The catwalk: Chinese mini dress

Ni hao! When you're planning a trip to China and you have just three short weeks there, it can be a challenge to decide what to do, where to go and what to see. Especially when you plan said trip at short notice! There were a few must-dos that ranked high on my list: check out the Great Wall at Mutianyu (and toboggan down it just because I can), head to the Forbidden City, see the lights on the Bund, experience the pedestrian street and shopping on Nanshing Road and of course visit the Silk Market in Beijing.

The Silk Market, also known as Silk Street, is one of a few markets of its kind. These markets carry everything from tea, to luggage, to high end handbag brand names and it’s also a commonality to see a full floor of tailor made shops often with photos of celebrities displayed of whom they've tailor made clothing for. Beijing had three major markets that we frequented including Silk Street, the Pearl Market and Yashow. After visiting a market or two in Shanghai to test the waters and really get accustomed to what we should expect, we were ready to bargain hard and look for some deals in Beijing!

I hadn't planned on purchasing anything tailor made but while I was waiting for my husband and friend to get fitted for their suits I figured I may as well join in the fun – after all, David Beckham had a suit tailor made at Tony the Tailor’s – why can’t I? I quickly started filing through some pattern books to see what different styles they had to offer. Since I was in China, I chose to go with a traditional Chinese dress and fabric with a modern twist. They took my measurements, and 24 hours later I returned to try on and pick up my new dress.

The black and red plum blossom fabric is exactly what I was looking for and the mini length gives it a mod flavour making it versatile and appropriate for many occasions. The fabric has very little give so it's tailored slightly larger than I had expected so I can move and sit comfortably. It's classy and fun, and I envision it being perfect for a party or a night out. Pair it with a black clutch, pumps and gold jewelry to make it glam and gorgeous! X

Tailor made dress with kate spade byrd wellesley purse. Photo by Sam Russell

Tailor made Chinese dress. Photo by Sam Russell

Tailor made Chinese dress.with black leather kate spade byrd wellesley handbag. Photo by Sam Russell

beauty banter: shade shifter

One of my favourite ways to get into a new season is by playing with new makeup, beauty and hair trends. I've never been into (or good at) nail art, but I love a style-trending manicure to accent my wardrobe and play up my personality.

Earlier in 2013, duo chrome was dubbed Hollywood's latest mani trend and this season I've been on the lookout for a good duo chrome polish so I could give it a try.

OPI's Peace & Love & OPI in their new San Francisco fall 2013 collection is exactly the polish I was looking for. Maybe it’s because just last week, I had an unexpected visit in San Francisco but I love how this metallic grey-based shade shifts between green and purple and literally changes every time I look at it. I love OPI’s applicator, and the formula was consistent with no apparent streaking when I applied. Two coats was more than sufficient for a strong and consistent colour. It’s actually a lot of fun to see what different light does for this duo chrome; every time I look at this polish, I see a different variation of colour!

Verdict: I love OPI’s Peace & Love & OPI! Would you wear this trend? Love it? Don’t love it? Let me know! x

The catwalk: spot skater dress

It's no secret... I love spots. And if you've read any of my previous catwalk posts you already know I am in love with Oasis! Rewind several months to when my husband was in London and picked up this pretty spot skater dress at the Oasis flagship store for me. I fell in love with it when I saw it online and I never expected that I'd be lucky enough to hang this lovely piece in my closet let alone wear it!

Arguably a spot-on match to Tangerine Tango (Pantone's colour of the year in 2012) this belted fit and flare was a staple for me this summer. It transitions nicely from day to night - but even better - it can be a staple in my fall wardrobe too. Pictured below, it's paired with a small Dooney & Bourke handbag that's teal in colour. Even though they're a bold pairing, the colours are an absolute perfect match and make the outfit even more fun and playful. Topped off by a tan patent pump, simple accessories and some soft mermaid waves this ensemble was one of my top go-to outfits of the summer. To take this into fall, I'll pair it with black tights and boots, and I'll darken up the handbag choice to something a little more seasonal. Do you like this dress better for summer or for fall? Happy shopping! x

Oasis spot skater dress with teal Dooney & Bourke handbag. Photo by Sam Russell

Oasis spot skater dress with teal Dooney & Bourke handbag. Photo by Sam Russell

Oasis spot skater dress with teal Dooney & Bourke handbag. Photo by Sam Russell

hernameiscat came back

Hello, hernameiscat fans! I know what you’re thinking: ‘Where have you been? I’m totally missing your fashion tips and street style!’ It’s long overdue, and your wait is over because I am back and ready to blog. 

