Coat Confessions: Part 3 Winter Formal Edition
Coat Confessions: Part 4 – The Denim Details
I’ve never been so happy to see the end of a year come. 2016 was rough, emotionally for me, and the last few weeks I’ve spent focused on my health and wellness, which will continue through into 2017 and hopefully make it my most successful year. Thank you for all of the love and support this past year!
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Each September, probably due to back-to-school anxiety, I can’t help but feel the need to reflect on new resolutions while checking in on where I am for my 2016 goals. This year, I’ve been pretty good with my overall goals; I’ve been getting back into the groove of working out (since my knee surgery) and doing my yoga practice; I’ve made smarter decisions around food, while never feeling neglected; and I’ve made my clothes last longer by taking better care, and thus spending less on new fast fashion.
I hope to continue these good practices, but moving into fall means I’m moving into my busiest time for both my work and personal life. So my new “school year” resolutions are going to be to spend more time. More time with family, more time doing yoga, more time exploring. I’m going ensure that my time for the rest of the year is well-spent, spending each moment being meaningful.
Ok, back to fall fashion. We’ve had a hot end of summer/early fall season so far, but believe it or not, I’ve already swapped most of my summer clothes out to make room for my fall wardrobe. I’m ready for layers, boots and sweaters, but since we’re not quite there yet, it’s the perfect time to layer those dreamy fall fashions. I picked up this dress back at the end of summer with the thought to layer it with a sweater and tights for fall, but paired with cute platform sneakers, my Daniel Wellington watch and dainty jewellery, it was the perfect early transitional piece (and kinda screams back-to-school for me).
ICYMI on my instagram – You can/should shop for this classically beautiful watch with 15% off at danielwellington.com until September 30th, using the code BARBARAANN, as it’s the perfect fall accessory.
Dress: WhoWhatWear X Target, Sneakers: Superga, Watch: C/O Daniel Wellington, Glasses: Xavier Garcia from The Eyeglass Factory, Necklace: Catbird
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Last week, Fashion Magazine asked their style panel about how they pack for a summer vacation. Next week Trevor and I are heading to New York on a city adventure, filled with humid and hot days. So here is what I said that I needed to have with me. Please let us know in the comments your favourite places in New York.
I also am wearing my newest addition to my growing eyewear collection from the new Retro Flux line by Derek Cardigan for Clearly.ca. And I’m absolutely obsessed with not only the amazing colour and the cat-eye shape, but the metal finish on them is just so stunning. The line comes in 4 beautiful colours, but I knew I needed a pair of frames that would contrast my hair, and the Kelly Green are perfection.
Dress: Marimekko for Target, Mules: Zara, Glasses: c/o Derek Cardigan for Clearly.ca
Photo: 2Boo Studio
Last week Fashion Magazine asked their style panel how they planned to show skin this summer. Here is what I said.
Tank: Helmut Lang, Skirt: 424 Fifth at Hudson’s Bay, Glasses: Clearly.ca
Photography 2Boo Studio
Tis the season, and I guess, the age, where every weekend, there are weddings and/or babies to celebrate. It’s a great and exciting time for my family and friends, and you have to love all the time you get to spend dressing up and eating cupcakes and champagne.
I find it important to stock up on easy and effortless dresses that allow you to move and can stand the summer temperatures. Basically, if you can keep them somewhat trend-neutral and classic you’ll be able to style them differently for many future occasions, as spring now truly means Shower Season.
Some other perfect daytime party outfits are:
- Anything off the shoulder
- Pastel and floral
- Gingham is always a good idea
- A neutral body-con
- The sexy slip
Dress: Nicole Miller Artelier, Shoes: Dune London (on sale rn!), Frames: Clearly.ca, earrings: Hortense Jewellery
Photography by 2Boo Studio
Once again, the dress-silhouette of the season, is the slip dress and with this spring’s weather being more humid than usual, it’s absolutely perfect. To update the trending dress for 2016, I’ve paired it with simple mules and a dainty choker, that I removed for some pictures as it was getting caught in my hair (that I’m beyond obsessed with btw).
