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Okanaganista  

Fashion resolutions: Part 1

This New Year, make a a resolution to focus on your style.  No matter if you're a full-on fashionista, or stuck in a major fashion rut, resolve to stick to a few of these suggestions and we'll make 2013 the year we take our personal style to the next level. 

 
1) Start adding more colour: If your closet is a blend of black, grey, and white, this fashion resolution is for you!  Break out of your style rut by incorporating colour in small doses. Accessories are a great starting point!  Use a statement necklace, scarf, or shoes to add a pop of colour to your pre-existing neutral wardrobe.  If bright colours scare you, add some "new neutrals" to your wardrobe like navy, burgundy, or emerald, the hottest colour of 2013.  Another option is to add pastels like mint and blush; their subtle shades will make it easier to transition into the world of colour.
 
2) Start collecting the classics: If you've ever thought, "I have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear!".  It's likely you're experiencing what most people suffer from: lack of classic and basic pieces. We are naturally drawn to certain clothing items and will tend to buy them over and over again until we end up with five slightly different neon pink tops, but no basic white t-shirts.  This year, take inventory on your closet and determine what classics you might be missing. A few things you may consider putting on your list to start: a neutral coloured trench coat, a black motorcycle leather jacket, medium striped shirt, dark washed denim, and black ankle boots. Make a list and keep it with you in your phone so that you'll always have it when you're shopping.  Add a piece or two each month and by 2014 you'll have basics that will serve as the foundation of your wardrobe.
 
3) Only buy things you love: Another reason we get tired of our wardrobes is that we sometimes buy things in a rush, because we feel we need it, or because we get caught up in trends, and end up buying pieces that we don't really love. Commit to only spending money on clothes that you get excited about and you'll always feel like you've got something to wear.  A big part of this resolution is avoiding the trap of buying an item just because its on sale; if you truly love it, buying it on sale is an added bonus!
 
 


Holiday hair tutorial

 
Tasha showed me how to make an easy, glamorous hair-do for any type of holiday party.  It can be worn with any length of hair and easy enough for anyone to do.
 
 
Hair by Tasha Arnall from Bloom Hair


Christmas essentials

It's no secret that I love the Christmas season and everything that goes with it. And for me, this season is a great excuse to bring out some extra glitter and bling and get festive.  Even though I love these pieces all year 'round, I get extra excited to wear them for the holidays.  

Sequins: I just can't stop wearing sequins!  Pants, sweaters, tops, and blazers; if it has sequins attached, I will wear it. Every time of the year is appropriate for the sparkle, but there's something about Christmas that makes sequins just that extra bit special and glamorous.  Skirts are one of my favourite ways to wear sequins this year.  I love how you can dress it down with tights, boots, and a casual oversized knit sweater for day and wear it out to a party with a silk shirt and heels. Sequin tops can be worn with just a pair of denim or a pair of coloured skinnies, an easy look for when you don't have a lot of time. You can forgo the jewlery since the shirt itself is the statement.  Sequin leggings are great for those wanting to make a major statement.  Wear them with sweatshirts and oversized striped sweaters for a amped up casual outfit or with a high low silk shirt, and tuxedo jacket out for New Years for a different take on the tuxedo. I love it with a bright red lipstick and retro waves.

Velvet: I always get nostalgic when I put on this soft throwback fabric.  Great for mixing textures, velvet has been in regular rotation in my closet.  My love affair originally started with this burgundy version: I saw one worn with a winter-friendly white lace dress, and it's been true love ever since.  For a small dash of velvet try wearing a top under a blazer, or mix it with other textures like a leather skirt.  Velvet leggings are another way to wear this trend: replace the cotton leggings most of us wear non-stop in the winter with a pair of velvet ones!

Tartan: Plaid and flannel have been a huge trend this winter and will continue into next year. Specifically, tartan is coming hot on the scene, and its my prediction that it will be THE hottest print for 2013.  This vintage print has the casual appeal of the flannel but the old school take is plaid's older, more sophisticated sibling.  Tartan can be worn the same way you've been wearing your flannel with knits and denim, but take tartan to the next level by wearing it to work with a blazer and skirt, or on a date with a tartan skirt and a leather shell.



Holiday sweaters

One of my favorite winter staples is the big cozy knit sweater, and this is the perfect time of year to put them all into outfit rotation! Sweaters like a classic fisherman pullover, the time-honored cable knit, the soft textured angora sweater, and the sweatshirt are all cozy basics that are a must-have for the winter wardrobe.

I love pairing my sweaters with everything from colored skinny jeans (my favorites for the holidays are red, cobalt blue, and green), leather jeans, and skirts (loving plaid skirts right now!) and tights. The sweater is a great way to add texture to your outfit, layer over button-ups, throw a statement necklace over or wear an over-sized knit over leggings. The sweater will keep you cozy and warm all season long whether it be at work, bundled by the fire, or hunched over your desk.

And of course, we must talk about the festive Christmas sweater! What began as ironic nod to the ugly Christmas sweaters at holiday parties has transitioned into trendy seasonally appropriate holiday garb. One such sweater type that has re-emerged is the vintage fair isle print. Sweaters can be found in a re-imagination of this Scottish traditional knitting technique in geometric snowflakes, patchwork knit, Christmas trees and reindeer with adorned antlers.

 

Traditional fair isle is a knitting pattern, but designers are interpreting the patterns into prints on sweatshirts, cotton t-shirts, and leggings. When hunting for a Christmas sweater, look for fair isle inspired patterns like snowflakes, deer, and moose, or just an overall geometric pattern in Christmas colors. Wear it dressy with sparkly shoes, casual for a cabin chic look with a plaid shirt and shearling, or over-the-top festive with red colored jeans! However you wear it, the Christmas sweater will keep you warm, trendy, and festive this holiday season!



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