I’ve had an unexpectedly busy summer filled with fashion, fun and fitness topped off by a somewhat unplanned but once in a lifetime trip to China. Keep an eye out for a fashionable post in the next few days – I’ll be bringing you up to speed on my favourite fashions of the summer and how you can transition your style into fall and winter. Gambei! (means ‘cheers’ in Mandarin) xx

The catwalk: Oriental infusion

SS2013 is in full swing. The weather is warm, the sun is shining and flowers are in full bloom in wardrobes from London to New York. One of the season’s top trends welcomes Oriental-style pieces with a Western flavour. Asian-inspired motifs have been dawning the pages of fashion magazines everywhere. High fashion Oriental pieces have been a fixture on the catwalk this season and the good news is, if you are into this trend you can get your hands on some trendy pieces that can be infused into your everyday style, adding a little Asian spice to your closet this season.

When I found out my husband was going to dedicate a day to shop for me in London, my Sherlock Holmes skills emerged. I quickly started researching his target shopping destination, Oasis, and I stumbled upon a full section of their site dedicated to the Oriental trend. I fell in love with some of the pieces I saw, and I decided to embrace my inner geisha and give this trend a try.

This floral plait neck top features a vintage floral print, ruffle trim cap sleeves, a keyhole button closure and layered pleated hem. Since it's light and airy it pairs well with skinny denim. It's shown below with dark blue skinnies but it also works very well with white. I've worn it both ways, and I like to change it up between the two to keep my look fresh. Sometimes I wear this top with a thin coloured belt to create a defined waistline but I think it's nice to let the shirt just flow as it is (both looks are shown below.) As I mentioned in a previous post, I love Oasis (I can't emphasize how much I love them) and I hope that someday they'll ship to Canada but for now you can order Oasis pieces on asos.com. Keep your eye out for this trend during SS2013 and let me know if you try it too! x

Photo by Sam Russell.

Photo by Sam Russell.

Photo by Sam Russell.

Photo by Sam Russell.

The catwalk: Seeing spots

Polka dots have always been a timeless fashion staple. I began seeing spots last year when polka dots started trending, and it's clear they're having a moment in the spotlight again in 2013. They're fun and feminine and they've been spotted adorning nearly everything from cute flats and tops, to handbags and delicate dresses. They go very well with neutrals and solids, but can also be paired with print for a bolder more fashion-forward look.

If you know anything about me at all you know that I love a good fashion find, especially when I can really get my money's worth out of it. I don't usually buy things that will go out of style quickly. Instead, I try to find some great timeless versatile pieces to diversify my wardrobe. My polka dot popover is a perfect example of a piece I’m proud to say was a great fashion investment.

While on a solo shopping mission at South Coast Plaza I visited J.Crew in search of summery tops and bright bottoms. That’s where I found my skinny red denim and vintage sailor-inspired tee. I was happy with my fashion finds and getting ready to move on but my lovely personal stylist at J.Crew insisted I try on a brand new arrival – a pretty polka dot popover. It was love at first sight (which is a big deal for me!) This precious piece can go easily from day to night and can be worn in many different ways – part of the reason I love it so much. I've since purchased other polka dot pieces and who knows… maybe you’ll see them featured in the future!

You can (and really should) get this look too! My J.Crew popover has made its way to J.Crew Factory, where you can purchase it either in store or online. If you want the look for a lower price, check out Forever 21 for a comparable style. If you have a hankering for a high quality piece, you can find this style at Neiman Marcus both in store and online. I’ll be seeing you in the spotlight soon! x

P.S. I'd like to give a huge shout out to my friend Sam Russell, who is kind enough to take pictures of me for my blog almost every week. Sam is fantastic and super-talented. If you'd like to see more photos by Sam, you can check out his work here. 

