Picture Perfect

I was checking out the site for L.A.-based label White Horse Couture and promptly fell in love with their whimsical, 70s hippie-chic pictures for the brand's Spring '08 lookbook.

White horses, long hair, beaded necklaces, peace signs, VW vans, headbands, daisy hair wreaths and this last picture, which doesn't really showcase the clothes but makes the heart melt instead.

Beautiful photography by Will Sterns!







I'm Lovin' it: Thanks Carolyn at BelleRinger PR for sending me all those yummy KLEAN Bath & Body products today!!


I'm Over it: Styling my hair in the mornings. Since it started snowing, I've been living in my Lifetime Collective grey and black striped toque and not having to do a thing with my mane, except take a blowdryer to it. Unfortunately, I think tomorrow that'll all have to change.


Track of the Day: Rocky Took A Lover by Bell X1. The band is comprised of Brian Crosby, Dave Geraghty, Paul Noonan and Dominic Phillips, all from Ireland. Pre-BellX1, the group was known as Juniper before lead vocalist Damien Rice left the band to go solo. More often than not, bands go kaput once the lead singer says adios, but these four boys have done a-okay.






* Photos property of White Horse Couture, Will Sterns, BellX1 and are used solely for commentary purposes

Underneath My Clothes

"Underneath my clothes, there's an endless story..." is what Shakira once sang a fews ago in her hit song of the same name.

Sure, there's a story underneath mine for revealing, too, but I'd much rather reveal me wearing something from Letters of Marque, a new line of vintage-inspired lingerie from Stacey Dash.

And oui, oui -- it's the same Stacey Dash who played Dionne next to Alicia Silverstone's Cher.

Along with Jennifer Issa, the actress/designer has created a beautiful, romantic collection of undergarments, inspired by one of her ancestors who was, apparently, a Dutch pirate. The original Letter of Marque was a document given to pirates, allowing them the right to pillage whatever they invaded. Pillage...booty...lingerie...makes sense, no?

The underthings really are quite breathtaking, made from French and English Leavers lace and fashioned into vintage silhouettes -- Dash and Issa's "Muse" collection should be in every woman's boudoir drawer.

Writing about fashion while wearing Letters of Marque is so Sex and Vancity.










I'm Lovin' it: I cannot wait to see the new Jason Wu and Alexander Wang collections from NY Fashion Week.







I'm Over it: Know when you have a craving to eat something and when you do, it's not at all as good as it normally is? I'd been wanting a burrito from Taco Shack on Cornwall for awhile, so yesterday I gave in. The boy with ADD who made my burrito put too much pico de gallo, had no rice to put in and didn't cook the onions properly on the grill. Have I ever mentioned my extreme detest for raw onions?? Anyway, the eating experience was not as pleasant as I hoped. And my breathe STILL smells like onions, despite multiple tooth brushings, flosses and gum.






Music of the Day: The auditory pleasure of Kid Sister, born Melissa Young of Chicago. If I were to describe her music, I'd say it's Girl Talk, M.I.A., Lady Sovereign and DJ A-Trak all in one, but with her doing all the rapping. Oh wait, A-Track also happens to be her boyfriend and Kanye West's DJ, which explains why Mister West did his own version of her track "Pro Nails". Booty-shaking, electro shizz.








* Photos property of Letters of Marque, artevisual.com.mx, Kid Sister, Alexander Wang and are used solely for commentary purposes

Thigh High

I love Vancouver, I really do.

But it's times like this when I wish upon a star that my fashion-obsessed self lived in a place that helped foster my overflowing sartorial obsessions.

Recently, I went on a massive hunt for thigh-highs -- yes, like Cher Horowitz from Clueless -- to rock with my shorts and heels. The only ones to be found were nylon knee-high ones from a local drug store, which I had to buy in the "oversized persons" (their words, not mine) version so they'd pull up over my knees, as well as double them up so they wouldn't be so sheer or fall down.

All I really wanted were thigh-highs like the girl pictured below in Paris.

Sigh.

Yes, and the rest of her outfit is fantastic, too.

Double sigh.






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

I'm Suffering...

...from editorial OCD.

I just re-published my last post about seven times after re-reading it and making changes.

Let's hope there are no type-os or grammatical errors though, because that would be really, really embarrassing in light of that previous fact.

xo
Haute Hippie

SAG Fashion

Hmmmm.

