Whether you’re ‘up North’ or not, a quality winter jacket is essential in winter months.  Between the trickle down styles and higher design, it’s difficult to discern the right jacket for your usage, but with my recent dive into Canada Goose‘s FW10 collection it’s become a lot easier to make that distinction.

Below are a handful of styles and colors from the current collection; Arctic down padded and fur lined, these jackets are ready for you to not only stay toasty during your treks through winter months but to look fantastic while doing so.  The military style design fits right in with the fashion world’s current fatigue love, and quality construction will ensure these jackets will last you years, not just a few seasons.

For those searching for an investment piece for harsher climates (hell, even in Vancouver’s winter chill I would consider one of these!), a classic design is of utmost importance.  If you go with a trendy piece it will gain only disinterest, though with a timeless design you’re in it for the long haul.  Just think of the pea coat.. the basic design has been the same since the early 19th century!

If you’re digging Canada Goose, SSense has an excellent selection of colors and styles for men and women.

Diesel is enjoying a regular takeover on demiCouture these days, what with the Only The Brave fragrance giveaway, but we’re not stopping there!

Gilt Groupe is holding a Diesel Black Gold sale right now, which entails super sale pricing on looks from top to bottom.  Black Gold is the luxe end of the Diesel spectrum, so deals here are incredibly amped.

Favorites include the oversized knit dress ($199 from $600), cotton hooded camo  jacket ($229 from $700), contrast shoulder sweater ($89 from $200), oversized zipper hoody ($89 from $250) and the Clush skinny jeans ($79 from $170).

Need an invite to Gilt? Grab one now!

It may take a village to raise a child, but it’s Diesel who is raising the village.

Diesel’s founder Renzo Rosso has just launched the Only The Brave Foundation, a project to help a severely impoverished village within the country of Mali.  On the OTB Foundation site, you can see firsthand how the project is helping the villagers live and give them a second chance at life.

You can enter and explore the OTB village in a 3D environment through Facebook, view videos of the village and its people, donate voice, ideas or money online and become more aware of plights of the poor in Africa. Don’t forget to keep up with the OTB Foundation on Twitter and Facebook!

Being true to your style guns can be difficult for many reasons; free samples are offered for something you would not normally run a story on, a friend asks your for a favor to spotlight their ill-fitting product, or perhaps [like today] they’re offering you money in exchange for a piece on their product.

It is difficult to be one of those who stands up for their style, especially when you live in the real 3D world and require cash to fund your IRL existence.  It’s hard to say no to free stuff you could give to someone you know would like it, especially if you’re feeling like it would make their day.  The thing with all of this free product and money bribing is that it marks up your integrity, and harms you when future [well fitting] products and brands come knocking at your door – and trust me, give them time and they will arrive.

Compromise may be more harmful than you think.

By [politely] declining ill-fitting products, you are you are telling the brands you love that you’re willing to wait for them and you’re worth their while.  You never know which PR company is trolling blogs for their clients, and may bin your site due to an improper showcase ad or sponsored post.

The harm you would be doing to yourself by compromising your blog’s integrity is not only immense, but long lasting.  You will never know how many items you would have loved are not offered to you, or how many dollars for advertisers you will be missing.

Google results are forever.

Just as Google works for you in providing high search ranking, Google is like an elephant – it never forgets.  As soon as your product post is in your archives, Google, and every other search engine in the world, is going to archive it.

This works against you in many ways; if a company has requirements on its advertising sites that [you] cannot have featured a particular competing or offending product before, you’re out.  Even if they decide to look past a previous compromise, it may be determined your past will lead to similar actions that they decline to be associated with.

Your website is your identity.

Even if dollars and samples aren’t in your priority queue, your website is your identity and representation to the world.  In the offline world you have personal boundaries that you do not cross, and would not risk having yourself appear to have destroyed your long held beliefs.  The consequences are the same within your blog though decisions are much more flippant, due to the false disposability the Internet projects.

The Internet and all its search properties give a false sense of security.  Just like a photo cannot be taken back once it is released on the Internet, so it is with written content.  While a particular piece it may disappear under archiving with lack of searching over time, that depends on your blog and how the post was written.. all those keywords are hard to push down, even over months.

It’s all about you, so keep it that way.

After everything is said and done, your blog is your website, your representation of yourself.  You wouldn’t jerk yourself around for something so minimal, so keep your online self free of any objectionable content.  Even for those feeling jilted by these offers, rewards come to those who wait and revenge is a dish best served cold.  The best revenge is a beautiful blog, and that requires time, perseverance and a strong backbone!

There’s something about the Sam Edelman Winsford booties that makes me think of Christmastime. Perhaps it’s the fur lining reminding me of winter parkas, the studding on dark leathers we’ve been seeing in fall/winter pieces over the last few years, or it could be more like wishful dreaming for holiday turkey dinners.

