Summer Days and Nights

One thing I love about summer is the hot weather, and how versatile clothing can be. On hot days, you can wear shorts or a dress, then when the sun sets and there’s a slight chill in the air when you’re going out, throw on a lightweight cardigan, blazer or cropped jacket and you’ve got a chic outfit for evening.

Here are a few tips for taking any summer outfit from day to night.

I love shorts for summer. There are so many choices out there, and with the right additions you can easily take them from day to night.

Jean shorts. Casual and one of my favourite summer pieces. Taking them from day to night is easy,

You can pair them with a silk blouse like below, cropped black jacket, silver pumps or sandals and black clutch. Accessorize with gold bracelets and rings.

Stella McCartney Cara mid-rise stretch denim shorts

Image Credit: Net-A-Porter

Vince Cap Sleeved Blouse

Image Credit: Bergdorf Goodman

Or, you can pair them with a simple t-shirt, grey blazer, statement necklace, neutral sandals or heel and bold clutch.

Vince Short-Sleeved Colourblock T-Shirt

Image Credit: Bergdorf Goodman

Linen shorts are cool and comfy. Style white ones with a graphic or printed tank like below and a blazer, grey sandals and gold clutch. Accessorize with some silver rings.

Vince Pintucked Relaxed Jaquard Shorts

Image Credit: Bergdorf Goodman

Helmut Lang Chroma Printed Jersey Tank

Image Credit: Bergdorf Goodman

Boyfriend shorts, like jeans are comfy and chic. Pair with a neutral silk tank like below and a black cardigan, black pumps or flats and clutch. Accessorize with silver bracelets.

Vince Rolled Boyfriend Shorts

Image Credit: Bergdorf Goodman

Vince Scoop-Nack Loose Silk Tank

Image Credit: Bergdorf Goodman

Short dresses that can go from day to night make summer easy. Pair a navy ruffled one like below with a black cropped blazer, metallic wedges or black flats and black cross body bag. Accessorize with gold bracelets and small earrings.

Chloe Ruffled Crepe Dress

Net-A-Porter

Maxi dresses for summer are key. Comfy and easy to wear. Take a two-toned printed one like below and pair with a cream cardigan, gold sandals or brown wedges and a blue clutch. Accessorize with a silver necklace and rings.

Splendid Beach Glass Plaid Maxi Dress

Bergdorf Goodman

As you can see, taking summer staples from day to night is easy and can be fun, plus takes the hassle out of not knowing what to wear when it's last minute. All you need are the right additions and you're ready to go!

Summer Smooth Skin

As we enter into the warmer days leading into summer, it mean dresses and skirts are more of the norm than before. It also means baring arms and legs.

There’s nothing more refreshing with warm days than the feel of fresh air on bare skin, but that also means taking care of unwanted hair removal. As there are many different types of getting rid of unsightly hair, I’m going to keep it basic.

A few years ago when I was working in a salon, I started to do laser hair removal on my legs. As someone who has very thick, course hair and removing in the summer was always a challenge. I’ve tried every type of hair removal possible from professional waxing, shaving and drug store products, with nothing working. Now, laser hair removal is expensive so I was fortunate enough to have gotten a deal and when I started, I noticed the results after a few sessions and it was the best decision I ever made, and having it done on my arms (which weren’t as bad) plus underarms made my life so much easier in the summer.

I do still shave my legs as the hair grows back, albeit WAY less than before, and much slower, but having smooth legs and arms feels so nice.

Here are a few steps that I follow to achieve that smooth, dress ready feel.

1) I prefer to start with exfoliating, to remove any dry skin and prep my skin and helps bring any tiny hairs to the surface. I recommend doing this the night before if you shower in the morning (saves so much time). The Cocoa scrub works great on very dry skin, but use whichever works best for yours.

Cocoa Body Scrub

Image Credit: The Body Shop

2) I love this cream shave. Not only does it make my skin feel so soft, but unlike gels, you take what you need and won't be wasting any. 

Skintimate Shave Cream

3) I've tried almost every razor on the market, and I find this works amazingly. Gives soft, silky smooth skin with less work (caution, the blades are very sharp) and the little beads of moisturizer on the top and bottom really make a difference.

Schick Hydro-Silk Razors

Image Credit: Schick

4) Once out of the shower, use these pads on your bikini line, or even underarms to help reduce ingrown hairs and redness. They may sting for a second but after a few uses, it goes away and you'll really see a difference!

Ingrown Eliminating Pads

Image credit: Sephora

Once these 4 steps are complete, after you shower, apply lotion to keep your skin hydrated and soft (refer to my blog post on Cosmetics, Hair and Skin Care for lotion recommendation), and you'll have smooth skin ready for summer!!

