Friday Five.

Another Friday round up! I haven't been poking around the Web as much lately, just one of those stretches where real life distracts me from the Internet. Hopefully you'll be seeing a little more of me next week! For the time being, here are some of my favorite links from the past couple of weeks.

Prom season is upon us yet again, and although my dinner + dance days are long behind me (Class of '07!) I enjoyed this Clothes Horse prom inspired post. I wish I had been bolder at my prom as well, but at least I wore a short cocktail dress in a sea of princess gowns. What did you wear to your prom?

This one speaks for itself: Why Fashion Bloggers Need Feminism on IFB.

StyleLikeU is one of my most beloved personal style websites, as it caters to my curiosities about the homes of stylish people. Elisa and Lily are working on featuring positive body image through #areUbeingU, and this roundtable discussion really resonated with me. It's great to hear fellow women talk about the relationships they hold with their bodies, and how it is intertwined with self esteem and our daily lives.

An interesting move for the fashion world, the first woman to be signed as a male model. Androgyny has always been a reoccurring theme in editorials and collections, and Casey Legler caters perfectly to a gender-bending world.

Susie Bubble will always be one of my favorite bloggers, and was one of the first blogs I read religiously. The Coveteur took a look at her closet, and it's just as bright and wonderful as one might suspect...

Miz Mooz.

The lovely ladies of The Style Common invited me to the Miz Mooz store for their spring shoe party, and it was so much fun! Candy, shoes and fashionable ladies; a perfect start to Spring. I even took home a bag full of Trader Joe's goodies. I hope to see more events like this in Vancouver, it's always lovely to catch up with familiar faces, and support independent businesses.

Thrifted bunny scarf, leather belt | Gypsy Night Market blouse | Mintage dress | Deena & Ozzy hat

Gifted sunglasses | C/O Tights Please Fast for Johnathan Aston honeycomb tights | Front & Co Topshop ankle boots

A Little Slice Of Paradise.

This is what I wore to shoot yesterday's feature at Bruce Eyewear. I love exploring in Gastown because there are many alleyways and old brick buildings, which make for the perfect secret outfit photos. This one was a little tricky because there wasn't really enough light or space, but I liked how the shots turned out anyhow.

Thrifted belt, cat earrings (as collar pins) | Community Thrift and Vintage silk blouse | UO tights
Monki hat | Dolcetta flats | Vintage skirt, cardigan

The Locals: Bruce Eyewear

I'm elated to introduce a new feature to Style is Style: The Locals. I'm discovering more and more interesting retailers and creative people here in Vancouver, so I would like to showcase some of my favorites on a monthly basis.

This month I'm featuring a lovely eye wear boutique in Gastown, Bruce Eyewear. I had not had the pleasure of visiting this shop until about a month ago, since the few times I was previously in the area it was closed. When I finally stepped inside, I was wowed by the selection and quality of the frames they offer. Open since July 1st, 2000, Bruce Eyewear specializes in stylish, bold frames. Carrying lines such as Celine and Karen Walker, there is a uniquely singular approach to glasses at Bruce. As a person who requires vision assistance (I typically wear contacts), I'm on the hunt for new frames. It was pleasant to experience an optical boutique which felt cool instead of sterile, fun instead of necessary. The staff is warm and inviting, and one could spend hours (seriously) just trying on the myriad of sunnies and eyeglasses they have.

I've also found out a little about the hows and whys of Bruce Eyewear, if you are in Gastown you should really take a peek at this lovely shop!

