Starting a Store on Ebay

Well as I have mentioned in the past few posts, things are at a bit of a lull right now. I'm moving apartments in August and so I've been going through the ol' closet and have found a few things that others might get some use out of! I've opened a store on ebay. I've started small and will continue to list things depending on success! Here is one of the gorgeous dresses I will be selling soon. It's just a little too big for me and I don't have the time to get it altered. Listings will be up in a few hours so take a look when you get a chance at http://myworld.ebay.ca/clotheslinefinds.

Care Package From Mum

My Mum (Treasure Seeker Colleen) has been sending me packages since I left for Japan. Luckily now that I am in Toronto, she can still send me packages AND, she can put more in them because the postage isn't as outrageous to Toronto as it is to Japan. I hardly ever have the time to document all of the fabulous little finds she sends me, so I thought I would share one. There was even a fabulous vintage dress in the box which you can see how I put together below!

Fab card

Looks like it wouldn't flatter on the hanger

but wait until you see the images below!

Gorgeous scarves

Fashion mystery, nosies, belt and tights

Project Runway Season 9 Episode 1 Recap

This is it! Project Runway season 9 is back! This year the team decided to do things a little differently. Instead of bringing in the top sixteen designers immediately, they had twenty come in and show their best work. They then chose the top sixteen after listening to each designer and their pitches. At five o'clock the next morning the top sixteen designers were awakened at FIVE AM! by Tim Gunn and instructed to bring nothing other than a single bed sheet. They had to walk right through Time Square in their pajamas and bed sheet! Their challenge was to create new looks out of their pajamas and bed sheet using dies and extra materials provided. I was actually really disappointed with the work that was sent down the runway. I thought it was mostly lackluster and lacking strong construction and maturity. Nevertheless there were some great pieces. My top two favorites were those of Bert and Viktor. I was surprised by the Trinidadian (Miss Universe Contestant) designer Anya who learned to sew in four months after creating her first collection. She pulled off a great pair of trousers (her first ever attempt) and a decent top (her first time working with silk). I wasn't as wowed as the designers were with her work but thought it was a solid effort for her experience. See all of the creations below.

My Favorites! Bert and Viktor!

Bert The Winner!!

This was my favorite look. Bert has

designed for greats like Halston and his

work has a maturity and sophistication!

Va voooom!

Viktor

This was the second best look for me.

Anthony Ryan

The judges loved this look but I thought

the skirt was horrendous and unflattering!

Anya Ayoung

The judges were ooo ing and ahhh ing

over this look. I thought the proportions

were strange and the top poorly fit.

Cecilia

This was a great look except the

skirt was wayyy to short in the back!

Laura

Nice!

Rafael

Bye Bye Rafael! Rafael got the boot

after this sorry number aieeeeeee!

Olivier

Kimberly

YIKES! Who would wear this?

Julia

She was in the bottom but safe. The

color palette and fit of the pants were

just all wrong!

Joshua

Joshua

Oh my! He just beat out Rafael but

not by much. There are no words

to describe this disastrous look.

Fallene

Puking rainbow clown

(See picture on right corner of skirt!)

Danielle

Bryce

Hated this look.

Becky

Cute but the color dying went bad!

Rainy Day Read-The Help

It's a rainy day in Toronto and I couldn't be more thankful. After several days of ridiculously hot weather and no air conditioning, I am enjoying the cool dreary day. Right now is a rather lull time in terms of fashion events in Toronto. Many are away cottaging or getting some much needed relaxation time and I find myself itching for something to do. Why can't I seem to relax and enjoy this time? I've got several weeks before work, thesis defense and documentary promoting begin and I can't seem to enjoy this time! It has been go go go since early last year and yet, I am discovering or perhaps I already knew, that I love being busy. I have some projects in the works, but things take time and it is very difficult to be patient! What are you doing on your summer vacation? Are you the same? Love reading all of your comments!

I just started reading The Help and I can't put it down. It is a great read and the first time in a while that I have actually had two minutes to read a book before the movie comes out. Have you read it? I will be preparing a review once I have finished it.

New Project Runway Season 9 Starts Tonight!

Project Runway is back with another fabulous season and twenty new designers! I am so excited for the season to start. Are you going to watch? For more information go to MyLifetime.

Dolce and Gabbana Spring 2011 Collection on the Red Carpet

We have a guest post from none other than Elaine!

