Express NOW OPEN at Bayshore Shopping Centre

Photo taken by Tina Picard

The day has finally come! We here at Fave were lucky enough to have been invited to the grand opening ceremony for the new Express store at Bayshore. The red tape has officially been cut and you can now shop til you drop (and receive 40% off your purchase while you're at it)!

This is the first Express in Ottawa and they definitely fill a void in the style scene.

Photo taken by Tina Picard

I was able to get a sneak peek of what's in store this morning. For spring, Express is all about the white-out look and festival style for the ladies (I'm looking at you, Coachella) and brights and mixed patterns for the guys.  I was also really digging their awesome accessories!

Here is a little preview of what you'll find in-store:

Maxi dresses should never go out of style. I could live in this! These dresses would look great with a nice denim jacket on cooler days.

I'm in love with this fringe-tastic boho bag. This screams outdoor music festival and I'm probably going to go back to buy this for Bluesfest.

All of Express' watches are made by Fossil which explains why they are all so gorgeous. These pastel bangles were so cute. I can see them beig stacked with a bunch of fun bracelets for a sweet arm party look.

The men's watches are all about the go big or go home principle. I especially liked the big faces matched with the leather strap for a casual yet functional look.

For the men, these shorts scream summer weekends on the boat. They would look fantastic paired with a great pair of Sperry boat shoes.

There is certainly no shortage of plaid and gingham over at Express. It is such a great classic look, you really can't go wrong!

Even the ties come in endless varieties of plaid.

Photo taken by Tina Picard

There's definitely no escaping the color trend, men. Every hue under the rainbow can be found here. I was pleasantly surprised with the fun, fresh looks available for both the men and ladies. I don't know about you, but this makes me extremely excited that spring is finally here! 

Congratulations are in order for Express on their grand opening. I definitely have my eye on a few pieces and will be coming back soon to do a spring wardrobe refresh!

The Hottest Hair Trends for Spring 2014

The catwalks have spoken and it is GREAT news for us lazy girls. The trending styles for spring 2014 involve loose waves, low-key up-dos and sporty head-pieces. I don't know about you, but I'm all for effortless style.

Here's a recap of the most coveted hairstyles to pair with your spring pastels and orange lipstick:

Mermaid Waves

We all know this look isn't new to the fashion world, but loose waves are a timeless classic that work well with all face shapes which is why they appear on the runways again and again. This looks even better on the 2nd day - just rub in some dry shampoo and away you go! Perfect for busy mornings when time slips away on you.

Messy Braids

Another versatile look - this works at the office and at the gym. Especially good for one of those ever-so-often bad hair days. Glossy or matte, the key is to keep it messy. Spray some dry shampoo in your hair before styling to give your hair some hold and tease away! I'd recommend using Blax snag-free hair elastics.

Sleeked Back

Yet another handy look for day-old hair. If you're brave enough, this style works as a great contrast to feminine outfits and girly make-up by adding a fun edgy vibe. Use a soft wax on your roots and work with a deep side part or go all-out sleeked back.

The Low Pony

This is probably my favorite style of the bunch. The low pony can work well everywhere and is absolutely fuss-free. Make sure your hair is pin straight and wear with a fun hair-cuff to conceal your hair elastic. Also, make sure to use a great serum to keep hair shiny and sleek.

Accessories

Speaking of hair cuffs, designers were all about jazzing up hairstyles with head bands, cuffs, flowers and ribbons. It is all about bringing your own personality to it so be creative! Bows were paired with braids, headbands with the low pony and the flowers worked beautifully with loose up-dos.

The New Pixie

Something I wish I was brave enough to rock - blunt cuts peppered the runways and looked uber chic. Bobs have been a hit on the runways since the early 2000s but gone are the days of soft, wispy cuts. This year is all about going short and blunt with vibrant hues. You can always try this look out with a wig for a few days to get a feel for it, but if you are aching for a major style change this is definitely a fun place to start.