Monthly Archives: March 2011

Mar 30 2011
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Fashion, Outfit Ideas

Inspiration and Imitation

The only thing I love more than the great fashion on street style blogs is seeing an outfit that I adore and realizing that I already have the pieces to recreate it. I fell in love with this bright skirt-sweater combo today and can’t wait to wear my version.

I bought a bright red skirt in the same style a few weeks ago and have a plethora of lighter knit sweaters that I could pair it with. Coloured tights aren’t really my thing, so I’ll probably forego those and instead recreate the contrasting colours by wearing a top that isn’t neutral. I’m picturing fushia-red and mustard-red combos.

This picture is yet another glorious example of the brilliant style on lookbook.nu (this gal is from Milan). I am beyond obsessed. I’d love to start sharing my outfits too, but it would appear from the photographs on the site that everyone has a best friend with impeccable photography skills and a great camera to take their pictures. I’m currently lacking such a friend (or at least one that would want to take pics of me in my clothes), so for now I’ll have to settle for posting outfits that inspire me.

Mar 29 2011
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Fashion, Glasses, Nerdy, Summer

Cravings

This gal has two things I’m craving for summer: bright polish and retro sunnies. I actually want a pair of eyeglasses in this style as well- nerdy vintage chic!

Amazing photo from the ever-amazing lookbook.nu.

Mar 29 2011
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Kotex, Ridiculous, Tampons, Video

Take a Deep Breath and Don’t Freak Out…

…this is a blog post about feminine hygiene products. But before you press the back button (I’m talking to you, male readers), this post is about the ads, not the products themselves.

A funny thing about pad and tampon ads is that it’s nearly impossible to tell which brand the commercial is for until their name pops up at the end of the spot. Why? Because they all follow a formula. You either have girls doing gymnastics, cheerleading or yoga in tight, white spandex, girls frolicking on the beach, or girls dancing around and having a grand ‘ol time. The ad also usually includes the infamous “blue liquid demonstration.” Guilty of making commercials that followed this recipe to a T, a year ago Kotex decided to try a different route:

Using actual footage from their old commercials, they parody the ridiculous nature of tampon ads and challenge women to “Break the cycle.” As far as I know, Kotex is the first company to take this approach. Rather than continuing with the norm of laughable images and playing into the uncomfortable nature of the product, Kotex shook it up and looked the horse in the mouth. Believe it or not, it was my guy friend (of the gender that NEVER talks about “that time of the month” or anything associated with it) that told me about the ad! Not only has Kotex differentiated themselves by leaps and bounds, but they’re commercials are reaching all kinds of people because they’re actually funny. When you’re able to make an ad for tampons that guys aren’t embarrassed about (and will even go so far as to tell their female friends), you truly have a winner.

Well done, Kotex.

 

Mar 27 2011
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Art, Burberry, Cartier, Chanel, Classic, Fashion, Movies, Telling Time

Classics

It doesn’t matter what industry you look at, there will always be items that define the word classic. In art; Monet, Picasso and Van Gogh come to mind. In film, Casablanca, Gone With the Wind and Breakfast at Tiffany’s are often mentioned. The same goes with fashion; here, among other things, we have the Little Black Dress, pointy-toed pumps and pearls. Sometimes a strange thing happens where a brand will embody a classic item so perfectly that it actually becomes the standard.

These are three classic pieces that have done just that. I am determined to own each of them at some point in my life, though it will likely be many, many years from now, when I have a real job and stuff.

Burberry Trench Coat

A trench coat is one of the most beautiful items of clothing and has the power to make every woman look incredible in an instant. When you combine that with the glorious plaid and heritage of Burberry, you have the perfect storm. I’ve long pledged that my first big paycheck will be going directly into funding the purchase one of these.

Chanel 2.55 Bag

Does it ever get any more classic than Chanel? The answer, of course, is no. The 2.55 was designed by Coco Chanel and released in February of 1955 (get it, 2.55?) and is still as relevant and gorgeous today as it was at its debut.

Cartier Tank Watch

As you may already know, I have a thing for watches. Cartier’s Tank is the ultimate in fine time telling. It’s a piece that can be passed down for generations with out losing any appeal or becoming dated. The only thing to question is whether to invest in gold or silver?

Are there any classics (in fashion or otherwise) that you covet?

 

Mar 24 2011
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Business, LinkedIn, Networking, Social Media

Profile Not Complete

Don’t get me wrong, LinkedIn is a great tool for professionals in the modern business world. As a commerce student I created my account just over a year ago and have steadily been adding to my profile, joining groups and building my online network. However, every time I login there’s an annoying little bar on the right of my screen reminding me that my profile is not yet complete.

