The Bigger the Better: Summer Bags for Smuggling

I am a recent-ish university graduate and unlike many of my friends, I graduated without any student debt. It was tough, I'll admit and looking back, I'm not quite sure how I was able to budget so well. Oh wait, that's right, I BARELY shopped, and when I did, it was usually for friends and family members. Needless to say, the minute - nay, second - I locked down a full time job I went shopping.

And boy did I shop.

Now, also unlike many of my friends, I recently moved back in with my parents (long story). Therefore: full time job + no rent to pay = lots of money to spend. At first, my parents were supportive of the purchasing but after a while, they started reading me the riot act. I was spending lots and saving less. They were the guilty conscience I didn't want to own up to, so I did what any self respecting fashionista would do: I started hiding my purchases.

And how exactly have I been able to pull off such a clever stunt? Two words, amigos: giant purses.

Here is a quick and helpful step-by-step guide on how to smuggle purchases into your home:

1. Carry a large bag at all times. They are fashionable and make a statement, don't you think?

2. Before going into your home, make sure any packaging or bulging of product is concealed. Remove any noisy packaging as well - its a dead give away. Trust me.

3. Run to your room as fast/as naturally as you can.

4. Put new product away where it belongs, as if it has been there this whole time! Then, discard tags and receipts in empty Starbucks cups. Do not just throw tags in the regular garbage as they will be visible in plain sight and your efforts will have been wasted.

5. Repeat each pay day, and a few days in between.

So, for anyone else out there who also faces the tyranny of responsible parenting, I would like to present you with a few options for concealing your purchases.


The Hermes Birkin Bag

Great news! If you are Victoria Beckham or Kim Kardashian or have an extra $10,000 laying around, you might be able to get your perfectly manicured hands on a Birkin. This is an excellent choice for hiding purchases from your parents, mainly because after you buy one, you won't have any money left.
But in all seriousness, this bag is beautiful and functional and comes in every colour and goes with every outfit. If it is not at the top of your leather goods wishlist, it ought to be! Wasn't it Les Brown who said 'Shoot for the moon, because even if you miss, you'll land among the stars'? This rationale also applies to shopping: Shoot for Hermes, because even if you miss, you'll land at Kate Spade, or Michael Kors.

For more information, see: Hermes


The Marc by Marc Jacobs Take Me Tote

This hot pink beauty retails for only $228, modest in comparison the the almighty Birkin. This tote is super cute and very versatile. It also comes in black, but I think the hot pink is perfect for this season's colour blocking trend. Also, if you're one of those people who gravitates to all black (like I used to), this is a great way to add a little pizzazz to your outfit. Just think how nicely a pair of hot pink lips would look with this tote. Sigh.

For more information, see: Bergdorf Goodman


The Roots Large Hobo Woven Leather Bag

Exhibit C - the Roots bag. I am a firm believer that everyone needs to own a pair of Roots sweats (yes, I wear sweat pants... in the wilderness) and a Roots leather bag. This one is a stunner and retails for only $268 (amazing price for Italian leather if you ask me). I like that it is woven because it reminds me of a basket and baskets remind me of picnics making it a perfect summer bag. It is so soft and the hardware is so beautiful. And because it is leather, it is also a great transitional bag for the fall. Like Roots itself, it is timeless and classic and will be a great item to have for years to come.

For more information, see: Roots


The Jessica Simpson Getaway Tote

I absolutely adore this Jessica Simpson getaway tote. It retails for only $88 and comes in about five different colours. I chose two of my favourites.

The one featured above is on trend in a major way.  Firstly, that coral - orange colour - LOVE it. Its so vibrant and fresh. And the colour blocking? Trend number two! And of course, the python print is the hottest animal print for the season.

The bag featured below also has a lot of the selling features as the orange & python print tote does.
That mint-y, teal, turquoise colour is very hot right now and would be great addition to an all white outfit. My favourite part of this tote, however, is the print on the top section. The print is a perfect mixture of palm trees and leopard print spots (who knew?!). I urge every one to buy one or both of these bags IMMEDIATELY.

For more information, see: Jessica Simpson. Also, for you Canucks out there, this bag is available at my second home The Bay.

What are your favourte big bags this season??

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Alexander McQueen SS12 takes Dark Glam to a New Level

Black lace, leather, cages, chiffon... Alexander McQueen's spring and summer 2012 line is speaking right to me. Dark and gothic has always been McQueen's style, but this season the style is going mainstream. Let's browse how the spring and summer line reacts to the trends, shall we?

Check out the texture on this jacket and the seam of the pants.

This is my favourite from the collection. That leather peplum jacket, black lace skirt, skull clutch, and THOSE SHOES. I die.

The textures here are just to die for.

The waist cincher adds a level of badass to this black pantsuit.

I love the fairly conservative skirt with the waist cincher and lace top.

This is classic McQueen. The sharp angles of the pattern are evocative of a Rorschach test. 

This season's popular cage done RIGHT. Check out those glovelettes too. 

Oh hi, goth wedding dress of my dreams.

The frayed lace makes this gown edgy and dark.

