Of all the footwear I’ve seen at stores this season, this burlap lace-up bootie from Opening Ceremony is the definitely my fave. The sexy peep toe and edgy cut out heel is so hot for spring, as is the subdued natural shade. Of course they’ll get covered in grass stains and dirt during all those April showers, but with kicks this cool, how can I resist?

That said, my only concern about owning shoes this revealing: you can’t sport ‘em without weekly pedicures. C’mon… nothing’s worse than exposing cracked alligator skin on your heels. You can snag these Opening Ceremony stunners at shopbop.com

Happy shopping!

Although my closet is crammed with dozens of handbags, I still feel like I have nothing appropriate for spring. After surfing a bunch of e-boutiques, it dawned on me that the best option for this season is without a doubt, this jaw-dropping Foley & Corinna number.

Having purchased a similar pint-sized Foley & Corinna purse last year, I’m beyond thrilled about this new mid-sized shape. It’s more than roomy enough for stowing all my essentials such as lip gloss, the current issue of LOULOU Magazine as well as my BlackBerry. Plus, the punchy neutral platinum shade will work with just about everything in my wardrobe. Some of the styles even come with snazzy punk-infused studs along the top! Priced at $440 a pop, I’d better learn to love it for life!

I was caught off guard after watching a particular segment on The Today Show earlier this week. Apparently major retail stores throughout North America are willing to reduce prices on brand new clothing and accessory items (yes, brand new items!), so long as you ask!

Referred to as haggling,  all you have to do is ask the cashier about the particular item in question and they’ll likely shave off a few dollars. Sounds crazy, I know, but in this lousy economy, it can’t hurt to ask.

Since haggling in major chain stores isn’t exactly common, I thought I’d offer a few tips:

• politely ask the sales associate if they can reduce the price of a garment when you get to the cash. If they refuse to offer the discount,  you’ll have to pay full price
• it’s best to ask for bargains when you’re alone. Otherwise,  you’ll be known as a cheapskate by all your friends
• shop around! if you know that a different retailer offers a particular item at a cheaper price, politely mention this to the store manager… they might be willing to match the price.

Happy shopping!

I just found out that TNT, Toronto’s hottest multi-label boutique, is opening up a flagship location in Montreal this spring! Whoo hoo! In case you’re not familiar with the store, it’s strikingly similar to Barney’s Co-Op in New York and carries a well-edited mix of designer clothes, shoes, handbags and baubles you won’t find anywhere else.
Since my parents live a stone’s throw away from the soon-to-be-opened TNT store, they’ll definitely be seeing me in Montreal a lot more! TNT Montreal is slated to open on Ste. Catherine Street directly across from Westmount Square. Visit tntthenewtrend.com for more information. Happy shopping!

H&M, my fave fast-fashion retailer, is about to launch a limited-edition clothing collection with Marimekko - the Finnish textile company that’s famous for its vintage-inspired prints and vivid colors.

Picture funky ‘60’s-style frocks such as pinafores, tunic tops, shorts, racy swimsuits, sun hats and multi-functional scarves. All the merch will be available in an assortment of eye-popping hues including red and pink; olive and orange; red and turquoise; and red, white and black as shown in the picture above. And in keeping with H&M’s mission, nothing will be priced above $50. Whoo hoo!

Marimekko hits H&M stores on April 10th. Happy shopping!

Much to my mother’s chagrin, I’ve never felt the burning desire to bear children. That said, having just previewed the Fall/Winter ’08 Isabella Oliver collection – a chic London-based line of maternity wear, I just might have to reconsider.

Conceived by Vanessa Knox-Brien and Baukjen de Swaan Arons, two European mums who noticed a dearth of modern maternity gear when they themselves were preggers, Isabella Oliver has become the go-to label for expecting fashionistas who refuse to compromise their sense of style. In fact, even hot mamas like Heidi Klum and Amanda Peet have proudly pranced around Tinseltown sporting Isabella Oliver’s trademark wrap dresses and ruched tops.

