Queen West Welcomes TSOQ

What happens when a fashion buyer and clothing designer pair up to open their own boutique? Well... as you might guess, it's one haute lil' shop. Toronto fashion designer, Angela Phung, and native British Columbian fashion buyer turned Torontonian, Valentina, joined forces to do just that. The ladies opened the doors to TSOQ: The Store On Queen last Friday and I'm pretty sure the neighbourhood will never be the same.

Both ladies are unapologetically irreverent in their fashion choices and completely individual, unless they're dressed in samesies to show just how versatile their pieces really are. They've infused their eclectic style and love of affordable fashion into the merchandise that adorns the racks, making a fabulous addition to the Queen West strip. 

Here Comes The Sunnies

May 2-4 is the perfect weekend for all stylish shades to make their official debut. Here are six pairs I'm drooling over. 

1. Lumete Templanza Peacock Sunglasses, $220 USD via www.lumete.com

2. Guess Floral Cat Eye Frames, $88 CDN via www.sunglasshut.com

3. Tiffany Garden Sunglasses, $600 via www.tiffany.com

4. Aldo Rister Sunglasses in Peach Yellow, $12 CDN via aldoshoes.com

5. KayTran Eyewear Olivia Sunglasses, $295 CDN via www.kaytran.com

6. Joe Fresh Aviators, $19 CDN in-store at Joe Fresh 


Yes, lovelies, here comes the sun!

-- Tamika Auwai is a fashion-junkie, splurge-a-holic and founder of Shop Socials.


Image credit: Lumete, Guess, Sunglass Hut, Tiffany, Aldo, KayTran Eyewear, Joe Fresh

H&M Fall 2012 Collection Preview

It's Fall preview season in the fashion world as editors have to plan their editorial at least 3-6 months in advance. We are always excited to see what our friends at H&M Canada have in store for us! We bumped into the gorgeous Beckerman Sisters who posed with the model-esque H&M PR Team (above). Hello! Look at all those bright colours. I'm feeling inspired for Spring...but back to Fall. Here are a few fun pieces we spotted coming for Fall 2012 from H&M.

Julio of Fashionights rocks out in this bedazzled cap

Septembre of J'adore Fashion Blog models a sweater for us

These beauties are perfect to pair with a pencil skirt for office life

Gap + Old Navy Fall 2012 Preview

We got a sneak peek at what Gap + Old Navy will be coming out with for Fall 2012 and wanted to share the collection with you. Here are a few of our favourite looks that we snapped at their Toronto showroom last week. I know. It's weird to think Fall, when Summer hasn't even arrived yet.

I never paid much attention to Gap footwear until this recent preview. They're worth a second look and very reasonably priced.

It's all about layers

Sail away in these shorts

Kim Kardashian's Belle Noel Line Arrives @ The Bay

Kim Kardashian embarked upon Toronto last week to promote her jewelry line, Belle Noel.

The reality tv star made an appearance at The Bay, Queen Street on May 10th, drawing a crowd of about 1000+ fans, who were mostly young, female admirers vying for a glance of the beauty, up close and off camera (although plenty of men – and families – could be spotted in the crowd). 

Fashionably late by about 10 minutes, Ms. Kardashian did not disappoint. There were screams, smiles and even some tears, as Ms. Kardashian addressed the crowd and thanked her fans for their support.

All eyes were on Kim as she appeared, clad in a classic Kardashian-style curve-hugging outfit, complete with a statement necklaces, several stacked bracelets and cocktail rings from her own line.

Named Belle Noel (a play on Kim's middle name, Noel) the line launched in the US last year to great success. Its Canadian debut features items from the new spring collection, which consists of large statement pieces reflective of the bright, punchy colours of the season. The line’s focal point is the wishbone, which serves as a source of inspiration for Kim, who is the Creative Director of Belle Noel.

Haute Mama: Tips for New Mom Style

The worst style crisis of my life was not in the early 90s when I obsessed over grungy plaid shirts paired with maroon denim or overalls (one strap down, obviously). It actually came three years ago when I was a brand new mom faced with the first fancy outing post-pregnancy. It was my husband's birthday and his dad was taking us to a very stuffy, award-winning, Italian resto. I probably took two good hours to pull something together but it was rough on my ego. After two months of wearing pants with elastic waists only, I had forgotten how to dress.

