Attire For a Rockstar Karaoke Party 101

Some people think I’m nutters when it comes to throwing a thematic soiree.  Clearly, I don’t hang with these people.  My friends, however, enjoy that the fact that as a partygirl since my tweens, I have experience setting the mood for an OOC party that delivers on many counts such as a) creativity, b) original party venue, c) cohesive fashionistah dress code, and d) follow through on party hype. 

The first event of to kick off the festive holiday season is a Rockstar Karaoke party where guests will summon up the courage after a few rounds of  liquid danger (aka vodka) to belt out power ballads in front of strangers.  I have persuaded friends to arrive at The Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen St. West) dripping in Queen West West Sequins meets Hipster Rockstar.  What does this look like, pray tell? 

My imagination runs wild.  Allow me to style this outfit to life…

• Black Sequin Blazer or Sequin leggings – Pick your poison but you can only have one.  Just like I would never advise double-denim.  Seriously offensive if you double dip.  While the sequin blazer is the hottest thing with jeans or leggings, the version by LaRok has a tailored fit and tuxedo styling.  I have been trying to persuade girls with twigs for legs to buy a pair of sequin leggings.  Let’s save this trend for the SB’s (skinny bitches) we love.  Both are stunning evening looks.

Perfect for rocking the mic: LaRok Vegas Vacation jacket

 

Boyfriends forget roses. True romance=LaRok sequin leggings.

 

• Rockstar Jewellery – Your tour stylist would pull multi-chain necklaces or chunky gold links.  If you’re on stage, you must think about the glow you will cast as you belt out tunes. Anything reminiscent of a disco-ball is the right direction.  I am loving these RJ Graziano bracelets with the crystal accents and lightning bolts. 

Stupid Cute But Don't Mess: RJ Graziano Zig Zag Cuff

• Stud Accent Pumps – If you aren’t in line to become the next American Idol, keep the crowd distracted with your studded stilettos.  Nothing keeps the audience (or at least the girls) engaged like killer shoes.  And yeah, yeah, I’m obsessed with studs. 

They don't love you like I love you: Dolce Vita Trinity Stud Pump in Clay

Winter Leisure Chalet Chic For Tootsies

As our weather only now begins to dip into below zero temperatures, it gets me thinking about cute leisure outfits on a lazy Sunday afternoon.  Canadians kill it when it comes to warmwear, especially when dressing for snowy weather. What can I say?  We’re on our A game always. 

Underneath that down parka and tightly wrapped scarf is a casually chic outfit, layered with luxurious texture. And on our tooties, the best indoor/outdoor footwear for climbing snowbanks and dancing our living rooms on a bearskin rug. *haha*  During this time leading up to the holidays, it’s always fun to have friends over for a warm mug of spicy apple cider, decorate sugar cookies and listen to Wham’s “Last Christmas” (I gave you my heart and the very next day, you gave it away.  This year to save me from tears, I’ll give it to someone special…) on repeat.

Here are my current slipper obsessions for Winter Leisure/Chalet Chic Fashion.  Oh yes, there is such a thing!

• Cable knit leggings or slipper socks – ‘Tis very Ralph Lauren meets Whistler ski bunny.  My sister and I had a ten minute discussion on cable knit leggings.  How sweet are these in pale pink or a winter white?  I also adore the giant wool, cable knit slipper socks with pom-poms.  Slap a pom-pom on anything and it’s ‘Adorable!’

Pom-Pom A-go-go: These cable knit socks would make me want to dance.

• Mukluk moccasins – On the 3rd floor of the Bata Shoe Museum, there is an exhibit devoted entirely to Native Indian footwear.  The plethora of styles can be seen on stylish feet all across this fair city – from fringed lace up booties, to fur trimmed suede and beaded Minnetonkas and Mongolian hair space boots.  Wild I say. Wild.

Mukluk Moccasins: Loving the turquoise embroidery and fur balls. Makes me want to catch my dinner.

• Fair Isle – You know grandma’s home made sweaters and socks you receive as stocking stuffers?  Fun fact:  This is the Fair Isle print which is named after the island in Northern Scotland where the knit pattern originated.  The print has taken on new and exciting colour combinations which will ignite any slipper fetish. 

Lurve it: Fair Isle Mukluk sock interpreted in chocolate brown and white.

And because I couldn’t help myself, a final slipper to keep you warm at night and make you dream of sherpa and log-burning fireplaces.  Makes you want to book a week at the chalet, doesn’t it?

Better than an Ugg: Sheepskin Mocassins. Dreamy!

“September Is The January of Fashion.”

Vogue, bring back the Supermodels! Keep your collector's editions.

