february florals...

I intend to make greater efforts in making my back drops a little more interesting or appealing than my living room wall. I have to admit, the winter cold has been a bit discouraging and I'm a bit of a wuss when it comes to dropping temperatures. It's been a few years since I've seen this much snow and banks this high.

 

The Outfit

• Floral top: Do & Be- Silver Daisy Designs (SJ, Jan '11) 
• White shirt: American Eagle (SJ, Winter '09)
• Skinny cargos: Paige- Envy (SJ, Sept '10)
• Sweater: Kensie (won in online contest, Oct '10)
• Boots: Aldo (gifted from parents, Dec '09)

But the nature of my backgrounds isn't the only goal I've recently considered when it comes to my blog and content. If anyone was present at the Independent Fashion Bloggers Evolving Influence Conference in NYC last Thurday (so jealous!) or, like me, tuned into the livestream, I'm sure you won't hesitate to agree that the words of advice and insight served from the panel discussions were valuable and inspiring. I know it's made me jumpstart a brainstorm, tap into my inner creativity, and start a list of to-dos.

With the word blogger becoming saturated term, it takes real work to find your niche, talk about something you know, and continously work at improving your blog...all the mean while trying to stay with, or even ahead of the curve. A blog needs to be attractive to your readers to keep their attention. And IFB's conference content, presented some novel ideas (to me) to inspire some upcoming changes you will see on my blog!

P.S. Happy Valentine's Day!

Chanel Nails: Spring 2011

Ok, so I know this nail polish trio isn't particularly new to stores, but I finally had the opportunity to hold the bottles in my hands last weekend! I had a manicure lined up at Perfumes Plus and was torn on which Chanel shade I should have my nails panted. (I know, such a crisis.)

Photo: Fashion, Beauty & Everything Glamour

I'll say this: I've already been in a spring state of mind. I am loving and craving to new spring products and trends. More or less, I'm gravating to want to dress for the weather I want, not the weather (aka snow) that we are faced with! So pinks being on the rise for this spring, I decided to go with Peche Nacree for my nails. I loved it's peach, almost nude appearance.

My manicure was done by Stefanie at Perfumes Plus while we chatted about our upcoming weddings. (She's much more on the ball than I am!) I asked her for a little advice on preserving a manicure. We always want to make the most of it. So here is her advice on the important things to know and how to avoiding early chipping of your polish: 

"Well, to help it last longer you want to start by making sure before you do the polish application to wipe your nails clean of any oils. You can use polish remover or rubbing alcohol. Next, we use a product called chip skip, what it does is dehydrates your nail temporarily so that when you get the base coat on it bonds really well. Then after your manicure make sure your wearing gloves if your cleaning or doing dishes. After a day or two apply another clear coat and it will help keep it even longer."

Ever wonder why in Canada we don't get the same variety of Chanel products they do in the US? I remember the difficulty of getting my hands on a bottle from the Khaki Collection. Well, here's a little something I learned from Laura (make-up artist at Perfumes Plus): in Canada we actually get our Chanel products from France. Chanel's cosmetics in the US are a thing of their own: they are produced and sold there. Well, didn't my nails did feel a little more European after that!

if i could be anywhere right now...

...it would be New York City. Today kicks off the start of New York Fashion Week. Despite the fact that I was knee deep in snow yesterday shovelling and likely won't be without a big sweater or exposing my bare legs to the elements for a few more months...this week, in our continent's fashion capital, Fall 2011 fashion is already coming to light.

While other blogging fashionistas transcended on the Big Apple earlier this week, I was making plans on how I could get in on the action and feel from afar. The internet is a beautiful thing. It allows you to connect with like-minded individuals, find material on most-loved topics, and most importantly- in this case- allows you to access livestream to events happening elsewhere in the world with a the click of a few buttons. Here's how I plan to digitally connect with the NYFW blogger experience:

1. Catching the livestream of the Independent Fashion Bloggers Evolving Influence Conference
2. Connecting with the Indie Bloggers' E-Conference
3. Watching numerous livestreams from various designers' fashion runway shows

ONE

Independent Fashion Bloggers (IFB) is an online site and community of fashion bloggers. This online community serves as a collective resource in which bloggers contribute and share their experiences regarding the continuous goal of blog improvement. Fashion blogging has become a huge phenomenon and the impact and influence bloggers have on the fashion world is always evolving and ever-growing.

