June 1, 2012

Footwear Friday: Aaden Mid Heel from Tory Burch.

Dear class, we’ve been through this before…I’m not a heels girl.  Despite a number of years in ballet class, all I ever got out of them was poise, grace, and turned out hips.  Which essentially means that I’m a gracefully clumsy duck.  Making me walk on an incline (as the wearing of heels does)?  More often than not it’s a sufficiently awful idea.  That being said, in the instance that I am capable of walking in heels…that’s the test to say that essentially everyone can wear them.

{Aaden Mid Heel, Tory Burch, $275}

My most recent find also ranks as one of my most comfortable: the Aaden Mid Heel from Tory Burch. These were the solution to a brief hunt for a pair of neutral (note: not nude) pumps that would suffice for both work and play, that were a reasonable height and above all else: sturdy.  Stillettos, regardless of how un-effing-real they make one’s legs look are not for the sprained ankle prone.

The particular pair of Aaden’s that I found were courtesy of an impulse trip to Holts following an annual birthday brunch with a dear friend of mine.  A dear friend who’s Tory Burch heels I’ve absconded with on a regular basis might I add.

Here’s the thing about these heels.  When in the “Sand” colour, they’re a great caramel-toned brown that really re-defines neutral.  In this colour as well, the lightness keeps the shoe from otherwise being a little heavy looking – meaning that you can style them with everything from pants to breezy floral skirts.  The gold accenting is subtle, and though the logo is done completely in gold, because it blends so nicely with the leather it doesn’t come across as flashy as the TB logo often can.  Additionally, I quite enjoy the leather strap-esque detail that holds it in place on the front.  A very sturdy and solid stacked wood heel means that walking on these is a breeze, and at 2.5″ it’s enough of a lift to give your legs a little length without making you teeter above the masses.

{A brief outfit example: Ralph Lauren Chambray Shirt, Floral Tommy Hilfiger Skirt, American Flag Free People Scarf, and a Navy Coach Clutch}

Tried and tested?  You bet.  I’ve worn these both out to dinner and a show, as well as for a full day of work (minus the commute to and fro…which one should never truly be expected to do in heels), and have never felt unsteady or as though my feet were aching for flats.

Available at Holt Renfrew in Canada (and now at Tory Burch if you’re in Toronto!), online through Nordstrom and Bloomingdales, and for those of you south of the 49th at ToryBurch.com as well.  These retail for about $300…but considering they’re good with everything from black to brown and denim (and a few patterned in between for good measure), they’re worth looking into investing in.

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May 28, 2012

Miss me much?

Three things that precluded me from posting for 2 months (listed in chronological order): finishing the first year of my Master’s degree (read: exams and papers), a brief vacation in California, and starting a new job.  Excuses are really useless on the interwebs, but considering I feel bad about being more than a little MIA when I was on such a roll for a while…rationale you shall have.

School’s out for the summer…please don’t start singing the associated song…grades are back and it looks like I passed.  California was lovely, though my stay was infinitely too short.  It did allow me the early opportunity to rock outfits like this though:

{…a fairly good representation of what I wore while on vacation…}

Oh, and yes…that’s lovely new midnight blue addition to my handbag arsenal.  Commentary on that purchase coming soon, seeing as I know there are more than a few handbag junkies that follow this blog.  That, and we all know that I’m a bit of a fan of babbling about bags on this blog.

My gig for the summer is also pretty excellent.  I’ve somehow managed to fuse policy, business, and arts all into a single internship…part of which happened as a fluke and some of which happened as a result of me applying myself to land the spot.  Thus far I couldn’t be happier, and I really don’t forsee my tune changing about that one anytime soon.  It has, however, reminded me of the conundrums one can face when balancing a work dress code, summer, and personal style – so I’ll be sure to share any tricks or suggestions that I manage to come up with as the summer progresses.  In the mean time, I’ve been finding some serious inspiration regarding the topic on Capitol Hill Style – so be sure to check that out if you find yourself in a similar predicament.

