week of fashion in SJ...

So mark your calendars lovelies, the third week in November will have us attending back to back fashion shows in uptown Saint John!

Wednesday, November 17, is Market Square's fall fashion show entitled Viva La Diva. Tickets are $25 and are available from: Market Square Administration Office, Canadian Cancer Society, Element5, Envy, Manchester, Samuel & Co., Stylin’ Mama, and Walsh Luggage. And all proceeds will be going directly to an excellent cause: the Canadian Cancer Society.

Did I mention there's a grand prize trip for 2 to Vegas?

Then (the next night) on Thursday, November 18, you'll find me in a party dress at the Canterbury Lounge for Je Suis Prest Boutique's holiday fashion show! Manchester Shoe Salon is supplying the shoes, Hummingbird Medi Spa is doing make-up, and Hairacy's will be doing the hair. Tickets are $20 and will be sold at all participating locations. All proceeds will be going to the Coverdale Center for Women, another fantastic cause.    

Classy boutique

+

Classy venue

Can't wait for all these fashion events!

And to start getting ready for the upcoming holidays there is also the (Saint John)

Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, November 20!

faux is fab...

I love the instant glam a piece of faux fur can add to even the most simpliest of outfits. If you remember my last post, I touched on the latest fashion enthusiasm for incorporating animal imitation: whether we throw on fur look-alikes or don mimic stripes/spots. It's not particularly a new trend but, like many influences in the fashion world, it has cycled in and out of favour.

I saw this vest first in July during Je Suis Prest Boutique's preview for BB Dakota and Jack fall fashions. I put it on lay-away at the time, because, let's face it, even animals shed their coats in the summer and there was no place for fur. But ever since October hit with a chill hanging in the air, this fur has been easy to incorporate into outfits that involve pieces that have solid colours as well as some black or grey to compliment.

The Outfit

Faux fur vest- Jack- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, July '09)

Black long sleeved tee- H&M (Toronto, Sept' 10)

Grey skinny pants- R&W Co. (SJ, May '10)

Black boots- Town Shoes (Halifax, Nov '07)

Necklace- H&M (Toronto, Dec '08)

Earlier this week I had a fun experience working with Lindsay Thorne (Lindsay Thorne Makeup Artistry) & Ryan Lavigne (Shutter Creative). Lindsay contacted me and asked if I would be interested in being a model as part of expanding her profile. (For a preview, take a look at my new twitter profile picture).

TTFF (6): On the wild side...

Top Trends: Fall Fashion (Post #6)

I'm sure you've noticed by now that faux fur is back in full force- a bold statement with a (literally) soft feel that I've fallen hard for- I've added three pieces to my wardrobe this fall. Maybe it's because of all the Rachel Zoe Project I've been watching, I'm not sure. Anyways, if you have ever watched you will know that fur pieces are a Rachel thing: they add instant glam to an outfit (if styled right). And it's not just one furry animal that's popular to imitate: we have a variety of rich, thick faux pieces:

The first two jackets are actually pulled from Rachel Zoe's picks on Piperlime:

Natalia

Loeffler Randall

While a vest is perfect for laying in the milder weather of fall, a faux fur coat will sure be cozy and warm once the winter breezes blow.

Loft

Free People

Jessica (Marvelous Things) shares tips on how to style faux fur.

Tiffany (Just Another Shopaholic) comments on how to wear a fur vest.

Designers have even incorporated faux fur or shearling trim along the hoods of jackets or along the cuffs of shoes: it dresses up an item, adds a little texture. 

          Sam Edelman                        Nine West

                                                    

Animal prints add a bit of pop or boldness to an outfit, but the key is not to overindugle: little bits here and there to accessorize a look rather than hijack it with spots and stripes.

Layer it in...

Joie

Rebecca Taylor

                                          

Bag it or clutch it...

              

                                         Abas                                             Street Level

Melie Biano                               Foley + Corrina

                                     

Or let your feet take a walk on the wild side...

      

Calvin Klein                         Ralph Lauren

       

L.A.M.B                             Jessica Simpson

       

Nine West                              Steve Madden

                          

 Check out how these fellow bloggers brought out their wild sides: 

Anna Katrina (Passport Glamour)

Ashley (Breakfast at Saks)

Frickys (Fric Chic)

Kelly (The Glamourai)

Kristina (Pretty Shiny Sparkly) 

Nicole (Le Mode Du Jour)

Niki (A Haute Mess)

cozy & comfortable...

