Justina McCaffrey: How I got my name back

 By Justina McCaffrey For me, fashion is a journey that defies the constraints of the runways around the world. It’s an industry to which I have given myself for over twenty years. However, my journey as a designer and entrepreneur has not always been easy, and like fashion, I too defied constraints to find my way to where I

Shoppers Drug Mart’s Enhanced BeautyBOUTIQUE is the Rideau Centre’s Latest Big Upgrade

 Beauty lovers arrived at Ottawa’s Rideau Centre for the grand opening of Shoppers Drug Mart’s latest Enhanced beautyBOUTIQUE on December 2. Beauty bloggers and experts were invited to explore the store’s luxurious new environment and its prestigious brand assortment, featuring Chanel, Dior and Paul & Joe. The upgrade comes as

Holiday Glamour

 Just in time for soirée season, fashion editor, Alexandra Gunn, shares her garment guide for Christmas cocktails, New Year’s Eve countdowns and everything in-between. Overdress: Embrace winter’s opulent luxe with a striking emerald gown for a cocktail event. Eliza J emerald gown $208 My twist on the little black dress Add silver studding

Five of the Most Innovative Engagement Shoot Ideas

 Getting engaged is a very important step in a couple’s relationship. Usually, the engagement period gives a couple time to plan their future together, iron out any major disagreements and discuss dreams and hopes. It offers them a chance to get to know one another even more and marks an

A Night of Glam and Gourmet at 5IVE5IFTEEN

 All photos by Eric Vance. Many hold to the thought that Ottawa is a tame and quiet town, and on Oct. 15 the organizers of the recent 5IVE5IFTEEN did their best to bring some flair back to the capital. Blackbook Lifestyle, an Ottawa marketing and communications agency, and Arc the Hotel,

Art in Fashion 613 Shines Bright

 Photo courtesy of Art in Fashion 613 Art in Fashion 613 is bringing something new to the capital. Taking place on Saturday October 17 at Library and Archives Canada, the event is an inspired fashion and night market created by Kym Brown, the designer and owner behind Bombshell Revival Designs. Brown is an

Justina McCaffrey Joins the Ottawa Life Magazine Team as a Fashion Columnist

 Internationally renowned high fashion designer, speaker and writer, Justina McCaffrey, has joined the Ottawa Life Magazine team and will be sharing her expert advice on all things related to fashion and style with OLM readers over the next year. Justina McCaffrey stands with one of her gorgeous wedding gowns. “I

Ottawa’s place for horses: Wesley Clover Parks

 For thousands of years, horses have made our lives easier. But in the past hundred years they’ve gone from being utilitarian to something more akin to friends. Their deep eyes seem to resonate an incredible emotional intelligence and calmness. Even after spending only a few minutes with a horse, it’s

Gorgeous Glasses for Vision and Adorable Dogs

 Photo credit: Patrice Alsteen  On September 24th the Merivale Optometric Centre is hosting the ultimate win-win event. During their second annual ladies night, they’re offering exclusive discounts on all glasses & sunglasses, and each sale will raise money for cute, and incredibly important, Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind. Aside

A Fashionable Round of Lawn Bowling for Cystic Fibrosis

 All photos courtesy of Kara Taylor Imagine being 13, and finding out that you only have 20 more years to live. Imagine nearly facing your death every time you catch a cold. That's only a glimpse into Maxwell McGuire's life with Cystic Fibrosis. As guest of honour and returning champion, he

Get Inspired with Lorna Jane Clarkson

 Inspired, by active living advocate Lorna Jane Clarkson, hits shelves this month. It’s a great summer read for ladies looking to learn more about Clarkson’s philosophy and how to live an inspirational, active life. It’s got everything you need to kick start a healthier lifestyle. The book includes personal style

Mellow Yellow

 Fun, fresh and often associated with the warmer months of the year, yellow is a worn-to-be-seen colour that will liven up your wardrobe this season. The sunny shade was seen on the Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Burberry Prorsum and Naeem Khan runways and the statement shade is also a sunshine basic at budget-friendly stores. Whether

