A Summer Wedding in Toronto

Following Phaedra's wedding tips here is what I wore to a "semi-formal, city wedding" in Toronto.

Summer wedding outfit by styleista-bh 

shoes: zara | clutch: Prada from Holt Renfrew | cuff: Stella & Dot | ring: David Yurman from Holt Renfrew | necklace: H & M | dress: Aritzia

Brenna Hardy and Alana DeSimone

~xoB

Weddings: What to wear as a guest

What to Wear to a Wedding: City vs. Country + Tips

Summer is wedding season!

As a guest at a wedding it can at times be somewhat stressful when wondering what to wear. You may have thoughts like; I don't want to be too dressed up, I don't know what's appropriate at a city or country wedding, and is it ok to where white or black?

Here are 5 tips to getting it just right at any upcoming wedding you may be attending:

1. Use the invitation as your initial guide; what style of invite is it? Is it fancy, casual or funny? 

~Most invites will state dress code but if not then observe the style as mentioned above as a cue on how to dress.

2. Observe whether the wedding is being held in a country/casual setting or in a city/cosmopolitan setting? 

~If in the country, aim for flowy, soft silhouettes with colour and pattern

~If in the city it is acceptable to wear black and aim for cocktail style dresses for sophistication.

Weddings: What to wear as a guest by phaedra-godchild featuring party dresses

3. Can you wear white to a wedding?

~As a general overall rule: Avoid! There is no point in wearing white as it most likely will offend the bride. There are a million other colours out there that you can wear so just don't do it.

4. Footwear: Wear something fabulous but comfortable

~If you are not even out of the house and your toes are already in pain, change your shoes. If you must wear the shoes then bring a pair of chic flats in your purse or car.

5. Accessorize: have fun with accessories!

~The simplest dress in a solid colour can be transformed with accessories. Try layering necklaces, bracelets and/or even a hat or head piece. 

***Here is a picture of me with some girlfriends at a wedding last weekend***

L to R: Kristin, Natasha, Phaedra and Sarah

The reason we attend weddings is to celebrate our friends or families happiness, so have fun, relax and stay chic! 

~ Phaedra

Fall 2013 Preview: What's Hot for Fall 2013

Fall 2013 Preview

We are still in the full swing of summer but Fall goods are soon to hit stores and to be prepared for what you should be seeking this autumn season I have shared some highlights from the F/W 2013 runway shows and Street Style Trends.

Statement Outerwear
Do: Keep the rest of the outfit simple

Rachel Zoe

Leather in New Ways
Do: Try new silhouettes such as cropped, baggy pants rolled and skirt or dresses

Jason Wu, Mandy Coon, and Alexander Wang 

Put a Hat on It
Do: Pair it with the unexpected

NY Yankees Baseball Hat

Winter White
Do: Wear it all over or pair with rich colours

Herve Léger, Proenza Schouler

Don't Lose the Leopard
Do: Try in new colours and scale of prints

DKNY

Green with Envy
Do: Wear all head to toe or invest in a statement bag, shoe or coat

Monique Lhuiller

I still hope summer sticks around for a long while yet though!

~ Phaedra

Dinner en Blanc Calgary

Downtown Calgary's Central Memorial Park was the secret location of the first Dinner en Blanc hosted in our city on July 4th. The location was revealed an hour prior and attendees flocked in a sea of white to set up for the posh Parisian pop-up picnic.

Dressing all in white and bringing along a picnic basket, diner ware and a white folding table and chairs, nearly 1,400 Calgarians came together to enjoy an evening of food, wine and fun. You could feel great about it as 10% of the wine sales went to The Red Cross towards flood relief.

Brenna Hardy and Thea Fallow

A special moment was when all attendees were "white-hatted" - presented with a traditional white Cowboy hat made by Smithbilt and sponsored by the Calgary Stampede. Which provided a little protection from the sun showers that turned the dinner into a wet T-shirt contest for a little while.

All in all it was a wonderful event and it was so great to see the city come together yet again after the recent flooding and it was the perfect kick start to Stampede.

~xoB