FLAT Out Over It.

Vintage Necklace

REFORMATION- 'Helen' Top

REFORMATION- 'Bowie' Pant

STEVE MADDEN- 'Erosion' Flat

I cannot help myself but feel a ping of guilt every time I think of the state of the lower part of my closet; the part that holds my collection of shoes. It is not because I am ashamed of the style of shoes lining the floor of my closet or because I have too little or too many. The reason my conscience is speaking to me is because of the number of heels I have that I DO NOT wear. While I feel contented with the very practical Nike runners, my Hunter rain boots, and my Vans slip-ons, there are also about 5-10 pairs of heels that I have only worn once or twice. All that money, all that style wasted! Why? Because, for f*** sakes they are NOT practical.  The reasons for this are best presented in a list that I like to call ‘Why I despise wearing heels on daily basis, despite how ‘pretty’ they are:” 

1.     How they make me walk like a dog with shoes on for the first time.

2.     The ones that look the best are ALWAYS the highest and most uncomfortable heels at the store.

3.     They are so unbelievably uncomfortable! I swear they design them with the narrowest and thinnest little Italian woman’s feet in mind.

4.     They make me saunter rather than walk, like everyday is a Sunday. No, in my opinion, slow and steady does not win the race.  

5.     How as soon as I walk on grass they are ruined.

6.     They make me taller than the guys in the room! I don’t know about you but I hate feeling like a woman Cyclops.

7.     How they make it really difficult to drive a car.

8.     How heels are such a tease. They make me want to wear them (because they look gorgeous and make me feel great), then they make me want to take them off (because they hurt) and THEN when I gain up the courage to put them back on again I can’t because my feet have blown up to be twice the size.

However, I find some comfort in the fact that I am not the only one burdened by this problem. After looking through female friends’ and family members’ closest (is that creepy?…lets just call it ‘research’) I have found the same epidemic; wasted money on a plethora of high heels.

But have no fear ladies your next shoe purchase can be on trend, comfortable and breathtakingly sharp. This spring/summer season FLATS have gotten a creative makeover and look really innovative and edgy. One thing is for sure is that this trend will not contribute to the island of long lost shoes that is your closet.

The rule for riding low this year is all about a trim and thin silhouette with a subtle point. Some styles are really fun with coloring blocking, patterns, buckles, and laces. This shoe can really take an outfit to the next level. In this shoot at LACMA, I am wearing a pair called ‘Erosion’ by Steve Madden. I also love this pair from ASOS.com and this pair from Aldo.

A Stone's Throw from a Dream

GRACE MINI DRESS (For Love & Lemons)

Credit: Thea Novak

THE FACET (Nixon)

CADAUDDA HEEL SANDAL (Aldo) – Formal Option

ZARA BOOT (I like these here)- Casual Option

ROUGE LOUBOUTIN NAIL LACQUER (Sephora)

Well I am living in California at least until September when my program at FIDM in Los Angeles is complete. It has been a ride and a half. The best way I can describe it is that it is similar to getting on a new ride at a theme park; you just hold on tight and see what happens. It has been exciting, exhilarating, and scary all at the same time.  I have experienced so much already, learned so much at school, and met some amazing people.  I can truly say that I love it.

A lot of people ask me why I chose to go to fashion school in LA rather than Milan or Paris or of course, New York…well, there is something about the energy that comes from the west coast that blends so well with my spirit. Something that was undeniable for me from the very beginning. This place puts me in a state of mind to be inspired. But from a professional standpoint, studying and living in LA allows me to maintain a creative edge by affording me the ability to curate my own vision; a vision that is free from the uniformity, pressures and influences existing inside the belly of fashion.

For my first post while living here I have decided to highlight two great California-based brands: For Love & Lemons and Nixon. For Love & Lemons is based in the Arts District in LA, just a stone’s throw from my apartment downtown. The company’s aesthetic is said to derive from the “sun-soaked Lemonade Stand Days” (…whatever that means to the young BFF designers).  However, most of us who know the ready-to-wear brand associate it with intricate lace patterns and a nearly-nude aesthetic.  I am wearing the Grace Mini Dress in black in this shoot.

However, what I love most about Love & Lemons is the ‘Skivvies’ lingerie collection. They have bralettes that look amazing peeping out of low cut tops and dresses. I have the Bat For Lashes Bra in black. While the prices are a little steep, I bought this piece during one of their many 40% off sales (posted on Instagram @forloveandlemons), so wait until then (if you can)!

Nixon is a California-based brand that focuses on watches and accessories. I have always loved their strong and youthful watch designs and the brand’s strong connection to surf and skate culture. But above all, I love the good quality. If you are going to drop $200 to $500 on something, it better look good and work well, and Nixon provides just that. Nixon continues to take the watch market by storm with a recent ad of the FACET in all gold (watch shown) in the pages of the December issue of Vogue. Way to go NIXON!

Into the Blue

Zara Wave Hem Shirt (from KENZO here)

J Brand Boy-fit Jeans 

Aldo Block heel sandals

Vintage Clutch from my Grandmother

H&M Chain Necklace (similar here)

Silver and Black Cord Bracelet (similar here)

Dell'Arte Spiral Ring

Essie Bikini So Teeny

Stila Perfecting Concealer

Well ladies and gentlemen, I’m moving to LA. The one-way communication from me to all of the world’s fashion brands, during my job search, has gotten to me; I am going back to school. I have learned one major thing about finding a job in fashion and it is that connections are essential. And as a person who grew up in the smallest town possible in rural Southern Ontario…I have none. So it is time to gain a focused education in fashion and meet people in the industry. So once again, i'm still fighting for fashion because I'm not quite there yet. 

While I would have preferred to have dough in my pocket, a secure job, and a new apartment…it does sound rather boring, doesn’t it?… and I’m only 23. We all work for our entire lives so why not prolong the madness of our youth. 

With my new adventure on the horizon, my summer style has been deeply inspired by California. Wind swept beach hair, relaxed fit, and all shades of ocean blue have been occupying my looks for the summer. And nothing reflects the west coast’s laid back vibes better than an ocean of bruised and battered denim. This shoot compiles these California inspirations into a fun, colorful, and laid-back look for the warm summer months.

From cyan and cobalt to navy, sapphire and periwinkle, countless shades of blue are being seen on dresses, tops, skirts and more during the summer months and will continue to be seen this fall.

Kenzo’s Spring/Summer Ready to Wear 2014 line was one of my favourites of the shows displaying the ocean’s hues.  The models were adorned with crop tops with laser cut hemlines in the shapes of waves, water prints that looked like they had been drawn with pencil crayons, and stiff scuba fabrics.  Zara has taken note of this look and has created a few crop tops that take inspiration from this line (note my inexpensive Zara version above). By styling this top with a plain low-slung pant or skirt (while showing some belly) or a simple high-waisted paint or top, you provide focus to the uniqueness of the watery hemline.