REVIEW: THE JANE AUSTEN MARRIAGE MANUAL

Book by Kim Izzo

The year is 2008 and while our protagonist, Kate Shaw, begins the book as a respected acting beauty editor, at the very fashionable Haute magazine, a series of misfortunes quickly finds the 39-year-old single, displaced and suddenly sans job thanks to the recession. Money woes are top of mind for the editor, as we can all sympathize, myself especially after having suffered a similar fate due to recessionary cutbacks at a major Canadian title.

And the similarities keep coming. Just a few years older than I, Shaw is dealing with aging gracefully while still holding onto the notion of love that has been engrained in girls since birth. Blame it on Disney’s Prince Charming, the covers of Glamour magazine, or the Sex and the City story that love will conquer all, finding someone to grow old with may still be a major motivator for many young women, much to our post-feminism chagrin. In today’s world, we know the idea of a man coming into our lives and taking care of everything should remain in Austen’s novels, and yet, many of us fantasize about just that. And while being single at any time in your 30’s can be daunting (trust me), Izzo’s character, an admitted Anglophile and Austen enthusiast, is not one to dwell on age, regarding her looming 40th birthday with an air of humour. “There are two things I have always felt strongly about: I don’t celebrate my birthday and I don’t fret about my age. Even as a child I dreaded having a party. Too much attention and fuss for what seemed, even then, to be a minor accomplishment in being born; everyone has done it,” she postures to her reader.

Ms. Shaw, wiser and more practical than perhaps the rest of us, has not been inspired by Disney fairytales but Austen ones instead, and is convinced that landing a wealthy husband, even in the absence of love, will end all her troubles. Each chapter begins with a perfectly matched quote from one of Austen’s six published novels, foreshadowing the entertaining pratfalls to come. And resist as she might, here comes a Mr. Darcy-type, a handsome Englishman named Griffith Saunderson, ready to throw a monkey wrench into her whole scheme.

Though this first fiction outing by Izzo (who is, full disclosure, a colleague of mine), is slightly formulaic at times, she does make an appealing case for her character, who can be revered for being content with not following the mainstream idiom of “love, marriage, kids” like so many of Ms. Shaw’s colleagues and my own contemporaries. Being and feeling alone suddenly in the face of grieving a major loss, in the absence of job prospects and with little money to rely on as a cushion, would cause anyone to recalibrate, to shift their way of thinking and living. (Again all similar difficulties I myself faced around the same time as Shaw, and even now, as I make my way into the world as a freelance writer.) And, as many of us singletons over the age of 30 can attest, dating the wrong man for the wrong reasons is as natural an attraction as bees to honey.

While taking a freelance writing assignment that basically entails recording her quest to find said rich husband, Shaw encounters an abundance of vibrant characters (can I get a mentor in dove grey kitten heels?) through travels to Palm Beach, St. Moritz and London, who pepper the book with cleverly entertaining quips, while providing some sage advice for women of a certain age (a phrase which still irks me as I near my 33rd birthday!). A book in similar vein of the Shopaholic series, the year in Kate Shaw’s life that is The Jane Austen Marriage Manual seems destined to be a Cameron Diaz or Kate Hudson romantic comedy vehicle. Or at the very least, a fantastic summer cottage read. With a second in the series already under way, the adventures of Ms. Shaw, her career path and dramatic love life, will have time to develop well beyond her 41st birthday.

TIE IT ON

A juicy-hued belt for all occasions

If you’re a fashion follower (and landing here on the site, we’re assuming you are!!), then your closet is likely already decked out in a rainbow of colours for this season. One more must-have accessory recently caught our eye: this leather bow belt, $80, from Brave. Whether you’re in the mood for girly pink, a bit of blue or a splash of purple, these babies are perfect for belting a loose frock, pairing with a contrasting cropped pant, or adding a hit of colour to an all-black ensemble.

NOW WEAR THIS: THE PEPLUM TOP 

Ultra feminine and oh-so-on-trend, every woman should own a peplum top

Hip to be feminine, the peplum trend has proven it’s staying power this season. Grab a lady-like peplum top and take it to the max with an all white accessories and a proper pencil skirt, perfect for an evening cocktail or a day time wedding. But don’t fret, if you’re not feeling super dressy on any given day, a peplum top, like this one from Vera Wang, looks just as fantastic with a pair of skinny jeans, a clutch and killer heels.

Top, $995, Vera Wang.

Pencil skirt, $660, Alexander McQueen.

