Sneaky Sneak Style

I had a convo with one of my girlfriends last week about the emerging sneaker trend that has been sneaking up over the last couple months. I was hesitant when Isabel Marant came out with her wedge sneakers but I can't stop drooling over them.

Now celebs have been spotted sporting them everywhere. Including Beyonce, in her video "Love On Top".

Aren't they the cutest? An adorable foot accessory without the pain of a 6 inch heel. Even supermodels are rocking them.

Where Isabel Marant's sneaks are going to put you back $660 (+ shipping +duties +taxes .. we live in Canada kids so make sure you calculate these extras into your online purchases) you can get the same look with Ashe's Cool Wedge Sneaker for half the price:

But going even further with the sneaker trend, Rihanna wore some pretty fierce (no pun intended) leopard printed Jeremy Scott Adidas at Coachella this year. I'm not much of an active wear lover, but these are totally working for her. She did cut off the tail ... good choice girlfriend.

Where this trend goes wrong ... enter Kimmy K. Kanye has seemed to slightly influence her style - but for the worst. I think she just looks silly. But hey, I don't want to influence your feelings here, what are your thoughts on her new look?

Ready or Not

Again, another post on how to dress according to Halifax weather. One fashion faux-paux a lot of girls fall victim to is the premature exposure of skin. 

Our weather is very up and down and the temperature turns up unexpectedly. Like today for example. We sat comfortable around 20 degrees, which is very warm for this time of year. It's been very cold and muggy for the past few weeks so a lot of people jumped the gun this afternoon.

I saw a lot of very untanned, untoned legs (and some booties) strutting around Barrington Street. I am not one to hate on pasty white skin - I'm Irish and do not tan in the least, I freckle so it's an optical illusion - however, I am an avid pusher of self tanner. I know a lot of girls out there hit the tanning beds to prep for Spring but I do not advise this route because of the dangerous side effects. I've had to have a few chunks of skin removed because of over sun exposure (a mistake made while working for years at a tanning salon during university) so I know first hand of it's effects. Try St. Tropez or Clarins Delicious self tanning creams to get the same effects - minus the skin damage. 

Enough ranting and back to the topic at hand. It's May ladies, not August. You're on a populated street in the downtown core, not playing beach volleyball at the beach. Cutoffs and tube tops are inappropriate. So are halter tops and jean skirts.


Here's what I decided to wear today:

jeans : 7 For All Mankind / t-shirt : James Perse / knit : old / sandals : Sam Edleman / 
necklace : House of Harlow / polish : Zoya (courtesy of Jay Wells Salon)

Remember, just because the temperature spikes does not give you an excuse to bring out your summer wear. You can still look hot without looking like a hot mess. 

Less Is More ... More is More

I love the minimalist look, it's sexier then an over done and over though outfit (these normally come off as ridiculous and unoriginal). BUT if done properly, mixing prints and colours that don't match in the least is amazing too as it shows off your creativity. Here are a few of my fav looks of the moment.

A leather high waisted short is essential - or any shorts really, but I love me some leather. The bootie is a great investment too as it's season-less. She's also rocking a sheer top to expose a bralette which I'm obsessed with at the moment. It's not a sleazy look (as some exposed under garments are - like a peak-a-boo bra strap or a black push up bra) , it's ultra feminine and very pretty.

This girl just gets it in every way possible (can you see why she was voted "Sexiest Cyber Star" by Victoria Secret?) Let's highlight the half tuck right now, a great style to reinvent your oversized blouse - gives it a nice twist and shows off your figure too.

Here's what I mean by mixing prints that wouldn't normally go. A large floral and a small leopard. But by combining a top in the same blue as the pants, and pairing the clutch with a leather jacket to bring the edgier side in makes the outfit cohesive. 

I love her style - the definition of understated sexy. Such a soft colour palette can be thrown off normally with a black shoe, but these sandals work perfectly because they're very dainty. Jean shorts can be tricky too - but these have a nice rise and fit to balance off the cut offs. 

MMmmmm leopard again .. and it's Tibi. So obvi I'm all over this. I actually brought in this suit to the store this season (in the pant vs the shorts though). This is how woman should dress to the office, I'm so over the traditional masculine suit - it's outdated and blah. So women of Halifax please take note.

 I just recently stumbled upon Ashley's blog - Ring My Bell. Again, with the leather shorts - a must as I've already drilled. I love how she didn't do the classic stacked bracelets of over load on necklaces. AND adding the neon in a shoe finishes this look perfectly. It's risky, because just like throwing on a black shoe adding a bold coloured shoe can do the same. But this totally works for sure. Excellent job.

Here she is again - my new fav. The tie-dye jean cut offs are crazy - I want them.

I don't even think I need to elaborate on this one. The entire style speaks for itself. Maxi-Metallic-Proenza-Hi.

