Canada Day is a sunny feeling day for me regardless of the weather. We are so lucky to have a day off that says, “Happy birthday to us, take the day.” Oh, Canada. With a country so prosperous and diverse as ours, I was curious to know how people celebrate. After a bit of thought, here’s what I have it boiled down to.

So far I have nine Vegas Hotels and Resorts under my belt. That's nine different rooms to study the closets, nine different casinos to marvel at the interior design, decor and gamblers outfits and nine different pools. At al those pools there are many different people form all over enjoying the dessert sun and heat. Over the years, I have started to see some themes pop up. I decided not to focus so much on the pool behaviour. I was more interested in the pool attire.

Now that it’s, dare I say it, spring, it’s time to pull out those lost relics of Canadian closets: sandals. After being cooped up in boots for the past half year, it’s time to let the toes peek out. My feet have been craving some airtime, big-time. I have quite the collection of open toe shoes ready for the season, but I wasn’t ready. More specifically, my feet weren’t ready. They needed a lot of TLC.

Given the choice between 2 doors would you choose “average” or “beautiful?” That was Dove’s latest campaign 's challenge in #choosebeautiful where it explored how women feel about themselves. In 5 major cities: Delhi, London and Sao Paulo, San Francisco, and Shanghai Dove constructed signs above the only two entrances into city buildings. Women self-selected and walked through either the “Average” or “Beautiful” door. Hidden cameras caught the footage.

Now I know it’s too chilly to don summer dresses and Bermuda shorts, but it’s so close. You may want to wear that silk cap-sleeve blouse, but it’s too cold. You may want to wear that shirt-dress, but your chilly core begs you not to. You may want to push those sweaters and wool to the deep void in the back of your closet until fall, but that’s too drastic. It’s too soon. What’s a seasonally-conflicted person to do? Layer it up with a sharp shoulder jacket.

I’ve been binge-watching a lot of Netflix these days. The recent programs most influential to me have been House of Cards and The Fall. Both have immaculately dressed, professional women in demanding jobs. The women are focused on their careers yet are allowed to be emotionally complex and even compassionate. What a luxury (sarcasm intended)...  Some may call these two stylish characters “strong women.” They can be described as both strong and as women, but I am reluctant to use that combo of words as the sole descriptor because what woman would want to be referred to as the opposite? 

Moving is big business and competitive. That’s why there are endless moving companies in the city and many make over the $150 per hour mark. Although I prefer to spend my time at stores in the mall and street level boutiques uselessly lusting after summer sandals in the bleak winter, I am spending a lot of time at one particular store: Home Depot. 

On The Voice they encourage contestants to show who they really are in their song choice, singing style and fashion style. Be their best self. I understand and I support that. However, I don’t support their current fashion styling.

This past week has been mighty chilly in Calgary. You seem to be bundling up except for one key area: your legs and, me, your tush. You see those leggings you’re wearing as if they are pants just aren’t cutting it. They’re leggings, not pants after all. 

We remember those who fought for the freedom of others and the freedom of this great country. Every Canadian has the exceptional privilege of living here. On this significant date, I am mindful of the young, yet robust history of our country – and just how awesome Canada is.

While in transit is an opportunity to be stylish. Often, I express this through a high, stiletto-heeled shoe. I am happy to clippty-clap my way to and from work taking the city bus. I am pleased to throw on a pair of sky high heels and take in a sports game. Oh, those enthusiastic cheers and hoots aren’t for my shoes? They are for the game? Weird. Further, I like to shop stylishly and often wear the harmonizing shoes. However, I feel as though the varied ground walkable to Calgarians is a death trap for beautiful shoes.

Some girls dream of their wedding day while others plan their future home. Since I was a little girl, I dreamt of visiting, and shopping in, Manhattan. Finally there, I was not going to waste much time. In my less than 72-hour visit, I had dedicated the better part of a day to my favourite past time of shopping. Being the independent spirit I am, and wanting to explore the city for myself, I mapped out a rough itinerary for my big day.