2010 May | Style Blog

Clinique Bonus at Holt Renfrew

It’s that time of the year again! Clinique Spring Bonus Time at Holts! And this one actually looks like it’s worth it!

Clinique’s Spring gift is available May 28th – June 6th and comes in the limited edition signature bag designed by Milly designer, Michelle Smith. With a retail value of over $100, it’s yours free, with any Clinique purchase of $35 or more. Quantities are limited, as usual, so make sure to get yours before they are all gone! Going to get mine at Yorkdale this weekend.

Photo Credits: Holt Renfrew

SATC2 Style: London Premiere

I don’t even know where to start with this one…it’s like the Friday Faux Pas bonanza…all in one picture! Can I just say that the oldest woman of the four is looking the best here? Kim Cattral doesn’t disappoint and is looking pretty hot with that hair, and lipstick, and a simple black dress, perhaps a little on the boring side too…but that’s the least of their problems here.

First of all, can we talk about SJP’s hat? Last year she also wore a hat…it was daring, and not the most flattering choice, but it was ok…it was fitting for her character. This time, it’s obviously for the same character, but SJP is no Lady Gaga, and I don’t think she should try to be…and it almost feels like she’s running out of ideas, so out comes the hat. The sleeping bag dress, the black cloud (Lost’s MIB anyone?) hat, and that weird one-boob bodice…adds up to a big fail for me. I’m sorry, but this is no Carrie Bradshaw. You might think that she looks fabulous, and that her headpiece is fashion-forward, but I just don’t get it. Maybe it’s a fail on my part.

And then there’s Miranda aka Cynthia Nixon. Why, Cynthia??? WHY? The hair? The g-damn Kate Gosselin extensions? You’re Miranda-freaking-Hobbs, not some washed up reality TV mom. Add to that the crotch stain, and we’re done here. I’m sorry to hate on the Sex and the City four, simply because the show is so near and dear to my heart…but these ladies have stylists, and assistants, and an entourage…Why isn’t someone telling them that they are looking gnarly? Ahh, it breaks my heart, but the London premiere outing is a bit of a big disaster in my opinion.

Oh, and Kristin looks nice, I suppose. A tad boring, but at least her hair is lovely, and there are no visible stains on her dress…

Photo Credits: www.dlisted.com

Friday Faux Pas: Missoni Euge Bag

Have been a huge fan of Missoni’s iconic prints for ages! Which is why I am so disappointed with Margherita Missoni’s first attempt at designing handbags. She says that she was inspired by her girlfriends – the not-so-girls-next-door Eugenie Niarchos, Tatiana Santo Domingo, Lauren Santo Domingo and Coco Brandolini. Well, if I were Eugenie Niarchos, I don’t think I’d take the new “Euge” bag as a compliment. Is Margherita trying to hint that Eugenie’s style reminds her of a roadkill turtle? Because that’s what it looks like to me.

The rest of the bags don’t entice as many stabby/punchy feelings in me, so I won’t rant about those (though I would never ever buy one). And though Missoni is trying to appeal to a younger audience with this capsule handbag collection, would any of your sane neighbourhood young-ins spend $3,140 on the above-mentioned “Euge” bag? I don’t think so! For that amount, I can easily waltz into my local Chanel store and buy a 2.55…why the hell would I buy THAT thing?

Am I not getting it? Do you hate me for hating this bag? Let me know in the comments!

SATC2 Style: NYC Premiere

Sex and the City 2 movie opens tonight at 12am, if you have tickets to the midnight showing that is. I am sure it’ll be mayhem, so I’ll wait a couple of days till the hysteria dies down a bit. In the meantime, here are Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda at the NYC premiere of SATC2. I love how their gowns represent their characters so well! Don’t you think? And since I’ve been obsessed with polls lately…exercise your snap judgement below.

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Photo Credits: www.laineygossip.com

Almost Famous

I still haven’t seen my billboard up close and personal…well, mostly because it’s at Yonge and Sheppard…and I am never at Yonge and Sheppard. It’ll be moved to Eglinton West in June, and I’ll be definitely seeing that one…a lot! In the meantime, huge thanks to Ed for the photos!

