My Shopping Challenge

So this year, instead of a new years resolution, I decided to challenge myself to a little shopping detox. I took a vow to not buy any news clothes until I've worn every single outfit in my closet (with the exception of some formal dresses).

We are quickly approaching March and I have yet to get through all of my clothes. Crazy, right? I'm not allowed to shop yet, but I still like to browse.

Check out these three items from Shopbop that I am seriously coveting. Maybe it's time to reward myself? Humm...

Heidi Merrick, Huntington Dress, $453.81 on Shopbop

This beautiful Heidi Merrick, Huntington Dress is something I can picture myself wearing all summer long! You can pick up this gorgeous frock at Shopbop for $453.81. I would pair this with natural looking makeup and a high ponytail.

Cut25 Sleeveless Dress, $306.35 on Shopbop

I am dying over this grenadine coloured silk dress! Throw on a navy blazer and this is the perfect office look. Then lose the blazer for some after work patio martinis! Bring on the summer!

Only a couple of size left at Shopbop for $306.35.

Helmut Lang, Hi Low Button Down Blouse, $275.19 on Shopbop

Last but not least, this Helmut Lang blouse is pretty much the most amazing thing I've seen in a while. I love it! And I would totally pair it with the exact pants in the picture too, then I would load up on accessories. Topped off with some Chanel "June" polish and this look is complete. The blouse is available at Shopbop for $275.19. 

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A Tommy Hilfiger Kinda Christmas

This Tommy Hilfiger Christmas ad is super fun.

Enjoy!

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Versace for H&M Has Arrived!!

What a morning! I'm not even sure how it happened. I woke up, took London out, was thinking "should I go?" unsure if I was ready to let my wallet face the temptation. Before I knew it, I was at H&M. 

I arrived around 9am, thinking I would just walk by and see if there was anything even left over. Long story short, I ended up being ninth in a line, standing outside H&M waiting for the lucky bracelet holders go be finished with the clothes. We were all eyeing the dresses and accessories that we hoped they wouldn't take first. 

Finally around 12:30pm, it was our turn. 

Lineup Behind Us

I ended up with the red flower ring, and the black dress I've been talking about nonstop. Only problem is, when I returned home and actually tried on the dress, it was a little (more like a lot) too tight. So I'm going to go back in a few days and see if I can exchange it.

H&M Staff Manning the Fort 

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Versace and H&M launch is days away

I've learned my lesson after last year's Lanvin and H&M collaboration. This Saturday I'm going to be at H&M early.

I'm particularly looking forward to trying on this little black number, pictured below.

Versace hasn't even officially launched yet and there's already whispers of Tom Ford being the next designer collaborator. I don't want to get my hopes up, but if this is true... well let's just say the Stanley Cup riots will be nothing in comparison to the fashionistas on the prowl for some Tom Ford. We're talking about one seriously cut-throat shopping extravaganza. But I digress.

Below is the video for the Versace and H&M collaboration. I like it, but maintain that the Matthew Williamson video is the best one so far.

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Sale at Club Monaco!

Possibly the sweetest four words a girl like me could ever hear; "sale at Club Monaco".

One of my absolute favourite stores, Club Monaco, has some fresh mark-down's, and I picked up these two skirts for a steal of a deal.

On sale for $89

Marked down from $199 to $99

I'm feeling inspired to start writing my Christmas list...

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Zeha Berlin Does it Again

Zeha Berlin's Tall Slip-In Riding Boots (548)
$620 at Gravity Pope

Zeha Berlin has stolen my heart, once again, and I fear it won't be returned until I cave and buy these boots. Sounds like a win-win situation to me.

Everyone is talking about how this is going to be the coldest winter Vancouver has seen in years. They never tire of complaining about old Jack Frost. I'm not a huge fan of being cold either, but I definitely AM a fan of stylish clothes. If warming myself up this winter season, means walking around town in these gorgeous boots, well say no more.

These Zeha Berlin's are exclusively sold at Gravity Pope and Asphalt Shoes and come in a range of vegetable dyed colours. 

Additional Fall/Winter styles are available at Lark and Umeboshi.

PS- check back in the comming days for details of a Zeha Berlin and an Aunts and Uncles sample sale. Christmas came early this year ladies!!

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Style Says

Remember in Mean Girls when the plastics tell Cady they would never buy a skirt without consulting in their friends first? Well I hate to associate myself with the plastics, but I must admit, I always need a second opinion before I splurge on a purchase. (Side-note: Who am I kidding? I love Regina George)

With my besties now scattered around the globe, it makes a trip to the mall next to impossible. Lucky for me this little gem came across my inbox.

