I’m VERY excited to announce a new British contributor to SDP. Everyone meet Nikki! She hails from Toronto but lives in the UK and has great thrifty style. She’ll be contributing twice a month to give us a taste of her personal London style. Her first post is coming soon. Stay tuned…
PS – I’m also in the midst of a new design but you’ll have to bear with me while I figure out the techy stuff. New logo is up on my Facebook page and Twitter, check it out, I’m pretty excited! JD
Filed under Style
Spent the day strolling the ocean in sunny BC! These pictures were taken in Kitsilano beach and I definitely look like a lumberjack. Denim shirt from Zara, puffy vest from Joe Fresh, and plaid jacket from Aritzia. It’s not as warm as the heat wave in Toronto, but the sight of mountains makes up for it. Enjoy your weekend! JD
Filed under Places To Go, Style
One of my all time favourite designers is Brunello Cucinelli. He’s from Italy and I had the opportunity of meeting him a few years ago. Brunello began his collection in the 1970s with coloured cashmere sweaters and now he has a full men’s and women’s collections sold in boutiques and high-end retailers across the world.
The feel of the fabrics are true luxury and the look is effortless European cool. Some say it’s a European version of Ralph Lauren, and I can see that, but it’s better. I forgot to mention, it costs a fortune!!
I was inspired to dress in my best Brunello on a budget look the other day and here’s what I came up with. Tan pants from Aritza, a white dress shirt, navy blazer from Zara, a grey scarf from H&M, and my all-time favourite vest from Joe Fresh. On sale now for $10 (no joke). I also wore lace-up booties from Spring, my vintage Coach bag, and my old man hat from Kensington Market. Voila! JD
Photos by DT
Filed under Style
I’m LOVING this crazy warm weather. I can’t believe it’s March and I’ve been leaving the house sans jacket. Even this outfit had too many layers for our rising temps.
I’m wearing a vintage skirt I picked up in Belgium for 4 Euro, layered with a denim shirt from Zara, cropped sweater from H&M, cream tights, and my vintage Coach bag ($5). Booties are from Spring. Hope you’re making the most of this weather, enjoy it while it’s here. JD
Photos by DT
The Toronto restaurant scene is all about meat and comfort food these days and so many new places keep popping up. On the weekend I went to Hopgoods Foodliner for dinner and The Ace for drinks – both on Roncesvalles. I never go out on Roncesvalles so I felt like a tourist in my own city, which was part of the fun.
The menu at Hopgoods is East Coast comfort food, based on the chef’s Halifax upbringing. It was a busy little place with good music and a small, to-the-point menu. We tried the mini donair which was delicious, the famous hot crab dip (a recipe passed down from the chef’s grandma), and the sweetbread stew.
Too full for dessert, but not too full for a cocktail, we went a few doors to The Ace. I absolutely loved the vibe and will definitely go back for dinner or brunch. It’s a cool diner style gem of a place. I highly recommend! JD
Filed under Places To Go
Canadian tuxedo, double denim, forever in blue jeans is what I’ll be. Oh Neil Diamond, click here for the tune. I used to rock out to that as a kid. With my dad. In the car. Keep listening, it gets good when he belts out.
Here I’m wearing my most comfortable pair of jeggings by Canadian label – Domino. I paired it with my denim shirt from Zara, and nubuck boots from Cole Haan. Giant scarf is from H&M, leather gloves from Winners, and my parka is by Talula Babaton from Aritzia (old). Have a wonderful weekend wearing blue jeans! JD
Photography by Tania Alvarez
This pleated skirt from Zara is delicate and silky smooth. I love the colours and pattern. I paired it with my silky smooth boyfriend shirt from Joe Fresh, a wardrobe staple! Wool tights are from Winners, booties are by Cole Haan, and my parka is an old favourite by Talula Babaton that I got at Artizia many moons ago. Head band is from H&M. Enjoy your coffee break today. JD
Photography by Tania Alvarez
Filed under Style
Look who popped up on eLUXE.ca today! eLUXE is an online shopping destination that brings contemporary brands to style-savvy women in Canada. They have great stuff and daily deals. And we all love deals.
