The Spring Thaw - Part One

Last year around this time, I took to this blog to rant about our extremely slow-arriving, Canadian Spring. Our lawn chairs had not yet begun to emerge from their snowy mantles in the backyard, and my hush puppy boots were not about to be replaced by kicky open-toed sandles.

Well, I have to say, this year we've been pretty lucky. So far. I cringe as I write this, knowing I may just be tempting fate (and Mother Nature) just a little too much. For all I know, we'll get the blizzard of the century tomorrow morning. But for now, the above-zero temps and the disney-esque chirping of birds in the morning (let alone the fact that there's actually LIGHT outside when I wake up now!) have gotten me into a Spring frame of mind.

That's right! Bring out the candy-coloured trenches, the Audrey Hepburn capris, and the chiffon camis. Hell, I even went so far as to get a pedi yesterday in anticipation of slipping on open-toed shoes sometime soon!

Now, let me insert a small note of caution into this blatant Spring merriment. As I mentioned, tempting Mother Nature around here at this time of the year is inherently dangerous. As a result, I don't advise anyone to throw themselves full throttle into Spring style. No, just as the Spring thaw is slow and steady, so is the transition into warmer-weather wear.

So here's part one of a series of ways I think we colder-climate ladies can cautiously creep away from our heavier, more structured winter wear to our flirtier, more fluttery flights of fashion fancy.

The first strategy: During the winter, we pair our all-season jackets with button-downs and turtlenecks. Spring is the time to wring the most use out of those jackets by pairing them with lighter, frothier tops - an almost universally flattering look and a great celebration of Spring, especially when it includes a piece with a splash of brilliant colour.

Here are a few combos I've come up with:













Pair this teal Priorities jacket from Bluefly.com with...














...this Vince silk cami from Nordstrom






















Or this Adam plus Eve jacket from Bluefly...














...with this Kenneth Cole NY silk tank from Nordstrom




















Try this structured navy Classiques Entier piece from Nordstrom...


















...with the flowy, delicate floral of this Chelsea Flower cami from Bluefly



















How about the rich jewel tone of this Halogen jacket from Nordstrom...











...with the smart abstract floral print of this BCBGMaxAzria top from Nordstrom






















This beautiful, bright piece from Nanette Lepore @ Nordstrom...















...with the muted florals of this St. John Collection silk shell from Nordstrom





















You could pair the muted tweed of this DKNY blazer from Nordstrom with...















...with this Elie Tahari floral cami from Bluefly










I hope these options have inspired you a bit as we thaw our way slowly out of Winter and into the glory of Spring! Enjoy the crocuses, robins, and boatloads of Easter chocolate!

Back - again!

Alrighty - so I've been a tad...absent of late. My sincerest apologies. Last time my words were published to this page, I was enormous with child, and annoyed with the ruffly, flowery, CUTESY fashions that seemed to dominate my local maternity clothing stores. Well, here we are. I'm wearing my ever-so-fashionable sweatpants and t-shirt. My beloved son is now just a shade over seven months old, and a total cutey, though a total handful as well!

So, why, you ask, have I decided to revive this blog amid diaper changes, crying fits, play times, and such? Well, today, I turn the august age of 32. Yup, I'm creeping slowly closer to 40. As a result, I've made some resolutions - including reviving my blog. I love fashion and style, and I love writing. It's time to get back into it!

So please, dear reader, bear with me as I delve once more into the blogging world! I hope to post at least once a week on an ongoing basis. Thanks again for your support! And as a little treat, here's a pic of my adorable, hyper, curious, energetic, smart-as-a-whip, cute-as-a-button son!

George Henri Bilodeau:

Great Expectations

I am expecting. Expecting what, you ask? Well, if you take a look at the prevailing styles in most maternity stores these days, I'm expecting to look like a giant doily or a beached whale in a floral mumu for the next few months.

It's not that I expect to be able to pull off the more svelte and streamlined looks of my pre-pregnancy wardrobe. But it is too much to ask that I be allowed to purchase a blouse that doesn't have one of the following components?

a) a pink or other pastel floral pattern
b) ruffles at hem, collar, sleeves, or in some other hidden spot
c) a cute little ribbon tie in back (the knotted bow can be murder on the back during long flights or while sitting at your desk for hours)
d) pouffy sleeves?

