Very few fashion trends scream of comfort, so when there's finally a chic and cozy option to explore, I'm all about it. Here are a few easy ways to indulge in the sneaker trend this season:

    
THE WEDGE: The wedge sneaker is everywhere right now and no wonder: it offers cushioned support and a lift all at once. Styles range from lace-ups to velcro and one-tone to colour-blocked with embellishments all-over, leaving something for everyone. Paired with skinny jeans and a tee, these shoes can carry you straight from day to night.
MY PICK: Graziana, Chism, and Numata (from left), all available at Aldo.

The offending pair of shoes from my uni days.

Back in my university days, I thought the sidewalk was my own personal runway. I'll never forget the day I wore a giant faux fur coat and a pair of stiletto booties to class. Unfortunately for me, this was on a day where we got roughly 15 cm of snow. Needless to say, I had to buy a pair of Sorels in between classes, and my outfit was ruined in the name of safety. 

The fashion world on the other hand, chose style over practicality during New York Fashion Week. Though the shows were right in the midst of Nemo, the fashion elite still trekked through the blizzard in heels -- stilettos, wedges, and some even open-toed.

Amidst fashion week and Valentine's Day falls another important event - Chinese New Year!

February 10th marks the first of 15 days of celebration (think homemade dumplings, dragon dancing, and red envelopes) to ring in the Lunar New Year. 

And whether you're Chinese or not, you can easily get into the spirit with Chinese-inspired fashion picks.

Despite my complaints all year 'round that "New Year's is overhyped", when the day finally arrives, I can't help but be excited. Not because of the midnight kisses and prospects of a new year ahead, oh no. It's the glittery fashions, of course, that get me revved up for an evening of once-a-year glamour.

There is nothing worse, however, than wearing an outfit that only makes it to midnight and the first thing to go is usually the heels. As much as they lift and elongate, many high heels also serve as successful torture devices. In comes your New Year's Eve backup: Damn Heels.

This week, we had the privilege of previewing Nine West’s gorgeous spring summer 2013 collection – and it did not disappoint. The colourful palettes, vivid prints, and bold texture combinations have us wishing that we could just skip winter and head straight to spring!

As we battle an earthquake in the west and a hurricane in the east, it seems impossible to talk about anything but the weather. Mother Nature is mad, and forecasters expect that once we battle these storms, we will be facing a cold winter to more than make up for the mild temps of last year.

Here then is a round-up of the best waterproof, wick-away, super-warm, tech clothes on the market:


A word to the wise: "Water-resistant", does not mean waterproof. The Patagonia Women's Triolet Jacket is made of waterproof Gortex with coated zippers (yep, it can sneak in that way, too) and an adjustable heavy-duty hood, because there's no point in fussing with an umbrella in high wind.

When I first reported in April that a Christian Louboutin-designed Cinderella slipper was on the way in celebration of the Walt Disney classic's Blu-Ray release, there was great hope. I pictured a whimsical design, almost cartoon-like in its appearance, that would play off the blue in her dress, as well as the characteristics of glass. Today's reveal, however, saw a not-so-special shoe. In fact, the Cinderella slipper looks dated - and not in a 1950's-original-release kind of way. Like, tacky old. With a butterfly on it.

Wearing stingray skin is one thing, but breeding stingrays for the sole purpose of wearing them is on a whole other level. Yet according to Co.Design via fashionista.com, Rayfish Footwear is risking the wrath of PETA and doing exactly that with their custom sneakers.

The company proudly offers customization - a growing consumer perk - with a futuristic twist, thanks to genetic modifications altered to suit to their customers' desires. By mixing and matching various stingrays, they combine their DNA to breed new design effects, easily achieving bright bold amoeba-like patterns that are truly one of a kind.

   
UGG's new "I do!" wedding collection.

Much to the horror of grooms around the world, UGG has added three new styles to their range under the "I do" wedding collection. That's right, bridal UGGs complete with sparkles and crystals in virginal white.

Gucci to the left, GUESS to the right. Too close for comfort?

We often hear of trademark suits being filed, but rarely do we get word on the final outcome. In the case of Gucci vs. GUESS, however, the interest is high and so there has been a steady stream of reports throughout the 3-year-long New York courtroom battle, culminating in today's news that Gucci has come out on top.

The reason I found this to be such an interesting case is because typically trademark battles involve a big fish and a little fish, ie. some poor artisan fighting a mega-retailer for ripping off their work stitch for stitch. In those cases, money is paid out (likely a pittance for what the big guy can afford) and c'est tout. In the case of G vs. G, however, there were two sharks sloshing it out with neither willing to back down.

The focus of the battle was GUESS' use of a Quattro G pattern and red stripes regularly used by the Gucci brand, notably before they were implemented at GUESS. Despite the resemblance, GUESS claimed to have been "inspired" from multiple sources, not necessarily including - and certainly not solely - Gucci. And in the end, while Gucci is technically the victor, the judge didn't exactly state GUESS' claim to be untrue.