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

Written by Colleen Tsoukalas (Treasure Seeker Colleen)

A big thanks to Monika Blichar, Impresaria of "Art World Expo" and owner of MAB Ventures, Inc.for keeping Vancouverites well aware, all year long about the importance of Art and Art Programs in the lower mainland.  This night's event: ART WORLD EXPO, provided us with an opportunity to see Art and Science combined, as well as to experience a feast for everyone's imagination.  These are our artisans, hard at work, displaying their craft and making the world a more beautiful place.  The theme,  this year, "An Italian Love Affair" revealed Venetian Masks, Gold painted Icons, Jewelry, Tuscan rich colors, paintings, fashion, (Blushing Boutique), business, fortune telling, music, wine and so much more. 

This event served many purposes: to promote Art, to fund raise in support of Art Programs, to celebrate and award student artists, to host a competition for Body Paint Artists, to provide a networking event for the community and to truly showcase the achievements of Visual Artists, Jewelers, Designers, Galleries, Studios and local businesses.

Oh and now inspired to learn a new craft or join friends in this world?  Opportunities abound! One display we visited was by Soigne, which offers Mixed Media Jewelry Design, Accessory Design and Making and Soap and Beauty Products.  Go to soigne.ca for more info. There is much encouragement and support here to actively participate!  Loved how so many sponsors for ART WORLD EXPO really show a high level of contribution to making our community more dynamic through the ARTS.

So much to commend about ART WORLD EXPO so plan to be there May 2, 2104!  Visit the website here.

Gorgeous straight for the first time hair by Ludovic Jan of OPUS Salon

Can't go to anything Art/Fashion without thinking about what to wear.  

Black and white seemed to be the fit for May 3rd!  

Simon Chang Straw hat with black and white ribbon 

and black knot necklace (My sister's Closet) 

and 'pearl' and black magnetic bracelet or necklace (Value Village) 

How many of you buy shoes off the rack that hurt, pinch, give you blisters and make you sigh of relief when you remove them at the end of the day?! Not going to lie, I am guilty of this.  Perhaps it's because I go for style, affordability and whatever I can find on a whim.  I've discovered that this is not the way to go AND comfortable can be stylish with the right brand!  I have never owned a pair of ECCO shoes, but will be eyeing their collection come winter boot shopping time this fall.  ECCO shoes have created stylish pumps, boots, booties and heels that are comfortable and practical too.  Could it be possible that we can wear our heels on the walk to work rather than wearing flats and changing at the office? It can be!  

ECCO shoes are celebrating 50 years of shoe making this year and I attended their FW '13 preview at the Brill building last week. One of the interesting things I learned is that ECCO owns their own tanneries and produce their own leather. They even had leather samples at the preview so we could feel all of the fabrics and figure out which fabrics made which shoes.  Great idea!  

History of ECCO - For those just learning about ECCO - Like me!

ECCO was created by Karl Toosbuy.  He was trained as a shoemaker at an early age and by the time he was thirty, he was managing a shoe factory in Copenhagen.  Karl dreamed of opening his own business and eventually quit his job, moved to Bredebro (Denmark), rented a small house and took over an empty factory to start his shoe line. He launched the brand in the '70's and was the first shoemaker to  create a shoe made to the foot! He continued to be one of the leaders in shoemaking technology and now ECCO is sold in stores worldwide.  Visit the website here for more information.

Loved the flexible sole of the shoe

On the pair on the right - you can see how they elongated the heel

Love a brand that makes us look taller and elongated ;)

 

 ECCO gave us this amazing leather bag.  I've been carrying

mine around everywhere.  Thank you!