Sore Loser

So I bid on this sequin -- and looped dangles! -- dress of absolute fabulosity on eBay the other day.

Totally thought I had it in the bag at $25.

Yeah, it sold for $57.

Now I'm off to a house party so I can drown in my sorrow.








* Photo property of Indie Cult Vintage

Laugh Of My Day

My friend O. sent this email out this morning:

"[Redacted] and I are throwing a party at our place tomorrow night to welcome back sunlight, daylight savings time, moustaches, kickstands, harpsichords, unicorns, cabooses and freedom fighters.

Feel free to come by any time after eight."

It made me laugh so hard for some reason. I love unicorns! What a fantastic way to celebrate meeting my editorial deadline.

Now back into writing hibernation.

xoxo
Haute Hippie






* Photo property of andymangels.com

Pick Pocky

I just wanted to tell y'all that I have to go into temporary fashion hibernation until my editorial deadline is over this Friday.

But I will sign off with this one thing: I love Pocky.

Eating it right now.







* Photo property of Google Images

More, More Dior!

First and foremost, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUSHI RANA!!!! You know I had to shout you out, girl...love ya!

I'm keeping this one short and sweet, since little ole me has to spend tonight doing some work.

All work and no play is certainly no fun, but the light at the end of my tunnel comes in the form of this totally fabulous, absolutely gorgeous, mega spring-worthy platform heel from Christan Dior.

Ah, the towering height, avant-garde heel, web of shiny leather straps, slightly curved toe and magenta hue.

It's seriously the Gisele Bundchen of shoes.

I totally j'adore Dior.






I'm Lovin' it: These Valentino shades just have to be mine come Summer '07. There's something disco-vintage about this pair of sunners -- as the Aussie folk call them...I think. I'm the type to usually spend no more the $18 on sunglasses (except for a Gucci pair I bought years ago, but they're embarassingly outdated). However, if these look good on me, I'll gladly fork over $275 bones for the Valentinos. My aviators are gonna be SO jealous.

I'm Over it: How I have to spend the rest of my evening. And wondering why, oh why my romantic life is so goshdarn complicated. Any other ladies feeling me on that one?? This picture of Kimora Lee Simmons and Tyra Banks sucks, too. Drag queens.

Track of the Day: "Dude You Feel Electric" by Shout Out Out Out Out. They describe themselves as:

"Shout out out out out = two drummers + four bass players + two samplers + five synthesizers + one vocoder. Volatile dance music."

Nik 7, Jaycie Jayce, Whitey Houston, Jack Wolfskin, Gravy and Snarf are electric alright. So is this electro-disco-rock track. And so is their "Tiiiiired" jam. Damn, this band rocks hardcore. I'm such a sucker for electro anything. Maybe I'm really a robot.

www.myspace.com/shoutoutoutoutout

* Photo property of jcstudio.com, nymag.com, myspace.com/shoutoutoutoutout, perezhilton.com

Smythe and Wesson

Today my ultra-fabulous boss R. did something she shouldn't have.

She showed me the website for Smythe Jackets.

I'd been waxing poetic to her about an eBay store with (in my opinion) the best collection of vintage coats and jackets I'd ever seen, and BAM! She hit me back with this label of fun, hip and visually arresting jackets, coats, blazers and vests from BFF design duo Andrea Lenczner and Christie Smythe. While Lenczner did time as a buyer for Holt Renfrew, Smythe made her way around New York and Europe, working for fashion super-brands Prada and Celine.

So if you're over the thick funnel coat or puffy parka you've been sporting since the cold hit around November '06, take a look at the Smythe Spring 2007 Collection. Cherry prints, canary yellow, train conductor stripes, plaids, leather elbows, girlish bowties, cropped and below-hip.

It's all ripe for spring picking.











