October, 2009 | Style Blog | Toronto Fashion and Lifestyle Blog

Halloween 2009: Scariest Jewelry of All Time!

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Okay, so who here likes taxidermied animals? What about the said animals as jewelry? Sounds insane? Well, someone actually thought that it’s a good idea, and people are actually buying it too! Mice on bowties, guinea pig on a comb, and rats on a headband…the Vermin Collection by Reid Peppard sounds morbidly horrific. I mean, really, who wants dead rats on their head? Not me! Though I do hope that the animals are not killed with this specific purpose, and either way it’s not something I’d ever be caught dead in! Thoughts?

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More photos after the jump!

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Halloween 2009: Ghosts of Halloween Past

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So tomorrow is the big day! Halloween is finally upon us! So many costumes to choose from, so little time left! I have to admit that for a few years now, I’ve been putting my “costumes” together at the very last minute from whatever is hanging in my closet. Like last year, I wore a “ballerina” dress from H&M to the office and a purple Zara leotard, coupled with leggings and my mom’s ankle weights to be an aerobics instructor at a party, and the year before that I was Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in an LBD with some knit arm warmers (I know, I know…that was the only thing I had that resembled long gloves). I also wore a Hawaii-girl outfit for a few years in a row (grass skirt, tube top, flower in hair and some leis). So my point is, even if you aren’t really into Halloween, chances are you might be into dressing up! So dig into your closet, and put together something creative this weekend. There are so many easy costumes out there: Gossip Girl (tweed skirt, headband), Mia Wallace (white blouse, black bobbed wig), Jackie O…or Michelle O for that matter (classy LBD, and some shades), Carrie Bradshaw (tutu, curly hair, and sky-high heels), Ugly Betty (retainer and something vintage/colorful/ill-fitting)…Options are endless! Here’s a little peek into my Costumes of Halloween Past.

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Ok, so this was worn on a regular office day. But you could do so many things with these lips: Angelina Jolie, Octomom, Alexander McQueen model?

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Hmm, you could also walk around with a painting in front of your face, or wear a Dollar Store nose!

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This is from last year’s Halloween at the office. Tessa did her scary make up herself! When she walked through the door in the morning, it was fantastically scary!

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Jo-the pirate-ess! Arrrrrr!

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Here is moi as a way-too-perky aerobics instructor, SunYee as the Scream guy, and le boyfriend as Chupacabra-the luchador, with a towel-cape.

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Carlos as the Fat Ballerina, my Hawaii-girl outfit, and poor man’s Holly Golightly.

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This was…my attempt to decorate the office for Halloween, using recycled materials. Mr. Hueso is sitting in my former boss’ chair!

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Trying on masks at Wal Mart in Houston.

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Al is that Betty-Bo-sheep-girl, I’m a Barbie, some guy is a Pimp (very original), and Cit is…a pink Skeleton.

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So this is not a Halloween photo, but if you have 2 BFFs, and a handsome guy-friend, you could be Charlie’s Angels! Kick-ass posing – mandatory.

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Mmmm, candy! Happy Halloween, everyone!!!

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Style Blog, October 30th 2009 | Tags: Audrey Hepburn, Costumes, Halloween, Halloween 2009, What I Wore
Posted in Fashion, What I Wore

Jimmy Choo for H&M Menswear

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Well, I hope my male readers are quite happy with me, because I have yet another post dedicated to the boys this week! A few photos, featuring the new Jimmy Choo for H&M collection have surfaced, and here they are! I am absolutely hating the studded belt styling for guys. It’s just…not right. But if you think your man would be into it, then by all means, it should be available November 14th at select H&M stores. I do, however, like the rough boots. I actually want these for myself…If only I wore the same shoe size as le boyfriend. Wait, then my feet would’ve been freakishly big, or his extremely small and girlie. Ok, scrape that thought.

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Photo Credits: www.modemen.feber.se

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Style Blog, October 30th 2009 | Tags: Fall 2009, H&M, Jimmy Choo, Menswear, Shoes
Posted in Fashion, Shopping

Friday Faux Pas: Noah Cyrus’ Parents

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Ugh…This girl is 9 years old and is already pimped out by her parents to look like a hooker-witch? What’s wrong with this picture? I didn’t start wearing make up until I was at least 17. And sure as hell, my mother didn’t let me wear pounds of lipstick and eye make up when I was a child. Noah Cyrus is a child, a child that is being brought up by parents that see no problems with their daughter wearing this outfit for Halloween, while her 16-year old sister is grinding against a stripper pole on TV. Family values much?

