Virtual Virgin

I have to say at first I was hesitant to start online shopping, there was too much risk.  I like the tangibility of actually going shopping, and it is almost like a sport to me! However, recently I started to break into it, ordering some stuff here and there… now I feel practically addicted! Not good for a student making minimum wage, but what can I say, its all for the cause.

I lost my innocence to www.aldoshoes.com, which wasn’t an A+ experience but I did get my ordered and it didn’t take long to ship to me either. I did experience quite a few issues with the website itself; mixed up order numbers and sent my receipt to my friends email.  Forget about calling customer service, after an hour and a half waiting on hold I gave up.  In the end the order arrived correctly, and I was so pleased to receive what seemed like a present in the mail that I forgot all about that.

                  

 My next online experience was much better. I recently became a customer of www.nastygal.com, an online shopping site based out of the U.S, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. They were having an epic sale so I couldn’t resist putting in an order for some cute garment. $300 dollars later, and three of my girlfriends additions to my order, I took part in my second online shopping transaction. It took only about five business days to arrive, and I was pleased with what I got, as were the other girls. The box and wrapping were so cute and featured kiss marks, and with the tracking I always knew exactly where it was and when I was to expect it. In addition it was free shipping to Canada on orders over $50, and the duty wasn’t outrageous, as standard $39.99. I will definitely be ordering again.

                    

The most important thing I’ve learned from shopping online is that reading the size description is a must! For Nasty Gal I found this to be most important with because the sizing is inconsistent, some items I fit a small, and some a medium. However the site makes it pretty easy for you to see what size you want because it gives you the measurements of the garments, as well as the pictured models size and stats.  Overall I have to say I enjoy online shopping, you get unlimited selection, and usually you end up with better prices or deals from buying online, sounds like a win-win situation for my closet, my credit card statement may be another story.

-Adriana Sandu

the time has come the forecasts say....

...for 90's to come back and shine another day!

  Let's face it: the '90s is a cycle we hope fashion skips every year. That being said, some of the most creative outfits and garments were created in the '90s - or as a result of them. Being a '90s child I grew up with some of the coolest trinkets, fashions and music. Seriously though, the 90s were ten whole years of "wear whatever the hell you want" and was a time of full enthusiasm and colour.  There's nothing that we need more in this world right now than a little splash o' the '90s.

While you read and experience a blast from the past, why don't you enjoy the ear orgasm that is Much Dance '95....

I simply want to show all you fearful fashionistas that the '90s are back - for an ATTACK and who knows, maybe this time it will stick?

MyVersion:

"Cruisin Through The Hood" Clueless pullover; Untitled & Co., 717 Queen St W, Toronto

Plaid chiffon skirt and red knee high socks from American Apparel

Yellow hexagon purse found on Karmaloop

White Lonestar platforms by Jeffrey Campbell X Wildfox on Solestruck

(Clueless Collection seen on left side by Wildfox Couture. Collection is available on Wildfox Couture)

Plaids, stripes, argyle, plaid, polka dots, hearts all over, full-on-pattern, and more plaid is all we saw when we watched Clueless the first time. After seeing it again a couple weeks ago - I've realized that some of the Clueless '90s trends never actually died. On a side note,  I've had this outrageous urge to buy the most perfect pair of blue/green/yellow plaid high waisted pants and jacket for 6 months now and I'm sure it's because I subconsciously knew this era was coming back to "haunt" us. However, I still haven't found these pieces so if any of you know where I can find these PLEASE PLEASE let me know! 

Now that's been discussed, we can get back to business. Wildfox Couture has just recently come out with a new collection that is strictly inspired by Cher and her pals. When using Clueless for style inspiration remember the following three key items:

- some sort of all-over pattern on at least 1-2 garments

- a good chunky-heeled platform shoe (try this in a bold solid colour to offset the patterns)

- knee highs/thigh highs are almost mandatory - play off the colours that are used in the patterned garment

Follow these and you should be like, totally hot.

AND!!!

For the rest of my favourite returning '90s trends, hit up my blog here!

Until next time
LeahBradley

Christmas Gifts For The Tech Savvy Special Someone

By: Angela Cole

Christmas Day is just around the corner! Do you have all your shopping done? Me neither.

Here are some stylish (and reasonably priced) tech gifts to help out if you’re stuck for what to get the digitally advanced friend or family member.

