The Itch

God knows if it's the fast-approaching new year or the wintery cold or the unexplainable restlessness/need for change that has always kind of plagued me, but I'm experiencing The Itch.

And no, it's not that kind of itch.

Now, there are several kinds. There is the Seven Year Itch, brought to us courtesy of Marilyn Monroe and that fabulous, cleavage-y white dress. There is the Two Year Itch, coined by my girlfriends and I to explain long term relationships that go bust after two years or pass the mark and go the distance (or at least for another couple years). Finally, there is the Travelling Itch, the latter of which I've fell ill with.

Not to worry, though, Haute Hippie has already found a remedy in the form of a trip to Europe with my crew in the Summer of '08. Some of my buddies are heading overseas for a friend's wedding and we all figured, hey, why don't us ten or eleven go and make a big two to three week bonanza out of it?? A few of us non-wedding folks will make our way to Croatia first, with a plan to meet the rest in Turkey post-nuptials. Nothing is better than a crew VRBF overseas.

Travelling not only finding oneself, so to speak, but also means finding the appropriate luggage, backpacks and the like for journeys afar. Unfortunately, Louis Vuitton luggage is a no-no this time around. Fortunately, a few weeks back I got to check out the new Burton travelling sets at the showroom here with Jenks and methinks they just might do the trick. Check out the Warhol and Burton Wheelie collections.

So until then, I'll be dreaming of planes, trains and automobiles out of here. Just for a bit, that is.








* Photos property of burton.com

Dresses Of Note

Put away your LBDs for NYE, ladies.

Check out this colorful little numbers -- save for the Jovovich-Hawk -- from Mint, Madison Marcus and Laila Akhar.

But if there could only be one choice, I'd go with the Madison Marcus blue. Second from bottom.











* Photos property of shopbop.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Post-Christmas Catch Up

Whew.

Christmas is done and done, meaning excuses to stuff your face with turkey, mashed potatoes, pecan and pumpkin pies, cheesebread (my girlfriend's mom makes this mouth-watering havarti cheese kind), cranberry, rum and eggnog, cake and chocolates don't fly anymore.

I'd rather not calculate the number of calories I inhaled over the course of three days, because that means finding out I probably no longer fit in sample sizes. However, this has not stopped my impulses to peruse all things sartorial, whether it be window or web-based.

Since we're still in the thick of winter, I'm constantly seeking out things to layer over and under what's already in my closet. Which is precisely why I heart this yellow and grey vest from Delia's, a website I hadn't checked since 1999 and happened to out of boredom this weekend. Love, love, love the toggle closures and fur trim, too.

And with all the fawning I've been doing over fur -- real and faux (oh, the horror, I know) -- in the past two months, it wouldn't surprise me if PETA is waiting outside my building, waiting to throw a soy whipped cream pie at my face.








I'm Lovin' it: Scott Schuman, aka. The Sartorialist. He's one of the most handsome men I've laid eyes on, in that Old Hollywood kind of way. And he loves fashion as much as I do. Does Schuman prefer men over women? Maybe, but he does have a daughter and apparently no wife, which increases any heterosexual girl's chances. Actually, I'd just rather he take my picture for his blog one day. Check out this ABC segment on a day in the life of The Sartorialist.





I'm Over it: Did anyone else notice how random this post seemed? Yikes.


Track of the Day: Stereophonics did a live cover of that Foo Fighters song "Best Of You" -- wow, it is good. It's on the slower, melancholic side, too, which makes me wonder if it made any of "The OC" soundtracks and if not, it should have. It would've gone so well with Mazzy Star.







* Photos property of Delia's, The Sartorialist, Mog and are used solely for commentary purposes

Merry, Merry Christmas!

Wow.

Can't believe I've been back in Vancity from L.A. for a year already. Whaaaaa?? Let me tell you, after your mid-twenties, the years fly by. Not that I'm old or anything, really I'm not...

Work is winding down, holiday cheer is on the rise and Christmas shopping panic is setting in, for me and a shizz-load of guys out there.

It's a quarter past four and I'm currently sitting having a Heineken in the office with Jenks and the 'Wich after a nearly four hour lunch-slash-liquid-lunch at Chill Winston. Nothing like a hard day's work on our last official day before the holidays.

Gotta love it.

