Work, Party, and Chill

By Natalie Naccarato

www.LUXaholic.ca strives to dress you from day to night. We've created an easy to use website where we divide the clothing into three categories: Workaholic, Chillaholic, and Partyaholic, so that you have the perfect outfit 24/7! Take a browse through our website and make sure to check back next week as new summer merchandise will be arriving on the site!!

Below are our fav's from each category! Happy shopping everyone!

LUXaholic Style Challenge!

By Natalie Naccarato

Sometimes I find myself in a bit of a style rut and I'm sure some of you can relate. I have a closet full of clothes that I'll suddenly feel uninspired by and despite my best intentions I end up wearing a favourite top or pair of jeans much too much! There is a certain comfort level in dressing in familiar outfits, and there's nothing wrong with that. However, if you feel you're in a rut and need some fresh new ideas to jazz up your wardrobe then lets get to it!

Instead of recommending you go buy a laundry list of new items I am instead suggesting you look to your very own wardrobe. I'd like to challenge all of you lovely LUXaholics to really break out of your comfort zone and force yourself to put together new and interesting outfits using what you already own. I know the term "Shop your closet" is getting tired, but it really can be quite helpful...not only to your wallet, but your appearance as well! So, using what you already own choose one (or more!) of the following challenges for fun. I find that when I attempt something like this it forces me to be creative and look at my wardrobe in a different way! I'd like to acknowledge The Glamourai, an NYC blogger that inspired this post - check out her blog for loads of tips on daily dressing!

Choose a One Week Challenge:

1. Do not wear pants for one whole week...instead experiment with skirts, dresses and fun tights!

2. Do not wear sweats (unless working out) for one whole week...even at home! That's right, sometimes what you need to get out of a style rut is a little more glamour and a lot less fleece.

3. Choose a different print to wear (stripes, polka dots, florals) every day of the week on at least one item of clothing...sweater, top, skirt, etc.

4. Do you have one or two go-to blouses that you wear all the time? How about a pair of favourite pants? Well, say bye-bye to them for one whole week! Refresh your memory of what else is in your closet and use those forgotten items to inspire a new look!

5. Borrow one thing every day from someone else's closet and incorporate it into your look. This is a tricky one, but for those of you who live with stylish others who do not mind sharing, it could work! Nab a sweater from your sister, a pair of pants from your mom, a belt from a roommate or a collared shirt from the guy in your life. Remember to add a belt to anything oversized so that your waist doesn't get lost!

6. Wear one different accessory in a creative way every day! Use a scarf as a belt, a brooch as a hair accessory, a ring as a necklace charm, etc. The possibilities are endless for this one!!

7. Make your own one week challenge. Everyone is different...perhaps you wear skirts all the time and want to try pants for a change, or you always stick to a fav colour like blue and need to reincorporate that red sweater at the back of your closet into your look. Whatever the case may be, make a challenge catered to you that'll push your comfort zone and get your creativity flowing!

I find that doing a challenge like this helps me realize what really is useable in my closet and what items I should just get rid of already! If you've been wearing the same style sweater vest to work day after day and have it in every colour, maybe it's time to chuck a couple and replace it with a fresh new cardigan in a pretty print. Hopefully this challenge will help open your eyes to your closet in a new way!

Have fun, and let us know what challenge you chose and if you were successful!

Photo Credits: Cartoon wardrobe photo from www.fashioncupboard.com and above photo from www.stylishthought.com

Style Comparison - Leighton Meester

By Natalie Naccarato

We love Leighton Meester's young adventurous style! She's always a go-to for inspiration. Here we take tips on party outfits from our favourite Gossip Girl.

We love this Mark Fast dress Leighton wore back in December. It's super sexy and perfect for a night on the town:

LUXaholic's comparison is the equally hot Lace Me Up Dress:

For a more casual night out we're inspired by Leighton's look at the New York premiere of Date Night in which she wore this stunning Giambattista Valli:

For a similar look, try the Night Garden Dress:

Leighton loves edgy footwear, so pair both looks with these braided Chinese Laundry "Lucky Strike" heels!

Photo Credits: Both Leighton Meester photos from www.whowhatwear.com

Be Your Own Stylist: Find Your Shape

By Natalie Naccarato

Here at LUXaholic we want to help you look your best, so we are continuing with the Be Your Own Stylist series. We have found www.thechicfashionista.com very helpful with this! Last time we discovered your season, and in today's blog we're going to help you discover your shape and how to dress to accentuate it. Click here to do so. This is a very important part of looking your absolute best! Don't feel like you have to be an hourglass shape to look great! The Chic Fashionista shows a number of stunning celebrities that fit into each category (who knew Angelina Jolie was an apple shape)!? So embrace your figure and get shopping for looks that will enhance your shape at www.LUXaholic.ca! Enjoy and keep an eye out for our next Be Your Own Stylist blog!

