The style world can feel like a maze of trends ranging from playful to downright mystifying. Assistant style editor Kate Daley gives you the inside scoop on everything beauty and fashion to get you looking your best, from head to toe.
Nov
13
I’m sure you’ve heard the buzz by now. Jimmy Choo launches at H&M tomorrow morning. I spoke with the H&M ladies at their spring preview this week for their tips and the best advice? Go early!
Bring water, some snacks and a friend to hold your spot in line for bathroom breaks. Oh and of course bring your credit card!
Check out H&M’s site for info on how much you can buy (only one of each item) and how their wristband system will work. The rules are that the first 160 people in line will receive a bracelet which will have info on the designated area where they can shop. You only need the bracelets for the women’s shoes, bags and accessories so that you’ll have a chance to take a look without being too rushed. And of course to try on the shoes. But if you’re looking for the clothing for men and women you can just go buck wild and then grab a bracelet so you can take a look at the accessories as well.
Also, you know what’s the best idea? Wear leggings and a tee! You can try on any outfit on top of it without having to strip down and if you wear slip on shoes or floppy boots you can try on shoes in a snap. (Who hasn’t had to show their underwear to a crowd at a sample sale with limited changerooms… Anyone? Okay maybe that’s just me.)
And remember, it’s only at select H&M’s so scope out the closest one to you with all of the pieces. Oh, and you can drag your hubby with you – there are clothes for men!
Here are the ones I want to buy if I decide to brave the lineups and mayhem.
First, the shoes. I LOVE the over the knee boots. But they aren’t cheap. And they may be hard to wear. Honestly, I may go for the zebra flats for their potential for everyday wear.
Can’t forget accessories. The bracelet is fab.
And of course this hot dress comes in an amazing grey suede or a black leather.
This is designer at its best – pretty, fashion forward and yet still affordable. The prices can go quite high so make sure you keep your receipt for returns!
–Kate Daley
Guest blogger Katie Dupuis shares her Beautylicious treatment experience:
Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Jeanet Salon as a part of the Beautylicious promotion here in Toronto. Beautylicious is similar to Winterlicious and Summerlicious — a seasonal event where restaurants in the city set a fixed price menu for a limited time. Same goes for salons and spas now, too! Earlier this month, you could purchase packages of spa services for a reduced rate at some of the city’s top places. I checked out Jeanet Spa and Salon in Yorkville for a very relaxing manicure.
I hadn’t realized until I arrived that Salon Jeanet has worked on a number of celebs -– big name celebs like Nicole Kidman and Kirsten Dunst. There are autographed posters all over the walls from Jeanet’s glittery clientele. There’s no wonder, either – esthetician Amanda gave my hands the royal treatment. My nails were scrubbed and buffed and polished and the hand massage that went with it was wonderful after a long day at work. I think my hands actually said, “Katie, we’re going on strike if you don’t take us to this place more often.” I had my nails painted a chic dark grey — an OPI colour called Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees from the Espana Collection — which I may have to buy. I love it!
Suzi Skis the Pyrenees
My only complaint — and it’s minor — was that my nails still weren’t completely dry by the time I went to bed a few hours later, and I ended up with light creases in the polish. Next time I’ll avoid going to get the treatment so late in the day. It wasn’t for lack of trying, either, to get a smooth polish: Amanda even did my coat up for me.
Jeanet Salon and Spa — 140 Yorkville Ave, 2nd floor. Go and get the celebrity treatment for yourself!
–Katie Dupuis
This November, Dynamite will no longer be known just for its affordable workwear separates and dressy tops. They’ve ventured into the world of cosmetics with the launch of a new fragrance called Rachël.
Dynamite, a 35-year-old Canadian clothing company, has made its first foray into fragrance with the citrusy eau de toilette that will surely be a hit among customers. Made with green top notes of apple and lemon verbana, followed up by feminine notes of jasmine and freesia, it closes with an amber and woodsy base.
Available in a 50 ml for $30, a 10 ml rollerball for $15 and a 125ml body cream for $16.
Take it on a test drive at your local Dynamite.
– Kate Daley
Nov
11
Heard of Jenny Bird? Well here’s the scoop. This Toronto-based jewellery and bag designer is making her mark in the hands of big celebs and now you can snag a piece of her special designs.
If you’ve been watching Gossip Girl lately (if it’s too infantile just turn off the sound and stare at the fashions!) you may have noticed Jenny Humphrey wearing Bird’s latest accessories. Little J even wears them in her off time.
So lucky you, there’s a 48 hour sale beginning today online. Go to this homepage- http://jennybird.myshopify.com at 5pm on Wed and the site will have up to 25 styles of bags and jewellery that is 40 to 70 percent off… Seriously? Christmas presents for friends? Okay, really for yourself!
The sale ends at 5pm on Friday but check out this site for more info!
Here are a few of the designs that you can find:
– Kate Daley
Copy editor Vanessa Milne shares her experience at Beautylicious:
A few weeks ago, holding a new pack of bobby pins in Shoppers, I realized that my plan (grow out my hair into my natural, flowing locks) had gone awry: my locks were a mousey, flat-yet-triangular, un-styleable mess. It was time to cough up $50 for a haircut.
Perhaps sensing my plight (or just seeing my hair), Kate suggested I scoot up to Yorkville to take advantage of their Beautylicious event. (Modelled after Toronto’s popular discount foodie fest Winterlicious, it offered first-time customers deals in dozens of Yorkville spas, salons and shops October 28th to November 7th). I went to Marc Anthony Salon, where they said they’ve been kept plenty busy by the event, and got a $155 cut and colour for a Beautylicious price. I got extremely subtle highlights, which the colourist promised could just grow out, and a great cut (my flirty-fun hairdresser agreed with me on the plan: “Same length, different shape.”) It looks great! I only hope my regular hairdresser can imitate it until Beautylicious’s deals come around again next year.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
– Vanessa Milne
