Happy long weekend to those of you reading this in Canada! I'm off today on my latest travel adventure to Italy for two weeks. I haven't had a big adventure like this since France and I have to say I'm really excited it's finally here! My parents have been visiting over the last few days and helping me get ready for the trip. Thanks to my amazing parents! Photos below are from our weekend adventures :)

What I learned about packing light:

• I probably pack double the amount of items I actually need - I'm learning to edit
• If you forget it, you can most likely buy it!
• Try to mix and match outfits - when you are adding items ask yourself "what does this go with?"
• Bring things that can be worn multiple times - ie BLACK!
• Roll, fold and tuck things in as tightly as possible
• Shoes should go in plastic bags and intimates should have their own bag as well
• I packed: three or four dresses, my Kaliyana suit for photos at the Colosseum, three pairs of jeans, one pair of black capris, one dressy pair of heels, two pairs of sandals, one pair of Toms, one light jacket for the evenings, one jean jacket, five or six shirts/tanks/tops, two pairs of shorts, a few pairs of socks, two bathing suits and that is pretty much it!
• If I hadn't had help - I would probably have packed double the items above. No idea why!
• Packing for a beach vacation? Marta of withlovegabrielle wrote a great post this morning on how to pack for a beach vacation - be sure to check it out!
• Will be attempting to post while in Italy so follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tumblr for updates as well. 

At the AGO

Impromptu back alley photo

The Magical Cabaret Vintage hat

 Toronto Island adventures

Toronto from afar

Last breakfast in Toronto

Vitamin C

Never leave without my Canada pins <3 i="">

Treasure Seeker Colleen is in Toronto for the long weekend! My amazing parents are helping me get ready for my big trip! I didn't realize how little time I have had lately and how much I still had to get. Nevertheless we still made some time to hit up one of my favorite stores as of late - Smart Set! As you saw yesterday, we decided to take a trip there and see what's in store.

While the fall collections aren't in yet, the Spring/Summer lines are and they are affordable and fabulous! This store is great for women of all ages and we both managed to find a few things we loved. Of course, the focus of the shopping trip was for Treasure Seeker Colleen, but I found the perfect accessory for the beautiful dress I bought for the wedding I am attending in Tuscany. (See dress here) More on our amazing day soon!

Smart Set

Smart Set is making changes! You may have seen their pull out ads in Canadian magazines and their bright, colorful and stylish clothes in store windows. I have bought quite a few pieces there in the last year and always receive compliments on them. Their latest collection includes more bright colors, mixed media pieces, unique details and clean lines.  I couldn't get enough of this collection. Thanks to the lovely Eugenia Dourakis for showing me this amazing collection that will be out in the fall!

Love the zipper details

Unique lines and details

More color

Addition Elle 

I have also been attending Addition Elle events recently and love their collaborations and fantastic clothes. They are now working with brands like William Rast to bring new designs to plus sized women. Their FW'13 collection consists of ready-to-wear intimates, sportswear and career apparel. Some of the highlights were: footwear, prints, mixed media and some outstanding jackets.  Thanks for having me!

Addition Elle Vice President of Marketing and Visual Display (right) and colleague

Happy Friday everyone! Hope you all had a great week. Hard to believe it's already over. As you can see from the Instagrams, it was busy! I'll be spending the weekend visiting family and preparing for my big trip - I leave on Monday :)  I'll also be meeting some amazing fashion bloggers in Rome and will be trying to document my trip adventures as much as possible. Stay tuned and please feel free to comment/send requests on posts you would like to see from Italy!

Question of the day: I tend to wear Converse on trips, but someone suggested Toms. What do you prefer? Toms or Converse?

                                 Aldo forest green dress and black and white Smartset blazer

Toronto from the Sheraton

Celebrating Mum on Mother's Day

Skinny Girl Time with Bethenny Frankel

Blue skies, nothing but blue skies

Anthropologie dress

Accessories for Italy

Kaliyana green top, Ann Taylor Jacket

Yes, there is a Prada outlet near where I am staying in Tuscany!

Wish my suitcase looked like this - Thanks Park and Cube

Written by Colleen Tsoukalas (Treasure Seeker Colleen)

This was the last (darn it) of the INVOKING Venus: Feathers and Fashion Series, featuring photo-based images by Catherine Stewart and accessories from the clothing collections of Claus Jahnke and Ivan Sayers.  I've already written about the fabulous Opening Night and Fashion Show and just loved the presentations by Catherine and Ivan.

Ivan began by telling us that the phrase "Hatched, Matched, Dispatched" refers to the ony three times a respectable woman's name should appear in print: when she is born, when she is married and when she dies. First we saw the Christening Gowns, robes, capes and bonnets.  Mostly made of linen or cotton, the oldest are the plainest and are hand sewn. One he displayed featured Ayrshire Embroidery, a rarity these days.  Machine made gowns were common by the 1870's and one on the table, was worn in 1887 at St. Andrews Wesley Church in Vancouver.

Wedding dresses for the wealthy were white or light colors with exquisite beading and lace trims.  More colors and more practical materials were used for the less wealthy, who often remade or reused their dresses. During the war years, of course, the War Time Trade and Price Board restricted the length and amount of material and embellishments for wedding dresses and bridal parties' clothing.  Likely, the 100 pound trousseau was much reduced as well.

