The 5 W's - Aqua Silk Top

Who:A

What:Aqua Silk Blouse, $64

Where:Bloomingdale's

When:May, 2010

Why:Various reasons! First of all, I really needed an update to my current blouse/top selection. I have a tendency to buy mostly solid colors (which is great for a timeless wardrobe) but it is also important to add a little punch once in awhile with a print to bring things up to date. The funny thing is, P had actually grabbed this top first to try on, but then after a little reflection in the dressing room she didn't think it was right for her.

Too Old For Cut-Offs?

So whaddya think? Is there a "cut-off" age for cut-offs? I recently bought a pair of denim shorts that I had been lusting after since March (Lust-Have #45) and decided to take the plunge and buy them during P's most recent visit to San Fran. I toyed with the thought that perhaps I was beyond my "cut-off years" but then I thought if SJP can wear a bare midriff shirt in her 40's, I could certainly wear a pair of jean shorts in my (early) 30's . Really, what was the difference between a pair of jean shorts and the cotton twill ones from J. Crew that I had bought in New York? Both were the same length and style, except in different colors, and the J. Crew ones seemed both timeless and ageless.

Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) in her cropped shirt. Oui ou non?

The reason I ask about the cut-offs is because I am currently in Canada on vacation visiting my family. I am staying in my old neighborhood, in my childhood home, and after getting dressed today I felt a surge of fashion familiarity wash over me.

Lust or Must? Cropped White Skinny Jeans

Gap cropped skinny jeans in white wash $59.99 on sale

I have had a lot on the brain lately; summer (yay!), getting ready to face putting on a bikini (yikes!), re-organizing my 'drobe. Also on this list, pretty close to the top actually, is getting my hands on a pair of white skinny jeans. Yes, I seem to be going a bit jean-crazy this month. Can't tell you why, but I can tell you that dreams of denim abound. Could it be the fact that I scored two fabulous pairs of jeans for $50 when I was in San Fran with my girl A a couple of weeks ago? (Remember our Lust-Have Lockdown?).

I only have one pair of white jeans and they are not the most flattering cut, nor are they so easy in the zipping-up department. I am not afriad to say it; I bought them a few years ago and they just don't fit like they used to. I like everything about this pair, but I am on the fence about the fact that they're cropped.

So, lust? Or must? It's your call.

Love, P

poll by twiigs.com

Re-Organize, Re-Design, Re-Define

Waaaa-y back when, during our year of Fashion Rehab, I wrote a post called "Change Your Closet, Change Yourself?" about how liberating it can feel to re-organize your wardrobe, either by clothing type or color, and how doing so can, in some ways, give your clothes a new lease on life. When you're not shopping for a year, things can begin to feel a bit stale (duh!) - looking at your clothes in a new light, cutting, ripping, re-attaching - you'll do almost anything to make your wardrobe feel "new" again.

A photo of my rolling rack from "Change Your Closet, Change Yourself?" - think it's time to overhaul the whole thing?

Since surviving our year,

G8 Fashion: Nova Scotia Style

The first word that comes to mind when you think of politics and the G-8 summit is usually not fashion. However, when you think about the leading ladies of some of the most high-ranking high-profile world leaders, the word fashion pops up more often than partisan or parliament! We were recently asked to review an accessories collection that was being put together by four Nova Scotia (our native province) designers in honor of the women attending this year's summit. Naturally, we were curious to see the goods, excited to participate and very honored to have been asked to weigh in. Supporting local fashion and seeing our homeland on the style map couldn't make us more proud! The Nova Scotia Business Inc's (NSBI) website (click here to view) features nine collections of Nova Scotia designed pieces. The collections are inspired by the unique style of the leading ladies themselves, with the ensembles fittingly named for each woman - you can even vote for your favorite one.

This year's G8, being held on June 25th & 26th, takes place in beautiful Muskoka, Ontario, Canada. Although there most likely will not be a red carpet, we are pretty sure that First Lady Michelle Obama and First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy of France, along with Canada's own Laureen Harper, just to name a few, will most likely knock our stylish socks off (fashionably speaking) during the most important political conference of the year. Here's hoping they get a chance to both view and wear the following pieces, and help put the Maritimes on the fashion map.

