Category Archives: Fashion in General

when I don’t know what else to categorize it as!

The Completion of an Outfit

02/20/2013

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20130220-143330.jpgAn outfit isn’t “an outfit” until all the pieces are put together. It’s the accessories that finish off the entire look.

Above you can see me mixing silver and gold, black and white and a hit of red. It’s always nice to have a pop of colour when you’re wearing back and white!

This “finishing off the look” can be the most challenging for most, but I assure you if you read my post; The Accessory Basics Every Woman Should Own, you will have a great head start. Don’t be shy when experimenting with accessories too. I always recommend being bold with your outfit add-on’s. Accessories are the easiest and cheapest way to update your wardrobe! So go out and buy that scarf in this Spring’s hottest new colour, cobalt blue or neon orange!

Follow me on Facebook for more tips and tricks on how to complete your wardrobe.

 

 

The Accessory Basics Every Women Should Own

01/27/2013

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13 Accessory Basics

Your accessories can make or break your outfit. They’re the icing on the cake; you can’t finish your outfit without accessories. Did you know that there are a few outfit add-on’s that should every women should own? Below is a list of 13 Accessory Basics Every Women Should Own and rotate into her everyday wardrobe.

1. A Brown Belt

Skinny Brown Belt

2. Black Braided Skinny Belt

Braided black Belt

3. Black and Brown flats

Brown Oxford Flats

4. Black pumps

YSL Black Pumps

5. Black and Brown boots

Black and Brown Boots

6. A black scarf

Black Scarf Leather Jacket

7. A printed scarf

Printed Scarves

8. A short silver and a short gold necklace

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9. A long silver and a long gold necklace

Basic Silver Long Chain Necklace

10. A Black and a Brown Purse

Black or Brown Purse

11. Opaque black tights

Pumps with Black Tights

12. Clear nail polish and red nail polish

Revlon Nail Polish

13. Your favorite pair of sunglasses

Michael Kors Sunglasses

I recommend that all ladies try own most of these items. They wont ever go out of style if you keep them simple, so spend a little extra on quality. If you’re purchasing trendy items I recommend not spending too much, because you never know how long you’re actually going to wear them.

Want more fashion tips? Follow Black is the New Black on Facebook! 

A Little Pin-Spiration

01/13/2013

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Love the lipstick: Screen Shot 2013-01-11 at 5.54.03 PM

I want to live here: Screen Shot 2013-01-11 at 6.02.35 PM

A little encouragement: Screen Shot 2013-01-11 at 5.59.27 PM

Beautiful make-up: Screen Shot 2013-01-11 at 5.55.49 PM

Love this indoor space:Screen Shot 2013-01-11 at 5.54.52 PM

Style crush:             Screen Shot 2013-01-11 at 5.56.04 PM

Hair crush:    Screen Shot 2013-01-11 at 6.00.47 PM

I want to curl up here: Screen Shot 2013-01-11 at 5.56.59 PM

Road Trip anyone? Screen Shot 2013-01-11 at 6.00.06 PM

Anyone else excited for season 2 of Girls? I’ve got a major girl crush on Lena Dunham right now:

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Happy Holidays

12/24/2012

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20121224-114956.jpgHope that you can enjoy a wonderful, happy Christmas with your friends and family. I wish you a safe and FUN New Year!

As you can see from the picture above, I am spending Christmas with my family in Manitoba, freezing my butt off! I’ve lost my thick winter skin since moving to Vancouver! We are having a great Christmas so far! I look forward to sharing more fashionable tips and tricks with you in the New Year!

The Goodbye of Gossip Girl XOXO

12/18/2012

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GossipGirl2006

Have you been a die-hard Gossip Girl fan from the beginning? When Dan first laid eyes on Serena at the train station, when Blair realized Serena was with Nate behind her back, when Jenny hardly wore any make-up, when whats-her-face Vanessa still existed?! They were so young 6 years ago, and we grew up along with them.

