With spring comes a season of special events, and for many fashion lovers, that means new dresses, heels, and clutches. The one and only thing I dread about my wardrobe's glamourous turn-about is how on earth I'm going to fit the evening's necessities into one little bag. Luckily there's a new Vancouver-made line of bags that has more than enough room for your lipstick and phone—in fact, you could probably fit a full change of clothes into some of Mary Rich's wickedly oversized clutches.

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!

     
All week the Twitterverse was abuzz with talk of Margiela x H&M, but as the collection rolled out in stores worldwide yesterday, tweets turned sour. Generally, it seems, the designer collaboration is a bit too "out there" for the retail giant's customers. And despite the fact that collabs normally draw in a much more fashion-forward set, no one seemed prepared for just how Margiela-esque things would be.

If you thought 5 cents was a lot for a plastic bag, get a load of this: Jil Sander has a paper bag for sale at $290 USD.

They may be calling it the "Vasari" clutch, but this fall/winter item from the menswear collection is nothing more than a glorified lunch bag. Featuring four metal eyelets at the base and a black Jil Sander logo, the handle-less coated kraft paper mirrors everyone's favourite sandwich tote.

Last month everyone was up in arms over photographer Tyler Shields and his girlfriend Francesca Eastwood, daughter of Clint, setting fire to a Birkin in the name of art. With the coveted Hermès purse ringing in at $100,000 and so many people struggling for a dollar, it's easy to see the reason for upset. Add to that the fact that she's a privileged Hollywood daughter and, well, let's just say the girl received some threats.

Flash to this morning's news in the UK Telegraph, however, and it looks like the hostility may have been misdirected. As it turns out Birkins go up in flames all the time and it's Hermes who's lighting the match. 

City of Toronto councillors voted last week to put a ban on plastic bags. Previously the garbage catchers were sold at five cents a pop, but as of January 1, 2013, retailers within the city will not be permitted to sell or distribute them, forcing consumers to rely on reusables.

Despite what Toronto Mayor Rob Ford will tell you, this is a good thing. I mean, let's face it: beyond being environmentally sound and easier to carry, sturdy reusable totes offer huge sartorial advantages over their whimpy plastic counterparts.

Here are a few of my favourite picks for carrying your groceries around in style:

Holiday parties are rolling out and there's no easier way to get festive than with a little sparkle and shine. This season glitter is taking over the marketplace, but diamond encrusted goodies are always a fave of mine. Check out my top picks that mix up a little bit of both.

Punk Riviera Emerald necklace by Shourouk, available at Holt Renfrew.

Moooon River, wider than a mile, I'm crossing you in style some day.
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker, wherever you're going I'm going your way.


Sparkling juice, hors d’oeuvres and breakfast at Tiffany’s, oh my!

When I first got the invite to breakfast at the iconic New York jewellers’ Toronto store, I didn’t quite know what to expect. But, last week, waiting outside the front of the store, I channelled my best Holly Golightly and stepped inside the security-protected revolving doors (albeit sans pastry and coffee in hand).