how to dress for this spring/summer

It's backkkk! 

Here are a few trends to look out for when you're searching for new summer clothes! 

Now that I am posting these pictures, I'm seeing my oblivious attitude towards keeping my bed clean when taking pictures. I SWEAR, I just pulled out all my clothes to take pictures, it is always much cleaner. So sorry! But here it goes...

First thing is first, MAXI SKIRT. Everyone needs one! Paired nicely with a tank top, you can find them for very cheap at FOREVER 21!

Another skirt/dress trend would be the MIDI. It falls just below your knee. It usually a flowy style. This one is from AMERICAN APPAREL, but they have some really cute snug & flowy ones at ARITZIA and FOREVER 21.

WHITE PANTS are the perfect go-to jean for the summer season. They are hard to pull off during the winter so take advantage during the summer. These are boyfriend jeans from AMERICAN EAGLE.

Anything NEON is in right now from tops, dresses, pants even necklaces. It makes a statement and it's one of the top trends this summer. The shirt is from AMERICAN APPAREL and the pants from FOREVER 21.

Eeek, this is my favorite look!!! Combining the CHAMBRAY BUTTON UP and TEXTURED SKIRT, this is a super summery look that can work for anything! Especially a country music festival ;) Shirt from AMERICAN EAGLE and skirt from FOREVER 21. Totally from Pinterest, too! 

COLORED SHORTS! No need for more detail. It can be done as a dress up look or dress down. Here is an example of dressing it up. Again, from FOREVER 21.

Like the white pants, a WHITE BLAZER is also a must... for similar reasons of course :) This outfit is also a good example of using neutrals with pastels. Its light and summery which is exactly what we should be aiming for! Shirt is from ARITZIA, and blazer and skirt are from ZARA.

You see this next look everywhere on Pinterest: JEAN JACKET with a MAXI STRAPLESS DRESS. It's perfect layering that will workout for the spring or "in between" months. Jacket is from SIMONS and maxi dress can be found at FOREVER 21.

LACE SHORTS are all the rage! They are also very comfortable! What's especially wonderful about them is that it can be both fancy and casual, depending on the top. These shorts are from ZARA and the top is from DYNAMITE. Oh, and sheer tops are good to have as well! Especially when you need to dress up for work and its like 40 degrees outside!

 Another one of the favorite trends: HIGH WAISTED JEAN SHORTS! One of my secrets: i got these as men's 90's pants for 3$ at VALUE VILLAGE, and destroyed them myself! It's the perfect casual "walk in the park" outfit. Top is from AMERICAN EAGLE. It's also great to have a bunch of strapless flowy tops to avoid attrocious tan lines, ya know.

TRAVEL ACCESSORIES! 

OK, so I'm really excited for GREECE! But this can still apply for a day at the beach or going for a walk downtown. Important to have:

• A hat: hats are really in right now. Doesn't have to be a fedora like me, anything beachy is in, so go nuts!
• A bunch of light satchel bags: nobody wants to lug around a big leather purse so having a "barely there" one is perfect! You can find these anywhere, really.
• Cute pair of flip flops: ok, so I'm a loser and I have gold flip flops, black flip flops and colored ones so I don't clash when I wear silver BUT, comfy sandals are perfect for beach time or a casual dinner.
• Sheer headband: nothing too heavy but it's just something to add to your outfit instead of a scarf! Again, on those super hot days!
• Comfy walking shoes: yes friends, I learnt my lesson: don't go to europe with only flip flops, flats and mocassins. I get it. So I got myself some Sperry Topsider Boatshoes! Something with a little more support will help this time around. You could even go for Toms or flat's Crocs! Anything to give you a big of support if you're sightseeing or just walking your dog!
• Beach bag/carry on: something to keep all your stuff together! Enough said! Mine has cute birdies on it! What ever guys, it's cool!

SCARVES! Something very light and airy for those early mornings! The bottom one was from URBAN OUTFITTERS. They have a bunch of circule scarves like that! 

Finally, a little dress up fun! Other than maxi dresses and skirts, everyone needs a HIGH-LOW DRESS! It's one of the biggest trends this summer and you can find them virtually anywhere! This one is from FOREVER 21.

The last trend this summer, which might seem a bit weird, is LEATHER. To avoid a "Ross and baby powder" situation, get something flowy this this skirt from FOREVER 21. Another super cute trend that works wonderfully with high waisted shorts is bralettes! There is a huge variety at GARAGE! 

I think we all learned one thing today: FOREVER 21 has almost everything! So go have fun and post your own pictures!! Gonna be a fabulous summer ladies and gents, just fabulous! Stay tuned for a bikini post soon enough!

..for anyone who didn't understand my FRIENDS reference, I feel sorry for you..

Watch it here - too funny

DD

Insane is an understatement

I'm feeling a little more excited since I have seen my results with my latest health and fitness endeavour. So much so, that I am starting the next level this week. It was no easy task, let me assure you but if you want results, this is the way to go.