Gossip Girl Cast young

I can’t decide what I am going to be missing the most, the magnetic chemistry of Chuck and Blair, Serena’s fashion, Dan’s jaw line and ever changing hairstyle, or all the surprise guest appearances by people from Rachel Zoe to Florence and The Machine…

If you haven’t watched the GG finale yet stop here, SPOILER ALERT!

What did you think of the finale? Was it every thing you had hoped for? I kinda wished that it was a full 2 hour episode. Even though it was lovely to see the cast chat about their characters, and hear to Ed Westwick talk in his real voice, 2 hours would have been nice. But I’ll take what I can get.

Did you predict who Gossip Girl was? My money was on Jenny, but Dan totally makes sense. Dan is the writer and all! And what did we think of TWO weddings within one hour? I must say, Chuck and Blair didn’t hold a candle to Dan and Serena; FOR ONCE!

Chuck with Son

Not sure how I feel about Chuck and Blair having a little 4-year-old running around, (did you picture them having kids?) seeing Jack and Georgina get cozy, and realizing that it took Dan and Serena that long to tie the knot. The “cutsy” happily ever after ending took me a bit off guard. I mean, I’m glad they wrapped everything up in a nice little bow, but what’s Gossip Girl without a little shock and drama?

Chuck and Blair Wedding

Did anyone else think that kiss was a little weak for Chuck and Blair? Also, NO ONE should wear a baby blue and white tux. Not even Chuck. However, Blair looked absolutely stunning in Elie Saab!

Dan and Serena

Now Dan, when he entered the room in that killer suit with his hair slicked back, WOW. Than Serena, in typical fashion, comes out in a borderline “too flashy” wedding dress; another WOW. Did anyone else think it’s a little bitter-sweet these two aren’t together in real life anymore? (Not that I’m not happy for Blake and Ryan)

So now I’m not sure what is going to fill my Monday night with teen drama? I feel the need to clarify, I am no longer a teenager but something about this New York fantasy world of drama has always appealed to me. (Sex in the City anyone?) I’m trying the show Revenge on for size; the Hampton’s are close to New York right? I’m curious what Carrie Diaries is going to be like. The trailers look terrible, I’m going to hope it’s not!

Will you too be grieving the loss of Gossip Girl? What will you miss the most? Who will you miss the most?

XOXO Gossip Girl

3 Stores to Get Jeans Under $100, Plus Denim Purchasing Tips!

12/05/2012

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Screen Shot 2012-12-05 at 3.25.39 PM

I’m always on the hunt for great jeans. With denim being such staple in my wardrobe and I’m sure your’s too, I think they should be trendy, comfortable and affordable. When I go shopping here in Vancouver, I have a few staple stores that I head to when looking for jeans.

1. Top Shop

Screen Shot 2012-12-05 at 2.14.17 PMTop Shop’s denim ranges from $60-$90, which is a very fair price for denim. At The Bay, in downtown Vancouver, the Top Shop store is located in the basement, and their denim is nicely organized in one section of the store. They have a ton of different colours, their skinny jeans are actually skinny no matter what the waist size, (being curvy, I find a lot of denim makers think the larger the hip the fatter the legs, which makes for more of a straight leg than a skinny leg!) and they have great stretch with lots of different rise options. If you’re looking for high-rise jeans, this is the place to go!

2. H&M

Screen Shot 2012-12-05 at 2.22.59 PMH&M is great when you are on a budget. Their denim ranges from $20-$60. At that price, you can’t go wrong! They have lots of trendy styles, and a variety of different fits. The main disadvantage when denim shopping at H&M is customer service. Trying denim is like trying on bras, you don’t want to be constantly running in and out of the change room hunting for your size, that is the job of the sales person! However, the reason H&M keep their costs that low, is partially because you are paying for something to be mass-produced with minimal sales costs. So, just be prepared to hunt down styles on your own when at H&M. I’d also suggest bringing all the sizes you think you might need into the changing room with you, just so you don’t have to keep running all over the store while trying on.

