Book By Its Cover v.2

    As I have mentioned before, I do admit to being drawn in by beautiful cover art.  It is what always initially leads me to pick up the book and take a peek at the description inside the dust jacket or on the back of the novel. Lately, I'm particularly taken with floral covers, and there are some seriously beautiful ones featured on novels I'm also very interested to read, so I thought I'd share those here today.      Black Iris by Leah Raeder - A dark suspense novel with themes of bullying, gossip, mental illness and romance - sounds like a good read to me! The Widow, by Fiona Barton - After having read The Girl on the Train I was intrigued by the idea of this story of the widow of a man who'd been suspected of a terrible crime. I think it is a unique premise, and that is always intriguing.
Mad Miss Mimic by Sarah Henstra -I actually just finished this historical fiction novel about an heiress with an unusual speech impediment, unraveling the mysterious work being done by her physician brother-in-law and her potential suitor.  
You Are Not Here by Samantha Schutz - I admit that with this one, it is the cover that interests me more than the story - a romance with a Lurlene McDaniel-esque tragedy. That said, I may still give it a try.
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson - This book initially caught my eye as one of the Best of 2013 Goodreads winners for historical fiction - a genre I generally enjoy. Also interesting was the idea of a protagonist who dies and comes back to life repeatedly.  Not sure I understand how that will work into the tale, but I am definitely curious.    The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith -  Although I think that this will be a difficult read, I think it's also an important one. It follows Eden, in the aftermath of a rape by her brother's best friend, set over the course of her journey through high school.  I'm interested to see how Amber Smith depicts such a sensitive and unfortunately all-too-common occurrence. Are there any beautifully-covered books grabbing your attention lately? Follow

Gingers meet Vogue Russia

Vogue Russia, March 2015 --Models: Madison Stubbington, Magdalena Jasek; Photographer: Victor  Demarchelier; Fashion Editor: Olga Dunina; Hair: Jennifer Yepez; Make-up: Fredrik Stambro
It seems so infrequent to see editorials featuring redheads, and so I am always delighted to see them whenever they crop up.  I especially love the gorgeous feminine styling in this series of shots from Vogue Russia's March 2015 issue.  I may not have the wild Merida-like curls (much as I'd love them) sported by these ladies, but I am finding definite inspiration in the gorgeous beauty look. Most especially? The accentuation of freckles! Mine fade somewhat, and have done especially in this seemingly unending winter, but as soon as the sun peeks out more and more, so too will my face full of freckles, and I look forward to showing them off. Mix that on-point beauty look with gorgeous, feminine styling and you can't go wrong. There's so much to love here.

Wishlisted: Nineties Feeling

Dress / Glasses / Sweater / Boots / Polish / Lipstick

I promised myself I wouldn't, but I can't help but succumb to a little, rather nostalgic, love for the nineties feeling. It's a throwback to adolesence for me, and it is a bit fun to see the resurgence of some of the things I wore back then,  albeit with a bit of a more modern sensibility. I'm particularly loving the classic Doc Marten's, soft shades of brownish rose for lip, floral dresses and heavy knits.

Now pardon me while I rewatch episodes of My So-Called Life and early Felicity for further sartorial inspiration.

Style Inspired: Gatsby

Krystal of This Time Tomorrow

Absolutely enamored by this classic, feminine look from Krystal, of This Time Tomorrow. One of my long-time favourite bloggers, her style has always been on my radar. But when I spotted that dress, with that book clutch, this look got saved to my inspiration folder pretty much instantaneously. See her full post here.

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A Woman Above

It's no secret that I love library-themed editorials (see here, or here) since they are the combination of two of my favourite things. "A Woman Above" shot by Edgar Berg for Kenton Magazine is certainly no exception to this rule. If only all librarians actually dressed in the tartan, tweed, leather and statement necklaces featured here. It certainly gives me the impetus to up my workwear game.

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Cats + Shoes = Love

Photographed by: Charlie Engman Styled by: Jorden Bickham

I think it's safe to say that any fashion-loving librarian would agree that this cat-themed whimsical editorial from Vogue.com is pretty darn fantastic. Cats in flats? It doesn't get much better. See the full spread here.