Photo by Sam Russell

Photo by Sam Russell

Photo by Sam Russell

The catwalk: Royal mint

It’s cool, fresh and appealing to the eye. A place where money is made, and a key ingredient in mojitos. It even means modest, insightful and kind-hearted. Sounds delicious, doesn't it? Mint is a cool colour (literally) that was touted the trendiest hue of spring 2012 and is still trending this season. Mint has an air of sophistication with a hint of femininity. I had to have it, no question. But how does one with a fair complexion pull it off?

That’s a great question, considering last year I said that pastels wouldn't work against my fair skin tone. The truth is that I thought pastels wouldn't work because I wasn't used to seeing myself in them. Every time I tried one on I’d find a different reason why not to buy. I call it the pastel complex. ‘It makes me look too pale!’ ‘Do I look like I’m sick?’ ‘What’s that? Did someone say chocolate?’

Since I've accepted the way I look in pastels, I've been surrounded by a whole new colour experience! While shopping for key pieces this season, light and breezy spring tops were at the top of my list. And so was mint. I found the perfect minty piece at a DKNY outlet and its flowing fabric goes wonderfully with my white skinny denim. Pair it with some standout black pumps and a dainty black handbag and you’re ready for a night out. If the weather is cool, layer a blue jean jacket over the top with a printed scarf to pull the look together. Finally, I can check mint off my list!

You can get this look too by visiting your fav shop, and if that doesn't do the trick just search for ‘mint blouse’ on Polyvore and you’ll be lost in lots of options in no time. Happy shopping! x

Photo by Sam Russell

Photo by Sam Russell

Photo by Sam Russell

The catwalk: Pretty in print

Summer is almost here and hernameiscat is ready for the catwalk! After a winter hiatus (or maybe hibernation) I'm back and ready to blog about my favourite fashion trends and to tell you where you can find them!

My first look of the season features a summer staple that's very on-trend and was bought from a lovely place in one of the big four fashion capitals of the world – London, England. My husband was on a business trip in the UK, and I think he sensed that I might be a little envious of his location because he earmarked a whole day at the end of his trip to go shopping for me. Clearly, I took advantage (what girl wouldn't?) Someone quickly pointed him in the direction of Oasis, a contemporary British brand that’s grown to 79 stores world-wide and conveniently seemed like it was right up my fashion alley.

Putting my fab fashion investigative skills to good use, I quickly started researching. I'm thinking that this store is amazing yet I can’t have everything. How can I choose? I sent him a variety of things I liked – everything from dresses, to tops, to accessories – to help him as he embarked on his shopping mission (not an easy task, I might add!) He went to the store armed with photos and styles, and he was there no time before some of the friendly staff were voluntarily recruited to help complete Operation Oasis. He left with a few pieces that I absolutely adore, and some complimentary chocolate for the road!

Now, back to the dress. This Photo Floral Skater Dress which was featured in LOOK is a clear favourite. I love everything about it: from its bold floral print, subtle pleated front, and cut out detailing to its cinched waist, bright belt and flowy skirt. It’s perfect for anytime and any place. Wear it to work with black tights and pumps, dress it down during the day with a pair of flats or sandals, or glam it up during the night with your fav heels! Finish the look with a bright handbag and fun accessories.

While Oasis doesn’t ship to Canada (yet – I’m hoping that someday they will), you can still get their latest trends on asos.com. I, for one, am now an Oasis girl! Happy shopping, and see you next week! x

Photo Floral Skater Dress by Oasis. Photo by Sam Russell

"Denise!" Photo Floral Skater Dress by Oasis. Photo by Sam Russell

Cut out detail. Photo Floral Skater Dress by Oasis. Photo by Sam Russell

The catwalk: Styling away in seafoam green

Seafoam green is a colour that decorated fashion magazines and adorned clothing racks just a few months ago. I hadn't considered this colour to be fashionable until then, but I desperately wanted to find a way to incorporate it into my wardrobe.

