RATE IT! Top 10 Fashion Trends for Summer

Just because Mother Nature is still cowering in the corner in her spring finery doesn't mean that the rest of us can't get a jump on summer. Sure, the official declaration that summer has arrived is still a few weeks away but it always pays to be prepared. 


To kick us into gear, here's my latest article for Slice - The Top 10 Fashion Trends for Summer.


Enjoy!

HATE IT! Scarlett Plays Bride of Frankenstein

Did you manage to catch the Golden Globes last night? The show pretty much delivered on all its promises -- host Ricky Gervais shooting verbal barbs at all and sundry in Hollywood, drunk (or just odd?) award winners (Christian Bale) invading the stage, and plenty of jewels, boobs and botox on display.


As with all award shows, talk always centres around the red carpet and the plentitude of gowns decorating the proceedings. Frankly, I wasn't that smitten by many of the dresses. Nicole Kidman in Prada was blah, and Scarlett Johansson was a glittery prom queen in Elie Saab. 


But what really took away from Scarlett's fancy dress was her hair. What a mess! Seriously.. is she trying to win the role of the Bride of Frankenstein? The hair accessories stuffed into this strange up-do looks like one major hair don't! 


(Scarlett's photo: AP)

RATE IT! Hatful of Holiday Cheer

St. Nick doesn't have to be the only soul with a jolly holiday chapeau!


Top off your holiday spirit with this vibrant Christmas tree hat. Complete with colour stitches masquerading as tree lights, this 100% acrylic hat will keep you toasty and seasonal. 


Available from Fred Flare. 

HATE IT! Calourette Finger Ring

Is it just me?


Looking at this ring now available from Urban Outfitters - the first thing that pops into my mind isn't "Wow, cool!" 


My first impression is more along the lines of "Ew!"


It doesn't matter that this finger trinket is designed by a happening French designer, or that it goes for the princely sum of $100 US -- it's just kinda ghoulish. 

HATE IT! Disney Couture Shark Bracelet

The first word that came to my mind was "seriously?"


Disney Couture is peddling this questionable bracelet fashioned after a jaw-shaped animal trap. 


Seriously!


Complete with a starfish charm and Swarovski crystals, this trinket retails for around $54US.


Personally, I can think of many more uses for that $54. 


I think Disney missed the mark on cruelty free beauty.

RATE IT! Ice Cream Ring

Whoo hoo! 


Ring in the celebrations today at Toronto's Yonge-Dundas Square ~ it's the arrival of Dairy Queen's Blizzardmobile! ~ with this timely piece from Fred Flare.


Cute, summery and sure to put a smile on even the most grinchiest of faces.

RATE IT! Flavor Flav

...*ahem* clearly I'm not celebrating this one!

For once, the words "adorable" and "cute" can co-exist beside the moniker 'Flavor Flav'.

Snoopy & Woodstock chilling with some flavourful icy treats -- presented on a Summery new tee available from Stylin' Online.

I think even the real Flavor Flav would say it's time to indulge!

RATE IT! Posh Looks... Well, Posh!

Victoria Beckham sitting pretty on the cover of the May issue of German Vogue.

Elegant and really gorgeous -- many of her covers come off looking a bit snooty and hard, but not his one.

RATE IT! Happy Sloth Necklace

ShanaLogic is now offering this adorable Sloth necklace on their website.

Cute, yes...

Realistic, no....

Sloths are in no way cute. I think someone needs to check out National Geographic more often.

RATE IT!/HATE IT! Pretty 'n' Pinchy

This intriguing creation has me both charmed & perplexed.

To celebrate the upcoming release of Tim Burton's 'Alice in Wonderland' movie, Disney has gone for something more fletching (and expensive) than the typical mouseketeer ears. Yes, Disney is now doing .... jewellery couture.

This Disney Couture Tea Party Necklace is quite exquisite in its execution. Designer Tom Binns has carefully crafted this flurry of tea pots, cups, mini-saucers & cutlery into one of the more unique pieces of jewellery seen in ages. It's quite dainty and obviously meant for the most lady-like of wearers. I must say it's really pretty & I can't stop gazing at it, but I also ponder how comfy it would be to wear. Wouldn't those sticky-outy pieces of tableware poke and prod? Or pinch? And the noise... I bet it makes its fair share of clinky, clanky racket. Too noisy, too pinchy for me.

RATE IT! Snoop Dog-Nerd

The glasses! The blackberry (shame, no iPhone!)

Techno-geek Snoopy celebrates his nerdy-ness in fine form in this new tee from Mighty Fine.

Me want!

RATE IT! I Really Dig Vampires

You can keep your Twilight vampires... this Ugly Doll vamp gracing this new tee is more my style.

Much cuter than that Edward guy.

This ghoulish fella kinda looks like my Schipperke in her bat costume.

HATE IT! Fashion Crime

Some things in life just do not mix.

Milk and Pepsi -- have you tried it? Horrid! 'Laverne and Shirley' have a lot to answer for. Shame we can't blame this abomination on Squiggy.

Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger -- pretty as a picture on the outside, household of hell on the inside.

Designer fashion and the 'Jersey Shore' cast -- no brainer, right?

Turns out, several people believe that the fashion world makes a good match with Snooki, The Situation and the other interchangeable Jersey Shore greaseballs. Apparently, these Jersey embarrassments are on the cusp of being featured AS MODELS during New York City's upcoming Fashion Week. True story. Several designers are considering hiring the obnoxious gang for their catwalk presentations.

Am I the only one to think that NYC's Fashion Week just hit a brand new low?

Sure, their presence will get plenty of attention but isn't it the wrong kind?

(image: MTV)

RATE IT! Tina Fey in Vogue

Oh, hello!!! Is there another sun in the sky?

I cannot believe my eyes. 'Vogue' magazine is actually putting a woman on its cover who eats, has working brain cells and wears *shock* glasses. 'Vogue' of old would never, ever do such a thing years ago. Wonder what gives? Did Anna Wintour smack her head or something?

Tina Fey, congrats on your March cover of American 'Vogue.'

You are gorgeous and talented, and probably never dreamed of being showcased on the front of this iconic fashion publication because of their wacko standards of what beauty is all about.

Okay, twist my arm... I may just buy this issue. Yay, Tina!

RATE IT! Eye Chart Tee

Eye tests are a bitch especially for those of us who have lived all our lives blind as a bat, but Loyal Army have put a fun spin on the proceedings with this tee.

Step off, indeed!

RATE IT! UFO Sheep Sweater

Normally, I'm not a fan of comedic sweaters, but this Toddland piece created for the man in your life screams "geek chic"!

It's not so baaaaaa-d.

Sorry!

RATE IT! Mix It Up

The Pillsbury Doughboy wishes he were this cute.

The Mix It Up tee from Loyal Army trots out all the ingredients & then displays the finished result on the tee's back shoulder. Yum!

RATE IT! Sharing is Caring

So, how about someone sharing this snazzy Peanuts tee with me?!

I guess Pig Pen didn't make the cut for this promotional opportunity.

The world can always use more Snoopy.

RATE IT! Street Fashion

It's the perfect time to celebrate Sesame Street's 40th birthday today with this retro look t-shirt.

Be fresh, be funky and be one with the Street!

RATE IT! Tootsie Roll Wrap-Around

Beat the encroaching winter chill with some chocolately warmth.

The Tootsie Roll scarf.

Hate the candy, rate the acrylic accessory!