Charmed, I'm Sure

  

I love charm bracelets because they make such a chic, personal gift.  Just found out about this deal and had to share for any of you have yet to find the perfect present for your mom.  Get this Persona Sterling Silver Charm Bracelet (retail value of $45) when you spend $100 or more (before taxes) on Persona Jewellery at The Bay.  Offer ends this Sunday, May 13, 2012.  Happy weekend! xo

Mom Love

With Mom's Day less than a week away I have yet to actually get anything for my wonderful mom.  Sure, I've thought about it, (moms always taught us it's the thought that counts...) but doesn't a thoughtful present count just a little more?  Whether you're on a strict budget or you've got money to spare, these luxurious last-minute finds will make her feel incredibly loved this Mom's Day, from fantastic new under-$15 tunes to that Canon Rebel she's always wanted.  After all, she changed your diapers;  Consider this karmic payback.  And to all you moms out there, Happy Mother's Day this Sunday!  I never expected this but now that I'm a mom, I'm genuinely most excited about the card.  

Click on the thumbnails below for some perfect present inspiration:

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Friday Find: Amazing Lace

Photo courtesy RW & CO.

When Kate the Great embarked on her post-wedding tour last summer, the newly-minted royal stepped out in lace dress after sexy lace dress, giving the old-fashioned fabric a decidedly modern spin.  Ever since, lace has become the go-to fabric for women looking for something sophisticated yet just a little cheeky, revealing but still appropriate - and this pretty dress totally fits the bill.  The thing I love about lace?  Its endless versatility.

Work:  Try a black belt and black pointy-toed pumps

Weekend:  Try a denim jacket, aviator sunglasses, a little leather satchel and flats to keep it super laid-back

Night Out:  Try a black leather bomber, edgy black booties and smouldering smoky eyes.

Formal: Try a pair of patent nude heels, a cool crochet belt (pictured) and sunkissed makeup.  Oh, and obv. never break out this dress for a wedding, unless you want to turn the bride's blush into an angry flush.  Yikes!

The Lace Dress ($78) is waiting for you at RW & CO. 

Bright Pants: 3 Ways

Once upon a time, pants came in black, grey or khaki.  Colour was reserved for t-shirts, blouses and sometimes shoes, but pants?  Never!  Old school of thought taught us that hips were meant to be hidden, not highlighted; that the party should stay on top while bottoms had to stay super serious.   Lately, a seismic shift has rocked the style scene and bright pants now swing happily from the racks, providing some colour competition to tops everywhere.

While some of us have fully embraced the change, others are still hesitant.  Black is more forgiving and dark wash denim much more practical, but if you find yourself stuck in a style rut, nothing will get you out of it faster than bright bottoms.  

Take a deep breath, pick your favourite colour, then follow these helpful little tips:

• Start Slow - Find a pant in a forgiving cut and let that be your standout piece by keeping everything else neutral.  Pair your bright bottoms with a crisp white blouse, striped bateau tee or chambray shirt, plus tan or black accents to let your pants steal the spotlight. (See 'Neutral Territory')
• Add in More Colours - Head-to-toe brights are daring but easy, as long as you stick with solids in the same intensity.  An oversized statement necklace in a bright colour will draw eyes upwards, a great trick if you're self-conscious about your hips or thighs (See ' Colour Block')
• Throw in Pattern - Once you've gotten comfortable with bright pants, add a fun patterned blouse to the mix.  Make sure that your pants match part of your shirt for a beautifully coordinated look, then pick a diffferent colour out of your blouse for accessories. (See 'Matchy Matchy')
• Know Your Body - Skinny jeans are most flattering on lean and lanky girls while bootcut or straight-legged jeans flatter more curvy figures.  Similarly, darker brights like cobalt blues and greens are more forgiving than light brights like neon yellow or pink.  Luckily, bright pants are now available in loads of colours AND cuts for every body.

Friday Find (aka Coolest Toy Ever): Air Swimmers

Style is a many-splendoured thing;  though I focus mainly on fashion in this blog, I just had to share this incredibly cool fish-out-of-water find with you.  I saw these Air Swimmers the other day and they made me feel like a kid again.  They swim through the air in a smooth and life-like motion (check out the video to see them in action) and because they're so quiet, it feels like you've been brought face to face with the real underwater deal.    They require only four AAA batteries to operate and have complete up, down and 360 degree turning control.

The balloon will stay inflated for weeks but when your fish starts to deflate, simply visit your local party store, florist shop, or grocery store that carries balloons for a refill, meaning endless opps for remote control fun for parties, pranks or just plain fun.  In a word:  magic.

Pick up your awesome Shark or Clownfish Air Swimmer now ($29.99) at Showcase.  SO cool.