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You Are Invited: Hermès Carré Club in Toronto


Having just returned from the Hermès Carré Club media preview, I have to say…you’re in for a treat! This weekend, you too can experience the unforgettable Hermès pop-up, celebrating its infamous square silk scarves. From the awe-inspiring Carré Studio where you can watch the scarf designers at work, to the Carré Café where you can grab a coffee at one of the chic square tables, to Carrémania where you can discover the Hermès Carré Club capsule collection with limited edition scarves, there’s so much to do and explore, you won’t want to leave. And the best thing is…it’s absolutely free to attend! But don’t sleep on this one, the pop-up will be open to the public for 2 days only. Go ahead, get carré’d away!


WHEN: Sep 28-30, 2018
11am-7pm
WHERE: 151 Bloor St W., Toronto

What They Wore: YSL Beauty Hotel Party


YSL Beauty Hotel opened its chic doors in Toronto last week for two days of instagrammable installations, beauty discoveries, and a digital pop-up shop. With previous stops in Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai, Seoul and New York, Toronto was chosen as the second North American location for this cool experience, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

Guests were treated to makeup touch-ups, YSL temporary tattoos, fun photobooth, lipstick engraving station, and even a claw machine. Sadly, I am terrible at claw machines, and didn’t end up winning anything, but I did have fun with the digital pop-up shop. With just a few clicks, guests were able to virtually try the latest YSL Beauty launches through YouCam makeup app, with looks ranging from subtle to bold. With both floors packed with beauty lovers, the rest of the night was a bit of a blur. But thankfully, I have my newly-engraved Rogue Pur Couture The Slim to remember this cool event by.

Did you visit the YSL Beauty Hotel in Toronto or in another city? What did you think? Share in the comments.





More photos after the jump!
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You Are Invited: Louis Vuitton Time Capsule Exhibition in Toronto


If you’re a fan of Louis Vuitton, then you cannot miss the brand’s beautiful Time Capsule exhibition at Toronto’s Union Station. Running from Sep 7th and until Sep 30th, Time Capsule revisits the brand’s history of design innovation from 1854 to the present, showcasing a curated selection of old and new objects from the Louis Vuitton archive. Once you’ve traveled in time, you can shop a variety of Louis Vuitton items – from books to perfume – at the small Louis Vuitton pop-up located inside Union station.

The exhibition has traveled to Hong Kong, Bangkok, Berlin, Singapore, Dubai, Shanghai, Melbourne, Madrid, Osaka and Los Angeles. The Toronto exhibition commemorates Louis Vuitton’s 35th anniversary in the city.

When:
09.07.18 – 09.30.18
Monday – Friday 9am – 9pm
Saturday – Sunday 11am – 9pm

Where:
Union Station
Sir John A. Macdonald Plaza
65 Front St W, Toronto

Free Admission

#LVTimecapsule

You Are Invited: TIFF 2018 Events


TIFF 2018 is mere days away, and I don’t know about you, but I’ve been looking forward to it for weeks now, picking out films I’m going to watch, and figuring out the celebs I’ll be hoping to spot around town. And in case you’re just as excited as me, below are a few fun events you can attend during the festival, in addition to watching all of the films.

Share Her Journey Rally
Stand up for change with TIFF on the morning of Saturday, September 8 for the Share Her Journey Rally. All who want to see and be part of real change in the film industry are invited to join the action down on John Street at the Slaight Music Stage at 10am. With the support of partners ReFrame, TIME’S UP, and #AfterMeToo, we will hear from thought leaders and inspirational guests including:
– Dr. Stacy L. Smith, Founder and Director of the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, the leading global think tank studying issues of inequality in entertainment;
– Amanda Brugel, actor;
– Keri Putnam, Executive Director of Sundance Institute;
– Mia Kirshner, actor, and co-founder of #AfterMeToo;
– Amma Asante, filmmaker ( Belle, United Kingdom, and Where Hands Touch)
– Cathy Schulman, President, Welle Entertainment;
– Nandita Das, filmmaker ( Firaaq, Manto) and actor;
– Zavia Forrest, TIFF Next Wave Committee member

RSVP at shareherjourney.org/rally to join the event.

TTC Free Screening
TIFF has once again partnered with the TTC to help film fans get access to great movies for FREE. Street teams are set to distribute free Festival and TIFF Bell Lightbox tickets, culminating in a special TTC Free Screening at Roy Thomson Hall on September 9. This Festival event is open to all TTC riders — just bring your Metropass or PRESTO card for entry!*

More after the jump!
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You Are Invited: Power Ball XX – Carousal


Now that we’ve covered the amazingness that was the Met Gala, let’s talk about a party we can all attend without needing to shell out $30,000 per ticket (!!!), one of Toronto’s most fun/fab/artsy fundraisers – Power Ball! Power Ball, presented by Max Mara is truly a not-to-be-missed fundraiser, with interactive art, an abundance of delicious food, and some great outfit-watching. Over the years I’ve seen some outrageously well-dressed attendees at Power Ball, with the best-dressed usually embracing the year’s theme with enthusiasm and creativity. Here’s hoping this year is no exception.

