Schmoozing with the pretty people and Carlie Wong

Last week I was fortunate to have been invited to an exclusive invite-only fashion event at posh Opus Hotel to showcase the latest creations by local fashion designer, Carlie Wong.

If Carlie Wong sounds familiar, then it's probably because you've heard of her either from her stint on season 1 of Project Runway Canada, or from her numerous mentions in publications such as Elle Canada, Flare, Lou Lou and The Globe & Mail, OR you may have seen her fabulous creations on red carpet celebs like Kreesha Turner!

Carlie's namesake line is aimed at providing high class luxury wear for the confident, sophisticated woman. The current S/S 2010 collection features trends like exposed zippers, lace mini-dresses, body-hugging leather, and exposed backs. The lines are modern, edgy, and youthful. Frankly, I could picture myself wearing any of her items, as it is frankly MizzJ on a luxury budget all over!

The party at Opus was as stylish as Carlie's designs, with the entire Opus lounge space packed like a proverbial can of sardines. The music was pumping, the decor was sparking, the champagne was flowing, and the people were beautiful. It was so interesting watching the crowd for their outfits that at some moments I even forgot that there was a fashion show to watch! My only regrets from the night were that I didn't encourage my girl friend to hit on one of the male models post-show, and that I didn't take any party goer outfit shots. Oh well, maybe next time!

Me at the party trying to hide my schmoozing terror by finding a nice, quiet corner. Wearing: graphic tee (courtesy of T-Post), boyfriend blazer (Zara), leggings (Zara), black pumps (Aldo), bag (Michael Kors).

The models backstage pre-show. Loved the shiny gold lame material in use for this dress - so glam it hurts.

A lethal mask worn by the models.

My favourite items of the show were these sequined outfits. The shoulders kinda reminded me a bit of Balmain, and I loved the sharp, glint of the sequins and how they complemented the sharp lines and cutouts of the dresses.

So hot right?!

The spikes of the previous mask were echoed in these equally bad-ass shoulder pads, which were also recycled as knee pads on black leggings.

The radiant Carlie Wong post-show with her beautiful models.

Some of the fashionable people at the party, including Canada's Next Top Model contestant Fei Ren.

Love the cute cut-outs on this girl's dress! Such a sexy contrast to her girlishly clasped hands.

You can check out all of Carlie's work on her website and her designs are available at The Velvet Room Boutique, or Manuel Mendoza in Vancouver, as well as in store locations in Toronto and Quebec!

Also be sure to check out Carlie's (and mine) latest project, Hand Me Up upcoming soon!

All photos courtesy of Yvonne Chew except my photo.

Lust of the Week: Japanese Crepes

Need I even describe why I am lusting for these? Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words, but if I had to use a word, there would be only one word needed: delicious.

Weekly Shopping & Goodies - Mother's Day edtion part 2!

A Few Goody Gumdrops has another fabulous Giveaway! LA LA B's Silver and Garnet Ring. Enter to Win!

A Few Goody Gumdrops is giving away en ever-so funky LnA Sidetail Tee. Enter to win for Mother's Day!

Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy has a great gift idea for your Mom: a delicious purifying papaya masque by June Jacobs!

Couture In The City is looking for the perfect gift for Mother's Day Tina Tang jewelry.

Fashion Fille is giving you just a few more days to win Tarte mascara. What a perfect gift for Mom! Enter here today!

Fashion Hippo is inspired by Gwyneth Paltrow

Ladybrillemag.com says Supermodel Milen Magese Rocks Yummy Aya Morrison Clutch!

Shopping and Info is giving away an Orient Automatic Watch.

Simply Sample Sales Shares Last Minute Gift Ideas For Mother's Day Shop The Sales!

SomeoneSpoilMe.com is giving away gold hoop earrings for Mother's Day Enter to win!

StyleMaven reveals the must have Luxe Mother's Day gift guide featuring editors' favorite luxury gifts moms of any age will love!

The Well-Heeled Society knows that there is strength in our mother's soles, and shows how we can give them some TLC

TheFind is giving away a stunning Diamond Double Heart MOM Pendant from Zales.com - Enter for a chance to win!

Product Review: June Jacobs Papaya Purifying Enzyme Masque

Buy here!

