Style Icon: Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn is one of our all time favourites!

We first fell in love with Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Years after its initial release, this film continues to appeal to generations of young women, largely owing to Audrey’s unforgettable character and timeless style. In real life, Audrey has inspired the work of many designers and effortlessly turned the LBD into a wardrobe staple in every woman’s closet. Not only was she an amazing actress and fashionista, but she also had a really amazing heart and undertook many humanitarian initiatives during her lifetime.  She was so modest and her elegance, femininity and confidence are truly admirable to us and to many other women (and men)  in the world.

This is Audrey’s famous pose from Breakfast at Tiffany’s- she has such amazing poise and grace! We just love her!

This look is an instant classic…and actually served as an inspiration for one of our Halloween costumes last year. Its so easy to recreate and is a total show stopper

Audrey has an amazing way of wearing the Breton stripped look. She looks so chic and elegant in it.

We absolutely love the full skirted designs she wore..white lace and black silk, what can be more elegant than this?

She looks so Equestrian here!

Here is our take on Audrey’s style You can recreate her timeless style with these or similar key pieces.

We would love to hear about how you put together your ‘Audrey’ looks.

Keep Strutting

A&M

Tags: audrey hepburn style, breakfast at tiffany's, breton look, Hermès, little black dress, pearles

My Skin Care Essentials

Do you ever find yourself standing in your local Sephora, trying to find the perfect skin care product among hundreds of options? I, for one, find it incredibly overwhelming to stare down a long isle of creams, cleansers and make up removers, all with equal promises to give you that flawless complexion we’re all lusting for. So, after experimenting with multiple products, talking with girlfriends and beauty experts, I’ve finally figured out a skin care ritual that works for me.

1. Kinerase Gentle Daily Cleanser: I start with this foaming, scentless cleanser to wash the makeup off my face. Its a really gentle cleanser, which leaves my skin feeling so soft. My skin is neither dry nor oily, but it is quite sensitive, so I always look for mild products which can still effectively remove makeup, and I found that Kinerase is one of the best out there.

2. Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion: Using a cotton pad, I run this toner on my face, to remove any remaining makeup or dirt particles. It really cleans my skin without drying it out.

3. Lancome Bi-Facil Makeup Remover: I wear a lot of eyeliner and mascara, and this remover is so effective at taking it all off! You can run it over your eyes without feeling any irritation or burning, while removing all of your makeup. A lot of my girlfriends also use this product and we all just love the results.

4. Clinique Moisture Surge: I’ve experimented a lot with moisturizers and always come back to this one because it really works! It  moisturizes and softens the skin, which is especially important in the winter months.

5. OleHenriksen – This cooling gel tightens the skin under the eyes, and reduces puffiness. I find that this product works so well for me, and I absolutely love the feeling of  coolness from the gel.

Ladies, its so important to take care of your skin, no matter how young or old you are. So make sure you get good products, and use them every day! If you have any other product suggestions, I’d love to hear about them.

XOXO

A

Tags: Skin care, moisturizer, cleanser, make up remove, skin products, Clinique, Kinerase, Lancome, OleHenriksen

Bookshelf: Books, Magazines, Comics, Art & Everything Else

Bookshelves can be a beautiful interior design piece…but REALLY they are an expression of who you are. They show off your interests, dreams and obsessions  through the literature and other pieces you choose to display on them. For me, the bookshelf I have in my living room is a canvas of my life.

ART  BOOKS

Ever since I was a little girl, I loved to paint and draw. I find all art so beautiful, and I love to visit galleries every chance I get, even if I’ve already been there 10 times. I guess it provides a sort of escape from our modern lives.  This is why I have a pretty extensive collection of art history books, ranging from Gothic to the Surrealism. And yes, there is also a Tim Burton book there – and that’s because  I have a weird obsession with his movies.  I love how he makes the dark seem light by giving monsters good hearts.

COMICS

When I spent a year in Paris, I developed an obsession with Asterix comics. The drawings are so cute and they are so funny. So, I started collecting them and am still in the process of growing my stock.

