Trend Report: Off-the-Shoulder

These images immediately whisk me away to a warm night in Santorini overlooking the beautiful harbour and the crystal blue waters, we can't just snap our fingers and get transported onto that Greek island but we can buy our own off-the-shoulder piece!

The Inspiration:

Get it While its Hot:

Lace Trim Off Shoulder Top, $69

Love It or Leave It: Wide-Leg Pants

We were skinny for the fall and winter and now we're going really wide for Spring 2011. Not only are wide-leg pants in but WhoWhatWear is also calling for a "disco" trend to sweep the Spring collections. Everything in fashion is cyclical and bell-bottoms have had their fair share of spotlight in the past but apparently they are back and if they are done right you may be wearing a pair very soon. My advice: pair with wedge sandals and over-sized sunglasses.

Shop:
McQ Cotton Sailor Pants, $79.50 (The Outnet Sale US)

Holiday Gift Guide: Menu's Winebreather Decanter

For: The Wine Expert
Gift: Menu's Winebreather Decanter
Price Range: Under $100 at A+R Store Online

Holiday Gift Guide: Marc By Marc Jacobs Bracelet

For: The Rebel
Gift: Marc By Marc Jacobs Upper Crusty Ruth Bracelet
Price Range: Under $100 on ShopBop.com

Holiday Gift Guide: Marshall Major Headphones

For: The Music Lover
Gift: Marshall Major Headphones
Price Range: Under $100 at Marshall Headphones

Holiday Gift Guide: Marc Jacobs Credit Card Holder

For: The Working Man
Gift: Marc by Marc Jacobs Big Single Side Credit Card Holder
Price Range: Under $100 on ShopKitson.com

Holiday Gift Guide: Coach Loves Poppy Scarf

For: The Snow Bunny
Gift: Coach Loves Poppy Scarf
Price Range: Under $100 at Coach Online and available in-store

Holiday Gift Guide: Lee Angel Star Earrings

When picking gifts this holiday season, its important to keep in mind that the right gift is both thoughtful and customized for the person whose receiving it, so to help you out a little I'll be posting a gift idea a day!
For: The Star
Gift: Lee Angel Crystal Star Earrings
Price Range: Under $100, TheOutnet.com Special

Accessories: Chain Reaction

Chunky knits and chains are as crucial to fall as Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes and although you can rock chains all year round, you have to admit that they look best with dark colours and on top of layers.

The Best of Both Worlds
Almost everyone has come out with a line of chain accessories, from Dannijo to Charlotte Russe, so you can sport the look without breaking the bank and choose from the wide range of chains and metals.

Shop:
Dannijo Audrey Necklace, $695 (US)
Erickson Beamon Duchess Swarovski Crystal Chain Necklace, $980 (US)
In the Sky with Diamonds Chain Gang Bracelet, $30
Rachel Roy Mixed Chain Necklace, $95 (US)
Dannijo Harlow ID Bracelet, $218 (US)
Forever 21 Twisted Box Chain Necklace, $15.80
Rachel Roy Distress Crystal Unchain Me Necklace, $95 (US)
In the Sky with Diamonds Lock Down Necklace, $40
Charlotte Russe Chunky Layered Metal Necklace, $12.50 (US)


*Side Note: In the Sky with Diamonds is the accessories line I created last year so feel free to contact me with any questions or purchase inquiries.*

Fall Basics: A to Z, the letter B

B is for Beret

Put a lid on it, your head that is. Hands down the simplest stylish piece you can ever invest in for the fall is a classic knit beret. Keeping you warm in fall and winter, the knit beret goes perfectly with all jackets, from leather to peacoat.

Neutral Colours
Its best to choose either a grey, black, white, or beige beret so you can mix and match with all of your wardrobe.

Shop:
Bop Basics Thick Knit Beret, $58 (US)

Seeing Double: Blue Suede Shoes

Blacks are essential, nudes give you runway-worth legs, but blue pumps may just be your secret weapon this season.