Needless to say, you’ll be seeing more of me (or I suppose reading more of my online musings) on AnonymousChic now that I’ve managed to understand what my schedule is going to be like for the summer.  Additionally, you may be seeing my byline show up another place on the interwebs as well…but I’ll wait to make that announcement once it starts occurring.

Well, I’m off curl up with a book and a cup of tea…that book being a notebook that is to be filled with blogging ideas and posts to be typed up that have been stored in the recesses of the right hemisphere of my cranium for far too long.

PS:  And don’t worry…I missed you too.

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March 31, 2012

Essentials Saturday: What’s in my makeup bag.

It’s a phenomenon known only really to the female half of the species…the innate compulsion to want to know what’s in someone’s purse or makeup bag.  As though it’s some window into the psyche of your fellow females, as though their life can be distilled down into the material objects that they carry with them on a regular basis.  I’m sure there are infinite sociological and psychological explanations and implications for this phenomenon…but realistically I’m usually just a little bit snoopy, and blatantly curious.  So when a friend of mine asked to take a look through the makeup bag that I lug around with me in the various incarnations of my daily handbag, I was less than hesitant to oblige…I actually found it to be an interesting exercise.

Just in case you’re interested, here’s the run down (and the corresponding rationale) of what’s in my makeup bag.


#1 – The fresh sugar tinted lip balm lineup:  Yes guys & dolls, the whole lineup of the tints (there’s only four, calm down).  These absolutely substitute as lipstick for me on a regular basis and are ideal for treatment and moisture while delivering the perfect wash of colour at the same time.  A bit of an indulgence, but one that I have made countless times. (Sephora, $22.50 each)

#2 – Chanel Matte Luminous Powder Makeup & Retractable Blush Brush from Sephora: In a shade that’s just dark enough to be “corrective” as opposed to “translucent”, this powder is what’s been sitting in my makeup bag for a fair amount of time.  It’s particularly helpful for touchups, and can even be used with a damp touch as an impromptu concealer.  The brush is great because you can keep the bristles contained so that you don’t have anything getting on the brush…and you don’t have powder flying all over your bag.  (Powder from Holt Renfrew, $63, Brush from Sephora, $22)

#3 – Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer: Re-application of a full face of makeup is usually not in the cards mid-afternoon, but on the days when my skin in misbehaving I’m always glad that this little compact is in my bag. Considering it’s a fairly dry concealer it often doesn’t require setting with a powder, so it’s a quick step. (Sephora, $28)

#4 – Cream Blusher:  As a fairly pale person, blush is one of those things that I have a distinct tendency to touch-up on a regular basis.  The need to look the opposite of drained and lifeless is quickly corrected by a swipe of blusher on the cheeks.  Cream to powder finishes are usually my go-to, but whatever floats your boat.  My favourites are from Merle Norman and Bobbi Brown. (Bobbi Brown at Sephora, $24)

#5 – Miniature Mascara & Eyelash Curlers:  Really it’s whatever sample size I’ve recently acquired, or something that caught my eye in line at Sephora.  Often times a quick curl and a swipe of mascara can really do the trick in terms of opening up your eyes and making you look more awake.  Since eye contact is such a large part of how we communicate, might as well keep them looking fresh and lovely.  (Diorshow Best in Show Duo at Sephora, $20)

#6 - Bobby Pins & a J.Crew Hairclip:  Ponytails and I only recently started getting along, so throwing my hair up in a bun has always been a go-to solution (remnants of the large number of hours I spent in a ballet class when I was younger I suppose).  The claw clips from J.Crew are also indestructible and the tortoise shell colouring helps it to hide in my har.  Self-explanatory lifesavers really I suppose. (J.Crew Clip, $14)

#7 – Hand Sanitizer:  The world is not the cleanest of places.  Occasionally my inner germaphobe kicks in and this is necessary for those times when washing one’s hands is just not an option. (Bath & Body Works Pocketbac, $1.50)

#8 – Tide-to-Go:  Many of us are clumsy, or have accident or spill-prone friends.  While absolutely not a substitution for washing and spot-treating, it can be helpful to have on hand.