CARDS

I love my friends so much and I love getting cards from them on my Birthday! So, I keep every single card they write to me. Some may call this hoarding, but I just can’t part with the sentimental meaning of their words.

COOKING

I love food and I love to cook elaborate meals for my friends.  French cuisine especially fascinates me because it’s so intricate and well thought-out. Every person I met  in Paris knew how to make the most amazing meals from the top of their head and it just baffles me… Lately, I’ve been cooking a lot from the “EASY TASTY ITALIAN” book by Laura Santtini (she is so cute!).  Its recipes are so simple and taste absolutely amazing…which is the beauty of Italian cuisine!

MAGAZINES

I keep every single issue of In-Style, Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue and go back to them every so often to get ideas for outfits. I don’t think that they will ever get outdated.. if style is eternal, so are my mags!

EVERYTHING ELSE

The rest is  language books, travel guides, photo albums, little statuettes and trinkets I got from my travels…woven baskets that I use for storing things I don’t want to loose….Movies and CD’s (yes some of us still buy those) and my favourite novels by Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Jane Auston, Fitzgerald, and Hemmingway…just to name a few

People normally do not stop to think about the deep meaning carried on each and every shelf of the piece of furniture in their rooms, but to others its a reflection into their life.  So, next time you come to hang out at your friends place take the time to ponder over their bookshelf collections…you will be so amazed at how much more there is to them!

xoxo

M

Tags: Art History, Asterix Comics, Bookshelf, Cook Books, In Style, Renaissance books, Robuchon, Tim Burton Book

Lady Love

Tags: art, Charlotte Russe, fashion, Lulu Guinness, oscar de la renta, red heels, style, valentine's day style, Versace

Got a hot date?

If you’ve got a hot date this Valentine’s day and you want to look absolutely

smashing this look will definitely heat up your date and melt his heart!

Red is the colour of the season, and looks amazing when paired

with gold jewellery and black leather. Play it up with some  booties and you’re

good to go for a romantic date night! Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone!

XOXO

M

Hot Rebel by pavlyngirl featuring gold tone jewelry

Tags: Booties, chanel purse, fashion, gold cuff, hot pink dress, how to look hot on valentine's day, leather jacket, Mango, style, valentine's day style

Sunday Brunch Style

What to wear to brunch after a fun night out?

A cute ‘go-to’ look for me is a structured blazer with some skinny jeans, riding boots and printed tee. This week I opted for something more nautical which was both comfy enough for a lazy Sunday morning but stylish enough for a trendy brunch place like Mildred’s Temple Kitchen in Liberty Village

 

Mildred’s is actually my favourite place for brunch right now! Famous for their controversial unisex bathrooms and deliciously fluffy blueberry buttermilk pancakes,  this gem-of-a-restaurant also serves the most delicious Eggs Benny in the city- I am quite sure of it!  ;)

YUMM…can you spot the FLUFFY Pancakes on the menu?

There are  few things more satisfying than a great cappuccino on a Sunday morning

Hope everyone had a great Sunday!  :)

XOXO

M

Tags: Brunch, Food, Lifestyle, Mildred's Temple Kitchen, style, Toronto, Toronto Fashion, Toronto Street Style

Colour Me Pretty

Ashley Green lookin oh-so-chic in Bright Red J-Brand skinny jeans and a simple black top

Go for a more casual look – pair a vibrant blue colour with black flats

See a common theme here? Pair brightly coloured jeans with a neutral white top (Source: The blonde Salad)

We love the nautical look of navy blue stripes, with a pop of colour from these awesome J brand jeans in Bright red

The nautical look dressed up with a navy blue blazer (Source: Brooklyn Blonde)

Nicky Hilton in Bright Purple J Brand 811 skinny jeans

Doesn’t this outfit just look like a breathe of fresh air? This Canard yellow J Brand pair of jeans is awesome for spring (Source: Song of Style)

Check out Kim Kardashian’s travel companion: J Brand 811 Skinny Jeans in vibrant blue

Skinny jeans in all colours of the rainbow are the hottest trend for Spring 2012, and we could not be any more thrilled. After all, we could all use some more colour in our lives. On our radar is J Brand’s 811 mid-rise skinnyleg collection, which comes in anything from a lipstick red to a blue bonnet. Careful ladies, we bet you won’t be able to stop after just one pair!

