This Socks! video #4

Well, here we are. It's hard for me to believe A and I are already well into month-9 of Fashion Rehab. Although, when I look down at my toes, or heels rather, it gets slightly easier...

Love, P

P. S. If you can't view this video directly, click here to watch it on YouTube.

A Recipe for Rehab Survival?

Getting dressed can be a challenge, especially while in Fashion Rehab. If you are having one of those days when you just can't deal with how you look and what is in your wardrobe, I suggest you throw in the towel and head for your kitchen. I have always loved to cook, but now more than ever, it has become a creative outlet and sanctuary for my no-shop blues. My latest mission? Apple Pecan Muffins.

The shelf in my kitchen. My most treasured item? No...not the wine, but the photo of myself and my best gal pals (P included, of course) on a bike ride in Mexico. It makes me smile every time I reach for the Joy of Cooking!

My kitchen does not judge based on appearances. I can wear my hair up or down, wear yoga pants or pajamas, mascara or no mascara. There is no envy in my kitchen. No wishing for...

If I Could, I Would... 78 Days Left

Lust-Have #38

Ann Taylor Ruffle Sandals $158

Pastel yet neutral, feminine with a dash of sexy, ruffles for fun - who wouldn't fall in love with these beauties? I have decided they are the perfect wedding shoe, whether you're the bride or simply a stylish guest. Though wedding season may still be a bit of a ways off, it's always good to plan ahead.

Wait a second! Wedding season = June. Fashion Rehab ends mid-May...

Love, P

The Ones That Got Away - part 1

The closest I could find to the pair that were once mine... Oh, Frye Platform Sandals! I have thought of you often!

As I was falling asleep last night, a vision came to me: terracotta leather platform sandals. Gorgeous, unique, like nothing else I own. I began imagining just how perfectly my sandals will fit with the new spring/summer trends, how excited I am to finally wear them (I've had them for years but they're hardly worn, practically brand new!) and how great it will be to finally wear them shopping - okay, okay, I strayed from this particular platform sandal fantasy to my regular daily shopping fantasy. (It's such a great fantasy because I'm shopping!) But I digress...

Not only have I digressed, I have also completely forgotten that I got rid...

If I Could, I Would... 80 Days Left

Lust-Have #37

Rachel Bilson Everlon Bracelet, $100

This bracelet was designed by former O.C. star and current In Style columnist, Rachel Bilson. It is exclusive to Macy's, and $20 from each sale goes to the Diamond Empowerment Fund, an organization that helps empower African youth through education.

Message of the day: You can be both stylish and generous all at the same time!

Love, A

The Other Things We Can't Buy

Although the main source of our no buying angst stems mostly from the clothing, accessories and make up department, both P and I have also been suffering somewhat silently from the "home decor and frivolous things" category. This includes no purchasing candles, artwork, vases, stationary, frames, and basically anything else that can be bought at Pottery Barn!

The hardest thing for me has been stationary (with candles coming in at a very close second). I love pretty paper and I have, over the past several years, been trying to keep the ancient art of letter writing from going extinct. Not being able to buy cards for nine months has been tough. I would like to apologize to those who have noticed a drop in my correspondence. Yes, I can use plain old computer paper, but it is just not the same!

So how am I getting over this hump? Well, with creativity of course! My stationary basket contains an abundance of thank you notes but is now non-existent in the general note card category. I had to devise a way to use these cards even if I was just writing to say "hi" to a friend, versus writing to express gratitude. So I figured out if I wrote "for being you" after the words "thank you" on the card a new sentiment would be born. I also have taken a page out of my daughter's coloring book (not literally) and have made cards using my basic art skills and crayons. Another stationary saver has been to re-use cards that I have received. I cut them along the fold and use the cover by either folding it in half as an enclosure note, or using the back of it as regular notepaper. Side note: Do not use the cover from a card with a pic of someone else's family, a monogram that is not yours, or if it has already been written on- talk about awkward!

This started as a beautiful thank you card from my neighbor, and then I turned it into a smaller version of itself (an enclosure card!).

See? Rehab gave us lemons and we made lemonade! Now if only I could figure out how to make vodka from potatoes...

Love, A

Sunglasses Showdown - video #3

A recent assessment of my sunglasses collection led me to the following thought:

After nine months of not shopping, is it possible that I still will be able to justify buying something new (come May 15th) no matter what the circumstance? Or, has this retail break taught me that not every item you own can be perfect and sometimes you just need make do with what you have?

I would assume it will probably be a mix of both, but luckily - if not shopping for 3 more months could be considered lucky - I still have time to figure it out. Check out the video below and let me know what you think!

