Birthday Wish List '07

My girlfriend Alice filed a complaint in person yesterday while we watched the Canucks lose to the Ducks yesterday in Game #3 at Stephanucci's Kitsilano pad.

Apparently, not posting a blog since Wednesday is a fashion felony! Bad Haute Hippie, I know.

So there's much to catch up on -- and I figured since my birthday is coming up at the end of this week, I might as well spout off my bday wish list.

1. This outfit Keren Craig -- design partner of Harvey Weinstein's girlfriend Georgina Chapman -- from Marchesa is wearing. I love the ornate dress over the uber-skinny jeans! Oh, she's the blondie on the very right.





2. The newest Macbook. My little Toshiba mini laptop -- though it's too cute for words -- is as slow as Canuck defenseman Brent Sopel is getting to the puck. I need something sleek and reliable, so I can get my posts up and running anytime and anywhere I get inspired. It's the way of the freelance writer, you know.




3. Ever since I started working with my eco-conscious boss at CRU, I've been finding myself thinking green more than ever. Method cleaning products, bamboo as building material, Edun clothing and this fantastically blouse-y top from Vanessa Bruno. Ok, so it has nothing to do with the environment, but it most certainly is green.





4. Now that I no longer reside in SoCal, I no longer have year-long, beautifully bronzed skin. That's why I need, need, need to buy this bronzing powder compact from Guerlain. Pasty skin at Kits Beach -- a summertime don't.





5. It's finally short shorts season, and though I've already been sporting my woolly ones with opaque tights and boots, it'll be nice to wear cotton or linen ones sans tights and with these sky-high, peep-toe, snakeskin, leg-lengthening wedges from Bottega Veneta.




6. As a fanatical hoarder of huge, chunky jewelry, I think this Fendi logo cuff will fit in quite nicely with my absurdly large collection.






7. Even iPod Nanos need a little tender loving. Since my Griffin iCrap didn't give me the best iPod sound quality on my roadtrip two weekends ago, maybe I'll just blast Fujiya & Miyagi, Bloc Party, Hot Chip and Kaskade from this SpeckTone Retro iPod stereo at mi casa instead.





8. I absolutely adore the vintage purse I adopted from my grandmother, but with summer here, it's time to store away the black and bring out other purse palettes. Since white's the new black, I'll go with this Corto Moltedo Priscilla Luxor shoulder bag -- you can either clutch-and-carry or fold-over and swing from the shoulder. I'm the type of girl that likes options. Of all kinds.




9. Dresses, dresses, dresses! Tunics, shifts, LBD (Little Black Dress), LWD (Little White Dress), tight, flowy and this mini dungaree dress from See by Chloe. First of all, it's in this season's hottest color. Second of all, it's from Chloe. Both of which are reason enough for me to want it badly.





10. Gosh darn, do I ever love wearing heels. But I'd also love not having to visit a podiatrist to fix my heel-ed out feet before I hit thirty-five years old, so I better start breaking out the flats again. And if my flats collection includes this Lallia pair from BCBG, then I won't mind as much at all.






And for those who are wondering how many candles I'm blowing out this year, tough luck.

A real lady never tells her age.


I'm Lovin' it: The prospect of my friend Stephie D. and I landing the two bedroom plus den apartment at The Freesia we viewed last week for a June 1st move-in. No one gets shafted in terms of bedroom size, the place is pretty much brand-spanking new and apparently, the cable has miraculously been free for the tenants currently living there the past eight months. I've been praying to snag this place all weekend, and I'm not even that particularly religious. At all.




I've Over it: Not understanding the reasoning behind why Saturday turned out the way it was apres-Relish Lounge. A quarter of us -- Mikey, Big Brother K, Oli D. and myself -- were absolute superstars that night. Maybe it was my turquoise and white Gucci-esque sheer blouse? I expect a repeat performance for my birthday at Ginger 62 this coming Saturday, but with more participants. Oh yeah, and the LCD Sound System and Hot Chip DJs at Celebrities this Friday, the real day of my cumpleanos (ie. bday in espanol).




Track of the Day: Rocketship by Mood Ruff.This song played on MuchMusic's "Going Coastal" segment last night and now I'm all Kylie Minogue -- I just can't get it out of my head. Apparently the track is a few years old, but who doesn't love love an oldie, but a goodie??









* Photos property of style.com, net-a-porter.com, Google Images, nordstrom.com, clubzone.com, freesialiving.com, moodruff.com, mac.com, guerlain.com

Short and Sweet

Sorry y'all, this has to be short and sweet because I'm running from the office to a work meeting:

GO CANUCKS GO!!! Game one of round two, Vancouver vs. Anaheim tonight...

