Exotic Cats with Pattern Play: Wardrobe or Wallpaper?

I’m loving the likeness of Thibaut’s Cheetah wallpaper to this Joe Fresh silk blouse.  Both items have playful exotic cats layered on top of a pattern for a fresh yet fierce look.

Thibaut’s celebrated paper could be skewed as over the top when looking at it up close, but once it’s applied to the walls, the cheetahs recede and form an abstract pattern, like in this beautiful bedroom by Michelle Smith as featured in Lonny. How tongue in “chic”!

This silk blouse is a great way to add a playful element to your look and at only $59, it’s not something you’ll cry over if you only wear it a handful of times.

If you’re wondering which item I’d pick, then wonder no further. My answer would be an unequivocal yes to both as I am a proud supporter or all exotic cat prints whether on your clothes or on your walls! Meow!

(Room image by Genevieve Garruppo via Lonny)

Baby Buy: Kina Lambskin Booties

Now that I’m over six months in to this whole motherhood thing (six of the simultaneously fastest yet slowest months of my life), I wanted to share some of my favourite items that the boys and I love. We received so many beautiful gifts, but one of our favourites that I went out and bought more of in the next two sizes up, are KINA booties.

These adorable lambskin booties are handmade in New Zealand and have become a daily fixture in our wardrobe. Socks really do not like to stay on my little guys’ feet, but these booties have an elastic around the ankle that keeps them on so their tootsies stay nice and warm. The suede sole provides a solid cushion that helps them from slipping and sliding all over the place (they’re getting squirmy!) and I love that the soft shearling lining breathes and stretches with their feet.

We have them in two different colours: natural for Charlie and chocolate for Jack. Advice From A Caterpillar carries them in other colours too, (including a darling pale pink for the ladies) and they cost $55.

My First Mothers Day Gifts

I have always enjoyed the seemingly sappy yet totally sweet sentiment behind Mother’s Day considering how close I am with my own mother and now my mother in law as well. There is no question that I would not have made it through these past few months as a mom of multiples without their 24/7 support. Now that I am a new mom myself, I can truly appreciate how important it is to have a day devoted to recognizing and appreciating moms everywhere.

 

To celebrate the occasion of my very first Mother’s Day with Jack and Charlie, I was lucky enough to receive some very special presents that I thought I would share with you here. Not that Mother’s Day should be  all about gifts- it is definitely about much more than that –but these are some suggestions to make the moms in your life, whether they’re brand new mommas of newborns or seasoned grandmothers, realize just how much you care!

My husband got me a stunning necklace that is not only stylish, but keeps my babies close to my heart at all times. The talented team at Lilliane’s Fine Jewellery created an elegant version of a small gold dog tag with the initials of the boys on one side and their birth date on the other.

Hung on a longer chain, the result is a piece that is delicate enough for everyday wear, but with a modern edge. If we ever have more kids, additional charms in varying sizes or shapes can be added with their initials and birthdates, or perhaps even their birthstones. It’s a totally personal gift that I love to bits and I am so excited to add this meaningful present into my daily wardrobe rotation.

Sidenote: Lilliane’s also made a stunning white gold necklace for my mother that turned out so beautifully. Paired with a diamond chip, it honours her new status as a grandmother and she can add more tags with the initials of her future grandchildren onto the chain as they arrive into the world. She loved it!

The second special gift takes the typical notion of a bouquet of flowers to the next level. As many fellow new homeowners know, tackling a huge reno often means putting landscaping on the backburner until you’ve recovered from that huge financial investment on the interior. What a fabulous idea then for the gift of a flowering tree to a new mom moving into her forever home. They can watch the tree grow right along with their kidlets! I grew up next to a magnificent Magnolia tree and am so excited that my parents are generously gifting me a little tree of my own to plant in our front yard. I can’t wait until it grows and sprouts those gorgeous pale pink blooms in front of my living room bay window. What a poignant way to mark your years of motherhood!

The last present was also an unexpected treat from my sisters, aka the best aunties around! As a noted tea devotee, my sisters knew a gift of fruity iced teas and a mason jar from David’s Tea would make me a happy camper. Hydration is now more important than ever due to my constant nursing and pumping, so sipping on these refreshing iced teas will be a great way to get in some H2O. Even better than the actual gift itself was the darling card depicting three bags of tea steeping the special qualities of a mom: care, warmth and love. Precious! 

