Monday Muse: Gwen Stefani

This week we're paying homage to another stylish mama, as we get closer and closer to becoming stylish mamas ourselves, we can't help but take inspiration from these ladies who make mommy-hood look so GOOD.

Today's Monday Muse is probably the most stylin' mama of them all. Having three beautiful children with her rock-star husband, Gwen Stefani's style has resonated with us for every major steps in our lives.

From her blue hair, braces and bindi's in the 90's to making everyone want that ombre dip-dyed wedding dress and pink hair in 2000's. Gwen has always been a trailblazer and has always worn what feels natural to her. It just so happens that everything she wears looks amazing and what feels natural to her is the trend everyone will be talking about all season long.

She hasn't stopped since adding "Mom" to her list of job titles, (Other titles include, but are not limited to:  singer/songwriter/designer) only making herself cooler and more refined and beautiful as she enters her 40's.

We truly cannot get enough of Gwen Stefani, and will probably be following her style lead for the next 20 years as well.

Check out after the jump for our tips on getting Ms. Stefani's killer style.

Monday Muse: Nicole Richie

In honour of Mother's Day coming up this weekend, we wanted to honour stylish mamas. One of our favourites is reformed party-girl turned entrepreneur-mother, Nicole Richie.

Gone are the days where Nicole was known only as Paris Hilton's snarky BFF. Nicole was able to reinvent herself to the beautiful and stylish parent she is today. She has amazing boho/edgy style that only looks cooler when she has her two beautiful children in tow.

Nicole is always experimenting with her style and we're loving the purple hair she's rocking these days.  And we CANNOT WAIT to see what she wears to the Met Gala!!

Check out after the jump for our tips on getting Nicole's flawless mom style.

Monday Muse: Tavi Gevinson

It's not often that inspiration comes in such small packages. At the age of 12, Tavi Gevinson leapt into our hearts as the grey-haired fashion guru in the front row of every fashion show. And we've loved watching her grow ever since.

Over the years Tavi has grown up and we've seen her transition from a fashion-obsessed pre-teen to a fashion-renounced feminist queen to a well-balanced young adult with stupendous style. We are so excited to see what's next for Tavi.

After the mega success of her website, Rookie, Tavi has made a name for herself inspiring girls her own age to be true to themselves. If anything, Tavi is the poster-girl for not caring what people think.
















Check out after the jump for our tips on getting Tavi's girlish-cool style.

                                                 

Monday Muse: Blake Lively

So I've got an addiction. A certain acquaintance recently opened my eyes to the glory that is watching old episodes of Gossip Girl on Netflix.  And with that new addiction comes a whole new girl crush in Serena van der Woodsen -- er -- Blake Lively.

While Blake's acting career hasn't extended much beyond her days at the Upper East Side's most-talked about, it's been her style that has captivated us over the years.

Acting as the muse for multiple design houses, Blake has been seen at fashion shows all over the world, always looking like the immaculately dressed life of the party. There's nary a photo of her not looking like she's having a blast.

And nothing goes with Chanel like a smile!

Check out our tips on getting Blake Lively's flawless style.

Bring the biking!

Today, for the first time in MONTHS I felt like Spring. I know it's a cliche to say that everything is awakening and that we are so so SO excited that Spring is coming, but how can we not say it if it's true!!

These days it's hard not to swell with joy at the sight of the sun after 7pm and the squish of mud under our rain boots. The tights are going away, I've started moisturizing my feet in preparation for sandals. (Have you checked out our Saltwater Sandal collection?!)

But what I am most excited for now is to GO BIKING. I had a small chilly taste of the bike paths on Sunday, but I can feel it, the time for bike rides is upon us and along with it come all of the best things about biking: soaking up local food, shops and culture.

Last year I was gifted a beautiful bike from Tall Tree Cycles. (now located conveniently right next door!) And when the weather is nice I try to take it everywhere I go.

Probably the best thing about bikes -- if you don't count the fun, the health aspect, the environment, the lack of traffic and just how awesome it is -- is the biking fashion. Check out after the jump for our picks for amazing (Stylish) bike wear.

And for more bike style inspiration, make sure you check out our friends over at Ottawa Velo Vogue!!

Monday Muse: Jenna Lyons

Strong women are the best, and what's stronger than taking the reins and re-shaping a company and creating an entirely new lifestyle brand.

Jenna Lyons, is just that strong woman. Taking over at J. Crew and rejuvenating it into a brand and a lifestyle, in the meantime cultivating a following for herself that rivals the head of any other fashion label or store.

We love Jenna for her fearlessness. She always goes with her instincts and she rarely misses a step. She's the queen of mixing patterns and of looking ambiguously chic.