Now that my mug is on a billboard, should I get an agent to sort through the many beauty and fashion campaign offers that are bound to pour in? Just kidding about that…being one of the ten faces representing the best mall in Toronto should do for now. Thanks for your support, lovelies!

Summer Mansentials

It’s official – it is summer time in Canada! The sun is hot, the skin is in, and the patios are buzzing! But is your man ready for the heat? Judging by the many run-ins with style-handicapped guys I spotted this weekend at The Beach, many guys don’t get that you can be both comfortable and stylish during the summer. And while, I realize that most men would balk at the idea of making over their style, below are the three essential items, that I think every guy should have this summer! And yes, this includes le boyfriend.

1. Summer shorts

As the temperatures rise, the hemlines of ladies’ skirts keep going up, but what about the guys? I think it’s very important for guys to have at least one decent pair of shorts for the summer. Unfortunately, lots of men’s idea of decent shorts are sloppy, slouchy, ill-fitting, and at times plain ugly. Men’s shorts come in a variety of styles to fit different lifestyles, but in general the more pockets there are, the less streamlined, and therefore less flattering the shorts will look. Stores usually have an abundance of shorts and swim trunks at this time of the year, so your options are definitely not limited. So pick up a pair that you like for your man, and chances are he’ll grow to like them, and won’t look sloppy any more. I’ve also found this site, which also has some cool options from brands like G-Star.

2. Stylish kicks

Back when I lived in Houston, seeing a guy wearing flip-flops never induced any unpleasant feelings on my part. Here in Toronto, however, I am not a fan…unless we’re at the beach, at the pool, or at a BBQ that is. Converse have been my guy shoe of choice for a few years now, and with the canvas upper, I think they are pretty good shoes for the summer, as well as always in style. Though le boyfriend loves them as well, he did find the Lacoste sneakers much more comfortable. I love Lacoste shoes, especially since they have so many simple, yet stylish looks available…it’s easy to find one that would work for your man. And of course, the penny loafers look amazing with rolled up pants/jeans, in the summer…so very “Sartorialist meets Italian riviera”…but it takes a certain type of man to rock those. Though in the end, I think any of these beat sandals with socks, no?

3. Below the neck grooming

When Lisa of One Voice offered to send le boyfriend Philips Bodygroom Pro, I jumped at the chance. While he agreed to be my guinea pig (thanks, baby!), he didn’t fully realize what that would entail. Luckily for me, he isn’t as hairy as some men, but some shaving and trimming still goes a long way. Thankfully, nowadays, most men already realize that at least some body grooming is important below the neck…necessary, even. But with the beach season quickly approaching, and if your man is still hesitant to try it, perhaps you could sneak a Bodygroom unit into his bathroom one day as a hint. Le boyfriend did secretly like Philips Bodygroom Pro, not that he necessarily needs the shaving side, but the trimmer definitely came in handy! Plus, he was able to use it both in the shower and out. Now help your man take off that “sweater” and enjoy some sunshine! Bodygroom Pro is currently available at Bed Bath and Beyond in Canada, while Sears, HBC, and Personal Edge should be getting them sometime in July.

What other mansentials would you suggest for your guy? Share in the comments!

Foodie: Saving Grace

Saving Grace

907 Dundas Street West
Toronto, ON
(416) 703-7368

Perfect For: Brunch

I’ve been a terrible girl, I completely forgot about this Saving Grace post, and now it’s been literally months since my last visit. Well, we’re heading into the long weekend, and if you’re staying put in the city, perhaps trying a new brunch place is in order?

Saving Grace is a teeny-tiny eatery on Dundas St. West, that does not take reservations, and seats about 20. They have a clipboard, hanging by the door, for you to put your name down (with about 15 other names waiting ahead of you), and then you can wander off for an hour or so (2 hours in our case) before it is your turn to be seated. I know this doesn’t sound very appealing, because noone likes to wait for their food on a Sunday morning, right? Well, in Saving Grace’s case, the wait is well worth it!

By the time we got a table, both le boyfriend and I were desperately hungry…and smelling and seeing delicious somethings on other people’s plates definitely did not help. The blackboard inside the restaurant showcases daily specials and all-time favorites. Having heard that their Caramelized Banana French Toast was delish, my sweet tooth ordered just that, while le boyfriend opted for Poached Eggs with Coconut Black Rice, served with some veggies and toast.

