Express Holiday Preview and TIFF Red Carpet Looks

On Wednesday, August 27th Express hosted a Holiday Preview that included winter looks and Red Carpet inspired looks as they are an official sponsor of TIFF this year!

I've collected quite a few Express pieces since their arrival in Toronto. Some of my favorite pieces have been dresses, pants and jewelry. I still wear an amazing bright neon necklace that I purchased 2 years ago! 

For this preview, Erica Wark stylist extraordinaire, created red carpet looks and gave us the run down on the key trends. Wearing an adorable red Express midi skirt, white pumps and a white tee, Erica enthusiastically greeted visitors. Erica is a resident fashion expert on Steven and Chris, The Social, The Marilyn Denis Show and Entertainment Tonight. Read more about her on her website Erica on fashion.

I loved Erica's refreshing take on red carpet style. She chose modern separates for women, mixed gold and silver jewelry and strappy heels for women. For the men, she chose boots with trousers, sleek vests and mad men esque ties. On the men's front, she said vests are a great way to slim down a silhouette. That's the thing about fashion, there's always something new to learn! 

Thanks Erica and Express for a fantastic event! Check out the latest holiday and red carpet looks below! 

Red Carpet Ready!

Always love Express jewelry

Erica Wark wearing and holding the Express midi skirt

I have the same one in black!

Styling away!

Boots for men!

Mad Men esque

Vests are slimming for men!

Jewelry galore!

Everyone at the event eagerly checking out the latest looks!

Always a season or two ahead :)

Treasure Seeker Colleen loves this one!

Loved the accessories here!

Thrifting in Midland - The Salvation Army

No matter where we travel, we always seem to be able to find a thrift store! This time, we found a Salvation Army in Midland, Ontario! Alas, I didn't leave with anything; but lovely Colleen found a cute pair of tennis shoes, perfect for gardening and dock walking for just $4 and practically brand new. This little Midland thrift store had quite a few treasures and of course it's always great to support a good cause at the same time. I took a few photos of the treasures someone will find a home for eventually. Happy thrifting!

Lots of furniture, great for furnishing a cottage on a budget!

Treasure Seeker Colleen might have found something here!

Shoes, shoes, shoes!

Thunder Beach, Midland and Penetanguishene

Just got back from a refreshing weekend up on Thunder Beach on the Georgian Bay in Ontario. Usually we spend Friday night getting settled and enjoying the patio before heading into Midland for an afternoon of shopping and flat white coffees at the local coffee shop on Saturday, and this weekend was no different. Midland was particularly lively this weekend as it was the annual Art Walk festival. The main street was closed and local vendors had tables set up with their specialties. It was great to see the community in full swing! We walked around and shopped and I bought a fantastic pair of tights at one of our favorite little boutiques called Cashmere Blue. These tights are unlike any I have seen before because they are fleece lined! With the possibility that we are going to have another cold winter, I figured they were a great investment for only twenty dollars a pair. They are made by a local Toronto company called C'est Moi Clothing, if you are interested in finding a pair yourself and not going to be in Midland any time soon. I'm watching what I buy these days after, especially since our Second Hand Challenge wrapped. I'll be writing a post on how we are doing with our shopping in the coming weeks.

After our shopping, we stopped by the local coffee shop, "Grounded" for the best Flat Whites and enjoyed the live band. Next stop, Penetanguishene, to pick up a few more gifts for our evening party and some fish and chips at the dock side restaurant, and then back to Thunder beach! A very eventful Saturday and I wouldn't have it any other way. It's a treat to be able to visit this amazing place every summer and spend time with great friends. Can't believe summer is coming to a fast end. Are you ready for Fall? Because I am NOT!

Have you purchased any items for Fall? If so, tell us about them in the comments!

The Georgian Bay - Our view in the mornings! 

Always something cute to find at Cashmere Blue Boutique

Tights from C'est Moi Clothing

The best Flat Whites in town!

 Now entering Penetanguishene

At the docks having fish and chips!

Dinner partying 

Sunset on the beach

50% Off At Value Village Today!

We all love a great bargain, especially when we're getting ready for fall. I know - we're in denial that fall is coming, but we can at least shop in the meantime! Value Village is having a 50% off sale today! The sale includes clothing, shoes, accessories and bed & bath items. I won't have a chance to make it for the sale as I'll be sailing the evening away, but Treasure Seeker Colleen might just make a trip to see what's in store for fall.

Will you be attending the big sale? What fall items are you looking for? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Michelle Lowe-Holder Event at Rue Pigalle Boutique

Rue Pigalle's Isabelle Fish

On the evening of Thursday, August 14th, fashion admirers alike gathered at Isabelle Fish's beautiful Rue Pigalle Boutique, on Queen Street West, to meet Canadian accessory designer, Michelle Lowe-Holder. Isabelle is renowned in Toronto for sourcing top couture designers around the globe and bringing them to Torontonian style seekers. She hosted a meet and greet event for Michelle and her customers to get together and talk fabulous fashion design! (Image right courtesy of Isabelle Fish) Visit the Rue Pigalle website at RuePigalle.ca

Michelle Lowe-Holder

Michelle was born in Canada and graduated with a BFA Honours in Fashion Design from Pratt Institute in New York and an MA in Knitwear at Central St. Martins in London. In addition to showing her own line, she has participated in numerous projects with top global brands that include: TopShop, Science Museum, M and Shwop and Nike.

In 2009, London College of Fashion and the College of Sustainable Fashion invited Michelle to attend a mentoring program to help develop a more sustainable approach to fashion. Her AW'10 Collection "Ribbon Reclaim" marked a change in Michelle's designs. She shifted her focus to accessories, primarily, and began to use heritage handcrafts, vintage detail, zero waste and upcycling, by using ends of lines and "cabbage" (scraps from previous collections) to produce her designs. You will see them in the images below!

Michelle is currently working on a Grant Award from Fireup to develop 3D printed pieces in 2014 and also lectures at Istituto Maragoni. She now exhibits her collections twice a year in Paris, and her designs are sold at boutiques internationally. (Image via Michelle's website)

Chatting with Michelle and her Mother Suzanne 

While Michelle was very busy during the Rue Pigalle meet and greet event, she took the time to chat with each and every person in the boutique. Her Mother Suzanne, was also in attendance, proudly supporting her daughter. As we are a Mother-Daughter blog, I was interested to hear about Michelle's fashion design from the designer herself, but her Mother as well! Suzanne told me that she knew from a very young age that Michelle would pursue fashion as a career.

I was also interested in the eco side of Michelle's designs. She takes vintage pieces and then incorporates and modifies them into new designs. I was intrigued to learn that one of her bracelets was made from a vintage pin cushion! For her, the possibilities are endless!

We don't often have the opportunity to meet the talented designers whose work we admire! It was wonderful spending time at Rue Pigalle and getting to know Michelle and her Mother and the beautiful creations Michelle had on display. Visit Michelle Lowe-Holder's website to see and learn more! 

Michelle's designs in the window of Rue Pigalle! 

Below are other designs featured in Isabelle's store

A visitor trying on one of Michelle's designs!

Michelle's lovely Mother Suzanne 

Michelle Lowe-Holder and Isabelle Fish