It's like Tiffany's

Fredflare.com

2010-08-28T15:13:00.004-04:00

I have a major weakness for anything cute, quirky or unique. So of course, when I stumbled onto Fredflare.com a few years ago, I was in kooky heaven!

Based on the idea of making things fun and entertaining, Fredflare.com has everything from Sparrow salt and pepper shakers to Panda Ear Buds. If you like fun and one-of-a-kind trinkets and clothing, Fredflare.com has your wants and your needs.

These are just some of my favourite pieces from the site:
All images are from Fredflare.com

The "Holly GoNightly" sleep mask as inspired by my favourite movie, Breakfast at Tiffany's!

A BIG PLUS: they ship internationally! So shop away Canada!

The Body Shop Stop Campaign

2010-08-10T21:08:00.011-04:00

In 2009, well-known eco-friendly and ethical beauty company, The Body Shop launched a movement called the Stop Campaign, aimed to raise awareness and as an attempt put an end to a growing global problem: human trafficking.

According to UNICEF, human trafficking is the third largest criminal industry in the entire world. It is estimated that 1.2 million children, young people and women are trafficked every year for sexual exploitation and cheap labour. Another surprising fact is that it doesn't just take place in non-developed and developing countries, but in nations such as Canada and the United States.

What is even more disturbing is that in some cases, these people are actually sold into slavery by their own families; showing that there is a sickening growing demand for it.

While many intergovernmental organizations, such as UNICEF, the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), have adopted protocols aimed at preventing human trafficking, it is still one of the fastest and most profitable illegal industries out there.

This is where the Body Shop has stepped in. Inspired by The Body Shop's founder, Anita Roddick and her commitment to attaining justice for all, they launched the Stop Campaign to make sure that it wasn't just the public who were aware, but that governments all over the world acknowledged human trafficking as a growing global concern.

There are many ways in which you can participate and help The Body Shop spread the word:

1) You can tell your friends, families and co-workers about the Stop Campaign.

2) Sign their petition online. Every signature counts!

3) Join their social media outlets (Facebook and Twitter)!

4) Buy their Soft Hands Kind Heart Hand Cream or/and the Bag For Life re-usable bag.

I myself just purchased the lotion today and let me tell you, it does leave your hands soft, not to mention, it smells fantastic!

And just by purchasing one of the creams, you receive this dandy sticker as seen right below.

Which actually doubles up as a $5.00 coupon off of your next $25.00 purchase!

The Body Shop will donate 100% of their net sales from both the lotions and the bags to ECPAT to help fight and stop sex trafficking of children and young people in Canada and around the world.

5) Make a donation to ECPAT

6) Report a suspected incidence of child trafficking by writing to protect@ecpat.net

7) Learn more about the issue by reading The Body Shop's full report on Global Child Trafficking for sexual purposes or the summary report.

8) Go into any Body Shop stores, and you can sign the petition there in person as well as purchase products where proceeds will be donated to the Stop Campaign!

Please sign the petition or visit the Body Shop website to get involved today! You really can make a difference!

Where did Classic Hollywood go?

2010-08-08T20:02:00.003-04:00

I recently re-watched one of my favourite Audrey Hepburn movies of all time, Roman Holiday, and it made me think, What ever happened to that timeless beauty and style that the great Classic Hollywood era had?. I mean don't get me wrong, as I said in my previous blog entry, we still have the allure of movie stars like Marion Cotillard, but there is nothing comparable to the Hollywood sirens of the 1950s.

While Jersey Shore, The Simple Life and Keeping Up With The Kardashians are huge guilty pleasures of today's society and that of mine, have we fallen trap to the "fashion" statements that the women in these shows portray?

I am just hoping that one day we can slowly phase it out, and go back to the class that the likes of Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich graced our screens with.

Marion Cotillard

2010-07-16T19:46:00.002-04:00

I know Yves Saint Laurent's "Fashion Fades, but Style is Eternal is so cliche, but I truly believe in it. I think without that style, without our own unique sense of expression and adventure with our clothing, we run the risk of being, well, mundane. Each month, I find myself allured to all different kinds of women who express a style so incomparable, it's so hard to not notice them as an icon.

And it's not just because I recently watched Inception that I bring this up. I have noticed the classic style of Marion Cotillard for a long time now. She really did start to stand out most to me for her role in Nine, when she began to grace the red carpets more frequently and suddenly became our modern day Elizabeth Taylor; and not to mention the perfect title holder of Lady Dior.

Marion Cotillard is timeless classic beauty and has the grace of Hollywood starlets that only existed during the golden age. She's a style icon in 2010 but will continue to inspire many such as myself, that fake tans, big boobs and big hair don't make a woman beautiful, rather it is her elegance and class that trumps it all.

I leave you now with some of my favourite looks from Marion Cotillard:

At the 6th Marakkech International Film Festival

At the 2007 Cannes Film Festival

At the 2010 Screen Actors Guild Awards in Ellie Saab (Fall 2009)

At the 2010 Critic's Choice Awards in Christian Dior (Spring 2010)

At the Palm Springs Film Festival Awards Gala in Ellie Saab

At the 2009 Academy Awards in Christian Dior (Fall 2008 Couture)

At the 2008 Screen Actors Guild Awards in Nina Ricci (Spring 2008)

Inception - My Two Cents

2010-07-15T20:49:00.005-04:00

No you don't have to turn away, I swear there are no spoilers in this entry.

Last night, I had the pleasure to go see the advance screening of Christopher Nolan's latest flick, Inception and all 148 minutes was worth it. It has really been a while since I've seen a movie where I sat at the edge of my seat the whole time, watching every move and every step of every character. It's the type of movie that keeps you guessing till the very last scene.

For those of you who have been living under a rock, Inception is a film that explores the simple human function of dreaming but at a whole other level. The film takes us in a world where people have the technology and the capability to enter each other's minds while they are dreaming even as far as using it to their advantage; in this case, stealing information from a person's subconscious. Nolan creates a world for us that seems so far out of reality yet convinces us at the same time that it can be possible. The whole movie is thought-provoking, intelligent and thrilling. The whole cast (including the superb talents of Leonardo Di Caprio, Marion Coutillard, Ellen Page and Joseph Gordon-Levitt) portrays the story so flawlessly that they let you believe that their world is real.

Also, ladies, if you're not a fan of thrillers or actions, but you're getting dragged to go see the movie, (although I don't know why anyone would feel they are dragged to go see this) Joseph Gordon-Levitt is not the little boy from Angels in the Outfield anymore. He is 007 smooth and Details cover worthy.

Follow JGL on Twitter: @hitrecordjoe

But I digress... Anyway, highly recommended. I give it 5 stars out of 5. Everyone go see it when it comes out in theatres Friday. And for those eager beavers, I hear the midnight showing line-ups start at 11:00, you better leave now.

Hiatus is Over and Happy Canada Day!

2010-07-01T21:08:00.003-04:00

First, I'd like to greatly apologize to my loyal followers for my long hiatus. To explain things in a long story short form, basically everyone goes through life changes, and thankfully on my end it was good. However, that being said, it did and still does require a lot of my time to be extremely focused, which is why I decided to give that my one hundred and ten percent for the last few months. Now, I'm happy to be back and doing what I do, and I am ever so thankful for those who were on my case about updating the blog!

Secondly, I'd like to dedicate my return blog, only appropriately, to the nation that has welcomed me and adopted me ever so graciously; Canada. I have been in this wonderful country for five years now and I have never felt more at home anywhere else in the world than here. Despite recent events of mayhem that took place in my city of Toronto, I still think living in Canada is the best place in the world to be. Yes, people do apologize for everything here. Yes, people are a little confused with their national identity. Yes, people do love their beer and their hockey. Yes, people are extremely nice. And yes, people do say Eh! This is why Canada is the greatest place to be.

I therefore dedicate this post to my favourite Canadian designers. For those who say fashion and style do not exist in this nation, you obviously haven't looked around. They are everywhere. These are just some of them.

Sunny Fong

Greta Constantine

DSquared2

Evan Biddell

Happy Canada Day everyone!

