The beauty that is H&M

Over the years, I've come to realize that when you are looking for a quick, snazzy getup, H&M is usually the way to go. Items are cheap and generally have just the twinge of style I'm looking for. Ok, they don't usually last very long and probably aren't made of the most upscale, expensive-looking fabrics, but they are the best last-minute costume changes (aka work-to-night clothes because I can't get home and back in time to partayyy). Annnnd it's cheap! I've come to find that H&M works best when you pair with something of quality - i.e. a super blazer, some insane shoes, crazy accessories. Actually, H&M has some pretty nice shoes. Anyway, I found some cool stuff there today that I would like to share with you, because as you may or may not know sharing IS caring. And I care! So.. THERE!

Dress with chain shoulder details, which I love, but fear will break (or dissipate naturally, whichever comes first - they are sneaky little buggers) quite quickly.

Also had shoulder pads for sextra 80s volume (typo intended).

Amazing, light jacket made of some sort of crepe type material - studded (my favorite, as you may have been able to tell from some of my previous posts...) - also came in black, but the white one accentuated the studs in a much nicer and bolder way.

Stripe-It-Up

Mom's style from back in the day (1972)

a new DIY project

gap stripes

more gap stripe campaign

Stripes are all the rage. Although that expression never really was my favorite. "Rage", for me, implies a certain anger and viciousness, and my feelings about stripes are far from being described by those two nouns. Stripes have come back into style might be a better way of putting it. The new GAP campaign has clearly incorporated stripes, and these can be found all over their store: vertically, horizontally, in all different widths. I think that stripes are a nice, clean and modest pattern. They remind me of Brittany (in France) and the whole sailor look, which I, for some reason, associate with organization and cleanliness. I found the blue and white striped dress at H&M for about $20 and have decided to amp up the striped look a bit by adding some more military details (although the epaulette may be a bit too large to be called a "detail"). I found the blue patch, satin cream-colored rope and beige fringe at Fabricville in Montreal (for about $14) and will eventually sew them together. I love the plaid look that's been going around as well, but the stripes are an even better way to look casual yet put together at the same time. My great friend Shannon (below) is also a huge fan of the stripes - and we can't say she looks too shabby in them either!

Shannon (wifey!)

Laurent and his striped number