The Avenue Vee

Sweet Treats // Heart Shaped Macarons

2013-02-09T13:19:00.003-05:00

With Valentines Day coming up next week, I was inspired to bake some heart shaped macarons.

I topped off some Vanilla Bean Buttermilk Cupcakes and Hazelnut Buttercream icing with some of the heart shaped macarons. Such confections are really perfect for gifting to friends and family on Valentine's Day

m a c a r o n r e c i p e

(from les petits macarons book)

1 1/4 packed cups of almond flour

3/4 packed cups of confectioners' sugar

pinch of fine sea salt

3/4 cups of granulated sugar

1/2 cup of aged egg whites (4 eggs)

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

4 drops of food coloring gel (pink or red)

v a n i l l a b e a n i c i n g r e c i p e

(from Eva Bakes)

3 sticks unsalted butter, softened

seeds scraped from one vanilla bean

2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract (this helps maintain the bright white color)

1 ½ pounds (24 ounces or 3 cups) confectioners’ sugar, sifted

4-6 tablespoons heavy cream or milk

Are you baking anything special for Valentine's day?

Hope you are having a great week-end!

thanks for stopping by xx,

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Style Report // Coral Me Bold

2013-02-07T13:15:00.000-05:00

I recently took a spontaneous 2-day trip down to Miami and needless to say I was ecstatic to start wearing some Spring colors (this fabulous BCBG Blazer) and my favorite Dolce Vita sandals from last summer! Although the winter hasn't been terribly bad in Toronto this year, I am not much of a winter person. One of my favorite colors for SS/13 is Coral & Watermelon.

Hope you are having a great week! Thanks for stopping by.

Until next time xx,

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Trend Report // Pantone 2013, Emerald City

2013-02-05T09:32:00.005-05:00

Pantone has named Emerald as their official color for 2013! What does that mean? Ultimately you will start seeing more and more Emerald greens all around you, from fashion, interiors to product designs. If you may recall, the theme of 2012 was Tangerine Tango and we are still seeing this color trend everywhere today. In fact if you have recently walked through your local mall, you wouldn't miss this vibrant color in many of the window displays, Club Monaco having one of the best that I have seen yet.

Now back onto Emerald! At first, I was quite surprised that this color was chosen, but Pantone made this choice carefully as they wanted a color that would be:

"Lively. Radiant. Lush… A color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony."

Emerald is a color usually associated with sophistication and luxury. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®, stated on their press release that "the most abundant hue in nature, the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum," and continued with the symbolism of the color "symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today's complex world. This powerful and universally-appealing tone translates easily to both fashion and home interiors."

Now that you have a better idea on why this color was chosen this year, I have compiled some inspirational images to spark your creativity!

Texture

Nature

Interiors

Fashion

Want!

All of these images were taken from a board that I have created on Pinterest. Do check out my <board> for more Emerald inspired images!

How do you feel about Emerald green being the color of the year? Will you be incorporating it in your fashion/interior choices this year?

Until next time xx,

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Style Report // Boyfriend Blazer

2013-02-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday!

I can't deny that it is always more difficult to create outfit posts during the cold winter months, nevertheless today I wanted to show one of the outfits that I wore most recently.

I am huge fan of blazers because they are perfect for layering whether it is over jeans for a casual affair or to work. Boyfriend blazers are typically longer and have more of a square (boxy) shape to them. I find that they are the best type of blazer to layer over leggings because of their length. In this outfit I kept everything black, from the boots, to the blazer and the leggings, and I created a contrast by adding gray a cowl neck sweater.

Something Extra

You must be wondering what is in that electric pink box... I went to pick-up some macarons at Nadege Patisserie on Queen West in Toronto...Yes it seems I have been in a macaron mood lately, it must be the winter :).

Until next time xx,

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Sweet Treats // Dessert Table Vol. 1

2013-02-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday my lovely readers,

I have been meaning to share the dessert table that I put together for Christmas and I have finally had the chance to post it today. I baked all the treats that you see on the table and put everything together for our family dinner.

Those were chocolate gluten free cupcakes with Buttercream icing. Because I was baking so much that day (as you can tell) I chose the simple route by baking them with a GF Cake mix, however I made the icing from scratch. I had also found those cupcake toppers, aren't they so cute?

I made these peppermint flavored meringues with green food coloring, they were a favorite among our guests!

You can never go wrong with a bit of retro with some mason jars!

I had also made some macarons and a chocolate mousse which I carefully placed in martini glasses.

I had also put together a dessert table for New Years which you can also check out if you haven't yet.