Love, A

P.S.If you are unable to view the video above, please click here to watch it on YouTube

Good As Gold

We are going a little Olympic crazy here - as we should, being the host country. As such, I felt it was my patriotic duty to head to my local neighborhood Hudson's Bay Company and check out the official Olympic merch.

Getting some snaps of the 2010 styles was a bit harder than I thought it would be (how come retailers frown on photo-taking? I realise they don't want cheap imitations, but what about those of us that just want to throw some love thier way?) I did manage to get a few shots and it was almost as good as being able to buy something.

Okay, no it wasn't.

The red and blackwatch plaid caught my eye first. How cute is the thermal on the right? I also really love the toque (such a marvy Canadian word!), however, I do not recommend wearing them together.

The piece de resistance...

If I Could, I Would... 85 Days Left

Lust-Have #36

Benefit Sugarbomb $28

I have been a faithful user of Benefit's Dandelion blush. Other than NARS Orgasm, I would say it is one of the best blushes on the market. Sugarbomb looks like it's older, more worldly sister. With a hint of shimmer and a bit 'o' bronze, it makes the perfect addition to any vanity.

Except mine.

Love, P

Trendspotting In My Closet

Are you getting tired of "shopping in your closet"? Well, I certainly am! With "only" three months to go it is becoming a daily chore just getting dressed in the morning. Despite the fact that I am not currently shopping, I still try to keep abreast of the trends. I feel a need to be "in the know" just in case there is something lurking in my closet that screams Spring 2010.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this rarely worn military-inspired Free People jacket of mine shared such a resemblance with one from Oscar de la Renta's Spring collection. It has renewed my faith in my past purchases! What else might I have hidden in the depths of my closet? Stay tuned to find out!

Oscar de la Renta

me

If the above pics aren't inspiration enough for you to go digging deep in your wardrobe for hidden treasures, I don't know what is!

Love, A

Meet Fabulously Broke - 365 Fashion Rehab's Guest Blogger!

We are so excited to be featuring one of our favorite budget conscious blogging fashionistas on 365 FR today. Her name is FB and she writes for three amazing sites, most notably Fabulously Broke in the City www.FabulouslyBroke.com. She recently launched Style on a String www.StyleString.com and The Everyday Minimalist www.EverydayMinimalist.com and we just can't get enough of her musings and style advice. FB got herself out of $60,000 of debt and has lived to tell about it!

We asked her about her approach to minimalism and how she keeps her closet so clean. She writes:

I used to own many pairs of shoes, lots of coats for all the seasons, pants galore and tons of tops. I basically pared everything down about 50% by doing the following...

If I Could, I Would... 87 Days Left

Lust-Have #35

Adidas Adilibria Wimbledon Tennis Dress, $44.95

For those not in the know, our year without shopping includes more than just accessories and fashion pieces. We also cannot buy everyday items like socks, underwear, and athletic apparel. In a roundabout way we have limited ourselves from taking up new sports and leisure activities unless we already own the necessary gear. At this point I couldn't really start speed skating or taking ballet classes because I do not own a spandex catsuit or a tutu.

Tennis, however, I can play, as long as I am not invited to join a game at a club where there is a "white apparel only" rule on the court. (Yes those places still exist!) Fortunately, I am a proud member of my local YMCA where there is no enforced dress code. I wear my very stretched out yoga pants with a white men's Hanes tank and my regular running shoes. This, of course, does not stop me from still wanting this cute Adidas tennis dress. Since I will never actually play in Wimbledon, isn't owning a dress by that name the absolute next best thing?

Love, A

Girls Just Want to Have Fun

Pre-Sex and the City, and just post-Footloose, style queen Sarah Jessica Parker starred in a movie called "Girls Just Want to Have Fun". This is one of my top ten favourite movies. Being a baby ballerina, I might be a bit biased (I so identified with SJP's character Janey Glenn when she says, "I love to dance" in the opening monologue!) But it's Helen Hunt who plays Janey's BFF Lynne Stone that gets top marks for personal style in this one. If you haven't seen her brilliant outfits in this quintessential 80's flick then I highly recommend! The costumes are all totally awesome and so timely, especially the Dance TV dancers who you can see in the trailer in the neon tank tops with matching socks and heels. Socks and heels?!

One of my favourite parts is in the first ten minutes, when Lynne turns her Catholic school uniform inside out. Her uniform doubles as a black leather skirt and a blue & black plaid vest! While she's performing the prest-o change-o on the school bus, she tells Janey, "Velcro. Next to the Walkman and Tab it is the coolest invention of the 20th century!" Once you witness the transformation, it's hard to disagree...Okay, maybe not the whole century, but most certainly the 80's.