Here’s wishing my fellow mothers of the world a very happy Mothers Day! Thank you for all that you do and I hope that your families made you feel as special and appreciated as I did today!

May Showers

The not so wonderful weather Toronto has been experiencing this year has meant we’ve waited for like ever for some sense of spring. Yes there are some May flowers poking their heads through the soil, but I’m still expecting a hefty dose of leftover April showers.

The unavoidable inclement weather would be a lot more bearable in the divine Baby Gila raincoat from Trout Rainwear. This fashion-forward outwerwear label designed and made in Canada proves you can have breathable waterproof rain gear that doesn’t need to look like you picked it up at Mountain Co-op.

 

I love this particular trench-style coat for its romantic oversize hood and whimsical touches like the Liberty  print on the collar and contrasting white tape on the inside of the zipper. It’s not cheap at $665, but it’s a perfect example of investing in a timeless staple that will carry you through many springs to come. If spring ever does come…

New Wardrobe Alert: Mossimo Lounge Pants

I knew the recovery from a C section wasn’t going to be all rainbows and flowers, but I was so unprepared for the deflated balloon feeling I’m experiencing with my stomach. I realize having twins pushed my stomach to its limit but holy hell (warning: mom anatomy terminology ahead!) my uterus is still so swollen and painful, making fitting into any pre-maternity pants a pipe dream. This means the only pants I’m wearing these days are sweats and leggings that don’t irritate either my now empty womb/incision and leftover maternity pants- wooo!

 

Considering my fashion limitations, I was very pleased to receive a pair of these Mossimo sweats from my sister, which have a more refined lounge vibe to them as opposed to the bulkier versions of sweats that I often sport. I went up a size to ensure nothing was to snug on my tender stomach and although I still look like I’m 5 months pregnant, I at least feel a little less hefty in these sleeker sweats. And for less than $25 a pop, I bought another pair for myself in black!

Triangle Sally

I haven’t indulged in any non-maternity or nursing retail therapy in a long long time but there are still some items I can’t help but drool over when browsing the wonderful world of the internet. This geometric metallic triangle sweatshirt from J Crew is in the words of Gretchen Wieners, so fetch.

It’s not a total bank-breaker at $78 US and I love how it makes a basic sweatshirt a little more glam so you don’t feel like a shlep when reaching for something cozy (which I’m sure will be the name of the game once the boys arrive!)

Maternity Moments: Fashion Faves

Once I announced my pregnancy last summer and my bump emerged (which was pretty fast considering there are two hiding in there), I was excited to check out some more comfortable maternity clothes. I could not button up my jeans past 11 weeks and was looking forward to outfits that hugged my bump, as opposed to having material drifting aimlessly around my stomach.

I didn’t want to buy a total new wardrobe, but knew that I needed a host of good basics, including some great dresses to wear to press events for work and other more formal occasions and some great pants and tops to alternate for everyday running around. Here are some of my fave picks that I’m rotating:

My best buy has probably been Belly’s wrap dress in a deep navy. Made in Canada, it provides enough coverage up top thanks to a built-in camisole panel (bonus for those of us who already had big busts to contend with before getting knocked up!), and the fabric moves so nicely when you walk. I feel very Kate Middleton –esque when I wear it and chose it for my midway preggo appearance on The Marilyn Denis Show.

 

My second fave pick I also picked up from Belly, but was designed by popular maternity make Isabella Oliver. Their ruched maternity T dress in black takes me from day to night easily.  The length can be adjusted depending on how you arrange the ruching on the sides which is a perk. Paired with a statement necklace and tights it is my go to and I have a feeling I’ll be wearing it post-babies as well!

 

My fave bottom besides your typical black legging, has been Jules and Jim’s jeggings. I could not find an actual pair of maternity jeans that were comfortable or fit me properly, and these jeggings that I bought at Kick Maternity at least give me the look of denim but with the comfort of a soft legging and belly panel.

 

Honourable mention goes to the affordable basic Ts that I am living in, including my BumpStart Long Sleeve Scoop Necks from Motherhood Maternity and Liz Lange Ts from Target. Layered over leggings, they are long enough to cover my bump even in my final weeks and have just the right amount of stretch. Plus the price is more than right – how can you argue when T shirts come in packs?