2014 Met Costume Gala

This past Monday was The annual Met Costume Gala, which is held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The Met Gala is like the Oscars of Fashion, with best dressed being the most prestigious award. Each year there is a recognizable theme in which celebrities pair up with high-end designers, and showcase beautiful their gowns. This year, the theme was Charles James: Beyond Fashion, which had celebrities wearing gorgeous gowns that got to be showcased on red-carpeted stairs.

I look forward to this event every year, to see what the theme will be and how celebrities with dress for it, and there were so many gorgeous looks this year.

My top 3 for best dressed are:

Allison Williams in Oscar de la Renta with Brian Atwood shoes and Fred Leighton Jewels. I said to look out for her, and she did not disappoint! This gorgeous coral gown with a long train was perfect, paired with a simple diamond necklace and studs, with her hair in a sleek bun. A natural smokey eye and nude lip finished the look beautifully.  

Image Credit: Just Jared

Charlize Theron in Dior with Fred Leighton Jewels. A simple white dress with navy blue details and a gorgeous train, ups the glamour. Her hair blown to one side to show off a striking earring and smokey eye finish the look. And I love how she's wearing a simple black blazer just over her shoulders.

Reese Witherspoon in Stella McCartney. Retro glam with a modern twist, is how I would describe this look that is just gorgeous. The colour of dress with the cut is elegant and her hair swept to the side with a bright pink lip, it really pulls together the whole look.

Image Credit: Just Jared

Honourary Mentions:

Jessica Alba in Diane von Furstenberg dress and clutch, Brian Atwood shoes, Doves by Doron Paloma earrings and rings by Melissa Kaye and Ippolita. The gold tone of the dress is beautiful against Jessica's skin and looks elegant with a side-swept up-do, and smokey eye.

Image Credit: Just Jared

Sarah Jessica Parker in Oscar de la Renta with Fred Leighton Jewels. As co-chair of the Gala, this dress is not only perfection but looks incredible. Full ball down balanced with fitted top, paired with white gloves and a intricate up-do, is gorgeous and a look I firmly believe only SJP could pull off.

Image Credit: Just Jared

Kate Mara in Valentino. Another actress I said to look out for, and she looked stunning in a gold embroidered gown with sheer sleeved top with a cape-like train. Her short hair kept down and simply smokey eye finish an elegant look.

Image Credit: Just Jared

Couples:

Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield. Aren't they adorable? I love how Emma (in Thakoon) went with a bright pink cropped top and fuchsia bottom. It's young, fresh but still elegant with her hair in a side semi-messy braid. Rosy pink lips and cheeks compliment the outfit beautifully. And I love that Andrew's wearing a black and grey suit with a bow-tiw for a modern look.

Image Credit: Just Jared

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds both in Gucci. They looked like old-hollywood glamour, and with Blake's hair pulled back to one side with her dress in a pearly pink with a beautiful cape-like train, she looked gorgeous.

I look forward to this even every year, and this year didn't disappoint!! So many beautiful looks to go with the a great theme. 

Celebrity Spotlight...

One thing I love about fashion is seeing how different celebrities put together outfits. Whether it’s for a red carpet even, public appearance or just for their everyday lives, it’s always exciting to find out what pieces they’ll wear and how they’ll wear it.

A few of the actresses I look at when it comes to style are Emma Watson, Emma Stone, Kate Mara and Allison Williams. I always find that they bring their own twists to looks that end up looking amazing.

Emma Watson at the Noah After-party in a Erdem Dress, Roger Vivier Shoes and Fernando Jorge Jewels.

This looks amazing on Emma. The design on the front is balanced with the sheerness of the sleeves and cutouts. Combined with her hair pulled back and a simple red lip, the whole look comes together so beautifully. 

Image Credit: Just Jared

Emma Stone at the Spider Man 2 London Premiere in Versace Dress, David Webb Jewels, Christian Louboutin Shoes and Lanvin Clutch.

This dress is not only a gorgeous colour for spring, but pops on Emma's skin and compliments her hair. It can be very hard with red heads to wear certain colour tones, but this dress with a red lip and simple jewelry all come together.

Image Credit: Just Jared

Kate Mara at the Transcendence Pemiere in Los Angeles in Valentino Dress and Jimmy Choo Shoes.

Sometimes when an actress wears a loose dress, it can be overwhelming but in Kate's case, the cut of the sleeves and the way it fits, just showcases the beautiful design of the dress. And I love how her shoes match the base of the dress but are understated enough that they draw attention. A messy, yet chic hair style with smoky eye bring the outfit together.

Image Credit: Just Jared

Allison Williams at The Television Academy Presents a Night with the "Girls" Cast in Los Angeles in Brunello Cucinelli.

In some cases, dress pants that are slouchy can look unflattering with a loose blouse, but the way Allison has the delicate top tucked in, just in the front balances and paired with pointed nude pumps elongates her legs. Loose waves and natural make up finish off the look.

Image Credit: Just Jared

Celebrities are always trying new look on the red carpet, to see what works and doesn't, and I will definitely be watching these actresses to see what looks they come up with as their styles are always on point.