Anyhoo, have a safe and merry holiday, y'all. Thanks for all your support this year, I appreciate it more than you know.

Oh, and happy Vodka Redbull Friday, y'all!! See you on the town tonight.


xo
Haute Hippie

So Money

Yeah, it's all about the dolla-dolla bills these days.

Especially when it comes to high-end fashion -- Manolos for $400 a pop, Falke leggings for $126 (makes Wolford prices look cheap!), Christian Louboutin Melisandre boots for $1520 and Pauric Sweeney patent shoulder bags for $1410.

Now there a way to look seriously flush without shelling out too, too many Benjamins all at once, in the form of the 750 Swag bag from Money Store, an over-sized tote made of the softest Italian leather ever, 18 karat gold metal zippers and an inner lining made of real dollar bills.

Yup, open up the bag and it'll look just like you've robbed the nearest Bank of America or Scotia. Or that you've just cleaned out your Swiss bank account.

And if this thing doesn't garner you the nickname "Money Bags", then nothing ever will.









I'm Lovin' it: My Christmas Sweater booties from Urban Outfitters. Mine are forest green with sky-blue snowflakes -- the shearling keeps my tootsies toasty while working in my rather chilly home office and the pom poms, well, look just so damn cute.





I'm Over it: The Spears family is eff-ed up. That's all.


Track of the Day: Far Away from Mlle Caro & Franck Garcia. More mega sweet electronica shizz out of France, with an accompanying sensual, sexually-charged music video. It kind of plays like a 90s Gucci perfume ad.






* Photos property of moneybags.com, urbanoutfitters.com, nuits-sonores.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

All In A Day's Work

So today I had my second on-air experience at the Urban Rush Studios, lending my "modeling expertise" pro-bono to my girl Seems.

I was beyond excited to find out that I'd be modeling dresses from B.B. Dakota, a label that's already begun taking up some room in my closet of late (my green B.B. plaid half-sleeve coat rules, though it doesn't keep me too warm in the wintertime).

The first frock was an 80s prom-dress inspired number with a sheer upper top and shiny blue body with a single bottom tiered ruffle. It was also my payment for the day. No cash, just dress. Hello, New Year's Eve!

The second frock was a super short, sleeveless bubble dress with side front tie for extra measure. Looked killer with my black tights and pewter BCBG mary jane stilettos.

Admittedly, my second run on-camera was a lot better than the first. And yup...those casting agents are busting down my doors right now.

Ha.







I'm Lovin it: Free clothes. Duh. Oh, and a reader that requested I post a picture of myself so they could put a face to the words. Dearest reader, it may be a possibility...


I'm Over it: Um, a lot.


Music of the Day: This wicked, wicked radio station from Cincinnati that we listen to at the cut & SHOW office. You like Cat Power, The Field, Peter Bjorn & John, M.I.A. and related? Then you'll need to download their daily playlist fo' sho.







* Photos property of woxy.lala.com, BB Dakota and are used solely for commentary purposes

Can't Live Without Them Shoes

Ah, to be a child of the privileged.

Let's take Julia Restoin-Roitfeld for instance.

She's the gorgeous daughter of French Vogue editor/fashion stylist/Tom Ford BFF/chic Parisian woman Carine Roitfeld, who is the best looking fifty-something lady this world will ever see.

Okay, so back to Julia. This special spawn was the face of Tom Ford for Estee Lauder's Black Orchid fragrance, is currently the face of new denim line Restoration of the Monarchy (from Eric Villency), worked under the watchful eye of Fabien Baron of Baron + Baron, is dating a mega-cutie Euro dude named Magnus Berger and has access to her mother's closet, meaning all the covetable clothes, shoes and accessories from vintage to last season to next season.

Not a bad life, non?

Now, Julia decides to show up at some NYC fete wearing the most fabulous white-bordering-on-ivory shoes EVER. I'm currently investigating what brand they come from.

Anyway, here's a lovely pic of young Restoin-Roitfeld, hamming it up with Genevieve Jones and some other socialite type.

And please, note the shoes on the right.







I'm Lovin' it: Another Urban Rush appearance tomorrow morning as a favor to my girl Seems. At least the line is B.B. Dakota, since I'm getting paid in clothes for my modelling services. Looks like I need to kickstart my workouts again, seeing as how I've taken a hiatus for nearly two weeks. Crap.


