Summer Shows...Ugh

So, now that ANTM has finished, I've been looking to see if there was a show during the summer that would be fun to recap. I read the summer schedule and then made this face:

Why is tv this summer so bad you guys? I watched the last 20 minutes of The Bachelorette tonight and it makes me miss Tyra. That poor lady appears to have low self-esteem (according to the preview for next week's show) and is jealous of a lady called Emily. I get that, as Emilys are generally rad. OMG you guys, the Phantom of the Opera is one of her suitors!

Oh, also...spoiler alert...the big plot line for next week is that a dude named after a car is not interested and will make the Bachelorette cry. She appears to cry a bunch. Stop the competition, I've found her perfect dude. Eh?

After The Bachelorette, I watched 5 minutes of Extreme Makeover: Weightloss Edition and...turned it off after the subject picked to lose weight described herself as "literally the elephant in the room when [she's] with [her] family". Yeah.

Honestly, the two shows I described above were the ones I found I'd be most likely to recap. I briefly considered the latest MTV Challenge show, called Rivals this season, but those shows are totally a guilty pleasure of mine and I don't know how many others get that excited to see some drunk fools off of Real World roll around in mud with this fellow:

I lost my taste for Big Brother a long time ago...I'm not a fan of Masterchef...not even going to waste any of my snarky barbs on the new Paris Hilton show...nothing is looking promising. There's Toddlers and Tiaras, but even a jerk like me doesn't feel right about making jokes about those little girls.

Don't cry for me...I'm going to be spending my summer catching up on season 2 of The Only Way Is Essex and watching TCM. Oh, yeah, I've decided that my summer recap show is going to be...Britain's Next Top Model. Not very original, I know, but they're including Irish girls in the cast this season and I love me some Elle McPherson. The show starts in July...be ready!

XOXO,
Emily

Crazy dude photo via gawker.com; Kenny photo via nypost.com

Practical Fashion - Pregnant In The Summer

It's been awhile since I posted my take on "practical fashion", so I thought I'd go for 2 posts this week.

If you live in Toronto, you will know that it is frickin hot outside today. Heat alert! I'm getting flashbacks to last year when it was this hot and I was ginormously pregnant. I was huge, and ambling around in the heat was a challenge. Because of all the G20 silliness and World Cup parties that were happening last June, I couldn't rely on public transit and had to walk most places.

So, yeah, you can't just stop your life because it's hot when your pregnant, so here are some tips for staying as comfy as possible in the heat. I'm not going to go into any "drink a bunch of water"-type tips, as you are smart and likely know of such tips already.

1) Start with shoes

They should be comfortable and breatheable. They are most important. I swallowed my pride and picked up some Birkenstocks, and they served me so well in the heat. If runners are more your thing, wear them with thin wicking sport socks and give those nylon foot cover thing-ys a miss. It's also always a good idea not to wear the same shoes 2 days in a row.

2) Dress up your sportswear

Natural fabrics are always a good call for keeping cool, but don't forget about performance synthetics. If you pick up sporty tops in basic colours and shapes that aren't too flashy, you can wear them to work with a blazer on top. I found that I could find lots of non-maternity athletic wear that worked for me well into my third trimester, because the fabrics are forgiving. I wore Lululemon tanks and tees to work fairly regularly with a jersey pencil skirt and blazer. It was a pretty comfy summer uniform, and I kept fairly cool walking home once I took off the blazer.

3) Keep it flowy

I've already declared my love for maxidresses. They are perfect for walking around when pregnant in the heat. Look for jersey or silk chiffon fabrics, as nylon or some other synthetics may not breathe as well. A long flowy skirt with a tank or a floaty tunic over leggings will work really well too.

4) Don't be self-conscious about your bump

I was pretty certain when I first found out I was pregnant that I would not be wearing any of the following during my pregnancy: shorts, 2-piece bathing suits, mini skirts, tank tops, skinny jeans. Not only did I wear all 5 of those looks while pregnant, but they became wardrobe staples for me...and I was pretty huge. My attitude about these pieces was that, since it was obvious I was pregnant, I'd rather be comfortable than hot. I ended up losing any self-consciousness that I'd had and put together some cute looks as a result. So play around with pieces you may be a bit unsure about and stay cool!

