So Not Lovin' The Real World...

Yeah.

I'm finally back from a (too short) vacation in my hometown of Vancouver, Canada.

Didja miss me?

Here are some things I noticed/realized on my trip home (it'd been two years since I'd been back):

1. Vancouver has the cleanest air in the entire world. Wiping my face with toner at the end of the day yielded barely anything on my cotton pad. Here in Los Angeles...well, basically my face gets smothered in smog every day. Brown soot does not rock at all.

2. Vancouver is one of the only places you can get beach and mountains in the same vicinity. And Whistler is just a hop, skip and a step away (okay, a maximum two and a half hour drive).

3. Vancouver men are really quite fashionable, without being too try-hard. Or maybe it's just my hometown boys who are just so dashing these days (it helps that they're either accountants, corporate lawyers, sales managers, or commercial real estate agents -- HOT!)

4. I kind of stuck out in Vancouver with my LA-style, just-below-the-knee leggings and belt-cinched, blouson-y tops. Also, the dresses over jeans with heels seemed to be a new, unchartered look for Vancouverites...but one I wore with pseudo-Angeleno pride!

5. Vancouver men are more handsome and down-to-earth than American men. Enough said there.

6. Downtown has become a whole lot bigger with more things to check out. Favorite new spots include: Republic (hip bar with the dance floor exclusively upstairs) and Gotham Steakhouse (not a new spot, but my first time there: sexy ambience, great espresso/bailey coffees, and super friendly staff..make sure to get your drink from Tina or Cameron)

7. Yaletown is still for yuppies...but I like it.

8. Vancouverites are so damn healthy, they practically glow. The term "obese" does not exist in this town.

9. Fritz off of Granville Street is still the best place to buy poutine or cones of fries with sundried tomato-pesto mayo.

10. The best place for an impromptu (or not) BBQ with friends is 1059 Homer. Yeah, Luke and Oliver rock...and so does their sweet upstairs patio.

11. Vancouver girls have an easy, breezy way about them. They're really quite gorgeous, if you ask me! Even if their summer staple wardrobe seems to mostly consist of expensive-looking tanks, expensive-looking jeans, and Havianas flip flops.

12. I love, love, love Vancouver and will never ever again let two years pass before going back. Perhaps this upcoming New Year's Eve should be spent there?? Yes, I think so.


And now, it's back to the real world...EH?!

I'm Lovin' it: I think this post said it all.

I'm Over it: Work. I'm still in vacay mode.

Artist Video of the Day: The Ok Go video for "Here It Goes Again". Four indie rockers in a choreographed dance on four moving treadmills!?! Soooo classic. http://okgo.net/video.asp

Clothing Of The American Mind

Angelenos (and everyone else) seem to be letting their souls get back in touch with nature these days: eco-friendly cars (hello, Prius), Green Design (in architecture and interior design), and pro-organic clothing lines (Stella McCartney, Edun, Serfontaine, Linda Loudermilk, and Anntarian).

Clothing Of The American Mind (COTAM) has been thinking this way for the past two years. Launched in 2004, this organic t-shirt line is one for the political and eco-minded folk. Made from organic cotton in anti-sweatshop and Fair Trade conditions, COTAM allows us to be model citizens, to make bold statements about our beliefs while safeguarding the precious world given to us.

This year has been huge for COTAM. Not only has the brand found fans in A-List celebrities (Diane Lane, Evan Rachel Wood, and Jamie Lee Curtis included), a freestanding boutique recently opened to the public. With the November 2006 elections rapidly approaching, the new "VOTE For Change" collection is already hot off the press -- the "A.D.D." tee (referring to Bush's lack of attention to the needs of American citizens) by Julianna Parr (creator of the hot-selling "My Bush Is Pro-Choice" number) is a current favorite. The tees come in men's, women's, and children's styles in all sizes, and are dyed using a special process called Rehance, which eliminates all harmfull chemicals from the design process.

The COTAM brand literally lives its philosophy. A percentage of each sale goes to a variety of causes and deserving leaders, and each supplier they affiliate themselves with is a fair wage, equal opportunity organization. To this day, COTAM has donated over $20,000 to these causes and candidates.

Do as Diddy once did and "Rock The Vote."

It's not too late to live green, and it's never too late to make a positive change.

www.cotam.org

Clothing of the American Mind – New Flagship Store!
Located @ 1284 W. Sunset Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90026
In Echo Park near Sunset & Elysian Park Avenue (on the South side of the street)

Always The Bridesmaid...

My friends have been meeting their "The One"s left and right. We're talking (drop-dead) serious relationships, engagements, stagettes, and weddings.

Well, as of now, I'm currently enjoying my bachelorette-hood. However, I would like to wear an adorable bridesmaid dress to all those the weddings.

I think this new ready-to-wear Monique Lhuillier number will do just fine.

My girls who are sporting a rock (or will be in less than a year), take note.

I'm Lovin' it: The Redoute collection by Japanese designer Tsimori Chisato. The coral bolero jacket and silk status blouse are stunning. More importantly, each are less than $50. Golden! www.us.redoute.com

I'm Over it: Bug-eyed sunglasses. People should not look like bugs or aliens at any given time.

Album of the Day: The Cure's Greatest Hits. By far the best CD I listened to on my roadtrip to Texas. Over and out.