the perfect shopping companion.

yes, friends, it's back........
the perfect autumn drink - the starbucks pumpkin spice latte.

whenever i bundle up [in cozy layers and faux fur], and that crisp fall air hits me.... i know i need a pumpkin spice latte before i hit my favorite boutiques =)

i wander to my local starbucks [queen and john] and the smell of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling, that yes! fall is here!

fall flare.

just thought i should let everyone know that FLARE's october issue is now out on newstands and you ought to pick one up for yourself :)

the beautiful Christina Hendricks [of Mad Men] is featured on the cover, in a stunning black and white gown and bold red lips... so you surely won't miss it in the sea of magazines.

last week I was lucky enough to attend an exclusive FLARE beauty sale at our office. all of the staff was invited for an hour time-slot where we could peruse every Dior mascara, MAC eyeshadow and Chanel blush that were scattered across an enormous boardroom table. we didn't have long to stash all of our must-have's in our shopping totes, and I thought I might have a minor fashion-induced panic attack. luckily, I made it through, and after making some lovely choices [I snapped up most of MAC's latest Venomous Villian's collection, along with some Lancome self-tanner, and yes...finally, the most perfect glam goth lipstick. I've been wanting oh-so-desperately to pull off a dark pout and been a bit anxious, so with the amazingly affordable price tag and all proceeds going to the "Because I Am a Girl" foundation, I eagerly added it to my beauty haul... I'll post photos of results soon!]

i hope you're all embracing the lovely fall weather, wherever you are, bloggers. this is indeed my favorite season for fashion! from the leather and lace; the leopard print and camel; faux fur, wool and cashmere; and of course the boots [mine are TopShop leather, camel colored combat boots, and Nicole Richie House of Harlow 1960 beaded moccasins] .... i get excited everytime i open a magazine, log into my email for daily updates from Who What Wear, or go for a stroll in Yorkville or the Queen West Fashion District. who am I kidding, I get excited just planning my outfits each evening for the following morning :)

here is a sneak peek at a photo from free people's october 2010 catalog. this company is known for their gorgeous catalogs, stunning styling techniques and beautiful boho-chic apparel. sometimes it feels as though they design their entire collections just for me :)

the clothing show.

on this early autumn morning, I bundled up, put on my new TopShop boots, grabbed a delicious pumpkin spice latte, and made my way to The Clothing Show at Exhibition Park. the main source of my attendance for this shopping venture was that headmistress would have a booth set up!! the HM space was definitely my one-stop source of shopping happiness as well.

i have a great love for [owner/designer] Jillian Wood's feather and fur accessories. they're a definite must-have for any edgy/hippie styled girl [much like myself].

today i spoiled myself with both a fur accessory [the Crowsnest Pass Fur Cuff], along with a feather ring. now i am anxiously waiting for the mailman to call and say he's waiting downstairs with a package from Twisted Muse Boutique in Halifax -- owner and dear friend, Johanna Galipeau ordered me in a couple treats! said package shall contain two more headmistress pieces- the Edgar Lake Faux Fur Headband [top photo on model] and a feather pin to add (when I want to create a different look), the Flatrock Pin [below].

i suggest all of my blog-friends take a peek at this lovely site and let yourself indulge on some beautiful fur and feather finds for yourself!! fur is one of the biggest trends this autumn, so go on, check it out: www.loveheadmistress.com

sammy xx

new york fashion week.

it's begun... the city of new york has been taken over by throngs of designers, photographers, models, reporters, celebrities and fashion-lovers alike. if only i were amongst this group.....ahh, if only. to see the beautiful creations by the likes of zac posen, charlotte ronson, michael kors and vera wang [to name a few] would be a dream come true.

