The best way to wear metallic shoes is with a simple, contemporary outfit. Notice how all three celebrities are wearing them with skirts? Don’t be afraid to show a little leg with metallic shoes because they will naturally highlight your feet (in the best way possible)! Try them with darker colours so they give your outfit that extra pop! They are fun to go out in and definitely play up an outfit.

Here are some you can find around town.

1. Patent Flat, $59.90 CAD, Zara
2. Kilbury, $89.98 CAD, Aldo
3. Sam Edelman Yelena, $175 CAD, The Bay
4. Phoebe Platform Metallic Mary Jane Shoe, $30.15 CAD, ASOS
5. Combined Sandal, $49.90 CAD, Zara

Tank, $59 CAD

Racerback Blouse, $29.90 CAD

Crepe Colourblock Dress, $99 CAD

Dress, $89 CAD

L’Atelier Evening Dress, $179 CAD

Top Photo (L-R)
Striped Shortdress, $79 CAD
Three Button Blazer, $129 CAD

Belted Trenchcoat, $129 CAD
Sleeveless Print Top, $49 CAD
Extra-Slim Stretch Jeans, $69 CAD

Striped T-Shirt, $19 CAD
Twill Ankle Pants, $59.90 CAD

The following sites are three newcomers to the sample sale scene that you’ll be sure to want to bookmark – and best of all, they’re Canadian. Say goodbye to slow, expensive shipping, evil duties charges and outrageous courier “brokerage” fees.

For the Everyday Working Girl
The Peacock Parade’s sales consist of quality staples that work for a variety of occasions – regular fare includes wrap sweaters, floaty tops, jeans, and designer scarves. The site also makes it a priority to feature goods from Canadian designers (a plus in my book.)

Past sales include: American Apparel, Line Knitwear, Sam Edelman, and occasionally even new or vintage goods from high-end brands like Chloe, Versace, Givenchy, Fendi and Prada.

For the Effortless Urbanite
The Volts is a newer site that is focused on carrying trendier, upcoming labels. I was impressed with both the brands they were able to offer and they prices they were offering them at – the only downside? You need an invitation code to join the club. Luckily, we set you up (use the invite code TheStyleSpy to join today.)

Past sales include: Converse, Nudie Jeans, & One Teaspoon.

For the Luxury Addict
The structure of Dealuxe’s sales varies a little from the original sample sale concept. While the previously mentioned sites are purely for flash sales, Dealuxe is a luxury site that instead does a daily deal on one of their products – usually a discount of at least 40%.

Past “Deal of the Day” sales include items from: Rebecca Minkoff, Symthe, Ella Moss and Hunter.

Outfit 1: Pair a hot pink blazer with slouchy boyfriend jeans, trendy loafers, and a chunky gold watch. A swipe of pink lipstick and a messy side braid would add the final touches to the perfect outfit for campus. A+ for effortless style!

1. Blazer, $39.95 CAD, H&M
2. Destroyed Straight Leg Jeans, $34.90 CAD, Forever 21
3. Striped Buttoned Boatneck T, $17.97  CAD, Gap
4. Killion, $39.98 CAD, Aldo

Outfit 2: Cinching a ladylike dress with a rustic belt is one of my favourite ways to instantly make the piece more casual. Throwing on a bright blazer will add some structure and colour for the perfect brunch date ensemble. To add my girly flair to the look, I’d even go for a grey, ruffled ankle sock to pair under the wedge.

1. Ruched 3/4 Slv Linen Blazer, $33.80 CAD, Forever 21
2. Heart Will Go On, Approx $62.79 CAD, ModCloth
3. Wide Leather Belt, $24.41 CAD, American Eagle Outfitters
4. BCBGeneration Jeffrey Buckled Wedge Pumps, Approx $117.62 CAD

Outfit 3: Don’t be afraid to play with colour this spring. Fashion is supposed to be fun, and what’s more fun than contrasting brights and pretty pastels? I’m obsessed with coloured denim this season and complementing them with a coloured blazer is so on trend. Add in a neutral blouse and a punchy shoe and you’ve got a colour confectionery!

1. Material Girl Coloured Blazer, $45 CAD, The Bay
2. TOPSHOP Cream Side Tuck Chiffon Blouse, $60 CAD, The Bay
3. Herena, $100 CAD, Aldo
4. Neon Pop Denim, $79.90 CAD, Zara

When pairing a bold eye and lip you want to make sure the rest of your makeup like your foundation and blush is clean, natural and as tidily applied as possible. This way you will never look garish or over the top.

Take COVERGIRL LiquilineBlast Eyeliner in Brown Blaze and draw a thick, graphic line along your lash line from the inner to the outer corner.  Next, carefully draw a thin, precise line on your bottom lash line from outer corner of your eye just shy of the middle eye area.

