Even though we are still dealing with snow up in the #TrueNorth, I’ve got my eyes on white jeans or pants. I definitely need a new pair this year, so I’ll be shopping around to find the best style and fit.
Old Navy Pixie Cut, $19.50
Any recommendations?
I honestly watch the Academy Awards more for the fashion than for the films. Is that so wrong? The stars – with the help of their style team – work hard to look good, and I am always keen to see what colours and styles make the final cut. This year, there was a lot of pink (e.g., Gwyneth Paltrow, Anna Kendrick, Zoe Saldana, Karolina Karkova), red (e.g., Giuliana Rancic, Dakota Johnson, Rosamund Pike, Solange Knowles), glitter (e.g., Emma Stone in lime glitter), nude (e.g., Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez, Kerry Washington), and black (e.g., Cate Blanchett, Tegan and Sara, Laura Dern, Sienna Miller).
I, of course, was curious to see who would wear white on this very special evening. Here’s a brief review:
Julianne Moore in custom Chanel
Lupita Nyon’go in custom Calvin Klein (read the story behind the dress here)
My favourite top-to-toe looks were: Emma Stone, Cate Blanchett, and Gwyneth Paltrow. While I did like quite a few of the celebrity looks, I sort of wished that the outfits and styling were way more glam and out-of-the-ordinary than they actually were. The simple column silhouettes just seemed sort of – dare I say – normal.
Images via Hello Magazine.
I am so impressed by Indigo’s latest home and style collections. When I was in the store last week, I was thinking about how the store’s approach to its lifestyle collection has changed over the years. Stores slowly made room for some carefully curated items for the home, and now the home/style/beauty/jewelry section (in my home store, at least) seems to expand with each new season. At the moment, there are so many black and white products under $20. Case in point – this sweet heart pouch:
lace heart pouch, $16, Chapters-Indigo
I love pyjama sets. Love ’em. Mine are mostly red and full of polka dots, but I do really like these white sets.
pyjama set, $115, J.Crew
classic cotton pajamas, $165, Nordstrom
Gisele short PJ set, $97, Eberjey
Hanro pajama set, $198
Bardot classic pyjama,£100, Poplin UK
Coco classic man-style pyjama set, $129, Hard to Find
And here’s some inspiration for PJ wear inside and outside of the house:
Audrey Tatou as Coco Chanel, via
Shala Monoroque in Olatz, via Mark D. Sykes
I just had to use that title for this post.
via Hello Fashion
Grace Kelly – photo via A Sophisticated Style
Pearl earrings…I think we’re going to be seeing more of them in 2015! I think the 360 style will be the most popular, but I think the others will hold strong as well. What do you think?
Mise en Dior pearl earrings
pearl 360 studs, $28
dual pearl studs, $14.99
Wooters & Hendrix pearl earrings, $209
bubble pearl studs, $28
If you’ve been following any of the “what Kate wore” updates, then you will have heard already about Cornelia James.
This UK glovemaker has been making the Queen’s gloves for decades and has received the Royal Warrant – a recognition of excellence. The Duchess of Cambridge was spotted wearing the bow-tied Imogen style gloves in New York City this week, and just for fun, I thought I’d gather together a collection of their white gloves for a royal blog post. Oh, the fun!
http://www.corneliajames.com/Trifti ski glove
Any favourites?
A friend recently sent me news of a fabulously chic collection of limited edition leather handbags handcrafted in Toronto. The bags are the result of a collaboration between artist and stylist Beth Nicholson Crago and Opelle.
Prism Pochette, $260 (limited edition of 50)
Lapped Clutch, $620 (limited edition of 5)
M. Vanda, $488 (limited edition of 20)
Opelle is located at 1234 College St. West in Toronto.
Many thanks to Kathlyn M. for sending this story my way.
In honour of my niece’s first birthday, I thought I’d put together a little children’s fashion post. I love the white collection that is currently on sale at Baby Gap. Have a look at this fashion sweetness…
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Such a sweet cami…and when is there anything less than $20 at Anthropologie? Awesome!
scalloped cami, $19.95, Anthropologie
Well, I was only half-certain that my PhD was going to be my last degree. I was right! Earlier this week, I learned that I have been accepted into an MBA program! It’s part-time so I’ll continue on with life as “normal”, and my studies will take up “just a bit” of my free time. Ha!
