2011 Retrospective

Unbelievably, here I am writing the last post of 2011. How did time suddenly decide to wind up so fast?  When I was younger I remember the days being interminably long and praying for time to move faster.  Now, it's those moments where I'm doing nothing that I feel most content.  Boredom, what's that?

2011 was a pretty good year I'd say.  It was a year of spending time with friends, and making new ones.  While previous years had their share of dramas, 2011 was a year of rest in comparison.  I did new things, like travelling to new cities and speaking in front of an audience of 300ish people.  I also discovered a new creative outlet with photography1  I went back to school part-time, and I found a new job!  And of course, I did lots of two of my favourite things: shopping and blogging.

Style is the main focus of this blog, so I guess it's fitting that I give you, my lovely readers, a retrospective back on my style over 2011.  If style is a reflection of self, I wonder what mine says about me?

Hope you all have a fabulous New Years and see you in 2012!

Product Review: Cutey charm bracelets

Ever since I was a little girl, I've always been fascinated by charm bracelets.  There's just something so cute and well, charming, about a loop of chunky, colorful charms, each with their own story.  Its that last aspect, the personal meanings behind each charm, that captured my young imagination which was forever weaving stories out of dust balls and random bits and bobs.  It's no surprise to anyone then that I jumped at the chance to get my own charm bracelet when UK charm bracelet maker Cutey, called my way.

Cutey's mission is to provide "stylish, quality and easily customizable jewelry."  The bracelet I received for review is the Hypnos and features a string of multi-colored plastic beads resembling Murano glass, as well as a glass crystal, and several silver charms on a silver chain.

Having recently received a very nice Pandora charm bracelet, I was primed to compare Cutey's affordable option to Pandora's pricier one.

Material: I'm not sure if Cutey's bracelet is pure silver, probably not, so I'm guessing sterling silver, which isn't too too bad since you won't have to clean it much.  Pandora's charms and bracelet however are made of silver.

Charms: The Murano looking beads on the Cutey are obviously plastic when you look close up, whereas Pandora beads are actual Murano glass, so the colors are much more vibrant.  Both sets of metallic charms on either bracelet were much closer in comparison, with the Pandora edging the Cutey out in terms of sheen.  Also, there's no meaning towards the charms I received for the Cutey, except that they're pretty - which is still a decent enough meaning I think!

Bracelet itself: the look of both bracelets was the same, using a coiled silver loop chain; however the clasp on the Cutey was a standard necklace clasp which I found hard to undo.  Luckily the Cutey bracelet is just stretchy enough that I can put it on without having to undo the clasp. The Pandora one was custom fit, so it goes on and off easily.

Final Verdict: For 12£ versus a few hundred dollars, it's kind of an unfair comparison, but I actually think the Cutey stands up pretty well.  It looks quite cute on, and you could buy a few bracelets and mix and match the charms to create endless combinations for the price of 2 Pandora charms.  So would I buy one? For sure!

Merry Christmas everybody!

Wishing you and yours a happy Christmas!

"They ran out of batteries"

Mr. Artist, thanks for always knowing how to make me smile.

One of a Kind show 2011 recap

I hope by now that most of you have finished your Christmas shopping and are smugly laughing over cups of hot chocolate at the frazzled last minute shoppers as they scrap it out in the malls this week. I'll be among them, so please don't laugh too hard.  I don't have too much left to go though, thanks entirely to my new holiday shopping secret weapon - craft shows!  Yes, once again my Mom was right; craft shows are a great place to snag unique gifts, while avoiding the mash of holiday shoppers.

This year I snagged some media passes to the One of a Kind show, one of the biggest holiday craft fairs in Canada.  I heard there were a couple hundred stalls this year, so undoubtedly one can find something for everyone right?

I managed to get away with a good sized bag of goodies, but just like Santa, I won't be revealing what they are until the 25th!  For now, check out some of the highlights from the show:

Roasted soybeans may make you go "huh?" but seriously you have got to give these a try. The Bean Ladies have been making these highly nutritious and highly delicious snacks since 1998 and I really am thankful to have found this new snack obsession.  These humble soybeans are packed with flavour and contain tons of fiber and protein, no salt, are gluten free, and high in omega 3s!  Flavours range through the rainbow from salty balsamic, to sweet chai tea.  My favs were the Chai Tea and the Canadian Maple!

