Anna wears flats too!

Seems I'm not the only one trading my sky-high stilettos for flats. Anna Wintour was recently spotted wearing flats at the Hampton Designer Showcase. The Huffington Post reports;

"each of Anna's sartorial decisions are deliberate as she decides which trends to promote. And she could be pushing Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley's agenda, as last month he declared the high, high heel to be over. Talley called stilettos "towering torture chambers" and said designers need a "reality check." In fact, Talley might be favoring a new style icon, in particular: Can't anyone take a cue from First Lady Michelle Obama, in the elegant low-heeled shoes she always wears? A flat would be nice. Talley confessed his confusion over why women choose to wear such painful shoes. He pointed to Diana Vreeland, Katharine Hepburn and C.Z. Guest as women who owned all of the grace in the world and lacked any precarious pairs of heels. He ended with an appeal to today's couture cobblers: Can you stop the madness and dream up a new way to define your silhouette without a needle heel
that defies not only gravity but elegance?"

What's your opinion? Can you still be elegant in flats or do you prefer a sensible 3" heel?

Manhattan :: 2nd Edition

Last year I was lucky enough to visit the big apple for the first time. We were there for three days and we planned our itinerary absolutely full of neat places to see and things to do. It was fantastic and I came home feeling like somehow, I had managed to see the entire city {minus the Alice in Wonderland statue which I’m still slightly disappointed about} and more! The Manhattan print by Jim Datz reminds me of the trip and all the good fun the Dr and I had.

{via}

Isaac for Liz

I giggle every time I see this ad from the new Liz Claiborne collection. I love that Isaac Mizrahi has a sense of humour when it comes to fashion.

It is inching closer and closer to spring here in the capital and I can barely contain my excitement. This weekend we painted our backyard benches and the Dr worked on building planter boxes to hide the retaining wall around the patio. It won’t be long until our backyard is complete and we can properly entertain. I can’t wait! When it is all complete I will take photos to share.

Hump Day

A pretty picture to help brighten your day! Recently I’ve been seeing old card catalogues everywhere. I love how this one has been repurposed to hold books and plants, and the vignette on top with the antique birdcage and fan is just my style. It’s the perfect addition to that empty corner every home seems to have.

It’s been an absolutely dreadful day at the office. It doesn’t help that it is hump day and it’s terribly dark and wet outside. I’m planning to go home and make a nice warm dinner, hit the gym and cuddle up in bed beside the Dr and the dog just in time to watch LOST.

via: Poetic Home

CNN Revealed: Carine Roitfeld

Last night I watched the three part CNN Revealed documentary on Carine Roitfeld, Editor-in-Chief of Paris Vogue. The documentary follows Roitfeld through a typical day at Paris Vogue during Fashion Week.







I think we can all agree that American Vogue has lost its appeal over the past couple years. The spreads have become repetitive, the magazine lacks vision and if I may say, the covers are absolute crap. It has long been speculated that Roitfeld is poised to replace Anna Wintour as Editor-In-Chief of American Vogue, but would she fit the part? Roitfeld admits in the documentary that she is more than happy at Paris Vogue, but is it just me or does it not seem that CNN is using this documentary to gently introduce her to mainstream America? My smutty sense is tingling...

Watch the series at CNN and Youtube

Spring Inspiration - Paul & Joe

Two years ago I had the opportunity to jet off to Paris. It was there I had my first experience with Paul & Joe. Specifically, the most beautiful blush pink coloured Paul & Joe swing coat with mod 60's round pockets and gold buttons. It was love at first sight. I bought it. I've never regretted the price, or having to shlep it home on a crowded airplane from halfway across the world. It still remains the item of clothing that I reach for whenever I have a special occasion and I want to feel special.

Now that I'm back in Canada, I have to settle for drooling over beautiful Paul & Joe collections via the internet. This dress is from the Paul & Joe Spring 09 collection and it's fantastic. The colour is retro and reminds me of the 50’s Sunbeam kitchen collection. The cut is modern and a wearable take on the famous wiggle dress. The sleeves are without a doubt the icing on this seafoam green cupcake. I do believe that this is the equivalent to my blush pink coat, only in the form of a dress. When I showed this picture to the Dr, he said, “Its old school awesome, just like you!” Does it get any better than that?