All the sexy goth attitude you've come to expect from McQueen takes this season's trends to a whole new level. Check out the whole collection (there's also lots of white and pink!) and let me know what you think!

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Studs and Spikes on Summer Sandals

I've been obsessed with finding the perfect flat summer sandals that still have edge. This season, there are great options with on-trend spikes. Check out some of my favourites.

I fell in LOVE with these Jeffrey Campbell spiked sandals since I saw them on Gypsy Warrior's Instagram. I got mine from Free People. They come in other colours, too!

Sam Edelman's spikes and diamonds speak right to our blog! These gladiators are gorgeous and have a great combination of glam and rocker style.

Continuing with the gladiator style, these Betsey Johnson Studded Gladiator Sandals are also evocative of jellies. Two trends in one!

Jeffrey Campbell and spikes go together like summer and sandals. That gold chain around the base is reminiscent of a vintage Chanel purse.

These are the sandals that started my quest for spikes on summer shoes. Emily Vallely introduced me to the Sam Edelman Exies on the gorgeous blog she runs with her sister Lucy, OHEMV. These shoes are out of stock everywhere and I've been obsessively looking on eBay. Maybe you'll have more luck finding a pair than I have!

Have you been wearing this trend this season? Let me know in the comments!

-Caroline

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At Last: The Christian Dior Powder Foundation Brush

As many of you may or may not know, I work in the wonderful world of cosmetics. That's right. I get to play with makeup and skin care products all day, every day. I like to think that I have seen it all when it comes to the industry. I've seen, purchased and used a range of good products, bad products and cult favourites. Therefore, what I am about to say should not be taken lightly.

Ahem.

I have found my favourite makeup brush.

The brand responsible for the newest and most meaningful relationship in my life at this second? None other than the fabulous and legendary Christian Dior. The brush? The Power Foundation Brush, which retails at approximately $35 (which is extremely reasonable and competitive for a prestige cosmetics brand).

My old number one favourite was the MAC 217 blending brush. Seriously, that brush is still amazing, and I will always hold a special spot for it in my heart (as one does with a first love), but this powder foundation brush is phenomenal. Let me tell you why:

1. The airbrushed effect. 

I didn't go looking for this particular product. I was happy with my foundation routine and wasn't looking to start anything serious with a new product. After all, I had been duped in the past by the flashy new product on the block, the hot new product that made promises it just couldn't keep or commit to (I'm looking at you beauty blender sponge thingy). But, as we all know, great loves are not sought after, they are stumbled upon and they take us by surprise. Such was the case with the powder foundation brush. 

I had come into work one day and had realized my foundation was streaky. UGH! How did this happen? To be honest, I think my foundation brush at home was just dirty and had too much product on it or something. Regardless, I went fishing in the sea of cosmetic counters, looking for a quick fix. As fate would have it, the Dior counter is located right across from my beauty counter. The beauty advisor was quick to recommend the brush as a way of buffing out the lines, using a pressed powder. The result was fantastic. No more lines and a nice smooth finish. 

I didn't think anything of this encounter with my future love until the compliments started flooding in. The general consensus was that I had glowing, flawless, airbrushed skin. Could it be? Could this be the product I have been searching for my entire life? As it turns out, it was. I was hooked. 

I feel like if there was ever a rom-com about my relationship with this brush, this would be the moment in the story line where the montage of all the fun times we had together would be inserted. I.e., me buffing in a mattifying powder, me buffing in a bronzer, me buffing in a highlighter on the cheek bone, etc. etc. Oooh and Etta James' 'At Last' would be playing the background. Very appropriate.

The point is, it creates an amazing natural airbrushed effect on the skin. 

2. Everyone wants nice skin. 

To me, the majority of my clients are concerned with having healthy, radiant looking skin. And regardless of how perfectly lined their eyes are, how arched and shaded their brows are, or how plump and full their lips look, if a client doesn't like the appearance of their skin, their look is not the best it can be. So this is why I bumped the eye shadow blending brush out of its reigning position. When it comes down to it, everyone wants that beautiful healthy looking skin, and the powder foundation brush can easily help you achieve this look. 

3. IT'S DIOR AND ITS ONLY $35. 

4. It can be used apply a variety of products. 

As mentioned in my movie montage moment, this brush can apply just about any powdered product to the skin, including setting powder, mineral powder, blush, bronzer, highlighting powder, contouring powder - the list really just goes on an on. 

5. It's fool proof. 

I often hear my clients saying that it must be nice to work in the cosmetics industry because we get all the necessary training and experience to have a great makeup look, day in and day out. I suppose that is true to a certain extent. However, application tools are half the battle. I will never understand people that apply foundation with their hands. I mean, would you paint your walls with your hands? But maybe that's just me. And really, all that you need to do with this brush is buff it into the skin in a circular motion. Trust me, if I can do it, so can you!! 

And there you have it. 

I encourage everyone reading this post to catwalk their way to the nearest Dior point of sale and purchase this product as soon as humanly possible! Because I love this brush and I know you will too!! 

