Growing up, whenever I read books and came upon words I could not understand, I would immediately look them up in my trusty dictionnary. At one point in grade 4, I was very competitive at Spelling Bees, so I would skim the dictionnary trying to memorize as many 50 cent words as possible. Somebody call the Nerd Brigade!
One of my favourite words was ubiquitous which is just a fancy adjective to describe something that is ’ found everywhere.’ This is how I’m feeling about Lace, as in everywhere I turn there is the most delicate lace embroidered on sweet cardigans, a black lace pattern adorning t-shirts or lace trimmed necklaces. I do adore this trend which done right can be very beautiful. The most stunning laces have intricate patterns – a Spanish lace often looks like little fans interwoven with scalloped edges. Lace also look more romantic combined with other antique details such as pleated pastel fabrics in pale blush pinks or contrasting with black satin ribbons. But don’t be afraid to mix and match with your favourite skinny jeans.
Free People silvery lace dress layered with a hint of pink
She's Got Legs: Lace tights with rhinestones. Oh la la!
Meryl is such a chameleon. And no wonder everyone likes Amy Adams.
At social gatherings or cocktail parties, friends of friends have approached me by saying, ”So I hear you’ve started a blog. That’s so Julie & Julia of you. I bet your blog becomes a book, then a movie.” “Ha-ha-ha,” I laughed it off. Intrigued by these statements, I thought I would rent the movie at my mom’s house (I don’t own a television) and see what all the fuss is about. I thought to myself, ‘I worship Meryl Streep and she’s nominated for an Oscar for her performance, so why not?’
Expertly adapted for the screen by Nora Ephron, Julie & Julia is the semi-autobiographical story of Julie Powell who nearing her 30th birthday decided to start a blog cooking her way through Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking, 524 recipes in 365 days in her tiny New York apartment. I enjoyed the film because it paralleled Julie’s struggle to find passion again in her writing while contrasting with Julia’s own determination as an American taking on French cuisine and finally succeeding in publishing her own cookbook.
Have you ever noticed that Oscar contenders are always based on a true story? Well, the best stories are grounded in truth. What better subject matter to draw from than our own experiences?
'You Go Girl!' Real-life Julie Powell. Dreams do come true!
Here are some of my take-aways from the film:
Heart shaped Valentines – OMG, this is sooooooo cute! In a scene, Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci entertain guests at a Valentines dinner while pinned with giant red heart brooches! I am totally DIY (do-it-yourself) making these and handing them out to friends.
Talk the Talk – I thought it was really cute when Julia would greet Parisians en francais. So when you meet strangers and they tell you, it’s a pleasure to meet you, you respond, “Enchante!” (exuberantly, of course).
Domestic Goddess Fashion – I am a foodie, but not one that really knows how to cook roasts or special sauces. Being a vegetarian, has limitations you see. I didn’t even realize that I had a gas stove until real chefs came over commenting on ‘how lucky I am.’ That said, I have been learning how to become a domestic goddess. I believe a real fashionistah domestic goddess wears adorable, fashion forward aprons like the ones found at Anthropologie or at a local indie store. I am definitely DIY creating these with ruffles, pom-poms, bright trims and contrasting prints.
Look good, feel like a confident cook! I cook, therefore I am!
Gatorade is so over. Vita Coco is the new Vitamin Water.
Roughly translated, it means ‘coconut life’. The name alone cracks me up. Come on, what’s not to love?
Our story of discovery begins in an afternoon class of Ashtanga at Downward Dog (735 Queen St. West) where the faithfully devoted, hardcore Yogi’s teeter on their limbs while performing wall-less headstands and maneuver into Scorpion like it’s not a thing (hardcore!). I mean, this is where Sting flexes his ballerinka limbs when he’s in town and the shortest class runs 1 hour and 45 minutes. Not for the faint of heart.