I'm Lovin' it: Springtime is here. Which supposedly means romance is in the air now that March 21st has come and gone. If you're flying solo like yours truly, you might want to visit Secrets Of The Ladies Room. This fun, girly sex toy online boutique -- founded by friends Cynthia Ellefson and Cheryl Kuo -- is for nice gals who don't want to feel too diiirrrrty. You know what to expect browsing through here. Men are always wonder why ladies go to the powder room in packs -- it's because secrets are sometime best kept just among the girls.

I'm Over it: Editorial deadlines. The pressure is officially on. And missing Sushi's birthday due to my car finally arriving in V-Town from La-La Land sometime this weekend.

Music Video of the Day: Um, has anyone seen "Candyman" by Christina Aguilera?? The girl is certifiably H-O-T. I dig the video's peppy choreography, glossy cinematography and pin-up girl costumery. Seriously, love and marriage has done Aguilera good a thousand times more than it did Al Bundy.





* Photos property of revolveclothing.com, sweetspot.ca, nowtoronto.com, dailycandy.com, Google Images

Haute Food-ture

It's not enough these days to wear fancy clothes, slip on fancy shoes and carry fancy bags.

Even grocery shopping has become haute.

Case in point #1: Urban Fare, located in the heart of Yaletown. This upscale food emporium is not only rumored to carry $400 baguettes flown in from France, it also made the top three "Best Places to Pick Up In Vancouver" in the Georgia Strait for 2007. Hooking up aside, it's fun to frolick (not that kind, though) between the aisles picking up the freshest of fresh halibut, primo olive oil, truffles and $12 organic granola. Sure, the place probably marks items up 800% but if you can snag yourself a hot date on Saturday night with a cute Yaletown professional from bonding over cherry tomatoes in the produce section...well...why not??




Case in point #2: Meinhardt Fine Foods on swanky South Granville. I absolutely adore the way Meinhardt branded itself with this:

"Food is romance. Food is adventure. Food is travel without going anywhere. Food is history. Food not only transcends language, it offers a language of its own. Food is sensuous. Food is colour, texture and possibility. Food is life."

Now should you be a bonafide foodie like myself, even if you've never been to Meinhardt you would head straight there after reading such romantic prose related to eats. My best guy friend Big Brother K won't get his meat anywhere else but this place -- and trust me, the marinated lamb skewers are drop-dead delicious. Meinhardt is quaint, cozy and certainly has a personality all its own.




Case in point #3: Whole Foods. I was first introduced to this American organic grocery super-chain while living in La-La Land, with a location on Wilshire Boulevard not too far away from my apartment in Santa Monica. It was the place to get great hot or cold lunches priced by weight during lunchbreaks, snap up those lemon-zesty pita chips, sneak mini creme brulees into your basket or purchase fresh organic greens. Just imagine my joy when I spotted a location in West Vancouver near my magazine publisher's headquarters. Rumored to be true: a Cambie and Broadway store is opening, launch date yet TBD.





I'm Lovin' it: Hello, I'm Haute Hippie and I'm a mascara junkie. Trainer Jill Hughes founded Marvalash, a mascara that does wonders for those with short and long lashes. Hughes' product program implements the use of dry and wet brushes to achieve lashes worth batting: prep with the dry brush, apply mascara with the wet brush, then alternate back and forth till you reach desired effect. No more dropping $25 dollar at Lancome anymore!

I'm Over it: A comment left on my last post. I was vaguely disturbed by it -- probably because it listed more than 15 passages from the Bible, as well as over 15 links to religious blogs. Was it because the word "vodka" appeared on my blog, thus damning me to the eternal fires of Hell?? Or is this a friend playing an elaborate joke on me?

Power Couple of the Day: Tory Burch and Lance Armstrong. Not sure whether to put a question mark after this cateogry today, just because it's so intriguing and odd at the same time. WASP-y, well-liked, socialite-turned-designer Burch and Sheryl Crow-ditching, Tour de France-winning Armstong heating up the NYC society scene? Sure, they're mighty pretty together, but I just can't picture Lance feeling comfortable sipping champagne and snacking on beluga caviar with the Hearsts, Trumps, Mortimers, Lansings, Gubelmanns and Rockefellers.





