Summer Shoe Must Haves...

Summer is not summer without a cute pair of shoes, am I right? Whether you're going out dancing, in to town, to a romantic dinner or a red carpet event, the shoes you wear are the finishing touch to your A-list look. In your wardrobe you need a variety of shoes that are perfect for all occasions, outfits and events. Here are what I think are the necessary shoe must-haves for the summer...

Sandals

I'm a really big fan of these gladiator style sandals because they are a casual day shoe yet can be dressed up to go out with. They basically go with anything - dresses, shorts, skirts, maxi's and still look adorable. The good thing with these is that there are thousands of different styles and colours so you can get one to match basically anything you want. (And they are easy to throw in your car after you've worked all day in a pair of heels and need to relieve your feet.)

Wedge Heels

Wedges are a definite go-to shoe in the summer time mostly because they follow the two most important rules in the shoe accessory area - they're fashionable and comfortable. Not only can you find them in a variety of different colours, styles and even materials, the "wedge" heel makes them extremely easy and comfortable to walk in for long periods of time. They go amazing with any outfit and also help your legs look leaner and longer! 

Nude Heels 

Nude heels are an essential in your summer wardrobe because they are a neutral and can go with a lot of your more bold summer colours. They are perfect for floral prints and busier patterns that need simpler accessories. Whether you are going with a pump, wedge or sling-back, having a pair or two of a nude colour heel will help you when you are in desperate need for that perfect shoe! 

Flats 

Every lady requires a flat in her wardrobe to benefit her comfort and quick dressing needs. They're comfy, easy to put on and look good with everything! They are good to throw in your bag for when your heels become painful, and are extremely versatile - appropriate for going to the mall, dinner or a job interview. They also come in many styles and colours so you can load your closet up with them and never get bored! 

Running Shoes 

Whether you prefer Converse, Keds or Nike's, a pair of running shoes is great to have this summer for when you want to get a little sporty. Hikes, tennis dates or a walk in the park, a pair of colourful sneakers will do the trick! Also cute with a pair of capri pants, you can accessorize with cute patterned or colourful runners when it's a little too chilly for opened toed shoes.  

My Academy Country Music Awards Best Dressed Picks...

The Academy Country Music Awards were on last night and every country cutie and cowboy attended to celebrate the honky-tonkiness that is country music. The awards were well deserved, the musical performances were pleasing and the fashion was out of this world! Of course, as I have said before, my favourite part of award shows are the red carpets, where the attendees always look their very best and absolutely fabulous. Here are my best dressed picks for the 2014 Academy Country Music Awards...

Cassadee Pope

Wearing red on the red carpet is very risque and tricky to master, but I absolutely think that Cassadee Pope has nailed choosing the correct red for walking the carpet. Cassadee is wearing a wine coloured Maria Lucia Hohan gown - the make and style of the dress is perfect for her frame with the elegant flowy skirt and criss cross straps. Because of the busy strapping of the gown, choosing to accessorize lightly was the right decision for her look. I love her natural looking waves - pulled back off of her face along with her natural make-up and a nude lip which balances out the bold red of the dress. With just a simple diamond bracelet and matching earrings, Cassadee looks simply gorgeous.

Shakira

Oh baby when you dress like that, you make a fashionista go mad! Shakira pun most definitely intended. This gown is totally crazy and out there but it totally works for the exotic spanish singer and I love it! Shakira is wearing an emerald green Zuhair Murad gown with amazing, bold cutouts. This dress reminds me of an alluring butterfly that mesmerizes any one who passes by and this is exactly what Shakira does (in this gown or even in sweatpants to be honest.) Once again, limited accessories was the right choice with this very daring dress as well as hair and make-up. When it comes to Shakira's look, less is more. Shakira shows off her gorgeous, thick, blond locks and her beautiful face with a natural make-up application. Stunning, stunning, stunning!

