This Just In: Silk Laundry

I was hoping this dress would arrive in time for May 1st. Laundry by Design, 100% silk and so, so pretty. Love the bow detail that is very big this Spring.

Suede Theory

The Calgary Stampede party announcements are arriving fast and furious. Whether you partake in Stampede festivities or not, dressing at least "a little" Western during the ten-day-crazy is expected.

Take the fashion high road with this butter-soft, Theory suede skirt (size 8). Paired with a crisp, white shirt and a bit of turquoise you can play along without sacrificing style or your dignity.

We're So Vain: Shine Up Those Toes

Image: www.sephora.com

Sandals, peep-toes, flip flops, bare feet - it's time to buff up those toes!

Love the French pedicure for summer because it's easy to maintain and looks good with all your lovely shoes. Sephora sells the most ingenious product I've come across in ages. The French Tips & Toes Manicure Pen. White nail polish in an easy-to-apply pen format.

I'm not suggesting this replaces a professional pedicure. It does not. It does let you touch up your toes and fingers with ease.

Spring Color

These two pieces are among my fave new items. More Trina Turk - can't get enough of her designs!

The halter and skirt are sold separately but could totally be worn together (as shown). The tulip skirt is actually made from a wool/silk blend which gives it a nice weight (no skirts flying up on a gusty Calgary day!). The halter top is silk and spandex so it's ultra-comfortable. Classics both.

Next Top Model

Image from: America's Next Top Model

A friend told me one of my dresses was worn on the last episode of America's Next Top Model. She was right!

Was so excited when this Nicole Miller dress came in. Stretch silk, size 6. Who will be the lucky girl who takes this dress home?

Always Classic

Love, love, love navy. It looks good on almost anyone and never goes out of style.

Two very different ways to wear navy above. Formal, crisp taffeta by Bill Blass or soft and silky by Laundry by Shelli Segal. Very different, both equally gorgeous.

The suit's great because each piece could stand on its' own (the skirt has front pockets!). The dress is elegant, sexy and the print hides any bumps (who wants to wear SPANX in the summertime?).

Sailor Summer

Image: www.net-a-porter.com

Two, Jean-Paul Gaultier sailor shirts arrived recently. The one pictured above in red, and one with a black stripe. Totally timeless and totally cute.

These shirts would be great with wide leg jeans or sailor pants as shown at Net-A-Porter (not sure I'm loving the white clutch with that outfit but never mind). You can pick this shirt up, for a fraction of its' retail price, on May 1st!

Summer WILL Come

It's hard to remember that when it's -10 and blowing snow outside.

Nevertheless, summer is coming and that means weddings, patio brunches and wispy dresses.
LINED, wispy dresses.

Suzi Chin never disappoints in the dress department. Girly, comfortable, and affordable. The dress pictured above is size 12, pure silk and totally gorgeous.

Trina Tube

This totally cute Trina Turk, pink tube top came yesterday! One in black as well.

These are absolutely perfect for "athletic" chested girls. You know who you are! You're the ones who can wear anything on top without looking slutty. I envy you. This tube top is for you.

The cute double layer of ruffle gives the appearance of quite a nice little rack. Love.

Big, Bright Prints

Well, the dresses are rolling in fast and furious these days. I will post pics of new items as they arrive.

Tough not to slip these into my own wardrobe. Especially since I just doubled the size of my closet - hallelujah!

These dresses are a great example of wearable, spring prints. Top photo is a dress by Steve Madden (yes the shoe guy - who knew he did dresses?). It's super soft and flowy. I'd wear this with pants but it would be great on it's own too.

The second dress is also soft and comfortable, like a robe really, by Tahari by Arthur Levine. I added the detail photo because the print is so darn pretty.

Ruching Done Right

Image: www.net-a-porter.com

OK, this dress you will NOT find at the Fashionista Social Club May 1st event. This dress is by Burberry Prorsum and can be purchased for the low, low price of $3,395 at Net-A-Porter.

I'm posting a picture of it for two reasons. First, it's stunning. Simply stunning. If I had that kind of money to spend on a dress, I would own this.

Second, it's a perfect example of ruching. Very big right now. You'll see lots of ruched dresses on May 1st. The formal definition, from FabSugar:

(Also spelled rouching) n. A French word which means to plait. It is a very ancient sewing technique. A strip of fabric or ribbon is gathered in a repeat pattern and as the gathering thread is drawn up the strip forms scallops or petals. Throughout history ruching has been an embellishment or trim on women's clothing often seen on a neckline, sleeve, hem or bonnet.

There you have it.

The Bright Belt

I'm loving the bright belt.

I brought in a bunch of bright belts for the last event - hardly any takers. Come on ladies! It's a hot look. You don't have to match it to your shoes or bag for heaven's sake.

So much more interesting than black or brown, without trying too hard.

Granny Glam

Image: www.Tommy.com

Many of you have laughed at my penchant for "granny blouses". Perhaps it was the strong influence of my fashion-for-a-fraction grandmother (bless you Gomma) but I'm all over the lady-like blouses. A little neck ruffle can never be bad. Especially when you're young enough to not NEED it to cover your turkey neck.

Imagine my delight and vindication when I saw this Tommy image in the latest issue of Vogue magazine. THIS is granny. This is granny-CHIC. Love it.

Shoe Slave: Stuart Weitzman

Images: www.gothamcityonline.com

The Sunday Globe and Mail ran an interview with shoe designer, Stuart Weitzman. I'm a big fan of SW's shoes because his shoes are so damn comfortable. And still (sort of) attainable. They also often have rhinestones associated with them - which I love. Bling on the feet is never a bad thing really.

SW's concept for the "perfect shoe":

"The perfect shoe is the shoe that makes you feel fabulous when you put it on."

If this is true, he's doing a great job, cuz I always feel fabulous in my Stewies. Two pics above are the latest additions to my collection. The brown boots are ridiculously high (5 inches) and border on fetish-wear (will put away until Fall 2008). Gold sandals? Always fabulous.