Preppy style is a big part of my closet. So I was excited to read The Official Preppy Handbook [...]]]>

Hello Darlings,

To begin, please don’t forget our giveaway of the ultimate preppy sneaker – Tretorn Nylites – ending Friday. Click HERE to enter!

Preppy style is a big part of my closet. So I was excited to read The Official Preppy Handbook to appreciate how the preppy culture in the 1980’s affects my fashion choices. The book is fun and light-hearted read. My favourite part is the guide to women’s preppy dressing, with these 10 easy steps to achieve ultimate preppy look:

Men’s Clothes: The preppy look often involves wearing garments from a man’s wardrobe, or near imitation (think wearing a blazer or v neck sweater)

Navy Blue: A perfect foil for colors that don’t exist in nature—shocking pink, poison green, brilliant yellow, Windex blue. Purple is not preppy.

Don’t Wear Black: With the little black dress excused, black clothing makes you look like a fast woman.

Someone Else’s Clothing: Other people’s things have inherited charm. Your roommates needlepoint belt, your boyfriends polo, your mother’s old hacking jacket are all classics.

Underdressing: Get completely dressed for a party, then take off one piece of jewelry.

Layering: Turtlenecks, then oxford cloth shirts, then a Fair Isle with three buttons undone.

Shoes: Divided into two distinct categories: work shoes and play shoes.

Work Shoes: Heel height is two and one half inches maximum, preferably black Chanel slingbacks.

Play Shoes: Tretorn sneakers are the only acceptable brand.

Monogramming: Preppies have known it for years: who needs LV or YSL when you can lay claim to discreet EBW III?

I AM WEARING:

Juicy Couture Striped Blazer 

Groceries Organic Cotton Tank

7 For All Mankind Roxanne Jeans

Tretorn Nylite Canvas in White-Peacoat Sneakers c/o Tretorn Canada

Ray Ban Wayfarer II Sunnies

McQ by Alexander McQueen Razon Necklace

OPI "Kiss Me On My Tulips" Nail Colour c/o Langton Communications

What do you think of my preppy look with a monogrammed Juicy Couture navy stripe blazer and a pair of navy Tretorn Nylite sneakers? What’s your take on preppy?

With Love…

Marta

Girls Night Out— there’s nothing quite like catching up with your girlies over a glass of wine. It has been a long tradition for my friends and I and what has kept us close since high school. Despite the different directions in life that we have all taken, it is the [...]]]>

Hello Darlings,

Girls Night Out— there’s nothing quite like catching up with your girlies over a glass of wine. It has been a long tradition for my friends and I and what has kept us close since high school. Despite the different directions in life that we have all taken, it is the regular girl’s night out that brings us and keeps us together. In my circle, we often pick out a trendy restaurant where the food is great and the conversation is even better.

WithLoveGabrielle.com will host a Fabulous Girls Night Out during Toronto Fashion Week at one of my favourite spots in Toronto. The event will feature all of the girly favourites and more, free of charge but limited to the first 30 people and their guest. The details and the date are coming up and I cannot wait to meet you guys Same goes for everyone in Montreal but just a few weeks after Toronto!

I AM WEARING:

 H&M Dress

Fremont Beaded Collar Necklace

Marc by Marc Jacobs Dries Wedges

Z Spoke by Zac Posen Purse

In the meantime, I would like to share with you an outfit that is long overdue but still remains one of my favourites. With this mustard dress and pair of Marc by Marc Jacobs wedges, the outfit made for a perfect occasion to finally try out my Fremont hand-beaded collar (now up for sale in With Love Store). The collar is absolutely stunning however I have yet to get used to an idea of wearing necklaces. With all the fashion steps that I have taken — especially adding colour to my life — jewellery has been a more difficult one. Regardless, it is all about baby steps! You never know, in a month or two I might build enough courage to play around with costume jewelry. That is the beauty of fashion: you just never know when you will fall in love with a look or trend.

Now, tell me…what do you think makes a girls night out perfect? Also, what do you think is a perfect location?

With Love…

Marta

With Facebook and Twitter buzzing with reading week and spring break chit chat, thought to add my two cents on prepping for travel. Something as simple as choosing toiletry basics can make your trip the least stressful. Every girl knows how a chipped nail can spoil an otherwise wonderful day, so [...]]]>

Hello Darlings,

With Facebook and Twitter buzzing with reading week and spring break chit chat, thought to add my two cents on prepping for travel. Something as simple as choosing toiletry basics can make your trip the least stressful. Every girl knows how a chipped nail can spoil an otherwise wonderful day, so pack your toiletries first to ensure you have all the daily essentials.