After trying some billowy seafoam blouses and skirts, I felt that the colour wasn't quite right against my skintone (at least that's what I thought... it would take a second opinion to convince me otherwise.) Instead of going with a predominant standout piece I thought I'd try this sweet hue with some accessories. Success! I found a cute pair of floral studs at a Kate Spade outlet, and I wear them when I want to add a subtle pop of colour to an outfit! It's the perfect way for me to embrace this trend without swimming in a sea of green. 

Happy weekend! x

Photo by Sam Russell

Photo by Sam Russell

Sultry Salad Dressing Series: Balsamic Dressing

It's no secret: I am a lover of salad! So much so, I eat some form of salad with every meal. Well... maybe not breakfast because that would be weird, but you get the idea! Sometimes though, I struggle with store-bought dressings. Some of them are heavy, high in fat and contain lots of salt, and I would much rather a healthy option. Even though a variety of healthier dressings are available, I thought it would be fun to make my own instead! So for the next few weeks, I'll be doing a Sultry Salad Dressing Series that's all about how to make your own salad dressing.

First up in the series is one of my favourites: Balsamic Dressing. I should mention that I have a really great tool for making my own dressing, and it was passed on to me by my mom. She originally bought this salad dressing bottle a few years ago, and it's just perfect! As pictured below, I can actually make and store the dressing in the bottle until it's gone!

Back to the recipe. The trick to making your own dressing is adding the liquid ingredients first, and then adding the spices.

3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup Balsamic vinegar
1 Clove garlic, minced
1/4 tsp pepper

Mix the above ingredients together well, serve and enjoy! Refrigerate any left over dressing and you'll be able to enjoy it for weeks. If you try this recipe or if you have any feedback, leave a comment below!

Happy Monday! x

P.S. My endless summer salad is still flourishing! I'll post an update at the end of the summer.

The catwalk: perfectly printed halter dress

My style this week is back to bold in a perfectly printed halter! I found this dress at Kenneth Cole while outlet shopping last year, and I immediately fell in love with its flowy fabric and vibrant colours. My purchase decision took very little convincing once I tried it on! I knew this was going to be a piece I'd wear again and again.

Featuring overlapping colourful print patterns that meet in a knot at the bust, and two small metal rods on the straps, this dress is great for almost any occasion. Dress it up with a blazer and a pair of black slingbacks for work, or go for a more casual look by pairing it with a cropped denim jacket. It can be great for a wedding too when it's worn with heels and a black clutch! In fact, I wore this look just last weekend to a wedding with a black Kate Spade handbag.   

If you try this look or you have tried a look like this in the past, leave a comment below! 

Happy weekend! x

P.S. Photos this week are by my friend Sam. He does a fantastic job of making me look fabulous! Check out his amazing work at his Flickr stream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelrussell/

Photo credit: Sam Russell

Photo credit: Sam Russell

Photo credit: Sam Russell

  

Fresh fruit salsa

It's the middle of summer. Nothing is better on a hot day than something nice, refreshing and cool. I'm not talking about ice cream, frozen yogurt or even beer. One of my favourite summer snacks is healthy, delicious and fun, and it's a real crowd-pleaser! It makes for a great dessert if you want to serve it at the end of a meal, too. What is it? Fresh fruit salsa and brown sugar pita chips.

Here's my take on how to make it. First, pick up some of your fav fresh fruits and berries. I'm usually sure to include lots of strawberries and some kiwi; they're not too sweet, and are a good base to layer other fruits with. The last time I made this, I chose strawberry, kiwi, pineapple, and honeydew melon. The amount you make is really dependent upon the amount of people you're serving. If you want to add a spicy kick to your fruit salsa, pick up a habanero pepper.

When you have your fruit, it's time to start chopping! Chop each fruit into fine pieces, adding to a bowl as you go. This is the most time consuming part! Once all the fruit is finely chopped and added to the bowl, mix it well together, cover and refrigerate.