The toast, the caramelized bananas, the maple syrup…it was all perfection. Gooey, sweet, crunchy, soft perfection. I almost bit le boyfriend’s hand for trying to steal a piece of toast off my plate…that’s how freaking delicious that toast was. The.Best.I’ve.Ever.Had. His rice and potatoes, too, were something extraordinary! Smooth, flavorful and delicate…I wish more of my meals were this good.

The service at Saving Grace is efficient and friendly, the setting is quirky, and selections are vast. It was definitely one of my most memorable brunches ever. There’s nothing bad to say about this place whatsoever…except for the wait. But if we could do it in the midst of the freezing cold winter, I think waiting around in the summer should be a piece of French Toast cake. Especially, with The Communal Mule Espresso Bar just down the street, where you can grab a coffee, read the paper, relax at one of their cool wooden tables, before heading back to Saving Grace to see if your table opened up. After all, good things come to those who wait.

Lauren Conrad Style Book Cover

I haven’t watched The Hills in ages now, mostly due to my personal inability to sit through the vapid Speidi fakeness…Though I must admit, a couple of years back – The Hills was an obsession. I’ve always liked Lauren (LC) Conrad’s style, but ever since she left the show, I feel that her style has definitely evolved and improved. Is she qualified to write a book on style? This might be arguable, but regardless, I’d be curious enough to leap through the pages and will at least consider buying it. But this cover…I don’t know who was in charge of this cover, and whether this is the final version…I just can’t get behind it. There’s something about the limp bun on her head (not small or big enough to make a statement), it’s the “deer in the headlights” look in Lauren’s eyes, it’s the not-quite-there smile that is more uncomfortable than coy. I don’t know what it is exactly, but I really wish she’d reconsider this book cover.

Let’s excercise our snap judjement today…Is Lauren’s Style book cover a do or a don’t? Take the poll below.

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Photo Credits: www.people.com

Friday Faux Pas: Half Pants + Half Shorts = …

…Complete and utter dumbassness? I mean, seriously??? There’s always something silly or ridiculous happening in the world of fashion, but these Bernhard Willhelm’s Half Pants are screaming not only for attention, but for a beating as well, since these aren’t merely another “work of art”…these are actually FOR SALE to the regular Joes and Janes of the world. Oh, rejoice! Now your dream of being both hot and cold is that much closer to coming to fruition! Of course, only if you have $340 to spend…but I mean, money is just money, but looking like a fool is priceless.

Photo Credits: www.shopfatal.com

Style Fille: Carrie Bradshaw

Sex and the City 2 movie is hitting the theatres in exactly one week, and I thought it’d be fitting to showcase Patricia Field’s Carrie Bradshaw’s notable style choices over the 6 seasons of the HBO show…the original show that started it all (not the watered down Peachtree TV crap). It was those outfit choices, the crazy, the brave, and the mind-boggling choices that Carrie paraded season after season, that I am happy to say, made my personal clothing choices a little braver too. And for that, Pat Field, I thank you!

Remember that fur coat? You must remember! Season 1, shopping bags, and a fur coat – that was the beginning of Carrie. And that dress…I remember loving that dress the first time I saw it – when Carrie wore it to a wedding, and Big wouldn’t sign his name on the card…heartless jerk! Oh, and what’s up with those ugly shoes? Those are definitely not timeless.

The striped shirt, the unexpected color of her suit…love it all!

She wore the outfit on the right, if I am not mistaken, to a party, where she eventually kissed Alanis Morisette…pleather dress, gold boots, and a huge-ass flower…which spawned flower-mania all over North America.

More flowers and fur. I used to be obsessed with Carrie’s bag collection, and my favorite of them all used to be this Dior saddle bag. She wore this to Aidan’s store to meet him for the first time, right? And who doesn’t associate that large hair bun with Carrie Bradshaw? Signature Carrie up-do.

