Fall fashion for our socially distanced lives

 As we continue to grapple with the current pandemic, many of us will find it difficult to imagine how the latest fashion trends might fit into our socially distanced lives. The fall 2020 runway shows happened before our world was turned upside down but many of the looks have relevance

Hit the mark with the look that is spot on for spring

 The spring/summer 2020 runways had a myriad of striking collections, with truly something for every taste. Ruffles, colourful leather ensembles and artisanal crochet were impactful trends, but the standouts were everyday classics: traditional colours, polka dot prints and bright hues were notable themes that appeared on a variety of runways.

The Great Escape

 ABOVE: From the Runways: Dries Van Noten, Ports 1961, Valentino, Fendi and Versace Tropical prints and bright colour pairings took over the spring 2020 runway shows. From Marni’s optical blooms, Dolce & Gabbana’s striking palm leaf prints to Versace’s iconic jungle-print dress (worn for a second time by Jennifer Lopez). Exotic

In search of style: summer series

 Go ahead & jump! Jump into a fresh new style this summer with the stand-out look of a boiler suit or jumpsuit. Comfortable, minimal and suitable for almost any activity, this new look is infiltrating every summer wardrobe. The utilitarian design of a boiler suit was originally designed as a

Fresh looks and cool new trends

 When a few designers show similar designs, patterns or colours on the spring/summer runways, those become the ‘trends’ and the new must-have looks. For fashion risk-takers, there’s plenty of new fodder that will brighten up your wardrobe and add a refreshing twist. Fast-fashion brands tend to turn around the major

Pattern Power

 Rad plaid and cool camouflage are the patterns for this season. Revitalized with a bold, bright, modern feel, these classic print trends hit the fall/winter runways and will be filtering into your favourite stores. Look to the street style scene for inspiration and consider mixing an unexpected pattern in your

In Search of Style: Fall back on feminine fushcia and primal patterns

 The Colour of Fall 2018 With undertones of blue, fuchsia is a vivid reddish purple that straddles the line between purple and pink. The striking hue is a feminine, fashion-forward and it’s giving red a run for its money as the sexiest colour to wear. It’s standing out as the

Spring into Fashion!

 Refresh Spring has sprung and we’re celebrating by breaking from the darker shades we’ve worn all winter and filling our wardrobe with bright colours to celebrate the beginning of the new season. Rebooting your wardrobe with modern spring styles has never been easier. At the top of our list for

#OttawaStyle

 Shot on location at the @AndazOttawa / Photography by @Valerie_Keeler / Video by @HourMediaInc Ready to elevate your fashion game? These top influencers are making waves in the blogging community and are proving that this political city has style. After steadily garnering online followers and continuing to highlight the best of what

A Fashionable Valentine

 Fashion Editor Alexandra Gunn has some tips to make this your most fashionable Valentine's Day.  Photos by Winter Lotus Photography On My List: 1. Flowers from Blue Thistle Florist www.bluethistleflorist.ca 2. The long Canada Goose Mystique Parka ($950) for those extremely cold days 3. Print art from Etsy to update my

#OttawaStyle with Chantal Sarkisian

 hoto credits: Valerie Keeler and courtesy of @Chantsy Ottawa’s fashion chameleon, Chantal Sarkisian is celebrating Ottawa’s variety, individuality and creativity with #OttawaStyle. She is one of Ottawa’s top influencers who is making waves in the blogging community and is encouraging everyone to shop local. We spoke with Chantal about how

#OttawaStyle with Katrina Turnbull

 Photo credits: Valerie Keeler and courtesy of @Ouicestchic Ready to elevate your fashion game? Ottawa fashion bloggers are supporting local and are helping to boost the style quotient across the city. Blogger collaborations with local boutiques and Canadian brands are taking off and companies, big and small are looking to

#OttawaStyle with Marie Ernst

 Photos by Valerie Keeler and courtesy of @mariesbazaar Ready to elevate your fashion game? Ottawa fashion bloggers are supporting local and are helping to boost the style quotient across the city. Blogger collaborations with local boutiques and Canadian brands are taking off and companies, big and small are looking to