Anyhoo – I’m pumped! I’m excited to learn and to push myself in a new direction. I’m also excited to buy school supplies (let’s get real, right?!). At the top of the list is some sort of backpack. I’ve been using a one-shoulder tote forever, and it’s just not cutting it anymore.
via Stylight
via LA Cool & Chic
via LoLoBu
Here are five backpacks that look to be super sleek and fashionable (any just may even hold a textbook or two!).
via Kokosina
via Amazon
I must got check out some affordable options in person one day soon!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Will you be back to school shopping?
I’m obviously not the first to recognize Coco Chanel’s influence on the fashion world. Not only have her designs stood the test of time, but so have her words.
Coco Chanel in her apartment at the Ritz, 1937, via Vanity Fair
Coco Chanel at work, via Redbook
via One Fab Day
Would you use this for your groceries?
Chanel shopping basket, photo via Stairway to Fashion
Chanel F/W 2014/15 shopping basket, via DonzWebb
You would obviously need a second Chanel purse for your belongings.
Do you think people who buy the Chanel shopping basket actually do their own groceries? I doubt it.
I am happy to welcome Toronto-based fashion and lifestyle blogger Fatima Sabri to White Cabana today. She thoughtfully put together an all white outfit for the occasion, and she’s here to share her approach. Over to you, Fatima…
***
Hi Lovelies!
I am Fatima, and I am very excited to be guest posting for Jordana today! I blog over at Love, Fatima Sabri. I met Jordana at BlogPodium last year and had the opportunity of running into her again at a Chapters Indigo event a few months ago. She is one of the sweetest people I have had the opportunity to meet.
Jordana gave me a challenge of doing an all white outfit for her today. I must say it wasn’t easy because I always love a little colour. However there is something so crispy and clean about an all white outfit. I am a gal who sure wouldn’t be able to wear all white everyday because I am bound to drop something on it. I couldn’t resist adding a little dose of colour in my sandals but everything else is an off white.
 cropped pants, sandals (similar), purse (similar), top (similar), bangles (Little India Bazaar)
I wore this outfit the other day for my anniversary date with my sweets. 3 years and it seems time has just flown by. It was a warm day so I decided to dress it up but went with sandals to get in the summer spirit. For an evening out, dress up this outfit by swapping the sandals for a gorgeous pair of heels. This pair would be perfect.
It was a pleasure being here today! Feel free to visit me over on my virtual home. At Love, Fatima Sabri.
Have an amazing day!
Xx – FS
***
Thanks for taking so much care with today’s post, Fatima! I have to say that I can’t really live without my white shirts…I wear them year round! White pants/jeans, on the other hand, are on my shopping list this summer!
The weather in Waterloo has been unbelievably perfect these last couple of weeks and I wish the easy, breezy, sunny days could stay all year long. I’m in a much happier mood and I love living most of my non-working days outdoors. The arrival of spring (and summer in no-time, I’m sure) means that people are craving lighter, brighter spaces. Current issues of Style at Home and House & Home have fully embraced white and I have the impression that more people appreciate my white-loving tendencies at this time of year. It’s awesome.
I thought I’d round-up some of my favourite spring/summer items for those of you who may normally lead a colourful life, but who may also want to inject some white into your homes and wardrobes.
I’m one of those people who has flowers at home all year long. I love taking care of my plants and bringing cut flowers into my home instantly makes me happy. I’ve been a long-time fan of white flowers – as a teenager, I loved calla lilies, and in my adult life I’ve alternated my preferences for hydrangea, carnations, and roses. I know everyone is pretty obsessed with peonies at the moment (I am too, let me assure you), but I hope people aren’t forgetting the loveliness of flowers like lilacs and lily of the valley. I’m currently loving dahlias and have planted a couple pots of them for my balcony. Apparently they’ll grow all summer long, just as geraniums do.