The Evolving Influence Conference is being held at the MAC & Milk Studios in NYC today and tomorrow. Today bloggers are donning their carefully selected outfits and heading to the conference to attend panels on topics such as:

Who owns your blog content?

Working with brands gracefully

Rise of the professional blogger

While attending a conference of this magnitude is just a future wish (mostly due to the distance and travel factors), it's one that I'll tuck into my back pocket for perhaps the next time around. In the meantime I'm happy to be able to tune in via IFB's livestream today. Will anyone else be tuned in?

TWO 

Two fashion blogs with major followings: Selective Potential and Delightfully Tacky, have collaborated to bring fellow bloggers an excellent source for fashion blogging wisdom throughout fashion week. Bloggers Tieka and Elizabeth will be posting 6-7 daily posts/seminars through the week featuring tutorials and tips on relevant hot topics. Registered participants will be entering their pass codes to swing open the doors on this virtual conference starting today. You can check out all the e-conference buzz via hashtag #INDIEblogger. Can't wait to check out the content! 

THREE

This is it: the fashion shows of this NYFW will influence what you will be purchasing and wearing coming September: 7 months from now. A coveted seat at the runway shows of  Rebecca Minkoff, Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs (and the list goes on...) may be a pipe dream for me, but the great thing about technology is that I can watch my favourite designers' fall lines from the comfort of my home. For all others I happen to miss, as Barb taught me, thats what Style.com is for.

Is it bad that I have the dates and times of my top livestream fashion show picks programmed through my blackberry into my calendar?

If you'd like to check out a few of the shows yourself, sources such as New York Fashion, Harper's Bazaar and the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week website have listed and linked to the proper sources.

military profile...

For ladies who caught onto the military and utilitarian trends this past fall, you'll be happy to know that they continue to be right-on trend for spring! You'll be able to mix your olives and khakis, your pocketed shirts and skinny cargo pants with lighter layers once the cold weather ceases and the snow starts to melt!

I love the versatility of this snap-up military green top I got from Mango last spring...depending on what I choose to pair it with, it's been suited for all seasons!

The Outfit

• Military shirt: Mango (Toronto, June '10)
• Tank top: Abercrombie (Bangor, Nov '09)
• Pants: Ricki's (SJ, Dec '09)
• Shoes: Nine West (Freeport, Nov '10)
• Belt: American Eagle (SJ, 6-7 yrs ago)
• Necklace: Swarovski (gifted from B, Feb '10)

Again, I apologize that you are staring at my living room wall again! These pictures were from last week. As I mentioned earlier this week, I'm making it my mission to seek out new backdrops where I can still seek shelter from the elements!

interlude from the elements...

I'm sure you're all getting a little tired of seeing my living room wall by now! Unfortunately weather hasn't been particularlyn friendly enough to be standing outside without being bundled up! If we aren't experiencing a snow storm, we're being attacked by the wind chill! Hmmm...I really need to beef up my efforts in finding some interesting, but sheltered locations for photos. 

I'll admit, I'm a little jealous of southern style bloggers who have such picturesque outdoor backdrops in their outfit photos this time of year! Thankfully, the sun came out in full force this weekend, and despite that the city is still buried in snow, the atmosphere was a little reminiscent of spring!

(Please excuse my dirty boots)

The Outfit

• Jean dress: Jack BB Dakota- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Jan '11)
• Floral top: Aerie (ordered online, Spring '09)
• Pink pantyhose: American Apparel (Halifax, April '10)
• Belt: American Eagle (SJ, 9 yrs ago)
• Boots: Aldo (gifted from parents, Dec '10)

The photos above were shot in front of the snow banks at the end of my driveway! With more snow expected this week, I'm not too sure where we are going to put it all!

Oh, and here's something to break those winter-time blues! On Thursday (February 10), Manchester Shoe Salon is lauching their Super Savings Days- buy a clearance item at 50% off and choose a 2nd clearance item at 75% off!

P.S. Be sure to enter the Silver Daisy Designs Giveaway!