Outfit Post: White Blouse & Black Blazer (and Happy Halloween!)

Happy Halloween everyone!

What an interesting week its been. For the last couple of days Toronto had been on storm watch due to Sandy and we got some pretty strong winds, some trees down and thousands of people without power. But in comparison to the destruction caused in New York and New Jersey, we got off very easily.  With the amount of destruction that Sandy caused there I imagine it will take some time before NJ and NY can get back to normal. Its times like these when you truly realize the fragility of our world in the face of natural forces, but also I realized just how resilient we all can be. I am sending all kinds of positive energy to NY and NJ as they are still in the recovery mode.

Since its been raining cats and dogs all week, thought it would be nice to post some sunny Fall pictures to brighten up the day a bit! I also feel bad for the kids who might miss out on trick or treating due to the weather. When I first came to Canada at 11 yrs old, I thought trick or treating was a genius tradition you Western people celebrated lol. What is better then free candy? You just need a good plan of action, whether-appropriate costume (so you don't get too cold and have to head home early) map out some routes and get an equally committed trick or treating buddy and you can really maximize your candy acquisition. That was my goal each year. Fill up my frigging garbage bag as much as possible. So, happy trick or treating to all and may you stay committed despite the weather! 

Anyways, this is definitely one of those work-appropriate-but-I'd-still-wear-it-to-a-dinner-date outfits. Two things must be noted, this blazer is new from Zara. I spent about $120 on it and i LOVE it. I realized I had a blazer in every colour under the sun, but not a classic black one, not sure how that happened, so this is what I decided to buy as a result. Also the shoes, I LOVE my new smoking slippers from ASOS (a UK based online shop with an amazing selection of affordable and trendy items). It was my first purchase ever from ASOS because I generally don't shop online, I like to try things on, but these shoes were a perfect fit and the online shopping experience was painless. I am definitely hooked, which does not bode well for my credit card...

Outfit Breakdown:
Blazer: Zara ($120ish with tax)
Blouse: F21 ($25ish)
Pants: Dynamite
Shoes: ASOS ($30ish with tax and free shipping!)

Check these beauties out!

Photography: Priya Crasto (crasto.priya@gmail.com)

Outfit Post: Tuxedo Blazer and Maroon Dress

So clearly I have been neglecting my blogger duties as of late. I do have a somewhat good reason, which happens to arrive monthly without fail - nope its not what you're thinking, its because of a photo shoot for the Dec/Jan cover for SHE Canada (a magazine I work at as a Styling Coordinator < official title!). Yes, once a week every month, there is a photo-shoot to plan, clothes to pull, photographers to acquire, sets to confirm, hair and makeup to coax, and models to cast. Not only do I and my editor produce the shoots (which means getting all these elements in order), we also pull all the clothes which means physically visiting each designer's showroom (or, as is the case in Toronto, it often is a boutique, an apt or basement) and selecting which clothes you will most likely use in the shoot. Then the clothes get couriered or you do the couriering and of course after all is said and done, these clothes must be returned. Needless to say, it takes up most of my life for that week. I am convinced that 90% of a stylists job is lugging stuff from one place to another and a required skill for the job is the ability to balance an obscene amount of garment bags, shoe boxes, etc and open doors with your foot without suffering any major injuries. Really, if you look like a bag lady most of the time and you don't drop anything, you would probably make a great stylist.

Anyways, about the outfit; I would easily wear this to a nice dinner or a fall wedding, you'll see that I am again wearing the thrifted tuxedo blazer (I wore it before like this) but this time pairing it with a dress.

Outfit Breakdown:

Maroon Dress - M by Mendocino ($70ish)

Tuxedo blazer - Value Village ($12.99)

Booties - Le Chateau (A bday gift to myself almost 4 years ago)

Opaque tights - H&M 

Clutch - F21 

Necklace - F21 (love the jewellery there!)

Nosey neighbouring

When I run out of zoolander style poses, it turns into this.

Love Toronto

Hope you like it! I really tried my hardest at posing all cool but since my coolness is questionable, its tough to pull off...I'll try harder next time!

Photo Credits: Priya Crasto works her photography magic once again (If you need a photo-shoot of your own for engagements, blogging, headshots etc email: crasto.priya@gmail.com - she is great and will give you a starter rate, just tell her I referred you)

Outfit Post: Yellow Blazer and Black Harem Pants

So here we are, back to the grind! If you asked me a year ago, I probably would not be too happy about the end of a long weekend - and although I  loved spending precious quality time with my close friends and family this Thanksgiving weekend- I'm actually completely ok with going back to work at the magazine (SHE Canada Magazine). I feel truly grateful and blessed to be able to say that now, and that journey was not an easy one to get to but ya I love my job! :) I would love to hear what you guys are doing and how you feel about your job/career?

