Lust or Must? Hunter Festival Short Wellington Boots

Hunter Festival Short Wellington Boots, $103 (orig. $205)

I saw these boots recently on a super hip young mama at Whole Foods and was dying over them. She paired them with skinny olive green cargos, a slouchy cream sweater and an oversized black scarf. She looked absolutely fab while she was ever so calmly attempting to pry a package of gummy bears out of her son's hands. I am so impressed with the boldness of this boot. I mean there is color and then there is color. Neons and brights are splashing their way across every editorial page and fashion blog at the moment so these boots, despite being on sale, are still on trend.

A few questions remain: Is $100 too much for rain boots? (I live in a wet climate so rain boots often are a part of my weekly footwear rotation.) Will I tire of the royal blue? Will I be able to embrace the blatant stares at my tootsies? (Both good and bad?) You decide!

Love, A

poll by twiigs.com

Lessons of a (Reformed) Shopaholic - Try Before You Buy

Not too long ago I wrote about lusting over some very desirable yet slightly pricey metallic Chanel nail polish in Steel. Obsessed with the color, but unsure about paying the hefty $23 price tag, I had to find a way to try it before committing to the purchase. I had planned on going for a pedicure anyway, so I decided to visit my local nail salon hoping they would carry the elusive Chanel Steel. And to my delight, they did! I did Essie "Sugar Daddy" on my hands and the Steel on my feet.

My toes in Chanel Le Vernis Steel

Although I was impressed with the quality of my pedi I must say I was disappointed in the color. I thought it would be so much more of a grey metallic, and way less of a matte plum. It is pretty, but it just wasn't what I was looking for. I am so glad I could try before I decided to buy (something I never would have considered doing pre-Fashion Rehab!). There are a few other great grey-inspired metallic polish suggestions posted by some fab 365FR readers here, so I know I know that my quest for the perfect polish is not quite over.

In keeping with the "try before you buy" theme, and at the suggestion of my good friend K.K., I recently signed up for a subscription to New Beauty magazine. Have you heard of it? It is a quarterly beauty mag that sends you a "Test Tube" of beauty product samples so that you may try new products in lieu of buying the full size and all for $29.95. This seems especially important when it comes to skin care. I know I need more than just the tiny one-time sample they give you at most makeup counters to see if I like a product.

Cover Girls

The January 2011 cover of Harper's Bazaar

I have always been a big fan of Harper's Bazaar; the content and the layout have always been very pleasing to my fashion loving eye and mind. So, as I wait patiently for my newest subscription to arrive by post, I thought I'd pick up the latest issue of HB to tide me over.

I'm not sure if I can adequately express my joy when I saw this month's cover girl! Now, not only did I *heart* Ms. Margulies when she was swooning over Clooney on ER, but "The Good Wife" may be my favorite new show. Not only am I riveted by Julianna, Josh (Charles) and Alan (Cumming) to name but a few of the cast members, I am spellbound by the formidable Christine Baranski. Whoever dresses these two women may be, in my opinion, a genius! Please observe Exhibit A (hey, it's a show about lawyers):

Lust or Must? Michael Kors Watch

Watches by Michael Kors

I have long been obseesed with the Michael Kors "boyfriend" watch. Even more so since I saw it wrapped around the wrist of Emily from Cupcakes & Cashmere (she is one of my all-time fave fashionistas - if you haven't seen her website, run don't walk, or, in this case type really fast to check it out. It is remarkbaly marvy). Not to mention the fact that A lusted after her own version of an MK timepiece way back in July.

It seems like every other day, I am perusing ShopStyle checking them out in all the different colors they come in. At first, I fell for a super fab chocolate brown one... then I saw one in Navy and gold and thought that for sure that was the one for me (click here to check it out). Today, I've come across this goldie (which I especially love because of the absence of numeric symbols) you see above.