For the more artistic person on your list, I'd suggest checking out the unique creations by Mizzonk.  These amazing paper art creations make your grade school cut-out snowflakes look like crap.

One of my favourite stalls at the show was the gorgeous jewelry at the Dotted Loop table.  Creating one of a kind vintage remixes, designer Teresa Smed showcases how she's a master of finding hidden treasures and bringing them together into an entirely new creation.  Many of the charms and jewels on her necklaces, bracelets, and earrings are one of a kind and no one piece is like another.  I fell in love with a chunky layered necklace like the one above as it would look AMAZING with a LBD, but alas, I declined.  Why, I can't even recall now, but I'm sure it was for some stupid practical reason.

Another serious temptation on my wallet were the beautiful leather bags at the Hoibo table, particularly the doctor like bag in the upper left of this image.  In person, this bag came in several leather tones and was soft to the touch. I loved how it came with the option of either the wrist handle, or a long shoulder strap, making it versatile for when you feel prim, and for when you feel a little edgier.

Last but not least, is the table that I think I spent at least 10 minutes at.  Nugs are these little mythical creatures made by 2 pretty cool geeks that were a riot to meet.  Nobody at the show had as much personality and it shows in their awesome table setup and their adorable little creations.  Definitely check out the website to find out just what a Nug is and why you need one.

Thank you One of a Kind for an awesome time! I will definitely be coming out next year!

Santa, can you hear me?

It's official.  I need to get off my lazy ass and take outfit photos!! Lately I've been rushing around so much that I just forget to take photos entirely.  I think I need a setup permanent photo corner with tripod and fancy studio lighting.  I'm sure the roommate won't mind.... Anyways, I've been dressing pretty much like these squirrels lately as it's been pretty chilly in Vancouver, minus the puffy cheeks and adorable little paws and happy little noses and and.. where was I?

Right! Sooo in case you were wondering, the Christmas party at my former work wasn't as bad as I thought! Mostly because I managed to skip the dinner and awards part accidentally and just came for the party part!  It was nice seeing familiar faces and reminded me that I was lucky to have spent the last couple years working with good people.  Then Saturday was the Schema Christmas party!  We had our annual potluck gorge fest.  I love partying it up with my Schema crew, they're the funnest set of girls (and boys!).  After feasting, we danced up a storm to house beats and 60s songs (don't ask) at the infamous Vancouver nightspot, The Waldorf.

This week will be the Christmas party for my new office, then a dinner party and a baby shower! What are your weekend plans?

Pumpkin soup: new winter go-to meal

Usually I go through a phase where I'm crazy about a certain color.  During my lifetime I've had obsessions over the color pink, purple, red, white, then pink again.  It seems though, I'm now into an orange phase - at least when it comes to eating.

This winter I've been constantly on the lookout for anything pumpkin.  Ever since I learned about the pure awesomeness that is pumpkin, I've been craving eating it in any way I can get it, be it in pies, soups, oatmeal, fried, whatever!  So just why is pumpkin so amazing?  Well, it's got a fantastic portion size : calorie ratio meaning you can eat tons of it guilt-free, it's very low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium, and super high in nutrients like Thiamin, Niacin, Iron, Folate, Magnesium, Potassium, Riboflavin, and Vitamins A, C, E, and B6 to name a few!  The only downside is that on its own, this humble gourd doesn't have much flavour.  Add a little bit of spices though and it transforms into a flavourful feast.

Recently, I've loved picking up a few cans of pumpkin puree to whip myself up a quick pumpkin soup.  This super easy meal requires only half an hour to make and tastes delicious on its own, or as a side.  Here's the recipe courtesy of The Wicked Noodle:

• 1 T extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 t dried thyme (or 1 tsp fresh)
• 4 cups roasted pumpkin (or 2 15 oz canned pumpkin)
• 6-7 cups reduced sodium chicken stock (depending on how thick you like your soup)
• 1 tsp salt & lots of freshly ground black pepper (both approximate, season to taste – don’t be afraid to season liberally)
• garnish with finely minced parsley

Heat a T of olive oil in a dutch oven. Saute onions over medium heat until translucent; add garlic and thyme and saute a few minutes more.

Add pumpkin and chicken stock, stir to combine. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, then blend with an immersion (hand) blender. Alternatively you can use a standard blender. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper; garnish with finely minced parsley. (Add a small dollop of creme fraiche and swirl, if desired). 

