Tag: shopping

Nordstrom Rack Haul

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Nordstrom Rack recently joined Toronto’s retail landscape and I couldn’t be more thrilled! I am huge fan of both Nordstrom and Rack stores. I like the original brands and variety. I’ve been to the Bloor & Yonge St location a couple of times and scored large.

I was looking for a pair of mirrored sunglasses this season and found these Miu Miu in the designer sunglass section. $99 regular $450 for a similar pair on their site. Love how they look.

These grey nubuck sandals are Eileen Fischer. Yes they pinch my toes a little but I’m breaking them in. They have a mid-height heel and they literally go with everything. Especially the Rebecca Minkoff canteen bag I got.

Silver metallic is so great for summer. Fresh and shimmery and goes with everything.

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The final piece in this haul outfit is the grey and black striped cold shoulder top. The brand is Philosophy and Rack had a lot of great pieces from them. The white jeans are not from this shopping trip. I got them last year at the Nordstrom 40% off sale. It’s on right now and it’s always a great time to pick stuff up.

 

TRANSITIONAL JEANS

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I love the idea of pieces that can shift from one season to next and these jeans are my latest acquisition in this category.

Kut from the Kloth jeans are available at Nordstrom. Funny story – I tried them on and didn’t like the fading on the butt so they called another store for me and to check the fading on other pairs and I ended up getting exactly what I wanted shipped directly to me. Best service at this store!! ❤

Spring Cool

For the chill that is Spring in the 6ix I’m wearing a peach long sleeve tee from JCrew and a denim jacket from Parasuco. My Toms desert boots keep my feet warm and this outfit from looking too wintery.

Summer Heat

When things heat up in the summer this kimono top from Italy with its zig-zag weave add visual interest to these jeans and make this look unique. My new Vince Camuto sandals finish it.

San Francisco Feeling

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Such a colourful, vibrant city!

I recently spent a week exploring San Francisco and Napa Valley/Sonoma.  One popular colour was rose gold – specifically this Rose Gold Light Down jacket from Uniqlo. Everyone was wearing it – including myself. Here I’m riding a vintage tram along Market Street.

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Art is huge in San Fran with outdoor murals, galleries and the world renowned San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA).

Shopping is also a big deal with Union Square being the hub. Here’s my haul.

LUX

I spotted this great accessories shop in the Castro and picked up this cashmere poncho for $50. I layered here over a jean jacket for chilly spring mornings and I know it will work over dresses and blazers as well. I also visited the UGG store in Union Square and the moment I slid my feet into these slides I was sold. The soft leather lining and cushion sole will keep my tired feet comfortable and stylish all day!

POP OF COLOUR

Being surrounded by art, stunning landscapes and coastlines made me want to liven up my Spring wardrobe with colour. I scored this Anthropologie embroidered jacket for $41 from $198. I visited the store while they were having a Friday night Happy Hour. While sampling some great California Rosé I scooped up some great sale stuff for an extra 30% off. Best shopping night ever!

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It’s the Little Things

Sometimes cheap little ordinary treats can really take you back to your holiday and remind you of the good times you had. I picked up some buttons from galleries, and tourist shops. I really like them on jean jackets or hats. They are an affordable and stylish holiday memory. Picked up this mermaid pouch at a gallery in Sonoma. The image reminded me of the California coastline with it’s rocks and sea lions. Accessories were on BOGO 50% at Victoria Secret. I love this rose gold wallet – it will work great with my Gucci belt bag because I can attach my keys as well.

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ONE DRESS 2 SEASONS

This cream sweater dress was another score from Anthropoligie. I can wear it now, as winter is ending, with OTK boots + leggings and in Spring with my new laser cut Vince Camuto boots (future blog post). I can top this dress with so many of my jackets!

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THE BEST

The very best thing about my holiday was spending time with my BFFs from Italy! CIAO!

 

 

Black Friday Wrap-up

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Another Black Friday passes but the deals live on as fabulous additions to my wardrobe. The CF Eaton Centre provided some good deals but the deep discounts were on previously reduced apparel.

Best Score

These Blondi boots I got at Nordstrom and they were an additional 25% off the Fall Sale price. They are leather, water proof and felt lined. They will be my go-to boot before the snow flies. I love this cognac colour because I can wear it with black skinny trousers or tights. A darker brown would have limited my looks.

Sweater Season

A picked up a great sweater from Zara. It has built in accessories with the pearl embellished neckline. It has short sleeves which helps keep me cool when the office is warm and dry. I love this classic look when combined with a camel cardigan.