#OttawaStyle with Dominique Baker

 Photo credits: Valerie Keeler, YOW City Style, Tracey Jazmin and Nadine Langlois Ottawa fashion has hit a high note. Dominique Baker is one of Ottawa’s top influencers who is making waves in the blogging community and is proving that this political city has style. Through her blog and social media platforms,

What to Wear on New Year’s Eve

 Photography by Ping Hu www.winterlotusphotography.com / On-Site Assistant: Gail E.P. Gunn Stand out on New Year’s Eve with sequins and sparkle! The holiday season is the perfect opportunity to try saturated jewel tones in red, green, and navy instead of the more traditional black or silver for an added unexpected, head-turning detail.

Alex’s Editor-Approved Holiday Gift Guide

 Welcome to Day 21 of our 25 Day Ottawa Life Christmas Calendar.  We’ll be updating with a new treat daily so be sure to keep checking under the OLM Tree to see what’s new. Feature image by Photography by Ping Hu www.winterlotusphotography.com. Whether you're shopping for yourself (hey, you've earned it)

Juno Awards to Make Historic Return to Ottawa

 The city is buzzing with anticipation for the JUNO Awards returning to Ottawa in 2017 as part of the country’s 150th anniversary. The musical birthday bash will transform Ottawa into not just a festival city but a music city as the JUNO Week celebrations take place March 27th to April

Boobyball Ottawa raises $70,000 for Rethink Breast Cancer

 Images by Ali Matthews and Danica Shamoy Photography. If you happened to walk by Lago Bar & Grill at Dows Lake this past Saturday, you may have thought you were transported to a different world. There were fire dancers, dinosaurs and men and women dressed in their best tropical duds

But First, Coffee

 Photos by Ali Matthews & Andaz Hotel. Top coffee connoisseurs gathered at Feast + Revel in the recently opened Andaz Hotel for a Barista Invitational showcasing some of the top talent in Ottawa. Baristas from La Bottega, Origin Trade, Planet Coffee, Bar Robo and Feast + Revel faced off to win

Angie’s Models and Talent International Opens New Flagship Centre

 Photos by by Ali Matthews. For over two decades, Angie Sakla-Seymour has owned and operated the top modelling agency in the Capital. Angie’s Models and Talent International (AMTI) has been successful at bringing local talent to the global stage through countless magazine covers, advertising campaigns and film. “When we first launched

Ottawa Set to Celebrate Launch of Capital Style Files

 All photos supplied by Alexandra Gunn. Ottawa’s style influencers and industry leaders are being shown the spotlight in the latest Bell Fibe, TV1 series highlighting the capital’s most stylish citizens. The brand new fashion series comes to Ottawa this fall showcasing the city’s most exclusive events, including the Governor General’s

In Search of Style: Fall Fashion

 Follow Alex on Twitter @AlexandraGunn. Photo Winter Lotus Photography.  Fiery in nature, red is a “standout” colour and should be worn when you want to be noticed. A bold red is warm, sensual and immediately pleasing to the eye. Designers warmed up the autumn palate with reds of all hues,

Raising the Barre

 If you’ve ever done a fitness challenge, you know how daunting just starting can be. All you can think about is just how long 30 days can feel and whether you’ll actually be able to stick with the process and produce the results that got you interested in the challenge

Society Salon Celebrates Grand Opening

 The newest blow dry bar and salon to come to downtown Ottawa celebrated their grand opening in front of city officials, longstanding clientele and friends on Tuesday. Standing outside the Sparks Street location, Society Salon owner Stefania Capovilla unveiled the new blow dry bar featuring two blow dry chairs and

The Wellness Mom Workout – Q&A with Fitness Chameleon Kate Laird

 Photos courtesy of Kate Laird.  This isn’t your average fitness class. When you first walk in, you might be a bit taken aback by all the kids running around as the super-powered moms partake in CrossFit-like activity. Medicine balls, rowing machines and weights are just a few of the tools