I am certain I would like to get an oversized, men's style watch but I can't seem to figure out what is stopping me from pulling the trigger? Maybe Santa (or you) will make my decision for me?

poll by twiigs.com

Love, P

The Bliss of the List

As survivors of 365 Fashion Rehab and, thus (at least partially) reformed shopaholics, we can attest to a couple of things: giving up shopping for one whole year was beyond grueling and bordering on the impossible, and there is a lot of unfortunate consumer waste in the world. After we went 365 very long days without buying a single (fun) thing - no clothes, no makeup, no accessories, no home décor (for those of who you have forgotten, we certainly haven't!) - this list of “no” also included a crazy, self-inflicted rule of no receiving gifts from any of the above categories - we are painfully aware of what gets used and what just hangs around like, well, last year’s harem pants.

When asked what you are wishing for this holiday season please (please, please!) do not respond with any of the following

A's Picks...For a Last Minute White Christmas (All Under $100)

Candles by D.L. & Co.
Pumps by Vince Camuto

Although I love the effect of a head-to-toe winter white ensemble, it isn't the easiest look to pull off. White (unlike black) is not known to be universally flattering. We all don't have celebrity trainers and access to low-carb meal delivery services to keep us looking svelte, so I have come up with a new winter white option: Accessories! Yes, accessories. Why not? With the accessories shown above you can still be your stylish self but don't have to feel nervous about any clingy fabrics showing bulges or bumps in unflattering places. (Added bonus? Your cocktail options just increased tenfold. White dresses can call for clear bevvies only; what kind of holiday would it be if you couldn't indulge in a Christmas Crantini?)

Feeling suspicious that your near and dears are still fretting over a gift for you this holiday season?

Links à la Mode - The IFB Weekly Roundup

What better way to start this Holiday week than to be featured in IFB's weekly fashion roundup? (Thanks, Jennine!) Please click the links below for great posts about everything from the best in beauty to the irritations of shopping for that perfect gift. Happy Holidays!

Stylish Priorities
Edited by: Jennine Jacob of Independent Fashion Bloggers

Nothing like the end of the year to get you thinking. The holiday season is not only a time for giving, it's a time for reflecting. Whether your giving lavish gifts or wondering if shopping takes away from the spirit of the season, or just plain having fun with all the holiday parties (it's time to dress up!) this weeks links run the gamut from profound thoughts. Some of my favorites were how fashion has no age limit and just in time for New Year's Resolutions, will losing weight make you happier? Of course there's some excellent posts about fashion blogging, questioning reblogging and content ownership along and balancing your blog with your life.

Links à la Mode: December 16th

• 365 Fashion Rehab: Confession of a (Reformed) Shopaholic


• A la Modest: Quit Wearing That! You Can Still Look Good in a Potato Sack!


• Beango: A sketchbook that's a dream gift for a fashion designer


• Button Owl: Will losing weight really make you happier?


• Dirty Hems: DIY Sweater Leggings


• Fashion Limbo: The Rant - Christmas shopping, I hate you

Lust or Must? Courtney Lee Collection Emerald Earrings

Courtney Lee Collection Emerald Brittany Earrings, Max & Chloe, $120

I have been lusting over Emerald earrings for quite some time. After seeing Eva Longoria and Angelina Jolie sporting similar (yet insanely expensive) versions of the above beauties I just had to add them to my list. Nothing says the holidays like a little green bling! They are the perfect accessory for any LBD (or any party dress for that matter). These ones by Courtney Lee have all the grace and beauty of the real thing without the five-figure price tag. They are silver plated with Emerald Swarovkski crystals.

So here is the dilemma: these are not real (as in actual Emeralds), nor are they totally cheap (they are Swarovski), but are they worth the $120 price tag? A Christmas conundrum indeed...

What say you?

