I've spent the last week travelling for work - between various planes, shuttle buses and layovers I've had lots of time to catch up on my fall fashion mags. On the plane home Sunday, it was Glamour's October issue, which featured an article with rules for being a smarter, chicer shopper. One of the questions on their checklist: Would someone who sees me on the street think, she looks great?

That time of year has come again when the roots on my blond hair are too long to pass for natural and the decision has to be made whether to squeeze one more round of highlights in, or bid the blond a fond farewell and darken up for the fall. In the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you that I am somewhat of a hair colour junkie. When I backpacked Europe, I was so keen on being a Swedish blond when I arrived in Sweden that I carried two bottles of professional quality developer and a roll of tinfoil in my pack for three months (I also had the advantage of traveling with my hairdresser/best gal pal). It was quite the feat considering that we were battling against the remnants of the black/brown with fire engine red streak look I was rocking while in New Zealand. So at this point in my life, I am not exactly what you would call cautious when it comes to my colour choices—for me the more drastic the better.

Undoubtedly, searching for jeans is the most difficult shopping quest there is. I am a seasoned and enthusiastic shopper and I still dread having to replace a worn out pair. It’s for this reason that I get so excited when a retailer does something to actually help consumers find the perfect fit for them. 

Red lipstick is a glamour girl staple—just try and find a red carpet or fashion magazine without it. So it comes as no surprise that once again this fall the blood-red lip is being touted as the look to try. Personally, the bold lip is my go to look for a night out and I even sport it at work from time to time. I have a number of friends, however, who are extremely hesitant to give it a shot and, therefore, end up in a bit of a makeup rut. I get the hesitation, I really do. This is a fierce face to put forward and people are going to look at you when you wear it—it is undeniably sexy. But, isn’t that sort of the point in putting your makeup on in the first place?

I have to admit that I 'm usually a bigger fan of Kristen Stewart’s look when she’s done up like Bella Swan than when she is being her grubby, Joan Jett inspired self, but when I saw photos of her at the MTV VMAs I had to admit that the girl looked good.

It wasn’t just that she had washed her hair and put on a dress minus her favourite Converse All-Stars for once, but thanks to makeup artist Beau Nelson of Beauté cosmetics (www.beaute-cosmetics.com) she was simply luminous. Granted, that glow may have been enhanced by her close proximity to a certain Mr. Pattinson? Regardless of the cause Ms. Stewart looked sharp with her porcelain skin, burgundy shadowed eyes and perfect pinky nude lips, so I caught up with Beau shortly after the event to find out how we can recreate the look on our own.

Like Donna Summer said, “she works hard for the money”, so I can’t blame her for not wanting to part with it over sometimes overpriced beauty bounty. It’s so easy to fall for a product through a slick advertising campaign (who wouldn’t buy what Sienna Miller was selling?), but sometimes all the hype doesn’t pay off once you give the item a test-drive at home. That’s why I have so much adoration for Sephora’s Deluxe Sampler kits. They are the cash strapped gals dream come true, allowing her to test drive the cosmetic mega store’s best sellers in various beauty categories without committing to the full sized (read full priced) version before it proves its worthiness.

As you get to know me, you will quickly learn that I am the first to rally behind a ferocious pair of heels, no matter how badly my poor feet will pay for it later. There are certain occasions though, say waiting in a club lineup and hitting the dance floor hard once you get in, when a girl needs to consider practicality (oh how I hate the word!). However, with the new influx of Europe’s favourite heel alternative finally making it across the pond, there’s no need to weigh substance over style. Or an excuse to wear your flip-flops out for a night on the town ladies. So say hello to your tootsies’ new best friend: the women’s wingtip.

While the smoky eye has been a perennial fall favourite since the early nineties, I spy with my little eye a new direction in evening eye makeup. This autumn yields a new crop of steely blue gray shadows and cobalt mascaras replacing everyday black, allowing ladies to experiment with colour in a sophisticated way. You may expect this look to be most arresting on light eyed lasses, but it actually brings out the richness of chocolate and amber irises equally well.

After watching tonight’s Emmy broadcast, a few things have become very clear to me. Firstly, Neil Patrick Harris is spectacularly talented. Secondly, reality television has sort of taken over the airwaves, well, except for Mad Men and 30 Rock. And thirdly, the primetime Emmy’s are a seriously under rated awards show—particularly when it comes to the red carpet fashion.

I’m Meghan Jessiman, a 25-year-old style addict from Vancouver, BC. This is where all you other fashion and beauty fanatics say, “Hi Meghan” in unison, we accept each other for who we are and move on. 

Since I was old enough to read, I have been a devoted follower of fashion magazines (my faves are Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Allure and my personal bible InStyle), so it came as no surprise when I decided to pursue a career in publishing. For the last year I have resided in Calgary thanks to a lucky break in the form of an editorial position at Swerve, the Calgary Herald’s weekly city life magazine.

When the opportunity to join the styleswept team came along late this summer, I jumped at the chance. What could be cooler than putting my thoughts about trends, products and style in general out into the universe and having a community of chic and enthusiastic readers give me their thoughts in return? And that is truly what I hope the SS page will be; a discussion between us about the latest and greatest the fashion and beauty industries have to offer.

So lets talk taste. When it comes to my personal style, I have two distinctly different looks (think polar opposites) that I attribute to being born on the Leo/Virgo cusp (think polar opposite signs). During the warmer months of the year, I am a full on bohemian. I was never happier than the post-university year I spent chasing the sun from New Zealand to Australia and then to Europe—it was an entire year of hippie chic! But, come fall and winter I am all about a buttoned up, ladylike look, particularly in the work place. I swear if it weren’t for my disdain for the morning and the small issue of public transit I would be rocking classic up dos, siren red lips, tailored tweed pieces and 5-inch platforms everyday of the week. I probably should have been born in the ‘40s, but I will have to find solace in the fact that it’s the decade dominating the runways this autumn.

I will try to keep my bias out of things, but you have been forewarned that I am a sucker for floaty dresses and hippie headbands and vintage glamazon looks. I’m looking forward to you calling me on it and getting to know what all of you are into.

Talk soon,

Meghan