The Product
Along with cleansers, moisturizers, and exfoliators, masques are an important part of your beauty routine. Similar to deep conditioning treatments for your hair, a masque is like a souped-up version of your regular facial products and each targets a multitude of problems. Being in my 20s, I was looking for a masque that would provide some deep moisturizing action, while minimizing pores and soaking up oils, AND doing some anti-aging magic to boot. A pretty high order for a single product - could anything possibly answer my call? Lucky for me, one woman did and that woman is June Jacobs.

The Spa Collection from June Jacobs contains a series of amazing masques that combine the powers of science and nature to eliminate all your skin problems. The Papaya Purifying Enzyme mask in particular is designed to moisturize, tone, and repair skin from the damaging effects of pollution and daily stresses. Said to be gentler than an at home chemical peel, but just as effective, the Papaya Enzyme mask is a great solution to all the issues I was seeking to resolve.

The Guts
This masque reads more like the fruit aisle of your local grocer, than a facial product:

• Papain to eliminate dark spots and accelerate cellular repair
• Borage seed oil to restore cell membranes
• Orange peel oil which serves as an antioxidant
• Sweet almond oil to moisturize and soften
• Vitamin E for its moisturizing and antioxidant powers

There are also extracts from 3 kinds of teas combined with goji berries, pomegranate, and grapeseed oils to combat environmental free radical damage.

Price & Packaging
Unfortunately, the price for all this goodness doesn't come cheap with a single jar costing approximately $62, however the jar is the largest I've seen of any masque product and will literally last you months. Months!!

Effectiveness
I cannot rave enough about this product. It's like a facial in a jar, literally. Applied for 30 minutes on freshly cleaned skin, this creamy mask applies on smoothly and easily. A little goes a long way as I only needed a few dabs to cover my face in a thin layer. The masque doesn't dry out and it's the perfect amount of time to say, do your nails - can anyone say uber relaxing "me time" night???

The masque is a bit hard to wash off, which is why I usually wear it in the shower where the water pressure can properly hose the product away, but you could also wipe it off similar to a cold cream with a damp towelette. Even with this minor downside though, the after effects are totally worth it. My skin feels amazingly soft and even a tad plumper, with a lovely cool feeling as if I'd just come in from a fresh spring rain.

The final icing on the cake is the product's smell. Normally I don't enjoy scented products, but when I find a good smelling one, it's the final tipping factor that makes me instantly fall in love. The Papaya Purifying Enzyme mask smells deliciously fruity and tropical, with a slight minty smell that I can only describe as vaguely similar to tea tree oil, or Vicks Vapor Rub. The comparison to medicinal ingredients like tea tree and Vicks may seem odd to you, but since I actually enjoy the smell of both things, I find it to be a plus instead of a minus.

Buy or Ditch?
Definitely definitely buy. In Vancouver, this product is available at Murale in Oakridge Mall. It's an expensive product, but for the amount and effectiveness, I would say your money would be well spent.

Final Verdict: A

When you push on glass, it's bound to break

Ruffle v-neck: Old Navy
Skirt: Aritzia
Leggings: Zara
Boots: Steve Madden

Life has been a bit exhausting lately. Work and outside work work is just always piling up and sometimes I think it would be fun to be bored once in awhile. On the other hand, I am having fun with all the exciting opportunities that are in the works and that have taken place. The title of this post is from one of my favourite songs and it's a song that's always struck a chord with me, having lived through the story of it. Today it's gotten me wondering about past relationships and how things change from then and now. What do you do when the past that you felt grateful to leave behind, becomes grateful to have seen you leave? It's a comforting thought to oneself when you are able to have the strength to leave an unhealthy situation, but oh how horrible it is when you see that the situation seems to have corrected itself - without you and for someone else, as if being freed of you suddenly made it better. Were you then the catalyst for change, or the cause of the pain? Or were you simply just not worth changing for? The problem with self-reflecting is that you often end up in circular thought patterns. At least fashion is a little simpler.

In happier news, I've chosen the winner of my Sweatpant Sexy challenge!! I think I made the title of the contest a bit too misleading as many of you thought the entry had to literally contain sweatpants, so next time I will try to be more clear! After much thought, the final winner was chosen for her bold style and the unique details in her outfit. The winner of the Sweatpant Sexy Challenge is...

Prutha of Do Not Shoe Me!

I loved the sexy lace back of her shirt, paired with the subtle exposed zippers on her pants and that pirate style hat just made me laugh out loud. You have 48 hours to claim your prize Prutha!


Didn't win anything this round? Well fear not, for I will have another great giveaway coming up in the next couple weeks!

