Flip flops or boots?

Angie Says:
Help Ali! I see people wearing flip flops still .... and the boots are already out. In fact, the stores are full of them. When and how are we supposed to be wearing boots? Should we be buying them, wearing them, or both?

Ali Says:
The shoulder season (the transition from fall to winter) creates wardrobe challenges for even the savviest fashionista. Take a look out the window for proof that no one is really sure exactly what to wear at this time of year. Today’s debate: flip flops vs fall boots. I’d say they are both okay. Depending on the day, depending on your look, the unpredictable weather means you can go with whichever you prefer. Here’s how:

First let me reiterate that we are not talking about one dollar rubber shower shoes one picks up at the discount store. Rather, we are referring to actual footwear that has a flat sole and a narrow strap typically between your big toe and the rest of your toes.
At this time of year the clock is running out on days that one can actually get away with wearing flip flops (or open toed shoes of any kind). Soon it will simply be too cold. Avoid wearing them with shorts and skirts as you run the risk of looking over exposed (or feeling overexposed which leads to goose bumpy skin which is never in style!). If you aren’t ready to let go, make sure you balance your ‘skimpy’ shoes with warmer layers on top. Think jeans and a long sleeve top with possibly a pashmina.

Boots are one of my FAVOURITE things to collect. Leather, suede, tall short, black, brown, beige, green navy, I cannot seem to get enough and I feel no need to justify! A great pair of boots is always in style. That being said, it’s tough to make a pair of boots work during the hot summer months. Now that the temperature is markedly cooler it’s open season to bust out your boots and get struttin! Take my advice from above and do the opposite. Temper your excitement by pairing your ‘heavy’ boots with something lighter on top. Boots look awesome with dresses (in denim, or knit as opposed to a cotton sundress), capris, or even shorts (in heavier fabrics like wool). Even though our winter season can seem too insufferably long, I always take solace in the fact that we have the perfect excuse to buy more and wear more boots. Game on!!

White after Labour Day?

Angie Says:

Hey Ali! I have no idea if I can wear white after Labout Day. I know it used to be a no-no, but times have changed. Are there new rules? I am looking at white all over my closet and have no idea what to do with it!

Ali Says:

Labour Day Monday has to be the most powerful of long weekend Mondays. It winds down summer and ushers in fall signaling the end of freedom and return to routine. Moreover it wreaks havoc on the wardrobe of fashionistas everywhere. It’s tough picking the perfect outfit when it’s warm during the day then cool at night; one day crisp and sunny, the next dark and rainy. And the single most debated issue on every girls’ mind: Is it okay to wear white after Labour day?

The origins of this ‘Rule’ are unknown and even if we did know where it began, I am not one to promote ‘Rules’ when it comes to dressing. Rather, I am a believer in promoting guidelines. So, when it comes to this question here are my thoughts:

The rule about white after Labour Day is a non-issue if you live in a hot climate. Crisp white cotton and linen clothing look fantastic in brilliant sunshine. There is something airy and glamourous about dressing head to toe in white. It evokes thoughts of beachy afternoons and looks marvelous as a sharp contrast to yachts sailing in deep indigo or turquoise waters.

The same is not so true here in the North on a blustery afternoon when winds are whipping and leaves are blowing all around. After Labour Day, there is normally a distinct change in the weather: days are warm but evenings are markedly cooler. The weather at the start of the day is no indication of what is in store for the day to come. Risking white pants or dress when a dark downpour is never too far off the horizon is high stakes not worth the return.

This is not to say you should banish white all together. Well that is exactly what it is to say: you should banish white all together. White from head to toe is too much. The hours of daylight are getting shorter minute by precious minute, and the leaves already beginning to change colour. An all white outfit looks off and out of place. One should aim to have their clothing be complemented by our surroundings/ backdrop. Warmer tones are a safer choice with the cooling temperatures.

White shoes and bags can be traded out for camel, toffee and chocolate. Crisp white t-shirts, pants or even dresses however can still be worn. After all it is still hot out there. Just opt to pair white with darker tones like plum, navy, olive or brown. Use gold and bronze accessories to smooth the transition. Your aim should be to downplay the brightness of the white and balance it with cues from seasonal colours like my personal favourite burnt orange!