Mia Wasikowska: the New "It Girl"

2010-03-06T19:03:00.003-05:00

So as probably the majority of you this weekend, I went and saw the new Tim Burton movie Alice in Wonderland and I must say, I was pretty impressed. Admittedly, the costumes are what I had my eye on the whole time, but another thing, or more specifically, a person caught my eye; actress Mia Wasikowska.

At 20 years old, the Australian actress may not have the resume or the paparazzi lifestyle of say, Miley Cyrus or the acting abilities of Oscar winners, but the girl is without a doubt a fashion designer's dream to work with. At least, in my own fashion head.

If you know me, I've always been a fan of unconventional beauty. Mia has the awkward grace and surprising allure that most of what the best models in the world have, but put her in some of the most stunning designs and no one will be able to take their eyes off of her.

I'd say look out for this girl, she might just be found arm in arm with Karl Lagerfeld and seated next to Anna Wintour.

Check out Mia's photoshoot in Teen Vogue:

Until next time good night and good reading!

Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2010

2010-02-27T21:30:00.004-05:00

With the spirit of the Winter Olympics at a high peak and well, the winter season almost coming to an end, D&G's Fall 2010 collection has almost made me look forward to next year's snowy days... well... almost.

The tone was set as model Natasha Poly came out in a maroon knit sweater body suit, ski goggles and furry mukluks that we knew we were in for a cabin Swiss alps/Whistler type show. If anyone can pull out winter chic, it could only come from Domenico Dolce and Steffano Gabbana and that they did. With pieces such as the ones from this collection, who would not want to parade outside in the cold instead of hibernating inside.

Here are my favorites (Warning: I had A LOT OF THEM) from D&G's Fall 2010 Collection:
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF STYLE.COM

Until next time, good night and good reading!

Ralph Lauren Fall 2010 Ready to Wear

2010-02-22T20:07:00.003-05:00

I must say I am very impressed with Ralph Lauren this season. The equestrian preppy look that usually graces the runway at a Ralph Lauren show wasn't the case for Fall 2010. Instead, a completely opposite route was taken from the usual, as I like to think, country-club-old-money look. While the classic tailored look was still making a somewhat visible appearance, gone were the usual sweaters and button up pieces replaced by a boho-chic look. Something that definitely is unexpected from Lauren's line.

Florals and puffed sleeves seemed to be a common theme as piece after piece swept by. Another interesting addition was the use of velvet and suede, adding a renaissance age touch to the collection. The collection was a bit of a far cry from his usual designs that long time devotees are used to, but not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, very far from it. Where in most industries the older one is, the more washed up they are considered, it is always exhilarating to see someone as veteran as Lauren to still have the talent to surprise.

Here are my favorite pieces from the Ralph Lauren Fall 2010 Collection:
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF STYLE.COM

Until next time, good night and good reading!

Betsey Johnson Fall Ready-to-Wear 2010

2010-02-16T22:56:00.003-05:00

Amidst the sea of grays, fur trims and chunky knits, it is always refreshing to see when a designer takes a distinct route to their own version of a Fall Ready-to-Wear collection. And who else represents the antithetic and the eccentric other than Betsey Johnson?

When asked, Johnson said that she was done with the seasons and instead wanted to represent a bit of everything she had showcased over the years. And that she successfully did. The show could not have been more Betsey. Filled with entertainment (Kelly Osbourne was a guest on the runway) and bubble gum fun complete with bright plastic guns, Andy Warhol prints and a mini tribute to the late McQueen, the cart-wheeling designer gave her true loyal fans what they wanted and expected from a Betsey Johnson line. Here's to hoping we don't hear another set of rumors about her retirement anytime soon.

My favorite pieces from the Betsey Johnson Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear Collection:
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF STYLE.COM

Until next time, good night and good reading!

Toni Maticevski Fall 2010

2010-02-15T15:52:00.004-05:00

Although the buzz is around the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics right now, my mind is already racing to the next major event that is going to take over our television screens; this year's Oscars. With the awards ceremony just under 3 weeks away, my attention naturally turned to Toni Maticevski's line for Fall 2010, which showcased an array of very impressive ball gowns.

As layers of silk tulle and sequin use was the theme flowing into each piece of the collection, it flaunted a definite reminiscent of what could easily be found parading on the red carpet.

With an impressively growing list of celebrity clienteles such as Kim Kardashian and Abbie Cornish, Maticevski is not a stranger to some of the biggest names in tinsel town wearing his designs. Here's to hoping the Australian designer's works can be found displayed by the likes of Anna Kendrick or Penelope Cruz in the nearby future.

Here are some of my favorites from his 2010 Fall Collection:
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF STYLE.COM

Until next time, good night and good reading!

Long live McQueen

2010-02-11T20:17:00.002-05:00

When a famous person dies, I usually feel sad for their death and their loved ones but then the moment passes by because there is never that connection. It wasn't until Alexander McQueen's death did I actually experience that remorse and difficult detachment you feel when something so great has been taken away. McQueen wasn't just another fashion designer that showcased his work during fashion week, he was in true essence that radical artist that is so hard to find nowadays in a sea of wannabes.

McQueen to me was the Mozart and the Beethoven of fashion. He truly used his talent and his ultimate creativity to create art that is sometimes so beautiful and so hard to comprehend, most people are usually bewildered. That never mattered to him though. To him, his art is what made him, it is what identified his true being.

As the man once famously said, "I am the pink sheep of my family". To me, he was the pink sheep of the fashion world. A talent that truly stood out from the rest and sometimes from the very best.

Here are some of my favorites from McQueen.
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF STYLE.COM

Rest in Peace Alexander McQueen. May you find true bliss and solace wherever you are now.

Dsquared2 at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

2010-02-06T16:04:00.004-05:00

It is officially 6 days from today that the entire world will be watching and cheering for their favorite athletes at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. And while I am looking forward to doing that, I'm more ecstatic to see what brothers Dean and Dan Caten of Dsquared2 have in store for us.

The news came out earlier last year when it was announced that the brothers would be in charge of designing the costumes for the Canadian talent for the opening and closing ceremonies at the Olympics. It seems only appropriate that the Toronto born brothers were chosen to do so. As recipients of a star at Canada's Walk of Fame and one of Canada's most celebrated home grown designers, they are the right fit for the job.

The designs are currently kept hush hush, so we'll just have to wait and see on February 12. Will you be watching?

Here are some of my favorites from Dean and Dan's Canada-inspired line for their Spring 2010 Ready to Wear collection:
PHOTOS COURTESY OF STYLE.COM

Until next time, good night and good reading!

The Row by Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen

2010-02-04T21:50:00.002-05:00

With New York Fashion Week just a week away, it may surprise you that one of the shows I'm looking forward to is Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's line The Row. You see I've been a fan of these girls since their Full House and Olsen and Olsen Mystery Agency days, and seeing them grow with such unique styles and daring fashion choices, well I've been following them even more so than ever. Regardless of the rumors of eating disorders and drug use, it's hard to deny that they are one of the greatest entrepreneurs in the business and I've always admired those skills and their keen eye for fashion. Like it or not, the boho chic-giant sunglasses look was made trendy by Mary-Kate. No wonder Lagerfeld really did take a liking on them.

With now three successful lines under their name, including a recently announced denim collection called TEXTILE Elizabeth and James, their debut at NYFW 2010 as showcasers will definitely be one that will be talked about.

Here is a look at some of my favorites from their line:
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF THE ROW BY MARY KATE AND ASHLEY OLSEN WEBSITE

Until next time, good night and good reading!

WinterCity Festival

2010-01-31T15:20:00.003-05:00

This weekend, the city of Toronto launched the start of the WinterCity Festival, an annual event which started 7 years ago. It's a festival filled with what is expected of the city to offer; a showcase of an array of arts, culture and cuisine. Taking place all across the city, the festival offers visitors and Torontonians a chance to enjoy the winter season outdoors despite the freezing temperatures and any temptations to hibernate till spring comes to town.

There's an assortment of different events going on including fireworks, acrobatic performances and fire installation pieces at Nathan Phillips Square, fixed price menus at over 150 of the best restaurants in town and events and shows at different destinations all over the city, including film screenings at the National Film Board of Canada.

