On Friday evening, I will be joined by a group of the loveliest ladies I know on the red carpet for The Fabulous Life fashion show at The Bay Vancouver. The Style Spy crew is presenting this stylish event, which promises to be a super fun, girly night plus a chance to win some seriously awesome swag. The show will feature designs from Kensie, Vero Moda, Rebecca Beeson, Bench, Kersh, Perameter, Full Circle, Coco & Tashi, Tavan & Mitto, Guess, Chulo Pony, Lady Dutch, Ben Sherman and more. I was stoked to find out that two of my favourite fabulous bloggers will also be in attendance and of course, I can’t wait to meet them. For complete event details, click here.
Is it possible to feel both pure sadness and pure happiness at the same time? To feel like some strung out whore on the street grasping at her strands of hair, and still take a polaroid that resembles something off a Paris runway?
Indecisive. Afraid to be vulnerable. So many insecurities I could pile them into a bag and sling it over my shoulder, out of reach. Then I take a look in the mirror, it is finally clear and flawless like it always should have been. Piles of photographs and a nectar laugh. Running wild, painting the town red. I thought I hoped we could always keep this – lock it up in a locket that I’d hang from my neck. I’d sit at a distance and say it as loud as I could but you’d never hear it. I can not return to an empty future of memories. Bittersweet. Dreamlike and endless. Memories that I will never wish away and a state where I could be asleep. Never awake. How I hope that everything I have dropped is worth this cool pebble that fits so well in the palm of my hand.
Definitely time for some fresh air.
Photo: DCShoes.com
I’m not having a good night. I feel fat and hideous. What I would give to feel content for longer than a minute… I hate to admit that I am affected by it. There are so many important things to worry about in the world and this is hardly one of them. I am well aware of that. I am well aware of the hypocrisy. I also know that being bombarded with images of so-called perfection on a daily basis has a way of making a girl feel like she should be thinner. Perhaps comparison is inevitable? I can’t seem to control my mind. As much as I know that the woman I am is not defined by what I look like, I’m not going to lie, I worry. Man, I have big boobs, my arms are a little chubby, I don’t have 5 inches between my thighs, and my stomach isn’t immune to bloating. My awareness of these facts makes my body a backdrop for my everyday life. My stomach, back, butt and hair are in my peripheral vision, not my sole focus, but definitely tickling at my consciousness. I try to remind myself that healthy girls don’t envy other women’s small frames or sunken cheeks. They don’t feel guilty for not being as thin, or muscular as a magazine clipping. But here I am, insecurity-laden, nervous and wishing that I could become Miss Skin ‘N Bones. Here I am, flipping through Victoria’s Secret catalogues wishing that I could order the bodies instead of the clothes.
- Burgoo Bistro on Lonsdale in North Vancouver has quickly become one of my favourite spots. Whether meeting friends for lunch during the week, enjoying a tasty brunch on the weekend or hooking up for appys or dinner and drinks in the evening, Burgoo has a warm, friendly atmosphere and a menu that’s just exquisite. It features “comfort food” from around the world. The brie fondue is exceptional- made with roast garlic, honey, thyme and white wine served with red grapes, cut apple, grape tomatoes and crusty bread. Make sure you stop by on a Sunday evening to enjoy the live music. For you winos (myself included), a satisfying wine list of economical picks with a pleasant Fossi Rosso from Italy or the Hester Creek Pinot Blanc from B.C. Plus, the sangria is absolutely divine. If you have a sweet tooth like I do, I highly recommend the chocolate banana bread pudding, which is topped with vanilla ice cream in a big, mocha cup. It is pure decadence.
- I have to tell you all about my latest purchase: Cheap Monday skinny jeans. I kid you not, these are the best fitting skinnies out there. They don’t bag out at the knees, feel like a second skin (they’re as comfy as Lululemon pants) and are available in a whole array of washes. The best part? They won’t leave you with an empty wallet or a maxed out credit card…unlike the True Religions of yesteryear, these babies will only set you back 70 smackers. I have a new favourite pair of jeans, people.