Taylor Swift

Miss Taylor Swift brings a crop top and maxi skirt to a whole other level! As always, the princess of country looks so chic on the red carpet. Going for a black and white look, Taylor turns a summery beach look into a red carpet ready ensemble. Cut outs, mid-section and a little leg showing gives the look a sexy and spicy addition without revealing too much. Her black strappy heels are great paired with her simple look as well as her matching black clutch. The trend on the ACMA's red carpet this year seemed to be limited jewellery, which you don't always need to layer up on the jewels to make a look pop. Taylor is showing off her new adorable short hair cut that adds a bit of edge to her classy and modern look. Miss Swift goes for blue eyeliner - making her blue eyes pop, and a big surprise here, instead of her signature red lip she goes for a coral colour instead which looks very springy and compliments the blue. 

Kellie Pickler

This year has been a very colourful year on the ACMA's red carpet - red, yellow, green, blue, nude, black and white and now Kellie Pickler in this gorgeous lilac coloured Romona Keveza gown. This dress looks amazing on Kellie and compliments her skin tone really well. The simple sweetheart neckline, a touch of sparkle on the waist and the long flowy gown definitely grabbed the attention of everyone last night on the country carpet. Kellie's short, wavy bob and natural make-up pairs well with the soft pastel coloured dress. A touch of diamonds on her wrist and finger creates an elegant fairy tale look on Miss Pickler! 

My Oscars Best Dressed Picks!...

The Academy Awards have come and gone once again, and not only are we left with the best picks in film and actors, we are also left with a whole lot of fashion to critique and judge. The Oscars was one of the toughest award shows to judge this year because everyone looked so fabulous! Here are my picks for the best dressed at the Academy Awards...

Cate Blanchett looks exquisite in this nude coloured Giorgio Armani gown. Many said that the dress is so stunning on her because you can't tell where the dress ends and her own skin begins - the colour is perfect on her. Usually someone with a skin tone as fair as Cate's would get lost in a dress this colour and would be washed out by it, but this is not the case for Ms. Blanchett. The fitted top and flowy skirt look exquisite on her figure. One of my favourite parts of this dress is the sheer sleeves which once again practically blend into her body. Cate's make-up is very light and natural, her hair is a styled beautifully and effortlessly and she accessorized with gorgeous Chopard earrings and a diamond bracelet - simple yet sophisticated. 

Olivia Wilde not only looks fabulous in this Valentino dress, she is glowing proudly with 'soon-to-be-mama' joy. Olivia proves that you can still look high-class and trendy with a baby bump. The gown's design is made perfectly for the mom-to-be with a high neckline and a cut out back. The simple yet bold black of the dress looks elegant against Olivia's glowing skin. The 'pop' of white in the back adds the perfect amount of brightness to her look. Ms. Wilde's simple up-do pairs perfectly with her Lorraine Schwartz diamond earrings - giving those jewels a perfect opportunity to dazzle and shine.

Emma Watson looks classy and sleek in this metallic Vera Wang top and skirt ensemble. Emma only came to present an award, but she definitely stood out and made a statement on the red carpet. The dress compliments her small figure perfectly. Her simple hair style with a side swept bang is not too much for the look and her natural make-up with a red lip gives the outfit a bit of a colour pop. Emma is wearing Solange hoop earrings and various rings from different designers such as Chanel, Bouchon and Jessica McCormack - giving the classy look a modern edge.     

Jennifer Lawrence, the face of Dior, looks stunning in a bright red Dior (duh!) gown. Even though she didn't win an Oscar, Jen still won for one of the best dressed people on the red carpet, standing out in this gorgeous strapless dress. Jennifer looks so classy in the gown, and the addition of her Neil Lane statement necklace gives the perfect amount of elegance and fun to her bold look. Jennifer's natural and light make-up and styled back hair show off her gorgeous face and are an ideal choice for the loud gown. 

Kate Hudson wow'd everyone on the red carpet in this striking white Atelier Versace gown. The plunging neckline and long silk skirt train compliment each other and Kate's fair skin tone. Looking at the front of the dress you're in awe at how elegant it is, then Ms. Hudson turns around and the back is as exquisite as the front! The low back shows off just the right amount skin, and that cape - marvellous! Kate pairs her statuesque ensemble with side swept curls, an edgy smoky eye and simple drop diamond earrings. 

