While there very well might only be 4 more weeks of winter, being from Calgary makes me a little cynical about the weather. I’ve come to terms with the fact that it could snow any month of the year and I’ll probably be wearing boots much longer than Punxsutawney Phil predicts, but that doesn’t mean I’m not craving flats. As the shoe stores begin to stock shelf after shelf of their adorableness, I’m left cursing Mother Nature for the blustery snow I’m seeing out my window.

Until the sun is shining and the temperature rises enough to expose the tops of my feet, I’m left admiring the plethora of flats retailers have to offer this year.  With most shops carrying inexpensive options, it’s easy to stock up on styles that fit with (and add some style to) all your favorite outfits.  Flats are one of those items that can be worn to subtly incorporate a season’s hottest trends, and there’s so much goodness out there you don’t have to kill your feet in 5 inch heels to look good.

With flats in everyone’s price range, it’s hard to resist these adorable shoes, making it easy to buy one (or ten) pairs to add to your wardrobe.  And hey, if you’re from a colder region like myself, they may even be on sale by the time you can FINALLY wear them. Read More »

I'm on a bleepin' bleepin' boat

According to reliable sources – namely, Punxsatawney Phil – there are still six weeks left of winter. That’s six more weeks of singing the winter blues as we trek to class in our layers upon layers trying to avoid frostbite while still looking cute. Worst of all, that’s six weeks of craving cute spring clothes that retailers are dangling in front of us while we lug our winter coats around the mall.

The tail end of winter sure does suck.

But, it doesn’t have to! Looking to the Resort 2010 collections (also known as Pre-Spring), there are many trends that can be incorporated into our winter looks while still channeling the feeling of warm months to come. What better way to kick those winter blues (covered in icicles) than with nautical clothes? Who wouldn’t rather be on a boat (bustin’ 5 knots, wind whippin’ out my coat) than braving the winter weather?

OK, so putting on some madras and a pair of Rainbows isn’t exactly possible right now, but it’s really easy to incorporate some nautical looks into your winter wardrobe with a little creative layering. Tights, long sleeve shirts and cardigans makes it possible to enjoy nautical clothes now, and then you can strip that stuff off when the snow (finally) melts in the spring. Need a little fashion warm-up? Let’s hit the high seas! Read More »

There are very few things sexier than a stiletto heel. Stilettos give off a “femme fatale” image; “femme” in the way they enhance your legs and “fatale” in the way that if you fall in them you could die. But that’s a risk this girl is willing to take for the beauty of a stiletto heel.

There are a million different stilettos, combining every trend imaginable.  For the trend-shy gal with impeccable balance, wearing a stiletto with instantly add flair to an outfit.  And for everyone else, stilettos are the easiest way to spice up an otherwise ho-hum ‘fit, as well as experiment with different trends.  And though they are not practical for everyday wear (unless you’re Posh Spice), they are always little pieces of art. Seriously, when I’m not wearing them, my shoes double as beautiful bookends. Now that’s what I call multipurpose!

With so many gorgeous possibilities there truly is a pair of stilettos for everyone (or every outfit). Here are a few pairs that have recently left me drooling. I want, I want, I want! Read More »

In my mind, the second best part of going back to school as a kid was buying new school supplies (second, only to buying new clothes). While you might have swapped your Lisa Frank bright-colored-animal-covered notebooks for a laptop, it doesn’t mean that you can’t still have fun with your school stuff. If you have any distance to walk to class, chances are you have to haul your books. This year, why not buy yourself a new schoo lbag to make this trek more enjoyable?

There’s the perfect bag for everyone (or bags for your every mood). For the sporty gal there’s the ever useful backpack that will be easy to carry even if you’re ten minutes late and need to haul ass. For the fashionista there’s the less practical, but ever fashionable satchel. If you take your laptop to class, there tons of solutions with laptop compartments. No matter what your style, your price range, or your needs for a school bag, there’s something out there for you. Read More »

[I used to show you how to pull off runway trends in the series "Rock the Look." In this new series, I'll be taking a different item you probably already have in your closet each week and showing you three new ways to wear it. After all, the best shopping tip anyone will give you is to only buy pieces that work with something you already own.]

A t-shirt is probably something you wear to the gym, or to class with a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie. However, that plain, boring black tee has a lot of fashion potential.

Here, I used this black t-shirt from American Eagle Outfitters to create three cute outfits that anyone could pull off. Here are three new ways to rock a plain t-shirt: Read More »

Along with the spring fashion trends, it’s (almost) time to break out the new shoe styles and this spring shoe styles are all about fun, fun, fun. Here’s what to be on the look out for… Read More »

Cutouts are a sexy trend seen on both the spring and fall 2009 runways, so if you feel comfortable showing some skin, then rocking this look is definitely a must this year.

Just make sure you’re not showing off too much. If you’re wearing a cutout top, pair it with jeans. If you’re wearing a dress, make sure it’s not super short and/or pair it with tights to offset the bare skin already visible on your upper half. There’s a fine line between sexy and slutty, so tread carefully. Read More »

With spring fast approaching (it’s mid-March already?), the floral trend is once again in full swing. Although most people are fairly familiar with this repetitive trend, there are a few things to keep in mind when you’re rocking petals on your outfit.

Here are the 3 biggest tips for keeping florals feminine and sophisticated:

1. Watch the colors you choose for florals. When you pick out a floral-printed piece, make sure you have an item that will go with it and match at least one of the colors.

2. Choose floral patterns that are proportionate to your size and shape. If you are small or big, wearing a huge flower pattern will make you look more so. Also, rock florals on a part of your body you want to bring attention to, not the ones you want people to ignore!

3. To avoid looking like you just escaped from the nursing home, pick floral items in soft, flowing materials such as silk. And make sure they skim your curves but don’t look too tight. Read More »

[Do you ever feel like you can’t pull something off? Have trendy pieces in your closet that you would never have the courage to actually wear out? Well take those pieces out, shake off the dust, and continue reading!

In this series, I will choose a different piece that can be difficult to incorporate into an outfit and give you ideas on how to wear it. If there’s anything you would like to read about in the future, please leave a comment!]

Ruffles always look so elegant and feminine – but that’s not why I love them so much. The best part about ruffles is that they can balance out your body. Small bust and big hips? Put on a top with some ruffles and – poof – an instant chest! Need to add some oomph to your bottom half? Throw on a ruffled skirt! Seen on the runways of Givenchy, Just Cavalli, Giambattista Valli, and others, ruffles are possibly the easiest way to emphasize and enlarge areas that you want to be on display while making other ares (i.e. your waist) appear slimmer. Read More »

[Do you ever feel like you can’t pull something off? Have trendy pieces in your closet that you would never have the courage to actually wear out? Well take those pieces out, shake off the dust, and continue reading!

In this series, I will choose a different piece that can be difficult to incorporate into an outfit and give you ideas on how to wear it. If there’s anything you would like to read about in the future, please leave a comment!]

Previously worn only by tattooed biker chicks, leather jackets have become a must-have item for fall. Stylish and comfortable, the leather jacket is the perfect substitute for that tired North Face fleece.

Although they are a little bit pricey, leather jackets are a worthwhile investment since there are so many different ways to rock them. The above crop leather motorcycle jacket from Victoria’s Secret is $198, but it works with so many outfits that it will be a splurge you won’t regret.

Here are four ways to rock the leather jacket: Read More »