Bensimon Elastique Tennis Flats (shopbop.com)
Deep Breath Tank (lululemon.com)
Frida Maxi Dress (anthropologie.com)
Maternity Boy Shorts (topshop.com)

XOXO,
Emily

Gwen Stefani pic via pregnancyfashion.sheknows.com

Practical Fashion - Take It To Church

I'm not really a church person. I've got no problem with church, or those who attend; it's just never really been a part of my routine. I think it has something to do with having to go to Catholic school as a kid.

Lately I've been unable to avoid church or reminders of church. In addition to attending a funeral in a church a few days ago, I saw lots of little ones dressed up for their first communions yesterday. The church around the corner from my place rang their bells for a long time in the afternoon too. I also saw so many beautiful old churches while driving through Quebec recently. It got me thinking today about dressing to attend church. Not so easy to do, is it? The three hours I spent recently at the Confederation Mall in Charlottetown, waiting for family to find appropriate church outfits, points to no.

You may be someone who attends church regularly, and in that case I'm sure that you dress according to the lead set by the rest of your congregation. Some congregations are definitely more formal than others. For those of us who don't attend regularly, well, I'm here to help! I'll try my best.

Now when I speak about dressing for church, I'm also including synagogue and mosque too. Attending services at each of these places requires some specific cultural observations, but the principles are relatively the same. Speaking to someone who regularly attends the mosque or synagogue you'll be visiting will help to ensure that you are appropriately attired.

Cover Yourself

I'm sure you have great legs and a nice rack, but the people in church don't need to see. Skirts should be knee-length (or longer) and tops shouldn't show any clevage. My personal feeling is that shoes should be closed-toed too, but I think you can get away with an open toe if it's tasteful.

Try Trousers!

Dressy trousers for church are win-win. They cover what needs covering, plus they still allow some mobility for kneeling, walking up stairs and what not. Tuck a blouse into high-waisted dress trousers and you will look awesome. (PS- the bare midriff is to show what the waist looks like. No bare midriffs in church!)

Don't Wear Anything Noisy

Seems like a no-brainer, yes? Well, I made the mistake of wearing jangly bracelets to church recently and had to put them in my purse after sitting for like 2 minutes. Sound carries thanks to the high ceilings of many churches, so crossing your legs or squirming in your seat while wearing a noisy fabric will get you noticed. Try to avoid leather, corduroy, stiff brocades, jangly jewellery or anything else that makes noise when you move. Definitely avoid clickety-clackety shoes.

When In Doubt...Throw On A Blazer

Putting on a blazer over your dress, jumpsuit or top will instantly elevate it and make it more classy. You can't go wrong wearing a sleeveless shift (knee-length, of course) with a tailored blazer. It will serve you well during service, and you can take off the blazer later when you go for drinks. That's what y'all do after church, yes? Drinks?

Girl by Band of Outsiders Alene Dress (lagarconne.com)
Ports 1961 Flared Leg Trousers (shopbop.com)
Oxford Ballet Flats (jcrew.com)
Richard Nicoll Suit Blazer (satineboutique.com)

XOXO,
Emily

Church Lady photo via this blog

Mood Music + Hello

Hey hey,

Hope you're well. Happy Memorial Day to my US pals!

It's been a crazy couple of weeks for me. I'm not sorry to see the end of May. Lots of challenges, not very much sleep, not many posts (you may have noticed?). My husband's grandmother passed away last week. She was a fantastic lady, very well loved by lots of people, and she will be missed. Her passing was tough on all of us, even the 'lil peanut who had his routine disrupted by an 18-hour drive to the Maritimes and didn't get to sleep in his usual crib for a long time. Poor little fella is cutting his top teeth too.

