#bringitdowntown with made you blush (and a giveaway!)

“Holidays are all about the glow.”

It’s a brisk Saturday afternoon in downtown Fredericton and I’m perched in the makeup chair at Made You Blush (59 York St.) while Kyra Baldwin works her magic.   This year our #bringitdowntown challenge was to try something new.  What better way to start than a new look for all those holiday festivities that are just around the corner. 

We had so much fun - there was glitter involved!  It was like arts and crafts for my face! 

My final look, some great advice from the girls and details on a giveaway after the jump

fashionable fredericton

This week Fredericton hosts delegates from across the country for the Travel Media Association of Canada annual conference.  Each day I'm going to be sharing one of my favourite things about my little corner of the world.

This was supposed to be Thursday's post but by day I work at Theatre NewBrunswick and last night we unveiled our upcoming 2012-2013 season so things were a bit hectic.  Working at a theatre, one of the first questions I get from visiting actresses is ‘Where is the best spot for vintage fashions?’   Fredericton is home to a number of spots for vintage and consignment fashion (check out Reneu in the Tannery while exploring downtown for cute vintage and fashion forward local designs) but I always send curious fashionistas to Lovely Betty  in Marysville (277 Canada Street.)

This 19^th century home is a two-storey treasure trove for vintage lovers.  Owner Tina Robinson learned an appreciation for fine fabrics - wool, silk, cashmere – and certain classic styles growing up in her mother’s British Woolens store.   With a fashion editor’s eye, she chooses and displays an eclectic mix of vintage and new items. Plan on spending lots of time exploring - eight rooms of clothes, shoes and accessories can keep a girl busy!

While visiting Lovely Betty, take the opportunity to explore historic Marysville one of Canada's National Historic District which was recently short-listed as one of Canada’s great neighbourhoods. Located on both sides of the beautiful Nashwaak River, Marysville was developed as a planned community at the height of the industrial revolution by cotton mill owner Alexander "Boss" Gibson .   The mill (now converted to provincial offices), the brick duplexes which housed the workers, the stately homes of the mill managers on 'Nob Hill' remain intact making it unique in Canada. This year the community marks the 150th year since Boss Gibson arrived on the Nashwaak,

le smoking slipper

photo: Manchester Shoes

I've been obsessing over finding a pair of "smoking slippers" since I first saw a magazine spread on them late last fall.  Daintier than your typical loafer, the smoking slipper offers a stylish update to the ubiquitous ballet flat. Lucky for me Manchester Shoes has this super cute Steve Madden "Croquet" smoking slipper in for spring.  I'm headed to Saint John for Fashion Forward Spring on Thursday and I've definitely got my eye on a pair of these.  Now the only decision is whether to go with classic black or wild cheetah? Discuss!

look who's 30

Talk about capping off your 20s in a triumphant fashion!  Kate Middleton didn't simply manage her transition into the royal spotlight, she embraced it with twinkling eyes, a toothy grin and a light step; an exuberant gust of fresh air that blew the cobwebs off the monarchy.  To get the full effect of the Duchess of Cambridge's charm check out the Stuff Kate Middleton is Thrilled About slide show from her Canadian tour.  Adorable.

Get ready to see the birthday girl in a different role in the year ahead. Days before her birthday St. James Palace announced that she is becoming patron of four organizations: Action on Addiction, the National Portrait Gallery,  East Anglia's Children's Hospices and The Art Room, an organization that uses art therapy to help children.  And the former Brownie will also become a volunteer with the Scouts joining privately in activities in North Wales.  No word yet on whether the Scout uniforms include a hat...
 

It's hard to say what I love most about this photo from the London premiere of War Horse on the eve of her birthday:  that amazing gown or Wills holding the umbrella.

what she wore when... she visited capri

We're hopping into the Way-Back machine today; back to August 1970 and the Isle of Capri with Jacqueline Onassis and her sister Lee Radziwill.   I recently came across this shot when putting together a spring wardrobe inspiration board for a friend based on Jackie's post-Camelot period.  After she left the White House she shed the pearls, pastels and pillboxes in favour of classic American sportswear with the occasional globe-trotting bohemian touch.   Forty years later you could still walk out the door dressed in these looks and be effortlessly chic (although I might tweak the cut on Lee's trousers).  Lee's bag and Jackie's sandals alone top my summer wardrobe wishlist!

what she wore when... she was antique shopping in Paris

Taylor Swift out and about in Paris.