White = right? The controvery over skin lightening

This post was originally posted last week on Hand Me Up, a fashion charity project that I am working with that is currently in development. Please check out the blog if you have a chance for updates on this project and for some great articles on fashion, with a ethical twist!

This past week I read a blog post that made me literally stop and think. On the blog Insights, Canadian-Pakistani blogger Marz, writes about the disturing trend that is skin lightening. Whenever you see any ads featuring non-Caucasian models or celebrities, there is a good chance that their skin has been lightened. As well, many of the visible minorities who are hailed as “beautiful” by the mainstream media, tend to have lighter skin and more Caucasian features. Don’t believe me? Take up a magazine and quickly flip through the images with unfocused eyes. You’ll quickly notice that the faces will blur together without distinction.

The fascination with white skin is especially prevalent in Asia, where you can find tons of products all designed to give you fairer skin. Before you start jumping up on the soapbox though, it’s not all bad. In many countries, there is a long standing historical preference for whiter skin as it implied a higher social status, since those with darker skins were often poorer labourers in the fields. As well, Asian skins are more prone to skin darkening and pigmentation when aging rather than wrinkles, so that is also another reason why bright, white, skin is seen as youthful.

I have to admit that after visiting Asia and reading Asian magazines, I became very curious about the color of my skin. Every single girl in the magazines had the whitest, purest, faces and I vowed to have that for myself. Right away I purchased a set of whitening products in order to attempt to make myself fairer, criticizing myself silently when I would wake up having “darker skin” days. I wore sunscreen everyday on every inch of my skin and avoided walking in the sunlight, or tanning on the beach – one of my favourite summer activities. When a coworker complimented me by saying I looked fairer that day, I was secretly pleased with the “fruits of my labour”. Was I really any whiter? Very likely not as the level of whiteners in most drugstore products is too low to have any effect, but as you can tell, the subtle influences of marketing are very powerful.

When you take this idea of promoting brighter skin and just turn it into loving whiter skin, then you wander over that line from healthy interest into dangerous obsession. It was frightening how easily my perception of my own skin colour changed so quickly. When all you see are images of beautiful women with white skin and everyone around you reinforces that ideal, then you become brainwashed into thinking that is what you should strive for. Though I recognize that I should just learn to love what I am, a part of me still can’t give up that pure white ideal. Considering that I feel that I am a strong, independent, media literate and smart modern woman, and I still feel this pressure, then how can younger and less secure woman resist? The only solution is action. Write to editors, write your own blog posts, or videos, or photos, whatever you can to speak your belief that every colour is beautiful! And most of all, tell every woman you know that she is beautiful – no matter what size, what age, or what colour she is.

In lighter news, if you're in the Vancouver area and interested in some sweet deals, come check me out at the Flea-tique vintage and 2nd hand event this Sunday at The Box Studios at 1622 Franklin St! I'll be there selling my "pre-loved" clothes and shoes along with a friend all afternoon! You can check out the Facebook event here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=107220782641577&ref=mf

Lust of the Week: TFNC Batwing lace top from Asos

via Asos, $50.73

Lately, I've been all about the romantic look and in particular, the look of lace. What is it about this material that so fascinates the senses? Is it the artistic appreciation one visualizes when imagining the painstaking intricacy of lace pieces, or the soft yet sexy appeal that lace evokes? Is it the scratchy, but delicateness of the texture that excites your fingertips, or the sartorial possibilities for dressing up, or down, or any which way in-between? I think it could very well be all of the above. The slouchy, off-shoulder look of this lace top makes me weak in the knees and I love how the casual vibe offsets the formal feel of the lace. It can be hard to wear lace without looking overly sexualized, or old-fashioned, which is a very odd combination of extremes to contemplate. This batwing top however, embodies a perfect balance of modernity, grace, and sweetness that I find highly lust-worthy. Would you wear this item and if so, how?

Weekly Shopping & Goodies - Mummy's Day edition!

A Few Goody Gumdrops knows Mom will love dramatic and sexy lashes! Enter to win Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara for your Mom. Wink Wink!

Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy has some hot gifts for your hot mama!

Fashion Fille wants to help you win an awesome gift for your mom- free Tarte mascara! Enter here today!

Handbag du Jour tells you where to get mom the exclusive, limited-edition handbag by Peter Copping for Nina Ricci. Only 10 will be made and sold!