I wasn't quite blown away with the fashion at yesterday's SAG Awards in Los Angeles last night.

Sure, there was Balenciaga (Cate Blanchett) and Escada (Vanessa Williams) and Oscar de la Renta (Debra Messing) and Zac Posen (Ellen Page) and Versace (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Luisa Beccaria (Kate Beckinsale) and Prada (Javier Bardem) and Calvin Klein (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) and Neem Khan (Eva Longoria) and vintage Hermes (Angelina Jolie) and Nina Ricci (Marion Cotillard) and all that.

But nothing really struck me as beautiful beyond words, a dress that I would shed tears over because it was so gorgeous.

Like that unbelievable ivory and gold Christian Dior gown Gisele Bundchen wore to the Oscars a few years ago, tagging along as Leo DiCaprio's arm candy. I mooned over it so much that I actually saved an image to have a lucky seamstress knock it off for my wedding dress some day -- and I'm nowhere near a marriage anytime soon (this usually requires something called a boyfriend), let alone sure if I believe in its institution anyway (ask me again in a year or two...or five).

Anyway, if I had to present a "Best Dressed at the SAGs" aware, I suppose I'd give it to either Vanessa Williams or Kate Beckinsale, both of whom chose yellow as their hue of the evening.

Though I'm sure the mood was rather sombre in light of Heath Ledger's death, they were a a bit of a bright spot to the night.








I'm Lovin' it: My Sunday afternoon this weekend, which consisted of a viewing of "27 Dresses" with Aims, Berry and Roops. It was a really, really, really cute chick flick, if I do say so myself. Katherine Heigl has great comic timing. Sometimes it's nice to put away P.T. Anderson, Wes Anderson, Stanley Kubrick, David Cronenberg, Paul Haggis and David Slade for a moment, just to indulge in girly movies that make us feel -- if only for 90 minutes -- that a love connection like that can truly happen.






I'm Lovin' it, Part Deux: My girl Berry -- who is a senior accountant at KPMG -- was working at a client's for the past two weeks, a client that happens to distribute most major fashion magazines to the Vancity area. She brought me a stack of mags worth their weight in gold to me yesterday, so all I want to do is read them from cover to cover with Sex and the City blaring on my TV in the background.


I'm Lovin' it, Part Trois: Rock Band! Playing those drums is waaaaay too much fun. Give you one guess to how I spent my Saturday night. Till 2 am with some buddies. This includes a poutine stop in between songs at about 12:30 am for re-fueling.







I'm Over it: Walking to the T & T Supermarket from my girl AJ's condo in pink and maroon pajama bottoms, dark grey t-shirt, white button-up cardigan, black socks, blue flats and my huge gold earrings this past Saturday morning. Kudos to me, I suppose, for biting the bullet and trying to be all liberated by not going to the store dressed up -- or at least in a purposeful "i just threw this on" outfit -- but in that 15 minutes walking around T & T, I realized just how much of a fashionista I am sometimes. As in all the time.



Laugh of the Day: I've been YouTube-ing a lot of Dave Chapelle clips in the past 48 hours -- that dude is HILARIOUS. If you haven't seen his skit with John Mayer on white people dancing, I suggest you click here.







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

C-C-C-Cory Kennedy for U.D.

Remember a few months ago, when I blogged about Cory Kennedy?

Cory's a hipster darling, barely even old enough to legally party with the best of them. Though she does -- and often.

Magazines like NYLON, Visionaire, Purple, etc. -- and those who are affiliated with them -- also love this girl, writing praises, publishing her pictures and giving her open door opportunities to take over the fashion scene with her insouciant gaze and half-lazy smile.

Beauty brand Urban Decay jumped on the C.K. bandwagon, signing up the teen to be their new face. Below are some choice shots from her ad campaign.

Miz Cory -- like Kirsten Dunst for Miu Miu -- also cleans up real nice.









I'm Lovin' it: Weeeeeeekend! Gots to get ready for the night now.


I'm Over it: Slap. Face. Aaaaand done with it.


Photo of the Day: This Jeremy Kost polaroid from the Sundance Film Festival, capturing the ultimate cool couple made up of musician Donovan Leitch and model Kirsty Hume. Their little girl Violet is as photogenic as her mom and pops, too.







* Photos property of style.com, Urban Decay, Jeremy Kost and are used solely for commentary purposes

Darn it!