We all fell so deeply in love with Carrie's "Something Blue" Monolos but they aren't exactly the perfect shoe for the little black dress.

Thankfully Yves Saint Laurent has electric blue suede pumps made for this exact reason, at $720 a pair here. But fear not,we all have the chance to get "something blue" because Steve Madden has made the same shoe just at a fraction of the price, at $89.95 a pair here.

Love it or Leave It: Top Gun Inspired Shearling Jackets

Top Gun, the movie that put Tom Cruise on the map also established a piece of outerwear that constantly gets reinvented in the North American fall wardrobe: the shearling jacket.

According to the brilliant writers at WhoWhatWear, the shearling jacket is here to replace the army jacket and with the comfy trim comes a hefty price tag. Ranging anywhere from $100-$2000 its safe to say you can find a piece that will fit your budget, no matter what it is.

The jacket is definitely light enough for the fall weather and the trim is both functional and sets the coat apart from leather bombers, the only reason why it doesn't make it as a "fall basic" is the fact its cropped. Finding the perfect length is essential to any body type so its important to make sure the jacket both looks and feels right.

Shop:
Obey The Williamsburg Jacket, $88 (US)

Wish List: Archive Jewelry

If you haven't already guessed I'm pretty big on accessories and much like Olivia Palermo I have a soft spot for jewelry, I covet her job at Elle. Whenever I come across a spread in a magazine and something catches my eye I immediately become obsessed and go on a search for the piece, so is the case with a certain necklace spotted about a month ago.

May I present: Archive Jewelry, the creation of twins Nicole and Amber Sutton. At first glance its obvious that the pieces are works of art, each one as unique as the girl they are meant to be worn by, but it is the list of materials that make you take a second look at the line.

The girls took a literal interpretation of "one person's trash is another's treasure" and decided to use,

"repurposed architectural pieces, curios & found objects mixed with eco-friendly brass castings, base metal chains and chic crystal strands reminiscent of paste jewelry of a bygone era."

Each piece has history and after the girls take it to their LA studio and turn it into something new it then takes on a completely different meaning for someone else.

Shop:
1. Archive Jewelry Vintage address number bracelet, $67
2. Archive Jewelry Queen stone chain, $130
3. Archive Jewelry Arrow necklace, $58
4. Archive Jewelry "Buona fortuna" 4-leaf clover necklace, $72
5. Archive Jewelry "Bella" bracelet, $96
6. Archive Jewelry Angel bracelet, $60
7. Archive Jewelry Leaf bracelet, $96
8. Archive Jewelry Arrow earrings, $58
9. Archive Jewelry Infinity arrow necklace, $58

Love it or Leave It: Ribbon

Sugar, spice, and everything nice is what little girls are made of so when you grown up do you ditch the bows and ruffles or run for the racks the minute you spot them?

Chances are if you see me out shopping I'll be running into any Forever 21 or Anthropologie where there's no shortage on lace and tulle. Even if your not an avid fan of all things girly, a few key pieces are a must for every wardrobe and work well in any environment.

If you don't want to overdo it and subtly bring the look into an outfit a great piece to start off with is a statement necklace.

Shop:
J.Crew Ribboned Crystal Chain Necklace, $75

Summer Essentials: A to Z, the letter B

B is for Bandeau Bikini

In celebration of the beautiful weather we're having this post is to help you pick the perfect bikini for lounging poolside. I adore bandeau bikini tops for two reasons: 1) they look good on any body shape and 2) they don't leave you with those pesky strap tan lines.

Solids Vs Prints
Opt for the solid colour bikinis if you love to accessorize with your beach wear, I'm a huge fan of white, or be bold in a serious print and throw on a pair of cork wedges or lace up sandals to complete the look.