Photo Credits: www.dlisted.com

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Style Blog, October 30th 2009 | Tags: Friday Faux Pas, Halloween 2009, Noah Cyrus
Posted in Celebrity Fashion, Faux Pas

Foodie: The Macallan Tasting

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When Matchstick reps asked me if I was interested in a Scotch tasting event, I was a bit iffy, since I am not big on alcohol. I drink an occasional Candy Apple Martini or a Corona, but I’m definitely not into hard liquors. Fortunately, my friends were, so this week we went to One Hazelton to taste some spirits and mingle with other Scotch enthusiasts.

Having walked in knowing virtually nothing about Scotch, as promised by our wonderful host Mark, we left equipped with more than basic understanding of how to pick your drink, how to savour and enjoy it, and even how to smell it correctly! We tasted Macallan 10, 12, 15, 18, and 21 years old. And each, surprisingly, did taste different with various notes from chocolate to vanilla to dried fruit, hitting our taste buds. My favorite of the night was Macallan 12 years old, matured in sherry oak casks from Jerez, Spain. It was the smoothest of the bunch, with a sweet toffee finish. Al’s favorite was Macallan 18, followed by the 12 as well. The food was quite delicious as well, with yummy appetizers passes around the room. So to us, the evening was a great success! Because I really don’t know how any alcohol lover could ever leave without at least becoming curious about the Macallan brand, seeing how they seem so focused on creating a best-tasting Single Malt.

If this sounds interesting to you or your friends, you can also enjoy an evening of Scotch, food, and a bit of history by registering here: www.celebratethemacallan.ca. I’d suggest that you do it sooner than later, because these usually book up quite fast. Enjoy and drink responsibly!

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That’s me taking a photo of Al holding her glass.

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That was a super cool gadget that turns ice cubes into ice balls! Apparently ice balls don’t melt as fast, thus keeping your Scotch cool and water-free!

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More photos after the jump!

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Style Blog, October 28th 2009 | Tags: Foodie, Macallan Scotch, One Hazelton, Toronto
Posted in Events, Foodie

Halloween 2009: Marc Jacobs and Bergdorf Windows

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Most of us had come to expect festive holiday displays in various retailers’ windows come Christmas. Well, perhaps because of the scary economy, or just for fun, some stores decked their windows out in something other than “boughs of holly” and brought us these awesome Halloween displays! Whether it’s swampy in NYC, or abstract in San Francisco, Marc Jacobs didn’t lack the creativity and tried to perhaps bring some of the window shoppers into his stores instead. Although to be perfectly honest, I really don’t know whether I would be brave enough to venture into a toxic zombie waste swamp to shop for clothes. Eeek! I do, however, loooove the cow window! It’s got a perfect pop of color and is weird enough to catch my attention as I walk down the street! Wish I was in San Fran to witness it firsthand!

Bergdorf’s windows are also quite stunning, showing various fairy tales with a technological twist. Princess and the PC, anyone? Not as fun as MJ, but visually captivating all the same. So what do you guys think? Do these windows scare you away, or make you want to shop till you drop?

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More spooky windows after the jump!

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Style Blog, October 28th 2009 | Tags: Bergdorf, Halloween, Halloween 2009, Marc Jacobs, NYC
Posted in Art, Fashion

Style Fille: Diane Kruger

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Ok, so this photo of Diane Kruger is at least a week old now, but that’s not important. What’s important are those swiss dot tights. Love them so much! If you’ve been reading this blog, you already know that Diane is one of my absolute favorites when it comes to style. And yet again she doesn’t disappoint in this blue printed Balenciaga dress, paired not with the expected opaque tights, but with dotted ones. I wear a lot of dresses to the office, and fun tights are a must in my closet. Gotta find a pair like Diane’s. If anyone knows where I can get them in Toronto, please let me know!

Photo Credits: www.zimbio.com

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Style Blog, October 27th 2009 | Tags: Balenciaga, Diane Kruger, Style Fille, Tights
Posted in Celebrity Fashion, Fashion

LG Fashion Week: Barbie by David Dixon

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After the short beer/wine intermission between the David Dixon and Barbie collections, the show had to go on! Barbie by David Dixon show that is. As I already unboxed my Sassy Barbie-friend, all three of us (Barbie, Al and I) were watching intently as the inspiration for the Spring collection played before our eyes. Apparently, one of Dixon’s fave movies – “Funny Face” with Audrey Hepburn, inspired his designs this year. An avid Hepburn fan, I almost squealed with delight when the movie clips were shown (unfortunately sans Audrey). And while the prelude to the show had me eager to see the clothes, the collection itself left me a bit disappointed.