Have a lovely weekend *

Until next time xx,

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Design + Decor // Interior Design Show

2013-01-31T06:00:00.000-05:00

It's Design + Decor today on The Avenue Vee and what perfect day to share some of my favorite finds at the Interior Design Show this year! One of the highlights of the show was sitting in on a Lecture by none other than House & Home magazine's Lynda Reeves, who designs some of the Princess Margaret Lottery show homes, as well as the Hudson's Bay Company's very own President, Bonnie Brooks.

Both Lynda & Bonnie specialize in different backgrounds, however, they are both passionate about Interior Design. They each took their separate turns to give us a peak at their homes in Toronto and shared their thought process and where they get their inspiration from. I believe Bonnie's home design will be featured on the next magazine edition of House & Home and I would recommend to grab a copy! Her house is truly stunning, a mix of classic and modern, in an older home which she renovated to her taste.

Here are some of my favorites from the show:

Can you believe everything that looks like wood is in fact made with luxury vinyl flooring panels?! I know! This is a great example that creativity is endless and you don't always have to stick to a conventional material.

Oddly enough, the IKEA booth was my favorite booth of the show. It mainly focused on their kitchen line and I think they did a great job at putting it all together, to the detail. IKEA is very often associated with "cheaper" alternatives, although I can't deny the fact, but it is true that they make great design solutions for a less expensive cost..After all, not all of us can afford a scavolini kitchen from Italy. At the end of it all, design is very much life fashion, once you pair the expensive and the inexpensive, and it's done well, no one really knows what you paid for at a fraction of the price.

I also loved what they did with the lighting over the island! There were also some other great lighting fixture set-ups.

Loved the wireframe effect on those pendants.

You can never go wrong with a good old Edison light bulb!

There is something about a fire place that always makes me feel cozy and comfortable and they did not lack of fireplaces at the design show.

I loved that wooden stool, an alternative to a log/wood stump side table.

My favorite feature at the show was this wall. Can you guess what these gradient color patterns are made of?

If you guessed right, yes, those are hundreds of colored pencil crayons! This was a great design inspiration for me.

In the same area, they also had these wooden log partition walls which some had been dipped in wax to create color patterns.

And that's my list for the 2013 Interior Design Show!

Until next time xx,

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Places // Bobbette & Belle

2013-01-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

I love discovering new places, whether I am in Toronto (where I currently live) or in a city that I am visiting. There is something so special about having the ability to explore and discover and today's post is the first of it's kind. I decided to share some of the special places that I discover or have discovered along my journey of exploration. Toronto is an extremely multicultural and diverse city, and as a result there is a multitude of cultures to be experienced.

If you have been following my blog for a while you are probably well aware of my sinful lust over macarons, some may even call it an obsession. Truth be told, there is something about these delightful french confections made with egg whites, ground almonds and icing sugar with a filling of your choice that really satisfies your taste buds and have you asking for more. As an avid baker, I can admit that the process of baking macarons can be quite challenging in itself and I have yet to master that art (although I have had some successful batches in the past).

One of my go-to macaron places in Toronto (yes, I have multiple go-to places!!) was conveniently located in the Bay (department store) at the Eaton Center in the Oliver & Bonacini's Artisan confection shop. Although their macarons are delicious, they are not baked on site, but rather outsourced from Bobbette & Belle, a bakery located on Queen St. West. The only inconvenience with the Artisan shop is that they often run out of flavours or macarons period until they receive their new shipment, therefore I was motivated me to pay a visit to the source.

credit: bobbette & belle

Over the weekend I finally had the chance to make my way over to Bobbette & Belle's retail location and I officially fell in love with the interior design, the atmosphere and most of all their menu. They sell everything from french macarons, cupcakes, cake, cookies and confections.

They also have some display shelves with various take home or gifting products for sale, from cake stands, meringues, Balzac's coffee, tea, and cookies.

They had 10 different flavours of french macarons on display, my favourites being the passion fruit & the pistachio.

I was in awe in front of this cake prototype display, some truly beautiful designs.

As my treat of the day I opted for a decadent hot chocolate which they topped off with marshmallow, as well as a few passion fruit and pistachio macarons.

Overall I had a really great experience at Bobbette & Belle's artisanal pastry shop, the staff was very friendly and the pastries in themselves were excellent. If you live in Toronto or you are visiting, and you are as much of a fan of indulging in sweets as I am, I highly recommend to stop by this place. I definitely see myself visiting this shop more frequently. You can visit their website for more information.