These are our top style picks for the acclaimed women of the G-8 chosen from the NSBI's collections:

Donna Hiebert rope necklace ("Carla"), LouLouBell cosmetics case ("Michelle")

Lookbook #2 - Nautical Stripe Shorts 4 Ways

For this week's Lookbook, I chose one of my all-time favorite pieces; a pair of nautical stripe shorts that I wear all the time as soon as the weather heats up! This particular pair I got at Forever 21 a few years ago when I was visiting A in San Fran (isn't it amazing how some lesser priced items somehow manage to last forever?), but I found these that are available this season. These shorts are cute, well-fitting and can be worn for many different occasions. Like...

Look #1- "Sunday Beach-Day" Forever 21 peasant blouse (no longer available, but try this one), Diane Von Furstenberg gold sandals (click here for a similar pair), SOOS gold feather earrings and blue beaded necklace, aviators (try these from Endless)

Lust or Must? Dolce Vita Ankle Boot

Dolce Vita Elton Boot, $116

I have been eyeing the footwear trends since the beginning of Fashion Rehab waiting to see if the bootie was on its way out. From what I can tell, this kid sister of the once ever so popular knee-boot is here to stay! There is no doubt that these Dolce Vita's are more trendy than classic, but there is also something about them that is seemingly effortless. And the bonus part? They are perfect for chasing after my toddler on those days when heels just won't do.

What say you?

Love, A

poll by twiigs.com

Fashion Rehab DIY: The Tie-Dye Sweater

One thing that has been most surprising since Fashion Rehab ended is that I am still inspired to try new DIY projects versus purchasing something new. Surprisingly, I still haven't bought new socks (I made it this long with the ones I have, why bother?) or new sneakers, or even new jeans (crazy!!!). I still lust over so many things but I don't necessarily act on those feelings. Recently I was on Bluefly.com and wanted to buy just about everything on their tribal and tie-dye trends page. But, as a reformed shopaholic and newfound conscious shopper, that didn't seem like the right thing to do.

But then I wondered why buy something that was tie-dyed if I could actually do it at home? Would it look fabulous or frumpy? Not too long after those thoughts entered my head did I spill coffee on one of my favorite cotton sweaters. The coffee wouldn't come out, so out of frustration I mistakenly used a bleach pen on it, and it all went downhill from there. Bye bye pretty pale pink top, hello new art project. I recalled purchasing a Tulip "One Step Fashion Dye" tie-dye kit during the long desperate winter months of Fashion Rehab, but had yet to put it to the test. My sweater was already ruined, so I figured it couldn't hurt to try.

Designer DIY - my "new" sweater. Amazing, huh?

Tie-dying is an arduous task, there is no question about that.

Closets & Cocktails with A

One of our new features here at 365 FR is "Closets & Cocktails" where we get to take a glimpse into the closets of some of the most fashionable people we know. For this inaugural installment, I thought we'd start with A. Who better to get the ball rolling? I don't know many people who love fashion (and bevvies) more than her!

Closets & Cocktails

What is your style motto? -- "Classic with a twist". I basically love all things black, white and gray but love to add punch to an outfit with a red shoe or a cobalt top. I dabble in the trends (my new oversized Liberty print blouse is a testament to that). I love to look updated but I never ever want my style (or myself, for that matter) to be a considered a "flash in the pan".

If you could change one thing about your closet, what would it be? -- I would love to have a new one! Or if I could up the square footage, I would be so happy. My dream is to have a shelf with slots for my bags and to have a place to stack clear shoeboxes for easy access. Oh, and I would die for a jewelry drawer like Rachel Zoe.

Miss A showing off her closet and her fave cocktail

Who's style, past or present, do you most admire?

Trading Places

Sometimes I wish A and I could trade places. It's no secret that I am madly in love with California and if I were ever to move back to the US of A, California would be high on the list of possible home states. The only thing is, if we did trade places and my dream of living in California came true, that would mean she would be back in Toronto and we would still be millions (okay, thousands) of miles apart. Happily, we are together right now in San Fran and the weather is beautiful, the baby is adorable and the trading is all about the clothes.

Since Fashion Rehab ended, both A and I have become very clear about what we want in our closets and what we want out.

Lust-Have Lockdown

In a very fortunate turn of events we have come together for the second time since Fashion Rehab ended. California was calling for the return of P and there was no better time than the present. It also didn't hurt that A's man decided to run off to Mexico for a surf trip with the boys and she was in need of some help with Baby E.

