Toronto Treasures: Heel Boy

from Heel Boy facebook page

Heel Boy is a well known shoe shopping treasure cove in Toronto.  This store is always buzzing with women, and men, looking for an interesting and affordable pair of shoes. 

Heel Boy excels at having something for everyone!  They carry everything from well-known recognizable brand names like Steve Madden to more unique brands like Vince Camuto... and the range of styles span from a selection of classic black pumps to playfully coloured shoes, from 6 inch stilettos to TOMS canvas shoes.  In the summer Heel Boy is the place to go for a great pair of affordable sandals, while in the winter their boot collection is out of this world.  

There are so many goodies to be had at Heel Boy, it's hard to leave the store with just one pair! 

Visit Heel Boy at 

773 Queen Street West Toronto  

416.362.4335 

 

Receive 10% off at Heel Boy when you shop with THE REFINERY. 

 

Discover other hidden shopping treasures in Toronto on a boutique shopping tour with THE REFINERY.

Wendy 'Woulds' ~ Ankle Strap Shoes

Question submitted by Martina U.: "What can I wear with these ankle strap shoes?"

Wendy Woods: "The best thing to wear with these shoes is an above the knee skirt or a pair of shorts.  The shorter the shorts/skirt (while still being appropriate) the longer your leg will look.  The ankle strap of these shoes will shorten the leg, so it's nice to create length with shorter bottoms. If you want to wear your shoes right now, I would go with a pair of pedal pusher jeans, and add a blazer for warmth.  The short sleeve cable knit sweater, bracelet, and clutch in the "for now" example all mimic the stitching on the shoes, which pulls everything together and allows you to easily mix different colour palettes."

Have your style question answered in REFINED.

Father's Day Gift Idea

cufflink art designed by the GreenShag Owners' five year old son

When I saw this Father's Day gift idea, I knew that I had to tell the world... and fast.  It's a gift that requires a little planning: cufflinks for Dad designed by his kids! 

 

All Mom has to do is bring (or scan and email) her child's art to GreenShag, and their masterpiece will be celebrated by Dad on a pair of cufflinks for years to come.  If you have two kids, you could give them a bunch of paint in the same colour family and they could create art for one cufflink each.  The first pair of custom GreenShag cufflinks is $280. 

 

An incredibly thoughtful gift that's also practical and stylish - perfection. 

 

Visit GreenShag at 

670 Queen Street West Toronto 

416.603.7424

Pops of Red

Many women really love the classic look of navy and white.  To create a show stopping outfit, add a pop of red accessories to these classic neutrals!

THE REFINERY weekly wear

I am getting more and more questions about what I personally wear, and where I buy those pieces.  As a result, I've decided to share weekly, a favourite outfit I wore, and the pieces I used to build it. 

This week my favourite outfit was worn for a day spent buying groceries, ordering a coffee table, and taking a stroll through the neighbourhood.  It was comfortable, pulled together, and garnered many compliments (always a good sign).

To pull this look together I used a navy jersey dress from Ziliotto (in stores now); a pair of Jeffrey Campbell woven Dunsmore shoes from Chasse Gardee (in store now); a Furla bracelet I bought at Coco's Closet, a pair of gold ball earrings from Birks; a bright green cardigan from the Banana Republic Factory Store; a gold pocket watch necklace I bought as a souvenir in Victoria BC; and a navy blue pashmina I've had so long I don't know where I got it.

I hope this post can help inspire an outfit that works for your own personal style!

Wendy

Inspired by... Z.

I have been fortunate enough to have Z. as a client for about three years now.  We have gradually been working together to build a wardrobe that makes her feel great.  Previously, she was really hesitant to let me help her go through her closet, and sort through the good stuff from the clothes that needed to be donated.  This year, she opened up her closet to me, and after 6 hours of closet cleaning (two 3-hour sessions), Z. is feeling a sense of relief.  We finished organizing her closet that is now filled only with pieces that look great, and hung in a way that makes everything very easy to find.  We also put together multiple outfits, and the picture above is inspired by one of her favourites.  This put together work outfit is classic with a hint of creativity, and garnered many a compliment from coworkers the first time she wore it.  It accentuates the best parts of her circle body shape, by showing off her shapely legs, and bringing attention to her sparkling eyes.

Seventies Flare

If you have a down-to-earth feel to your personal style, the seventies are a great decade to get your outfit inspiration from this season.  Flare jeans are back, and paired with warm colours, and natural materials, these easy-to-wear jeans complement a laid back personality.

Ottawa Spring Style Trip

 

Wendy Woods is coming to Ottawa for a few days in May!  She's going to support  the marathon runners, and staying for some stylish fun.

Get that spring back in your step with a stylish boost while she's there.

Appointment Opportunities Available:

Monday May 30th

Tuesday May 31st

Wednesday June 1st

Ottawa, this is your chance to take advantage of THE REFINERY Spring Closet Cleaning Special, and every other personal style service.

Purchase online, or by emailing Wendy - wendy@therefinery.ca

Inspired by... A.