Ladybrillemag.com says Give Mom a Pair of Amisha earrings for Mother's Day!

Princess Dominique believes Fashionable Heel Skinz will Make Your Moma Happy!

Quinta Trends introduces Agua Bendita, just for sexy mommy

Shopping and Info loves these La LOOP necklaces for Mother’s Day seen on Heidi Klum.

SomeoneSpoilMe.com has the best gifts for Mom!

Style Eyes explores the potential for grey marl to be the new black

StyleMaven is inspired by stylish MOM Sarah Jessica Parker's multi-tasking style - the cross body bag!

The Well-Heeled Society shows how you'll become her favorite with a stylish Mother's Day Gift Guide.

TheFind suggests a pretty layered bib necklace tank to indulge the most stylish MOM on your list.

What's Haute Magazine finds some sweet shoes all stylish Moms would love - the Vivienne Westwood Anglomania + Lady Dragon Heart II by Melissa shoes!

Hot Gifts for your Hot Mama!

Did you forget? Mother's Day is creeping up on you! While really we should appreciate the ones who gave us life, who raised us, and who was always our #1 fan, everyday, if life gets in the way, then at least we can use this Hallmark holiday to remember the ones we love. I remember going shopping my mom all the time, and we would always buy the things I liked, but my mom rarely indulged by buying anything for herself. Too often, my mom would sigh over a coveted item and put it back. Now that I'm older and a bit more financially secure, I would love to treat my mom to an item that would make her feel glamourous. This year, we should all get our mummy's something that will make her feel fabulous! For some fabulous ideas on a budget, check out these amazing deals recently on Chickdowntown:

Plastic Island highwaisted dress, $41.25 (originally $165)

Polka dots are all the rage this season and your mom can be on trend while also being elegant with this summery silk and cotton creation.

K. Jacques Picon fluo rose sandals, $51.25 (originally $205)

These hot pink leather sandals are perfect for the beach, with denim, spring dresses, and cool khakis. They're also so cute and comfortable you had better hope your mom and you have the same shoe size so you can borrow them!

Biba Vivienne coat, $148.25 (originally $593)

Your mom will look easy-breezy in this cool cropped cotton coat. Taking inspiration from a classic trench, this coat's style features chic lapels and oversized buttons.

How will you celebrate Mother's Day?

Livin la vida Lolita: LoliGirls film review

Theatre. This past weekend I was invited to attend the fifth annual Women in Film Festival at the Vancity theatre. WIFF celebrates the works of women in film and is put on by the Canadian chapter of the international Women in Film & Television association. WIFTI is a networking and support association for women working in the film and television industries, offering connections, education, and promotional opportunities. The films showcased on Sunday were all short documentaries spanning a range of topics, but I was there specifically to watch the short documentary LoliGirls: The Story Behind the Frills and Bows.

LoliGirls probes into the lives of three American young women who are immersed in the Lolita lifestyle. The Lolita movement originated in Japan and is known primarily for how its followers worship fashions from the Victorian and Gothic periods and for their love of all things pretty, romantic, and sweet. Girls typically prance around in knee-high stockings, lacy dresses complete with pinafores and corsets, while their heads are adorned with over sized velvet bows. The three girls in the film explain their attraction to Lolita life, and how their attraction to all things pretty goes deeper than the average person, verging on an addiction. They are shown posing on picnic blankets, frilly parasols tipped just so, and delicately sipping tea from floral china cups. At first one thinks this is just a teenage phase, but as the film continues you begin to be convinced of the girls' sincerity. These Lolita girls are not about emulating a foreign culture's obsession with cute things, it's their own love of cuteness that drives them. After all, what is wrong with preferring sweetness to sexy? In what is one of the most introspective moments of the film, one of the girls state that Lolita is acutally a deep expression of feminism, as it allows her to dress for herself in what she likes, instead of wearing what will attract men. Here here ladies!

The fashions in LoliGirls are an overload of lace, bows, and pinkness and I loved it! It's a familiar feeling when I read Japanese magazines and sigh over how pretty and girlish some of the fashions are. Why can't North American fashions be so daring, so fabulously unique? The American Lolitas are to me the real brave modern women. They wear what they want, despite the narrow conventions around them and the curious looks of onlookers and they forge their own rules in society. What we as women should ask ourselves, is who is the one more constricted by the rules - the ones in the strawberry pink corset, or the ones shooting them looks of disdain?

