Brooklyn Flea (Williamsburg)

East River waterfront view

Over 250 vendors of antiques, home made goods, decor, vintage clothes, jewelry, etc…

My Brooklyn Flea finds: a graphic tee from Live Poultry, a couple sunnies from one of the many vintage inspired eyewear vendors, and an adjustable “double triangle ring” from Birdhouse Jewelry on my middle finger shown here. (The evil eye and sideway cross skinny rings were purchased at YamakNY on Bleecker St. in Manhattan)

Spotted this amazing vibrant street art on the way out and had to get a shot in front of it.

Last week le husband and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary in New York for a few days. Inspired by one of my HBO faves, GIRLS  - I totally wanted to check out the Brooklyn scene so we booked a cute apartment (via Airbnb) in hipster town a.k.a Clinton Hill, the home of the artsy Pratt Institute. We’ve been to Manhattan before, the big city is great but “living like a local” in Brooklyn was definitely a ton of fun!

Despite staying out late from an underground art and music event the night before, we managed to get up fairly early on a Sunday to spend the day at the Brooklyn Flea. It was just before noon and the sun was a little intense when we got there. As we approached the cluster of white tents and the crowd – I was immensely overwhelmed with excitement! I literally didn’t know where to begin, everything in sight was grabbing my attention. My primary objective was to find an oversized distressed vintage denim vest and a pair of short-talls, shockingly I had no such luck. But I was still able to score some cute things and the best part was the majority of the vendors accepted debit/credit cards.

Overall it was absolutely worth the trek, it’s a goldmine for thrifters, antique decor enthusiasts, jewelry collectors and foodies especially but bottom-line it was impossible to leave that place empty handed. So, if you enjoy shopping, eating and people watching then next time you’re in New York – plan a day in Brooklyn for the culture and the ultimate flea market experience! Click here for more information.

*I just got Instagram! You can see more pics from NYC here.

2nd Floor Style Market – Friday, April 26, 2013 from 5pm – 12pm (TONIGHT!)

If you haven’t got any plans tonight, why not spend your Friday night shopping while sipping on cocktails until midnight?! You like fashion? beauty finds and everything in between? Well then this pop-up market is the place to be! It’s a great spot to shop local featuring 20 local designers and brands under one roof. But don’t forget to RSVP before 4pm today!! Click here for more details.

Lucian Matis Spring Sample Sale – Friday May 3, 2013 to Sunday May 5, 2013

Who doesn’t love it when Canadian designers have sample sales?! Next weekend, the young and talented Lucian Matis is holding a sample sale –  for those who always wanted a Lucian Matis dress, here’s your chance to snag one or two! Never miss a sample sale because they never disappoint! My advice: be there as soon as it opens and bring some cash. Click here for more details.

Shop for Jayu + Psalms Accessories Spring Cleaning Sale - Friday, May 10, 2013 to Saturday, May 11, 2013

Ok, if you’re not familiar with Shop for Jayu this would be the best time to get to know the brand! If you follow my blog, you know I’m a big fan and I’ve gushed about them  tons of times – check out my blog posts on Shop for Jayu here. Their uber stylish jewels are of great quality and are all under $60!! And on this sale event they are offering 40%-60% off!! Time to stock up!! By the way if you love cupcakes, there will be complimentary cupcakes too! Click here for more details.

www.nanushka.hu

Nanushka aka Sandra Sandor is an up and coming fashion designer based in Hungary, her spring/summer 2013 collection is just so beautiful, I needed to share some of my favourites with you.  Unfortunately I haven’t seen her collection anywhere in Toronto so if you have please let me know. You can purchase and view her entire collection online here or here.  Toronto retailers should be all over this collection! From body con to loose fitting knits, a Nanushka girl can pull off anything- even a pair of metallic chrome rose gold shorts!

So what are your thoughts on overalls making a comeback?? They totally remind me of my childhood – I’m sure those of you who grew up watching Full House, Blossom and Saved by the Bell can relate ; ) Growing up in the 90′s I wore overalls until my prepubescent years so I’m kind of biased towards the trend- I’ve worn them before and I don’t mind wearing them again (like an adult), needless to say I welcome overalls with open arms. They are just so comfy, easy to throw on for casual days and they go with everything plus they usually have a relaxed fit -and therefore very forgiving to any “problem areas” so what’s not to love?

