Messenger bags

I remember 10 years ago I had a favorite red messenger bag that I carried everywhere I went, to school, to my co-op jobs. I loved it so much. It was useful and I thought I looked cute with it, lol. I finally ditched it after I got a real job and got myself a handbag. Now I’m seeing more and more messengers and I want one again. Who would’ve thunk it? But seriously these bags are cute and I see so many awesome outfits with messenger bags on street blogs. I really want one. Maybe I’m also feeling a bit nostalgic about my more youthful days, lol. Certainly the messenger bags of today are more stylish as well as being utilitarian, and a lot of them are convertible.

Lamb Miles in Icon Stencil $185

Hope Mid Bag in Off White Combo $270

See by Chloe Rise & Shine Crossbody $595

Juicy Couture ‘Back to School’ Quilted Messenger Tote $228

LUCKY BRAND "Abbey Road" Cross-Body Bag $178

RADLEY "Farrington" Nylon Convertible Messenger Bag $130

LeSportsac Kenya Kasey Mini Messenger Bag $38

Kimchi Blue Double Pocket Messenger $48

Carve Messenger Bag $34.99

How to wear white after Labour Day

Interesting article from Toronto Star today, To keep wearing white, you’ve got to do it right.

“NEW YORK–It’s an old-school rule that you shouldn’t wear white after Labour Day, but even the newfound fashion freedom to wear light colours in cooler weather comes with some strings attached.

When summer really is turning into fall, it’s time to re-evaluate the fabrics in your closet. Linen should get packed away first – and it doesn’t really matter what colour it is, says designer Shoshanna Gruss.

“You wouldn’t wear a strapless sundress if it were white linen or black linen in the fall,” she says. “Summer clothes are summer clothes, but, colourwise, it’s more interesting and fun to play with your wardrobe and not leave any colour out.”

Her quick replacement for that cocktail-party sundress would be a brocade, which she says would look stunning in a creamy white and probably complement most skin tones in the process. Indian summer and early fall is when many people look their best with just a hint of a golden glow, and a rich white will show that off, Gruss says.

When it comes to pants, Gruss will be switching to winter-white wool, probably paired with a jewel-tone sweater, or, even better, a chocolate-brown top.

Considering the Little Black Dress is so famous – and so popular – the woman who wears the Little Winter White Dress has the chance to be the first one noticed in a crowded room, adds Kelly Golden, owner of the upscale store Neopolitan in Winnetka, Ill. “The right shade of winter white is flattering on everyone. It looks rich,” she says.

A white cashmere-blend coat over a black dress is a perfect package, adds Golden. The brightness, she says, can give a needed punch to a fall fashion season that’s dominated by dark colours.

Don’t put away white denim, though, says Suze Yalof Schwartz, executive fashion editor-at-large at Glamour. Nothing is more chic than white jeans in the wintertime with a chunky, cozy sweater or a blazer and leather boots, she says. That will look “very Michael Kors.”

Either way, Yalof Schwartz warns against too-tight white jeans – that applies year-round, and undergarments should be flesh-tone not white, which might show.

Stefani Greenfield, the co-founder of Scoop boutiques and curator of the Curations collection for HSN, makes the case for a Jackie Onassis-inspired outfit: a black turtleneck with those white jeans, animal-print ballet flats and either a cuff bracelet or pendant necklace.

Greenfield prefers the purity of white, so she recommends staying away from prints and wearing it, instead, with tonal solid-colour pieces –especially camel and oatmeal. To her, navy-and-white combinations scream “spring.”

A shot of white, maybe a white shirt under a cardigan, can also have a slimming effect in the way a black vertical stripe does on a bathing suit. Mixing a few tones of white in the same outfit can be very cool, adds Patrick Robinson, creative director at Gap.

Yalof Schwartz likes a white sweater dress worn with dark opaque tights.

White legwear is almost always a no-no, however.

As long as you can keep it clean, white outerwear is a way to make a striking and stylish statement, says Greenfield, who has both a white down vest and white ski jacket – which she alternates as her cold-day “uniform.”

“There are ways to wear white after Labour Day and not stick out like a sore thumb,” she says.

One no-white rule does still apply, though, according to Yalof Schwartz: No matter the time of year, don’t wear it to a wedding unless you are the bride. “

LoveMyShoes 70% off!