Arriving in my inbox today were two invites for New York Fashion Week: Willow at Bryant Park and Cynthia Rowley at Gotham Hall.

The problem?

Well, I just can't go at this time.

But at least I can stare at the invites and imagine being there.

PS. Thanks to Michelle at C.R. and Christine at Harrison & Shriftman for thinking of me, though!!







* Images property of Cynthia Rowley, Willow and are used solely for commentary purposes

Boy, Do I Miss...

My fantastic friend Agata, fashion photographer and current Berlin, Germany resident.

Here she is, showing off her brand new haircut in a photo she sent us gals today, pretty much looking as cool, hip and fab as ever.

Not only does Aggs have some of the coolest fashion and art at her fingertips living in Berlin, she's also tackling the German language, which is totally "Überwältigend" (meaning "awesome", according to some random free translator I found on the web).

Miss ya heaps, chica!

PS. Check out Aggs' photo book on her website -- image #13 is the one she gave me as a present before taking off the Berlin. I heart it so much. She also took the pic of me that's currently my blog image!

PPS. So much for not taking my MacBook to bed with me and hitting the sack early. I suck.





* Photo property of thesquirrel.ca/Agata Baranowska and is used solely for commentary purposes

Due South

Last night, Valentino took his final bow on the couture runways of Paris.

And Milan.

And New York.

The famed fashion legend retired his sketching pencils and officially handed the Valentino torch to Alessandra Facchinetti -- who took over the reins at Gucci after Tom Ford left the building -- but not without sending out 74 outfits that were quintessentially him.

If I were a southern belle, I'd turn to Valentino before all else. The designer had three deliciously yellow, gorgeous, frothy, flower-y looks befitting the late Vivien Leigh's Scarlett O'Hara.

That means if Tara was my plantation, Valentino would be my couturier.

And Ryan Gosling would be my Rhett Butler.









I'm Lovin' it: The disco-glam era is my favorite fashion era, something I've said in the past. Women were sexy, glamourous, empowered and gilded in gold accessories, the latter of which probably explains my intense love for that style period. You should see my nightstand and dresser, overflowing with golden costume jewelry. Anyway, this Gussto "Estiva" bronze metallic hobo -- available at Nordstom -- would go so well with my metallic collection. It's certainly Studio 54-approved.






I'm Over it: The half sleeping pill I took last night, in an attempt to jolt my fatigued body into a normal snoozing pattern (note to all: do not take your new MacBooks to bed with you or you'll end up cybersurfing till god-knows-when). These little capsules not only black you out in a rather scary way, you also have the worst dreams possible on them.





Track of the Day: Starz In Your Eyes by Just Jack. My girl Ovitch introduced me to this track by the UK band today and I pretty much can't get it out of my head. Indie-pop goodness!!







* Photo property of style.com, FWD, ica.org.uk and is used solely for commentary purposes

Miu Miu Hearts KiKi

Are real models even necessary for ad campaigns anymore??

Celebrities have long been pushing models out of magazine covers and advertisements, putting them back onto just the runway.

The latest star to do this is Kirsten "KiKi" Dunst, who recently cleaned up, got primped and preened by super stylists, put on a few pretty outfits and mugged for the newest Miu Miu campaign.

I gotta admit, the girl looks good. Plus I'm a big fan of the eery sideshow/circus vibe of the ads, with its contrasts between bright color and dark shadows.

These shots are much better than those candid paparazzi ones, usually of her with messy hair and a cigarette, trolling around Hollywood looking pale and sickly, while possibly canoodling with a dirty-looking indie rocker.

But she cleans up nice, no?










I'm Lovin' it: Not that I should -- or anyone else -- should really care, but I'm dying to read the Vogue exclusive on Lauren Davis' wedding to Andreas Santo-Domingo. She's a contributing editor for the mag, as well as a fashion consultant and PR gal on the side. He's the heir to a multi-billion dollar fortune in Colombia. That means Lauren can wear all the couture she ever wants. We also hear she's a big fan of powdered nose candy, but that's unverified. Though you have to admit, Davis has a pretty rail-thin body...and she did miss the shows at Milan's last Fashion Week (some say due to rehab)...and she sure likes to party...just some things to make you go "hmmmm"...






I'm Over it: Huge deadline tomorrow for the V List Magazine. HUGE. My stress level is rather high at the moment.


