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green silver

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Not the tarnished variety, but the eco kind of silver. Starting this month, jewellery designers Pyrrha are using 100% ”green” silver meaning that it has been reclaimed and recast, saving serious energy on the mining of new metal. To celebrate their eco-achievement, they will donate $10 to the David Suzuki Foundation for any item purchased online for the month of September. Blair was wearing something similar to the one on the right (resembling the shape of a champagne bottle plate) in Gossip Girl last night - so be cool and green this month.

Photos: Pyrrha

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gossip girl: sept 1st episode

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It’s ba-ack. Gossip Girl returns for an all new season of teen drama and grown-up fashion. The highlight of the season premiere was the Labour Day ‘White Party’ where, of course, everyone wore their smartest white glad rags. Serena was looking very Greek Chic in a white flowing Oscar de la Renta gown, shown on the left. To get this look in your casual wardrobe try Lauran Conrad’s Jacqueline Top in white worn with broken-in denim, gladiator sandals (like the Helena from Guess) and delicate, braided gold headbands from L. Erickson. The sandals are insanely priced online at $34. Even if you don’t think you can bare your toes this month, grab them for a winter holiday or even a summer basic next year.

To do it up Grecian-style, try Jenni Kayne’s Pleated Dress on sale at Shopbop at the incredible price of $398 (regularly $1325). You have to be a small size however since that is all they have left. Contrast its breezy quality with chunky gold python platform sandals from Prada.

Photos: online retailers mentioned above

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dace member discount

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Become a member of their mailing list and receive a special discount of 40% off all Dace merchandise, including sale items, until August 14, 2008. Think ahead for the rainy days of Fall and invest in a cute hooded raincoat. Or squeeze the last drops out of summer with this menswear-inspired linen vest.

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summary of a sundress

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With temperatures starting to reach the mid-thirties it’s time to re-evaluate our sundress requirements for summer. They are without a doubt the best choice for hot weather with their minimal fabric-touching-skin quality and built-in air conditioning. No fussing with matching tops and bottoms, just pull on a dress and flops and you are ready to go almost anywhere. There are some great online resources for finding the one (or two, or three) to be delivered to your door before the next heat wave strikes.

Forever21, as always, keeps their prices low and trendy looks high. You will be de rigeur this summer with any of the dresses pictured above sporting the trends of ‘yellow’, ‘painted prints’ or ‘tribal looks’. Try all three for under $70 - hard to believe.

Victoria’s Secret is always a good bet for feminine dresses such as the classic halter dress (in the on-trend longer style) and the sunny back-tie dress. They are having their semi-annual clothing sale so look for some reduced prices. Finally, another retailer that corners the ‘feminine’ market is Anthropologie - the Mint Leaf Shift Dress shown above is just one of the pretty, detailed dresses you can find here. Keep cool my sisters.

Photos: Forever21, Victoria’s Secret, Anthropologie

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perfect summer tee

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I never really thought I was a t-shirt girl but the Unisex Sheer Jersey Loose Crew Summer T from American Apparel (aside from having the longest name a t-shirt ever had) is a comfy and sexy choice over your cropped skinny jeans and denim minis this summer. The silver colour shown on the model is more of a light grey and looks very London with a vest and black jeans. I would suggest trying the sleeve roll for a more interesting look and perhaps a long silver pendant necklace to highlight the flattering scooped neckline. Or pair it with something like the J.Crew Silk Taffeta Pop-on Mini in Bright Papaya to contrast its laid-back vibe.

Photos: American Apparel, J.Crew

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tech accessory

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Many of us carry them everywhere and even take them for coffee, so why not match them to our wardrobe or just our fancy? I am talking about our laptops people. What Gelaskins has done for iPods, Schtickers has done for our laptops. Okay, I must admit, if you are an Apple user you don’t have to worry about laptop skins and looking cute because they already are. I mean, that is why you went mac in the first place, right? This is for the PC people - there is no need for grey anymore. (Even though grey happens to be very ‘in’ right now.) I have highlighted some of my favourite skins above. The New Grid skin has a Moorish look for the Interior Designers at heart whereas The Blossom skin, on the right, is for the minimalists who also enjoy a pop of cheery red.