Next? On to the pita chips. This is my favourite part. For this, you'll need whole wheat pita shells, extra virgin olive oil and brown sugar. Again, the amount you make is dependent upon the number of people you're serving. One pita shell will yield 16 chips. Start by pre-heating your oven to 350 C. First, cut the pita shell into 1/8s and then separate the top and bottom pieces of each one. Lay them on a baking sheet with the smooth side down and rough side facing you. Next, add some extra virgin olive oil to a small bowl and grab a cooking brush. Lightly paint each chip with some extra virgin olive oil. Then sprinkle some brown sugar over each chip. I've added my brown sugar to a spice shaker, which makes this an easy and even process. When everything's ready to go, put the baking sheet in the oven for 5-7 minutes, or until chips are crisp. Be sure to keep an eye on them, because they can go from crispy to overdone in a matter of seconds!

When the chips are nice and crisp, remove the sheet from the oven. Serve salsa in a small dish with 8 to 10 warm brown sugar pita chips on the side! If you give this recipe a try or if you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! x

The catwalk: flirty in floral

This week, my style's a little different from my usual attire. You've probably noticed that I usually choose bright and bold colours because of my skin tone; it's not often you'll see me dawning a neutral hue. This piece makes a statement and while it's a different look for me, I like the feeling I get when I wear it. It's got a 60s retro vibe, but when accessorized carefully it becomes retro with a modern twist!   

I found this dress about a year ago at another one of my fav stores: MNG by Mango. I was first attracted to its pretty floral print and light fabric, and when I tried it on I felt very pretty and feminine. It was originally priced at $90 and discounted to $20, and even though I wasn't sure where exactly I would wear it, I thought I'd get it anyway... even if I wore it once, I'd be sure to get my money's worth! 

This dress is light, breezy, fun and flirty and it's turned out to be great for almost any occasion! It can be dressed up for work with a pair of heels and a clutch; or it can be made casual when paired with a short denim jacket, sandals and bright handbag. But best of all, it's a great standout piece and it's fantastic for summer! 

Happy weekend! x

The summer blizzard

I've already declared my love of sweets. While I enjoy a healthy diet and lifestyle, I do like to indulge every now and again. Who doesn't? I'm not saying it's right or wrong, or if it's right for everyone, but it's definitely something I enjoy.

One of my favourite things to do is treat myself with ice cream in the summer. Anyone who follows me on Twitter is familiar with my view toward the cold sweet stuff: anytime is a good time for ice cream! Well maybe not all the time, but if you have it once a week it's not the end of the world. Since there's no Marble Slab or Cold Stone in this town, I usually head to DQ to get my fix. I do love Blizzards (the ice cream kind, not the winter storm kind). Although sometimes when I get a Blizzard, I feel like I could have better spent my $5. Sometimes Blizzards are awesome; the perfect proportion of cookie bits to soft serve. But more times I feel like all the cookie dough and Oreo bits are at the top and when I am halfway done I'm left with plain vanilla. No even distribution, and certainly not what I paid for. So I thought, maybe I can do it better!

Aside from my own curiosity to see if I could actually do something like this at home, my other inspiration to give this a try came from my husband. When you're allergic to chocolate and you go to DQ, there aren't many exciting options on the Blizzard menu to choose from. I wanted to share the joy of a mixed delicious ice cream treat with him so he, too could understand the pleasure I take in every spoonful of Blizzard I devour.

I picked up Oreos, Golden Oreos and vanilla ice cream all for the low price of just $7 at the grocery store. Next? It was time to try it out. The Magic Bullet was the perfect blender to use for this experiment, since it gave me more control over the blending process and it was also ideal for making two quick but different flavoured ice cream treats. I took 3 Golden Oreos and broke them apart, and put them into one of my party mug Magic Bullet cups. Then, I added about 2 big scoops of vanilla ice cream, and I threw in a handful of carob chips for good measure. Time to start blending! I used the pulsing technique to make the perfect blend of ice cream to cookie pieces. The result? Success! I repeated the same process for my own, only this time I used Oreos and chocolate.

