Veronica Slater presents

Pattern Mixing - It's a balancing act!

2013-04-24T15:07:00.002-04:00

One of the most wonderful things during the past couple of years or so has been to see how pattern on pattern is catching. An art long mastered by men yet completely avoided by women is now widely embraced. Looks like we're finally in the game, ladies, and don't even think you're being asked to wear ties - unless you love them, of course! Here's one of my P on P combos for the weeks to come

Putting a Spin on the Scarf Collection!

2013-02-20T17:25:00.000-05:00

Remember this brilliant video? Considering the cold weather we're experiencing, I say let's put a daily twist on our scarf collection! We might as well have fun while keeping warm - and looking stylish! A scarf a day, keeps the blues away!

3 Steps to perfect gifting - 'Tis the season!

2012-12-06T10:33:00.001-05:00

My 3 Steps to the perfect gift - It’s simple and it works for just about any occasion and person! 1. Is that business or pleasure? Think about your relationship to each person on your list. Is it personal or business? How would you define the relationship: Rarely seen but dearly loved, a cherished family member, a valued client or business contact, or a friend whom you absolutely adore.

500 Shades of Grey and 2 Vintage Misty Harbor Raincoats

2012-11-02T09:18:00.002-04:00

Hello, there! Happy fall! I hope you're wearing something fabulously colourful today - especially if the weather is as grey and rainy as it's been here in Toronto. Nothing pops colour better than a dark background, so let's make the best of all this grey by keeping cheery, warm and dry, shall we? I've been brightening up my world with my two 'New to Me' vintage Misty Harbor raincoats. I

Fall in Style - A Bit of Vintage Inspiration

2012-10-24T08:30:00.000-04:00

Fall is here and as we go thru our closets purging, reorganising and adding new fall touches, inspiration is needed! I have been enthusiastically ripping up magazines and printing images online, snapping pictures of brilliant store displays, avidly reading my favorite style blogs and of course, making lists so that I know what to focus on when I go out shopping. What does your heart desire to

Sugar Rush - Around the clock

2012-10-15T15:57:00.001-04:00

Here's how a wonderful set of Sugar Rush earrings and necklace designed by the lovely Jessie Tucker Lyzwa, helped me complete three very different looks. First they added the perfect purple touch to a polka dot pink shirt and my favourite Viktoria dress by The Blushing Maple. Here's how I put them to work while adding a bit of a twist to the totally relaxed look I went for on 'Thai Food

Teens' Den Makeover - Why we're loving the dark side

2012-10-04T10:58:00.000-04:00

The thing with kid's spaces is that they need to respond well to their ever changing needs - I'm reminded of that daily now that school is in full swing. I've figured that when our spaces work, we all live better so I don't mind spending time, effort and money on things like storage, comfort and decor - one room at the time. Meet the room that used to put me in an instant latino bad mood:

Celebrating Bullfrog Power's 7th Anniversary and Ecofriendly Fashion at Fresh Collective

2012-09-28T13:25:00.000-04:00

Yesterday we celebrated Bullfrog Power's 7th Anniversary and Eco-Fashion in style at Fresh Collective on Roncesvalles. Bullfrog is an amazing company and Canada's 100% green energy provider. It offers homes and businesses clean, renewable energy solutions. Fresh Collective has been a huge supporter of the company so it was only fitting to celebrate their anniversary and promote our local

From Québec City with love - Betsy & Véro.

2012-09-24T17:58:00.001-04:00

"You gotta have style. It helps you get up in the morning. It's a way of life. Without it you're nobody." Diana Vreeland (1903 -1989). Shot by Sonia I had to find a city that would know how to work with my favourite outfit of the month. Québec city came to mind, so off we went - ma 'tite famille of 6 and moi ;). Meet my very own gorgeous Betsy sweater by no other than The

Fresh Collective - with the girlfriends

2012-09-19T11:13:00.002-04:00

Girlfriends. What would I do without them? About a week ago we planned a dream day together hoping none of the kids would get sick - they're notorious for timing. Anyhow, the Girlfriend's Gods were with us and yesterday, we executed our plan... boy was it ever fun! First we exercised together (see proof!), then we had lunch, and just before heading to Fresh Collective on Roncesvalles for

Preserving herbs - The easy way!

2012-09-18T18:39:00.000-04:00

If this is not worth sharing I don't know what is. Thanks Mama Earth Organics for demonstrating a brilliant way to preserve the herbs we have been growing all summer. I love the simplicity of this trick and can see our family enjoying the fruit of our herb garden all year around. I don't know about you but I poured so much love over my sage, the crazy plant looks ready to take over the

Putting a spin on the maxi – from summer to fall frock

2012-08-17T08:38:00.000-04:00

The weather is slowly cooling off at this end of the world, and that’s got me all excited! I can almost touch the texture of my favourite boots, and feel the softness of warm wool layers keeping me toasty this fall. But for now, the key word is ‘transition’and that can be complex! I need to keep warm first thing in the morning and later in the evening, while being able to shed a layer

My lovely Josephine and a word or two about Maxi dresses

2012-07-19T07:53:00.002-04:00

The past two months have been so busy I've hardly seen them go by - and when that happens the blog takes the back seat. It will have taken the most unfortunate collision between a steak knife, my index finger, 9 stitches, and a pretty inflexible bandage to put an end to my current summer ambitions and remind me about this tiny blog of mine. And so here I am... Hello, there. How are you?

