Work in Progress


Will you greet yourself when the sun arrives
November 22, 2007, 6:02 pm
Filed under: bloggers, fun, internet, lists, personal

The Patz-man tagged me, so here I go…

The rules: Each player lists 8 random facts/habits about themselves. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed. At the end of the post, the player then tags 4 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

  • I have a crazy memory for detail. Often, I am teased by my friends about my ability to pull out random facts or recount detailed happenings and direct quotes from the past. I can probably tell you what outfit I was wearing to every single event that I have ever attended. I’m not kidding.
  • I can put both of my legs behind my head.
  • As a kid, I was obsessed with repeats of the 60′s television show The Monkees , I owned tapes of all their music and I wanted to marry Davy Jones.
  • I am a master at the game 21 and can out shoot all of the best basketballin’ boys and girls I know…even when I’m wearing a dress and heels.
  • I am addicted to buying magazines; fashion, sports, music, tabloids, you name it. For years, I kept them all and housed a massive collection in my bedroom. It got to the point where my parents forced me to purge most of them, for fear that the floor of my room would cave in. I am currently in recovery for this addiction. The only magazines that I usually still buy monthly are Nylon and Vogue. And I read magazines from back to front, always.
  • I sing at the top of my lungs when I’m alone in my car; my favourites to sing along to? Matt Good and Alanis Morissette. I actually prefer to drive places alone because I love to sing in my car and won’t do it if I have a passenger.
  • The Montreal Canadiens were my favourite hockey team growing up. I was head over heels in love with Patrick Roy. At age 10, I could be seen walking around fully decked out in Habs gear. I had it all, including boxer shorts (which I wore hanging down underneath my Umbros) plus an array of t-shirts, hoodies, hats and track pants. I even owned Habs socks and running shoes.
  • My undergarments, socks and toe nail polish always match my outfit.

Now, for the next victims…

Melissa

Tawcan

Gus Greeper

Scott



Quickly, quietly lost
November 21, 2007, 3:26 pm
Filed under: personal, poetry, random thoughts, reflections

She tilts her head up and closes her eyes

Holds out her hands and starts her lonely cries

Though no one can see her, she sees all their lies

Slightly faded skin, as if in a dream

Her strong outer presence, not all it may seem

Still, every day hiding all of her that is tainted

With all of her flaws she’s so very acquainted



They say it’s your birthday, we’re gonna have a good time, I’m glad it’s your birthday
November 21, 2007, 6:02 am
Filed under: friends, fun, opinion, personal, Whistler

On Saturday morning, we woke up at the crack of dawn and hopped on a Greyhound bus bound for Whistler. In honour of Kristina’s Birthday, we planned the perfect ladies weekend away…no detail was spared- with jello shooters and a magnum of champagne in tow, we invaded Whistler for one awesome night of celebration.
Shopping in the village with flurries falling on our heads and Starbucks in hand by day, pre-drinks in our fine hotel room and then dining at 21 Steps and doing some solid gold dancing at Garfinkel’s by night.

To spice things up a little, we also planned a secret mission for the birthday girl. Since she was turning 26, we thought it would be fun to give her just that many tasks to complete before the end of the night, a Scavenger Hunt, if you will…whether she honestly completed every task or not, nobody is sure. One thing is for certain though, there are lots of blurry, tequila soaked memories of good times had by all and some damn funny photos to prove what a blast the entire night was.

Here’s a glimpse at some of the trouble that we got her into:

Task #1: Giving her number to the bartender.

Task #2: Getting a guy to take his shirt off.

Task #3: Getting a guy to give her a piggy back ride.

This was just the beginning, and I’m sure that you believe me. Girls gone wild, what?