Also, congrats to my buddy Oli D., who scored just himself a sweet gig at a law firm in NYC. Gonna miss you, my friend!! Enjoy those Manhattans and Cosmos for me...

xoxo
Haute Hippie

Skye High

I couldn't have been more excited to learn that an PR acquaintance of mine down in Newport Beach -- with her new fashion publicity company Beach House PR -- just picked up CC Skye as a client.

The eponymous jewelry collection was lauched a little over three years ago, just after its Gen Art New York-winning designer (named CC Skye, what are the chances?!) returned from a four-month stint in Nepal, living with the locals and studying the shaman. But don't you start labelling Miz CC as the granola type -- before she hit the Himalayas, Skye worked as an associate producer for MTV fashion segments, as well as E! Entertainment Networks.

Like runway shows, each of her collections has a theme: French vintage to glam rock to fantasty couture. Her baubles have quite the following with both layman and celebs -- I don't always fully agree with the self-absorbed lifestyle celebu-tards indulge themselves in, but I fully condone them indulging in pieces from CC Skye.

Rings and bags and cuffs -- oh my!











I'm Lovin' it: Will Ferrell's The Landlord skit. Totally hilarious, totally Will Ferrell, totally made my day.

I'm Over it: Realizing I'm going to miss Game #1 of the Vancouver VS. Anaheim series due to a work meeting. Blast it! Looks like it's highlights in the morning for me.

Find of the Day: A New York lounge-esque online downtempo, funky house radio station through Live 365. It's -- a bit cheesily -- called Swank, but the tunes have kept me awake and happy at work aaaalllll day. Now if I only had a lychee martini, stilettos and vintage clutch to go with it.







* Photos property of ccskye.com, Google Images

My Own Private Oliver

Now I understand why all those New Yorkers buy homes and cottages in the Hamptons.

Sometimes it's good for the soul to get away from the hullaballoo of a big, dirty city and escape to the countryside, where you can build campfires, make S'mores, go canoeing with a BFF, skip rocks and roast smokies at 1 am in the morning.

Ok, so Vancouver isn't quite New York and Oliver isn't quite the Hamptons -- but campfires, s'mores, canoeing, rocks and smokies were certainly part of my itinerary this past weekend.

The trip started out on somewhat of the wrong foot -- all seven of us roadtrippin' past Hope and into the interior had just finished a long, eight hour day at work, only to have to journey for another five hours through Manning Park, the mountains, Keremeos and some other small towns that have never seen an Aritzia, Booster Juice, Cafe Crepe or Geren Ford. Road lines were hard to see, the new Griffin iTrip was more like Griffin iCrap and the copious amounts of Timbits I wolfed down did not sit well in my stomach (probably because I spent most of the week avoiding carbs like Ricky Martin avoids coming out of the closet).

Five hours, one near-collision with a female deer and three repeats of the Night Ripper album from Girl Talk, we made it into the teeny, tiny blip on a map called Oliver and met with our dear friend Meeters in some random high school parking lot, where some of her siblings' friends had broken into a small school bus and where we found her chilling, waiting for our arses to get there.

Us seven very tired and cranky young professionals -- ranging from a social worker to a financial advisor to a fashion photographer to a Masters Degree-holding psychologist -- did not enjoy the prospect of participating in a little neighborhood B & E and fought for our right to go to bed, which we thankfully won at about 1:30 in the morning.

The next day was considererably less stressful -- the two and a half hour personal wine tour we indulged in probably helped take the edge off of, well, everything. I, myself, purchased a fantabulous bottle of white wine from one of our stops and split the cost of a Pinot Grigio that my girl Sushi and I plan on uncorking this coming weekend. Though Vancouver's mega loss in Game 6 was a downer, the delicious home-cooked turkey dinner and ensuing dessert was enough to placate us until Game 7 today. And there's nothing that a little Caramilk Bar S'Mores can't help.

Sunday come around some sadness and sniffles, as we bid farewell to our soon-to-be Eskimo friend Meeters, who's spending an entire yet shelling out chemicals and medicine in the dry (ie. non-alcoholic) town of Rankin Inlet up in the northern Canadian tundras -- terribly unfortunate, but heck, the year will pass just like that anyway. It always does after twenty-three.

