Snowbunnies

Joe Mimran, a heavyweight in the Canadian fashion world and probably best known for co-founding Club Monaco, showed off the Fall 2009 collection from his Joe Fresh line at LG Fashion Week in Toronto earlier this year. Although I have doubts as to whether this down skirt would look good on anyone who is not model sized, there is something quite cute and innocent about it:

From Joe Fresh

Retro styling

I really like this little purse, from the vintage design to the beading to the wooden disc on the front. Although it's not shown in the picture, the bag has two metal rings on either side, to which the scarf-like handle is tied. Perfect for a summer evening on a patio!

Beaded flower print bag from Jamin Puech

Sweetness

It's about time I mention my jewellery line since I feature pretty things left and right anyway. And there's no better time to start since I am, in a way, writing about someone who likes the Kirsten earrings from my shop at aileen.etsy.com.

I got a message from Melissa, who was lucky enough to snag an Etsy treasury listing, which is a short term member-curated gallery to feature whichever items they want. And she chose my earrings! Here is a screenshot of her lovely gallery:


I was pretty excited to discover that Melissa also has her own shop of pretty things and I love this adorable crocheted hat with a satin bow:

Whipped cream from Crocheted4Kids

iWant

With the gamut of iPod chargers and docking stations available on the market, it can be hard to find something truly unique. Then along comes this ingenious piece... Made with wood from a forest in New York, this charger fits all iPod devices aside from the shuffle.

iPhone/iPod docking station from woodtec

In the wild

Sure, it's easy to get toys or clothes when you are invited to a baby shower, but why not find something that the adults can love too? These cute animal pillows are made with wool felt and are available individually or as a set.

Animal attraction pillows from Modern Dose

Bandage me up, please!

One shoulder dresses have always been at the bottom of my dress style list, along with bubble dresses and pouffy eighties prom dresses, but this black and white frock is truly stylish and sexy:

Assymmetric bandage dress from Hervé Léger

How's this for healthy?

I consider myself to be a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to instant noodles since I have tried a lot of the stuff. Oh, I turn my nose up at Mr. Noodles and other western store brand varieties, but if you take me to an Asian grocery store, I could kill serious time in the noodle aisle.

So I am very excited to share my new favourite, which comes from a major snack product giant. It has a fish soup base, is not fried (a rarity in the instant noodle world), and does not contain MSG. Although the writing is in Korean, the North American packaging has English and the name is the Korean onomatopeia for slurping:

HooRooRook from Nong Shim

Lace and l'amour

Lace is usually associated with weddings, nuns, and boudoir fun (what a combination!), but there are other ways to use it, like in this beautiful fan. I can just picture the titular character from Bizet's Carmen swishing this about and she flirts with Don José.

Red lace fan from El Havanico

Lounge affair

There is something incredibly indulgent about spending the entire day in pajamas. Whether anything is accomplished or not, it makes the time much more relaxing. These black and white hipster bottoms with wide legs would be perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon:

Promenade pant from Kushcush

Let there be light

My fascination with lighting did not surface until I visited my friend Tania in Toronto last May. When we were shopping along Queen Street East, I noticed a lighting store and was transfixed by the beautiful designs I saw through the window. Unfortunately the store was closed that day, but I knew right away that if I lived in Toronto I would pick my lighting from there.

This glamourous long chandelier from the Luminous collection suits me well because it combines simplicity with a little, (okay, a lot of) sparkle. Perfect for a dining room table!

Crystal chandelier from Vienna Full Spectrum

For the dames

Love the look of cat eye glasses but don't want to look like a librarian? This adorable black acrylic ring just may be the thing then!

Spectacles ring from Isette
PS - The shop also carries an equally amusing mustache ring!

Bat this!

I find fascinators fascinating. There's something about the feathers, sometimes the lace or tulle, and the obligatory floofiness of the whole design. If I was a cat I might bat at them. And I would definitely bat at this one since it matches a dress I will be wearing to a wedding in August:

Sin roses on comb from Monsoon

Trip to Brazil

The Brazilians really know how to start trends, from bikinis to, well, the brazilian! This sizzling two-piece has a croc print and the halter can be worn around the neck or criss-cross like this:

Britney from Poko Pano Couture by Paola Robba

Eye candy

Eyewear is truly my best friend and my worst enemy. I got my first pair of glasses at age nine and aside from the occasional pair of contacts, I have worn frames ever since. Laser surgery is not happening in the near or distant future, so I have made peace with the dents on either side of the bridge of my nose. In the last few years, dark plastic frames have been my calling card, but these ones in "pink" are super pretty (as are the ones in "havana" and "mandarine"):

Model 2929 from Gucci

Tie me up, pin me down

Accessories are like the icing on a cupcake: done wrong and it can ruin everything. But done right, it pulls your whole image together. Pair this ring with a little black dress for example... The 18kt white gold and pavé diamonds means you are serious about quality, but the design shows you don't always take things too seriously.

