Sandal season! After 6 months of hibernation, tootsies everywhere have emerged in all their polished glory. I picked up these Seychelles babies on a recent trip to DSW, amongst a sea of Clarks and Chinese Laundry. I particularly love the braided detail and prom-esque black satin strap. After discovering how unbelievably comfortable they were, I poked around the Seychelles website and found them in two other (cuter) colours…restraint.
Have a lovely sunny Sunday. x
Seychelles, $90
Yellow
Emerald
Based on the paltry amount of FatFreeFashion Daily Serving post I do, one must assume my daily outfits consist of polyester pull-on pants and a Hard Rock Hotel t-shirts. As sexy and inspiring as that would be, I do try to ramble out of my bathrobe on a daily basis, so reflecting on this blog should happen more often. Hence, the first FFF double whammy outfit post. It’s a big deal, I know! I’m bracing myself here, it’s a pose, work with it. xx
Sweater: H&M. Necklace: F21. Dress: F21. Boots: Marshalls.
Life is a Highway
Yes, this is my inaugural Spring outfit post…socks be gone!!! Spring has sprung and it’s a positively balmy 10 degrees celsius in Toronto folks! We are sweltering up here, and my blue ankles only prove there’s got to be more of this GLORIOUS weather to come (please God, please, please).
F21 Everything, minus the Zara shoes and Micheal Kors bag.
Forgive the pose. I get “one shot” at glory and this is a big winner, no eyes closed.
Not White Socks- Spring has Sprung!
Woo Spring
In today’s digital age, anything can be purchased online. Travel, food, soft lines, hard lines, love interests, friends, sex- you name it, it can be purchased with the ease of a credit card number. This got me thinking. Yes, it’s quick and easy, but is it preferred? Personally, I rarely shop online. Living in Toronto and working downtown, I realize I am spoilt for choice when is comes to retail options. Stealing away on my lunch break to everything Canadian retail has to offer is an activity I sometimes (frequently) indulge in. But accessibility isn’t the primary reason I shop in-store. Shopping in person provides a satisfaction that the click of a mouse just can’t beat. The thrill of the find, the atmospherics, the option to try before you buy and the instant gratification are all reasons I prefer the traditional retail experience.
Shopping to me is an adventure in itself, which also leads to discovery. An intriguing store opening in a rather obscure part of town or city is often the carrot to bait me to the neighbourhood. I explore and find new favourites (restaurants, parks, events) that I probably wouldn’t have found otherwise.
Most importantly, shopping is an escape away from my computer, which I associate (mainly) with work. In my limited amount of downtime, I’d rather be enjoying human contact and soaking in inspiration, rather than holed up behind a screen, clicking my way to a great deal. I’ll even shamefully admit that the possibility of extra savings off my purchase isn’t enough incentive for me to shift my habits. In this high-tech world, maybe I’m just an old-fashioned traditionalist, but they don’t call it retail therapy for nothing!
A Feeling Money Can't Buy
Fashion and home decor go hand in hand- you can’t really love one without appreciating the other. The Design Files is a Melbourne-based design blog that inspires my inner Martha. I’m ready to move into this place right now! It has all my favourites: an obscene amount of vases, roses, the Med, Missoni and blue, blue, blue. I’m home.
Home Sweet Home
Come On Over To My Place
When a necklace is this good, it deserves a post. I picked this baby up from H&M for $19.95, after a coworker tipped me off “cuz I have a major thing for necklaces”. Of course it’s love! Thanks Bianca!
Best Barbizon Model Pose
The Star. H&M Neon Necklace
As the mercury rises, I’ve noticed around the city that the capri has been taken to new fashion lows with the pairing of tall boots.
Dressing for Spring can be a delicate balance. The weather is neither ideal for full-out Spring dressing, (frozen toes at 7am, blistering heat on the evening commute…) which can often leave woman perplexed on how to tackle the day ahead. While I am a strong advocate of layering, there are certain seasonal boundaries that must not be crossed. I’ve dubbed this style breach the “no man’s land” territory. That ugly space of exposed skin between the capri and the boot is not only heinous, it makes absolutely no sense! If it’s warm enough to expose the knee, it’s warm enough for a shoe. By venturing into this ultimate frump territory, one is essentially declaring open-season for style critics everywhere to tear you a new one. Don’t do it!
NO Man’s Land: The Great Divide
NO Man's Land: The Great Divide
I’ve squawked for years about my inability to wear bangles, as wearing them actually pains me- the fit is typically so loose that they rub my chicken wrists raw. I’ll suffer for fashion, but I draw the line at blood and band aids. Although fit-specific items (apparel, shoes, rings) have traditionally come in a range of sizes, the bangle and bracelet were oddly left out of the sizing chart. Not anymore. It seems that retailers have finally got the newsflash that although we are sexy grown-ass women, some of our wrists stopped filling out in the 6th grade.
H&M to the rescue! A whole inch difference in circumference from standard bangles, (silver), I couldn’t believe my eyes when I spotted these small treasures, tiny enough for my spindle wrists. At two for $9.95, I’ll be stocking and stacking up for summer. Go now!
The Easter Bunny brought the colour palette and it’s here to stay for Spring 2012. Shopping for Spring clothing this season feels like taking a stroll through Candy Land: cotton candy pinks, orange sherbet, mint creme and butter cream yellow are all dominating the shops.
Soften up with these sweet options:
Rachel Roy Dress $398
Alexander McQueen $450
Lipsy Cut-Out Pleat
Zara Dress w Crochet Bodice $49
Zara, $25.90
H&M Silk Shirt $34.95
Kendra Scott Earrings, $6
Zara $79.90
Asos, $255 Mules
T.Babaton Sweater, Aritizia $95
H&M $17.95
After waiting many months for hotly anticipated Marni for H&M collection, my expectations were extremely high, perhaps even over-inflated. Marni is known for its trademark prints; wild, colourful and positively distinct. It was obvious from the start that translating this hallmark to a lower price point was going to be a challenge. My hopes were high after the online preview, but seeing it in-store could only be described as a massively underwhelming experience. In person, the collection was garish and tacky and my immediate thought was “Marni for Carny“. The structured pieces had the drape of stiff cardboard and the silk pieces, although pretty, just looked plain cheap.
Marni for H&M
Marni for H&M
Marni for H&M Silk Dress
Can we talk about pricepoint? As much as I love a good designer collaboration, it’s important to maintain the retailer’s price point integrity. Although it’s Marni, it’s still Marni for H&M, which makes it really hard to justify spending $179 on poorly made silk dress. It’s H&M, people! Jason Wu got it right with Target. Everyone knows that’s it’s the poor man’s Wu, but the price point was aligned and on target (natch, ha), which maintains critical elements to a fast-fashion retailer: spontaneity and affordability.
The saving grace for this collection were the amazing accessories. The look was undoubtedly upscale and expensive, but were aligned with H&M’s typical price point. The earrings were absolutely exquisite and completely on-trend. For $24.99, it’s a shame they were snapped up so quickly.
Marni $34.95
Marni bracelet $34.95
Marni earrings $24.95
Marni for H&M necklace $34.95
Marni for H&M necklace $59.95
