New Riding Boots - The Bay!

I haven't attended a Boxing Day sale in a LONG time, but I had great success this year!  The best sales were at The Bay in Coquitlam Centre.  I found these fabulous Arturo Chiang riding boots that supposedly weren't on sale, but were heavily discounted upon checkout!  The Bay has 50-70% off everything right now, so it's worth a visit!   Always get a price check before purchasing anything though, as things are always more discounted than the tags show.  

I have seen quite a few people wearing over the knee boots, but have never managed to find any that fit properly or looked good.  I met one of my friends for an afternoon at the Art Gallery Cafe in Vancouver and she was wearing a beautiful black leather Mackage jacket and over the knee black motorcycle boots!  She has always been a style inspiration for me and so I began my hunt for over the knee boots. 

Who What Wear always sends great "how to" tips in their daily email newsletter and just featured a "how to wear over the knee riding boots" article which you can check out here.  Mine are brown, so I paired them with browns, reds and white to make them stand out.  They are super comfortable and great for tromping around in the Vancouver rain!  Home to Toronto on Sunday!

Arturo Chiang

Jeanne Lottie purse

Vintage Scarf

Arturo Chiang boots

H & M jeans

Smart Set Blazer

American Apparel top

Review: SIMONE FRANCE - Total Body Skin Care System

Written by Colleen Tsoukalas (Treasure Seeker Colleen)

I have been fortunate to sample many products in this line and recently, have been shining my skin up for the holiday season!  If you use SIMONE FRANCE products, you will have developed morning and evening routines that bring a healthy all over glow.  As they say, "It's all about the way you clean your skin."  You use a moisturizer first, then a light but effective scrub, massage, and rinse, rinse, rinse - 15 splashes of cold and 15 of warm.  Remoisturize.  Keeping the skin hydrated is so important, especially in this dry weather.  Since using these products, I have not had any dry patches or red, peeling hands.  I love the rich, thick but non-greasy BODY GLOW, which I apply after showering and buffing up with BODY BUFF.  The BODY BUFF, in itself is gentle and leaves a light layer of moisturizer if  you choose not to stay in the shower forever.  If you do enjoy a long soak, you just remoisturize with BODY GLOW.

The white bottles with blue labels are simple and signify water and soap - clean and fresh.  I feel that more is spent on the product, rather than on expensive packaging and advertising.  In summary, this is a complete skin care line; you can buy specific products and get wonderful results or buy the whole line for everything you might ever need.  Your skin will love the extra attention and moisture.  Your glow will come from natural ingredients, attention to routines and perfume free, luxurious yet light scrubs, moisturizers, night creams, make up removers, toners and line minimizers - lines? what lines?  To get your glow on go to simonefrance.com.  You'll shine for sure!

Merry Christmas - Holiday in Vancouver so Far!

Merry Christmas!  Hope you are all having a wonderful holiday!  Here are a few pictures from my adventures in Vancouver so far.  It has been wonderful despite the rain... Best to all!!!!

Breakfast at Urban Fare in Yaletown

I really need boots, but found myself trying on

every single pair of sequined shoes I could

find - at HOLT REFNREW!

Kate Spade Christmas decorations

Holts has the best little gifts and stocking stuffers!

Sunglasses at Topshop - Pacific Centre

Oh Christmas tree!

Window shopping

Loved this little pop up shop - you can find them in Gastown as well

Loving Kate Spade accesories right now!

Holiday dinner

Horse and buggy rides - Yaletown

Christmas lights - VanDusen Gardens

Good Times with Great Friends

Happy holidays everyone!  Hope you are all enjoying time with family wherever you are!  A week before I left for my visit home to Vancouver, I had a little get together with some very amazing ladies.  We met for an event at the Spoke Club and then went to Blowfish Restaurant and Sake Bar for a delicious sushi dinner.  It was wonderful to see everyone before we all departed for the holidays.  My friends are always there when I need them and they are all in the midst of exciting careers with very bright futures ahead of them.  I am always inspired when I see them!  Can't wait to see you all in the New Year.  2013 is going to be a great one!

Jeanne Lottie handbag

Smartset white blazer

Thrifted Dress

Thrifted boots

Chloe and I

Me, Anne, Nike, Anthea and Chloe

Check out Nike's blog Eight Hundred Sq. Ft

Blowfish

Anne and I 

Blowfish Restaurant and Sake Bar

The Art Institute of Vancouver - Fabulous Fall Portfolio Show

Written by Colleen Tsoukalas (Treasure Seeker Colleen) 

Thanks to Brenda Wong, Program Coordinator, Fashion Marketing and Fashion Design at The Art Institute of Vancouver, for inviting me to their Fall 2012 Portfolio Show at 2665 Renfrew, Vancouver, December 18th. I went specifically to see Fashion Marketing /Management and Fashion Design/Merchandising, but was impressed to see how the whole school came together to invite visitors to a fantastic display of career options, as well at to enjoy a lovely reception area, meet friendly hosts, listen to a lively choir and feast on treats created by the Culinary Arts grads.  This building is a wonderful addition and resource for the neighborhood, as well as the city.  Inside it there is colour and action, equipment, art, photography, kitchens, pattern tables, mannequins, computers, offices, reception areas and all organized in a loft like Interior Designed Space.  (Think MMMagazine)  Loved the brochure/menu for the afternoon: a map, list of programs, Career Services Team (on site and ready to enrol) and even a thank you to atttendees.  Now "Let's Get To Work" and meet some of the grads!