The festival is going on till February 10th, so there is plenty of time to indulge in what it has to offer. I had the chance to go yesterday to check out the Flaming Lotus Girls' interactive arts installation called the Angel of the Apocalypse and other performances as well. If you haven't checked it out yet, do so. It's a great way to take advantage of the city, the people and its artistic culture. I know one thing I haven't tried yet and really looking forward to is Winterlicious, where some of the finest eateries in the city are offering three course prix-fixe menus ranging from 15 to 25 dollars.

So bundle up, get out of the house and enjoy the rest of the winter!

Here are some pictures I took from Saturday:

Until next time, good night and good reading!

Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2010 Couture

2010-01-28T19:37:00.002-05:00

While many are criticizing Gaultier's Spring 2010 Couture collection as one hiding behind the theatrics and the eccentricity of the designs, I have so much respect for his artistry. I think couture is one of the only times during the fashion year where designers can showcase their true talents and let their skills really shine through. Gaultier, for me, always does this copiously. The Spring 2010 Couture collection had everything from embellished sombreros, metal armor to feathers and leaves, it was an aesthetic exhibition of what could only be resembled as a Mexican resort vacation to an outsider. To a Gaultier aficionado such as myself, it was an expressive and captivating display of talent that can only be found on the runways of Paris fashion week.

Here are my favorites from the Gaultier Spring 2010 Couture collection:
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF STYLE.COM

Until next time, good night and good reading!

Chanel Spring 2010 Couture Collection

2010-01-26T21:54:00.003-05:00

If there's one thing that gets me through the cold and frigid winter months, it is couture season. And nothing cheers me up more from the gloomy weather than seeing what the master and my favorite designer, Karl Lagerfeld, has in store for us for Chanel.

Chanel's Spring 2010 Couture collection oozes a very dream-like quality about it. Think princess a la Grace Kelly mixed with Greek goddesses and Cleopatra. Nowhere in sight where the staple Lagerfeld navies and blacks that are usually found at Chanel shows. Instead, silver and pastels were the motif for the collection. A lot different from what we're used to with Chanel (Still delightfully present though are the Chanel suits), but the collection certainly does not lose the talent in that house. The chiffon frills, the layers of tulle, the complicated stitches and the mixture of very contrasting fabrics can only come from a man and a fashion house with years of crafted technique and a talent we all wish we had.

Here are my favorites from the Chanel Spring 2010 Couture Collection (Bear with me, I liked A LOT):
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF STYLE.COM

Until next time, good night and good reading!

Matthew Williamson Pre-Fall 2010

2010-01-25T20:56:00.002-05:00

Matthew Williamson never fails to disappoint me. Probably one of my top favorite designers, the English designer always seems to bring fierce and uniqueness to the runways. His pre-fall 2010 collection says that very loudly. Again, a seemingly apparent trend in the pre-fall collections, color is everywhere. Far from the typical dark colors that usually graze the runways, Williamson makes use of plenty of colors and patterns, including purples and pinks, and yes even floral. While he still uses gray as a staple pre-fall color, he mixes it up very well with pastels like the pro that he is. I must say it makes me very excited to see florals in the pre-fall collection. I like many hate to say goodbye to the sunshine and plus temperature weather, so if there's still a hint or reminiscent of that in our clothing, it keeps me happy.

Here are my favorites from the Matthew Williamson Pre-Fall 2010 Collection:
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF STYLE.COM

Until next time, good night and good reading!

Allan Gardens

2010-01-24T15:56:00.003-05:00

Someone once told me that the one thing they loved most about Toronto was the fact that although it is a metropolis of ever growing condominiums, hotels and corporate buildings, it also has a great amount of parks and conserved green spaces. I can definitely attest to that. I'm pretty lucky enough to be living next door to both a park and a botanical garden/greenhouse even though I live in the heart of the city and at one of the busiest streets in the downtown core.

Located right on Carlton and Jarvis, at Allan Gardens Park, the Allan Gardens Conservatory is a greenhouse that houses plants from all over the world. The greenhouse has everything from tropical plants, such as palm trees and banana trees, to all different kinds of cacti. Admission is free to the garden and a perfect place to spend a couple of hours taking pictures. One of the main reasons I went was to test out my new camera and it definitely is a haven for photographers, both amateurs and professionals. If you're looking to escape the honking horns of the city or a great backdrop for your next photoshoot, Allan Gardens is a great place to go.

Here are some pictures I took during my visit:

Until next time, good night and good reading!

International Collection by Roots

2010-01-22T11:43:00.010-05:00

You know, I've been to a lot of places around the world and even lived in some of them for quite some time but Canada has really been one that I have called a home I've created for myself. After four years, I think I've lived in this country long enough to have grown very accustomed to its culture, the people and its breathtaking environment and I consider myself very lucky to have that. The funny realization to this story actually came recently when I became conscious of the fact that I actually liked Roots Canada. Anyone who knows me knows that I cannot dress myself for the winter weather (I said I liked the people, culture and its environment, I never said anything about the weather), or that I appreciate people who walk around passing sweatpants as something you wear in public. And I have guiltily stereotyped Roots to be that: unstylish, uncreative and lazy cold-weather attire. I really do bite my tongue for saying that.

As I get to know the Canadian Fashion industry more, Roots is more than what I thought it was. On the contrary, it is a huge representation of a culture within Canada that is already somewhat ambiguous and also a considerable depiction of Canadian style. The lumberjack plaids and winter flap hats that is so overly stereotyped of Canadians around the world has been embraced by the company and made it something they are truly proud of. As Co-Founders Michael Budman and Don Green, even said it, the Roots style and values are based on quality, integrity and longevity and I have come to learn that it legitimately is.

With a strong commitment to core ethical principles and values, which includes a clear-cut dedication to the betterment of the environment, a pledge to attempt and produce locally (within Canada) as much as they can, practice of good business and workplace conduct (See Roots Work Place Code of Conduct), the wide spreading of a healthy lifestyle (Roots opened an eco-friendly Yoga Studio in Toronto in 2006) and a constant supporter of the Canadian culture, the summer camp chic brand is without a doubt a great representation of Canada and its, dare I say it, very friendly, kind and generous people.

Well, I've digressed enough. The reason for this post is I've recently been visiting their store on a weekly basis at the Eaton Centre and I'm really liking their Leather Goods International Collection. Just in time for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics! One side comment though... they really should add the Philippines flag to the collection, I'm just saying.

Here are my favorite pieces from the line:
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF CANADA.ROOTS.COM

Passport Wallet: England and Germany

Passport Wallet

Douglas Duffel in Tribe Leather

Village Pack: Italy

Varsity Bag in Tribe Leather

Until next time, good night and good reading!

Tao Okamoto: Model on the Rise

2010-01-20T18:36:00.002-05:00

In a sea of long and lean blondes and brunettes, there hasn't been much room for a lot of aspiring Asian models, which is why when one does come along it is always such a treat. Spotted lately on the runways of some very notable shows such as Louis Vuitton's, Kenzo's and Yves Saint Laurent's Spring 2010 Ready to Wear, Tao Okamoto is becoming a more and more familiar face in the fashion industry.

Okamoto got her career started when she signed on with Elite Model Management in 2006 and walked her first runway for French designer Ungaro's Spring 2006 collection. Since then her career has been skyrocketing. Her portfolio has expanded to include Vivienne Westwood, Dries Van Noten, Alexander Wang, Marc Jacobs and the list goes on. Her most recent accomplishment was being selected to become one of the new faces for Ralph Lauren and I'm sure things will only catapult from here for the 22 year old Japanese born model. With so few Asian models in the industry, Okamoto is a great representative of the culture and her flawless beauty is of course something to definitely see and admire.

Here are some of my favorites from her runway appearances:
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF STYLE.COM:

Sophia Kokosalaki Spring 2010 Ready to Wear

Viktor and Rolf Spring 2010 Ready to Wear

Emilio Pucci Spring 2010 Ready to Wear

D&G Fall 2009 Ready to Wear

Alexandre Herchcovitch Fall 2009 Ready to Wear

Collette Dinnigan Fall 2008 Ready to Wear

Emmanuel Ungaro Spring 2007 Ready to Wear

Until next time, good night and good reading!

