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.
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Planning a New Year’s Eve outfit is usually a daunting task, having to take into account how you will be celebrating, what the weather will be like, and ensuring you’d be comfortable for what is typically a long night. I remember in my 20s, spending hours freezing while waiting for cabs to pick up my girlfriends and I, while wearing somewhat inappropriate outfits for winter in Canada. Times have most definitely changed.
This year, at 37 weeks pregnant, my night will be a bit different than years previous. Trevor and I will be keeping the evening plans simple and quiet, while visiting with some friends at their house. Now that we are in a new stage, with #babyNegin on-the-way, ensuring comfort will be the single most important thing for me when getting dressed for the evening out.
Like, I’ve said throughout my pregnancy, knits have been my go-to choice of fabric, (examples: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) as they are so easy and stretch well allowing for my bump to stay cozy. I quickly fell in love with this simple black midi dress from Tobi (which is on sale now), and it will likely be my NYE outfit paired with sparkly necklace or statement earrings. I am also obsessed with the fact that these stretchy knits will fit well postpartum, as I work to get my pre-baby body back.
Dress: C/O Tobi, Hat: Helene Berman (old), Frames: RayBan C/O Clearly, Boots: Dr. Martens, Tights: H&M Mama
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Being a curvy woman, horizontal stripes have always been a touchy subject. Some people think that they highlight the wrong places on your body and can make you look larger. I’ve found that with picking the right stripe along with a great fitting garment can be super flattering for any body shape. Some of my favourite outfits that I’ve worn that feature horizontal stripes are 1, 2 and 3.
When I was shopping in my latest go-to boutique, Carry Maternity located in Yorkville, I stumbled upon this long sleeve maxi dress and completely fell in love with the cool tones. Once trying it on, I loved how stretchy and warm it was perfect for my growing bump and will work for post-baby too.
I’ve paired it with white boots and a wide brim hat, but plan to layer a long cozy cardigan or structured blazer on top and ankle boots for when the weather gets a bit cooler.
And Taco agrees, stripe are totally in.
Dress: GeBe Maternity C/O Carry Maternity; Hat: Lack of Color, Boots: Zara, Glasses: Ray Ban C/O Clearly.ca
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I feel like so many of us will be holding onto every last ounce of beautiful weather we get before the cold fall and what is expecting to be a brutal winter come charging into the city. With how our summer went (if you didn’t hear about it), Trevor and I are trying to make up for lost time by enjoying these beautiful early fall days filled with beautiful temperatures and the sun beaming down on us.
Last week, when we had some beautiful and unseasonably warm temperatures we ventured to Andrew’s Scenic Acres to pick some of their breathtaking dahlias, fresh corn and some delicious blueberries (which we later baked into a peach and blueberry pie). Upon driving up to the farm, located North-West of Toronto, in Milton I was initially excited for the fresh fruit but once I witnessed their flower fields I could not contain my excitement. I ran towards the gardens and was in complete awe. I spent close to 45 minutes just frolicking in the beautiful field, surrounded by thousands of these blooms, as I picked a beautiful bunch to bring home.
As we approach the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, Toronto is expecting another burst of warm weather. Do you have any plans for the long weekend?
Dress: Mendocino, Glasses: C/O Clearly.ca, Bracelet: C/O Swarovski
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Now that we are in mid-June I can finally feel those summer vibes that I’ve been craving all year. There is something to be said about what changes when the city heats up, from the sudden urge for gelato to the increased traffic basically going anywhere, Toronto becomes alive in the summertime. I personally, can’t help but feel the heat and want to get out and explore our beautiful city, from Pedestrian Sundays in Kensington Market to exploring what’s changed on Queen Street. Summer in the city is without question my favourite.
My go-to look for exploring in the city are flowy dresses that can take me from day tonight – because you never know where you’ll end up. When I found this stunning dress (now on sale) I knew it would be the ideal item to that I could hit Sugar Beach in, walk to some shopping, then out for dinner. As soon as I put it on (back in early spring when it was still snowing) I got all the summer vibes and it was true love.
Dress: Ganni, Frames: Michelle Lane, Earrings: by the fab Emily Valentine, Sandals: Dune London (old)
Photography by 2Boo Studio
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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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
Getting ready for a wedding is one thing. It becomes a completely different story, when you’re injured. For those who don’t know, I tore my meniscus back in October (after Fashion Week, thankfully), and have been living in running shoes and oxfords for some times awaiting surgery. But when one of your best friends gets married, you know you have to still bring it.
Planning this outfit took more time than expected, as my main concern was my knee, and ensuring I could still walk by the end of the night. The dress, I knew had to be long, incase I woke up that day in pain and would need to wear my knee brace. The heel would have to be minimal which would be a first for me. And I would need to plan ahead with a pair of flats so that I could change at any point.
I found this dress, effortlessly during boxing week, at Hudson’s Bay. There were almost too many beautiful gowns to choose from, and ended up buying two. The studded straps sold me on this Halston Heritage gown though, as the bride, in my mind has always been a badass. The shoes, seemed to be more difficult because I procrastinated, and waited too long to go searching, and most places were sold out of my size. I found solid gold at Zara, with these laced-up-chunky-heels that lasted me the entire night! The coat was the easiest part, a vintage fur I found while vacation up north with family, perfect fir a cold winter night.
Check out Part 1 and 2 of this outerwear series.
Dress: Halston Heritage, Fur coat: vintage, Shoes: Zara, Earrings: Erickson Beamon
Photography by Trevor Negin
Today I’m wearing my dad’s Roots Canada Special Edition Toronto Maple Leaf Awards coat. When this amazing collection of leather goods inspired by Toronto’s great hockey team was released I knew I had to get this coat for him. I thought I’d steal it from him, to honour my first Maple Leaf game tonight (shocking I know)!
Check out Part 1 of this outerwear series ft. my favourite purchase this fall
Coat: Roots Canada (old but their new one is a beauty too ), Dress: Zara (old), Boots: Coach (on sale!), Glasses: Clearly.ca
Photography by Trevor Negin
Fashion Magazine asked their style panel what our plans were, and of course what we were wearing, for ringing in the New Year. Here is what I said.
Photography by Trevor Negin
Sweater: Free People, Dress: Club Monaco, Mules: Design Lab for Lord and Taylor, Jewelry: Vintage, Glasses: Ray Ban
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