It's Spring! Well, not quite. But, if you happen to visit your local mall, it's easy to think that warmer days are just around the corner. The stores are filled to the brim with light and bright tops and T's, sunny accessories and flirty footwear. So, what will we be wearing in Spring or 09? The good news is that there`s no radical trend shift. Many of your looks of last year and wardrobe staples can be worn again and easily brought up to date with a few new pieces. There are three key items: a soft scarf, something bright and denim... More »
Last time, our Style File Surprising Stores review featured Mark's Work Wearhouse. Well, the friendly folks over at MWW kindly supplied me with one of their latest clothing innovations to try for myself. It's the Perfectly Pressed shirt. What can possibly be innovative about a shirt? I hear you ask. Drum roll please...this crisp classic does not need ironing! Yes, it's wash, dry and wear! So exciting, because despite all the times I've recommended the plain white shirt as a wardrobe essential, (confession time), I rarely wear one myself. Not because I don't like the look, au contraire, but... More »
Moms often ask me not just what wardrobe essentials to buy, but where to shop for them. So, I thought I'd start a new Style File series called Surprising Stores. Us moms have little time to shop, so it's good to know that there is a huge array of stylish pieces to be found at the shops in your local mall or shopping centre. This week, I'll focus on three Canadian staples: Jacob, Suzy Shier and Mark's Work Wearhouse (yes, you read that right - Mark's Work Wearhouse!) Read on... First, Jacob. If you haven't been into a Jacob store... More »
This Style File post comes with a mental health warning - only proceed past this point if you are prepared to think about long sleeves, tweed and cooler temps. Yes, ladies, the stores are full of Fall fashions. Sadly, it's my job to talk about the reality that in a few weeks our flip flop/tank top days will be over. The good news is that there are some wonderful wardrobe additions coming our way. Things will definitely get flirty and feminine with a salute to the 40s, 50s and ladylike looks of the 80s, all adapted to the practicalities... More »
My family (hubby and two boys) and I were lucky to have a last-minute vacation in Mexico last month. This not only provided the opportunity for some long overdue R and R, but for me to get familiar with the swimwear styles for Summer 2008 that work for real women. First, let me say that the women of world are doing a great job embracing their natural beauty on the beach. There were women of all sizes and all ages in terrific two pieces, tankinis and wondrous one pieces. Proof that the key to looking sensational in the surf is... More »
At last! Our long, cold, snowy winter is on its way out (cross fingers) and we can tentatively turn our attention to Spring style. So, as the thermometer rises, what will we be wearing? This season is one of those that signals quite the change in looks and lines. So hold onto your hats, ladies, here's the long and the short of style for Spring/Summer 2008. Let us know what you think of these tempting trends, and what you think you will wear once it's warmer out there... The long - Mama mia! What do you think of the midi... More »
How do you shop for groceries? Hang on a minute, this is the Style File, what's grocery shopping got to do with it? Well, in my experience, how us ladies shop for groceries, has a lot in common with how we shop for our clothes. Consider: A. Do you create a meal plan for the week and shop for those specific ingredients? B. Do you stock up on a variety of veggies, meat, fish and fruits and create meals throughout the week as you fancy? C. Do you haphazardly pick up things throughout the grocery store and then find that... More »
With bone-chilling temperatures across the country, it's hard to imagine that Spring will be here in just a few weeks (cross fingers!) And, if you take a trip to the mall, you'd think that it was already here. The stores are stocked with lighter and brighter clothes and accessories. So if you are lucky enough to be heading south or want to plan ahead for warmer weather, here's the Style File scoop on the trends for us moms. I'm calling this the season of the 4 P's - 1. patterns and prints, 2. primary colours, 3. preppy and 4. paper... More »
Happy 2008! The start of the New Year is a great time to review your personal style needs. I know, I know - you're up to the eye balls with resolutions and must do's/do not's. I promise you, the following is not a fashion revolution, but a shortlist of easy ideas that add no more than a minute or two to your daily routine, can save you time in the long run, cost very little or nothing at all, and, most importantly, will enhance how you look and feel this year. At the Style File, we normally focus on clothes... More »
Red is always popular colour choice during the Holiday season, and no more so than this year. It's wonderful to see this warm colour everywhere. I love red, but it's not always the easiest colour to wear. Here are some hot tips on wearing red, and some perfect red pieces to make your Holiday wardrobe pop. Red Hot Tips: Select the right shade of red for you - especially any red you're wearing close to your face. Some reds have blue undertones, such as cranberry red, and some reds have yellow undertones - so if a red doesn't seem to... More »