It's now a staple treat for a hot summer day, and it's much more cost effective and tastier (in my opinion)! If you give this a try, feel free to leave a comment and share what your favourite flavour combinations are! Enjoy! x

beauty banter: pastel perfect

It's just around the corner, or depending on where you are, it's already here. Some refer to it as the dog days of summer, while I think of it as my favourite time of year. Hot summer days, and sultry summer nights. Dawning light and breezy outfits, sunshine, gelato and soft pastel hues are everything that this time of year is about and everything I dream of on cold winter days.

While pastels are synonymous with summer, they are also a trend this year. I have a naturally fair complexion and even if I tried to tan I wouldn't be much darker, anyway. Fair skin generally doesn't work well with pastel shades, at least in my experience. Layering a pastel top with a contrasting shade can often address this problem, but it still doesn't help the fact that I don't feel I can wear a pastel hue on its own against my fair skin tone.

Even though I don't feel I can wear pastels well, I decided to give them a chance this season the best way I know how: a pedicure! After being introduced to Essie's new summer collection I chose Cascade Cool, an adorable shade of pink, and purchased the polish with some skepticism. I should mention that while Cascade Cool is a pretty pastel shade, the other colours in Essie's summer collection are quite the opposite.

So, I tried it out. The result? I was pleasantly surprised with the first application! And after a second coat, I was in love. It was different from the bold, heavily pigmented colours I usually opt for, but it was nice; in a pretty, summery way! It's a very feminine shade, and it looks beautiful with peep-toe shoes or sandals this season!

Crazy for Greek: Chicken souvlaki recipe

I recently rediscovered my love for Greek. Sorry ladies, I'm not talking about John Stamos (although really, I still have a celebrity crush on Uncle Jesse). This one's a fav go-to that's quick and easy to prepare and cook when you don't have a lot of time, but it can be very impressive if you choose to serve it when you entertain. The chicken souvlaki can be served with a simple Greek salad, heated whole wheat pita bread, and tzatziki for dipping. The best part? It's healthy! Here's the recipe. If you try it out, please feel free to leave a comment!  

Ingredients
4 skewers
2 boneless skinless chicken, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 clove of garlic, minced (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder)
1 tsp pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 whole wheat pitas, cut into 1/8ths
Light tzatziki

1. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, pepper and garlic together to make marinade.
2. Place cubed chicken in a bowl, and pour the marinade over it. Cover and place in fridge for at least 20 minutes.
3. Soak the skewers in water while the chicken is marinading.
4. Pre-heat oven to 350 C.
5. Cover a baking sheet with tinfoil and then spray with cooking spray. When chicken is finished marinating, add the cubes of chicken to the skewers and then place them on the baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear. 
5. Serve with warm pita bread, tzatziki and a simple Greek Salad.

Enjoy!

  

The catwalk: striped vintage tee

Stripes are classic, and we already know that I love them! Sailor-inspired fashion trends and stripes are nothing new, but with a vintage twist they become something fresh that infuses a fun flavour on an old fashion favourite. My striped vintage tee is definitely already a staple in my wardrobe this summer for many reasons. Why do I like it so much? Besides the fact that it's cute, it's comfortable; it's budget-friendly; and it goes with just about anything!

I opted for a boat neck because it's the most flattering cut for me, but I've seen this vintage fav in crew and v neck styles too. Dress it up with a high-waisted pencil skirt and a blazer, or wear it with your favourite skinny jeans or denim shorts. If you're going for a real sailor girl vibe, tie a scarf around your neck and pair it with red skinny jeans, pants or shorts. However you choose to wear it, you can't go wrong adding this piece to your wardrobe this summer!

Happy weekend! x

Vintage tee, J. Crew

How to conquer a mall in 60 minutes

Large malls can be intimidating. Their sheer size and volume of high quality stores can make you feel like you're in a maze, not knowing where to go next. That’s fine if you have 5 days of your vacation allotted to shopping but I, for one, do not prefer to spend my vacay time indoors and if I’m travelling for work and I’m lucky enough to have time to get to a mall, it’s usually never for an extended period. It's more like a couple of hours at most. In fact, I did an outlet mall just last month in 60 minutes and left feeling like I conquered it. 