The gym can only take you so far. No matter what, your body hits a plateau and I never truly understood it until this past summer. Then I tried the Paleo diet, which I am sure you have all read about it in my previous posts in September. That whole food routine change allowed me to lose 5 pounds (my goal weight), but I still lacked a bunch of definition because I was still following the same old gym routine. Cardio, weights, cardio, with a bit of sweat if you run long enough? Ya. No good.

Insanity is insane. Let me just put it out there. The name does not fall short from how truly intense the work out is. I must say though, it has changed my life. It is a 60 day challenge that pushes you to your max. The first month is a lot of cardio and muscles. The second month seems like a whole of muscle but the workouts are much longer. What is so great about it is that you don't need a single accesory. More importantly, you don't need that much space. It saves so much time and effort when you just need to go in front of a TV and workout. An even better workout then if you went allllll the way to the gym.

When you purchase the ''hardest workout ever put on DVD'', you get a calendar telling you which workout to do and a nutritional guide. The best part about it all is that you get a personal trainer. Shaun T  designed intense workouts with a combination of cardio, muscle plyometric workouts as well as yoga techniques to get the best results. It's not intimidating like P90X. He is an encouraging and the environement is bright and welcoming. You can't ask for anything better. Plus, you don't do a SINGLE crunch or sit up!

If that didn't convince you, maybe this will. This is my before insanity picture and after! 6 pounds later and only God knows how much muscle gained! (Please excuse the bra and panty in the first one. I guess i just never thought my body would change enough for me to feel the need to share it!)

Now, its not perfect but I shrunk a lot and became a lot stronger. For instance, I went for a run the other day and bolted through my usual paths and ended up running double the distance I usually do. At a faster speed! It truly works wonders. Now I'm trying the Asylum. Its a step hard from Insanity but you still have Shaun T. It's athletic training so I will be sure to keep you posted on it.

I'm just another person on the long list of people who got their lives changed by Insanity. I know two people who were inspired and bought it for themselves. There is no better feeling than comparing before and after shots. That's when you realize you can sculpt your body. It's not just a dream, anyone can!

And for those who are wondering, I followed paleo for the first month. However, the second month are the ''max'' DVD's so I continued a low carb diet. Carb right before workout and protein and sugar after! Works just fine!

Please let me know if you try it!

DD

que pasa for VFF, you say?

We are picking up all your pennies, that's what!

Say HELLO to our ''SEE YOUR PENNIES SAVE LIVES'' campaign!

Our government suggests offering all the rejected and sad looking pennies to charity. SO, Valérie's Flutter Foundation came up with this sweet little campaign to collect the unwanted pennies and give them one last job : save lives!

Were working a little promo bit to encourage everyone to give, but I thought I would give you guys the inside scoop in the meantime.

So here's what you can do (its super easy):

• Take out all your pennies from your wallet or pant pocket (lose a couple pounds, ya know)
• Dig in your couch and break the piggy bank
• Find a plastic bag and dump it ALL in there!
• Email me (deborah.desmarais@hotmail.ca or message the foundation on facebook)
• I'll be at your doorstep to pick up your AWESOME donation

You see, when it comes to cancer research, even the pennies count. It all adds up. It is that ONE penny we couldn't offer to cancer research. But now, we can!

For more info and upcoming events for our ''See your pennies save lives'' campaign, check out our Facebook page (Valérie's Flutter Foundation) or check out our Twitter page (@FlutterFnd)

Thanks for all your support!!

DD

globes to oscar: best and worst

GOLDEN GLOBES : ANNA HATHAWAY IN CHANEL COUTURE
She has a hint of peplum and the strapless looks gorgeous with her short hair! She's a simple girl and the simple look is amazing with a touch of texture in her dress.

GRAMMY'S: RIHANNA IN AZZADINE ALAIA
It's so obvious why this is a winner. It's a calm version of Rihanna with a hint of sass. The red is so beautiful with her ombré hair and the way it flows makes it absolutely perfect!

SAG AWARDS: JESSICA CHASTAIN IN ALEXANDER MCQUEEN
She made up for her flop at the golden globes. That blue number with the saggy chest was disgusting. Red on red looks amazing with her skin tone and totally flatters her curves. Can't go wrong wit McQueen.

OSCARS: JENNIFER LAWRENCE IN DIOR HAUTE COUTURE
AHHH, she kept the best for last. Bridal or not, this look was amazing. Though I agree it looks like a wedding dress option, it still takes your breath away. She won her first oscar, it's probably more important than her wedding day. I'm surprised she hasn't said something silly like that yet? Nonetheless, she looks stunning! She is totally the BEST role model for a healthy body image ANYDAY!

CONSISTANT THROUGHOUT: JENNIFER GARNER
Though Ben Affleck was in the spotlight, Jennifer Garner was a gem by his side. She never failed to impress. Her mix of fashion and subtlety made her a winner at each award show. Her hair was also perfect every time!

WORST DRESS: ADELE @ GRAMMY'S
She looks like a lamp? I think this one speaks for itself. She usually KILLS it. But I think this look just killed her reputation. At least she redeemed herself at the oscars. She does have one of each, after all. So i guess she can wear sweat pants next year.

FAVORITE NEW TREND: BACKWARD NECKLACE
Personally, I love JLaw's necklace more than Anne Hathaway. But it's still a pretty cool trend!

DD