What are your favourite colours? What would you pair these colours with? We’d love to hear from you.

A&M

Tags: Alessandra Ambrosio, Celebrity Style, fashion, J Brand, Jeans, Kim Kardashian, Nicky Hilton, Red Jeans, skinny jeans

Travel Inspirations: Moscow

Despite Russia’s notoriously frigid weather, everyone seems to be out on the town, enjoying the city’s most spectacular views and attractions.  Aside from the fact that there is a lot of FUR….Moscow is also full of architectural beauty, glamorous style, chic stores, boutique cafes, and history!!  I just love this city and hope everyone gets a chance to check it out sometime..just maybe not in the winter time

Lovers attach a lock so their love last forever..SO CUTE!

After I took the pic, a man came by to drive the car away, and the birds flew away

The golden domes are so beautiful!

GUM- Doesn't it kind of remind you of the Eaton centre in Toronto???

Kremlin's Clock tower

Saint Vasiliy Blazheniy Cathedral in the Red Square

Finding a little bit of warmth in a cute cafe just off the Tverskaya street

Walking by this random passage way, we couldn't help but notice Audrey

XOXO

M

Tags: Lifestyle, Moscow, Photography, Russia, Travel

How I found The One

I’ve been hunting the stores for a while for the perfect biker jacket. It’s been about two years that I have been on this mission, and I refused to quit. Unfortunately, Toronto has pretty limited options when it comes to leather – besides the occasional leather jacket here and there, Danier is really the only option. So, I’ve been watching that store like a hawk, just waiting for the perfect jacket to come along…they probably think I’m some sort of a creepster  by now. Well, I’m not a creepster, I’m just incredibly picky. I go for quality, not quantity. I look to buy things that are perfect; otherwise I hold out for something better. It doesn’t help that I have narrow shoulders, and jackets tend to fit me funny…anyway, when I finally saw this little number, I knew it was the one!

This fabulous jacket has been hanging in my closet ever since then, waiting for one of those mild winter days when a girl can get away with just a leather jacket. Well, that day finally arrived last Saturday. I love the idea of pairing contrasting items, so I opted for a soft cashmere sweater dress, offsetting the roughness of this biker jacket with contrasting femininity. I finished the look with a pair of booties and an oversized scarf, and I was ready for a Saturday night on the town.

XOXO

A

Danier biker jacket in black

Michael Kors sweaterdress in green

Nine West black booties

Tags: biker jacket, cashmere sweater dress, Danier leather, leather jacket, narrow shoulders, style, Toronto Fashion

The Boyfriend Scarf

Black Hugo Boss Tassel Scarf

I’m sure that I’m not the first girl to ever admit that I like to borrow my boyfriend’s things. We all steal/borrow stuff from our boyfriends’ once in a while….watches, sun-glasses, shirts, belts,  and even razors on occasion! After all there is a reason why Boyfriend jeans are so fab right now! To be honest, guys have some really cool stuff! For example, me, I’m obsessed with my boyfriend’s massive collection of designer scarves.  This weekend I opted for his newly acquired scarf from Hugo Boss. It’s an amazing wool and cotton blend in a black and grey colour-combo that works with any outfit…regardless of whether its a guy or a girl wearing it.  My favourite features about it- tasselled trim and thickly braided ends!!  Plus, it’s really wide and long, offering a variety of wear options, which I just had to try out during our last business get-together.

I hope he won’t mind me bragging about how incredibly awesome his scarf is, but I just couldn’t help myself (Thanks honey ). Really, boys need to start getting used to the fact that items from their wardrobe may go missing this season.

XOXO

M

Tags: Black Scarf, boyfriend fashion, designer scarves, grey colour, Hugo Boss, Men's Scarf, Tassel Scarf