DIY Distressed Denim
Oooh I need, I want...
I'm a huge sucker for buttery soft leather which is why I'm a big fan of Linea Pelle bags. Each bag is hand crafted from washed Italian leather giving you the feel of the softest leather imaginable. These are a few of my favourite bags from their new spring collection.
Crayon Rings
Ever get the urge to just doodle, but only have a boring pen on hand? Artist Timothy Liles created a way to have coloured writing tools on hand at all times (literally)-crayon rings! These coloured wax rings can be found at The Future Perfect for $50 for a pack of 8 basic colours. This is definitely a bit more then you would pay for a box of crayons, but so much more fun!Cycle to Work and Still Look Chic
Topshop Launches Women’s Cycling Gear
Do you love riding your bike, but have a hard time finding a cute outfit that is also functional and comfortable? I know I do which is why I was excited to hear about this new line!Cyclodelic is a new line of women's cycling specific clothing and accessories that is designed and handmade by two female cyclists. Amy Fleurist, a London College of Fashion student, and Sarah Bank, a textile graduate, started Cyclodelic to combine great style with function for all your biking needs. The collection, starting at only €10, features capes, bags, cycling caps, customized grip bar tape, colourful lock holsters and reflective tape. It will be launching at Topshop's flagship store in London on Oxford St. on April 9th.
Amy Fleuriot, of Cyclodelic, said: "I am very excited about launching our Cyclodelic range at the Oxford Circus TopShop store bringing our cycling fashion range to what is the world's largest fashion store. Cyclodelic has previously taken part in London Fashion Week, but it will be even more fantastic to see our designs displayed next to Kate Moss' collection and bring our take on cycling feminine cool to a new audience".
Asymmetrical Part 2
Asymmetrical Cool - by eatliveshop on Polyvore.com
Spring Must Have: Asymmetrical Details
One-shouldered tops/dresses and uneven hemlines are huge for spring. You will find asymmetrical detailing on tops, dresses and skirts in a multitude of fabrics and prints-dressy and casual! Here are some of my favourties:
Embroidered rose tee with asymmetrical hem from Top Shop
Kelly green silk one-shouldered dress by Tibi 
Jil Sander for Uniqlo
German fashion designer, Jil Sander might be teaming up with Japanese clothing retailer Uniqlo. According to WWD, Sander is on the verge of signing a 'design consulting agreement' to oversee their men's and women's apparel department. The high end minimalistic look that Sander is famous for seems to be the perfect match for Uniqlo who is known for their simple inexpensive basics. High end designs at great prices-what's not to love?
FYI
Wish List
Since their launch in 2001, Suemi has been creating a timeless industrial aesthetic in accessories-rings to be exact. With a look reminiscent to a classic watch band, these rings have a clean and edgy look to them. I absolutely love these rings and they are going straight on my wish list!!
Where to buy: Lavish & Squalor in Toronto at 253 Queen St. W
Cheap Monday Store in NYC
Cheap Monday is opening their New York City store tomorrow on the corner of Lafayette and Prince Street. There will be a grouping of limited edition pieces to celebrate the new store along with their new spring collection.
SOOS Blow-Out Sale!
The coveted Toronto-based jewellery and accessory line SOOS is having a massive blow-out sale this week. Get in there quick to get your hands on new styles, last season styles and one of a kind earrings, bracelets, necklaces and handbags!
Scratch & Sniff Wallpaper
Shoes, Shoes And More Shoes
Feature: Biko
I had a little chat with Corrine Anestopoulos, designer of Biko Jewellery, to get the inside scoop on her collection and what inspires her unique designs. I absolutely love this brand and own about 10 pieces from her spring collection alone!
What made you decide to get into jewellery design?
When I was a student on a budget, I could never afford the jewellery I loved in stores. Instead, I set out to find my own materials and figured out how to make pieces that were interesting and different from what was readily out there. Biko Designs was born in 2004, after I debuted my eponymous collection to a handful of my close friends – who immediately began borrowing pieces on a regular basis. It was at that point I realized jewellery design was my true calling.
What makes Biko unique from other jewellery companies?
I love mixing different pieces together, from old and new ages, and from far and close places. I see Biko as a vintage meets modern brand, bringing quality jewellery to fun yet sophisticated women at an affordable price. To keep Biko fresh, I utilize pieces that are found throughout my travels, and I design several lockets and charms myself. This assures that I will not create what's already out there. Also, by accommodating several different price-points, Biko doesn't cater to one specific audience. While some other lines are either cheaply priced with poor quality, or over-priced and made for celebrities, the Biko brand is available to a broad market of fashionistas and women alike.
What are your influences?
I'm inspired by the odds and ends I find while digging through boxes and boxes of vintage materials. Sometimes a great find sparks and entirely new idea, or a twist to an idea I've already worked with in the past. I also love street style as it is laid back, real and raw. I'll see a girl wearing a simple outfit, and think "a necklace with a textured locket and a few charms would complete that look. I think I'll have to make one, and rock that outfit myself." I still am, however, interested in runway looks, as they help me dream up wild ideas that I can reshape for real-life wearability.
