Rekindle the romance this Valentine’s Day and set the evening passionately ablaze on a hot date night out with bold accessories to symbolize objects of affection and spark your love’s flame. Haute hues of pretty pinks and racy reds create the perfect potion of sexy and sweet to send your lovers heart aflutter. Whether you opt for colourblocked confections of red and pink or flirty, feminine touches of traditional tones, sizzle in accents of rouge or rose; either way you’ll raise the temperature on your look of love and make his heart race. Strike your sweetheart with Cupid’s amorous arrow to have him falling in love with you all over again from head to toe. After all, true love deserves the finest finishing touches.

1. Charlotte Olympia Heart Appliquéd Pumps, $1,450, available at Net-A-Porter
2. Lulu Guinness Lips Clutch, $340
3. Kate Spade Bow Belt, $68
4. J.Crew Beaded Rose Necklace, $128
5. Alexander McQueen Printed Scarf, $215, available at Farfetch
6. Valentino Garavani Rose Clutch, $1,444, available at Farfetch
7. Tallulah Tu Red Bejeweled Earrings, $20
8. Charlotte Olympia Floral Platforms, $1,095

By: Megan Correia, Managing Editor, Toronto

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Undoubtedly, Valentine’s Day is the most anticipated time of the year for most love struck couples, refueling that deep connection. The romantic day devoted to your one and only adds unwelcomed stress and can be quite daunting for any couple, no matter how long you two have been hitched. For those of us who find it impractical and stake out each Valentine’s Day despite having a reason to celebrate, remember the wise words of Christopher Marlowe, a true poetic visionary from the 50s, “Money can’t buy love, but it improves your bargaining position.”

Whether you have left it to the last minute for another year (ahem, boys!), or have struggled for weeks coming up with ideas of your own and have resented the idea of asking her friends, (or even worse, her mother), then you’ve landed among the Valentine’s Day Gods and straight into Cupid’s arms. Here are some quality gifts that will display your immense love for one another, and don’t fall under the “typical” cheesy gift guide category. Classified as the perfect princess, or subtle sweetie, these gifts are destined to please all.

1. Valentino Rockstud Patent Leather Point Toe, $595, available at Holt Renfrew
2. Alexander McQueen Wrist Scarf, $325, available at Holt Renfrew
3. Monserat De Lucca Rose Bracelet, $74, available at Shopbop
4. Banana Republic Anchors Aweigh Necklace, $80
5. Louis Vuitton Small Ring Agenda Cover, $455
6. Anthropologie Fall In Love For Life Book: From A 73 Year Marriage, $19
7. David’s Tea The Chocolate Box, $30
8. Tea For Two Teacups Set, $32, available at Urban Outfitters

By: Jenn McNaughton, Toronto

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I can honestly say that winter is my least favourite of the four seasons. Sure everything associated with the cold winter months – hot chocolate, cozy nights and the festive holidays – are nice, but bone chilling Canadian temperatures can put a damper on all that, especially when it comes to your wardrobe. Layering is always cute, but when you add jackets, hats, scarves and gloves into the mix you can end up being mistaken for a plump snowman. That’s why I like to incorporate my outer layers with my outfit to get rid of some winter bulk, and the best way to do that is with an accessory scarf. This versatile garment is the perfect accent to any outfit and the best part is you don’t have to check it at the door.

1. Alexander McQueen Skull print chiffon scarf, $295, available at Net-A-Porter
2. Christopher Kane Floral-Print modal and cashmere-blend scarf, $520, available at Net-A-Porter
3. Diane Von Furstenburg Tasseled Voile circle scarf, $185, available at Net-A-Porter
4. Forever 21 Zig Zag Stripe Scarf, $12
5. Marc by Marc Jacobs Clara Printed Silk and Cashmere-Blend Scarf, $198, available at Net-A-Porter
6. Kimchi Blue Crosshatch Printed Eternity Scarf, $29, available at Urban Outfitters

By: Layan Barakat, Toronto

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In fashion, there are often little rules or expressions we tend to follow season by season, which dictate our wardrobe selections for that time of year. Popular examples most commonly used are: no white after Labor Day, never mix gold with silver, and stick to one patterned print per outfit. Another big “no-no” which has been drilled into our heads, is that floral prints are only presentable during the spring and summer months. What you trendsetters don’t know is, in order to stand out from the ordinary; sometimes we have to bend the rules. Seen on most runways during F/W ’12 fashion weeks worldwide, Dolce & Gabbana, McQueen, Osman, and Erdem were just a few design houses greatly influenced by flowers in bloom.

The following are a few quick tips, which will help you, transition those summer pieces, to be in touch with one of the hottest trends for winter 2012!

Pair with darker shades: Taken from the runway inspiration, you’ll notice the designers incorporated some darker colours and shades to offset the bold colours. Try pairing with a black opaque tight or overlaying with a black knit cardigan.

Keep it simple: If you’re not as confident about rocking this trend, then stick to one floral piece. Wear with a classic jean or plain trouser, which will help offset the extravagant print.

Focal Point: You want the floral piece itself to be the main focus, so keeping jewelry minimal and sticking to a flat for shoes would be ideal.

1-4 photo credit style.com

5. Topshop, Oversize Paint Flower Shirt, $40

6. Topshop, Poppy Print Cami, $26
7. Trina Turk, Femme Fatale Short Sleeve Peplum in Taupe, $275
8. Ted Baker, Floral Printed Blouse in Coral, $146
9. H&M, Floral Blouse, $34.95
10. H&M, Floral Jacket, $59.95

By: Jenn McNaughton, Toronto

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Dressing for Halloween doesn’t necessarily mean you need to throw on a costume and wig as you try to convince people you are the latest reincarnation of Morticia Addams. An equally fun approach is to take all the trappings of Halloween (skulls, leather and spiders oh my!) and spin them into an outfit that will be more of a treat than a trick.

1. BDG Twig High-Rise Faux Leather 5 pocket, $69, available at Urban Outfitters
2. Truly Madly Deeply Lace Skull Muscle Tee, $39, available at Urban Outfitters
3. Charlotte Olympia Spider Embroidered Slipper, $675, available at Neiman Marcus
4. House of Harlow 1960 14 KT Plated Oval Skull Ring, $103, available at Bloomingdales
5. Banana Republic Deco Tassel Necklace, $50
6. Alexander McQueen Large Enamel Skull Bangle, $295, available at Neiman Marcus

By: Gabi Pirraglia, Toronto

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I will have you feeling like Hefner with this Fall trend… I am loving the fact that flats are not only in style this season, they are also sexy and effortless as the smoking slipper is all over the place. From the catwalks in Paris to your chain retailer, there are many choices to settle your fancy at every price point. Luxe in rich jewel tones and textured leathers and prints, which are the perfect stylish footwear du jour this Fall and Winter season. Of course you may have to watch for the rain, but hey, when the sun comes out to play, maybe your feet will too. Chic in simplicity, sexy in texture, giving all the sass and roar of a stiletto while saving you a heel.  Which is how, for this season, the flat got its sexy back.

1. Inspiration image via cbuy.tv
2. Alexander McQueen, $645, available at Net-A-Porter
3. Splendid Flat, $79, available at Shopbop
4. Aldo Ostlie Flat, $60
5. Tod’s Slipper Flat, € 285, available at Mytheresa
6. Zara Leopard Flat, $100

By: Kate Horsman of Bullet With Butterfly Wings, Vancouver

You should follow me on Twitter @lilkatehorsman.

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