Safety pin ring from Ileana Makri

Fallen leaves

Although it was meant to be a short wedding dress, I think it would also work as a cute frock for any fancy occasion. My favourite part is the appliquéd leaves on the tulle dress (naturally).

Leif from Claire Pettibone

Slither my way

Who doesn't love animal prints? This clutch in shiny faux python is something to behold!

From Carla Mancini

Simply divine

Although all the songs are amazing on Torontonian Divine Brown's latest release, The Love Chronicles, it is the collaboration with Nelly Furtado that has me tapping my toes the most. Check out the song Sunglasses!

The Love Chronicles from Divine Brown

Like vines

Although it is too fancy for every day wear, this sterling silver bracelet would definitely add a little something to a special occasion:

Sabrina's Wide Ornate Diamond CZ Bracelet from Fantasy Jewelry Box

An anteater for an auntie

I picked up a plush bunny for my friend Aimee's baby (due in November) and had to share the wonderful selection available. There are giraffes, dragons, kangaroos, and many more. This one is my favourite aside from the one I bought:

Amanzo the Anteater from Happy Horse

A whiter shade of pale

When we were in Vienna last year, my friend Gurvinder and I banded together in what felt like an extended scavenger hunt. She was after sexy stilettos to wear to the opera and I was looking for a store called Liska because one of their adverts featured this white patent bag. After a half day of wandering in the 1st district, she settled on a pair of Ferragamo heels and I learned that the well hidden luxury store was closed. At least we got some good exercise out of it!

From Yves Saint Laurent

A hot date dress

Oh wow, do I ever love the top of this dress! I especially adore the crepe detailing of the bust and while I think shiny fabrics only work on perfectly flat stomachs, the silk charmeuse is a nice contrast. The original version is floor length with a train, but if I were to get it I would want it to be tea length.

From Sean Couture

An envied coat

I am hugely in love with the Canadian outerwear label Soïa & Kyo after my good friend Tania introduced me to it in 2007. I was visiting her after she had temporarily relocated to Toronto when I came across one of their signature assymmetrical coats. Short story: she got one in white and I got one in black. I visited her again the following year and got myself two more coats because they masterfully blended classic lines with modern esthetics into some very unique styles.

What I like about this coat from the spring/summer 2009 line is the feminine detailing - there is a nipped in waist, flaring at the bottom, and a bow at the back... It is available in black, white, and green, and although the green would be the hardest to integrate into my wardrobe, I think it's the best looking one:

Ami coat from Soïa & Kyo

A button bouquet for you

Craft projects are always a blast because you get to spend time doing something creative and you also get to enjoy the results of your efforts. These adorable button and felt flowers look like a ton of fun and will bring plenty of cheer to any room:

Spring bouquet instructions from American Crafts

A marquis or four

It's hard to figure out which of these rings I want more: the simple sandblasted solitaire or the old world hammered star? Both have the delicious warmth of 22kt yellow gold, which had never appealed to me until I went to Istanbul last year.

Marquis rose cut diamond ring from Arunashi
Aqua star ring from Cathy Waterman

A dress for the season

Going to a garden party and need a dress? This tiered lace confection is oh so darling:

Evening tea party dress from Betsey Johnson
It reminds me a little of a tiered eyelet dress my mom once promised to make me when I was a kid but it never materialized.

A better way to drink

I picked up the smaller of these two glass bottles recently and can't get enough of it. The design is pure genius and it can be used to replace disposable water bottles or to store an open bottle of wine that is too tall for the fridge. And if the lid breaks, it can still be used as a beautiful vase:

Glass beverage bottles from Crate & Barrel

A way to show off that pedicure

My friend Gurvinder introduced me to Giuseppe Zanotti shoes while we were travelling in Croatia (Split to be exact) and I think these black booties are rather fabulous. They are like the lovechild of a zebra and a paper lantern and are super duper sexy:

From Giuseppe Zanotti Design

A step up from basic

This sweet petal top is interesting without screaming for attention:

From Anthropologie