If you ever make it to Oliver and back, make sure to stop at Tickleberry's for some fudge and a gander at some tacky souvenirs, but don't get to overly ambitious like me -- after a huge breakfast, some crab from the Charlottes and a couple after dinner (breakfast?) mints, I still managed to buy myself marble fudge and a child's size waffle cone of Rolo ice cream (more like a heffer version, honestly it was huge)...all within the span of an hour and a half. Diet starts today, trust me.

So though Haute Hippie didn't necessarily go camping -- I did sleep indoors -- I was definitely camp-ish. Just don't count the hairdryer I lugged along with me.

And one the best things about my roadtrip?

Getting to wear flats for three days straight.






I'm Lovin' it: Me. Box Seats. Game 7 of the Vancouver VS. Dallas hockey series. Free food and drinks. Thank you Tom Tom, I owe you my life.

I'm Over it: Five minutes left in this work day.

Guilty Pleasure Track of the Day: Song #4 on the newest Rihanna CD. I'm too sheepish to name the song -- but it's something about ridin' and dyin' with your man. So Bonnie and Clyde.

Roadtrippin'

Tonight I'm roadtrippin' to Oliver (an extremely small town in the heart of BC that is decidedly so un-Haute Hippie-ish) with a group of pals.

And when I say small, I mean seriously small. Driving through the downtown core takes about two and a half minutes, if that.

My girl Meeters is moving to Nunavut (Northwest Territories, where Lanvin and United Bamboo do not exist) to take a pharmacy job up there for a year -- and to come back with a huge whack of dough for doing it after her term is done.

Doing some work-related research at the office today, I found two obi-like outfits that I love from the Missoni Spring 2007 collection -- and that probably you won't be find in Nunavat any time soon.

I will, however, cave in and buy a pair of Mukluks (platforms will just not do) in case I ever have to fly up north to visit a certain pharmacist friend.






I'm Lovin' it: The anticipation of buying a Griffin iTrip after work for the road -- my Nano has been seriously neglected lately, now that I've got my set of wheels back.

I'm Over it: The fact that we'll be arriving in Oliver at 1 am. Oh, and the fact that I'm missing "RBVF" -- better known as Red Bull Vodka Friday, a slick new end-of-week term jointly coined by myself and my best guy friend Big Brother K. "TGIF" is so out.

Un-Track of the Day: This gratingly terrible song from the 1920s that my graphic designer co-worker Nicky P. insists on playing over and over again today, solely to annoy the heck out of me. I suppose it's punishment for me playing my house and electronica music all the time -- Nicky's from The Ridge, so he prefers hard rock and death metal. For my SoCal readers, The Ridge is Vancouver's equivalent of the 909.

In-Vince-ible

Vince McMann rules the WWF. Vince Chase owns his Entourage and all of Hollywood. Vince Vaughn dumped Jennifer Aniston AND has Owen Wilson as a best friend.

While male Vinces take over the world, I'm quite content dealing with the clothing line Vince -- the perfect casually sophisticated brand to wear now that the summer's nearly here. Check out the colorblocked dress, breezy tanks and more forward white button-ups (definitely not Club Monaco 90s-style).

Easily to slip on, a cinch to accessorize and perfect for going from work to play, this Vince is one thing I'd love to have on my style side.

And maybe Vince Vaughn on my arm, too -- 'cause that would be so money, baby.











I'm Lovin' it: Happy, happy, happy is what I am when I catch wind or am informed of a great upcoming sample sale. For those who adored Lacoste, Dish, Buffalo, Sweet & Toxic, Colcci and Apartment, now is the time to have it -- discounted, at that, too. Fluid -- located in the style haven that is the FX Fashion Exchange building on Glen Drive -- is having a huge sample sale starting next week.

I'm Over it: My best guy friend is going to the Game #5 of the Vancouver Canucks VS. Dallas Stars playoff series. And I'm not. GO CANUCKS GO!!!

Artist of the day: Once upon a time, Serge Gainsbourg (music icon of the 60s and 70s) got together with Jane Birkin (60s and 70s actress/model/girl-about-town/namesake for that famous Hermes Birkin bag) and created Charlotte Gainsbourg. Charlotte grew up to become a talented actress (21 Grams and the Science Of Sleep), fashion darling (check out all the press hits she's been getting across style publications) and acclaimed songstress with her newest, platinum-in-France album 5:55. This ethereal album is musically-backed by Air, jointly lyricized by Gainsbourg and Jarvis Cocker, and produced by Nigel Godrich, whose roster includes Radiohead, Beck and Paul McCartney. Gainsbourg's voice is sexy, sultry and girly all at once. Kind of like a naughty schoolgirl.





www.myspace.com/charlottegainsbourg


* Photos property of myspace.com/charlottegainsbourg, shopbop.com

Let's Do 'Shrooms

All I hear about nowdays is, "Omigod, did you know so-and-so just got engaged?!"

