H&M Gets Stylestruck in Vancouver

Written by Treasure Seeker Colleen (Colleen Tsoukalas)

On Thursday April 19th, 2012 I attended an exciting celebration of "The Conscious Collection" the result of a great partnership between Olivia Lovenmark, stylist, businesswoman and blogger, and H and M.
The very dynamic Pacific Center store has gorgeous windows and always eye-catching displays.  Fabulous smoothies and appies were supplied by Opus Catering and kept us refreshed and energized for an evening of meeting Olivia and her favorite choices of clothing and accessories as well as connecting with fellow bloggers and shoppers.  Special, reusable shopping bags (H and M) were provided for our finds and then collected after final sales.  These are metallic, silvery and transparent bags that I would buy if they were for sale.  Loved the brilliant greens, oranges, pinks, reds, purples - vibrant rainbow colours and patterns.  Short skirts, skinny pants, fitted jackets, trenches, big jewelry, hats, all very eco friendly and a startling reminder that Spring is just around the corner.  The store was packed with writers and stylists also seen at Vancouver Fashion and Eco Fashion Weeks.  Olivia and H and M styled it up and we should be on our way to excellent fashion ratings!

 

 Love the heels!

 Snakeskin and brights!

 Bill Cunningham would like these Colleen!

 Love this stylish pair!

 More spring brights!

The Corsage Project - A Fun Filled Saturday!

Written by Colleen and Anthea Tsoukalas  

 Katharine Chen helping with the fitting rooms!

This is the twelfth year for The Corsage Project and we were lucky enough to be invited to experience the excitement of this day as well as to write about it.  Generous sponsors and tireless volunteers put together a special day and all of the dresses and accessories that ensure that 275 grade 12 girls do have the opportunity to look and feel their best for their prom/ceremony.  They have a personal shopper/stylist, make-up and lots of choices that empower them and celebrate their achievements.
Rebecca Lucas and Joanne Sallay as well as many volunteers opened the morning event by talking about the Project and thanking everyone for their generous donations of time, expertise, and the beautiful new dresses, (in all sizes)shoes, shawls, fascinators, purses, jewelry as well as the huge, well organized space to shop and try things comfortably.  There was no rush except by the girls, themselves to find just that perfect dress.  The personal shoppers/stylists were
enthusiastic and very helpful but it was the girls who made their own decisions.  I was impressed that at each accessories station, the volunteers were efficient and spot on about the selections they pointed out, but again, it was the girls who chose.  There were so many smiles, lots of giggles and such transformations!  The girls became proud and accomplished young women, even if they were wearing sneakers and boots under their ball gowns,  and the volunteers, well what a fun and heart warming way to give back to community.
We followed Eileen Lui and her Personal Shopper, M. Martins, (Jolene Canada, Sponsor) as they made their way from purple, green and finally to a beautiful Holt Renfrew satiny, floor length magenta dream.  Lots of chatting with friend Anna Yuan, in purple, and then off to find the highest black heels, black shawl, silver necklace and bracelet and white satin evening bag.  Her first picture shows a slightly hesitant girl, worried about how to pose, whereas the last picture we took, shows a regal, confident young woman, ready for her make up and for that walk across the stage and first dance.

 Sarah Charuk and Sarah Tuite

Treasure Seeker Colleen!

A large array of jewelery to choose from!

 

 Eileen Liu starts off in purple! Gorgeous!

 Lorraine Green (Volunteer)

 Maura Martins (Jolene Canada) and Eileen Liu

 Playing with dresses! 

Kim Roth Dressing Room Coordination

 Onto shoes after choosing a Holt Renfrew dress!

 Le Chateau shawl and handbag expert!

Make-up time!

 Pretty in Pink! Mihaela Boubatrin and

Lindsay Watt and Meredith Sinclair 

Final look! Beautiful!

The Bay's Trend Report with Suzanne Timmins: Vancouver

Written by Colleen Tsoukalas (Treasure Seeker Colleen)

Loved the breath of fresh air and hints of Spring and Summer, soon to hit Vancouver, in this collection organized by Suzanne Timmins of Toronto!  Corals, pinks, turquoises, yellows, lavenders were bursts of flowers and rainbows from The Embrace Color looks.  This was a reminder to me to buy metallic bright sandals and pair them with jeans of every shade.  And mix and match everything, no twin sets, please.  Buy pieces that are flirty and emphasize the shape rather than overwhelm it.  Florals and patterns made their way into blouses, pants, shoes, purses and sweaters.  And, yes, these too, are mixed and matched, although with a careful eye to match or contrast carefully.  The Print Works collection demonstrated this beautifully.  The New Lady featured the classic trench, but again fitted and flattering rather than bulky or long.  Betsey Johnson floral crystal necklace graced this show and she would have been in the right place to be part of such a lively show.  A cropped coral jacket, by Sandro, encouraged me to put the longer jackets of winter away and brighten up with color as well as a shorter and more fitted look.  The Sport Luxe and Summer Nomad collections were strong messages to make informal looks just as vibrant and gorgeous as possible.  Thanks to Suzanne, who despite the tallest heels ever, would look terrific in all of these fashions and accessories.  Thanks also to The Bay for inviting customers to an evening that welcomes and inspires us to look on Trend.  The Room is always a spacious and well designed showcase and the staff are friendly and very knowledgeable.  We also enjoyed the plentiful and delicious refreshments.

Colleen's Take on Stripes and Color

 

Elegant Suzanne

 

Fashion Blogger Felix Tavira of Yuki and Bee

 

Colleen's Take on Orange and Teal