Carousal
noun. 1. a noisy or drunken feast or social gathering; revelry.
The theme of Power Ball XX is Carousal, which I find to be pretty open to interpretation. The official description and the poster seem to lean into the direction of Carnival/Circus, with the image showing a mermaid, belly dancers, magicians, and acrobats, but there’s always the “arousal” part of “carousal” if you wanted to take that direction instead. Here’s the official description:

“Come celebrate Power Ball’s twenty-year standing as the art world’s unofficial adult funland Thursday, 31 May 2018 and join us under the big top of The Power Plant for a carnivalesque mashup of art, edibles, waggishness and tomfoolery.
Revel in Power Ball’s decades’ old tradition of naughtiness, titillating discoveries and mischievous provocation as the gallery is transformed into a transitory space of circusry fit for the party’s big, bacchanalian birthday bash—all in support of the ambitious exhibitions and programming at The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery.”

I still haven’t made up my mind on what exactly I’m going to wear…perhaps some Circus-inspired black and white stripes, or a nude slip dress with a ton of jewellery, or maybe something red and overtly sexy. There’s still time to decide, so I am not in panic mode just yet. I also put together a few of my fave dresses (after the jump) that could fit this year’s theme, in case you too need a bit of inspo. And in case you were curious, here’s what I wore last year to Power Ball XIX – Stereo Vision, and a couple more outfits I wore in the years before that.


Have you ever attended Power Ball? What are you going to wear? Share in the comments and see you at The Power Plant!

WHEN: May 31, 2018, 9pm-late
WHERE: The Power Plant, 231 Queens Quay West, Toronto
TICKETS: $175 (Power Ball Party), $500 (Power Ball Pre-Party and Party)
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What They Wore: Met Gala 2018 – Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination


I usually get so frustrated looking at high-profile celebs on the Met Gala red carpet…the ones that end up in boring pretty dresses instead of embracing the drama of the year’s theme. Well, luckily, this year, lots of the attendees actually embraced the Costume portion of the Costume Institute Gala, and I am here for it! My fave look of the night would have to be a tie between Solange in Iris Van Herpen and Zendaya in Versace, channeling Joan of Arc…they both killed it, while looking both on-theme and for the lack of a better word…heavenly at the same time. Other looks I loved were Cardi B in Moschino, Evan Rachel Wood in Altuzarra, Frances McDormand in Valentino, Madonna in Jean Paul Gaultier, Chadwick Boseman in Versace, SJP in Dolce and Gabbana, Greta Gerwig, and yes, Katy Perry with those crazy wings. Pope Riri wasn’t my fave look, but I appreciate the commitment and the intricacy of her look.

Once again, I found myself disappointed in the models…Giselle in some sexy boring dress, Kate Moss in a snoozeville LBD, Doutzen Kroes in a lavender atrocity, Ashley Graham in a forgettable sequin gown, and Lily Aldridge in wrinkly taffeta that was a few feet of fabric away from office attire. These stunning women, with actually heavenly bodies could have worn some truly interesting designs, but chose those looks…just baffling. Speaking of baffling, what was with Scarlett Johansson’s terrible matronly gown and Bieber hair? I blame her sentient saltine cracker boyfriend “Dry Toast Jost”. I know, I know…many of you love him, but I just can’t get behind this. She’s ScarJo! She can have anyone!!! She can have any dress! And yet…here we are.

What did you think of this year’s Met Gala red carpet? Share your faves in the comments.





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Holidays 2017: Bacardi Party Bus with Luis Fonsi in Toronto


Thanks to my college years in Houston, I have a special fondness for Latin music, so when the Bacardi team invited me to a holiday party hosted by Luis Fonsi, I replied as quickly as I could type. And while most people probably know him as the Despacito singer, my love for Fonsi’s music goes back to 2003 and his fifth album Abrazar La Vida (give Quien Te Dijo Eso a listen if you like heart-wrenching ballads in Spanish), so I was super excited about this event.

The pre-party was held at Baro with plenty of delicious Bacardi Holiday Mojitos and Latin-inspired nibbles. Food and drinks kept on coming even after we boarded the party bus – decked out with fun Christmas decorations and stocked with yummy Coquito cocktails served in coconuts. Once Luis Fonsi joined us on the bus, the party really kicked off – people were dancing, taking photos with the Despacito singer, belting out Christmas songs, all while enjoying their cocktails and touring Toronto’s most famous landmarks. It was a little surreal to be sure – I mean how often do you find yourself sitting next to an award-winning singer on a bus?! He did seem to enjoy himself – sipping on Bacardi cocktails and singing along to *NSYNC’s Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays song (fun fact: Fonsi and Joey Fatone used to be in a musical group together back in high school).