A stroll up to the Gap yesterday had us checking to see if maybe, just maybe, we could find those ever elusive "Lust-Haves" from last season. P wanted her skinny jeans (Lust-Have #1) and A was still dreaming about the chambray shirt from AE outfitters (it had sold out before Fashion Rehab ended) and hoped to find something similar. Lo and behold, like two kids on Christmas morning, we both found exactly what we had been searching for. P got the skinnies for a cool $24.99 (say, what???) and A found her dream shirt for less than $20. See, it does pay to wait! Maybe not necessarily for one whole year, but a little patience certainly can do wonders for your bank account.

P in her "Always Skinny" Gap jeans, $24.99 and A in her chambray shirt, $18.99

Love, A&P

Lust or Must? TOMS Buttercup Wedges

TOMS Calypso Canvas Wedges $69

I am a huge fan of TOMS shoes and have been lusting after them for a while now. At first I thought I'd get a pair of flats in a practical, more wearable color i.e. black, but then I saw these! I love yellow, I love wedges and I'm pretty sure I'm beginning to love TOMS. Their shoes are so cute and I love their mission - for every pair of shoes sold, they'll donate a pair to a child in need. Pretty awesome, huh?

And so I ask you; yay or nay?

Love, P

poll by twiigs.com

Links à la Mode

Once again we are super honored to be part of the IFB Links à la Mode weekly roundup featuring some of the best in fashion blogging. Our fave this week? Catie from Cuffington dishes the scoop on going "blister-free" this summer! Ooh, our feet feel better already. Also, check out Return To Sender's post about the "Eat Less" shirt from UO. Truly fascinating and horrifying at the same time.

Fashion Blogger’s Delight

Edited by Jennine/IFB

After a small hiatus of Links à la Mode it was great to revisit all the wonderful links submitted to the community each week. As bloggers grow, so do concerns about growing pains. Sugar & Spice talks about bridging the gap between her online identity and real life one, Retro Chick ponders the pros and cons of niche blogging and Miss Vinyl Ahoy shares tips protecting your content with a Creative Commons license. But that’s not all… there are loads of interviews from Fasshionaburu meets Rachel Roy and M.I.S.S. interviews a vintage vixen for a stunning video (try saying that 3x). All a great mix, so grab a cuppa tea and enjoy!

Images via Poetic & Chic, Confessions of a Fashion Editor, Parker + Muse, and M.I.S.S.

Links à la Mode : June 10th

• 365 Fashion Rehab – Lookbook #1-White Blouse 4 Ways
• a la Modest – The Invisibility Cloak: The Desire to Be Noticed
• c u f f i n g t o n – Easy, inexpensive tricks in wearing your chic flats without socks and not succumbing to blisters and calluses.
• Confessions of a Fashion Editor – Playing ‘Dress’ Up
• Dedicated Follower of Fashion – Prized! – Win a T-Minx Cropped Tee!
• Fasshonaburu – Interviews the glamorous, yet down to Earth, Rachel Roy!

"A" Is All Grown Up!

Well it is official. I think I may have grown up. Like for real. This newfound maturity came to fruition over the past couple of weeks (OK maybe over the past year) while out and about on a couple of shopping adventures.

The first incident took place at Macy's last weekend. I went in with the idea that I needed a few tops to update my current lack of "stand alone tank tops" and frankly the situation left me frazzled. Our desire to be more conscientious about not buying disposable trend pieces led me to Macy's in search of "finer" things. After a tiring amount of weeding and searching, and an even longer time narrowing it down, I ended up buying a printed Elie Tahari tank and a turquoise DKNY ruched tank. But something just didn't feel right. The purchases seemed to be prompted out of: a) exhaustion b) the need to get home to relieve my man from "daddy duty" and c) the meter ticking on the already exorbitant price I was about to pay for downtown parking.

As soon as I walked out the door of Macy's I knew I had made the wrong decision. Looking back at my earlier post The 5 Common Threads of Unworn Clothes I realized I violated Rule # 1...

The Mourning After

Okay, to be fair (and accurate), it is many mornings after - 24 to be exact. 24 days and just one week shy of a month since I was sprung from the Fashion Rehab that A and I built. The thing is, I have not been myself since we completed what most people said in the beginning was the impossible. I have been feeling odd, that's for sure. The hard part has been trying to put my finger on what has been bothering me. And then to attempt to get to the bottom of the always important why. It crept up suddenly, this unsettling feeling, though looking back, I can see it coming that first morning... when I stood outside the uber-marvy Empire Hotel and put A in a cab bound for JFK. We had the most fantastic time so it didn't seem in any way strange that I would be sad that the weekend (and the celebration) was over. And I am always sad saying good-bye to my BFF - who isn't?