A lot of trendsetters have been spotted rocking overalls lately, including some of my style crushes such as Alexa Chung (featured above, first image), The Man Repeller aka Leandra Medine and Danielle Bernstein of We Wore What  (featured above middle image). But anyone can pull this off I promise! So if you’re interested in checking out some overalls for yourself this season – Citizens of Humanity has a really cute pair (click here) and ZARA carries a variety of overalls (click here).

Photo cred: We Wore What, The Reformation, Tumblr

Photo cred: Sincerelyjules.com and Pursenboots.blogspot.ca

Now that winter gloves are not a part of our daily outerwear ensemble, we can finally show off our pretty nails and well-accessorized fingers! What better way to accessorize than to have our fingers adorned with the ultimate jewelry trend of the season: “above the knuckle rings” a.k.a “midi rings”. I discovered this trend a while back through a couple of my go-to California based fashion blogs about two years ago – it definitely embodies a very free-spirited, laid-back kind of vibe. The trend totally took off after Rihanna was spotted rocking her dainty rings last year, soon after that jewelry DIY’ers busted out their metal wires and pliers to try the latest craze and since then we’ve been seeing stylists use them all over fashion campaigns and blogs.

Some of you might fear that these little things could easily slip off your fingers – the trick is to make sure to get the adjustable rings like these ones by The 2 Bandits (click here) or Mr. Kate (click here). They are sold everywhere but you can find super affordable handmade selections from Etsy.ca (click here) So channel your inner bohemian gypsy this spring and style a ring party with chunky rings and a couple of delicate midi rings. Keep in mind that accessorizing is the best way to express your personal style so don’t be scared to be bold!

Spring/Summer Nail Polish Picks : Zoya “Jacqueline”, Jin Soon “Poppy Blue” , Butter London “Molly Coddled”, Julep “Bethany”, Sparitual “Introspective” 

Just like accessories, painted nails add a little personality to a woman’s entire look. I have a slight obsession with nail polish – you will (almost) never catch me with bare nails. If you’re a fellow nail polish lover, I hope you’re at least being picky about what goes on your nails. It’s like reading the nutritional content off of your processed food’s packaging – you’ll want to know what’s in it.

On that note, the three harmful chemicals that should not exist in your nail polish are: formaldehyde, toluene, DBP or parabens - these are the really unhealthy ones that are linked to cancer and fertility problems. And for those who have sensitive skin, look out for these major skin irritants: canphor and formaldehyde resin. Lastly, I always double check to confirm if the nail polish brand is cruelty-free, because I’m totally against animal testing, obvi!

Luckily, we have a ton of options now because there is a growing number of brands that have the same philosophy- including my spring/summer polish picks featured above! After we’ve done our research on the brands we love, we can finally  focus on all of the enticing colours they offer! This spring/summer we are going to see a lot of pretty pastels and bright bold nails- but a favourite of mine for the warmer months is a nearly white opaque polish like Zoya’s “Jacqueline”, it’s the perfect neutral to show of your tan!

Don’t you just hate it when our busy lives get in the way and by the time we get to a store (that closes at 6pm), it’s closing in 5 minutes!? Ugh! Not cool. Time should NEVER get in the way of our fashion cravings or beauty needs! With e-commerce on the rise in Toronto, the great news is, some of our favourite local shops offer online shopping which means we can still shop local 24/7! We can also shop and support online boutiques based out of Toronto at our own convenience wherever, whenever as long as we have internet connection. And the best part is that we won’t have to wait very long for our orders because the goods are coming from within the city!!! The downside is that the convenience might get you hooked ; )  So here are five fab online boutiques that you should check out:

1. Eluxe.ca

If you’re familiar with popular online shopping destinations like Shopbop.com or RevolveClothing.com – Eluxe is  the Toronto based version but better as it is “the perfect marriage of magazine and merchandise”. It’s a great source for the fashion obsessed! They carry Canadian brands such as Ela, Smythe and Mackage.

2. Freshfaced.ca

This online beauty boutique is not just for the typical beauty buff,  it’s a goldmine for those who are passionate about using natural products, they carry all the good stuff from natural make-up, hair-care, skin-care to nail polish! Plus their shipping materials are biodegradable and recyclable/reusable!!!

3. A2Zane.com

This online store was launched in 2010 but is more well-known now as one of the trendiest shopping spots on Queen West! They carry accessories for men and women. With brands like Vlieger & Vandam, Rebecca Minkoff, and Karen Walker – it’s a haven for stylish Torontonians.