***
Recently, I have sounded like a broken record with regards to talking about how much I currently despise the club scene. I’m big on finding other things to do, which can sometimes be difficult because I’m not exactly out of the age group of people who still like to go clubbing. I’m just not one for pretentious places with arrogant guys wearing big chains, trying to grind up on me and who clearly just want to get a piece. Neither, am I a girl who is impressed by guys buying me drinks all night, hoping for something in return. I can get my own vodka soda, thank you very much. I’m also not there to find the man of my dreams, I’m pretty sure that he hates these clubs as much as I do. It’s not about being snobby because it’s not even that the pretentiousness is directed at me. I just don’t want any part of an atmosphere that’s all about egos. There is also not a part of me that longs to be one of those bleached, bar star, orange skinned girls with Louis handbags who prey on horny boys flashing dollar bills. Honest to God. A few weeks ago, I found myself at a club in the city. I paid $15 dollars to get in the door, plus another $3 to check my coat. I’d dropped $25 before I even took a sip of my first drink. Trying to plot my escape, I ended up calling a friend of mine who is a self professed shut in, “Nights like tonight make me understand why. I could really go for a cup of tea instead of this right now…” I told him. I’m definitely a dinner and drinks, beers at the pub, or quiet night at home with a bottle of wine kind of girl. (I never said that I don’t like to drink!) The club scene is just not for me anymore.

That being said, there’s something about the Whistler club scene that’s different. It’s so much more casual and laid back up there. What I do love about going out is busting mad moves on the dance floor with my friends, and what we call “dumb dancing” …you know, pulling out those old school moves like the running man. That’s what I’m talking about! Saturday night in Whistler was so much fun that I didn’t even want to drunk dial anybody to rescue me. Make no mistake, a nice Pinot Noir with friends is much more “me” most nights; but sometimes, you just have to step it up a notch for your best friends. I’m definitely glad that I did this weekend because I had a ball! Happy Birthday, Kristina!



You can see right through me
November 21, 2007, 12:16 am
Filed under: inspiration, quotes, random, reflections

“And the day came when the risk to remain in a tight bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” -anais nin-

Photo courtesy of apdonovan on Flickr



I got that boom boom, that you want
November 19, 2007, 5:40 pm
Filed under: fashion, shopping, vancouver

Photo courtesy of Daily Mail

Last week, the first Agent Provocateur store in Canada opened on Alberni Street in Vancouver. This hot lingerie label co-founded by Joe Corre, son of punk scene veterans Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren, is a British import. It’s somewhat of a fantasy boutique, if you will. In contrast to cookie-cutter chains like Victoria’s Secret and La Senza, Agent Provocateur has a much more playful, more openly naughty attitude. Inventive designs like trimmed satin corsets and transparent tulle babydoll dresses have helped attract a star-studded clientele. Yesterday afternoon, I had a chance to check out the Vancouver store for the first time.
Besides the plethora of beautiful lingerie, the store itself is pretty incredible. There’s an amazing 3D black lacquer forest upstairs which is truly something to see. There is also a custom-made fuschia-on-pink floral carpet and matching silk chairs, walls and drawers made entirely of laser-cut mirrors with intricate filigreed patterns, an absolutely gorgeous antique four-poster bed on the upper level, plus a pair of birdcages large enough to hold lingerie models for special living window displays. The store boasts an incredible collection of bras, knickers, hosiery, suspender belts, corsetry, garters and so much more. You can even pick up a set of pasties! I highly recommend their massage oils and I absolutely fell in love with the Gwendoline. Since everyone’s idea of what is sexy or feminine or erotic or sensual is different, or it may be different on different days of the week, Agent Provocateur aims to be able to provide all of that. I’d say they’ve been pretty successful.
Demure damsel or dominatrix, French maid or femme fatale, whatever your fantasy — or your partner’s — Agent Provocateur exists to fulfill it.
I also must mention that quite possibly the best part about the whole store is the fitting rooms. I swear that the mirrors add three inches to your legs and subtract three from your hips. I didn’t want to leave.


Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!
November 19, 2007, 1:46 am
Filed under: friends, personal, reflections, restaurants, Whistler


I’m back in the city, and completely exhausted after a whirlwind weekend. Friday night after the Mavi Opening, we met up with the gang for Alfred’s going away party at The Players Chophouse, where we rubbed elbows with Dan Akroyd. If you haven’t been to Players, I suggest that you try it out. Delicious food, a fun atmosphere and amazing service. Which, sadly, seems to be harder and harder to find these days. It has quickly become our favourite place for dinner and drinks on the weekend.
Saturday morning, it was off to Whistler for Kristina’s birthday extravaganza (more to come about this later). It was strange to head up there this time of year without all of my snowboarding gear. Last year was my first season as a snowboarder, and we made many trips up for weekends jam packed with riding. This was opening weekend for the mountain, so everybody was buzzing. Walking through the village, snow falling on my head, passing the people with their boards on their way up to or back from the mountain made my heart pound with excitement. It also made me wish that I was in my riding boots instead of my Uggs. I just can’t wait to get out there this year!
Visits to Whistler are always a little bittersweet for me, as the past lives there and it is hard to walk through the village without a slew of memories popping into my head. The ghost of that relationship seems to haunt the whole town.
I have so much more to say but I’m exhausted and I’m going home to take a bubble bath now.