White linens are perfect for any time of year, but they’re especially welcome in the springtime. A crisp white table cloth sets the perfect backdrop for a delicious meal, preferably outdoors. Table settings can be brightened up with colourful napkins, candles, or glassware, but I still tend to prefer something neutral, like the setting in the photo below.
photo via Food Studio
When I was living in London, Ontario, I didn’t use my bike at all. I walked a lot and drove a lot, but I never really felt like it was a bike-friendly city. Kitchener-Waterloo has surprised me with its lengthy, smooth (and flat) trails and I’ve been trying to get out on my bike a few times a week. It’s been glorious. I don’t really like biking on busy roads, but many of the roads here have bike lanes so I feel pretty safe. My bike is an old pink Raleigh mountain bike with a basket on the front (so handy), but I’m pretty sure my next bike will be a stylish white one. Biking is great exercise and it’s a great way to discover new places. If you don’t want to invest in something expensive, pick one up at a yard sale (like I did years ago!).
photo via Favim
In terms of fashion, I love picking up a few new pieces in white to freshen up my wardrobe. I can never have too many white shirts, and for spring, I like something that’s a little lighter and airier than a classic oxford. The lightweight tuxedo shirt from J. Crew below would look great with jeans or colourful pants. It would also look chic paired with white jeans – another staple for your spring wardrobe.
swiss-dot tuxedo shirt – J.Crew
Now that our boots are all packed up, it is time to lighten up our footwear. While I don’t wear sneakers or flip-flops at work, I usually spend my downtime in them. They’re easy and comfortable, so what’s not to love? I’ve recently purchased a pair of white Superga (to alternate with my Converse), but I think they’re 1/2 a size too small, so I may have to return them or pass them on to my sister. What was I thinking? Word to the wise: make sure you really test out shoes before buying them. Regardless, buying a new pair of shoes seems like a necessity in the springtime. Don’t you agree?
When I was in New Orleans a few years ago, I picked up a Panama hat. It’s been one of my favourite summer accessories ever since. It’s chic, classic, and, best of all, it protects your face from the hot sun. Perfect.
What are your spring traditions? Do you change your decor with the seasons?
Have I been doing it all wrong? Shoe storage, that is. I’ve got my shoes in these and these, but maybe I should put them in places that look like these:
Recycled Consign & Design via Pinterest
Jamie Chung via Elle
Yeah, right. My shoe collection would look ridiculous if it was anywhere but in the closet. Nobody needs to see my classic ballet flats or practical rain boots leaning against my crystal stemware.
Hope you all have a have a wonderfully luxurious long weekend!
The Swiss definitely have time under control. Their reputation for well-crafted and reliable timepieces continues to remain strong. Victorinox’s newest timepieces are white, bright, and perfect for summer!
 Victorinox timepieces – the white collection
Why let the French have all the fun? They’re known for making scarves look effortlessly chic and have taught the rest of us quite a bit about how to tie one on. From about September to May, you can usually find me wearing a scarf – light pashmina in the fall, thick cashmere in the winter, soft silk in the spring. I recently learned about the Sophia Costas collection of scarves and I love that they are available in various fabrics (lightweight rayon or heavier wool, for example). More importantly, the Sophia Costas scarves are all handcrafted in fair-trade work environments (in Nepal, for example) that aim to preserve traditional artisan practices.
Sophia Costas – modal sheep scarf, $29
Sophia Costas – rayon elephant scarf, $39
Sophia Costas – lightweight wool elephant scarf, $59
 Sophia Costas – wool penguin scarf, $129
Sophia Costas – wool llama scarf, $129
These and a full selection of colourful scarves are available online at Berglund and Flying A NYC.
Thanks to Flying A NYC for sponsoring this post. Thanks also to Xena & Liz.