Photo: Tobi.com
- Everybody loves a sale, right? You must check out this new website with an online sample sale store called I Love Sample Sales Online. No need to wait in long lines for the fitting room. You won’t even have to elbow the girls next to you or rifle through the racks. Now, sample shopping can be done in the comfort of your home and fantastic bargains are just a few mouse clicks away. Currently, you can get your hands on women’s Diesel jeans in a variety of sizes at 60-75% off. The idea is that new brands will be brought into the store on a regular basis and sold for a limited time. There’s even an option to sign up for regular e-mail notifications to both online and local sample sale events. That means, if there’s any brand or store doing a sample sale in a city near you, you’ll know about it first. I Love Sample Sales lists local sale events in 6 cities in the US and Canada: New York City, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Los Angeles. Click here to see which sales are coming up in the Vancouver area. Shopping is being made easier for us all the time. I think this is an absolutely awesome concept.
Photo: alanis-morissette.com
Last night, her voice was as strong and powerful, as ever. She peppered new songs from her upcoming album with older ones, playing a phenomenal set of up and coming hits mixed with nostalgia. She also did My Humps, Alanis’ deconstructed version of the Black Eyed Peas’ hit. Morissette donned a pink feather boa and directed “a little lovin’ to Fergie” by way of introducing the song she made into a YouTube hit last year. To me, Alanis personifes strong, talented and articulate.
Today’s Daily Puppy is so adorable that I have to share him with you. Meet Jack the Mini Daschund…
Photo: Daily Puppy
Mexican food. Life just doesn’t get much better than Mexican food for supper, giant strawberry margaritas with a one of a kind pal and warm, happy feelings from friends with guitars.
Sometimes someone says something really small,
and it just fits right into this empty place in your heart.
I don’t know where I am in my quiet. I don’t know where to go in my silence. I am a stranger today. I look to grey skies and warm toast for comfort. In a blur of converse shoes and jeans- long scarves. I look into eyes that look back into mine.
I ask myself what I want- I ask myself what I’m doing.
It makes me turn in my bed and let my mind wander a few more miles.
It’s wearing canvas shoes in the pouring rain.
It’s wanting to hold hands on the cold walk home in the middle of the night.
It’s learning limits.
It’s learning boundaries, and balance.
Eddie and I used to write to each other about finding balance in people- in ourselves.
Knowing what was right and what was too much.
I miss him- the words, those talks of tea and warmth and wishing.
I lost one of my earrings last night.
I loved them.
And now I imagine the lonely white, delicate little thing…
probably broken in two by some drunk boy’s shoe,
or maybe the end of a neverending stiletto heel.
It’s probably black from the layer of dirt and drunk on the ground…
Poor thing.
It was so comfortable in my ear.
Earlier this week, Melissa wrote a post about things she’s looking forward to. I thought it was super cute so I decided to be a copy cat.
I’m looking forward to:
going to see Alanis Morissette on Sunday with my dad, sunny days, bike rides, flip flops, my trip to Colorado, the Sex & The City movie, my next selling season and no longer being “the rookie,” spring riding in Whis, seawall Saturdays with Shawna, doing the Sun Run with Team Quik plus Di and Danielle, puppy cuddles, P. Smitty’s return to Vancouver, new bikinis, the Foo Fighters concert, my first summer in my new apartment, seeing Matt play with a band again, patio drinks with the girls, being inspired by Shando, a summer of opportunities…
The highlight of ANTM last night, in my opinion, was the guest appearance by “The Body.” The girls did a photo shoot with George Holz, the city of New York was their back drop to rock Elle MacPherson’s new lingerie collection in front of the camera. Elle is the most nurturing supermodel they’ve ever had on this show to date, plus she doesn’t talk about herself constantly like Tyra and Paulina do, so that’s a plus.