Love, A

poll by twiigs.com

Lust-Have Lookback: November

The best and the worst of November's LoM - Topshop jacket and J Crew belt

November proved to be a month full of a lot of Lusting and very little Musting. Let's take it from the top - or should I say from the Topshop Grosgrain Jacket that A was falling for. You felt very strongly about this fashion forward piece and let us know with 51 votes. You made yourselves heard declaring this a definite Lust with a vote of a hefty 86%. A has come to her senses (sorry A, I voted lust on this one!) and did not take the plunge.

Next up were Wilfred's Faux Leather Leggings from Aritzia, which were my answer to the marvy but exorbitantly priced J Crew leather leggings. You felt leather leggings were never a must, regardless of price and, with 64 votes just 39% of you voted these a Must. The lovely and talented YYZ from Fashion Is Danger commented

The Fashion Pit - The Teva Stiletto

Teva & Grey Ant Stiletto, $330

Where to start? What to say? First off, I am not one of those girls who needs to be super cute while I am in the great outdoors; a little lipgloss, mascara, and a thick layer of sunscreen and I am good to go. I also generally leave my stilettos at home when I go for a hike. Apparently Teva and NY based fashion label Grey Ant thought that hiking and heels went hand in hand when they designed the above show stopper. I have never been a fan of Tevas (sorry!), even during their reign in the 90's I was like, ugh, please put those things away and save them for a week at Outward Bound. Now, for the first time ever (in my opinion), Teva has entered the fashion market. Instead of presenting the world with something stylishly subtle like a ballet flat or even a little bootie, they do a sky-high stiletto and unabashedly pair it with those GD wool socks! Egad. And then they charge $330 for them.

I ask you, no I beg you, to tell me a) under what sober circumstance you would actually purchase this shoe and b) once purchased where you would wear it? Click below to see another photo of the shoe shown in nude...

P's picks...for Staying Stylish in the Cold

Coats by Diane von Furstenberg
Boots by Ciao Bella

It's GD freezing here today and all I can really think about it a hot cup of tea, warm cookies fresh from the oven and this marvy outfit that, if I owned any of these pieces, might even get me out of the house on a day like today.

If you were able to choose just one item on this list to magically show up in your closet/on your dresser tomorrow Christmas morning-style, which one would it be? I've already cast my vote!

Remember, you can only pick one!

poll by twiigs.com

Love, P

Lust or Must? Tarte Bottoms Up Mascara

Tarte Bottoms Up Mascara $16 USD/$21 CDN from Sephora - quite the discrepancy, n'ést-ce pas?

Well it seems A and I both have mascara on the brain this week...

I had originally lusted after Tarte's Bottoms Up lower lash mascara while we were still behind the bars of Fashion Rehab. On a trip to Sephora today with the ever lovely L, I picked it up off the shelf with every intention of buying it. But then I thought, "I am I just buying into the marketing strategy here? Couldn't I just use my regular mascara on my lower lashes?"

Now, it's important to note that I am spectacularly bad at applying makeup under my eyes, which is why this nifty little number appeals to me. Will it work any better because it has a specifically smaller wand? Or will it simply land in the beauty product graveyard? What do you think?

poll by twiigs.com

Love, P

The 5 W's - Maybelline Pulse Perfection Mascara

Just me and my Maybelline Pulse Perfection Mascara (available at Amazon and your local drugstore). Don't be discouraged by what may appear to be a "lack of lash", this actually is quite a coating for my barely there lashes.

Last year while on our no shopping hiatus I was obsessively obsessing over Maybelline's Pulse Perfection vibrating mascara. I was beyond upset that new technology had hit the beauty market when I couldn't shop, it seemed so unfair. I unexpectedly received two mascaras as gifts upon completing Fashion Rehab in May, so I waited (like a good girl) to buy the Pulse Perfection until I really needed it.

When I went to the the drugstore to finally make this purchase I was excited to see it on sale, but incredibly disheartened to find that it was being discontinued.

