FREE Nylon Magazine


Check out Nylon's May issue for free! Just click on the picture above to download the new issue.

DIY Prom Dress



With prom season just around the corner here's a DIY video for all the teens out there on how to make a dress from the 80's work now! Cheap and chic all in one!

Sample Sale Time!!

It's sample sale time in the new fashion district in Toronto! There is a sample sale frenzy on the 2nd floor in the showroom building at 2770 Dufferin St. (or 10 Wingold Ave). Please join the showrooms below for a chance to receive 50% or more off retail on samples and spring stock!

Alyssa Agency
suite 206
www.alyssaagency.ca



Jade Sales

suite 208

Gentle Fawn
Left on Houston
Hyde Belts
Aaiko


Agency One
www.agencyone.ca

Junk de Luxe
Buddhist Punk
Religion
Ring Spun
Farmer Jeans


Where: 2770 Dufferin St. (at the corner of Wingold and Dufferin-south of Eglinton)
When: April 29th 11-8, April 30th 11-7, May 1st 11-6


HAPPY SAMPLE SALE SHOPPING!!

Current Obsession: Tulip Skirts

Denim tulip skirt from Urban Outfitters


Grey tulip skirt by Rojas



Micro fibre tulip skirt from American Apparel

I've been searching for a cute tulip skirt since last spring and now there's so many available I can't decide which one I want! These are some of my favourites!

Happy Earth Day!

Keeping with the spirit of Earth Day, here's a few great lines/items that are all eco-friendly!

Covet
Covet is definitely one of the best eco-friendly clothing lines out there. Not only do the fabrics feel AMAZING, but the styles are all unique and gorgeous. Some of the natural fabrics found in the line are organic cotton, soybean, silk, bamboo and cashmere-yum! These are some of my favourite pieces from their spring 2009 collection:



Visit http://www.covetthis.com/ for more information.


mini mioche
Unless you are 0-24 months of age, these super cute basics are not for you-they're for your baby (or niece or nephew or cousin etc)! mini mioche is made with the absolute softest 100% SKAL certified organic cotton fabric which makes me really wish they came in adult sizes (I'm a sucker for super soft basics)! And to top it all off, mini mioche is made in Canada!





Visit http://www.minimioche.com/ for more information.



Artfulwears
I absolutely love these fun chunky bangles from Artfulwears! They are made from recycled magazines and have been created using a combination of paper-mache & mosaic techniques. Don't just stop at one; grab two or three to stack together on your arm!




Verdepaperie
Check out these classy coasters from Verdepaperie. They come in a set of 6 and have been letterpressed with soy-based inks on recycled absorbent coaster stock. Verdepaperie, which means 'green paper store', makes everything from greeting cards to gift wrap to custom wedding invitations.


Tea For Your Hair?

Check out Nylon's DIY article on dying hair with tea bags. Not only is it eco-friendly, but it's also wallet friendly!

Style Swap



The Stylehog girls, Malena Harbers and Julia Seidl.

The girls enjoying some cocktails before the big swap.


As of last Thursday, I am no longer a fashion swap virgin! I went to my first swap last week which was hosted by Stylehog.com. It was a great event that was sponsored by Belvedere Vodka and filmed by Cosmopolitan TV which meant a night filled with free drinks, a chance to be a TV star and lots of shopping. As defined by the Style Hog ladies, a clothing swap is a guilt free shopping event where one fashionista's trash becomes another fashionista's treasure.

How it works: You bring a maximum of 4 previously loved pieces (I brought 3) and you are given a ticket for each item you have. After that you just shop away and at the end of the night you are able to take as many new pieces that correspond with the number of tickets you received.

Tip: Get to the front of the line just before it starts and grab as many pieces as you can and then decide what you want to take. By the time I did a 'quick' once over, everything was gone! Sadly, I left empty handed, so I will be sure to follow my tip the next time around!

Boutique Spotlight: Blush









With a Visual Merchandising educational background along with 10 years experience at Club Monaco as the Visual Director, Michele Collins decided to open her own store in Guelph, Ontario. Blush opened 5 years ago in a 240 square foot space and since has moved into a larger space that is just oozing with merchandising inspiration. Not only does she carry some of the best styles from several gorgeous lines, but her in-store displays, merchandising techniques and window features (check out all of her unique window displays on the store's website) makes the trip to Guelph, ON completely worthwhile!

Some of the lines found at Blush: Odd Molly, Charlotte Tarantola, Sessun (this is now one of my favourite lines EVER), Fidelity, Colcci, Brave, Free People and Splendid

http://www.blushshop.ca/

38 Quebec Street, Guelph, ON 519.822.9669

A Look Inside NYC's Topshop







Topshop owner, Sir Philip Green

I realized I'm a bit obsessed with the opening of Topshop in New York City and I think it may have to do with the fact that I haven't had a chance to visit the new store yet, so please feel free to send me a plane ticket to NYC ASAP. And it might have to do with this quote from Topshop owner, Sir Philip Green-"This is genuinely the best store we have ever built!"

Some exciting news about the new flagship US store-deliveries will be daily along with 100 NEW pieces on the floor each week, students will receive a 10% discount, a DJ booth is present, there's a Style Advisor section, a basement dedicated to Topman, a 700 square foot Kate Moss shop, capsule collections by British designers Preen, Jonathan Saunders and Richard Nicholl and one of the best parts is the massive shoe department with some really killer styles. I desperately NEED TO GO!