 

A. joined Laura and I for the spring dress event on Saturday.  By the end of her appointment she had both of us in tears as she shared her very personal story of once weighing 90 pounds.  Now that she's feeling healthier, she was ready to feel good about her new size 14 body.  She shared that after her style session - where she tried on so many beautiful pieces - she was feeling really good about herself, and understanding how to dress her new figure.  She especially rocked a beautiful sequin dress for an upcoming event she's going to!  Her story touched my heart.  A. came in feeling shy, and left with a beaming smile... she carried with her a new found sense of confidence, and an appreciation for her own natural beauty. 

 

Floral Femininity

The juxtaposed pairing of a floral blouse with white leather shorts gives this outfit interest, and a modern twist.

Toronto Treasures: Ziliotto

From delicious fabrics, to impeccable construction, to a Made in Canada label, Ziliotto clothes are made to be worn.

Jennifer Durand, the boutique owner and designer, makes clothing with the multi-tasking woman in mind.  The pieces are easy to match together, look effortless, and are extremely versatile.  They are the perfect example of wash and wear clothing that is casually chic... fashionable, but not over done.  

Jennifer truly understands a woman, and her "joie de vivre", and designs clothes that lets that shine through.  Her pieces consistently bring out the best in THE REFINERY clients, which keeps them going back for more!  

Visit Ziliotto at 

764 Queen Street West Toronto 

416.867.1632

Receive 10% off at Ziliotto when you shop with THE REFINERY.

Discover other hidden shopping treasures in Toronto on a boutique shopping tour with THE REFINERY.

Spring Closet Cleaning Special

Spring Closet Cleaning is all about cleaning, sorting, and organizing what you have so you can get the most from your wardrobe... it's about knowing what you have, and therefore what you need... it's about mixing and matching the great pieces in your wardrobe to create outfits that make you shine!

This year, THE REFINERY Spring Closet Cleaning Special is back by popular demand! You can add a Shop Your Closet service to any Closet Cleanup service for only $75.

With this service combination you will end up with:
- a clean and organized closet filled with clothes you love
- a different outfit pulled together for everyday, for at least one month

- a shopping list of key pieces you need, and the stores where you can find them

... AND, you'll have someone by your side, so you'll actually get your closet cleaning done this year! :)

Purchase online, or by emailing Wendy - wendy@therefinery.ca

Kind Words from a Happy Client

"I just wanted to say a 'huge' thank you for the amazing experience on Saturday. You are such a great shopping partner and spot on with your assessments of my style, while still getting me to expand my horizons the way I always wanted too! I can't believe you could figure that all out so quickly after meeting me. Your service is one I'll be recommending to everyone I meet! I've been raving about you since I left you on Saturday afternoon. I can't believe how you went above and beyond, staying longer just to show me some additional, invaluable new shopping haunts! I did a mini fashion show on Saturday night with my hubby, son and our good friends. By the end my son was helping to choose which shoes I should wear next (he was a big fan of the tangerine wedges :)) and everyone was trying to figure out when they could enlist your services next. :) Anyway - I can't thank you enough for the session and I can't wait until I find some time soon to have you in to help me shop my closet and put together even more outfits with everything I have. I couldn't be happier! You are SO much fun!!" ~ Nancy L., Toronto

The Drake Culture Shop

 

For the third season in a row THE REFINERY is involved in The Drake Culture Shop package, which will have you shopping at some of the best boutiques along the West Queen West strip!  

PACKAGE INCLUDES:
+ 1 night's accommodation
+ Welcome cocktail vouchers (1 per guest)
+ $100 Gift Card from ONE of the participating retailers*
+ A tote bag courtesy of the Drake’s own General Store
+ Concierge to help you map your spree 

Join THE REFINERY on a boutique shopping tour for an even more personalized shopping tour, and the help of a personal style coach to spend your shopping gift card wisely.

See you there!

Girls' Night Out

Girls' nights out can be few and far between... so when the opportunity arises for a night on the town, wear an outfit that makes you feel like you're partying like a rockstar!

Spring Dress Event at Lola & Gigi

Summer event season is fast approaching, and lets face it, we all want to look our best when we run into long lost cousins, exes, and old friends.

On Saturday April 9th, Wendy will be spending the afternoon at Lola and Gigi, helping women size 12 to 24 find the perfect dress(es) for their summer events.  This is your chance to find a dress that will turn heads, and make you shine. 

To reserve a private consultation with Wendy on Saturday April 9th, please email Laura at Lola & Gigi. Appointments available from 11am to 3pm. 

Lola & Gigi is located at 92B Carrier Drive, Etobicoke - 416.674.1077.

Wendy 'Woulds' ~ Maxi Skirts

Send your style question

 

Question submitted by Suzie L.: "... any suggestions on what to wear with a full skirt to mid calf?"

Wendy Woods: "The easiest style shirt to wear with a maxi skirt is a form fitting tank top or t-shirt.  I suggest tucking this shirt into the skirt for a really clean look.  For a more fashion forward style you can pair a cropped cable knit sweater with your long skirt.  In either case, make sure you show some (arm) skin to balance out all the fabric on the bottom.  For shoes, show some toes! Your shoes need to ground the floaty skirt, so flat leather sandals, or chunky wedge heels are your best bet."