* Photos property of urbanfare.com, meinhardtfinefoods.com, wholefoodsmarket.com, socialiterank.com

Hola Lola Y Maria

I've never been much of an online shopper -- eBay not withstanding.

Sure, I BROWSE-shop like tomorrow's judgement day, but I've yet to make a substantial purchase from a virtual boutique.

Oh, but today, I met a cyber-store that completely changed my mind. Lola Y Maria is the newest kid on NYC's Lower East Side block, harboring the one of the best Latin American designer rosters I've ever seen -- with a few other countries speckled in. Of course, the fantastic thing is you don't have to live in the Big Apple to have their labels in your closet, thanks to a fancy little techno process called e-commerce.

Admittedly, some of the brands gracing Lola Y Maria's racks I've never heard of before: Coven Brazil, April Rose, Feral Childe and Tori Nichel. Then, of course, there are the oldies but goodies: Geren Ford, Fighting Eel, Prospect 44 and H Fredricksson.

So long Ron Herman, Satine and Lisa Kline.

Lola Y Maria has stolen mi corazon.








I'm Lovin' it: Quilted bags are quintessentially Chanel. The fashion house picked up on luxury consumers' obsession with digital watches, masterminding a perfect blend of digital timepiece and quilted Chanel aesthetic. Don't you worry -- it's less than $3,000.




I'm Over it: Missing this art exhibition at the Merry Karnowsky Gallery on La Brea in Los Angeles. I love Miss Van -- and I'm so heartbroken I don't get to see her work up close and personal. Maybe I'll enlist one of my Angeleno buddies to go take cameraphone pictures for me. That'll do the art justice...riiiiight. If you live in L.A., for the love of god please go see this show.




Artist of the Day: New Young Pony Club. This new wave, electronica group from London names "vodka, cake and emotion" as their major influences and live by the motto "when in doubt...clap." I was SO sold.




www.myspace.com/newyoungponyclub



* Photos property of lolaymaria.com, woostercollective.com, myspace.com/newyoungponyclub

Whiteys Rule

Argh, I know.

My post-age has been lacking the past several days. Apologies all around!

To the topic on hand: white shoes on men.

Yes, old school fashion etiquette dictates that white shouldn't be worn after Labor Day. White shoes are also a reminder of Don Johnson in his Miami Vice heyday, but I must say white shoes on guys is where it's at these days. A few of my male friends sport the look from loafers to casuals, and it manages to look sleek -- not cheesy.

A little web scoring on Zappos turned up a few numbers that are male-friendly and style-worthy (fair warning, one of the pairs is camel and white).

Dsquared2, in particular, has been killing it with the whiteness:

I'm Lovin' it: After weeks and weeks of searching danceshop websites, it hit me like lightning (or like that egg hit my chair on the patio of Las Margaritas three years ago and splattered my new white jacket -- who eggs random people lunching on patios?!) -- Wolford! The king, er, queen of tights brands undoubtedly would have those shiny tights I've been seeking. And, of course, they do.

I'm Over it: Mint-infused water. I'd been dying to try this flavored H20 ever since Fashion Week Daily had it on their site last year as a hot-ticket item. Ambled down to Urban Fare with my pal Tom Tom yesterday after a little Croque Benny brunch at Provence Marinaside in Yaletown, and after excitedly hyperventilating that they carried it, was then thoroughly repulsed mid-sip at initial taste. It's like being at the dentist and accidentally swallowing a mouthful of fluoride. Yummy.