Eventually we had to let Fonsi go, but not before one last dance with the iconic Andrea Bolley. What a fun way to celebrate the holiday season! And while we can’t have Luis Fonsi partying with us every day, we sure can make those delicious cocktails and infuse some warmth into the freezing December nights. Find the Bacardi holiday recipes after the jump (my fave is Coquito – it’s creamy and sweet, while the Holiday Mojito is nice and refreshing), and impress all of your friends with delicious cocktails at your next holiday party. Feliz Navidad!





Bacardi Holiday Recipes and more photos after the jump!
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Do Not Miss – Sofia Coppola: A Name of Her Own


I’ve been meaning to post about TIFF’s latest program Sofia Coppola: A Name of Her Own for a while now, but December and the holidays got in the way. Thankfully, it’s not too late for you to catch 3 more Coppola films at the TIFF Bell Lightbox this weekend. Say what you will about Coppola, but the woman has a very specific vision for her films, and just like Wes Anderson’s pastel-coloured dreamland movies, Coppola’s films transport you to a highly-stylized version of the world as she imagines it. 

And while my favourite movie she’s directed so far is Lost in Translation, I adore Marie Antoinette for its decadent costumes, stunning scenery, and the unexpected New Wave soundtrack – this movie is just so much fun to watch. And if you’re a fashion lover, you must watch this movie on the big screen – after all, costume designer Milena Canonero won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for creating the exquisite costumes for this film.

You can see the schedule and buy tickets for the remaining films from the Sofia Coppola: A Name of Her Own here. Share your fave Coppola movie in the comments!



Hermès Boutique Opens at 100 Bloor Street West in Toronto

Hermes-Toronto-100-Bloor-Street-West
For months now, I’ve been walking by the giant orange Hermès box at 100 Bloor St West eagerly awaiting the opening of the huge new store, and on Tuesday I finally got a chance to see it for myself. Airy, bright, beautiful, and spanning two storeys, the new boutique is certainly an upgrade from the more quaint location just down the street. The magnificent oval staircase with leather-lined handrail is the centerpiece that stuns and awes when you first enter the store, but the meticulously curated “universes” of the boutique are what make this Hermès location really shine. From the exquisite tablescapes, to cozy (in a luxuriously Hermès way, of course) sitting areas, to rare bags on display, this boutique is beyond a doubt a special place to shop. I still have much left to explore, since on preview day, the store was packed to the brim with stylish guests, but I am planning on making a leisurely stop later this week.

Hermes-Toronto-Bloor-Street
After the sneak peek of the beautiful new store, the guests in attendance were shuttled off to a private after-party at Evergreen Brickworks, where a magical winter wonderland complete with ice-skating, games, and a surreal pastel-rainbow-like landscape was created. I wouldn’t be embellishing if I said that it was one of the best parties I’ve attended this year. We danced, ate cotton candy and foie gras, indulged in champagne…and Champagne Papi!!! That was the ultimate surprise – just as we thought the party couldn’t get any more fun, we noticed people gathering near the stage, and so we joined in, only to be treated to an intimate performance by Majid Jordan and Drake! We even got a little standup routine from the latter, who jokingly scolded his mom for not wearing Hermès to the party. Drake is reported to be quite the Birkin collector, so the brand love is real. Needless to say, having Drake sing right into my face, just feet away from me was an experience I won’t soon forget.


Several sightings of rare Birkins later, we were back on the shuttle to Bloor Street, and ready to call it a night. And what an unforgettable night it was to celebrate the arrival of the bigger and better Hermès boutique in Toronto! If you’re a fan of the brand (not unlike Drake), please do yourself a favour and stop by the boutique to see its beauty in person. You never know who you might run into!





Drake-Hermes-Toronto
More photos after the jump!
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You Are Invited: TIFF boombox 2017


If you want to get your November started with a bang, TIFF’s Fame-inspired boombox fundraiser promises to be all that and a bag of confetti! With cool installations, film and art studios, a digital jam space, a VR lounge, an auditorium dance floor, and various performances, this is going to be a night to remember. And while costumes aren’t mandatory, this is certainly the best time to dust off your fave ’80s duds.

Proceeds from this year’s boombox fundraiser will support Share Her Journey, a worthy campaign to increase participation, skills, and opportunities for women behind and in front of the camera. Check out the video from the 2015 boombox party, and get your tickets here. You won’t want to miss it!


WHEN: Thursday, November 2 at 9pm
WHERE: TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King Street West
DRESS CODE: Cocktail Chic or 80’s-inspired
TICKETS: HERE
Photo Credits: TIFF

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