Shop:
L*Space The Milano Lola Bandeau in Multi, $70 (US)

Love it or Leave it: Clogs

If you're not a Dutch milkmaid and you don't work in a factory I think we should leave the clogs where they belong: without heels and in Sweden.

I always have an open mind when it comes to fashion and remember that although something may not be right for me there are a million other girls who appreciate the piece and wear it well; unfortunately I will never understand the appeal of a clog. I'd like to point out that clogs and wooden wedges are two very different things, I'm a huge fan of the latter.

Wooden shoes people bring back as souvenirs really don't have a place on the runways of MiuMiu, Marc Jacobs, and Chanel but, like everything with fashion: if its out there some designer will pick it up, make it new, and push it for their latest collection.

If clogs are a staple in your wardrobe I congratulate you because I simply cannot make these shoes work with anything I own.

However, now that its summer I suggest you to show off your pedicures and leave the clogs in the closet until fall. Maybe they look cute with knee socks? You know, if you're going for the whole Cher a la Clueless look.

Shop:
Steve Madden Daynty, $89.95

Summer Essentials: A to Z, the letter N

N is for Neon

Neon has been popping up on all of the red carpets this season and although you may not want to commit to a full day-glo gown, you should consider bringing the bright hues into some outfit choices. By mixing brights with neutrals you'll be able to pull the trend off without looking like a 80s aerobic instructor.

Shop:
Pleasure Doing Business 5 Band Miniskirt, $88

Inspiration: True Blood

It hurts so good...

HBO's original True Blood, based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries series by Charlaine Harris, has been a huge success since its first episode and to celebrate the return of the show for its third season I've found a few items that lets you show your love for fangs.

Shop:
1. Wildfox Couture My Boyfriend's a Vampire V-Neck Tee, $64
2. Jules Smith Vampire Fang Necklace, $70
3. Wildfox Couture Fantastic Fangs Racer Back Dress, $84
4. Wildfox Couture The Lady is a Vamp Cutoff Tank, $59
5. Wildfox Couture Vampire Love Baggy Beach Jumper, $108
6. Wildfox Couture Vampire Love Racer Back Dress, $84
7. Wildfox Couture Bite Me Crew Neck Tee, $69

Copy Cat: Stella McCartney

Her father? None other than Sir Paul McCartney. Her mother? The late photographer Linda McCartney. However, instead of turning into a tragic daughter of rock royalty, Stella McCartney began a fashion career and now has two successful labels under her belt, Stella McCartney and adidas by Stella McCartney.

Stella McCartney began interning for Christian Lacroix when she was 16, had her friends Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss model in the runway show for her grad collection, for free, and was once the Creative Director of Chloé.

This fashion designer not only proved herself in the industry but is also watched religiously because of her own style. Stella is so confident in her own creations that she insists on wearing them daily, recently she was spotted decked out head-to-toe in her own designs for her Spring/Summer 2010 collection running around London.

Want to copy Stella's look?

Urban Outfitters Matte Plastic Aviator, $14
Forever 21 Fab Solid Sturdy Scarf, $7.50
Forever 21 Essential Double Breasted Jacket, $39.80
Forever 21 Basic Racerback Tank, $6.50
Urban Outfitters BDG Acid Wash Denim Legging, $39
Aldo Breger, $80

Lip Service

Graphic Tees are making a comeback and its time to wear your thoughts on your sleeve.

Labels like Wildfox Couture and Rebel Yell are well known for their clever phrases and have become favorites amongst celebrities so naturally other brands decided to do the same and say what everyone was thinking- all over their tees.

Shop:
1. Rebel Yell Brunettes are Best Jersey Scrunchie Tank, $69
2. Forever 21 Boy Crazy Burnout Tank, $15.80
3. Wildfox Couture I Hate Boys Stripe Cutoff Tank, $59
4. Rebel Yell Misfit Hanky Tank, $62
5. Forever 21 Gorgeous Burnout Tank, $15.80
6. Hellz Bellz Afford Me Tank, $36