Fall’s luxe lineup includes wide-legged trousers, sexy wrap tops with ruching, curve-hugging empire-waist dresses, stunning one-shoulder goddess gowns, over-sized cowl-neck sweaters, knee-grazing sweater dresses, kimono-inspired tops, swingy capes and racy swimwear (perfect for playing-up up that new-found cleavage). Plus, everything’s available in an earthy color palette such as heather grey, ivory, eggplant and black, all of which perfectly complements every skin tone.

If you’re not planning on getting preggers, why not work your wardrobe with 365 – Isabella Oliver’s soon-to-be launched and equally stylish everyday clothing line. Visit isabellaoliver.com to purchase items from the current collection. Happy shopping!

As a lipstick junkie and entrepreneur, I’ve been counting down the days ‘til the May 6th launch of Poppy King’s new book, Lessons of a Lipstick Queen. In case you didn’t already know, Poppy King is the Aussie-born, NYC-based makeup maven, who recently founded Lipstick Queen – a luxe line of head-turning, traffic-stopping lipstick.

An admitted lipstick junkie who’s worn it since her teens, King pioneered the indie beauty craze in ’92 with “Poppy” - a lipstick collection she created at the ripe old age of 18. King recently left a corporate gig at Prescriptives Cosmetics to re-live her entrepreneurial spirit and launch a lipstick line unlike anything else on the market. Thanks to King’s winning formula, you can punch up your pout with “Sinner” (rich opaques ranging from dark rouge to rust) and “Saints” (think sheer shades like nude and coral) – two extreme textures made from the same base colors.

Having hung out with Poppy a handful of times (I represented her Poppy lipstick line when I worked in PR), I know that Lessons of a Lipstick Queen is going to be a best seller. Whether you want to develop that great idea that can change your life or simply build on your current career, this fun and informative book is for you!

Lessons of a Lipstick Queen is slated to hit bookstores in May, 2008. Pre-order your copy now at amazon.ca. Happy reading!

As a Shopping Editor, now’s the time of year I’m busy previewing all the latest Fall/Winter ’08 clothing collections. Crazy I know, considering it’s not even spring! One particular collection I’m completely crazy over is Smythe – a coveted Canadian outerwear label that’s been selling like hot cakes.

I’m drooling over their Fall/Winter brochure as I type, which happens to be filled with fashionable images of all their upcoming frocks. Some items on my radar screen include an empire-waist raspberry blazer (perfect for small-chested chicks like me), a tartan vest with camel leather trim, a traffic-stopping fire engine red swing coat, a black leather motorcycle jacket and a killer Kelly green blazer with tan buttons.

Just so you’re aware, Smythe’s Fall/Winter 08 collection won’t be shipped to stores like Holt’s until later this summer. ‘Til then, you’ll have to visit smythelesvestes.com to view the current collection. Happy shopping!

My manicurist just topped my tips with OPI’s Royal Rajah Ruby – part of the new India-inspired nail polish collection that I’m completely crazy about. Since I refuse to wear light lacquer ‘til summer time (pale polish looks way better with a tan), Royal Rajah Ruby is the perfect in-between shade.

A bejeweled burgundy bronze hue, Royal Rajah Ruby looks smashing when worn with short, squoval nails. But don’t overlook the other colors in the collection, which include Yoga-ta Get this Blue! (a nicer version of Chanel’s Blue Satin), Moon Over Mumbai (a pearl-y grey polish) and Get Me to the Taj on Time (a pale opal shade).

Better stock up while you can…. OPI’s India collection is guaranteed to be all the raj!

If you’re a fan of the gladiator footwear trend (who isn’t?), you’ll fall head over heels for these edgy Tashkent wedges. The bronze stunners shown here (a.k.a. the weahly) are made from buttery soft suede, which means you can kiss those blisters (and Band Aids!) buh-bye. Woo hoo!

Although the heel height is a teetering 3.25”, these trendy Tashkent shoes are surprisingly comfy… even after a casual stroll on the town. Plus, the sexy criss-cross design is also cut narrow enough for bony, AA-width feet just like mine. Thank you Cheyenne! FYI: she’s the Brooklyn-based founder and designer behind the coveted brand.

Not a fan of metallic? No worries… these killer Tashkent kicks also come in a slick tan shade. Visit tashkentnyc.com and I guarantee you too will be a convert.

Have a fashion emergency you need to fix? Feel free to drop LOULOU a line anytime!