There is little bad to be said about the wonderful softness and warmth of cashmere and I love this application of the wool for brand Crumpet. This sweater is hand knit in cream coloured cashmere. It’s a good sturdy knit too by the looks of it. Texture really rules here, but it also creates a bit of thickness too, which is great for keeping warm and keeping the sweater’s shape. This long style sweater is really reminiscent of a cardigan and the pockets on the front are great. Also loving the tortoise shell buttons and the folded collar. This would look great over jeans or over a summer dress, so you can stretch your summer wardrobe. But you need this sweater!

Image source: www.net-a-porter.com

So, I totally spotted these for their great style and colours (available in black, chocolate or teal), but upon reading further, it turns out these also boast the microwobbleboard technology that helps you tone while you walk. While I wouldn’t replace an hour on the gym with an hour of shopping in these babies (known as Fitflops, by Anna Sui Shakoha), that can’t be a bad thing. So you get fashion, function and form. Really, that’s about all you can ask for. These are suede (not good for rain) and lined, so they should keep your feet nice and toasty. Plus, they’re really, really cute.

Image source: www.net-a-porter.com

In the latest in an ongoing series of collaborations between MAC Cosmetics and other powerhouses, the makeup company has paired up with Dsquared. I’ve got to say, this isn’t my favourite of all the fabulous lines that have occurred, but it could be the most versatile. The products learn heavily towards vibrant pinks and various nude or natural shades. Of all the products in this limited line, I am most fascinated by a clear gloss you can put anywhere on your body or face for an extra shine. It’s kinda random. There is also a lip erase produce that you swipe on your lips, and any natural lip colour you have vanishes.

Image source: www.maccosmetics.com

Remember when people wore the cheap looking leather or pleather cuff with silver coloured studs poking out and it was all the rage? These aren’t those cuffs, even though it’s certainly a throwback to when every kid wanted to be a punk. The studded cuff is back thanks to designers like Kenneth Jay Lane (his cuff is pictured), Alexander McQueen, and Roberto Cavalli (his cuff, a 24 karat gold piece will set you back more than $700). Lane’s is my favourite because the black and white is nice and geometric. This one is a gold plated studded bangle (22 Karat), but McQueens’, an all black resin cuff, is hot too. These are statement pieces for sure.

Image source: www.net-a-porter.com

So lately I’ve been obsessing about made in Canada clothes and it’s because I keep tripping across the most unexpected things, like this knit dress Narcissist Aurora Dress. It was on a clearing house website of independent designers (www.mudsharkstreetwear.com) and there was tons of made in Canada content. Anyway, love the colour of this sweater dress, and the neckline is beautiful and comfortable looking. I’m also enjoying the sleeve length, because lots of sweater dresses seem to have full length sleeves. So this is a nice touch. The belt is not included, but I’m betting it looks just as good without it. Or spice it up with something you already have.

Image source: www.mudsharkstreetwear.com

It’s time, for the crazy fashion people anyway, to start considering the holiday dress. I stumbled across this LaRok dress on the Revolve clothing website, and I have to say it has some great elements going on. First of all, the cut and style is pretty flattering for lots of body types (as long as you can hold up a strapless), because the bottom is loose and wavy and totally feminine. I also love the upper portion of the dress because of the sequined flower detailing. LaRok is fabulous, flirty and fun and will go the distance because the whole vibe of the dress will change with accessories. It’s polyester, the only downside. I also love the graduation of colour in the bottom half.

Image source: www.revolveclothing.com

Loving these long ruched leather bow gloves from Coach. Guaranteed to add some class to even the most thrown together of outfits. I also really like the length in the arm portion because gloves that end at the wrist just don’t have the same flare. These, pictured in grape, are also available in classic black, and those are really sharp too. Coach has knocked out a lot of lovely leather gloves this season, and I think I’m going to move away from fuzzy knitted mitts and get me a pair of sleek, sassy gloves.

It appears it’s all about ankle boots this fall. Not my favourite of styles. I just wish the boots would decide: are they boots, or are they shoes? Pick one already! I scanned some of the latest designs from the likes of Jimmy Choo, Tory Burch (grey suede, not bad, pictured below), and Proenza Schouler (these studded boots are bad, very bad, pictured below). The Choo boots, pictured above, are black suede heels with eyelet embellishments. The height on these heel (4.5 inches) will help balance out the legs on shorter ladies. If your legs aren’t long, watch out for the really true ankle boots, because sometimes they make short legs look shorter. Plus, the overall length of these boots is nice, and at the tall end of ankle boots. The ankle boots that will go the distance this season are the more rocker style ones with bright colours or embellishments like buckles, rather than the boots trying to look classic. Alexander Wang does this well.

Image source: net-a-porter.com

Cruising for winter wear I checked out Coach (OK, so I was cruising for purses). But anyway, there is a whole new line of yummy coats, sweaters, tuques (here in Canada, in the US those would be hats). I scanned the goodies and quickly discarded all the scarves emblazoned with the word “Coach”, because, come on, it’s not going to actually say the word around your neck. Plus, who needs THAT? I discovered this woven scarf in yummy, yummy merino wool, which for those not in the know about sheep, means it’s really freaking soft. It’s also a beautiful soft grey, which means it matches pretty much everything. As an added touch, it is woven with sequins. Add a bit of sparkle to your day.