OMG, those Manolos! One pink, one blue. Way back when, I almost bought two pairs of shoes in different colors to attempt this look, but in the end didn’t want to waste money on two pairs of identical shoes…The look on the right was totally unexpected for Carrie (at least for me) - a little too polished, yet it is one of my all-time fave Carrie outfits – very Jackie O.

Two words: Dolce & Gabbana. Two more words: bejeweled panties. Two more words: fashion roadkill. One word to tie it all together: EPIC.

Oh, and that cropped shirt + pencil skirt + Gucci pouch + sideswept pony look was the reason I shelled out my hard-earned moola on that purse. I so loved this outfit on Carrie…and her long straight hair too…and how she handled Aidan’s passive-aggressive antics. Loved it.

Remember when Carrie and Aidan were engaged, how she refused to wear the ring on her finger? How she hid it among the piles, upon piles of pearls? Just another one of those instances, when warbrobe choices are so telling. And the skirt on the right…it was just so delightfully weird – I desperately wanted one too! I couldn’t find a better photo of it…but the back had feathers/ruffles attached to it…only Carrie.

Yet another warbrobe-envy item…that multicolored striped skirt, I really really liked it. Apparently though, it’s not a skirt – it’s a dress. Another example of Pat Field’s genius.

Carrie running to open the New York Stock Exchange, and Carrie going to the courthouse for jury duty, two more very memorable outfits. She looks so adorable in polka dots and overalls, no? Though I would definitely lose Berger as the accessory.

The stripes she wore to her book launch party, and that tent dress, designed to hide her pregnancy bump – I wasn’t too crazy about these looks, but they stood out in my memory, so I wanted to include them anyway.

Yet another refreshing Carrie choice. Remember that horrid date Charlotte was on, only to join Carrie and Berger on their awful date? The best part of it for me, other than Charlotte’s facial expressions, was the Mickey Mouse t-shirt under Carrie’s cream blazer. Since then, this look has been popping up on different runways through the years (I am looking at you, D&G).

And who can forget the day Carrie landed in Paris? Stripes, hat, pearls and all. A little ridiculous? Yes. Very Carries? You betcha.

A lot of people weren’t too fond of Petrovsky for Carrie…but I must admit…I kinda liked him. Also liked those over-the-knee boots, and her lady-like coat. So pretty!

And last, but not least…the ladybug dress…the one she wore at a Parisian cafe, while sitting next to a grumpy-looking dog, and then one she had one when she stepped in some dog merde too. Metaphor for her time in Paris, perhaps?

I know I skipped a lot of looks, like the “candy-striper”, “the tutu”, the “naked dress”, among others, I just couldn’t fit them all in. What were your fave Carrie looks from the series, and perhaps the ones I’ve missed? Are you excited about yet another movie? Share your thoughts and fond memories of the show in the comments!

Photo Credits: www.fabsugar.com, www.tfs.com

Wednesday Candy: Ryan Gosling vs. Matthew Morrison

I haven’t seen any Wednesday Candy worthy candidates lately, but yesterday I stumbled upon these photos of Ryan Gosling and Matthew Morrison. I guess sometimes good things come in twos.

Now the tough question is…who is hotter? On the one hand, we have Ryan, wearing the hell out of those grey pants…and that white shirt – super sexy, no? The only problem I have with his outfit are the shoes…I mean, white shoes? Really? I think camel-colored ones would’ve looked much more stylish.

Matthew’s shoes are also leaving me cold, but that’s not his only problem – he seems to have worn his pants off the rack. A little tailoring would’ve gone a long way to eliminate the bunching at his ankles. Still, I think he looks dapper in that suit of his and the color is killer with those baby blues…plus I still can’t get over that “Alone” rendition…le sigh.

So who will it be? Who is hotter? Ryan or Matthew?

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Photo Credits: www.laineygossip.com, www.zimbio.com

Style Fille: JLo in Cannes

Say what you will about JLo, but she sure does know how to bring glamour wherever she goes. I am loving her Cannes/Monaco outfits, whether it be shopping with her undead hubby, yachting in style, or attending a Vanity Fair/Gucci party. And note the bun in the pic above. I guess her hairstylist was beaten senseless re-trained…because her bun is looking less severe, and more chic than last time she tried to rock it. Do you like Jenny From The (Cannes) Block style? Let me know in the comments.