Getting to know... Self Magazine

One of my biggest pet peeves is waiting in line. It sucks. You're standing there, waiting bored as hell, and without any guarantee that you will ever get out of said line, or that the pot of gold at your rainbow is even worth it! The only line I don't mind waiting in, is the grocery checkout line because at least they provide you with ample reading material, albeit of the more trashy kind. If you poke your head around though, you can avoid reading about celeb cellulite, or the latest sighting of Tupac/Elvis/the boobie man/Sarah Palin. One such quality read worth poking around for is Self Magazine. Self is different from the usual rags in that it promotes health, fitness, and a safe body image, all things that proper high maintenance women should follow. When you treat your body right, you feel right!

Recently I got the chance to poke one of the brains behind Self's beauty experts. Alex Samuels is an associate beauty editor at Self and she was kind enough to answer my questions about working at Self and what it takes to make it in the publishing industry.

MizzJ: Tell me a bit about yourself - what's your background, and how did you get started at Self?
Alex: I was a journalism/news editorial major at University of Colorado in Boulder, and worked at a music magazine (MarqueeMag.com) for three years during college. I also worked in the web department of a beauty company and at two business journals, but quickly realized my heart wasn’t in it. I got started at SELF because I met Elaine, our beauty director, when I was still in college (I was working for a beauty company one summer) and ended up interning for her the next summer. After graduation, I e-mailed her for an informational interview and ended up getting an internship. A few months later, I applied for the editorial assistant position and – two years later – was promoted to Associate Editor.

MizzJ: What do you do as a beauty editor?
Alex: I pitch newsy stories for the front half of the beauty section. Once we decide on a lineup, I either research and write the stories, or assign them to writers. I also round up all the product that appear in my stories. Then, I edit the pieces with my top editor (who is amazing), and work with the designers as they create the layouts. I oversee our annual Spa Giveaway in April, our Healthy Beauty Awards in May and our Trend Report in October. I also attend Fashion Week to round up beauty trends for the upcoming season.

MizzJ: What are the best perks of the job?
Alex: Writing, trend-spotting, amazing events and experiences.

MizzJ: And the worst parts of the job?
Alex: The late nights, but those aren’t so bad.

MizzJ: Best beauty tips you ever heard?
Alex: I have three:

1. Be confident in who you are. Joi-de-vivre can erase any physical flaw.
   
2. Wash your face twice a day and use a simple moisturizer with SPF. It sounds almost too simple, but I don’t think there is anything prettier than clean, gorgeous skin.
   
3. Be nice to your hair.

MizzJ: What's in your daily beauty regimen?
Alex: Wash my face (I’m a big fan of the Wonderbar - http://wonderbarusa.com/), brush my teeth, tweeze my brows if I need to. Pop in contacts, load up on Kiehls Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15, dot concealer where I need it and add a couple swipes of mascara. Then, I flip my head, spray with texturizer (I’m loving the earthy smell of Kevin Murphy Heated Defense lately) and shake it out. I only wash my hair two-maaaaaaybe three-times a week. Otherwise it gets too dry! Oh - and if I need to look especially nice, I’ll dig through my purse for a bright lipstick and apply it on the subway (after my coffee, of course).

MizzJ: What is your signature makeup look?
Alex: Lately? MAC Morange Lipstick. I’m obsessed. Otherwise, just really clean skin and lots of mascara.

MizzJ: Who's your beauty icon? (that person who always looks just flawless and whose look you love to admire and emulate)
Alex: Jenny Lewis. I used to go see her band (Rilo Kiley) at the Westchester Community College Auditorium when I was in high school and am STILL obsessed with her style. Plus, she has the most gorgeous skin and always rocks perfectly tousled hair. Check it out:

(Wow she is gorgeous!)

MizzJ: What advice do you have to give to someone who dreams of following in your footsteps and becoming a magazine editor?
Alex: Work hard, work efficiently, and innovatively, and be ready to get your hands dirty. There are fabulous parts to the job, but for every “glamorous” minute you spend at events, there’s five more minutes you need to spend at your desk working your butt off. Oh – and don’t be afraid to work or write for free (at first). Of course, getting paid is ideal, but internships are rarely money-makers and a byline in your book can be more valuable than the little bit of cash you’d get from writing it.

Thank you Alex for your insightful and interesting answers! You can check out Alex's latest articles in the May 2010 issue of Self, out on stands now and featuring the gorgeous Zoe Saldana on the cover.