Until next time xx,

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Style Report // Brick Red & Cozy Wool

2013-01-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

Wool cardigans and sweaters are probably the next best thing to cashmere. This soft material always keep you warm on colder days and living in a country like Canada, I can say that I am a big sucker for wool. I purchased this sandy coloured wool Cardigan from Club Monaco about two seasons ago and I love it so much I also had to get myself the other colour it was available in, a chocolate brown. These cardigans are ideal to wear as warm layers, whether it be under a coat or by itself as I have worn it in this outfit post. I also often find that on days where the temperatures are not freezing cold, I don't necessarily need to carry a coat around, but I keep warm by wearing a warm pair of gloves and a pair of boots in addition to my multiple layers. Cardigans can often look boxy and lack structure, this problem can be solved by adding a belt to accentuate your waist.

//Cardigan: Club Monaco | Sweater: French Connection | Sweater: French Connection | Leggings: BCBG | Boots: Jessica Simpson | Bag: Michael Kors | Belt: BCBG Max Azria //

Until next time xx,

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Red Carpet // SAG Awards 2013

2013-01-28T17:21:00.001-05:00

It is such a busy award season for Hollywood stars and starlets and last night was no different at the Screen Actors Guild Awards which took place in Los Angeles. The major colour trends of the night were black, navy blue and white as celebrities rocked fresh off the runway gowns. The SAG Awards are known to be a trial for the Oscars and celebrities tend to dress a bit more casual.

My favourite looks of the night were donned by none other than Jennifer Lawrence and Amanda Seyfried who both opted for subdued navy gowns and side swept hairdos. Although they both kept an overall minimal look, they looked radiant and didn't fail to turn heads during their walk down the red carpet.

Find out who else made it to my best dressed list after the jump!

Jennifer Lawrence wore a Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring 2013 Dress.

Amanda Seyfried wore a Zac Posen Pre-Fall 2013 Mermaid Dress.

It wasn't all about the Navy Blues on the red carpet as some of our leading ladies opted for different choices.

Celebrities like Nina Dobrev, Maria Menounos and E's host Giuliana Rancic went for more dramatic looks with unexpectedly vibrant and bold colours.

Michelle Dockery, Anne Hathaway and Tina Fey showed us that black doesn't have to be so basic. I must say that Anne has been choosing her dresses very carefully this season to match her pixie cut and she has been doing a phenomenal job, she looks stunning!

Sofia Vergara Naomi Watts and Katrina Bowden were angelic in white.

Did you have any favourite dresses at the SAG Awards? Do share! :)

Until next time xx,

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Style Report // Chunky Sweaters & Neutrals

2013-01-23T07:26:00.002-05:00

Yes! Chunky and oversized sweaters are once again featured on The Avenue Vee. I pretty much expressed my love and slight obsession for this comfortable Winter alternative. Oversized sweater are a staple wardrobe item this year and they are perfect for layering over a pair of leggings or jeans!

// Sweater: H&M | Leggings: Guess by Marciano | Shoes: Steve Madden | Bracelets: Aldo | Bag: Longchamp //

Something Extra...

One of my favourite places to go to for Hot Chocolate in Toronto is called Soma. They have two locations now, one being in the Distillery. This place has the best Hot Chocolate I have ever had, and some of the best truffles and chocolates in the city.

Until next time xx,

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Style Report: Oversized Sweaters & Mustard

2013-01-15T11:25:00.000-05:00

Happy Tuesday my lovely readers,

The Holidays are long gone and somehow we are already well into mind-January. It's sometimes scary to think how fast time goes by, and as I reflect back it seems as though every year goes by faster than the previous.

This Winter, I have been overly obsessed with oversized sweaters. They are perfect to wear during warmer winter days without having to worry about carrying a coat or jacket around and most of all they are super comfortable.I don't know about you, but winter is probably my least favourite season. Having been brought up in a tropical country, not only do I hate the cold, but I never seem to get adjusted to it, and I am not one to participate in winter sports. Luckily winters aren't very harsh in Toronto and we can afford to go out in cozy sweaters in the middle of January. When it comes to Winter Fashion, my motto is comfort before all. That said, comfort can go beyond the good ol' pair of Uggs or a pair of Lululemon pants, and that's where I find the oversized sweaters come in. They are comfortable and cozy, but yet perfect for layering and staying stylish. I fell in love with this Elin Kling for Guess by Marciano sweater which was first spotted on celebs like Olivia Palermo.

// Sweater: Guess by Marciano | Leggings: Guess by Marciano | Boots: Dolce Vita | Bracelets: Aldo //

Elink Kling for Guess by Marciano Lookbook

Worn by Blogger Elin Kling herself

Worn by Olivia Palermo

How do you like the oversized sweater trend?