Artsy

Uniqlo’s recent contribution to Art meets Fashion is a collab with contemporary artist KAWS. KAWS is well known for his work using iconic figures like Snoopy and Pinocchio. It was mayhem at the Uniqlo store for this collection. I am not a huge Snoopy fan but I do like the idea of wearable art and have a few pieces from previous Uniqlo collections so I tried on this hoodie and liked the fit.

 

Fall Trends

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I spent this past Saturday shopping at Square One for fall trends. Square One recently had a huge facelift and has upscaled their retail space.
Holt Renfrew migrated from Sherway Gardens to Square One and it is opulent with marble floors and crystal chandeliers. It feels luxurious! I found this great Max Mara hammock bag at Holt’s that’s now #1 on my fall wish list. This ingenious fold and clip design will hold all daily essentials plus more.

TOP 5 TRENDS

  1. Opulence
  2. Embellishment
  3. Plush
  4. 70s
  5. Red
Zara remains the leader of fast fashion. After reviewing the FW collections online it was easy to spot the influences in Zara’s FW line-up.

Prada ostrich feather details -> Zara top with cuff detail

Miu Miu jewelled pumps -> Zara pumps

Shiny details from Altuzarra -> Zara top

Opulence is in the details. Pearl trim on cigarette pants, fringe on jackets, ostrich feathers, rhinestones, sequins OH MY! An opulent piece should be the star so pair it with simple items like black skinny trousers, solid coloured top or a black pencil skirt.
Embellished sneakers are huge! High priced options include Gucci and Puma. There are some great affordable choices at Top Shop, Zara and Hudson’s Bay. This pinky/nude colour is everywhere!
I’m not sold on the plush trend for skirts and coats. I don’t like to add volume to my frame but accessories are fun in plush fabrics. Check your closet to see if you have anything and you can put those funds towards something else to update your look. Here are mine: panda bag and pink puffy mirror charm.
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The dominant colour I saw was RED! An easy way to update your wardrobe is to add a red sweater to your wardrobe. Mine is from Nordstrom. I can’t wait to wear it! This dress from Dynamite is a little short to be on trend but the print is clearly influenced by Prada. On this shopping trip I picked up these red satin flats with embellished buckle from Zara. Very on trend and Prada inspired!
Alessandro Michele nails the 70s vibe at Gucci. Reference this collection when shopping this trend.

I miss New York

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I’ve been to NYC almost every year since 2003. The longest I stayed was 1 week and the shortest was 2 days. I always find new and interesting things to do and see in the city. It is an urban photographer’s paradise, a fashionista’s treasure chest and a culture hound’s playground.

This weekend’s trip is a celebration of a friend’s birthday and for me – to have some fun before I go back to work after 25 Days 25 Looks.

MUST-DO

  1. SEE the oculus at the World Trade Centre
  2. SHOP at Century 21 – this is on every trip’s must-do list 🙂
  3. DRINK an Aperol Spritz at Eataly’s Rooftop patio
  4. VISIT the Irving Penn Retrospective at the MET

SHOPPING LIST

If you’ve followed 25 Days 25 Looks then you’re probably thinking this lady does not need anything! But like all women I have gaps in my wardrobe that need filling.

  1. Denim skirt
  2. White blazer
  3. Mid-heel black sandals – dressy
  4. Discounted Gucci sunglasses (Century 21)

….mmm…if I added a top to this list I would have a complete look!

Stay tuned for my New York report and VLOG when I return. CIAO!

Mini Bags

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Several designers have down-sized their handbag offerings this season. The French fashion houses in particular love the idea of a mini. You may think that a mini bag is decorative but useless. I have changed my thinking after purchasing a beautiful aqua leather mini bag in Como. First, a la francais.

French Design

Louis Vuitton delicate, pretty mini pink and burgandy Capucine can be handheld or worn crossbody. It comes is variety of leathers or skins and many colour combinations. The mini Viv by Roger Vivier is bold and structured in black and white with 2 compartments and pockets inside to organize your small stuff. Finally the Hermes mini Halzan in sapphire. The bag of a thousand forms. When you see how many ways this bag can be worn and how stylish it looks you will want to save your cash for this investment bag!

Italian Design

My mini bag has the width to hold a full size wallet, iphone, keys and lipstick. For social occasions not much else is necessary. My mini bag has 2 handles as well as a detachable cross body strap. When I use my mini bag for work it needs a companion tote. I use my Longchamp tote for all the work week necessities.

Italian Haul

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I’ve been back for a couple of weeks from my trip to Italy and as always I was depressed to leave la dolce vita and return to my everyday vita. That being said, my everyday vita allows me to live la dolce vita for short periods of time. On to the fashion and the shopping…

ITALIAN STYLE

Having visited both the North and South on this trip I can say the style language is very different. The North boasts Milan – fashion capitol of the world and mecca for modern art and design. Northern Italian woman love their jeans and even if they are ripped to shreads, they are styled with lovely ballet flats or neat, clean sneakers + a blouse or crisp white shirt. You won’t see a pair of dirty, grungy Converse anywhere. You see neat, tidy Converse or Stan Smiths.

