Fashion Friday: Prints Charming

"Bread feeds the body, indeed, but flowers feed also the soul."
-The Koran

I'm a little bit of a girlie girl, especially when it comes to floral prints. They are just so sweet and delicate and somehow understated. You just can't help but feel feminine and flirty when you wear a bit of Floral!

I was so excited to see that the prints being shown on the runways this season had taken a decidedly floral turn. Soft daisy, romantic rose and pretty peony prints replaced the hard geometric patterns of the past few years. Everyone from Balenciaga to Dior to Chloe were showing floral prints and flower inspired designs. Florals are everywhere! And they are fresh, airy and full of life.

Floral prints are not all created equal, and with the selection that is available, you can definitely find the type that suits your personality. Try a long flowing floral print dress, skirt or tunic for a breezy and laidback look. Feeling elegant? Try a structured and fitted floral dress or jacket.

Here are a few floral prints to tempt your inner girlie girl:





Floral Maxi Dress from the Gap
I just love the simplicity of this dress. I think it would be perfect with a cropped denim jacket and espadrilles.




Daisy Day Skirt from J. Crew
Floral skirts can be worn a million different ways! Try it high waisted, paired with a simple white T, leather belt and and flat sandals.




Floral Wayfarer Sunglasses from Garage
These are just awesome! Such an easy way to add a pop of floral to an everyday outfit. Plus, the wayfarer style looks great on everyone.




Love Moschino Cropped Floral Blazer
This is a bit of a splurge, but I love structure of this blazer. How amazing would this be with dark wash skinny jeans and flats? Plus, I am a big fan of the skulls hidden in the floral print... toughens it up just a little!




Rift Valley Shorts from Anthropologie
Floral shorts can be a bit tricky to pull off, but it you pair them with a solid colour top, some less girlie accessories and killer heels they can be pretty cool.




Featheroff Bag from Aldo
I'm a big fan of statement handbags, and this particular one definitely makes a statement! Just like the Floral sunglasses, this bag makes it easy to try floral. This handbag may be a bit trendy, but at such a reasonable price point, you can easily retire it after the season.




Printed Strapless Sweetheart dress from Victoria's Secret
This dress is so sweet! I love the ultra girlie combination of the floral print, sweetheart neckline and cinched waist... I doubt you could get more feminine! Getting a toothache? Try a fitted blazer to add a bit of edge.




Black Ditsy Floral Tights from Urban Outfitters
These aren't really warm weather friendly, but I just couldn't resist! I'd wear these to work with a black mini dress and boots.




Floral Ruffle Top by Rare from Topshop
You really can't go wrong with a flouncy floral top. The outfit possibilities are endless... under a blazer, belted with a sweater, tucked into a high waisted skirt or just thrown on with wide leg jeans. Summer perfection!




Short Jumpsuit in Prints from Victoria's Secret
I am so excited that rompers and jumpsuits are making a comeback. They are so cute and don't really require much outfit planning. Try this fun floral number on it's own, or try belting it layered with a tank top.




Pointy Floral Flats from YesStyle
These floral flats are adorable! They would be great with a full skirt and belted sweater or they could add a bit of interest to a T and jeans.


Have fun this season playing around with different florals! After all, if the old adage is true that April showers bring May flowers... at the rate we're going, Calgary should be in bloom all summer long!


Photo Credit: fashionchicks

World Cup WAGs: Football and Fashion

"If you marry me you're marrying football."
-Graham Taylor

The 2010 FIFA World Cup starts today in South Africa.

I have to admit, I'm not really a soccer fan. I played for a few years when I was younger, and although it was fun (I loved the orange wedges!), I never really got into it. Considering the few number of soccer fans in this part of the world, it seems like this is pretty typical for North Americans.

That being said, there is one thing I really appreciate about football in Europe... the WAGs. For any of you not familiar with the likes of Victoria Beckham and Katie Price, WAGs is an acronym used by the British press to describe the wives and girlfriends of high-profile football (soccer) players. During the 2006 World Cup the media was dominated by the socialising and shopping activities of the English WAGs and as a result, they quickly came into vogue.

