Spring 2013 | Style Blog | Canadian Fashion and Lifestyle News

Milly for Banana Republic Spring 2013 Collection Lookbook

23 May, 2013 Nelia 4 Comments

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If you’ve ever found yourself scrambling to find a perfect dress when you need one, then this Milly for Banana Republic collection is for you! There are so many beautiful dresses to choose from (both dressy and casual), you are pretty much guaranteed to never have a bad outfit day all summer long! From the very wedding-appropriate pleated maxi, to the adorable (and work-appropriate) chevron-striped shift dress, my mind is spinning from all of these bright and beautiful dresses.

But not only does this collection have frocks for every occasion, the rest of the pieces are just as lovely. This summer, I will be picking up a pair of bright paisley shorts (to be worn exactly as shown in this lookbook), a ton of turquoise jewelry, and a silver tote to carry all of my essentials in.

Milly for Banana Republic collection will launch on May 30th in select stores, and will include over 60 pieces for women and men, priced from $39.50 to $175.

Are you excited about this collection? Share in the comments.

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Zara Woman Lookbook May 2013

17 May, 2013 Nelia 1 Comment

Is it me, or have Zara lookbooks lost their effectiveness? After seeing these shots, I could only focus my attention on the printed/brightly-coloured pieces, losing all interest in the plain ones. Why is that? Obviously, the simpler pieces are less eye-catching, but I think if they were styled and/or shot differently, I could just as easily be attracted to them…even if they look less flashy. Perhaps it’s because most photos do not display the entire look, but bits and pieces? Also…where are the shoes?!

Having said that, Zara is still one of my go-to websites to check for cool new arrivals, and that won’t stop anytime soon…I just wish their lookbooks were more exciting. Too much to ask?

What do you think of Zara’s May 2013 Lookbook? Do you find it effective? Share in the comments.

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Wishlist: Hudson’s Bay Company Collection Spring 2013 Items

14 May, 2013 Nelia Leave a Comment

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Ever since The Bay revamped their Signature Collection a couple of years ago, I’ve been obsessed. The lovely combination of green, red, yellow, blue, and white stripes is a perfect way to add a touch of Canadiana to any outfit (or home), and this spring, the brand has added new pieces to their usual line-up. On my wishlist is a striped Evans Tray ($95) for my coffee table, the striped Isabella Maxi ($85), and the adorable Eggie Egg Cups ($20). Super cute, non?

There’s a ton of new Hudson’s Bay Collection pieces available on The Bay’s website – these are just a taste of what’s out there. So which pieces are your fave? Share in the comments!

Photo Credits: HBC

Coachella 2013: Celebs Show Off Their Festival Style

15 April, 2013 Nelia 2 Comments

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What is it about Coachella that makes me drool with envy? Is it the promise of hot desert sun, great bands, and fun fashion? That must be it.

This past weekend, a ton of celebs headed down to Indio, California, and brought their A-game, when it came to style. Katy Perry strutted around wearing a revealing Dolce and Gabbana two-piece, and a whimsical purse. Alexa Chung stuck to her signature style by donning a black and white Wednesday Addams mini dress, while Kate Bosworth looked amazing in a scalloped tank and shorts. My favourite Hollywood couple (Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson) also made an appearance, looking cute and stylish as always, as did Solange, in a pretty pink floral skirt.

Do you get excited about Coachella style snaps? Which celeb’s outfit do you like the most? Share in the comments.

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Aldo Shoes Spring 2013 Collection Lookbook

9 April, 2013 Nelia 2 Comments

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ALDO’s ad campaigns never disappoint, and this one’s no exception. The fun and colourful images make me forget about this rainy week, and transport me to balmy summer days, when we can fire up the BBQ, lounge by the pool, and wear shorts and sandals!

And speaking of sandals…I’m obsessed with more than one pair of ALDO shoes right now. From their gorgeous ALDO Rise x Preen collab, to the cut-out ankle booties, to some plexiglass heels, I want them all! Oh…and let’s not forget about accessories! How cute are those pixelated sunglasses? I want one of each, please!

What do you think about ALDO’s Spring 2013 ad campaign? Any shoes that caught your eye? Share in the comments.

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Wishlist: Charlie Jade Spring 2013 Collection

4 April, 2013 Nelia 1 Comment

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Last time I stopped by Mendocino, I noticed a beautiful printed maxi dress hanging on a rack. Curious to find out what brand the dress was, I took a closer look to find out that it was from Charlie Jade’s Spring 2013 collection. And while Mendocino has been my favourite stop for all things Clover Canyon, I think I’ll be adding Charlie Jade to my growing list of brands to watch. After perusing their website, I found more and more pieces to covet, like the flowy summer dresses and gorgeous boho tops, perfect for a hot summer. If it ever comes that is.

What do you think of Charlie Jade’s Spring 2013 lookbook and collection? Any pieces that tickle your fancy? Share in the comments.

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Zara Woman April 2013 Lookbook

21 March, 2013 Nelia 1 Comment

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Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past month, you already know that Zara is (finally!) available online in Canada. And what good timing too, since all of the beautiful and colourful spring pieces have been hitting the stores and flying off the racks. But now that we have an e-shop, all we have to do is look at this sweet April 2013 lookbook, and select our fave pieces to watch out for this month. So easy!