Until next time xx,

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Red Carpet: Golden Globes 2013

2013-01-15T10:26:00.002-05:00

As I am sure many of you tuned in to watch the Golden Globes last night, the highlight of the night was, and always is, on the Red Carpet. I love award season because it is a great opportunity to see some of the favourite A-listers set new trends and set a tone in a fashion for the year ahead.

This year the person who I found to be the most stunning at the Golden Globes, from the dress, to the hair, to the make-up and the jewelry, was Jessica Alba. She truly stole the show as she donned a melon silk Oscar de la Renta gown paired with Harry Winston jewelry, among which a $5.8 million diamond necklace.

Find out who else made it on my best dressed list after the jump!

Nicole Kidman stepped out of her usual comfort and more conservative zone and turned all eyes in Alexander McQueen. This gown is the perfect combination of sexy, edgy and sophisticated.

Motherhood sure does Kate Hudson well! Not only does her post-baby body looks better than her pre-baby body, Hudson was stunning in an Alexander McQueen Keyhole Gown.

Lea Michele stunned in an Elie Saab a beaded gown with a halter neckline and a thigh-high slit a la Angelina Jolie. This beauty has come a long way since her first Red Carpet appearance a few years back, I love that she is taking more fashion risks and it is working in her favour.

Jennifer Lawrence was red hot in a Dior Haute Couture dress. She was radiant and the choice of a mirror adds perfect structure to the gown.

SETTING THE TRENDS....

Several trends were noticeable on the Red Carpet this year among which some of my favourites were:

The Whites & Neutrals

A-Listers channeling Sea Mermaids

Fifty Shades of Red

Black & Gold Standards

Who made it to your best dressed list this year? DO SHARE :)

Until next time xx,

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Happy New Year 2013 ~!*

2013-01-01T22:02:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year my lovely readers!

Wishing you all and your families a happy and prosperous 2013! It is definitely out with the old and in with the new. Although overall I look back at 2012 as a pretty positive year in my life, there are certain aspects that I would like to improve coming into the new year and this helped me create some of my new resolutions.

A new year is is always the perfect opportunity to grab a blank canvas and start fresh with the ability to paint your new canvas throughout the upcoming year. It's time for new beginnings and to make some serious and not so serious resolutions that you may or may not keep as the year goes by. The best tip that I can give when making those new resolutions is to stay realistic and to be precise (i.e. instead of saying you want to lose weight overall, make sure to give yourself an actual and realistic goal that you can stick through). Secondly I think it's important to write down your resolutions and refer back to them throughout the year as a constant reminder of what you set out for yourself. Lastly, despite of all the ups and downs that we face in life, it is always important to not get discouraged and to push through, the road to your goal may be hard, but the satisfaction you obtain in the end will prove to be worth it!

I have been on a baking streak during the holidays and I prepared a dessert table for our family's NYE party, after all no celebration is a celebration without some cupcake action!

Did you have a fabulous New Year's Eve?

Stay tuned tomorrow to find out what some of my resolutions are for 2013 ~

Until next time xx,

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Style Report: Festive in Wintery Mint

2012-12-04T19:19:00.000-05:00

Happy Tuesday my lovely readers! Can you believe it's already December? We are only 21 days away from Christmas and I am super excited about it..most of all I am looking forward to having a whole month off of School. That said, I hope you enjoyed the SS'13 INSPO features I posted last week and I hope they will inspire you when planning some of your Spring/Summer outfits. I would like to thank all of you who took the time to send your feedback!

Unfortunately as I am in the last week of my Fall Semester I will be away for the remainder of the week getting my projects completed, but I promise to be back next week with another feature which will focus on getting right in the holiday spirit. The feature will be mainly on holiday gifting and I will share with you my Christmas wishlist so do come back and check it out.

On another note, I have been loving large and comfortable sweaters lately, specially on cold days! There is something about them that really comforts you during this time of the year. I fell in love with this sweater because the colour (mint/gray) was very striking, a perfect way to add pastels to your winter wardrobe.

// Sweater: Guess by Marciano | Pants: Zara | Boots: Steve Madden //

SOMETHING EXTRA...

Here are some bits and pieces from my weekend via instagram. If you don't follow me yet, my username is TheAvenueVee.

What were your favourite collections from last week's feature?