I hadn’t visited LoveMyShoes.Com in a long time and what do you know? They are having a huge back to school sale. 70% off with coupon code SUM0970! 70% off!! I’m not kidding. If you had a budget for one pair of new shoes, now you can probably get three or four pairs. Ends on 09/08/09!

Molly by Dolce Vita $69.99 $21

Delsi by Jessica Simpson $66.99 $20.10

FLORENCE by Enlaza $30.99 $9.30

FEARLESS-90 by Anne Michelle $41.98 $12.59

AFFAIR-19 by Qupid $44.98 $13.49

BOSTON-SEQUIN by Nana $62.98 $18.89

Panama-13 by Go Max $25.97 $7.79

Baghaus weekend sale

Baghaus is having a Huge Weekend Sale – Get an extra 25% Off All Handbags in the Weekend Sale Category using code Weekend! This is great for students on budget. I like roomy slouchy bags like these that can fit all your school stuff in and look chic. Check out the sale now (ends on August 31)!

Claudia Bag $59.95 $47.96 $35.97

Tiera Raven Hobo $59.95 $47.96 $35.97

Nila Anthony Vida Empress Tote $59.95 $44.96 $33.72

Superstar Gal Bag $56 $43.96 $32.97

Mini bags

I was browsing Banana Republic’s fall line and the leather mini bags instantly caught my eyes. In the picture, pairing it with versatile striped tee and a blazer is such a refreshing way to wear something so playful and sleek. The 10k gold-plated chain and turnlock closure are like jewelry that adds a touch of sexiness.

BR Monogram miniature bags $95

80spurple.com’s blowout warehouse sale!

One of my fav online boutiques 80spurple.com is having a huge blow out warehouse sale on various clothing, accessories, and shoes! They have things varying from 40%-70% off! And you get free shipping for orders of $50.00 or more! You know how much I love 80spurple’s unique yet (mostly) affordable selection of apparels and accessories from some really cool hipster labels. Check it out!

Insight – Womens Disco Discovery Dress (Grey) $72 $28.80

Glam – Womens Bow Front Cocktail Tube Dress (Black) $72 $28.80

Boxfresh – Womens Minicko Print Halter Dress (Sulphur) $112 $44.80

Wildfox Couture – Womens indian Power Boyfriend Tank (Tornado) $53 $42.40

Cheap Monday – Womens Tight Very Stretch Denim (Lilac) $65 $26

Fremont – Womens Charlotte Skirt (Black) $154 $61.60

Free People – Womens Soft Stitch Vest (Natural) $108 $43.20

Obey – Womens ELLA JACKET (BROWN) $134 $53.60

StockinGirl – Womens Printed Opaque Tights (Rose Diamondback) $26 $10.40

Report Footwear – Womens Tocai (Nude) $215 $150.50

Report Signature Shoes – Womens Downey (Black) $170 $85.00

Steven Shein – Womens Small Flat Laminate Necklace – Lips (Pink) $40 $16

OBEY – S.S. Obey Earrings (White Gold) $42 $33.60

BB Dakota Battalion Jacket

You know I was drooling over this military-inspired Trina Turk Sarge Jacket ($278). Well, I found an alternative for much less from the uber adorable label BB Dakota.

BB DAKOTA Battalion Jacket in Black $79. I’m really into this manly albeit embellished jacket and a girlie floral dress combo. Put on some killer boots and it’s an awesome look.

Louise Galvin’s new Mother to Be hair products

Now that I’m a mother-to-be, all of a sudden I’m obsessed with using the most mild natural chemical-free shampoos and conditioners. For all the mother-to-bes and new mommies out there who are looking for the best green hair products for you and your baby, you will definitely want to check out UK’s celebrity colourist Louise Galvin’s Sacred Locks Range of Hair and Body Care Products – Carbon Neutral Beauty. All her hair products are about nature hair care. Her new fragrance free range Mother To Be, New Mothers and Baby Too! is so gentle, it’s safe for baby too. The line was created after Louise found when she was pregnant her hair needed a little extra help to retain shine and vitality and create volume. She also found that she was far more sensitive to smells (me too!) and the citrus aromatherapy oils in her other products were sometimes overpowering in the early days of her pregnancy. Pre-biotic formulation helps calcium retention and promotes scalp health, essential in pregnancy. In her research she discovered an incredible new, luxury ingredient – Ximenia Oil, also known as Seaside Plum, a rich oil that works like a natural silicone to smooth the cuticle and add moisture without weighing the hair down or causing build up. This delicious ingredient originates from the African Savannah and has for centuries been used by pregnant women to restore natural lustre and gloss.