Kate Moss collaborates with Longchamp

2010-01-18T16:26:00.011-05:00

When people hear her name, they usually associate it with scandals in the tabloids and a long list of rumors which many have speculated to be true. Like her or not, Kate Moss has created a buzz in the fashion world not only because she is a favorite of the paparazzi, but she is one of the most successful models to have graced the runways. Appearing in over 300 magazine covers and booking campaigns with some of the biggest names in the industry (Chanel, Burberry, Gucci, David Yurman), Moss easily landed at second place (just behind) on the Forbes top 15 richest supermodels list in 2007. However, even with her long term career of success, Kate Moss has also had a widely known bad reputation mostly due to rumors of cocaine use, eating disorders and wild party habits.

In 2007, Moss took a different route where she began to gain back respect and recognized for her talent in fashion. The British clothing chain, Topshop (one of my very favorite stores to shop at!), collaborated with Moss to design clothing for their stores. The collection designed for Topshop was an inspiration from Kate Moss and her style, so think edgy but trendy (biker jackets and skinny jeans). Regardless of getting mixed reviews from critics, Moss' Topshop line has been very successful and acquired her the recognition she needed to offset the tabloid rumors and put her back on the pedestal of notable fashion models/designers/businesswomen, aka Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum and company. And her hard work seems to have paid off.

It has been recently reported that Kate Moss has signed a deal with French leather goods and luxury company, Longchamp, to design a collaboration line. According to Elle UK, the first set of designs will be hitting the stores on February 11. Kate Moss having campaigned for Longchamp is evidently familiar with the brand and has unquestionably made their brand more well known than it is (Moss was repeatedly photographed carrying the Longchamp Legende bag, as seen below).

If this collaboration is anything like the Topshop one, you better be on your feet ordering the first shipment in. Having made a name for herself in the design world with her success at Topshop, Kate Moss is definitely getting the respect she deserves in the high fashion sphere. It wouldn't be a surprise then if Longchamp extends this partnership in the future, as I'm sure the Kate Moss bag line will fly off their carefully dusted shelves.

Unfortunately, the bag line is under wraps, so no sneak peek of it till it comes out. Until then, I leave you with my favorite pieces from the Kate Moss Top Shop Line for Christmas 2009. By the way, who's with me to start a petition in bringing Topshop to Canada, finally? Anyway, I digress, here you go:

I almost bought this when I was in the Philippines, and now I'm kicking and slapping myself for not purchasing it.

Until next time, good night and good reading!

St. Lawrence Market

2010-01-17T16:43:00.006-05:00

After three months of living in this city, not mentioning living on the same street, I finally went and explored St. Lawrence Market. I've been hearing so many good things about it from everyone, and I've been meaning to go, so yesterday I finally did and I can see why it's one of people's favorite places to visit in the city.

Located in the historic Old Town Toronto, St. Lawrence Market is inside three buildings where over 120 merchants and vendors sell everything from organic fruits, meats and cheeses to handmade jewelry and Canadian souvenirs. Not only that but it's also home to some of the best places to eat in the city. They have everything from pizzas and burgers to fine caviar, smoked salmon and truffles.

One thing I'm beginning to notice about living in this city is that every place you explore in the different neighborhoods gives you a feel of being somewhere else. That definitely is the case with St. Lawrence Market. Having been established in the early beginnings of when they city was just commencing, the buildings used to house Toronto's first city hall and a jail house. To this day, the architecture has been preserved to give you the feel that you're still back in that time. However, that being said, the free wifi and its moderns booths also reminds you that you're in 2010.

And just like any cultural markets, there are buskers everywhere. From balloon twisters to guitar and saxophone players, it definitely adds a little something something to your shopping experience. If you are at a loss for what to do in the weekends, St. Lawrence Market is a perfect place to spend your day. I recommend going for lunch and stopping at one of the many eateries then of course shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables (lots of organic items to choose from) as well as meats and dairy product. There's also plenty of other things like fun little trinkets (handmade jewelries) and unique home pieces.

Here are some more pictures I took from the day:

A proud purchase of mine!

Until my next adventure, good night and good reading!

Bull's Eye Winter BBQ

2010-01-13T16:02:00.008-05:00

See this is why I love this city, not only is there something to do everyday but there's a great deal of free things to do everyday. Today at Yonge and Dundas Square, the Bull's Eye Barbecue Sauce people were holding a free BBQ for charity (and of course evidently a great marketing strategy for them). With a donation of any winter items (hats, gloves or scarves), you can get free ribs, chicken and steak on a stick (caveman style), the ultimate cannibal's dream. Plus, who can pass up free food? I certainly didn't.

All in the name of charity, I headed down there with a bunch of old winter stuff I never use (it all goes to homeless shelters) and got my free food. It was pretty interesting seeing people BBQing in the middle of the winter, but the weather was pretty good and there were a lot of people lined up so overall I would say they were quite successful. They even had a mechanical bull, now what better way to entice people than with a mechanical bull and free food?

Oh Toronto, you really have taken care of me.

Here are some pictures from the day:

Bull's Eye people barbecuing the delicious food.

People lining up for their grub.

It's the weather guy from CityTV!

How delicious does that look?

After we grabbed our plates, the line tripled.

The mechanical Bull

Me with the giant Bull's Eye sauce :)

Until next time, good night and good reading!

Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall 2010

2010-01-07T23:26:00.004-05:00

I think it is true, that one's personal life reflects their work ethic and vice versa. It certainly seems to be the case for Marc Jacobs. With his playful Spring 2010 Ready-to-Wear collection featuring models in giant afros, prints, pastels and bows, it was undeniably the designs of a man happily in love. His happiness and love life is once again reflected in his Pre-Fall 2010 collection. With circling rumors that he and his partner, Lorenzo Martone, have recently tied the knot, and whether it's true or not, Marc Jacobs is definitely on Cloud 9.

One word I would describe the collection is frolicsome. Think knee high socks, fur (and lots of it), fringe, patterns and color. Not your average pre-fall collection. A collection that looks like a reminiscent of the '60s, it definitely gives a feel of love, peace and happiness. One particular piece, a flower patterned white button-up dress, portrays youthfulness and enamor. No doubt, with Marc Jacobs love life going very well, here's to hoping we can expect more of the same from the past two seasons. A little bit of a change from his past, more serious creations.

Here's some of my favorites from the Pre-Fall 2010 Collection:
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF STYLE.COM

Until next time, good night and good reading!

Jason Wu: Pre-Fall 2010 Collection

2010-01-06T11:30:00.008-05:00

Happy New Year everyone! I'm pleased to be back in Toronto and writing my first blog entry of 2010. Hope everyone had a great holiday season, I know I did. Spent mine in Asia. I'll be posting pictures and entries of that trip as soon as I get my USB cord for my camera.

So now that I'm back, I've been catching up on some fashion runway coverages and couldn't help but notice Jason Wu and his progress in the fashion world. Although the Canadian designer's been studying fashion for a while (including an internship with Narcisco Rodriguez), he only became a household name when first lady Michelle Obama started to wear his creations, which were custom-made for her. From there, his career has escalated and he has now become one of fashion's top designers and with his talent, it's hard not to be respected. His designs exude elegance and while his creations for the first lady showcased that, he is proving more and more that he can exhibit that on the runway as well.

Here are some of my favorites from his pre-fall 2010 collection:
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF STYLE.COM

Until next time, good night and good reading!

Oscar de la Renta: The Pre-Fall 2010 Collection

2009-12-09T17:39:00.002-05:00

While we're just officially starting our winter with the first snow storm looming over Toronto last night, the fashion world is already looking far ahead, as in the pre-fall 2010 collection. And while, one of my favorites, Karl Lagerfeld didn't disappoint with Chanel (think Shanghai inspired looks including thigh high red boots), one name and one collection did stand out for me.

Oscar de la Renta has been creating buzz in the fashion industry since well, he first launched his line in 1965. Since then he has gone on to become one of the world's most highly respected designers. Not to mention, he is wildly famous for his long list of celebrity clientelles, including Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton and of course style icon, Sarah Jessica Parker where his name and designs were even referenced in an episode of Sex and the City.

When we think of Oscar, we think of elegance and timeless beauty. We think of the alluring gowns and designs that have adorned the red carpets, including a black strapless number worn by Jennifer Garner at the 2008 Oscars. No matter what, his designs never seem to fail and he has proved that once again with his pre-fall 2010 collection.

