I have always been a total sucker for Christmas. The colours are brighter. The fires are warmer. The lattes come in far better flavours. There are countless opportunities for dress-up and no one scoffs at you when you get a little more glam than the occasion requires. Also - and it's a bit embarrassing - I am frequently overcome with the urge to start singing 'Baby it's Cold Outside' and dance on the street with any available and dashing garcon (my friend Matt once briefly indulged me after a few too many pints and it was more or less the MOST fabulous of sloshed experiences).
So while I am currently putting most of my shopping energy into finding presents for all those wonderful people on my list, here are a few of the things I am loving about this time of year....
Devouring new issues of British Vogue and rediscovering old ones.
Oh, and also finding myself very drawn to a pair of patent 'slipper' style shoes. Sophisticated androgynous? Yes please.
Choosing which glittery dress to wear and stumbling upon vintage accessories courtesy of my grandma.
Snuggling up with a fantastic new novel in my Joe Fresh jammies (yes, I wear matching PJs....but you guys, they feel like heaven, don't shrink and are ridiculously inexpensive. It's love at first slumber).
Giving into the urge to wear my Jules Power headband when I get home and am puttering around my room....because it's as good a reason as any :)
My love for Joe Fresh tights started last fall. After repeatedly buying fancy lingerie store hosiery only to have them tear within a week, I decided I could no longer give into the silliness and on a trip to the Loblaws Superstore, I picked up a $5 pair of Joe Fresh tights. The first time I wore them I was late for an important dinner and in my rush from the parking lot to the restaurant, my leg brushed against a random bush of BURS. I was horrified. Not only was I late, but I was going to have to either walk into the restaurant with my prickly friend attached to my leg OR an enormous run in my tights. I held my breath as I took them off but the joke was on me - my Joe tights showed no signs of damage and I.was.hooked. They're perfect for fall and so inexpensive you feel zero guilt about buying them in every colour - betcha can't buy just one ;)
Dress: Massimo Dutti (a brand I fell in love with in Belgium)
Scarf: Jules Power
Tights: Joe Fresh
Shoes: Calvin Klein
Last night was LOU LOU's Shop 'til you drop Toronto event, which invited the most serious of shoppers to visit the participating Yorkville stores such as Jacob and BCBGMAXAZRIA for gift bags, photobooths and tasty treats among other surprises. While each location was filled to the brim with happy shoppers, there is no denying that Joe Fresh was the star of the night. The pop-up store at 151 Bloor St West had shoppers waiting patiently in a line that rivaled those found at Canada's Wonderland - we women will do quite a bit for gorgeous clothes at jaw-dropping price points...
Once inside, shoppers were greeted with drinks, appetizers and fantastic Canadian fashion. A mix that was certainly worth the wait.
Photo: Joe Fresh Spring 2010 - life.com
This weekend's weather was amazing. The kinda hot that makes putting on a bikini, grabbing a beer (the beers in Quebec have average at about 8% alcohol content - so great right?!) and reading a book/fashion mag the only reasonable thing worth doing. So that's what I did. But now I'm back in french school and shamefully realizing how long it has been since I have written here. In my defense, the days are full, constantly trying to speak in french is kind of really tiring and, um, in a town without much retail/fashion/anything other than a few restaurants/bars it is apparently kind of hard to be inspired! But again - sorry!
Anyways, I need to talk about a timeless clothing piece of the hothotheat - the miniskirt. Arguably the most flattering of them all (your legs look longer when there is less covering them, which for most women is a fantastic blessing) the miniskirt is also responsible for many, MANY a fashion disaster (please google any photos of Britney, Paris, or Lilo exiting a limo to fully understand how devastating the outcomes of a too-short mini can be.....but, um, also only do this if you are above the age of 18....).
The following is a list of things to keep in mind when dressing in your short skirt. Because let's admit it, a few of us Canadian girls have a tendency to get carried away when the warm weather hits.
1) Do not wear your skirt if the pockets are hanging out from the bottom. That means it is TOO SHORT (other clues include having someone say you have great butt cleavage, or feeling your whole rear stick to the leather/wicker/plastic of whatever seat you have chosen).
2) If it is VERY hot outside and you are victim to lower back sweat, wear NOTHING but black. It doesn't matter that black absorbs heat, it is much easier to handle that than everyone else noticing how your skirt is forming a dark patch.
3) Appropriate underwear is VERY important. A few people argue that thongs are the way to go but I happen to think your best bet is the seamless boy short (seamless also implies will NOT bunch) because it prevents any accidental exposure.
4) Flowy short skirts are stupid if there is wind. Do not wear them unless the atmosphere is at an absolute STANDSTILL or unless you are completely certain that you have no need for you hands.
5) If you're showing off your gams, be a little more covered up when it comes to cleavage. Showing off everything during the summer is what bikinis where pretty much made for.
There it is! My list of suggestions! Hope you are all taking advantage of this weather and loveloveloving your short skirts.
