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?

Super-sized Outfit Post: Striped Cardy

So the super sweet fashion blogger and social media extraordinaire Anum from http://www.summerxskin.com and myself decided to offer you a bonanza of an outfit post today! What we've done is pick one item from H&M and styled it 6 different ways for ya! She wore it 3 different ways and I wore it 3 different ways. We hope to show you looks with one item for multiple occasions from day to work to night! 

The item we chose is a classic striped cardy from H&M for $20 bucks and here are my looks;

Look #1: Workin 9-5
-Striped Cardy tucked in
- Black cropped trousers (Dynamite $34)
-Studded belt (Zara $15)
- Nude purse (Mango $50)
-Red shoes  (Zara, on sale for $10!!)
 

Looking for cat hair on my black pants

 

Look #2: Prepster Hippy

- Striped Cardy

- Mint denim (Urban Outfitters $78)

- Aldo Loafers ($30ish)

- White collared shirt (Tommy, probably around $50)

Vat a poser

Look #3: Dinner dating
- Striped cardy, yadayadayada
- Camel pencil skirt (H&M)
-Thin brown belt
-  Black pumps

WARNING: Do NOT eat a big meal when wearing any pencil skirt

Now to see Anum's 3 looks click HERE