I suppose it's around the time when your friends start dropping like flies from singledom and start shacking up with their significant others.

Then comes the proposal -- hopefully utterly romantic, surprising, original and unembarassing.

Then the ring -- hopefully a big, fat, modern-looking platinum princess or emerald cut.

Then the wedding -- my favorite part, because it's just like a night out at the university campus bar with your friends all over again...only with relatives, cake, champagne and possibly children.

One of the single most important elements of a wedding -- for the bride at least -- is the dress. Most betrothed girls I talk to often go hunting with a clear picture of their dream frock in mind, but end up just knowing "the dress" once it's on. As for me, I go back and forth on what type of dress I want: Tiered? Form-fitting? Flowy and fluid? Strapless? Halter? Big-bottomed? Monique Lhuillier? Vera Wang? Angel Sanchez? Reem Acra? Carolina Herrera?

Speaking of Carolina Herrera, I also go back and forth on this dress from her new bridal collection.

'Shrooms may be Friday night fun for high-schoolers, but I'm not too sure if mushroom silhouettes spell matrimonial fun for brides.

And if only it were as simple for women to know which guy is the one the same way as it is knowing which wedding dress is the one...






I'm Lovin it: The Vancouver Art Gallery event I'm hitting up tonight with my boss and two clients. Mixing and mingling with art-minded young professionals seems like a pretty fun, new way to spend a Wednesday evening. Sorry, America's Next Top Model. At least you re-run on Sunday nights.

I'm Over it: I used to be able to lie in bed and read for a good thirty minutes before nodding off to sleep. This year, I'll be turning fours years away from thirty and lately finding myself waking up at 5 or 6 am with latest the fashion magazine sitting on my face -- Vanity Fair's 2nd Anuual Green Issue was the publication of choice last night -- with the lights still on, wondering what the hell happened. My body just ain't what it used to be compared to last year.

Mix-Up of the Day: Girl Talk is a sample master, managing to turn dozens of samples in to full, absolutely dance-able songs -- which I will be shaking it to this June 9th at Richards on Richards. Now the man behind GT -- Gregg Gillis -- has joined musical forces with drummer Frank Musarra to form Trey Told Em. As the newest and hottest music collabo on the scene, the boys remixed Tokyo Police Club's Cheer It On. Completely worth the download.






* Photos property of fashionweekdaily.com, myspace.com/treytoldem

Gap-Tooth

Doo.Ri, mistress of flowing jersey. Rodarte, sister team of details, details, details. Thakoon, pint-sized master of black and metallics.

Three CFDA/VOGUE Fashion Fund winners and three guest designers for the Gap's Design Editions, in which the single design ingredient -- Iron Chef style -- is the color white.

Supermodel trio of Liya Kebede, Carmen Kass and Stella Tennant prance and jump in the super-affordable looks for the campaign, but if you're late to the punch -- like me -- you'll only find large and extra-large sizes left online.

My only hope is that Gap stores here in Canada bring in collection, and no one will really pick up on it.

Like Brittany Murphy in "Don't Say A Word": "I'll never teeellll...."















I'm Lovin' it: Chip & Pepper!! Their version of the shortalls is the bomb, y'all.







I'm Over it: Not being able to score Big Brother K and I tickets to Peter Bjorn and John at Zulu Records or Scratch Records. And by the number of "tickets wanted" posts on Craigslist, a lot of other people in town are raring to go to this show, too. What's even worse is that we just found out Fujiya & Miyagi are opening up for PB and J. Arrrrrrgh.





Track of the Day: Bloc Party's cover of Nelly Furtado's "Say It Right". Odd? Yes. Dope song? For sure.






* Photos property of gap.com, Google Images

Graffiti Gangsta

Conde Nast and graffiti?!

Who knew that Vogue's online sister Style.com would ever do a feature on graffiti artists?? But it has. Once an underground counter-culture and still completely illegal, graffiti has really hit a high note with the fashion industry. Big name brands -- Adidas and LeSport Sac included -- have commissioned top dawg spray-can artists to do major projects. Graffiti-ists such as Banksy, Miss Van and Shepard Fairey are raking in the dough by selling their wares on canvas. Street-art sites like Wooster Collective have tons and tons of regular readers -- myself included (all the newsletters I get from them get a read-through, then get dropped into a special folder in my Hotmail account for future reference purposes).

