Summer is Officially Underway

School is out, Canada has been celebrated and now the real work starts...entertaining the kids before they go back to school. Well, not really entertain them (they need to figure that on their own), but have some stuff planned. To be honest, I don't have much planned for the kids. We were supposed to be enjoying all that Croatia has to offer and instead we'll be enjoying all that Windsor-Toronto-Sudbury-Manitoulin is offering during the summer. Thank God for their Croatian grandparents.

Sweater, blouse (old), Banana Republic. Shorts, Gap. Shoes, Cole Haan (old). Necklace, Ann Taylor (old). Bracelets, c/o Cocoa Jewelry for Target. Watch, Michael Kors (old).

I'm linking up with Plane Pretty, Style Elixer , Real Girl Glam, My Thrifty Chic, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Because Shanna Said So, The Pleated Poppy Blog, My Girlish Whims  and WIWW with Transatlantic Blonde today.

Rowenta Versa Style & Chambray

When I attended World MasterCard Fashion Week (WMCFW) my favourite booth was easily the one sponsored by Rowenta Beauty. Now I know about Rowenta because I own one of their garment steamers. I keep it in my bedroom next to my bed and I've owned it for 8 years and bought one for my mother for Christmas. When asked by The Kit what my favourite fashion tool was I said my garment steamer by Rowenta. Well now there is a tool tie. I have fallen for the Rowenta Versa Style. I was lucky enough to have my hair styled three times during that week by Rowenta stylists and each time the stylists used the Versa Style - I had my hair flipped, curled and straightened. Three different styles all done with the help of one tool (when my hair was curled the top pieces were curled with the Rowenta Curl Active my next tool purchase). My hair looked amazing with each style and I walked a bit taller because we all know I need those extra inches. 

I needed a new hair tool. Mine was 10 years old and when I used it to straighten my hair it pulled my hair and was burning my ends. I payed good money 10 years ago and was willing to spend again. The nice people at Rowenta Beauty sent me the Versa Style and I haven't looked back. I love the fact that it locks closed, is all push button and comes with a case and instructions. My only wish was that it could remember the temperature you liked and kept that set for future uses. The first style I tried was straightening my hair, nice and smooth. I've been straightening my hair for a decade so I got that down pat. I decided to try something different, the Flip - this was my intro to the Versa Style during WMCFW. I was a little worried because hair tools scare me. I love to get my hair done and I give stylists lots of creative judgement,  I'm just not very adventurous when it comes to me doing it myself. Just check my blog for the lack of creative hair ideas. I used the attached style booklet and followed the easy instructions and ta da! I think my first attempt was a success. My friends were impressed and told me how much they liked my new style. It took the same amount of time to flip out my hair as it does to straighten, my youngest was using me as a jungle gym and I think I did a pretty good job. 

My next style tries are the wave and the curl. I've got tool confidence now and will be show casing my attempts in the next week or two. In the words of Icona Pop "I Love It" and recommend it. 

The Rowenta Beauty Versa Style retails for $239.00 and is sold exclusively in salons. 

Now to the outfit...

On Tuesday I was meeting a few friends for lunch and decided to usher in spring with some colour and my new favourite shirt - chambray! Taking pictures proved trying because it was so windy.

I have to say my flip weathered the wind pretty good - I dare say it even looks better.

Chambray Shirt - The Gap

Skirt & Necklace - Banana Republic

Shoes - Prada

Sunshine

We really need some - weather in Toronto has been erratic at best. So when I saw this beautiful yellow peplum sweater at Banana Republic I just couldn't resist. It reminds me of spring and summer and I'm sure we could all use some sunshine on days like these.

This is the last post featuring my brother-in-law Kevin from Kaptured Memories. I would hire him if he didn't live 4 hours away and if I could pay him in appreciation.

My obsession with peplum continues. When purchasing this sweater I bought a Medium because it was longer in the torso and allowed the peplum to drape nicer and longer.

I can't get enough of the pleating in back. Love the shape it is giving me. 

Sweater & Necklace - Banana Republic

Jeans - Yoga Jeans

Shoes - Prada

Honeycomb

It is cold, wet and windy. Perfect for blogging pictures outside! Lately I have been loving Banana Republic and The Gap. The colours, styles and fits have just worked for me. I love their on-line stores - lots of on-line exclusives and easy return policy. The Gap could do a course on easy return policy and customer appreciation!

The wind just would not stop blowing - lots of cheesy glamour pics. I couldn't resist!

Sweater, Shirt & Necklace - Banana Republic

Jeans - Adriano Goldschmeid

Booties - The Gap

Watch - Michael Kors

A Peak into Spring

I LOVE NAUTICAL STRIPES, in case you were wondering. When Fashion Magazine challenged us to style stripes (excluding the typical striped top) I knew I would be wearing this blazer. I think of navy as a neutral and knew this blazer could be easily incorporated into my wardrobe. I wanted to wear some colour and wore this emerald green blouse and topped it off with this white statement necklace.

To see how other bloggers styled their striped pieces click here.

