At a time when so many Hollywood babes are looking pretty Trailer Trasherella, I want to highlight one of my favourite ladies in the biz. On the plane yesterday, I flipped through a pile of gossip rags. I was struck by how lame so many celeb’s personal style is these days. One woman stood out to me, who is easily a runner up on my “style idols” list. Kate Hudson is fresh, cute and wears just the right mix of seventies vintage and classic sophistication. She’s a hippie with a heart of gold. She rocked the cover of this month’s Vogue magazine. Kate inspired me to buy my first pair of Ugg boots six years ago. Over the years, she has continued to be someone whose style I admire. When asked if she has a stylist, Kate responded, “I have a really close girlfriend who helps me out. It’s more like a partnership because I love clothes. I’m not interested in people telling me what to wear. I’ll wear what I want, when I want.” Whose style would she most like to emulate? “Kate Moss and I have one thing in common. I think we are both the kind of people who wear what’s on the floor (laughs). We just hop out of bed, put on a bunch of stuff, leave the house and don’t think about it. I guess that’s considered boho.”
Whether she’s on set in a t-shirt, jeans and Ugg boots, or walking up the red carpet in a designer dress, Kate always looks fantastic. There’s something about the way she wears clothes that makes women’s eyes snap open. Most women put their clothes on and look at themselves with varying degrees of doubt: Is this OK? Will this do? Hudson has no doubt, only desire, and it’s feverishly catching.
Photos courtesy of Just Jared and Popsugar
Photo courtesy of Vangruvie on Flickr
As a born and raised West Coast girl, I didn’t even know what to pack for my first trip to the prairies. Ugg boots, DC snowboarding jacket, warm gloves, scarves and tuques. I managed in Saskatoon. I was cold, but I could handle it. We jumped in a cargo van and drove to Regina, where it got a little colder. Yesterday, we flew into Winnipeg. Walking to the restaurant for dinner at 9pm after we finally got settled in the hotel, I actually thought that I was going freeze to death. Mark and I were both near tears (which would have frozen on my face had I actually cried, I’m sure!) I wouldn’t have been surprised if my nose and ears had fallen right off. I certainly had no idea what that kind of core chilling cold would be like until I felt it. Thankfully, we are staying in one of the nicest hotels in the city. I’m on the 29th floor and in a city this flat- you can actually see the entire city from up here. Looking out this morning, it’s beautiful.
A mellow weekend is exactly what I needed. Only having two days at home before the next stretch of my road trip has been a good opportunity to catch up on my sleep and slow down the pace a bit. I spent as much time snuggled up in my bed as possible.
To start off the weekend, Cindy and I hit up The Alibi Room for a few cold ones and chilled out to the beats of my buddy Mark, who is the dj there on Friday nights.
A stop at Joe’s Grill with my parents this morning and then home to pack, pack, pack.
And in a few hours, on to the next adventure…
All the kinks to iron out, all the people to meet, all the sleepless nights.
Oh, the fun I will have!
This has been, without a doubt, the busiest week of my life and yes, this is only the beginning. I just walked through the door of my apartment. It’s after midnight. The first leg of my first road trip is officially in the books. I’m exhausted, my body hurts from hauling bags and being on my feet all day long, my voice is sore from talking so much, but I have a huge smile on my face because I’m loving it! I really, truly am. I spent this week on the island for my first set of showings. I feel very in my element. How nervous I felt last week seems silly now. But it’s a testament to how much I want to do an incredible job. It’s crazy and hectic and go, go, go…but I thrive on it. I love meeting the people. This all feels so right.
Plus, the hotel that we stayed at in Victoria was absolutely amazing. My suite was massive with an insane patio overlooking the water, the most comfortable king sized bed I’ve ever slept in and a marble bathroom with a giant soaker tub. It didn’t matter that I’d been up since 6am and was showing until 11pm. You better believe that I made time for a bubble bath in that tub.
I’m too tired to elaborate further at the moment. I’m happy to get to sleep in my own bed tonight before taking off for the next phase of the selling season on Sunday. The prairies are up next! I’m quite sure that I’ve never been this stoked in my life. My future has begun.
Photo courtesy of Marcus Ewers on MySpace
I heard the news today that one of my favourite rockers, Bif Naked has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
“I am in the fight of my life and I’m lucky to have the support of my husband, Ian, and many friends and family members,” she said.
