Get The Look: Rustic-Chic

If you haven't had the chance to check it out, the new Keltie Leanne Spring 2014 look book is now up on the website!

The look book was photographed in beautiful Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver by the talented Ainsley Rose Photography. I had envisioned an earthy and natural environment and the park provided the perfect diversity in terms of setting - situated right on the ocean, with tons of rich plant-life, and gorgeous lighting. 

In order to ensure that the jewellery and the beautiful setting be the focal point, I went with a simple and neutral color palette when selecting the clothing that would be worn for the shoot, and which would provide a lovely canvas for the jewellery rather than overshadowing it. I also wanted our model Cara to have a down-to-earth and appropriately natural appearance, so while she's not exactly wearing her hiking gear for this woodsy shoot, I did make sure to steer clear of anything too overdone or "city" looking.

This look is definitely the most casual of the four featured in the look book, but also one of my personal favorites. Rustic-chic may appropriately describe it, because the boots and denim make it a little bit cowgirl, but somehow the draped cardigan lends a soft and feminine element, and the bright lapis jewels are bold and glamorous. Here's how you can emulate this rustic-chic style yourself:

1.) Start with denim shorts and a simple tee or tank in black or another neutral colour (for example, grey or white). No stress if you don't have legs quite like Cara (me neither!) - go for a slouchier boyfriend cut, or wear a pair of your favorite jeans if shorts aren't your thing.

2.) Add a soft and drapey cardigan or cape like this one from Aritzia.  

3.) Throw on a pair of worn-in tall boots or booties. I personally love the look of Frye's, but still haven't splurged on my own pair!

4.) Now put on your favorite statement earrings, a long necklace with a bright-colored gemstone pendant, and some wrist sparkles for good measure. Cara wears our Catching Fire Earrings, Evolution Necklace and Yin Bracelet.

You're all set: you've got a look that's perfect for a casual coffee date, upcoming music festival or island getaway.

Date Night

Hey lovelies! With Valentine's Day around the corner, and a long weekend upon us, I thought I would share a little style inspiration for a date night out. I loved seeing what some of my fav fashion bloggers wore on this week's FASHION Style Panel, to showcase Valentine's Day outfits that are "Classy Not Trashy". 

My own take on this theme is equal parts edge and simple femininity. I am loving the rock 'n' roll look of coated denim, and think a skinny pair of these jeans would be totally va-va-voom with some great heels. While I've never been a pink girl, a pretty blush sweater and feminine accessories (our Conch Necklace & Pinwheel Earrings play the part well) are a lovely contrast with the sex kitten jeans and pumps, while a metallic clutch ties the whole look together.

What's your favorite date night look? Leave a comment below and let me know how you pull off sex appeal in a way that's all class.

Featured: Georgia Straight's Holidays Style Guide

The Abundance Earrings

I'm thrilled to have my designs featured in this week's Georgia Straight, as a part of their Holiday Style feature. The Straight's Michelle Da Silva highlights our Abundance Earrings, Talisman Bracelet and Black Prince Necklace as a few of her top picks for the upcoming party season. 

While the Fall Collection wasn't designed solely with the holidays in mind - after all, I believe that pretty jewellery should be for all occasions and times of year - I knew when I was planning the line that the gemstones for this latest collection would be perfect for Christmas and holiday parties! I personally love the shimmer of our Fifth Element Necklace and find the rich berry shade of it's rubellite gemstones and delicate gold chain, begs to be worn during the festive time of year. The Renaissance Earrings are another elegant and eye-catching choice for a holiday fete, and would be especially dramatic with a simple up-do.

The Talisman Bracelet

It's always rewarding to have Keltie Leanne Designs recognized, and flattering to be included amongst heavy-hitter brands like Deborah Lippmann and Club Monaco. As for me, it was fellow Canadian brand, Fortnight Lingerie, that especially caught my eye in the feature. Their sexy yet down-to-earth designs would be perfect with a little Keltie Leanne sparkle, no?


You can catch the full article here, or in this week's print edition of the Georgia Straight.