P.S. I will be officially connected to the net in the comfort of my own home again as of tomorrow night! Thank the Lord!



The wings are wide
November 16, 2007, 6:04 pm
Filed under: fashion, friends, personal, shopping, Vancouver events

I didn’t sleep very well last night. I was tossing and turning and having crazy dreams all night long. I woke up this morning feeling a tad dehydrated. I suppose that’s what a night with the girls and a lot of red wine on a Thursday will do to you. Perhaps my exhaustion is a result of the realization that this is just the beginning of a weekend jam packed with events and engagements. There will undoubtedly be much more eating, drinking and shopping over the next few days.

Photo courtesy of DC Shoes

Last night was the Girls Will Be Girls event at Underworld. A few of us met up after work at The Granville Room to share some yummy appetizers and enjoy a couple glasses of Inniskillin Pinot Noir. Then it was on to the event, sponsored by Underworld, DC Shoes, Lou Lou Magazine, and Barefoot Wine. It was an evening of shopping, catching up with the girls, fabulous clothes and shoes, manicures, and me personally tasting every single one of the wines that Barefoot makes…plus way too many chocolate covered pomegranate seeds to count.
Out of Sonoma County, Barefoot’s wines are delicious and very affordable, I definitely recommend that you give them a try.
Tonight, I’m heading back to the old hood to attend the Mavi Jeans launch party for the new store opening in Kitsilano on West Fourth Avenue, being put on with Strut Magazine. I’m looking forward to being able to check out Mavi’s latest Fall/Winter collection, sip on “Mavi-tinis” and Strut cocktails provided by Skyy Vodka and walk away with tons of fantastic swag! The gift bags sound amazing: containing the latest issue of Strut Magazine, L.A.M.B Fragrance by Gwen Stefani, Covet by Sarah Jessica Parker, Gravity Pope discount coupon, Pure Nail Bar gift vouchers, Mavi Jeans discount cards, CDs from EMI, Rimmel and Vichy Laboratories beauty products. How can you go wrong with that?
The rest of my weekend plans include farewell dinners and birthday parties. As much as I usually look forward to down time on the weekends, for once, I am anticipating being out and about and having so much to do. I will be playing the role of social butterfly for the next three days.


When I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favourite things and then I don’t feel so bad
November 15, 2007, 7:35 pm
Filed under: lists, personal, reflections

Photo courtesy of paige_eliz on Flickr

I got a little visit from the list fairy and she asked me about the top THINGS that I can’t live without (or would rather not, anyway…) I love lists, so of course, I couldn’t resist. Please share your list in the comments if you’re a fellow list lover. Here’s mine:

  • My camera: The big thing I can’t live without is my camera. I love taking pictures. I’m learning not to see everything as a Kodak moment. (I guess that expression is a tad out of date now, since I don’t even use film anymore….) The truth is, as soon as you start documenting the moment, you’re stepping outside of it. Pictures are so great though. There’s something so magical about capturing a moment in time. I love to take pictures, be in them, display them, frame them, look back at them (over & over & over again). A picture is worth a thousand words…(right Danielle?)
  • My lap top: Some would say that I spend too much time on my computer…not having access to the internet whenever I want over the last couple weeks has been harder on me than I’d like to admit. Plus, my laptop is perfect to lay in bed and watch movies on!
  • Face lotions & potions: I know I’m only 26, but I’ve already started thinking about wrinkles. And yet, I actually like character lines on other peoples’ faces-they make a person beautiful. I think if someone smiles and doesn’t have little creases on the sides of their eyes, they look like a robot. But I am obsessed with moisturizers and creams and masks. Yay Benefit, Origins and Kiehl’s! It’s super important to me to take incredible care of my skin. Plus, trying new products is just so much fun!
  • My toothbrush & floss: Somewhere along the way, I’ve transformed from “good brusher” into “OCD brushaholic” (must be Vanessa’s influence!) I am now one of those people who brushes her teeth in the bathroom at work after lunch, thank you very much. Embarrassing. (I always turn off the tap while brushing though!)
  • My ipod: I can not live without music in my life. My ipod is definitely one of my favourite things in the universe and comes everywhere with me. Is there anything better than having a whole catalogue of your favourite music in one tiny little package? Perfection.
  • My journal: Writing is such a form of catharsis for me. Writing in my journal is a way for me to keep my sanity in times of complete chaos, and a way for me to remember good times and personal journeys. I often look back and re-read old entries. It’s interesting to go back through your thoughts. Patterns and lessons are exposed. It’s a form of expression and a good way to release stress, tension and ideas you’re not ready to share with the world yet.
  • Vitamin C: I have become obsessed with Vitamin C tablets. I have these little chewable citrus flavoured ones that I take everyday. I am convinced that they save me from getting sick very often.
  • My voicemail: Since I can’t say “my friends & family” because this is a list of “things”…I’m going to say my voicemail. My friends leave me the best messages in the world. Sweet, thoughtful or gut-bustingly hysterical–messages are fantastic. I’ll save a really good message for months and just listen to it when I want to smile.
  • My silver ring: My best friend Eddie gave me a ring for Valentine’s Day when we were in grade 9 that I still wear on my hand everyday. It symbolizes our friendship and everything that we’ve been through together. He means the world to me and that thoughtful gift holds so much sentiment.