3. Urban Outfitters

Screen Shot 2012-12-05 at 2.42.02 PMUrban Outfitters in the place to go for high fashion, trendy jeans. They do not carry a ton of basics. But that’s not really their specialty! Their in-store brand, BDG ranges from $40-$70. They also carry other brands like Cheep Monday, Levi’s and Silence & Noise. What I like about Urban Outfitters is that I know I can find styles that I see in magazines. They’re really on top of trends. The only issue for I’ve noticed with their BDG denim is the fact that the fit isn’t consistent. Some washes have less stretch but are still labelled to have the same fit. Ultimately, Urban Outfitters is a great first stop since they have such a huge selection with a wide range of fits and styles!

Here are a few final tips when denim shopping:

  • When trying on denim, always ask the sales associates if they stretch out. Most denim these days has spandex in it, which is great, but often can lead to stretching up to 1-2 full sizes! If it has a large percentage of stretch, (look at the label, anything above 3% is pretty high) then try to go down a size.
  • Always fit your denim to the widest part of your body. If that’s your booty, then make sure you invest in a good, cute belt, as I’m sure you’ve experienced a bit of gaping at the waist. Also, try different rises, as this may help eleviate the gaping problem!
  • If you have any insecurities about your stomach, or you just don’t like pulling up your pants all day long, you should consider buying a higher rise. You don’t HAVE to tuck your shirt in with this style to get the benefits of your denim holding everything in for you! Although, it does look pretty cute with a tucked in top!
  • As soon as you purchase, walk your new pair over to your nearest tailor. All shopping malls have a tailor! The chances of your denim being the perfect length are very rare. You want your jeans to graze the floor when barefoot.
  • Consider how skinny the calves are, and how you want to wear this pair. Do you want to tuck them into a cute pair of boots? Then make sure they stay skinny all they way to the ankle. No one likes uncomfortable bunching inside their boots!
  • Right now, skinny jeans, vintage flares and straight leg boyfriend jeans are in style. If you are still wearing your mid-rinse boot cut jeans, please donate them! EVERYONE can wear skinny jeans, you just have to find the pair that’s right for you, and style it with the perfect top! See my previous post here for more details and here, for styling tips.

Where do you like to shop for jeans? Have you ever dared to purchase a pair online? If you want more shopping tips and ideas please take the time to follow me on Twitter! 

Reader Question: How do I wear oversize cowls?

11/21/2012

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“I’m liking the new crochet cowls with the big wooden buttons, but how or what do I wear them with?”-Jamie-Lee

There are a few things to think of when purchasing a cowl. Here are my questions for you:

1. Are you wearing it for warmth from the outdoors?

If you are from a cold Canadian province, you may want to consider wearing a nice chunky cowl. If it’s large enough, it could be multi-purposed into a hood, and if it’s wool, it wont absorb wet snow or rain. That is something key to look for! But don’t match this cowl to your outfit, match this cowl to your coat, because I’m sure it will be too warm indoors for you to want to rock a heavy wool cowl.

2. Are you wanting to make a fashion statement?

If you are wearing your scarf to make a statement, then you WILL want to match your outfit. Go for something that is a bit more lightweight. The challenge with wearing cowls with your outfit, is that they tend to work like a turtle neck, which aren’t the most flattering look. If you have a lovely long neck, you can get a cowl that is shorter and goes up to your chin. If you aren’t blessed with a long neck, go for the more flattering alternative, an infinity (or circle) scarf. You can wrap it longer, and still show some neck with this look.

Don’t forget, you’re already making a statement by wearing such a big fun scarf around your neck, so bring it home by being bold with colour too!

3. Are you sensitive to fabrication?

This is something logical to think about. Can you handle wool that close to your face? If you can’t, consider looking for something softer like silk, cotton or cashmere. They’re harder to come by, but they’re out there! And, if you’re wanting something trendy that will only last for one season, by all means, do acrylic. Acrylic is a cheaper synthetic fabric that pills, but if you’re dollar conscious and not concerned about longevity then acrylic is for you.

