So it’s spring and in Toronto we can clearly feel it. Now it’s time to dress like it. We get so comfortable wearing dark colours and dressing in sweaters during the winter, that when the welcomed warmer weather hits, sometimes our wardrobe is confused. It’s time to bring out your bright and cheerful outfits that make you feel good.  Go for colours that will work well with your skin tone, hair, and of course the heat (as in darker colours when you’re outside make you warmer), I love this bright yellow as it works as a strong contrast to my fiery red hair.

Photography by Trevor Negin

Sweater: Joe Fresh Vegan Leather Peplum: CÖ by Janine Sudduth Jeans: Joe Fresh Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell Iphone case: J. Crew Bag: Marc Jacobs Pearl Ring: jerusalem israel

Is this too dressy? I often wonder what others think when they see me wandering around the streets of Toronto. My outfits often seem as if I’m over dressed, but in reality, isn’t everyone else just under dressed?

Since when did it really become okay for 25 year olds to walk around in sweatpants? I want you to think of when you were young, did you ever see someone in a track suit and think, “that is what I want to look like when I grow up.” Probably not unless you’re an athlete, so why does this happen?

I challenge you  to come up with 5 comfortable outfits that don’t make you look like your ill and running to the drug store. Take a picture of them with your phone, so you won’t forget them, and when you feel rushed or lazy you already have what works.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends and family.

xx. b

Photography by the very talented Trevor Negin

Sweater: TOPSHOP  Skirt: Joe Fresh Runway  Wedges: Jeffery Campbell  Watch: Michael Kors  Pearls (earring & necklace): gift

Skirt: Joe Fresh Runway     Tank: American Apparel      Spiked Jacket: Forever 21    Cork Purse: Vintage    Shoes: Jeffery Campbell

Photography by Trevor Negin

 So clearly, like every other fashion lover in Canada, I’ve been patiently awaiting the arrival for Toronto’s Fashion Night Out, unfortunately though I’ve been so exhausted lately, I only ventured out for a bit.  As a retail junkie, it was a great time to celebrate the shops, especially the 175th birthday of Holt Renfrew #hot@175. I ended early where as the rest of the stylish Torontonian  ran off to party the night away at Toronto Life’s Stylebook Party celebrating the most stylish people in Toronto, like my friends and Plaid Magazine’s Editors Odessa Paloma Parker and Robert Weir.

Skirt & Shirt: Joe Fresh     Shoes: Browns      Rose Gold Bracelet: DIY   Purse: Roots

I know everyone doesn’t suffer like I do, I must have crazy sweet blood or something, but mosquitos love me, so summer nights outside, I make sure to cover up a bit. The rose gold DIY bracelet is really something I threw together while shopping in a hardware store, it’s really a simple piece of thin metal. I clearly have purchased most of the Joe Fresh SS12 collection as I’m loving the colours, prints and entire line!
(oh and it’s all on sale now! go kittens go!)

Skirt: Joe Fresh Runway Collection    Tank: Old Navy   Belt: Vintage Silver Creek Collection   Shoes: Browns   Bag: Roots

I love volume in a skirt. The bigger the better! So when I saw this one on the runway of Joe Fresh I knew I had a game changing piece. This skirt is so glamourous, and yet I feel like it can be worn casually. I can’t wait to mix it in with a few pieces in my closet!

HAPPY {belated} CANADA DAY
Love Barbara Ann

Jacket: Talula Babaton Jeans: J.Brand  Sweater: Mendocino Shoes: Steve Madden Watch: Michael Kors Scarf: Roots

So time for a change, time to add a lot more colour into your wardrobe!