Fall Pink

Shirt- Jacob (love this on sale too!)
Skirt- Rickis (love this!)
Necklace, Bracelets- Stella and Dot (here
Shoes- Nine West (here)
Bag- Gap (love this on sale!)

Life's a Peach

This weekend was the annual Winona Peach Festival! I admit, I look forward to this all year long. I am lucky enough to live within walking distance to the festival (although with a toddler sometimes it is easier to drive and park closer if possible). The Peach Festival has something for everyone including a midway, arts and crafts vendors, a wide selection of food, pony rides for the kids, and of course the delectable peach sundae. The admission is free which means this festival normally draws a large crowd. My family went on Saturday and Sunday this year, take a look at some of the pictures taken during our two days. You can't leave the Peach Festival without a basket of peaches!

There was a car show at the festival Saturday and Sunday this year. I love old pick up trucks so of course when I spotted this one it felt like Christmas morning. I got the ask the owner a few questions and he was nice enough to let me sit inside. Oh when I win the lottery....

The peach sundaes in all their glory!

Charlie was very intrigued with these remote control cars. In Hamilton there is a remote control car indoor race track, if you're saying, "really?", well it's true. This hobby is gaining in popularity and the cars come with a hefty price tag.

Top 5 Summer Songs, 2014 Edition.

To all of you who know me as 'teach in fashion', I have some news to share, I am a bit of a music snob. So much so that I pay for SiriusXM each year because I love the indie station. My love of music ( more specifically indie), started in probably Grade 10, just on the cusp of the Britpop era (if you don't know what this is, think Oasis, Blur, and Pulp). I love discovering a great song just as much as I love the great fashion find. I thought it would be fun to share my top five songs of the summer. I will be honest, I find I listen to much more top 40 during the summer, maybe it is because this is more 'happy' music. Let me know what you think of my choices and take a listen!

Number 5- Taylor Swift, Shake it Off.

This was a very very late addition. This song was just released this week, but man this girl can write a great pop song. It's so fun, and she talks about her own struggles with the press around her dating life. The video is even more fun, and simply awkward!

Number 4- Ariana Grande, Jessie J, Nicki Minaj- Bang Bang

I am sure you have heard this one before, this song is kind of like you've been punched in the face it hits you that hard. It is so catchy and fun to listen to. Ariana Grande has been releasing excellent pop music all summer, but this is the best of the bunch.

Number 3- Death From Above 1979- Trainwreck

HALLELUJAH!!! DFA IS BACK!! If you are familiar with Death from Above 1979 you know very well they have not released any music in a decade. This Toronto based duo has had a tumultuous few years of working out their differences. Trainwreck is a huge welcome back from this band!

Number 2- Chromeo and Toro y Moi, Come Alive
Words cannot express how much I love Montreal based Chromeo. The disco/ 80's new wave throw back in their music is so fun, and if you have not heard of them please take a listen, I bet you love it. Come Alive is no exception to the disco-esque vibe Chromeo does best.

Number 1- Saint Pepsi, Fiona Coyne

I first heard this song listening to My Old Kentucky Blog on Sirius XMU, the guys that run the blog have impeccable music taste. This Saint Pepsi song, gets my number one spot because is exemplifies everything summer is. fun, happy. exciting, and makes me sentimental about the days I lived downtown Toronto. This is a song that will make you dance, and definitely will get stuck in your head

There's my choices, what do you think? Tell me what your song of the summer is.

Transitional Floral

I know you'll be shocked when I say this, but I love fall! I love fall fashion, fall fairs, the weather change, all of it. Fall gets me excited to go back to work, and to wear all my coats again. This floral dress has a darker element to it which makes it perfect to wear between seasons. The blue cardigan adds a nice jewel tone to the outfit. My favourite part of this outfit has to be the shoes!

On a side note, these pictures were shot on the property of a house very close to where I live. The owner happened to be out when we were starting to shoot and let us use any part of the yard we wanted. I didn't get his name but it was so nice of him.

Shop:
Dress- The Limited ( LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS)
Cardigan- Ricki's (short sleeve here)
Shoes- Nine West (here)
Bag- Kate Spade (similar in wine colour)
Necklace and Bracelets on Left Hand-(Stella and Dot)
Bracelet on Right hand- Yuni Kelley(here)

Nine West In Style Collection

Nine West recently released a capsule collection with In Style Magazine. I haven't been so excited about shoes in a very long time. I actually don't buy as many shoes as you may think I do. I was recently at my local Nine West Store to see this collection for myself and to try on a few pairs. First off, the display is lovely, and the sales girls were so nice to me considering I was there to work on a blog post, and may or may not have been making a purchase. The styles are classic, with vibrant fall colours, and I will admit, leopard has never been my favourite print BUT this collection has made me re-think my leopard print negativity. See below for some pictures of the collection and head to your local Nine West store or you can shop online, here.