“Think Pink” indeed. I guess what else do you expect from a Barbie collection, right? Lots of pink, polka dots, and Barbie-appropriate office clothing. It was all way too girlie for my taste, though it was right up Al’s alley. She wasn’t a fan of Dixon’s signature collection, but loved the Barbie-inspired one. We even got to see a couple of Kens strutting their stuff!

But for me, the most exciting part of the show by far was…the models’ walks. Not to be mean, but most of the girls weren’t able to walk straight. As you can see, the models wore black socks with their black peep toe pumps. And it looked like the shoes they wore were either extremely uncomfortable or too big. As far as esthetics go, I am not at all a fan of that look, but seeing the models teeter-tottering and straining to keep their shoes from falling off, made us fear that another Prada-like sock-gate would happen as I watched the front row attendees (including Rick Mercer and Fashion Television’s Jeanne Beker) looking intently at models’ feet, instead of the collection.

All in all, David Dixon’s signature line was my fave, while Al preferred the Barbie collection. After the show, we even got to pose in our own Barbie-like boxes! And though I didn’t love that LG Fashion Week moved away from its usual Nathan Phillips Square location, I still felt that this year’s events were bigger and better than last! Here’s hoping that Canadian fashion industry will continue to grow and improve. Obviously, it’s not New York Fashion Week, and LG tent is not comparable to the Bryant Park ones, but Toronto is where the heart is for me, and that makes Toronto Fashion Week just as special!

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Special Thanks to GCI Group for this year’s invitations!

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Style Blog, October 27th 2009 | Tags: Barbie, David Dixon, LG Fashion Week, Toronto
Posted in Events, Fashion

LG Fashion Week: David Dixon

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Was so happy to have made it to the David Dixon show last week! Did not really have any kind of expectations, and as a result really loved a lot of the pieces. Dixon’s Spring/Summer 2010 collection inspired by the “Hanging Gardens of Babylon” was flowy, feminine, and fun! And since Al managed to snag two second row seats, we had a prime view of the collection! Loved the lime green cocktail dresses and the silky skirts all would look amazing at wedding receptions! See, I still can’t stop thinking about what to wear to the January wedding of my friend! Well, if Dixon’s designs will be available before January (unlikely, but one can hope), I’ll definitely be trying them on as one of the alternatives!

So to finish off, I really liked David Dixon’s signature collection. Even loved some of the pieces. Dresses were definitely my style, modern and flirty. Plus, to me it was one of the stronger collections this year – less theatrics, and more focus on the actual clothes. Andy Thê-Anh is still my favorite Canadian designer, but David Dixon just became a close second!

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Style Blog, October 27th 2009 | Tags: David Dixon, Jeanne Beker, LG Fashion Week, Rick Mercer, Spring 2010, Toronto
Posted in Events, Fashion

LG Fashion Week: Mattel Media Event

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Seems so soon, but LG Fashion Week is now officially over! I was planning on attending a few events this fall, but unfortunately, due to the insanity that was my life last week, I only had time (and energy) for one! Thanks to the lovely GCI people for inviting Al and I to the Mattel Media Presentation, as well as both David Dixon and Barbie by David Dixon fashion shows.

The media presentation focused on the launch of the new line of poseable Fashionista Barbie dolls, as well as a new (old?) Barbie dance, and of course, the David Dixon for Barbie collection. Barbies everywhere! And appropriately enough, Al and I each received a Barbie doll in our goodie bags! Man, was I ever happy to get my hands on one! Mine was Sassy and Al’s was Wild! And while I can see the issues that others bring up about Barbie’s impossible body, if I had to choose between a sleazy Bratz doll and a Barbie, the latter would win every time! Plus, I played with Barbies when I was a kid, and I turned out just fine. So while Al had the patience to keep her doll intact, I ripped it out of the packaging the moment I had a chance to sit down! It had brown hair, just like me! Score!

But as much as we loved our dolls, the Barbie dance…well, it wasn’t something that I enjoyed. And the dancers didn’t seem to enjoy the corny moves either. We all know the “I’m a Barbie girl” song, right? Well, the introduction of the “new” dance to the old song just seemed a bit forced and not at all necessary. The moves weren’t anything new or exciting and I was actually a bit embarrassed for the dancers, but they did their thing, so I guess we can give them an “A” for effort?

After the presentation, we were escorted to the David Dixon fashion show, where Al and I managed to score a couple of second row seats despite the packed showroom! Thanks Mattel! David Dixon’s “Hanging Gardens of Babylon” show review is next!

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