Style Says is a social media platform for fashionistas. Basically, you shop at your fav online boutiques, and when something catches your eye, you can share it with your friends (so they can tell you how adorable you'll look in it). Nothing like a little peer pressure to get something off of your wish list and into your shopping cart.

The site has lots of great features too like notifying you when your must-haves go on sale, or when free shipping is available. Plus, they're running a contest right now to win a one month ShoeDazzle subscription for two friends. All you have to do is visit their Facebook page and select a friend to enter with.

Check out the video below for a breakdown of Style Says:


StyleSays 101 from StyleSays on Vimeo.

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Colour Blocking

I'm the kind of girl who is most comfortable sporting the colours grey, cream or black, with maybe a soft pink or purple to "spice" it up. So you can imagine my anxiety when I realized that colour blocking is making a comeback.

Not only does this mean I should add something bold to my wardrobe, but on top of that, I should pair it up with something else equally bold? Bold + Bold = Me over thinking my outfit choices. 

However, my fashion anxiety came to a halt after a recent trip to Shopbop. This Jill Stuart dress makes me wish I had embraced colour blocking years ago. Seriously, could this outfit be any more adorbs? 

At $645.61 it's a bit of a splurge, but I can totally picture myself wearing this into the fall with a cute cardi or even a tailored blazer. If you're as smitten as I am, you can purchase this frock here. (And feel free to lend it to me, wink wink).

Some of the other colour blocking looks I'm coveting from Shopbop below:

3.1 Phillip Lim top, $257.01

Diane von Furstenberg dress, $385.52

Marc by Marc Jacobs cardigan, $306.36

I guess I should start saving.

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Marc by Marc Jacobs "Aid for AIDS" tees

I am definitely digging the recently launched Marc by Marc Jacobs Aid for AIDS tees.

As a person who works in the HIV/AIDS field, I was especially interested and cannot wait to get my hands on one.

I'm particularly loving the angel print, but at $35 a piece I could splurge and buy all three!

I've tried to purchase online, however the Marc Jacobs online boutique seems to either be down, or sold out of the coveted tops. Fingers crossed that Holt's will carry them.

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Bows

They're not just for Lady Gaga anymore...

Being the girly girl that I am, I tend to embrace all feminine trends with welcome arms. Case in point, this season's obsession with bows. 

I first noticed this trend while riding the bus (Gasp! Who knew public transit was the place to be spotting fashionistas?), and these adorable Prada ballerina flats (pictured below) caught my eye immediately. The picture doesn't do them justice because in real life these are shoes you stop and say "wow" to. I mean, you see flats a hundred times a day but there's something about this pair that really stuck out for me. 

Next stop was some good old fashioned We Heart It surfing where I came across this simple bun. I loved how adding the bow turned a lazy look into something more put together. I immediately had to recreate this for myself. A girl like me rocks the high bun at least once or twice a week, and I am loving the idea of dressing that up. 

I have an old Louis Vuitton bandeau from a few years ago that I had been trying to find a new way to wear and this was perfect for it. Having worn the look a few times now, I can say with certainty this is the easiest way to look like you put a lot of effort into your hair, when you've really just rolled out of bed.

If you're more of an understated bow kind of gal, fear not; when I say bows are popping up everywhere, I mean everywhere! Check out some of the looks below and let me know how you plan on working it this season.

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Tavi Gevinson - Certainly Not a Rookie

Throughout the last couple of years there has been a certain pint sized fashion blogger catching the attention of everyone from Anna Wintour to, well... literally anyone who is anyone in the industry. Tavi Gevinson, who turns 15 in April, has been blogging since the ripe old age of 11.

A quick Google search produces pictures of Tavi with Gwen Stefani, Karl Lagerfeld, Anna Wintour and Marc Jacobs. Tavi sits front row at the hottest shows in the world and is a muse for some of the industry's most celebrated designers.

I first heard of Tavi in late 2009 and couldn't help but immediately love her geeky admiration of the fashion world. Last night, while I was watching some PVR'd goodies from Fashion TV, I found Tavi interviewing Alexander Wang and realized I had never blogged about her. This had to be corrected straight away.

Her blog, The Style Rookie, has the voice of someone too mature to be a pre-teen, not to mention the opinion of someone who is seriously knowledgeable about fashion, fabrics and cuts.

If the last four years are any indication of Tavi's venture to a career in fashion, we can be assured to expect great things from this stylish 14 year old.

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Paper Crown

Back in 2005, I (and many other girls across North America) stumbled upon a TV show that no matter how bad or cheesy it got, we just couldn't help but become obsessed. Of course, I'm talking about none other than Laguna Beach.

Love her or hate her, Lauren Conrad, (better known as LC) has been hard at work since her departure from Laguna spinoff The Hills, writing books, creating a new reality show (which was famously dropped) and developing her fashion ventures. Her most recent venture being a new clothing line called Paper Crown. The Fashionista recently posted the complete look book for Paper Crown on their site, and I must say, the clothes are good!

