A few faves in play here- ivory tone on tone, my latest accessory score; the beaded belt and Locale’s Boniol booties. Wearing a Zara silk blouse underneath the sweater, the former layer of which I was hoping to forgo but the unexpected northern wind that day got the best of my style ambitions. Fast forward a few days to the present and the city’s practically bloomed overnight #classicspringinMTL. I can’t get over all the gorgeous pink flowers blossoming around every corner in my new neighbourhood.

| ça va de soi Arwa sweater (Similar idea here + TEXTILE by Elizabeth & James alternative here) | Zara blouse | Zara pants | Locale Boniol booties | Beaded belt |

How incredible is this look on Sara of Harper and Harley?! That improvised Sportmax silver mesh tank looks phenomenal on her. Tots #obsessed with this outfit.

I thought today would be the perfect occasion to honour two of the women who most significantly influenced my fashion eye and all around personality. Without going into too many details here, my chic momma’, Leslie Victoria Stefani, is nothing short of superhuman. She basically raised my younger brother and I on her own for the better part of our early childhood thanks to unfavourable circumstances.

Within the current context of so many of my close friends and family getting married and/or having children right now, it’s not as hard as it used to be imagining myself in my mom’s shoes– a role I’d without a doubt never have it in me to fulfill to the incredible degree she’s done for the last 2plus decades. So much credit is to her due for teaching me the value in hard work, self confidence (a trait I’m starting to see the value in, more and more) and always trying to see the positive in things. On the sartorial side of things, her very important lesson was always that it’s never in poor taste to err on the dressier side of things. A point of view she shared with Coco Chanel: “Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.” And when all else fails, opt for a red manicure.

My grandmother, Eugenie Biedler immigrated to Canada with my late grandfather after WW2 in the hopes of offering her children a better life. If anyone knew hard work and the importance in being well dressed, it’s her. I meannnnnnn! That knit and simple necklace?! Suddenly my take on style has genetic support.

Meet my favourite beauty editor! Joanie‘s professional talent might lie in the products that span your bathroom cabinets and makeup cases (she devotes her career to testing it all so you don’t have to) but her eye for excessorizing is just as impressive, proving that fashion and beauty really do go hand in hand. Here, she gives us a glimpse at some personal faves in her ever-growing collection of swoon worthy statement jewelry (and shoes!) and shares a few of the must-haves in her beauty Rx.

Blessed with a fun-loving charm that elicits the kind of one liners you can’t help but smile over: ”Mascara and lipgloss are like diamonds; a girl’s best friend” and an eternal sunny outlook, Joanie’s summer-inspired loves like ombré tresses, a bright lip and a bronze glow make perfect sense. With one finger endlessly on the cool pulse, believe me when I say, if she’s talking about it, you’re gonna wanna try it.

For more Joanie-endorsed beauty picks, be sure to check out LOULOU magazine for her handpicked monthly faves, to which I incidentally owe my summertime obsession with this fragrance and follow her on Pinterest!

I very recently bought these booties at Topshop in London while I was on a press trip. Even though my credit card was pretty much maxed out, I simply couldn’t resist their «business in the front, party in the back» mojo!

Booties, Topshop

My all-time favourite necklace, purchased at BCBG last year. Every single time I wear it, I get tons of compliments. It’s easy to understand why: It can transform the most casual white T into a glam outfit. Oh and yeah: I’m a sucker for kitsch patio decorations!

Necklace, BCBG

I go crazy for big, statement rings. I like to wear two on the same hand – it sort of completes my look with that oh so cool and rockstar-like touch (it’s all in the little things…).

If you think this necklace is Marni (like I did when I first saw it in store!), think again: It’s H&M. I do love my jewelry like just about any girl, but I have a strict policy about not paying more than $30 a piece. That way, I can defend my right to buy one piece per week (yes, you read that right!).

Necklace, MARNI x H&M

I simply adore these Mango finds. That necklace… I must have worn it close to every day last summer! Can’t wait for the temperature to rise to start rocking it again.

Necklace, MANGO

My fridge is my personal mood board. It’s where you’ll find my real life Pinterest images – Polaroid pictures of friends and I, business cards, wedding invitations, etc. Also, I have a thing for Indian-inspired bling, as you can see.

*Necklaces: Anthropologie, H&M.

I came *this close* to buying real Louis Vuitton Chinoiserie earrings last summer (even though it went against my $30 rule!) – I was way too obsessed with them! But then I found these at Bebe and couldn’t believe my luck. They’re extra heavy but they’re worth the weight.

Earrings, Bebe

Jewelry and magazines = my two loves! I’m also into a big «teen literature» phase right now. I just finished reading the Hunger Games and The Help. As for Eat, Pray, Love, I always keep a copy on my nightstand – it somehow reassures me when I have nightmares: I’ll wake up and read a chapter towards the end and instantly feel better.

Paired with beach hair and a classic, buttoned-up blouse, these earrings look anything but too much. They’re simultaneously the cheapest and most glamorous pair I’ve ever bought. Thank you– Forever 21!

Tons of colourful bling, a zebra print rug and a fluffy white cat: Can my life get anymore girly? Don’t think so!