One King’s Lane has a sister! She’s called Hunter’s Alley and she’s fabulous! Hunter’s Alley has all sorts of cool one-of-a-kind vintage pieces of furniture, art, accessories, jewelry, books, lighting, and more. The online company also allows people like you and me to sell our own goods on the site (listing is free). It’s an incredible online marketplace and I encourage you to go have a look. For now, though, here are some of the items that have caught my attention.
white cauliflower coral, $95; white elk coral, $132; natural white coral specimen, $99; white cup coral, $95; Palm Beach natural coral cluster, $75
large white concrete male bust, $499; vintage tulip pillow, $265; Shreve Crump Lowe gurgling cod pitcher, $68; white wire basket, $29Â
king sleigh bed, $599; white campaign-style chests, $995/pair; white security task lamp, $250; 1970s French coffee table, $680
white beaded fold-over clutch, $225; Miriam Haskell vintage white earrings, $56; Kenneth Jay Lane white enamel earrings, $100; Karl Lagerfeld sketch for Carrie Donovan, $200
Don’t you think these items are pretty unique – and offered at very reasonable prices?
So, after many many months of snow, we should now be prepping for April showers, right?
clear plastic hat, Hussein Chalayan
markable umbrella, Muji
clear plastic mac, TopShop
white rainboots, Tretorn
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
Little Mayhem‘s popularity is rising. Â The dresses she creates with her mom are pretty darn cute, but this one is my favourite look.
Apparently, the day Mayhem and her mom created this ensemble, she requested “All white today. And a fabulous headpiece too.” Â She just rocks that headpiece, doesn’t she?
Happy Monday, everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I think I have finally finished going through my photos from Paris. Here is the final collection of photos from my recent trip.
beautiful scrolls on a fence outside the Sacre Coeur
Dior – in white
children’s clothes at Ovale
cool restaurant chairs
Sonia Rykiel window display
Le Bon Marché department store
coffee & madeleine at Mamie Gateaux
sculpture near Place de la Concorde
water selection at Le Bon Marché
Ah…Paris…I just loved seeing the beautiful design details in shops and restaurants around the city (and the architectural details, too!).
I was pretty thrilled when I learned that there was a Cartier exhibit at the Grand Palais in Paris during my stay. I arrived on Saturday and the last day of the show was Sunday. Naturally, after dropping off our luggage at our apartment, my friends and I walked over (through the Louvre, tuileries, Concorde, etc.) to the Grand Palais. I had never been to there before this visit. I could have stared at the architectural details of the building for hours, but I had diamonds to see so we headed directly into the show.
The diamonds, and the rest of the Cartier collection (books, designs, templates, forms, clothing, paintings) was unbelievably beautiful. The diamonds sparkled brilliantly (well, that’s pretty obvious for a diamond that is 40 carats, right?). The collection included diamonds worn by Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, and Queen Elizabeth, among others. The show took us through the historical journey of Cartier, including the sources of design inspiration for Louis-Francois Cartier all those years ago. By the end of the show, I became pretty good at picking out the Tutti Frutti pieces – they’re too colourful for my taste, but oh so gorgeous to look at. Heck, I wouldn’t say no to Cartier. Who are we kidding?
Unfortunately, the exhibit was very crowded on the Saturday afternoon that we were there, and it wasn’t a very enjoyable show to attend. The jewelry cases were quite close together and people did not flow easily around the small(ish) space. It’s too bad, actually, that it wasn’t more pleasant to wander around the exhibit. I know I missed a lot of up-close views of many important pieces. Perhaps I was also just a tad tired from the trip over (and I’m too impatient to deal with crowds).
Nevertheless, it was pretty cool to be in a room with so much sparkle!
Thanks to the Grand Palais for supplying my show ticket.
Bows – so girly, so feminine, so right! I love bows on my clothes. My collection of belts with bow closures has steadily grown over the years. I think they add a simple touch of femininity to my usual black-on-black outfits. While I don’t think I have even one bow in my home, I think I should look out for something that’s just right. Perhaps the gorgeous Kate Spade vase I featured below. Perhaps.