Can we please go back to Paris?
via: Net-A-Porter

Spring Inspiration - Kate Spade

I am craving this dress from Kate Spade for Spring. It has a certain vintage quality, and the waist detailing makes wearing stripes do-able. The bateau neckline and float-away skirt make this dress professional enough for the office, but the fabric and colour makes it just as easy to wear on a week-end outing to the flower market. I am envisioning this paired with an oversize gold necklace, a fabulous pair of colourful wedges, and a cardigan thrown across the shoulders for those breezy days when you need a little extra something. Voila, picture perfect for Spring!

Kate Spade – you do it to me every time!
Easton Stripe Jillian Dress (345$)

Inner 50's Housewife Seeks Inspiration

I’m 95% sure I was born in the wrong era. Hiding inside my average Gen-Y body is a 50’s housewife and she’s just dying to get out. This top is the perfect transitional piece – modern enough for the daily grind yet vintage enough to help calm my inner-beast. I have a few meters of 50’s barkcloth at home in a very similar print (substitute green and turquoise for brown and orange). This top has given me the inspiration to put my sewing skills and my tiny Janome to the test and try to recreate this piece… Updates to follow.

See By Chloe - Roses Top (295$)

Via: Neiman Marcus

Yabba-Dabba Do - Christopher Kane

Christopher Kane describes his Spring 2009 collection as, "a prehistoric concoction of tunics, dresses and killer heels inspired by everything from the Flintstones to busty cave-girl-on-the-run, Raquel Welch,"

Spring 2009 is all about the florals & corals, Kane has hit it right on the mark! There is something so ethereal about the silk scallops and the way these dresses move. They are young and fun while maintaining a sophisticated and timeless appeal. It’s clear why Kane was named Young Designer of the Year at the 2006 Scottish Fashion Awards.

Via: Net-A-Porter

Spring Inspiration from Mui Mui

It's official - I am completely obsessed with the wedge heel for Spring 09. Imagine how brilliant these would look when paired with a full skirt for day and a short cuffed short or sleek denim skirt for the weekend.



Mui Mui - Patent Leather Wedges (570$)
Photo Source - Net-A-Porter

MIMOSA Monday - Interior Edition

In keeping with the MIMOSA Monday theme, many of you will remember Marie's Memphis Apartment recently featured over at Apartment Therapy.




Due to the high demand, Marie has since posted a house tour of sorts over at Facebook. Here are my favorites.








If I lived in this apartment, I would constantly be smiling. I love the historical qualities seen all around the apartment (i.e. floors, wainscotting, china cabinet) and Marie's choice of colours, the fantastic reclaimed Jenny Lind-style bed, and her use of vintage and new materials to create a timeless feel throughout. Click here to see Marie's Facebook Home Tour.

Photo Credits - Apartment Therapy and Marie Provence

MIMOSA Monday - Fashion Edition

As seen over at The Scoop, Pantone® has announced its pick for Color of the Year for 2009... 14-0848 Mimosa - a bold, saturated yellow.

The 2009 color of the year represents the hopeful and radiant characteristics associated with the color yellow. Mimosa is a versatile shade that coordinates with any other color, has appeal for men and women, and translates to both fashion and interiors. Look for women's accessories, home furnishings, active sportswear and men's ties and shirts in this vibrant hue.

Yellow has always been one of my favorite colours because it makes me feel happy. I just can't help but smile when I see it or wear it. We could all stand to surround ourselves with a bit more MIMOSA.

Dress by - Oscar de la Renta
Photo Credit - Elizabeth Dye

I ♥ those shoes.
I've had this picture saved for quite some time and I'm afraid to admit that I have lost the source information. If I am a regular at your blog and you posted this picture, please let me know so I can properly credit you.