For those of you who are packing for a trip, pay extra attention to what you pack in your toiletry kit. Of course, a variety of clothes for your day-to-day activities are a must but certain things a girl just shouldn’t travel without.Toiletry kit should be well thought out and planned to ensure that you have everything for every occasion. Travel size items are key, especially if you’re travelling with only a carry-on.

Here’s my short list of toiletry essentials:

1. Favorite Hair Care Products

Purchase in travel size to make it through airport security, because when traveling the last thing you should worry about is having a bad hair day.

2. Make-up Kit

Bring your everyday make up with you on the plane. Don’t forget to powder your nose and add a touch of lip-gloss before leaving the plane.

3. Nail Kit

To me, a spoiled manicure is likely to spoil my day.

4. Tweezers

I regularly get my eye brows threaded, but tweezers are great for extended travel (anything over 2 days).

5. Razor

Waxed or not, you don’t want leave home without one.

6. Moisture Mask and Regular Skin Care Products

Travel usually takes a toll on your skin but having a travel size of your favourite moisturizing mask can preserve your glow. As much as possible, during trips I try to maintain my regular skin care routine.

7. Aloe Vera Gel

It is a gentle and non-oily way to moisturize.

8. First Aid Kit

Every girl should have a small first aid kit in her luggage, even if it is just for an unexpected blister or a headache.

I AM WEARING:

Diane Von Furstenberg Jane Bikini

Twenty8Twelve  Silk Dress

Sergio Zelcer Teeny Flat

Whether you are having fun in the sun or hitting the slopes, drastic temperature changes can really damage your hair. I am sure that many of you know healthy hair is hard to maintain, and this is especially the case when traveling a lot. I turned to my trusted hair colourist and stylist—Rob and Leland—from EXIT Salon for advice. Their tricks and my tips are coming up next week.

What are your travel essentials?

With Love…

Marta

My current obsession is sorbet colour combinations and in particular orange and fuchsia. Imagine my surprise when I found these [...]]]>

Hello Darlings,

With warm weather in Palm Beach Florida, I have started my spring shopping. Two of my newest additions are also two of my favorite spring trends: colour blocking shoes and feminine silhouettes.

My current obsession is sorbet colour combinations and in particular orange and fuchsia. Imagine my surprise when I found these adorable orange toecap ballerinas when browsing Aldo Shoes online store as part of my Fabulous Meets Fashion spree. Given that the biggest spring trend in footwear is colour blocking, these cheerful darlings are an ideal bright addition to my closet. For those that are colour shy, shoes are a perfect way to add some colour.

I AM WEARING:

Juicy Couture Striped Blazer

Wilfred Silk Camisole

Talula Navy Shorts

Aldo Tullis Fuchsia Ballerinas c/o Aldo Shoes

3.1 Phillip Lim Simon Sunglasses

And while nautical stripes are nothing new, it is a classic look for warm weather. A stripe blazer is considerably more interesting than black or navy. In particular, I fell in love with this Juicy Couture stunner. Its strong shoulder and ruffle detail at the back were a winning combination for the girly girl in me.

I feel lucky to have found two of my most wanted spring pieces, and next on my list is a sorbet colour purse…. What spring looks are you most excited to add?

With Love…

Marta

Please do share your Valentine’s Day experiences by commenting on the his and her perspectives from Josie Dye and Wilder Weir – [...]]]>

Hello Darlings,

I hope everyone had a sweet Valentine’s Day with much love!

Please do share your Valentine’s Day experiences by commenting on the his and her perspectives from Josie Dye and Wilder Weir – since tomorrow we will choose two winners for The Keg Steakhouse & Bar $50 gift cards – for your next date or girls night out.

And thanks to all the loves in my life  for a special Valentine’s Day! I spent the day exploring cute shops of City Plaza in West Palm Beach, followed by a trip to the charming Boca Raton. I felt very lucky! The evening was made that much more delightful with an adorable  bottle of wine — much appreciated in the process of completing work.

Maybe off topic, but it’s worth mentioning that my favourite red wines are from Central California and Oregon. While not a regular drinker, I really loved the Cupcake Vineyards Red Velvet wine last night with its’ smooth and rich taste. Napa wines get so much press, but to my taste Central California and Oregon wines are so much more delicious! Plus, with a label that adorable and the taste as divine, it is hard not to gush about this find!

I AM WEARING:

Wilfred Silk Camisole

Club Monaco Cashmere Cardigan

BCBG Max Azria Suui Pointelle Skirt

Fendi Sandals

YSL Arty Ring

I even decided to wear pink! I don’t recall myself ever being in a spirit of Valentine’s Day as much as this year

With Love…

Marta