Totally wicked dress!

Photo from style.com by Steve Granitz / WireImage

 I normally don't gush about award show style, because simply things have been a little blah - at least for the 2011 awards season thus far. But I need to post this one because I think her printed Alexander McQueen gown she rocked at the SAG awards was stunning. A total standout in a sea of nudes, cleavage, and black-shoes-with-bright-blue-dresses.

 Mind you, since seeing Black Swan, Mila Kunis has grown a lot more on me. Meaning, she's come along way from that annoying character on that 70's Show and the voice of Meg Griffin on the Family Guy. And her stylist is so on the ball - still can't find a reference for who's been dressing her yet. If anyone knows, drop me a line.

Hope Toronto pulls through..

Because they are supposed to be the only Chanel boutique in Canada that still has one of these:



Half moon wallet on chain in red calfskin



I've cashed in my Holt Renfrew reward points, and now I'm waiting.. waiting..waiting...

White by Vera Wang



From http://www.davidsbridal.com/



 This is the first time I caught a glimpse of White byVera Wang's collection for David's Bridal. Simply put- wedding gowns for us normal peons who cant justify spending the whole wedding budget on a dress. They're not bad. Definitely a must if you want to be wearing something by Vera Wang and it'll only cost you between $600 - $1500. Check out the full collection that comes out Feb 11 2011 at David's Bridal.







Happy belated bday to me!

So I came home today after a long day at work to find a nice surprise waiting. My friend ordered these these sky high Paloma Barcelo sandals from Net-A-Porter.com for my belated birthday gift. Last year, she sent a belt for me that was to be delivered by model Natalia Vodianova when she came to Vancouver for the Olympics- she's the ambassador for Sochi 2014. Star struck, I know! I've been lucky to be spoiled by someone with impeccable taste, and I must say she's the most fashion forward person I know. We have her to thank for chipping away at my conservative side! Спасибо вам большое, Катя!



From Net-a-porter.com



From Net-a-porter.com



 







Where on earth can we find these?!?

Photo: http://www.pinkmafia.ca/

Suspenders, if you are at the Bay's grandpa's section.. or braces if you are a little more mod. No matter what, it's been next to impossible to find some nice slim ones for the groom's outfit. He tried on some regular wide ones and he was channeling a little farmer Joe. Oh welps, the hunt goes on...



Farewell Zellers, Hello Target!

After these all these years of watching so many great designers launch collections for Target, all we could do was drool helplessly as affordable goods from Rodarte, Thakoon, Mulberry, and Zac Posen pass us by south of the border. But as of 2013- not anymore! HBC (Hudson's Bay Co.) has sold the fading Zellers enterprise to Target for a mere $1.8 Billion of chump change... which is sad, since everyone who grew up in the 80's has some memories of Zellers.

So not to dwell on sad news, the perk is that Wallymart now has competition.. and of course, the designer collaborations! Speaking of which, the next one up for Target comes on May 1 2011 and is by Calypso St Barths. This lux resort wear line is known for its bright colours and crepe-y silk dresses. When I bought my Caplyso goods a couple years back, the sales girls teach you to pack it by wringing it to keep the neat texture. It's popular with celebs and jet set, uber-riche vacationers (you know, those that go to St Barths, St Tropez, Sardinia, Corfu etc). This limited edition line will also pass us by, but there's a glimmer of hope come 2013!

But if you wish to shop the Calypso St Barth's line for your next resort vacation - or to help you cope with seasonal affective disorder, you can hit the online shop at www.calypsostbarth.com

From: www.calypsostbarth.com

Sandals that won't make it to Greece...

House of Harlow sandals available at RevolveClothing.com

Presenting, House of Harlow Nita Platforms for resort (or was it spring?) 2011. I know, at first glance they are not practical- and the heel is my record highest by 1/2". But I tried them on at a whim and fell in love with them. Plus, they were inexpensive. Now I just need to wait for spring to come...

For now I can only preoccupy my time listing the three reasons why they cannot come to Greece with us:

1) Cobble stoned- streets.. the thought causes some pains in my right ankle already.
2) Packing light means only flip flops, sandals (as per post below) and my Marc Jacob wedding shoes
3) Hiking in Mykonos would be a little cumbersome, to say the least!

Sandals for the Greek Islands!

