What a fantastic year! I’m overwhelmed with the love & support and so grateful for everything that has happened in 2015! I cannot wait to see what adventures Trevor, Monkey and I get into in 2016!
So much love!
Some of my favourite fashion moments and memories from 2017:
My Focus on Mental Health
2016 was a difficult year for me personally, so when this past year rolled around, I made it a goal to focus on mental health and wellness, ensuring I spent time outside, reflecting and finding mindfulness while living in the moment.
Our New Home
After a long delay, we finally moved into our first home back in late February and were able to share our first two room reveals. Up next, once it’s finished, will be the nursery which we have been putting together for a few weeks now.
Styling The Bump
Trevor and I planned to start a family in early 2018 and were fortunate to get pregnant right away. Since then, my pregnancy has not been so easy as I’ve struggled with morning sickness, carpal tunnel and lots of hip and joint pain. We are now reaching the end (37 weeks currently) and could not be more excited to welcome our baby into our family.
2018 will be an exciting year filled with more changes than ever before, and cannot wait to share all of details with you. I also wanted to shout out to some of the amazing brands I partnered with this year; Delta Faucet Canada, Clearly, Tobi, Carry Maternity, Pink Blush, Daniel Wellington, Coach, One of a Kind Show, and Westowne Mazda. If you are interested in working together in 2018 please contact me (barbara.ann.solomon@gmail.com) or Lindsay @ Shine Influencers (lindsay@shineinfluencers.com).
Can’t wait to meet you in 2018.
]]>
Being a style blogger for the past 5+ years, I’ve become very accustom to photographing my outfits and documenting my life. But for most people there are few occasions when they are photographed professionally. Typically their engagements, weddings, and during their pregnancies are the usual times they invest in portraits to remember these special milestones in their lives.
Because pregnancy is such a funny time in your fashion life, where nothing really fits the same, and clothing can at times feel like the enemy, over the next couple weeks I wanted to share a few of my favourite outfits that I’ve found would work perfectly for a maternity shoot.
The Wrap Dress: I found an amazing selection of stunning wrap dress on Pink Blush‘s Instagram and loved how stunning they looked on a growing bump. Once on their website, I found a bunch of different cuts, hi-low, short, and the maxi cut that I’m wearing, and a wide selection of the most stunning floral prints. Being a huge fan of the contrast of my hair and the colour blue – it was a simple decision for me when I spotted this one, and I began planning a location close to the waterfront to compliment the print.
I think that this dress is perfect for any upcoming occasion you may have during your pregnancy, a wedding (they also have the wrap dress in lace) baby shower or maternity shoot, as it’s effortless and comfortable.
Dress: C/O Pink Blush, Frames: C/O Clearly.ca
]]>
As you can obviously see, the accessory of choice for me is clearly glasses. Growing up I wasn’t crazy about wearing glasses. I had one pair and would only wear them when I needed a break from my contact lenses.
Things have most definitely changes for me, as now I only wear my contacts when going out formal and I have over 20 different pairs all thanks to my amazing partnership with Clearly.ca over the last 5 years. I’ve learned that having a variety of frames can really help you update your look and compliment your style. From bright colours to fun neutrals I love being able to switch my frames and have them match my outfit each day.
But saying that, my obsession with variety, is not necessary the best thing for the environment. Which is why I’ve fallen in love with the new Main & Central brand, exclusively at Clearly.ca. These frames are made from a biodegradable acetate and can be returned and recycled, when I tire of the look. This brand has 6 styles (Monday – Friday and one of the weekend) and comes in 3 sizes, so you’ll have the right size, no matter your face shape. I’m wearing the Friday frames in teal and opted for the Kodak BlueReflect lens which help reduce glare and eyestrain that is caused from spending so much time online.
Shirt: Tanya Taylor, Jeans: Joe Fresh, Shoes: Charlotte Olympia, Frames: C/O Main & Central by Clearly.ca
]]>
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
]]>
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
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
2. Turtle Love
3. Basic Edge
7. A Canadian Covered in Cat Hair
9. Muted Mauve
10. Spring Signals
12. My Eye Style
13. Rain Delay
14. TIFF Party Ready
]]>
It’s festival time in Toronto, with celebrities and film-buffs celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Toronto International Film Festival. You can actually feel the city buzzing with so much excitement and parties.
When going out to celebrate the festival, there are many different ways of dressing:
for celebrity spotting: comfortable shoes, as you could end up waiting awhile
for the movies: I always bring a sweater, the AC is typically blasting
for the parties: it’s always a perfect time to dress to the nines, as you never know if Jake Gyllenhaal or George Clooney may be stopping by (sorry boo!)
Dress: BCBG Max Azria, Shoes: Pierre Hardy, Necklace: vintage
photography by Trevor Negin
]]>
In my childhood, rainy summer days meant either a day spent with my friends in my sleepover camp’s cabin, or running around carefree with messy hair and clothes. Now, rainy days cause my hair some intense anxiety, as keeping my colour in comes with a great deal of issues.
I’m often asked how my red stays so saturated through the 6-8 weeks I go between getting it done and I’ve always held true to my favourite product. My success is because of Revlon Professional’s Nutri Colour Creme conditioner in 600 Fire Red, which basically add colour back in after each wash.
Only problem is, that it also washes out each time my hair gets wet, so getting caught in rain storm ends up looking very messy. For me the sacrifice of always being prepared with an umbrella is worth my vibrant colour, could you handle this high maintenance hair?
Dress: Zara (similar) (similar), Shoes: really old from Browns (similar)
Photography by Trevor Negin
There are some prints that are classics for the seasons, and there really isn’t anything wrong with that. It was Miranda Priestly’s character, played by Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada, who coined the phrase that made floral in the springtime feel too obvious. But in reality it’s a natural fit, as fresh blooms seem to be everywhere and a symbol of the season. This season I’ve tried to play with the size of the floral prints, and in this case, the graphic nature makes this floral an instant classic.
After all, April showers bring May flowers!
Photography by Trevor Negin
Sweater: Nordstrom, Skirt: Diane Von Furstenberg, Sandals: Dune London from Hudson’s Bay, Earrings: Michal Negrin