Fashion Faux Pas

A little while ago, one of my coworkers purchased the SAME coat I have after admiring it. Style plagiarism is supposed to be a form of flattery, but it's pretty much become a point of irritation for me.

Since then, I've been trying to find a replacement for the aforementioned coat. To my surprise, one of the coats on the main page for Forever 21 Canada really caught my eye. I was obsessing over and it and spent a good 20 minutes looking through the site in a desperate attempt to purchase it. SURPRISE, it's no where to be found.

Here's my beef: why feature an item on your main page if it's not available for sale? I work in ecommerce and at the place I work at, that would never fly.

-D

Marc Jacobs Reality Show?

Marc Jacobs is rumored to have signed to a new reality show with Logo Network, that is said to play like a gay version of the Real Housewives. Will you be watching?

Where Were You When I Was Goth?

Back in '94 Nathalie and I got shoved into lockers and called freaks at our Catholic high school for wearing doc martens and black lipstick. I remember spending an abundance of time looking for black lipstick/nail polish and being incredibly frustrated that it was only available during Halloween.

Well the joke's on the people who made fun of us (or maybe on us, I'm still not sure).
Darker makeup hues are all the rage this season and MAC is all over the trend with their new MAC Style Black Collection. I'm particularly fond of the Nail Lacquer and Mineralized Eye Shadows, but I probably won't bust out the black lips. Reminds me too much of adolescence and I've already got enough angst as an adult.

-D

Oh H&M!

Sonia Rykiel Fall/Winter 2009

Turns out that H&M's next designer is going to be Sonia Rykiel! Her first collection of lingerie will be in stores in December and her knitwear/accessories will be available in February. Really curious to see how her stuff for the chain will turn out.

-D

Jumping The Gun

I'm not getting married anytime soon, but after Nathalie's wedding last year it was inevitable that my mind would wander toward the territory of my bridal wardrobe.

I've pretty much decided this: the dress has to be short and I want interesting accessories. I was on Etsy looking for a pair of boots for Erika, when I came across The English Dept's boleros. They exude a modern and romantic feel that I'm certain will translate beautifully for a lady's big day. I love it so much that I kinda want to buy one now...

-D

The Clothing Show

Lisa and Shannon, Chula Jewelry

Dara Designs

Yesterday marked the opening day of the The Clothing Show. Diana and I stopped by to check it out.

First stop - Chula Jewelry. It only took a quick glance before Diana, Erika, and I instantly fell for their unique, show stopping pieces. Diana picked up mixed metal silver and brass long stranded leaf necklace, Erika walked away with beautiful long silver necklace with turquoise beads dripping down, and I got a gorgeous brass medallion bracelet. Chula designers, Shannon and Tanya Cure's collection reminds us of a cross between Elizabeth + James and House of Harlow 1960. Chula does not have an online shop, but you can find their pieces in Toronto at: Set Me Free, Five O Seven, Leigh & Harlow, Girl Friday and Red Pegasus.

Next up - Dara Dot Designs. We saw enough variations of it at the show, but it was Dara's take on the bamboo scarf that stopped us in our tracks. Made from long strips of organic bamboo, she adorns the scarf with metal links and coconut shells. With a special $15 price point at TCS, how could we say no? Dara's accessories can be found on her Etsy shop or, she'll be at the One Of A Kind Show later this year.

::: Nathalie and Diana

*Thanks to Dara, Lisa and Shannon for taking the time to chat with us.

You're so jealous

Gilt.com totally messed up my Vena Cava order and I got a refund for the shirt. How very, very annoying. But... I just scored this really cute Rag & Bone boat neck tshirt dress in it's place. You know you want it.

Hey Flaca!

Photograph: Garance Doré

Is someone looking skinnier?

When neglect happens

Apparently Diana has neglected to post the following (due to illness) so on her behalf:

1. Justin Timberlake on the debut cover of Men's Fashion magazine source
2. Prescriptives cosmetics is being discontinued source
3. New Nylon Mag iPhone app source
4. DSquared2 for MAC source

What else has she been keeping from us?

Elizabeth + James / Steve Madden?

Elizabeth and James and Steve Madden collaboration? Oh My!

Source

Good things in life are never free

Diane Von Furstenburg recently worked with Holts for their 'free canvas bag giveaway with the minimum purchase of $500' promotion, going on this weekend. We contacted Holts corporate for a bag to blog about it. This is the response we got:

Thank-you for your interest in Holt Renfrew! I have attached an image of the bag that you are able to use for your blog post - we would love to see the link. We hope you will both be able to visit Holt Renfrew this weekend!

Really? Let's see: the bag probably cost $5 to produce. (Though DVF was probably paid nicely...) Holts also promotes bloggers, but apparently only once they've made it big.

So here's the thing: what's a few dollars in the grander scheme of things when we're talking about brand loyalty? We shop at Holt's a fair bit and will probably continue to do so. However, you really have to wonder just how much your favourite brand loves you back when you're not worth a canvas bag, y'know?

