Monochromatic

Monochromatic:

First year is finished and it feels crazy! I miss the city but missed home a lot too and it's good to be back! Since the 70's have a huge influence on the spring and summer trends right now, I'm loving the halter top silhouette. This top is cool because it's midi length, however it's shear and has long slits on either side. I matched it with a pair of white skinny jeans that I distressed and frayed the hems with scissors and a pair of tweezers. Paired with black leather slides, jacket and bag, this makes for a really simple summer outfit. I also am excited to share my first lookbook video on my blog for this look. Thankfully my brother, Jack, is such a good sport with filming! Until next time...

Top // Forever 21
Pants // Forever 21 (DIY distressed and frayed)
Leather Jacket // Zara
Sunnies // Prada
Shoes // Franco Sarto
Leather Bag // Six Eleven

PLAYLIST
Say you'll be there - MØ

Colour Trends

Colour Trends:

Well, my first year of university is completed! Since I've been home (and unpacking my over-abundance of clothing), I've been thinking about what my upcoming spring/summer wardrobe will look like. Here are my three favourite colour trends right now (although, of course, I'm a true believer in wearing whatever you love!).

BLUSH:

Shop items via Polyvore

First up is not only my favourite trending colour but also my absolute favourite colour, period. Anyone who knows me or has gone shopping with me knows that I refer to this nude, blush tone as "my colour". I like this hue because of it's sophistication - it's pink without being "barbie", "baby" or "bright" pink. To me, blush pink says "feminine yet in charge" - and who doesn't want to convey that message?! You can find this colour everywhere, in every assortment of garments and it goes with just about any other neutral. Definitely a light summer colour to add to your closet. Needless to say, I could go on all day. 

Pale Blue:

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Pale blue has been popping up everywhere. This colour is a little trickier, as you want to find a pale blue and not necessarily too blue. If you know you're colours (or nail polish names...?), I think of this hue as a very very washed out periwinkle blue. It's almost a powder, and as such acts as a neutral. This colour can be added to many outfits and is easy to incorporate, especially since faded denim can resemble it. This colour is perfect because it's stands out and yet can be paired alongside other colours. This pale blue would be beautiful with a white denim for summertime.

Light Gray:

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Are you sensing a theme within these colour schemes??? Ok, I do love the lighter colours for spring and summer but I think that's fairly standard after having such a dark and dreary Toronto winter. The slightly gray shades and silver tones are so beautiful and a (slightly) different take on white for summer. Overall, I think gray is a universal colour and the lighter tones are minimalistic and clean looking... 'nough said.

PLAYLIST:

Jackie and Wilson - Hozier

Coming Over - Kygo & Dillon Francis Feat. James Hersey

FACEBOOK PAGE:

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Queen West Wandering

LINDS

CAFÉ PAMENAR

THE BURGER'S PRIEST

THE RED BENCH

Queen West Wandering:

Cooped up indoors studying is never fun when it's gorgeous spring weather outside - and that's exactly what I've been up to for the last little bit. SO, when I finished my exam on Saturday (yes Saturday, doesn't seem fair does it?) I finally got to take advantage of the sunshine. Downtown Toronto was a hot 20 degrees so it was a perfect day for a stroll. Lindsay and I walked down to Kensington market where we found Café Pamenar and had the best vanilla iced lattes ever (EVER -nothing will ever be the same *Drake voice*). We wandered around Kensington until we couldn't take the crowd anymore - clearly we weren't the only ones who were out and about! We moved onto Queen West, window shopped and took a break in the park until it was dinner time (the best time) where we met up with friends Fiona and Chloe at The Burger's Priest... YUM. Well worth the wait and the cash-only service! OBVIOUSLY we couldn't do dinner without dessert, so we got Red Bench to finish it off. This outdoor day filled with friends and food was the perfect way to celebrate almost completing my first year of university (can you believe it?) and a nice taste of the summer months to come! To everyone still writing their exams... WE'RE ALMOST DONE, HOLD IN THERE.

