What Would SHE Wear?

Posted on May 17, 2013 by toshopohlic

Ever see something and think WOW that would look good on so and so? So I was trolling through Asos looking for inspiration which I do an embarrassingly alot and saw some pieces that I loved. Then I realized they would look fantastic on some bloggers I follow.

So this post is all how I would see some of my favourite bloggers to follow style particular Asos items.

atlantic pacific style1/2/3/4/5/6/7

Blair’s blog Atlantic-Pacific is wildly popular. And while it is largely photo centric I do know a few other things about her, like she works in fashion. Well maybe that is it but she has inspired a whole league of fashion bloggers to wear rings like Pheobe Buffay, pair stripes with pretty much anything and get their hair done like it was the 1950′s again.

I thought the mirrored scarf print dress was so Atlantic Pacific and I paired it with a number of items that Blair already sports on her blog or something similar. It is getting to the season where you really don’t need a jacket but I could easily see her wearing a cropped leather jacket or go more lady like and pair the dress with a trench.

omyheart style1/2/3/4/5/6

I love Kate’s OMYHEART blog for a number of reasons. She is Canadian, she rocks flats and inspires me to wear more skirts. I also love that she is proud of where she comes from and regularly intertwines Maritime inspired items into her wardrobe.

That is why, whether ironically or cliche, I thought of her when I saw this lobster stripe sweater. I paired it with a navy skirt which might have been a bit safe but I could also see her wearing the polka dot version too. All this collage needs is her Rebecca Minkoff purse!

cheetahisthenewblack style

1/2/3/4/5/6/7

Alicia (from cheetahisthenewblack.com) holds my heart as the blogger who really got me obsessed with style blogs. Probably because I relate to her the most. Well her style anyways. She rocks leather, she is petite (way more so than me) and tends to be more edgy than all the other perfect pretty girls with a blog. She is also a brunette, even though for the last year she was the fiercest red.

I love this dress for her because of the details at the shoulders and the pockets. Plus the black in the pattern means that you can throw over a black leather jacket and put on some cut out booties and be set for a night in NYC.

Who are your favourite bloggers? And what would they wear?

PS if you like this post let me know – I have a feeling it could make for a great series ;)

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Long Weekend Sales; Victoria Day Weekend

Posted on May 17, 2013 by toshopohlic

club monaco saleRetailers are notorious for offering big discounts on long weekends to encourage those who aren’t taking off into Cottage Country to head into the mall instead. Thing is with online shopping you can go to the cottage or just avoid the crazy parking lots and shop from home ;)

These are the retailers offering sales and discounts this weekend.

My Wardrobe has launched it’s Spring Sale section with up to 70% off (starting at 30% off)

Club Monaco has extended their 30% off sale for Canadians through Victoria Day Weekend.

Tory Burch has 30% off in their sale section.

Shopbop has added a bunch of spring/summer items to their sale section.

JCREW has extra 20% off use the code LOOK20

JCREW Factory has an extra 30% off SALE30%

GAP has an extra 30% off sale styles – extra 40% off sale styles in the US (whats that about? sheesh)

Banana Republic has 35% off your purchase, 30% off in the US.

Danier’s sale on spring leather jackets continues and some styles have been marked down EVEN LOWER.

Last Call has an extra 30% off Woman’s clothing plus everything for men and home.

 

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bluboho now open in Toronto! #giveaway

Posted on May 15, 2013 by toshopohlic

One of the only stores I have ever driven outside of Toronto to do a store profile is bluboho. Any others that get a mention are simply because they have another store in Toronto that I have checked out locally.

That makes this shop extra special. Still I am pretty jazzed that they just opened their sister store up at Yonge & Eglinton. Now instead of driving to Oakville I can just pop up to midtown.

Lately I have been stalking the bluboho instagram because I love their arm parties and delicate rings. And of course I was following along with the progress of their Toronto location. It is now OFFICIALLY OPEN!

In honour of the new #blbohotoronto store Cheryl & Maggie (the owners of bluboho) are offering you a chance to win a $250 gift card to shop bluboho. Details how to enter are below or check out the contest page over on the main website. There will be extra chances to win for our facebook followers so make sure you like the page!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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The Denim Vest

Posted on May 15, 2013 by toshopohlic

The denim vest is one of those ultimate layering items. In the colder months you can layer it under coats (no bulky sleeves) or over leather jackets (to get that oh so cool leather sleeve look on a budget).

In the warmer months they are perfect for layering over dresses without adding alot of bulk.

The style of denim vests are all over the map right now. Anything goes from over-sized, shrunken, bleached to asymmetrical moto zips.

denim vestShop the Denim Vest styles (3 lines left to right).