Some may say these graffiti gurus are selling out, kind of like how Outkast sold out by going from a golden album like Aquemini to a stank album like, well, Stankonia.

I say it's great. And seeing their work get so much props is the freshest thing to happen on the art scene since Warhol silk-screened Elizabeth Taylor.

Vogue Goes Street







Man of the Day: From Breaker High to Young Hercules to Remember The Titans to The Believer to The Slaughterhouse Rule to Murder By Numbers to The Notebook to Oscar-nominated Half Nelson to Fracture -- with Sir Anthony Hopkins, at that. Ryan Gosling, Canadian and international man of the day. And the year. And my life. Damn that cutie-pie Rachel McAdams for being his (rumored) fiancee. Well, hot Canadian couples rule anyway. Cue Hollywood swoon.







* Photos property of gothamist.com, splendora.com

Getting Gas-y

BP -- the rebranded name for British Petroleum -- is jumping on the green bandwagon.

Right on the corner of Olympic and Robertson Boulevards in Los Angeles, BP opened up its Helio House, made up entirely of green (ie. eco-friendly) building materials from solar panels to a green roof to farmed wood to motion sensor lights to concrete floors mixed with recycled glass to LED lighting to recycling bins to an environmentally-knowledgeable staff (in specially designed BP jumpsuits by Earnest Sewn (each hand-sewn in white with stripes in BP green and yellow).

Each gas pump is labelled good, better and best -- replacing the regular, premium and super premium categories.

But the best part of all is getting handed a postcard-size piece of recycled paper, not only imprinted with tips on how to save the environment but containing seeds in the paper pulp so that you can plant the postcard and watch flowers grow.

That way if there's no one currently bringing you flowers, you already have some of your very own.










I'm Lovin' it: My friend Sher and I went shopping on Saturday in Gastown -- post-brunch with the usual crew at Provence Marinaside -- managing to make our way into The Block on West Cordova (we both had headaches, thanks to an ambitious Friday night out). There we spotted the best ever tan Kit "wellie" flat boot from Loeffler Randall -- the top of the boot has a sweet "D" buckle and the sole has an ever-so-slight wedge to give the wearer just a little altitude. Check out the Loeffler Spring 2007 collection line sheet on their site for a snapshot.

I'm Over it: Vancouver girls who just can't get out of their Lululemons. Lulus are gym and yoga-wear only! Ok, and also lounging around the house-wear, too. But only on rainy days. Let's see a little style effort, m' dear local ladies.





Track of the Day: "As Above So Below" by The Klaxons. Simply put, UK bands rule! It's poppy, psychedelic indie -- kind of like The Killers with an English accent and more background noises to titillate your eardrums. They'll be rolling into town this month on the 22nd at Richards on Richards, and just landed the "Night Out With" column in the New York Times' Fashion & Style section. Gotta dig the way they shout out Carrie Bradshaw in the piece, too.









* Photos property of worldchanging.com, nytimes.com, Google Images

Go Sheer, M'Dear

When the sun shines in, wearing layers is out.

In fact, going sheer is where it's at.

The second to last clothing purchase I made was a sheer sea-foam green and white patterned top, which I layered over top a tight black camisole and paired with loose, short wool black shorts. I'm sure I could've been more daring with a brassiere/sheer top combo, but I wasn't too in the mood for being risque.

Having said all of that, this sheer black top from Vivienne Westwood -- queen of rock chic and Gwen Stefani's style muse -- is available at J Ransom out on La Brea in Los Angeles. It's on sale for $299, which isn't saying that much -- it is a Vivienne Westwood, after all.

This particular silhouette is superb. There's so much coverage, yet you still see a whole lot. Not advisable for daywear, but come nighttime, it'll be a hot commodity.

And sheerly, I don't jest about that.

* bad pun, I know...sorry, it's been a long day





I'm Lovin' it: I'm finally going to be writing my first article for ION Magazine! After going back and forth for awhile with the publisher/fashion editor due to busy schedules, the write up is set to run in the June/July issue. Holla! You can pick up the issue at any place related to fashion, music and other hip, cool such things.

I'm Over it: Masculine things on women definitely empowering, and is something I've been practicing for awhile. Four years ago, I bought a huge silver men's watch for a little double-whammy of time-telling and fashion. Certain colognes on female skin are pheremonically (did I just make up that word?) alluring, and what girl doesn't look cute prancing around the house in her BF's long sleeve button-up shirt and hipsters?? Here's a little secret: I prefer men's deodorant, simply because I think smells better. But for some reason today, I decided to put on some female deodorant instead, which I got for free (never would've bought it on my own!). Now every time I move my arm, all I can smell is baby powder, when I'd really rather be smelling like Gilette Cool Rain.

