I Need Structure in My Life

Yoana Baraschi silk twill top @ Neiman Marcus

There are lots of ways of adding interest and creativity to an outfit - eye-catching colours; pretty patterns; novel cuts and textures. This season, designers are adding new dimensions to their collections with structural, almost architectural details. Although these pieces can seem a little intimidating at first, go ahead and try them with a simple pair of slacks or jeans - you'll soon feel like adding some structure to your life too!

Aristocrato to be @ Bluefly




















ABS Allan Schwartz @ Nordstrom

BCBG Max Azria @ Dillards



















BCBG Max Azria @ Saks Fifth Avenue



















BCBG Max Azria @ Nordstrom



















Marc by Marc Jacobs @ Neiman Marcus

















Milly top @ Neiman Marcus

















Nanette Lepore @ Neiman Marcus



















Ellen Tracy @ Saks Fifth Avenue



















Rebecca Taylor chiffon cami @ Saks Fifth Avenue



















Robert Rodriguez @ Saks Fifth Avenue



















BCBGirls @ Bluefly

Let's Get Graphic

Byzanine print merino cardi, JCrew

As Winter slowly recedes (verrry slowy in our case...) we all start to dream about putting away our demure winter duds - of packing up our woolly grey skirts and our argyle sweaters in the cedar chest and wishing them adieu while tossing a few mothballs in. As we picture shutting the chest and consigning our long johns and tuques to darkness for at least a few months, we dream of breaking free from the structure and severity of our cold-air wear. Indeed, we practically swoon at the idea of adorning ourselves in an array of lively, splashy, unstructured swirls and spots and stripes of brilliant colour. These bold, graphic patterns seem to call out to us like a herald of new life and light. This seems particularly true this season - designers, shops and magazines alike are featuring a panorama of intense, graphic prints sure to make you forget all about your subtle and structured winter wardrobe for awhile. So...let's get graphic!



















Hale Bob tie neck halter @ Nordstrom




















Michael Kors @ Nordstrom




















French Connection candy confetti tunic @ Nordstrom
























Semantiks pleated top @ Nordstrom
























Trina Turk tube @ Nordstrom



















Classiques Entier mod jacket @ Nordstrom



















Kenneth Cole Reaction @ Nordstrom



















Paisley button-down mini @ Jcrew


















Linea Paolo "Bethie" pump @ Nordstrom













Martinez Valero sandals @ Nordstrom




















Sam Edelman "Carmen" flats @ Nordstrom

It's all There in Black and White

Diane von Furstenburg @ Nordstrom

Seems to me that when the first whispers of Spring start appearing in stores, everything goes technicolour pastel. You go in looking for a t-shirt in brown, and leave with eight in various shades of eggshell, coral, sage and lavender. Not that there's anything wrong with a splash of colour after a long, dark winter. But for me, the real go-to for Spring is black and white. The combination has the advantage of being both crisp and bold AND neutral, acting as a fantastic canvas and counterpoint to splashes and flashes of those bolder Spring colours. Here are a few of my favourite things for Spring:



















AdamplusEve by Adam Lippes @ Bluefly


















Jill Stuart silk 'Minni' camisole @ Bluefly



















AdamplusEve by Adam Lippes @ Bluefly



















Chaiken organza halter top @ Bluefly



















Michael by Michael Kors silk halter @ Nordstrom



















BCBG MaxAzria @ Dillards



















French Connection @ Nordstrom



















Jones New York @ Dillards
























AK Anne Klein @ Nordstrom




















L.A.M.B. @ Nordstrom



















Karen Kane silk charmeuse top @ Dillards
























Karen Kane tunic @ Nordstrom




















Lux Lightning Strikes dress @ Urban Outfitters




















Yaya Aflalo silk dress @ Bluefly



















Tribeca Kenneth Cole peep-toe pumps























BCBGirls peep toes



















Sam Edelman "Carmen" silk flat @ Nordstrom

The Check List

I'm a lumberjack, and I'm okaaayyyy!

Yes, that's right, the check is back - from the most delicate of ginghams to the most bohemian of patchworks to that epitome of Canadian style, the lumberjack shirt. I have a bit of reticence endorsing this, given the check's checkered style past. The schoolgirl skirt. The shapeless flannel shirt. And those hideous pants that everyone seemed to wear in the seventies.

Well, my friends, the check has undergone a serious process of refinement and has been instilled with softness, femininity and creativity. With no further ado, I say: Check please!


















Seven silk plaid shirt @ Neiman Marcus



















Shoshanna embroidered gingham top @ Bluefly

Antonio Melani "Lexa" blouse @ Dillards




















Marc by Marc Jacobs top @ Bluefly



















Jones New York signature plaid sash shirt @ Dillards



















Jones New York belted plaid jacket @ Dillards



















JCrew Madras Fiona jacket



















Lauren by Ralph Lauren skirt @ Dillards























Marc by Marc Jacobs @ Nordstrom





















Lux "Nashville Skyline" dress @ Urban Outfitters


















McQ by Alexander McQueen @ Bluefly



















Patchwork Madras beach dress @ JCrew




















Betty Muller "Frame" peep toe flat



















Gingham slingbacks @ Spiegel



















Tribeca "piece of cake" shoes



















Patchwork headscarf @ Jcrew



















Madras San Isidro bag @ Jcrew