If you live in America or Canada, most likely you reside in an area that keeps getting slammed with snow. Snow, snow, and more snow.

Luckily for me, I don’t live in a part of Canada where I see much snow; however, I travel frequently for work and am currently in some of the snowiest regions of the Great White North.

For my travels I packed 2 pairs of black boots.   One was protected with leather protector spray about 4 years ago, and the other with mink oil in October. If you want to protect your black boots from salt, snow, and moisture marks…spend the time to slather on the mink oil.  It really works!

Mink oil works like a wax job on a car; the moisture beads off like the water beads off your windshield . Impressive, at least for the boots that are protected.  I have some restoration work to do when I get home with the other pair.

Pick up Mink Oil (I like KIWI brand) at any local drugstore.

Keep warm!

Image courtesy of Chicotpia.com

Bomber jackets are all the rage and hitting their trendy peak.  If you are the girl that lives in your jean jacket throughout the summer or you just love Top Gun, then bomber jackets are your perfect winter “jean jacket”.

Bombers are the perfect topping to tunics, skinny jeans and tall boots.  If you’re looking for an affordable leather version, Danier Leather offers cheaper alternatives to designer price tags.

Personally, I wasn’t ready to invest $$$ in a leather bomber jacket until I found a $23 “leatherette” version at Forever 21–that’s right $23 and it didn’t even stink like pleather (yeah, I smelled it in the store!).

In fact, my new bomber jacket was such a good deal, I can’t even find a photo online to show you from their website!  And before you judge me too much, Forever 21 really is a great place to get trendy pieces at ah-mazing prices.  Thanks Forever 21 at Yonge and Dundas in TO.

Happy bomber hunting!

PS I should have saved this to be a Frugal Friday post, but I just couldn’t wait to share it with you all!

What better represents summer than a white, eyelet dress and silver, espadrille wedges?

Going to the Saks Fifth Avenue website was my first mistake in the search for the perfect match to my dream summer ensemble.  While I found exactly what I was looking for, Shoshanna Sand Dollar Eyelet Dress ($319) and Jimmy Choo Phyllis Suede Espadrille Wedge Slides ($375), the total price of $694 wasn’t part of that dream.

Fashion Chronicles to the Rescue!!

To my surprise, I found an equally sweet eyelet dress at Forever 21 for $29.80 and fabulous, silver, Michael Kors wedge espadrilles at Nordstrom for $98.  At a total cost of $128, this makes my bank account much happier!

SJP (aka Carrie Bradshaw) wearing Christian Louboutin Shoes

After watching Sex and the City 2 for 2.5 hours last weekend, I came out with two thoughts: SATC should officially retire and where can I buy those gorgeous. designer shoes at affordable prices?

In the last year, to my bank account’s chagrin, I have begun collecting Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik shoes.  I am neither a millionaire nor a retail employee who gets steep discounts on designer duds; rather I am simply a savy, shoe shopper.

Before I continue on where and how to buy designer shoes for affordable prices, I must clarify what I mean by affordable.  I am aware that $300-$450 is a ton of money to splurge on shoes.  Like me, if you’re a die-hard shoe lover and save the money beforehand, there shouldn’t be any guilt whatsoever.

A true fashionista is both style and money savy: be strategic about when & where to blow your hard earned cash.

Consignment Store

If you live in a large city, it’s easy to find reliable, high-end consignment stores in your area.  If you’re lucky, like I was in Montreal, they will have a pair of gorgeous Manolo’s in your size just waiting for you when you walk through the door.  If you’re unlucky, like I am in hometown Vancouver, you have to continually visit high-end consignment stores in your ‘hood to discover designer deals.

Since consignment stores are typically independently owned and operated, join their email list and request to be contacted when, for example, size 9 designer shoes are being carried at the store.  This way you get first crack at new-to-you-merchandise.

In order to find high-end consignment stores, simply trek to the wealthiest neighbourhood in your city and walk the shopping streets around the area.  In Vancouver, South Granville (between 16^th and 15^th Ave.) is the place to go.

Department Stores

Before I left for Chicago last year, I stalked the Neiman Marcus website like it was going out of business.  I found great deals on Marc Jacobs handbags and had them shipped directly to my Chicago hotel for a sweet treat when I checked in.  I decided to check out Neiman Marcus in-person to find shoes and, because I had already been on the website, knew exactly what I was looking for.  I found $900 Louboutin’s for $450 in my exact size.

Obviously you aren’t always going to travel to American cities during department store sales, so this is where the web comes in.  At the end of the season, always check for great deals on shoes, especially when there’s free shipping specials.  Brown’s in Canada sells many designer shoes online, but your best bet is to hit up Holt Renfrew in-store or Neiman Marcus online for the best designer shoe sales.

FYI Neiman Marcus just launched their Women’s Designer Sale – let the splurging begin!!

I love a great summer dress.  I love summer dresses at work, weddings, parties, picnics, evening strolls…I love them always!

When I received an email from Vogue about Miuccia Prada’s Print Collection dresses, I was excited at the thought of wearing them for summer.  To my dismay, of course, Vogue seems to think that these dresses are priced at a “not-unreasonable” $760-$885.  Umm hello Vogue, I earn 5 figures not 6 and that price is unreasonable to me!

But I come to you today with three reasonable steps that you can take to wear it like Prada without the devilish price tag!

1Classic Dress
Look for a bold print, in a classic A-line style, with a defined waist and full skirt.  Find a dress with a conservative yet classic neckline and, like the Prada version, search for a style with buttons that run from the neckline to the waist–that will really make the look flawless.