Recipe: Spinach Dip

I made this crazy delicious spinach dip the other night for my boyfriend and I which we gobbled up within minutes. It's a recipe from Kelsey's (their 4 Cheese Spinach Dip) so it's a recipe that has been tried and true. Just writing about it is making me drool! Super easy and super delish- it's a definite crowd pleaser!

Anthropologie in Toronto This Month!

Known for their trendy feminine styles in clothing, accessories, giftware and home furnishings, US based chain Anthropologie, the sophisticated upscale sister store to Urban Outfitters, is set to open their first Canadian store this month! With 121 stores currently in the US, their first Canadian store opens on April 22nd in Toronto at Don Mills and Lawrence in a new outdoor shopping centre (similar to LA's The Grove). A 2nd location will open at the West Edmonton Mall late spring and by mid-summer you will find a 12,000 square foot store in Toronto's Yorkville. Happy shopping to all us Canadian girls!!

Summer here I come!


When I first tried out my new Tracey Anderson Mat DVD, I was so inspired! After a very long winter that helped produce an extra 5 pounds (well maybe 6 or 7, but who's counting), I'm finally motivated to fit back into my cute summer shorts and dresses! I mean if the girl behind Madonna's and Gwyneth Paltrow's hot toned bodies can't motivate me, who can? I've tried most types of workouts for toning-pilates, yoga, weights, circuit training-and love them all, but this workout is a completely different feeling for your muscles. I found this little video clip of Ms. Anderson showing some key moves, so you can get summer ready too! Enjoy!

April Showers Bring Me Some Cute Rain Gear

Friday's entire day of down pour inspired me to do this post. When it's wet outside there's no reason we can't look great! There are some really cute rain jackets, wellies and umbrellas out there at every price point. Here are my favourites - kind of makes me want to wish for more rain.....

Grey and black polka dot umbrella by Marimekko- this company makes a ton of great umbrellas in some really great prints.


Polka dot umbrella at Target

Water resistant nylon bomber that folds into a pouch by Mackage- I saw this jacket at Joelle's in Burlington and fell in LOVE with it (they also had some other super cute jackets from Mackage)!


Assymetrical rain jacket by Mackage



Classic red wellies by Hunter



Rubber riding boot from Urban Outfitters

What’s Happening in Toronto: April 2009

Event: One of a Kind Spring Show
About: Find a wide array of unqiue art, jewellery, clothing and food. Visit Biko designer Corrine in booth H-24!
When: April 1-5 2009
Where: Direct Energy Centre
Click here for more information.


Event: Slavin Sample Sale
About: Find wholesale prices on lines such as Dolce Vita, Ted Baker, Dex, Spiewok, Fullcircle, Bench and Mexx.
When: April 4th-5th 2009
Where: Slavin Agency @ 80 Wingold Ave.
Click here for more information.


Event: Metro Home Show
About: This is your all access pass to over 250 specialists offering expert advice, savings solutions and inspiration for your home and garden.
When: April 10, 11, 12 2009
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Click here for more information.


Event: Style Swap brought to you by Stylehog.com
About: This is a first annual event where Recessionista's can bring their old fashion favourites to exchange for some new ones. Simply bring clothing, accessory or shoes (a maximum of 4 pieces) that you no longer wear to swap for someone else's once loved goods.
When: April 16th 7pm-10pm
Where: The Burroughes Building
Click here for more information.


Event: Buy Design
About: Windfall's annual charity gala hosted by Adrian Mainella of CBC's Fashion File includes a night filled with 60's mod music, a silent and live auction (with amazing prize opportunities), a beauty lab (get glamed by beauticians who will be using the best products from Smashbox, Boss, Cargo and L'Oreal), delish food (I got a sneak peak at the menu and it's to die for) and take home a goody bag full of fab treasures!
When: April 18th 2009 @ 8pm
Where: Distillery District
Click here for more information.


Event: FAT- Toronto Alternative Arts & Fashion Week '09
About: FAT showcases 200 of the most innovative fashion designers, visual artists, musicians, performers and dancers from across Canada and abroad.
When: April 21-24 2009
Where: Distillery District Fermenting Cellar
Click here for more information.


Event: TFI New Labels Runway Show and Gala presented by ELLE Canada
About: Join a panel of fashion industry judges in the conclusion of the Toronto Incubator New Labels Fashion Design Competition. This event includes innovative design, cocktails, a silent auction and an exclusive gift bag from ELLE Canada.
When: April 25th 2009
Where: The Carlu
Click here for more information.


Event: Adele live in concert
About: One of my favourite singer-songwriters performs in Toronto!
When: April 29th 2009 8pm
Where: Massey Hall
I believe tickets are sold out, but I thought I would rub it in a bit since I already have mine-sooo excited!!

I love Barbie!


I came across this ad when I was flipping through last month's issue of FASHION magazine. Seriously though..can you imagine how big her closet must be?? Oh to be Barbie...

Help!


Help me find these shoes! I was in LA at Kitson a few weeks ago and passed up the opportunity to buy these super cute shoes by Dolce Vita. I regret buying them because now I can't find them anywhere in Toronto and Dolce Vita doesn't ship to Canada. If anyone knows where I can find them it would be much much much appreciated if you could let me know! xo