Lust of the Week: Muratori Twiggy handbag

via Muratori, $875

Finding sustainable, ethical options for luxury goods can be difficult to say the least. Too often, the luxury makers employ questionable employment practices and manufacturing methods, but if you look hard enough you can find some designers that are striving to run a different kind of business.

I first read about Muratori off another fashion blog (sorry that I cannot remember who at the moment!) and was immediately intrigued. Muratori strives to create quality goods that are produced in an environmental and sustainable manner. A prime example of Muratori's design ethic is this delicious Twiggy bag. Made of chrome-free, vegetable tanned leather, and an organic cotton lining, this has all the luxury details you'd expect from a Gucci, or LV, without the guilty conscience. I love the simple clean stitching and the rich, soft look of the leather - plus the classic structure of a doctor shape bag will mean this bag will be a timeless piece that will last a lifetime. What other sustainable designers would you purchase from?

Weekly Shopping & Goodies

A Few Goody Gumdrops is Poised in Turquoise! We're giving away an Amrita Singh Chalchi Turquoise Necklace and Bracelet. Enter to Win!

Couture In The City is loving stripes this spring.

Fashion Cents wants to know what you think of the Project Runway designer's dress on the cover of Marie Claire. Give her your two cents now!

Fashion Fille admits a guilty pleasure, as well as shows her readers a slammin' pair of shoes she wants!

Handbag du Jour is going ga-ga for this gorgeous green bag - the Lockheart Zipcode Estelle Clutch.

Ladybrillemag.com gives the scoop on "Chris Aire Hollywood Glamour Collection" Launch Party!

Princess Dominique asks her readers to Support TOMS Shoes as TOMS Supports Others!

Quinta Trends talks to Colombian designer Juliana Correa about her brand OnA

Shopping and Info adores these Prada black ballerina flats for mommy and daughter.

Style Eyes looks at very high end fashion and asks Couture - what is the point?.

SomeoneSpoilMe.com is hosting a series of giveaways for Mother's Day. Enter to Win!

StyleMaven spotted Sarah Jessica Parker shining pretty in a white dress tunic dress for Spring!

The Curvy Fashionista shares a true plus size fashion guide fashioned by a plus size fashionista with The Curvy Girl’s Guide to Style. by Chastity Garner!

The Well-Heeled Society heightens the most popular hue of the season in one of the most popular shoe trends of the season.

TheFind is a giving away a prize package worth $420 including celebrity hair stylist Tara Smith's natural and organic haircare product range and a fashion items from the Boy Meets Girl collection to celebrate Tara's launch on April 15th in NYC - Enter to win!

What's Haute Magazine features a sexy, stunning shoe - the Michael Antonio 'Karina' Open-Toe Pump.

Plus, don't forget to enter my Sweatpant Sexy Challenge - do you have what it takes to make anything sexy?

Crazy for Threadsense + FIRST VLOG EVER

If you haven't already heard about Threadsense from Song of Style, or I Am Style-ish (both amazing blogs and totally recommended reads) then where have you been living?! Threadsense may be new to the scene to me, but it's fast become a favourite haunt of mine when doing some virtual window shopping.

The name Threadsense was created to imply a stripping down to the bare essentials of style. The fashions on Threadsense are a polygamous stew of indie, hipster, edgy, and cool - but all at affordable prices. Threadsense strives to be the one stop shop for all the fashion needs of the modern urban woman, and features many familiar brands such as Urban Behaviour, Costa Blanca, and Mink Pink. Besides the familiar though, Threadsense also sells lesser known indie designers and has a special section featuring brands from Japan!

Here is a taste of what you can find on this cool new shopping experience:

Long Tree necklace, $12

I love the intricate leaf and bird details of this charming pendant almost as much as I love the price.

Painted Pocket skirt, $27

I was very much tempted to purchase this skirt. In fact, I'm still very tempted! The floral pattern, purple color, mini length, pockets, and defined waistband are very on trend and modern.

Cross Hatch print dress, $37

This dress it utterly ideal for lazy summer days walking along in flip flops on creaky wooden docks. Just throw on a slouchy boyfriend cardigan and you are ready for whatever adventures lie on the horizon.