So true Candy-Pratts Price.  Last night, I took in an evening show of The September Issue, a behind-the-scenes documentary which provides a glimpse into the creation of the most influential edition in the year and the struggle between creative goddess, Fashion Editor Grace Coddington and the magazine’s astute and powerful Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour.  With her icy demeanor and demanding industry perfectionism, she is known as the basis for the title character in The Devil Wears Prada. 

Such is the fashion business, shrouded in fantasy and glamour, sprinkled with stories of catty behaviour and flights of primadonna.  For any hardcore fashionistah, the film is a MUST to see the reality of the industry – the editors watching couture shows in Paris, previewing collections with designers to wielding their stake with major retailers.  While the movie shows both the light (creating beautiful imagery, supporting fresh design talent) to the dark (editors slamming collections before they are shown or stressful last minute re-shoots two days before closing the issue), it also highlights the individual passion and poignancy of the stories which led these creators to their ultimate destiny at Vogue.  

Anna Wintour is judging you in her Chanel boucle jacket.

My Heart Skips a Beat For Balenciaga

Richie about town flaunting her Balenciaga. Such a versatile day bag for bohemians.

It’s no secret that the ubiquitous Balenciaga bag designed by Nicholas Ghesquire is one of many ”It” bags among celebs.  It has been for a few years and that is telling of the style’s endurance among those the Hollywood darlings that have short fashion attention spans.  Chi-chi girls collect them in every shade and trot them out like it’s not a thing.  Like the Hermes Birkin or the Fendi Baguette, it’s one that should be tucked away for safe-keeping to hand down to your daughters.  Definitely future vintage appeal. ie. “OMG, mom you were sooooo cool!” 

If Vogue was to do a feature on Must-Have bags over the century, this one would definitely be selected to epitomize the mid-2000’s.  The classic features motorcycle zippers, vintage lambskin, stud hardware and convertible straps.   There are variations of the famous style which range from clutch to two handled tote.  My personal favourite is the Giant Work style which comes in a delicous gelato rainbow of colours such as Praline, Maldives, Pebble, Raisin and Pomegranate.  Of late, I have been on my bestest behaviour in regards to fancy designer purchases but the Balenciaga has been on the top of the list of “Things to Buy When I Shame Spiral (instead of eating my feelings).”

Oh beloved Balenciaga.  How I adore thee. Let me count the ways. 

Purple Lovah: Balenciaga Arena Giant City

Things That Make You Go Mmm…

Do you ever wander the grocery aisles and happen upon a product which brings you back to your childhood?  I am not sure why, but the past few months I had this overwhelming urge to drink Ovaltine.  Perhaps the change in weather inspired my craving for a warm beverage that is delicious and makes me nostalgic for Saturday mornings watching cartoons in my pyjamas.  Ovaltine was originally created in Switzerland by a doctor studying the health benefits of barley and malt.  Developped as a nutritional drink, the beverage combined malt, egg, cocoa and milk.  Popularized in England and now the world, I only recently found out that there are chocolate ovaltines, a legacy of Ovaltiney cartoons and Ovaltine flavoured cookies.  Crazytown! 

Ovaltine: A pre-bedtime nightcap.

Fortunately, I have not yet allowed myself to shame spiral to the point of purchasing a supersize jar of Nutella.  The geniuses that brought us Ferrero Rocher made this hazelnut chocolately spread that is delicious on bread, on fresh strawberries or on its own, on a giant spoon (too much information!).  My friends and I joke that growing up, if your parents made you a Nutella sandwich for lunch, other kids would make fun of you.  Except the joke was on them because you were having chocolate as a main dish, not dessert!

Mmm, nutella sandwich. Like cracking a Ferrero Rocher onto a loaf of bread. Danger!

Living Beautifully Is In The Details

My philosophy on interior design is:  ”Fill your home with beautiful things and you cannot help but live beautifully each day.”  Waking up inspired by magnificent colours, luxuriating in soft fabrics and sinking on a dog day afternoon into a cozy couch with a cup of tea, that’s the life!  Creating a beautifully designed abode can be daunting for some, but it is wonderfully relaxing to come home to a nest which is truly an expression of your style.  

Delicately cool blues and Louix the XIV antique chaises.

Much like fashion design, interior trends come and go but the best dressed homes are the ones which emanate character and reflect one’s personality.  Magazines are inspirational and aspirational, providing a great basis for us to create our fanciful dreams.  As a fashionistah, I find myself drawn to Elle Decor and Vogue Living, as well as coffee table books on Paris apartments, travels through India and Morrocan zilij (mosaic tilework).  My aesthetic is a fusion of opulent styles ranging from British Colonial, turn of the century France mixed with Asian influences and personal mementos and artwork. 

Elle Decor: Paris meets Casablanca. Loving the muted pastels mixed with the crystal chandelier and gloss of porcelaine.