2 Brown Belt
Purchase a slim, brown, leather belt that sits well perched high above your hips. What I mean is, ensure the belt doesn’t gape at your back when you’re standing. Additionally, if the belt is too long, you can get it professionally shortened by your local cobbler while he adds a new heel to those stilettos you have meaning to repair.

3 Black Crinoline
The purpose of the full, A-Line skirt of your new dress is to allow room beneath for a beautiful, black crinoline. Make sure the crinoline hangs slightly below the hem of your dress for the ultimate Prada Print Collection look.

Throw on an equally bold patterned ballet flat, a chain-link handbag and rock it this summer.

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I discovered a new lip gloss last weekend that I love, love and love some more. Burt’s Bees products are all natural and simply the best.  From chapped lips to dry feet, Burt’s Bees has got you covered from head to toe!

3 reasons why you’ll love Burt’s Bees Super Shiny Lip Gloss too:

3. Moisturizes like a balm but wears like a gloss

2. All natural ingredients

1. At $9.99, it’s a fab find!

Banana Republic Weekend Chino

Spring is definitely in the air with cherry blossoms in bloom, daffodils peeking out of gardens and light, cotton chinos hanging in Banana Republic’s windows.  My style icon, my Irish grandmother, taught me the best trick to test how easily trousers (pants for us North Americans) wrinkle in three easy steps:

1Take the chinos in your hand (best to do this in the store before you have committed!)

My new Banana Republic Weekend Chinos

2Squeeze your hand into a fist and hold for 10-15 seconds whilst still holding onto fabric.

Close up of the post-squeeze lack of wrinkle

3Release your fist along with the trousers to examine just how wrinkled the cotton fabric might be–but hopefully, as pictured above and below, not extremely wrinkled at all.

Passed the test and PURCHASED

If the pants are slightly wrinkled but loosen up, the cotton is of good quality.  If the pants are uber wrinkled (and they aren’t linen), move on to a better cotton.  The worst is wearing a new pair of khakis to work and, when you get up from your desk, your trousers appear more wrinkled than an elephant’s trunk.  Happy chino shopping!

Ihave always loved Topshop and often shopped there when visiting family in the UK .  Now that Topshop has an online store, I no longer have to wait for vacay to indulge my love of Topshop.  Here are my Top 5 Reasons to Heart Topshop.

5. Affordable fashion

It baffles me that Topshop prices are so low on such cute items!

4. European runway style

Remember back inNovember the Chanel show with all those clogs?  Well Top Shop has followed suit by creating a clog ankle boot based on the Chanel line.  I really don’t like this take on clogs, however, it proves how in sync Top Shop is with runway style.

3. British fine print

The fine-print on the site is truly British, well mannered and well written.  I read it and visualized Hugh Grant personally describing Topshop’s return policy to me.

2. Shipping around the world

Canada included — enough said.

1. Gorgeous spring coats

My favourite thing about the advent of spring are the coats!  I love me a good trench, belted at the waist.  I especially love the below two from Topshop because one is covered in polka dots (super stylish for spring) and the other is waterproof (protection from spring showers which bring May’s flowers!).

Dear Neiman Marcus,

Hi Neiman, it’s me again. Once again you sent me a lovely email full of gorgeous models wearing beautiful clothes. I adore Burberry, most especially Christopher Bailey’s work on the Burberry Porsum line.  Hello gorgeous!

But once again, your outfits are in a price point very much out of my league, $1085 for the complete Burberry Brit look. Understandably, Burberry shouldn’t be copied, but I found some really cute items that look pretty darn close to the ones on your little model.

I hope you like my $199 version!!

Love Always,
Fashion Chronicles

As mentioned previously, there’s no point in buying fake designer anything. Fake bags, scarves, clothes, aren’t worth even $1 of your hard earned money. With the alternatives provided below, emulate the fit rather than the designer pattern.

Button-front shirt

The key to the casual Burberry Brit shirt is that it’s fitted at the waist and has rolled up sleeves. This Guess top is a bit more fitted, which is actually more flattering than the loose Burberry version, and the Guess shirt is a similar length to its Burberry counterpart.  And at $49, we’ll make it work!

Cropped Cotton Pants

The Burberry Brit cropped pants are pleated and not very flattering on the Neiman Marcus model, if we’re being honest.  Instead, go for the $90 Martin straight-leg crop pant from Banana Republic.  Flat front pants are far nicer than pleats which, in my opinion, should stay in 1988 along with Melanie Griffith.

T-Strap Platform Pumps

Always my favourite part–the SHOES!  The Burberry shoes are lovely, but at $495, we can certainly do better.  Guess is serving us well today and offers these trendy platforms for an outrageous $60!

Caution

A word of warning about this look – cropped pants look best on those women with longer legs and the ankle strap on the shoes will make your legs appear shorter because they cut you right at the ankle.

Remember ladies, just because it’s in style doesn’t mean that it’s your style. Choose the look that works for your classic, chic, contemporary style.

The Foley + Corinna City bag is the most versatile bag you can invest in for less than $350!

Carry the City like a tote, sitting snugly on your shoulder, or hanging neatly on your forearm.  Make use of the long strap and sling her sideways across you body messenger style.  Or, my fave,  fold her in half, remove the strap and carry like a clutch. The City is designed to travel with you all day long — from work to running errands to ending the day as you sip evening cocktails!

Two things I adore about the Foley + Corinna City bag: its versatility and price (currently on sale from $485 to $339).  She’s definitely worth the investment!