-------------
In other unrelated news, I decided to start trying to make vlogs, or video blogs! Videos to me are so much more work than writing posts, but I've gotten a lot of feedback saying how much people loved my previous videos, so I'm going to try to make a more regular go of them. Besides reviews and tutorials, my vlogs will cover any such random musings that I don't feel can be covered in a blog, yet somehow seems ok in video format. A boob tube version of BHMnB? I guess that's what you could call it. Please let me know what you think, subscribe, and let me know if you have any vlog requests!

Hard to be soft, tough to be tender

Top, dress: H&M

I wore this outfit out to the club awhile ago. Sweetheart necklines are so perfect for everyone; it has such a quintessential feminine vibe to it, which is wilded up by this animal print shirt. I've never owned anything animal print before and lately I've noticed I don't really do prints in general in my closet. As my new fashion goal, I will try to incorporate more prints into my wardrobe! In addition to this shirt, I also own lots of striped items, as well as a couple floral patterns, but what other patterns do you think are essential to have? As well, does anyone have any good tips for pattern mixing?

Also this week, I received a fab reward from Anhesty - thanks so much lady!

For this award, I have to name 10 things that make me happy:

1. Waking up and realizing I don't have to, and going back to sleep
2. Snuggling with the boy
3. Eating
   
4. Getting a good deal on something (it's the Asian cheapo in me)
5. Wearing new clothes
6. Singing and/or dancing like a dork to my favourite songs
7. Walking aimlessly on sunny, warm days
8. Laughing about random things with my friends
9. Curling up with a good book on a rainy day
10. Bunnies and pandas
    

I pass this award onto anyone who wants it! Also, don't forget to enter my Sweatpant Sexy Challenge - send in a photo to win!

The Sweatpant Sexy Challenge

Whole Day of Sickness by Anastasia S. care of Lookbook

The Agent: You

Your Mission: The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to come up with a club-worthy outfit with at least one item in said outfit being made up of lazy-ass days/fitness gear/yoga wear. I'm talking sweatpants, yoga pants, sports bras, booty shorts, hoodies, hell I'll even accept tennis skirts and shoes, but it's got to be something that you think fits more in the locker room than the dance floor and it's got to look sexy! Need some ideas of the types of items I'm thinking of? Then check out Hard Tail Clothing here.

How to Enter: Submit your photo of your outfit to me at mizzjblog at gmail.com before the deadline of midnight Friday April 23!



Your Award: I'll post up the top outfits, plus links to your blog should you have one and if your outfit beats the ass off all others, then you could win the following prizes:

1st place: Any Hard Tail item care of National Jean Company
2nd place: Any item under $35 from Fantasy Jewelry Box

Look #214 by Dennis R. via Lookbook

Thanks to National Jean Company & Fantasy Jewelry Box for sponsoring this contest! You can learn more about National Jean Company care of my previous review on them and Fantasy Jewelry Box!

This contest is open to anyone (well, men and women who are club legal) and is international! Now what are you waiting for? Get raiding that closet!

Lust of the Week: Versace multi-chain crystal bracelet

via Net-A-Porter, $675

This season I am really feeling the lust come on for large, complex cuffs. There is something so eye-catching and appealing about a piece of ornate jewelry; it makes one feel sophisticated, artistic, and well, expensive. This gorgeous piece from Versace is the perfect mix of modern edginess and class. Made of silver-tone brass and crystals, this cuff also features an absorbing mix of textures: smooth orbs, faceted crystals, and chain links all snake around each other to combine into one hot picture. Can't you just picture yourself dangling on your wrist seductively while you smile for the flashing lights?

Naeem Khan Fall 2010 RTW

I'm terribly late on posting anything on Fall RTW shows, but I prefer to think I'm just being fashionably late! Besides, how can anyone be thinking of fall when the weather outside is so springy and fantastic? NOT. The weather here in Vancouver lately is more reminiscent of fall's blustery winds and persistent rain than sunshine and baby bunnies. In times like these, only the solace of gorgeous fashion runways can heat up my chilled soul.

Naeem Khan's Fall 2010 RTW collection for me was stellar and an overlooked part of the fashion week coverage I've seen elsewhere. If you've never heard of this designer, then you need to. Born in Mumbai, India, Khan moved as a young man to the US where he interned at Halston and eventually launched his own namesake design line in 2003. Khan's work is sold at upscale retailers like Bergdorf Goodman and Harrods. His design aesthetic places an emphasis on clean, sophisticated lines reeking of luxury and class. Indian influences and materials are rampant in Khan's works, and many of his pieces are covered in painstaking hand embroidery. His clothes have been worn by everyone from Kim Cattral, Beyonce, Queen Noor of Jordan, and Michelle Obama - a pretty stellar recommendation list, I'd say!

