S/S 2012 sneak peek care of KnowShow!

Nepotism is the act of granting favours to those who you have a personal connection with over those you don't.  Some may also call it networking, har har.  Sometimes it's bad, but other times you just gleefully put your soapbox away and thank your lucky stars for it.  A couple weeks ago, I was in the latter situation when my awesome friend SW snagged me an invite to the KnowShow convention!

If you're not familiar with KnowShow, it's a fashion industry trade show where brands showcase their upcoming collections for the buyers, who then decide what they want to stock in their stores.  This is where trends are given life, or a sudden death, and for me, it was a fascinating peek into the daily grind of the real fashion industry.  Forget the eccentric, glossiness of the runway - at the convention it was all business casual and clipboards as the buyers analyzed what would be hot for Spring/Summer 2012.

KnowShow had an amazing 300+ booths and I spent a good few hours just perusing all the stands, which included everything from skateboards, to walls of sneakers, to surfer chic, and intricate jewelry.  If I had to sum it all up, KnowShow's look was "grown-up skater," but here's a recap of the highlights that I saw:

The Boobies Rule charity fundraises money for breast cancer.  Originating from California, the charity has grown its way upward to BC with its fun, cheeky boobie-related merchandise.

Borel is a line of unisex belts made of high impact polycarbonate resin.  These customizable belts can be cut to fit your size and the buckles are interchangeable too for a variety of looks.

InCase is a sleek purveyor of utility bags and headphones that are that rare combination of stylish and functional.  Their latest laptop bags feature Andy Warhol prints.

I am so so excited to see these shoes in Vancouver stores soon! Native shoes is a lightweight, fashionable alternative to ugly hiking and rainboots.  Nobody is going to remember those fugly Crocs once these come out and they're quite affordable too!

Seychelles a must-stop for me.  Major trends for S/S 2012 include d'Orsay heels, bright colors and a continued love for anything platform.

As soon as I saw the Toms booth, I had to go visit!  Unlike many of the "major" brands at the convention, Toms was cool with me taking photos.  Good thing too because I don't know how I could not take photos of my favourite ninja shoes.

Many of the brands at KnowShow were ones I had never heard of.  Vestal was another, but I instantly fell in love with their edgy rock-inspired watches and sunglasses.  Ranging from classic vintage, to futuristic punk, there was something for every watch enthusiast.

My favourite spot though had to be the Gentle Fawn collection, which was all about dusty desert tones, Santa Fe prints, sheer panels and unique cut-outs.  I also got a chance to interview the brand on their new collection, so keep checking back for that to be posted soon!

My second favourite of the show was Vancouver brand Lifetime.  Their woman's collection had me drooling with its soft sweaters, mustard yellows, and extremely cute dresses.  The guy's stuff was pretty nice as well, with just the right touch of prep meets surfer.


Thanks again to SW and everyone at De la Cruz PR for the invite! You can also check out more of my photos on Flickr!

A vision softly creeping left its seeds while I was sleeping

Polka-dot top: Zara

Giraffe print skirt: Sweet Chemise

Just a super quick post today to match this impromptu crappy photo I took.  Am writing this for some reason instead of sleeping.  It's really hard to resist your natural body rhythms.  I feel more awake now at 12:30am than I do during the day and it's a vicious cycle of forcing myself asleep to wake up groggy in the mornings.  Anyone else have that problem?  And do polka dots and giraffe really go together?

Ishara x Kitchening with Carly event recap

Boy August has sure been busy!  I've been very fortunate to be having a great summer where I've been invited to some fun and fashionable events.  Typically, I avoid fashion events as I'm a chronic non-mingler.  Watch the food table because that's where I'll be if I'm at a party and that's the way I've been since I was 5.  Really, it's the best spot because it has a constant rotation of people (no need to approach others) and if you're bored, you can just put something yummy into your mouth!  Seriously, if there's no food table, I'm not coming to your event because then the only other place I'll have to hide is the toilet.

Last week, I hobnobbed with the local fashion names at Gastown boutique Ishara.  I happened to be invited to this event by chance.  I had just finished doing some shopping on the Gastown Shopping Tour and wandered into Ishara.  There I met the gorgeous Alex of To Vogue or Bust, who works at Ishara.  Seriously, this girl has to be one of the hottest Vancouver bloggers (and we have quite a few hotties!).  Anyways, we got chatting and she invited me to a macaron pop-up shop they were having!  That's how I found myself last Thursday evening stuffing myself with macarons and pink champagne while trying to look cool.

Attendees shopped discounted designer duds, while noshing on Kitchening with Karly's new pop-up macaron shop in Ishara.  I saw several boxes of the sweets being bought that evening, so be sure to pop in yourself and grab some while quantities last!

Me with my girl friend, Vivian

So crazy over colored denim. Must get cobalt, or even better, a burgundy pair.

Perfect little tea party dress

This "means business" red dress though is more my style

Vanilla macrons with lavendar filling

Strawberry cheesecake maracons

Thanks for having me Ishara!