Blazer - The Gap

Blouse & Necklace - Banana Republic

Jeans - Adriano Goldschmeid (old)

Belt - Joe Fresh (old)

Shoes - Prada (old)

Watch - Michael Kors (old)

Every Girl Needs A Coat

Fur is a sensitive subject, to some individuals (and organizations) it is very black and white. Very few things in life are black and white. I am not going to discuss fur and the ethics associated with it. That is for a different blog.

I am going to say that I just love this coat. I've had it for at least 11 years and it sill turns heads and inspires women to find that one show stopping coat for those special occasions in their life. For me fur is all about the "trimmings", adding that extra detail that makes the ordinary extraordinary. 

The collar and cuffs are removable. I have never used the collar for anything but this coat, however, I will be removing it and seeing what else I can come up with. This is another Style Panel Challenge. To see what other bloggers are wearing please click here.

Some of you may know that on Friday I was on the Marilyn Denis Show, I participated in "Real Women Model Search" and was selected to be in their Top 10. From there I made it to the Top 6 and will be on the show periodically. I will be posting about this experience this week. Why not today? I have a very sick 3 year old who needs me. That's a perfect Real Women story...modelling on national television on Friday and being vomited on by Saturday. It doesn't get any more real then that!

Coat - Di Capra (old)

Dress - Banana Republic

Shoes - Jimmy Choo (old)

Belt - BCBG

Layers

One of my favourite things about winter is layering - adding colour and texture to an outfit makes up for the dreariness or cold of winter.

When layering a dress and shirt just watch out for bunching and extra bulk around the mid-section. Plus the dress riding up and showing all your best parts. ;)

With that being said have a great weekend!

Coat - Rudsak (old)

Dress - Banana Republic

Shirt - Banana Republic

Booties - Coach (old)

Necklace - Joe Fresh

Tights - 

Lilla P- Tailored for a Casual Lifestyle

Whenever a clothing company approaches me to work with them I feel like Sally Fields "You like me, you really like me!". Sometimes the collaboration doesn't work, and then there are times when everything is seamless...introducing Lilla P.

In 1998 the line started as a collection of essential tees and then expanded to include jackets, lightweight sweaters, dresses and skirts. Lilla P is a collection "that is perfectly tailored for a casual lifestyle". That doesn't mean over sized tees in boring colours, but a collection of separates that are both flattering and functional. It's all about clean lines, great fabrics and the perfect fit. It's like they were reading my mind...

The company graciously gifted me one of their best sellers The Long Sleeve Origami Wrap in Emerald Green - Emerald Green is the Pantone colour of 2013. Love it when I'm ahead of a trend.

The Origami Wrap can be styled at least 13 ways. I've decided to create and model "The Classic".

One of my favourite combinations is Emerald Green and leopard. Once I saw this wrap I knew how I was going to style this look.

Just moving the ruching so it is...

Perfect.

Lilla P uses 100% Pima cotton which keeps its shape and colour wash after wash. While I am new to the line, my friends at Carriage Trade carry Lilla P. and they can vouch for the quality of the pieces. Kathleen has several Lilla P tees in a variety of colours and vouches for their quality. She loves to use them as layering pieces or for casual days about town.

I took a page out of Kathleen's book and paired it with this faux fur vest and belt. 

Now for some exciting news...Lilla P is graciously giving one of my readers a $100 gift card to shop their line! This giveaway is open to my US and Canadian readers only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Top - Lilla P

Jeans - Yoga Jeans

Shoes - Stuart Weitzman (old)

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelets - Stella & Dot, Ann Taylor (old)

Vest - Banana Republic

Belt - Cassis (old)

Chunky Knits & Banana Republic

I've been glued to my television trying to understand the tragedy in Sandy Hook. I've prayed and mourned for the families affected and have been hugging my children tight. Everything else has seemed so trivial. Life will get back to normal especially with the Christmas holiday season in full swing, however, a piece of the American nation has changed.

Just updating the blog with these pictures from my blog swap with Ana from The Suburban Peasant. 

These necklaces are designed and created by my friend Maya from Urge to Splurge. Maya graciously gifted the eternity necklace to me and I just had to have the aqua one. I really love how delicate Maya’s pieces are and how I can wear them with everything.

Sweater/Cardigan– Banana Republic (old)

Denim – Paige Denim (old)

Blouse – Joe Fresh

Booties – The Gap

Belt – Cassis (old)

Necklaces – Urge to Splurge

Handbag - Coach

Hell Just Froze Over...

I'm wearing a poncho and I like it. So yes, hell must have frozen over because I hate ponchos, except for this one. This one is from Banana Republic. It is a beautiful knit, keeps me warm and looks good. That's the thing...it LOOKS GOOD. The people at BR are calling it a cape, it is a proper poncho. Running errands and don't want the bulk of a coat? This is what you should wear. 

Just wanted to show you how it looks against lighter coloured clothing. That's why I love navy blue.

Poncho/Cape - Banana Republic (here)

Turtlenecks - The Gap (here)

Jeans - Yoga Jeans (here)

Chords - J Brand (old)

Booties - The Gap (here)

Shoes - Tory Burch (old)

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelet - Stella & Dot (here)