Photo Credits: www.zimbio.com

Foodie: Tom’s Dairy Freeze

Tom’s Dairy Freeze

630 The Queensway
Toronto, ON
(416) 259-1846

Perfect For: Ice-Cream, Hot-Dogs, and Sunshine

It’s been a few years since I moved to Toronto, and I never looked at sunshine the same way again. Not to bore you with my Houston stories, but truth is…it’s sunny there almost all the time. Sure, there are hurricanes and all that jazz, but more often than not – it is sunny. Not so in Toronto. Which is why I tend to grab each sunny day by its horns and enjoy it to the max.

Well, last weekend was a perfect opportunity to enjoy some sunshine and some well-deserved ice-cream, after le boyfriend and I ran/rollerbladed a huge chunk of Lakeshore! Not falling for the proximity of those ice-cream trucks, we held out for the better, yet farther option of Tom’s Dairy Freeze. This little hole-in-the-wall has been open since 1969, and judging by the hordes of ice-cream lovers we encountered last weekend, it’s got no signs of slowing down.

The menu at Tom’s is quite extensive, and most everything is customizable to your liking. Le boyfriend’s fave is Parfait, which seems to be layered with nuts, strawberries, chocolate syrup, and who knows what else. I got a small banana split (which was quite huge to be honest), and a hot-dog. This is obviously not a fine-dining establishment, but their ice-creams are so darn delicious, I didn’t want to stop ordering. Oh, and if you’re wondering about the hot-dog, it was grilled to perfection and was very very tasty!

There’s quite a few parking spots around Tom’s Dairy Freeze, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a place to park. But do make sure to bring cash, as they do not accept credit cards nor debit. And once you’ve ordered – grab a wooden bench, stretch out your legs, grab a spoon, and enjoy your summer!

Eleven Boutique One Year Anniversary

Last week, eleven Boutique celebrated its one year anniversary in Yorkville. A mix of media and Toronto notables, including designer David Dixon and Wesley Badanjak, gathered to wish the boutique a “Happy Birthday”. And to thank eleven’s loyal shoppers, the anniversary sale is now on, offering 30% – 50% off Regular Priced Merchandise!

“eleven Boutique has become a Yorkville destination for Canadian fashion. Marking their one year anniversary, eleven will share in celebration offering 30% – 50% off regular priced merchandise. This Spring the boutique features treasured Canadian talents including: LUNDSTRÖM, Pink Tartan, Brandon R Dwyer, Lucian Matis, NADA, Obakki and Joeffer Caoc as well as accessories and jewelry lines from around the world.”

And though, the boutique carries a lot of fab Canadian designers, what really caught my eye was its jewelry selection! I actually got to meet the lovely jewelry designer Shay Lowe, rocking a chunky custom-made necklace, whose line is available at eleven. I also wrote about Kendra Scott a while back, well some of her pieces are also available at eleven – beautiful gold earrings, colorful necklaces! How cool is that? I kept drooling all over her necklaces – they are just so gorgeous! And with so many pieces currently on sale, there’s no better time to pay eleven a visit.

Huge thanks to Brill Communications for the invite!

Buy, Keep, or Toss: Backpack

Trends come and go, which makes getting rid of old things super tough. Take shoulder pads for one, had my mom kept her power suit tops for me, I wouldn’t have had to spend a small fortune updating my wardrobe with Zara/H&M pieces. Same goes for the new trend in bags – backpacks. Had I kept my old one…brown leather and tiny…perhaps I wouldn’t have shelled out for my Chanel one.

Seeing how this new trend is popping up on stylish shoulders of celebs such as Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Whitney Port, Rihanna, Daisy Lowe, and Rachel Bilson, among others, and with Stella McCartney designing for LeSportsac, as well as a miriad of designers including backpacks on their Spring and Fall 2010 runways, options are no longer limited to the usual Prada nylon backpacks…there are so many choices available – dressy, sporty, preppy. Yet, still, this trend is definitely not for everyone. What are your thoughts on this one?

Would you buy a backpack, pull an old one out of the closet archives, or would never-ever wear consider wearing one?