After more than an hour of multiple series of sun salutations and killer chaturanga (eek forearms!), our lovely yogi master begins to blast Massive Attack’s ‘Teardrop’ as the class individually perfected their poses. Dizzy, because I forgot to bring my water bottle, I used the semi-break to scurry out of the class for agua. There was no water to be found but the girl at the desk suggested Vita Coco as an alternative. Desperate for hydration, I grabbed a drink box and the rest my friend is history.
Vita Coco was born a few short years ago when two ingenious business men were speaking with (my guess: flirting with and trying to pick up) two Brazilian girls who missed coconut water, a popular native drink from their homeland. Noticing there was an opportunity to import the drink from Brazil, they did just that uncovering a niche for natural, delicious healthy drinks (more electrolytes than sports drinks and no added sugar). You may start to hear more promotion about the drink as Madonna and her Kabbalah friends (Demi, Ashton, etc) have recently invested in the company.
What does Vita Coco taste like? Have you ever been to a tropical country where someone climbs a tree like a monkey, pulls down a green coconut, takes their machete, chops off the top and then sticks a straw in it for you to drink? Like that. The coconut water tastes a bit milky, a smidge almond-datey and a bit fruity. I stocked up on it for the beach in Miami but my sister was not a big fan. So although I am obsessed with it, it may not be to everyone’s taste.
Do you remember that episode of The O.C. where Summer Roberts was trying to rekindle her romance with Seth by telling him how good he smelled? Then he replied that she liked the smell of salami because he just ate a sub. Oh, Josh Schwartz, you kill me every time. My dear friend A has a very funny soliloquy about the use of birth control tampering with the natural effects of pheromones (the body’s natural chemical reaction, a signal for the opposite sex). She believes that one day you could wake up, look at your boyfriend and say, ‘you disgust me!’ because his scent threw you off. I digress.
Oh, sweet smells of Spring. There are so many wonderful fragrances to choose from, so many pretty bottles to sniff in the aisles of Sephora. I like to alternate from heavier and muskier (my current fragrance of choice is Vicks Vapo-Rub because I’m under the weather) to lighter and sweeter as the weather warms up.
Here are a few delicious scents to get the boys swooning:
Burberry Brit – Brit is fun, impulsive, flirty. I think this is a subtle and delicate daytime fragrance that won’t overpower your senses. The fragrance has hints of Italian lime, almonds, amber, vanilla and tonka bean.
Escada Ocean Lounge – Before I left for a vacation last year, I picked up Ocean Lounge as a nice destination fragrance that is both fruity (lychee, plum, pear) and floral (mimosa blossom, jasmine). Whoever does the graphic design for the packaging does a great job of communicating what the scent is all about – It’s a hottt summer day. You’re going to the beach in your new bikini, you’ve tied a chiffon scarf in your hair and you are about to get your tan on!
Escada Ocean Lounge. It's Limited edition so get it while you can!
Carolina Herrera 212 Sexy – Of course, this scent is seductive - after all, they did name it Sexy! This is definitely a going out perfume for the evenings spent dancing or having drinks on a candle-lit patio. Throw on your cutest ruffled mini and top it off with something warmer like a blend of tangerine, bergamot, rose pepper and sandalwood.
Best present ever. And biodegradable too! Made from corn?! Wish it came in pink.
I came upon this ridiculously wonderful mug at Type (883 Queen Street West) while pursuing one of my favourite past times, browsing books and scouting for hottt hipsters. I predict this item will be a bestseller. Don’t walk. Run!
Reading is sexy, like super sexy. There’s nothing unsexier (hrmm, is that a real word? Will consult dictionnary later…) than someone who can’t discuss their favourite book. I suppose then the sexy part about enjoying reading is the thirst for knowledge and curiosity for subject matters we want to learn. Well, to me anyways. To each their own.
Here are the latest and greatest sexy books to hit my bookshelf…
Are you obsessed with India like I am?
