8 Under $20: Tights

I love tights. They not only keep me warm during the winter, but they’re also a fun way to express my personal style and give my outfit a little extra pizzazz.

Tights have been pretty popular for a few seasons now (thank god – no one wants to wear their annoying sister, hose, during the cold months) and there are tons of different styles out there ranging from funky to sexy to feminine. The surprising news is, tights can get really pricey. I’m not sure how something that rips so easily can cost so much, but I am not the one making the rules. Luckily, there are plenty of affordable options that don’t skimp on the style, and here are a few choices that will look fab without hurting your wallet. Read More »

Wardrobe Wish List: American Eagle Canvas Moto Jacket

As stores begin to release their spring lines, I am finding myself torn.

Of course I can barely contain my excitement at the thought of wearing floral mini dresses and buying a pair of the must-have pastel jeans. But then I catch a glimpse of my leather jacket thrown over my chair and feel a pang of guilt.

Will my go-to winter pieces ever understand that I don’t have a choice? Come spring I will be forced to stuff away my motorcycle jacket in a box with my cashmere sweater and leather boots, and lock them away until next winter. And for a while I will forget about them, too excited by the fact that white pants and open toed shoes are back in my wardrobe. And they will sit there, cold and lonely, until the snow begins to fall once again. Read More »

Grammy Red Carpet: The Good, The Bad and The Gaga

The Grammy red carpet is probably my favorite of the season.  Though attendees of the Golden Globes and Oscars are better dressed overall, those at the Grammys bring the good, the bad and the outrageous (and the booze).  The dramatic dressers of the music industry bring out their weird and wonderful performance-esque outfits, blurring the line between stage-worthy and red carpet-appropriate.

While the Grammy’s 52nd red carpet leaves lots for us to tweet about (including a dress with its own hash tag), choosing the best category was definitely difficult this year. Choosing the WTF, however, was a total breeze. Read More »

CC Beauty Live: Daytime Colors

If there’s one question I get asked (as the resident beauty expert in my group of friends) it’s, “What colors can I wear during the day?” I’ve heard this question A LOT and my answer is always the same:

Wear any color you want!

If you feel like wearing green, do it! Blue, do it (carefully – you don’t want to channel the 80s here)! Honestly, whatever color you want to use during the day, you can. As long as you do it right. And with my help, doing it right and looking good will be easy.

In this video, I’ve outlined some ways to incorporate color into your daytime makeup without looking like you’re going out (or coming home…..). I definitely encourage the use of fun colors to spice up your look, so don’t be afraid to try it! Read More »

From CollegeFashion: Bright, Awake Looking Eyes

I am not a morning person. Never have been, never will be. And it shows on my face in the form of dark circles and tired eyes.

Even though I always want to crawl back into my comfy bed and get more rest, I know that with a touch of the right makeup I can instantly fix that problem. As a girl, I know that no matter how tired I am, I always want to look my best. Therefore, here is a tutorial on how to achieve that bright-eyed, wide-awake look. Even if you received zero hours of sleep, with these steps, nobody will be able to tell! Read More »

Budget Stylista: Wear The Rainbow

Let’s face it: in these wintery months looking somewhat presentable takes way, wayyy too much effort. When there’s 5 inches of snow on the ground and a 15-minute walk to class ahead of me, the last thing I want to do is think about cute shoes, cute pants… cute anything. And I know you’re all with me cause I’ve seen you walking around campus looking just as hideous and sloppy as I do…

BUT (obviously there’s a “but”; this is the way we look, after all) you can make that throw-on outfit (jeans, boots and a white or black top) instantly fabulous with a simple pop of color. And the best way to do that? A big, bold, bright bag.

There are so many great and afforable bags out there that allow you to have a little fun with your basic winter wardrobe. Add some life to the drab and slushy streets or those so-effing-cold-you-don’t-wanna-leave-the-house-but-you-wanna-get-your-drink-on-so-you-throw-on-a-big-black-sweater winter nights. Whatever you’re doing, there are tons of awesome bags in every color of the rainbow. It’s like Skittles, only instead of making you fat it will make you fashionable.

