Gone Flat

Many podiatrists will tell you that wearing heels is bad for you, they will also tell you that the lack of support in wearing a flat shoe is equally as bad as wearing a heel but sometimes you just have to give in (and that's why insoles were invented).  Being an avid heel wearer myself I know that down the road my love for these adornments will catch up to me but my interim solution is to mix and match with varying heights from stiletto to flat to help minimize the damage - at least this is what I'm telling myself.


When driving, at home and on the weekends I am seen sporting flats - much to the disbelief of my co-workers - and I thoroughly enjoy the experience.  It is easier to zip around in flats I will confess, and with all of the fantastic styles, colours and patterns around right now it is also very satisfying.  You can make an impact in how you choose to wear your flats, whether you decide to go casual and pair them with some capris or kick them up a notch by wearing a dress they are so versatile that they can go with almost anything.  The key is to keep the look the same.  If you're going to go casual, wearing a glittery pair will look off; if you want to dress them up a sporty casual isn't going to cut it.  Material and patterns need to be kept in check as well, if you're already wearing a floral pattern another floral-patterned shoe is going to look crazy, opt for a solid with a coordinating or complementing colour or go daring and try an animal print.  Wearing flats should be considered an art, as with the coordination and thought you put into your wardrobe so don't skimp, a sexy-fun-playful-outstanding pair of flats can really make an impact!


There's no better way to show off your creative side than by purchasing a pair of printed, brightly coloured, make-a-statement flats.  So in the spirit of tossing aside those pumps here is a fun way to inject some adorable flats into your life:

How about that for some fun ideas for flats this season!  The choices are endless and as you can see from the small selection above that flats come in peep toe, crochet, ankle strap, deck, leather, suede, canvas...and the list goes on!  Tis the season for adorable flats so get out there, get shopping and start sporting those fun styles.

Happy Shopping!

Courtesy of:

Blowfish

TOMS

Nine West Canada

Browns

Aldo Shoes

Colour Focus: Yellow

The last in the series Colour Focus is yellow, and what a better way to end off this series than highlighting this amazing and happy colour.  No matter what shade, from buttercream to  lemon this colour evokes a feeling of joy and whether you're adorning your home or yourself in this colour your mood will instantly be lifted, so what better way to raise your spirits than injecting a little yellow into your life!


Who doesn't love to sit out in the sun?  Feeling the warmth on your skin and radiating in its glow.  This is the same feeling that you can get from wearing or accessorizing in this colour.  We all know in Canada - in Ontario especially - how long and dreary the winters are and how we can't wait until the sun starts shining and everything's in full bloom.  So to commemorate the season, try sporting yellow in your ensemble.  Whether you choose to go full-on or just a touch, you will be amazed at how this colour will brighten your day and everyone else around you!  Here are some examples of how you can insert yellow into your wardrobe:

As you can see from those items above that yellow can range in so many shades, tones and hues and that the hit of yellow as in the skinny jeans - who doesn't love a comfy pair of skinny jeans - in the lightest of yellow can really make an impact in your ensemble.  The chartreuse dress is an amazing way to get full-on yellow and the flower studs are the perfect way to include just a touch. No matter what shade you choose remember that yellow works well with white, black, neutrals, blue, purple and green - just look outside to see how well yellow works with green and you'll believe me!


Your home can also stand to use a little yellow in it's life so why not try out some items in yellow to see how they add to your decor and brighten up your space.  An easy and relatively inexpensive way to add yellow (if you're timid about this colour) in your home is to set out a vase with flowers that are yellow, try tulips or gerber daisies and see how much of an impact those little flowers can make.  If you're feeling brave and daring try adding a yellow sofa or chair or even paint your walls.  Either way, this colour will bring joy to your space and make a huge impact in your home.  Here are some examples of you you can bring yellow into your life:

Wow, what an impact those items can make!  I personally have a yellow sofa in my front room and I LOVE it.  Not only is it super comfortable but it is such a soft shade of yellow that it is really a statement piece.  If you're not up for the big investment, don't fret, you can try out a tray like the one pictured above (with the quince) or a lamp with a yellow base.  Want to be a tad more daring?  Try the side table or chair.  Thinking of your kitchen for the perfect host for this colour (I completely agree), how awesome is that espresso machine!  As you can see there are a multitude of ways that you can include yellow into your home, the choices are endless!


Whether you're thinking big or small, it really doesn't matter as long as you're thinking in yellow.  This vibrant colour can make such a huge statement so give it a try and you'll soon see how wonderful this colour really is.


Happy Shopping!