Lace Camisole // Babaton (Aritzia)
Silk Pants // Joe Fresh
Shoes // Franco Sarto
Sunnies // Forever 21
Bag // Marc by Marc Jacobs

Summer Starter Playlist:

Refs - Pain Goes Away
MO - Say You'll Be There (Absence Remix)
Miguel - Do You (Robataki Midnight Snack Edit)
Jax Jones - Yeah Yeah Yeah
Jon Bellion - Woodstock (Psychedelic Fiction)  - This one is specifically for those who are having                                                                                    serious fear of missing out about Coachella right now
Will Smith - Miami (Motama Remix)

Lust List | Spring Slides

Spring Slides:

SHOP THESE SHOES HERE

1. OPENING CEREMONY - MAZZY SLIDE ($235)

First up on the spring lust list are these beautiful slide-on sandals by Opening Ceremony. I first saw these shoes backstage at the Mass Exodus Fashion Show and fell in love. The pair I saw was in a light pink colour and since Opening Ceremony can do no evil in the name of shoes, I was seriously impressed. The sandal also comes in a light yellow-green colour which is surprisingly pleasing. I love the minimalistic nature of the sandal and the flat square toe. The leather ruffles create a "techno" look which can either be played up in many genres (feminine, edgy, etc.). The obvious downfall on this item is the price tag... I'll keep dreaming.

SHOP THESE SHOES HERE

2. J. CREW - HARPER MULES ($150)

These slip-ons are so minimal and stylistic that they would go with absolutely anything. I've been loving the pointy-toe trend in shoes lately. These are exactly like the classic d'Orsay style flat but instead there is no back to it. I think the backless element makes this pair look a lot more stylish and sophisticated, whereas the classic d'Orsay style could be mistaken for a ballet flat. 

SHOP THESE SHOES HERE

3. STEVE MADDEN - POKE SANDAL ($109)

Two things I love about these shoes; the wide double straps and the short chunky heel. These shoes would be so easy to dress up and down and the white leather is so clean. `

SHOP THESE SHOES HERE

4. Fendi - Palette Leather Sandal ($695)

THE ULTIMATE. Of course these are beyond my price range but they are so amazing. I've never been a fan of Birkenstock style sandals (I realize I just offended 80% of the people I know), but these are pretty cool. With my favourite blush pink colour in a soft, buttery leather, these shoes would constitute a pass on my no-Birks rule (if only my wallet became magically fatter overnight). 

Mackage | Day 3 of WMCFW

Mackage | Day 3 at WMCFW:

Ahhhh, Toronto fashion week. I'm not exaggerating when I say I found myself singing Lizzie McGuire's "This is What Dreams Are Made of" walking to my first show on Wednesday when the week finally rolled around. Yes, an odd choice in song (I'll admit), but I always feel so lucky to live in a city with so many opportunities and events like WMCFW. The Mackage fashion show was amazing of course, the line being one of the most sought after shows of the season. This beautiful FW2015 collection showed off both menswear and womenswear, focusing on soft leathers, suedes, shearlings and furs. Fringe was the hottest part of the show; definitely an up and coming trend to look out for and try next fall. You can see a couple of the runway pics here. I was lucky enough to attend the show with two of the best; Shannon who just got into FIT in NYC (big things happening!) and Dylan who writes for his own menswear blog, The Prepfectionist. Now I'm just counting down the days until the next season...

Camisole / Aritzia (Babaton)

Denim Culottes / Club Monaco

Jacket / H&M

Clutch / ela by ela

Shoes / Zara

PS - for all you "Suits" fans... unfortunately I somehow missed the fact that Meghan Markle who plays Rachel Zane on "Suits" was standing right beside me backstage. In fact, I really just mentally complimented her on her gorgeous outfit that night. I wish I knew it was her at the time, but now I guess I'll just have to run into her again... right?