Fashion's...er...film's big night

I think most of us can agree. The best part about the Oscars is the fashion. Admit it...did you even see all the Best Picture nominees? Don't worry, neither did most of the Academy.

Here's my top five best dressed of the night:

Gwyneth Paltrow

Stunning simplicity in Calvin Klein Collection. Just looking at her in this dress makes me want to try the Tracy Anderson Method. And the sleek, straight hair (courtesy of hair genius Harry Josh) - so modern.

Cate Blanchett

In Givenchy Couture, she is by far the most original and best dressed of the night for me.

Mila Kunis

Beautiful and sexy in an Elie Saab Couture dress.

Amy Adams

In an unexpected silhouette and rich, jewel-toned L'Wren Scott dress, Amy shows us she isn't afraid to take risks.

Celine Dion

Usually, Celine is so over the top, but this understated Giorgio Armani Prive dress shows off her amazing body (even after twins!) and illustrates how sometimes less really is more.

I know a lot of you probably have Halle Berry on your best dressed list. And why not, she looked amazing in her Marchesa dress:

But, she didn't make my top five and here's why: too safe. Too boring! She has a killer body, she's gorgeous. We get it. But why not take a risk once in a while? After all, isn't that what real style is all about?

Stay tuned for another post this week on Oscar trends and how to wear them in everyday life.

I'd love to hear what you thought of the fashion at the Academy Awards. Who was your best dressed?


Images borrowed from InStyle.com.

Taming the Tresses

I'm blessed with thick hair. Some days I'm so grateful for its wavy/curly texture. Other days, I wish it was stick straight and required zero effort.

Curly/wavy hair can be tricky. Sometimes it turns out perfectly, but most times it looks good for about an hour and then becomes a frizzy half-curly, half-flat disaster.

Did I mention that warm, humid air only compounds this effect? Luckily, it's winter, so the battle isn't too bad for the moment. That is, unless I'm in a bar or event space crammed with a ton of people and there's not enough air-conditioning. Then, it might as well be mid-summer with a humidex of 40 degrees.

I had one of those encounters this week. I was at an event, with quite frankly the worst hair of my life. I actually didn't realize how bad it was until I got home and saw myself in the mirror. And I wondered, why didn't anyone I was with warn me? Or just suggest that I put it up?

I've decided with spring and summer around the corner, I need to get my hair under control. I will need to spend more time blowdrying/styling my hair in order to deliver on my good hair promise.

There are two products in my styling arsenal that will be playing a big role in helping me achieve many more good hair days. They are:

John Frieda Frizz-Ease 3-Day Straight semi-permanent styling spray

This product has changed my life. It makes it easier and quicker to straighten my hair and then it lasts 3 full days! Essentially it works with your flat iron to block out frizz using a blend of polymers and keratin protein to wrap each strand, sealing in a straight style for 3 days. Love it.

The Original Moroccanoil Oil Treatment

I use a small amount of this oil after towel-drying and it makes detangling a breeze.

I know it will take more time on my part to have more good hair days, but that's the thing with thick, wavy hair. If you want it to look good, you can't go halfway. You have to invest.

What are your must-have styling products?

Give Winter the Kiss Off

It's February. And let's face it. Sometimes winter can really suck. It's cold. It's grey (or white) outside. Spring feels like it should be just around the corner, but we still have a few more weeks of bad weather and boots ahead of us before we're homefree.

I'm not sure about the rest of you, but I need a break from the cold. Luckily for all of us, we can instantly upgrade our style and moods with one easy switch: inject some honeysuckle into your life.

Whether spotted at the Marche aux Fleurs in Nice...

...or on the red carpet...

Image from People.com

...pink is everywhere.

Pick up a bright pink lipstick and instantly upgrade any outfit.

Winter-woes be gone! After all, who can feel bad wearing those gorgeous, bright lips?

What do you do to escape the winter blahs?

Will you try out a new make-up trend to add some life to your style this February?

Label me not

I’m still working on cultivating my own personal style. It’s a work in progress and maybe it will be one forever. It’s so easy to rely on ready-made outfits at your favourite stores and to stick to those tried and true brands (high end or otherwise) that always fit and always seem so “you” instead of taking the time to put together outfits yourself. Especially when you've slept through your alarm and you're rushing to make it to work on time.