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Words to Live By

I was reminded of these words from Joyce Meyer in an instagram post from Stephanie the other day, and although I had read them before, they really seemed to hold new meaning for me this time round. Since last year I have been trying to live and love more intentionally, making time to do things and share things that will let the people that I care about how much I love and value them. And you know what? It does indeed bring me great joy. So when I reread these words, I felt them really speak to my heart as a bit of a motto the way I want to try live my life - loving other people. 

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Leith Clark x Warby Parker

I've loved Warby Parker for ages - a love cemented by the moment they stated a showing of their fabulous frames in the New York Public Library - but I am absolutely, wholeheartedly smitten with their new range of frames, designed in collaboration with Leith Clark (founder of Lula, need I say more?), which I discovered thanks to Erin. They are feminine, fun and colourful, with a distinctly vintage feel. I would be lying if I didn't admit that I would delightedly wear every single pair in a heartbeat, and that I'd ideally snap up the whole collection if my pocketbook allowed. Spectacularly stylish spectacles? Always a win in my books.

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Red and Pink

 

Magdalena Jasek (shot by Jonas Bresnan for L'Officiel Netherlands) is quashing the rumour once and for all that redheads can't look fabulous in pink. 

So much love for this editorial. See the rest here.

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Bicyclette

Bicyclette has got to be one of my favourite Canadian online shops. Gorgeous clothes + fabulous style = winning. Case in point? This adorable and perfectly styled lookbook that is essentially everything I love about summer style wrapped up in one pretty package. Check out their online shop here, or visit them in person at 880 Queen St. W in Toronto, ON.

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Rosaspina Handmade

  

Photos via Rosaspina Vintage

Ale of Rosaspina Vintage is a blogger who I've followed for a while. She's an extremely talented illustrator, a super stylish lady and also a kindred spirit who shares my love of Prince Edward Island. I'm so pleased for and proud of her for the recent launch of her shop, Rosaspina Vintage Handmade, which features absolutely gorgeous and classic vintage-inspired dresses and separates. As lovely as each garment is, I think the most beautiful part of the story behind the line is that three generations of talent and style have made it happen. To bring her beautifully illustrated ideas to life, Ale worked with her mother, a seamstress, to create each piece using fabrics from her grandmother's own archive of beautiful vintage fabrics. With that kind of start you just know there is so much love behind every stitch of each dress, blouse and skirt.

For more, check out the new Rosaspina Vintage Handmade shop, or also see Ale's blog for a peek behind the scenes as well as more information about the process behind the line.

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Bespectacled Beauties

Styled by: Shirley Kurata Photographer: Emily Shur

Absolutely cannot get enough of this incredible editorial shot by Emily Shur and impeccably styled by Shirley Kurata. I always love looks featuring stylish spectacles, and each of these pairs are pretty fabulous, not to mention perfectly paired with amazing fashion. Winning combination? I think so.

See the full editorial here.

Stylish Specs v.1

So much love for this shot by Meghan Tansey Whitton  from the Maritime-based street style blog, Fashion East (have you checked it out yet? You need to!). The subject? The fabulous Lou, co-designer of PEI's own fashion label, Dreamboat Lucy. Aren't those frames the epitome of perfection? I've been all about building up my collection of interesting glasses frames lately, and I have to say I'm inspired by the great pair Lou is sporting in this shot. 

Maritime style for the win.

Valentino F/W 2013

All photos by Luca Cannoniere for Style.com

While I do excitedly await poring over all of the runway photos from fashion weeks around the world each season, there are always a few shows in particular that I look forward to again and again. Valentino is always one of those. The consistent beauty and detail from the famous house blows me away time and again, and this season was no different. And so, even though I know I said I wouldn't bore you all with all of my favourite runway looks (although if you're interested you can see them here), Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli pulled out such an absolutely incredible collection for fall that I couldn't help but share it. It was hands down my favourite over and above almost any show from NYC to London to Milan to Paris.

For me the highlights: Simple yet perfect beauty and hair, the most gorgeous trompe l'oeil shoes that are on the wish-list of my dreams, rich colour palette, fabulous prints, floral details, pearl chokers (!!!) and beautifully detailed collars, all with a prim loveliness that I found irresistable. I could go on penning a lengthy love letter to this collection, but I really recommend having a look at the whole collection here. 

What were your favourite shows from the past few weeks of runway presentations? I'd love to know!

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