Album of the Day: My buddy Tyler is one of my more musically-intelligent pals -- it's great discussing music with him. He often introduces me to a lot of really, really great albums and bands, like from the label Italians Do It Better, who released an album of various artists called After Dark. It remixes a some tunes you'll be sure to recognize into chill, electronica beats. The first track is so good -- and the rest just gets better.







* Photos property of Miu Miu, emusic.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

You Know Those Days...

...When you look in your closet and realize there's absolutely nothing to wear??

There's nothing to mix 'n' match, there's nothing new and there's nothing to sport for the upcoming season (Spring '08 in normal chronology, Fall '08 in fashion chronology).

Yeah, I'm having one of those days.

I feel like Cher Horowitz from "Clueless", getting ready for a date with hot Christian and finding her wardrobe completely inadequate, not to mention stale (but not as in smelly) and monochromatic.

Except I'm just going about my regular day, not going on a date.

So when all else fails, I reach for my black Kersh bubble-sleeve dress and accessorize the hell out of it.

Technical Difficulties S.U.C.K.

Arghhhhh!

I'm ready to rip my hair out.

Trying to do my posts for Hollywood Life, but the backend editor is thinking SO SLOWLY and giving me that dreaded Mac "wheel-of-death" (the colorful spinning circle that just won't stop).

Anyway, back to ripping my hair out.







I'm Lovin' it: My friend Andrew is coming in from New Zealand on Sunday, woot woot!

I'm Over it: All my pals will be partying in W-town this weekend, but not me. Huh, weird how that happened. Riiiight.

Video of the Day: You've got to check out BBC's The Secret Of Haute Couture six-part series. I was up till almost 1 a.m. last night (this morning?) watching it, but it sure taught me a lot about what goes on in the ateliers of Paris. Plus just hearing Karl Lagerfeld's voice talking about his creations and thoughts was pretty much fashionista heaven.

Pre-Fall Madness

Woo hoo!

Pre-Fall 2008 madness is going down right now. Yes, we still have yet to exit the real winter season but what fashionista doesn't already like planning her outfits for next fall?? Get me some those Baleniaga slouchy boots, stat!

Anyway, my girl Reems warned me that Chanel's Pre-Fall collection was kind of whack and unwearable -- after browsing nearly 70 images of outfits from K. Lagerfeld's presentation in Paris, I only saw three that I'd wear if I had couture money burning a hole in my pocket.

I did really like the oversized bubble sweater skirts with huge ribbing that littered Karl's runway. Doesn't Anouck Lapere look great, by the way? The skirts looked Stella McCartney-ish, which equates comfortable chic at all times.

That being said, however, I'll leave the beehive 'dos to Amy Winehouse for now.








I'm Lovin' it: These black boots from Balenciaga.






I'm Over it: Awkwardness between friends. There's definitely going to be a change in social dynamics within one of my crews (breakups between close, socially-bound friends...not that easy), so we're just gonna have to see how this all pans out.


Art of the Day: The new Equinox fitness club ads, conceptualized by advertising agency Fallon and shot by fashion photo/filmmaker Ellen von Unwerth (yes, the same Ellen who did Erin Fetherston's "Wendybird" short film). This campaign is supposed to play on the whole fairytale-slash-happily ever after theme. I'm not sure how much the ads say fitness as much as they look like editorial spreads, but they're fantastical anyway.








* Photos property of Chanel, Balenciaga, style.com, nytimes.com, Equinox and are used solely for commentary purposes

Hmmm...

Awkward moments are...well, awkward.

I've counted two of them in the last two hours, one subtle and one not so much.

It's funny watching people try to damage control on these moments, or watch people's faces as they happen to say something they wish they hadn't.

It's a kind of comical, really. In hindsight.

Bedtime for sure!

xo
Haute Hippie

Rockin' and a-Rollin'

I had never classified myself as a rocker chick.

Sure, I may have had a leather wristband somewhere in the Netherlands of my dresser drawer, but that was about the extent of it. No tats, no nose rings, no Hell's Bells on the stereo and no love for muscle cars or old Firebirds.

Lately though, I've been feeling some major admiration for rocker-chic outfits, like this one below. The whole skinnier pants with high heels and a vest thrown over a tight shirt is the look I'm looking to rock and roll as soon as I find the right vest.

And believe me, I've been looking for it.