There were just as many rituals and rules around death and funerals as there are now.  Black was 'the' color, although it was the most expensive dye.  The material had to be dense so as not to reflect light.  Gothic colors and shapes abounded.  The Gothic church window was the desired silouette.  Sombre, sombre including black bonnets, veils and mourning jewels of jet - coal black. Portraits at this time, especially those of children, often included them posed with family members.

Beautiful clothing and slides as well as Ivan's and Keiko's reading to the audience and lots of fact filled and entertaining stories.  Glad this is being recorded for everyone to enjoy.

Photos by Connie T

Hope you all are having an amazing week so far! A few weekends ago, I picked up this amazing dress from Anthropologie for the wedding I am attending in Tuscany. Of course, I already had a dress picked out, but could not resist this! I've paired it with a jean jacket here as it was very cold in Toronto this weekend, but will likely find a neutral colored shrug for the wedding as it is semi formal. Of all my friends, I seem to have attended the least amount of weddings, but when I do, am very particular about what should be worn as a guest. Are any of you attending big weddings this year?

I am officially leaving next week - stay tuned for some amazing posts from Rome, Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast! Any post requests?  Would love to hear them - comment away!

Anthea's Wedding Guest Tips:

• I'm old fashioned, I'll admit, I don't believe a guest should wear black to a wedding. It's too dark for such a joyful day. Find something colorful!
• Don't wear white either, just don't.
• Keep skirts to a tasteful length, be respectful
• Cover your shoulders at the wedding, you can always be more casual at the reception (unless it's REALLY hot!)
• Dress it up! Add colorful accessories, jewelry and a clutch to complete your look
• Buy something you will wear again! I'll wear this dress for a long time
• When in doubt, ask the bride - she's running the show ;)

Model extraordinaire Melani Chong has launched a new line of skin care called Soyaskin.  Last week she hosted a preview party at the King Edward Hotel Nouvelle Spa where her products are being carried. We received a mini hand massage and scrub and learned about the new products. Melani also gave us each a mini sample kit to try some of the new "natural" products.  I have been using the Vitamin C Soy Serum,Tear-Free Foaming Cleanser and the Body Scrub and have been really impressed with the results.  My skin is looking noticeably refreshed and smooth! Natural is clearly the way to go! The Nouvelle Spa is currently using Soyaskin products for their treatments - I am going to book an appointment to try it. Stay tuned for a review of my facial!

About the Soya Boutique

The Soya Boutique is a Canadian skin care company that believes in healthy longevity through natural skin care products. Melani Chong has been a professional in the Beauty and Fashion industry for over 20 years and is an experienced cosmetic scientist who is bringing expertise to the development of new skin care products. Visit www.soyaboutique.com for more information.

Melani and the products!  Anne and I with social media expert Elena!

Happy Mother's Day!  Here's to all of the amazing Mums out there.  

We wouldn't be where we are today without you!  

Colleen is the best coffee fortune reader!

At World Mastercard Fashion Week Spring 2013

Last Wednesday I attended two great events and learned about some new brands to share with you.  Would love to hear your thoughts! Did you attend any of these events and have you heard about these?

Malania Dela Cruz - FW'13 Preview: Lifetime Collective, Minimum, Coloud, Solace, L Space

Minimum

Coloud earphones

Stance socks

Minimum sweater - unique lines!

Established in 1997 as a small retail shop in Aarhus, Denmark

First male collection launched in 1999 and then female line in 2007

In stores throughout Europe, Asia, Australia and Canada

Minimum aims to give customers stylish and functional clothing 

produced from high quality materials at affordable prices

Progressive young designs with undertones of scandinavian coolness

Minimum

Minimum

Lifetime Collective

Founded in 2002 by Reid Stewart and Trevor Fleming

Began as a collaboration between a group of artists and friends

Inspired by the communities we live in, the places we travel to and the

curious characters that surround us.

Lifetime Collective

Cropped tops are every where right now! Very tempting!

L Space by Monica Wise

Inspired by the beaches of France, Mexico and Bali to the California coast.

Sophisticated beach chic, glam surfer girl.

Urban Ears Slussen - Mini DJ!

Dear Kate launch - The Spoke Club

Dear Kate launch

Love this line of breathable, practical, yet stylish underwear. 

What an incredibly busy week this has been! Here are the photos from my adventures this week and more posts to come soon :) Just over a week until I leave for my big two week trip! 

The outfit below is an entirely thrifted outfit.  I didn't even realize it until I had to write about it.  I found the jean jacket for $5 in Japan and the rest of the outfit came from Treasure Seeker Colleen in Vancouver. Thanks Mum!

Here's a few tips for how I put the look together below:

• A high waisted skirt with a print can be overpowering - a heel of some sort is a must to lengthen the look
• The focus of the look is the print, so keep the rest of the look neutral
• The jean jacket gives it a more playful and fun look, but it could also look great with a crisp white blazer or blouse
• High waisted, long skirts can be dangerous - balance out your frame by showing more of your upper body (eg. tank, strapless, sleeveless, capped sleeve)

Happy weekend all!

Kaliyana Art Wear

Value Village adventuring

Cherry Blossoms at High Park

Ecco Canada

Manicure at Express First Canadian Place

Smart Set Preview

Express outfit

Value Village wedges, skirt, tank

Jean jacket - vintage Japan

Sunnies H & M