Oh, and I'm also over the fact I can't reservations for two at Chambar for tomorrow night.

Track of the Day: "She Gets Up" by Tzu. I've been thoroughly fanatic about Australian music acts lately, whether it's electronica or indie-ish. This track really gets you going in much the same way songs by Jet do -- peppy, lots of synchronized singing/yelling and plenty of horns to back it up. It just might make it as the new iPod commerical song.




www.myspace.com/wearetzu




* Photos property of jransomla.com, Google Images

Matt & Nat

When springtime ushers in the cherry blossoms, sunglasses, light jackets and cheery smiles, I always get a hankering for not only a new romance (or spring fling, whatever you want to call it), but for a brand new wallet.

Matt & Nat, a Montreal-based and animal-friendly handbag line founded by Inder Bedi, came out of the woodworks in 1997. Bedi -- a marketing major and corporate law minor degree holder -- teamed up with Manny Kohli a few years later, solidifying a creative and entrepreneurial partnership that has produced some neat handbags and some really, really fantastic wallets. The line now sells not only on this side of the pond in Canada and the US, but overseas in the UK as well.

I discovered the line a few weeks ago at Spank on Granville, where a snazzily dressed mannequin (wearing VOOM I think) in the store window convinced me to make a quick pit store, and where I discovered Matt & Nat sitting prettily on shelves near the back. The collection's price points are decent ('round $50 for a wallet), the material is eco and animal-conscious and the aesthetics are unique. This ain't your typical LV fake wallet, yo.

With spring here and summer about to get here, you don't want to be carrying around a huge purse around to meet your friends for drinks on the patio. After all, isn't less more, come summertime?

So get yourself a Matt & Nat.

Stat.











I'm Lovin' it: Oh, Martin Saar -- an incredibly fine specimen of an Estonian man (and former Abercrombie & Fitch model) who happens to be an amazing graphic and sketch artist. The fashion world has already bowed down to worship his feet, with press hits in Fashion Week Daily, WWD and Vogue, as well as a collaboration with Bergdorf Goodman to produce long-sleeve button down shirts with graphic silk screens of famous faces. His current exhibition "Ths 80s in Estonia" is showing till May 2nd and backed by KiptonART, a highly regarded site founded by Kipton Cronkite that promotes emerging artists and talent.





I'm Over it: Larry Birkhead is Anna Nicole's babby daddy. We knew it all along anywhere, so let the story -- and A.N.S. -- rest in peace.

Track of the Day: "You" by People Under The Stairs. Yup, going back to my old school, hip-hop listening roots today. A little funky 70s bass guitar riff provides a solid foundation for a catchy singing hook and spit-out worthy lyrics. It'll make you want to do the shoulder shake, or perhaps jump into a drop-top, cherry red Impala while bobbing your head with a couple of big-afro blaxploitation icons, a la Shaft, Richard Roundtree and Pam Grier.





www.myspace.com/peopleunderthestairs



* Photos property of mattandnat.com, Google Images

Bob-ing And Weaving

If I could pull off a bob haircut, I would do it in a flash.

But I can't, so I'm forcing my coiffure fantasy on those around me who I think would look utterly chic in one.

My friend S.D. has gorgeous, stick-straight blonde hair and tiny, pretty doll-like features. I've been trying to get her chop off her locks into a slightly angled bob -- a little shorter in the back -- but I've resigned to the fact she probably won't ever take me up on my hair advice.

I personally thought Sarah Jessica Parker looked adorable when she lobbed off her curly locks (was that in SATC Season four or five?), and Jen Aniston looked stunning when cheveux super-star Chris McMillan took his scissors to hers.





And now, we've got a newbie on the chopping block. Kudos to Jay-Z's protege Rihanna, who rocks the 'do with her fine Barbados-born self.

I salute you for making short hair as sexy as a pair of Christian Louboutins.






I'm Lovin' it: I take back my last comment that pinned last Thursday as being the best night of my life. The Miguel Migs show at The Commodore last Saturday takes the cake so far this 2007. I must've danced for five hours straight -- a fantastic, low-impact but highly fun work-out, especially when it comes with a live DJ. On top of the killer music, I was surrounded by my friends and a good vibes, good-looking crowd of guys and dolls there to worship the beats coming from Migs' decks. Solid gold.