What colors usually grace the fall runways did not seem to be the case at the Oscar de la Renta pre-fall 2010 collection. Instead, he uses an array of colors (including pinks, his favorite, and yellows) that we would normally find in the spring collections. And in this stuff economic times, he seems to be using his talent and skills to good use with such a choice. The collection makes you want to need and own his designs. The use of bright colors and femininity brings you back to when you were a little girl and admired the women who were dressed in the most elegant of dresses. De la Renta was once quoted saying that he "designs clothes for women who want to buy them" and he's right. The pre-fall 2010 de la Renta collection definitely makes you want and need to own it. Once again, his great understanding of what women want (or need) has swept us off of our feet.

Below are just some of my favorites from the collection.
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF STYLE.COM

Until next time, good night and good reading!

Zac Posen for Target

2009-12-08T00:27:00.004-05:00

First, I'd like to apologize for the lack of updates! My laptop has decided once again to crash on me, so I had to take it to the Sony doctors to get it fixed. Now it's up and running again, which allows me to get back to my favorite thing to do late at night while watching infomercials, blogging.

Lots has gone on since my last post, and although Tiger Woods has been the main interest of every media outlet recently, don't worry I will not be blogging about that. While this is nothing new, I can't help but notice a growing trend in the fashion world: the collaboration. It seems as though every designer has been trying to get their hands into working with every possible department stores they can. And who can blame them right? With the recent bankruptcy filing of Christian Lacroix, it's no surprise that the fashion world is shaking in its boots. Bottom line is, they need to find a way to make money to keep their business going just like anyone else. Collaboration with affordable stores then seem to be the solution.

With the recent hype of Jimmy Choo's designs and Sonia Rykiel lingerie for H&M as well as Stella McCartney for Gap Kids and Baby Gap, designers are following suit. The latest to follow is Mr. Zac Posen for Target's Go International line. This is nothing new for Posen though, as he has collaborated with Target Australia in the past (in 2008) and that collection did not fail. On the contrary, they received great reviews. Some of the collection from that line included great pieces for everyday wear for women, which is exactly the target (no pun intended) crowd for, well, Target. Pictures of the full collection can be seen here.

With the success of that line, there's definitely plenty to look forward to. If it's anything like his 2010 ready-to-wear spring collection, then there's certainly a lot to be excited about. An abundance of colors (lots of neon) and geometric designs graced the runway at the show as well as spring's staple design, florals. If it's anything close to that, Zac Posen will most likely be far from filing for bankruptcy anytime soon. And with the hype that accompanied the Jimmy Choo collaboration with H&M, it won't be hard to believe that the same will take place for Posen as well. Below are some of my favorites from the Spring 2010 collection (and crossing my fingers will be similar to what the designer will make for the more affordable line):
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF STYLE.COM

The Zac Posen collection for Target hits stores on April 25th. Sharpen those elbows and get ready to line up.

Until next time, good night and good reading!

Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland

2009-11-28T14:35:00.004-05:00

Who here has not grown up watching and thoroughly being affected in some way or form by Tim Burton's movies? I know I have. The very quirky film director/producer/writer and artist is definitely the epitome of taking one's imagination to a whole new level. So who better to direct Disney's new live-action concept of Alice in Wonderland than Mr. Tim Burton himself?

Definitely one of the movies in my highly anticipated movies of 2010 list, Tim Burton's adaptation of the childhood story classic is expected to be nothing but whimsical, entertaining, dark (of course) and enchanting. After all, think Edward Scissorhands and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Of course, it also helps that he brings with the movie his usual choice of brilliant cast members; Johnny Depp as the Madd Hatter and Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen. His new handpicked promising performances include Anne Hathaway as the White Queen and Mia Wasikowska as Alice.

One of the main things that really did attract me to go see the movie though is the aesthetic of it all. Especially when it came to the costume department. Alice in Wonderland's costume designer is none other than Academy Award winner Colleen Atwood. She is best known for her work in Memoirs of a Geisha and two of Tim Burton's brilliant works Sleepy Hollow and my personal childhood favorite, Edward Scissorhands. Atwood's designs really does what any good movie with a great overall production does to moviegoers, it takes you away from reality and feel as if you're part of their world.

This most certainly is not your typical Alice in Wonderland you've read about in books or the Disney classic we all remember watching on repeat when we were younger. On the contrary, Johnny Depp's mad hatter ensemble really makes you not want to be late for a very important date. The eccentricity of the costume Atwood uses for the mad hatter really does portray his character well, both mad, a little scary yet intriguing that you can't help but stare and listen to him.

My other personal favorite is of course Alice. This isn't your typical Alice in Wonderland attire involving a blue dress with a white apron and blue Mary Janes. Atwood's interpretation reminds me of the Annie Leibovitz Vogue December 2003 photoshoot featuring John Galliano, Karl Lagerfeld and company. Alice in this movie isn't your sweet Disney character that fell into a rabbit hole. She's chic and looks like she just stepped off of Marc Jacob's spring runway collection.

Other notable mentions are the Red Queen (very Vivienne Westwood-esque), the White Queen and Tweedledee and Tweedledum.

The movie comes out in theaters, March 5 2010. So defintiely save the date for this one, and don't be late! Yeah I went there.

The trailer courtesy of Youtube:

Stella McCartney Resort 2010

2009-11-26T23:13:00.004-05:00

While fall has to be my favorite season in fashion, resort comes mighty close. And why not, right? It comes around the time when the snow starts to fall, our behinds start to freeze and stilettos become a more and more difficult option as footwear. So like anybody else who doesn't live in Miami or Dubai, resort becomes my fashion escape from the cold where I imagine myself jet-setting in only the best of the best of the season's collections. Well, no one knows the luxury life of the rich and the famous than Stella McCartney herself. And not because she is the daughter of a Beatle, but after all being a past creative director for Chloé and Gucci, that alone qualifies her in the category of being in the know of how to create resort look that doesn't resemble a white t-shirt, beige shorts and Birkenstocks. In fact, her 2010 resort collection is galaxies from that.

With her full schedule (her latest collaboration: designing a line for Gap Kids and Baby Gap), one would think the designer's creative flow would be in full exhaustion. However, with this collection, it was evident that McCartney is able to keep whatever it is that inspires her to allow her to be on top of her game. The resort collection featured remnants of fall's lace, black, leather and sequins but the splash of blue and nautical stripes reminded us all of being on board the Queen Elizabeth. And the colors don't stop there. McCartney playfully adds hints of yellow, orange and green and even a preview of spring's florals play an important role in the collection.

Overall, her 2010 resort collection is one of my favorites for the season. She keeps it classic and simple (Ala Stella McCartney way!) but adds pieces (my personal favorite, big floral jeweled prints) that make it very unique and of course, very appealing.

Below are my favorite pieces from the collection:
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF STYLE.COM

Until next time, good night and good reading!

Distillery District

2009-11-23T20:26:00.003-05:00

The Distillery District in Toronto is slowly becoming one of my favorite places to go to in the city. For those of you who are following me on my twitter account may have remembered me gushing about my first visit to the District when I went to Balzac's Coffee. Well, since then I decided to come back and actually explore the neighborhood a little bit more in the daylight.

For those of you who are not aware, the Distillery District was a manufacturing area for alcoholic beverages back in the 1800s, founded by a company called Gooderham and Worts. They were once the largest distillers of alcohol in Canada and eventually closed down in the 20th century. Since then, it has been redeveloped to become one of the most historically preserved neighborhoods in Toronto presenting a mixture of Victorian and modern architecture.

The District almost feels like a calming getaway from the hustle and bustle of downtown Toronto. Hidden in a little corner off of Parliament street, any tourists would not even realize the place existed. I almost got lost trying to find it, but once you actually get there, you ultimately feel like you've been transported into a different world. While its architecture does make you feel like you're wandering the streets of 18th century Europe, its unique boutiques, restaurants, cafes and art galleries brings you back to the distinctiveness of the city of Toronto.

Some of my must-visits there include: Balzac's Coffee, Bergo Designs (a modern furniture store) and Soma Chocolate Maker.