4. Shopcaster Toronto

Shopcaster Toronto takes shopping local to the next level! They provide independent businesses from all over the city the ability to sell their products online so easily!   This allows us to shop and support retailers from any of our favourite neighbourhoods in Toronto from Yorkville to Leslieville!

5. DrakeGeneralStore.ca 

If for some reason you can’t drop by at any of their locations in Rosedale, Bathurst or Queen West, you can shop from the comfort of your couch! Love that their cozy store is so playful and proudly Canadian!  You’ll find some great treasures here from home goods, accessories, chunky sweaters and everything in between!

From left to right: IRO Biker Jacket, Helmut Lang Blue Patent Leather and Jacquard blazer, 10 Crosby Derek Lam Drop Shoulder Jacket

Last week, I dropped by The Narwhal Boutique for the first time to snap some shots of lust-worthy pieces for Village Living Magazine’s print issue next month. I was quite overwhelmed (in a really positive way) by all the amazing labels they carry- this shopping spot is truly a hidden gem in Rosedale. The atmosphere was reminiscent of the little Parisian boutiques I frequented in Montmartre when I was in Paris last spring. With highly coveted contemporary brands like Mara Hoffman, Rag and Bone, TIBI and ACNE on the racks just to name a few – I may have discovered my new favourite retail therapy destination in Toronto.

Spring is just around the corner and I’m sure you’re on a hunt for the perfect jacket so I thought I’d share some of my picks from The Narwhal. It was honestly a challenge to narrow down my selection to three pieces – trust me, there were a ton to choose from, you MUST visit the store to see for yourself. But my eyes were set on the IRO biker jacket, the stunning cobalt blue Helmut Lang jacket and the always on-trend military jacket by Derek Lam. When I was eyeing the IRO jacket, the super nice co-owner of the charming shop, Marisa told me that they are literally flying off the racks so I suggest you check out the goods asap! And don’t you fret if you’re not from the area, they will launch an online shop very soon!

Round Panto frames as worn by Hanneli and Peony Lim (shop the look here)

Mirrored lenses as worn by Lizzy Van Der Ligt and Ashley Glorioso (shop the look here)

Spring is the perfect season to bust out your statement sunglasses! As soon as the temperature starts to rise, we are all itching to don a great accessory that symbolizes the forthcoming warmer months- that to me is a pair of unconventional sunnies. Everyday, I check out my go-to roster of fashion blogs for style inspiration – the majority of which are based out of Paris, because I have a sick obsession with that city of chic, (after all it’s one of the fashion capitals of the world) and California, because I lived in San Diego for a short period of time in my late teens and I have to admit, the little SoCal girl that I was will forever be a part of me. So, after perusing a number of trendsetters’ blogs from different parts of the globe, I’ve come to a conclusion that the eyewear trends this season are round panto frames and mirrored lenses. You’re probably wondering what panto frames are – the word “panto” comes from the word “pantoscopic” which means, “seeing everything or wide view” and these frames have a nice vintage aesthetic which I love especially with the exaggerated round frames. I urge you to try something new this spring! And remember: not only does wearing a great pair of sunnies instantly update your look, they will also protect you from UV rays and wrinkles!

Photocred: hanneli.com, lizzyvdligt.com,peonylim.blogspot.ca,pursenboots.blogspot.ca

Looks from Prabal Gurung, Rebecca Minkoff, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Rachel Roy and TIBI Fall 2013 RTW Collections

Army green (a.k.a olive or khaki green) screams street style, it’s such a versatile colour and an essential neutral colour to have in your wardrobe. I think it’s totally as mandatory as an LBD. If you’re a fellow fashion stalker, you know that designers have been showing off their Fall/Winter 2013 Ready-to-wear collections this time of year and I’m sure you must have already spotted countless of army green moments on the catwalk, I know I have. And by the way, I can’t get enough of Phillip Lim’s edgy yet wearable Fall RTW collection. Loving the looks with layered pieces finished with voluminous oversized coats as shown above -so genius, don’t even get me started with the bags!!

So, given that most fall collections typically include earth tone colour palettes to naturally mimic the “colours of fall” – it seems almost predictable that designers are once again pushing the army green trend. But I’m definitely not complaining, in fact one of my favourite pieces in my closet is a utilitarian army green vest from ZARA, which I’ve had for almost a year now (see me wearing it here). I can effortlessly layer it with absolutely anything because the colour is just that easy to work with and I know I will make use of it for years to come. Be it a chunky sweater, a pair of trousers or a jacket, you can never go wrong with army green.

photo cred: Style.com