Tamika Gets Her Groove Back with Baby circa 2009

Figuring out how to dress your new *ahem* curves, can be a challenge for new moms. Especially since track suits or jammies are the obvious go to when you're sleep-deprived and caring for a new baby round the clock. Just in time for Mother's Day, I wanted to share five key pieces that every new mom needs. So, whether you're expecting, recently hatched, or just hoping to help a friend who might be going through this very turmoil after an invitation to brunch for Sunday, here's what your new Mom needs to reclaim some style this weekend:

Comfortable Shapewear 

I'm sorry these do not look sexy. I'm also sorry they are reminiscent of granny panties. Just pretend you're Betty Draper and go with it. Wearing shapewear whether it's a tank, bike short or just underwear flattens out your tummy and may just get you back into a dress you wore pre-pregnancy. Spanx like these from Evymama.ca are great but I've also found success at Wal-Mart. The trick is to buy one size smaller than you'd wear in regular clothing. The other trick is to wear it under EVERYTHING. I'm not kidding!

Banana Republic Fall 2012 Collection Preview

Just wanted to give you a small preview of what we saw at The Banana Republic Showroom last week for Fall 2012. Lots of dramatic deep burgundies with pops of bright colour taking on more rustic tones like the country yellow above.

The Blair Waldorf headband carries on with cute feather fascinators. We're loving the gold chain headband on the right. Perfect for the days when you can't be bothered to do your hair. Pop it into a pony and add one of these cute headbands.

Colourful scarves, animal prints and suede wristlets. We know it's crazy that we're looking at Fall clothes - but it's still fun for us to have a peek.

How-To Wear Palazzo Pants

As always, fashion is a revolving door and it seems that palazzo pants have come a knocking once again. As a thirty-something still on the quest to lose a few more pounds, I'm secretly happy to see wider, flowing pants in style when the world's been a sea of skinny jeans. 

The new silhouette may seem a little overwhelming (tons of fabric and all), but palazzo pants are so easy to style, and work in a number of really different looks. If you don't believe me, check out the asos.com pants shown above. Those are the similar pants in colour and style but the outfits work for two separate looks just by switching up the top and accessories. A bright striped tee makes the look super relaxed, while a tucked in blouse and pumps creates a polished evening look. 

       

If you're going for a super trendy look, try bright on bright like this look from Forever21.com, or, go the pastel route with a made to order pair from Etsy. 

Guess Celebrates 30 Years of Sexy

Guess celebrated its 30th Anniversary on Thursday April 26th, 2012 at the flagship store on Queen Street West in Toronto. With the help of FLARE magazine, the invite-only event served up champagne and hors d'oeuvres to fashion insiders eager to see the 30th Anniversary Capsule Collection.  

The 30th Anniversary Capsule Collection reinvents a number of pieces from Guess’ past including the lace corset famously worn by Claudia Schiffer and the daisy pant worn by Eva Herzigova. The featured pieces that were modelled at the event were some of the most attention grabbing items from the collection, including a white button-up shirt and gingham sleeveless top, both worn tied at the waist.

Guess spokesperson, Greg Moreau mentioned that Guess is the kind of place where young, sexy and adventurous women shop to find clothes to wear out for cocktails with their girlfriends on a Friday night.  It’s where hip and urban girls can go to find the “it” items in their wardrobe.  

We Style Our Prom Queen At The Corsage Project!

My prom buddy, Shefat in her brand new dress

People always tell me that prom is lame. But I think prom is that one excuse to dress up in a ridiculously awesome dress, eat a fancy dinner with your friends and shake your booty  away. It's the goodbye party of all goodbye parties. You survived high school and that my friend, deserves one serious party. Going to prom can also be ridiculously expensive. The Corsage Project gets that and they're in the business of making prom dreams happen. They provide 275+ formal gowns and accessories to Toronto area girls who are unable to purchase their own attire. The organization is now in its 12th year and students are confidentially referred by guidance counsellors, Children's Aid, teachers or social workers.

The Glam Squad

I was honoured to volunteer at this year's Boutique Ball as a personal stylist, along with fellow fashion peeps Leesa Butler and Gail McInnes (above). We arrived at the Toronto Reference Library for the afternoon shift, where we would help a lucky guest pick out her prom dress, shoes, earrings, necklace, bracelet, clutch and pashmina. We had our work cut out for us because as soon as the doors opened, it was a fashion frenzy!