I kind of heart this one from MK2K because it's meant to hang open instead of buttoned up -- could go without the jewels, though. This Crispin & Basilio one is funky, too.

So I may never be Irina Lazareanu, but hey, a girl can try.







I'm Lovin' it: After peering at my jewelry tray, I couldn't help but notice my cheapie metallic bangles are getting tarnished. As in my cheapie gold bangles are now cheapie silver. And I'm a gold-wearer, so that does me no good. So now I'm on the prowl for some new bracelets to make me and my outfits happy -- Isharya does a wicked square wood cuff with just the right touch of gold and bling.






I'm Over it: Since by BGF (best guy friend) K-Dawg invested in some cookware and kitchen utensils as my Christmas present -- he was rightfully appalled that my roomie and I had gone since June '07 without a pot or pan -- I've been going on a cooking rampage. Roast rack of lamb, ribeye steaks marinated in balsamic vinegar and rosemary, garlic mashed potatoes...yummy and fun, right? But you know what's not fun?? Cleaning the pots, pans and stove afterwards. I won't lie -- it sucks. Currently, I'm staring at all the dirty things in my sink from making din-din for one, namely me.


Track of the Day: Paper Money by Soulsavers. Rich Machin and Ian Glover make up this group from the UK, producing and remixing tracks all over the place. This particular song is sensually eery, the kind of track you might hear in movie where the main character is walking through an S&M party. The vocals are of the same eery-sexy vibe as Beth Gibbons from Portishead.








* Photos property of style.com, exitmusic.ch, net-a-porter.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Hot Shots

I love Bill Cunningham photos from The New York Times.

He recently did a series of shots of women in NYC wearing ankle booties.

There two are my absolute faves.

The first shot is of the hottest yummy mummy I've ever seen -- please god, let me look as cool and stylish as this woman after my first baby (her tot is apparently wearing baby Oakleys or something -- very cute)!

The second shot of two chic women in the Big Apple is so endearing because the one on the left has childishly rolled out her ankles in much the same way a toddler might, blissfully unaware her picture is getting taken as she waits for a cab. You know that I know she wouldn't have rolled out her ankles if Cunningham took the picture head-on. There's something really innocent about the shot. Loves it.







* Photo property of Bill Cunningham, nytimes.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Hell's Belle in Miele

The business is full of poptart-y stars who get stale bubblegum so quickly, you just want to throw them out in the garbage or stick them under a desk.

This, however, is not the case with actress Camilla Belle. She always turns up impeccably on the red carpet of anything fashion or film, the perfect hanger for perfect frothy designer frocks. It doesn't hurt that she's gorgeous as heck, being half-Brazilian and all.

She outshone every other red carpet walker at a recent Art Of Elysium event in L.A. the other night, swathed in a cascade of black and white ruffles and tiers from designer Carlos Miele, who is also a fellow Brazilian and a lover of bright, vivid color (don't let C.B.'s dress fool you).

Belle garnered critical praise for her role as Daniel Day-Lewis' daughter in "The Ballad of Jack and Rose" and in the indie hit "Chumscrubber". Can't wait to see what else this young'un turns up in.

By the way, if you haven't seen Daniel Day-Lewis' new flick "There Will Be Blood", go see it now. And I mean now.







I'm Lovin' it: This little text message from Faran Krentcil -- the fashion scribe who formerly helmed Fashionista.com and is now over at NYLON Mag -- to her ex-Fashionista coworker Natalie: "I'm opening up a brunch cafe called House of Hollandaise." I bet Henry and Agyness are doubled over laughing right now -- I know I sure am! Good one, F.K.!!


I'm Over it: Forgetting how fun girls' nights are! Case and point: Saturday evening. Take one Haute Hippie, one Berry, one Viv and one AJ. Mix the four with Redbull vodkas, shots from a very nice bartender and blend with a night of dancing to house at Ginger 62, sans the boys. Add one L-bomb dropped in inebriation via text to a new-ish boyfriend, several slices of pizza from Numero Uno that appeared from nowhere (could've been off the plates of Berry's co-workers we ran into afer because I don't remember buying any), one run-in with some random dudes from out of town who pulled over in their car and who wanted us to afterparty with them (hell no!) and a few screams from V-Town, getting them to hit the road. Slide all four girls into bed and serve the next morning with four hangovers, one brutal flight to Kelowna for work, one early morning volunteer meeting and several explanations to several parties of what went down the night before.