I get it - we're cute mommas-to-be. We're in the flower of our womanhood, positively glowing with feminine charm. But for goodness' sakes, I don't want to look like a dress-up doll while I'm glowing. I want to look like what I am - a professional woman with a simple style - albeit with a fetching belly overhang and swollen ankles. And let's face it, with women chosing to advance their careers prior to starting their families at a greater pace these days, alot of women are in the same boat as me. Further, I don't think I've ever met an expectant mother-to-be who lusts after the cotton-candy-hued, ruffly, flowery numbers that dominate maternity stores these days, even if she isn't a consummate career woman.

I beg of you, maternity wear purveyors, should you happen to stumble on this site and choose to listen to one of your humble customers - focus on simple, classic pieces that are versatile, tailored and comfortable. Sure, I like an occasional flowy flowery camisole with a cute empire waist and a little ribbon tie. But generally I like to pair the flouncy with my wardrobe staples, like a well-cut cardigan in a neutral colour, a pair of dark, boot-cut mat jeans and a simple kitten heel.

For summer, I'd love some simple, 3/4 length sleeve blouses that skim nicely over my bump. Please, I beg of you - no eyelets, no bows, no flounces, no ruffles. No pouffy sleeves. I'd love a simple, A-line skirt in a neutral colour that I can pair with a cami and cardigan or a blazer. The same rules apply. I would kill for some comfy, simple tank dresses or basic wrap dresses for work.

Yet every time I hit the local mall in search of any of these pieces, it seems like the moment I enter the maternity store, I'm inundated with a rainbow of hot pink, pastel yellow and minty green, a virtual garden of floral patterns, and a positive avalanche of ruffles and bows.

Women do change while they're expecting a baby. If anything, they become more beautiful. Yet, why should the styles that fit their personalities and their lives change, beyond an allowance for their baby bumps? We may get "baby brain" while we're pregnant, but it doesn't make me want to throw on a pink shirt with ruffled cap sleeves and a big bow in front and a pair of matching capris. I'm still me (even if I've got another little "me" in my belly right now), and I wish maternity stores would cater to me and to all other expectant moms instead of trying to force us to conform to some weird flowery, ruffly stereotype.

Indie Style

Trioon halter on Etsy.com

I've spent a few hours on a sojourn of Etsy.com, the haven of independent artists, craftsmen/women, designers and artisans. I was in search of some unique and creative pieces to add colour and spirit to any woman's wardrobe. This post is a shout-out to the designers of Etsy, as well a showcase for some of their lovely pieces. When one pictures the types of clothes that are sold on sites like Etsy, one tends to imagine hippy-dippy patchwork skirts, goth studded corsets and screen-printed tees, and little in between. But as you can see from some of my favourites below, there are truly some talented and creative designers out there, with something for every woman's sense of style. I hope you enjoy!

Sleek, sophisticated knit halter by Eterknity @ Etsy.com


















A flirty nautical babydoll by Poppyswickedgarden @ Etsy.com




















Another treasure from poppyswickedgarden, an ultra-romantic kimono cardigan @ Etsy.com




















A fresh, fitted tie-neck blouse by gracefulelements @ Etsy.com




















A splash of Spring sunshine with nectargirl's "sunshiny" halter @ Etsy.com















sumomosuki's contemporary Victorian ruffle tee @ Etsy.com




















Silk shantung jumpter by srbdesigns @ Etsy.com




















"Afternoon Tea" jacket by pinkroses1220 @ Etsy.com
















Another lovely jacket by pinkroses1220 @ Etsy.com




















sixgunsally's flirty "just add water" dress @ Etsy.com




















Adajewelry's flowy frock @ Etsy.com















A crisp and kicky black and white floral sundress by ananya @ Etsy.com




















The perfect little babydoll by sixgunsally @ Etsy.com




















KachingDesign's A-line kitty skirt @ Etsy.com

Noticed: U-neck Tops

Banana Republic silk shell

I'm a particular fan of this cut - a cut that's popping up like dandelions in Spring/Summer blouses. The crisp and classy shape of the neckline frames the face and shoulders and adds definition to otherwise billowy pieces. Here are a few of my favourites:

Vera Wang blouse @ Bluefly




















Banana Republic watercolor silk shell




















Great Plains "Chloe" crochet neck top @ Nordstrom




















Matty M "Venetian Summer" top @ Nordstrom




















Elie Tahari georgette blouse @ Bluefly




















Subtle metallics from BCBGirls @ Bluefly




















Theory "Taira - Pretoria" tank @ Nordstrom




















Marc by Marc Jacobs @ Saks Fifth Avenue




















Silk tunic from Banana Republic

Style - plane and simple

Jet Set Barbie from the Fashion Fever Barbie Flickr site

Sorry for the hiatus - I've been quite busy this last few weeks with work and travel for purposes thereof...hence the subject of this post - the style of air travel, or lack thereof.