Rack after rack of brand new formal dresses were donated by various sponsors such as Laura, Want Boutique, French Connection, The Room at The Bay and Le Chateau. All of them are organized by size and colour. Once I met my prom queen, Shefat (a senior at Danforth Tech) we quickly hit the racks while she told me about her dream of a short and poufy prom dress. Maybe in pink?

Fit To Be Styled

Sassy Dress

This spring sporting cool athletic gear whether you're at the gym or not is a huge trend. Not being a sporty girl myself, I wasn't too sure about the look, until I came across two Canadian active wear designers who make getting fit look so very stylish. 

Exhibit A - The DivaGirl x Titika Collection. Features feminine dance inspired gear that's cute enough to hit the streets after your ballet booty barre work-out. 

B-Boy Pants

Fashion Takes Action At The Green Living Show

I have a whole new mindset about eco-fashion after attending the Fashion Takes Action event at The Green Living Show. I had no idea that these clothes were so stylish and beautiful, with the added bonus of being environmentally friendly. Here are a few highlights from the show:

Spring makes an entrance with these bright coloured dresses

Looking bold as brass in this outfit

This outfit is perfect for a day at the office or a night out for drinks

You Can Stand Under My Umbrella

No clouds in your storms? If you feel a drizzle coming on, we suggest one of these high quality and stylish umbrellas from Fulton. We got a peek at their Spring/Summer 2012 collection this month and spotted a few favourites ranging in price from $20-80. I also learned that the company has been shielding people from the rain since it was founded in London, England in 1956. Fulton is still family owned and operated with third generation umbrella maker, Richard Igra at the helm in Canada.

I picked out a polka dot birdcage design for myself, it does an exceptional job protecting you from the elements because of how low the umbrella actually extends down to. Julio (below, right) also loves the birdcage design and the pop of colour on the band. It's also fairly priced at $26. I tend to hang on to an umbrella for at least five years or more and I am really sick of the cheap ones that don't work, break quickly or barely keep you dry.

The Fulton Birdcage Umbrella is a favourite of the Queen Mum. She is a fan of the see-through design that allows her to see the public and for them to see her, while protecting those curls from humidity and moisture. It's the official umbrella brand of the British Royal Family. So hey, if it's good enough for the Queen...

Nailing The Polished Look For Spring

I'm having trouble dressing for the weather these days. Sun doesn't always mean I can get away with pumps or flats sans socks, and wind storms don't always justify my winter parka. Until mother nature chooses to keep things consistent, I plan to keep the spring in my step with a swipe of this season's lush polishes so I thought I'd share what's on my finger tips these days.

Most of the spring shades fall into 4 basic colour groupings: 

The Greens... Essie Navigate Her, OPI Did It On 'Em, Butter London Bossy Boots.

The Teals... OPI Fly, Butter London Slapper

The Pinks & Oranges... OPI Kiss Me On My Tulips, Essie Tour De Finance, Essie Orange It's Obvious

The Corals... Butter London Trout Pout *must have*, Essie A Crewed Interest

Hip + Urban Store - Eye Love Brow & Beauty Bar

Looking for an expert in Toronto to clean up your eyebrows? We found the perfect place. Eye Love Brow & Beauty Bar invited me in for a brow consult and shaping ($30 for 30 minutes) to help me figure out what the heck to do with my sparse Asian eyebrows. Sure there's not much happening up there but my brows seemed to lack shape and definition. Mary came to my rescue with her brand new brow shop which just opened in January 2012.

In her second floor studio, Mary also offers makeovers, beauty lessons and make up application for your big night out (from $40-$65). Besides being a brow expert, Mary is a professional make up artist. In addition to brow shaping - lash & brow tinting and facial waxing are also available (from $10-$25) so you can get everything taken care of at once.

Stylin' in the Rain

It's been pretty dry in the sky of late but we all know April showers are soon to fall. You'll be begging for a down pour with our favourite boots, coats and brellies.

Embrace your girly side with sweet rainy day bow flats by J.Crew, $68, a lace print, scallop-edged rain coat from Free People, $87.93, and a bouquet umbrella by Cheeky Umbrella, $42.

Signal a sixties revival with glossy buckled boots from Reitmans, $36, a retro geometric rain coat by Canadian label Soia & Kyo, $200 at Simons and a mod umbrella complete with fringe trim and lucite handle from Rain Co., $25 by Vancouver Umbrella.