Don't Fear: Denim on Denim

By Natalie Naccarato

For a time denim on denim was known to us Canucks as the "Canadian Suit." It was such a fashion faux pas that many a fashionista would cringe at the mere thought of pairing a denim jacket with jeans. However, as fashion goes, what is out one day will be in before you know it.

Something started changing just over a year ago. This chic lovely was photographed by Scott Schuman and posted to his ultra-popular blog, The Sartorialist in February, 2009:

Suddenly denim on denim looked fresh again. Any horrible images of your fashion clueless denim-loving Uncle or embarrassing denim heavy portraits of yourself from elementary school were erased. Designers took note and the look was seen on multiple Spring 2010 runways including D&G and Ralph Lauren:

There were still skeptics, people still feared the denim overload.

LUXaholic is here to tell you, it's ok, embrace the denim! Our philosophy is that if Kate Moss is rocking the look you know you're good! She's on the cutting edge of every trend.

Now that we can agree denim on denim is looking pretty enticing, let's see how we can adapt this look into our wardrobes. This is where www.LUXaholic.ca comes in to help! Currently on our website we have a variety of styles to help you get this look.

The Brodie dress by B.B. Dakota is a great summer dress. Throw a denim jacket over OR pair with a denim handbag as seen below:

Below is the Tracy dress by Guess. With it's tie-dyed details this dress is practically begging for denim companions!

Accessory tip: browns are always best with denim. Stick with suede and leather...sandals, belts and handbags.

Remember, fashion is fun so experiment with denim on denim!

Photo credits: First photo from www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com; Runway photos from www.style.com; Kate Moss photo from www.denimblog.com

A Night at the MET

By Natalie Naccarato

Sigh...beauty overload! Last night was the Costume Institute Gala. A benefit where the who's who of the fashion world and Hollywood come together at the Metropolitan Museum in NYC for the fashion world's biggest party of the year. The gala always provides such style inspiration. This year the MET celebrated the opening of a new exhibit entitled American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity. Well these (mostly) American women did not disappoint. You will find plenty to inspire your sartorial choices for upcoming events. Below are our fave's of the night grouped by trends we spotted. Let us know your favourite!

Shine on:

The metallic trend is still going strong. There was no shortage of shine last night. Below are Nicole Ritchie in Marc Jacobs and Sarah Jessica Parker in Halston Heritage.

Suit up:

We were loving the ladies who showed us that woman don't have to wear dresses to look glamourous. Below are Alexa Chung in 3.1 Phillip Lim and Ricky Lauren (wife of Ralph) in Ralph Lauren.

*Style Note: Watch for the women's suit to gain even more popularity once Sex and the City 2 premieres. We spotted the look on Carrie at Stanford's wedding!

Afternoon Tea:

The Ladies Who Lunch look is definitely making a strong comeback. As seen on the runways of Prada, Miu Miu, and Louis Vuitton and on the popular television show, Mad Men. This ladylike look is a throwback to old glamour and is a welcome and refreshing change. Below are Carey Mulligan in Miu Miu, and Rachel Bilson in Louis Vuitton.

Show Some Leg:

In stark contrast to Afternoon Tea were the sexy skin baring looks on Sienna Miller in Emilio Pucci and Gisele Bundchen in Alexander Wang. Lesson learned - if you've got it, flaunt it!

Statuesque:

This is the more conservative sister theme of Show Some Leg. Still great to show off a hot figure, but leaves much more to the imagination. This look is great in solid neutrals. Below are Zoe Saldana and Diane Kruger both in Calvin Klein Collection and Jessica Stam.

*All photos from www.style.com

Be Your Own Stylist: What Season Are You?

By Natalie Naccarato

An important part of looking your best is knowing what colours suit you. If you have not had a colour analysis done, here is your chance! At LUXaholic we found a great FREE site that takes you step by step through a colour analysis. Click here to do your analysis.

The site will help you determine whether you are a Summer, Autumn, Winter or Spring. Knowing what colours bring out the best in your appearance is so helpful and will make shopping for clothing and makeup much easier. Enjoy the quick knowledgeable process and check out www.LUXaholic.ca for clothing that match your season!