Being Julia : Leather Weather

This is what I call my 'winter in LA' look.  I always laugh when I see shots of bloggers (that are fortunate to live in a climate that doesn't drop below 0 degrees) and they are 'dressed for winter'.  Or they have a cute caption "baby it's cold out', and they are wearing a sweater and ripped jeans.  They have NO idea what cold is, and how it affects your footwear choices.!  I love that each morning before school,  I dress my kids in snow pants, hats, mitts, coat, and I walk out the back door in high heels with no socks!  My theory is, if I pretend long enough, the snow will actually melt away. Either that or I will have frostbite before the end of March! xo

Leather Jacket // Forever 21 

Bag // Forever 21

Top // Anthropologie x preloved

Jeans // Zara 

Shoes // Zara (similar)

preloved and anthropologie SS2015

I'm just so excited to launch this top we made for Anthropologie I loved working with the team down there and it's amazing what we can come up  with together. To share my excitement we're giving away 4 of these lovely tops on Instagram.

Check out how you can enter to win @prelovedtoronto and @prelovedjules! (on Instagram) 

Contest runs from February 25 - March 6, 2015 

Good luck everyone! 

Being Julia: #dateyourchild

I have been making a conscious effort to slow things down a bit lately.  It aways seems crazy this time of year,  but this year it seems worse.  Maybe it's the hockey, the gymnastics, the homework, the playdates, the dog, ( who's idea was the dog) the stress at work, or maybe it's just grade 6 spelling is getting to me. But whatever it is, I gotta slow it down,  I was totally inspired/moved by Shalice Noel and her hashtag #dateyourchild It stuck with me.  So I am making intentional dates with each of my kids. A time to slow down and catch up,  and  more importantly, put on a pretty skirt!  I busted out the good old butterfield skirt, originally designed for anthropoloige, and put on my heels to take out my eldest for a sushi lunch date!  Gotta say, the skirt fit a little better before lunch...just saying.. so thanks Shalice! Some times we just need to be reminded to 'dateyourchild'.

Blazer // Thrifted (Similar)

Shoes // Forever21 (Similar)

Top // Forever21 (Similar)

Skirt // Butterfield by preloved for anthropologie

Bag // Seafoam Envelope Clutch, Lulu's (Similar)

Jules Approved: Comfy, Cozy Knits

1. Decorative Pillow // Chapters
Wouldn't you say your happy place is sitting on the couch in front of the fireplace, wrapped up in blankets and surrounded by fluffy pillows? This decorative pillow from Chapters will help create that nest of pillows and personal heaven.

2. Where The Rainbows End // Chapters
Cuddled up in front of the fireplace with a great book, escaping the cold, is a great way to spend the day. Where The Rainbow Ends is a super cute book that I highly recommend! It's an easy, quick read that you won't want to put it down. It's sort of like a modern day Notebook... A must read!

3. Throw // Crate & Barrel
You aren't cozy enough unless you have a nice blanket keeping you warm. This throw from Crate & Barrel is super cute and will keep you toasty warm. Plus, the Crate & Barrel website recently started shipping to Canada making it even easier to buy their cozy throws if you can't get to their few store locations.

4. Loreli Sweatshirt // preloved
 The Loreli sweatshirt is the definition of cozy. It is fully lined with super soft jersey and a big cozy turtle neck. This is a statement sweater that you will never want to take off!

5. Infinity Scarf // Anthropologie 
This scarf from Anthropologie is super soft and warm. It has a gorgeous fur on one side and a cozy knit on the other... Ideal for indoor and outdoor wear. Apart from feeling good, the double textures also give it an interesting look. This scarf comes in black and white, colours that you can wear with literally anything in your closet!

6. Legwarmers // preloved (coming soon)
These legwarmers are the perfect height to peek above a pair of knee high boots. Made from vintage sweaters, these legwarmers will keep you toasty warm while trucking through snow.

7. Peppermint Mocha // Starbucks
Starbucks holiday drinks are one of the best things that come along with the upcoming Christmas season. One of my personal favourites is the peppermint mocha.. All I can say is YUM! Try it next time you pass by Starbucks, you won't regret it!

8. Ankle Booties // Zara
Staying fashionable while keeping warm can be challenging sometimes.... However these ankle booties from Zara make being warm stylish! These boots are fur lined to keep your feet dry and cozy, and the buckles and leather keep you in fashion.

9. 3 Wick Candle // Bath and Body Works
Lastly, you can't deny that a burning candle completes a cozy day at home. Bath and Body Works just recently put out their holiday scents. Spice Apple Toddy is a scent that smells edible but also helps you relax.

Jules Approved: Fall Must Haves

1. STATEMENT SWEATER // PRELOVED
Cozy sweaters are always a fall must have. This Sadie sweater is made of vintage sweaters with a statement heart piece. It's also fully lined (but scratch free) to keep you warm in the chilly fall weather.

2. WOOL HAT // H&M
 Not ready to say goodbye to summer yet? Update your summer floppy hat to a smaller, black wool hat to transform a summer trend to fall trend.

3. NECKLACE // ANTHROPOLOGIE 
Chunky necklaces instantly make any outfit more feminine and romantic. They are the perfect way to add a pop of colour and sparkle to your casual appearance.

