I can’t help it. For seventeen years straight I went to school every fall. While there are some years before school and certainly many more since graduating university, I still have the urge to shop. For back to school everything.

Even though we are in the thick of summer, the fashion world is about to get all pumpkin spice latte on us. Soon we’ll be blasted with images of cosy sweaters, boots, and yes, hot drinks all set to a backdrop of turning leaves. The September issues are the thing, you know.

Full disclosure: what I’m about to bumble on about could be considered a textbook first world problem. That said, I’ve heard writers say – and movies and books about writing – that one will have the best success in coming across more authentic if you write about what you know.

Because of my work I am shopping in the malls, boutiques, and online all the ding dong day. The sheer volume and repetition allow me to see things. I can see what trends are being pushed, what colours in in season, and what brands are doing to try and get you to buy. It’s a lot.

A dear colleague sent me a short clip of Marc Jacobs commenting of what he felt the future of power in fashion was: the consumer dressing however he/she/they wants with no implications. He went on to say that clothes don’t really matter. His blasé idea supposedly opens up what designers can design and consumers can consume.

Yes. Yes, you can. I decided to skip the suspense because we have enough surprises - often horrible - in these times. Of course, you can pass. Just like the D.A.R.E. personal service announcement posters in my school urged, you just say no.

Calgary – the entrepreneurial city that could – is ever changing. Each industry, except for maybe the one we’re most well-known for, is growing. Breweries, pop up shops, restaurants, and summer favourites like gourmet ice crème places are huge. The art and fashion scene, too, have never been better.

The thing I love about Cannes Film Festival – besides the movies – is the extra AF fashion. The stars go bigger here that the Golden Globes and Academy Awards combined. Must be something in that salt and sun filled French Riviera air. The fashion is more, more, more.

Las Vegas is the city of a million options: shopping, gambling, watching, hustling, eating, sport fanning, and sun tanning. Even though I’ve been a bunch of times, each time is something different. On my most recent trip I decided to try out some summer outfits. A sort of dress rehearsal for outfit combinations to come.

Monday night is a night I look forward to all year: the Metropolitan Museums Annual Fundraising Gala for the launch of the rotating annual costume exhibition. In other words: the Met Gala. This year was Camp.

Last weekend was spent doodling around Boston and the surrounding inner-city areas like a typical tourist. I walked the Freedom Trail, ate clam chowder out of a bread bowl, and yes, set my feet on Harvard’s historic ground.

Hey planet, I know it’s was just your birthday - happy bazillion and twenty five (or is it six?) - so I’ve been thinking a lot about you. It’s is a hella good time to reflect and think a bit more about what’s really going on with us. We’ve got some work to do.