My style icon...I call her Mom.

It’s only natural to ask someone who loves fashion and style who their influences were. Who is the first person you can remember that made an impression on you with their personal style? For me the answer is easy…my mother. My Mom had incredible style. No money, but style like no other woman on Greenwood Avenue and that’s what made her so unique. She never looked like she tried. It’s just came together naturally. She was original Betty Draper.  Every outfit looked as though she had put time and thought into it. Perfectly pressed dresses, stylish hats, shoes, gloves and jewelry that were all so methodically put together. Her hair and skin were flawless. She managed all of this while raising five children.  I wish she had kept some the incredible dresses that hung in her close that I remember from when I was a child. I loved pulling them out and feeling the silky, soft fabric. One of my favourite dresses was a full length, sleeveless, psychedelic paisley number. Bright colours on a black background; it was the 70’s so it was likely polyester. I think she wore it to a wedding or New Year’s Eve party. I can still feel the roughness of that dress on my hands as she kissed me goodnight. The chemical smell of her Cover Girl lipstick lasted long after she left. I loved her; she was beautiful and classy in every way.   I wish she could remember for a single moment how incredible she was. I remember it every day. 

Pencil skirt, kitten heels and killer sunglasses...and my Dad was pretty cool too.

There must be half a can of Final Net in that hair. She was the epitome of class. 

With four children...she still managed to look perfectly put together - right down to the white gloves. I was yet to be born here. 

                        I started by matching my dress trim to my shoes.