A Secret Clutch of Clutches

I am now going to let you all in on a little secret. I was torn as to whether I should let the cat out of the bag or not, but I think that fashion secrets should be shared. So, here it is: if you are on the hunt for a clutch bag, go to Banana Republic! I never would have guessed, but over the last couple of years, this really has been the best place to find well-made, unique, affordable, and of course, fashionable clutches.

Above are two clutches from spring/summer 2011. These remind me of Palm Beach in the 1960s, even though I have never been to Palm Beach and I wasn't around in the 1960s, but what is fashion without some fantasy? Not buying either of these is one my greatest regrets...

A trio of sparkly clutches.

Another offering from spring/summer 2011

A woven raffia clutch with a laquered wood closure from spring/summer 2010. I own this one, and I love it. It is the perfect finishing touch to almost any summer outfit.

An ostrich feather purse from the 2011 Holiday collection. If you are quick, maybe you can snag this one on sale!

A beaded black and silver option from the 2011 Holiday collection.

Above is the newest addition to my clutch collection. I have been searching for a gold clutch for about a year and this one finally came to me, as a lovely Christmas gift. This bronze, silver and gold bag is from the Holiday 2011 collection.

Shoe Art

The fabulous London-based designer Charlotte Dellal's latest offering from her shoe line, Charlotte Olympia, is as usual, swoon-worthy. At London's Fashion's Night Out back in September, Dellal could be found in her shop hand-painting some of her most famous shoes. Since it was such a hit, she carried the idea a step further. You can now custom order a pair of her signature Dolly platforms with a famous painting of your choice on it! AMAZING.on
Dollys inspired by Mondrian, Picasso, and Pollack





The famous primary colour-blocking of Piet Mondrian also made it onto a YSL dress in 1965.


The upper of the shoe features a famous artist, but the sole is all Charlotte Olympia, featuring her signature spiderweb.


I love the Jackson Pollack shoes!







The Picasso Dollys are the most popular, but personally, I like them the least.
All of the shoes were hand-painted by famous British artist and photographer, Boyarde Messenger. For more information on the artist, visit http://www.boyarde.com/. If only my biggest problem was choosing between the Pollack and the Mondrian!

Tis The Season!

Tis the season for Christmas parties! And you all know what that means...tis the season to buy a new party outfit! There are so many options out there, it makes me wish that I had a million parties to go to so that I could wear a million different outfits. Last year, for New Year's Eve I had the worst time trying to find the right dress. My approach was to buy the shoes first (amazing red suede YSL's, as seen on last year's Christmas wish list), and then find the perfect Little Black Dress. I couldn't manage to find anything that did the shoes justice, until my friend Jennie lent me her Helmut Lang ruched number with an asymmetrical lace sleeve. I loved it so much that I convinced her to sell it to me!
This year, my plan was to base my outfit around some amazing shoes again! Unfortunately, as shocking as it may sound, I cannot find the right shoes!!! Nothing in Holt Renfrew is inspiring me, Gravity Pope doesn't really have any WOW shoes, and everywhere else seems cheap. This year it seems that the clothing side of the outfit is coming along better. I think that I am opting out of the dress. Instead, I am going Bianca Jagger syle in a jumpsuit! I got an amazing tuxedo style one from Judith and Charles, and I have my eye on a Rory Beca romper, with long sleeves.


I was thinking of wearing the romper with grey snakeskin effect Wolford tights that I got last year, and my grey Camilla Skovgaard open-toe booties.




The only thing that makes me hesitant to wear these, is that pale grey leather can be risky in a situation where drinks could be spilled. That being said, I have no idea where I will actually be going, if anywhere.

I feel that sequins are a bit tired for holiday parties, and it's mmore interesting to wear something more unexpected. So, what are you going to wear????? And also, if you have seen a purse anywhere that might go with the outfit I mentioned above, please let me know!

Caped Crusaders

I know that most little boys understand the allure of the cape. It represents a hero, and often one with superhuman powers. Batman wears one, Superman wears one, I think that Green Hornet, or Lantern or whatever probably wears one too. Sadly, my favorite superhero, Catwoman doesn't wear one. Neither does Wonderwoman. This seems totally unfair. Why don't the girls don't get to wear capes? Well, they do now! Seen on the fall runways at Dior, Alexander Wang, Jean Paul Gaultier, Chloe, and many more, the cape has become a solid second option to the more traditional coat. Not just for comic book heros anymore, now you can be your own superhero in a cape, with your super power being your astute fashion sense.

A strong cape at Christian Dior RTW Fall 2011. Very superhero.



A fairytale princess cape at Chloe. I would like to be wearing this if I ever got lost in some snowy woods. How could the handsome Prince Charming resist me in this gorgeous cape?


Jean Paul Gaultier Couture Fall 2011. This is a good choice for the girl who might not be fully convinced on the cape trend, it's half coat, half cape!



A cape at Alexander Wang. Also love the booties!

An eveningwear option at Giambattista Valli Fall 2011.


So, ladies get on your capes, and get ready to wield your fashion super powers!

Fall 2011 Shopping List

Here in Calgary, it would seem that fall is upon us. Rather than being sad that summer is over and winter is looming ever closer, I am choosing to focus on the positive. This includes crisp air, beautiful foliage, pumpkin pie, Halloween, and best of all...the fall collections. I'm starting to figure out what I want my look to be this fall and winter, and so I will share with you my fall shopping list.