Until next time xx,

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SS'13 INSPO: Cara Cheung

2012-11-29T20:44:00.004-05:00

Cara Cheung is a young Toronto-based fashion designer who has been doing such a phenomenal job at creating a bold and edgy line during the past few years. For today's SS'13 feature I wanted to introduce you to an up and coming fashion designer through whom I see a world of potential and most of all that you perhaps haven't heard of before (if you don't live in Canada). I think it's important to step outside of all the labels and designers we have grown to know and who show great prominence in the fashion industry and give some recognition to the ones who may not have that same exposure yet but are well on their way.

That said, I had the chance to attend Cheung's SS'13 show during the World Master Card Fashion Week this past October and once again she did not fail to impress us. Cheung created a modern twist on a Tribal inspired collection with Tribal graphic prints, bold accent colours - perfect for Spring/Summer - and oversized crystals and jewels to create an ultimate effect. While mixing silks and leathers, the collection showcased sexy body-con like dresses for the modern day girl who not only loves to be the center of attention when it comes to fashion, but who also loves to go for a night out with the girls. This urban sophisticated line promises to turn heads, so ladies, if you like to be bold and make a fashion statement you should definitely be on the lookout for Cheung's collections!

Here are some of the dresses from the show (photo credit Ming Su):

Doesn't Cheung's collection inspire you to run to the gym and make sure you are in the best of shape to look perfect in these dresses?

Do share your thoughts on the collection and feel free to show Cara some love on twitter @Cara_Cheung or yet visit her personal site Cara Cheung for more! Which is your favourite dress?

Until next time xx,

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SS'13 INSPO: Barbara Bui

2012-11-28T08:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Wednesday! On today's edition of SS'13 INSPO Barbara Bui brings sexy back in a street style kind of way with her ready to wear collection. The past two features on Jason Wu & Elie Saab feature more couture & high end wear, but today I wanted to showcase a collection that would cater to the everyday fashionista who yearns for an understated, but yet sexy appeal.

The leather pant is a main feature in Bui's collection as she showcases different versions from a trouser to skin-stretched legging and everything in-between. Face it girls, finding a perfect pair of leather pants or leggings is not an easy task, specially for those of us who have fuller figures or have more curvacious silhouettes. Thankfully, with Bui's different outtakes of the leather pant, you can try to gather some inspiration on how to wear it, and better yet rock the look confidently and with poise! I also love the long tailored tops and blazers, a perfect touch for layering.

The leather trousers definitely provide a more tailored look for the 9-5 fashionista who dares to don a pair for a work affair which would perfectly transition for after work cocktails. A white silk blouse or collared top would not fail to bring this leather "bad girl" connotation to appropriately sophisticated.

Are you looking for a perfect dress for your next girls night out? Well this might be it! Bui made sure to showcase her line of strapless dresses (from mini to long) with a layered effect of sheer for an additional dimension.

All in all I found Bui's collection to be very monochromatic, however, it worked for her line and I am sure it also works for her clientele. She kept her designs very simple and as they say simple is often better. Going back to some of Jason Wu's pieces, leather, leather, leather and I am loving it! It is evidently a very big trend for the S/S next year, however, I would have always thought of it more as Fall/Winter appropriate. Nevertheless, I have been loving this trend and I am happy to see that they have kept it alive for another season.

How do you like Barbara Bui's SS'13 Collection? Are you loving these leather looks?

Until next time xx,

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SS'13 INSPO: Elie Saab

2012-11-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

For the second feature of the SS'13 Collection Inspiration I have chosen Elie Saab. He showcased his collection in Paris during the Paris Fashion Week and it instantly puts you in a summer mood with the bold colour choices. Saab's collection is evidently geared towards the modern day working woman with pieces such as collared shirts, pencil skirts, mini shorts and trousers.

Is this Cobalt blue I see? YES! I was ecstatic when I first saw this gorgeously decadent long blue piece with a slit on the skirt and an elegant lace detail on the sheer collared top. This is what initially triggered my interest in looking at further images of his collection. I have declared my love for Cobalt blue many times in the past with posts such as Style Report: Feeling Blue & Weekend Escapade: Little Blue Dress and this is no different, I absolutely love everything about this outfit.

Saab has successfully achieved a contemporary and feminine collection which showcases how one can wear summer fashion in a sophisticated manner; whether it be with shorts, skirts, trousers or dresses. An understated look with more neutral hues and summer whites was also showcased.

Lastly, I also loved the flowy dresses with what one can imagine as paint splashes. I am often skeptical with having too many prints on a dress, but this looks works very well and is not overpowering, in fact, this would be a perfectly playful yet sophisticated summer dress.