Fashion
Marni bow belt shirt, $825, Matches Fashion
Valentino peplum cardigan, $2203.58, FarFetch
Salvatore Ferragamo purse, $917, My Theresa
classic Panama hat, $155, Matches Fashion
dotty spot & bow umbrella, $19.99, Forever New
bow earrings, $7.99, Target
baby bodysuit, $5.10, Target
Viviette skirt, $200, Avenue42
Marbella adhesive tattoo, $134, Luisa Via Roma
Home
Grace Avenue vase, $75, Kate Spade
bathing cutie shower curtain, $54.99, ModCloth
Keeping up with the French theme, today I’m featuring some absolutely impressive items from Christofle. Why are beautiful French objets so darn pricey? Luxury doesn’t come cheap, right?
butter dish, $400
set of four butter spreaders – Malmaison, $495
pastry stand – Jardin d’Eden, $1160
rectangular tray – AG47, $370
magnifying glass – Alibi, $215
candelabra, $1950
bowl – Transatlantique, Â $1750
necklace – Onde d’argent, $1650
necklace – Palmaceae, $2400
champagne cooler, $1700
 Gorgeous, right? Oh, just so lovely!
When I was 20 years old and living in Bordeaux, France, it didn’t take me long to notice that the purse of choice for so many French women was Longchamp. In any and every size. I LOVED them. I bought my first Longchamp – a red pliage –Â and it was a big purchase for my 20 year old self. It was completely worth it though as I have put – and continue to put – that little red pliage to very good use! Since then, I’ve added a few more Longchamp bags to my collection and they continue to be some of my favourites. They’re lightweight, easy to pack, fit all my junk, and they look good with anything. Plus, they’re French. Oui, oui!
Veau Foulonné travel bag with wheels
 
In honour of my trip to Paris, I’m turning White Cabana into a French-filled blog over the next week or so. I’m starting with a biggie – Hermès.
While I’ve had my eye on Hermès for, like, ever, I only recently added Hermès pieces to my wardrobe this past fall to celebrate my PhD. I bought a classic black cross-body Evelyne and a beautiful (and colourful) carré. They were big purchases but I had been thinking about them for quite some time. I do take my luxury goods purchases very seriously.
Let’s have a look at some of the French goodness, shall we?
Clic H bracelet, $620
Oran sandals, $745
Paf golf booties, $345
Grand H pochette, $155
Lift GM pendant, $350
Maillons de Joel Stein, $420
Garden Party bag, $1980
Avalon blanket, $1375
People. People. Remember when I said that I was on the hunt for a beautiful circle ring? I had bought a few cheap versions over the years to test things out while I looked for a real one in silver or gold. Then I discovered the Elsa Peretti Sevillana and I wanted it! Needed it! Remember all of that?
I went to buy the Sevillana when I was in Toronto last month, but Tiffany & Co. was out of stock in my size. What!? I was quite disappointed, yes, but I knew it wasn’t the end of the world. (I was also pretty surprised that the Sherway location only had one – one – in stock!)
 Elsa Peretti Sevillana ring, Tiffany & Co., $470
Well, my friends, it might have been a good thing that the Sevillana was out of stock because I recently discovered that the Sevillana now has some serious competition! Surprised? I was too. You see, I was browsing the Christofle site (I’m in a French frame of mind these days), Â when I came across this beauty:
circle ring – Collection 925, Christofle, $380Â
Gorgeous! French! Oui, oui!
So, here’s the plan. Since I am going to Paris in a couple of weeks (eek!), I’m going to check out the Christofle circle ring in person and, if I love it, it’s coming home with me. If not, then I’ll head back to Tiffany’s. I just love both of them so it’s a pretty tight competition.
What do you think? Which one do you like better?
We are still seeing quite a bit of wordy decor items online and in stores. I don’t know about you but I’m pretty addicted to pinning inspirational quotes, cute sayings, and beautiful typology on my Pinterest art board.
Top: cushion cover $12.95, teacup $16, sign $30, plate $3.95
Bottom: laundry bag $37, banner $60, t-shirt $24, tote $22
I think the banner is my favourite item in the collection above. It could be quite a good reminder when the going gets tough. You know?
“In the realm of exhibition first impressions, nothing quite rivals a vitrine filled with historic diamond tiaras rotating in place like horses on a carousel.” – Amy Verner, Globe & Mail
Sounds like a great exhibit, right? Yes, indeed! I’ve already bought the tickets.
I’ll be attending the Cartier exhibit at Le Grand Palais in Paris and I’m completely excited for the show (big surprise, right?). I’ll take as many pictures as possible and I’ll be sure to give you the full recap once I’m back.
I am adding this to my wish list.
 Elsa Peretti – Sevillana, Tiffany & Co.