Lupita Nyong'o is not only an Academy Award winning actress, she's also the newest style icon on the fashion scene. Lupita dazzled in this elegant duck egg blue Prada gown, which was made personally for her. Lupita looks like a modern day Cinderella with this pleated skirt, plunging neckline, simple diamond jewels to accessorize and a diamond tiara-like headband that adds a magical feel to the look. The best supporting actress winner said the colour reminded her of Nairobi, her hometown in Kenya - she wanted a little bit of home with her. 

My absolute favourite look of the night, and also the most underrated look was Naomi Watts in this stunning white Calvin Klein dress. Naomi looks like a goddess in this gown. The cut is perfect, the material is angelic - it looks like the dress was made for her. The whole ensemble from her hair and make-up to her accessories flow so well and make her stand out against the crowd. Naomi's spiderweb-like Bulgari necklace is very chic and modern against the classy gown. Her simple hairstyle doesn't busy the clean look and the red lip gives a colour pop to the frosted ensemble.  

Fashion Friday - Selena Gomez Edition...

So it's Fashion Friday once again and as I was trying to pick my top three fabulous outfits of the week, I found myself drawn to Selena Gomez and her amazing style sense. I'm not afraid to admit it, Selena Gomez has been my woman crush for years, and I am completely obsessed with her. So choosing her for all three picks wasn't very hard for me to do. Here are my top three looks of the week...

3

Selena recently stepped out at the Unite4:Good Gala in this gorgeous Antonio Berardi Spring 2014 white jumpsuit. The long flared pants and pink and purple beaded bodice compliment Selena's petite figure and olive complexion. The jumpsuit was worn on the Antonio Berardi Spring 2014 fashion show and Selena looks like she just stepped off the runway - she looks fab! The bold red lip adds the perfect amount of edginess to this look, and her wispy ponytail hairstyle gives the classy jumpsuit a modern look. 

2 

 Even when Selena goes out for a casual shopping day and some Starbucks, she still looks incredibly chic. Ms. Gomez wore this adorable studded shoulder bleached dress that is actually from Forever 21! Lucky for us fans, we can copy this style without having to go completely broke. Her amazing black Brian Atwood Electra boots are very daring but she struts in those heels with complete confidence - making me want to buy them! Pair the ensemble with black Urban Outfitter sunglasses and her natural brown locks, and she, like always, looks like a rockstar. 

1

I've been talking about my love for the crop top recently, and I just love how Selena sported this cream, high neck top. The matching loose, wide flared pants and black stilettos make her legs look extremely long. Selena wore this amazing matching top and pant ensemble when she arrived at a hotel in Beverly Hills. Her natural wavy, brown hair works really well with this outfit, and her black purse, brown sunglasses and bangle bracelet accessories are a nice touch. 

Those are my top three looks of the week, Selena Gomez edition. See you next Friday! 

Recycled Fashion...

Hairstyles, fashion and trends are always changing from season to season - whether it's going from ripped jeans to skinny jeans, short-shorts to high-waisted shorts or blonde highlights to pink and blue dip dyed tips. Fashion, in my opinion, is like time - it's never at a stand still, it's always changing. And the saying, "history repeats itself"? This represents the fashion world to a "T". Trends and styles that are current, are always a new and improved version of something in the past - recycled fashion. These are some of the current popular trends today that were most likely worn by your mother or even your grand-mother...

                                                       Crop Tops 

                                        80's                                                  2013

We all know how popular and in style the lovely crop top is whether you're wearing it with a skirt, jeans or tights - but crop tops aren't just relevant in the fashion world this season, they go way back a few decades. From high fashion runways to the hot, sandy beach, crop tops have been a must have this past year. But do you ever wonder where this trend began? Well originally, belly dancers from the Middle East started wearing these shirts with decorative beads, thousands of years ago! Who knew?  But when did these stylish midriff shirts really hit the fashion scene in North America? A very well known singer by the name of Madonna started the "crop top phenomenon" in the eighties, when she wore a black mesh crop top in her music video 'Lucky Star'. Then in the nineties, Britney Spears brought back the look when she wore her infamous school girl outfit in the 'Hit Me Baby One More Time' music video. After years we didn't see any exposed midriffs and tummies for a while, but now the trend has hit the world right on the head again and has become a wardrobe necessity.  

