It is no secret that I love jackets. Of all the jackets and cardigans that I have in my closet, I love my leather jackets the most. If I won the lottery, one of the first things I'd buy is a brand new leather jacket. I love the way they add some edge to an outfit and their ability to transition from night to day. They last forever, keep you warm, and are available in a wide variety of colours. Why wouldn't you want one?

Just recently I was introduced to the leather jackets by Andrew Marc, a designer based out of New York. Andrew Marc is well known for their leatherware, with jackets prized for attention to detail and asymmetrical zippers on leathers in bold colours. Browsing through the website, I fell in love with two of the jackets from the women's spring collection. The placement of the zippers and stitching really make these two jackets stand out for me. Best of all, they're even on sale right now! It's taking a lot of willpower not to buy them both, but they'll be sitting on my wishlist for the time being. But maybe you'll buy one?

Do any of you own any jackets by Andrew Marc? Let me know!

Disclosure: this is a sponsored post. All images thanks to Andrew Marc

1. Tory Burch / 2. Tiffany & Co. / 3. Gucci / 4. Prada Baroque
5. Marc Jacobs / 6. Ray Ban Wayfarer

If there's one thing I never leave my house without in the summer (other than sunscreen!), its my sunglasses. If it's so important to protect your skin from the sun's damaging UV rays, its equally as important to protect your eyes too. And what better way to accessorize and change up a look than with a pair of shades? Over the years, I've accumulated tons of sunglasses and I rotate through them all the time. From aviators, to cat eye frames and large square shaped shades, I'm always on the lookout for new styles to add to my collection. When I was contacted by Smart Buy Glasses, I took a look at their site and it was like a goldmine of styles I've been looking for! They carry designer frames and sunglasses, all for a fraction of the price you would buy them for in a retail store. Above are the styles I'm loving - which one is your favourite?

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post

Do you love reading food blogs, trying out recipes, and experiencing new cuisine? You may be tempted to document your own culinary trials and tribulations, but are intimidated by the prospect of starting up a food blog. With so many blogs today boasting mouth-watering photography, slick layouts, and what seems like an army of Pinterest followers, it can be hard to compete. The thing is, blogging's not purely a competition and shouldn't be treated as such. By getting back to basics, you can not only make your food blog shine but have a blast doing it! The following are a few do's and don'ts to keep in mind as you create a new blog or revamp an old one.

Do be choosy in what you post. Even if you're a super-foodie, chances are that not every meal you eat is worth blogging about. Did you whip up a batch of fresh blueberry scones with maple whipped cream for breakfast this morning? Yum, please post the recipe! Did you grab a maple bar at Dunkin' Donuts? You might want to keep it to yourself. Pick and choose your content to keep the quality of your posts high.

Do put some effort into your layout. You can have the most attractive photos and unique recipes, but if your blog layout leaves something to desire you could lose your audience. Cluttering your blog with banner ads, busy text, or flash animation is not recommended. It's helpful to browse through some other blogs to see what the current web design Vancouver or New York trends are, which you may wish to adopt in your own design.


Do seek out new inspiration. If you're at a loss of what to post, get out into the world and try a new restaurant or attend a food festival. Read other food blogs to get a sense of current trends and sample new products or recipes you find.

Do get involved in the local blogging community. Organizations like the Food Bloggers of Canada offer a chance to network with fellow gourmands. You can also attend workshops for website designers Toronto or in your specific location to refine the technical side of your craft. Reading and commenting on local food blogs can help you grow your audience and make some new friends who share similar interests.



Don't ignore your comments. Blogging gives you a chance to interact with readers and discuss your favourite topics, so take advantage! Many readers comment on food blogs not only to share their appreciation, but also with hints of their own or to ask questions about recipes. Be sure to follow up with these comments to keep the conversation going.

Don't bog your blog down in advertisements.Monetizing your blog can be a great way to earn a bit of side income, particularly if you have put hard work and effort into maintaining a loyal audience. However, take care that your advertisements don't take away from the main point of your blog. Keep them in a sidebar or down at the bottom of your blog.

Don't forget the importance of visuals. Food blogging is an extremely visual discipline. High quality photos are a must, to draw the reader in. If your photography skills leave something to be desired, it's worth taking a class to sharpen your focus and make your meals pop!

Readers, I know many of you out there are food bloggers - have any tips to share that were missed? Let me know in the comments below!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post