I'm Over it: Local celebrity sightings yesterday. Breakfast Television's Simi Sara on West Broadway, trying to be all cool and avoid eye contact -- woo hoo, didn't want your autograph anyway. Vancouver Canuck Kevin Bieksa at Urban Fare carrying a Starbucks cup and with a short, blonde girl that was probably his GF. Well, that sighting was worth it because Bieksa is kind of hot. In a hockey-playing, Neanderthal sort of way.

Art of the Day: I simply love getting my email invites from Munky King in Los Angeles, though we all know I no longer reside in SoCal. There's a new exhibit/mingle-fest going on there called The Pop Cling Vinyl Show, from the art collective called (get ready for this one) Pop Cling, a group that reproduces art on adhesive (so you can stick it anywhere you want) and crafts skateboard decks. Make sure you read up on the group member bios -- hilarious!






* Photos property of splendora.com, munkyking.com

So Stoked...

That The Avalanches released this statement in January '07 on the impending release of their second album (six years too late, in my opinion!), drop-time and title yet TBD:

"It's so f%*kin' party you will die, much more hip-hop than you might expect, and while there is still no accurate estimated time of arrival, we're sure you're gonna love it when it arrives ... It's ended up sounding like the next logical step to Since [I Left You], we just had to go around in a big circle to get back to where we belong. And one day when you least expect it you'll wake up and the sample fairy will have left it under your pillow."


www.myspace.com/theavalanches








* Photo property of myspace.com/theavalanches

You Can't A-Ford Me

The countdown is on.

In less than two weeks, Mister Tom Ford himself is opening his first flagship store in NYC!

Unfortunately for me, I don't live in the Big Apple -- which means I don't get to be in the mass mob that will most likely line up for opening day. Gosh darn it.

The new space -- housed at the old Gianfranco Ferre boutique at 845 Madison -- is going to be a sweeping 3,500 square feet of pure Ford magic and surrounded by fellow designer boutiques Yves Saint Laurent (an ex-fashion house of his), Prada, Chloe, Gucci and Cartier. It will no doubt be filled with his expolsively popular sunglasses line, accessories, his collaboration collection with Ermenegildo Zegna and, of course, his own long-awaited menswear line.

With the Phillips Group overseeing the design and architecture -- Barneys New York, Bottega Venetta, Donna Karan, YSL and Gucci are former/current clients -- the flagship store will absolutely reek of Tom Ford upon completion. Not a bad thing, either.

Now if only the man were straight...

I'm Lovin' it: Girl days! Went shopping with Stephie D. -- and future downtown roomie come June --yesterday in the gorgeous, aviator sunglasses-worthy sunshine and managed to:

a) Have a celebrity sighting of Michael Buble and his fabulous GF Emma Blunt, who was the uber-bitchy, red-headed assistant in the Devil Wears Prada.

b) Snag a sea-green and white printed sheer blouse -- very Guccci-esque (under current designer Frida Giannini) -- for $13. Brand new, too!

c) Do some mad people-watching while trolling the shops downtown.

d) Find the wicked-est art piece I need, need, need to buy from Urban Outfitters. It's this print of a DJ's hand spinning decks, all black painted on a wood canvas. And only $30!

e) Ooh and aah over the light denim shortalls at Aritzia that will be mine this summer.

f) Snag this deep royal blue suede tote that I had been eyeing at Aldo for the past two months, which I bought yesterday for $15, originally priced at $40.

g) Make it through the entire day, considering my long weekend kicked off with a 7 am Friday morning return home from a Thursday night that was not really supposed to include a major dance session at Lotus Sound Lounge and an ensuing after-party with a select bunch at Hugo B.'s tricked out Coal Harbor apartment. And who knew texting wars with someone in the same room as you could be so much fun? Best night of my life.

I'm Over it: All I want to do is run, Forest, run outside -- perhaps on the dreaded Tolmie hill? -- but it's already begun to sprinkle.

Artist of the Day: My new sound obsession Dean & Britta. The single, coolest thing about this duo is that Britta Phillips used to be the voice of Jem from my personal favorite 80s cartoon Jem And The Holograms. Both formerly of the band Luna, Dean Wareham and Phillips married during the recording of their latest album Back Numbers and are quite honestly a super-adorable couple in that indie, artsy kind of way. Their tracks are a bit folksy and dreamy, but with more kick -- meaning not too accoustic-y that you feel as if you were attending singing hour at the nearest hippie commune. Check out "Words You Used To Say" and "Ginger Snaps".

www.myspace.com/deanandbritta

* Photos property of deanandbritta.com, Google Images

Mary Jaaaane...