Love, P

The Show (I mean "Shoe") Down

Last night I discovered that I may own too many pairs of shoes. To some women that may seem like a ridiculous statement, but to others it may sound all too familiar. I noticed for every pair of shoes that I do wear, there is another similar pair lying around, unworn and untouched.

The shoes on the left represent the ones that rarely see the light of day, while the ones on the right are pairs that I wear often. It is not that I don't like the shoes from column one (far from it in some cases), it is just that when it comes to accessorizing an outfit, their counterpart always wins.

So cute, but really how often does one wear white knee-high boots? The answer is never. I wear the black ones all of the time.

Who needs 2 pairs of ankle boots? And a navy pair at that? Also never been worn. The second pair, however, are a staple. I wore them last night and I love them.

Green sandals. Why did I buy these? Oh yeah, they were on sale! (P actually has the same ones and I don't think she has worn hers very much either!) The black ones are so much more practical and still super cute.

Nude patent shoes. So fabulous, yet not that comfy and very outfit specific. Why settle for second best when the tan shoe feels great and looks good with everything?

Ahh, the classic lace-up heel. I LOVE these shoes but tying the straps can be seriously challenging and and there is very little ankle support. The platform next to it is sexy and supportive and no previous ballerina experience required.

So after all is said and done...

Forgetful Fashionista - video #2

It's not all that unusual to forget something when you are traveling, even if it is just for one night. What is unusual, however, is not being able to replace whatever it is you've forgotten. Ah, Fashion Rehab...

If you have trouble viewing this video, please click here or go directly to 365 Fashion Rehab's YouTube channel.

Love, P

If I Could, I Would... 92 Days Left

Lust-Have #34

Forever 21 tote $1.50

With a price like this, in the words of Mr. Darling, "It would almost be rude not to!" Too bad, cause I ain't allowed!

Just in time for Valentine's Day, I came across this adorable bag from F21. It brings to mind an old rhyme:

The Owl and the Pussycat went to sea

In a beautiful pea-green boat,

They took some honey, and plenty of money,

Wrapped in a five pound note...

Love, P

If I Could, I Would...

Lust-Have #33

Colin Stuart for Victoria's Secret Suede Bootie, $85

These little booties are adorable. You can wear them with with skinny jeans or leggings, floral print dresses, or cuffed shorts. I love that they are so versatile and

I really don't own anything like them.

I hope these booties are around in May. Even better, I hope they are around in May and that they are on sale and are available in my size.

A girl can dream, right?

Love, A

"Gilty" Pleasures

I subscribe to Gilt. Not "guilt" in the traditional sense (although I do have some of that running through my veins), but "Gilt" the invite-only sample sale website out of New York. Each day Gilt updates their inventory with amazing designer deals, and then sells them during designated time slots. Subscribers are alerted when each sale begins, and you "fight" online to get the item you want! When the items sell out, they are gone forever.

First and foremost, I am extremely jealous that I was not the wonderbrain behind this idea (the founders are two savvy fashionistas, Alexis and Alexandra), and secondly...

A Desperate Day In Rehab - video #1

We want to let you in. We started this project almost nine months ago by spilling our guts to you in prose, and then slowly, here and there, we began posting photos of ourselves. Well, now P and I have decided to get all "vloggy" (translation: video blog) on you and present you with a video, the first of a weekly series as we countdown to the end of Fashion Rehab. (Don't worry folks, Mon-Fri writings will remain the same!)

Want to see P's point of view? I mean, seriously, who doesn't? She will be showcasing her video chops next weekend, mark it on the calendar!

Love, A

P.S. For those unable to view the video above, please check out "A Desperate Day in Rehab" on YouTube!

Parents of a Fashionista

Where I get my fashion instincts from...

I was listening to one of my favourite podcasts the other day, "Q" from CBC radio and Eliot Glazer was being interviewed about his website My Parents Were Awesome where people from all over have submitted photos of their parents and grandparents from "the good ol' days". Listening to it immediately made me think of this photo. It is one of my faves and sits on my makeup table where I can look at it every morning. These are my parents. Both of whom are pretty stylin, if I may say so myself! I'm not sure of the exact date, but it was before my sister was born, so I am guessing early seventies. Don't you just love how bold their choice of pants is? My dad in the burnt sienna (head to toe, no less. That's my fashionably fearless Pop!) and The Mater rockin' the purple? I am also fully diggin' my mom's platform sandals! They totally remind me of Pierre Hardy's capsule collection for The Gap last year.

Sadly, I wasn't able to snag a pair when I had the chance... Wonder if The Mater kept them?

