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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For the last few weeks, Fashion Magazine has asked their style panel to discuss this season’s top colour trends, Metallics and millennial pink. Without realizing it, I basically wore the same outfit twice. My love for these trends is real.
Read about Metallics
Read about millennial pink
Metallics: Sweatshirt: Skinny Sweats, Skirt: Pink Tartan, Boots: Zara, Frames: Clearly.ca, Earrings & Necklace: Catbird
Millennial pink: Blazer: Theory, Sweater: Halogen Cashmere, Pants: Topshop Canada, Earrings: Vintage, Glasses: Clearly.ca, Shoes: Carven x Robert Clergerie at The Room
Photography by 2Boo Studio
Being a blogger, I’ve come to learn a few tips and tricks to styling insta-worthy pieces that can guarantee to be a hit on your social media accounts. Other than nailing a great pose with ideal natural lighting, I like to let my statement pieces shine but ensuring that other elements are toned-down. Fashion Magazine asked their style panel to style a pair heels from Ecco’s new fall collection – which is bringing a new era of high heels that look as good as they feel and here is what I said.
Photography : 2Boo Studio
Jacket: Marc Jacobs, Dress: Diane Von Frustenberg, Mary- Janes: C/O Ecco, Glasses: Xavier Garcia from The Eyeglass Factory, Watch: C/O Daniel Wellington
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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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It’s getting to be that confusing transitional time of the year, when not only am I dying to wear my new (and old) fall pieces, but also am exhausted by the summer options. The days are still so hot, and it’s impossible to be layering knits and textures yet. So, I’m left with getting creative, and finding new ways to wear my fall favourites, early.
I’ve folded down a vintage dress shirt, that is a little big on me, and tucked in the collar. Then I tied the hanging sleeve with the bottom of the shirt, giving it that belted look, creating a very on-trend and updated asymmetrical top. Paired with simple culottes and my trusty mules, I’ve styled a classic look with an updated twist.
Shirt: vintage, Culottes: WhoWhatWear x Target, Mules: Design Lab from Hudson’s Bay, Earrings: Erickson Beamon from The Room, Glasses: Kam Dhillion from Clearly.ca
Photography: 2Boo Studio
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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
2016 has big promise, as my hubby and I will be moving into our new home (hopefully by the fall). I discussed with Fashion Magazine how I plan for moving and staying fashionable within a budget.
Photography Trevor Negin
Dress: Zara. Turtleneck: Joe Fresh. Boots: Seychelles. Glasses: Clearly.ca, Earrings: Hortense, Watch: Skagen Denmark
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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When heading back into a work week, I like to prep my outfits to ensure that they are clean, steamed and prepared for the possibility of a sleep-in, especially when a long weekend had just passed. I’m very selective when choosing appropriate outfits for work, as I want to ensure I have decent coverage of any bra straps and undergarments. I find that as my fashion taste has evolved, my style has become a bit more modest in terms of length, favouring midi to maxi rather than shorter hemlines for an office environment. I love the ladylike silhouette that this hemline provides, and it is flattering on basically everyone.
Dress: Lumière, Mules: 424Fifth by Lord & Taylor at Hudson’s Bay
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