Overall, I think Saab successfully created a collection for the working woman of 2013 who he sees as « an artist, a photographer or a philanthropist. » The collection is simple in an understated way, but yet creates a wow factor. Gathering from this I will be looking for more bold colours, cleverly designed prints and summer neutrals for my S/S wardrobe choices. I always try to create sophisticated and fun looks and Saab has inspired me to continue with this vision.

How do you like the Elie Saab SS'13 collection?

Until next time xx,

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SS'13 INSPO: Jason Wu

2012-11-26T22:45:00.003-05:00

Happy Monday Dolls! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend, and a great Thanksgiving (if you live in the US). As the end of the year is fast approaching I thought it would be a great time to feature some of my personal favourite SS'13 Collections. Yes, the reality is Spring fashion will be hitting up our favourite stores before you know it and it is never too early to plan which looks you would love to rock in the new year! That said, I hope this feature on The Avenue Vee will help spark your creative inspiration while planning ahead and keeping in mind the upcoming trends.

Every day this week I will post a collection by a different designer from high fashion to more everyday wear. Today I am featuring Jason Wu as a favourite. He showcased his latest collection at NYFW this past September and after seeing the images I instantly fell in love with his collection.

Wu incorporated leather, pleather, sheer and lace in his collection that was evidently inspired by the woman herself and some of her fetishism behind closed door respectively to the dominatrix. Although inspiration can come from any form and that of Wu's could be provocative in a way, I think he has successfully achieved his collection in a very classy and sophisticated way. Wu's collection is in fact very feminine as he strongly kept the woman silhouette in mind as he crafted these beautiful pieces, however, the bad girl touch definitely adds an edge and a character to the collection.

I have been loving the leather/pleather trend this past Fall and after seeing this collection I am excited to incorporate it into my spring fashion selection. Furthermore, Wu also incorporated some sheer fabric to his skirts which we saw a lot of last summer (i.e. with sheer maxis and asymmetrical dresses/skirts)!

How do you like Jason Wu's SS'13 Collection? Will you continue to incorporate leather and sheer into your fashion choices next year?

Until next time xx,

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Style Report: Biker Chic

2012-11-21T13:57:00.002-05:00

Happy Hump-day my lovely readers!! I can't believe it's already Wednesday!I took these pictures a few weeks ago (sorry it took me forever to upload them) when I went to see the Cara Cheung SS'13 Fashion Show in Toronto. Cara and I went to High School together and I am so proud of her for what she has achieved with her Fashion line, she is definitely going up the fashion ladder and I can't wait to see what else she comes up with. I will do a blog post on her line soon mainly because I think her line is very different than what you see out there. That said, you can always check out her website to see some of her fab & eclectic dresses: Cara Cheung.

For the occasion, I chose to wear a biker inspired outfit while layering a feminine peplum top with a moto jacket while complementing leather leggings and leather platform heels. If you haven't noticed yet, I have been very much into the leather, tough, rocker/biker chic look for Fall. I love being able to turn this look into my own while making it more feminine and edgy. I also love how a simple jacket can completely change an outfit sometimes. You will notice that I layer a lot with jackets and it is one of my "secrets" to achieving my looks.

Top: TopShop

Jacket: BCBG Max Azria

Leggings: Guess by Marciano

Heels: Steve Madden

Jewelry: Aldo (ring), F21 (necklace & earrings)

Bag: LV Speedy 35

Wishing all of my American readers a safe and happy Thanksgiving weekend (for us Canadians, our Thanksgiving is in October).

What are you thankful for this year?

Until next time xx,

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Style Report: Bold Layering & Military Inspired

2012-11-18T14:51:00.000-05:00

Happy Sunday my lovely readers! Yes, I am sooooo guilty for having neglected my blog and not posting for the past few weeks. To give you a bit of an update of what I have been up to: being in my last year of university & pursuing an Interior Design Degree has been consuming most of my time.
For my thesis project I have taken it upon myself to design a 10+ story building (it won't be realized as a real life project) which will host a hospitality institution, several restaurants and a hotel... and I can't say it's been an easy task. That said, for me challenge is what it's all about and I am really excited to develop my concept and achieve all of my objectives. I am a strong believer in stepping outside of your comfort zone and really pushing yourself to learn new things and further discover yourself and what you are capable of in the process. I will definitely share as my project further develops past the research phase.

On a happier note, I don't know about you, but I am super super super excited for the holiday season. Christmas is by far my favourite holiday of the year mainly because of the fact that it entails spending some quality time with the family and close friends. It will also give me some much needed time off from school with plenty of time for baking (one of my favourite things to do, specially for the holidays!!)