I used to be a ‘browser’ but now my shopping trips have turned into full-on time-sensitive missions. Here are a few tips to make your next shopping trip efficient, fun and (hopefully) a big success:

1. Do your research. Find out what stores are in the mall, and then decide what ones you want to visit.

2. Make a list. Take a look at your wardrobe. Read some of your fav fashion magazines. Then jot down what you’d like to find on your trip.

3. Be specific. Don’t say you want to find tops. The term 'tops' is too broad. Instead, say what kind of tops you’d like to have. That will make your life a lot easier when you’re at Bloomingdale’s or Macy’s and you’re surrounded by tops of all shapes, colours and styles.

4. Get a map and plan your route. Remember the list of stores you want to visit? Decide what order you'll visit them in.
5. Set a budget. Let's face it: most of us could probably do some serious damage to our bank accounts at our favourite stores in a matter of minutes. We could, but we shouldn't. Be sure to set a budget before you begin buying! 

6. Dress comfortably. Wear something that’s good for running, er, walking between stores. It’s nice to look good but 4-inch heels won’t cut it for this kind of trip. Unless you've mastered a skill that I haven't, I think you'll find something comfortable a little more efficient.

7. If you don’t love it, don’t buy it. Don’t spend a lot of time deciding on whether you like something. If your first reaction to trying something on is only okay, you’ll probably feel the same way later. No one likes buyer’s remorse! 

I hope this helps you on your next shopping excursion! If you have any more ideas, tips to add to the list, or thoughts, please leave a comment. Happy shopping!

Endless summer salad

Endless summer salad. Sounds amazing, doesn't it? Well, you can have endless summer salad, right in your own back yard (or back deck, to be more accurate!) No more romaine hearts in bags of three from the grocery store; no more spinach in bulk that wilts long before you've used it all. Who even knows what kind of pesticides that was even sprayed with! No more Farmer's Market to get my fresh salad greens either. This summer, I'm growing my own greens on my deck! Think you need a green thumb to do it? Think again. My thumb's anything but, and if it wasn't easy and low maintenance, I wouldn't be doing it. 

So here's how it works. Almost every garden center has a variety of different types of lettuce plants. Mine came from a local center just outside the city, but supermarkets usually carry them too. All you have to do is select the varieties of lettuce plants you would like. For example, I have three varieties of lettuce: Salad Bowl Red, Simpson Elite and Buttercrunch. Be careful what you choose! You could be eating this salad for awhile, so make sure it's something you like. After you buy the lettuce plants you'll need to transfer them to a larger pot, following the directions that come with each plant. Put them on your deck, make sure they are watered, and voila! Endless salad. Harvest the large leaves on the outside, wash, and enjoy. It's fast growing and fast yielding, and it's said to last through the end of the summer! You'll be surprised at how quickly it grows. I've had my plants for 2 weeks, and I've had a salad every day from them!

If you do want to try this out this season, I recommend calling ahead instead of making a special trip to your favourite local gardening center. I've heard these plants disappear quickly because of their growing popularity, so call ahead to make sure there's one there for you!   

I'll give you all an update late in August to let you know how my endless summer salad story concludes! Happy Monday! x

The catwalk: the skinny on white

I always wanted to own white jeans, but I was never daring enough to wear them. Honestly, maybe the reason was my illegitimate fear of someone seeing through them if they were walking behind me. What was I thinking? People don't have x-ray vision. And skinny jeans? I had to gradually work my way up to them. And I by gradual, I mean over a multi-year period starting with boot cut, then straight cut, and finally skinny. I took the plunge and tried on a pair of white skinny jeans last month at Guess. When I first tried them on, it took awhile to get used to the way they looked but after a few minutes in them I was surprised to discover that I was in love! I was even more surprised to find myself quite comfortable in them, too.

They're another fabulous look for summer and they work very well with contrast on top. Try pairing them with a dark or printed top, contrasting flats or heels and a clutch to round this look out.

Happy weekend!

Photo credit: Sam Russell

Photo credit: Sam Russell

Striped top, Michael Kors; Brittney ankle skinny jeans, Guess; Black flats, Nine West; Black wristlet, Coach.