The makeovers, which are always my favourite part, were a bit of a let down. This cycle, there were no tears, except for Fatima and that’s because she was in pain from the weave, not because she hated the look. All the girls embraced their new looks. Boring! Where’s the fun in that? There are lots of long, blond weaves and almost everyone got a new color. My favourite girl Claire ended up with a Susan Powter style blond buzz cut; personally, I think she looked better when she came in. The awkward Lauren’s blond weave with red highlights is a major improvement. Whitney is another of my faves, but what the hell is with her extensions? Seriously, I have worked in a hair salon…I have had hair extensions (several times), and I know that not only can they look good, but they can look natural. Whitney’s looked awful at the judging panel. Why, oh why can’t they ever do natural looking hair pieces on these models? I was secretly hoping that they would do something hideous to Fatima’s hair (not that her mane could get much worse!) I just find her so irritating! Unfortunately, her makeover did make her look better (even though the process was painful). But she’s still a jerk who is making enemies left, right and centre. The whole “whose ass is bigger” debate with Allison did little to make me want either of them to stick around. The most entertaining part of the photo shoot was Allison’s incessant bragging about how she “nailed it” and “kicked ass.” Yeah, not so much. Marvita’s horse hair was good for a laugh. Basically, it’s a mullet. Why Tyra thinks a mullet is a good look for anyone is beyond me. Why it would be good for an already masculine looking woman is really inexplicable.
As for the photos: Allison’s shot was one of the worst ever, in my opinion. The outfit was not at all flattering, she looked completely dead in the face, and was that supposed to be some sort of pose? Fortunately, on this one, the judges agreed with me and she was sent home, even if it was mostly because she doesn’t know how to say “thank you”…
Aimee was the model in my favourite shot this week.
All Photos: The CW
The previews showed the potential for some good drama next week, so let’s stay tuned.
My early picks: Claire, Whitney, Aimee
Who I can’t wait to see hit the road: Fatima, Marvita
The other thing that I’m quite enjoying about my place is the fact that, for the first time, I have my very own kitchen. I’m having more fun than I could have imagined- experimenting, learning how to make new dishes and playing around with different recipes and ideas. Tonight, I put on my apron and whipped up a yummy, healthy dinner for the third time this week. I certainly don’t give Martha Stewart a run for her money the way that Keira-Anne does, but in recent weeks, I have created more tasty delights than I ever thought possible. Although I used to love rolling up my sleeves in the kitchen with my Grandma and baking up a storm when I was a little girl, as an adult I’ve been best known as the girl who wasn’t capable of making much more than a mess in the kitchen. Epiphany: cooking is fun!
Photo: TimeInc.
My last comment of the day: I am on a mission to find the perfect pair of gladiator sandals for spring. I have decided that this is my “must purchase” purchase for the coming season. You know what happens when I get an idea in my head…
Photo: Wikimedia
A last minute decision was made tonight to hit up the 8:00 showing of ‘La Vie En Rose’ at the Granville Cinema. I’d envisioned Robaxacet and a hot bath for myself this evening, but I was quite easily persuaded to do otherwise. I’ve been dying to see this film, and was super excited to realize that it’s still playing on the big screen- so when Shawna suggested it, I just couldn’t say no. After a brief shopping spree on Robson, for which I played stylist (and wardrobe critique)- not the shopper, the two of us skipped down the street to the movie theatre.
The buzz did not disappoint. Marion Cotillard’s portrayal of Édith Piaf was absolutely ‘incroyable’…seriously brilliant. The film tells the story of Miss Piaf’s life, which is mind blowing, and completely heart wrenching. I thought it was an absolutely beautiful film. I will not go into too much detail other than to say that it’s a must see. Beautiful music, genuine characters with amazing attention to detail …a touching film about a dynamic woman, played to perfection.
I have such a great love for the French language. I’m asked quite often if I think that the French Immersion program is worthwhile and whether or not I feel that having a second language is a benefit…my answer is unequivocally yes! I couldn’t be more thankful for that program, those teachers, the friends and the gift of that language.
Last week, J. recommended another Marion Cotillard film called ‘Love Me If You Dare’ which I haven’t had a chance to check out yet, but hope to very soon. I think she’s just divine.
Nothing like a little inspiration on a Tuesday night, right?