I found these babies on the Net-A-Porter clearance sale for almost half price.. as my co worker said, "they were such a great deal they pay for themselves!"

Note: My soul-to-squeeze and I are tying the knot this coming May in Santorini, Greece.. needless to say, these have been incorporated in the wedding budget. Hey- my hubby got a wicked Acne suit and his wedding wardrobe far exceeds mine! Justifed! :)



Paloma Barcelo Dalila sandals
Photo: blackmatchesblack.wordpress.com



Beyond Oshkosh B'Gosh.. Today's Stylish Tots

Nothing pushes that biological clock into overdrive more than seeing a rockin'ly stylish child. Yes, I may have

 imaginary future children I am already dressing. Can I help it though? There’s so much cute children’s clothing out there.  Sometimes I am guilty of wondering if they come in Seng-size. Mind you, sometimes they do. :)

Lucas - pint size GQ- love the mini Chuck T's & the jacket.

You parents already know that the market has tonnes of choices for every budget and thankfully there’s so much more than OshKosh B’Gosh, which was all there was in yesteryear.  Most retail chains like Gap, H&M, and Zara have kid’s sections and lux labels like Dolce Gabbanna, Gucci, Burberry, and Ralph Lauren have long capitalized on the miniature attire market too. Roger Vivier even makes shoes for Suri Cruise and Zahara Jolie-Pitt has her own Valentino Histoire handbag. But really, does one want to spend $200 on something a child can only wear 3 months before they grow out of?  Leave the splurging to the grandparents, and stick to Joe Fresh Style- that stuff is pretty good... and affordable!

Nevertheless, I’m sure kidlets are super fun to dress and from what I’ve seen with poopy mis-haps and messy mealtimes the fun can repeat itself 2-3 times day! If an adult does that, they get labelled high maintenance. :)  So I’ve scouted some hipster kids to prove that there’s no longer anything embarrassing about being dressed by your mom (or dad). What a way to instil great fashion sense from the start. Here’s the gallery – sorry if I missed a few other noteworthy cool cats out there!



Katya- Our lil muse- has a closet adult women can envy and apparently loves Dries van Noten.



Sloan- rockin the newsies look. Classy& cool.

Photo credit: Lisa Landry of Shutterbug Photo

Katya (again)- chic for the first day of Kindergarten.

Brooke - a fashion plate and it shows!

 

Next three are the Freeman sisters: Hannah



Julia - vampin it

Ava- lucky youngest sis to get the best hand-me-downs

Sophie - donning a princess hat for her 3rd bday. A biased take here, but my lil niece has a pretty darn cute wardrobe

Rhys- call him head to toe Mr Funky Fresh.

Darius & Deakan- grown men should take a few pointers, dont you think?



Why Love BV: "Iconic"...not "It"

From: Interview Magazine

Go to most handbag forums and you will find the top coveted handbag labels listed as 1) Hermes 2) Chanel and 3) Bottega Veneta (BV). They are my favorites, too. Occasionally some would pipe in Louis Vuitton- just for the sake of  it's sheer mass distribution. In the Canadian market, BV is probably the least recognized despite it's distinctive woven intrecciato leather goods. And the ready-to-wear clothes season after season are beautiful with elements of elegant, architectural draping and simplistic vibrancy.

Some of their most renowned bags are the "Cabat", the "Knot", and the "Veneta". Tomas Maier, the somewhat reclusive designer of BV has recently scorned the labelling of his bags "It". In an interview with the New Yorker, he stated "The It Bag is a totally marketed bullshit crap" and he is right. The marketing consumerist machine will product-place a designer's bag with a celeb, make sure they get "caught" toting it in a tabloid and it sells. Every woman will want it. Honestly, I was guilty of buying into that at one time years ago but now I see through the farce. Now there's more of an appeal to me for iconic and classic pieces- maybe I'm just getting old. BV bags fit that bill. It is the opposite to bling-laden excess. No logos. Just subtleness. Maier has increased BV sales by 800% since he took the helm in 2001- and most of these sales are from their signature bags, shoes, and wallets. He has once said about his S/S 2010 collection that "what's perfect is nothing". Check out www.bottegaveneta.com and fall in love with nothingness.

From: Style.com

From: Style.com

The "Knot" @ www.bottegaveneta.com

The "Cabat" @ www.bottegaveneta.com