Don't get Cross-Body with me!

Crossbody bags have made a huge comeback this year and you can find almost everyone from your next door neighbour to the trendiest celebrity sporting one.  Because I grew up in the 1980s I still remember when the crossbody was pretty much one of the only styles available and I had some horrible flashbacks to a time when teased out hair, massive gold hoop earrings and leg warmers were all the rage as soon as the crossbody made its way back onto the scene.  But after seeing some fresh revitalized styles everywhere lately I've discovered that I too can love the crossbody and embrace it just as much as everyone else has.  And as a tribute to my new love affair with the crossbody here are a few ideas to get you thinking about picking up one to call your very own:

What a selection!  I honestly had a hard time picking just a few, the options are endless.  You can go from dressy to casual, small to large, pattern to solid and everything in-between.  As you can see above, there are inspirations from Chanel in the quilted versions; from Dior in the blue saddle bag and from Givenchy in the yellow envelope style.  The colour options are superb and you can easily punch up your summer wardrobe by pairing a contrasting crossbody with your outfit.  These bags are multi-functional and versatile.  You can easily (in most cases) shorten the length of the strap to change your crossbody into an over-the-shoulder bag or even remove the strap altogether to turn your crossbody into a clutch.  The possibilities are endless so get out there and pick up a crossbody to add to your wardrobe or collection and have fun with them!


Happy Shopping!


Courtesy of:
Danier
Aldo 
Nine West
Anthropologie
Banana Republic

Fall Fashions

Waking up to that chill in the morning is certainly a change from the hot and humidity of the summer and many of us find that the Fall is one of the most creative times of the year when it comes to fashion, and a lot of us prefer it.  Layering & coziness, rich colours & textures and best of all boots!  My aim is to provide you with some inspiration for your next fall fashion purchase.


Below are some outfits that I threw together to give you an idea how to create some fashion flare instead of just opting for the standard jeans and a sweater.  Get creative, and get out there and start shopping!  Remember that you can mix and match and substitute items that you may not agree with or feel comfortable wearing.  The key is to have fun and remember, one of the greatest fall fashion tricks is layering!  


Military with a Twist:

Military with a Twist substitutions: 

• Dark wash or Grey/Black skinny jeans would also work well with this outfit.  
• You can trade the layered tunic for a graphic tee or a military inspired top.
• The boots can be traded for a pair of pumps or booties.

Country Casual:

Country Casual substitutions:

• The skinny jeans can be traded for a pair of gray knit leggings/stockings.
• The gloss Violet Hunter boots can be swapped for a pair of brown riding boots.
• You can add a series of necklaces for that layered look.

Dressed to Impress:

Dressed to Impress substitutions:

• The gold tones can be replaced with silver to create a different look.
• The brown belt and brown shoes can be switched with black.
• The scarf can be replaced with a cropped cardy/bolero or a grey fitted blazer.

Feeling Feminine:

Feeling Feminine substitutions:

• Replace the grey skirt and cardigan for a black skirt/fitted top.
• Exchange the mauve/taupe shopper with a clutch.
• Trade the flower studs for chandelier drops.

Layered Luxury:

Layered Luxury substitutions:

• The cardigan can be swapped for a wrap-style cardigan.
• The embellished tee can be exchanged for a v-neck or a cami.
• The jeans can be traded for a skirt.

Additional Fall Accessories to consider:

So get out there and start perusing the shops for your next fall wardrobe purchase!

Happy Shopping!!

Courtesy of:

Mango

The Gap

Town Shoes

Aldo

Ricki's

Suzy Shier

Nine West Canada

Piperlime

BCBG

StopStyle.com

The Beach Tote

Now that you have your swimwear taken care of (see previous post) it's time to focus on a beach essential - the tote.  This little guy is going to carry you throughout the day and should be taken into careful consideration before you lug your gear to the sandy shores.


Your beach tote should be chic and stylish and reflect a laid-back lifestyle, so the bag you bring with you shouldn't be stuffy - but that doesn't mean that you can't have some fun!


Check out some of these totes that I've selected for a bit of inspiration the next time you're out on the hunt for this season's essential beach accessory:

Happy Shopping!

Courtesy of:

The Gap

Boden

Tommy Hilfiger

Kate Spade

Aldo

Old Navy

Juicy Couture

Shopstyle.com

Keep Monkeying Around!

I was asked to write a blog post on monkeys because it happens to be one of my readers favourite animals, so I thought "hey why not"?!  I scoured the web and found some items that I thought might inspire your next monkey purchase...and nothing goes better with monkeys other than bananas!  Enjoy!!

There are a multitude of options out there so start monkeying around and get yourself decked out in the latest and greatest monkey and banana gear!!

Happy Shopping!

Courtesy of:

Cafepress.ca

Girlprops.com

Etsy.com

Supermarket

Paul Frank

Cheeky Monkey

Art.com

Sprial and Circle

All Modern

Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize! Part 2.1

PART 2.1
In Part 1 of this 2 part series I talked about accessorizing with the camisole, how to pump up that LBD and whether a hat was the best option for you.  In Part 2.1, I hope to uncover the world of accessorizing with bags; Part 2.2 will discuss shoes and Part 2.3 will be left to the world of jewelery and scarves.