What is more impressive is that this special range donates 50 pence from each product sold to child health charity ‘Best Beginnings’. As a patron of Best Beginnings, Louise Galvin works endlessly to give the gift of a healthier start to all the children in the UK. Louise’s support helps ensure the charity reaches the 300,000 women a year, across the UK who are not receiving the vital support or information they need. Louise Galvin has pledged to personally help raise vital funds for the charity.

Mother to Be Shampoo £22, Mother to Be Conditioner £24, and Mother to Be Treatment Masque £26.

Cute sandals tempting me

Cara Bow Sandals $32. Judging from today’s chilly rainy 18C (64F) weather, you’d figure the sandal season’s almost over. But I still want more sandals. I really want to get these adorable ones with the pink bows. Should I get them?

Flare Canada 30th anniversity covers with Daria Werbowy

One of my fave fashion mags Flare Canada is celebrating its 30 year anniversary with 3 covers for the September issue with our own Daria Werbowy on all the covers. She looks just sensational.

(source: tfs)

Sale Alert – Charlotte Russe after hours sale TONIGHT!

Visit the CharlotteRusse.com after hours sale for 1 night only, 8/25, 6pm-2am PST. Enter code 8AFTER to get 30% off your entire order! This is going to make another awesome back-to-school sale.    This is for TONIGHT only!

My picks….cute jackets and tops/dresses combos

Covet on Beyond the Rack

Awesome deal on Covet on BeyondTheRack.com today, you can’t beat the price! Loving the loose-fitting tees, make for perfect layering pieces. The linen dresses look really comfortable but still polished. I particularly like the jackets with the drawstrings.

Join BeyondTheRack.com by using my invite code NMC3009E775

Clarins Face Treatment Oils

Who would’ve thunk it that my pregnancy-hormone driven oily face would benefit from a treatment oil? That is what surprised me completely about Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil for combination skin prone to oiliness ($48). I was picking up High Definition Body Lift for my thighs and butt on the weekend. In the midst of talking about my baby bump with the nice salesgirl, I lamented about my oily t-zone on my face being in overdrive (the big honking zit must’ve made it obvious), she recommended the lotus face treatment oil. I was like you must be crazy, putting oil on my oily face? She was of course serious. After learning that this treatment has essential oils of rosewood and geranium and Lotus extracts can purify and calm the skin, and the hazelnut oil helps prevent moisture loss and signs of aging, so overtime it will refine the pores and textures, well I had to get it. It’s very easy to incorporate into your existing routine. Basically after cleansing, just dab a small amount on the face and neck, then continue the rest of the routine. After a couple days my skin already feels less oily and more supple.

If you have dry skin, there’s the Santal Face Treatment Oil for dry or extra dry skin ($48), too! Try it.

Free Shipping on Every Order at Clarins.com with code AUGFS9 (valid thru 8/31/09)

Back to school sale alert – Weat Seal

Take an additional 30% off all clearance at Wetseal.com. Ends 8.31.09! and Get free shipping on all orders over $15. Ends 8.28.09

Dramatic silhouettes

Fall always demands more intensity and drama on fashion. You definitely lose some of the easy-going light-as-air aesthetics of the summer. This coming fall seems to have more fierce fashion than the previous years with lots of dramatic silhouettes from Balmain, Hervé Léger, Rick Owens, Jimmy Choo, etc. Leather jackets, body-con dresses, studded boots, strong shoulders paired with cinched waists. These are all such dream pieces that make unstoppable looks.

Balmain Leather motorcycle jacket

Herve Leger Vivien cutout bandage dress $880

Rick Owens Peak-shouldered flannel jacket $2,100

Aminaka Wilmont Leather suit jacket $1,770

Herve Leger Scoop-neck bandage dress $1,350

Alexander Wang Coated cobweb-knit dress $580

Marc by Marc Jacobs One-shoulder taffeta dress $500

Balmain Suede zipped ankle boots $1,975

Jimmy Choo Lizard-print leather knee-high boots $1,150

Jimmy Choo Karina studded shoe-boots $1,095

Giuseppe Zanotti Swarovski-embellished sandals $1,150