Winter Wear ... Wait, why am I blogging about Winter?

Tuque, skully, beanie, chook, sipple, skicap = Your average everyday knitted winter hat. On really cold days I bust out my Dollarama style non-descrip black tuque and pray I don't succumb to hat head. I still haven't quite figured out the best way to wear one of these without flattening my coif. Harvard Science, let's get on this already, hey?

(Source: Images)

Color/Lovers

Joe Fresh Style @ Toronto Fashion Week S/S 2010

Last Wednesday (October 21, 2009) I had the opportunity to see both the Pink Tartan and Joe Fresh Style Spring 2010 Collection runway shows at Toronto/LG Fashion Week. Sadly, my Pink Tartan photos are sub-par and not worth a post. However, I can say the show was very un-Pink Tartan; meaning Kimberley Mimran went young, edgy and ultra contemporary for Spring. There was nothing that went down the PT runway that I didn't love. If I had to choose, my favorite pieces were the relaxed fit silk (?) vests and the sequined python mini skirts. Above are a few photos of the Joe Fresh presentation, designed by Joseph Mimran (the founder of Club Monaco). The JF collection consisted of 56 looks, largely based around light fabrics (cotton, chiffon), pastel colors (pink + yellow) and neutrals (white + beige), delicate textures (chiffon rossettes, fishnets, lace) and clogs! The entire crowd seemed amazed to see Chanel-esque clogs appear on the runway, especially after the peppy/energetic opening model, Theodora Richardson, happened to lose her pair after her initial appearance and went barefoot! PS. If I keep up some semblance of a fitness regime past Winter and into Spring then I am totes rocking them booty shorts, yessir.

So, just how did I manage to get an invite to not one, but two invite only fashion shows? I volunteered to work the fashion environment, which meant bussing tables all night. Haha not so glamourous, but we all have to start somewhere. Working behind the scenes did front me some benefits.

(Note: I caught the Ebola virus of flu's that night, so my FW was cut short by booger)

Social Networking Junkies/Rehab

Social Networking: technological blessing or insidious curse?

Online social networking is no new fad, but mobile social networking (Blackberry, Iphone applications) are the latest craze in the ever growing trend. Everywhere I go - on the train, in class and at work - people are buried in their Smart Phones, relaying messages to their peers, thus helping to contribute to the information loop.

Technology has made humans far more productive than ever before. Information is open, unlimited and comes to the public eye almost instantaneously. However, this information is not always censored for privacy purposes. Do we really need so much access to each others personal lives? As a student, a writer and a fashion-whatever-the-hell-else I am I feel it's very important to keep a digital identity and maintain social networks. The internet is an endless source of opportunity and I've managed to have many an adventure in my digital time. At 13, I started with AOL Chat to Yahoo, but my love of all things interweb grew into an obsession with communities like mIRC networks, Livejournal communities, esoteric/elitest forum spots and the dreaded multi-player gaming communities. By participating in these networks I gained access to further information, expertise and, most importantly, people/friendships. Then along comes Facebook, Myspace, Last.FM, StumbleUpon, Twitter, Foursquare to create more efficient modes of communication to help keep in touch with my both my 2D (online) and 3D (IRL) networks. For someone who enjoys her privacy, my social networking memberships have opened my like a book, a significant part of my growing identity.

Luckily, I am not alone. Worldwide, over 300 Million people have an active Facebook account. And, did you know that over 30 Million people now have a Twitter account (FYI, that's almost the population of Canada). Researchers at the University of Guelph in Southern Ontario found that social interactions on popular social networking site Facebook caused communication breakdowns between friends and significant others. And, let's face it, suspicion, jealousy and the general feeling of being ignored affect every one of us and social networking sites do not always work to avoid stirring these emotions. For instance, someone ignores your friend request; a "friend" who spams self-serving-style messages or invitations; a girlfriend is tagged in a picture full of strange males looking a little too happy; a boyfriend befriending nothing but attractive females; a "friend" who constantly ignores or deletes your messages are all examples of actions that create feelings of anxiety, apprehension, and ultimately conflict. On a personal level, I myself had to hide/unfriend Love once we broke up. The break-up hurt, but watching him actively engaging in social networking while I sat around feeling miserable conjured even worse feelings (one's that didn't want to let me keep the day's lunch down).

Accessibility = Good! Over-exposure = Bad!

Today, I recognize a different trend forming. The same individuals that once bought into and enthusiastically participated in online social networking are becoming fed-up with the consequences of accessibility and unplugging themselves from the system. You know, "Fuck Facebook", "Fuck Twitter" and "Fuck fake friends"- all that kind of jazz. In fact, in the last month, 3 of my close friends deactivated their FB accounts. Social murder. Me? Although I try to limit the amount of time I spend connected to the network, I like the idea of reaching out and having so many ideas and inspiration (positive or negative) around me. Blame the curious writer in me, but I still can't disconnect without the dreaded feeling of missing out. Interweb, you had me at Hello.

Eventually, the wave of anti-social networking will reach the shore of realities and have to be addressed. I have yet to meet a Luddite, so I expect that people will adapt to new philosophies of accessibility/privacy, but social networking, my friends, is here to stay.