RBC Ottawa Bluesfest Celebrates Festival Fashion in New Campaign

 Photo credit: Alexander Vlad/Captivate Creative Music festivals are all about music…and fashion! Both on the stage and on the street, artists and audience members are embracing festival fashion, from Coachella to Osheaga and now RBC Ottawa Bluesfest! For the first time, RBC Ottawa Bluesfest is launching the I Love #RBCBluesfestFashion

Ask Alex Summer Style

 COOL KHAKI Khaki is back with a bang. Appearing in varying styles and from a number of fashion houses, sleek khaki-coloured dresses appeared on the Gucci and Donna Karan runways. Marc Jacobs offered military silhouettes and Ralph Lauren opted for safari-style glamour. The updated khaki trend works brilliantly as a

High Heel Hazards

 With wedding and summer party season around the corner, many have the desire to throw on a pair of glamorous high heels. Although fashionable, wearing high-heel shoes can leave you with undesirable short and long-term effects. Stylish stilettos can lead to problems such as foot, knee, hip and back pain.

ME Milan Il Duca: Shop, Sightsee, Stay in Milan’s Fashion District

 Planning a trip to Italy but not sure where to stay? You’re in luck because ME by Meliá is opening its first luxury Italian hotel, ME Milan Il Duca, this month. If you are looking for a spectacular location where you can both shop and sightsee, ME Milan Il Duca

Ottawa Socialites Gather Over Shoes, Fashion and Business

 Stilettos and Martinis, a social club for women who love shoes, martinis and networking, hosted its second event in the Nordstrom shoe department on Thursday, May 21. The series of Stilettos and Martinis events are organized by Bri Anderson-Jackson, photographer and owner of Voulez-Vous Boudoir Photography. Organizer Bri Anderson-Jackson and guest.

A Guide to Feng Shui in Your Office

 Photo courtesy of Bri Anderson-Jackson When Jana Mitchell, CEO of Wheels for the Wise, wanted to revamp her office space, she went to Brandelyn Cameron. Below Brandelyn discusses the inspiration behind the plan. Feng Shui is the ancient art of channeling energy flow, or Chi, in a room or space

Fashion Goes Green

 Photo credit: MIV Photography Bayshore Shopping Centre and H&M collaborate for eco-fashion initiatives through “Conscious Exclusive” line We wake up every morning, head to our closet and skim through racks of clothing. Some pieces are our favourites, some are fashion staples and some have never made the cut. Inevitably, the story

In Full Bloom

 Above: Kate Spade / Michael Kors / Kate Spade / Michael Kors / Kate Spade Never Have Florals For Spring Felt Fresher From Kate Spade to Michael Kors, floral prints are all over the spring/summer runways. From graphic to abstract, the trend is easy to incorporate into your current wardrobe and

Chalet chic: Aspen-approved attire

 Whether you are a city slicker or an alpine enthusiast, the conditions are perfect for sporting the après-ski look. No longer reserved for high altitude, urbanites are encouraged to give their cold-weather wardrobes an Aspen-worthy makeover. However, if you’re headed to Camp Fortune, Mont Cascades, or planning a weekend getaway

Take a stroll in Moss Park

 Photo: Mark Halliday Any play by Canadian playwright George F. Walker is a satisfying theatre experience. Sometimes disturbing, funny, moving or sad—sometimes all at the same time. Walker’s work is always thought provoking and entertaining. Last year, the Great Canadian Theatre Company’s season included the hilariously brilliant moral-questioning Walker comedy,

Capital Consignment: AMHstyle

 Stepping into AMH Style is like stepping into the closet of your most fashionable friend. All the enviable, personality pieces she’s been sporting? She found them here. The women behind this cream of the crop consignment shop are sisters Alison and Joanna Hughes. Citing experience in the fashion industry as

Baby it’s Cold Outside ? ?

 Featured Image: milaloulou.blogspot.ca We show you how to bundle up in style while braving the cold Ottawa climate. Ottawa weather can be tough on fashion, especially when a polar vortex makes you want to put on sweats to stay warm. In preparation for the cold weather, pair slush-ready boots with a

Victoria’s Secret Show 2014

 The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is one of the most talked about runway shows on the style calendar and the 2014 production was full of sexy and sultry looks that will have you glued to your television when it airs December 9th. More than two years after the Olympic Games were held across the