Track of the Day: "I Love Boosters" by The Coup. My buddy Ads B. saw The Coup duo Boots Riley and Pam the Funkstress in concert this past week, and on Sunday introduced me to their upbeat, funky sounds straight from Oakland, California. This song gives hilarious props to stickin' it to the man and doing a little five-finger discounting. Apparently, Pam crooned a track to Ads from the stage at the concert. He was in high heaven. Literally and figuratively, I'm sure.





www.myspace.com/thecoupmusic

* Photos property of zappos.com, last.fm/music

Hardy Har Har

Fashion and design go hand-in-hand.

That explains why Philippe Starck designed watches for Fossil, why Frank Gehry designed a jewelry collection for Cartier, why Donatella Versace designed hotel interiors and why Fabien Baron designs for everything under the sun.

This style annum, there has been a lot of emphasis on the structure and architecture of clothing, jewelry and accessories -- particularly shoes. The Howard Roark -- protagonist of Ayn Rand's heavy, heavy novel The Fountainhead (trust me, it took two years before I finished that literary Goliath) -- of shoes is Pierre Hardy, cobbler of Hermes and Balenciaga.

Single-handedly, Hardy breathed new life into the House of Dior's shoe collection in the late 80s, then worked creatively for Vogue Homme International and as an professor at the Ecole Superior des Arts Appliques. In addition to launching a new handbag collection, he's also a fantastic artist who captures shoes through different visual mediums.

There is a rhyme and reason for every curve, cut-out, strap, heel and toe (or peep-toe, whichever you prefer) of a Pierre Hardy masterpiece.

And even if there wasn't a rhyme or a reason, he still holds the royal title of cobbler king.

I'm Lovin' it: Dsquared2, one of my uber-stylish L.A. BFF's favorite brands. After hitting it big on the international fashion circuit, the cutesy Canadian twin duo of Dean and Dan Caten packed up their things in Toronto and made Milan their atelier base. If you're unfamiliar with the Dsquared2 brand, think Dolce & Gabbana, but slightly funkier. I'm particularly digging this cross-over belted dress. It's candy striper-esque without being porn-star cheesy or goody-two-shoes.




I'm Over it: My friend Mikey tagging me in old pictures on Facebook. I had blonde hair back then -- with my complexion color, it wasn't a good thing either. Thank god dark is in.

Artist of the Day: Sebastien Tellier. This electronica artist from France looks slightly like John Lennon, circa the 70s and minus the tiny lens, round glasses. His second album "Politics" was re-released due to popular demand -- his latest album "Sessions" is bound to live up to the hype. If you enjoy the musical vibrations of Air, Royksopp, Thievery Corporation and the like, you'll probably crush on Sebastien Tellier pretty hard.

www.myspace.com/sebastientellier

* Photos property of pierrehardy.com, sebastientellier.com

Once Bitten, Twice Shy

When will the celebrity madness end?! Endorsements and clothing lines keep endlessly coming out of the Hollywood ying-yang.

With a Gap stint and Coty fragrance underneath her Manolo Blahnik, Sarah Jessica Parker has now teamed up with Steve & Barry's to produce her own apparel line monikered The Bitten collection. Personally, I love Steve & Barry for their great tees and hoodies -- all of which are pretty much dirt cheap. I got my red Canadian hockey tee from one of their locations when SoCal was my home. And yes, I got stares as I wore it around town.

Anyway, back to Sarah Jessica and her clothing line. Bitten is also going to be dirt cheap -- nothing will be past a 20-spot. There'll be over 150 styles with well over 500 apparel and accessories pieces by the time Fall 2007 rolls around. Expect suit separates, wovens, cottons, denims, tees, swimwear, sleepwear, bags, jewelry, belts and shoes to be included on the roster.

What in the world would fashion be without our beloved SJP??

I'm Lovin' it: The fact those purple suede square-toe heels at Winner's downtown are on sale. Booyah-kasha!

I'm Over it: The thought that an adorably adorable black v-neck apron top with dual front pockets just might be all sold out at -- where else? -- the Winner's downtown. Would've looked so smashing with my vintage boots.