Bag Lady
Accessorizing with bags can be simple or complex, it really depends on the look you are trying to achieve.  Bags are the quintessential accessory for women, we travel with them, lug our lives in them, use them as statements or as utility pieces.  They are versatile and practical, stylish and ample, simple and sophisticated.  Bags can either make or break an outfit, so it is essential when out on the hunt for the next great bag that you take some facts into consideration before you select.


There are women who have collections of bags, some to suit every occasion, they have them in every colour, shape and size.  And then there are the rest of us, we get intimidated by bags and stick with what we know and feel comfortable with.  Let's take a moment to break down the top 6 styles of bags and their purpose:


The Hobo: This style of bag is easily identified by its rounded shape.  The hobo is easily carried on your shoulder which fits nicely to your body or in hand if you'd like to carry it.  What's nice about carrying the hobo in hand is that you don't have to worry about the straps being too long which avoids the risk of dragging the bag on the ground.  This style of bag lends itself to the more casual of ensembles, however you can dress up a hobo (LOL) by selecting one with a more luxe look/feel i.e. embellishments or animal skin leather (see example below). 

The Clutch: This style of bag is also easily identified by its lack of strap support.  Some do come with a dainty shoulder strap, but on the whole the clutch is meant to be carried in hand and is typically reserved for evening events.  There is a reincarnation of the clutch known as the wristlet which can be used during the day and taken into the night, this bag is identified by the strap located on the side of the clutch in which you slip your wrist into.  The clutch is not meant to be used on a daily basis as they tend to be smaller and carry less, although, if you are a girl who carries little there is nothing to say that using a casual clutch day-to-day can't be done.  Just be sure that you leave the rhinestones and satin for the evening.

The Shoulder:  Just as its name implies, the shoulder bag is meant to be carried on one's shoulder.  These bags are very versatile and come in versions from day to evening.  They also come in a range of sizes and styles.  The shoulder bag is one of the most popular styles of bag and can easily accommodate all of the things you wish to carry.

The Sling/Crossbody:  This style of bag is meant to be worn across the body.  The straps are longer to accommodate and can be shortened if you wish to wear the bag over your shoulder.  These bags come in a range of sizes, but are narrow in width so as not to protrude too greatly from the body.  This is a casual style and should be reserved for day-to-day activities like running to the local grocer or shop.

The Satchel: This style of bag is typically squat in shape and is meant to be carried in hand but can also be worn on your shoulder if your hands are full with purchases - hopefully more bags!  They come in a variety of styles and colours and can accommodate a large amount of items you need to carry.  They are typically reserved for the day, but if you happen upon one that is a bit dressier there is nothing to say that you can't take this bag into the evening hours if you need to carry more than a lipstick around with you.

The Tote: This style of bag is traditionally open at the top to allow you to toss anything you need into the bag without having to worry about a clasp, zipper or tie.  The tote is a great bag to use when out shopping or going to the beach as it can easily accommodate larger items that may protrude out of the bag i.e. a French baguette.  Totes are casual bags and shouldn't be worn everyday, but nothing is to say that you can't go from your local grocer to the beach in a snap with one of these bad boys!

That is a sneak peek at the 6 most popular styles of bags out there, so the next time you're out looking for a great bag keep this information in mind and select one or two or three that suit you because after all, a lady's handbag is a personal thing.  Just be sure you select the one that fits you and your lifestyle best, this way you know you'll get good use out of it.


Stay tuned for Part 2.2 where I'll talk all about Shoes!


Courtesy of:
Danier
Kate Spade
Aldo
Roots

Bags O' Plenty

Q: Should you change your bag to suit the seasons?
A: Yes, definitely!


Bags are a great way to add some personality and colour throughout the seasons so why would you stick to basic black or brown all year round?  Consider adding some fun colours in the warmer seasons, and if you're fortunate to live in a warm climate you can use them all year round!  Darker colours should be reserved for the Fall/Winter.  


Think about it this way: when the temperature starts to heat-up, turn up the colour; and when it starts to drop, tone it down.  Lighter shades of pastel and grey's (i.e. dove grey) are great for the Spring.  Bright colours and white/cream are reserved for the Summer.  Tans, taupes and grey's are good in the Fall, and black or brown is perfect for the Winter.  Sure you can wear your black bag all year round, but with the multitude of choice out there why would you?!?


Also think about detail on your bag, you don't want to get too heavy on the hardware, but a little detail here and there never hurts.  The details should be toned down in the cooler months (if you live in a climate like I do), but you can get really funky when the mercury starts rising.


Below are some I selected to get you inspired for your next purchase...and yes, there is even a black and brown one thrown in there.  I've included some great bags with details and others that are quite simple.  After all, a lady's handbag is a very personal thing, so it's okay to think about yourself when selecting a bag that you want to carry.


Since we are in the throws of Spring here in Canada and with Summer right around the corner, the bags I selected are geared toward these seasons.

 

 

Happy Shopping!!

Courtesy of:

Danier

Aldo

Michael Kors

Nine West Canada

Nine West