It was a few days before Christmas (and I was so sick), when it dawned on me, that I had to get moving on planning my son’s first birthday. Sterling was born a few days after the start of the new year, so over the next few days I would need to arrange everything, rather quickly, as businesses would be closed during the holidays and New Years.

I decided to keep it intimate affair, inviting only our families and a few friends to celebrating this milestone in our home. With that in mind, I also worked with Sterling’s nap-time schedule to ensure a happy baby during the party.

I designed the invitations, elegant and shark themed, inspired by his favourite song, Baby Shark.  And although I’ve heard Baby Shark thousands of times, I love how excited he gets when he hears it, so I’m all about it.

I served brunch and included all of our favourites: bagels, cream cheese and smoked salmon, egg salad, tuna salad, a giant charcuterie board filled with meats, soft and hard cheeses, olives and assorted crackers and breads.

We ordered custom cookies (which were as delicious as they were beautiful) from Little Rose Cookie Co, who was so amazing to work with. She created the Baby Shark cookies and Sterling couldn’t stop smiling when he saw them.

Sterling had two cakes, a decadent hazelnut chocolate from the bakery Sweet Olenkas that we served to our guests and a naked smash cake that I made using the Betty Crocker’s Rainbow Chip and layered with frosting and sprinkles.

The smash cake was a big success. At first Sterling didn’t understand what he should do,  but with some encouragement he loved destroying and exploring the cake, tasting it a bit before dropping every last piece onto the floor (which we lined with a plastic table-cloth for an easy clean up).

I still can’t believe that I have a one year old, but I’m falling more in love with the sweet boy he’s becoming. He’s funny, creative, loves to read, obsessed with both Monkey and Taco and I can’t wait to see all of the milestones we will reach together this year.

My favourite way to change my look is through my growing collection of glasses. Clearly.ca, formally known as Clearlycontacts.ca, has become my go-to each season, for that one perfect accessory to update any outfit.

These are my newest frames, apart of their house-brand, Derek Cardigan‘s, 1960’s inspired collection named The Wonder Years.  I love the bold use of colour to help highlight the shape of the frames. I fell in love with the dipped-white colour, and the frames with the slightest hint of a cat-eye.

Dress: Trina Turk, Frames: Clearly.ca, Sandals: Dune London from Hudson’s Bay
Photography by Trevor Negin

Fashion Magazine asked their style panel what our fashion resolutions were for 2015, and before picking plan, I looked back at last year’s post to see if I held on to my resolution. The plan was to fall in love with the pieces I purchased and slow down the spending and shopping. Overall, I definitely feel that I’ve invested in basics, that are timeless.

This year, I’ll be moving my dream home that I purchased this past summer with my husband, so moneys will be tied up with saving for the big move. I find that the easiest way to change up your look, quickly and inexpensively is through accessories. Here’s what I told Fashion Magazine.

Maybe I planned my shopping list for fall better this year, or maybe, I just got lucky, but this season I’ve already fallen in love with my newest treasures from my fall haul. I searched for an easy-to-wear, oversized sweater and came up with a steal with this great knit from Joe Fresh. I’ve learned to achieve ultimate comfort, to go up a size. I was looking for unique, yet interesting jewellery, and found great treasures from Baublebar. And probably the hardest commodity to for me to choose each season are my boots, but that was simple with Topshop Canada.

Photography by Trevor Negin
Sweater: Joe Fresh, Pants: Proenza Schouler from The Room at Hudson’s Bay, Boots: Topshop Canada, Necklace and Earrings: Baublebar, Frames: Raybans C/O Clearly Contacts

This past spring, my partner in crime, Trevor Negin and I started the using the hashtag #OnAWalkWithTheNegins, and seem to have started a trend. Using custom hashtags, to create instagram libraries of trips (#roadtrippinwithboo, #eurotrippinwithboo, #usatrippinwithboo), events (#bandtsurprisewedding), or activities (#barbaraannstyleblogjuicing) allows for new followers to explore easily the history of our travels and life.

The view from this shoot is one that we’ll definitely be seeing a lot more of in the future, as we are planning a big move come 2015, and the official opening of our new studio.

Photography by Trevor Negin
Crop top: Opening Ceremony for Adidas, pants: Joe Fresh, shoes: Browns, necklace: Jewlr.com,, frames: Raybans available at Clearlycontacts.ca, earrings: Hortense,

Fashion Magazine asked their style panel this week about styling more than one statement piece. Here is what I said, including my tip on keeping the look feel balanced by ensuring no more than one item in your clothing, accessories and one beauty feature to highlight.

Photography by my love, Trevor Negin
Frames: Raybans from Clearly Contacts, dress: Millibon, heels: Pierre Hardy from The Room at Hudson’s Bay, bracelet: Nektar De Stagni, necklace: vintage

We have entered the month of August, and our nights have just gotten cooler and there’s a slight breeze throughout the day chilling the air. I think it’s time we really start thinking about transitional pieces that will work well into the fall. Right now there are amazing sales in the stores, and it’s a great time to think ahead and pick up pieces like this sweater dress, a steal- last year from the clearance rack at Club Monaco.

Photography by Trevor Negin
Dress: Club Monaco (similar, or here), frames: Derek Cardigans from Clearly Contacts, mules: Aldo (similar)

Do you want to score a sweet pair of frames like these? Like your favourite #styleambassador look on Facebook, here for a chance to win!

This summer season is truly about colour, as the gardens are in full bloom and the days seem to last forever. This season’s bright colours influenced the newest collection of Derek Cardigan frames available at Clearly Contacts. Available in the classic 7003 frame in fluoro fuchsia, blue, purple, and an amazing neon green that will turn heads!  So far I’ve loved every look I’ve styled these frames with, and they are quickly becoming my favourite accessory of the season.

Photography by Trevor Negin
Frames: Derek Cardigan thanks to Clearlycontacts.ca, Shirt and pants: Zara, earrings: Hortense, shoes: Aldo
Trevor’s frames: Derek Cardigan from Clearlycontacts.ca

When Fashion Magazine asked me to style this season’s super hot trend of metallics, I was somewhat lost at first. I looked back to some of my favourite times I’ve worked with this trend before like last December when I wore my boldest metallic look which was a great mini dress from the Isabel Marant pour H&M collection.

I find that this trend, is much easier to introduce into your wardrobe as flavour, rather than being the featured item. Like when Topshop Canada brought out the bling with this chain collar around the holidays last year, or this insane cuff from ASOS. Metallic shoes have always been a big thing (booties) (heels), and this summer there are so many choices available, and luckily now likely on sale!

Here is what I said to the style panel.

Photography by Trevor Negin
Dress: Topshop Canada, heels: Zara, clutch: Roots, Glasses: Derek Cardigan from clearlycontacts.ca,

While spring shopping, a piece I want everyone to pick up is a printed playsuit of some sort. I’ve been loving them since I wore a bright orange one last season. I find them beyond comfortable, if you can get over the whole getting nearly naked to pee, they are amazing!

Photography by Trevor Negin

Playsuit: Blush Boutique, Blazer: Sandro Paris, Flats: Michael Kors, Glasses: Ray Bans, Ear cuff: Urban Outfitters