I'm the first to admit that my personal style isn't always on the mark. However, the one thing I can't stand is people who wear designer clothing and claim to be stylish only because of the labels they are wearing. You know the type - the woman that gushes over the ugliest dress you have ever seen, simply because it has a designer name attached? The person in the department store who squeals in delight at a designer dress that is half off even though it is hideous. Just because something has a covet-worthy label on it doesn't mean it's worth wearing. Nor does it mean that just by wearing it, you immediately up the style quotient of your outfit.

Style to me is being able to mix pieces in a way that is uniquely yours. I don’t think just slapping on a whole bunch of designer clothing automatically makes you stylish.

That’s not to say I don’t covet some designer items (like this amazing blouse that was featured on Gossip Girl) or that I don't appreciate the art that goes into haute couture. I have pored over many issues of Vogue and marveled at the sheer creativity of fashion. Including this shoot from a few years back that was unbelievably stunning:



I love fashion. Am I always the perfect symbol of it? Absolutely not. But, I do know this: simply wearing (and usually flaunting) designer labels does not a style maven make.

How do you create your own personal style?

The Style Experiment

Every August I devour all the fat, juicy issues of the fashion mags' September issues. From Vogue and InStyle to local-grown favourites like Flare and Fashion.

I flip through the pages excited to see the new trends for the season, with a feeling of hope. Maybe this is the year that I'll REALLY plan out my outfits and shopping. Maybe this will be the year that I actually venture out and risk trying a trendy new outfit (like wedge heels or a statement necklace).

I love fashion and beauty. What woman doesn't love feeling beautiful and looking fabulous? But, the fact is, it takes TIME. It takes planning. And when my alarm wakes me up in the morning stealing a few extra minutes in bed take precedence over spending those moments toiling over what to wear.

The bed always wins.

I wasn't always like this. In university, I dressed up for my 8:30 a.m. classes. My winter boots had heels! Fashion and beauty was part of my everyday.

Then I joined the workforce. And I slowly gave up the heels. Working nine-to-five in a government office meant boring simple clothes. And before I knew it, fashion was on the back burner.

Sure, I'd still get dressed up for special occasions - weddings, parties, etc. But, no longer for the everyday. The daily commute into the city when I started working downtown, drained all my energy out of me. Fashion was no longer important.

Things needed to be comfortable and practical. The heels were the first things to go.

I dress okay. I mean, I could try harder. And every year, I tell myself - this is my chance - a new start, a new season of ripe new trends ready for the picking. And then I get too busy and go back to the old standbys.

Not. This. Year.

Do good clothes open all doors? What do you do to stay out of a style rut?

Image courtesy of musie.wordpress.com

Lipstick Indicator

I decided to start small. I decided to go the extra effort and wear lipstick to work. Lipgloss to be exact. And not only wear it when leaving the house at the beginning of the day, but REAPPLY it.

Compliments relating to my lipgloss/makeup: 0

Compliments relating to some other aspect of my appearance: 2

I got asked - "did you cut your hair?" during a morning meeting. Trust me, I did nothing with my hair.

Later in the day, I was complimented on my outfit and how the colour really suits me.

Is it possible that a little bit of lipgloss actually makes that big of an improvement on your appearance?!

Image courtesy of wired.com

New Year, New You?

With the ringing in of a new year, I always pause and reflect on my life. Even though really, there's not much difference between January 1st and December 31st, for some reason, it always feels like a chance to start over, live my dreams and make more out of life.

This year is already setting up to be a big year of change for me as I'm starting a new job. I'm scared to leave what I know, but I'm also excited to try something new and get closer to my dream of writing a novel.

For my resolutions, I always try to set resolutions that aren't huge, life-changing ones because I strongly believe that if you are going to lose weight, start exercising or change something fundamental about your life, that you don't need a New Year to do it.

Everyday is a chance to change the big things. So for New Year's I don't focus on my LIFE goals, instead I focus on small things that might get me closer to being a better person and living a happier life.

My first one is to improve my posture. I know this seems small, but sitting at desk all day makes me slouch. I've tried to fix this over and over but have not had any luck. So this year, I'm adding an activity to the goal - yoga. I'm going to take up yoga to help improve my posture and if I get other health benefits out of it (less stress, less anxiety, etc.) then that's just a bonus!

My second resolution (the superficial one), but the one that I think is just as important, is to wear more colour. I have a wardrobe full of black, with the odd splash of colour here and there. No one can deny that when you wear a rich jewel tone or add a brightly coloured scarf to your outfit that you feel happier, brighter and more alive.

Can clothes change your life? I think they can, even if only by changing your outlook on it.