 The great thing about Ms. Lyons is that she sticks behind her brand. With her creative genius and ingenuity she was able to singlehandedly turn J. Crew into the juggernaut of style that it is today.

She's the effortlessly cool big sister who teaches you about all the coolest bands.

Oh and did we mention that this is what her closet looks like? SWOON!!

Check out our tips for getting Jenna's effortless style after the jump!

Monday Muse: Olivia Palermo

Olivia Palermo has always been the villain we loved to hate. As Whitney Port's snarky co-worker on The City, she was nothing short of perfection. Her outfits were always perfectly styled and her comebacks were always perfectly delivered.

After The City was cancelled (*tear*) we saw Olivia go from being the bad guy to the good girl, showing up on street style blogs and fashion shows all over the place. She's now doing her own thang as a model/actress/blogger. Her site www.oliviapalermo.com delivers amazing tips on getting Olivia's to-die-for style.

She's also been busy working on accessories lines and in the past had helped master shoe-maker Stuart Weitzman design a shoe for charity.

Check out after the jump for some VAM tips on looking every bit the perfect reality fashion villain like Olivia!

Monday Muse: Elin Kling

It's no secret that here at VAM we LOVE strong, independent women. Especially women who chase their dreams and make things happen.

One such woman is Elin Kling, one of the most influential and trailblazing fashion bloggers out there. Elin has taken her little blog, Style By Kling and turned it into a business by adding it NowManifest, a fashion blog portal owned by Conde Nast (Read: Vogue)

The past couple years has seen Elin transfer from blog to print with her own Swedish-based magazine, STYLEBY. Acting as the creative director, Elin's work for the mag is beautiful.

She's also been the face at the front of some pretty stellar campaigns, collaborating on a line for H&M in 2011, becoming the first blogger (many more to come) to do that kind of thing. In 2012 she did a line for Marciano that borrowed heavily from her minimalistic style. She's also been featured in campaigns for Net-A-Porter as well as Louis Vuitton. Proving that she's more than just your typical fashion blogger.

We love Elin's minimalist style, nothing too fussy; the result is an always chic and classic look that will stand the test of time and will save Elin the embarrassment of ever seeing herself in a weird outfit.

Check out our tips on getting Elin's look after the jump!

PICKS OF THE SALE!

By now we're sure you've heard our summer sale is in full swing!! There are tons of great deals in store that we can't wait for you to come check out! All Spring & Summer footwear and apparel is 30-50% off and there are so many goodies to choose from. So, we thought we'd give you a hand and share some of our favourites. Check them out below and maybe we'll see you soon!

We have a variety of printed Joe's Jeans in stock but these 'Sunny' floral ones have to be our favourite. All prints are now $100! Seriously, that's a steal!

How about these Splendid striped flats now $45. Throw them on with denim cut-offs, a white blouse and a bright bag for a no-fuss look. 

This Twisted Sister silk tank comes in this rad neon as well as classic white and is now $45.

Okay, but how cute are this Splendid wedges?! They're nude so they'll go with anything, plus that pop of colour on the side gives them an extra punch. They can be yours for only $60! 

Charlie Jade killed it this season with their amazing line of printed silk dresses, tops and rompers. We still have a few styles left like this printed tunic dress for $80, but hurry they're going fast!

With Fall just around the corner (where did the summer go??), we need to start thinking about our colder weather wardrobe. These Pour la Victoire suede flats would be a colourful addition to any Fall footwear roster. They also come in tan & red leather. Both pairs are marked at $75.

Can you say back to school? Sorry, but this BB Daokta blazer looks so scholarly paired with a skinny jeans, flats and a book bag, no? It's also available in red and goes for $60.

SHOE SALE

SHOE SALE
           SHOE SALE
                   SHOE SALE

Pour La Victoire red shoe
$172 SALE $105 

Pour la Victoire flats
$148 Sale $88

Kelsi Dagger Mclaine shoe
$96 Sale $65 

Kelsi Dagger Twilight boot
only two pairs left : size 9.5 and 10
$88 Sale $55

Kelsi Dagger Helix boot
$96 SALE $55

Kelsi Dagger Blue Erna heel
$88 SALE $55
 (boot to left SOLD OUT)

Kelsi Dagger Max boot
one size left: 8.5
$110 SALE $85 

Kelsi Dagger Kendall high black boot
$142 SALE $98

Kelsi Dagger Trilogy boot
$88 SALE $55
only one size left: size 9 

Kelsi Dagger Tabitha loafer
$88 SALE $55
one size left : size 6

Paul Brodie winter boot
$297 SALE $198