What's for Dinner: Chicken with Tomato Herb Sauce and Mashed Yams

I made this simple, yet deceivingly fancy dish for myself and Mr. Artist last month.  While Mr. Artist puttered away at being, well, an artist, doing some work at home, I played up my best Stepford wifey and proved that hell yeah I can turn out a good looking dish if I want to!  I'm just usually lazy ok.  Talking for real though, you should eat this.

• 2 tbsp margarine or butter
• 1 minced garlic clove (I used 2)
• 1.5 tsp chopped fresh marjoram or oregano (I also was a bit generous with the measuring here b/c I like the herby taste)
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 2 cups mixed cherry tomatoes
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Definitely try to get fresh herbs if possible; the flavour is maximized this way.  Mash butter, garlic, marjoram and paprika in a small bowl to blend.  Season with S&P to taste.

Melt 1 tbsp of the butter mix in a medium heavy skillet over medium heat.  Season chicken both sides with salt and pepper (this means sprinkle it all over).  Add chicken to skillet and cook until center's no longer pink, about 5 mins per side depending on the meat's thickness.  Personally, I hate cooking big chicken pieces like this for this reason as I'm pretty paranoid about serving raw, poisonous meat (who isn't?), but I'm also adamant about not having dry chicken.  Too often, chicken is ruined when it's overcooked, but when you get that perfect timing where it's cooked, but moist... OH MY GOD.

Once chicken is cooked, transfer to a covered plate to keep warm.  Now turn the heat to high and using the same skillet (key!) add the tomatoes.  Gently cook the tomatoes, stirring every so often until the tomatoes slowly ooze out their juices when pressed.  Add remaining butter mixture and stir.  Spoon over chicken and garnish with fresh parsley.

To make the dead easy mashed yams:

Take a few yams and cut into length-wise halves.  Arrange on a plate and put them in the microwave.  Heat on high a couple minutes at a time until contents are soft and yield to a scooping spoon.   Scoop out contents (watch it, they will be smoking hot) into a large bowl and mash away with a bit of butter thrown in and/or milk.  Enjoy!

I thought once that I saw you, I thought that you saw me

Tank: RW & Co

Jacket: vintage

Jeans: William Rast

Clogs: Michael Kors

This song always make me feel sad, yet I keep putting it on repeat.  I guess I'm a sucker for tragic love, though I hate the drama in my own life.  There are no hard rules to love, it's a trial by fire process.  The only thing closest to a rule that I can see, is that you must let go: of hate, of fear, of doubt, of pride.  All the things we use to protect ourselves have to be put aside if we are ever to obtain what we so desperately want.  Old wounds run deep even though the skin is smooth.  I'm always guilty of forgetting, but not forgiving.  Of keeping pride as a blanket.  Of thinking keeping others happy will make me happy.  In a recent conversation, I brought up the theory of karma.  I believed in it, my companion did not.  The question begs to ask, if there is no karma, what other system can you believe in?  I think I need to believe that things are happening for a purpose, that there is some cause and effect, otherwise what purpose is there to us being cruel to each other?

Don't worry, life is good.  I just tend to think about these kinds of things too much.

Gastown Shopping Tour Part 3: Obakki

This is the 3rd and last installment of my Gastown Shopping Tour series (see part 1 here and part 2 here).  The last stop of the tour was the always stylish Obakki (44 Water St, various locations).

Obakki is a chic boutique showcasing the brand's take on sophisticated neutrals for the modern urbanite.  Though utterly out of my normal price range, I still like to wander in Obakki's hushed interior, grazing my hand along its silken racks and letting the chime of its metal hangers ring in my ears.  The current Fall collection is a sea of desert tones and soft, sheer fabrics.  The desert theme seems very popular these days, and is reflected in Obakki's carefully curated jewellery section.  I wasn't allowed to take photos actually, so these ones are sneaked in, but you can check out the whole collection online.

Wandering Gastown's charming alleys on the way to Obakki

Gastown Shopping Tour's Jessie Carlson and Michelle Addison, with Johana Zara

You can also check out the full set of photos on Flickr! 

Gastown Shopping Tour p2: One of a Few

Part 2 of 3 (see part 1 here): One of a Few.  This has got to be one of the best decorated stores I've EVER been in.  Every corner was meticulously arranged, each with its own unique and quirky aspect.  In one corner was an array of pressed flowers and an old wooden school desk; in another a shelf cradling black and white photos.  The fashions were as pretty and unique as the decor.  It is obvious that owner Michelle Rizzardo has put her heart and soul into her store, making One of a Few my favourite stop in Gastown.

Clothes ranged from the modern to the feminine, with modern grey dress adorned with safety pins a la Evan Bidell, lying next to delicate lace ponchos and deliciously worn-in vintage cowboy boots.  The main floor housed all the clothes and accessories, while a small loft upstairs held the Gypsy Market vintage selection.  The store even spilled into the space next door, housing the curated men's and children's collections.  Make this a must-see on your next trip to the area.

Safety pin dress by Evan Biddell

These are THE shades for fall for me in nail polish, clothes, makeup.

Thrust my hand into this basket and pulled out a pair of pink ballet flats in my size. Fate? I think so.