Almond Eyes, Lotus Feet - A gift given to me by my besties A&D, Almond Eyes is a national bestseller in India; this translated novel recounts the story of a fictional Indian princess’ rites of beauty and health through the Rajasthan dynasty. The story intertwines traditions passed down from generations of women with legends of godesses and real herbal concoctions and remedies. There are also many photographs of Indian brides, preserved treasures and an almanac of herbs. A very fascinating read which weaves history with fiction (in a similar style of 100 Years of Solitude).
Pride & Prejudice & Zombies – A quirky mashup book which combines two of my favourite things – romantic literature from Jane Austen with a modern twist of zombies, care of Seth Grahame-Smith. Natalie Portman just signed on to play Lizzy in the screen adaptation. Whatever will Lizzy Bennett do with Mr. Darcy when she must fulfill her duty to slay zombies? So complex, yet comedic.
Pride & Prejudice & Zombies: This is a scary, yet intriguing cover non?
My Wonderful World of Fashion – This giant colouring, drawing and inspiration book is IRRESISTIBLE! Created by Nina Chakrabarti, the black and white pages are overflowing with juicy creative exercises, like picking your favourite pair of shoes, designing a hat, ideas to make lace face masks and connecting the dots to draw sunglasses. Intended for fashionistahs of all ages, this book will surely ignite your passion for your #2B pencil and Prismacolours.
Where are my pencil crayons? An excerpt from My Wonderful World of Fashion.
Today we dig into the vault, the virtual vault of course.
I really love the Pet Shop Boys song and video for Being Boring. It’s directed by famed photographer Bruce Weber, shot in black in white in a documentary style meets prom photoshoot for Seventeen. Girls dancing around in tulle party dresses, hottt male models giving the ‘eye’ in dapper suits and a photogenic couple writhing around KB-ing in foamy bubbles (sexy!). The video starts with a message that says that growing up they always had parties where invitees would dress up; on an invitation read the quote: ”She was never bored because she was never being boring.” It’s about youthfully living for the moment and looking back at how life has unfolded. Brilliant, non?
Magical Full Moon: In Maui, I had the good fortune of an Astronomy lesson with a NASA style telescope.
On the LC, I like to temper my fashionistah psycho babble (accessory trends, hemline fluctuations, beauty tricks inducing compliments, etc, etc) with my New Age deep thoughts. This Saturday is a Full Moon, so no better time to give pause to ponder the endless possibilities of the future. Interestingly enough, it is also the Wolf Moon – the fullest and brightest of the year 2010. And what better moon to marinate on life?
Here are some random things on my mind…
Good Omens – Ever the optimist, I like to keep an eye out for good omens. Like sparrows taking flight (my power animal) while I am walking around the block or tiny rainbows appearing in my drinking glass. A few days ago, I was at Mansion in South Beach and the DJ played a tribal-latin house remix of ‘Oye Como Va’ with Lina Santiago and it reminded of me of my youth as a clubrat kid in the 1990’s partying at random warehouse parties. I got so excited because I completely forgot how much I loved that song. A few days later, I heard it again in a restaurant. I thought it was very lucky.
11:11 – My friend M shares my creative visualization tendencies. Every time the clock strikes 11:11, I close my eyes and put my intention into my dreams for the year, be it in my career, my relationships and in pursuit of my passions.
Lucky Charms – Yes, charm bracelets and necklaces are a fashion statement but I have a few pieces that I wear that have a lot of sentimental value and deeper meaning. I have a gold necklace with three charms – a tiny bag of gold (a symbol of success, a gift from my late aunt), an Italian horn (to ward off the evil eye, aka envy) and my baby ring inscribed with my initials (never forget who you are, NEVER!!!).
Karma Chameleon – I was born the same day as Boy George. I think this song has good energy. And on the topic of karma and random acts of kindness, it’s when you do not expect anything in return that you invariably end up receiving. Oh universe!