The South is totally different. It was still full summer in Sicily. Women were more bohemian in dresses and frilly tops paired with flat sandals and high heels.

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THE HAUL

Shopping was not the number 1 priority but I did take advantage of every opportunity made available. My primary shopping was done at Foxtown in Mendrisio, Switzerland. It is about a 40 minute drive from Milan and on every Asian Tour of Italy package. It is no Great Lakes or Sawgrass or any other big outlet Mall you can think of, but the quality of high end designer stores is what makes it famous.

I focused my attention on handbags and footwear. Specifically Gucci. img_2935I wanted to celebrate the completion of my certificate in Digital Strategy from U of T with a Gucci Bag. I did my research so I knew what styles I liked and I definitely wanted the double GG canvas. I love the rose gold trim and fold over closure on this bag. It holds a ton and also has a cross-body strap. It’s the perfect Forever Gucci bag at less than 1/2 price. This style has been updated for 2016 but the fine straps and hint of pink add a touch of elegance and femininity to this bag.

 

I scored on img_3199ballet flats at Tods. I love Tods shoes. Their driving loafers are famous for comfort and pedal to the metal grip but I’m not a loafer girl – I’m a ballet flat girl. I chose a tri-colour suede and leather combo in royal blue, charcoal and black as well as a deep rose patent leather. These were marked down twice so I basically payed for a regular pair of no-name leather flats but got Tods quality instead.

If you’ve been reading my blog you know I have been searching for a dark green blazer. My favourite Italian brand Benetton came through. This blazer is soft and drapes well. I know it will look great this fall. Especially when I pair it with the chunky stone necklace I bought in a local market.

FASHION DOLL

I couldn’t leave her at home. I had fun shooting the doll in Italy. Thanks to Elena for your patience and help setting up the shots.

 

 

PRE-ITALIA

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Trip preparation can always be daunting. Going overseas for an extended stay is really challenging. How much should I bring? Will it be hot, cold? How many pairs of shoes will I need.

SCHEDULING

I planned my trip to Italy when peak tourist season is winding down but it’s still summer weather. I did not want to worry about bring clothes for 2 seasons but then again shopping for clothes in Milan is not a hardship;) I also had to plan around my host’s availability.

WARDROBE

Neutral and versatile are my key words when packing for a trip.To beat the heat I have dresses and culottes. Jeans and a hoodie are good ideas for the plane because it gets cold on a long haul flight. Comfortable sandals and sneakers for exploring. Thin layers that can come off and on as needed.

PACKING

I have fallen in love with packing cubes. They hold a ton and keep everything organized within the suitcase. They also make unpacking really easy. I did upgrade my ticket to allow for a second checked bag. More for way back…

CARRYING

Must haves for me are a lightweight cross-body bag and a backpack. This Coach bag is great for everyday and has lots of pockets to keep me organized. The Herschel backpack will hold my camera, water, guide book and any other essentials while touring around.

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RESEARCH

I have had to prep for 2 different portions of this trip.

  1. Milan Shopping
  2. Extended stay in Sicily

I wanted to experience outlet shopping – Italian Style and my cousins and I are deciding whether to go to Arese which is just outside Milan or Foxtown in Switzerland. We will also be going to Milan to visit Fondazione Prada which is a modern art museum funded by Prada. We will ofcourse also go shopping in Milan.

My cousin Elena and I will be flying to Sicily for a week. I’ve been reading up on the history of the island and I’m really looking forward to seeing Siracusa and Agrigento with its’ Valli dei Templi. For all this site seeing I have had to do a thorough cleaning and prep of my camera. Although my SLR is a few years old it takes amazing photos. Be sure to follow me on instagram @latonizzo and @modacarta. I’ll be using both accounts.

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modacarta DOLL

I could not possibly leave without the star of this blog. I have created a fun, versatile wardrobe for her and I’m looking forward to shooting her in la bella Italia!

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Arrivederci! a Presto!

 

Shoe Story

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Once upon a time I ordered Superga sneakers from Shoeme.ca. The delivery went awry and Canada Post couldn’t help me. So I reached out to Shoeme customer care and WOW! was I impressed.

Ivy tracked down my shoes in record time and arranged for them to be re-delivered the next day. I no sooner had tried them on (LOVE THEM!) when I received an email from Ivy telling me they had been signed for by Mike in the mailroom.

I am extremely impressed with the level of customer care Shoeme showed in this situation. They allowed no time to lapse in dealing with this issue.

I will now enjoy summer happily ever after in my new Supergas!