Ottawa based jewellers, Pica, have just brought in some of their new Fall feather earings to HUSH! Each one is super trendy and original! It is the perfect accessory and so easy to wear. We think every gal should have a pair.

Yes new clothes for fall are a rush but, these last few days of summer are the sweetest. At HUSH we are celebrating with our END OF SEASON SALE. All of our summer pieces are reduced by 50%. We are so excited that we dedicated half our store to the sale! This is our last weekend of baby and kids sale. There are even great decor accessories, furniture, and amazing accessoires at a steal!

The forecast for the next two weeks is sun, sun, sun! Grab a great little dress for those last few patios, barbeques, and picnics. At half price, you can't go wrong.

A piece of Cherry Pie

On Wednesday we attended the annual Cherry Pie event run by Ottawa's Catherine Landry. As always she did an incredible job and the event was a success! It is a networking event for women in business and this pie recipe included mojitos by Bacardi, loot bags designed by Peach Breserk, new upcoming business's, great food, and giveaways all mixed in at Soma Ottawa. It was a perfect pie and fabulous evening!

Our firend Katarina was able to come and help us and do photos for the event, so I thought I would share her view of the event and great photos with you. We LoveK.

CHERRY PIE GOODNESS

It’s the second week of August and the weather is still fantastic; sunny and hot just the way it should be. Now more than ever we savour every ray because as much as we would love to deny it, fall is on its way. But that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. End of vacation or back to school sounds like bad news but it comes with a super sparkly silver lining: NEW CLOTHES.

Don’t get me wrong. Just because every mall in the city and every ad on tv would like you to believe that back-to-school requires the purchase of an entirely new wardrobe, that is not necessarily the case. The drop in temperature simply means a change in the way you put your pieces together. Use these tips to help you stylishly make the transition from summer to fall:

Mix and Match and use Layers
September can be a warm and sunny glorious month but not in the steamy way it was in July. Mornings are crisp and the evening chill comes early. Play both sides. Pick one piece from each season. So, either pair a long sleeve top with a pair of shorts/capris or a cute sleeveless top with pants or jeans.

Maxi dresses are great just use a fitted jean jacket or cardi to give you a little more coverage and you’ll achieve a harmonious balance of summer and fall.

Leggings and tights can maximize your minis and your dresses. Make sure to pick a patterned pair (not a pickled pepper) for a true fashion statement.

Footwear is another easy way to make the shift. Open toed shoes and flip flops (all except the rubber ones from the dollar store) are acceptable for the transition. It’s always fun to pick up one more pair (now that they are all on sale) in a darker colour likebrown, grey or wine. These will take you through until your frost hits. Alternatively, soft leather boots look fantastic with a dress. This look is not just for country signers anymore!

Colour
Making different colour choices is the simplest way to jumpstart your look for the next season. In the weeks to come, slowly retire your hot pinks, yellows, greens and bright blues that shone so gloriously in the sun. People in the Caribbean can get away with bright colours year round, but once the sun starts to fade, switch your handbag from white or bright to a tan or camel. Use leather belts in gold, bronze and brown to bring down the ‘heat’ of your look. Navy, plum, and burnt orange are not required from head to toe just yet. Use them as accents before we bundle up for cooler weather!

Scarves
Last but not least, I have to reiterate my love for scarves. I have been a long time fan but now more than ever there are SO many to choose from I just can’t get enough. This is the one piece you can go to in all situations. It’s both an elegant fashion piece and practical for warmth. Not to mention, a scarf gets along with every other item in your wardrobe. It works with coats, tank tops, sweaters and dresses. Can any other piece of clothing say that?

The next few weeks will be packed with all the activities we sadly won’t be able to do once the colder weather hits; Barbeques, picnics at the park, splashing in the pool. But this year summer has been very good to us. We cannot complain. What we can do, is eagerly await the arrival of sweater weather and all the goodies that come along with it! Coats, sweaters, shoes, boots, jeans, trousers…

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all baby and kids clothes are now 50% off ....