A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending the fourth anniversary party for ARMED JEWELLERY, located just steps from their flagship store at 1024 Dundas Street West. The event featured a sneak-peak of the new collection for F/W '15, SilverFox, an endless supply of rolling rock, and a photo-booth where guests could have their photo taken adorned in ARMED pieces. Designer Desiree Girlato was also on location to discuss her inspirations behind the new collection, as well as her journey as a self-taught designer and conceptual artist. Each piece she creates is bold, beautiful, and statement-like, however that's not how Desiree intended them to be worn. Rather, she encourages her clients to wear the pieces to elevate their every day look, and ultimately to 'own each day and cease each opportunity through the power of style'.

STYLEAmy MckissockOctober 7, 2015

MIXED METALS + MARBLE

This past weekend was one of the best I've had in a long time. I spent my Saturday night at INLAND, a Canadian designer shopping event that took place at The Glass Factory, even splurging on a fall jacket from Valérie Dumaine and necklace from Laborde. And on Sunday I made use of said necklace from Laborde, which is a stunning combination of quartz and gold bolts on a vintage brass chain, while I hungout with my friend, Oliver. Quartz is associated with power, energy, and protection – three things that everyone can use, so here's hoping dem feels transfer to me. I wore the necklace atop a marble long shirt with slits from H&M (no longer available), which I paired with my favourite ripped black denim and Tracker booties, both from Zara. I also layered on a bunch of jewellery, including a fake 'Cartier' bracelet which fools everyone, and grabbed my leather jacket from Danier to keep myself warm (similar here).

STYLEAmy MckissockSeptember 30, 2015style, fashion, ootd, danier, h&m, laborde jewellery, j.crew, cartier

OUTFIT PLAN . 001

Life as a girl is hard, isn't it? We have periods, boobs, an excess of emotions, and face a near-daily struggle to select an outfit. I say near-daily because let's face it, our days off are spent in sweats, and t-shirts left from lovers past. If that wasn't enough, we are expected to amp up that effort on days of importance; i.e. the A$AP Rocky concert I will be attending this Friday. Normally, I would leave this task until the morning of, however given my recent history of mental-breakdowns brought on by getting ready I decided it would be in my best interest to plan ahead for this momentous occasion.

STYLEAmy MckissockSeptember 23, 2015style, fashion, concert, nixon, stila, beso, acne studios, h&m

INLAND . SEPTEMBER 26–27 . SHOP CANADIAN FASHION

Looking for something to do in Toronto next weekend? Look no further than INLAND, a weekend-long shopping event that features a curated line-up of Canadian designers in the heart of West Queen West. Located at The Glass Factory (99 Sudbury St.), INLAND looks forward to it's second Fall season showcasing the best in Canadian fashion and apparel. The event charges $5 cash upon entry and will take place Sat. Sept 26th from 12-9pm and Sun. Sept 27th from 12-6pm.

STYLEAmy MckissockSeptember 20, 2015fashion, event, inland, made in canada, style, canadian, toronto

TRAVELER by TOMS . FLORENTIN MATTE GREY

A good pair of sunglasses are worth their weight in gold; a statement some know far to well – for example Alex, a gentleman who spent an entire year trying to get his prized sunglasses back after a first date turned sour. But truly, we all can relate. Most can recall the feeling associated with finding a pair of sunglasses that sit perfectly atop the contours of their face, just as well as they can recall the pit that forms in their stomach when they've been misplaced. That's because nowadays sunglasses not only offer UV protection; they compliment, and in some cases complete an outfit, they allow you to get an extended (non-creepy) glance at the hottie on the streetcar, and finally they conceal the dark circles formed from the previous night out. The newest addition to my sunglass collection, the Traveler by TOMS in Florentin Matte Grey, are allowing me to do all that and more.

STYLEAmy MckissockSeptember 12, 2015fashion, style, toms, sunglasses, one for one, traveller, florentin

NEWLY PURCHASED . EDIT oo1

Some weeks no matter how many times you re-watch Hannibal Burress Live From Chicago you still remain 'in the dumps'. It's a type of emotional purgatory that can only be remitted with some classic retail therapy. And while the products featured above/below have been purchased at various points throughout the past month, their innate beauty has thrust me into a state of optimism for the week ahead.

BEAUTY, STYLEAmy MckissockSeptember 8, 2015style, beauty, newly purchased, haul, deborah lippmann, j.crew, runway luxe, shiseido, clinique

ABANDONED BUILDINGS, ABANDONED HEARTS

From the moment we take our very first breath we are explorers. Inquisitive by nature, we as humans have a need to interact and understand the objects in our surroundings. For some this need dissipates with time, however I've always been aware of my innate desire to explore, whether it be an abandoned building, a new experience, or simply a new restaurant. Unfortunately stumbling into an abandoned building doesn't happen frequently, so when a friend and I noticed a small opening on a decrepit building we commonly passed along the Toronto Lakeshore we simply had to enter – which, of course, was followed by an impromptu photoshoot.

STYLEAmy MckissockAugust 13, 2015fashion, style, ootd, gap

NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is in full effect, and while I've tried to control myself from spending for seven long days, today was the day I finally broke down and placed my first (but certainly not last) order. I snagged the Halton Bootie by Sam Edelman, Semi-Precious Stone Earrings, and the cult favourite Touché Éclat Radiant Touch Concealer ft. one of the coolest designs I've ever seen it don. The sale continues until August 2nd when pricing of the new fall arrivals go back up, so be sure to shop before it's too late. The below products are just a taste of what I've had my eye on.

STYLEAmy MckissockJuly 22, 2015fashion, shop, nordstrom anniversary sale