Pep Talk

All the rage this season is Peplum, and I for one have fallen in love with this latest trend.  The word peplum refers to: a short overskirt that is usually attached to a fitted jacket, blouse or dress.  The origins of this style date back to Ancient Greece where both men and women were adorned with peplos (peplums) that were loosely fitted to their bodies.  This style was worn by both men and women well into the Renaissance and was eventually re-popularized in the mid-to-late 19th century where women wore them not affixed to the jacket but as an extra overskirt or flounce sewn onto the bodice and dropping from the waist.  The more modern style of peplum, the one we're all used to, was a popular design in women's clothing in the 1940s-1950s where jackets were often quite fitted at the waist with the "overskirt" extending beyond the waist which gave the illusion of an hourglass figure.  This more modern style of peplum has recently been reintroduced and is something that should be on every woman's wish list.

Peplum can range from the very structured to a more casual feel.  These tops and dresses can range from a full peplum (around the entire waist) to side peplums (found only on the left and right sides of the waist).  The materials can vary from stiff cotton blends to a softer jersey.  The style and material of the peplum is up to the wearer and can impact how the peplum is worn.  For a stiffer peplum, I would recommend a more formal approach to the outfit, sleek skinny pants or a pencil skirt.  With a more casual peplum, you can opt for skinny jeans or fitted trousers as well as skirts in more casual materials/patterns.  Below are some peplum tops and dresses to inspire you:

There are so many options available from colour bock to pattern, solid to lace.  No matter what your price point there's something for everyone so be sure to pick up one (or two) this season and flaunt those curves!!

Happy Shopping!

Courtesy of:
Anthropologie
Dynamite
Ricki's
Le Chateau
Kate Spade
H&M

Modernizing Tradition

A good friend of mine has started a blog recently (SCRATCH) which got me thinking about traditions and how we're so eager to break free from tradition and become more "modern".  But what is modern? Isn't it just an interpretation of something more traditional.  Some of us may feel that modernism is a breaking free of traditionalist thinking and creating something "outside the box", but are we really reinventing the wheel?  Thinking more about my family history and what little I know of that I felt it would be poignant to write a post on the traditionalist in each of us.

Traditionalism in the home doesn't have to be stuffy old antiques that look like they would be better suited in a museum than in your living room.  The "new traditionalist" decor mixes a bit of the new with the old.  You can still achieve that old-world charm without a) breaking the bank on expensive antiques and b) without sacrificing style because let's face it, your Aunt Edna's old corner curio cabinet in antique oak stain just isn't going to cut it...sorry Aunt Edna (I don't actually have an Aunt Edna).

Here are some items from Restoration Hardware that can inspire you to make that next purchase for your home:

 

I could barely contain myself at selecting items to show you!  Restoration Hardware is a good spot for adding treasures to your home, at the very least they are a great resource for ideas about more traditional pieces that have a modernized, updated edge.

So get out there, start tapping into your inner traditionalist and add some pieces to your home to make it feel like family.

Happy Shopping!

Courtesy of:
Restoration Hardware

P.S. Keep up the good work G.P.H.!

Are You Bored-eaux?

September is already here - I can hardly believe that 8 months have already passed - and with the start of the school year comes the shorter days, changing leaves and cooler nights.  With the changing season comes with it a change to your wardrobe, swapping out the lighter fabrics and colours for thicker fabrics and richer shades.  On trend right now are the wine-colours bordeaux & burgundy, so what better way to commemorate the start of the fall than a spotlight on these colours and how you can incorporate them into your fall wardrobe.  Both colours look very similar but I assure you there are differences between the two; bordeaux is a deep purplish-red colour while burgundy is more of a maroon.  

I have personally been a fan of these colours for many years and sadly I got rid of a gorgeous pair of bordeaux coloured slacks that I had in the late 90s - early 2000's a couple years ago...wishing now that I held onto those bad-boys!  lesson learned.  The deep saturated red is simply quite stunning and can easily be paired with equally saturated hues of blues, greens, yellows, browns and of course black or white/off-white.  Here are some hand-picked items for you:

This is only a small selection of the many options available to you in this hue, hopefully you'll feel inspired to go out and pick up one (or two) of these pieces to add to your collection.

As Anchorman Ron Burgundy would say "Stay Classy, San Diego" ;)

Happy Shopping!

Courtesy of:
H&M Canada
Le Chateau
Banana Republic
Aldo
Joe Fresh