On my personal wishlist is the above two-piece floral set, the yellow dress below, and a light blue pantsuit. And best of all, I won’t have to scour the racks to try and find these, because I can now buy them from the comfort of my laptop. Technology…gotta love it!

Do you like Zara’s April 2013 lookbook? Which pieces will you be stalking? Share in the comments.

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Beyoncé as Mrs Carter in H&M Ad Campaign Sneak Peek

21 March, 2013 Nelia Leave a Comment

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Who rule the world? Apparently, Beyoncé does. After a crazy-amazing year in the spotlight, Queen Bey is not ready to slow down her world domination. This time, she has her sights set on H&M’s affordable summer fashion. Starring in the brand’s summer ad campaign, Beyoncé will be seen frolicking on the beach, showing off her toned body in H&M swimwear.

“I’ve always liked H&M’s focus on fun affordable fashion. I really loved the concept we collaborated on to explore the different emotions of women represented by the four elements – fire, water, earth and wind,” said Bey. “It was a beautiful shoot on a tropical island. It felt more like making a video than a commercial.”

And while the entire campaign titled Beyoncé as Mrs Carter in H&M is not yet out, we do have this sneak peek photo to satiate our curiosity.

So, what do you think about this collab? Is this a smart move for Beyoncé? Would you rather see a Solange for H&M collab instead? Actually…that’s not a bad idea. Dearest, H&M, can you please make that happen? In the meantime, I’ll stay tuned for more images from Beyoncé as Mrs Carter in H&M.

Photo Credits: H&M

Roksanda Ilincic Celebrates Spring 2013 Collection at The Room at The Bay

20 March, 2013 Nelia Leave a Comment

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Last week I had the pleasure of attending yet another fab event at The Room at The Bay. This time, to celebrate the London-based (Serbian-born) designer Roksanda Ilincic and her Spring 2013 collection. I’ve been a fan of Ilincic’s vibrant clothes for a while now – most notably on Ginnifer Goodwin, who really knows how to wear Ilincic’s modern and elegant designs, and from shopping at The Room, where I always pause to drool over a dress or two.

As is usually the case, The Room was packed with Toronto’s most stylish, including The Bay’s CEO Bonnie Brooks clad in Roksanda Ilincic, actress Sarah Gadon and her photographer pal Caitlin Cronenberg. Ilincic herself was lovely and gorgeous to boot. She showed off her Aldo collaboration shoes (hitting the stores soon) and complimented me on my skirt (from her Fall 2012 collection), which I snagged at The Room last season. Good eye! When my friend Kim asked Ilincic whether a diffusion line could be in the works, the designer coyly replied “Maybe”, which sounded a lot like “Yes”. It seems introducing her clothes to a wider/younger audience could be in the pipeline, and I certainly wouldn’t complain if I could afford to add a few more pieces by this talented young designer to my wardrobe.

Roksanda Ilincic Spring 2013 collection is currently available at The Room, so if you have a minute, make sure to stop by and check out these colourful pieces for yourselves. They are guaranteed to make you happy…especially on a wintry first day of spring.

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H&M Conscious Exclusive Collection Spring 2013 Ad Campaign

19 March, 2013 Nelia 1 Comment

Good news, lovelies! H&M Conscious Exclusive collection will launch on April 4th worldwide! Following the success of H&M Conscious Glamour capsule, The Conscious Exclusive collection will consist of glam party attire and accessories for both men and women created from sustainable materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester, recycled polyamide, and Tencel. Prices will range from $19.95 – $399.00, making this collection an affordable way to add some Hollywood glamour to your closet.

“Old Hollywood comes alive with Conscious Exclusive, a collection perfect for celebrating the arrival of spring. Rich in detail and eloquent design, the collection is full of dramatic gowns and sharp tailoring for women, and a rock-and-roll, red-carpet style for men. A floor-length dusty pink gown is elegant from the front – and dramatic at the back, which is entirely open – and is made from 100% recycled polyester. The three-piece suit has been given a feminine twist, with a fitted blazer and fitted, high-waisted pants that zip at the ankle, in an organic cotton blend.

There are so many options for living the Hollywood life. An off-white, loose-fitting kimono set has a bohemian air of faded glamour, especially with its pants that sweep to the floor; a jumpsuit has modern edge with its cutaway back; a demure white dress has rock-and-roll romance with its sheer sleeves, asymmetric train and bird embroidery; and there are seemingly endless layers of tulle in a corseted dress that feels like it just stepped out of a bygone world. The collection is completed with accessories, such as an embellished box clutch and elegant minimal heels with the slenderest of ankle straps. Everything is made from more sustainable materials.”

I, for one, can’t wait to get my hands on a few pieces from this collection, but the one MUST HAVE dress on my list is the below white long-sleeved “mullet” lace dress, which needs to be in wardrobe RIGHT NOW!

What do you think of this new Conscious collection? Will you be hitting the stores come April 4th? Share in the comments!