So, yeah, May was a challenge but now I get to look forward to June. Lots to look forward to, including a trip to Ireland. I've taken a couple of days to re-focus, and will be posting lots in June as well. I've got lots of ideas and am excited to get to work.

Have a great week!

XOXO,
Emily

Max Out Yo Credit Card - Proenza Schouler Dress

What up? How have you been? I've been busy directing the gardner on what to do with my fancy garden. This year he is to grow only gold or red flowers. It's tiring being outdoors...at least I am dressed well.

Proenza Schouler Printed Spiral Dress & Ikat Belt (neimanmarcus.com)
Burberry Buckle-detail Welingtons (net-a-porter.com)

XOXO,
Emily

Cheers to Queen Victoria

Hey pals, hope y'all are enjoying the long weekend (or just the weekend if there's no holiday where you live. Set off some fireworks anyway!

I'm out of province currently, dealing with some family stuff. As a result, I'm not sure how much I'll be able to post over the next few days. There is no wi-fi at my hotel, and the 'lil peanut tries to eat my laptop when I blog in his presence these days.

So, yeah, check back later next week and hopefully there will be some fun stuff to read.

XOXO,
Emily

It's Tyra!!!! - ANTM Week 13

"Bleep, bloop, Harvard, smize...I'm too over this season to talk in anything but gibberish"

Finally! The end is here! Let's get to the recap!

I Like You...Kristen McMenamy

Kristen McMenamy will be eternally awesome for all the fierce modelling she did in the 90s. She was one of the best models for sure. And! Girlfriend is over 40 now, still modelling, still looking fantastic. She is just as beautiful! This photo of her at the recent Chanel Resort show is truly gorgeous.

You rule Kristen! I hope you keep modelling for another 20 years. 

Highlights From Chanel Resort (fashionista.com)

XOXO,

Emily

It's Tyra!!!! - Cycle 17 ANTM Preview

I know we're still slogging through cycle 16 (one episode to go!), but I've seen a bunch of blog posts about the cast of ANTM cycle 17 and thought I'd weigh in. Lots of love to my friend Donald who sent me a link to a blog this morning and inspired me to write this post. Here are the girls that are participating:

Max Out Yo Credit Card - Alessandra Rich Jumpsuit

Long weekend alert! Long weekend alert! It's cold and rainy outside, but we're still going up to the cottage this weekend, yes? Great...I know just what to wear!

I'll bring the champagne if you bring the hot dogs!

Alessandra Rich Belted Marocaine-Silk Jumpsuit (net-a-porter.com)
Christopher Raeburn Patchwork Bomber Jacket (barneys.com)
Rag & Bone Classic Combat Boot (lagarconne.com)

XOXO,
Emily

Mood Music - Faithless

I am a big fan of my 'lil peanut, but the hilarious fella has decided he doesn't want to sleep these days. We're up with him for a minimum of 2 hours each night. I used to be up at 3 on the weekends pretty regularly, watching tv and eating a snack before hitting bed after getting home from dancing. Maybe I should let the 'lil peanut dance in the night? He can dance to this song. Ah well, there's always coffee...gotta put my 'lil cranky pants down for a nap. Happy weekend!

XOXO,
Emily

It's Tyra!!!! - ANTM Week 12

We're getting closer to the end. Just hang in there my sweeties! Next week is the finale. Let's get through this week and next...and then we can enjoy a Tyra-free summer! Celebrate!

What did we learn about Tyra this week?
Tyra made an appearance prior to panel this week! She was dressed well! She spoke to the contestants about their personal problems and did not turn it back around to speak about her own life! Okay...what's going on here? Is this a Tyra impersonator? Is this that pretty young thing Raja that won Rupaul's Drag Race?

Technical Difficulties

Hey y'all -

Happy Friday! So, there's been a problem with the site that hosts this blog and they're working to restore some lost data. This data includes the ANTM recap that I had all but finished, minus a couple of Tyra screencaps. I'm hoping to have either my restored draft post or a newly-written version up this evening. Here's Tyra Banks long-forgotten music video to keep you company while you wait. I had forgotten what a terrible J-Lo rip off it is.