4. HIGH RISE JEANS // J BRAND
High rise jeans are a must have this season because of trending crop tops and crop sweaters... Not to mention tucking in the mummy tummy!

5. OVERSIZED CLUTCH // ROOTS
 This casual bag is perfect for day or night. It double functions as a casual cross-body bag or a more formal oversized clutch. It's neutral and soft colours make it easy to wear regardless of the occasion. 

6. SLINGBACK BOOTIE // ZARA
This pair of slingback booties spice up your usual pair of ankle boots. Cut outs at the back of the boot are very unique and trending this season. The best part is you can wear these boots with a dress or a pair of jeans... I haven't taken them off since I bought them.

7. LIPSTICK // CHARLOTTE TILLBURRY
Charlotte Tilburry's Matte Revolution lip offers many different shades but this dark, bold lip is a beauty must have this fall. Plus, Charlotte Tilburry just recently started being shipped to Canada so be one of the first to own her products!

8. EARRINGS // J. CREW
This pair of crystal bug earrings adds a little sparkle of personality to any outfit. They are the perfect size to be a statement piece but aren't distracting from the rest of your outfit.

9. LEATHER BOOTIES // STEVE MADDEN
Leather ankle boots hit the list again, but this time with a comfort focus. These little heels are comfortable to wear all day. The brown, plain colour is easy to match with but the quilted texture adds a little bit of flare.

10. QUILTED JACKET // PRELOVED
Anything quilted is very on trend this season. The Genie jacket is unlike any jacket you will find this fall. I'm especially loving the quilted arms, leather trim and cropped waistline.

Being Julia : Tribal Spirit

Jacket // Dapper Date Blazer in White, Modcloth

Dress // Apple, preloved 

Bag // Small Shoulder Bag, H&M

Sunglasses // Versace Square Sunglasses, Sunglass Hut (Similar)

Necklace // Statement Bead Bib, Anthropologie (Similar)

Shoes // Pointy Royal Blue Heels, Zara (Similar) 

Photos by Kat Rizza

Philly for a day

I really should say "philly for a couple of hours'. I had a great meeting with the sweater team at Anthropologie last week.  It doesn't matter how much time I spend in those offices, I still find it one of the most inspiring places!  You can just feel the creativity flying around that place!  and the coffee cart on a bicycle  that comes to the different bulidings is just too much to bear. Well I wrapped up my meetings at Anthropoloie, and made it back to the airport in time for a pedicure ( had to do the toes before my trip to Florida)  There was NO way I was going to ruin those nails. ( no time to fix them), so I might have been the first person the custom agent has seen clear customs in paper flip fops! Oh the glamours life!

A day trip

It started at 5:40 am, which really is not that rare for me.  Usually I am out for a run at the time, but this morning, I jumped into the car and headed for buffalo.  Caught an 11:00 am flight to Philadelphia, and made it on time for my 1:30 meeting with the buyers from Anthropologie.   This is my fourth trip to the Navel Yard, which is what they call the corporate headquarters of Urban Outfitters. (parent company to Anthropologie).  I am telling you, I think this is one of the most inspiring places I have ever been.  When I grow up, this is what I want my office to be like.  It is located in the historical Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.  The company operates out 6 different buildings, and occupies over 280’000 square feet of the navy yard.   The cafeteria building is unbelievable.  It is located right on the water, and I am telling you, it is tall enough that you can park a cruise liner right inside.  Not to mention the incredible food! But that is another story.  Just saying the chicken chili might be worth the flight to Philly.  I had meetings with two different buying teams from Anthropologie, ( the sweater team, and knit tops) and a very inspiring  visit to building 15, the offices of BHLDN, which is the wedding brand of Anthropologie.  Headed back to the airport, caught my flight to Buffalo, located my car,( which was probably the most difficult part of my day! NOTE TO SELF: write down which floor you park on!)  I arrived home safely before midnight, slipped into bed, and dreamed all night, on how the future head office of preloved should look.  Funny, I didn't think at all about the Fallon Top ( the style that anthropologie wants), that needs to somehow, be made out of vintage golf tee’s,  recycled leather and lace, and be ready for delivery by end of NOVEMBER, till I woke up! AHHH!

just a comfy cozy place to get creative 

yes that is a gym upstairs

on my way to grab some chicken chili

seeing red

Finally coming up for air!  The Roots by preloved order has shipped, the Anthropologie order has shipped, and the order for the Bay just left!  Wow fall  2012 has been insane. I think we rescued over 80’000 sweaters.  None of which are red.  Apparently Anthropologie doesn't  like red!...so we still have about  3000 red sweaters to use up…hopefully red will be trending by Fall 2013, or we are gonna have to do something for the heart and stoke fund!! The office is quite quiet today.  Peter is off to the chiropractor.. sore legs  Ashley and Yuko took the day off.. sore backs….  Lexie is here though, that’s just because she is off tomorrow.  I think a week in the manufactures, shipping boxes, (yes fashion is that glamorous), has done this team in.   I think everyone is ready for a long weekend….happy thanksgiving!  Tuesday is our first Spring 2013 fit meeting..no rest for the wicked!