It's one of my guilty pleasures to pick up British editions of magazines like Cosmo and Glamour, just to check out the newest trends the WAGs are wearing. They always seem to be carrying the "it" bag, wearing the most cutting edge stilettos and sporting super hot hairstyles. They may only be famous for who they married, but they sure know how to dress!

I love the idea of WAGs, and I kind of wish wives and girlfriends of North American athletes would follow suit. I understand it can be a distraction from the game and can steal attention from the players, but it adds so much glamour and fashion to the sport as well. And with celebs like Gisele Bünchen, Cameron Diaz and Carrie Underwood married to or dating our pro-athletes, imagine the WAG royalty we'd have here!

With World Cup kicking off today, I thought I'd feature a few of my favorite WAGs that you might spot in the crowd during a game. Look for the WAG giveaways like perfectly highlighted hair, spray tans and huge designer sunglasses... You can't miss them!

I can't wait to see what they are all wearing!


England


Alex Curran
Wife of Liverpool and England footballer Steven Gerrard









Abigail Clancy
Engaged to Tottenham and England footballer Peter Crouch









Coleen Rooney

Wife of Manchester United and England footballer Wayne Rooney









Carly Cole
Wife of Chelsea and English footballer Joe Cole










Germany

Sarah Brandner
Girlfriend of Bayern Munich and Germany footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger










Italy


Alena Seredova
Girlfriend of Juventus and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon










So even if you aren't a huge football fan, you can still enjoy the World Cup WAGs!

Enjoy!

(A bit late) Long Weekend Week: Packing List

"I travel light; as light, that is, as a man can..."
-Christopher Fry (b.1970) British playwright

Packing is by far the worst part of any trip.

I'm one of those people who likes to decide what I'm going to wear each day depending on lots of things... the weather, the day’s events, my mood... So I find it agonizing to try and plan out what I will need for a trip. I'm also a bit of an over planner (a staircase as Chris not so affectionately calls me) and I need to have every outfit to be decided ahead of time, so I can make sure I have all the underpinnings and accessories I will need!

Out of necessity more than anything, I’ve come up with a must have packing list.

The items on this list are what I consider wardrobe basics… pack these and all you'll need is to throw in a few fun or colourful pieces and you are good to go! All the articles listed can be interpreted to fit you’re personal style; you just want the basic idea!

The List:

1. Skinny Jeans



I love these classic J. Crew matchstick jeans


2. Boyfriend Blazer



Mine is really similar to this Halogen Boyfriend Blazer from Nordstrom


3. Maxi Dress




So comfy... but looks so good! I have this Victoria Secret Halter version in Black


4. Basic Tee



This American Eagle V-neck Favorite T is awesome! You can layer it or wear it on its own... Plus you can actually throw it in the dyer with no shrink!


5. Long Cardigan



I always go for a black cardigan, but you can add some colour here if you want. I love the American Apparel Solid Rib Cardigan


6. Ballet Flats



I live in ballet flats! These Tory Burch 'Reva' Ballerina Flats are super comfortable and super stylish!

7. Basic Tank



I always make sure I pack a couple of layering tanks. I love the fit of the Garage Sheer Cami, and for under $10 you really can't go wrong!


8. Wrap or Scarf



I love having a wrap with me when I travel! It can easily double as a blanket when you're cold, and if you get hot you can loop it on to your handbag! I am loving the colour and texture of this Love Quotes Linen Scarf available at Tobi


9. Sunglasses



I like classic sunglasses that are a bit hip, so I usually go for a pair of Aviator or Wayfarer Ray Bans.


10. Leggings



These Lululemon Wunder Under Pants are so comfortable and fit amazingly! These are not only great for traveling... if you don't have a pair already, you should!


11. Shorts



A great pair of shorts can easily go from day to night if you pick the right style and fabric. I would choose a pair like these Linen Tie Shorts from Forever 21. Great with flats during the day, and then dress them up with heels for the evening! Va va voom!

12. Heels



I just got this pair of Spriggle heels by Spring and I am in love! They look so hot, but are comfortable enough I can dance in them all night!


I find that with this basic wardrobe, I never stress out about having nothing to wear. Pack a few fun tops, dresses and accessories as well and the outfit options are endless!

Happy Packing!


Photo credit: replicapot.com