A New Crop

Fashion, like the seasons, come and go, but I surely did not expect I would try the latest rounds of cropped tops. I picked up this lovely black racerback crop top at Simply Sublime last Friday, and I pulled it out for a holiday-Monday brunch with one of my besties, Sam, visiting from out of town. These pics were somewhat hastily taken, and I forgot to snap my paint-splattered purse, a notorious item that some of my friends have called the ugliest, most hideous thing they have ever seen, while others just love it. Ah, another day.

Above: Sam and I taking a stroll on the marina walkway after brunch.

The new crop has come a long ways since the old belly-baring-low-rider days; the new school are draped, asymmetrical, cut and layered in creative ways.

Along with the crop top, I brought home a slinky gold snake - my come-hither power piece.

Layered underneath is my new multi-coloured neon, leopard print bikini from Roxy (I hit the beach later that afternoon). The bottoms are reversible. Neon has been strong all year, and I see it carrying into the next season.

As the hazy days of August meld into the first Fall leaves, we can look ahead to some exciting style trends. I was polled on Twitter by the lovely Dream Sequins on what Fall trends I'll be rocking - check out my answer here along with the results from other Twitter stylistas.

What Fall trends will you be rocking?

RIDDLED REVEALED: For those wondering, the answer to the handbag riddle in this post is....Chloe!!

Wearing:
Black Racerback Crop Top, KZ Jerzey from Simply Sublime
White High-Waisted Bloomer Shorts, American Apparel
Neon Leopard Bikini, Roxy
Electric Yellow Wedge Peep Toes, from Hong Kong
Snake Necklace, Simply Sublime Jewelry by Constantina James
Floppy Hat, American Apparel

A Beautiful Long Weekend

I almost named this post Happy Happy Long Weekend but then I realized it sounded like a Cantonese nail salon or dim sum place.

It's going to be hot and gorgeous long weekend, and I'm thinking of hitting up the beach. I got a new bikini, flip flops and a Billabong rashi all on sale, and I'm soo wishing I was surfing somewhere in the world.

Speaking of, I want to check out this art exhibition and surf movie, Dear & Yonder. The trailer looks beautiful and I love that it's all surfer girls! The exhibition is coming to Vancouver next Thursday, Aug. 6 at Antisocial.

Images credits: Dear & Yonder (photographers John Smart and tmc)

Riddle Me This

My mom and niece are visiting from Hong Kong and I've been busy catering to them and hanging out with a 6-year old. So far, we've been to a local farmer's market and the dog beach, and tomorrow I'll be taking her to a ceramics studio to paint plates. Along with a rugrat, Mom brought back a very plush gift.

The pretty shade of pink is perforated in neat rows, and an iconic ceramic horse in mid canter strikes a pose.

Can you tell me whose creation this is?

Wearing:
Ruffled tulle and pearl beater tank, from Hong Kong
Boyfriend jacket, from Hong Kong
Cropped satin pants, from Shanghai
Patent Oxfords, Michael Kors
Oversized pink leather hobo, ?

A Second Chance

Some things in life deserve another look, a second chance. Kind of like Ed on The Bachelorette?

Or better yet, like this stunning green and red necklace dripping with Swarovski crystals that my mom gave me. I thought it unusual, and never wore it until last week when I dug it out of the bottom pit of my night table. My white embellished tank needed some colour, and now I've had a change of heart.

Or, my ZERO mini cardigan (which some of you have asked to see in a related post), hand-knitted by my grandma when I was 17 because I saw Gwen Stefani perform at MuchMusic and she had a vintage one that said ANAHEIM on the back. I go through phases where I'll wear it all the time, then put it away, only to rediscover it again.

Finally, there's my "slither" necklace, so called because the way the gold is linked reminds me of snakeskin. My mom gave it up, cause it's not her type of thing. For me, I'll gladly it give a second chance.

What treasures do you have that you've given a second chance?

Treasures of Turkey

When The Anthology holidayed for a couple of weeks in sun-soaked Turkey, I knew I had to get a guest post. Effortlessly stylish and classy, The Anthology is one of my fave blogs and a must-read daily.