Slip dresses are so easy to wear, and because they are so on trend, you can find them in literally every length and fabric. Some of my favourite slips that I’ve styled are; this simple denim maxi dress, this sexy slip for an evening out, and the one I wear the most, the classic striped one.
What are your favourite ways to style the slip dress?
Dress: Finder’s Keeper’s, mules: Zara, frames: Derek Cardigan
Photography by 2Boo Studio
As we end the month of May, temperatures are feeling like July, and I’m loving it. From the sunshine in the morning, to the warm breeze during my evening walks, these last few days have been beautiful.
A very common question I get asked each spring is about shorts and how to make them work for different settings. I most often wear my shorts, when I’m by the pool or camping up north, like I styled last summer. But today I wanted to show you how to style shorts for more fashionable affairs and settings (parties, drinks, shopping) by wearing a light weight cropped sweater, and contrasting printed shorts. I added chunky suede mules, that I’m completely obsessed with, so be prepared to see plenty of them this summer.
Sweater: A.L.C, Shorts: J.Crew, Mules: Zara, Broach &Collar: vintage, Frames: Clearly.ca
Photography: 2Boo Studio
Spring time has got me very confused. There is no real consistency in the weather or when it comes to preparing for spring outfits and outings, the only way to survive is to be ready for everything. On cooler days, like last week when Trevor and I were running around downtown, the temperatures were bouncing around 10 degrees (50 fahrenheit) and depending on where you were and if you were in the sun or not, it was freezing and windy. Armed with a warm drink, and an extra layer, we were ready for anything.
I typically lean towards leather jackets during this season, but since this year’s biggest fabric trend is clearly denim, especially raw and embroidered, I’ve been loving the attention to the versatile staple. My perfect denim coat for 2016 is all about embellishments, and Marc Jacobs nailed it with studs, stars and even a sequins cherry patch. Paired with the must-have cut for denim pants, flares, I was warm until we approached a terribly windy section of Queen St. where we grabbed another coffee to warm up.
Read the part 1, 2 & 3 of my Coat Confession series.
Coat: Marc Jacobs, Turtleneck: Picadilly, Jeans: Madewell, Platforms: Vagabond, Watch: Movado, Glasses: Derek Cardigans, Phone case: Face
Photography by Trevor Negin
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There are very few times that I wear graphic tees, and I discussed this week with Fashion Magazine about how to elevate one.
It also got me looking back to the last time I shot one, which sure enough was for Team Canada during the Pam Am Games, and with the summer Olympic coming up I’ll be sure wearing something from the new Canada Collection, available at Hudson’s Bay designed with the fab DSQUARED2.
Suit: Theory, Graphic Tee: Peace Collective, Heels: Design Lab, Frames: Clearly.ca
Photography by Trevor Negin
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I’ve been wearing glasses since I was a kid, never really appreciating how beautiful they can be and interest they can bring to your outfit, and as you’ve probably noticed, I’ve been full-on 4-eyes for the last few months.
My only issue with my glasses was driving in the sun I found myself often blinded during the afternoon commute by that beautiful setting sun. Enter Holly Eyewear, an eyewear boutique in Yorkville, that I had first found on Instagram. Holly, the shop owner, explained to me the importance of quality eye care and how a pair of prescription sunglasses would protect my eyes from the damages of the sun. Finding the perfect glasses was simple, as she carries such a stunning curated selection of designer and unique brands, and I immediately fell for these rose gold cat eye frames from Sunday Somewhere.
Thank you so much Holly for all the help and this amazing pair of prescription sunglasses, as promised my life is changed!
Trench: Zara, tank top: Helmut Lang, jeans: Joe Fresh, watch: Skagen Denmark, mules: Design Lab by Lord and Taylor, bracelet: Wear Your Label
Photography by 2 BOO STUDIO
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