The military trend has been one of the biggest trends we have seen this year. Although it is typically reflecting the military green colour or camouflage pattern that we are used to, this double breasted jacket by BCBG was evidently inspired by military fashion. I love that it was offered in multiple colours and not only "green". Initially I saw the Royce Jacket on the BCBG website; however the actual military color-blocked option unfortunately never made its way to the Canadian stores (I tried so hard to get my hands on it many times) and sadly it was my first options... Finally I chose to get the red one, not my first choice, but a bold coloured jacket nevertheless and perfect for the upcoming holidays.

This is the version that I wanted.. I am still hoping that BCBG will bring it upon themselves to make it available to their Canadian customers as they don't ship to Canada from their e-store. This jacket is beautifully cut and is very comfortable for layering.

Knit Sweater: Zara

Leggings: BCBG Max Azria

Jacket: BCBG Max Azria

Booties: Guess by Marciano

Under the jacket I wore a knit sweater from Zara which has a faux leather front. Another of my favourite trends from Fall would have to be this edgy and rock & roll inspired leather trend. From dresses, to blazers, to tops, I love the pops of leather (or faux leather) that really changes any drab outfit to fab!!

Do you have anything special planned for the holidays?? And I am always curious to hear what your favourite Fall trends were this year as we are fast approaching winter!!

Until next time xx,

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Style Report: Falling for Black & Grey

2012-10-15T21:48:00.000-04:00

Happy Monday! Fall fashion is all about layering different pieces to create the perfect & warmest outfit! From scarves, vests/jackets, sweaters and boots, Fall fashion possibilities are endless.

I have kept this outfit very monochromatic and best of all comfortable for a lunch date with family & family friends and I layered it with an oversized scarf and a cropped vest. In my opinion, this scarf almost makes the whole outfit because of the visual texture it creates. This goes to show that textures and patterns, even though subtle, can create a huge difference when layering!

Top: BCBG Max Azria

Legging: BCBG Max Azria

Suede Vest: BCBG Max Azria

Scarf: Forever 21

Accessories: Cuff (Aldo)

Boots: Dolce Vita

Bag: Michael Kors

Shop some vests perfect for Fall layering!

1. Fabion Faux-Suede Vest by BCBG

2. Buckled Moto Vest by Forever 21

3. Jetta Vest by BB Dakota
4. Wool Vest by Guess by Marciano

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Weekly Favourites Vol. 1

2012-10-12T18:51:00.003-04:00

Happy Friday my lovely readers! I hope you all had a wonderful past week. I recently started Pinterest-ing, if I may call it that, and I wanted to share some of my favourite pins from this week. No better way to start the weekend off with some inspirational images, right? :)

If I could get any bag right now it would be the Celine Boston Tote. It's just such a classic, timeless, but yet visually interesting design and comes in so many different fun colours (like Blue, Coral & Mint).

Hermès bracelet - a classic.

Tulle, cupcakes & macarons! ~ a girl's dream.. Something about this image is so captivating.

Cotton Candy Cupcake Toppers - What a fun idea!

Cupcakes in a jar! - Definitely on my to do list (in the very near future)

Something about dessert tables makes me all giddy & excited inside :)

Paper straws are so cute and best of all they are biodegradable!

To see more of the images that I have pinned this week, stop by my Pinterest page!

Thanks for reading and happy weekend to all! xx

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note: I do not own the right to any of the images they are all from my Pinterest repins.

Design + Decor Edition: Chevron Stripes

2012-10-11T10:44:00.001-04:00

Welcome to the Design + Decor Edition on The Avenue Vee. Once a week I will start to post inspiring trends + ideas for your home design & decor. As some of you may know, I have majored in Interior Design (with still 1 year left). Although I have chosen to specialize in that aspect of design, I have and always have had a strong passion for fashion (having done some modelling in my teen years), which is why I have been primarily featuring outfit posts. The Avenue Vee has become my creative journal where I would like to share everything that inspires me with you, my lovely readers. That said, I plan to incorporate some design + decor inspiration as it is a big part of my career and creative passion and I hope it will inspire you.

Chevron is a trendy, but classic, geometric pattern also often referred to as a zig zag or inverted V pattern. Chevron can be applied in a multitude of ways not only to modernize your space, but to add a bold visual texture that will revive any drab and outdated design. From accent walls, area rugs, table runners and decorative pillows, chevron comes in endless color combinations (with the white & black remaining as a classic).

Do you feel your bedroom or living room is outdated? Then spruce it up with a dash of chevron. I have put together a list of different ways you can incorporate chevron successfully into your spaces!