After I recover from my reno, I’m going to buy myself this ring. I have been wanting a ring in this style for years but I hadn’t found it anywhere. When I was at Tiffany & Co. in NYC last month, my mom spotted this one, I tried it on, and fell in love. A lady I met at BlogPodium had it and raved about how comfortable it was. I don’t need any more convincing. Now the question is – do I get it in silver or gold?
Last week I attended the 10th Annual White Cashmere Collection show and was blinded by the talent and beauty of the participating designers’ creations. Each year brings another stunningly wonderful parade of dresses and accessories made from the bathroom tissue, and each year I wonder how the designers made these incredible pieces.
Throughout October you’ll want to pick up rolls of the pink tissue in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and also cast your vote here for the best dress. Each vote gives you a chance to win a $10,000 shopping spree while also directly contributing a $1 donation to the cause so get voting!
Vote for your fave 2013 White Cashmere Collection design and
Cashmere will donate $1 to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
Image by me.
Lots of spectacular vintage is flooding the city this Saturday, Sep. 28, for the Toronto Vintage Clothing Show at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Boy oh, boy, I haven’t been this excited about going to an event at a convention centre in- ever! This is my kind of show. I can’t wait and I’m squealing inside as I write this. You can bet that I’ll be there for the 10am opening of the grand doors leading me to awesomeness.
Over the past year or two, I have been curating quite an impressive personal collection of vintage finds as well as cultivating my knowledge of fashion throughout the ages. It’s rather a treasure-trovey closet now that I call my own and I can hardly believe it. I used to wonder how to have beautiful closet of clothes (and a closet of beautiful clothes!) and I’ve got it, no doubt about that. I am so lucky to look at these outstandingly inspired and inspiring artful creations every day. I can’t tell you how much my life is enriched by vintage fashion.
Today I’m showing you just a couple of fun, recent-ish acquisitions staged on my silver fox muff- no, it’s not vintage but the jewelry is.
Hope to see you at the show, or that my love of vintage inspires you to stop into a flea market or vintage shop and pick up something special.
Necklace from Ruby Slipper Vintage Shoppe in Winnipeg
Silver and white pearlized earrings from Debbie’s Vintage Vibes in Toronto
While I would never play tennis in any of these outfits, or wear them to a watch tennis match for that matter, I do appreciate the styling of these outfits and the commitment to white fashion styling.
at Lacoste NYC, photos by Jordana
A couple of weeks ago I was invited to style outfits and be part of a  fashion shoot with Jennifer at Saffron Road in London, Ontario. I had so much fun!
I browsed the amazing designer collections…
and tried to apply what I’ve learned from America’s Next Top Model in my own personal fashion shoot!
For my first ensemble I went for all-white. The Theory peplum shirt was so crisp and is a great match for a skirt or pants. I paired the shirt with a textured knee-length Theory skirt. I added a bit of gold and sparkle with House of Harlow’s starburst necklace. The House of Harlow shoes added more texture to the outfit, not to mention, a lot of height.
(worst smeyes ever)
such a great pair of heels!
For my second look I grabbed a gorgeous Lida Baday suit. I love the black and white pattern and the boxy modern jacket. Generally I’m a fan of a classic pencil skirt so this suit was a clear winner. I paired the suit with a beautiful silky transparent black Theory shirt. The outfit is complete with a beautiful black leather M0851 tote and nude-coloured strappy heels by Modern Vintage. I opted to wear my own stack of silver bracelets and bangles to go with this outfit.
And here’s one last photo of Saffron Road’s all-white fitting rooms…you can imagine how pleased I was to be in there. White is the perfect backdrop for the beautiful clothes in this London store!
I learned quite a bit from my photo shoot…
* I am becoming such a big fan of the brand Theory. The few pieces that I already own and the pieces I tried on at Saffron fit me well and are made of fabrics that feel so good.
* I love Lida Baday but the pieces that I picked didn’t fit me as well as I had wanted them too. They’d definitely need tailoring. The fabric was absolutely beautiful.
* Modelling is harder than it looks. Figuring out what to do with your face and your body is tricky. Note to self: watch more episodes of America’s Next Top Model.