Ring, $125USD, Jenny Bird.

Earrings, $145, Dean Davidson.

Clutch, $195, House of Harlow.

Shoes, $124.99, Ivanka Trump.

FRINGE BENEFITS

Summer is the time to step up your style game, and sporting’70s-inspired fringe pieces is the ultimate boho-chic look

Fringe anything has long been synonamous with the 1970s. Whether you’re looking to go all out with a fringe sleeved dress, or you only want to add a touch of the boho life to your closet, we’ve got you covered.

1. Dress, $34.95, H&M.

2. Earrings, $55.99, Juicy Couture.

3. Sandal, $88, Michael Stars.

4. Necklace, $110, WildFox Vintage.

5. Bracelet, $125, Jules Smith.

6. Bathing suit top, $68, L*Space.

7. Bag, $484, Cleobella.

8. Skirt, $345, Elizabeth and James.

THE DRIVE IN

The summer clutch is a staple no fashion forward woman should ignore

A light-hued and easy-to-pair clutch makes feeling put together in warmer weather a snap, whether it’s a date, night out on the town, or brunch with the in-laws. Grab these bags now and your wardrobe will thank us!

1. Clutch, $359, Michael Kors.

2. Clutch, $142, Clare Vivier.

3. Clutch, $195, Rebecca Minkoff.

4. Clutch, $650, Kara Ross.

5. Clutch, $54.54, ASOS.

6. Clutch, $88, BCBG Max Azria.

NOW WEAR THIS: THE MIRRORED TOE PUMP

Date night heels never looked this good

Who knew adding a simple mirrored cap to the toe of the ubiquitous patent pump would cause such a stir on the fashion scene? Gwyneth approved and spotted on the Louis Vuitton Spring 2012 runway, we love the sex appeal of this Stuart Weitzman version, perfect for date night.

Pumps, $365, Stuart Weitzman.

Top, $315, Vince.

Blazer, $70, TopShop.

Earrings, $229, Made Her Think.

Jeans, $195, 7 For All Mankind.

Belt, $75, Gorjana.

Clutch, $36.36, ASOS.

THE HEAT IS ON

Bringing some warmth to our lashes for the ultimate curl

I have a confession to make. I’m a bit obsessed with my eyelashes. Not only do I use two different types of mascara every day, but I’ve also been a freakish fan of my eyelash curler for years. And as an editor of a custom magazine (you know, in my spare time), I’ve recently come in contact with a few heated eyelash curlers, used by makeup professionals, when getting my face done for my editor’s portraits. I recently discovered the Panasonic Heated Eye Lash Curler, $39.99, which adds a little umph to my baby greens. It has a rotating head to get right down to the base of my lashes, and I make sure to let my eyelashes cool before putting on my mascara. Helps keep that glam curl just a little bit longer, I think. The tool’s sleek design fits right into my makeup case and is perfect for travelling. Count me as a fan!

UPPING THE ANTE

The Toronto Fashion Incubator celebrates 25 years with an elaborate New Labels celebration at the ROM

Launched 25 years ago, the Toronto Fashion Incubator, has mentored and helped breed Canadian design talent such as Arthur Mendonça, Paris Li, Label and Pina Ferlisi (who was appointed as head designer at McQ by Alexander McQueen in 2010). On May 3rd, 2012, TFI presented this year’s New Labels show at the spectacular ROM, where one designer was awarded $25,000, thanks to a donation by Canadian philanthropist Suzanne Rogers. Four labels made the cut after an extensive six-months process, including Jameson Kane (a brand new outerwear label inspired by British fox hunting and 1950s silhouettes who presented their first ever collection), [Blak]-I (who produced street wear with a tuxedo twist) and Patrick Larrivée (a grad of La Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne). But the night belonged to winner Sid Neigum, whose collection of well-tailored silk blend blazers with leather accents and cashmere sweaters garnered massive applause from the audience and won the attention of the judges, including The Toronto Star‘s Derick Chetty, designer David Dixon and Flare editor-in-chief Lisa Tant.

PETAL POWER

The perfect floral bikini, just add sun!

Whether your a pattern fanatic, or this is your first time sporting florals, this bikini from TopShop is a must-have addition to any girls’ summer beach bag. Perfect under a long, flowy dress, or paired with cropped, vintage denim shorts and a loose tee, you can’t go wrong with retro-inspired straps, a supportive top and to-die-for turquoise petal print.

Bikini, $56, TopShop.