Soma Chocolate Maker is probably my favorite eatery there after Balzac's Coffee. It's one of those unique places that when you walk in, you can't just leave without buying or trying anything. So of course, I had to. The unique thing about them is that their chocolate is made in their store. Their cocoa beans aren't local and bought from plantations all over the world, some of which include Madagascar and Costa Rica. AND it's all fair trade and organic. Of course the price range is a little steep, but it is definitely worth it. The chocolate is so delicate that when shopping around, you can't really hold onto the chocolate for too long because it melts at body temperature. I tried their Peruvian milk chocolate and of course their famous hot chocolate to wash it down with and needless to say, it was to die for.

Whether you're a local or just visiting, the Distillery District is definitely a place to hit for anyone who hasn't been there yet. I am personally looking forward to the summer, where I probably will spend a great deal of my time there.

Until my next adventure, good night and good reading!

Betsey Johnson to design Eloise Suite

2009-11-14T20:35:00.008-05:00

When I was a little girl, I used to compare myself to Eloise. With my dad's line of work, my family and I were privileged enough to be able to travel all around the world and so of course, more often than not we stayed at hotels.

I had fallen in love with the idea of hotels the minute my young self set foot in one, and if you think about it, what is there not to love? For me, as a little kid, hotels were full of mystery, exploration and intrigue. There were always something new to discover, interesting people to meet and great people to talk to. In addition to this, it was the ultimate playground. Hotels had pools, ice cream that could be delivered right to your door and a TV with endless amounts of channels. In my opinion, nothing could get better than that.

And even as I got older, hotels still are my favorite places to be in. I always tell people that if I had a choice, I would live in a hotel. There's nothing more comforting to me than sleeping in a very well tucked bed with 500 thread count sheets and room service at the tip of your fingers. Call me strange, but I love it. It could be that I grew up knowing a lot about hotels, but I also think a big part of it are the adventures I always felt associated with being in one. And if you think about it, makes sense doesn't it?

Well, not to derive too much from my main post, but for those of you who have lived in a cave for the last 20 something years, Eloise is a children's book (eventually turned TV show, turned movie) that I grew up with. It's a story about a little girl (Eloise) who lives in one of the suites at the Plaza with her nanny and her dog. The series of books tell stories of her adventures in the luxurious hotel and all kinds of mischief she gets into. Needless to say, she was pretty much one of my favorite characters growing up.

So it was only normal that when I found out that Betsey Johnson, one of my favorite designers, was due to design an Eloise inspired suite at The Plaza Hotel itself, I screamed and scrambled to find a way to see if I could book the suite now. Of course, a little unrealistic, but I was pretty excited. Especially when the design is apparently going to stay true to the pink and black palette as seen in the Eloise series.

It won't be difficult to imagine the creativity Betsey Johnson will have for the room. After all, her pink apartment already speaks for what she can do in terms of interior design.

IMAGES COURTERSY OF STYLEFILE.COM

This is pretty much a preview of what is yet to excitingly come to the Plaza and let me tell you, Betsey Johnson is about to make a lot of girls dreams come true. With the Plaza's Live Like Eloise and Live like Eloise Slumber Party Packages already in place, the decorated suite will surely add more flare to the whole experience. Any little girl who stays at that suite will definitely feel like Eloise herself and grown women everywhere won't be able to resist playing princess all over again.

Until next time, good night and good reading!

Holt Renfrew's Holiday Window 2009

2009-11-09T00:02:00.002-05:00

Extending off of my last entry about getting into the Holiday spirit, I finally went and took a peek of this year's Holt Renfrew holiday window display. And I must say, what a way to get into the Christmas spirit.

Though the weather today was a perfect 17 degrees, far from the snowy Christmas feel (Despite the fact that I lived in California and Egypt, so I know what it's like to experience a non-white Christmas) most people are used to, window shopping at Holt did put me in the Christmas caroling and chestnuts roasting kind of mood. While sticking to a high fashion theme (after all they have to stick to their reputation of being the Saks Fifth of Canada) Holt's window carried an aesthetic that allows it to be able to relate to everyone. Any passerby down Bloor will love the traditional Christmas figures of snowmen and reindeers, and the couturites will definitely enjoy the fashion side of it as well. I do regret not making to the actual unveiling, I hear Feist made quite the perfect entertainment for the night. However, even if you didn't go to the actual unveiling, I do recommend walking down that way and having a look. My personal favorite, the window of Anna Wintour, Lagerfeld and Galliano snowpeople. I believe Vivienne Westwood was somewhere in there too, I might have to make a second trip to figure out who the other ones are, I thought I saw a hint of Jeanne Beker.

Of course, the experience isn't complete without a Starbucks holiday drink (My fave is the Gingerbread latte, I'm crossing my fingers it comes back this year). So if you do decide to go and have a life imitating art day a la Holly Golighty Breakfast at Tiffany's Style, make sure you come prepared with coffee in hand, pastry in the other and a love for fashion mindset.

Like I said in my last post, I am one of those people that find the Christmas spirit through capitalistic means of malls and stores coming up with brilliant marketing strategies to lure people into buying random crap they probably won't need for themselves and their families. But, whatever gets you in that spirit of giving, right? After all, at the end of the day, isn't what Christmas is all about? Well, at least it's what society teaches us... until my next adventure, good night and good reading!

John Galliano as Old Saint Nick

2009-11-04T17:07:00.003-05:00

With Halloween now behind us, everyone is starting to get ready for the Holiday season, which is another time of the year I always look forward to. It's that time when downtown streets are illuminated with Christmas lights, window stores displays turn festive and Starbucks brings out their holiday cups. Everyone gets into the holiday spirit even if it is simply for the mere purpose of capitalists banking on people's money everywhere.

Well, I'm not one of those who boycott Christmas just because Hallmark cashes in big around this time. In fact I get into the Christmas spirit by going to the malls, listening to the sounds of jingle bells and winter wonderland blaring through the speakers and standing in front of Holt Renfrew's holiday display sipping on Starbucks' egg nog latte. I am a guilty and proud Christmas consuming whore for a lack of better words, which is probably why I squealed like a little girl when I heard buzz of John Galliano playing Old Saint Nick at Claridge, a 5 star hotel in London, for the holiday season. Word is going around that Galliano is rumored to be the decorator of the hotel's Christmas tree this year, set to be unveiled on December 1st. Dior followers everywhere surely got an early Christmas present.

Until the unveiling though, all we can do is let our imaginations run wild and make our own guesses as to what Mr. Dior's plans are. I personally expect nothing else but extravagant, idiosyncratic, unconventional and avant-garde decorations. Maybe if we're lucky it'll be modeled after one of his couture shows. My personal favorite and what I would use as inspiration, the Paris Fall 2004 couture show.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF STYLE.COM

And let's not forget every tree needs an Angel on top as the finishing touch.

Whatever he does, I'm sure he won't disappoint, let's hope the tree unveiling involves a John Galliano couture style inspired Santa Claus suit.

Until next time, good night and good reading!

Kensington Market

2009-11-02T16:48:00.008-05:00

Last Sunday, to get into the Halloween spirit and explore another Toronto neighborhood, I decided to take part in the Halloween festivities at Kensington Market. It was the perfect time to go too. Last Sunday was the last day of P.S. Kensington, where streets are closed off allowing pedestrians to wander around freely and facilitating street vendors to have more room and showcase their goods.

I wasn't really sure what to expect from Kensington Market. I've been to a lot of different places similar to it (the Byward Market in Ottawa) all around the world, so I figured it would be another street fair type with fun trinkets here and there and good eats. That's not what I got though, instead I got an extremely cultural and diverse market place that had so much to offer, it took us the entire day to wander around and see everything there was to see. Going there definitely made me appreciate this city a lot more (not that I'm not already deeply in love with it!) and really sort of affirmed my move here. It is always a refreshing breath to be in a city that is able to tolerate and appreciate people from different walks of life.

Pictures do say a thousand words, so here are some highlights from my adventure at Kensington Market:

The scenery

The hotbox cafe. Their sign said "Serving Potheads since... ahh I forget".

Me enjoying the market!

The Entertainment:

And the BEST part, The Food:

Check out how big that donut bun is from Hong Kong Bakery.

Although, P.S. Kensington is done for the season, the market is still open 7 days a week from 11 AM to 7 PM, and I definitely recommend it to anyone who loves trying new things and meeting interesting people. I think it's pretty cool that you don't even have to leave your own city to meet people and try different foods from all over the world.

