PRINTASTIC

Everyone has the winter blues, so why not cheer yourself up with upcoming Spring 2013 Trends. From silky dresses to skinny jeans, head scarves to totes this Spring Trend is going to be PRINTASTIC.

Although I am a Fashionista, I am very money conscious. Finding the 2013 Spring trends, but at prices that don't hurt your wallet is my forte.  

Hit the spot in these sweet mint skinny jeans featuring a black dot print

Nasty Gal - C$48.26

Ankle-length crepe pants with a printed design at sides.

Perfect to transition into summer as well!

H&M - C$34.95

H&

Set sail for swim season in a nautical anchor print

J.Crew - C$54.00

Shift Dress With Frill Shoulder In Floral Print

ASOS - C$64.43

Mustard Strips scarf

Can be warn as a scarf, belt or around the head, or Worn in a billowing bow around your neck

Modcloth - C$7.99

Get in bloom with this super cute black knit featuring a white daisy print. Ribbed at neckline, cuff and hem. Loose fit. Looks perfect paired with cutoffs and circle shades!
Nastygal - C$50 

For more great deals on Trendy Items Visit Click Here.

- kayla Palmer x

Legs for Days! The Key to Rocking Shorts Year Long

Living in a four season climate makes transitioning wardrobe pieces much more challenging, especially with the recent storm we got hit with in Toronto! Despite the chilly weather, I've always been a big fan of integrating shorts into my winter wardrobe - typically with a pair of patterned or colored tights. This upcoming spring/summer season is one that is reaching new lengths, with the return of Bermuda shorts and short suits (blazer/short combo). I'm guessing many of you thought what I initially had when reading 'bermuda shorts' but seeing all the amazingly styled runway looks has gotten me pretty close to investing in a pair. Although, realistically I know this is an incredibly hard trend to pull off without looking stumpy or drawing attention to unwanted areas. And I've always been a firm believer of dressing for one's body type and not adapting a trend just for the sake of looking current. There are many ways to emulate the trend in more flattering ways or opting for some other trends that you enjoy just as much and are more suited for your body and style.

Take a look at my favorite looks from the runway - it was so tough to narrow it down to only three looks:

Note My (along with the rest of the world's) Obsession Cara on the Right, She Can Seriously Rock Anything!

And here are some swoon worthy picks to help you transition from winter to spring in style:

Tartan Denim Shorts, Suede Shorts, Stripe Shorts, Yuri Short, Tile Print Cotton Poplin Shorts, Jodie Rocking Stretch Silk Shorts

This season's trends can be tricky but with my three commandments you'll have no trouble sporting these leg baring trends. Check them out below:

1. Be aware of the length of the shorts you are wearing. Too short and you could be on the brink of a wardrobe malfunction (unfortunately shorts were extra 'cheeky' last summer) or too long and it could leave you looking like a short log. Remedy this by being aware of where your lines hit on your body (by lines I mean hems), wherever it ends is where a 'cut off' point will be formed. This will either create a lengthening or shortening effect depending on where you are designating for people's eye lines to end.

• The shorter the length, the longer your legs will seem and vice versa. Also be wary of how certain lengths will work for certain occasions better than others and the impression your outfit creates. 

2. Always take fabrication into consideration. The darker, thicker and more textured the fabric the more likely it is suited for winter and the lighter, thinner and less textured the fabric is, the better suited for warmer weather.

3. A good rule of thumb to dress by is loose and fitted or/and short and long. Like I mentioned above, balance is so important to any outfit. I try to balance out a pair of more fitted shorts with options like over-sized blazers, sweaters and tees - which also balances out the skin to clothing ratio. (Yes, this is something to think about. I typically say if I'm showing legs, I'll cover my arms and same goes for the rest. Although, there are some unbearably hot days where I'll be caught bare legged and armed.)

How are you guys pairing up your winter shorts? Will you be adapting any of the new spring trends?

Until next time,

Kelly

For more inspiration and tips head over to The3Commandments for some awesome fashion, pabulum and travel. 

Trend Alert: Spring 2013 by BLAK-I

By Cintia Lopez de Freitas

Diego Fuchs and Helder Aguiar met at the Academy of Design while studying Fashion Design in 2003. Their brand BLAK-I was created in 2010 and it has evolved throughout the years into a lifestyle for women that know what they want and “don’t really give a damn”.