Naked said she found a lump two weeks ago during a breast self-exam.
“I went into my doctor for a checkup and he immediately sent me for tests, including a mammogram, which indicated a high possibility of cancer. From there things have gone at what seems like light speed: biopsy, blood tests, cancer clinic. It’s been two weeks from being completely healthy to cancer patient with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy scheduled.”
Some might say that her lifestyle isn’t reflective of your typical rock star. She is a live food vegan — basically eating only whole foods and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables — who keeps a stringent work-out ethic that includes yoga.
In her interview, she made a point of warning other women that cancer is “non discriminatory.”
“Even those in great health can be subject to cancer as a diagnosis,” she said.
“I urge all women at every age to self examine and go for scheduled mammograms. Early detection is the best tool in the fight against cancer.”
[source]
Bif Naked is one strong lady. She is most definitely a fighter. She even has the word “survivor” tattooed on her arm. Bif’s confident lyrics and strong attitude have been inspiring me for as long as I can remember. Thoughts and prayers go out to Bif Naked, her family and friends. We love you, Bif!
Photo courtesy of janoid on Flickr
Sometimes this thing just happens…
Ben Harper uses a description that I can relate to:
it’s kind of like love and it’s kind of like being tired and also kind of like when you first meet someone- your heart does this thing…. (it makes room.)
That’s how I’ve been feeling.
Sometimes all it takes is letting your heart make a little room.
Last night I was at the video store looking for something mellow to watch and fall asleep to. I was beyond excited to discover that there is a movie version of my favourite book, The Hottest State by Ethan Hawke. I first read this book years ago, I think I was about 15. I have since read it over and over and over again. This poignant novel changed me somehow. It touched me. It also made me fall even more madly in love with Ethan Hawke. Yes, he has been my Hollywood dream man since Reality Bites and Before Sunrise. The thought of him still makes me weak in the knees.
Photo courtesy of Blog Decine
The film version of his book was actually adapted, and directed by Mr. Hawke himself. In all honesty, I was disappointed. I liked this story in my imagination much more. I always find that when you read a book, and see the movie- one is going to hit you harder than the other. It’s inevitable. I always like the book better. And if you see the movie first, then your imagination isn’t free to run wild while you’re reading the book.
On a positive note for this film: it has a sweet soundtrack and I have a total crush on Mark Webber, who plays the lead role. He’s in babe in all the right ways. For me, this story just didn’t translate as well in film, even though Ethan wrote the screenplay.
Novel- highly recommended.
Film- take it or leave it.
I also recommend Ethan Hawke’s second novel Ash Wednesday.
My heart is gold. What will you give me for it?
I could hear my heartbeat in my ears. My stomach felt like it was going to fall out my butt. I had this lump in my throat like after you dry-swallow a big pill.
Despite how insanely nervous I have been, I survived my first sales presentation on my own. And dare I say, it went WELL…really well, in fact! I didn’t even vomit beforehand as I had imagined in my nightmares, nor did I hit myself in the face with anything (phew!)
The best part is, now that I know I can do it, I am VERY excited about what’s to come! Even though it’s stressful: really, really stressful at times, I can see that it’s going to be so much fun and extremely rewarding as well! Stay tuned for tales from the road…
My work day started out with a classic maneuver.
As I was assembling a rolling rack, and doing my best to hold the parts in place while I put it together, one of the poles swung up and smacked me right in the face.
Hard.
Now I have a bruise on my cheek and it stung for hours. Still hurts when I touch it.
Nice, real nice.
Tomorrow is my first showing…am I nervous? Uh, just a little.
Now is the time for overcoming worries and fears and scary futures.
My heart is awake.
So in the spirit of trying to stay positive and think happy thoughts tonight, rather than continuing to study my catalogue like a maniac, I’m taking a cue from one of my favourite bloggers, Meg Fowler and doing up a love list.
Things I love:
bubble baths
tea
the sound of rain
dinner parties that go right
laughing so hard that it hurts
wishing on stars
having the “good butterflies”
going out for sushi
red wine
taking photographs
canine cuddle time
feeling connected to people who “get” me
making people laugh
my family and friends, my soul mates
how I feel after pilates class
songs with acoustic guitars
inside jokes
watching movies in bed on my laptop
Bob Dylan makes me sad
in a good way.