Little Black Dress

I'll admit it - I'm not much of a dress girl. Don't get me wrong, I do love donning a great party frock on occasion, but skirts and tops have been the mainstay of my "dressy" and professional wardrobes. I suppose the versatility of a skirt is what makes me wearing a dress a somewhat uncommon sight. The couple of statement-making cocktail dresses I own have seen me through many a wedding reception, birthday party, you name it - which in reality means a handful of fancy occasions per year. So in fact, it's not just that I rarely wear a dress, but also, I seldom buy dresses because I don't feel I have many occasions to wear one. All of my dress-shy feelings aside, I recently realized there were a number of events coming up that required a new dress, and it dawned on me that the item that could cure my "dresses-aren't-versatile" thinking was a perfect, little black dress.

I managed to nab this adorable scoop-neck, full-skirted number from Aritzia, just hours before my fall launch event and I've got big plans for this dress. It's already seen me to a Thanksgiving wedding, replete with black tights and a cherry red cardigan, and it's due to make at least two more appearances this upcoming holiday season. 

A little black dress can be worn with basic black pumps, ankle booties or a bright pair of statement shoes like the pair shown above. Throw on a simple cardi, a sparkly jacket, or leather bomber, and you've got three totally different and fabulous looks going on. And of course, when it comes to jewellery, a LBD is the perfect canvas for any of your favorite jewels - I've shown just a few of our new Fall 2013 designs that I think would finish off this look perfectly. Patterned tights, a simple clutch or colourful scarf - the possibilities for accessorizing a LBD are endless. 

I think I may have just cured my whole, dresses aren't practical, shopping mentality.

Fall Lust List

Happy Labour Day Weekend! While it is technically still summer for another three weeks, the cooler, wet weather we've had this week has me dreaming of fall fashion. As much as I love the warm summer months, autumn is always a fun transition to make wardrobe-wise: cozy sweaters, great denim, rich colors and fabrics, plus lots of lovely layers. Here are a few pieces I'm lusting over for Fall.

Felt hat -- despite not really minding the rainy weather, I was slightly horrified by the reminder of what it does to my hair. A chic wool felt hat (this one is a fantastic trilby style by French Connection) is the perfect way to keep stylish when the weather is wet.

Black booties-- I have worn the caramel colored leather booties I bought last year to death, so think it only makes sense to add a basic black pair to my collection. I love the quilting and buckle detail on this Sam Edelman pair, and think they would look equally cute with deconstructed jeans for play, or tights and a skirt at the office.  

Rich gemstone accessories - These two pieces - the Finery Bracelet in Garnet, and our Wanderlust Necklace, featuring gorgeous labradorite - are my two top picks from the upcoming Keltie Leanne Fall 2013 Collection. 

Luxe leather handbag - I am completely in love with the recently launched line of Mackage leather bags. This merlot messenger bag is enough of a neutral to carry me through the season (and hopefully many more), but is different enough to stand out. I'm not sure it's in the budget this year, but a girl can dream, right?

Versatile dress - I don't buy dresses that often (skirts and tops always seem to deliver more wardrobe mileage), but when I do, I like to make sure it's something that is versatile to style. This cute little number from Aritzia would look fantastic a multitude of ways - with a leather vest, layered with a colorful floral scarf, paired with bold tights - you name it.

Now it's your turn to tell me - what items are on your fall lust list? Leave a comment below, and be sure to link with photos!

Hot Summer Nights

Happy Friday, Friends! I hope you are enjoying this warm summer weather we've been having as much as I am. If you haven't had the good fortune of all this sunshine we've been getting here on the coast, I apologize for being boastful, but we've had about a month plus of summer amazing-ness and I am praying that it lasts through to September! 

While this summer has been a pretty low-keyed one for me fashion-wise - lots of time spent wearing my workout clothes on the bike, or shorts and a tank top on our patio - I think it's high time I got myself prettied up for a night out on the town. 

Here's a simple and sexy summer look that would be perfect for a girl's night out, date night or summer wedding: start with a simple, bold-colored dress, add a pair of nude colored sandals or pumps, throw on a swipe of bright lipstick and stand-out accessories, grab a fun clutch and you're out the door. 