1. Cheap Monday Taylor Denim Vest

2. Proenza Schouler Denim Vest

3. KUT from the Kloth Denim Vest (under $100)

4. Two by Vince Camuto Denim Vest (Plus)

5. J.Crew Denim vest in workwear wash

6. Jag Jeans ‘Camden’ Denim Vest (Petite) (under $100)

7. Levis TRUCKER VEST (under $100)

8. Madewell The Jean Vest in Storm Cloud Wash (under $100)

9. Rebecca Taylor Denim Vest

10. DECIBEL PATCHED BLEACH WASH DENIM VEST

11. Rag & Bone/JEAN The Vest (also here )

12. Gap 1969 Denim Vest (Canadian Shoppers)

 While I like the look of some of the over-sized jean vests I am not sure this is a look I could pull off. For the ways I am imagining of styling the jean vest I think one that is fitted or more true to size would work better.

How would you wear a denim vest?

PS. I have a great giveaway with bluboho – amazing prize so you can shop their new Toronto location. Check it out HERE.

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Cottage Style

Posted on May 14, 2013 by toshopohlic

cottage styleFor me cottage style is about taking my favourites, keeping everything casual and making outfits that work.

When we drove up to my family’s cottage this week it was alternating between snow and rain. But when I was packing it was about 20 degrees so  I had to pack everything from dresses and sandals to sweaters and jeans.

danier black leather biker jacketEverything about cottage style is more laid back. Windblown hair, simple jewellery. But I refuse to throw on an unsightly coat because I have forgotten anything cottage appropriate. Instead this black leather moto jacket can keep me from looking too casual.

delicate layered jewelleryThis really isn’t a complicated look. It is a stripe top, skinny grey jeans and a black leather biker jacket. The elements that really make this outfit work are the bold coloured scarf, layered jewellery and black booties.

black leather biker jacket danierOutfit details: Black Leather Biker Jacket Danier, Stripe tank Old Navy (old), Grey Jeans Banana Republic (old but find more grey jeans here), black snakeskin boots Zara (fall ’12), Scarf Sussan (old), Jewellery Etsy & random store in the Dominican Republic.

cottage clothing styleHow do you dress for the cottage?

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Printed Denim; Bold & Subtle

Posted on May 13, 2013 by toshopohlic

I have been known to talk about printed denim from time to time. In fact I have been known to sport my fair share of floral jeans (here and here). It is still a pretty big trend, but what I like about it is you can participate as much as you want by picking a bold or subtle pattern.

subtle floral jeans

Floral Jean 1 /Floral Jean 2 or here for CDN shoppers

These floral jeans are what inspired this post. I saw the ones on the left at my local GAP store and first thought wow those are really pretty and then thought how easy they would be to wear. For those who like floral denim on others but just aren’t confident enough to pull off a bold pattern these are perfect.

The Paige jeans on the right are also super pretty but the retro pattern is more colourful and definitely will be more noticeable. Still compared to some floral jeans these are soft as opposed to look at me obvious.

bandana print jeans

Bandana Jean 1/ Bandana Jean 2/ Bandana Jean 3

This set of bandana print jeans really goes to show you that there is a printed jean for everyone. The three range from an obvious to so subtle you can barely see it print.

What I like about subtle jeans is that even after the whole printed jean thing is passe again, you can wear these without looking trendy (or not trendy?). They will just give your jeans a bit of visual interest and from far you won’t even notice much of the print at all.

tropical print jeans

Tropical Jean 1/ Tropical Jean 2

These tropical print jeans show the last way to go from subtle to bold prints. The first jean is a tone on tone pattern. Most, if not all subtle patterned denim is tone on tone. The tropical jean on the right is loud and very colourful. Plenty of colour gives a bold print.

How do you like your printed denim? BOLD or subtle?

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Mother’s Day Weekend SALES

Posted on May 9, 2013 by toshopohlic

monsoon sale

So this weekend is Mother’s Day and even though I am a mother I didn’t do one of those Mother’s Day gifts posts. Why? Well honestly I am the type that buys my own gifts because I am a bit picky. Except for the adorable hand made item’s my kids bring me, but I still use this “holiday” to justify a bigger ticket item.

So if you are like me and shopping for yourself (or giving some last minute hints) here are some sales happening this Mother’s Day Weekend.

Monsoon – 30% off ALL APPAREL. This is a great excuse to grab one of their embellished jackets (I have my eyes on this one). Monsoon has free shipping but expect to get hit by import duties.

Danier – Danier Leather has 40% – 70% off all jackets this weekend. I will be taking part in this one to grab a black biker jacket – WOOT.