Another perfect print on print. However, I might have opted for a different shoe - something more neutral.

She's just adorable. Little sneaks, cut offs and a pink tee.

This jacket reminds me of my newest love that's sitting in my closet. So I needed to share.

A client pointed me in the direction of Chriselle's blog. Her style is so feminine and beautiful. I'm love the high-low dress and how she matched her belt, shoes and bag - totally pulls the look together.

Sweat Pant Par-tay

pants : Club Monaco / tee : James Perse / vest : Club Monaco / 

shoes : Steve Madden / necklace : House of Harlow / bracelet : Stella & Dot 

As I was getting ready this morning, and the rain was pouring down, I lost all motivation to put on something tight. I foresaw myself running down Barrington in my purple rain boots and mom's rain slicker (note to self : buy appropriate rainwear ... need vs want. need vs want) trying to get to work before I got soaked or blown away - if you know the area it is a massive wind tunnel. Once I braved the elements I would end up being wet and uncomfortable and been a big sookie baby all day. So I opted for a comfy look. 

I love these sweatpants. I snatched these puppies up a few seasons ago at Club Monaco.  They are the perfect go-to for a blah day when you want to be cozy. But I do have to be very careful when finishing up the look. I can't go too casual with the other pieces or my look comes off as sloppy. I try to avoid the full sweat pant attire as lifestyle wear all together. But that's a whole other post.

That's where these lovely little printed shoesies come in handy. But please ignore the pasty state that my feet are currently - I plan on applying a good coat of self tanner tonight - but until then let's call this "Vampire Chic." Back to the shoes, they were on my Spring shopping list and I found them on my latest trip to Montreal. They add a pop to any outfit. 

So voila, the perfect rainy day outfit! And the the clouds even parted for a moment this afternoon and I was able to get a few shots outside. If you don't like the weather in Halifax, wait 5 minutes and it will change.

Leather & Cargo & Amazing-ness

jacket : Zara / sweater : Theory / jeans : Current/Elliot / 

sandals : Sam Edleman / necklace : House of Harlow / 

bag : Rebecca Minkoff

I've been eyeing a jacket online for weeks now, and have made my friends stalk it in store (because I live in Halifax, where there aren't very many mainstream stores). It was this beautiful master piece cargo jacket with leather sleeves. When I finally gave up hope BAM it appeared on the shelves of Zara in Montreal and within 2-3 business days it was mine. Thanks Conni FYI.

I read on Elin Kling's blog one day "I think you should always celebrate when you have something new in your closet!" and loved it. So now, I feel like every time I get a new piece I'm going to throw it a party. This may become a very annoying habit but I don't care. Maybe a post will suffice, we'll see.

bracelets : LowLuv, H&M, Shashi / bag: Rebecca Minkoff

polish : Essie-Aruba, China Glaze-Re-fresh Mint

So this week started off swimmingly because my new jacket arrived and came at a whicked price point (real leather and all people)! Hats off to me for shopping around :)

Met Gala 2012

The Met Gala is probably the best showcase of fashion - even above the Academy Awards. Trends are still slightly taken into consideration but it's more of a focus on the art of the designs. A most costumey approach. I love.

Here are some of my fav looks I found on Harper's Bazaar : 

Amber Heard in Zac Posen with the designer

Amber Valletta in Prada

Amy Adams in Giambattista Valli

Anja Rubik in Anthony Vaccarello

Bianca Brandolini D'Adda in Dolce & Gabbana

 

Camilla Belle in Ralph Lauren

 Carey Mulligan in Prada      
 

Cate Blanchett in Alexander McQueen

Chanel Iman in Tom Ford with the designer

Claire Danes in J. Mendel with Hugh Dancy

Coco Rocha in Vintage Givenchy

Dianna Agron in Carolina Herrera

Elizabeth Banks in Mary Katrantzou

Emma Stone in Lanvin

Florence Welch in Alexander McQueen

 Gisele Bundchen in Givenchy with Tom Brady

Gwyneth Paltrow in Prada

Hanneli Mustaparta in Calvin Klein Collection

Hilary Swank in Michael Kors with the designer

Jessica Alba in Michael Kors

Jessica Paré in L'Wren Scott

Jessica Stam in Dior

Karolina Kurkova in Rachel Zoe

Kate Upton in Michael Kors

Leighton Meester in Marchesa

Leslie Mann in Nina Ricci with Judd Apatow

Lily Collins in Valentino

Linda Fargo in Naeem Khan

Marion Cotillard in Dior

Mary-Kate Olsen in The Row

Nina Dobrev in Donna Karan

Poppy Delevingne in Chanel

Renee Zellweger in Pucci

Rooney Mara in Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Burberry

Scarlett Johansson in Dolce & Gabbana

Solange Knowles in Rachel Roy

Jessica Biel in Prada with Justin Timberlake in Tom Ford

 

Lana del Ray in Altuzarra