[Look shown: dress by Zara, shoes by Sole Society, clutch by Banana Republic, lip color by Maybelline, jewellery by Keltie Leanne Designs.]

Sunday Brunch

The past couple of weeks have flown by even faster than they usually seem to, so today I'm totally having one of those, I can't believe it's Friday! moments. Which of course leads me to thinking about weekend plans and all of the little treats I'm looking forward to - a few drinks with girlfriends at the end of the work day, the chance to bum around the house in my PJ's extra long tomorrow, and if I'm lucky - brunch at one of my fav restaurants with my guy or good friends. And while weekend brunch can easily be an excuse to just throw on any old comfy t-shirt and jeans in your closet, I personally see it as a chance to get a bit put together for a fun, lingering outing. 

So, in celebration of the beautiful spring flowers and slightly warmer temps, here's a look I've styled that's perfect for Sunday brunch. While I'm not normally a very "flowery" girl, I just love the fun, floral pants and jeans I've seen in stores lately, and think they're a great way to add mega punch to any look. Throw on a lightweight sweater, plus buttery leather jacket and simple flats, and cap off the look with bright accessories like our Calypso Earrings and Blue Lagoon Bracelet. You'll be set for a morning (or afternoon) of indulgent eggs benny and lattes. 

Do you love brunch at much as I do? Any restaurant picks you'd love to share?

Working Girl

"What do I wear?" is the age-old question us women ask ourselves, and one that can get especially tiring when you need to look polished and professional for an office environment five days a week. Fortunately very few office jobs require a completely “buttoned-up”  dress code nowadays (at least for us lucky ladies), which means that we can inject a bit of personality and fun into our wardrobes while mixing and matching pieces we'd actually be caught dead in over cocktails with the girls. 

This look is the perfect example of getting the most mileage out of the items you wear at both work and play – the bold blouse would go great with a pair of skinny jeans, and this pencil skirt is actually a dark denim, lending a youthful vibe to a more conservative silhouette. Paired with a classic handbag and fashionable pumps, all you need to throw on is a couple of unique pieces of jewellery and you’re set for success.

A Head Start

From top left, clockwise: Energy Necklace - $55, Sodalite-ful Earings - $58, Coco Bracelet in Onyx - $70, Black + Gold Studs - $55, Captured Light Necklace - $110, Fresco Bracelet in Turquoise - $70

If you're anything like me, December arrived and you thought, Christmas? It's still days away...which means I also haven't even begun to think about Christmas gifts. Okay, maybe "thought," but my actual shopping is still to be done. 

And chances are, even if you're not quite as disorganized as I am, you have a special lady or two in your life to buy for - whether your mom, bestie or sister - so I thought I'd give you a bit of a "head start" on some Keltie Leanne gift ideas. These are some of my top picks for all of the different women on your list, regardless of style or taste. They are all available in our online store, or this list of amazing Lower Mainland retailers.

What about you? Have you started (or finished) your holiday shopping yet?

Black & Gold




Keltie Leanne Bracelet & Necklace, J. Crew Purse, Top Shop Belt, Kate Spade Watch, Enzo Angiolini Shoes

Black and gold is a big trend this season, though in my opinion, it's a classic pairing that can never go wrong. Accessories are a great way to incorporate black and gold into your look, whether as a chic accent against an all black ensemble, or in contrast to casual denim or bright pops of color. In addition to these two pieces from our line, the Black + Gold Bracelet and Stud Earrings add a subtle black and gold injection to any outfit, and for those who prefer slightly more delicate wrist candy, the Fresco Bracelet in Onyx is a gorgeous option.

Do you have any favorite black and gold clothing items or accessories that you love?

Leather Love

Zara tote & t-shirt, Aldo booties, Danier jacket, Gap skirt

Leather (both real and faux) is huge this Fall, whether it be in the form of small embellishments, a fab accessory, or worn as a larger statement piece (how gorgeous is this skirt?!). This lambskin leather jacket is one of my personal wardrobe staples, and these are a few of my other "currently coveting" leather items.

What do you think of the current leather trend? Are there any items you have your sights set on?