Courtesy of:
Banana Republic
Zara
Michael Kors
Anthropologie
Forever 21
TopShop
West Elm
Lekker Home
Crate and Barrel
Pottery Barn

Colour Focus: Orange

One of the hottest colours this season is Tangerine and you can find it in almost everything from cosmetics, fashion, accessories, shoes, handbags and yes even in home decor and furniture.  I like to think that the colour orange has always been in fashion but I am happy that it's one hot tamale right now!


Orange is a tricky colour for some complexions so be sure to try on different shades that complement your skin tone to find the right one for you, and don't be afraid if at first you don't succeed, try and try again and you'll find one (or two) eventually.  The colour orange comes in shades ranging from pumpkin to apricot, carrot to coral, burnt to rust and everything in-between.  Orange is a hot, vibrant colour and can easily warm up your skin or give a punch to your wardrobe.  Here are some examples of how you can add orange into your closet:

Those few options that I included above help to give you an idea on how you can easily add a hit of orange - whether it's full-on or just a touch - to your closet.  Not sure how to incorporate orange with your existing wardrobe? Add white.  It's a great way to have the orange punch off your ensemble.  Neutrals such as brown, beige, camel and tan also work well and help to soften the orange as opposed to the popping off with white.  You can also go bold and add yellow (as seen in the bracelets above) or azure to use a cool colour blocking effect.  Anyway you slice it (pun intended) orange is the colour of the season and should be embraced.  Give it a try, you'll fall in love!


Another way to spice up your home is to add orange, in all forms, shapes and sizes.  The colour orange is big and bold and if you're not daring enough to paint your walls in this hot colour that's alright, you can incorporate orange into your decor with accessories, furniture and textiles, below are some examples of those:

How fantastic are those!  The range in hues from carrot to tangerine are striking and would make a lovely addition to your home.  Intimidated by the large furniture pieces?  Start small with some dinnerware or a pillow.  Thinking of throwing it up on your walls but don't want to paint the entire room?  Add a painting like the sunflowers above and this way you can add a shade of orange surrounded by other colours and you won't feel so overwhelmed.  Just remember to incorporate orange into your space by complementing with the other colours in your home.  Cohesion is the key in this case.


Experiment with the colour orange in and soon you'll see what a difference a little heat (or citrus) can make!


Happy Shopping!


Courtesy of:
The Gap
Banana Republic
Milly
Aldo
Dior
IKEA
Crate and Barrel
West Elm
Anthropologie
Art.com

Colour Focus: Green

Just in time for Spring, green has finally arrived!  I looked out my window this morning and couldn't believe how vibrant the landscape was in my garden.  Greens popping out in an array of shades inspired me to think about fashion and home decor and how we can all use a little more green in our lives.


All you have to do is look out your window to see how easily green is incorporated into nature; it's everywhere and it goes with everything!  So green can easily be inserted into your wardrobe and home.  To start things off, let's focus on the fashion side of green.  The colour green can added into your closet in a multitude of ways; in your clothing, accessories, shoes or handbags.  And don't just think of green as the colour you remember from kindergarten, the colour green comes in a vast number of shades and hues from olive to lime and everything else in-between.  Below are some examples of how easily green can be included in your wardrobe:

As you can see from the few items that I selected above that green is easily adapted into patterns in a skirt, the trim on a handbag, the stone in an earring, etc.  You can dress it up or keep it simple.  Thinking of a military look?  Try adding in khaki green.  Want to punch up a green top/skirt?  Try adding a white bottom/top.  Just want to complement your brightly coloured outfit?  Try adding green in as an accessory/handbag/shoe.  The possibilities are endless and remember, green is in nature and it complements everything.  Tip: Keep your hues within the same intensity.


When it comes to home decor, you can go big or stay small.  It all depends on your comfort level and how much green you want to add into your home.  You can incorporate green in small ways such as throw cushions, artwork, accessories, etc. Or you can go big by adding in a green side chair, sofa, rug, bookcase, etc.  Remember that the intensity of the green will depend on your already existing colour palate and how daring you want to go.  Here are some examples of how green can be added into your home:

You can see from the items above that green can be added in small doses with the pillow, the bedding and the sculpture but you can also be more creative and daring by adding in a rug with green as the base, or an armchair, or side table to really make a big impact in your space.  And like your wardrobe, green can be accented with numerous colours or combination of colours to enhance your space.


You can see that green can really brighten up a landscape as it can a room so don't be afraid to take the fresh approach and enhance your space.  A little (or a lot) of green can go a long way!


Happy Shopping!


Courtesy of:
Banana Republic
Aldo
Nine West
Anthropologie
Kate Spade
Crate and Barrel
IKEA
Pier 1
Structube
West Elm