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You Are Invited: Power Ball XX – Carousal

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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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Shopping: Holt Renfrew Contemporary Treehouse

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Spring can’t come soon enough, but for now, I am slowly but surely assembling my dream spring wardrobe, so that when the temperatures finally hit the double-digits, I’ll be ready! Plus, I am so sick of sweaters and coats, that shopping for dresses feels somehow therapeutic. The other day, I got to preview Holt Renfrew’s newly updated women’s contemporary floor at their Bloor St location, and it was everything I needed and more for spring. Inspired by the “architectural structure, warmth and magical escape of treehouses”, the floor has been transformed into a bright and inviting space, featuring visual elements such as chipboard finishes, ash veneer beams, and wooden vignettes…and stocked to the brim with a ton of cool new contemporary brands.

There’s an abundance of cool denim brands like RE/DONE (my fave!), Outland Denim, Grlfrnd, Mother Denim, and so much more. It’s the perfect one-stop-shop for those looking to invest in a new pair this season. As someone who lives in dresses in the summer, I was immediately drawn to racks upon racks of beautiful spring frocks. I tried on printed silk dresses from RIXO London, boho maxis from BA&SH, and the playful styles by Ganni..and I loved them all!

If you’re looking for a new bag this season, there are several uber-chic options from cool brands like Staud and Cult Gaia – accessories with a ton of style and reasonable price tags. I already wrote about this spring’s ethically-made H Project arrivals, which you can also find at Holt Renfrew’s Contemporary Treehouse.

If you haven’t visited the Bloor St location in a while, make sure to stop by soon – from the CHANEL Coco Game Center on the concourse level, to the Contemporary Treehouse on the top floor, there’s lots of exciting things to see and do at Holt Renfrew on Bloor St…and with the new Colette Grand Cafe coming soon, it’s about to get even better.



More after the jump!
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Boxing Day 2017: Toronto Premium Outlets Bus Shuttle

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Shuttle Bus
If you’re thinking about spending your Boxing Day at the Toronto Premium Outlets, taking the shuttle to the mall is the best thing you can do to ensure a stress-free day of shopping. I’ve taken it in the past, and love how convenient the service is! With 2 Toronto pick up locations, free VIP Coupon Book, and no parking spots to hunt for, the shuttle will keep you focused on the deals instead of the craziness of Boxing Day. In addition to the regular perks, and Style Blog discount code (see below), the first 50 Boxing Day passengers will also get a $5 Second Cup gift card! Make sure to book ahead to secure your spot and happy shopping!

Shuttle Bus Prices: 

$30 + Tax (Round Trip),
$20 + Tax (One Way)

*pay 0% tax with the Style Blog promo code below.

Shuttle Bus Schedule:

From Union Station @ Maple Leaf Square (Monday to Sunday): 10:30 AM
From North York @ 5 Sheppard Ave E (Saturday and Sunday): 10:55 AM

Return from Toronto Premium Outlets:

Monday to Friday: 4:30 PM
Saturday and Sunday: 5:30 PM

Daily Bonus:

All passengers receive a VIP Coupon Book.  The VIP Coupon book can be picked-up from the Guest Services Counter located in the Food-court at the Toronto Premium Outlets by showing your electronic shuttle bus ticket.

Boxing Day Bonus:

The first 50 passengers will receive a $5 Gift Card from Second Cup

Exclusive Style Blog Discount:

All Toronto Premium Outlet Shuttle Bus Tickets booked on Style Blog pay no tax.  Just use Promotional Code: STYLEBLOG

BOOK YOUR TORONTO PREMIUM OUTLETS SHUTTLE BUS TICKET HERE: 

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Holidays 2017: Bacardi Party Bus with Luis Fonsi in Toronto

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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

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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

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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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CHANEL Yorkville Boutique in Toronto Opens its Doors

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chanel-yorkville-toronto-boutique-2017
If you’ve been impatiently waiting for the new Yorkville CHANEL boutique to finally open its doors, I have some very good news for you – THE WAIT IS OVER! Tomorrow is the official opening day of the stunning new boutique, with two floors of CHANEL goodness on display. I was one of the lucky few to get a sneak peek of the store today and it’s magnificent! Designed by long-time CHANEL collaborator Peter Marino, the new boutique is a vision to behold. Everything from carpeting to tweed couches to product displays is so uniquely CHANEL, with many elements inspired by Coco Chanel’s Parisian apartment.