I am having one of those nights
where if someone looked at me wrong
tears would have to be fought back.
With Bob Dylan on top of that-
his sweet, sad voice and that harmonica-
well-
that’s that.
It has now really struck me just how much my whole life is going to change, starting right now. This is it, folks. This month in particular, is going to have me starring as the busiest little bee that I’ve ever been in my whole life. I’m not sure that I’ve even completely wrapped my head around all of the things that I need to think about. Road trips, late nights, early mornings, garment bags full of samples upon samples. My first ever visit to the prairies. (What to pack?) Showing, showing, showing, booking, booking, booking. Crazy, crazy, crazy.
That said, I wish to apologize in advance if the updates here are fewer and farther between until I find my new rhythm and get into the groove. There won’t likely be another camera in the mirror photo shoot for a while. But then again, who knows what I’ll be able to find time for. I sure as hell don’t. Perhaps some interesting entries from the road will occur.
As excited as I am to embark on this next phase…I must admit that at this very moment, I am absolutely scared shitless, a huge ball of nerves and totally stressed to the max. I’ve been welcomed to the dark side… so here I go! There’s no turning back now.
I feel both completely confident and full of fear. My braveness is waiting. There is so much to look forward to.
A few weeks ago, I wrote about my all time favourite style idols. While flipping through a recent Life & Style issue today, I was inspired to discuss my top choices for up and coming stylistas. Here’s a rundown, in no particular order, of who I think you should keep your eye on in 2008:
Photo courtesy of Evil Beet Gossip
Perhaps life is imitating art for Blake Lively who stars as fashion forward ‘It Girl’ Serena van der Woodsen on the hit show Gossip Girl. Blake is on the fast-track to becoming a real life style icon in her own right. She is equal parts quirky and sophisticated. I think she always looks fabulous. Blake counts Audrey Hepburn, Kate Moss and Sienna Miller among her style idols. I think she’s created a look that’s all her own and will undoubtedly be much copied in years to come.
Photo courtesy of People.com
Kate Middleton is classic but still fresh. She likes trim, tailored clothes or wrap-dresses by Diane Von Furstenberg, which are figure-hugging but never too tight; the occasional, plunge-neck halter-dress by BCBG for special occasions. And she is not afraid to wear serious statement hats, as she showed with the black, asymmetric, big-brim ‘topper’ which she wore with a scarlet, tailored coat, to the Sovereign’s Parade at Sandhurst in December. The stretchy, knee-length skirt and stretch boots which flatter her long legs have become something of typical look for the young sometime girlfriend of Prince William. Miss Middleton’s eye for style is clear. Not surprisingly she worked in the industry as an accessory buyer at Jigsaw headquarters in Kew.
Photo courtesy of PopSugar
Hilary Duff’s style has gone both ways over the last few years, if you ask me. That’s to be expected, I suppose, considering that she has literally grown up before our eyes. In the last year, I think Hilary has really come into her own. She’s matured as a woman and her style has reflected that. Her look is refreshingly simple. Her staples are skinny jeans and Loubutins. I’m liking her outfits more and more all the time. She mixes high end with affordable and vintage pieces to perfection.
Photo courtesy of Pink and Pistachio
Whitney Port is my favourite cast member on MTV’s The Hills. Amid the sea of cat fights, drunken nights at Les Duex and frosted-tips-donning dudes that populate the highly addictive reality show, I’ve always found that Whitney Port has stood out as a solid presence. She is somebody who absolutely loves fashion and it shows. She’s not afraid to try something different or to attempt to pull something off…she’s figured out that the secret to pulling anything off is having confidence. Whether dressed to the nines on the red carpet or casually working out with her trainer, Whitney always looks amazing.
Photo courtesy of Just Jared
Hayden Panettiere is young and beautiful. Her clothes are always adorable, her looks impeccably put together and her makeup is always flawless. Known for taking it up a notch with her glamourous sophistication, I think that Hayden has certainly set herself apart from other girls her age. Dooney and Bourke recently asked her to help design and advertise its Hayden bag. Although a common complaint about Hayden is that she sometimes dresses a little too mature for her age, I think she often brings the flair of youth to her style with fun accessories. She has become quite a lovely little lady.