* I tried to channel one of my favourite fashionistas Blair of Atlantic-Pacific when I was styling outfits but this, too, was harder than I thought it was going to be. I had the whole store to choose from so I’m not sure why I felt challenged. Maybe I was simply overwhelmed?
* Sometimes it’s just best to trust the salespeople. When they’re good, they’re good. They know the labels, the merchandise, and spend so much time with clothes and getting to know what works on different body types that it is worth drawing on their knowledge.
Update:Â Good news for shoppers – Â all Theory items are currently 50% off at Saffron Road. So if you’re in London, be sure to stop in! But don’t think you’re going to be able to buy the white shirt in the first photo because I went in about a week after my fashion shoot and bought it. I needed another white shirt.
Many thanks to Jennifer and the Saffron Road team for welcoming me in. Photos by Jennifer. I have previously written about Saffron Road here.
You know that good things come in threes, right? Well, I was lucky enough to be on the receiving end of three great tops from new-to-me designer Elizabeth & Clarke based out of NYC.
I love the simple logo.
Elizabeth & Clarke is a clothing company that specializes in neutral-coloured shirts for women. (Right up my alley, I know!) Elizabeth & Clarke works by subscription meaning that if you’re a subscriber, you will receive a new box of shirts delivered right to your door every three months…as each new season begins. There are three subscription options. The “serious clotheshorse” receives 3 shirts per season at $20 each. The “busy modern lady” receives 2 shirts per season at $25 each. And the “woman who hates to shop” receives 1 shirt per season for $30.
In the summer box, I received The Arden (white), The Liz Lemon (white) and The Hurley (black) (all named after famous Elizabeths in case you didn’t realize). I’m usually a bit hesitant to buy clothes online because I can be quite particular about fabric but these shirts did not let me down.
Elizabeth & Clarke’s The Liz Lemon t-shirt, Joe Fresh shorts, brand unknown shoes, Fossil watch, collection of silver bracelets, iPhone 4S
Elizabeth & Clarke’s The Arden shirt, Versace Jeans pants, brand unknown shoes, Fossil watch, collection of silver bracelets, iPhone 4S
 Elizabeth & Clarke’s The Arden shirt, Fossil watch, collection of silver bracelets, Longchamp purse, iPhone4S
Elizabeth & Clarke’s The Hurley shirt, H&M pants, Via Spiga shoes (I know my mom is rolling her eyes at this photo because I opted not to brush my hair first…oops.)
Elizabeth & Clarke’s The Liz Lemon t-shirt, Levi jeans, Nine West shoes, Fossil watch, vintage necklace
So, what’s my verdict? Well, here is what I am impressed with:
– The Liz Lemon t-shirt and the The Hurley are made of such soft cotton that I didn’t want to take either of them off! They hang nicely and are both really easy to wear.
– The size chart works very well. I like the sizes I got because they leave room for a bit of shrinking (which I always end up doing even when I try not to) but I could have gone down a size and they would have been just fine.
– The service I received from the Elizabeth & Clarke staff was perfect. Friendly, respectful and efficient. The box of shirts was wrapped really nicely too!
– The shirt styles are classic and modern (that combo exists, right?). I can easily pair each shirt with existing pieces in my wardrobe and – I know I’m biased – but nothing really beats a cool white shirt!
– I love the subtle back pleating detail of The Arden and I wish I had captured it in a photo. It’s the little touches that count, right?
– All three shirts have washed well. Washer + dryer. Easy.
Here is something that could be potentially annoying:
–Â The Arden suffered from static cling unfortunately. You can’t tell in the photos above but it basically stuck to my jeans. Maybe after another wash or two the static cling will disappear. It also needs ironing so if you hate ironing, this isn’t the shirt for you. (I like ironing so this doesn’t bother me.)
Overall – like I said at the beginning of this post – I’m very pleased with the three shirts and I’m already looking forward to the fall collection – hello elbow patches!
***
Many thanks to Melanie Moore, co-founder of Elizabeth & Clarke, for sending these shirts my way. Photos by Jordana.