...is how I would describe my new Kensie faux fur cardigan (see last post) that I won from their Watch Me Change Giveaway. (Thank you!) The Kensie website now features an online store and you can even get $25 off your first purchase!

Last night I had just gotten back from Miramichi where I had been away for work purposes the last few days. And my Saturday I was to have an early morning attending a course, so sitting, listening, and learning for the majority day required an outfit that would be comfortable (accompanied by morning caffeine)!

This was the first opportunity I had gotten to wear the faux fur cardigan since it arrived on my doorstep Wednesday via Fedex. As a neutral colour it's fairly easy to pair with items already in my closet. Since it provides a little more bulk to my shape on top, I choose a pair of bottoms that were slimming: my skinny cargos. I also threw on a lovely headband I had picked up at Silver Daisy's grand opening (and 20% off sale) as I went out the door. I was glad I choose a warm sweater and boots because I easily get cold but managed stayed warm throughout the day.

This is also the first day I used my tripod! The one I had wanted (cheapest that was fully adjustable) was out of stock when I went to Futureshop this week, but I left the store with the display model for $10 off the price!

The Outfit

Sweater- Kensie (won from blog giveaway, Oct '10)

Skinny cargos- Paige- Envy (SJ, Oct '10)

Brown tee- American Eagle (SJ, Oct '10)

Headband- Silver Daisy (SJ, Oct '10)

Brown boots- Aldo (Christmas gift from parents, Dec '09)

Necklace- Charm Diamond Center (gift from Ben, May '10)

fedex pulled in my driveway yesterday...

...and dropped off a package with my name on it!

I was fairly certain I knew what was inside, and turns out I was right...

It was the faux fur cardigan I had won from Kensie's Watch Me Change Giveaway!

This contest was held to countdown the days until the opening of their online store. On day 5, they were giving away 5 faux cardigans and I entered to win on their blog. I received this sweater right before my drive showed up for our trip to Miramichi where I'm talking a course and visiting a friend- so I have to wait until I get back this weekend before I get a chance to wear this cozy, soft sweater!

Stayed tuned to see it worn in an upcoming outfit post.

Have you ever won anything from a blog giveaway?

sparkle and shine...

I love clothing that has texture to it, be it studs, feathers, faux fur, ruching, ruffles, sequins...anything that adds a little richness and a little glam to an outfit. Saturday night I put on a tank that gleamed with metallic sparkle- I was feeling a little festive. B & I headed uptown to hang out and have a few drinks with Joel and his roomate Matt. So where you see me standing is the boys' kitchen. My outfit shots are technically incomplete since I forgot to put my shoes back on (oops)- I was wearing my Aldo black wedge booties, but in these shots they are still sitting by the door...

The Outfit

Sequined tank- Mango (Toronto, May '09)

Black jeggings- Guess- Pseudio (SJ, Dec '09)

Grey blazer- R&W Co. (SJ, May '10)

Black purse- Coach (Toronto, Sept '10)

Since the sequined top was bold in it's own right, I went with a minimalist approach to accessories: an onyx pair of studs. I did my eye make-up in glittery bronze and copper shades to coordinate with the hues of the metallic tank. 

I ended my night with a bowl of ice cream and an episode of The Rachel Zoe Project on my laptop before bed. I'm not sure how I've been so far behind, but I love (ok, I'm obsessed with) this show. Rachel Zoe has been added to my list of definite inspirations. 

and the answer is...

For the gals who guessed B was Chanel, you were right! But honestly, in the bottles they look identical. I couldn't have guessed it myself if I had been blind folded and someone else painted my nails. Plus, the camera flash really highlights the undertones that differ in these polishes. As you can see, Sew Psyched is a bit more grey while Khaki Vert has a bit more yellow in it's composition to bring out more of a green shade.

I honestly don't have a favourite out of the two. They are so similar when not under the spot light that I didn't bother to change the polish on one hand and went out last evening with both on! (But seriously, my company was all guys so really they would never notice the difference one way or another I'm sure!) I like Chanel's shade better but Essie goes on thicker. Does it really warrant a $15 price difference? Definitely not.