Musical Discovery of the Day: For those of you who love ultimate music site Pitchfork Media, be sure to check out Pitchfork's Playlisted. It takes all their "The Week's Best Tracks" and let's you listen to them fully uninterrupted. A super-duper way to check out new, kick-arse music.

* Photos property of Google Images, pitchforkmedia.com

Going Out On A Lim

3.1 Phillip Lim.

Currently on the backs on every major starlet and camera-hungry socialite out there (plus on the racks of every luxury department store, major retailer and high-class web boutiques), Phillip Lim hit the ground running as soon as he debuted his collection in 2005.

The first time I stumbled across 3.1 Phillip Lim, I was website copywriting for Ron Herman, a most fabulous freelance occupation because it allowed me to write about great clothing labels every Wednesday -- and occasionally slip on a fantasical Karl Lagerfeld jacket or plaid Danang vest.

Fresh-faced Mr. Lim is known first and foremost for his dresses -- you can't get any more girly than slipping on a pretty frock, something Lim crafts so very well. His latest collection is English countryside, made prep-ishly androgynous with the odd unisex piece tossed over his feminine dresses. It's a tad less frothy than usual, but none less beautiful.

I still don't know what the "3.1" of his label stands for, but I'm sure Google will help me out.












I'm Lovin' it: The moment I realized on the bus coming home from work that living with an iPod is like having the sweetest soundtrack to your life. You pick the tunes when you want, where you want, whenever you want. I totally felt like I was in a movie on the #9 Boundary bus.

I'm Over it: Having only 24 hours in a day, a third of which goes towards sleep.

Music Video of the Day: Yesterday, my buddy Dan T. couldn't help but flip back to the MuchMusic "50 Sexiest Videos" segment between hockey game periods. I hadn't seen it before, but the "Call On Me" video from Eric Prydz RULES. Blatant sexual innuendos and thong work-out leotards aside, the track is hot and those rock hard 80s-aerobicized bods make me wanna put on my off-the-shoulder sweatshirt and go all Jennifer Beals style.

Call On Me on YouTube.

Jonathan + Olivia Do Main Street

Climate often dictates what we put on before streaming out our front doors.

For the northwest fashion crowd, this usually means comfy, casual and outdoorsy clothing reliable in rain, sleet, snow and sunshine.

For Jackie O'Brien of Jonathan + Olivia on scenester Main Street, it's her love for fashion and forward-thinking clothing labels that dictates not only what she wears, but what she carries in her conceptual boutique. With Vancouver continually growing both in size and in style awareness, Jonathan + Olivia has quickly become the go-to boutique and Vancouver portal for European and fashion-forward items since its October 2005 debut. Jackie, with ten years industry experience, carefully edits her roster of labels without alienating any new or loyal clientele, making Jonathan + Olivia the perfect hybrid between bourgeoisie and street. There is an open friendliness about the boutique -- you'll always find Jackie and her team lending a helping hand and a discerning style eye. European brands -- both Swedish and Parisian -- carried at the store meet the needs and wants of Vancouverites who crave fashionable comfort with an edge, and who constantly seek a refreshing alternative to style mass production. With space renovations currently underway, Jonathan + Olivia is not only the place to shop, it's the place to be.

It's no small observation that a large core of design genius is coming by way of the Netherlands, particularly Sweden (hello, Ikea and H&M). Jonathan + Olivia's Swedish roster includes below-the-radar Cheap Monday, denim leader Acne Jeans, national award-winning Whyred, critic-favorite Filippa K. and avant-garde Velour.

Paris, as a major fashion city, helps mandate international fashion. French labels, despite an established heritage, constantly look to the future for design inspiration. Jonathan + Olivia's Parisian roster includes easy-to-wear Vanessa Bruno, casually chic Isabel Marant, funky La Prairie De Paris, rock-fused April 77 denim, sister label Martin Margiela 6, music-inspired men's label Surface To Air and its darkly romantic women's collection Estuay.

