark Thirty director Kathryn Bigelow's expertise on torture since she had been married to James Cameron for years (ouch!).  But my biggest laugh of the night was a saucy little piece of advice to Taylor Swift: "Stay away from Michael J. Fox's son".  Because you know she was already thinking about asking for his number, right?  You know it!  Can they please make a Back to the Future reboot with him in it?  Adorable!

Ok. So as for the fashions.  I can't begin without first addressing J.Lo's date.  Little Casper whatever-his-last-name-is (who is a BACKUP DANCER incase you didn't know) sitting in his white (is he a waiter?) tuxedo jacket, looking totally and completely out-of-place, watching J.Lo's two successful and famous exes work the room like the pros that they are was just SAD SAD SAD.  Do you think she was sitting there - watching Ben Affleck accept a Best Director award - thinking "What am I doing?".  Lord, I hope so.  Someone please get that girl an actual MAN.  Like a tall, successful, manly man who is over age 40 and has a dime to his name?  Please.

And while I loved both of these red dresses on winner Jennifer Lawrence and the talented Marion Cotillard, I would have expected the House of Dior to NOT send two A-list actresses down the red carpet in such similar dresses of theirs.  Come on Dior - you've gotta have another colour and belt in your current repertoire, no?  Is there a stylist out there who is getting fired today?  I kind of hope so.  The are maybe 50 women who will really get noticed on the red carpet...are there not at least 50 different dresses out there too?

Misteps were aplenty, with too many stunning women looking dramatically sombre in varying shades of burgundy/maroon.  I was hoping for something a little more vibrant from Naomi Watts.  And I think Jessica Chastain raided Cameron Diaz's closet.  And not in a good way.  Give that dress back to Cameron where it belongs!  Claire Danes went just a wee bit overboard with her eyeliner, but I'll give her props for how annoyed I am by her awesome post-baby bod.  Seriously?  Her and Megan Fox are clearly not of this world if they look that good that fast!

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I think the dress I liked the best was on Olivia Munn!  It fit her perfectly, it was elegant and unique, it had a great colour scheme and level of craftmanship & detail, it was perfectly accessorized, and the hair and makeup were simple and pretty.  Nice work Armani!

Have to say congrats to Jodie Foster for whatever she said.  It seemed brave & important...I think.  It was kinda hard to tell.

All in all, an entertaining night with many memorable moments and big laughs!  Shall we start the campaign to have Tina & Amy host again next year?  I'm already cringing just thinking about how Seth MacFarlane is going to ruin the Oscars next month...

Early Spring at Banana Republic!

The temps are a little milder this week and it already has me wishing Spring was here!  Well, maybe I am more just wishing I was prepping for a little vacation somewhere sunny (which, sadly, I am not).

Fortunately, I brightened my spirits anyway with 40% off a pair of the most perfect and happy pants I have seen in years.  With a tone-on-tone textured pattern (this photo does NOT do it justice) they are so unique and fresh!  Usually I only see such detailed and textured crops at J.Crew these days (with an inexplicably rising & unjustifiable price tag) but cheers to Banana Republic for offering up some wearable & affordable sunshine with these textured pants in "butternut" yellow!  I plan on wearing mine as soon as the sun is out in April, along with a classic white tee, denim jacket, and this gorgeous white & yellow necklace I also just ordered.  That outfit is going to be impossible to wear without smiling.

Extra happiness is courtesy of the 40% off I got on both items today thanks to a one-day sale (Jan 9th) you can enjoy both online & in the Stores!   Any 2 items are 40% off!  Plus there's an additional 25% off sale items.   My total purchase today for the pants & necklace was under $100 before taxes, so with the lovely gift cards I scored at Christmas, I am still proud to say I haven't spent a dime on anything but groceries since Boxing Day!  Wish me luck as I continue to try and keep that up...especially when I'm in NYC in Feb!

Happy New Year!

As we head into 2013 - which sounds very futuristic, don't you think? - I thought I'd share a pretty pair of runners with you, as I know many of us will be hoping to make this our healthiest and fittest year yet!

How could you not want to run or work out in happy shoes like these?  If you're interested, they're Asics 'Gel-Noosa Tri 8' Running Shoes.

Remember some great advice:
1. Eat Real Food.  Not too much. 
2. Get moving!

So simple isn't it?

Happy New Year and may this be your healthiest year yet!!

xo