Fashion Friday :: Spring in San Francisco

Fashion Friday posts are published on the last Friday of every month by fashion blogger Heather

It's easy to leave your heart in San Francisco, as the saying goes, but with such amazing shopping, it's even easier to leave your chequing account. Having just returned from the City by the Bay, I couldn't wait to share a few of my favorite shopping and eating haunts {since you can't have one without the other}. Don't forget your walking shoes!

San Francisco mini neighborhood shopping guide

The Mission

I have a mad crush on the Mission, which has some of the best shops and restaurants in the city---not to mention the coolest park and the prettiest boys and girls on bicycles you ever did see. It's a neighborhood gentri-hipsterfied with coffee shops, thrift stores, juice bars and high-end furniture galleries. Shop around Valencia St at hippie-artisan boutique Gravel & Gold, taxidermy garden shop Paxton Gate and must-stop lifestyle store Voyager. Do yourself a favor and eat at any of the following: Delfina, Foreign Cinema, Four Barrel Coffee, Tartine, Bar Bambino and Bi-Rite Creamery.

Hayes Valley

Hayes Valley is a bit of a locals' secret just a hop-skip from the Mission and home to boutiques and delicious eats aplenty. Shop your face off at Steven Alan, Gimme Shoes, Flight 001, Welcome Stranger, Birch and Rand+Statler, and then eat/drink your face off at Biergarten, Smitten Ice Cream and Bar Jules.

Union Square

We can't discuss shopping in San Francisco without mentioning the epicentre of west coast shopping herself: Union Square. This department store heaven, which includes Macy's, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Barneys, Saks and Neiman Marcus, is also home to all of your favourite chains like Madewell, J.Crew, Zara, Diesel, H&M and Levi's. Refuel at Blue Bottle with delicious coffee and waffles before you, ahem, window shop at the likes of Kate Spade, Chanel, John Varvatos, Prada and YSL.

More Fashion Friday
Spring In Your Step
Scarf Tying 101
Celeb Travel Must-Haves
November in New York

[photos by @heatherlovesit]

Fashion Friday :: Airport Style

One of my favourite guilty pleasures is people.com's airport style photo gallery. There's something about celebrities in airports...Stars - they're just like us. Except they usually look fantastic (no Juicy velour or baggy sweats to be found, unlike their fellow travelers). There may not be paparazzi waiting for you in Arrivals, but everyone can look "camera ready" without sacrificing style for comfort. But please remember: no one can measure up to the Singapore Airlines flight attendants strutting through the concourse. It's just not possible. Accept it.

On your body
The name of the game is layers. Your plane could be chilly or warm, and the temperature may vary between your departure and arrival cities. Start with a tank or light tee and leggings, and build from there. Pop on a dress or skirt and add a sweater and light jacket. Bonus: if your luggage gets lost, you have an extra outfit. Also, avoid jeans on long flights, unless they're super stretchy, in which case they're really just jeggings, which is an embarrassing word to say out loud.

In your hands
Push the limits on "personal item" size. Stay within carry-on limits or make sure your bag is pliable in case you get questioned. Stuff a smaller option in your luggage so you're not stuck with a big handbag for your whole trip. Slipping your laptop directly into your purse saves you a piece of carry-on luggage, so invest in a laptop sleeve. Finally, bring a colourful passport holder to lessen the likelihood of losing your most precious travel document.

On your feet
Wear your bulkiest footwear (ie. boots) through the airport and pack a pair of washable slippers for the flight, or wear a pair of Toms the whole way (they're as comfortable as slippers, but no one looks at you like you're doing something socially awkward). And don't forget to wear socks to avoid walking barefoot through security!

Trip Styler Tip: A scarf is your travel BFF. Wear it through the terminal and use it as a pillow or blanket on your flight. And if you're bringing a hat on the plane, wear or carry it to avoid it losing its shape in your luggage.

Now what to wear? (clockwise from top left)
Cath Kidston holiday bag, James Perse men's lightweight fleece sweatshirt, Nordstrom travel ballet slipper, Toms classic canvas slip-on, Nordstrom tissue weight cashmere wrap, Wilfred Free wrap jacket, Topshop leather leopard passport holder, American Apparel piqué dolman sleeve dress, Marc by Marc Jacobs pretty printed computer sleeve,  Burberry shimmer check travel slippers, Levi's trucker jacket, Ted Baker men's ausky plaid slippers, Talula rose leggings, TNA wool pant, James Perse ribbed daily tank, Mossimo women's knit layering top

Fashion Friday posts are published on the last Friday of every month and written by our resident fashion consultant Heather.

Fashion Friday :: Fall Weekend

[trip style = weekend getaway]

There's a popular collection of short stories called The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing. It's a New York Times Bestseller, but I've never read it. I do, however, remember the cover. It has an image of a girl in wellies, tights, a red jacket and a trapper hat - and it's the inspiration for the first Fashion Friday post.

When summer fades away and the leaves begin to fall, I instantly want to surround myself with wool sweaters, pumpkin lattes and weekend escapes. Living on Canada's West Coast, I have plenty of options - Tofino, Whistler, the Gulf Islands, Washington State - but no matter where you live, I'm sure there's a cabin calling your name.

Now what to pack?

Men (clockwise from top left)
Filippa K peter herringbone check shirt, Cheap Monday original jeans, H by Hudson angus tan washed lace up boot, Paul Smith Jeans shawl collar waffle cardigan

Women (clockwise from top centre)
Free People military platoon jacket, Madewell belmont boyshirt, Bop Basics faux fur trapper hat, Loeffler Randall rain boot with back zip, American Apparel winter legging

{Fashion Friday posts are published on the last Friday of every month and written by our resident fashion consultant Heather.}