Photo Source: www.casetagram.com

A custom smartphone or tablet case: Sites such as Casetagram, Skinit, Gelaskins, and Case Mate all provide the option to have a case made up of photos or designs of your choice. This is a gift that’s practical as well as sentimental. ($25-$40)

Photo Source: http://www.bitemyapple.co

Une Bobine: Office desks can get pretty cluttered from time to time, so why not lessen the mess with a gravity-defying desk stand for your Smartphone. Une Bobine is available in 12 or 24 inches and also works as a USB connector. ($30)

Photo Source: http://www.joeybra.com

The JoeyBra: For the girls, we all know what it’s like to not want to carry items, such as a cell phone or money, to a bar or party. So where do they end up? In our bras. Well, The JoeyBra has taken this idea to a whole new level.  The bra features a kangaroo-like pouch on the left side (underneath the armpit that can easily hold a Smartphone and other small items such as money or ID. ($20-$30)

Photo Source: http://mashable.com/2012/11/07/headphones-built-in-hoodies

INSOUND’s Showcave Sleeveless Hoodie: This innovative sweatshirt by INSOUND is not only stylish, but it comes with built-in headphones. Whether you’re working out or just relaxing, this hoodie keeps your music at an arm’s length. ($40)

Pavlyn Boutique

By: Y-Yen (Bambi) Nguyen

Twitter: @bambi_nguyen

http://www.pavlyn.com

Online shopping today seems to be very popular and now a days everything we see on celebrities is available online, but most of them are based in the USA and we as Canadians have to deal with the shipping fee, paying additional costs when we receive our package etc.

I recently found this website via Twitter called Pavlyn Boutique. I was not sure what it was but hey I like shopping and I like online shopping so why not check it out. To my surprise it was a Canadian online shopping site that was started in 2011 by two best friends, Anna and Maria.

Founders of Pavlyn Boutique

Their website is easy to use and very easy to shop, you can shop by category, designer, celebrity, or the editors pick. They also have a style service that they provide which I find not a lot of online website have. What you is email them  what you are looking for providing as much detail as possible so they can help narrow down an outfit and picks for you.

I am absolutely in love with this website and love the brand that they carry.  For all you fashion and online shopping addicts should definitely check it out.

Website: http://www.pavlyn.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/pavlynboutique

Blog: http://pavlyn.wordpress.com/

Etsy: A Treasury of Fashion

One of the most addicting and my personal favourite website is Etsy.

Etsy is a online shopping website. The main distinguishing feature about Etsy is that it is an online community selling homemade products. Etsy supports small independent vendors. Etsy has many categories to select from to make your search easier, from accessories, clothing, housewares to toys. Etsy has everything your mind can imagine homemade and sometimes items you never ever thought of.

Micro Jean Studded Shorts- $54.00

My personal favourite is the jewelry and clothing sections. On Etsy I can find pieces that are one of kind and order custom made pieces for myself. Knowing no one else has one just like mine makes the extra cost worth it.

Being able to order custom made or made to order pieces is one of Etsy's biggest selling point for me. This can be an amazing thing for people like me who don't always fit normal clothes in stores and custom made pieces fit perfectly.

Wild Winds Mutli-Coloured Hair Piece- $20.00

Lately I have been obsessed with searching Etsy for handmade swimsuits. Summer is just around the corner! Everyone is searching for that one perfect bikini. Getting one of Etsy means no one else on my beach will have the same bathing suit.

Extra High Waist Bottom Swimsuit- $46.00

One of my favourite vendors currently making handmade bikinis that are made to order. The vendor is Mimi Hammer. She is situated in Montreal, Quebec. Buying off her site supports Canadian talent. She makes bathing suits that are fun and original.

All in all Etsy is a fun place to window shop while sitting at home and to order one of a kind pieces for your wardrobe and home.

TTFN,

Louise

The future of fashion magazines?

With the end of school approaching, people are asking me what I want to do when I finish school. When I tell them I want to work for a fashion magazine, one of the most common questions is, "Isn't that kind of a dying field?" While I had never really paid much attention before, I started to realize that there is a rapidly growing number of 'fashion & style' websites that are easily accessible and updated much more frequently than the monthly or quarterly magazines. So I started a little investigation, in 2011 a large number of fashion magazines including Harpers Bazaar, Marie Claire, and Glamour were facing 15-20% declines in sales, but their digital versions weren’t taking off either. If you look at several fashion magazine websites, you will notice that they have incorporated frequently updated fashion news, a live twitter feed, exclusive interviews, and so much more. Its almost as if they are creating a second magazine for just their website content. The Ipad app for numerous fashion magazines provides a convenient way for readers to go through the magazine. These apps are certainly more advanced and where our future is headed, but with online luxury retailer sites like Net-a-Porter, Shopbop, and Shopstyle all providing magazine-like look books with the option to buy the clothing as they view a look, what will fashion magazines do to stand out once they turn completely digital? These online luxury retailer sites have already been so innovative by making a shoppable online fashion magazine that the current magazines will be years behind, and unless they can find something different to offer their readers, they will soon be extinct. Net-a-Porter releases weekly magazines as opposed to monthly or quarterly.

Net-a-Porter Ipad app. Shop while you read.

I have been reading fashion magazines since I was 8. Starting with Seventeen magazine, to the pages of Harper’s Bazaar and Elle (UK editions of course!). For me, nothing beats sitting down with a coffee and a magazine and indulging in the latest trends and creative editorials. One thing you can never do with an Ipad is cutout images and use them for school projects or inspiration boards. So to all of you fashion lovers out there, don’t let the print magazines die! Let me know what you love about your favourite fashion magazines!

The PAST.

The FUTURE.

Next time….

I’ll be writing about trends that need to disappear!

Jamie Duncan

@JamieLDuncan