Just a shimmy and a shake, uh huh, I can’t fake, we’re on top
November 15, 2007, 5:57 pm
Filed under: fashion, reality television

I’m finally on the ball with a day after the show post about Top Model [pats self on the back.]This week, the models went to FIDM where they were paired with student designers to be their creative muse. I’m so intrigued by the whole design process from conception to creation, so I found this part of the show particularly interesting. Some of the muse matchups were more successful than others. Heather was pretty adamant that since she’s a fire sign, there is no way that she could embody “the ocean” as expected by her designer.

The next day, the models worked the runway in a show and had to talk about the dress they inspired. Heather was painful to watch in this segment as she simply couldn’t put the words together with confidence. Saleisha won the challenge but if you ask me, my girl Jenah was a rockstar on the runway too. During water cooler discussion of the show with a few of the girls in my office this morning, I discovered that Saleisha is the most popular top choice. I’m sticking by Jenah, no matter how little she impresses me in the judging panels and confessional footage, she continues to produce my favourite photos and certainly impressed me on the runway.

Later, the girls were sent to the desert where they participated in a photo shoot with a burning car. Once again, Jenah’s photo is my favourite. Ambreal is sent home, deservedly so, in my opinion. I have never really liked her much or thought that she possessed the qualities needed to be a strong model, though she is a beautiful woman. Something seemed to be missing. I feel the same way about Heather.
Next week, the models are off to China…as we get closer to determining who will become America’s Next Top Model.
Photos courtesy of The CW


Welcome to the good life…
November 14, 2007, 7:39 pm
Filed under: fashion, marc jacobs, reality television

Perhaps design maverick Marc Jacobs’ appearance on MTV’s The Hills a couple of weeks ago was a sneak peak of things to come. The latest buzz in the biz, is that Marc wants his own reality show. Apparently, his concept is for the show to cover “everything, all aspects of my life. All the drama, the intrigue, the sex, the romance, the work. I’m a shameless human being.” He admits that, “The whole thing’s sort of egotistical, I suppose. But I do find myself entertaining.” He promises that it will be worth watching. The question is, would you? Does it say something about me that I would most certainly tune in? I love Marc Jacobs and have often listed him as number one on my “must meet” celebrity list. (Yes, I realize the acknowledgement of such a list also says something.) I was stoked when it was announced last month that the much hyped about documentary Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton, which follows the designer around his own brand and at Vuitton, will make its television debut on the Sundance Channel in February 2008. The film shows every aspect of the design process, following Marc through New York, Tokyo, and Paris, and featuring appearances by Marc’s muse Sofia Coppola and Vogue editor Anna Wintour. Mock me if you will, but I find Marc Jacobs most fascinating and brilliant. A look into his life interests me, for how long, I can’t say. There would certainly have to be some substantial content to warrant an actual television series. Still, I would personally rather have Marc Jacobs dress me than any other contemporary designer. As for the show…would you tune in? Or is this idea just another case of a super inflated ego? Is reality television getting out of hand?

Photo courtesy of start-london.com



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