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Yes, I have created a new word: expressorize. Defined as accessorizing your wardrobe with those items that express your personal style. Including, but not limited to, your shoes, jewelry, hats, belts, scarves, sunglasses and handbags. Now that we have embarked on full-on summer temperatures I am finding myself wearing less and less to keep cool. The fewer the items of clothing, the more apparent are your accessories, so carefully edit and balance your choices. What are my go-to accoutrements this season? Layered woven bracelets, drapey plaid scarves, nautical totes, zipper-back sandals and long bib necklaces that can make a v-neck t-shirt look like casual couture. I am still looking for my ultimate summer hat but am getting closer with all of the great straw fedoras available.

What do these accessories say about me? I am casual by nature, I pay attention to the details and try to achieve a sort of global bohemian classic chic. It’s hard to put your own look into words. Dressing is like interior decorating - marrying classic with trends and the things you love, with style. Expressorize.

Photos: Shopbop.com, Anthropologie, Land’s End Canvas

I am convinced, it is the small things in life that make us happy. Everyone has his or her own small things and mine include the finishing touches in my home. Embroidered Turkish bath towels, an organically-shaped ceramic vessel, a bunch of peonies on the windowsill (only in May of course, I accept substitutes for the other 11 months of the year). These two items, that I happened to spot at the flagship Umbra store last month, are not particularly inspiring but they definitely take something purely functional that you encounter everyday and make it just a little bit more interesting and beautiful.

Take the Crunch Recycle bin - at $25, I would rather look at this receptacle everyday rather than the big, bright blue, grungy looking bin that currently resides at my back door. And the Postino Mailbox - the $105 price tag is very reasonable for a great-looking, modern, stainless steel mailbox. I know because I am looking for one for my front entry and of course the ones that I like are from Europe and cost $700. I would love to buy this one but I don’t have the width for it and I am still coming to terms with the look that I want.  I love contemporary stainless steel house hardware like mailboxes and house numbers but it clashes with my quirky, aged brass door knocker that I bargained for in the souks of Marrakesh. And of course, I can’t part with that, it is one of my small things. I will let you know what I decide…

Photos: Umbra.com

For those of you who use organic skin care products (I have been one for approximately 3 years now) you will know that it is difficult to find a face cream that includes an SPF. Because it is all natural, the SPF needs to be a physical block and therefore gives you more of a mime-like glow rather than the usual sun-kissed variety. This fact has essentially made me an organic face cream tester, changing brands a few times a year, never quite finding all of the attributes that I look for: moisturizing, smells yummy but not too yummy, good value for the money, organic and ideally contains an SPF.

Along comes a spa line called Eminence. I have encountered this line before and liked the idea of the small-batch process using ingredients grown on a rural organic farm in the Hungarian hills. I once used the Sour Cherry Whip Moisturizer which literally made my mouth water every time I used it. Alas, I didn’t find it moisturizing enough for my skin. Last week I decided to give the brand another try upon discovering that they had added a face cream with an SPF - the Tomato Summer Sun Cream with SPF 16 was mine. Tomato you say? I thought the same thing, ick. I must admit that it is surprisingly refreshing with a touch of something minty that makes my face tingle with delight. At $60 it sounds expensive but it does last a long time and since they do not add water to any of their creams, you can add a little to thin it out on the days you need less. Factor in less money spent on expensive sunscreen for your face and it almost makes sense.

This might be it. The one that makes me faithful. Next on my list? The Eminence Tropical Vanilla Sun Cream SPF 32 (smells like heaven on Earth) and the Wild Plum Eye Cream (expensive but necessary for these pesky dark circles). Free shipping over $200 on the Canadian site www.eskincarestore.com. Yes, it is easy to spend that on your own but you can also team up with a friend in need.

Photos: Eminenceorganics.com

Do-bee says ‘do be’ in style and add a romper to your wardrobe this season. There are many options out there to suit any occasion and body type so there is no real excuse to pass up this trend. A simple black silk version can be dressed up with killer strappy heels and textured clutch but can also be worn with your favourite flip flops and look equally cool. Or choose to channel Lauren Hutton with a crisp shirt + khakis version paired with gorgeous Navajo-inspired accessories like these zip-front clogs and beaded cuff. Who do I see in these looks? I see Jenny and Shauna and Lisa and Cassy and…

Photos: Shopbop.com, Revolveclothing.com, Ebay.com

It might look a little lonely in the picture here but this sweet indigo clutch is no wallflower. Made from naturally dyed, handwoven cotton and re-purposed airplane seat leather, it would love to go to brunch with your Saturday belted romper or party with your Friday night jean leggings and cut-out heels. Your new best friend and eco-friendly too. Order now because you have to wait to be in the company of perfection.

