How to Style a Scarf

No matter what season it is, no matter if your outfit is casual or dressy,  it seems like scarves are an indispensable, inexpensive way to accesorize.  Especially in cooler weather, I can't live without a soft, colourful scarf.  I normally like to wear a scarf one of two ways:

Create a loop, and pull the ends through.

Loop around the neck with both sides hanging evenly.

Courtesy of WhoWhatWear check out some more fun ways to sport a scarf.

My favourite look is The City.  It would work with a lightweight scarf so that it drapes properly across the front.

Countdown to...Mad Men Season 5

Ladies and gentlemen, season 5 of Mad Men premieres in less than 6 months!  If you're like me, you are counting down the moments until we can see what happens to Don, Peggy, Betty and the rest of the cast in Season 5.

If you're really like me, you can't wait to swoon over that sexy mofo Don Draper:

Sigh!  He is dreamy, isn't he??

Can't wait!  Before, I sign off, if you haven't already seen it, check out the "Don Draper Says What?" montage.  Makes me giggle every time I see it.

Don Draper Says "What?"

Tech Accessories by Rebecca Minkoff

I am a big fan of Rebecca Minkoff's designs.  In fact, one of my first purchases for Spring 2011 was one of her Morning After Bags:

Isn't my baby cute??

She's also ventured outside accessories and presented a well received Spring 2012 collection.  Now she's back to her first love and revealed some pretty neat "Tech Accesories" including an iPad "envelope"and cheetah print iPhone skin on sale for a limited time at Ebay

Pretty cute huh?  Get them while you can...sale runs out in less than 23 days.

Growing Up to Grown Up

I recently had a pedicure and lunch with a good friend of mine.  We've been friends for years and years, through boyfriend issues, falling out of other friendships, career changes, and basicially everything that life can throw at two thirtysomething girls in a ten year period.  It was probably one of the most fun Sundays I have had in a while - what's more fun than treating yourself with a pedi and catching up with a good friend?

As we were catching up we started talking about another friend who had married a few years back and recently had a baby.  I haven't seen her in about 5 years, however she still keeps in touch with my friend.  I learned that even after having a child, she hadn't changed much.  She lives with her in laws (rent free it seems), she is on mat leave yet leaves her kid with her mother in law all the time, her husband doesn't work because he's claiming he has a genetic foot issue (?), and the two of them had just come back from their 2nd vacation in the last 6 months.  Basically, she isn't any more of an adult than when I saw her last which, when you think about it, is kind of sad.  When did growing up and talking responsibility for your life and your choices go by the wayside for my (our) generation?

I suppose it isn't up for me to judge, but perhaps it is all in how you are raised.  For me, growing up was really tough and I couldn't get to adulthood fast enough.  But for others, childhood was being doted on or protected by a parent or parents and to transition to the adult world of being completely responsibile for yourself and your choices from that perspective is really hard.  Maybe for some, it is just never one of those things that you get used to and as long as you are lucky enough to have parents or in laws who support you, both emotionally and financially, you don't ever really need to grow up in some ways.

In any case, I'm just glad that I've been responsible for my choices and made the mistakes I needed to make to get to where I am now.  I don't 100% feel like a woman...that is such big word for me that carries so much meaning.  But, in the same sense, I'm not a girl anymore.  I've got my shit together enough to know that there is no going back to being a kid, and for me, that's a great thing.

Also, if the little girl from the Cosby Show that I used to watch when I was a kid is an adult now, it's about time I grew up too...

Remeber cute little Olivia from the Cosby Show?  Yeah, she's  26 now...

Wanted: MEN

I came across an article yesterday about a new product in the UK called "Eylure Natural Lashes for Men".  Of course I read on and found that yes, there are now fake eyelashes for MEN!  I repeat:  FAKE EYELASHES FOR MEN?!?!

What the what?

Now, I know there are men out there that rock eyeliner (hello, Russell Brand and Pete Wentz), but fake eyelashes is going too far.  Dont get me wrong.  I am all for a man taking care of himself.  Nothing is more of a turnoff then a guy with dry skin, bad hair or long fingernails.  But ladies, there must be a limit to this insanity.  When did men stop being men and start being women?

Ladies, if you don't agree with me yet, let me paint a picture for you:  You're on a date with your new guy.   He's cute, smart, funny and sweet. You strangely admire his adorable eyelashes.  It's a great date, things are going well.  You decide to go back to his place for a nightcap, hoping it will lead to something more.  You're about to...ahem...go the distance, then all of a sudden, in the heat of the moment, one of his fake eyelashes peels off.  Date over!!!

Yeah,  now you get it.  All I have to say is:

Holding on to Long Hair

Fergie sings "big girls don't cry" her aptly titled song called "Big Girls Don't Cry"... brilliant musician she is that one!  Big girls also come to a time when they realize they can't sport long, flowing locks forever, and Fergie's decision to cut her outgrown, overprocessed hair was spot on.

Now, I love long hair.  In fact, I am growing my hair out now and only let my hairstylist cut one little inch every time I see her because I'm obsessed with having long, pretty hair.  In my mind, I equate keeping my hair long with keeping my youth, but that can backfire if hair gets dry and brittle at the ends instead of shiny and bouncy like from a Pantene commercial.

So far I've been pretty lucky that my hair still has that bounce and shine, but I think that will only last for so long.  Sometimes the best decision is to chop a few inches off to get back that youthful, healthy look which is definitely the case with Fergie.

Fergie before haircut:

Bad roots, dried out ends.  Not cute or youthful looking at all.

Fergie after haircut:

Sleek, sexy and healthy!  She still looks like her fun, youthful self but with more enviable hair.

"Recycling" Your Closet

I adore this printed Whistles dress that Pippa Middleton "recycled" from her summer wardrobe (picture on the right) to make stylish for fall.  It is amazing how some updated accessories (tights, boots) and a sweater in the right colour can transform an outfit for fall.  One of my favourite things is to add tights and a blazer to a summer dress and make it work for fall or winter, or vice versa.  I'm always on the lookout for versatile pieces that you can transition to other seasons.

Here is how you can take a simple summer dress and make it work for your fall wardrobe:

This Dorothy Perkins dress is super adorable on it's own and at first glance it looks like it would only work for summer.    But throw on a blazer, tights and some funky ankle high boots and you have a fall/winter outfit.

Tada!  Cute outfit for fall!