#9 - Travalo:  Newest addition to my bag, and something that I’m still on the fence about but love the idea of too much to nix it completely.  Essentially a pocket perfume atomizer that’s incredibly simple to fill and reuse.  (Shoppers, $10)

So…what do you deem to be your essentials?  What makes the cut to be a part of your makeup bag?

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March 28, 2012

Interwebs Wednesday: Matchbook Mag.

Occasionally I find a place on the interwebs that suddenly seems to speak to my style so innately that it floors me that it exists.  It also baffles me that once I find it, why on earth I hadn’t found it earlier.  This proposed love affair (who’s blog arm has actually taken over as my homepage) is with Matchbook Magazine…and all of its various components.

Matchbook Magazine started celebrating classics – shaken and stirred – in January of 2011, and contains two primary components:  a monthly online magazine publication Matchbook Mag, and a blog called The Daily Spark.  They describe themselves as the field guide to a charmed life “from lipstick to letterpress, gelato to grosgrain, and Paris to Peru…”, and I have to agree that following this kind of field guide leads to something infinitely more charming than the images of camouflage green and safari helmets that you’ve inevitably conjured up.

{...the matchbook girl...}

Put simply:  the monthly online magazine is great.  While I’m constantly flipping the traditional glossies, there have been very few online tomes that have really captured my attention.  Matchbook is clearly an exception.  It’s reminiscent of the tragically cancelled Domino and the Kate Spade style books, but don’t even get it twisted for a second that this is merely a regeneration of that.  Matchbook Magazine is the best mix of quirky and pretty, funny and cool, fascinatingly forward yet balanced with classic preppy cool.  It’s a lifestyle magazine…which means that you get everything from cooking to fashion, books to music, and a great balance of interviews and human interest pieces on fabulous little boutiques and those interesting people who’s heads you wish you could just get into.

{...the daily spark...}

While I do go through the magazine monthly from start to finish, what has really caught my attention (and has since become my homepage) is “the Daily Spark”.  The blog is a great mix of high-end and accessible brands, and serves as brilliant daily inspiration.  The amount of mint green, bright pink, and pale yellow in my wardrobe (and my world for that matter) is slowly increasing as a result.

With every sincere honesty, what caught me hook line and sinker though, was the adorable ode “A Matchbook Girl is…”.  If you take a read through this and catch anything that sounds like you, believe me, you’ll want to be come a loyal reader.  Some of my favourite phrases include…

What I find consistently surprising is that there are so many of my friends that aren’t reading Matchbook already.  Whenever someone catches me browsing through this, they’re always intrigued and it’s ended up in many an email as of late.

Right now if I could name a one stop shop for every girl who’s equal parts sugar, spice, and all things nice…with perhaps a dash of cayenne pepper for sass…I’d send her off to Matchbook.

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March 23, 2012

Footwear Friday: The Role of the Nude Flat.

Everyone always talks about the kinds of heels that every girl needs in her shoe wardrobe.  One nude, one black…et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.  And somewhere in the discussion of building a good “shoe wardrobe” there’s a brief comment on: “Well make sure you have a good pair of flats!”  Now I’m not a heels girl, so I’ll just have to acknowledge the wisdom of those who have teetered before me on that front…but I am a bit of a flat aficionado.  So I’d like to take the opportunity to advocate for the inclusion of a pair of shoes that I’ve been preoccupied with as of late: the nude (preferably patent) flat.  We so commonly discuss how flats can be boring and thus one should buy them in a bright colour or interesting pattern, but what happened to having a nice neutral pair that goes with everything from dress pants to floral playsuits?  The goal of the nude flat is to be unassuming and noncompetitive in your outfit, while still looking polished and put together.

{Tory Burch Caroline Patent Ballet Flat ($233), Image from ShopBop}

The pair that originally sparked my interest were from Tory Burch, and inspired by Laura (of Buy Now, Blog Later…and formerly of lollipop26) and her discussion of how these nude flats were reminiscent of something by Chanel and how the elastic looked like a dainty ribbon from afar.  Already having these in navy blue, I can vouch for the fact that they do have a lovely dressy quality about them which is makes them excellent for work or if your style is a little more feminine and polished.