There are two salons dedicated to Ready-to-Wear collections, and four accessories salons, featuring a selection of shoes, handbags, small leather goods, eyewear, as well as CHANEL Watches and Fine Jewellery. Near the elegant stairwell, a commissioned art piece by Jean-Michel Othoniel demands your attention – a larger than life white and gold beaded 3-D pearl necklace cascading through the staircase, similar to the one at the ave Montaigne boutique. Smaller art pieces can be found all around the boutique, like little treasures waiting to be discovered.

The breathtaking new CHANEL boutique feels like a little bit of Paris in Toronto, and I had a very hard time leaving. I probably sat in every single chair and on every single couch, pretending that this is my new home, filled to the brim with CHANEL and most spectacular furniture. One can only dream!

The boutique will open its doors on Friday, November 17th at 98 Yorkville Avenue, just in time for holidays. Happy Shopping!

chanel-yorkville-toronto-boutique-2017

chanel-yorkville-toronto-boutique-2017
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chanel-yorkville-toronto-boutique-2017
chanel-yorkville-toronto-boutique-2017

More photos after the jump!

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You Are Invited: TIFF boombox 2017

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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

What They Wore: Boobyball Toronto 2017

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Boobyball has become one of my personal fave parties of the year; a party that puts fun in fundraiser (raising money for Rethink Breast Cancer), can pack a huge club to the brim, while still somehow making the entire affair feel intimate. This year, the theme was Get Physical, and the organizers had really outdone themselves, transforming REBEL into the 80’s/90’s wonderland, complete with gigantic Rubik’s Cubes, tables wallpapered in old teen mags, photobooths aplenty, old-school arcade games, and even an all-pink faux gym/locker room. There was so much fun to be had, and just as much food to go around with catering by the (amazing) Food Dudes and Nando’s, as well as sweet treats from Krispy Kreme and Sweet Jesus, and an open bar stocked with delicious drinks and Flow water. I may or may not have eaten way too many donuts, but probably worked them off on the dancefloor because the DJ was on fire that night (or is it lit?).

The best part of this year’s Boobyball, however, was people-watching. I loved how committed some of the attendees were to the theme. Neon windbreakers, scrunchies, leotards, legwarmers, mullets…you name it, we saw it! It made me kinda-sorta regret not dressing more theme-appropriate, though I do love the blinding sequin dress that I wore that night.

If you live in Vancouver, Ottawa, or Halifax, there’s still time to get your tickets to the Boobyball party in your city. Just a word of advice – more is more when it comes to dressing for Boobyball – bring your 80’s/90’s A-game!

Have you ever been to Boobyball? Share your fave moments in the comments.




More photos after the jump!
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Shopping: Holt Renfrew BANDIER Pop-up!

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Last Wednesday I woke up bright and early to attend the breakfast launch of the new BANDIER pop-up at Holt Renfrew on Bloor Street. With founder Jennifer Bandier in attendance, we got to preview the chicest activewear from one of the most fashion-forward fitness boutiques in North America.

Holt Renfrew’s BANDIER shop will carry a curated selection of cool brands like Body Language, Cotton Citizen, Koral, Ultracor, and more. The pop-up will also offer four months of fitness, beauty, and wellness experiences, including in-store STUDIO B workouts. “We’ve considered many interesting retail partnership opportunities, but Holt Renfrew’s creative approach to shop-in-shop installations was very appealing to us.” shared BANDIER founder, Jennifer Bandier. “A growing portion of our e-commerce business is coming from Canada, so the opportunity to interact with customers in person, and to provide the full BANDIER store experience is invaluable to us.”

Until January 30th, 2018, BANDIER pop-up at Holt Renfrew Bloor Street will be Toronto’s go-to destination for the cutest activewear, footwear, accessories, and exclusive gift items (including designer collaborations). So if you’re looking for some fitness motivation, make sure to stop by Holt Renfrew Bloor Street for a dose of amazing workout gear. Trust me, you won’t be able to leave empty-handed.




Photo Credits: George Pimentel Photography

WHAT I WORE

What I Wore: Cute Winter Boots
Hermès Boutique Opens at 100 Bloor Street West in Toronto
Beauty: Introducing GABRIELLE CHANEL
What They Wore: Grey Goose Sunset Soiree Picnic
Style Blog Travels: Boating in Capri
Style Blog Travels: Sorrento, My Love
Style Blog Travels: #FordConnections at Langdon Hall

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