Image source: www.coach.com

Love, love, loving some of the new purses for fall. Happy to see we’re not going to be stuck with the drab colours associated with the gloom and doom of a West Coast fall. Loving this Lil’ Riz purse from Marc Jacobs. This violet leather handbag is a functional size and shape, oh so important for lugging around all the goodies. And the colour is hot, hot and more hot. Also spotted some fantastic black purses from Jimmy Choo, but it is the colour that has me sold on this one.

Image source: net-a-porter.com

This is taking fashion homage too far. It appears Chloe is trying to appease the fashion gods of yesteryear (think: Marie Antoinette) with this gold and crystal bow encrusted black suede nightmare. I couldn’t resist spreading this to the world. I think there’s a zipper in there too — homage to the punk gods maybe? Or the ’80s?  If you’re feeling brave, feel free to rock these babies out for night on the town, but keep your dress simple and neutral, or you may look like you got lost on your way to a costume party. My feet hurt just thinking about these.

Image: net-a-porter.com

Okaaayyy, I’m seriously dying of cuteness right now. Just when you thought fingernails (fingernails!) couldn’t get anymore crazy and insane and wild, and the Japanese cuteness craze couldn’t go any further there are these. Fingernails, the most wacked out cute, insane fingernails I have ever seen. Fingernails with teddy bears, bows, and yes, even doughnuts and ice cream. These babies are 3D, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit freaked out by how far these nails are going. To top it all off, they are totally pink, pink, pink. The pink is everywhere. Apparently, these are quite the thing in Japan and other Asian countries. Want ‘em?  Kawaii Nails in Portland is importing them and selling them. According to the website, all the nails are hand made by technicians in Beijing, China and Japan. Check it at www.kawaiinails.com.

Wenlan Chia, an American fashion designer with a line called Twinkle, is famous for her knitwear, so imagine my surprise to stumble on a whole fashion line that encompasses clothing and home accessories. Here techniques on the knitwear front carries over into her accessories, like  this above necklace, appropriately called the Avalanche. Huge broken pieces of etched acrylic mix with small ones create a hot broken eye line. It’s not small, and it’s not typical. Broken edges, mixed shapes, bold corners, and a fresh icy colour make a statement. Not feeling the $300 price tag? Spotted at H&M: A necklace of similar style, with clear, perfect squares making up the body of the necklace, held on a silver chain. Not quite as hot, but will do in a pinch. It was kind of heavy too.

Photo: www.shoptwinkleliving.com.

I wasn’t sure exactly what this was when I spotted it. Turns out, it’s a hand blown glass sculpture by UK artist Amanda Brisbane, who, apparently, everyone is talking about. Her work is in museums in the United States and Europe and the pieces come with a mega price tag. Because they are hand blown, no two are exactly alike. Brisbane also uses sand casting for some of her amazingly colourful and decorative pieces, which have names like Plain Peacock Butterfly (above), Red Sun, and Frozen Water (both after the jump). I really love the abstract forms, especially in the Frozen Water design. The Red Sun also has a strong colour impact.

Image/text source: www.neimanmarcus.com

Coach keeps pumping out the bags as quickly as I can fall in love with them. Here’s another from the Hamptons line I’m totally loving. I think it is, once again, the purple. This also comes in mahogany brown and black. I said it once, but I’ll say it again. Those three colours, along with raspberry, are going to be smoking in the fall. Anyway, I really like the solid shape and design of this one.

Image source: www.coach.com

Ummmm …. I had to put these out there because I feel like this is kind of a perfect example of what you should never put your feet through. Talk about much too much – these Miu Miu sequined pumps are likely to blind unsuspecting passersby. But hey, they would definitely be a conversation starter. Or stopper. And you’d be the only one at the party wearing them. Just don’t wear them with orange.

Image source: www.shoewawa.com

Bag. Must HAVE bag. Need bag. OK. This is the Jimmy Choo Ramona tote, comes in two colours. Black is the safe bet, but not as fun as the lovely blue pictured above. I take it back. The blue will get you through the seasons too. It’s way hotter anyway. Patent leather, gold hardware, part of the fall collection. Bag. Love bag.

Image source: www.neimanmarcus.com

I’m thinking this bag is aptly named. It’s the Gucci Hysteria shoulder bag. This is the kind of bag women fight over and covet. This colour and style is going to be knocked off for fall, watch and see. The cost of the real thing in grape suede with a genuine metal Gucci crest? $1,350 US. I really can’t say enough about the colour. LOVE the colour. And the shape.

Image source: www.neimanmarcus.com

Oh, I know you’re out there. You love the gladiator sandal and wear it everywhere and bemoan the fact they fall in and out of style. I am not a convert. However, I believe I’ve found a happy medium for those who think like me. I spotted these online at www.shopdolcevita.com and thought, hmmm, I could go with that. Check out the major sale. The pluses? No major multi straps and because it doesn’t wrap all the way up the leg and sticks to the ankle, you won’t have to worry about weird tan lines. And I’m loving the bright blue.

Image source: www.shopdolcevita.com

Want to make a colourful splash? Check out this 100 per cent silk Victoire Faille wrap dress, part of the fall collection, by Diane Von Furstenberg. The woman knows how to make a hot, sexy, fashionable dress. But it’s the colour of this one that really sold me. It’s pretty blinding, but is definitely a pick me up. How can you be in a bad mood in this colour?

Image source: www.neimanmarcus.com