A slew of happenings, well, happened after that, rolling through my life like a freight train carrying containers of different shapes, sizes and emotional obligations...

Lookbook #1-White Blouse 4 Ways

Welcome to our first edition of the "365 Fashion Rehab Lookbook" where we show you how to wear one item multiple ways. While you might think that shopping in our closets is a thing of the past, in reality it is not. A whole new wardrobe is not something that happens overnight. We are slowly (extremely slowly) adding more pieces to our current clothing collection and integrating these items with the wonderful things we already own. On the agenda today? Well, the infamous Helmut Lang white blouse, of course! Tucked in, tied, or belted – there is nothing boring about the basics!

Look #1-"Thursday Night Cocktails". Gap black leather skinny belt, Gap dark denim jeggings, Ferragamo platform sandals (for a similar look check out these sandals from Maxstudio), H&M leather cuff.

5 Tips For Successful Shopping

After a year of not shopping, and then a sudden reintroduction into the land of retail, I know I have become a smarter shopper. (How do I know this, you ask? Well, since May 15th I have passed on tons of amazing deals on pieces that I just don't need. It all started with a Rebecca Minkoff sample sale, then the Barney's sale, then ...well the list goes on!). With that in mind I decided to compile a few tips for you to help you be successful in your current quest to become a more conscious shopper.

1. Know what you are looking for and make a list. As I mentioned in Notes From My Closet in May, taking stock of what you already own and recognizing the "holes" in your closet, will help set the path for making conscious purchases. Look for repeat buying patterns in your wardrobe and learn how to say no to that 5th pair of brown boots. I had to put the kybosh to my black shoe addiction the minute I entered Fashion Rehab!

2. Be brand aware. Everybody has different body types and budgets, but when you analyze your wardrobe take note of those labels that work for you, it will make shopping a more pleasurable experience. Not that you shouldn't branch out and try new things, but having favorites makes for an increased chance of purchase satisfaction. For myself I know that H&M tops fit well (I have a crazy long torso!), Gap cardigans are my go-to, Joe's Jeans hug my booty and have a higher rise that suits my figure, and when the price is right, DVF dresses are my absolute favorite. What brands or designers do you swear by?

Are you a print girl or a nudie? Tribal backless mini dress by Steven Alan at net-a-porter.com, $175, and nude Stella McCartney fluid dress at theoutnet.com, $248.75 (it is 75% off!!!!)

3. Think about the trends of the season and which ones suit your lifestyle and which one are a big "pass"...

Lust or Must? VS Stripe T

Victoria's Secret Striped T $24.99

One of Victoria's very well-kept secrets is that occasionally you can find some pretty fantastic clothes on their website and/or in their catalogue. I bought a black backless (hmm... do you detect a theme here?) jersey dress for a total steal four years ago that I am still getting tons of mileage out of today. In fact, I wore it when A and I went to Bar Americain in NYC.

But, black backless dress aside, I am still longing for a nautical striped top (anyone remember my Lust-Have #57). Though that was a classic knit style with a boatneck, I thought this was a great summer version with the back V as a nice twist.

Plus, Victoria's Secret ships to Canada. Bam!

What do you think?

Love, P

poll by twiigs.com

The 5 W's - J Crew Shorts

Who: P

What: Black J Crew Shorts

Where: NYC - Columbus Circle

When: May 16th, 2010

Why: Because I have no black shorts, no even remotely dressy shorts whatsoever and the price was right (29.99)! But most of all, I bought them because they have the most wonderful cut; a side zipper instead of in the front, like usual. That ain't easy to find and because of it the fit is great!

Love, P

Lust or Must? Summer Dress By Mango

White Mango Dress, $99.90

Lately I have been longing to dash off to Europe. And by dash I mean fly, swim, trot – however the means – I just really want to go. This adorable white summer dress from Mango has me longing to be sipping sangria in Seville, gazing over the Guadalquivir river until the wee hours of the morning.

The reality is that I am currently not on a romantic vacay in Spain, nor does the sauv blanc I had with lunch, although European, actually make me any closer to this dream. However, this little number could still fit quite nicely into my wardrobe. I have this great navy and gold belt that is dying to be worn. So what do you think?

poll by twiigs.com

Love, A