Music of the Day: Anything from Danish duo Junior Senior. This indie-pop band is made up of Jesper "Junior" Mortensen and Jeppe "Senior" Laursen, who work the keyboards, guitar and vocals in tandem. Their "D-D-Don't Stop The Beat" album from 2003 was a huge hit, along with their single Move Your Feet. Right now, I can't stop listening to Can I Get Get Get. Just try stopping yourself from clapping your hands and bobbing your head along with the track. I dare ya. If you like The Go! Team, you'll super-duper dig Junior Senior. This band is the shizznit.







* Photos property of outlook-mag.com, FWD and are used solely for commentary purposes

So...

It's almost 9 on here on the wiggity-wiggity West Coast.

Just waiting for my girls Berry and Viv to arrive at my apartment to down a few pre-going out beverages before meeting up with the fellas, who are off doing their own thing at the moment.

I'm wearing black shorts with my super-soft Hue black tights and wondering if I'm going to be freezing my arse off tonight. Nah, it gets hot once you're inside a venue...

Tried on a very cute, deep purple silk top with tiered flutter sleeves at Club Monaco today while perusing the downtown shops with Berry, but didn't make the purchase. I'm regretting it just a bit, since it was only $29 but I'm hellbent on trying to save my shopping dollars for Europe in the summer.

It's going to be a hard task, though.

I'm currently extremely jealous of Jenks and Sandwich, who took off for L.A. this weekend to literally just go shopping. They left today and are coming back tomorrow. Ah, what I wouldn't do to be able to step into American Rag again.

Happy RBVS (Redbull Vodka Saturday)!!

xo
Haute Hippie

Not Much Going on Today...

But I do have a great song for you to listen to.

It's from the Juno soundtrack -- and an ode to one of my favorite musical acts from the 1970s: The Carpenters.

Here's Sonic Youth doing a cover of Superstar, sung by Thurston Moore.

And here's the original: Superstar, sung by the late Karen Carpenter (who died of anorexia nervosa in 1983).

PS. Rainy Days and Mondays, Ticket To Ride and We've Only Just Begun are my top three Carpenters tracks, though.

PPS. Yes, I have The Carpenters Greatest Hits CD in my car. And yes, I know all the words.






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

Um, whaaat??

So I cooked myself a rather gourmet dinner tonight.

Roasted lamb rack with oregano and garlic mashed potatoes (from scratch!). And you know what?

It was really, really tasty.

Could Haute Hippie actually like cooking?? Stay tuned, kids...

PS. Thanks to Ovitch for giving up her lamp receipe secret.

PPS. Thanks to allrecipes.com for pointing me in the right direction for the potatoes.

PPPS. Thank god I didn't burn my apartment down.

Yep, I'm a dress junkie.

Dresses make you look pretty, feminine and hide any muffin top you may have accrued over Christmas from too many rum and eggnogs couple with too many shortbread cookies at festive shindigs.

Here's another one to put in the archives. I discovered a silk dress from Zimmermann that walks the line between the late 60s and early 70s with a billowy silhouette and vintage bird print -- swear to god my momma had something like this in her closet when I was a kid. The cross straps along the front and back make it rather unique, too.

Budgies were cool when I was little -- we had about five -- but the elegant pink birds on this dress are so much better now that I'm, uh, twenty blah blah...






I'm Lovin' it: The holidays are done with, but I have to post this up. My buddy Jenks found this "Happy Holidays" image somewhere on cyberspace and it's totally, ghetto-styles hilarious. Tha's right, son!






I'm Over it: People who know me know that I'm generally a pretty friendly gal. When I meet someone new, I like to strike up a conversation and get a feel for the other person. Yesterday, I met a (ex)girlfriend-of-a-friend who was like a massive brick wall. And I'm only 5'1, give or take a couple centimetres. Anyhoo, for the first time in a long time, I failed at initiating banter. Maybe it had something to do with her death stare...


Track of the Day: Can't Get Started by Handsome Furs from Montreal, Canada. Quebecois, eh? Anyway, this band is comprised of a husband and wife: Dan Boeckner from Wolf Parade and Alexei Perry. Their stage moniker comes from a short story Perry was writing around the time the two decided to join in holy musical matrimony. Lots of synth and stuff makes me happy.






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

I'm Not Ba&Sh-ing You

Yeah, yeah.

