true confessions.

I just got back from Confessions of a Shopaholic.  I know, long over due.  I have been wanting to see it since it came out, but we always seem to make other plans, and I don't get out to the movies as often as I'd like to.  This was definitely a must see for anyone who has any interest in high fashion. Although it still doesn't even come close to Patricia Field's costume direction in the Sex and the City movie, it still has more than enough couture to please any aspiring fashion magazine editor, or budding fashionista. 

The costume designers did a fantastic job outfitting  Isla Fisher throughout the entire movie.  The fact that she is completely stunning, definitely helps, but the costume selection was perfect. She wore a ton of Yves Saint Laurent which you don't see very often, considering what a huge name this fashion house represents.   I have such a soft spot for YSL, especially after reading his biography, and  I particularly loved the scene in Barney's where Fisher's character picks out the stunning purple Gucci dress with the ruffled neckline, and pairs it with a stark white YSL trench.  When she walked out of the fitting room, I had to hold my breath. 

 

big sister comes to town.

You have no idea how excited I was to see that Anthropolgie, the big sister store to Urban Outfitters finally established it's first ever Canadian store.  It opened this week in Toronto, in Don Mills, and lucky for me, come August I will be an official Toronto resident.  Too bad you have to go all the way out to Don Mills & Lawrence to get a taste of anthropolgie's great finds.  I first visited this store in New York last October, and at first glance it does have a very distinct resemblance to Urban Outfitters. (When I found out they were related, I wasn't at all surprised).  The same bohemian, vintage vibe is a common denominator between both stores. 

Let's hope that the rumors are true, and a second location in Yorkville really does open up mid-summer.  

For now, check out Anthropologie, at Shops at Don Mills, at 1090 Don Mills Rd, at Lawrence, or more specifically at 19 Clock Tower Rd.  

breakfast at tiffany's. well, more like cocktails at tiffany's.

the theme was old hollywood glam.             and glamorous it was.

appetizers of smoked salmon canapes, baked brie cheese glazed in brown sugar, mini cheesecakes, and champagne.  

dressed head to toe in fur, pearls, diamonds, bird feathers and hats with veils my friends and I celebrated Haleigh's 23rd birthday in high style.  we've always loved themed parties, but this one was definitely my favorite.  i wish people still dressed like they did back in the time of marilyn monroe and audrey hepburn. i think one of the things i love the most about the movie breakfast at tiffany's, is audrey hepburn's wardrobe.  Her wide brimmed hats, her french twist hairstyle, her classic approach to the LBD, and her long strands of pearls; she pulls everything together so beautifully, so gracefully.

can't wait for the next themed party, so i can get in touch with one of my many style icons.

typical saskatchewan style.

This is the time of year, when being fashion forward, becomes very challenging. In the last week, we have had sunny temperatures, followed by below freezing temperatures and a mini blizzard yesterday morning, that gave me the feeling summer would never come. It's also the time of year when everything in my closet needs to be thrown away. I have spent the last 6 months wearing the same sweaters, leggings, scarves and t-shirts and it's time to retire them until next winter. Only problem is, the constant weather changes make it nearly impossible to splurge on spring's hottest trends because it's still not appropriate to wear most of them.

It makes getting dressed in the morning such a challenge! Last week when everything was melting, the streets were a mess. It was as if the South Saskatchewan River had overflowed onto residential streets, and I'm surprised my little red car didn't get stuck in one of the hundreds of giant potholes buried beneath all that water. I didn't want to go outside. I don't have any shoes that I would risk ruining in puddles up to my knees.

Yesterday, there was a blizzard. Just when I thought I could finally retire my ugly black winter coat and leave the house in a nice blazer, I'm back to gross salt-stained boots, quilted jackets and fuzzy mittens.

I just want to wear the cute spring clothes I've been seeing in the magazines. I am so excited for my upcoming trip to Toronto to stop in at Holt Renfrew on Bloor Street, and grab an Alexander Wang tank top, and the coveted Twenty8Twelve butterfly dress that I have sweet dreams about. Hopefully by then, it may actually be nice enough to wear them without having to bundle up like an Eskimo.

closet space.