   Dr. Martens 

 

2013                                             60's

One thing you might not know about the "Doc Marten" is that up until the sixties, it was only worn and originally made as a work boot. This must-have accessory became a phenomenon after thousands of working-class men bought the boot and then were joined by the many "rebellious groups" of society. Originally spreading over London, England then eventually the world, the boot was worn by the Punks, Goths, Mods and other socially formed groups at the time. By the nineties, Doc Martens were being worn by anyone and everyone. The fashion statement not only was super in style and popular, but it represented creativity, individualism and personality. The boot was a means of one expressing themselves to the world and showing a little rebellion without causing any trouble. After over a decade the trend has come back, being worn by teenagers, celebrities and anyone who likes the boot and wants to give it a try. Miley Cyrus really made Docs famous again by wearing them in her music video "Wrecking Ball". With her very limited outfit, the boots most definitely stand out to the eye, and anyone who didn't know about Dr. Martens before, knows about them now. 

Platform/Wedge Shoes

                                        2013                                                      90's 

 Platform heels, boots or running shoes are the perfect thing to where if you're going to the disco, a punk/rock concert, or, like Miley, just going out for a drive. The "platform" or "wedge" shoe just recently snuck its way back into the world of fashion, with their unique chunky four-inch heel, they're known to give a you a little height, or give your look a disco-esc feel. The platform shoe was thought to be invented so "higher up" or common civilians could "tower" over the less fortunate. In the 1700's, Chinese male actors wore the shoes in Operas - the taller the shoe in a play, the more important his role was in the play. Until the thirties, when designer Salvatore Ferragamo came out with a rainbow-coloured cork sandal, platform shoes weren't seen anymore in fashion. In the seventies, platform shoes hit the scene once again, mostly being worn to discos. There were many interesting features being added to the shoes, such as flashing lights or small aquariums. Acts like KISS and Elton John were some of the celebrities known to be wearing a wedge shoe at the time. When the disco era finished, so did the platform shoe trend, and once again, the shoe took a break from the fashion scene. In the nineties, the phenomenon grew again when British girl band, "The Spice Girls" were seen wearing the shoes at their concerts and in their music videos. 

High-Waisted Jeans 

2013                                                      80's

 We all definitely have a pair of these vintage high-waisted jeans in our closets, whether we bought them from a a thrift store, or borrowed them from our mom's old wardrobe. Fashionable then, fashionable now. The eighties gave us this amazing style, with its "high-waist" trend in almost everything - jeans, shorts, leggings and even swimsuits. Saved By The Bell character, Kelly Kapowski was known to always sport some sort of high waisted bottoms. Paired with a crop top, this outfit is as popular then as it is now. Everyone from Rihanna to Selena Gomez have been seen wearing high-waisted pants or shorts. This style is most definitely here to stay for a while...

Maxi Dresses 

        2013                                                             70's                                            

The ever so popular flowy and beachy long dress trend, also know as the "maxi Dress" is a favourite amongst us girls because of its comfiness. Worn with a cute floppy hat and gladiator sandals, this is the perfect outfit to wear to the mall or to the boardwalk. This cute trend dates back to the sixties, Oscar de la Renta being credited for designing the very first maxi dress. In the seventies, all the top designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Dior and Cardin created their own signature maxi dress - and by the mid seventies, the maxi was seen everywhere in the fashion world. The long dress style disappeared in the eighties, but in the nineties it came back even longer than before. This boho look is quite popular, and supermodel Kate Moss is known to sport the maxi a lot. And why is the maxi dress so popular? Obviously because of its complete flexibility - you can wear it to any event, at any time of the day, and still like mega-chic! 

The Pixie Cut  

                                60's                                                      2013

The short and cute pixie cut is a lot common this year than you would actually think. Girls with long, luxurious, thick hair are chopping their locks off to get this wispy and delicate style. Many celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Michelle Williams and Jennifer Lawrence famously wear the style, but this cut was popular in past decades as well. The first time a pixie cut was popularized was in the fifties when Aubrey Hepburn sported one in her debut film Roman Holiday. Then a decade later in the sixties, British supermodel Twiggy made it her trademark look. Goldie Hawn was also a popular celebrity of that era to model the cut. In this decade, we recognize Emma Watson and Miley Cyrus who famously brought back the style to a younger generation. So why are all of these ladies chopping their amazing locks off? Is it because they want a completely new look? Or is it because they just don't have the patience to spend an hour in front of the mirror with a hairbrush and a hairdryer anymore? If it were me, I'd say the latter...