Apply Eye Enhancer 1-Kit Eyeshadow in Brown Smolder across your entire eyelid with the flat part of the applicator. Use the tapered tip to draw a distinct defined cat eye crease shape.
Finish off with one very generous coat of new LashBlast 24HR Mascara in Very Black on the top and bottom lashes. For this look I recommend only using one coat; you don’t want your eyes to over power or compete with the bold lip you are going to wear with this look.
Perfect your skin by stippling on TRUblend Foundation with your finger over any blemishes or imperfections and make sure to camouflage your outer lip line as well.  This will allow you to create a crisp defined lip.
Lastly, fill in your natural lip shape with COVERGIRL Lip Perfection Lip Liner in Passion.  Try and create a full soft shape by rounding off all your corners instead of creating harsh triangular lines. Finish with a vibrant coat of true red, using COVERGIRL Lip Perfection Runway Shade Hot directly from the tube. If you have found you have drawn outside of the lines, use a fine tipped q-tip to precisely clean up any messy edges.

Photograph YSL Spring 2012 Ready to Wear

Laced Tail Skirt, Approx $57.81 CAD, Nasty Gal

Get It Skirt – Leopard, Approx $77.75 CAD, Nasty Gal

Asymmetric Pleated Skirt, $59.90 CAD, Zara

Cascading Tail Skirt, $29.80 CAD, Forever 21

Give lashes a good curl with a lash curler and press the curler right at the root of the lash, it will make them look longer and really open up and awaken your eyes. Next, go in with your COVERGIRL Eye Enhancer 1-Kit Eyeshadow in Mink. Sweep it across your entire eyelid with the kit applicator or a brush. Blend it high into the crease of the eye, creating a very round wide eyed doll eye shape. Make sure to do some extra blending in the crease as you want a very soft wash of gradated colour as opposed to harsh shapes or definition.
Take Intense Shadowblast in Beige Blaze and use its applicator to dab shimmer highlight on the inner corners of your eye and on your brow bone.

Finish your eye with at least two coats of the new LashBlast 24HR Mascara in Very Black on the top lashes to create fluttery baby doll like lashes. Make sure to let each coat set and dry before applying another coat.
To make your skin look polished, use COVERGIRL TRUblend Foundation as a concealer – because this is a day look, less is more. Simply use your fingers to stipple on TRUblend over any blemishes or imperfections. Add a radiant shimmer highlight to your skin with Intense ShadowBlast in Beige Bling. Using your fingers, smooth it over the plane of your cheeks, bridge of your nose, your lip’s cupids bow, and a hint on your forehead and chin.
Finish off your daytime look with your lips.  Use your finger to pat on your lipcolour instead of using it straight from the bullet. This will give you a softer more natural subtle lip colour. Try LipPerfection Lipstick in Delish.

Photograph: Louis Vuitton Spring Read-to-Wear Beauty

Gabrielle Bayona (but she prefers “Gaby”) is one part of the mother-daughter team behind Ellebay Bridal Boutique, a custom dress shop located in New Westminster. Gaby designs all of the dresses (what talent!) while her mom constructs them. Together, they make for quite the team as the gowns are incredibly stunning. Gaby currently attends Blanche MacDonald, and on the side does amateur photography, cinematography, styling and tweets as @ellebaygirl.  Meet Gaby.

Wearing… H&M circle scarf, sweater, blouse and skirt are all thrifted, H&M tights, Urban Outfitters knee high socks and Michael Kors shoes.

My personal style is… Very dependent on how much sleep I get the night before. My schedule’s pretty crazy, and I definitely have those mornings where jeans, t-shirt, and a big ‘ol sweater are all I can manage before rushing to class/work. It’s a good thing you caught me on a decent day!

One thing every girl should have… A MacBook. I never leave anywhere without it, and it’s great for getting work done on my long skytrain rides downtown.

Must-have beauty product… Lipstick! I wear it as much as I can, and always go for statement colours. My go-to shades are MAC’s “Rebel” and NARS’ “Funny Face”. Oh, and let’s not forget Chanel’s “Gabrielle”, aka the prefect shade of red with a stellar name to boot. Did I mention I was modest?

Signature scent… I don’t have one, but apparently my apartment has a signature scent which follows me around like a rainbow follows a Nyan-cat.

Fashion reads… Bridal magazines! I used to be self-conscious when I picked them up from Chapters (I’m definitely no bride), but a girl’s gotta do her research!

Currently saving up for… New glasses. I want to get some quirky frames to switch up with my regular ones when the time is right.

Dream vacation… I’d love to go to Chantilly in Northern France, which is the town that Chantilly Lace is named after. It’s like the Mecca for lace lovers.

Favorite quote… I don’t have a favorite quote, but I do have favorite lyrics. One of the most meaningful songs on this planet (to me, at least) is Billy Joel’s “Vienna”. It’s one of those songs that I can listen to when things start getting out of hand and I need everything to be put into perspective.

Wardrobe staples… Tights and my army green APC jacket that I have shamelessly been wearing every day since I got it back in December.

Repeat buy… Can I say lattes? Matcha, caramel, dark chocolate mochas, cream earl gray- I want them ALL. I know it’s not fashion related, but I have them so often that it has pretty much turned into a hand accessory.

Photograph by Nathalie De Los Santos