JCREW has extra 30% off sale. Honestly this is how I do most, if not all, of my JCREW shopping.

Banana Republic & Gap – BR & Gap have 30% off your purchase through the weekend. They have been knocking dresses out of the park lately!

Asos – Free shipping gets me every time. And Asos also has 50% off 50 key summer items.

Neiman Marcus Last Call has an extra 30% off accessories.

Tory Burch – on the official Tory Burch site there is a super sale on SHOES!

7 for all Mankind – one of my fave premium denim brands is having a friends and family sale. To get 25% off anything use the code 7FAMFF2513. They also have a killer sale section.

Of course you don’t have to be a mom to shop the sales – just take advantage of them while they are here.

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How I Wear; Leather Pleated Midi Skirt

Posted on May 9, 2013 by toshopohlic

Leather midi skirtI have been living in Toronto for 10 years now and this is the first time I have been to High Park. I have always been amazed by the pictures of the Cherry Trees and thought I needed to go and check it out. Somehow I was under the impression that there were feilds of cherry blossoms blooming but really it is just a tree lined path. And the blossoms were almost over while I was there but it still made for a pretty photo session.

leather pleated skirtThis leather pleated midi skirt is actually wonderful for spring. It is light and airy which are two things leather skirts usually aren’t. The pleats allow for alot more comfort that your typical slim pencil skirt style.

midi skirtWhat I also like about the weight of the leather is you don’t have any of those embarrassing windswept skirt moments that can happen with lighter floaty skirts. On the flip side you probably won’t catch me wearing this skirt in the dead heat of the summer.

leather midi skirtOutfit details: Jean Jacket JCREW Factory, Stripe tee Banana Republic, Leather pleated midi skirt Asos, Sandals Gryson.

How are you wearing leather in spring?

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Biker Chick

Posted on May 8, 2013 by toshopohlic

spring dress with leather vestOk so this title might be a bit misleading as I am pretty sure I have never seen a biker chick in a white eyelet dress. Still the leather biker vest adds a bit of toughness to this otherwise sweet look.

white eyelet dress, leather vestOn the topic of adding a bit of edge – anyone comb through the pictures of the Met Ball?

Who else was dissapointed with the majority of the attendees not really going for the whole Punk theme? I mean don’t get me wrong most of the dresses were fabulous but I think that most news outlets are stretching it when they say this or that was punk.

Now I think part of it is that some punk details aren’t really showing through on the pictures. Still I would have liked to see more faux-hawks and plaid. I mean why weren’t more people wearing vintage Vivienne Westwood?

I have seen more details shots come forward and some did nail the make-up but most were very safe and pretty. Only Sarah Jessica really went for it with that fascinator!

leather moto vest, white eyelet dress

On a totally different note I received these sandals from the team at Brian James Footwear. It is a new company from the same couple that started Pediped (if you have kids I am sure you are familiar with that name ;) ).

The sandals are a novel concept on a few fronts. First you can test them out (up to 5 pairs!) before you actually commit to buying even though the company is based online. They are also super comfortable. Except that I have had to toughen up my feet for spring and no socks, you can walk in them all day and not have to have an extra pair of shoes in your bag. And they look great! No fashion faux pas from living in your Birkenstocks all summer.

I have the Chantal Sandal on and other versions of this style (from other brands) can be hard to get on but these have little elastics so they have more stretch to easily get them on, which I think is fab. AND all the styles are $98. So affordable.

leather moto jacket white dressOutfit details: White Eyelet dress Old Navy (sold out), leather Moto vest Bod & Christensen via Winners, necklace Anthropologie (old).

More white eyelet dresses and moto vest options below:

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Stripes & Florals; Mixing Prints

Posted on May 6, 2013 by toshopohlic

Stripe top floral bottomThis skirt might be considered vintage. Well not quite but it is an old Zara skirt from about 2005. It is just one of those items I still love and continue to wear each summer. My favourite part is the sash that ties at the waist.

This new stripe sweater from Zara was about the same colour combo so I thought it would be a good match. That is the key to mixing prints, keeping the colour pallet all in the same family.

stripes and floralsOne thing I wish I had of paid more attention to while I was getting dressed was how the top was tucked into the skirt. I would have checked to make sure the stripes were tucked straight across not on a diagonal.

stripes and floralsOutfit details: Stripe Sweater Zara (recent), Floral skirt Zara (old), Necklaces JCREW Factory and Urban Outfitters (old), sandals Gryson via the Augustina sale.

All I can say I have been enjoying this weather, not only because it is gorgeous out but because of getting to bring out clothes I haven’t worn in ages. Season changes are fun aren’t they?!

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