SALE ALERT: ALIFE Footwear Dec 16-18

Happy shopping

Crazy for Shoppalu

Ages ago, or what feels ages ago, I attended the pop-up shop for Shoppalu.  Being too lazy to take photos of all the fabulous items there that I bought (for sooo cheap!), I decided to stop being a braggart and show off some of the awesome items that YOU could buy, right now, at Shoppalu!

My new favourite online retailer for all things chic and vintage, I've been getting tons of compliments on all my Shoppalu items.  Looking for a chic winter coat? That perfect statement making jewelry piece?  Those pairs of shoes that go with literally everything? Shoppalu's got you covered.

1. Silk Cherries skirt, $45: so looking forward to summer days when I see a maxi skirt like this one. Perfectly swingy and cheerful, this skirt would look fab with a light sweater cardy and flats
2. Long tan wool trench, $98: tan is huge again this year and this long, single-breasted trench is utterly timeless.  This vintage coat looks so comfy, I just want to snuggle down inside it.
3. Japanese inspired long open cardi, $98: I'm a huge fan this season of anything oversized and sweater-like.  The patterns on this unique cardigan appear inspired by classical Japanese paintings with its white swirled waves and mountains.
4. Mr. Owl gold necklace, $18: I'm a sucker for all things whimsical and owl.
5. Round shell ivory purse, $35: go for a different take on the current box clutch trend with this shell case clutch.  I think I'd ditch the braided strap for this one and just hold it as a clutch while wearing something white and gold.
6. Black snakeskin silver buckle belt, $10: dip into the snakeskin trend with this 1980s belt.  Perfect for cinching button-downs and dresses.
7. Lea Violet gold chain woven bracelet, $84: I saw these bracelets at the Shoppalu pop-up shop and can definitely verify its gorgeousness.  This chunky, yet elegant bracelet features finely wrought gold and glass beading.  This is the definitive statement maker

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.

Leopard print shirt, tote: Shoppalu | Infinity scarf: gifted | Leather jacket: Le Chateau | Ring: random LA store | Flats: GAP

Ever get the feeling that you'd really like to take a bottle of wine into bed and call it a night?  That's kinda how I've been feeling lately, but for good reasons!  HUGE thanks to everyone for their comments lately wishing me well at my new job and for asking how it is.  The new job is basically why I've been slacking on the blog commenting and posting this past week or so.  New job is busy!!! I can barely believe it's only been a couple weeks in the office as I feel like I've been there much longer.  They threw me in to sink or swim and so I've been juggling multiple projects all at once.  I *think* I am floating, so I guess so far so good!  People seem pretty fun and definitely lacking in the usual tech nerd vibe, which is perfect for me!  

Other than work, I've been busy celebrating Mr. Artists' birthday last weekend! But shhh you didn't hear that info from me!  Then this week I've been spending time some much needed girl time with Roomie and another friend visiting in town.  And then this weekend will prove to be jam packed as well with Christmas shopping and 2 Christmas parties!!  Every time I think about tacking my gift list, I feel a serious pang of panic because I hate fighting Christmas crowds and the looming deadline of Dec. 25 is coming up way too fast for my liking.  Is anyone else panicking here?!  And seriously I need a live-in photographer because taking outfit photos in winter is super hard!!

Bleh.

Product Review: Amore Pacific Rejuvenating Creme

The Product
Awhile back I received a sample from a goody bag for Amore Pacific's Rejuvenating Creme.  Having never heard of the brand, I was excited to try out this moisturizer, which promises to provide an antioxidant rich experience that will rejuvenate and increase cell turnover in skin for a refreshed, youthful look.

The Guts
While I didn't see much on the Sephora site about what was in the cream (bamboo and green tea extracts mostly), I did see info on what it was without, namely environmentally harmful chemicals like parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes, and GMOs (I'm guessing that means genetically modified organisms?).

Price & Packaging
I received the sample size, which is minuscule, but for $150 you can receive 1.7oz at Sephora.  Seems a pretty steep price for not a ton of product if you ask me!  The packaging looks the same as the sample with a standard screw top lid.  I would be curious to know if the actual product contains any applicator as some creams do.

Effectiveness
I thought this product was a night cream initially, but after reading other reviews, I see now I was mistaken.  This cream would make a nice day cream as it has a fresh, light scent and absorbs quickly.  The consistency is enjoyable as well for a day cream, being a bit gel-like.