Photos: Shoparticle22.com

What have I been doing for the last 45 minutes? Flipping through all 219 of the gorgeous pages of last month’s online edition of Lonny Magazine. For all of you addicts of quirky, contemporary design that are still crying in their beer (okay, Prosecco) over the demise of Domino, here is your saviour. That little nagging feeling of emptiness you have been feeling over the last few months? Simply a lack of a great home design magazine that showcases fabulous, lived-in homes and designers that drum to their own beat. You need to fill the design inspiration void and here is your source. And before you crinkle your nose at the less-than-glamorous moniker, I believe it is derived from LON-NY i.e. short for LONDON-NEW YORK i.e. the meccas of home design inspiration. Watch for the next issue coming soon.

Photos: Lonnymag.com

Two ways to add a pop of colour: handbag, lipgloss. And really the perfect items to purchase online because you know they are going to fit. Well, the lipgloss may arrive and fall just short of the perfect shade but who tries it on in the store anyway? You take that risk online and on the street…it’s like choosing paint colours, you get better at it the more practice you have. This new lip stain by Tarte is cheerful, easy to apply and moisturizes like your favourite little chapstick. And no oozing into the innards of my handbags. The hot pink hue called Charmed is great for the warmer weather. Then throw your essentials into either of these two bright bags to meet the girls and bask in the glow of envy. Made in LA by Treesje, they save you money on duty when shipping to Canada and by the way, buy the blue satchel here and the shipping is free. If you must have green then try here.

I have been doing a little studying of what is coming up the fashion pipe this Spring and I must say that the colour is making me happy. Why, you may ask then, is most of my wardrobe a study in neutrals with shades of blue? I try, I do. Don’t get me wrong, layered neutrals are hot in a big way but this year but I am trying harder on the colour front. A floral frock, an acid yellow cardi, a fuchsia high-waisted skirt, electric purple pumps, now these are the things that make you skip unexpectedly as you stride down the street.

The sequin skirt above adds colour and sparkle to an otherwise serious palette. And I really love finding shoes like these woven sand booties - you can (almost) justify the price because you just know you are going to wear them with EVERYTHING. Keep your accessories simple like a feminine gold necklace and hobo bag as to not out-shine the skirt. (Side note on the bag: I am usually not a fan of pebbled leather - it is so ‘Coach’, however, I thought it was time for the grunge-y hobo bag to grow up a little!) Of course, at this time of year, you may have to break out the self-tanner before you attempt this mini skirt and plunging v-neckline so get a move on girls, Spring is here. More colour inspiration to come.

Photos: Shopbop, FCUK, Aqua Skye

I felt I needed to spread the word to whomever is reading today that Dace is having a 40% off sale until midnight tonight, December 3, 2009. The reason I feel that you need to know is that I checked out some of their Fall 2009 pieces in person at a local Toronto shop this week and they are stunning. Dace really knows what fabrics complement their designs and I would be pretty excited to wear a number of their pieces to any holiday soiree this season. My faves include the Seamus Blouse (sits right at hip with soft, slightly sheer fabric), the Wild Card Dress (you can’t see the front but just a perfectly cut shift with some girly detail in the back), and the Madness One-Piece (spot on trend but super classy at the same time).

I am late posting the sale so get online before midnight and check it out.

Photos: Dace

It’s watermelon season again - although come to think of it I have been eating the mini seedless variety from Mexico all winter long. In any case, watermelon season also means it’s time to be more scrupulous about sunscreen application. So you can see the wisdom in pairing them up as Korres does in its Watermelon Sunscreen Stick with SPF30. The stick formulation makes it so easy to tuck into a handbag and apply at first blush…or preferrably before but nobody is perfect. It also acts as a highlighter so roll it on those sun-prone spots and shimmer away. (And I don’t mean in the shiny and very painful red lobster way.) This product is quite literally sheer joy and a must-have for every natural-beauty-product-lovin’ girl this summer.

Photos: Sephora.com