But by far, the boutique's number one draw is O'Brien's bulldog Estelle, who makes the best door greeter of them all.






I'm Lovin' it: My job. And nanaimo bars from the cafe beside Jonathan + Olivia. Bad for the diet, good for the sweet tooth.

I'm Over it: Taking buses on rainy days because they -- and some people -- are really, really smelly.

Film of the Day: This one is easy, folks. Go see 300. Everyone else is doing it.







* Photo property of jonathanandolivia.com, chud.com

Asluxe You Like It

Asluxe is like the Northwest version of Doo.Ri.

And since Doo.Ri is on my list of coveted labels to own before my life expires, you can imagine how excited I was to find out about Asluxe, headed by longtime besties team Ashley Guidi and Sarah Wigman.

Their first runway collection -- dubbed "The Gray Area" -- debuted at last year's BC Fashion Week. Draped tops, sheer fabrics coupled with sexy, edgy and modern cuts made up the collection, fit for a confident woman who knows her body well. The label is simply an ingenious hybrid of west coast silhouettes and east coast attitude.

Depending on what shoes you wear with Asluxe, it's for the uptown girl, the downtown girl and the rock chick.

And for me, too.

* Find Asluxe locally at SAND in Kits and Eden in Yaletown.

I'm Lovin' it: Being back on a regular schedule!! Gotta love that 6:45 am wake up call from your cellphone/alarm.

I'm Over it: Getting a invite for the VOOM by Joy Han show at L.A. Fashion Week and NOT BEING ABLE TO GO. Drats.

Track of the Day: "Ladyflash" by The Go! Team. As one of many indie-pop bands with an exclamation mark in their name, this group (Sam, Chi, Kaori, Ninja and Ian) stands out a little more because of it's 70s movie/TV show soundtrack style, with plenty of instrumentals and horns back up the lyrics. This track boasts echoing background vocals and 80s-synchro sections imbedded within. You almost expect the gals from Charlie's Angels to run and jump out of your speakers in all their feathered hair and tight pants glory, with Don Johnson in his white loafers chasing not too far behind.

www.myspace.com/thegoteam

* Photos property of beyondrobson.blogspot.com, myspace.com/thegoteam

Mad For Plaid

The last time plaid was seen on my body, I was a private school girl sporting a (very rolled-up) kilt.

I never found any interest in the grunge phase -- and if I did, ever so slightly, it was only because Nirvana and Cobain spoke to me via "Come As You Are".

The accompanying style to the music genre didn't suit me, but thanks to Marc Jacobs and his continual revival of 90s-era plaid, I just may have found something grunge-y to slip into once in awhile: a plaid blouse with scarf side tie.

Sure smells like teen spirit around here.





I'm Lovin' it: These absolutely, positively must-have platform pumps from Bergdorf Goodman. In order from one to three, they are Miu Miu, Biba and Michael Kors. And they're on sale.





I'm Over it: People who don't show up when they're supposed to. Honestly, I thought I left this type behind in L.A., but 'fraid not. A business meeting no-show on Sunday afternoon made me see the flake plague has spread up north, too. Damn shame.

Artist of the Day: Photographer extraordinaire, "Rize" director and Pam Anderson BFF David LaChapelle. His exhibit Awakened -- running from now until April 28th -- is currently showing at the Tony Shafrazi Gallery in New York. The collection of portraits (taken underwater it seems) is fascinating and horrifying all at once. Viewing the photos is much like watching a person drown -- which, coincidentally, is supposed to be one of the most peaceful ways to go once the panic is over.






* Photos property of bergdorfgoodman.com, Google Images

Digital Underground

Yup, time sure does fly.

And as it does, you might as well look fly yourself keeping track of it.

The digital watch has risen like a phoenix from the ashes, getting mad love from popular timepiece companies such Vestal and Nixon, who burst into late 2006 and early 2007 with an arsenal of digitals to suit your fancy.