Baby Buy: Bowtie Bib

With the twins’ arrival getting closer each day, I have been paying more and more attention to baby gear and clothing. Buying for boys is a whole new world for me so I get really excited when I find testosterone-friendly apparel that’s in line with my own tastes.

One such find is this adorable bib by Mally Designs that I spotted at the One Of A Kind Christmas Show. Made in Canada of soft washable leather, it makes high-chair time into a chic affair thanks to the sophisticated black and white bow tie design.

Starting at $35 it’s not cheap and I was hesitant about its functionality, but apparently the pocket does extend enough, and stains do easily come out. Bonus for identical twin mommas like me, it can be monogrammed too so you never feed the same twin twice!

Bridal Fashion Week

It’s been quite a few months since I shared the good news about our engagement, so I am excited to say that the big day is just over 2 weeks away and I finally have my first fitting tomorrow at White for my Reem Acra dress.

It was very tough choosing a dress because I was torn between two equally gorgeous and enticing styles, so I cannot wait until tomorrow when I finally get to see my final pick.

To help spread wedding fever, here are ten of my favourite dresses thus far from Bridal Fashion Week in NYC:

The lace overlay in this Ines De Santo is breathtaking- love the peekaboo effect on the décolletage- demure yet daring!

Sophisticated glamour - this Rivini dress still feels bridal and soft, despite it’s architectural layered skirt.

Reem Acra’s shimmering stunner is perfect for a retro Hollywood glamour fete – the beaded cap sleeve is so lovely.

Simple and elegant from Carolina Herrera- understated glamour at its best for a no-fuss look

This beauty by Claire Pettibone looks like a gem from another era- such gorgeous detailing on the neckline!

This Lazaro trumpet combines such marvellous textures – like walking down the aisle on a cloud!

In white it suits a high-fashion bride, but in black, this Vera Wang work of art would totally look at home on the red carpet

Be cuter Monique Lhuillier, I dare you - I want this dress in every colour…

For the high-glitz bride who can’t resist pretty shiny things- I love the unusual scale pattern on this Ines De Santo ballgown

This asymmetrical Amasale makes a statement with its beautiful pearly finish and dramatic lines

(all images from Martha Stewart Weddings)

Edie Vs. Edie

J. Crew is proudly declaring “Edie Ever After”…

 

and while I wholeheartedly agree that the Edie purse in Italian calf hair is beyond stunning at an achievable $448,

my heart only belongs to one Edie.

Missoni Madness in NYC

A pinch-me invite to the Manhattan launch of Missoni for Target was cause for a whirlwind trip to the Big Apple with my mother on Wednesday night.

Cancelled and delayed flights, plus uncooperative weather and a severe lack of taxi’s were not on our side, yet our crazy Missoni fandom prevailed and we managed to have a good time while amassing a large pile of shopping bags filled with fab scores. (In fact our pile was so large that a reporter from the Wall Street Journal took  notice and chatted with us… shame they didn’t list Style At Home in the article but still amusing nonetheless!)

I missed out on some choice items, such as the black and white laptop case as well as the embroidered pillows and the awesome shower curtain, but still walked away with a kick ass bag, stationary for my office, the metal martini shaker, a melamine tray, a sweet tie for Dave, and the awesome rainboots for Margot and more.  I didn’t see my top fashion picks from the lookbook, so I concentrated on scooping up the home buys rather than sift for sizes through the racks, and overall the quality was quite impressive!

Celebs and fashion insiders were out in full effect but the only one I approached was the gorgeous and sweet-as-pie Margherita. When I told her of my obsession with her namesake china she replied “Bravo” - Bravo indeed!

Missoni For Target: Lookbook picks!

What is exciting enough to pull me out of a month-long blog hiatus? Why it’s the Missoni lookbook for Target of course! After getting only little sneak peaks over the past few months since the announcement of their collaboration was made, Racked finally posted the entire lookbook and I have been clicking away making a mental wishlist for my as of yet unconfirmed daytrip to Buffalo ever since. From home goods and stationary to their signature knits and even a bike - this is one comprehensive collection!

Here are some of my faves:

(images via racked)