I'm so happy to be writing a guest post for A Beautiful Life because it was Liv who inspired me to start my own blog. I was addicted to style blogs -- couldn't get enough of them -- but I never considered starting one of my own until I found out Liv had one. Now, I can't remember a time before the Anthology (even though I've only been at it six months).

When Liv returned from her recent trip to Hong Kong she wrote a guide to that city for the Anthology. Now that I've just returned from a trip to Turkey, I thought I'd pull together some of my favourite purchases from that beautiful country.

Bold patterns of every colour were everywhere in Turkey. In the carpets hanging outside every second shop, in the textiles draped over every chair. They made me want to fill my home and my closet with pattern after pattern

Everything was so ornate, so beautiful, so colourful.

My dress is from a small shop in Antalya on the Mediterranean coast, two of my necklaces are vintage, one of them I made, and my sandals are from Brown's in Vancouver.

My scarf is from the same shop as my dress and the white pants I wore almost everyday.

My only regret is that I didn't buy more jewelry. There were so many big, funky pieces that I can't believe I didn't stock up.

I certainly didn't come home empty handed, but there are a few pieces that belong in my jewelry box, not in a stall at the Grand Bazaar. Maybe I'll just have to go back and get them.

How She Harems

Taline, Communications Student at Concordia University, is our lovely style hottie of the week. I once posed the question of to harem or not to harem, and in Taline's case, the answer is a resounding YES. Paired with exotic market sandals and stacks of silver jewelry, she epitomizes global boho chic.

Who influences your style? What inspires you?
I try to incorporate my love for the beach and the lifestyle that it entails, when I am dressing. I want my clothes to embody my mantra,"Just Living the Dream". I mix together a lot of different patterns, materials and styles. My ultimate style goal is to exude lightness, freshness and freedom through my clothes. I really like the "exotic, hippie, bohemian" look. I love Nicole Richie's style and she has been someone who I have kept my eye on and has definitely inspired my style choices.

Most-Wanted item for the Summer?
My most wanted item for summer are those long dresses that go down to your ankles (A Beautiful Life says, kind of like one of these?). A flowy earth coloured one, preferably a tube top.

Heels or Flats?
Flats during the day, heels at night, for my style and lifestyle, I feel as though heels are too fancy/uncomfortable during the daytime.

Essential items for your summer trip to Lebanon?
Bathing suit, a few summer dresses

Best style advice for my readers?
Wear what makes you feel comfortable and sexy. Follow your instincts and you'll find a style which makes you feel great;therefore, you will look great.

Taline is wearing:
Tube Top, American Apparel dress converted into top
Harem pants, True Value Vintage
Sunglasses, Ray-Bans
Jewelry, Native ring (by Native designer, name unknown); Silver Bangles from an African jewelry store in Montreal; Silver Charm bracelet, grad present from my high school
Sandles, Miss Sixty from Browns

Opening Ceremony Collab - Part 2

Quirky Chloë Sevigny has done some cool work with Opening Ceremony in the past, and she continues to do so with her Fall 2009 line. Fun proportions, oddball clashing prints, and hipper-than-thou cuts make this collection stand out amongst the sea of designer collabs. It's also a kind of "girls-can-be-boys-can-be-girls" collection - Sevigny purposely created a unisex line making it easy for all to share. With the neverending "boyfriend" trend (jeans, jackets, sweaters). this is more than timely.

Sevigny takes style tidbits from a variety of places and people, or as she puts it, "from skinheads to Connecticut kids to St. Mark's Place". As a result, the overall look is mismatched, vintagey, and a bit disheveled. A sort of "look what I found from my grandpa/grandma's leather trunk in the attic" feel that's not too try-hard.

There's also wonderful shoes in this collection - I absolutely love the wedge strapped buckle boots. Classic pointy oxfords and saddle shoes round out the old-school, preppy look.



All images (except buckled wedge boot) are from Style.com
Wedge boot is available at Shopbop.com.