Another Rainy Day - More Color!

I am getting so tired of winter, if you can even call it that!  We haven't had much snow, but we have certainly had enough gloom.  Come on Spring!  Here is a look I put together with some pieces I just received from Treasure Seeker Colleen. I can proudly say that this entire look is thrifted!  

Scarves and belts are a great way to pull together any look.  They will make your outfit look unique, colorful and complete!  They are easy accessories to pick up at thrift stores as you can try them on without a changing room and they almost always fit!  Not only are they easy to try on, they are also affordable.  Have you bought any scarves or belts lately?   

Oscars 2012: Best Dressed

It's Oscar time!  Does it feel like a year has already passed since the last?  I always enjoy the red carpet looks and of course the best and supporting actress awards.  There were some stunning gowns on the red carpet this season.  I have to say my favorites were Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Michelle Williams, Mila Jovovich and Gwyneth Paltrow.  It's always great to see actresses break away from the normal ball gowns, as we saw with Gwyneth's caped gown.  Is there anything this woman can't do?  Jewel tones and beautiful silhouettes were popular this season.  What a wonderful night of fashion! Which were your favorites?

Emma Stone in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture

Love this vibrant color. Although the bow might be

a bit much, it's still a stunning look!

Viola Davis in Vera Wang

Beautiful! She gave lovely interviews as well.

Jean Dujardin and Alexandra Lamy

Love the clutch!

Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Marad

Wows in a stunning cut out look

Meryl Streep in Lanvin

Love how Meryl can transform into any character 

and is always believable. She rocked in Iron Lady!

Mila Jovovich in Elie Saab

Stunning

Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford

She has come a long way from that pink

disaster she wore so long ago!

Cameron Diaz in Gucci

Demian Bichir and Stefanie Sherk

Love the vibrant blue

Glenn Close in Zac Posen

Actually love this look

Michelle Williams

In Louis Vuitton.  She has a way of 

capturing her audience's attention.

Berenice Bejo in Elie Saab

Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji

She looked stunning in this gown! Bravo!

Hope she wins!

Forgotten Fashion: An Illustrated Faux History

"Forgotten Fashion: An Illustrated Faux History of Outrageous Trends and Their Untimely Demise", by Kate Hahn, is a collection of 28 stories of imagined, fantastic and funny fashions from early 20th Century to today.  Published in 2008, illustrations which are absolutely the best, include Andrae Gonzalo of Project Runway, and 8 others.  Having just finished yet another course taught by Ivan Sayers: Fashion's Olio Folio: A History of Women's Small Chic Accessories, 1770-1970, at SFU downtown, my eye is automatically drawn to books, pictures, art, movies and street fashion, both chic and outrageous.  When I saw this book, I couldn't resist buying it.  (The bookstore at SFU downtown is fantastic and has many bargains!)Soft cover, "Forgotten Fashion" contains 2-3 page stories, each illustrated in colour and totally reflective of the history and trends of the day. Look at some of the titles: Hood-Olo, (a tribute to the current hoody), Emotionally Distressed Jeans, (Don't we all have a pair?) Adididas, (Counterfeit Superstar sneakers) Beige Lame, Fidelity Cardigan, and many more. I love 1957 - Four O'Clock Dress -For Abject and Idle Afternoons.  This one has inner pockets for x rated delights like gin and tiny erotic novels and who knows what else?  One can only dream.  The shoulder clasp opens to reveal your handy make-up compact, so while you are gazing over your shoulder, you can check your own image and repair, if necessary.  What happened to this one - too many heavy volumes in the pockets and so its demise.  The Robe De Champagne was a very special bridal gown designed by Stumpy, an American GI and Medic who not only could sew but could also create exquisite scented smelling salts. Consider the transfer of skills from the trenches of the battlefield to the trenches and battlefields of the fashion industry.  Lastly, the Body Muff, a garment created by Kitty Van Bleuve to make a fashion statement on the ice rinks of New York.  Shaped like a banana, (perhaps to reflect the fortune her husband made on the plantations)the fur and velvet hobble muff dress, protected her from the cold, took her mind off the horrible and unfashionable isolation of the farm and helped her make the fashion statement of the year.  Unfortunately, when the heavy velvet got wet, she fell through the ice and that was the end of her and her Body Muff.  This is a book that will make you laugh and yet marvel at the creations of the authors/illustrators.

Jako Restaurant for Valentine's or Every Day

Jako Restaurant, 656 Davie, Vancouver, wished everyone a Happy Valentine's Day, a friendly greeting and an invitation to look closely at the daily menu and join the hungry guests inside.  A creative menu, something delicious for everyone and great prices make this a winner. The Udon soups are hearty with savory broth and lots of ingredients, and the sushi is colourful and tasty.  All around the restaurant,  pictures and descriptions of menu items make choices easier and decisions instant.  Sharing is a must since there are so many dishes to try. Red is a strong and vibrant colour and on Valentine's Day, red was everywhere: in the lamp shades, on the menu, in the pictures and especially in the Spicy Salmon Roll.  Whether you eat in or take out (604-687-0510)the food here is a great gift any time.  By Stephen: guest writer, student, chef in
 training, musician and young entrepreneur.

