Announcing: Oliver and Lilly's

Oliver and Lilly's is now open for business in Vancouver!

Check out the rave review this lovely boutique received in today's Sweetspot. An excerpt:

"We've always dreamt of having a stylish best friend's closet to delve into when our own wardrobe went dry (you know, about a week after our latest shopping spree). Her place would be bright and spacious, and she'd be warm, smiley and always happy to help us find the perfect piece.

Or we could skip the inevitable you-stretched-my-sweater drama and head straight to Oliver & Lilly's, a charming boutique just opened last Friday by the lovely Leighann Boquist."

Make sure you check out Oliver and Lilly's when you're in Vancouver.

Shoe Slave: Strength In Numbers

FSC members love a deal. Almost as much as we love our shoes. This is why we share our fab-finds with one another.

Pictured above are the shoes purchased on the latest FSC shopping expedition in Quebec City. Notice the focus on "practical" footwear (we were on a sporty vacation). Notice the many multiples. What are the odds of actually wearing the same shoes as your friend on the same day? Even if we did, does it really matter?

The ladies didn't think so, and I agreed.

Dress Code

Image: Calvin Klein Tuxedo Trend Fall 2008

The next FSC event will feature great pieces for fall, with a strong focus on career wear. You know, my favorite kind of work clothes - the ones you can wear on the weekend too. Great blazers, interesting pants, cool accessories and much more.

I've brought in a number of tuxedo blazers (a hot item for fall) that are perfect for work and look great with jeans too. Event announcement coming soon.

Until then, here's a funny take on dress code from richstevens.com:

Dress Code:

You are advised to come to work dressed according to your salary.

If we see you wearing Prada shoes and carrying a Gucci bag, we will assume you are doing well financially and therefore do not need a raise.

If you dress poorly, you need to learn to manage your money better, so that you may buy nicer clothes, and therefore you do not need a raise.

If you dress just right, you are right where you need to be and therefore you do not need a raise.

Shoe Slave: The Search For Navy

Image: Net-a-Porter.com

Image: Gothamcityonline.com

Any woman who works in an ultra-corporate environment, probably has a navy suit hanging in her closet. I have a few. The problem is this: how to find a fashionable, professional, navy shoe?

I do enjoy matching my footwear to my pantsuit for a conservative and understated look. Alternatives to the navy shoe are black, brown or ox-blood. I'm partial to the ox-blood option, which is what I currently wear. A few other footwear choices would be nice though.

I found this ridiculously gorgeous pair of Marc Jacobs at Net-A-Porter. Sadly, they are not within my budget, even on sale. But they are dreamy, aren't they?

The sequined, Jill Stuart navy shoe is also gorgeous but not really appropriate for day-wear.

So, if any of you ladies out there can find an ungranny, high-heeled, navy shoe....bring it. My search continues.

The Latest in Cuff-Wear

Apologies for not blogging this week. I'm currently sporting some immobilizing wrist braces to heal my strained wrists.

Note To Self: Less Sporty-Spice, more Posh.

NAPs Top 20 For Fall

Leopard Sunglasses from Anthropologie

Roots French Cafe Tote

Net-A-Porter published their top 20 "must-haves" for fall.

A couple of highlights, and some of my personal favorites are:

• The Shoe Boot
• The Sweater Dress
• Animal Prints (yes leopard print - love it)
• The Day Tote (big bags that hold everything from lap-top to lipstick)

Shopping for fall and winter is so much fun! Layers, gorgeous fabrics, boots, scarves and hats. The bag and shades above are more affordable examples of NAPs trends. Love the Roots bag.

Let's Discuss: Coats

Image: Always my fave - trinaturk.com

Yes, I realize it's the end of July. In Canada, this means it's time to gear up for winter.

The most important wardrobe item this, and every fall? The coat.

I am a life long lover of the coat. My closets are full of them. Different options for every season. Fall coats, deep-dark-winter coats, formal coats, just-running-to-the-store coats - you name it, I've got it. It's not my shopaholic tendencies that have filled my front hall closet with coats - it's laziness.

You see, a great coat covers a myriad of evils. A great coat is the piece people notice when you're running errands in your painting clothes. A great coat, along with your most fabulous shades, will disguise your no makeup day and you'll look fabulous.

So now I have you thinking about coats, watch this blog for what to look for when buying one. Hint: start looking (and shopping) now.