Spoil your guests with this simple, tasteful, useful and green DIY!

2012-05-04T11:34:00.001-04:00

Here's a simple idea to turn inexpensive second-hand vintage porcelain and ceramic tea cups, saucers, sugar dishes and soup bowls into adorable mini-planters. They can be used as placement cards holders for guests and can then be taken home or gathered up for a springy centrepiece. The main idea is to gift perennials and herbs your guests can replant. It's also a simple way to give new

What I Wore on RelieF XII ... and after!

2012-05-03T13:08:00.001-04:00

My segment, go to http://relief.tv/videos/1100028314 48’55” Time is everything, especially when it's well spent. It took Shelley, Joe (from Fresh Collective) and myself about 30 seconds to put together this outfit and less than a split second to agree on the fact that it was perfect for my last season appearance on RelieF! Here’s what I wore: Apa Design Silver Earrings Hoop

Rainbow Chard, I think I love you!

2012-04-27T08:41:00.003-04:00

I was walking up Roncy, minding my own business (something I rarely do) when this huge pile of gorgeous rainbow chard screamed my name and begged me to take some home. Up until that morning, I had absolutely no idea of how to cook chard (with or without a rainbow in it) but thought to myself that something so luscious just gotta be good for y'a! So I bought two nice bunches and headed back

What I wore on RelieF - XI

2012-04-20T09:53:00.000-04:00

http://relief.tv/videos/1100034329 This week on RelieF, we talked about great safety products and tips and even managed to throw in a word on style! A huge thanks to Tail-Wags Covers and West Side Cycle (our local bike shop) for their help with this segment and for making safety fun. Here's what I wore... Brenda Beddome Cropped Pants in Black $120 available at Fresh Collective. I'm

Three products I'm loving!

2012-04-19T11:15:00.000-04:00

Here are three 'new-to-me' products I'm loving. First comes the butter bell!! This little wonder has finally allowed me to move my family away from the totally unhealthy margarine to some deliciously rich butter (God help me) . We tried to make the switch twice before but hard butter breaks toasts and nobody feels like struggling with breakfast first thing in the morning. From Kitchen

Reconsidering short hair - To grow or not to grow?

2012-04-02T20:41:00.000-04:00

I'm either suffering from a wicked spring fever and/or an early middle age crisis. As a result, I'm reconsidering the length of my hair. The dilemma comes down to this: to grow or not to grow? We're not talking growing long, nah, that's not for me. We're talking a couple of inches at the front... like this... Some old magazine cut-out kept in my kitchen drawer Really, growing a couple of

What I wore on RelieF - X

2012-03-29T09:02:00.001-04:00

Last night on RelieF I wore this wonderful dress by Paper People Clothing. Love the colour, the see-thru detail around the neck and back, and of course the fit... Oh que oui! So comfortable! I felt great! I wore it with a simple black tee 'cause HD is a terrifying thing! but obviously this dress is perfect to wear on its own, with sandals, leggings, flats and until the weather warms up... a

One scarf, 4 different looks while travelling

2012-03-20T07:37:00.000-04:00

The older wiser I get, the lighter I pack - and that’s a good thing with a family of 6. No kidding. Here’s how a simple scarf (by Joe Fresh, no less) put a twist to 4 different tops by adding some ‘pattern on pattern’ interest during our March Break urban get away.A smart accessory can considerably reduce packing and help keep things interesting and comfortable in the style department. All

What I wore on RelieF - IX

2012-03-08T13:49:00.000-05:00

This week my outfit for my segment on RelieF was planned around one thing, and one thing only: a Blackjam cuff. Sometimes bling should be the focus of an outfit, especially when it's this gorgeous. Meet the woman behind such brilliance: Jennifer Morris one of the Fresh Collective's designers. Blackjam Cuff - OOAK @ Roncy Location $300 This piece is so much more than a cuff, it's a collage of

Travelling with kids? Cool souvenirs and collections ideas!

2012-03-05T08:51:00.000-05:00

March break is fast approaching and if you're venturing somewhere with your family it's a good time to start or continue family traditions to create lasting memories. Why bother? Simply because it's fun, it can be free, and as our family has discovered: it becomes important over time. Small objects and collections can be fantastic keepsakes and will bring back warm memories for years to come.

The Blushing Maple - Spring Collection Sneak Peek!!

2012-02-24T07:48:00.001-05:00

Here's a sneak peek into the first bit of The Blushing Maple's amazing Spring collection just delivered to the Fresh Collective (Roncesvalles location). Look at the details and colour combinations on the t-shirt, a brilliant combination of reclaimed and new materials! They come in S, M, L and are all unique. I hear there's also a limited edition of unique white t-shirts about to come in, and

Visual Guide to Convalescence Gifts - Cadeaux de convalescence

2012-02-22T07:36:00.000-05:00

I'm developing another lovesession, and it's called Pinterest! If you're not familiar with it, it's a website that lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web and easily create pin boards. It's a fantastic way to identify, group, and pin images and ideas. I'm all over it! It's a dream come true for visual people like me. You can see what I've been up to by clicking