The feel of Paper Crown is a lot of flowing fabrics for a comfortably pretty look.

No word on where the line will be sold (if at all in Canada?) but I am admittedly loving more than one of these ensembles! Below are a couple of looks that I am particularly fond of. Definitely check out the entire look book over at The Fashionista.

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Burberry Spring/Summer 2011

Leather leather everywhere and not a drop to drink. Ok, that's not how the saying goes, but there IS a lot of leather going on in the Burberry S/S11 campaign and I am thirsty for it! I have been on the hunt for the perfect leather jacket for the past year now, and though the Burberry ones cost more than I make in an entire month, a girl can still dream, right?

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Matthew Williamson

I almost forgot how much I loved the 2009 Matthew Williamson for H&M ad.

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Rejoice! SS2011 is Just About Here...

Spring is just around the corner and with time ticking away, my favourite shops have started talking Spring/Summer trends. I am loving this, especially on a cold and rainy day like today (Who wouldn't rather be thinking about sunny summer days and strappy sandals?).

Year after year the spring trends are focused around colour. Pastel shades of blue, pink and yellow rule the runways and our wardrobes. Not that I have anything against soft colours, but no one wants to look like an Easter egg and trendsetters agree. This season we are seeing a sea of neutral pallets with the focus on white, beige, light grey and black. I couldn't be more pleased.

Here are some looks the good people at Shop Bop put together.

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Shopbop Has New Markdowns!

Always a dangerous day for my "savings" when the Shopbop markdown email appears in my inbox.

They have a load of goodies at 30% off, including this adorable Madewell dress that would be perfect for spring (which really is JUST around the corner). Once $148, it is now only $106.87. It must be mine.

An admitted cardigan addict, I'm also coveting this Ami Dans La Rue casual look in black. Marked down from $225 to $162.48, it's a must have.

And lastly this Free People tunic is too cute for words. It's only $41, which means you can order one in every colour (right?).

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Zeha Berlin

Shoe lovers across Vancouver know that the spot to go for the best footwear in the city is Gravity Pope on 4th ave. They have the most amazing flats, sneakers and of course, leather boots. A quality pair of leather boots is an investment; if cared for properly, you'll wear them for decades to come. With the chilly weather looming, it's time to invest.

Founded in in 1897, Zeha Berlin have been crafting leather shoes for over 100 years. They use premium leathers and incorporate a classic style. At the moment, I am seriously coveting these Hisco Burlywood Military Boots, and good news; they're on SALE at Gravity Pope (until December 12th). Originally priced at $665, you can now snatch them up for only $565.25. 

They say not to judge someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes, but if that someone is wearing these boots, judgement (aka: jealousy) can't be helped. Available in various colour options, these boots are made for walkin'. 

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It's Starting to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

It's officially holiday shopping season, and incase any of you were looking to buy yours truly something special (hah!) I have three great gifts that any lady would love to have under her tree.

Blasted Church Wine
I've mentioned before how much I adore this BC vino. Blasted Church grows their grapes in the celebrated Okanagan, and has a fresh new attitude towards the sometimes snobby wine industry. I am currently addicted to the 2008 Pinot Noir and the Gewurztraminer. Blasted Church wines retail from around $15 to $25 per bottle.

Cashmere Gloves
Rumour has it we're in for a very chilly winter here in Vancouver. I'm from the east coast, so I'm used to the colder climate. As an experienced winterista, I can say first hand that the cold isn't all bad. My must have for those freezing days are cashmere gloves. They can be snatched up at lots of stores around the city. I've seen them at Fine Finds, Club Monaco and of course, on Shop Bop. Prices range from $50 to $100, and seriously, what girl doesn't love cashmere?

Arrested Development
Just because our favourite TV show was canceled years ago, doesn't mean you can't watch it all day, every day. Take it from me; it's still on my regular TV rotation. The best part about the show being ancient is that the DVD's are dirt cheap. I own all three seasons and don't think I paid more than $20 for each set.

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H&M Lanvin: Sold Out in Vancouver

Well that was fast. As expected the Lanvin for H&M collection that debut Saturday morning was officially sold out and for sale on Craigslist in Vancouver within hours. I heard a rumour that they're not getting anymore in either. Crossing my fingers that someone returns that lovely red/pink ruffle dress.

I popped in the store sometime around 1:30 in the afternoon and there was no sign of Lanvin anywhere. I guess the early bird really does catch the worm, or in this case, the pretty dresses.

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40% Off EVERYTHING at The Gap Today!

For one day only, recieved 40% off of everything (including sale items) at the Gap today!

Mob scene at Pacific Centre

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