SHOP TALK | How to Slay Fall for Under $100

Love this pretty knit from Reitmans

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

I have a growing list of concerns when it comes to fall shopping. First, the jeans. My old ones look old, but not old enough to look vintage, so I need new ones that look vintage but aren't, if you know what I mean. Then, the sweaters - I mean, nothing gets you over the loss of summer faster than a cozy oversized sweater paired with perfect boots. Speaking of which, don't even get me started on boots. You'd only have to glance at my bursting closets to realize I do n.o.t. need new shoes but somehow, every fall, there I am taking home blue velvet ankle boots that I 'had to have' and over-the-knee suede boots that I literally 'could not live without'. So many wants. So many bills. 

While I firmly believe in investing in quality pieces that you love, I've found loads of fantastic pieces that fall well within my shopping budget this year. The stores are loaded with cozy, well-made finds that you can add to your existing wardrobe now to get it right up to date. Silver shoes, beautifully detailed knits, and subtle hits of soft pink, purple and olive green give me all the feels I need to get pumped up for the season ahead. Scroll through the thumbnails below to get your fall fashion fix. Did I mention there's nothing over $100 on this list? #slay

SEE MY UNDER $100 FALL FINDS HERE...

FALL FORWARD | The 5 Trends You'll Be Living in This Fall

Red hot at Max Mara via Vogue

Originally posted in The CLOSET

I know, I know. I said the F word. And it's still officially summer. As your humble fashion blogger, though, I feel it's my duty to to ease you and your wardrobe gently in the direction of what's next because let's face it: fall fashion is the bomb. You've probably stopped buying summer things by now and started noticing the new crop of fall temptations already in stores so I'm here to help get you up to speed. I've rounded up 5 of the season's most wearable trends, some of which you can start rocking now if you like. From cool silver to red hot red, from new-school brooches to pretty fall florals, I'm seriously loving what's coming next...

READ MORE...

BACK-TO-SCHOOL 101 | 50 School-Ready Scores for the Rest of Us

via Blackwell Supply Co.

Originally posted in The CLOSET

I've never believed in letting kids have all the fun. I'm not saying kids shouldn't have any fun - that would make me the worst -  I'm just stating that fun should be shared by all ages, don't you think? And when it comes to fall shopping, we should never stop getting those back-to-school feels. There's a certain sadness about saying goodbye to summer for sure; but there's also that feeling of anticipation, of wondering what's coming next, of starting fresh.

Since September's widely considered to be the real start of the new year in the fashion calendar, now is the time to take stock of your stuff, donate the old/ugly/ill-fitting and shop for some new things. Whether you're a teen, a twenty-something, or are someone like me who basically just loves any excuse to shop, I've rounded up 50 of my fave school-ready finds below. You might be going to an actual school; I'm currently enrolled in a school called life. It's a stretch, I know. Either way, we all need to shop, right? Happy new school year, lovelies! Hope you're enjoying every last little minute of summer xx

SEE MY 50 PICKS HERE...

HEAD OVER HEELS | Stepping Into Summer with Shumaker

Those heels though...

I have a small problem when it comes to shoes. How small? Okay, not small. Not small at all. My husband uses the shelves on his side of our closet for sweatshirts and sweaters. I put my sweatshirts and sweaters into storage bins in our office closet because let's face it - the shoes always win. So when Shumaker approached me about being their new shoe ambassador, I was like, 'Yes, I TOTALLY need more shoes.'

I'd never heard of Shumaker so we quickly set a date for me to check it out. The brand has been in Canada for decades but has only recently started opening its own retail locations - Shumaker has stores across Ontario now and is expanding quickly. I went online and loved the European design - my mom is German so I have a strong appreciation for beautifully designed shoes that laugh in the face of cobblestone streets. At the store though, I gained a whole new appreciation for the Shumaker brands. The shoes are designed and produced in Europe by up-and-coming designers from Scandinavia, France, Germany and Italy so attention to quality and design are all so obvious in the details. 

I fell in love with the men's shoes (if you're experiencing men's shoe fatigue, you need to go to Shumaker) but today was about finding shoes for me so I put those aside. For now. I narrowed it down to a gorge pair of gold leaf goddess sandals, some metallic ankle boots and a cute pair of kicks, but just couldn't leave these laser-cut ankle strap black heels by Italian brand Bella Siba which instantly made all of my other ankle-strap sandals feel basic. Since I brought them home, I've worn them with everything from a white tee & culottes (as pictured), a pencil skirt & button-down shirt for a work meeting and have plans to rock them with a floral dress to my next summer wedding. Honestly, these shoes are everything. High but so comfortable, practical enough to wear with anything but so beautifully detailed. I could go on and on but, well, I have some more shoe shopping to do ;)

Head to Shumaker online or find a store near you to get the full experience, and be sure to sign up for their GoldLeaf Membership for 10% off in stores and online for life. 

 

My first visit to Shumaker...

So many shoes, so little time...

Um, yes please...

Amazeballs men's shoes (AKA let's save these for another day bc today I'm about to get mine...)

I like to display my new shoes in interesting places like the boxwood in my front garden. And yes, my neighbours think I'm a just a *little* too obsessed with shoes...

Thinking about all of the outfits I'll wear with these beauties...

Ankle-strap sandal GOALS...

LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BOY | Our Fail-Proof Father's Day Gift Guide

via RW&CO.

Originally posted in The CLOSET

My husband was just away for 8 days in Winnipeg. I knew that we would miss him. But I also knew I could handle it. If nothing else, I know how to get sh*% (shtuff) done. As laissez-faire as my friends might think of me, momming and running my own business have taught me how to multi-task like a pro. And I did it all. I got it all done. We got to school on time. After drop-off, I managed to get from Kitchener to Toronto and back again each day in time for pick-up. I didn't miss a single soccer practice. The laundry was folded, the house was clean(ish), they practiced their piano. We even managed to not run out of groceries.  I was exhausted all. the. time. but it all got done. 

But here's the thing: we didn't quite get it all done. Because it's not all about checking off lists and showing up. It's the other stuff my husband does every day that makes his absence felt every time he goes away. It's the jokes and the laughing and the fun. It's the time he takes with our kids to talk about their deep thoughts at bedtime and recount their dreams at breakfast.  It's the way he knows how to let things go and sometimes be late and be toootally okay with it. Oh, and it's also the getting up early because he knows I'm not a morning person and taking out the garbage (we like to keep some things tradish) and the help with literally everything else  around the house that I miss a lot, too. Dads are good like that. 

With Father's Day around the corner, it's time to thank the amazing dads in our lives. From sporty to stylish, from baller to boss, we've got your dad covered this Father's Day...

SEE THE BEST GIFTS FOR DADS HERE...