It seems like every week I have a new favorite label. But that's really how it goes when you love c.l.o.t.h.e.s as much as I do.

So here's an ode to my newest label obsession Ba & Sh. Barbara Boccara and Sharon Kief, two lifelong friends behind the Paris-based brand, started Ba & Sh in July 2003, based on the philosophy to create clothing that they themselves would wear each and every day. I find their designs modern and classically sophisticated all at once, clothing that will translate over the years instead of only over a season. Their Winter 07/08 collection is something I picture the Roitfelds in, as well as Charlotte Gainsbourg and Marion Cotillard -- the lines are loosely clean and comfortable, without much embellishment except for the added accessories. In Ba & Sh, I imagine you'd feel like that uber-cool, stylish chick The Sartorialist runs after to take pictures of.

Currently -- and most unfortunately -- the label is only available overseas, but at the rate its popularity is gaining fashion ground, I'm sure Ba & Sh will be landing stateside in 2008.

Oh yeah, and their website track is so dope, I've been listening to it loop over and over again in the past 20 minutes without getting sick of it.













I'm Lovin' it: Who said dress forms are only for the Zac Posens and Proenza Schoulers of the world? I dig these one from Pottery Barn Teen. It's no longer available in white, but the black is still up for grabs. If you're feeling all traditional tailor-like, then take a look at their version of the original dress form. Hanging the next day's outfit off one of these is way better than laying it out on a bed.






I'm Over it: HAHAHA! Two minutes ago, I almost put my chocolate soy milk carton in the cupboard after pouring myself a glass, instead of putting it in the fridge. Such a dum-dum right now!!


Track of the Day: Whatever song and artist this is on the Ba & Sh site!!



* Photos property of ba-sh.com, pbteen.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Is Anyone Else...

Obsessed with the new American Gladiators??

I am. (Thanks Dan T., for getting me hooked, buddy)

Who can resist all that smack talk and the crazy Eliminator round?? But that Titan dude looks like Ken doll on major 'roids. Worse than Roger Clemens. Ooooo burn!!

Anyway, you know where I'll be on Mondays at 8 pm.







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

I'm With Seb

Holy, holy smokes.

Most of y'all know about Mario Testino, Annie Leibowitz, Bruce Webber, Steven Klein and Patrick Demarchelier, but have you heard of Paris-based Seb Janiak?

This fashion photographer-slash-director had a photo exhibition at the most recent Art Basel Miami that reminded me of a cross between that Jake Gyllenhaal flick "The Day After Tomorrow" and Diesel's global warming ad campaign from last year. The photography is gorgeous beyond belief. Obviously the pictures have been doctored to perfection, but it's just a testament to Janiak's aesthetic talent.

He's also done music videos for Robbie Williams, Dizzee Rascal, Janet Jackson, Method Man and Daft Punk, as well as the album cover for TLC's "Fan Mail" album.

I heart the guy and I've never met or seen him. Trust me, I Google Image'd his name -- not one picture of the Janiak came up.

But hey, nothing like starting 2008 than with a brand new crush! Especially one that's a mysterious, creative genius.






I'm Lovin' it: Patrick Dempsey as the new face of the Versace men's collection. I always though McDreamy was a cutie, even back in his "Can't Buy Me Love" days. And now he's hawking the House of Versace. Wow, who would've figured Ronald Miller would become a male model.






I'm Over it: The gate in my underground garage. Seriously, I have to stop my car two inches away from that thing for it to open. What's with that?? I won't even tell you what that gate did the other day, it's so embarassing...


Track of the Day: Sound & Vision by The Sea and Cake. I can't tell you much about the band or the song because I just heard about both for first time via that radio station Woxy. Sorry, the YouTube clip isn't the best quality, but the song is a dope electronica/classical/guitar riff mish-mash anyway.







* Photos property of Seb Janiak, popcrunch.com, rollingstone.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Julia Allison Rules

It was the snarky, but terribly amusing blog Gawker that introduced me to NYC-based journalist/blogger/television pundit Julia Allison.

After some research on exactly who she was -- since Gawker always seems to make fun of her -- I came across her new blog And Another Thing..., which has me completely hooked. Allison, another word scribe like myself, is about the same age, and therefore encounters the same sorts of trials, tribulations, moral dilemmas and romantic mishaps that I do.

That makes her my new online best friend. Or at least a one-sided online best friend.

Anyway, I think she's quite fantastically interesting.