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On Trend: Skulls

I've been rocking skulls since way before they were trendy. But don't get me wrong -- this isn't a lamentation that they're now ubiquitous; I'm actually stoked. It's now way easier to acquire really badass and gorgeous fashion covered with skulls.

Here is some inspiration for the trend that is actually as timeless as the memento mori it represents!

Jewellery

Tarina Tarantino Classic Skull necklace is $63 on Amazon and comes in lots of different colours. I love this dark one and the mix of girly beads and a bow with the skull.

Another girly skull, Betsey Johnson "Betsey the Vampire Slayer" Rhinestone Skull Ring will definitely make people do a double-take.

I love this ring, which I bought at a local shop in my town, so much that I got the hematite version, too. Spikes and Diamonds? More like Skulls and Diamonds!

I love my turquoise skull bead stretch bracelet. It's so summery and goes great with silver or gold accessories.

Accessories

This take on Alexander McQueen's skull knuckle-duster clutch is everywhere this season. It's a perfect way to add edge to an evening outfit.

Of course, arguably McQueen's most famous skull-related piece inspired scarves like these. They look great with nearly everything -- from a casual day at class or a night out. 

Shoes

These Steve Madden loafers combine two trends in one -- smoking loafers and skulls. Plus they're blinged out! 

Iron Fist is a skull-lover's dream. They have dozens of different options for heels, wedges, platforms, and flats with skulls (and other dark imagery). When I wear my pair of Digi Skull shoes, I get loads of compliments.

Womenswear

Torrid's got lots of plus size options with an edgier look, like this graffitti-inspired skull and rose top. 

Hot Topic takes the theme of girly skulls a step further and makes a skull entirely out of butterflies.

Alex and Chloe have this top with a heart made from adorable smiling skulls (which is currently on sale!).

This Instagrammer totally rocked Black Milk Clothing's skull dress by wearing it backward with a mesh top over it. I love this look! 

Gypsy Warrior has got these amazing hi-lo skull blouses in ivory and black. 

This Zadig and Voltaire cashmere tank wins the award for most subtle incorporation of a skull.

These skinny jeans from Tripp have skulls on one leg! Split jeans are totally in right now so these are more trend for your dollar.

These skull leggings offer a much subtler skull pattern for your skull-bottomed needs.

What did I miss? What are your favourite skull fashions?

-Caroline

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Me + Tom Ford Autumn/Winter Womenswear Collection: A Love Story

From tomford.com

Most of the people I know consider the summer to be the most wonderful time of the year. Patios, sun tans, strapless maxi dresses - there are many reasons to fall in love with summer. And while the majority of my friends anxiously wait for the cold of winter and the damp of spring to pass, I can hardly wait for the summer to be over. After all: first comes summer, then comes the September Issue and the rest of fall fashion in all its dazzling glory.

[DISCLAIMER: Don't get me wrong - I LOVE my open toed pumps and strappy wedged platform sandals, I just happen to love knee boots and denim and leather (and scarves and gloves and cashmere!) so much MORE.]

In an attempt to cure my sunny summer blues, I decided to do what most girls these days do to help them feel better - curate a new Pinterest board. My '2012 Back to School Wishlist' board (which can be found here) would become the latest object of my affection. And while I perused the 'net for fall/winter 2012 trends, I made my usual stop at tomford.com. What appeared before me was just the  fix of fabulous I needed. The Tom Ford Autumn/Winter 2012 Womenswear Collection is spectacular. Seriously, my jaw was on the floor.

I must have watched the collection video 10 or 12 times now, loving each viewing more than the last. And really, what's not to absolutely ADORE in the video? Python printed boots, lush fur collars, waist cinching trench coats and pointy stilettos are now on my 'to somehow afford, purchase and then wear in suburban Canada' list. And how about the makeup?? Bold brows, bronze-y lids and cheeks, paired with nude lips. Ay caramba!

 Sign. Me. Up.

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Jeffrey Campbell Litas: black patent paradise

Jeffrey Campbell's Litas are the trendy shoe this year. I fell in love with the versatility and wide range of colours and styles, and I read great reviews online saying they were comfortable to walk in. For me, if I can't stay in a shoe all day and walk quite a bit, I'd rather not spend the money. JCs seemed like a winner -- but I wanted to try them on for myself.

I waited to purchase these in person so I could be sure about the size and comfort level, and that was a really good idea. I was in NYC for a week and went to David Z's. I'm a size 8.5 or 9 usually, so tried on the black patent Litas in a 9 and they didn't fit at all. 9.5 did the trick, and they were comfortable and easy to walk in. All the customers in the store were telling me I couldn't leave without these boots!

Me in my JC Litas

The great thing about these is that in my town I haven't seen a single other person wearing them. I wore them while walking around downtown one day and turned lots of heads and got lots of compliments. They were quite comfortable for the whole day -- no pinching or anything. I walked about 5km that day in them and at the end of the day, my feet were tired, but not uncomfortable. A success!

If you've been shying away from these because of the height, give them a try. The hidden platform makes it so that the angle on your foot is very manageable, and the heel is nice and chunky and very stable.

Let me know if you love your Litas!

-Caroline

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