[kelly rowland & ashlee simpsonsit front row @ the BCBG Max Azria show]

i know i can always count on my style icon, Rachel Bilson, to pull out all the stops. first she pairs a flirty floral blouse with tough leather shorts and likely the most amazing pair of peep-toe suede booties i've ever laid eyes on. then she sweeps her hair back, and perfectly pulls off a cream and black fringed wool Chanel dress. the girl knows how to combine edgy and sophisticated better than anyone.

lastly, we've got the two jessica's... canadian supermodel Jessica Stam (currently my favorite model), and gossipgirl star Jessica Szhor (one of my personal favorite style twin's, who does boho-chic like a pro), sitting front row at the Rag & Bone show... i'm curious about two things: one, where can I possibly find these absolutely lust-worthy purple/grey/black/olive suede boots? and two, where did the post office lose my invite to sit front row with these two style mavens?

sammy xx

hippie chic.

can we talk about how absolutely amazing drew barrymore has been looking these days?

not only has she been wearing her hair uber lowkey, what with the dark roots/lighter ends combination, it's also wavy and free flowing... then, on top of that, her style has been spot on! she has been killing the red carpet as of late [promoting her upcoming film, Go The Distance, with real life bf Justin Long], showcasing her edgy style.

i'm loving that she is looking super glam, yet always gives off a certain bohemian je'ne se quoi with all of her outfits.

if i had a choice, at this very moment, she is the celeb whose closet i would most certainly raid.

the EMMY's.

last night was the two-thousand and ten Emmy Awards.

i thought it was only fitting that i do a best-dressed list!

my number one choice [without a doubt] is...

LEA MICHELE
in

OSCAR DE LA RENTA

isn't this navy, ruched and ruffled, modern-mermaid gown absolutely breathtaking?

it's safe to say that lea [on her 24th birthday] will most certainly top any Emmy's best-dressed list this year.number two in her daring, yet stunning red carpet choice...
ANNA PAQUIN

in

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

number three in probably the most show-stopping gown of the evening, from the vivid blue hue; coned chest; the raised hem in front...

JANUARY JONES

in

VERSACE ATELIERnumber four in a simple, but ever-so-sparkly sequined frock...

CLAIRE DANES

in

ARMANI PRIVEnumber five is quirky, and sophisticated and evokes a vintage ladylike feel...

TINA FEY

in

OSCAR DE LA RENTAand honorable mention goes out to these two lovely ladies:

SOFIA VERGARA

in

CAROLINA HERRARA

and

JAYMA MAYS

in

BURBERRY

the big trend of the evening was blue... from lea michele and jayma mays of GLEE, january jones, padma lakshmi of Top Chef, and jane krakowski from 30 Rock, they all sported shades of royal blue and navy... I have to say i'm a huge fan! it was refreshing from the normal sea of black, and was a nice foray into fall.

so, bloggers... who were you favorites?

sammy xx

fall forecast.

hi bloggers! i've been slacking a little bit lately - (sorry!!) but it's summer and i've been a busy lady!

with that said, i think it's best to discuss what comes after summer.... that being, my favorite fashion season of them all: autumn.

finally we can free ourselves from the horrible smog, the heatwaves, the sticky sweat. it's almost time to layer! to wear cute jackets! to put our boots back on and tuck our leggings and tights in them! the colors get darker and the materials get cozier!
i'm sure not all of you are with me on this one, but for all of my fashion friends, i know they agree, fall is the most fabulous.

topping my list of finds for fall two-thousand and ten are:

-a badass, yet girly pair of combat boots (come on, they will go with absolutely everything!)

-long sleeve crop tops (keeping the cropped trend alive, but making it a bit more accessible to those cooler temperatures that will soon be upon us)

-faux fur (i've got my eye on a beautiful faux fur vest from club monaco, once their f/w stock hits the floors)

-fringe bags (picked myself up a black vintage one in halifax, that is covered in not only fringe, but tons of gold and silver studs)

-comfies (yup, leggings -leather or cotton-, trousers and harem sweats are back my friends)

some ladies that i feel deserve some recognition for their stylish ways as of late are:

lo bosworth - working a long sleeve tee in with her summery shorts and wedges

lauren conrad - keeping with the summer mini, but the super long sleeves and army green hue make it perfect for fall

rachel bilson - cropped tee and slouchy pants couldn't look cuter


jessica szhor - stunning in her white skinnies, wedges and amazing peacock earrings

lastly, head mistress (a toronto based company that specializes in fashion forward accessories - anything from hippie head bands, fur cuffs or feathered hair clips), has debuted their f/w 2010 line and it is full of faux fur!! my personal favorite is the edgar lake faux fur headband. girls of toronto: you need to get your hands on one of these super cute pieces before they're all gone... you've been warned.

sammy xx