My biggest dream in life, besides having a shoe collection to rival Carrie Bradshaw's, is having a walk in closet big enough to house the entire population of Saskatoon. Mr. Big built Carrie her dream closet on Sex and the City, and Nick Lachey built his then-wife, Jessica Simpson one for Christmas, on their reality TV show Newlyweds.

I say, well done guys! To me, there would be nothing better than having a whole room filled to the brim with designer and vintage clothing. And not to mention shelf upon shelf of beautiful high heels.

Celebrity closets are more like their own private little boutiques, housing all their fabulous couture. Above, is a picture of Mariah Carey's closet. If I had that closet, I would see no reason to ever have to leave.

altitude chic.

With two big trips coming up in the next 6 months, as well as a possible move to my favorite city, it's time to start thinking about airport outfits.  Well, that and really trendy luggage.  

I have always been a big fan of airports.  Some of the fashion industry's most well known supermodels were discovered in airports, so I've always been a firm believer in dressing for success.  

Drapey, loose fitting sweaters, paired with light cotton tops, layered with scarves are usually a safe bet.  Airplanes are always so cold, and those facecloth sized blankets they give you, only cover one knee cap, so it's nice to have a few extra layers to cover yourself up with.

For bags, the bigger the better.  The more stuff you can stow away in your carry on, the more stuff you can buy when you arrive at your destination.  And we all know that the main reason I travel somewhere, is for the shopping.  I always carry a really big purse on the airplane, that way it still counts as a purse, and you can still pull on a small suitcase.  

I've always loved luggage.  I think that matching luggage sets are the most fashionable part of traveling.  When I was in Paris, I remember watching this beautiful french woman, with a long fur coat, perfectly manicured nails, and a cigarette holder, loading her full set of Louis Vuitton luggage onto a luggage cart.  She even had  a trunk! It was the most beautiful piece of merchandise I have ever seen, and to this day I have never forgotten how awestruck I was watching her load her bags.

My own experience with luggage, however, has not been so positive.  After asking for a set of luggage as a gift from my grandma, I received a set of 3 suitcases, in varying sizes, with a pattern of  multi-colored paw prints scattered across them.  I had asked for plaid or polka dots, but I can totally see how they might get confused with each other.  These suitcases, although perfectly proportionate, are not something I want to be seen loading onto my luggage cart.  I can't master the perfect airport outfit, only to be outdone by my paw print luggage.  It just wouldn't make sense.

Someday I will own my own very fashionable set of matching luggage, trunk included.  It may not be Louis Vuitton, but there are a lot of designers popping out some pretty cool luggage right now.   Betsey Johnson's line of polka dot luggage, with blue and red bows are super adorable, and just the right amount juvenile.  A few different styles are being sold at Winner's right now, and I'm hoping to spring for one before I leave on my vacations this spring.  

After all, no one ever got discovered carrying paw print luggage.   I might as well dig up my Barbie backpack, throw in my passport and call it a day.

Check out some of the trendiest celebrity travelers, above, with great style and even better luggage!

ruffles, lace, and shoes to boot.

Lately, I have had trouble getting inspired; in all areas of my life. I'm going to blame the cold, dreary Saskatchewan winter that has no end in sight. However, after flipping through the new issue of Elle Canada yesterday, my mood brightened.

Designers have gone all out for Spring/Summer 2009. The pale color palette, romantic ruffles, and abstract hemlines are a refreshing twist from the dull blacks and grays of winter that we become accustomed to. This summer is all about being a girl. Feminine prints and patterns, and voluminous skirts perfect for picnics, date nights, and cocktails al fresco.

Embellished mini dresses and boyfriend blazers are going to be my signature look this summer. Paired with a pair of hot strappy sandals, and really big hair, it won't be difficult to banish my winter blues.

To see the new spring styles for yourself check out http://www.ellecanada.com