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)

“Winter Rut”…I say nonsense! Ladies, cheer up! Winter really isn’t all that bad… and although the majority of our fashion choices are a reflection of our state of mind (such as feeling down), it is actually quite easy to spark that creative note. I promise! Yes, winter is cold. And yes, you can still look fabulous throughout it. All you need is a little inspiration and a positive outlook.

Think of it as a challenge… a possibility to further develop your own personal style. Plus, I think that winter is the time to stand out and not blend it. It is your chance to be fabulous and shine, while everyone else is complaining about how cold it is and how hard it is to wear anything other than Uggs and thermal hoodies. It’s time for us to embrace the beauty of Canadian winters and put our best (and warmest!) foot forward!!!!

Here are some things to look forward to and to be inspired by….WHY NOT BE FABULOUS??? Inspire and Be Inspired!!!!

♥ When Feeling Down Think of Shoes!

♥ Put Your Best Foot Forward

♥ Play Dress-up with Your Man – take him shopping, make it all about him. Spoil your man ( think of the many times, he has spoiled you). It is a very rewarding experience.

♥ Create a Cozy Nook … where you can catch up on your reading, or just relax over a cup of tea while.

( Furniture available at LIV by Au Lit)

♥ Prada Spring 2010

♥  Find  a Perfect Pair of Jeans - the hardest challenge, but with the greatest reward.

( such as this pair of fabulous Black Orchid skinnies, available at Liv by Au Lit)

♥ Have Fun with Accessories

♥ Cozy Up in a Super Warm Sweater Dress

♥ Wear Your Favorite Coat

♥ Burberry Spring 2010

♥ Embrace the Beauty of Winter… it is actually quite beautiful!!!

” FASHION CAN BE BOUGHT. STYLE ONE MUST POSSESS.”

- Edna Woolman Chase

P.S. Always remember that you’re fabulous!!!

Until the next post.. toodles!

Sources: fashion gone rogue; fashion spot; google images; jak&jil; the sartorialist; sea of shoes

BOOKS…some will cringe at the thought, but most are delighted by their beauty and charm.

“Reading is one of  life’s greatest  pleasures, affording  us the opportunity  to immerse ourselves in different places, events and lives…As referring sources they satisfy our curiosity, answer questions, and offer the perfect recipe.”

LOVING BOOKS

A book can take you on an emotional roller-coaster ride, to a different universe, inside Coco Chanel’s studio, teach you the latest in Italian cuisine, or break down the basics of a perfect outfit.  There is a book for everyone… and that, I am convinced of! Personally, I love all kinds of books… but my absolute favorite are classic novels, the ones that withstood the test of time, the ones that are a part of  history. However, I am always reading something on art or architecture…at times for joy, but mostly for university. And of course, on the other side of  the spectrum are my other favorites: fashion and lifestyle books!!! Easy to read…easy to enjoy…and always offer something new to learn!

Here are some of my favorites lifestyle and fashion books…to add a touch of fabulous to your life.

♥ The Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia ( available at Liv for $25.99)

♥  The Style Strategy by Nina Garcia ( available at Liv for $27.99)

♥ That Extra Half and Inch by Victoria Beckham

♥ The Lucky  Shopping Manual by  Kim France and  Andrea Linett ( available at Liv for $33)

♥ The Lucky Guide to  Mastering Any Style by  Kim France and  Andrea Linett ( available at Liv for $33)

♥ The Gospel According to Coco Chanel by  Karen Karbo

♥  Secrets of  Gorgeous by Esther Blum (available at Liv for $16.95)

♥ Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style by Tim Gunn

♥  Style by Kate Spade ( available at Liv for $30)

♥ The Sartorialist by  Scott Schuman  ( available at Liv for $31)

♥ Vintage Shopping by  Melody Fortier ( available at Liv for $24.95)

LIVING WITH BOOKS

If you’re a book lover and a collector ( like me) this book will make your day… Living with Books by Alan Powers ( available at Liv for $25.95)! The book is fantastic, filled with many ways to incorporate books into your home décor. I honesty freaked out when I saw it… I’ve always love to display my books as they add that perfect touch of personality to any space; but this book just takes it to a whole new level.

♥   In  a home library, form meets function. Shelves with grid of multi-sized compartments  are appealing architectural elements that are also  hardworking. Take advantage of horizontal  surfaces such as tables, to display  striking  covers and binding.

♥ To enhance a stunning contemporary living room, a collection of beautiful volumes is neatly tucked into a sleek paneled wall unit. Here, their bright colors add vibrant note without disturbing  the overall harmony  of the setting.

♥ Don’t forget to make good use of odd spaces, from stairs and landings to hallways. Try mixing  books with other objects, such as collectibles and pottery,  to create character, charm  and interest.

♥ A  wrought iron stand in the kitchen is a lovely and  effective  solution for storing cookbooks alongside bottles, plants and other knick and knacks. Under the  counter space is another great option.

All  that I can say now… is have fun!

Until the next post…toodles!!!

Souces: fashion gone rogue; fashion spot; sarah klassen; this is glamorous.

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”

- Coco Chanel (as stolen from Susie Bubble’s fabulous Homepage)

www.stylebubble.co.uk

“Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.”

– Edgar Allan Poe

“To be beautiful.”
– Valentino

“If your time-space reality has the wherewithal to inspire a desire within you, it is our absolute promise to you that your time-space reality has the ability to deliver, in full-manifested form, the reality of the desire it has inspired. Any and all desires can be fulfilled unless you are holding yourself out of alignment with your own desire. The feeling of competition or shortage, or limitation of resources, means you are out of alignment with your own desire.”

Esther Hicks

“We’re asking you to trust in the Well-being. In optimism there is magic. In pessimism there is nothing. In positive expectation there is thrill and success. In pessimism or awareness of what is not wanted, there is nothing. What you’re wanting to do is redefine your relationship with the Stream. We do not ask you to look at something that is black and call it white. We do not ask you to see something that is not as you want it to be and pretend that it is. What we ask you to do is practice moving your gaze. Practice changing your perspective. Practice talking to different people. Practice going to new places. Practice sifting through the data for the things that feel like you want to feel and using those things to cause you to feel a familiar place. In other words, we want you to feel familiar in your joy. Familiar in your positive expectation, familiar in your knowing that all is well, because this Universe will knock itself out giving you evidence of that Well-being once you find that place.”

- Abraham-Hicks

“Being happy is the cornerstone of all that you are. Nothing is more important than that you feel good. And you have absolute and utter control about that because you can choose the thought that makes you worry or the thought that makes you happy; the things that thrill you, or the things that worry you. You have the choice in every moment.”

– Abraham-Hicks

“What about creating a very obvious positive current of financial abundance? What about getting so good at visualizing, that the money flows through you easily? What about expending money? Giving more people work? Giving more people opportunity? The more you spend, the more people benefit, and the more people get in on the game and dovetail with you. Your role is to utilize the energy. That’s why you exist. You are an energy-flowing being, a focuser, a perceiver. You are a creator.”

- Abraham-Hicks