Either way, the Edelman pair is truly delicious, and not only keeping up with the winter bootie trend, but with the summer clog style as well – check out the heel style.. it’s positively clog incarnate.  These booties are $225 per pair, and available in sizes 6 through 10 (halfers included!)

Cold weather is upon us, which means that a heavier dress is on the wear docket for the coming months.  It’s out with the silks and sheers, and into the heavier knits – fear not, we have some brilliant layering pieces primed and ready for your consumption.

When the term ‘sweater dress’ is uttered, there are times I get the chills, and not in a positive way.  I used to have this sweater dress from H&M; black and short with bell sleeves, and washed too many times in warm water without the proper detergent.  The thing became this nightmare; a faded somewhat-black in what I realized one day was a terrible hippie design.  It was some time later that I had this epiphany that not all sweater dresses have to be the H&M Faded Terror – this is where my inspiration comes from.

The basic sweater dress (or knit dress as we’ll re-brand in our minds) is quite simple; [typically] long sleeved, reasonably thick for winter wear and relatively shapeless.  Thankfully times have changed, and our basic buys are much more intuitively designed.  Take Topshop’s Epaulette, striped or Oasis’ leopard number; they are all of basic shape, but are designed to hang off a body, not cling.  The sleeves are longer, and without cuff-like cinching, and the knit is a heavier one.

For the extravagants, a draped piece ala Marc Jacobs’ asymmetric or Vivienne Westwood’s Twister Elephant dresses provide more detail with their draping.  You may also depend on these pieces for the additional detail they put into the look; a belt, or even a simplistic extra as draping around the body.

Then we look to Mark Fast, a revolutionary in the knit world.  His pieces are wearable icons fit for showing behind glass, though are perfectly wearable pieces.  Check out his grey knit piece, with signature ribbed panels and cut out detailing – perfect for ruling the room.

When it comes to super hip men’s footwear, it’s difficult to discern what is going to be truly daring choice.  Giacomorelli takes the guesswork away with their FW10 men’s footwear collection; check out the spikes, patent and bucking below.. perfectly eccentric!

My favorites are the electric blue studded loafers.  They look something between a Louboutin Rollerball on acid, after watching a ballad of the Cookie Monster.  Whatever your style, if you’re a brave style lover in search of a stunner to captivate your audience, your search is over.

Fashion crimes aren’t always so serious, especially when you’re looking at a shoe that looks like it was created with the scalped hide of the Cookie Monster.  These are some seriously fug heels, Stefano Pilati… so very fug, indeed.

The price for this muppet footwear beast? Roughly $935, after Euro conversion.

As I was perusing through my favorite French e-boutique Colette, I was pleasantly surprised to see a bit of Topshop Unique.  Not only that, but the Unique I was seeing was more unique than the items Topshop itself had released even today; these are items that haven’t been put on their online store.

The most interesting pieces were the furry hats – Bambi, Bunny and Racoon hats are all present, and interestingly translating from Euros into about $808 US dollars per hat.   These hats aren’t yet available on Topshop’s e-shop, though I’m quite curious as to what their pricing will be.

YSL’s dog tags aren’t the typical designer jewelery score; these are picture perfect for the military trend of FW10, and yet they’re on sale at Beyond The Rack.

There are four pieces to choose from; the YSL Paris tags ($239 from $325), Charm tags ($239 from $325), Letter tags ($29 from $395) and the Letter bracelet ($369 from $495).

Need an invite to Beyond The Rack? Get an invite now!

It’s summer, so your light plimsolls and man-foot baring sandals are officially out – it’s time for the big boy footwear to come out of the closet.  It’s fall, which means tough boots, sneaker hybrids and clever interpretations of the classics are on the male menu.

Boots and brogues are the best best, though you can get the off fabric (in our case, denim) pair of sneaker-boot hybrids.  The most important feature of your footwear is fabrics; if you’re looking for long lasting, go for neutral leathers (no fakers!), but if you’re in the market for a few pairs of shoes than a textile mixture can do the trick.. just make sure you water seal them before wearing out!

Jeffrey Campbell’s new Brit Man boot is incredibly awesome for the cash, and available in brown or black.  A similar city boot is Fluevog’s new Ferlinghetti, a take on the classic Chelsea boot with signature ‘Vog steeze, or you can check out Hudson’s Ellis for a similar (yet grayer) look.

The classic brogue boot never goes out of style, so a buy like ASOS’ style is a sure investment bet with little cash to part with to start! Timberland’s Tackhead is not only functional but super on trend, what with the military style that has resurged within the last few months.

For those dancing to the anti traditional drum, Opening Ceremony’s saddle shoes, Osborn’s denim booties or Hudson’s blue leather boat shoes are super perfect choices for the guy who loves to get a little more creative during his day to day.