According to LinkedIn the following components make up a complete profile:

  • Your current position
  • Two past positions
  • Your education
  • Your profile summary
  • A profile photo
  • Your specialties
  • At least three recommendations

I’m at 90% on that little bar, the only thing my profile is currently lacking is an abundance of recommendations (I have one). The problem is that most of the people who I would ask for a recommendation from aren’t on LinkedIn. I’ve searched for past supervisors with no avail- you’d think that I’d be able to connect with at least one of my five managers at Earls, but that’s just not the case.  LinkedIn, as with any other social network, is only as good as the people who use it. If people aren’t joining there’s only so far you can go with making connections and using the site as it was intended.

Will my former supervisors eventually get on LinkedIn? Will I ever have a complete profile? Questions for the ages…

 

Mar 23 2011
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Fashion, Outfit Ideas, Summer

Whimsy on a Snowy Wednesday


An adorable look from style site Lookbook.nu. This gal is from Vancouver and I’m loving her top- so much so that I just might have to go pick one up from American Apparel. I’m picturing it with dark high-waisted denim…

Mar 23 2011
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Uncategorized

Iconic

The world lost an amazing person today; a true screen and style icon. RIP Elizabeth Taylor.

The Cut has a fantastic tribute slideshow up right now, head over to check it out.

Mar 18 2011
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Telling Time, Watches

Times Are A Changin’

Quick! What time is it? Given that you’re reading this online, it’s likely that you just glanced at the clock on your computer screen- exactly what I do when I need to know the time and I’m on my laptop. But where would you have looked if someone on the street had asked you? I’m speculating that the majority of people (especially those around my age-that would be 21 years young) would have said their cell phone rather than that obscure, old-fashioned, outdated thing called a wrist watch. It’s 2011, after all.

In today’s digitized world the art of time telling seems to be a practice lost on the masses and its necessary counterpart, the watch, is being seen on fewer and fewer wrists as time goes on (yeah, I just dropped a pun- deal with it). I however, am a huge fan of the watch and have started to feel naked when I don’t strap one on in the morning. I normally don’t wear too much for jewelry (simple earrings and the occasional necklace) so in addition to keeping track of time, my watches add an extra point of interest. My ‘collection’ (I use the term loosely) currently stands at five: a gold cheapy from Copenhagen, a plastic and rhinestone one my dad found under his hotel bed in Vegas (my mum referred to it as hooker bling- and no, I haven’t actually worn it), my silver Nixon stand-by, my dad’s vintage gold Cardinal and an amazing white and gold Michael Kors (best Christmas present ever).

How do you keep track? Cell phone, watch or do you forget the whole thing and just rely on other people a la Carrie Bradshaw?

Carrie Bradshaw: Sorry. I don’t wear a watch.
Alexsander Petrovsky: How do you ever know your time?
Carrie Bradshaw: I find that someone will always tell me.

 

Mar 17 2011
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Fashion, Oktoberfest, Shoes, Summer

Sick Kicks

First of all, Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Some time ago I stumbled upon a bright kelly green trench (complete with colourful striped lining!) at Winners in Calgary and promptly fell in love. It’s a fantastic piece and is always able to put me in a better mood when I head out the door. SADLY, Calgary is not warm enough for frivolous things like cotton coats yet, so I continued wearing my trusty wool coat (from Zara) and forgot to wear green today. Don’t hate.

But I digress, the point of this post is not in fact, St. Patty’s Day, but these amazing oxfords that I found the other day on the J.Crew site.

From J.Crew.com

I bought a pair last summer in black (and without the cut-outs) and wore them all over Europe in the fall. Most notably, they accompanied me to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany and actually survived four days of drinking, dancing and walking in the rain. Plus, they looked awesome with my dirndl. With their lighter tone and cut-outs (yay, ventilation!) this pair is perfect for summer.

oxfords+dirndl+oktoberfest

Mar 15 2011
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Fashion, Horses

Colour Theory

I was perusing my closet the other day and realized that most of my wardrobe falls into two distinct colour categories. Warm neutrals and soft tones dominate most of my professional clothing (think khaki, blush, cream and brown), and punchy brights and jewel tones make up a lot of my casual wear and knits (think mustard yellow, red, fuchsia and aqua). While some people fall almost exclusively into one end of this spectrum, I don’t think I could ever be content with wearing just one; I want the best of both worlds!

To really illustrate my chameleon colour theory, I leave you with this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And just for kicks, here are the equine themed items from my closet:

(PS: Sorry for the poor quality pics- I had to use my blackberry’s camera cause I’m (once again) without a proper cam.)

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