Perfect outfit.

Perfect outfit for the boys.

Stay tuned for part 3 featuring Obakki!

See these photos and more on Flickr - let's be friends!

Cake or Cute?

I can't decide if this Modcloth dress is as cute and summery, or as yummy as a strawberry shortcake?  What do you think?

One day I'll be sand on a beach by a sea

Dress: Winners

Silk kimono: Aritzia

Leather belt: American Apparel

Bracelets: Aldo

Bag: Marc Jacobs

At the moment, I have very few complaints in life.  The past weekend, I went to my hometown with Mr. Artist for the first time!  Spent time with the parents, ate good food, and took long walks by the sea.  And amazingly, I think Mr. Artist enjoyed it too!  I was worried he would be too bored by my small city and feel uber uncomfortable around my family, but he seemed to fit in nicely, which was a nice relief. 

Besides that, I'm also super happy to be attending a bunch of events this week!  Today, I'm interviewing clothing brand Gentle Fawn at the Know!Show fashion trade show with around 300 fashion and lifestyle brands!  I'll be tweeting and shooting photos, so catch my updates online!  

Then Thursday I'll be at Gastown's Ishara Boutique, which is having a special private sale and pop-up macaron shop for Kitchening with Carly!  Clothes and baked goods = heaven.  As well, that night will be a special fundraiser for the Vancouver Food Bank with a special performance by the STARS!  Don't know who they are? Check out one of their songs below and come out to Library Square for a good cause!

Gastown Shopping Tour p1: Block

Yes, you read that right.  Something which I thought only existed in shopping heaven (a.k.a NYC) actually exists here in little ol' Vancouver!  The city is stepping it up these days!  I was ecstatic when I received the invite weeks ago to tag along on a special guided shopping tour through Gastown's hottest boutiques by personal stylists Jessie Carlson and Michelle Addison.   Jessie and Michelle offer Vancouver's women a chance to get something usually reserved to celebs: personalized, practical advice on how to get a fabulous closet. 

It was a blisteringly sunny Sunday morning as I headed out bright and early down to Brioche in Gastown to meet up with the other ladies on tour.  Besides a few other media peeps, the other women were "ordinary," ranging from television producers, to moms.  What was common however, was a love of style and a genuine feeling of female comraderie.  We started as strangers, but bonded over complimentary appies and shared "oohs" and "aahs" over the steady dream of fashion delectables.  I have too many photos of lovelies to share, so I'm splitting this into a 3 part series, one for each fantastic boutique!  Hope you enjoy this photographic tour :)


First stop was Block (350 W. Cordova).  Block carries a wide assortment of men's and women's fashions, but what makes it worth stopping here are for the gorgeous wall of soft, perfectly squishy, vintage leather bags and covet-worthy accessories.

Stay tuned for part 2: One of a Few and part 3: Obakki!

These photos and more on Flickr - let's be friends!

Summer is... part 2

Epic beach side picnics

Spectacularly beautiful city sunsets

Pedal city

Celebrations of love

... and culture

Don't you want to be Flickr friends?

You’re awake and you’re on fire

Tank: Forever21

Shorts: Garage

Ring: Aldo

Silk kimono: Aritzia 

Thought I might as well make use of the sunlight.  I can't get enough of The Midway State right now.  Not only do they make easy listening love songs, they're also tortured love songs if you check out the lyrics.  A sappy love song makes me gag, but give me a tragic one and I'm putty in your hands.

Product Review: Corioliss Curling Wand

The Product
The grass is always greener as they say and my greener grass has always been curly hair.  Loose, wavy curls to be exact.  I love curled hair, whether it be on a man or woman and I have a strong suspicion it's due from hair envy.  My hair doesn't take curl nicely, unless toxins and/or extreme heat is involved.  Enter in the Corioliss Clipless curling wand!  Just like a wizard's wand, this wand is magical.  Depending on the type of curl desired, there are different wand sizes. I tried the 18mm which promises small, bouncy curls.

The Guts
The tourmaline ceramic wand and ionizing technology won't fry your hair and are pretty standard features in quality irons, so always always make sure yours has these.  The kit also comes with a small resting stand and glove (essential).

Price
Normally $130, you can get this wand off Misikko for $99!

Effectiveness
I tried out this wand for a wedding awhile ago.  In order to figure this wand business out, I youtubed for lessons.  It looked "easy enough" so off I went.  The wand heated up within a couple minutes - in fact, the heat made me sweat a bit!  Contrary to the videos, using this wand was quite tricky.  I think the longer hair you have, the easier time you'll have of it because I burned my face and arm a couple times while doing the back.  The whole process was pretty quick though.  You don't need to hold the hair around the wand much at all, just wind around and slide slowly out to get a soft, bouncy curl!  Check out my results below:

Results lasted overnight without much loosening and only a couple spritzs of holding hairspray.  Very good!

Buy or Ditch?
Buy! If you're someone who wants to curl their hair a lot, this is a good tool to have.  I found the curls produced by the wand to be smaller, rounder, and softer than the ones my flat iron (1" barrel) gave me, with the same staying power.

Final Verdict: A