Here are just a few of my favorite bags that will take your look from blah to bomb. As in the bomb. Read More »

Fashion Porn: Blazer Orgy

There are a few basic items that every girl should have in her closet. A pair of Alexander McQueen alien shoes is not one of them, but the blazer most definitely is. Being a super versatile item, the blazer can transition for almost every facet of your life. If you’re applying for a job or internship, the blazer instantly adds a professional flair to an outfit. On the other hand, if you wear a blazer over a t-shirt or with jeans, it dresses up (and cool-ifies) an otherwise casual outfit.

Maybe that explains why blazers are so very popular right now, especially the boyfriend variety. It’s like the jacket your boyfriend (or another male in your life) might hang over your shoulders if you get cold, only much more feminine and much more chic.  The popularity of this style proves while we can’t count on boys to be chivalrous, we can count on their styles to make us look hot.

While most people tend to gravitate towards the basic black blazer, there really is a huge variety out there. From cuts to colors to patterns, everyone can (and should!) find the perfect blazer to add to their clothing collection: Read More »

Campus Couture: Taylor, Ryerson

[While everyone is fabulous in their own right, we thought we should celebrate the campus fashionistas of the world for their continued excellence in not looking like a hot mess for class. So, we started stalking those girls on campus to get a few pics and get some tips on their personal style.

And maybe a restraining order or two.

But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in.]

I met Taylor a year ago and after attending a university where everyone showed up to class in their sweats or PJ pants, her look was a breath of fresh air. Her style is a unique blend of thrifted and vintage with new basic pieces, and a collection of accessories that add perfectly to every outfit.

Like many fashionistas, when I met Taylor she had a signature accessory, the headband.  Though she has since abandoned the now mainstream hair accessory, she is constantly incorporating new accessories into her looks.  On this particular day, her black fedora perfectly topped off her outfit, making this look truly Taylor. As well, Taylor is one of the few people that pulls off denim on denim. And she looks damn good doing it. Her faded jean jacket with dark skinny jeans are the perfect combination. In our often unpredictable Canadian climate, Taylor always layers. Her tip: “longer loose layers juxtaposed with more tailored pieces.” Read More »

I Love Your Style: Leigh Lezark

Who inspires your style? Or better question, WHAT inspires your style? Many of us use movie characters (like Penny Lane) or celebrities (like Khloe Kardashian) as style inspiration, even though, most of the time, they are being dressed from head to toe by the best stylists. Which we don’t have. And sometimes it’s damn near impossible to work their Hollywood looks into our not-so-Hollywood lives. I’ve made it my mission to tap into the mind of a fashion stylist and show you how to take your style inspiration – whatever it may be – and make it more you!

I’m just going to start this off by saying I would have absolutely no qualms switching lives with Leigh Lezark for a day, or a month, or longer.

I don’t remember how or when I first heard her name, but I immediately wished my name was an alliteration that easily rolled off the tongue like hers. Too bad we can’t always get what we want (thanks, parents!). On the bright side, something we can achieve is her effortlessly bad-ass sense of style.

For those of you still wondering, Leigh Lezark is a DJ in the trio Misshapes in New York City.  Oh yeah, and she’s a model.  Yes, a DJ and a model.  Très, très jaloux (which is French for, I’m mad envious).

DJ Leigh and her Misshapes posse like to bump electronica and indie rock.  They are also known to attract the Hispter crowd, but I try to stay open-minded to the boundary-pushing that she, and her party-mates, tend to inspire people with. I just love their sound. I also find Leigh Lezark incredibly chic, cool and mysterious with her all-black ensembles, signature jet-black bob and aversion to ever smiling in a photograph. And while The Misshapes tend to dress in some brands that are a bit out of my league (Alexandre Herchcovitch, House of Holland, Imitation of Christ, Jeremy Scott, Obesity and Speed, Pleasure Principle, to name a few), I’m going to toss some more affordable options in your general direction.

Because you don’t have to spend like a DJ/model to dress like one. Read More »

8 Under $20: Hair Accessories

Though grossly under-rated, hair accessories might be one of the best ways to spice up an outfit and add a special flair. Cheaper than a hot pair of shoes and more practical than a bunch of bangles, headbands and hairpins do double duty: they accessorize and pull that hair out of your face.

Whether you’re looking for something rocker chic, vintage, boho or classic, there are adorable hair pieces out there at super cheap prices. So instead of spending $30 on a shirt you will really only wear once, why not spend $20 and load up on some hair accessories that will enhance the stuff you’ve already got hanging in that closet? Read More »