Confession of a (Reformed) Shopaholic

I have a confession to make: being a reformed and, therefore more conscious shopper is harder than I thought. There is an element of seriousness and pragmatism that is essential to being a wise consumer, and yet those elements also take a lot of the fun out of it. How do you equalize the two? As I make my way through these post-Fashion Rehab days, that type of balance is my perpetual goal.

I have been doing quite a bit of perusing lately, both in store (most recently whilst in Cali with A) and online checking out all the Black Friday/Cyber Monday madness of the past few weeks. And, I am saddened to say the one common denominator of 80% of the items I've been browsing has been that they are for a life I don't live, a life I wish/hope someday to live (Wishful Shopping anyone? I was able to catch myself in this delusional behaviour before actually purchasing anything so I know, at least, that I have learned something.)

- Isn't this blouse pretty?

- Ms. Andrews, please step away from the blouse...just put it down and walk away...

Talk about balance - how do you balance your dreams with your reality? How do you hope for the best, and shop for present?

If I Were A Rich Girl...Halston Heritage Evening Dress

Dreamy, dreamy, and dreaming. Every time I watch an awards show (or an episode of Gossip Girl) I always I wish I was trotting off to some kind of fairy tale black tie event, hair and makeup done, draped in Marchesa (or in this case Halston) and wearing borrowed Fred Leighton jewelry. Wouldn't it be nice to experience that level of luxury for your annual holiday party? Finding the perfect holiday dress can be quite a drag and after seeing soooo many black dresses out there this Halston number ($995, net-a-porter.com) took my breath away.

Clearly I will not be donning this princess dress anytime soon, but I did get myself a very cute (um, black) BCBG cocktail dress while shopping with P when she was here that I am very excited about! It may not be SJP worthy but it is a classic strapless number that will last me for years. (Stay tuned for pics...)

Love, A

P.S. The only affordable dress I could find that even resembled the above Halston in any way is this gold number from Newport News. Heavenly or hideous?

Lust or Must? Chanel Le Vernis in Steel

Chanel Nail Polish in Steel, $23

I am still on a metallic kick. My last "Lust or Must" was a silver Rebecca Minkoff crossbody bag and now I am obsessed with the idea of silver nails! I rarely buy nail polish because I often go without on my fingers, and for my toes I pick and choose my colors when I get a pedi. However, it just donned on me that buying and bringing your own nail polish to your fave nail salon can be very cost-effective. When a chip happens you can just repair it yourself instead of going back to the salon for a polish change.

The conundrum over this particular polish is that is not an everyday color like Mademoiselle by Essie or Samoan Sand by OPI, this is an in-your-face edgy color that is meant to be noticed.

A worthy purchase, or a one-wear wonder?

Love, A

poll by twiigs.com

The 5 W's - H&M Camel Coat

H&M Camel Coat $65 (originally $129) - thanks to Styling Business for the photo

Even though I had thoughts of resisting, I knew I would eventually succumb to the camel coat "trend" of the moment. I use the quotes because a camel coat being trendy seems like a bit of an oxymoron; yes, there are a lot of them around as of late but, I ask you, can something so classic ever really be out of style?

I had originally ordered a coat from J Crew's special weekend only online outlet store (I have been all over J Crew lately!), but when it arrived it was too big and, unfortunately, just too short for the frigid weather Toronto has to offer in the winter months, so back to the factory it went...

I wasn't planning on tackling my coat mission today, but when I woke up, it was all I could think about! Off I went first thing and wouldn't you know my luck, I found this beauty (pictured above) at H&M and it was 50% off! The fit is fantastic and it hits me just above the knee, which is perfect! Plus, as much as I love the classic-ness of coat like this, I was stoked to score one from a less expensive retailer. I'll try it out for a season or two and if I am still loving it (and it still fits my LBC), then I'll go for it and invest in one like this...

Coats by Jaeger

But until then/if that day ever comes, this H&M snuggler is the perfect starter coat and officially 365 Fashion Rehab approved!

Love, P