Buy or Ditch?
Probably ditch. I don't normally spend that much for a day cream! Maaaybe a night one if it's powerful.

Final Verdict: B

Best story everrrr: Kittens inspired by kittens

Sorry for the lack of posts thus far this week. I've been busy adjusting to the new job (which is going good!) and spending time with friends in town.  I've also been laughing my ass off at videos like this one.  Enjoy!

Real life Kickass is bad-ass

Anyone remember the movie Kickass? It was a film following the story of regular people.. who became super.  A fun and entertaining film concept to be sure, but what if it were real life??  I first heard about this hero collective awhile back, but only thought to now to share this rather extraordinary group of people here.

The Real Life Super Hero Project is pretty self-explanatory. Apparently, this rag-tag band of modern day superheroes has been around for years, loosely connected by the Internet, but it  really took off when photographer Peter Tangen got involved and started documenting a series of featurettes on the heroes.

Let it be known that none of these people have superpowers (although a few have some neat gadgets and martial arts skills).  They could be your neighbour, your coworker, your friend.  What makes them special is their uniquely fierce drive to make a difference - even at the risk of their own lives.  In an age where people don't even want to share their anything, this kind of selflessness is quite shocking.

Reading each profile is inspiring in itself, and also quite engrossing as you learn about just why someone would don spandex other than during Halloween.  Are these people heroic vigilantes, or misguided fools?  It's a question I'm not sure I have an answer for. While definitely possessing a healthy dose of kooky, there's also something romantically epic about their alter egos.  As much as I want to see them kicking ass and taking names, I'm also quite scared for their well-being.  Do any of them even carry weapons?  Either way, I hope to catch a glance of these of these heroes one day!

"The night has many faces, but none more intriguing that that of Nyx, a Real Life Superhero who is active in and around the New York City and Northern New Jersey areas. Clad in black, with striped leggings and a distinctive red mask, Nyx sets out to do her patrols and homeless outreach in a mysterious, stealth-like manner. “Like the night, I cannot be proven or disproven to certain degrees; and also much like the night, when morning comes, there will be no trace of me.”

"In the Real Life Superhero community, Urban Avenger stands tall among equals. And for more than the most obvious of reasons. 'I’m on patrol, even when I’m not on patrol,' the San Diego, California-based hero states, 'even when I’m not in my costume as a visual deterrent for crime, if I see something going down, I will act. Anytime, anywhere.'"

"There are good reasons to be afraid of the dark, but Thanatos, The Dark Avenger, isn’t one of them...He regularly plunges headlong into a pitched battle he characterizes as “a war for good against evil,” in the whirling vortex that is Vancouver, B.C.’s notorious intersection of Hastings and Main streets. The name Thanatos comes from ancient Greek mythology, the personification of Death itself, a rather dark choice for someone who leaves such light in his wake. “I have taken on the persona of death,” Thanatos explains, “because I was told by a police officer that all the people living on the street had nothing better to look forward to than death. So if that’s the case, maybe death ought to start taking care of these people"

Check out all the heroes...

Blaise Kavanagh for Spring/Summer 2012

Although it's just barely begun to get cold here in Vancouver, I'm already looking forward to Spring.  Luckily I don't have to stare wistfully at my screen as there are ways to incorporate some Spring touches into your Winter wardrobe.

Recently I got wind of American sportswear designer Blaise Kavanagh and his breezy collection of preppy dresses and separates.  Kavanagh's collection is definitely reminiscent to me of Tommy Hilfiger, or Michael Kors before he went all safari a couple seasons ago.  Each piece looks well constructed, with clean crisp lines that translate well season to season.  Here's how I would rework my top 3 items into winter:

This perfectly office appropriate dress would look just right with a fitted cardigan a la this season's Mad Men trend.  Lady-like satchel definitely not optional.

If you're searching for a modest holiday office party dress, then look no further.  This navy number has some spice with its mini hemline, but is all sugar with its elegant smattering of polka dots.  Add some over-sized, glittery bracelets and drop earrings for added effect.

Go from day to night with this cute little ensemble.  The cropped pants might be a bit tough to pull off so if it's too cold for open-toed shoes, you may want to substitute with some OTK boots to cover up that short length.  I love the fun turquoise color of these pants though as they serve up some needed freshness in drab winter.

What do you think of the collection? How do you transition spring clothes into winter?