Do you ever accessorize with white jewels? I tend to wear a lot of silver and dream about diamonds but I don’t have anything in white. It’s a bit surprising, isn’t it?
marbled orbit necklace, $68, Anthropologie
organic pendant with chain, $64
Fleet Objects droplet necklace, $60
silver delight necklace designed by Carri Ampris & Ampris Loves, $38
I recently discovered Lolë, a Montreal-based activewear clothing company, and I was instantly impressed. I’m one of those people who generally wears activewear for active pursuits rather than for doing errands around town or meeting friends at a café. I like my workout clothes to look great but to perform well too. When I landed on Lolë’s website, I first browsed the tennis section since this is the sport I have decided to learn more about this spring/summer.
twist tank top, $48
essential cardigan, $100
jump-up tank top, $60
ace skort, $65 (and don’t you love the hi-top runners?)
But Lolë is much more than tennis wear. The full collection includes items that are most suitable for yoga, golf, running, and water sports. In addition, there is a selection of pieces that are suitable for travel and city living. The clothes online look to be fashionable and very functional. And, of course, many other colours do exist!
balasana cardigan, $90
vinyasa capri, $80
rennie 2 pants, $90
delightful 2 jacket, $150
Lolë is one of those companies that is committed to promoting healthy living. The company organizes a large outdoor yoga tour called the Lolë White Yoga Session and it will be in Toronto and Montreal this summer. Just look at these photos…doesn’t the yoga session look like such a great community activity? Plus, everyone wears white!
Stand-alone Lolë stores are located in Montreal, Toronto, Oakville and in dreamy places like Chamonix, Biarritz, Paris, and Zurich. Lolë’s activewear collection can also be found in other stores around the world.
All images courtesy of Lolë.
I started tennis lessons last night. Oh, what fun! I’ve played tennis before but I’ve only ever taken lessons once as a child. I was happy to discover that my moves on the tennis court are decent but I’m definitely looking forward to improving my backhand as it’s beyond weak at the moment.
So it may come as no surprise that last night’s tennis lesson has provided the inspiration for today’s post. Aren’t these vintage tennis dress patterns awesome? I spent more time than I meant to browsing the pattern selection on Etsy this morning. It’s so interesting to see how the styles change over the years. The white fabric options remain pretty consistent (woohoo!).
tennis dress pattern (1968), $7
tennis dress pattern (1960s), $12.55Â
vintage tennis dress pattern (1975), $4
retro tennis outfit pattern (1971), $4.50
vintage tennis dress pattern (1973), $5
tennis dress pattern (1970s), $6.25
tennis dress pattern (1978), $7
Let’s face it – half the fun of tennis is the outfits. Right?
My jaw dropped when I saw these photos by uber-talented photographer Jamie Beck of NYC-based Ann Street Studio. They are just too brilliant!
diamonds by Chopard, photos by Jamie Beck of Ann Street Studio
Two shoes in one?
Big City Sneakers, $128, Be&D
Okay, okay – the Jennifers* looked great at the Oscars. Fine. But why isn’t anyone talking about Charlize and Queen Latifah? I thought they looked absolutely stunning (and not just because they were wearing white). Their gowns suited their figures most beautifully and their hair and makeup teams did phenomenal work. They are two of my top winners of the night.
Charlize Theron in Dior Haute Couture at the 2013 Oscars, via
Queen Latifah in Badgley Mischka at the 2013 Oscars, via
* Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lawrence, Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Hudson
I love the photographs used on the wristlets and hats made by Colorado-based Haiku Moving Company.
wristlet, $12.48, Haiku Moving Company
p.s. I will be in Dallas, Texas next month. Any recommendations?
Our contributor Mackenzie is usually the one around here who has her eye on the latest in luxury goods but when news about the newest collection from Mannin hit my inbox, I had to take a look. The Mannin Tartan heart charm is pretty, isn’t it?
Tartan Heart double sided silver charm, $175
Tartan Heart double sided charm and bracelet, $375
Tartan Heart double sided silver pendant, $335
The collection is also available in gold.
Thanks to Morgan S. for sending this my way.
A cute way to wear the love all year, no? The rose gold and crystals sure bring this piece to today’s trends.
White pavé watch by Red Herring, 20GBP at Debenhams