Plus this picture she posted is priceless because of that most adorable baby in the background.

But don't go getting any ideas.

Just because I think a baby is cute does not mean my biological clock is ticking, oh no no no...







* Photo property of Julia Allison and is used solely for commentary purposes

Snapshot at Chloe

I adore this picture taken at a Chloe runway presentation, just before the show started.

It's such an interesting lens perspective, with shadows of backs of heads in the foreground and legs of the lucky front row in the background.

Amazing what you can do with a camera.







I'm Lovin' it: Expanding the food palette. Me and the gang are going to some noshing joint tonight at Burrard and Broadway that supposedly has amazing bottomless Japanese hot pots for $14. Get in my belly!


I'm Over it: Having to step out into the rain in T-minus one minute to meet my girl Aims.


Music of the Day: Stereogum's MySplice 2.0 mash-up collection for 2007. You've got Bloc Party, Arcade Fire, M.I.A. and Grizzly Bear mixed in with Jay-Z, the Bee Gees, The Cure and -- gasp! -- Sean Kingston. Who knew??







* Images property of nytimes.com, stereogum.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

So Overland It

If you're part of the art-y set in NYC, then you've probably heard of her.

Designer Elise Overland may have a purely Norweigan name and fair good looks to go with it, but she's definitely a New York gal through and through. One of her best friends happens to be the quirky, streaky-haired artist Hope Atherton, who has admitted in the past to regularly borrowing from Overland's studio.

It's not hard to see why.

Overland's Spring 2008 collection is an assortment of neutral and jewelled color palettes, with an outfit and accoutrement smattering of face prints, tassels, big safety pins and gold embellishments. Her clothes will make you stand out at the next Paper Magazine party and is the perfect way to initiate yourself with the Art Basel crowd (be sure to know, at the VERY least, who Pollock, Klimt, Schnabel and Hirst are). The designer even manages to pair those "couture" cropped yoga pants with a grey vest and silver arm warmer -- and still makes it look downtown chic.

So if (and when?) I move coasts to New York, it's my sartorial plan to wear Overland's wares to my first art gallery party.

And hopefully, I'll be swilling pomegranate martinis next to Elise, who will no doubt be holding style court over everyone else in the room.















I'm Lovin' it: Oh. My. Lord. Parisian graff artist Fafi has teamed up with M.A.C. for a very limited edition collection that supposedly hits stores this 2008. She's created three new characters for the line: Eriko, Monoko and Ermine -- cuteness! And I am a bonafide Fafinette, which makes this collabo one of my next major purchases for spring.







I'm Over it: People who don't know what they're talking about.


Album of the Day: Smoke Rings by Dri, nee Adrianne Verhoeven. Once part of The Anniversary from Lawrence, Kansas, Verhoeven went solo after the indie band's break up. Releasing her soulful, danceable album to much critical acclaim, producers DJ Josh Powers, Nezbeat and 1,000,000 Light Years mixed Dri's pretty voice with live and pre-recorded tracks of R&B, latin, hip hop, jazz, doowop and soul, ending in this sultry auditory masterpiece. Check out the tracks You Know I Tried and Free Tonight -- you'll see why you might want to invest this vinyl. Dri, we're not in Kansas anymore.







* Photos property of eliseoverland.com, presentmagazine.com, M.A.C, Fafi and are used solely for commentary purposes

Happy 2008!!

Hope you all had a great New Year's Eve with your friends, loved ones and champagne at midnight (oh, and before then, too).

Mine was filled with good friends, good music, good dancing, good bevys and some interesting observations (which we won't get into).

So here's to 2008. May it be filled with more love, growth, self-discovery, cupcakes, sunshine, dancing, Gossip Girl (every gal needs a Dan Humphrey), glossy mags, fashion, bands from Oz, solid friends (old and new), Mert & Marcus, eye-opening travel, Bond No. 9, time with family, Banksy sightings, music music music, girl (or boy) talk over excellent eats, Hed Kandi album art, good reads, Wes Anderson films, Karen Walker, successful careers, uplifting relationships, dolla bills (not the #1 priority, but a major plus when it comes to those Barbara Bui heels), Wooster Collective, VRBFs, Confessions of a Fashion Fanatic, random and spontaneous events that turn out to be the best moments of your life, heaps of happiness and health -- and the strife that makes you appreciate it all.

It's going to be a good year.