Until my next adventure, good night and good reading!

Valentino Spring 2010: No Red Dress in Sight

2009-10-27T14:42:00.004-04:00

With Valentino's retirement approaching the two year mark, it is evident that creative directors, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, are aiming to take Valentino to a whole new and different level. This definitely showed at the Paris Spring 2010 Ready to Wear collection. Without Valentino's signature red dress in sight, it was clear that Chiuri and Piccioli are ready to design for a "new generation of Valentino in mind" as presumed by fashion critics everywhere.

Now is this necessarily a bad thing? I personally don't think so. Valentino's creations have blown our minds for so many decades and his gowns will always be embedded in our minds. Chiuri and Piccioli's approach to the new Valentino generation only proves that although they're moving away from the man's designs, beauty and class is still what the Valentino house holds to the present day. The soft color feminine palettes mixed with a few androgynous pieces presents both a very whimsical yet dramatic edge to the new collection. Valentino's understanding of one of a kind dresses and gowns are still there but it is evident that the house is ready to move forward. Without a red dress in sight, it brings a sad tear to those nostalgic of past Valentino shows but Chiuri and Piccioli's ability to take us away with their collection as if we were part of a mystical world where only tulles, bows and ruffled existed stays true to the Valentino magic.

Here are my favorite pieces from the Spring 2010 Ready to Wear show in Paris:
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTEST OF STYLE.COM

Until my next adventure, good reading and good night!

Chef Michael Smith

2009-10-25T22:51:00.002-04:00

As I mentioned last week, Chef Michael Smith of Chef at Home and Chef Abroad was going to be at Indigo in the Eaton Centre to do a book signing for his current book that's out, The Best of Chef at Home. Well, being a big fan of his show and his cooking, I went to catch a glimpse of the celebrity chef.

My impressions? I would love for him to be my full time chef or my best friend for that matter! He sounds and acts exactly as he does on TV as he does in person; personable, likable and very engaging. He talked about what makes cooking great and why it makes him happy. He says that cooking is all about your family and friends, that without having those kinds of people to cater for makes it less enjoyable and less adventurous. It's all about exploring and pleasing our taste buds and experimenting with what's out there in terms of ingredients. He also addressed the irony of having written a cookbook, as his mantra for his show has always been "Cooking without a recipe". He explains that the success of the TV show has led to so many people asking him to share the different meals he had discovered through cooking with the spontaneous use of ingredients that it made him consider writing cookbooks. And like he said, what is better than sharing food with friends and family.

The Best of Chef at Home is definitely a great addition to a collection of cookbooks, especially for someone like me who is afraid to cook as I've failed so many times in the kitchen making the simplest things. But with Chef Michael Smith, as cheesy as it sounds, he helps you get over that fear and just have fun and try new things in the kitchen. And I think we are lucky and privileged enough to have a very talented chef like him share his favorite meals with us so we can in turn share it with others.

I'm definitely trying out some of his recipes and who knows, I might just invite you all for dinner and share my delicious cooking with you. With a couple or more first attempts at it of course!

Until my next adventure, good night and good reading!

Summer/Spring 2010 Vawk Collection by Sunny Fong

2009-10-21T18:35:00.003-04:00

I always love hearing people's success stories, especially those who I've followed from the beginning of their careers to what they have accomplished in the present day. One of these stories belongs to Sunny Fong, the winner of Project Runway Canada Season 2. He was my favorite from when he designed the military hooded jacket in the first episode for the Canadian War Museum challenge to his state of the art Alexander the Great inspired collection that earned him the winning title. Needless to say, I was always rooting for him because of his immense talent in design and creativity, and his deep understanding of what constitutes fashion and art.

Well, Monday, opening day of LG Fashion Week 2009 here in Toronto, I had the great privilege of viewing his Spring/Summer 2010 Vawk Collection at the AGO. And let me just say, he does not disappoint AND he is definitely the perfect pick to open up Fashion week with a bang.

Like his past Project Runway Canada creations, there's always a story behind the inspiration for his collection. The Spring/Summer 2010 Vawk Collection, titled Tattoo Hibiscus is inspired by the 1930s movie Mutiny on the Bounty with Mr. fashionable himself Clark Gable.

Image courtesy of www.imdb.com

The movie is a journey aboard the HMS Bounty onwards to the Polynesian islands of Tahiti, which is exactly what Sunny intended for the collection, "A Voyage to Polynesia". The show brought exactly that. It was a captivating display of what he interpreted from the movie, starting the show with strong tailored sea-captain like jackets with a mix of island style pieces to slowly progressing to the more Polynesian inspired pieces like silk flowing gowns in island colors of red and pink. And there is a story behind the "Tattoo Hibiscus" title for his collection, as the Polynesians inspired pieces were decked out in exactly that, tattoo like hibiscus prints.

These are some of my favorites from the show:
PHOTOS COURTESY OF TORONTOLIFE.COM

Bet they didn't wear that aboard the HMS!

You can see the Polynesian elements on the jacket as well as the pirate cut inspiration.

The Polynesian inspiration.

The main attraction: the Polynesian gown.

The man of the hour!

While the show was very short (there were only 12 pieces), it was crafted so intelligently and the pieces were so thought provoking not to mention definitely captivating that the size of the collection left you wanting to see more. I definitely look forward to what inspires Sunny Fong next and what his next story will be.

Until my next adventure, good night and good reading!

Jimmy Choo for H&M

2009-10-18T20:42:00.003-04:00

I've been wanting to blog about this ever since I saw ads plastered all over H&M for it. Well, today being Sunday window shop/shop day (my weekly ritual... what? At least I've reduced it to once a week, it used to be almost everyday), I saw it again and decided to check it out.

Many of you may have heard that Jimmy Choo is collaborating with H&M to bring a more affordable collection to the stores this November 14. As any fashion obsessed individual, I squealed to the thought of this. I've always been a fan of Mr. Choo and although his Fall 2009 is a bit of a safe bet even for Mr. Choo, with the exception of the Zebra print Jetson boot, any high end designer's collaboration to give the public a more affordable version is always a nice and exciting gesture.

With the lovely help of New York Fashion's website, I got a little sneak preview of the line and I must say, I'm not as impressed as I thought I would be. And I know it's supposed to cater to a general public, I still find the line a little bit mediocre and very far from what I expected. While there are plenty of pieces that stand out, like a fringed long sleeves suede black number and studded zebra flats (mimicking his Jetson boot), I found the line to be a bit "it's been done before". I guess I can't help and compare it to Anna Sui's Gossip Girl inspired line for Target. Sui stuck to her staple signature of patterns and made it work for affordable yet different and still unique and I thrive off uniqueness with any designer.

Now don't get me wrong, I am most defintiely picking up a few pieces that I did like, including this fringe number.

Image Courtesy of New York Fashion.

However, that being said, I guess I had more Choo expectations with the line. Instead, it looks a lot like what I can find at Mango. Overall, with a few exceptional pieces, I give Jimmy Choo's H&M collection a 3 out of 5 stars.

Some more stand outs from the line:

Image Courtesy of New York Fashion.

Image Courtesy of New York Fashion.

Until my next adventure, good night and good reading!

International Chef Day and Theo Fleury

2009-10-17T16:17:00.005-04:00

I know it has been almost a week since I last blogged, but I am back and alive. I'm really going to try to make it my goal to write as often as I can. Although, I do wish there was more days in the week or more time in the day, but we can't have everything now can we.

Today at Dundas Square, the Escoffier Society of Toronto hosted International Chefs Day selling food for $2.00 - $3.00 in support of Second Harvest. Second Harvest is a local charity in Toronto that delivers fresh surplus foods to all sorts of social service programs in the GTA that would otherwise be thrown away. And if you know me, you say the word "food" and "good cause" and I'm there.

I've never been much of a cook, in fact my first attempt with cooking Kraft Dinner, I turned it into soup. So needless to say, I am much better off tasting other people's food. It's kind of sad too because I constantly watch the food network on a daily basis and I have dreams sometimes of becoming the next Julia Child or Giada De Laurentiis, but alas, it's not my forté. Tasting other people's cooking though, now that's another story and that is exactly what today was for.