Love, P

If I Could, I Would...

Lust-Have #32

Cover Girl Smoky Shadow Blast $8.49

Who doesn't love a good two-in-one? And you can't beat the price.

Truth? I really, really, really wish I could.

Love, P

Reflections of a Shopaholic

I have never thought of my love for shopping as negative or problematic. Growing up, fashion was always "my thing". Some kids loved basketball, others were into ballet, but for me, I think I was happiest while flipping through the pages of my latest Mademoiselle magazine. That magazine (and some other favorites like Teen, Sassy, and Vogue) represented a fantasy world in which I wished I belonged. Growing up on the east coast of Canada in the 90's wasn't exactly where one could find beaucoup de fashion inspiration.

One of the most appealing things for me (and for my Mom) about magazines during that time was the price. For less than three dollars apiece these magazines could entertain me for hours, even days. It was a glimpse into another world. The stories and pictures made me feel like I was part of something bigger than whatever was happening in my hometown.

Coming from a modest family meant that the actual fashions would never be mine, but I did take comfort in the beautiful photographs. It was the era of the "Supermodel". Women like Cindy Crawford and Christy Turlington strutted the catwalk, well before the emergence of heroin chic and long before the magazine industry only put celebrities on their covers. I used to plaster the walls in my room with collages of editorial pages and in-your-face ad campaigns. My mom eventually got tired of pulling off hundreds of pieces off that blue sticky tack stuff from the walls and suggested substituting posters instead. That was fine with me, my room could still be full of beautiful prints and photos of precious things, but just on a larger scale.

My obsession with magazines helped shape my love for "things". When I started earning my own money (as young as 14 I had my first retail job) I started realizing that in some circumstances money can buy you happiness, even if it is just for a little bit, if only for a day. That awareness only became magnified when I moved out on my own and was responsible for my own rent and bills. Everything on top was gravy. Well, the gravy turned into shoes, which turned into pants, which led to dresses, and you know the rest.

Do I still think my love for fashion is problematic? Yes and no. Fashion has given me years of love, beauty, artistry and strength in times when I was both positively ecstatic and completely miserable. Like any great love, however, it does have its drawbacks. Did fashion ever shower me with compliments only to leave me hanging out in the cold, credit card in hand, without an extra penny to spare? Maybe that happened once or twice, which proves that possibly our time apart has been a good thing. In 100 days from now when she and I reunite, it will be interesting to see just who has the upper hand. I'd like to think it will be me, but for now we will just have to wait and see.

My earliest experience with "fashion" (in the red Fame suit, center) on the catwalk in Kmart sometime in the 80's. I think I knew, even back then, that shopping would be a big part of my life.

See how I scored the cutest outfit?

Love, A

If I Could, I Would...

Lust-Have #31

Charlotte Russe Striped Dress, $24.99

I love stripes. I am not sure when my love affair began with these horizontal lines of happiness, but I know I just can't get enough. I am already trying to think of what I have in my wardrobe that would even come close to capturing the essence of this fabulous dress. (Will keep you updated if something arises!)

It really would be so much easier if I could just buy it.

Love, A

Wishful Shopping

Have you ever bought something for a life you wished you lived? Maybe you were on vacation in, say, San Francisco visiting your BFF and you bought two of the cutest little cropped jackets. Maybe one was denim. Maybe the other was a khaki DKNY number. Maybe neither one of these babies is at all appropriate for the climate in Toronto, where you actually live (when you're not shopping as though you don't). Or, perhaps you were walking by a store, innocently, just on your way to get a coffee maybe, when you glimpse a snazzy pair of emerald green slingbacks in the window, which just happen to be on sale. Whammo! Next thing you know, you're skipping down the street, bag in hand with a gleefully joyous smile on your face. Until you wear them out for drinks that night. And your toes are covered in blisters and you can't feel anything south of your metatarsals. And there's the rub (ouch! sorry, that was terrible): you don't live in California, you live in a city with actual seasons (though, some are longer than others, yes, Winter, I am talking about you, you Evil Sorceress!) and you walk pretty much everywhere you go.

My emerald slingbacks, hardly worn

Mr. Darling and I don't have a car. We belong to a car share (Autoshare), which I absolutely love! We don't have to worry about maintenance, parking or insurance, just whether or not the car around the corner is available when we want it and where we put the skeleton key. Also I am a bit of a greenie. I feel strongly about the size of my planetary footprint. So, why, then do I have a closet full of shoes I can't walk five blocks in? Ok, I am exaggerating for emphasis here. Believe you me, I can walk to dinner with the girls in high heels. But the real question is; can I walk home?

As you certainly know by now...