(Source: Image1, NYT, Guelph, )

Semi Precious Stones

After working in a jewelry stone for six long months, I can confidently say that your average shopper can't tell you the difference between stones like quartz and topaz, malachite and turquoise, even zircon and diamonds. Within reason, really. Have you ever been to a bead store? The experience can be very overwhelming if you don't know what you're looking for and have little sales assistance. Semi-precious and precious stones confuse even the most educated consumer as they run in all cuts and colors, shapes, styles, designs, and can vary greatly depending on their geographic origin. For instance, Agate runs in a plethora of patterns, tints and shades, like Botswana Agate, Moss Agate, Snowflake Agate. Like Agate, Quartz [photo below] stone comes in a variety of styles, easily identifiable by their color (Smoky Quartz, Rose Quartz, Rutilated Quartz).


My favorite aspect of semi-precious stones are not their beauty, but their historical value and spiritual contexts. For instance, Lapis lazuli was first excavated by the Babylonians and Egyptians for use in cosmetic eye shadow, medicines and paint pigments. Culturally, LL is said to increase psychic abilities and is used as a cure for melancholy and for certain types of fever. Similarily, the ever-popular Turquoise stone was thought to bring happiness and good fortune to all who wear it by attracting healthy healing spirits. Essentially, every stone has some alchemical property attached, so it is not only beautiful to wear but practical to have around.



Gem stones are my favorite; my jewelery box is full of them. Although quite affordable (especially on eBay!), they are sadly so underrated in fashion.

(Source: Image1, Image2, Image3, Gemjunkie)

Distressed Leather Aviator

Funny story.

After that little voice in the back of my head wouldn't quit worrying (read: whining) that I had spent too much money on a cornucopia of stupid of reasons I decided to mull over finances tonight and see where my economic prowess had gone awry (Side: You can't see me, but I'm scoffing at myself here). Upon scrutinizing my budget, I discovered that I had overpaid my Visa bill and had a pretty sizable credit on deck. Yes, yes, enter the feeling of finding a crispy $20 bill in the back pocket of those jeans you threw in the back of your closet a month ago and forgot about. You know, the one's you spilled Cran+Vodka/Soy Sauce all over, but have to wear today because laundry day is way over due and you haven't had the time to -- Hay shit, shit! It's a $20 bill in that back pocket! See, let this blog post be a lesson to you all: Dreams do come true.

Wait, what was I saying? Whatever, never mind, I'm off snag me this vintage aviator jacket from NOT TELLING. (I'm slightly territorial when it comes to clothing finds)

Yup, you don't have to tell me twice because I already recognize that this garment is amazing. It's going to be a Fall/Spring staple, possibly one of those jackets that we Canadians try to convince ourselves can be worn in Winter, but really can't, but we don't care because either freeze or multi-layer and wear it anyway. Now, move it on over, overpriced Acne leather look-a-like. Wait, I take that back - I was just ribbing. I love you fashionable Swedes, even if you're clothing is slightly overpriced. (FYI, if you have the funds, 3.1PL also has a nice Aviator)

PS. The model a la photographe ce ne pas the original photo. The original source exceeded bandwidth, and so I had to replace the image with the Net-a-Porter PL Aviator. At least for now.

H/H eBay Selects: Medusa Silver Ring

Welcome to my latest obsession and the newest H/H category post, Prime eBay Selects. Every week, or at least until I get bored of digging through eBay trash, I am going to post my happy-go-luckiest finds of the week while fighting the urge to start blogger bid wars.

For tonight's premier, let me introduce you to the 'Fine antique Ultra Rare Sterling Cameo Medusa Ring.' I happen to come across this gem while searching "How many adjectives can I cram into the search bar silver ring". All jokes aside, the unique ring is killer high-relief carving of Medusa, one of the world most infamous female mythological menaces to society. Additionally, it's a statement vintage piece that is (hipster street cred) real silver, meaning it won't green mold up your skin like a new amazonian strain of the N1H1 virus. Oh eBay, these epic finds taunt me so. Now someone bid before the Canadian gets greedy and throws down a $20!

EDIT: K, not my fault that this auction went from $21 USD (at time of post) to over $150 (Midnight/28/10/09). Just sayin'..

Chloe Sevigny P.2

Straight jacked this photo from Knightcat, but it's well worth the repost. Prob my fave photo posted on the internet thus far, with the NY background/shitty cameraphone quality adding an extra bonus. Ruaaah, I hate that I secretly love the CS style. (Yeah, myself and every other blogger)

Monday Morning

Like the little guy above, most people don't seem to be all that fond of Mondays. With reason, Monday's mean the end of fun, relaxing weekends and the start of crazy deadlines, hectic schedules and boring work. As much I as I dislike work I still have to admit that I love my Mondays. See, I ride the "it's good to be alive" band wagon and I can't complain about these kind of details. However, there are still days I wake up and want to crawl right back into bed (love life, hate mornings). And so, what better way to melt a cranky heart then a post filled with cute fuzzy baby animals?

























Yup, only 10:21 and life is good again. Happy Monday!