XOXO,
Emily

Practical Fashion - Help! I Have To Dress Nice For Work!

It goes without saying that pregnant ladies have a lot going on to deal with. The least of your worries when you are pregnant should be figuring out what to wear to work each morning. I have to dress pretty corporate for my job, so it was not so easy for me to find work wear options during my pregnancy. I did my best and created some looks that ended up working well. Here are my tips for putting together easy work-appropriate outfits while pregnant.

Jackets & blazers are your friends

While there was no chance of fitting into the bottom half of any of my suits after I was about 4 months along, I was able to wear all my blazers right up until the end of my pregnancy. They wouldn't button up, but I just made sure to wear cute dresses or tops underneath. I was able to get away with wearing jersey t-shirts and tanks to work because the blazer over top instantly dressed them right up. Don't spend money on maternity blazers if you can avoid it.

Buy neutral trousers

You can get away with wearing the same pants 3-4 times in a week if you make sure they are neutral. I only bought 3 pairs of maternity work pants and they worked well through out my whole pregnancy.

One of my most pleasant surprise purchases was a pair of black cigarette pants I picked up at Reitmans. They weren't maternity, but the waistband fit nicely under my bump and I was able to wear them even in my 3rd trimester. I enjoyed them much more than my "secret fit panel" work pants. Try to steer clear of that secret fit panel if you can. Invest in one good pair of work pants, like the Isabella Oliver ones pictured. You'll wear them lots and they will also look great at dressy dinners and events.

Work a wrap dress

Wrap dresses are fantastic. They are very work appropriate (especially with a blazer over top), comfortable and look awesome on a pregnant lady. There are lots to be found in great colours and patterns, so I'd suggest picking up 2 or 3. Wear a camisole underneath so you don't have to worry about your cleavage, and you'll be all set!

Get a jersey pencil skirt

I had a black jersey pencil skirt in my wardrobe before I got pregnant, and didn't really think to wear it until I pulled it on in a rush to get out the door one morning. It became my favourite piece to wear throughout my pregnancy. I loved how lightweight and comfy my skirt was, and it was easy to dress up with blazers and pretty tops. I wore the skirt just as often with tanks and a denim jacket on the weekend.  A jersey pencil skirt can be worn over or under your bump, whichever feels more comfortable for you. If you can only afford to buy one or two maternity pieces, I would suggest getting a black jersey maternity skirt for sure. They are easy to find at non-maternity stores (like American Apparel) and maternity stores alike (skirt pictured is asos.com).

Watch your silhouette

I figured out when I was about 4 months along that I had to be especially cognizant of silhouette when getting dressed for work. I looked most put together when I made sure that I mixed full/billowy pieces with slim ones. Let me try to explain better: if I wore a billowy top with wide leg trousers, I felt wide, wide, wide. Swapping out the wide leg trousers for cigarette pants and throwing a cropped jacket on top: instantly better. Always anchor your flowy pieces with fitted ones. It will make you look way more chic. Cropped jackets and cardigans look great over flowy maxi dresses. A fitted jersey top will do your bump justice when worn with wide legged pants. Have fun and try some combinations yourself!

Schoolboy Blazer (jcrew.com)

Hipster Maternity Trousers (isabellaoliver.com)

Capped Wrap Dress (isabellaoliver.com)

Asos Maternity Jersey Pencil Skirt (asos.com)

Jewellery, accessories and makeup will also go a long way to making you feel better about your work look. Treat yourself to some new pieces! You may have to wear the same black dress pants for 9 months, but you can have lots of fun with scarves, belts (more on wearing belts when pregnant next week!), jewellery and different makeup looks. Plus, you'll be on maternity leave soon enough! Yay!

XOXO,

Emily

Angelina Jolie & Victoria Beckham pics via pregnancyfashion.sheknows.com

Max Out Yo Credit Card - Good As Gold

I love gold. Shiny, glamourous...gold is awesome. I really should wear head-to-toe gold all the time. Wednesday morning coffee? Grocery shopping? Walk in the park? Gold, gold, gold!