What's In For Spring... (Part two)

Yesterday I talked about the trends in fashion that will become popular this spring, and today the second part of my "What's In For Spring" segment is all about accessories. I will be talking about make-up, hairstyles and other trends that will take over the fashion world this spring. Let's begin...

Dark/Plum Lipstick

 Dark lipstick, or more specifically "plum" is becoming a very bold but popular choice among young stars in hollywood. This dark or 'goth' theme was actually very popular at the 2014 Grammys with Katy Perry's witch themed performance of "Dark Horse" and Lorde's gothic look. Many won't push their fashion boundaries with this gloomy trend, but to those who aren't confident enough to do it, yet want to try a different, edgy look - plum lipstick is for you. Both Shay Mitchell (left) and Selena Gomez (right) wore a similar beautiful shade that creates a bit of a mysterious look. Shay and Selena both wear the colour amazing with their tan complexions, dark eyes and chestnut brown hair.

Brightly Colour Hair 

Dying your hair anything crazy is becoming a norm in the fashion world. Compared to a few years ago, seeing someone with bright pink or red hair is not a shock at all. Blue is the next brown and purple is the next blonde. I personally love this trend and even dyed my hair bright red a year ago. I had it for a few months but considering I have naturally dark brown hair I had to bleach it to get that firetruck red colour and after a few washes, the colour would start to wash out. I decided that it was too much work to have to go to the salon every month, and I was also worried about ruining my hair. (I do miss it a lot now.) I do think this trend will become more popular this spring though. We see that from Gemma Styles (left), Kelly Osbourne (middle) and Demi Lovato (right) pastel colours are the next big thing for hair. All three of these girls pull off these colours stunningly and show off their fun and playful side.

Matte Nail Polish 

Matte black nail polish became very 'in' this past year, but most recently the different techniques using matte have started to trend. People aren't just wearing matte black, they are now "mattifying" (yes I made that word up) any colour nail polish from pastel pink (left) to teal blue. I have most recently been putting a matte coat over the fourth finger so I can mix it up between shiny and matte. Another trend starting is to put a matte coat over the entire nail, and then use a shiny top coat to create a french manicure type of look (right).

Spring Colour Alert: Aqua 

Aqua, or as many like to call it "tiffany blue", is a perfect colour for spring time. It's bright, fresh and gives a little 'pop' to any outfit. Wearing a simple outfit and adding aqua accents could give your look that tiny bit of excitement it needs. You'll be sure to 'wow' everyone when you walk into the room. Wearing pinstriped black and white shorts with a white blouse is smart and classy on its own but adding that aqua blazer turns your look from plain jane to unique and original. (left) Aqua nail polish (right) is perfect for spring when you start to get a little colour from the sun. The bright colour against tanned skin looks amazing, and might even enhance your skin tone that extra little bit.

Thick Eyebrows 

Thick eyebrows is the best fashion statement your face can make. Messy and thick is the trend that you are starting to see more and more on stars, especially younger ones. Both Cara Delevingne (left) and Lilly Collins (right) are known for their signature bold and "unkept" eyebrows. With spring coming and the weather getting warmer, I think the perfect accessory for a new and fresh look is to get a little edgy and rough up those brows. As you can see with both of these ladies, it pairs beautifully with a striking red lip and gives you a high-class chic look to make you runway ready. 

Short Hair/Bobs   

                               

This past year, everyone had long hair. If someone had short hair, they put extensions in so they could have long hair. Thick waves or pin straight hair were all you saw on us girls! Just recently, we seem to see that the style has changed to short bobs. Everyone is cutting their hair short. Whether it's to have a fresh start or because they can't stand their long hair anymore, short hair is taking over. For spring, this trend is definitely a favourite of mine. Although, I don't think I would have the guts to cut mine short, I would cry too much and miss my long hair. Recently, when my mom was watching Inside Edition, which she watches every night, I saw Deborah Norville (left) and her new short hair do. I think it looks fabulous on her and frames her face perfectly. Emma Roberts (right) made the change as well. She looks stylish and chic and I absolutely love it! 

