Aug 25, 2005

Loved this summer’s Bohemian style?  Not to worry – those flowing skirts and feminine tops will be just as popular this fall.  The only difference is, designers seem to have looked to Anna Karenina for inspiration, because the Boho trend now has a Russian accent.  One of this fall’s essentials is an off-the-shoulder, long-sleeved peasant blouse, which looks great with just jeans and heels.  You’ll also need a full, embroidered, peasant skirt – which can be worn with a plain, fitted shirt and high-heeled boots.  (Stylists recommend that those with slimmer bodies wear full-tiered skirts, while those with more curves should wear straighter, broomstick skirts.) And for those who will be traveling to Moscow or have to brave a climate almost as harsh, there’ll be lots of fur coats with fur trim – especially black astrakhan fur – and lots of patchwork-decorated coats.  Also expect to see – and love – lots of lace, ruffles and velvet. 

Nanette Lepore Gypsy Coat, available on Nordstrom.com


Edwardian overcoat, Exhibition wrap and Sunset petticoat skirt, at Anthropologie.com

As if we needed to justify our love for their classic plaid or the color pink… This fall, Burberry will be offering a knee-length, pale pink leather trench coat in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.  Ever known for their signature scarves, there will also be a matching, striped scarf of cashmere and wool.  Think of the coat as a charitable investment; Burberry will donate an impressive 30% of the $1895 retail price to Breast Cancer charities.  The trench is already available at select Burberry retail stores as part of their fall line - we’ll let you know when it’s available on Burberry.com!

As Canadian correspondent for SheFinds, I’m proud to bring you the sweetest goodies from North of the border and sugarlime definitely fits the bill. Whenever I talk about this Vancouver-based jewelry line I always say, “Oh, the Caroline earrings are my favorites,” or, “Yes, the Moniques are DEFINITELY my faves”. . . until I realize I have, oh, about 30 favourites! So just suffice it to say that sugarlime is my favourite jewelry line. Like, of all time. I find myself planning more feminine ensembles around a sugarlime necklace, bracelet, or pair of earrings to show it off even better, and even on the days I leave the house in jeans and a tee, I always accessorize with something long, dangly and sparkly. This, despite the fact that for years I wouldn’t wear anything but my trusty diamond studs. Designer Karen Buder names each piece after a person, place or thing that she loves, and so now my lobes are graced with lovelies like Lara, Marabella, or Isabelle (shown here), my wrist with Kata Noi or Phuket, and my neck with Coleen, Lamai, or Elena.  You can find sugarlime at sugarlime.com.

Put your best face forward when you go back to school (or back to work)! Now get up to 70% at Avon.com, plus free shipping with $30 purchase.

Aug 24, 2005

Adidas has always had a knack for combining fresh street style with quality athletic wear, so the brand is a natural fit for high-fashion’s hippest It Girl, Stella McCartney.  Her recent collaboration with Adidas has resulted in the most stylish workout wear to ever grace a spinning class and has made the gym a place where heads turn as much as wheels do.  The Fall line for Adidas continues to impress with pieces that achieve a new kind of femininity in athletic wear that goes way beyond pink spandex.  Stella’s style is all about innovation and surprise.  What may at first glance look like a worthy top for a night on the town is really a figure-flattering running tee with mesh ventilation where your body needs it most.  It’s signature Stella McCartney chic mixed with the urban athletic aesthetic Adidas is known for.  Made specifically for running, swimming, and gym workouts, the line was designed with input from a number of athletes to ensure high-functionality as well as high fashion.  As Stella puts it, “Women take both - their sports and their style - seriously.  Why should we have to sacrifice one for the other?” We couldn’t agree more.


Working up a sweat never looked so good.  The complete Stella McCartney for Adidas line for Fall is available at adidas.com.

It’s rare to find all-natural, handcrafted bath products that actually work, much less ones that are spa quality. But Serenity by Teri manages this with their Sea Escapes Spa Secrets line, a sea-inspired group of goodies that includes everything from Bath Teas to Body Polishes to Fizzy Foot Soaks.  Made from ingredients such as aloe leaf juice, avocado, Dead Sea Salt and eucalyptus, each product not only leaves your skin feeling wholly renewed and moisturized, but also smells absolutely divine. The star of the line is the Sea Souffle Body Mousse, which Serenity’s creator Theresa Vezzani claims has more Shea butter and oil than any other body mousse around. And that feels true. The Mousse goes on heavy and oily but disappears into your dry skin in moments, leaving everything as soft as a baby’s back side. Coming in at a not-so-distant second is her Herbal Fizzy Foot Soak. Filled with all sorts of intriguing green flecks and grains of salt, it immediately dissolves into your tub, soothes tired feet and leaves you feeling refreshed and ready to pound the city’s sidewalks all over again. Find them at bathbodyspa.com, or for wholesale, from serenitybyteri.com.