How Do I Choose My Looks?

Over the last few months I have learned so much in how to create a standout fashion post. When I look back at my early posts I definitely see a change in my outfits. Sometimes, I have to reshoot a look because my first try was lousy, or what I thought would look good in my head does not translate the same on screen. I am going to show you an example of how I took an outfit that I thought did not 'pop' and turned it into one that did.

Attempt 1.

I started with this gorgeous  H&M skirt that I really wanted to be the focus. Then I paired it with a light blue/grey t-shirt and a casual jean jacket. I added my favourite Biko necklaces, my Manolos, and my blue Danier bag. You can see from the two pictures below that the skirt does not get the attention it should next to the other pieces. I also didn't like that the t-shirt was pulling and rippling, so I knew right away I needed to change the shirt. I loved the necklaces, bag, and shoes, but I knew I could easily do better!

Attempt 2.

I used the same H&M skirt, and paired it with a navy lightweight sweater, a gorgeous vintage locket my Grandmother had, and these amazing Nine West shoes that I am sure you're tired of reading about. This time I used a pale pink Gap clutch and some Stella and Dot bracelets. This outfit really makes the skirt the focus and I feel shows it off far better than my first attempt. As much as I love my Manolo Blahnik's, the shoes in attempt two really complete the outfit, and add a little bit more interest. See the pictures below, what do you think? Is attempt 2 the better outfit? And keep reading for my tips on how to choose the perfect outfit.

Tips for Choosing an Outfit (blog or not).
1. Choose your statement piece and work your other items around that, ask yourself, which piece of clothing must someone notice?
2. Plan your accessories wisely, sometimes less is more, BUT there must be accessories. The last thing you want is for the outfit to be wearing you.
3. I always like to take a picture of me in the outfit, your phone will do just fine. This way I can see what works and what I can easily change.
4. I love colour blocking, in blog pictures these outfits normally look fantastic. Don't be afraid of colour.
5. When in doubt always follow what Stacey and Clinton say, colour, texture, pattern shine! All four should be in your outfit.

I'd love to hear your tips! Let me know, leave a comment.

Michelle

Citron Midi

A midi-length skirt is actually quite hard for me to wear. Being only 5 feet 2 inches makes it hard to find a skirt that has the perfect length. Most midi-skirts look like full length skirts on me. Hence, when I buy a midi-skirt it has to be something I am willing to invest further in by having it hemmed. This lovely 424 Fifth skirt was a Summer sale buy for only thirty dollars! I then went and hemmed it five inches. The result as you can see is pretty fabulous! Paired with the cobalt blue blouse and leopard print heels it makes for a great outfit. I am probably going to wear this to work during the first few weeks back to school!

Shop
Blouse- Aritzia (here in white)
Skirt- 424 Fifth (same line but in black)
Shoes- Nine West (here)
Bracelets, Ring, Necklace - (Stella and Dot)
Bag- Aritzia (similar for $30)

Stella and Dot

It is no secret that I love Stella and Dot accessories, so much so, that I used to be a stylist. I am no longer a stylist as I was not very good at booking shows. I could style the product wonderfully, but was not the right personality to convince people to have a show in their homes. I find the quality of the product to be very well made, and the styles are right on trend. When the fall collection was released in mid-July I wanted to have a trunk show of my own in order to see the new styles, and maybe get a few free items. Here are some pictures of the trunk show and my fall collection picks below.

All of the fall bracelets are gorgeous and these three are no exception. The rose gold triangle pave cuff is lovely, and the pyramid stud cuff is right on trend with what the Valentino line has been showing.
Shop - Triangle Pave Cuff, Pave Chevron Cuff, Pyramid Stud Cuff

This necklace is amazing on, the jewels are fantastic and I know I will wear this day and evening.
Shop -Lila Necklace

This Cassady necklace was a big seller, it is one piece you need to see in person in order to appreciate it. The price point on this necklace is great considering all the intricate work.

Shop- Cassady Necklace

Last, but not least is the Callie necklace, this is a statement piece for sure, but I couldn't turn it down. Be sure to look for this necklace in future blog posts.
Shop- Callie


Which pieces are your favourite? Leave a comment and let me know.

Sparkled Tulle

As the fall season approaches black and white pieces make great transitional outfits. This tulle skirt is so fresh and fun, and paired with this apple printed blouse this outfit can easily be worn through all seasons. I have had this sequin clutch for years and the other pieces are borrowed. Let me know what you think of tulle?
Skirt- Space 46 Boutique (here)
Blouse- Kate Spade (almost identical)
Bracelets- Stella and Dot (pyramid cuff, pave chevron, pave arrow bracelet and ring)
Shoes- Aldo ($30.00 here)
Bag- Coach (so many options here)