Okay, most of you have flown before. Don't worry, I'm not about to dictate that you have to get dressed up a la America's Next Top Model in seven inch heels, fishnets, forties-style frocks and cute little hats to board your next flight to Tacoma. As much as we'd all like to look like part of the jet set when we step on and off the plane, I have little doubt that sitting in those seats for five hours in a get-up like that would be the aerial equivalent of Chinese water torture.

BUT - I think there is a way to find a happy middle ground (or cruising altitude, in this case) between comfort and style. I've seen both ends of this continuum on the many flights I've taken lately. The first are those who take their comfort a little too seriously - ie. the level of sartorial comfort people really shouldn't even step out of the house with to take out the garbage. You know what I'm talking about - ripped sweats, scuffed crocs, hair a bird's nest hastily assembled on top of the head. Yes, there are even those folks who refuse to let the red-eye get the better of them, showing up for their flights in their full pj regalia.

Alternately, there are the would-be jet-setters. Tottering down the ramp in skinny snakeskin heels, painted-on jeans, and tight leather jackets - they exude confidence - just as they'll excuse discomfort an hour into their overseas flight.

SO - what's the happy medium? Here are a few tips for staying relatively fresh and fabulous 35 000 feet in the air (and beyond).

Style and comfort aren't mutually exclusive.

Whether you're heading to a business meeting or a tropical holiday, there are options that will keep you looking stylish and feeling fine. Choose dark, tailored jeans with some stretch to them; or slacks that fit you well but don't hug your curves too closely. This is a personal thing - but I also tend to go for darker colours when I fly, because you never know when you're going to end up in an unfortunate situation like a flight attendant chucking a glass of juice on you during bad turbulence (it's happened to me!), and changing clothes in the airplane bathroom isn't always possible or desirable. If you're heading to a business engagement, I suggest a pant suit over a skirt - skirts tend to ride up during extended sitting sessions, and planes can get quite chilly. If you're insistent about wearing something more lady-like, try a tailored yet flowy dress in a solid colour and a comfy fabric like jersey or cotton.

Choose wrinkle-resistant fabrics when at all possible - your linen suit may look crisp as you pass through the gate, but by the time you come out on the other end, you'll look like a sharpei dog.

Don't wear anything too constricting, flesh-baring, or complicated. Try to avoid tops that tie in the back, because the last thing you'll want on a five-hour flight is something pressing into your back.

Dress in layers - maybe a simple fitted tee and a sleek hooded jacket - in fabrics that move and breathe. Though planes tend to get chilly in the air, it's always good to have a contingency plan if it happens to get uncharacteristically warm - I've spent some uncomfortable hours sweating in heavy sweater and boots - on overheated planes delayed on the tarmac due to the raging snowstorm outside. Not fun.

In terms of shoes - I generally go for comfort with sleek sneaks or flats. As for other accessories, I haul a big leather tote on board as my carry-on, full of travel necessities like lipgloss, brush, compact, deoderant and any other little things you can use to freshen up as you come in for a landing, especially after a loooong flight.

So, just a few tips to help you be both style and travel savvy. I'm flying again tomorrow, so hopefully I'll practice what I preach and have a comfy yet classy flight!

My Favourite Spring Colours - Part Three

Feeling the Blues

Old Navy Chainlink Jelly Sandals

Each season seems to have a shade of blue that's particularly evocative of its charms. Winter's icy pale blue, Summer's rich sky blue... To me, these pieces sing the Spring blues by evoking images of robin's eggs, forget-me-nots, and popsicles.

Design History @ Bluefly



















Rock and Republic halter from Saks Fifth Avenue




















French Twist top @ Nordstrom




















Banana Republic sheath dress




















JCrew "Sophia" dress




















Vera Wang dress @ Bluefly



















Yoana Baraschi @ Bluefly




















Helene Berman jacket @ Nordstrom



















Christian Louboutin "Un Voilier" flats @ Bluefly



















Old Navy canvas skimmers






















Maxx New York "Thompson" Bag @ Nordstrom

























Vera Bradley headband from Itsagirlthing @ Etsy.com
























Cara headband @ Nordstrom
























JCrew enamelled tile necklace