For today’s editorial feature, I shared my secrets for staying chic on a budget. I also styled two looks – one for day and one for night. Here are the screen shots below, but click here to see it online. Happy Shopping! JD
Filed under Press
I just love being casual! It makes me so happy. For a city stroll in the sun the other day, I wore my Second Denim Yoga Jeans in black. They’re comfortable but not bummy. The best. I also wore my fringe top from Urban Outfitters, denim shirt from Zara, and vintage finishing touches – Cowgirl boots from a Thrift store in Port Colborne ($10), cashmere touque from my dad, and aviator sunglasses from my grandpa…they’re from the 70s and I love them. Hope you’ve been enjoying the sunshine and strolling around. I can’t get enough. JD
Photos by DT
Filed under Style
I thought this light tunnel looked a bit like Light Brite. I loved that toy. This type of outfit is good for a night-time event when you want to feel dressed up but comfortable too. Liquid leggings are from American Apparel, flowy top is from H&M, hat is by Goorin Bros., and boots are Top Shop. JD
Photography by Silvia Drugea
Filed under Style
Last night I attended the Mackage Fall/Winter 2012 fashion show at the Distillery District. I have a love affair with outerwear and was impressed with each piece that walked down the runway. Mackage coats are simply the best. The structure and silhouettes are better than any coats out there, and I love that it’s a Canadian label run by two talented designers from Montreal. Kudos to a high energy and glamorous show! JD
Zombie Boy closed the show
Filed under Events
This girly brocade dress is from Zara. It makes me feel a bit like Betty Draper. It’s a sleeveless number, but to make it a bit more wearable I added a simple black cardigan from the Gap. Gold belt is from Print Fine Vintage on College street, and my bag is a vintage coach purse that I picked up from a vintage pop-up sale, also on College street. It was $5! To stick with the girly theme, I added not one but two flower corsage. Cognac booties are from Capezio (old). JD
Photography by Silvia Drugea
Filed under Style
Wearing an all black outfit against an orange wall reminds me of tiger tail ice cream. I wonder if that still exists?
I’m wearing my Jason Wu for Target black pleated skirt, with a classic black turtle neck from Jacob. To make the outfit interesting I added a flower on my neck, a gold belt, and leopard boots from Top Shop. It’s all about the accessories. JD
Photos by DT
Filed under Style
I’m proud of tonight’s dinner, so I thought I’d share. I made gnocchi from scratch! My friend JR would be proud, she taught me how to do it. We had burrata cheese to start, which is a rare find, but I found it at Grain Curd & Bean on Dundas West. Great little store if you’re looking for specialty cheeses, meats, bread, and other delectable finds. Dinner also included green beans, salad, vino, espresso, and chocolate for dessert. It was a nice way to end the weekend. Hope you had a good weekend too! JD
Filed under Random
Sometimes I look at my own blog for outfit inspiration. I wasn’t sure what to wear this morning so I took a look at what I was wearing this time last year, and voila, I’m happy with this outfit still.
It’s good to keep inventory of what you have and remember the outfits you’ve already styled so you can get dressed in a flash on days when there’s simply no time. On a side note, I cannot believe it’s already March!! Hopefully spring-like weather will begin sooner than later. Happy Friday! JD
Outfit details: H&M Sweater, Zara skirt, Handmade hat from The Hack, Vintage accessories and hat, Cole Haan boots.
Filed under Style
There’s something I love about converted churches. Church condos, party venues like the Berkley and the random church on College st. by Kensignton Market. But I had never been to a converted church restaurant/bar before until last night.
Church Aperitivo Bar on Queen West (at Dovercourt) opened to the public last night and I was so curious to see the inside. I really loved what it looked like, especially the original church ceiling they kept in place. The vibe is chic but friendly too and the food and cocktails were delicious.
It’s a great place to meet friends after work…every Tuesday to Saturday from 5 – 6:30 pm they offer complimentary appetizers as you sip cocktails. Sweet deal. Check it out at 1090 Queen St. West. JD
Filed under Places To Go
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