Spring time would not be spring time without a beautiful trench coat…

For me a  classic trench is one of the most important pieces in the closet. It goes with everything and could be worn during any season. It is an “investment” that is worth making.

The trench coat was first created by Thomas Burberry for the British army officers in World War I. It was designed to keep them warm and dry in the trenches (hence the name), and every element of the coat had  a purpose. The waterproof fabric and removable wool lining made it serviceable in all weather; the epaulettes were originally used to hold gloves or service hats; the D-rings on the belt were made to secure grenades; the huge pockets were meant to hold maps and extra ammo. And through unnecessary today, these utilitarian details are maintained in the modern coat.

I am wearing: Ben Sherman Trench;442 McAdam Leather Purse; Part Two Scarf; Tai Headband (everything available at Liv by Au Lit)

From it’s humble beginnings with the officers to the glitz and glam of fashion royalty, Burberry trend is iconic!. With every season new designs and interpretations of this classic are available on the market…

…and these are my favorite from Spring 2010 runways!

• Fresh and Fun at Marc by Marc Jacobs.
• Romantic and Charming at Cynthia Steffe.
• Daring and Bold at  3.1. Philip Lim.
• Simple and Casual at Milly.
• Classic re-invented at Burberry Prorsum.

From casual to evening wear a trench coat will keep you looking mysterious and classic!

Until the Next Post…. Toodles!!!

Source: style.com; Nina Garcia " Little Black Book of Style" ( available at Liv by Au Lit)

This season the more patterns the better! Mix it and match it from head to toe!

       If you’re like me and tend to  play on the safer side of the runway inspiration, it is always a good idea to start with something simple.Why not try  a delicate piece with a bolder color that is not too overwhelming but has enough of the “wow” factor?! Such as this Nümph  Dress in lewis peach (available at Liv by Au Lit, $100). Very feminine but with an edge!

As seen on Spring 2010 runways:

When it comes to prints, more is definitely  more this season.  If designers like Dries  Van Noten  and Donatella  Versace  have their way, you’ll be mixing  and matching  from head to toe. And we’re not just talking about traditional flowers, though there were plenty of pretty ones at Etro, Anna Sui, and Tory Burch. Duro Olowu’s  tribal motifs ad Givenchy’s digital designs were engineered for maximum impact.”

- Style.com

Until the next post…toodles

Source: style.com

We wanted to give our readers a sneak peak of what to expect at LIV this Spring. We’re introducing a lot of new brands like: Charlotte Ronson, Twenty8Twelve by S. Miller, Wren, Ella Moss, Rachel Pally, Bell, Rebecca Minkoff handbags, James Jeans, MinkPink, La Fee Maraboute, Wendy Mink Jewellery, Three Dot, Clu, James Perse, Left on Houston and Central Park West. A lot is starting to trickle in and it’s looking fabulous! If you haven’t been in the store recently, you should definitely stop by and take a peak!

INSPIRATION…

” Between the high, gathered waist, slouchy cut, and cropped leg, there’s a lot going on with these super-hot harem-style pants—and at first glance, they definitely seem tricky. But that’s the beauty of them: They’re unique enough that you don’t need anything else to look chic. You’re the girl rocking those cool pants in a roomful of boot-cut denim and overly thought-out accessories! That’s a very cool thing to be. Here’s the best part: They’re actually very flattering. The pegged leg (paired with a high heel—always) makes you seem all coltish and long-limbed. The important thing is to let them be the star of the outfit. ”

- Elle

IMITATION….

I was not quite comfortable with this trend last season, but this time around I have built up enough courage to give it a go! Surprisingly, the pants are much easier to wear than they look…I say give them a try! Step outside your comfort zone… you might be pleasantly surprised.

Until the next post… toodles!

Sources: fashion spot; elle.

With spring just a few months away, there’s a lot to look forward to…including the latest arrivals at LIV!!! We’re excited to announce our newest collection…CLU, haute-couture for the t-shirt.

Founded in 2004 by  Seung Lee and Jin Lee, Clu is inspired by the easy-going and laid-back lifestyle of West coast.The duo have gone beyond creating a simple and understated clothing line…they create haute-couture for the t-shirt. Originating with (and perfecting) the simple t-shirt, the line has evolved into everyday basics with a mix of soft fabrics and innovative cuts. Clu is derived from the french word clou which means nail; a simple and graphic object, which is a concept symbolic of the line itself.

Clu has found its roots in high end boutiques in Los Angeles such as Liza Kline and Fred Segal, making the trendy and chic tee a must-have for celebrities and fashion insiders.

♥ Soft and Silky

♥ Innovation+Sporty Look

♥  Grey+Red+Black=Timeless

♥ Bubble Cuts

♥ Color Block Patterns

♥ Simple and Classic

Indulge in a haute-couture tee

Until the next post…toodles!!!

Sources: luxelabel;mahalo;fabsugar;ssense;fashion spot.

We are very proud to present our latest linen collection, Chelsey Damask. It is a great example of how you can take a traditional pattern like a damask, but give it a current look by using on-trend colors and comfortable fabric. We’d love to hear your feedback, so let us know what you think??

The Chelsey Damask collection is a 220 threadcount percale, available in duvet covers, shams, sheeting and skirts. It is available at LIV by Au Lit and Au Lit Fine Linens.

We’re very excited about this new linen furniture collection. The line combines classic French decor with Swedish simplicity…absolutely stunning!

If you’re already a fan of The Sartorialist blog, you’ll definitely want to get your hands on Scott Schuman’s new book. “The book is a beautiful anthology of Scott’s favorite shots from around the world. They include photographs of well-known fashion figures as well as those shots of the anonymous passerby whose imagination and taste delight the viewer. From the streets of Rio to Bejing, Stockholm to Milan, these are the people that have inspired Scott and in turn, inspired designers and people of all ages, wages and nationalities with an interest in fashion. Intimately designed and created with Scott, the book is a handsome object in its own right.” -Amazon.com

P.S. Scott was recently in town promoting his book at Holt Renfrew. Keep an eye on his blog to see what he captured on the streets of Toronto.

Fall has arrived at LIV and we can’t wait for you to see it. You’ve absolutely GOT to have a Fluxus Cardigan, a hipster plaid shirt and of course a Boyfriend Blazer & Jeans!

We’ve kept some of our best brands from last season like Twill 22, AG, American Vintage, L.A. Made; and we’re excited to introduce some fantastic new lines like Fluxus, Black Orchid, Ben Sherman & James Perse. Check out our FALL/HOLIDAY 09 LOOKBOOK for a small sampling of what you’ll find at LIV this season ….

Only two weeks left to our Semi-Annual White Sale. You’ll find incredible discounts at all our three locations, Au Lit Fine Linens, Au Lit Outlet and LIV by Au Lit. Up to 50% off on end-of-season bedding lines, clothing, furniture and accessories. Our expert sales associates will help you to find whatever you may be looking for this month. REMEMBER THE SALE ENDS AUGUST 31ST!