more on NBFW...

One thing that will stick out in people's minds from the NBFW event will be Andrea Cyr's impressive chainmaille skirt that paraded the runway. After 65 hours of work and 12 000 little rings, Andrea's creative show-piece was captivating.

Photo credit: Alicia Robichaud Photography

Following this show-stopper were other jewellery pieces created by Andrea. You can get a better, close up look of her work via her Etsy shop. (The dream catcher earrings are my personal favourite!)

Chainmaille Obsession by Andrea Cyr

Samuel & Co. and Envy were two of the Market Square shops to fit the runway and showcase their fall fashions. My apologies to both stores- I do believe I had mixed them up in the photo album I posted on Facebook, as could be the case in the photo strip below. Nonetheless, they both featured pieces that could that many women were likely to put on their shopping list.

Clothing: Samuel & Co. | Shoes: Manchester Shoe Salon

Kelly Ethridge, Silpada representative, also had her jewellery featured on the runway. Models were dressed in simple, but elegant black outfits that let the jewellery take centre stage.

Jewellery: Silpada

Rowena's, located in Uptown Saint John, also gave a visual show of what's inside their independent boutique on Prince William Street. The beige dress below on model Stephanie was even sold through the Facebook photo album I posted! This is definitely a spot that I plan to visit in the near future- besides their affordable price range, what makes it even more appealing is that fact that they are next door to a cupcake shop (Piece O'Cake!)

Clothing: Rowena's

Silver Daisy featured some of their latest pieces that had a colour pallete that popped! These items arrived in store just days before the show. To see these and even more fashionable pieces, be sure to join us tomorrow at the Lily Lake Pavillion for the 1st annual fashion show, a Sex & the City Soiree, to be hosted by Silver Daisy in which all proceeds are going to Hospice. You can get your tickets at the store on King Street! (There are a limited number of tickets left!)

Clothing: Silver Daisy Designs | Shoes: The Urban Shoe Myth

Another Market Square store that displayed their wears on models strutting down the runway was Walsh Luggage. Among the goods they showed were hats, purses, scarves, gloves, and even an umbrella, as carried by model Vanessa below.

Accessories, bags & hats: Walsh Luggage

A newcomer to Saint John, Jockey also brought along their fall pieces to share on the runway. They also had a table set-up at the afternoon tradeshow. 

Clothing: Jockey

And of course, I could recognize right away pieces that belong to the ever fashionable Je Suis Prest Boutique. A combination of looks that were business, cocktail, and causal on trend, there were numerous items that had me tempted.

Clothing: Je Suis Prest Boutique | Shoes: The Urban Shoe Myth

During the retailer portion of the fashion show, the gorgeous footwear were a mix of beautiful shoes from Manchester Shoe Salon and The Urban Shoe Myth- both uptown favourites of mine.

The focus of a fashion week is always the designers, but the looks put on the runway by local merchants demonstrated how Saint John is on top of its game in offering on-trend fashion to women. To check out more looks on the runway from these retailers, be sure to check out the photo album I posted:

• Photo Album: New Brunswick Fashion Week- Retailers on the Runway.

Early next week I'll be sharing one of the most interesting moments of the NBFW event...

high waters...

Half the time I begin typing up a post, I probably talk about the weather. Which might be the go-to topic to strike up when you have little else to say, but it definitely has relevance when reflecting on my outfits and why I've chosen them.

Living in the Maritimes, our weather can be quite variable and you can never trust the forecast until about 5 minutes in advance. And there are times I'll look at the Weather Network pulled up on my laptop screen and glance outside to see that the two don't even match up! I live in the foggy city where things can go from cloudy to brilliantly sunny, fair to pouring rain. But the worst has to be the cold wind we've had with all the rain over the past couple of days! Layers (and a waterproof one on hand in case) are a necessity this time of year.

Mother's Day brought about an overcast day that deceivingly warm. B and I ran some errands, grabbed our usual Starbucks and took a drive out to Rothesay to the Renforth Wharf. When we got out the car, there really was no wharf in site...as it was buried below the high waters.