There were about eight booths set up for the different participating chefs showcasing their creations. Some of the food included things as simple as cheese platters to baby back ribs and lamb shanks. I tried the pulled pork sandwich.

It was rich in flavor and just enough seasonings and spice too. I've had pulled pork sandwiches before and they always seem to be either too salty or overly seasoned. This one was just right.

After food tasting, like every person with their secret guilty pleasure, mine is celebrity sightings. No matter how big or small the celebrity is, I get a high off of seeing one. It's exactly like when you see your teachers out of the classroom, you can't exactly comprehend why it's so astonishing, it just is. The celebrity sighting for today is former NHL player, Mr. Theo Fleury. He's been all over the sports news in the past week with the new release of his book, Playing With Fire, and today he was doing a book signing at Indigo in the Eaton Centre.

I haven't read the book itself, but I am planning to after hearing all about it. It's interesting to know what goes on off the ice with hockey players. I am a big fan of hockey and to me, all I see when I watch NHL games are exactly that, hockey players. So it's always interesting to see a side of them that we don't normally see during games. Fleury's book is a biography of his life as an NHL player but showcasing what went on behind the scenes as well. It's about the hardships he went through while living a very successful NHL career, which included a huge assist in leading the Calgary Flames to a Stanley Cup win back in 1989, to being a key player in the 2002 Olympics gold medal win for the men's hockey team and to having Wayne Gretzky stand by his side as his mentor. Fleury also talks about how he dealt with growing up poor, his addiction to drugs and the now famous story of how he had come so close to committing suicide. It definitely is a must read, and it's going on the top of my to-read list.

Also, may I add, if I wasn't such a celebrity snoop, I wouldn't have found out that Chef Michael Smith of Chef at Home and Chef Abroad is also doing a signing at Indigo on Wednesday for his book Chef at Home.

I am definitely very excited for that. If you watch the Food Network as religiously as I do, you would be too. This guy is a genius. He experiments with new flavors every time he cooks and he uses the most interesting ingredients every time. It's not your every day let's put a sprinkle of salt and a hint of rosemary in your soup kind of guy. No, Michael Smith is adventurous. He has a walk in closet of ingredients for his dishes, everything from tree bark syrup (yes apparently this exists) to paprika that can only be found in the caves of Chile and Guatemala (okay maybe I'm exaggerating with the last part, but if you watch the show, you'll understand... do they even have caves in Guatemala?)

If you're interested in attending the book signing, Chapters has the details.

Until my next adventure, happy reading and good night!

Michael Bublé and Korean Grill House

2009-10-10T18:14:00.005-04:00

Like most fans of Sinatra, Mencini and Fitzgerald, my parents and I have been huge fans of Michael Bublé ever since we heard his rendition of The Way You Look Tonight. The man's got the voice, the talent and that nice guy attitude that no matter how famous, rich or successful he is, he's probably someone that is hard to not like.

To my excitement, Bublé himself was coming to my new home to do a signing for his newly released album Crazy Love, at the Eaton Centre!

So today was the day and I headed off to see if I could get his CD signed, except to my disappointment (well mostly to my mom's, she kept texting every 5 seconds asking if I met him yet) and surprise (Although, I'm not sure why I was, I mean the man is a two time Grammy nominated artist and has sold 11 million copies of his albums... what was I expecting?), there was a line up that probably reached Ottawa at only 11 AM. I'm guessing the hard core fans planned their day around this and decided to camp out there, either way, I didn't get to meet him and I have a big, and I mean big hate of crowds, so I wasn't about to elbow my way to get a CD signed. However, the paparazzi that I am, I got a glimpse of him and decided that I am either going to marry him or he will be singing at my wedding.

The man making his entrance.

My Paparazzi pictures. He is so good looking in person.

And this my friends, was the amount of people that was there for the signing.

So instead, I watched from afar, like the creep that I am. Maybe another day, I will get to shake his hand. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed!

After Bublé mania, I met up with my good friend Kim and her friend for some Korean food at the Korean Grill House on Queen street. Let me just tell you about this place, not only is it a fun dining experience but the food is absolutely delicious. Korean Grill House is like those hot pot places where you literally have a grill in front of you and you cook your own food. We had the all you can eat special, which comes with different types of meat (lamb, chicken, beef, shrimp, salmon... you name it!) plus endless amounts of rice and side dishes such as tofu, spicy potatoes and bean sprouts. So not only is this place delicious, it's cheap, cheap, cheap!

There's the grill and your meats...

then you cook!

Rice, Tofu and Bean Sprouts.

Me enjoying a great meal!

I would definitely recommend Korean Grill House for anyone looking to have a cheap, fun, interactive, great food and great dining experience in the city. Just make sure your food is completely cooked (the waiters/waitresses actually tell you this, in case of lawsuits I'm guessing), unless you want salmonella. And, if you're planning to go to a celebrity signing, make sure you line up at the break of dawn, only if you really are a true dedicated fan though.

Until my next adventure, good night and happy reading!

Nuit Blanche: First Toronto Adventure

2009-10-06T23:46:00.006-04:00

I am just so lucky that the week I move into the city, the greatest art concept is taking place. There is only one event I am talking about and that is the ever growing Scotiabank sponsored event, Nuit Blanche.

For those who don't know, Nuit Blanche is an idea that started in Europe where art lovers could experience an all night festival immersed in everything, well, artsy. The tradition has continued and we are so privileged enough that the movement has come to North America and I got to experience it first hand!

Literally, the event takes place from sunset to sunrise, and different parts of the city becomes one huge art exhibit. As it was my first time, I decided to be spontaneous (or rebellious?) and didn't map out my course like they suggest you to. I guess that was a little bit of a mistake because I wasn't able to see everything that was of importance to be seen. My advice then to myself and for those who wish to go next year is exactly what their website says: MAP OUT YOUR PATH! However, that being said, I still saw some interesting exhibits AND I was able to explore the city at the same time. And what better way to do so than through art!

Here are some of the highlights of what I did see:

Light installation at Dundas Square. The sock lights sort of gave me a future idea of how to decorate my bathroom. Possibility?

This piece was of a woman dressed in a giant white gown floating and dancing around. I wasn't entirely sure what the meaning of it was and I thought it was kind of bizarre but I did give her props for doing that all night long.

These drummers were extremely talented. They were parked right outside the Eaton Centre and asked volunteers from the audience to drum with them. I don't think I've ever seen hands move so fast.

This was interesting. All you can see of the exhibit from far was a giant talk bubble that said "Hey Dave!" and a line of people waiting. As we got closer, there was a sign explaining the whole point and it was to say Hey to this guy (I'm assuming Dave?) that was sitting there. I'm guessing he wanted to see how many people would do it? Oh the things we call "art" nowadays...

This was probably one of the best art displays I saw all night. At Nathan Philips Square, this exhibit showed illuminated four letter words flash every hour suspended in between the two buildings.

Another favorite: A carnival with a fun slide in the middle of Bay Street. Maybe a hint for bankers to lighten up?

Jeff Koons' inflatable silver rabbit. It was floating in the middle of the Eaton Centre and it was pretty fun having the balloon there when all the stores were closed. It kind of gave the place an eerie feeling, like one of those weird dreams you have where things make no sense or one of those illustrated optical illusions come to life, or something.

I definitely recommend Nuit Blanche for any art lovers out there. It's a fun experience. Just make sure you wear comfortable shoes and have an open mind!

Until my next adventure, good night and happy reading!

A new life, a new chapter

2009-10-05T18:41:00.002-04:00

It has been officially 5 days since I have moved to Toronto and it has not disappointed me in any way, form or style. I have always been a city girl. I remember I'd write endless amounts of pages in my journals when I was younger about how I dreamed of waking up to the sound of traffic and go to bed seeing bright lights. I guess if you really put your mind and heart into something, you can get there.

And so far, that is exactly what I have experienced in the short time I have been here. There's nothing better than getting lost and immersed into the crowds of a busy sidewalk and being so overwhelmed by the colorful cultures all around you, you can't even begin to think where to start exploring.

This is what my blog will be dedicated to. My exploration of the city of Toronto. My new home, where I can finally live the pages off of my made up city stories in my journals. Welcome and enjoy!