Vestal comes to bat with options in steel and polyurethane, while Nixon ponies up in leathers and metal.

With Daylight Savings springing forward soon, digitals are this year's way of making sure you're always on time.

What up, Ja?!















* Photos property of vestalwatch.com, nixonnow.com

Sleeping Beauty

Everyone needs their beauty sleep.

This means the whole 8 hours, comfy sleepwear, a great mattress, a sleek bed frame and a set of luxurious sheets (preferably 1500 thread count in sateen Egyptian cotton, but that's a little ways away).

Founded by Caressa Allen, Luxury Lab is the perfect place for slightly off-kilter bedspreads. It's artsy, graphic and a little humorous, with linen titles such as "Just Like Heaven" (angel wings), "Phoenix Rising" (of course, the phoenix), "Elegant Mayhem" (skulls and black chandeliers), "Let Friendship Begin" (the claddagh ring) and "Your Best Shot" (archers).

The sheets are made in 300 thread count in 100% Egyptian cotton, meaning it's waaaaay softer than Charmin makes claim. All the graphics and print are crafted in India, where local artisans color dye the sheets with water-based hues. Luxury Lab is a "go green!" company, their vision being to promote the global economy and to use eco-conscious materials.

Luxury Lab makes the world better for you, for me and for bedtime.

I'm Lovin' it: These Chanel outfits from the Fall 2007 RTW collection! No designer in the world does tweeds better than Kaiser Karl.




* My Fall 2007 RTW dream outfit! Now to make friends with Karl Lagerfeld...

I'm Over it: The Fall 2007 RTW collection from Chloe. This label is known by, built upon and loved for the Phoebe Philo philosophy: pretty, vintage and girly free spirit. After Philo's departure (which brought more than one tear to my eyes), Melim Andersson is now the chosen one, after a long hard search for Chloe's design successor. Some pieces showed traces of the brand's old aesthetic, but more often than not the clothes reflected the Scandanavian design vision: clear-cut square shapes, a little off somewhere. We'll have to wait and see what the future holds for Andersson -- maybe this is just Chloe, now all grown up.

Artist of the Day: Brazilian electronica artist Gui Boratto. If you love Junior Boys or Booka Shade, you will absolutely fall head over heels for this artist and his album "Chromophobia". After working in advertising and architecture, Boratto finally went down the path of music production by working on tracks for other musicians, before concentrating on his own in 2005. The trippy tracks are released by German techno giant Kompakt and are doing a live European tour this year. So if you happen to be on that side of the world come summer, make sure to make a Boratto pit stop.

www.myspace.com/guiboratto

* Photos property of luxurylablinens.com, style.com, guiboratto.com.br

Eatin' My Waffles + Falafels

Waffles + Falafels.

Both things I like to eat, but now it's also something I can wear.

Super-cute and super-kitschy, this Vancouver-based tee shirt label made big waves in SoCal even before making big waves here in the hometown. One look at the brand's ever-burgeoning MySpace page and you think that the whole show is run by a gang of crazy, cutesy and confident girls who love fashion, art and photography. Which is pretty much the case.

Waffles + Falafels (the shortened W + F is a clever, tongue-in-cheek take on the oft-used acronym WTF?) is actually the idea of Waffles (nee Keith Quon), who happens to be an ex-graffiti artist. His beloved cat is Falafels -- a close confident and muse, I'm sure -- and his business partner is a former DJ. The Waffles Girls (part of them known as "The Freshest Kids") are the driving, marketing force behind it all, each with their own unique persona and interests. While Waffles does much of the tee graphic work, everything is all about teamwork, providing an atmosphere promoting creativity and encouraging the free flow of ideas. This has been channeled into various outlets, from product to websites to a MySpace profile to photography to contests to Podcasts. The crew even made it on a Nylon Magazine page, which is no small fashion feat by any means.