The Outfit

• Cardigan: American Eagle (SJ, Sept '08)
• Vest: American Eagle (SJ, Fall '09)
• T-shirt: American Eagle (SJ, Fall '10)
• Boyfriend jeans: iT jeans- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Aug '10)
• Necklace: H&M (Toronto, June '10)
• Shoes: Aldo (Moncton, April '11)
• Ring: Silpada (jewelry party, Summer '10)
• Nail polish: "Peachy" by Gosh- Shoppers Drug Mart (SJ, May '11)

I've gotten quite a few compliments on this lovely coral shade I'm sporting on my nails, but I'll have to admit I totally took inspiration from Kate (O My Heart) when I saw her wearing it in a post last week!

I really can't wait to see some sun- then perhaps I won't be so insecure about showing off my pale legs and manage to part with my pantyhose!

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just peachy...

Honestly, before this fall, I rarely wore hoisery...even in the winter months. I hardly ever wore dresses or skirts in the cold periods, reasoning being obvious. I'm not really sure why or if I had an opposition to pantyhose before, but I have to say it's made a huge difference in my wardrobe and extended the wear of items that were just seasonal before. As I planned my outfit for a formal I attended this past weekend, wearing bare legs with my dress didn't even occur to me as an option. But the last two years I would have never wore pantyhose. Interesting how your outlook and style can change all of a sudden.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Outfit

• Grey sleeves (shrug): DEPT- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, April '10)
• Coral top: French Connection (Toronto, June '10)
• Dress: Lush- Envy (SJ, Dec '10)
• Belt (from another skirt): Eve Gravel- The Black Dog Boutique (SJ, Dec '10)
• Tights (in light orange): We Love Colors (ordered online, Mar '11)
• Boots: Town Shoes (Halifax, Oct '07)
• Ring: Silpada (jewelry party, Summer '10)

You purchase the right fit of pantyhose and they are actually comfortable. They're also a saving grace for my pale legs. They also double as shapewear and give everything a more firm appearance, even if you haven't been to the gym in months. Pantyhose have become a secret weapon for women. And when you look good, you feel good!

 

 

 

 

pink n' peaches

Friday afternoon I drove out in the direction of KV to visit PGal's Closet in Rothesay. I only recently found out about the stylish store and I was glad I did! I visited with Patricia, owner of PGal's Closet, and her daughter Baye to check out this special spot that not only has fabulous merchandise, but also has a sophisticated flare and even has a wonderful subtle scent! You should definitely check back for my next feature post about the inner beauty of PGal's Closet. In the meantime I'll share with you what I pulled from my closet to do a little shopping and then go pick up my repaired studded shoes.

The Outfit

1. Pink t-shirt- Joe Fresh (Saint John, 2 yrs ago)
2. Peach/beige skirt- American Apparel (Halifax, 3 yrs ago)
3. Brown gladiator sandals- Sam Edelman (Montreal, June '09)
4. "Love" bracelet- Swarovski (gifted from Katie, July '10)
5. Sterling silver cocktail ring- Silpada (this week)

Ohh, and FYI American Apparel has free shipping happening from August 8-11!

sterling silpada...

A few weeks ago I had never heard of the name Silpada. That is, until I received a facebook invite from my friend Meghan to attend a Silpada party at her house. I wrote her a message to tell her I likely to attend and to inquire to what exactly Silpada was...after all, I'm not one to turn down a social opportunity!

Turns out that attending a Silpada party is very much the same concept as a Tupperware or Partylite party, during which you invite your friends over to view a product while sitting in your living room with food and drink to be consumed, all while flipping through a catalog. In the case of of a Silpada, its sterling silver jewellery you try on and oggle over rather than your tried and true typicals of plastic containers or scented candles. It's always a fun opportunity with no obligation to buy...but usually everyone gets hooked on one item or another...

I have to say (aside from Megs's beautifully decorated cupcakes and cute and tastey mini raspberry cumble) I was was impressed with the quality of the catalog (as well as the jewellery, of course).

As you flip the pages, you'll notice how realistic the pieces look on the page and, in fact, they happen to be displayed at real size. I snapped a few photos of the jewellery I saw in the catalogs:

I sampled the spread set out on the table while flipping through the books and viewing jewellery on display- there was lots to choose from...

In particular, I kept eyeing the many beautiful jewel and stong rings:

The choosen one in the end was this one:

Sometime within the next week or two I should see my new cocktail ring arrive on my doorstep! And I doubt that will be the last Silpada party I find myself accepting an invite to...

Check out Silpada on Twitter and Facebook.