Top Ten Best Uniforms at Sochi 2014...

It's Olympics time!! My favourite bi-annual world event in which I do not leave my couch for two weeks so I do not miss a single thing! Personally, I'm the type of fan that get's very competitive and passionate about my team. There's a lot of nail biting, gasping, sweating and screaming no matter what the situation is.
But before all the events actually start, we have the opening ceremony, where all the countries walk in proud, excited and ready to compete as hard and as best as they can! It's so fun watching the teams walk in together with their flags and matching uniforms.
This year, there has been many amazing and interesting outfits and I will be listing my top ten best dressed team uniforms at the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games!

                               10 Sweden

I like the colour coordination that Sweden did to match their flag, the blue jackets and the yellow and black hats and scarfs look very striking. The black boots are very classy and look good against those AWESOME SWEDEN PRINT LEGGINGS! Wow! Those are fantastic! Great job Sweden, you look ready to compete in style. (Please email me the store in which you got those tights)  

9 Kazakhstan 

To be completely honest I've never heard of this country before, but now I have and I'll always remember them for their beautiful team uniforms. Once again their jackets match their flag and I love their white pants. Because the jackets are very bright, the white is a nice contrast against them. Four for you Kazakhstan, you go Kazakhstan! 

8 Great Britain 

Looking bloody fantastic Great Britain! Navy blue and maroon are two colours that I normally wouldn't pair together, but I'm having some second thoughts now. These uniforms are plain and simple, but less is more and I really enjoy the simplicity of this look. Also, with an awesome flag like that, it was a better choice not to go too crazy on the outfits. Cheers to you Great Britain, I fancy your look! 

7 Slovenia 

Wow I love this! I'm not sure where the lime green comes from according to their flag, but besides that I really enjoy this look! The little beanies that match the jacket and are too cute! They are striding in with pride and they know that even if they do not win any medals, they still look fan-tas-tic. Break a leg, Slovenia!

6 Canada 

Ok so I am completely biased to my own country, but hey like I said, I'm quite passionate about my team! Canada went for the classic red coats, black pants and boots, 'Canada Tuques' and signature maple leaf mittens. They are ready to do their best for their country and I have faith in them. Go! Canada Go! Kick some butt eh! (he he) 

5 Norway 

Well this is a roll reversal. Norway knew that the norm was to wear white pants and colourful jackets but that's way to mainstream for them. Pastel blue pants and white jackets look amazingly striking and did I mention those silver golf hats? If their outfits don't grab your attention, those hats definitely will. Norway is on their way to victory whether it's for an olympic medal or an award for the sparkliest hats. 

4 Italy 

Chao bella! Magnifico! I don't know if it's because I just love pizza and pasta (and Italian boys) but I can't take my eyes off of Team Italy. Navy blue with white accents that contrast beautifully are sure to grab the attention of any spectator or competitor while Italy slips in and grabs a medal for themselves. Grazie Italy, I'll be in the Gelato shop cheering you on. 

3 Ukraine 

Yellow, grey and black seem to be quite popular around the world this year but Ukraine sure does it best. They even went that extra mile with patterned coats that one up every other country that had a grey jacket. Good choice in coordination with your flag Ukraine, here's a bronze medal for best outfit in the olympic games opening ceremony. Woo! 

2 Poland

Holy smokes, Poland. Who's your stylist and where can I get me one of those jackets? You take ombre to a whole other level! Basically no matter what happens your country is definitely not going home empty handed because I present you with a silver medal for best outfit in the olympic games opening ceremony. Congrats!

and the Gold Medal goes to....

1 Russia 

 A gigantic gold medal award goes to the host country and their amazing white fur coat and red pant ensemble. You knew you were hosting, you knew you had to look the best, and you did just that! Russia, you are definitely showing the world that this is your country and you are the leaders! Who runs the olympics? Russia! (sang in the tune of 'Who runs the world?' by Beyonce) Take your gold medals and flaunt it because you are my number one pick for the best outfit in the olympic games opening ceremony! 

and......

Go! Canada Go! #TeamCanada