Invitation to Create: The Art Institute of Vancouver

Fashion on Display

Lena Y. Kim - Beautiful tuxedo jacket card and publishable porfolio

Lena herself

Beril Kaleil - Turkish designer and master of tailoring.  Look at those pleats!

Tilda Ruvinga - From Zimbabwe, gorgeous wedding designs and has a 

fanciful business card, with her signature, backless wedding dress on the back.

She loves to travel so I suggested she consider a portable design business.

Imagine having her redesign your wedding/formal gowns at your house, or

having her redesign your closet or wardrobe.

Lisa Truong - A woman of many languages and art and design talents, whose

Deco Design Portfolio is to die for.  She even designs fascinators.  Did I menion

she is also an Iron Chef and designed special cupcakes for attendees?!

Elizabeth Eburne - I love this body hugging jacket - so well tailored!  From 

her extensive resume and eye catching business card, I see she is a master

of styling and pattern making.  I need a few patterns so I can create a

new wardrobe!  Think, unique design, fit and proportions.  Now that is great

problem solving!

What I will remember about this afternoon at The Art Institute, is the enthusiasm, professionalism and energetic hard work of students and staff!  Students are so ready to add their enormous skills and talents to the workforce!  Lucky world!  The students I met not only had publishable portfolios, exquisite business cards, resumes and strong hand shakes, but all had prepared snacks.  They bring with them their languages, (Lisa Truong and I exchanged a few words of Japanese) their cultures, their travels, their extensive work experience and volunteer contributions (hello ECO Fashion Week) as well as mastery (A+++) of their studies.

I look forward to covering many more of The Art Institute's events and to meeting more students.  Thanks again to everyone.

Shop for Jayu/Psalms Accessories Sale

Who doesn't want jewelry for Christmas?!  A few weeks back I attended one of my favorite jewelry designers' sales.  Seems like I am always running into Sally Han and am growing quite the collection of her jewelry.  You can see some her pieces from the Ten at the Spoke event I attended last month as well.  I love her collections because they are unique and very affordable.  She has two lines: Shop for Jayu and Psalms 91:1.  The Shop for Jayu pieces are typically under $60 while Psalms are a little bit more of a splurge.  I have pieces from both lines and they are excellent quality and I always receive many compliments!  

One of the fun things Sally Han offers is a 10% discount if her customers have Twitter or Facebook.  This is always a big plus for me, especially when she has big sales like the one I attended. I purchased quite a few pieces for at least half the price in total.  Of course I can't share these pieces as they are for family and will likely read this!  I did take a few pictures of the sale, so check it out!

Not a big jewelry fan? Here are some tips on investing in great jewelry:

• Buy a few great pairs of earrings of varying colors that you can mix and match with outfits.  I love sparkly earrings and studs that are subtle but create sparkle near my face.
• Check the backings - I find I lose earrings (especially if they are heavy), if I don't have plastic backings.
•  Thicker necklaces and collars are quite popular right now.  Buy colors like basic black, silvers and golds that you can wear with any outfit.  You'd be surprised how much it can change a look and become a conversation piece.
• Buy quality!!! This is the biggest lesson I have learned.  Buy from small boutiques or shopping events where designers are specifically selected.  No one wants broken jewelry or green fingers!
• I always buy jewelry when I travel.  I have jewelry from France, Japan and Egypt.  I'm always reminded of my adventures when I put one of those pieces on.

What I wore

 

Sally Han left.  Love her necklace!

Sally Han and her team are always pleasant

and very helpful.

All my purchases bundled up into one package!

No peaking until Christmas!

Kanji Sushi and Brandy Melville Launch

Still catching up on a few more posts before the Christmas holidays!  A while back Chloe and I attended two events:  the launch of Kanji Sushi and the Brandy Melville Store.  As they both ended at 9 and were on opposite ends of the city, we had to rush from one event to the other.  It was a blast! 

Kanji Sushi

Kanji Sushi launched in the very trendy Parkdale district by entrepreneur Rob Banton and chef James Gao (Nobu, Yuzu).  After a year of renovations and design work by Emil Teleki of Offcut Studio, the venue is ready to go! The design is very chic and the drinks are outstanding!  The event was super crowded, probably over 100 people in a 40-50 person space, but we had a blast nonetheless.  

Seemed like everybody in town was in attendance! 

Brandy Melville 

Onto the next event!  I had never heard of Brandy Melville before, but found the event on the FashionCalendar.ca and thought it might be fun to visit.  The brand was originally founded in Italy and has gained popularity throughout Europe and now the US and Canada.  It was not really what I expected.   While there were a few cute things I could probably wear,  it really catered to boho hippy teenagers.  The clothes were fun and playful; many pieces had cut outs, prints and rips.  It made me reminisce of the times I could actually find a place to wear clothes like that.  My style has become mature, sophisticated and very dressed up, even on weekends.  I've forgotten how to dress casually, but I don't really want to go back!  The staff were very helpful and friendly and I enjoyed wandering through and looking at all of the pieces.  Very entertaining!  Thanks for joining Chloe!