I think Candy Pratts-Price -- accessories director for Style.com -- is my accoutrement soul mate.

Take a look at these Mary Janes from Christian Louboutin that Pratts-Price shouted out. Ivory, creamy and gold-studded -- not your typical black patent, that's for sure!

It's sexy like a stiletto, but won't leave your toes scrunched up into a point -- not terribly good for orthopedics.

And to quote the late Rick James:

"I'm in love with Mary Jane.
She's my main thing.
She makes me feel alright.
She makes my heart sing."

I'm warbling a tune right now.





* And here's a little YouTube flashback for you, courtesy of Mistah R. James himself.







** Photo property of style.com, Google Images

Oh Pooh!

With internet and email alive and kicking, the use for beautiful stationary has diminished a thousand-fold.

I mean, I'm sure you've received a Hallmark e-Card or e-Vite in the past few months at least.

Today, I was sourcing out some stationary envelopes and came across a very interesting -- and a tad bit icky -- set of note cards from Natural History Museum.

I'm not kidding, it's called the Poo Poo Paper Stationary set, made from the re-worked and re-pulped dung of Asian elephants to make rough-textured note cards to send a message, invite, thank you or good luck inside. It comes in photo albums and notebook squares, too. The stuff isn't stinky -- it goes toward the conservation of elephants and manages to look quite pretty, too.

I swear it's not bullshit.

But it is a little of the elephant variety.


* Take a close look at the black and white sticker on the packaging. HILARIOUS!!




I'm Lovin' it: Long weekend!! Actually, I think I still have to come in the office tomorrow, but still...yahoo!

I'm Over it: Not being able to spend Easter with my family, who are all the way in SoCal and will most likely be having a delicious family get-together filled with good eats and really bad family karaoke. Really, really fun and bad family karaoke.

Track of the Day: "Electricity" by The Avalanches. I gave another one of their tracks a shout-out awhile ago -- this tune is close to being just as great. I swear, the background music is sampled from the instrumental soundtrack portions of the old school "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" movie with Gene Wilder. Oompa, Loompa doopity doo!

Electricity




* Photo property of papersource.com

San Miguel (Migs)

It's my buddy Dan T.'s birthday this weekend.

Instead of us getting him a present, he asked us to all join in Saturday night festivities that will be the Miguel Migs show at the Commodore Ballroom.

Migs' album "Nude Tempo" has always been a constant repeat in my CD player and with his new album "Those Things" out, there's no doubt his show will not disappoint. His music is funky, soul house through and through.

For those who are unfamiliar with this Bay Area DJ, have a little listen.

Can't wait to get my dance on.

www.myspace.com/djmiguelmigs

* Photo property of myspace.com/djmiguelmigs

Riding In My Funkmobile

Woooo hooooooo!!!

So my little funkmobile Toyota Scion TC has finally made it into Canada-land! I've been going on a rampage driving it around town, pumping my tunes and basically really, really enjoying having my baby back.

Speaking of funkmobiles, I MUST give props to local company Jorg&Olif, who have a wickedly wicked collection of Dutch city bikes that has been absolute hit with the international fashion crowd, already getting a profile slot on Style.com and a mention in the "Heard" section on Fashion Week Daily.

Jane Cox -- of the Vancouver design firm Cause+Affect -- heads up Jorg&Olif, scoring a major coup by getting picked up by retailer An Earnest Cut & Sew in New York.

Jorg&Olif is so the new beach cruiser.







I'm Lovin' it: My new bed (thanks to K-Dizzle for the sleek set) and my new sheets from HomeSense. They're this really pretty combination of white, light green (not quite minty and not quite pastel) and chocolate brown. Modern borders, too. Faaaabulous, dah-ling!

I'm Over it: First of the month moves. Had one yesterday -- was hectic, but admittedly not as harried as some previous relocations. Oh, and yesterday I realized how much of a mall person I'm not anymore -- the crowd at Metrotown was feeling much too claustrophobic for my recently acquired, off the beaten track boutique tastes.

Track of the Day: My boss B. has been playing this beautiful, heart-wrenching ballad by The Tragically Hip in the office that gets to me in the same way "Colorblind" by the Counting Crows gets to me. Anyone who's seen that Reese Witherspoon/Ryan Philippe escalator scene in "Cruel Intentions" knows exactly what I'm referring to. Anyhoo, the track is called...damn, I totally forgot! Will post it as soon as I remember.


* Photo property of Google Images