1. THE ACCENT WALL

2. THE RUG

3. THE DECORATIVE PILLOW

4. THE WALL ART

Via She's Crafty

5. THE FLOORING

Via Design Indulgences

6. THE TABLE RUNNER

I have really been loving this fun and classic geometric pattern lately. If you would like to get some chevron pieces for your space, I would start with Urban Outfitters as they have a wide selection of chevron inspired accent pieces such as rugs, pillows, picture frames, etc...

We recently decided to bring some chevron stripes in to our living room with a dash or burnt orange for the Fall months. Decorative pillows are such a great and easy way to change a space and best of all they can be alternated season after season! Here are some images:

How do you feel about Chevron-ing your spaces?

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

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note: I do not own the right to any of the images (other than those of my living room). Unless otherwise specified, they are from Pinterest.

Style Recap, Vol. 1: Monochromatic Edition

2012-10-10T12:38:00.000-04:00

Over the summer I posted several monochromatic outfits and as I recap on the past summer and its fashion trends I wanted to take the opportunity to start my first style recap post. Looking back, I was very much into the very bright and very bold colors (as I typically am during the warmer months) as well as some pastels such as mint (which were very big this year!). Sometimes it can be challenging for some to play with colour, but there are three significant advices I can give you in this respect:

1. Always refer back to your colour wheel and you will never go wrong

2. Take that fashion risk!

3. Always HAVE FUN!

Creating monochromatic ensembles are not all that challenging as long as you have your base color in mind. Once that's settled, all you have to do is pair the different pieces of your outfit with different shades and tones of the colour you have chosen! You definitely want to have that variation and not have lets' say your top and bottoms the exact same shade of blue as it will not create a strong visual contrast and they may end-up looking like a one-piece and a bit too "matchy-matchy".

To see each of the outfit posts in more detail:

1. Style Report: Feeling Blue

2. Be BOLD with bright coloured denim

3. Monochromatic with Fresh Mint

The Avenue Vee has expanded its Social Media Channels!!! Come show your love & support on my new Facebook & Pinterest pages:

Which one was your favourite monochromatic look?

Trend Report: Isabel Marant Wedge Sneakers

2012-10-09T20:23:00.005-04:00

Kicks with height are all the craze lately as celebrities and luxury designers develop a strong liking to this comfortable and laid back alternative. While French designer Isabel Marant can be credited for bringing this trend back to life, her version of the sneaker with a concealed wedge was inspired by some of its old-school precedents, the high-heeled converse being one of them.

I began to see this trend blossom when celebrities like Beyonce, Miranda Kerr and Hilary Duff were spotted wearing them street style. I never anticipated this trend to become so mainstream; however, everywhere I go I seem to stumble upon less expensive knockoff versions of Marant's original (which retails for about $740 CAD).

In my opinion, the sneaker wedge makes me feel somewhat nostalgic of my youth when I used to sport those Spice Girls inspired sneaker platforms in the late 1990s or those Converse inspired stiletto sneakers a few years after. Although aesthetically they were very different than Marant's revival of the sneaker with a heel, they similarly provided a more comfortable alternative while still giving you a few extra inches.

This trend has developed some of the top selling shoes this season, but you can't help to ponder whether they are worth splurging over, after all, you could simply put on some regular hi-top kicks for a similar effect without the heel.

I feel the only benefit to this design is that you can still remain low-key on those casual days while wearing a pair of sneakers with height, giving you the illusion of having longer legs without the obvious heel. This design has made its way to the runway and can be categorized as "high-fashion", but realistically an exact sneaker with no heel would never be seen this way. In the end, I guess this is fashion, you push the boundaries, you position your product successfully, and VOILA, High Fashion it is!

1. Marta Hi-Top Wedge by Elena Iachi

2. Highlight Sneaker by Steve Madden

3. Wedge Suede Hi-Top Trainers by Marc by Marc Jacobs

4. Wedge Trainer by ASH

5. DENY Wedge High Top Sneaker by ASOS

6. High Top Wedge Sneaker by See by Chloé

Ashley Madekwe & Kate Bosworth


Dakota Fanning & Miranda Kerr

Although I was very skeptical of this sneaker wedge trend, I took it upon myself to go try on Steve Madden's Highlight version (which has a lower price tag of $200 CAD) and I can't say I hated them, in fact they were super comfortable and I found them to be super cute on! They would be perfect to wear to school or for the days I want to dress more casual; however, I still can't find it in me to justify splurging on this trend.

The one's I tried on.

If I were to splurge on the originals, I would get these:

Of course, they had to be blue :)!!

The question is......will you be wearing sneaker wedges? If so, will you be splurging on the original Marant's or settling for more inexpensive versions?

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