Pika, Lovisa, Babydaddy Georgia, Lola Glitter, Katie Kills and the rest of the Waffles chicas wear proudly unicorns and ice cream and hearts and stars on their tees, spreading their W + F pixie dust everywhere and anywhere.

Tinkerbell is so done and done.







I'm Lovin' it: The absolutely hilarious comment the Waffles Girls left on my MySpace profile. It goes a little something like this: "[Redacted] is so CUDDLY they carry a plush version of her at build-a-bear but nobody has it cuz it costs like a million bucks and is so blinged-out you'll go blind just looking at it." I was on the floor laughing.

I'm Over it: Catching a cab in this city. Trying to get one in Gastown took us 45 minutes one night, while two Fridays ago it took three or four calls for one that never ended up coming, forcing K-Dizzle and I to walk in the rain from Cambie and Nelson to Granville and Davie in order to flag one down from the opposite direction. Rumor on the street is that the city is getting 100 more cabs. Whoopee.

Music Genre of the Day: French rap of the Parisian variety, not the Quebecois kind. This genre was brought to my attention by the soundtrack of Sex And The City, which featured a track or two during Carrie's days in Paris with Aleksandr Petrovsky. Utterly sexy, French rap beats out Three Six Mafia and the like any day.



* Photos property of nylonmag.com

What A Baby

Baby talk is not usually high on my recommendations, either to your own child or to your significant other.

However, I will not apologize for goo goo and gaa gaa-ing over this cute-as-a-button baby doll top from Jovovich-Hawk.

Wearing this, I'd totally trump Stewie.

And don't forget the white tights.

And Then There Was Paris...

Keeping up can be hard to do.

In the style world, Fashion Weeks come fast, furious and seemingly without a break in between the major fashion cities of Milan, Paris, London and New York. Last week, it was hot-blooded Milan. This week, it's chic-ly cool Paris.

Throughout the shows, I've noticed several re-occurring themes: wide shoulders, extremely emphasized and belted waists, pronounced hips, puffy jacket boleros over dresses, futuristic militant cuts and embellishments -- the ultimate fashion warrior.

Forward-thinking and foreseer of the fashion future Nicolas Ghesquiere of Balenciaga already touched on this a few seasons ago, with gold gilded skinny pants and boxy shoulder jackets. His newest collection went folksy Aztec, with color after color and tons of print.

Perhaps next Fashion Week will follow his lead once again.

Here are some snippets of RTW Fall 2007 in gay Paree:

I'm Lovin' it: Meeting new folk. An impromptu business meeting set up by my friend Ads turned into a networking bonanza with man-about-town/DJ/business proprietor/writer/promoter/artist-lover Ty Villeneuve. Not only did I meet some great industry people hopping from West in South Granville to Blue Water Cafe in Yaletown to Sip and Sanafir on Granville, I also picked up a new contributing gig for the Vancouver edition of glossy, Calgary-based Opulence Magazine (for which Ty V. also writes) and a restaurant review assignment at The Beach House in West Vancouver tonight. Whether you're a local or a visitor, be sure to check out his hip boutique SAND (2202 Cornwall at Yew), a new venture with business partner Paul Hughes. With Villeneuve's discerning eye for what's hot in fashion and for what's going on in the arts, you can expect labels like GSUS, Lifetime Collective, Asluxe, Harajuku Lovers and Vestal, as well as art pieces and books on design, architecture and culture.

I'm Over it: The trials and tribulations of finding high-gloss, super shiny opaque tights that don't cost $130. Maybe a call to Holt Renfew is in order.

Track of the Day: The Funky Nassau house track Ty was bumping in his car. Sorry y'all -- it's an unreleased track that he received, so if you're dying to hear it, check out his DJ-ing gigs at either Ginger Sixty-Two, Bar None or Crush where he often plays it from his decks to pulsating crowds.



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