::: Nathalie & Diana

SS10 Erdem

Beautiful breathtaking feminine dresses and coats at Erdem. I love his use of color.

SS10 Twenty8Twelve

Trish Goff and Kristy Hume at Twenty8Twelve during LFW.

Embellished Legs

Remember when wearing a pair of cotton footless tights meant you were cool? Well those days are over. Shiny, torn, zippered, sequined, graphic or studded - it's all about the embellished leg. Is there a better way to dress up an over sized tee and a great shoe?

::: Nathalie

Fashion Bloggers

It must be nice to be photographed by both Scott Schuman and Tommy Ton on the same day.

::: Nathalie

Tons of Style

Tommy Ton for Style.com. Love it!

Links

I want an armful of Links of London bracelets...

Tom Ford: Designer/Director

Always on twitter - even at work.
Bad girl.

Through a tweet, I learned that Tom Ford is directing a movie called A Single Man. Uh, where have I been? It even stars Colin Firth! WTF? Apparently it's screening at TIFF.

Pretty sure it'll get a wide release, but I'm pretty bummed I didn't catch on sooner.

-D

Confederacy

I started this post searching for a picture of the Vena Cava Sheer Text Blouse, which I purchased off Gilt.com this past Friday. (Man, technology and shopping addictions are so wicked when you can shop online via your iPhone in a moving vehicle, 2 1/2 hours from your home. Love it!) I cannot wait to get this blouse!!!

Anyway, I was searching for jpegs of the shirt when Google Images directed me to shopconfederacy.com - an L.A. based store founded by actor Danny Masterson and his stylist friend Ilaria Urbinati. What a neat little shop they have and WHO KNEW Danny Masterson has an interest in clothing. Check out the shop, it has neat labels like A.L.C., Vena Cava, Kova & T, Marc Jacobs, Modern Vintage, Phi, Earnest Sewn, Current/ Elliot, Steven Allen, Alexander Wang, Tom Ford, Rag & Bone - who apparently designs the staff uniforms each season, and many more designers. My shopping is limited right now but I wonder, do they ship to Canada?

::: Nathalie

Fall 09 Wishlist

I'm trying to keep a reasonable fall wish list by having a checklist of pieces that will enhance my existing wardrobe.

1. Navy and gray striped cardigan - purchased at Banana Republic (similar to above). Perfect for the cooler months with it's warm, soft, wool blend. Received a 25% discount at the Yorkdale location when I showed my movie ticket stub. (TIFF promo)

2. I've blogged about it before; Marc Jacobs Dreamy Pouchette. (If I'm lucky, my man will get this for my bday/ xmas, which isn't until December, but still...)

3. Alexander Wang tshirt dress. Picked up yesterday.

A must have! Can be worn a million different ways - dressed up or down, perfect for the September transition weather and adaptable to winter days when layered with a cardigan, a pair of tights and fabulous boots.

4. Michael Kors rubber engineer boots. Love, love, love. Waiting for my next paycheck.

5. Ash Suede Ono Long Cuff Boots. I could be a little delusional putting these on my list but they're so brilliant! (They remind me of the boots Andy Sachs wore in the Devil Wears Prada. This is the outfit Miranda Priestly gives Andy the approving nod, after her makeover.)

::: Nathalie

Holt's Fall Vignette

Video: HOLT RENFREW

Can you imagine being a model like Coco Rocha? You'd get to hang out with your model BFF, Behati Prinsloo, with an elevator full of suitcases that contain the latest in exciting fall fashions. You'd jump on beds and throw clothes around like you don't have a care in the world! Holt Renfrew's fall vignette is just that. This video drives me mad (probably because I'm envious). I want suitcases upon suitcases of fall fashions!

::: Nathalie

Menswear

Photo: Jak & Jil

Aviator glasses and a gray blazer - so very effortless and stylin'.

L'eau de Off

Marc Jacobs' latest fragrance, Lola, launched this month. Diana and I stopped by Holts to take a whiff.

I'm not going to pretend to know what notes are what so as an amateur, Lola smells like a sweet floraly perfum. I thought it was okay. Diana was so put off by it, that she refused to even sample it on her wrists.

We walked away with two samples to see if it would grow on us. I've been using it all week and even found myself "craving" it.

Just last night I touched up my Lola in the car while my husband was driving. He made a face and looked over at me.

"What, you don't like it?" I asked.
"What is that?" he asked me, "it smells like Off or Raid."

Oh no! Unless I want to repell my man, I won't be buying Lola anytime soon.

::: nathalie

Marc by Marc Jacobs, Dreamy Logo Pocket Pouchette

... *sigh

Mmm... Birthday Cake

Happy Birthday René!

Chocolate fudge cake with buttercream frosting and crumbled Oreo cookie edging.

Check out this website for awesome recipes and ideas. Her butter cream frosting is so simple and so delicious. This weekend I'm whipping up the Red Velvet Cake for my other brothers birthday. Mmm!

::: Nathalie