{Air Bacara ($165), Image from Cole Haan}

Another similar, yet more casual, option comes from Cole Haan.  The Air Bacara’s are truly excellent if you need your commute shoes to transition seemlessly into your daytime work shoes as they are incredibly comfortable and still have a bit of style.  The lacing at the back of the shoe means that they retain a little bit of casual edge, and I have to say they look particularly excellent with a great pair of dark wash skinny jeans and a bright bag.  They’re also incredibly comfortable, boasting the Nike Air technology and a split sole while makes for a flexible yet sturdy walk.

{London Sole Henrietta ($215) & Repetto BB Ballerine ($290), Images from London Sole and Gravity Pope}

The more classic option if you’re hunting for something in the world of a ballet flat would be from London Sole (or French Sole…I never can seem to work out what the difference is), or Repetto is a more readily accessible alternative along the same lines.

{Warnack Flat ($60), Image from Aldo.com}

And finally, in doing a little bit of research (ah the benefits of writing a blog, when you can call online window shopping research), I came across the reasonably priced and infinitely accessible Warnack Flats from Aldo.

Whichever your choice, the nude flat is nearly important as the nude heel – it’s neutral and innately allows the remainder of your outfit to sing without competition.  They’re also excellent from spring and summer where an abundance of patterns and coloured denim reign supreme.

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March 19, 2012

Must Have Monday: Kate Spade Watches.

Back to back posts…but I’m sorry, I just couldn’t quell my excitement any longer!

That’s it…Kate Spade can now take over every level of my accessorization on a daily basis.  All that was missing was something by which to count the minutes in the day, and now that’s a definite possibility.  When the announcement rolled through my email last Thursday morning…I nearly squealed with delight right in the middle of my Policy Process class.  I’d seen bits and pieces of the collection online through Nordstrom before it showed up on the Kate Spade website, which just built the anticipation to see the full line-up.

There are a number of different styles, which means that there’s something for everyone.  While there are some styles that I just don’t find aesthetically pleasing (eg. the Cooper Bracelet, or either of the Parsons), I really do have to admit that I’m really sincerely impressed by the collection of them as an entirety.

{Kate Spade Carousel Bangle Watches, Photos from Nordstrom.com}

The brightly coloured Carousel bangles are great because they are hinged (which believe me, is a serious bonus in my world), and I’m already planning on stacking one with some fantastic simple bracelets.  Like their non-timekeeping counterparts, they also contain brief quotations (or little words of wonder as I like to refer to them) on the inside that are cute nods to the colour they bear.  “Tickled Pink” and “Calm Before the Storm” are definitely my favourites.

{Kate Spade Watches in Gramercy and Seaport Styles, Photos from Nordstrom.com}

The bracelet watches on a whole are really quite interesting.  With their distinctive links and what appears to be slightly brushed metals, they’re a cleaner less flashy style than many of the heavy bracelet watches on the market.  A little more ladylike…which is exactly what one would expect from Kate Spade.  Even in their oversized versions, the Gramercy Grand and the Seaport Grand, they still maintain a nice level of preppy sophistication.

{Kate Spade Metro and Cooper Leather Strap Watches, Photos from Nordstrom.com}

And of course the classic thin leather bands with clean simple faces.  Either in bright colours, or the occasional patterned face (Japanese florals or golden polka dots anyone?) – these are simple step up from your average time-telling piece.  Which leads me to a brief commentary on the little details that are fun on these watches: pink second hands, and little spade’s to mark the 12.

My favourites are displayed throughout this post, and let’s just say that I’ve already alerted a dear friend of mine that a Kate Spade watch will need to be our next “matching purchase”.

While I assume that my fellow Canadians will eventually be able to find these at Holts, everyone can find a little bit of time over on the KateSpade.com or at Nordstrom.com where prices range from $195-$295 US.