Finnish shoe label Finsk is the newest member to the Solestruck footwear family, next to Minimarket and Su Yoon.  The place is becoming a veritable smorgasbord of delightful footwear designers; particularly the wedge 252-95 wedge, though the 205-122 heel isn’t too shabby itself.

Both wedges are $590 US, while the heel runs at $518 – a bit much for the average consumer but nothing for the extreme footwear lover.  It’s also a bonus that US customers are now exempt from any scary Euro shipping or import fees, though Canadians still have to play customs roulette.

The epic shoe giveaway may be said and done, but the excitement is by no means over.  The thing about shoes is that even if you’re wearing epic kicks and you smell rank, well, you smell rank.  Diesel is out to take care of this little conundrum for us hot sidewalk strutters with their fragrance Only The Brave.

Up for grabs is one bottle of Only The Brave, your next favorite bottled stank.  All you’ve gotta do to win is comment below with one example of how you’re brave.  Did you jump your bf’s bones in a stadium toilet, or peed in an enemy’s sink (count that for mine – I’ve actually done that!!)

You’ve got until October 4th at 11:59PM to enter.  What are you waiting for?!

Ideeli is having a Leopard themed sale event this Wednesday (29th), which involves some serious sale pricing on fall’s most tried and true trend – leopard print.

You can grab a piece like Manoush’s rabbit fur cape (shown; $169 from $579), a snow leopard cardi ($112 from $286) and tons more. It’s all going down this Wednesday, so you’ve got two days to sign up and get your login details pre-sale.

Get an invite to Ideeli and get ready for the leopard event!

While the Louboutins have exploded at The Outnet within the last week, it’s nowhere near over – this Wednesday (September 29th) marks the Loub sale reaching up to 60% off with new shoe releases.

Included in the sale are the Gold Robot ankle boots, which have been seen on Lady Gaga.  The Robots are 50% off ($648), with a pair of office vanilla slingbacks modestly priced at $220 per pair.

Remember, this Wednesday everything gets real.

Spicing up old faithful designs isn’t always easy to do without going visually extreme, especially if you’re looking for an update to keep the piece current yet still able to stand the test of time.  Paneling does that for a look, whether it’s with a contrasting color or fabric – check out the pieces below as an example of what design style to build your look around.

Firstly, we have shape paneling like Givenchy and Acne’s style with their skirt and skinnies.  These create more of a designed look to them, and are much less traditional looking.  Topshop’s trench is the clearest example of color paneling I could find; this jacket is built by all means as a traditional trench, though the color creates a modern contrast to the style.

Alexander Wang’s gilet and scarf with Balenciaga’s leather and shearling jacket are fine examples of patchwork style paneling; which are pieces that are made to look like they were created from two items, instead of one.  Wang is particularly prolific in using this style, which creates a very throwback look for all pieces when it is used.

Ideeli Red Sales aren’t to be trifled with; you can get nylon bags for $15, leather designer ones [like Linea Pelle] for $199, various designer sunglasses for a fraction of the cost [Proenza Shouler, $47) and a load of clothing and shoes [like Repetto's booties and BCBG Max Azria's leather crossbody for $40!] for super cheap.

Get an invite to Ideeli, and start shopping like the world ends tomorrow!

The lucky gal is Cara Mia of Hippie Couture blog.  She has [wisely] chosen the Senso Tiffany and Jeffrey Campbell Xit, very intense buckled shoes for the coming FW10 season.

Everyone should come together and give her a virtual hi five for being the super lucky winner, and prepare yourself for the next giveaway (they include Doc Martens boots, Diesel’s One Of The Brave fragrance, Marc Jacobs’ Bang and much more exciting stuff ..that’s only the tip of the iceberg)

GET READY FOR IT!!

For a film fan, this is a sublime gift to consider for the holidays.  This is Toby Jones’ film strip cuff; a super low key accessory that just happens to have film punch out and engrave detailing.

For about $180 US, you can wear your passion for photography on your wrist.. fingers crossed someone notices this one in time for a holiday gift (hint, hint gifters in my world!)

It’s all about a tall fall boot that won’t break the bank, and the thing about those is a half decent one is hard to find in a tall shaft height.  All of the boots below are over 21″ tall, which means for most of you that will climb a bit over the knee, and for the tall gals (such as myself), they will just make the cut.

Even the shortest of our group are of good height; Jeffrey Campbell’s Shifter and Steve Madden’s Sabra are incredible at 21″ in height.  Clocking in at 22″ is the Dolce Vita Bronson in gray leather; a very basic boot that will stand the test of time and style adjustments galore.

The queen of the kingdom is doubtlessly the Sam Edelman Dixie; a super tall combat style boot that takes no guff, or prisoners for that matter.  At 25″ its shaft height is nearly thigh high, so use caution when doing over the top styling or risk appearing as a comfort conscious sex trade worker.