Ever since the gorgeous lace Dolce & Gabbana dresses from the almost all-white Spring 2011 collection came down the runway, they have been worn by dozens of celebs to everything from movie premieres to music festivals. Here’s a look at just a few of my favourites:

Blake Lively promoting Green Lantern

at Caesars Palace March 31, 2011

Diane Kruger LA premiere

Los Angeles February 2011

Gisele Bundchen Vogue Paris April 2011

Katy Perry at Coachella April 2011

Leslie Mann Los Angeles Premiere of Rio

April 2011 D & G

Kylie Minogue leaving The Hammerstein

Ballroom after her concert May 4, 2011

Jessica Alba Covenant House

California 2011 Gala June 2011 Los Angeles

Cat Deeley Critics' Choice Television Awards at

Beverly Hills Hotel on June 20, 2011

Dolce & Gabbana white lace sheath dress

Katy Perry West Village Lunch & Bike

Ride Central Park D&G July 1, 2011

Rosie Huntington Whiteley promoting Transformers

Dark of the Moon at the Waldorf Astoria in

Shanghai, China July 14, 2011

Rosie Huntington Whiteley promoting Transformers

Dark of the Moon at the Waldorf Astoria

in Shanghai, China July 14, 2011

Pixie Lott at a Dolce and Gabbana

party hosted by Net-a-Porter

London, England July 14, 2011

Kim Kardashian Sears Headquarters San Francisco

D & G July 21, 2011

Kim Kardashian Sears Headquarters San Francisco

July 21, 2011 D&G

(Images via Zimbio)

Another Recipe from "French Women for all Seasons"

Here is another fabulous and cheap recipe from "French Women for all Seasons" by Mirelle Guillano. It's called Salmon and Spinach Salad and I definitely recommend trying it. I had it with a croissant and added pecans to it as well.

Salmon and Spinach Salad

1 shallot, minced

pinch of sea salt

1/2 cup sherry vinegar

3/4 pound uncooked salmon fillets (or smoked salmon or canned salmon)

1 teaspoon meaux mustard

freshly ground pepper

2 tablespoons red wine or rasberry vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

3/4 pound spinach, washed and dried

1. Mix together the shallot, salt, and sherry vinegar. Pour onto the salmon, and let marinate for at least 1 hour, preferably 3.

2. Drain off the marinade, and cut the salmon into very thin slices. (This step can be done in advance.)

3. For the dressing, mix the mustard and pepper in a bowl with the red wine vinegar. Add the oil, whisking well.

4. Pour the dressing over the spinach in a large bowl, tossing gently. Place the salmon slices all around. Serve with buttered whole wheat toast.

Beautiful Florida and French Women for all Seasons

Back from a fantastic vacation! Do you ever feel overwhelmed by all of the technology that we are bound to? Between Twitter, Facebook, emails, blogs and more, it can be too much to keep up with! I only checked email once a day and stayed off all social media and I have to say I think we should all do it every so often. Here are a few photos from my adventure to Florida, the perfect getaway. We visited Wet n' Wild Orlando, Siesta Key, Lido beach and more. Can't wait to go back!

On a cooking note: Treasure Seeker Colleen recommended a new cookbook for me to try and I am loving it. It's called "French Women for all Seasons" by Mireille Guilano. It has very simple and delicious recipes that are healthy and easy to make. See below the Eggplant Tapenade I made that got rave reviews from those who tried it! We also made BBQ'd shark delic!!

Eggplant Tapenade

2 medium eggplants, unpeeled cut into 1-inch thick slices

4 tablespoons olive oil

1 red onion, peeled and thinly sliced

2 cups chopped tomatoes

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons capers

8 pitted green olives

8 pitted black olives

salt and freshly ground pepper

1. Salt the eggplant slices, and let stand for 20 minutes. Rinse with cold water, and pat dry. (This process makes the eggplant tender and less bitter.)

2. Warm the oil over medium heat. Cook the eggplant and onion until brown and lightly crisp. Remove from the pan.

3. Add the tomatoes and vinegar to the pan, and cook for a few minutes over medium heat. Add the capers and olives, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss with the eggplant and onion, and serve immediately.

Midnight in Paris

Saw the most fantastic movie the other night. Of course it was Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris". It is Owen Wilson at his best along with an all star cast that includes:

The story revolves around Gil (Owen Wilson), who is set to be married to Inez (Rachel McAdams) but on their trip to Paris he discovers that they might not be meant to be. On a midnight walk one night he is taken on a time traveling adventure back to the twenties where he meets Hemingway, the Fitzgeralds, Dali, Picasso and more astonishing artists from the period. While he initially thinks the twenties are the best time in history, he realizes that he must accept and face his present and all it has to offer. This is in part due to his mysterious meeting of Adriana (Marion Cotillard) who is Picasso's mistress at the time. I don't want to spoil the plot so I will stop there but it is a fantastic film that everyone should see. The costumes are also marvelous and once it is released I will do a screen captioned post on the costumes. Have you seen it or do you plan to?