Oh wait…yes it can: Say hello to Audrey and my perfect white flowers Marni X H&M necklace!

My favourite arm party players: (from left to right) Lia Sophia, Kate Spade, J.Crew, vintage and a Le Cheap C’est Chic original creation. PS: Kitsch decorations FTW* (*for the win)!

I am completely obsessed with bright nail polish. The funkier, the better! I must own about 60 bottles, ranging from neon pink to glittery green.

I’m a «bronze goddess» type of girl when it comes to makeup. I’ll wear anything gold, peach and coral on my eyes, face and lips. I like multitasking products like Nars’ bronzer stick, BeneFit’s tint and Charlotte Ronson’s luminizer. Psst: if you don’t know about that Beauty Blender pink sponge yet, go to ebeauty.ca and buy it now. Trust me: It will change your life. You’re welcome.

I always say that I hate all cats except mine, Maggie. I mean, how could you not love that cutie pie face? I can hear her purring through this picture.

Mascaras and lipglosses are like diamonds: A girl’s best friends. My must-haves: BeneFit’s They’re Real! and Revlon’s CustomEyes.

I have the worst skin ever: acne- and eczema-prone, oily yet dry and often dull. I rely on SkinCeuticals and Dermalogica products to keep it looking fresh and radiant. They’re all very effective.

Is it normal that I’m jealous about my kitty’s baby blues? Yeah, I didn’t think so.

This is not going to sound very original, but my dream hair is Gisele Bündchen’s. Thick, healthy, shiny, wavy and beachy. This is why I go crazy for ultra hydrating oils and creams and salty sprays.

Ze drawer. Every time I open it, it goes crazy on me and refuses to close. Does it mean that I own too many perfume bottles? Puh-lease – is there even such a thing?

Like Coco Chanel, I do believe that a woman who doesn’t wear perfume doesn’t have a future. But unlike a lot of women I know, I don’t believe that «one fragrance for life» thing. I love to discover new scents and test drive new perfumes. I do have special picks, though: Coco Figue by Comptoir Sud Pacifique for summertime, For Her by Narciso Rodriguez for every day, Midnight Rain by La Prairie for hot nights out and Idylle by Guerlain for date nights.

 -As told to LCCC.

Ahhhh what a difference 24 hours can make in this city! The top pic is my look for today’s chilly, rainy forecast. And the below, what I wore hier to frolic (on street style snapping assignment) in the blazin’ sun, 25 degree Celsius temperature.
I’m totally for lack of style inspiration lately. A closet full of clothes and nothin’ to wear. #youknowthedrill. I’m blaming the transition seasons/weather and my BF’s two cents that suggests I have too many clothes and therefore too many options. The nerve! I know. But seriously, he’s onto something.

SO. enter day one of sartorial detox. Insinuated at yesterday in 140 characters or less: HERE.

Alsoooo putting it on my to-do list to get you guys an SLR quality snap of these two grammed sartorial motives. Follow me @stephaniechic !

The full reveal of my Saturday night look for the engagement party. From the point of view that a solid outfit is a medley of textures, this one– made up of silk, leather, metalllics and matte sequins, did the trick. And the incredibly stunning bride wearing the long sleeve version of this ISSA number. Oh! and the shoes– incredibly comfortable! And that’s saying a lot cause I can never find a pair of pumps that don’t squish my kickers.

Aritzia tank | H&M skirt- in stores now (similar idea here) | Forever 21 earrings | Boutique 9 Orra D’Orsay pumps | Club Monaco clutch |

The engagement party for the wedding where I’m Maid of Honour happens tonight. Since dressing up is not something I ever pride myself on being keen upon, I’ve been on the constant lookout for outfit scenarios that err more on the fashion side of things #notsurprisingly, than the #dressedup variety. Believe me though, in these more traditional sort of events (of which I have quite the calendar full this summer/fall), it’s hard to strike the balance I’m most comfortable with, between appropriate and non-typical.

SO! Popped into H&M for a peplum leather top I saw a while back and regretfully never scooped up. I had in mind to pair it with this skirt but you snooze, you lose– it’s no longer in store. Instead! I came across this gorgeous ivory leather mini (similar style here)! Not only a wardrobe staple with so many styling possibilities but it looks AHMAZE with these copper/rose gold Boutique 9 Orra D’Orsay pumps I picked up a while back on Shopbop for the wedding originally before they fell short with my dress for that day. Returning them was never an option though given their standout colour and sartorial prospects at any rate. Stay tuned for a hopeful snap of my whole look ce soir

Working morning in the company of the latest issue of Brit Vogue (whoop!) with these sweeeet azzzzz Kurt Geiger’s featured within. A teeeny background glimpse and preview of an upcoming lacquer post you won’t wanna miss. And a near finished Iced Toffee Nut Soy Latte. Always so disappointed when it’s done. So deeelish.

Etsy is fast becoming a fave for one-of finds. Had this beaded belt custom handmade for me by the very talented couple running this shop out in AZ. Just arrived yesterday and it’s totally on par with my expectations, not to mention, one of those pieces you know will only better with time.