Binns & Olympia Construe PUNK

I’ve written about Tom Binns before – he is an extravagant in-yo-face jewellery designer based out of the Big Apple and he defines what’s known as bad-ass jewellery. Bad-ass legitimately meaning; you could literally hurt yourself on this shit. Safety pins, sharp skulls, daggers, razorblades and yes, even profanities make up the aesthetic of each collection. Tom Binns caught my attention back in 2009, when I decided to design a faux advertisement for Tom Binns to present to my Advertising class. You know I included it in this article for your laughing pleasure.

Anyway, back to the real important news. English designer Charlotte Dellal of Charlotte Olympia and Tom Binns joined fashionable forces and created a capsule collection in occasion of “Punk: Chaos to Couture”, the exhibition organized by the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of New York, which will open on May 9. It runs until August 14 which means I am just missing the opportunity to check it out.

Side note: My darling mother and I cancelled our NYFW trip (the day before – SORRY) last February because I forgot to renew my expired passport. We have rebooked for this September. Un-expired passport: check.

The capsule collection includes some iconic creations by the english designer, like the Dolly platform pumps, Pandora perspex clutch and those Kitty flats that we are all obsessed with. Tom Binns added his own unique touch using safety pins and neon details, which are some of my favourite trademarks of his.

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The good news folks? We can all embrace that punk rocker inside of us, even if it’s just for an evening. Every piece is available on http://www.charlotteolympia.com now. Go, go go!

[images c/o charlotteolympia.com]

x Courtney

A Fashion Blogger Wardrobe Sale

This May long weekend may have been filled with camping and beer bongs for some but for local Edmonton fashion bloggers it turned out to be the end of a closet sorting & de-hoarding prep week. Hundreds of unique pieces from 10 fashion obsessed blogger’s wardrobes made up the sale. By purging our closets we compiled designer, fast fashion and vintage pieces for nearly nothing, all for you!

Thanks to Marie from Marie a la Mode for the invite to participate, myself, Vickie of Adventures in Fashion, Jenna of Smitten, Melanie Of Born Lippy, Sandy of The Pretty Secrets, Alyssa of Ordinary People, Susanna of A Clean Well Lit Style blog and Jenn of Lux Beauty Boutique spent the afternoon at Phabrik Art + Design studio selling off our things, seeing old faces and meeting new readers.

If you’re just catching up now, unsold pieces were donated for a bargain sale happening on June 22 to benefit the iHuman Youth Society. All in the good name of fashion!

With tons of social media frenzy, customer turnout was impressive for being a newbie event. Stay tuned if you missed this one friends, we are hoping to plan another sale in September.

Setting up shop x.

Tons of amazing vintage pieces at Susanna’s shop (loved the Terry Richardson-esque glasses) x.

Marie & Jenn doing their thing x.

“Look casual guys”x.

Melanie, Vickie, Jenna, myself @ YEG Blogger Wardrobe Sale x.

And that’s a wrap! Until next time everyone… (next time=September).

[disclaimer: there were many A&W meals harmed during the making of this event]

x Courtney

No Wonder We Can’t Find Kanye

UGH. Don’t hate me for starting your glorious long weekend off with this.

When you think she can’t get any worse, she actually cuts off her own circulation and stuffs her bloated, swollen feet into Givenchy. Kim K is nearing her July due date and STILL has yet to succumb to the comfort of pregnancy. That looks painful, so painful and gross, so gross.

Swelling is a given in pregnancy, especially nearing the end of your term. Good lord woman, throw on some flip flops and give those hoofs a break – toenails could use a trim too. x.

Clearly she is not ashamed x. c/o Kim K instagram

Now that I have spoiled your lunch, grab yourself a delicious beverage and embrace the long weekend. Stay safe friends. Party on.

[images c/o fashion.telegraph.co.uk]

x Courtney

Target = Bullseye

Well, it’s finally here folks. Target Canada has arrived. Thousands of Canadians and frequent-US-travelling-Target-lovers were anticipating this addition to Canadian retail since it was announced over two years ago. I am one of them.

Nothing goes off without a hitch. Canadians complain, many being disappointed with Targets selection and prices. It’s annoying. No, not Target. YOU, you complainers. Opening week, I hit the St. Albert location 4 times. Yes, 4. With each visit, the selection dwindled and sizes were few and farther in between, but unless you were there at least some point on opening day, what did you expect? It’s kind of like your favourite band… if you don’t call TicketMaster at 10AM sharp – that shit gets sold out.

I got some serious summer items and not one of them was more expensive than $24.99. Were the “complainers” disappointed because the ALREADY cheap prices weren’t cheap enough for them? Rest assured, there should be more noticeable markdowns and sales when the official Grand Opening is held at the end of May – WITH restocked inventory. Remind yourself, their prices are on par with Walmart and Superstore and Target is way cooler.

I do, however agree that empty shelves on opening day is unacceptable. Re-strategize how you visually merchandise if you are low on product.

Alas, I am a satisfied customer. With each visit I always came out with something that I was super excited about and hardly waited in line.

Striped maxi dress x. $24.99

Mint crossover bag x. $24.99

Neon orange flat sandals x. $19.99
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Yellow zipper blazer x. $24.99

Burnt orange fringe crossover bag x. $24.99

Black & gold flat sandals x. $19.99

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What are your thoughts? Did Target fail miserably in meeting your expectations OR are you a supporter like moi? I wonder if those “complainers” will still be unsatisfied when (okay, IF) a MAJOR collaboration is announced. You can stay home when it’s debuted, I will go collect the goodies.

x Courtney

YEG Fashion Blogger Wardrobe Sale

BIG NEWS PEOPLE!

Hey you! Over there! You don’t want to miss this.

I am happy to be a part of this event – and it couldn’t have come at a better time with my recent move. Personally, I will be bringing clothing and accessories brands to sell such as Burberry, Michael Kors, Armani Exchange, Lacoste, Calvin Klein, some fast fashion brands and even vintage handbags.

Not only am I excited to sell my items AND meeting my readers but also looking forward to bringing my wallet and checking out my fellow bloggers stash for sale.

x Courtney

Spring In West49

Good marnin’!

I have to apologize for my lack of content recently. My husband and I just finished a hectic move into a new home – with my 15 m/o nothing is easy, especially living out of boxes. Alas, my internet is restored and I am back to grace you with my technological presence.

Before the move, I enjoyed an early Spring shopping spree c/o West 49. The Spring collection was impressive. I wasn’t sure if I would have a hard time finding pieces I truly enjoyed – it was fun and I am sure I tried on outfits for over an hour. I am obsessed with the acid-trip prints, endless selection of maxi skirts and the graphic print tanks and tees.

Below is how I paired the 3 separates. I can’t wait to rock these outfits – just in time for the beautiful weather rolling in. Sunshine… friends on?

x. Billabong mesh long sleeve c/o West 49
x. Billabong star graphic tank
x. Element aztec print maxi skirt c/o West 49
x. BCBG neon handbag
x. Spring wedges

x. Wilfred stretch tank
x. Volcom floral maxi skirt c/o West49
x. Marc Jacobs clutch
x. Jeffrey Campbell Lita’s
x. Wilfred hat

The pop of colour in the handbags does wonders for these looks. I also purchased a neon yellow infinity scarf, but it’s somewhere in one of those boxes… those many boxes.

x Courtney