My stripe obsession continues.  Even if you're not lucky enough to be in Paris, this is a perfect look for afternoon shopping: tousled hair, red lips, striped shirt, flirty skirt and THOSE shoes.  I am completely enamored with those!  Head-to-toe cute.



That she spent the afternoon before her show antique shopping makes me kind of love her.



what she wore when... she celebrated chanel

For the past week you can't open a style blog or photo service without tripping over photos of Blake Lively. The Gossip Girl beauty is the new face of Chanel handbags and the storied fashion house celebrated her with an event in Manhattan.  A few days later she hopped across the pond to catch some of Paris fashion week.

Blake normally tends towards the kind of high hemlines and low necklines best avoided by mere mortals.  And it wasn't her clothes that grabbed me this week (although the red-lined, military-inspired coat she wore to shop in Paris is all kinds of fabulous);  it was her choice to don two separate pairs of statement emerald earrings. Maybe it's the promise of spring but that bold pop of green really works.


The guest of honour arriving at the Chanel event in NYC.

While I love the gemstones she wore for the more formal event, it was the pendant earrings she sported for an afternoon of shopping that really grabbed me.  I love hi-lo dressing and the idea of tossing on a piece of statement jewellry with an otherwise casual outfit. 

Blake shopped in Paris with Ma and Pa Lively and famed shoe designer Christian Louboutin.  That's how she rolls.

Continuing on the green theme (must be the approach of St. Patrick's Day!), how great is the coat singer Lily Allen donned for the Chanel Fall 2011 show in Paris?  The whole look is a win.   

Quilted bag, well-cut coat, vintage Ray-Bans: this is pefection for a Chanel show. 

I'm really loving the orangy reds and corals that are popping up in accessories and cosmetics this spring (recently picked up some tomato red nail varnish and just looking at it makes me happy). Both the emerald green and the orange-based reds feel bold and fresh but also classic.

what she wore when... she went to her first oscars

When I first saw Hailee Steinfeld on the Oscar red carpet last night, I immediately thought: "AUDREY."

She might not have taken home the Best Supporting Actress statue, but the 14-year-old has been the big winner on the red carpet all season looking charming, relaxed and, bless her, age-appropriate.  She worked with Marchesa on the design for her first Academy Awards dress and you have to think they took a bit of inspiration from fashion history while putting her own twist on it.

Here's Audrey Hepburn in 1953 at age 24 - similar boatneck, sheer overlay and silhouette.   You can't tell from this picture but like Hailee's the skirt hits mid-calf.

Of course the best inspiration Hailee took from Audrey is her poise and joyfulness.  Here's hoping she continues down that path.  The world needs more Hepburn girls.

For a bit of an insight into Oscar ceremonies past, check out this 1953 footage of Audrey accepting the Oscar.  It's great to see Donald O'Connor presenting with a quick and somewhat quirky cut to Gary Cooper in Mexico.  

what she wore when... she launched a lifeboat (and her official duties)

You know I love a good fascinator so I was thrilled that soon-to-be-Princess Kate turned up at her first official public engagement sporting this brown velvet and silk.  Miss Catherine Middleton has alread proven herself a big fan of hats -  especially the fascinator -  and is putting her own twist on the royal millinery tradition. 

Besides the fact that it's awfully pretty, I appreciate the attention to detail.  According to the Mail:

   Appropriately for the Welsh visit, it was decorated with an insignia of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers – given to Kate ‘some time ago’, aides said – and two military tunic buttons.

The hat was designed by Vivien Sheriff Millinery, a small company based in rural Wiltshire which makes all of its hats by hand.They're a favourite of Kate and judging from their recent winter collection, they share her love of classics with a twist.

From the top of her head to the tip of her toes, Her whole look is win. The cute suede ankle boot gives it a fresh feel.  She's getting kudos from the tabs for wearing a coat which has been in her closet for at least five years and which she had shortened for the occasion (Frugal is the new fabulous!). 

I love that her style is ladylike without being froufrou and that she shows a lot of love for tweedy Royal tradition but with a 21st century spin. Most of all, her look is very accessible. Even if you haven't found your prince, you can still sport cute boots, a smart coat and knotted pashmina. And on a special occasion, a really, really cute fascinator...