Celebutante Nicole Richie is expanding her fashion empire

With Nicole Richie’s extremely successful House Of Harlow 1960 accessories line, her Winter Kate collection, and her A Pea In the Pod maternity line under her belt, the designer with the word “rich” in her name is looking to create a line that is the opposite of her namesake: affordable. Tomorrow, the 30-year-old will debut The Nicole Richie Collection during QVC’s “The Buzz on the Red Carpet – Live From L.A.” segment designed with real women’s bodies and lifestyles in mind.

“I want to connect with the women watching by letting them know that we are similar in many ways,” Nicole told Women’s Wear Daily. “I’m a mother of two and I work. We all want to feel relaxed on the inside but stylish on the outside. And that’s what I’m trying to provide. It was important for me to do a version [of a maxidress] for QVC because it can be worn so many ways. I paid close attention to the seams to give a woman a nice shape, because a lot of maxidresses can feel tent-y.”

Inspired by the Fashion Star mentor’s own personal style, The Nicole Richie Collection consists of boho chic blouses, skirts, maxi dresses, and hobo bags ranging from $75-$257.

“With everything I do, I want to make sure that I take the time and make each category the best that it can be,” Richie said. “I tend to move very slowly and I do that on purpose so that I can make sure that everything that I design really is the best version of what it is. [This collection] gives me an opportunity to design for a much broader range of women. I wanted you to be able to walk into your closet with your eyes closed and pick something special.” She also said that she hopes to use her collection to connect with a diverse group of women.

Lookbook of Toi & Moi Spring 2012

With the high exposure of the latest retailer lookbooks it's fairly easy to get a decent grasp of the season's important fashion trends. Still, it's quite rare to see the majority of the fashion trends for the season so well reflected into one fabulous lookbook like the one from Toi & Moi for spring 2012. Creative, polished and uber trendy looks conveniently put together in one single lookbook that can instantly prove every fashionista's dose of inspiration, the brand highlights a myriad of fascinating outfit choices for the months to come.

Elegance, femininity and a skillful combo of modern and vintage vibes make the looks instantly appealing. From styling to accessories, no detail is neglected and the result is, quite predictably, stunning. Eclectic prints, bold tones, a high emphasis on skirts and dresses and lots of accessories that create a complex look without gathering attention in and of themselves are some of the most notable highlights that make the looks adorable and incredibly chic. Sophistication in daily attires can be the quickest path to outfit success.

Flirty skirts of varying lengths? Check. Versatile denim pieces? Check. Adorable striped blouses? Check. However, the wide array of trends emphasized isn't the only thing that makes the outfits utterly gorgeous. Textural details, the preoccupation with color contrasts in varying doses, the blend of trendy and classic pieces and a healthy desire to take a few fashion risks once in a while are just as important for the brand in order to impress every single day. Ready to dazzle? Then make sure to include vibrant hues like turquoise, fuchsia, deep blue, intense green or stunning organge into your wardrobe.

Accessories have such a crucial role in defining the outfits, it would be a pity not to take a closer look at them. Floral printed platforms, bright pointy toe pumps, clutches with very noticeable textural details, masculine hats, big sunglasses, scarfs or funky bangles are the way to go when trying to spice up your outfits. Let the mesmerizing styles presented by the Toi & Moi brand open your eyes to the multitude of exciting style options beautiful,creative combos can bring.

Spring/Summer 2012 Campaign of Stradivarius

All the Petals Are for You! Well, spring has nearly sprung and Stradivarius is getting us in the mood for sunny days with its latest lust-worthy collection. The Spanish brand showcases its seriously lovely goodies in the spring/summer 2012 campaign featuring beautiful Dutch top model Bregje Heinen lensed by renowned fashion photographer Nico. Packed full with statement-making pieces, the newest Stradivarius line guarantees maximum impact.

Are you in a real sartorial dilemma? Thankfully, there is a plethora of oh-so-stylish pieces in the latest Stradivarius collection that can successfully meet all your fashion needs. And since nothing says summer more than floral prints, the brand delivers a stunning kaleidoscope of dazzling florals. Embrace all-things romantic and flirty with girly dresses, lovely shirts and gorgeously printed pants.

The line also features absolutely delicious polka dots, chic stripes, and eye-catching pops of color. If you want to make a bold statement and add edginess to your appearances, then mix and match different prints such as florals and stripes or polka dots and stripes.

Have a nosey at the newest Stradivarius spring/summer 2012 campaign and get ready to enjoy sunshine-y days putting together youthful, refreshing ensembles. Look for wearable, effortlessly hip clothes, and make sure you complement your outfits with the appropriate accessories. Invest in some of the brand's can't live without beauties and have fun creating surprisingly feminine and fuss-free combos. With these stunners in store we are already dreaming of summer days!

GFSS’s Students gearing up Pink T-shirt in support of anti-bullying and unity

Grand Forks Secondary School’s student are gearing up Pink T-shirt to support on Feb. 29, in support of anti-bullying and unity.

GFSS counselor Terry Ann Webster came up with the idea last year after watching a YouTube video that a teacher did in Maple Ridge, BC.

The video showed a flash mob, a random dance performance, in a middle of a shopping centre that was in demonstration of anti-bullying.

“I thought it was really neat because they were all wearing the same shirt and they looked really unified and I thought we should do something like that,” she said. “I didn’t have a lot of time last year, but this year I spoke to John Mahon in January and I told him the idea I wanted to do and he came up with the idea for the contest.”

From there, Webster instructed her Peer Counsellors to start looking for pink t-shirts and throughout the month of January, students submitted their designs of logos for anti-bullying.

There was a $50 prize, free t-shirt and their logo would be placed on the t-shirt.

Ashley Zibin, who is also a Peer Counsellor, won the logo contest.

Peer Counselling is one of the classes that is offered at GFSS, where Grade 12 students are trained in September before they are assigned eight to 10 Grade 8 students.

“It’s their job to keep up with the Grade 8 students throughout the year, just to talk to them and make it a successful year,” explained Webster. “I talk to them about eating disorders, bullying, anxieties, making friends, and then they take it to the Grade 8’s and they have an idea of what to say to them.”

Along the halls of GFSS, Peer Counsellors have put up posters based on issues of bullying, cyber-bullying or friendship skills.

Webster noted that with the accessibility of technology, it has become easier to become a cyber-bully.

“It’s become easier and easier to bully people, especially cyber bullying because you don’t see them face-to-face and you don’t see their reaction,” she said. “In fact, sometimes people won’t get a reaction until days or weeks later and by then it’s dissipated a bit, so you don’t get the whole face-to-face bit of, ‘Oh I shouldn’t have said that.’ So there’s no filter.”

But even with the internet and technology, Webster has noticed that most of the bullying occurs between those in the same grade, and it’s rare to see a senior student bullying younger students.

“I think part of it is being aware what you say gets out there and that people do have feelings and there are reactions,” she stated. “It’s also about how you would feel if somebody said this to you, face-to-face. It helps a lot to remind kids how they would feel.”

Pink t-shirts will be sold this week and next week for Feb. 29.

Pink T-shirt Day began in 2008 when students at a Nova Scotia high school wore pink t-shirts in protest against a bullying incident.