I thought it would make sense to post a work-appropriate outfit (maybe the harem pants wouldn't work for some offices, you can always replace with classic black trousers). There is nothing like feeling put together to add that little motivation to kick-start your work week on the right foot. I think it makes a difference if you wear something you feel good in, its a nice confidence boost (and I know I can always use some of that, mostly because I'm super humble). And also we can't underestimate the power of image in the work/corporate world today, with the growth of personal branding and social media - the importance of image is unavoidable (unless you're Zuckerberg, or Gates but then you're probably busy inventing a life changing device and not reading my fashion blog). 

Anyways, this yellow blazer I've worn before (see pics here) and really has been a great purchase from H&M. I've been wearing it to work, to nights out, to dinner etc which I think is the sign of a smart purchase, I'll do a CPW (cost per wear) analysis in the near future; the way I gauge it is if the cost per wear reaches about $2, I think you've got your money's worth!

Action shot! This was very difficult and this is the best you're gonna get

The crap I had to touch on those grimey walls for this pic :S

Hope you're Tuesday isn't too bad, and if it is, its a short week! Yay! 

Photo credits: Priya Crasto  (crasto.priya@gmail.com) 

PS: I resisted the inevitable urge to call this post Black & Yellow, Black & Yellow, Black & Yellow.....u get it.
 

Thrifty to Trendy: Black Blouse & Turquoise Pants

As promised, I will regularly be doing posts called Thrifty to Trendy to show you how I used a thrifted item in an outfit (check out my first T to T post here). One of the perks of using vintage or thrifted pieces is definitely the unique characteristics you are sure to get in your item. No one else will be wearing anything like it, and I think that's a coveted quality (at least for me ) in fashion. There is nothing worse then wearing something on trend, only to find every other person wearing the same exact piece. Part of me doesn't like the idea of being uber trendy, the best way to do it is to mix popular trends with unique pieces that really reflect who you are. It also shows you're not a slave to trends.

Here is my "Thrifty to Trendy" outfit, shot by by friend Priya Crasto (you can see her other work here) - now which item is thrifted? I'll let you be the judge!  Is it the black blouse? The turquoise pants? The necklace?  Ooooh the plot thickens...or it might be super easy to guess!

Is anyone else TGIFing today? Have a great Thanksgiving weekend - I know I will :) Having my friends over tonight and then making a big family dinner on Sunday at my Mama's (it's her first Thanksgiving even though we've been in Canada for almost 20 yrs). We did manage to get a halal turkey (Muslim version of kosher) so she could eat it. I shall let you know how our halal Thanksgiving goes next week - I'm sure I'll have some great Mama Hasan quotes to share!

I HIGHLY recommend Priya for your photography needs, she was awesome! If you're in the Greater Toronto Area, you can reach out to her at crasto.priya@gmail.com for photoshoots of your own, (engagement shoots, outfit shoots, headshots etc) and don't forget to mention that I referred you!

I Regress...

Just as I progressed to high quality pics; as the universe would have it, I regress to the shady (literally and figuratively) Myspace type self-shots. Such is my pendulum of blogging outfit posts, and if you don't know, now you know *bleeeeeeeep*!

Anyways, here I am in what I would call a fairly humdrum outfit which I rendered snazzier with the Oxford heels. Off to work I go! (super caffeinated!!)

Outfit Breakdown:
Blazer- H&M $40 from few years ago
Cropped pants- Dynamite $34
Shoes - Spring, I think 35ish

Outfit Post: City Slickin'

I've been hearing from many readers that they would like to see better quality pictures to see the outfit details better and I agree. Most of my outfit pics are quick Iphone snaps taken as I leave for work in an absolute rush (I could wake up a bit earlier to make sure its all done in good time, but sleeping for another 20 minutes in the morning seems SO important at that time!). The subsequent "editing" takes place on a streetcar and the writing sometimes happens while standing on a crammed subway car - hehe the joys of multi-tasking...

Now I'm not saying that won't happen again, but for now I have MUCH better photos thanks to my lovely photographer friend Priya Crasto who came to my rescue (as friends do!). She generously offered to get my lazy butt in gear by taking REAL outfit pictures of me, which I'm super happy with :). Most fashion bloggers seem to have a knack for being in front of the camera, but I don't feel quite comfortable yet, so having Priya taking the pictures really helped to put me at ease. I think the editor/stylist in me is used to always being behind the scenes, but its fun to experiment and force myself out of my comfort zone.

The inspiration for this outfit began with my discovery of these flared camel coloured jeans (Citizens of Humanity), also the whole Wild West trend has been catching my eye lately (cowboy type boots, hats, bolos, leather fringes, etc) I have a feeling it'll be around for next summer. So lets enjoy the little bit of summer we're having in October!

Outfit Breakdown:

Denim Vest: Thrifted for $25 (to which I added embellishment in a fun DIY project, you can check it out here)

Black blousey thing: Chinatown for $20(I never notice the name of these stores, probably called "Lovely Clothes" or something)

Jeans: Citizens of Humanity (from Aritzia, for $29!! yes, lets take a minute to let that sink in)

Ooooooh!