Be not afraid.  Here are some tips for adventures in interior design:

• Start with colour – Let’s consider a white wall as a blank canvas, on which you are the artist with free reign!  The lighter the colour the larger the room appears and inversely, the darker, the smaller a room’s look (makes a lofty room cozier).  If you are unaccustomed to risk-taking, perhaps choose a shade as an accent wall.  Such as painting a wall with a fireplace a chocolate brown, leaving the rest of the walls white.  Hot colours for 2010 (so fashion forward) are caramel yellows, reds with magenta undertones and citrus greens.  Beiges and greys are always ‘in’ neutrals and you can always punch these up with accent decor in stylish colours.
• Select key pieces – Furniture is a long-term investment.  Ensure you select wisely in furniture styles which will last.  A well selected sofa or coffee table will endure through trends and should be durable enough to host a party of friends over time.  Refurbish flea market finds by reupholstering with bright hued damasks or with a fresh coat of paint.  Voila! You have just acquired a unique piece at a fraction of the cost.

Will you marry me? I think I'm in love with this Provencal chaise with matching stool from The French Bedroom Company.

• Play with textures and prints – While there is a part of me that loves matchy-matchy, there is also the part that adores fashionable contrasts.  To avoid over the top visual distraction, ensure that the prints have a cohesion.  This can be achieved by 1) either the print or patterns are in the same tone (match cool with cool or warm with warm) or 2) most of the room is monotone or muted in some way, with the print or texture standing out distinctly.  Too many loud prints will compete for attention, giving a sensory vibration which is akin to having two rock records playing at the same time.  Turn that racket off!
• Artistic expressions – I am exploding with ideas to personalize your home.  From taking beautiful fabric (Try Designer Fabrics, 1360 Queen St. West) or Japanese papers (Japanese Paper Store, 887 Queen St. West) and affixing them to canvases to create your own artwork to having a printshop blow up your travel photos from Greece or India onto oversized giclees.  Mini art galleries can be created by clustering various sizes of framed photographs over an office desk or in a hallway.  Isaac Mizrahi and Michael Kors have this in their homes, so you are in good company!

Totally works: Printed wallpaper, striped headboard and floral accent pillows.

Carrie Bradshaw's Apartment: Winter whites, creative royal blues and a Marimekko pattern rug complete the look.

Zippers, Grommets and Studs…Oh My!

Killing it! The Patricia Field stud cincher. Obsessed with Carrie's belt too?

Nothing makes me ‘ooh and ahh’ these days like accessories accented with zippers, grommets and studs.  There is something perversely dark and edgy about any of these details.  Perhaps it’s a hint of after-hours dominatrix mixed with punk rocker in a smokey, dilapidated Lower Manhattan dive bar.  Or maybe that’s just me.

While any of these styles can be pretty conventional as far as recycled fashion goes, the key to integrating ‘a trend’ into your look is to adapt it either subtlely or as a statement.  I prefer to go all the way…Volumes more fun.  And ask yourself, why have only a little fun, when you can have A LOT? 

• Zippers – I’m not talking the fly on your jeans or the closure that keeps your wallet safe in your handbag, I mean using zippers as part of the aesthetic design.  I have seen wonderful interpretations of zippers strewn across tops haphazardly, bunched as fleurettes accenting a scoop neckline or even used to edge leather ruffles on a hobo bag.  The key here is that zippers are all form, no function. 

Beloved by Rachel Bilson: Jimmy Choo studded booties.

• Studs – I’m not talking about that vampire guy from Twilight or the head captain of the football team, I mean those silver or gold metallic buttons that add a special sparkle to clothing or accessories.  The most notable are the studs we are seeing all over birdcage stilettos and sexy boots.  Today, I saw the most beautiful leather opera gloves with tiny stud details and shiny, black patent with geometric studs.  My friend A got me a studded Giles top from London, fashioned into a the head of a tiger (sounds like an over the top extravaganza because it is).  It has a very interesting shiny, tactile quality and when asked to feel it, I respond, “See, See. No touch.”  That, or $5 please.  haha.

Nine West studded birdcage stiletto. A littles less in your face but a statement nonetheless!

• Grommets – I have no witty analogy for this one.  While I do love grommets, I don’t feel nearly as passionate about them as I do studs.  What can I say?  I live in truth.  The best interpretation is on something completely unexpected such as these Coach lacquered wooden bangles.  The disproportionate size of the grommets is enhancing the enticement.   

Coach Grommet Bangle. So glamourous.

 To perfect your look, remember to smudge your smokey eyes and shake up your hair like you just don’t care.  Rock on!

Taylor Momsen covering FASHION interpreting Madonna 'Like a Virgin'