The must-have shoes of the season, the high-heeled loafer is trend that I plan on getting on board with. This style is a gorgeous tan nubuck from Boutique 9. If you plan on trying this trend, be sure that you go for a really high heel, or you will risk looking quite frumpy.


I also picked myself up a gorgeous blonde coloured fox fur vest. The fur vest is an extremely versatile piece, as the lovely ladies above show. Kate Moss dresses hers up for a more formal occasion, pairing it with opaque tights, a mini-dress and Louboutins. Kim Kardashian goes more casual with leggings, aviators, and some long necklaces. Never one to be too dressed down, she tops her look off with YSL pumps and a Birkin. I also love the fur vest worn with jeans and boots for the weekend. For a more affordable option, you could always go for faux fur, but be sure its not a cheap-looking version. I would avoid Forever 21 for this. I have an amazing faux mink jacket that I got a couple years ago at Winners. It fools everyone, and feels nice and silky.




A fedora is the hat of the season. Shown here at Gucci in every colour of the rainbow, a jaunty feather makes this hat even more daring. I think I am after a grey one...



This Camilla Skovgaard wedge bootie is perfect to wear in winter underneath my '70s flared jeans. The chunky rubber sole makes it extremely comfy, too.

So, what's on your list this fall?

Gucci Fall 2011

One of my favorite collections for the fall 2011 season has to be Gucci. Frida Giannini continued with the strong seventies influence that she sent down the runway for spring, and I love it! This time around, though, it's more seventies via the forties. With the influence of this collection, I will be channeling Bianca Jagger: the Studio 54 years, for fall.



Some spice-coloured looks



I wish my biggest problem was trying to choose which colour...

I love the loose, fluid pants and the fedora!

Hot, hot, hot! Note the green snakeskin shoes: love!

A fuscia 1940s look.

Sigh....so pretty....

So cute! The non-trampy way to do an over-the-knee boot. I already have a pair of grey over-the-knee socks, so I'm going to do this look with socks! Much more affordable than boots.

Bianca and Mick at Studio 54 in the seventies.

I wanna party at Studio 54!

On my fall shopping list is a fedora, a jumpsuit, and snakeskin! What's on your list?

Charlotte Olympia Fall 2011: To Die For

For her fall 2011 collection, shoe designer Charlotte Olympia turned to Agatha Christie's world of dark intrigue for inspiration. Aptly titled "To Die For," the collection includes her signature sky-high platform heels in sumptuous leathers, suedes, satin, and velvet. Always with a touch of whimsy, many of the styles brought a smile to my face. Unfortunately (well, fortunately for my wallet), they are still not available anywhere in Canada. The website will ship them to you for an extra 100 pounds, which is a bit much as the shoes are already quite pricey. For now, I will have to leave them to fantasy...






Agatha in red. I am currently really into super chunky high-heeled loafer styles, and this is a super feminine take on the trend.







Bruce in black. Bruce is the store mascot at the Charlotte Olympia flagship store. He is a carved wooden leopard. And now he's on a shoe!






Alice Siamese. One leopard bootie, one tiger bootie! Would you wear these?

Carmen, in a gorgeous teal velvet with ostrich embossing. Amaze!

Cindy Piano. A quirky design, typical of the Charlotte Olympia. I once had neon pink biker shorts with a piano up the leg...not sure I can go there again, but maybe you would!

The Orient Express...I can't decide which colour I love more! I'm leaning towards the blue...but it depends on the outfit!

Polly in leopard pony hair. LOVE! Red and leopard go together like cheese and crackers.

Priscilla in black and gold stripes. This would be a perfect party shoe to jazz up your LBD.

Priscilla in purple. I love the little fan detail on the vamp.


Lydia in green. I would love to see this with a colour-blocking look. Maybe paired with bright blue or yellow.



Bruce the leopard, featured in the "To Die For" look book.
To see more of this fabulous collection please visit www.charlotteolympia.com

Summer Beachwear Trends 2011

It's beach time! Or, if you don't live near any beaches, it's pool time! Just like the clothes you wear, you don't want your swimwear to be outdated. So, here is what I have determined to be the biggest trends in swimwear, et al for summer 2011. I plan on spending as much time wearing a swimsuit as possible this summer!

Diane Von Furstenburg vinatage two-piece. The first big swimwear trend of 2011 is vintage pin-up. This DVF ones totally reminds me of the orginal Barbie from 1959! A '50s-style swimsuit flatters a curvy figure.


Barbie in 1959. She even has beach accessories, I love it!






Christian Dior sunglasses. Cat-eye frames are the perfect compliment to a vintage beach look.


Emma Stone wearing a vintage-inspired Marc by Marc Jacobs swimsuit on the August cover of Vanity Fair.


Elizabeth Taylor in a ruffled bikini. Tres chic!

The other big trend for beachwear that I LOVE is a very glamorous rich-lady look. Michael Kors did this best. This look often features leather trimmings, gold hardward, animal prints (espeically snakeskin, if you want to be bang-on trend for 2011) and of course, huge sunglasses.

Michael Kors spring 2011 print ad. Love the leather detailing on the one-piece.

Python, one of the biggest trend for spring, carrying through into fall, is an easy way to look super-glam. One shoulder maillot by Michael Kors.

Michael Kors does the bikini version. Love this!

Vix leopard print bikini. I own this one, and it comes with a detachable halter strap. I love the ruffles on the top and the turqouise detail.

A glam beach look requires a big hat. This striped Prada hat does the trick.

Elizabeth Taylor in an adorable ruffled bikini