Chunky oversized jewellery is the new trend. 'Handkerchief' necklaces have been seen on the runways for spring 2009 and we saw the 'statement' necklace in fall 2008. What do you think of this new trend and do you think it has any longevity?
The handkerchief necklace is a vintage statement piece that has been brought back from the past. Looks from back in the day will continue to shape present trends, as well as style in the future. I actually love the handkerchief necklace, and even made one about a year ago for myself. However, since I had seen it around, I decided to not include it in the Biko line. With Biko I try to stay away from solely trendy pieces as there isn't as much longevity in them as with classic pieces. For me, using bits of the past alongside bits of today, I would like to think I surpass trendy and stick to timeless instead. 
I Wanted them and I Got Them!
Spring Must Have: Drapey Pants
It's Hammer time! The drapey pant that we saw in the mid-80s known as the harem pant is now back for spring in a big way. Seen on all the major runways from Alexander McQueen to Chloe to Balmain, the harem pant is a dominate look for the season. The baggy crotch and slim bottoms may seem terrifying to you, but this pant is a great laid back, chic look for spring. Not only are they incredibly comfortable, but they can look great with any look-great dressed up and great dressed down! I've put together two separate looks for you (one more casual and the other dressier), so you can get an idea of how versatile the harem pant can be and how great it can look!
Rainy Day Dress Up
For those of you who live in Toronto, you probably experienced an entire day of rain on Saturday. So in order to keep entertained indoors, I played dress up with our dog Nathan. Let me introduce my baby boy to you dressed as Mr. T!!
DIY Tights
Our friends at Nylon Magazine are at it again! They've come up with an easy DIY stencil look for your tights that were inspired by recent runway looks. Top Shop Opening
Attention shoppers: it's almost here! After months of teasing us of possible launch dates, Top Shop is now set to open their 1st store in North America on April 2nd. At 478 Broadway in New York City, you will find almost 500 items from their spring collection including Kate Moss's ninth collection! Thanks to NY Magazine, we were able to set our eyes on some super cute pieces. And if you can't wait another month, check out their goods on the new US website. I better book my flight to NYC asap so I can shop my heart out! Spring Must Have: Fringe
Fringe is a trend that is still going strong and will take you into this spring season-we even saw it on the fall 2009 runways! You will find fringe on everything from shoes, bags, jewellery, and clothing. Here are my favourite fringe picks for spring 2009:
Guide to What’s Happening:
Milan, Italy:
'Extreme Beauty in Vogue' is an extraordinary display of images from Vogue to celebrate the launch of Dolce & Gabanna's debut make-up collection. The series of photographs seen in Vogue over the past 75 years are shot by some of the world's most famous photographers. You can view the display at Milan's Palazzo della Ragione starting today until May 10th.
For more information click here. London, England: March 4th-8th on the lawns of the Natural History Museum-the official London Fashion Week Venue. Click here for more information. Toronto, ON: March 7th 10-5 at the CNIB Centre Click here for more information. 
London Fashion Weekend is the ultimate fashionista's dream and the event starts today! You can find must have fashion pieces (accessories, jewellery, and ready to wear pieces) from Valentino, Vivienne Westwood, Gucci, Paul & Joe plus many more, at a fraction of the retail price! The event also includes fashion shows, fashion clinics, make-overs (hair styling, eyebrow shaping and stylist sessions) and of course champagne and food. Oh how I wish I was in London right now...
Attention vintage enthusiast! The Toronto Vintage Clothing & Textile Show is taking place this weekend. You can find tons of vintage clothing and accessories, designer vintage fashions, vintage textiles including quilts, linens and lace all under one roof!
Swedish Hasbeens
"Her name was Anita and she was the hottest mum in all of southern Sweden in the 1970's. While smoking Camel she screamed at her kids until her curlers fell out and just looked fabulous in her white high-heeled clogs. One summer day in 2006 we found the shoes she wore (300 pairs of red, white and black beautiful clogs from the 70's) in the basement of an old clog factory in the neighbouring village and brought them back to Stockholm. So for all these people that shared our love for Anita's wooden shoes and for ourselves we started Swedish Hasbeens."
These super cute 70's inspired shoes from Swedish Hasbeens are each hand-made and individual. This means that no two pairs are alike! They are made ecologically with natural grained leather with wooden soles and rubber bottoms. How cute would these look paired with our new boyfriend jeans?!
Click here for more information.
Spring Must Have: The Boyfriend Jean
The newest look for denim for spring is the boyfriend jean. This doesn't mean that you actually have to wear your boyfriend's jeans, in fact this trend doesn't even require a boyfriend! The 'boyfriend jean' for spring is a look that is worn in, torn, a bit oversized and looks great rolled up. This is a really versatile trend in denim that you can dress up or down. You can wear them with your favourite gladiators, sexiest platform or even with your most comfy chucks. Wear them with your boyfriend blazer or your fitted beater tank for a cool casual look or with a slinky silk tank for a great evening look.Here are some of my favourite boyfriend jeans (at every price point):
What Comes Around Goes Around (authentic vintage jean)
American Eagle