Feith for Obama

I feel as though I may be the only person in the world who hasn't seen these photos! The ever-gorgeous First Lady chose this stunning dress by Tracy Feith for the National Prayer Service on January 21. I sure hope that Tracy Feith releases something with a similar vintage-feel in his upcoming collection for Target, due out this May.


Michelle Obama has yet to disappoint! I am looking forward to seeing her style develop over the coming term.

Hunter Wellies

In keeping with the rainy theme of the day, I recently discovered love, church & state. I love everything about their collection. This picture reminds me of Spring on the farm; the dress is typical kitty-wear, and I am especially drawn to the boots. I admit to owning the Wellies (shown on the model) in black, but after seeing this photo, I am wishing for a pair in red for the coming season.



{Note: I'm a size 7}

Smythe Statement

Now this is what I call a statement jacket.... Sourcing it will be a whole other story. Smythe is notoriously tough to find, does not distribute or sell online, and ships randomly. Did I mention they are Canadian and totally worth it ?!

Check out the Smythe Spring 2009 collection here.


Interesting factoid - Tommy Smythe, designer and television regular (Sarah's House / Room Service - Sarah Richardson) is the brother of Christie Smythe - co-designer of Smythe jackets.

Sartorial Inspiration - Statement Jackets

A statement jacket is at the top of my list of things I must own for Spring/Summer and a version for Fall/Winter. Both of these jackets must be a colour and cannot be a version of black or grey or brown - because I already have those and they aren't working for me.


In particular, I love the way the jacket in the picture cuts away from the body at the bottom - it reminds me of the Smythe one-button equestrian style jacket that is featured every fall, yet this version is slightly more office appropriate because it's done in a solid rather than a bold print.

This outfit is classy and I was immediately drawn to how simple it was to create, yet how completely polished and appropriate the girl in the photo looks - I would prefer a longer hemline, but she can rock the short look at her age. This would be an effortless go-to outfit for those days when I just can't find anything to wear to work, and I already have the majority of pieces in my closet to recreate such a look.

To top it off, the necklace and booties are brilliant and make the outfit very age appropriate.

This outfit has given me the inspiration to try to create a new outfit from my endless and tired winter wardrobe. Thanks Scott!

photo source - Sartorialist

Zooey for Oliver Peoples

Coined as "smart, sassy and sophisticated" the vintage-inspired "Zooey" frame is the result of a collaboration between our favorite eyeglass designer and the gorgeous Zooey Deschanel. The frames are available in a range of colours, this combination is my current favorite -



The Zooey frames are currently available for pre-sale (415$) online through the Oliver People's website through March 15!

photo credit - Oliver Peoples

Fascinating - Following the Fascinator Trend

I swoon for all things vintage or vintage-inspired. When I was just a little girl my parents bought me a vintage black feather fascinator. At the time I had no idea what to do with it and used it for dressing up my dolls. I recently dug it out from the storage box and while it's missing a few feathers, I can't wait to wear it.

Fast forward to 2008 - Last fall I purchased a designer clip feather fascinator and two feather band-style fascinators - one came complete with tulle! Sadly, I never had the guts to wear them outside the house but I quickly realized that I prefer the band version to the clip version. The band is easy and allows for adjustments. Enough said.

I'm loving the modern approach and materials incorporated into the Rosette Fascinator Headband over at giantdwarf's Etsy shop. It's big and bright and comes in yellow... What more could a girl ask for?



If you're looking for a more delicate version, look no farther than the feather fascinator. Personally, I would wear this version the most. Feathers help to soften severe updos - such as the french twist I am notorious for wearing. I'm loving the bright blues and turquoise in this version from violetdelight's Etsy shop



Finally, there is the birdcage veil fascinator. While this version may be the dressiest of them all, I would argue that a little tulle never hurt anyone! I particularly like this version - complete with hat, from satanica's Etsy shop.



Images courtesy of Etsy

What I'm not buying...

I am sensing a theme for Spring/Summer - pinks, yellows, greys & florals are where my head's at. I want the posie ring so bad I can taste it.




photo source - Anthropologie