Adam Metallic Jacquard Dress (net-a-porter.com)
Lanvin Single Breasted Cloque Jacket (barneys.com)
Alexander McQueen T-Strap Foliage Platform Pump (neimanmarcus.com)
Jewelled Lily Clutch (mulberry.com)
Ippolita 18-karat gold hoop earrings (net-a-porter.com)

XOXO,
Emily

It's Tyra!!!! - ANTM Week 11

Oh hi...what a week hey? Didn't I see you at the Met Ball? Weren't you the one hiding under my bff Andre Leon Talley's taffeta kaftan?

You know that there's gonna be a giant kaftan challenge on the next cycle of ANTM. On to the recap!

Practical Fashion - Pregnant & Patterned

When you're pregnant, the last thing you want to do is call attention to your bump by wearing a pattern, right? NO WAY! Patterns can totally look awesome on pregnant ladies. Let's face it - folks are going to notice that you have a bump. Why hide it under sad black jersey all the time? Live it up in some patterns!

Here are some patterned maternity looks that I think are pretty awesome:

Maternity Fifties Rose Sundress (topshop.com)

Rachel Pally Lala Dress (shopbop.com)

New Jeanne Wrap Dress (www.dvf.com)

ASOS Maternity Floral Legging (asos.com)

Isabella Oliver Print Tunic (isabellaoliver.com)

Leaves of Grass Arlington Embroidered Kaftan (net-a-porter.com)

XOXO,
Emily

Selma Blair pic via pregnancyfashion.sheknows.com

Great Moments in Soap History - Swans Crossing

For a few glorious weeks in the summer of 1992, watching the tv show Swans Crossing was my favourite thing to do. Even more than going to the mall! The show had everything: love triangles, rich vs. poor, scientific advancements, a girl living in a submarine, grown men who kept trying to steal one of the teen's poems...so many great moments!

Swans Crossing also has one of the best show openings of all time, up there with Saved By The Bell for sure. Not going to lie - a friend and I learned the Swans Crossing dance and used to dance to the theme at the beginning of the episodes. The dance doesn't really hold up, but the song is still pretty damn catchy.

There are toooooons of clips of Swans Crossing on YouTube, so treat yourself and watch some of the awesomeness. Yay!

If you want to learn all about Swans Crossing, you may want to look here and here.

XOXO,
Emily

photo via tvrage.com and nakedthanks.com

Max Out Yo Credit Card - Election Day Edition

Hey fellas! Did you vote yet today? If you live in Canada I hope that you will today. Can't whine about the government as we all like to do unless you exercise your democratic right to vote. I'm heading out to the polls in a couple of hours, after I clean all of the mess off the 'lil peanut and get him to take a nap. He is currently covered in oatmeal, banana, water and rice puff cereal. He looks more like a 'lil dirty hobo than a peanut. He likes baths, so lucky buddy gets two today.

So, if you've read this blog before, you'll recognize that it is pretty light and I don't weigh in on political controversies and such. This is on purpose. I have lots of opinions about politics and news, but there are many more eloquent folks than myself expressing such views on a variety of blogs. There are also many yahoos who write stuff I think is garbage, and I would be sad if the consensus was that my political writings were in that vein. I think I'll stick with fashion and fun.

As I said above, I have lots of opinions on this Federal election, but I'll keep them to myself for the purposes of this blog. Please, please, please vote today. Your one vote could make a big difference...especially if you're in a riding that is going to be a horse race like mine.

So here's what I'll be wearing to go and vote today. No political endorsement intended (wink, wink).

Oh...you'll probably notice that none of the pieces above are Hermes, despite that brand identifying so strongly with the colour orange. This is on purpose also. I despise that snooty brand for a number of reasons. They dissed Oprah! Boooooo!!

Giambattista Valli Belted Silk-Poplin Shirt Dress (net-a-porter.com)
Lanvin French Espadrille (barneys.com)
Marc Jacobs Single Bag (neimanmarcus.com)

XOXO,
Emily