Do you find it is mostly prescription lens or fashion (non-prescription) glasses that your customers purchase? We have a slight seasonal shift in business, so we do sell more non-Rx sunnies in the warmer months, but both "fashion" and Rx markets are strong for us year-round!
With such an eclectic and style conscious breadth of stock, do you base your buying on staying on trend? Or is Bruce Eyewear more conscious of what does well with your standing customer base? We base our buying on so many things - from technical innovation (i.e. new materials), to particular clients, to some trend-watching, to need, to instinct...and we always have to be mindful that frames house prescriptions so there are always special considerations. And no matter what the trends, there will always be people who need a small frame, a narrow bridge, a large frame, or nosepads, etc....
Out of curiosity, what is the age range of customers who visit the shopfront? Our demographic is not so much an age as a point of view - our clients range in age from their tweens to their 80's.
What would you say to someone who is looking to change to bolder eyeglasses, but is fearful of wearing something that makes such a statement? Someone who is looking to go bolder...well, you can dip in a toe or dive right in! We look at the type of work they do, the environments they spend time in, budget, overall lifestyle - then we find examples of frames that vary in the "degree" of boldness! We encourage but never push - and inevitably the compliments provide the validation
What are some of the staff favorite frames? Staff favorites vary weekly! We have a staff picks section that changes constantly - again, it is more about the frames themselves than any brand.

Here are my favorite Spring picks! I wish I could have taken those Anne et Valentins home with me, they are definitely on my optical wishlist now...

Left Column: (top) Barton Perreira 'Cha/vgn Nelson', (middle) Dita 'Bengal', (bottom) Anne et Valentine 'Scarlett'
Middle Column: (top) Harry Lary's 'Beauty 48', (middle) Celine 'cl 41300 3y7 140', (bottom) Anne et Valentin 'Can'
Right Column: (top) Karen Walker 'Intergalactic', (middle) Karen Walker 'Bunny', (bottom) Oliver Goldsmith 'Love Me'

Starlet-Laced.

Over the past few years of blogging, I've found that my personal style has definitely settled into a uniform of sorts. I'm a sucker for a great print and color, and I absolutely cannot resist a collar. Novelty socks are another major weakness of mine. I was delighted to see this editorial from the spring edition of Lula Magazine circulate around the web, since it is a combination of all of the above. Dusty yet saturated hues, a nod to Dior's New Look silhouette and the lovely pairing of milkmaid braids and beautiful netted veils. It's a spring time dream...

photos from fashion gone rogue

You're Making My Dreams Come True.

Personally, I don't find any garment quite as mood-lifting as a dress that fits like a glove. eShakti has come up with a genius concept: fully customizable dresses (tops and skirts as well!) at a completely reasonable price point. The e-retailer carries a myriad of sweetly vintage inspired dresses, in sizes 0-36 which can be purchased as is, or customized with features such as adjusted sleeve length, hem length and neckline. I was a teeny bit skeptical that the dress would get here swiftly and fit me properly, but I was quite excited at the prospect of a garment that was "made for me". I picked a springy gingham and patiently awaited it's arrival, which was only a week later. eShakti did not disappoint! I can confidently say that the dress fits me impeccably; it's soft, flattering, the perfect length and made me feel like a sassy Teddy Girl. I forsee picnics and walks in the park all summer long.

I'm excited to offer you, my lovely readers, 20% off your eShakti order! Just enter STYLEISSTYLE until 04/15/13.* If you are looking for a style similar to the one I'm wearing, this pick is your best bet.

*Code has to be entered in the 'Privilege Discount' box.  No Minimum Order Value.  The discount code is not case sensitive.  The code can be used any number of times until the validity period. This code can be clubbed with any other gift coupon or gift card in the same order.  This discount code is not applicable on our Overstock category. Not applicable on previous purchases.


C/O eShakti green gingham dress | Front and Co. KR3W letterman jacket
Aldo socks, sunglasses | Dolcetta by Dolce Vita flats

I'll Send My Love.

I guess I've been inadvertently into stripes lately...this is my second multi-stripe post in as many days. I love the hidden paisley inside the cuffs of this vintage shirt. I'm also head over heels with this Monki hat that I picked up when I was in Oslo. One of these days I will get around to sharing the photos from that life changing trip... Point being I love Norway, I love Monki, and I love stripes.

Community Thrift & Vintage shirt, dress | Thrifted fur collar | Monki hat
Joe tights | Front & Co. vintage leather boots