Here are some of my favourites from the runway:

Pure white perfection and totally wearable by any woman of any age. The only prequisite: exquisite gams and a stylish air.

Love the cool draping of this gown and the sexy casualness only one shouldered dresses have. Embellished collars like these can be found everywhere in fast fashion stores like H&M, so this is an easy trend to incorate.

Similarly, I've been seeing a lot of tailored coats like the ones above in Zara and H&M. I like how this one is mixed up with a sequined and beaded skirt, and those grecian sandals. "Ladies who lunch" this is not!

Gorgeous, exotic - need I say anything?

You can view the whole Fall 2010 collection care of NY Magazine, and learn more about Naeem Khan at his website.

Quick Snack/Meal - curry chicken salad

I came up with this recipe the other night when I had some defrosted chicken thighs that needed cooking and some late night munchies while watching The Colbert Report. You could eat is as a snack or as a meal with steamed rice. Enjoy!

• Chicken thighs
• Baby spinach
• Roma tomatoes cut into chunks
  
• Turmeric
• Fennel seeds
• Curry powder
• Red onions, chopped
• Vegetable oil
  

Cover chicken with layer of curry powder and turmeric. Brown chicken in hot vegetable oil in pot. Once chicken is cooked, scoop out of pot and put aside. Throw in red onions and fry in the cooking juices from the chicken for 2 minutes. Add in tomatoes and a sprinkling of fennel seeds. Stir fry for a minute. Add back in chicken and cook for another minute, stirring constantly. Serve immediately on a bed of baby spinach.

Current Inspirations - all about pink ruffles + Winner Announcement for Holy Grail Mascaras Giveaway!

Before I knew it, I had already filled up another collage of my current inspirations. In comparing it to February's inspiration board, I can see a slight transition with some trends continuing and developing:

• Bold red lips are still around, but the smoky eyes of previous months are now replaced with bright washes of coloured shadows, or flawless and luminescent skin
• The casual boots are gone and replaced by more classic pumps with unique twists like an artistically sculpted heel, mirror like facets, and heart-shaped cut-outs
• Ruffles and romantic, girly touches are everywhere even more now with flouncy, cloud-like dresses, tiered ruffle blouses tucked into pencil skirts, and ruffly skirts topped with over sized bows and curled locks
  
• On the other extreme though there are still more sharper and edgier silhouettes in this board, with an emphasis on stripes, embellished shoulders, and wild prints
• Colours continue to be muted and more pastel
• And yes, I am still obsessed with Japanese nail art!

Speaking of current obsessions, I am flattered and amazed by the plethora of responses to my Holy Grail Mascara giveaway with Snubbr.com - over 100 entries! Thank you to all those who entered, but I eventually had to pick just one winner. After compiling all the entries together, a winner was randomly chosen:

Clara of BookGirl

Congratulations Clara!! You have just won the item that you chose - a free compact of Nars Orgasm! Please contact me asap to collect your prize!

Now don't be sad everyone if you didn't win this giveaway round as there are lots of awesome goodies to be had in the next upcoming weeks! In fact, these items are so good, I've been racking my mind on how I can rig my own contests so that I can win myself! Lucky for you, I believe in all that integrity crap. Have a great Easter weekend everyone!

Lust of the Week: Kukubee Panda Pouches!

Top to bottom:
Killer Panda
Geisha Panda
Zombie Panda
All items $12

Damn you Etsy, damn you!! Why must you tempt me with such creative, awesomely cute and affordable things?? While chatting online today and having hit that late afternoon lull, tired office worker Solo Lisa sent this high maintenance woman images of increasingly cute pouches for sale online at handmade items mecca, Etsy. In her quest for the cutest pouch featuring deceivingly innocent rodents, Solo Lisa began sending me images of cute and creepy cartooned pouches by Vancouver crafts person Kukubee. I was instantly captivated by the adorable little world local artist Brent (yay artists!!), and seamstress Brandi, had created. The combination of mischief, pink, pudgy cheeks, and power tools spoke to my own spunky soul. It was simply too hard for me to choose just one pouch as my favourite, so I had to choose 3! The final winner of being this week's official Lust of the Week, I leave to your vote.