The new Spring 2013 “#theNüBLAKI” collection was shown on October 15, at Brennen Demelo Studios, a very intimate and cozy venue. While waiting for the show to start, I noticed two ladies sitting patiently close to a wall, quietly watching the excited crowd. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to get their take on what was about to happen.

Turns out the two ladies were respectively the mother and aunt of Helder Aguiar. They were happy to tell me a little about their Portuguese background and how proud they are of both Helder and Fuchs’ work. When the show began, I rushed to the front of the runway space to get some photos and as I was leaving, they called and asked me to come back after the show so they could introduce me to the designers.  How cute, seriously?!

The collection was beautiful. It was great to see trends such as asymmetry and transparency in clothes that every downtown girl will need to have in their wardrobes. The fact most looks were quite basic made the collection that much more interesting to me, probably because I find “basic” to be my personal style. In terms of colors, there was a lot of black and blush pink – a combination that can’t really go wrong. What I loved the most was the way the draped dresses and tops would flow as the models walked. Truly stunning.

After the show, as promised, I got to meet both designers. As most students, when Diego and Helder graduated from the Academy, they knew the direction they wanted to go, but decided to work with local designers first so they could build their knowledge in the business before starting their own.

When BLAK-I was created, the target of the brand wasn’t directly on women as it is now, but both women and men. Soon, the designers understood that it would be better to drop the menswear and put all efforts into womens’, at least as a starting point. A smart move, in my point of view, because according to Helder, this decision allowed them to focus on producing and delivering exactly what they wanted to as a brand. So for all desperate last-term students: things can change and evolve! We don’t need to have everything figured out all the time!

Tangerine Dreams

Every year when spring rolls around I have a sudden overwhelming urge to go on anorange binge. So far I've dyed my Rag & Bone jeans orange, due to a nasty red sock in the laundry incident, I've been coveting the neon orange Cambridge Satchel and I pulled out my favourite Nars blush in Taj Mahal.
So when I ventured into Sephora to purchase my essentials,  I almost had a product-gasm when I saw Sephora and Pantone decided to make babies!
The entire line is incredible, from blushes, brushes, nail polishes to eye shadows, OH MY! The Sephora + Pantone Universe, Colour of the Year collection promises AND delivers the effect of a sun kissed glow months before I'm ready to give up Onion Dressing...
The shinning star of the collection as far as I'm concerned is TANGERINE TANGOcream lipstick. It goes on like silk and it's sheer-ish coverage let's you play with the impact of the colour. Put on a little and you look like maybe you've been having hot make-out session with an orange, add lipliner and gloss to the mix and you get a polished alternative to the classic red lip.
I still have a laundry list of orange spring acquisitions, but at least I can check off juicy kissable lips from my list!
You can check out the entire collection here Sephora+Pantone.

Seasonal Transitions

I would consider February the most exciting month of the year. Why you ask? Take a look around. What do you see? The disappearance of dark, dreary clothing, and the emergence of exciting, fresh, desirable, Spring merchandise. From coloured pants to cropped tops, to the most gorgeous florals, one can’t help but feel a ting of excitement when entering any fashion store. The problem is, the hideous weather continues, so although the spring clothing is readily available, we as consumers are not ready to purchase. Many people find it difficult to transition their wardrobe from Winter to Spring. It is such a large shift that combining both Winter clothing and Spring clothing may seem impossible to the average shopper, but, it is easier than you think.

There are techniques to begin incorporating your most exciting Spring pieces, while continuing to wear your neutral Winter clothing. Begin by pairing opaque black nylons and thigh high leather boots with a bright coloured, sleeveless, lightweight dress, and a black blazer. The bright colour introduces Spring, while the black nylons and blazer stay true to Winter hues. Don’t feel like bringing out the Spring dresses just yet? Try dark denim with a black long-sleeved blouse and a colourful, floral printed scarf. This outfit shouts “I love Winter!” with a hint of “I need Spring!” My favourite transitions technique has to be incorporating bright colours in the oddest places. Try pairing a black maxi dress with a neon orange cropped cardigan, a chunky pink necklace, and a pair of green sling-back suede wedges. This outfit will definitely make a statement, and ensure your audience that you are balancing two seasons, in the most fashionable way.
Good Luck transitioning!
Sabrina