I'm Over it: Being sick with a massive cold that's been waiting to rear its ugly head for at least a week. Positive thinking couldn't keep this stuffed nose/headache/ear ache/eyeball hot feeling away.


Music of the Day: Lupe's new album. It's called "The Cool" -- and you know, that's exactly what it is.





* Photos property of style.com, listenskateboards.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Girl of the Moment

If you don't like the color orange, you sure will now.

Diane Kruger -- former Helen of Troy and one of Chanel's harem of muses -- rocked her latest movie premiere in a flame-hued J. Mendel frock. It's like a cross between those old school dresses from Mexico and those flamenco dresses from Spain.

Wonder if Joshua Jackson liked it, too. I bet he did.







* Photo property of FWD and is used solely for commentary purposes

Roden Gray

My girl Seems threw a store opening shaker last night at Vancity's newest men's boutique, Roden Gray.

Rob Lo, who owns local denim emporium Dutil on West Cordova, opened his nouveau boutique's doors to friends last night with bottles of Heineken and Remy Martin cognac for the mostly hipster crowd. Unfortunately, the cognac ran out as soon as me and my gals got there, wah wah...

So if you're a guy looking for new wares -- or a gal looking for a Christmas present for your BF -- I suggest you make your way to 231 Cambie, between West Cordova and Water Street.







I'm Lovin' it: A secret santa party tonight with my K-Dizzle crew. It's a random gift exchange, meaning if you don't like your gift, you can steal a present someone else has already opened. Woot woot!


I'm Over it: Laptop hunting...


Track of the Day: The Disco Song by Au Revoir Simone. I heard it on some clip showing Posh Spice vogue-ing in the photoshoot for her Elle Magazine cover -- it's SUCH a catchy tune.






* Photos property of Roden Gray, supmag.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

This Is Not A Yoke

A little bit here, a little bit there.

Yes, having the right accessories is key to dressing up, but what about when the embellishments and accoutrements come right on the dress??

Lately, designers have taken a shine to putting crochet, jewels and sparkles at the yoke or neckline of frocks. Madison Marcus, Moschino Cheap & Chic, Foley + Corinna and Alice + Olivia are all great choices for already dressed up dresses. This saves you the time and money trying to find that complementing necklace.

Just make sure to slap on lots and lots of shiny bangles.










I'm Lovin' it: The Uma embossed boot from Tory Burch. Alligator skin and gold heels -- killer combination.






I'm Over it: Getting my suede boots and grey knee socks soaked on Sunday. Well, that's what I get for wearing suede while slushing through melting snow puddles. Shame on me.


Music of the Day: The muzzak from Santogold, who was nicknamed after a cheap line of gold jewelry called, well, Santagold by childhood friends that made fun of her love for big, budget earrings. Santi White, the artist's real name, is drawing comparisons to M.I.A. (who's a good friend), but really has her own sound. Rolling Stone Magazine named her one of the year's breakout artists, so make sure to check out her track "LES Artistes". Santogold is currently touring the UK -- hopefully she'll make the North American trek sooner rather than later.







* Photos property of shopbop.com, bergdorfgoodman.com, trashmenagerie.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Chuckle Of The Day

A Louis Vuitton menorah?!?!!!

Hahaha...luxury at its best...






* Photo property of thisnext.com and is used solely for commentary purposes

Haute Hippie Loves...

This huge, huge bib Ilona necklace from Paul & Joe. After all, when in doubt -- accessorize!






Sarah Jessica Parker's outfit from her night out at The Cinema Society's screening of "Revolver", the new flick by Guy Ritchie. It's so mob moll-ish -- vintage, Dolce & Gabbana fur coat and leather pants. Tony Soprano-approved.







I'm Lovin' it: Everything and anything from Rhys Dwfen. The L.A.-based label's founder used to be head designer of VINCE -- yeah, that VINCE of the enviable sweaters and sweater dresses.







I'm Over it: Sandra Oh's hair.


Track of the Day: While hanging out at Tom Tom's during the day on Saturday, we came across the movie "Crash" playing on the tele. I was sucked into the cinematic intenseness immediately, especially in thanks to two of the film's soundtrack songs: In The Deep by Bird York and Maybe Tomorrow by Stereophonics.