Big Brother's watching

I hope you liked these higher quality pictures! You will definitely be seeing more of this and less of the shady self-shots (circa 2005 Myspace).

I HIGHLY recommend Priya for your photography needs, she was awesome! If you're in the Greater Toronto Area, you can reach out to her at crasto.priya@gmail.com for photoshoots of your own, (engagement shoots, outfit shoots, headshots etc) and don't forget to mention that I referred you!

Emmy's 2012 - Best and Worst Dressed

This year the Emmy red carpet didn't lend itself quite easily to a strict best and worst dressed dichotomy. Normally, when I do my red carpet breakdowns its usually quite clear who qualifies for which list but not this time and I'll tell you why.  This year, as I was watching the "LIVE From the Red Carpet on EEE!" I found myself gravitating to some looks and then some looks clearly garnered a "NOT so much"....BUT then this strange thing happened when I started looking at the pictures of the outfits and literally each look had the opposite effect of what it looked like on TV....GAH! Really all this did was confuse me terribly....so amidst this confusion I have compiled multiple lists...lists that consists of some commentary on dresses from an awards show.... Maybe writing this out will help alleviate some of this confusion, here goes nothing:

 The "Looks Better in Pictures then on TV" List:

This sari-inspired Marchesa gown on Hayden Panettiere looks far too subdued for a 23 yr old - but when I saw this pic, I couldn't deny how good she looks, the girl knows her angles!

My first thought when I watched her on the red carpet - SEAFOAM OVERLOAD; with the shoes AND jewelry matching her dress, it was too much! But then she sprinkled her Victoria Secrety Angel-dust on the cameras and...ya she made it here - although I do NOT condone all this matching

The "Looked Better on TV Then Pictures" List:

This Giambattista Valli gown on Julianna Margulies looked amazing on TV! It was stunning: the print, the colours and the pockets really made her stand out in a good way - but then the pictures were so dull and grandma's curtains- looking - if you PVR'd the red carpet coverage like I did, I suggest you go check this one out.

Ginnifer (with a G) Goodwin WOWED in this Monique Lhuillier dress - probably one of my favs of the night! I love her chic hair juxtaposed with the glamourous over-the-top gown, really creates a striking look: this picture although gorgeous, does not do it justice!

Oh Elizabeth Moss, you normally end up on my worst-dressed or most awkward list, but lately you have been improving and this Dolce and Gabanna number really helps! The print is bold and feminine, the fit is sexy and the short blonde hair creates a wonderful contrast - I just wished it photographed better!

Battle of the Yellows: 

 Yellow seemed to be a big trend on the red carpet - I bet this is a sign for Spring 2013, you have been warned ;)

Julie Bowen (who won for her role in Modern Family! yayy!) would have been my favourite yellow if it weren't for her frazzled, half up, moussed-from-the-90's hair! I love the punch of neon, it really is a fun way to wear colour but the bad hair really hurt the whole look

The colour on this Dior couture gown is absolutely stunning on Julianne Moore but I am not a big fan of the fit, it cuts her right under her chest which creates a really strange line - not the most flattering!

Alright so that leaves us with a very pregnant Claire Danes in Lanvin (who won for Homeland, need to watch that show) - I loved how effortlessly she dressed for her changing body, this bold colour was a great way to create drama especially if you're not comfortable wearing bold cuts or fitted dresses when preggers.

And even more yellow!

Canada's very own Hannah Simone from The New Girl- also rocked a canary yellow, not a huge fan of the strap but she is gorgeous regardless!

Kaley Cuoco from Big Bang Theory

My Favourite Looks (other then some of the above):

One of my FAVs of the night: January Jones in Zac Posen, so elegant yet playful and the cut really created some interest!

Kat Dennings is absolutely gorgeous in this ruby J Mendel gown. Add the hair and makeup and of course her natural beauty and you've got a winner!

I love Tina Fey. She wore a fitted Vivienne Westwood and looked amazing it in, the colour, the cut and the fit all worked

Here is a perfect example of what a young person should wear. This Katherine Kidd gown is fun, floral, playful and Ariel Winter from Modern Family looks so pretty in it!

The "NOT So Much" list:

Alright so Zooey Deshcanel has hair issues. She always picks nice dresses and then proceeds to ruin the look with hideous bouffant hair! Enough already Zooey.

Many will like this, because its blingy, bright and fitted. But this Zuhair Murad dress on Sofia Vergara looks like her pageant dress for Mrs. Latin America 2012. No me gusta!

Oh Kristen I love you so but why must you insist on wearing boring neutrals that wash you out to EVERY award show. She even admitted on the red carpet that she told her stylist she wanted to look like a ghost....I think she got what she wanted.

Christina Hendricks in this Cristian Siriano gown is another example of wrong colouring. Its the wrong shade completely for her VERY fair skin.

AND thats a wrap folks! Did I miss anyone you think?