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Bird lover? There are options for you too. You can even design your own if you are feeling crafty. Add a little spice to your high-tech accessories today.

Photos: Schtickers

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gossip girl: april 28 episode

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Otherwise known as ‘the scarf episode’. Serena, Georgina and Jenny were all sporting the ‘I just got home from Europe’ scarf in an array of colours and textures: from cobalt blue and tweed to long and white. They are super hot this season and this episode just proved that you can pretty much throw them on with anything to crank up the fashion and interest levels. The TDM Design Masino Water Scarf and the Sunshine & Shadow Hand Dyed Scarf both from Shopbop are great additions to a casual jeans and t-shirt wardrobe.

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Virginia Johnson’s fun prints brighten up your face and look great under a cropped, fitted leather jacket: try the Cotton Crocodile Scarf in Yellow or the Cotton Firefly Scarf in Stone for easy transition from Spring to Summer. Finally, you don’t have to spend a fortune to look fabulous - this White Monica Knit Scarf at Forever 21 (pictured above right) rings in at $9.80 and with the right outfit can make you look like you just stepped off the yacht, darling.

For the bricks-and-mortar shoppers out there, if you find yourself in H&M, check out their accessories section for some very inexpensive, on-trend options. I pulled out a white gauzy number with metallic stripes that I purchased there 2 summers ago and it is the perfect complement to a white tee, jeans and my Converse Jack Purcells - sweet.

Photos: retailers mentioned above

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juma sale

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Toronto-based designers JUMA have launched their new online store and are offering Swishlist readers 20% off until May 20, 2008. Check out their line of downtown dresses and eco-friendly activewear with unique shapes and feminine styling. Enter code “sunshine” at the checkout.

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dace sale

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Shop now to get new Spring pieces from Dace. My favourite is the Brisa dress that I wear over cropped leggings but I also have my eye on the Franca jumpsuit - so cute with a pair of giant sunglasses and summer tote. The fabrics they are using in this season’s line are from France and feel and look really great. Sale ends Tuesday so hurry.

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gossip girl: april 21 episode

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Was it just me or did Canada miss out on this episode of Gossip Girl altogether? I knew it was on and had my DVR set but, alas, nothing. Thank goodness for YouTube because we can’t even watch the episodes on the CW site or download from iTunes - darn those regulators. Watch the episode here.

So what was Serena wearing? The transition to a cream and tan tonal palette was refreshing after a long winter. I am going to take inspiration from the episode as a whole to bring you some outfit options this week since we have been waiting over 3 months for this show to arrive. First, the beautiful cream, form-fitted dress she was wearing for her makeout session with Dan…hard to find within budgetary reach so the dress shown above by Walter on Nimli.com gives a similar look with more ‘fashion’ than ‘lady’ vibe. The brass hardware detail is a bit heavier than Serena’s but let’s face it, if we are putting on this dress, we aren’t just hanging around the house. We’re going out. Try pairing it with a plain brass cuff like the one shown above by designer Shannon Hazel at Made You Look and shoes like those pictured above right to bring back a little of the ‘lady’.

For the outer layer we will pay homage to the opening scene inspired by the cult classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s - the eternal trench. I have provided a few options that range in price but still remain in the upper hundreds since I think it is worth spending the money. Of course, you can’t get more classic than the first one, the Burberry Prorsum. Get the gold buttons to add the versatility of dressing it up or down. (And what the heck does Prorsum mean? I am assuming it is Latin.) For those who want something with trendier detailing, try the one in the middle, the Stella McCartney Trench…but not as good value if you ask me. Finally, for something more casual, the perfectly crumpled Gryphon Timeless Trench on the right will be in your closet for a long time to come.

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Now, what you have all been waiting for - where can we get the gorgeous fitted tan leather jacket that Serena was wearing? For those of you with deep pockets, find the original Just Cavalli Faux Ostrich Leather Jacket here at Harrods. They ship to Canada but watch those duties and taxes when it lands on your doorstep. For the others, check out the Mackage site to find out where you can find some of their form-fitting leather jackets or shop for Mike & Chris leather bombers on Canadian site Luxe Label or Tobi. Welcome back.

Photos: Nimli.com, Made You Look, Browns, Net a Porter, Harrods, Mackage, Luxe Label

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