Rue Pigalle - A Blaze of Colour and Style for All Seasons

"True beauty is in the skill of the craft..." It is also evident in the design and displays of this second floor gem at 104 Yorkville Avenue, Toronto. Rue Pigalle is a store in which you can find the most beautiful jewelery, accessories for men and women, Bridal and Gifts and Home Decor.  Rue Pigalle also puts on fantastic events and sales.  Tomorrow you can find Louis Quatorze bags, Petrusse scarves, and Sophie Goetsch jewelry all at 40% off.  Isabelle has just returned from London, Paris and Japan and has brought all of the vibrant colours of Spring to the store.  Hello Spring and Goodbye Winter!  Beauty, craft, skill and excellent service are waiting for you at Rue Pigalle!  Isabelle Fish is on Facebook and Twitter and at 1-647-352-8115 and info@ruepigalle.ca.

Petrusse Scarves 40% off!

Louis Quatorze Bags 40% off! This is my favorite!

Louis Quatorze

Happy Valentine's Day!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!  Can't believe it is another Valentine's already.  Time flies when you're having fun.  I'll be celebrating Valentine's this weekend in Mammoth!  Woot Woot! Here's to love, happiness and great memories <3 What are your Valentine's Day plans?

Top Grammy Looks!

This year the Grammy Awards began with devastating news.  Just yesterday it was announced that Whitney Houston had passed away.  She was an incredibly talented singer and inspiration to all.  She will be missed.  Let's remember her for her achievements and wonderful spirit!

21221225635 by YardieGoals

Best Dressed!

Rihanna in Georgio Armani

Not a fan of the blond, but love her look!

Taylor Swift in Dolce and Gabbana

Lily Aldridge in Gucci

Love the stunning colors

Kate Beckinsale in Zuhair Murad

Fun and flirty!

Foster the People

Esperanza Spalding

Thoughts on this one? I love how unique this look is!

Adele-Took home four awards!

In Georgio Armani

Toronto in the Winter: Snowy Days

Beautiful Toronto in the snow!  This winter has turned out to be very mild and disappointing.  We've only had a few snowy days and a few measly centimeters.  Apparently, winter is on the way this weekend with -13 temperatures and 2-4 centimeters of snow predicted.  I am going away for the weekend for a ski/tubing trib, but I hope there is still some snow when I return!  Here are a few pictures I took of Ryerson Campus in the snow a few weeks ago.  

My Mum (Treasure Seeker Colleen) has been sending me boxes of clothing for many a year.  She started when I was in Japan and couldn't wear any of the clothes there!  The arms and legs of all of the clothes in Japan were too short for me and I had a terrible time finding affordable clothes suitable for teaching.  She still continues to send me things from Vancouver and I am always putting new outfits together with my very fabulous wardrobe.  Let's not get into my disastrous organization of the clothes right now!  Here is an outfit I put together with her pieces.  The pants and shoes are mine, but the belt, shirt and shrug are from her! Lucky for me my Mum has great taste.  Thanks Mum!

New Sally Hanson fabulous orange nails!

Currently Loving Designer Dresses!

I am starting to feel a bit like a broken record!  I seem to find myself talking about two things:  Spring and color.  There are some amazing stores online where you can find truly spectacular pieces that you just couldn't find on a rack in a clothing store.  Why not buy a unique piece that will last forever and always look fantastic?  The more I shop and follow trends, the more I realize that it's smarter to invest in classic, quality pieces.   Classic lines, pretty colors and quality construction are a savvy investment and will last forever.  You can always add modern accessories to keep a look fresh and current.  Here are a few designer dresses from the online shopping site Farfetch.com. I chose very unique and tailored pieces that could be wardrobe staples and last a lifetime! Farfetch carres a wide variety of top designers and styles and even have a boutique blog.  You can keep up with news, boutiques and the hottest designers all in one place.  Love it!  

Carven Printed Dress

Love the fun print and classic shape of this dress.  Perfect for a

dinner party or day time event.  Can be worn for a fun night out

with black tights, booties and bangles!

Giambattista Valli

Love the unique print for this.  Great for a stunning

office outfit or weekend event.

 

Alexander McQueen

Perfect for New York Fashion Week!  A pair of studded heels, and a

big black fur coat and you'll fit right in!

Lanvin-Assymetric Dress

Absolutely love this dress.  Love the unique shape and soft color. 

Pastels are incredibly popular right now.  You can wear this

dress forever and maybe even pass it down!

Weekends are the Best!

Who doesn't love weekends?  Maybe those who work, but for most of us weekends are what we look forward to.  Weekends are a time when we catch up on things, sleep in, shop, explore and relax.  Gone are the crazy weekends of traveling in Japan, trips to Tokyo, Osaka and Hiroshima.  Those days were incredibly fun and I lived by the motto, "If someone asks you, say yes!" I don't think I have ever felt fatigue and exhaustion as I did in Japan.  I wouldn't change it for anything.  

Saturday consisted mostly of wedding thank you card writing, errands and a trip to the post office to pick up a box from Treasure Seeker Colleen.  I took a few photos of some of the treats with my trusty Ipad! I am still amazed at the quality of the pictures.

 Love this fantastic Bebe shrug.  Haven't quite figured out what to pair it with yet.

My favorite! Worn Magazine and a sweater.

Tights, warm socks, chocolates and ingredients for Valentine's cupcakes!

Loved this article about how Mum's fashions and wedding stories influence

their children's.   

Sunday I was invited to a friend's for brunch and some blogging fun!  We had a gourmet cooked breakfast that included fresh fruit, baklava, croissants and scrambled eggs.  So nice to be invited and to discuss the world of blogging.  Blogging, breakfast and great friends made for a wonderful Sunday.  All before it's Monday again.  Check out their new blog here!