My last few tips:

  • I’d suggest getting a colour that brings out your eyes and flatters your skin tone, especially since it’s so close to your face.
  • Scarves like these are casual, so don’t wear it them with your pretty party dress! Pair with your favorite jeans and a T, and make sure you play up the arm candy! You can get some cute bracelets if you click here.
  • If you’ve got long hair, chunky scarves look better with your hair up, if you have shorter hair, go nuts!
  • Most importantly, have fun with fashion. You don’t need to over-think it. If you feel good, then you probably look good too!

The last three images were provided by my new favorite Etsy store: Yokoo.

Last but not least, if you haven’t checked it out yet, click on my page BY Black is the New Black. I’m showcasing a few of my creations that are available for purchase too!

 

2012 Women’s Sweater Trends

11/13/2012

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Sweaters are all the craze this season. Have you found your perfect sweater yet? If not, here are a few trend ideas that will help you weed out the good, and pick out the most stylish pieces!

The Oversize Sweater:

The Classic Pullover:

The Animal Sweater:

The “Party In The Back” Sweater:

The Burgundy (Oxblood) Cardigan:

The Ripped Sweater:

The High-Low Sweater:

Men’s Fall Outfit Pin-Spiration!

10/30/2012

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Since the ladies got a post on Fall outfits inspired by Pinterest, I thought my male readers should get one too! Yes, men are on Pinterest, however I don’t think they get as neurotic and obsessed as us women do! A little secret for my man friends, if you want to impress your girlfriend/sister/mother/boyfriend- go on their Pinterest page! You’d be surprised how easy it is to find that perfect gift or how much you could get to know about her just by doing a little online creeping!

Have you ever looked to Pinterest for style inspiration? If you’d like to follow me on Pinterst click here. 

 

 

Some Fall Outfit Pin-Spiration!

10/29/2012

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Pinterest is a source for many of my outfit ideas. If you haven’t gotten addicted to Pinterest yet, you must be hiding under a rock…or you’re a dude. This post is all about some awesome outfit creations I’ve come across recently. Hopefully it inspires you to re-look at your closet and make some cute fall outfits!

The repurposed maxi skirt is so fun. I love wearing my long skirts and dresses in summer, and these are some great ideas on how to bring them into my fall and winter wardrobe. I’d suggest wearing tights and ankle booties under the skirt, for some added warmth!

I am in love with using plaid as the new layering piece. I like styling it as a cardigan or do four layers; tank top, plaid, cardigan, and jacket. Make sure when doing a looser layer on top that you are wearing a fitted bottom, like in both these photos.

I’m loving all the arm candy! Just because you’re wearing long sleeves doesn’t mean you need to stop wearing bracelets. In fact, go for bolder, larger pieces to get more attention!

I am in LOVE with both of these looks. These outfits just gave me some great ideas for new ways to layer. Mixing denim is so in right now, and these photos show two great ways you can bring your summer denim shirt into fall.

Loving these two street-chique looks. Coloured denim is a trend that is even bigger this year, and these two shades are hot hot hot for fall! (I must admit I have both shades myself!)

Follow me here, and you can see at the latest little gems I am pinning!

 

For The Love Of Oxblood

10/22/2012

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For The Love Of Oxblood

Peplum dress, 130 CAD / Embellished top, 79 CAD / AllSaints leather biker jacket, 545 CAD / Rich & Skinny super skinny jeans / Mid heels, 395 CAD / Leather shoes, 89 CAD / Alexander Wang leather tote bag, 915 CAD / Alexander McQueen enamel jewelry, 125 CAD / CÉLINE sunglasses, 275 CAD / Wool hat, 51 CAD / NARS Cosmetics matte lipstick, 25 CAD

Oxblood is the hottest colour this season, and the reason it’s caught on so big is because everyone can wear it! If you have a cool skin tone, look for a more purple based oxblood and if you have a warm skin tone look for a more orange/rust based shade.

I wouldn’t suggest rocking this colour head to toe, but pick a piece or two and pair with your favorite neutrals. I enjoy oxblood paired with leopard print! Have you purchased something in this colour yet? I myself purchased some jeans, nail polish and lipstick in this shade!