Like Everyone Else, I'm Mad for Mad Men

Countless fashion designers, trend setters and make-up artists have been inspired by the most anticipated television event of the summer, the return of the highly acclaimed AMC original series Mad Men. And I can see why. From the full skirts of Betty Draper to the cherry red lips of Miss Joan Holloway, even the revival of classic menswear staples (think fedora's and boyfriend blazers) can be attributed to the show's monumental success. Even big brands are jumping on board to be included in the fashion wave Mad Men has created. Banana Republic has a cross promotional campaign stocking its shelves with 60's inspired office wear and fans can win a walk on role.

In last night's episode, Don Drapper and Salvatore Romano have to assure raincoat client, London Fog that their business will grow, because "it is always going to rain". To no suprise, in 2009, London Fog will launch a new campaign featuring Brazilian Supermodel Gisele Bundchen in a similar concept that Don devises for the brand. The imminent revival of London Fog will surely fix upon Mad Men and it's retro trend setting ways.

My New Summer Beauty Regime

I have to admit, I have a problem. It's really embarrassing, especially this time of year. Alright, I'll spill - I have really dry feet! And no matter how often I get a pedicure, my feet still end up rough, dry and scaly after only a few days. I have tried every DIY product the drug store has to offer and the only thing that could cure me of my scaly feet was a $35 trip to the nail salon - until now!

I'd seen the infomercials for Pedi-egg and for the first time in my life I was close to actually buying something "as seen on TV". To my amazement, a friend told me Revlon had also come out with a similar cheese grater for unsightly dry, rough feet, the Revlon Pedi-Expert. After searching many drugstores for this miracle product I finally found one at my local Shoppers. I immediately took it home to test it out! After about an hour of filing off layers and layers of what my boyfriend had affectionately called my "dragon feet", I am happy to report, I am the proud new owner of smooth, soft and scale free feet!

While the Pedi-Expert did cure me of rough, dry, scaly, ugly and embarrassing feet, there was one minor problem... it wasn't as mess free as they claimed. Thank goodness I had a feeling this experience would be messy and sat outside to grate my dry skin or else after an hour of treating my feet, I would have had to vacuum it all up after! Other than that, I am totally in love with this product and will definitely add it to my summer beauty regime. I am now free to walk bare foot in the presence of others as I am no longer embarrassed by my dry feet!

Congrats Meaghan Waller! CNTM Style vs ANTM Style

I am slightly addicted to reality TV shows, especially when they center around fashion and the fashion industry. Project Runway, Project Runway Canada, What Not to Wear, Stylista and Glam God just to name a few. I even find myself watching America's Next Top Model, whatever cycle they are on now, although the aspects of fashion are few and far between Tyra's cheesy fierceness as she tries to empower young women. Just like I love my Canadian Project Runway, I love it when the home town girls strut it out for Jay Manuel on Canada's Next Top Model.

After watching the finale last night and my front runner Meaghan pulled ahead of Lindsay to be crowned Canada's Next Top Model, I found myself comparing the caliber of girls between the American and the Canadian contestants. Not only do I see more model material in the Canadian girls and not just young women with a story behind them to create "good" tv. Ahem... a burn victim?!?!? The first thing I noticed was how stylish the Canadian girls were. Such a stylish set, even before they work with world renown designers, picking up style tips back stage. I often find the American girls look, as Tyra often states, like they're at the mall, they have no flair and often show up to judging panel in a simple jeans and tee. So way to go girls, not only do Canadians models already rock the runways but they rock the battle between ANTM and CNTM! Congrats Meaghan!

Fashion Inspiration: Michael Jackson

I, like the rest of the world, was totally and completely inundated with newspaper articles and tv documentaries that saturated the press over the weekend over the passing of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop. While most of these articles and programs outlined the path that had taken Michael from adorable child star and musical genius to the freakish plastic surgery addicted, child loving, pill popping "Wacko Jacko" he'd become. Many articles and journalists stressed MJ should be remembered for his music and not his tabloid escapades, I beg to differ. MJ should also be remembered for his influence on another realm of pop culture - fashion. As iconic as the 'Thiller' music video became, the red and black leather jacket he wore in the video also deserves a place in pop culture history. So does his affection for miliary inspired jackets, a trend that has not fallen off the fashion radar as Balmain featured in their Spring 2009 collection. I would not be surprised if MJ's style inspires many more designers as they make the preparations for their Spring 2010 collections. MJ can rest in peace knowing his music and fashion will live on forever, overshadowing his excentricities.

People Watching: Equestrian Helmet as Bike Helmet

I love to people watch, especially when it comes to taking fashion cues as well as seeing how certain styles work on different body. Not to mention the cast of characters that walk past your park bench or bistro table. That being said, I will mention some notable and perhaps not so notable street fashion in hopes of inspiring others to follow suit.

My latest find happened the other day while walking my dogs, when a woman on a bike cut me off as we were crossing the street. As I turned to give her a nasty look for cutting me and my two dogs off, I saw that she was stylishly attired for her afternoon ride in an equestrian helmet. I couldn't help but smile at her clever and stylish alternative to a bike helmet. She has totally solved my dilemma I have with dorky bike helmets, at least this way I can make safety my number one priority and still look cute.

Off the N to the Y to the C

I am off to New York City today to visit two of best friends who currently reside there. I finished packing last night and as I looked into my suitcase all I saw was black, white and denim - so depressing! I love color but I want to be able to make the most number of outfits out of the least amount of clothes, I am going to NYC - the fashion capital of the world. But I also realized that most of the clothes I have bought in the past year have been black or white. I guess for a similar reason as packing it all - wanting to make the most out of the least. I also can't afford to buy something so trendy that it will be a fashion faux pas by the time I'm able to wear it again next season.

However, while in NYC I do plan on checking out Top Shop. Instead of collecting kitchy souvenirs like sno-globes or spoons, I collect clothes from my travels. I think Top Shop is a perfect place to remember this trip to NYC as an unemployed fashionista! Not to mention I am super excited to see my gal pals! Bon Voyage!

Ways Image Consultants Can Help

I had a girls night out this weekend and inevitably the conversation subject turned to shopping. My friend has a family wedding to attend overseas this summer and her mother wants both her and her sister to look amazing and trendy and all the other adjectives that get the "take that" juices flowing in familial relations. My friend continued to tell me that she had found a dress that was all the adjectives her mother requested. But there was one problem - she didn't feel comfortable in the dress to completely exude all those jealously evoking adjectives.

This little story reminded me of the differences between a fashion stylist and an image consultant. Many people when they hear 'image consultant' immediately think of ladies in powdery pink shoulder padded power suits of the 1980's telling you what season you are. I think it's about time we modernized that image and break free of those shoulder padded power suits to embrace the benefits a modern image consultant, like myself.

The way an image consultant could be helpful when trying to find that perfect dress is not only do we assess your body shape, enabling you to eliminate several styles that would not flatter your figure. But your body shape can almost predict what style of clothing you will be drawn to! Sounds crazy, but it's true. For example, if you have a lot of angles to your body, you will look best in strong lines, patterns and fabrics, not ruffles and flowy chiffon.

So back to my friend. Perhaps the reason she felt uncomfortable in the dress she found was that it didn't suit her clothing personality. With the help of an image consultant she could have a more exact idea of what to look for that would not only save her time while shopping but make the experience much more relaxing giving her a more confined parameters in which to search, and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Yes, I did offer my help and we will be hitting the stores shortly to find that amazing dress that will make her mother proud and the rest of her family jealous.