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March 18, 2012

Scent Sunday: Jo Malone, London Blooms.

Spring is right around the corner, and if it hadn’t decided to start snowing briefly on last week I probably would have declared that it had already arrived in my part of the world (granted it’s supposed to be up in the 20s next week…).  As has been repeatedly demonstrated on this blog, I’m a bit of a fragrance collector and thus a new season set (Spring/Summer) clearly required a switch of scents.  My love affair with Jo Malone fragrances in the summer is long-established, to the point where I carted a couple of her 30mL bottles around with me as a backpacked in Europe last spring (Lime Basil Mandarin and Verbenas of Provence).  Thus, it was off to the lovely marble countertops and cream & black packaging of the Jo Malone counter at Holts for a little inspiration.

Dark Amber & Ginger Lily was my target, but once arriving at the counter I got a little sidetracked…by these pretty bottles…

{London Blooms Collection, Jo Malone}

Don’t lie, you would have gotten a little sidetracked as well.  I was immediately intrigued and while I was waiting for some assistance I made the mistake of deciding to indulge my senses and see how they smelled.  What a happy mistake it ended up being though, as they induced thoughts of bright crisp summer days in those gardens that look as though they should be on the cover of House & Home.

London Blooms is a limited edition release (in those lovely floral illustrated bottles) for Jo Malone, and is described on their website as “inspired by the British garden…where surprising juxtapositions rarely happen in the flower beds by chance.”  The collection contains three 100mL fragrances: Peony & Moss, Iris & Lady Moore, and White Lilac & Rhubarb.

Serendipitous pairings would be another way to describe these, as they’re terribly pleasing and would match well with a variety of styles and scent preferences.  They layer incredibly well with a great number of the other Jo Malone fragrances as well, while still being able to hold their own.  The bright yet soft florals mean that they’re well positioned to mix with other fragrances or be worn on their own.

{Peony & Moss, Jo Malone}

Peony & Moss is described as “contrasting the dainty and the dirty.”  There’s a crispness in this fragrance that balances the soft femininity of the peony, and which means that it ends up with the kind mellow scent of laundry that’s been drying a sun and flower filled garden.  It’s the one who’s name grabbed me the least, and yet the one that ended up wrapped up in a cream box with a black bow and now sits proudly on my dressing table.  It layers brilliantly with Dark Amber & Ginger Lily, and makes a great early spring blend with my Fredric Malle Portrait of a Lady.

{Iris & Lady Moore, Jo Malone}

Iris & Lady Moore receives the description of “powdery and poised.”  The mix of iris and geranium means that you get a very true floral scent, with a spicy-fresh undertone that keeps it from coming across as dated or sickening.  It’s sophisticated, classic, and delicate, yet packs a touch of punch that somehow conjures up the image of a corporate interior designer – a great eye for elegance but who knows how to communicate with the men.

{White Lilac & Rhubarb, Jo Malone}

White Lilac & Rhubarb is the most interesting and surprising of the bunch.  The blend of rhubarb, lilac, rose, and heliotrope is described as a “daring juxtaposition”. This is a great option for those who appreciate florals, but want them to pose more of a question mark in the mix than the dominant tone.  I would have assumed that the Rhubarb would have lent a more crisp note to the perfume; however, the mix of florals makes it surprisingly subdued.

Jo Malone fragrances wear very well on the skin, retaining many of their notes from initial application through to the dry-down.  A spritz on the wrists, and one at the neckline or in the hair keeps the fragrance lingering right through from a 9am application to the depths of mid-afternoon (read: 3-4pm) before a re-application would need to be considered, and realistically that would be about the time  you’d be looking for a refresher anyhow.  They key with these is that they are colognes and based on a combination of essential oils, which means that they are true to scent and brilliantly realistic.

If you’re in the market to indulge in a liquid bouquet, Jo Malone can be found in Canada at Holt Renfrew, and at a number of retailers in the US, and also online through the Jo Malone website.  The London Blooms Collection retails at $125 Canadian for 100mL.

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