Friday, October 30, 2009

Little Dumblie...


Please feel better soon.
And please don't have the piggy flu.
We all love you a lot.

On The Docket...


Living in squalor?
Time to clean up your act.
Take the night off from your metropolitan ways, slip into something comfy, put the coffee on, turn up the Simon & Garfunkel and give the royal bedchamber a good going-over.

Then sleeeeeeeep and bask in the tidied-up glow!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Class Act



Champions of the risqué and kings of the double-take, everyone knows American Apparel is where it's at when it comes to slap-in-the-face advertising.

But the thing you must know about American Apparel is that their basics simply will not die.

If you're in the market for a tshirt to last you til your last breath or a pair of tights that'll look fresh day after day after day, look no further than your local AA. While this may sound like some sort of paid advertising, it is not. It is the gospel of fashion - follow it and be glad.

the stay-in-bed-all-day-and-hope-the-school-work-goes-away playlist



When the amount of work starts to pile up around you and no amount of black coffee can keep you awake, crawl into your cozy bed and dream that it's not actually happening.
Warning: reality will set in when you wake from your dreams and everything will eventually be due.

1. Walking on a Dream- Empire of the Sun
2. When I Get Out-Danny Michel
3. Oxford Comma- Vampire Weekend
4. Pretty Lies- The Dudes
5. Long Haul- Voxtrot

Cordially, Cara


Please join me in welcoming a new talent to our Romantic pages,
Miss Cara Lehocki.
Comin' at you from the East Coast (N-B, to be particular) Cara brings us a healthy dose of reason in the crazy world of DIY beauty.

A fringe to Cringe at-how NOT to cut your bangs
By Cara Lehocki

Lets forget about getting ready for a moment and remember something a little more crucial...how not to get ready, or in this specific case how not to cut your own fringe. Yes I admit this is not the first time I thought myself to be a talented hair cutter, there was that time in kindergarten, oh and grade 2.. and who can forget the 6th grade bang catastrophe...

And yet, here I am, all grown up, a mature university student...
who has yet to learn her lesson.

Living in a small town, I often find myself utterly bored and to say the least “city-sick”. The options on how to spend a Friday night are....well, less than inspiring, and one must learn to be resourceful in times of drought! Which is why I had the brilliant idea of cutting myself a stylin' straight across fringe. Right? Wrong!

I did my research (a few less than helpful YouTube videos posted by less than helpful girls who also had nothing to do on a Friday night). Borrowed someone’s scissors (which only now I realize may not have been actual hair-cutting scissors) took a long sip of red wine, held my breath and began to cut.

Where did I go wrong?
Let’s just say I did a better job in kindergarten at sculpting the perfect fringe then I did at 21 years old.

Here are some helpful hints if you ever dare to go where only professionally trained hairdressers should go....or if you have a steadier hand then yours truly.

Number one: Iris to Iris!!!! I repeat do NOT cut more hair in front of you face if it is on the OUTSIDE of your eyeballs irises. If one forgets this rule you may end up with what I like to call a “half head fringe”.
Or you could just come out looking like a bowl cut monk.

Number two: make sure hair is dry, not wet, while you are cutting - otherwise they will shrink up after they dry- ew.




Number three: Cut up. What I mean by this is after you make the initial chop at the length you so desire, remember to cut the ends of your hair with the scissors pointing up to the ceiling. This will help them look softer and more natural, unless of course you want the very blunt look which is also quite lovely.

Number four: most importantly one must remember that when they are done they are done! That means put the scissors down and leave them alone! I know the temptation to keep cutting is strong but believe me you will regret it when you cut more off than you were planning.

Lastly remember that it is only hair it will grow out. You can always pin them back if things really get out of hand!

Happy chopping!
Cara



Sweetly Siwik


Gather round, friends, for a glimpse of the good life.
Jayne Siwik focuses her lens on the gorgeousness that surrounds her.


annie.
so i am not sure exactly how to contribute,
i have some photos from the last little while that are stylish and fab i think. and are very west coast.
so i have attached them.
the first one is of my beautiful sister downtown vancouver.
the second and third are of my dear friend chelsea dawn beyer, she is from calgary and she always looks great no matter what, and the last one is my roommates and i watching the sunset in a field [featured in an earlier post and removed for the sake of avoiding redundancy].
use anything you like, tell me what your vision is for west coast contributions and i will make it happen!

love jayne.


Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Coming Soon



Best friends and positive beauties Jayne Siwik and Cara Lehocki take to the Dressing Room.

Look forward to another series of gorgeous photos from Jayne, and some words of wisdom in Cara's debut article.

Best Foot Forward


Ohhhhhh the beauty of it all. Have I ever mentioned how much I love the red bottoms on Louboutins? Because I do. And we're not talking about love in the casual way. We're talking about love in the lose-my-breath-heart's-a-flutter-gives-me-goosebumps sort of way. No shoe will ever compare to their sublime, red-soled perfection. My first four-digit paycheck is the only ammo I need to march straight to Mr. Louboutin for my own little slice of shoe heaven. That, or some sort of loan.

Heels are the epitome of style, power, sexiness and a healthy va-va-voom attitude.

Add red and nobody can stop you.


Christian Louboutin Suede Ankle Boot
with Cut Out Detail
£610.00

Ah, but it has been so long!


I know, I know.
I haven't posted in a while.
This statement, tired though it may be in the blogging world, is hopelessly and sorrily true. Contrary to popular belief, I have not been sitting bar-side with a pint and a good pal. Rather, I've been stompin' all over the city, hounding out the very latest in stylishness - for this blog, as well as for my new internship at SheDoesTheCity.com.

FYI
SheDoesTheCity is a modern girl's guide to all-things cityslicker and cool - Style, Fashion, Gossip, Nightlife, Parties, Sex, and Food. Starting up in Toronto, but now with Montréal and Vancouver offshoots, it's really my dream come true intership-wise. So please bear with me. I'm doing the best I can. If it's any compensation, why not get your online reading fix by clicking here?

So here's my resolution. I am going to make it my life's duty to bring you at least ONE post everyday. Even if it's a hey-hi-hello-here's a link.

Feel free to send in any stylish tip-offs.
Bonne nuit, cheries, and get that homework done!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Best Foot Forward


For those days when you just can't decide if you're good or bad.
Chloé
Bow and Crystal Shoes
£910.00

How To Brunch


You've set the time aside. You've chosen the resto. You've even booked the table. You're about to brunch. Welcome, dear friend, to the single most fabulous meal there is or will ever be.


When setting out on this big adventure, there are a few things to keep in mind.
1- Your budget
2- Your culinary tastes
3- Your outfit

Other than that, however, all one must worry about is having a wonderful time dining with friends. Nothing goes together so well as a good meal and good company. So, whether you're meeting for this mid-morning meal to dish the details on a certain someone, to catch up with a good friend, or simply to revel in your own glamour, tuck in and enjoy, while keeping some of these tips in mind.


1- Money
A touchy subject as usual, but always worth addressing so that you can a) have some for later and b) feel good about the way you're spending it. Choose a brunch spot that fits your wallet - you don't want to be seated only to have that awful feeling of being in over your head wash over you as soon as you crack open the menu. Google brunch spots in your neighbourhood, and their sites will usually include a menu link.
If the menu says "Sunday Brunch," you can usually expect it to be a little pricier, just because of the lovely tradition that goes along with the specifically Sunday brunch.



2- Your culinary tastes
As with before, you can always rustle up a menu on Google to check out your options before you go. But if you're an anything-goes kinda gal, head off to your chosen destination without fear. When the menu comes around, however, there are still a couple tips to be had. Depending on when you choose to dine, you will have varying levels of hunger pangs. Typically, one does not eat before brunch, but if you've left it quite late and happened to have munched on a small something to appease your stomach, you might not require an inordinate amount of food. To keep it classic, always order a mimosa. This is the brunch cocktail - three parts champagne, two parts chilled OJ - mmmmmm. Eggs benny are always a good call (That's Eggs Benedict - poached eggs on english muffins and a slice of ham or bacon, or sometimes even smoked salmon, topped with hollandaise sauce) and of course there's French Toast for all you sweet tooths. Of course, it's your meal, it's your money - order what you like. But unless you're allergic to citrus, a mimosa is just polite.


3- Your Outfit
Dictated as always by inumerable factors, this is up for debate. You're going to look good, of course, but you have to think about your company, your venue, whether or not it's a special occasion, etc, etc, etc. Blair Waldof-esque outfits are purrrrfect for society bashes, next-morning wedding party brunches, Christmas or Easter throwdowns, etc. Think bows, lace, cream-coloured garments and nicely pressed anything. If it's a more casual event - like brunch with pals, a roll-outta-bed-get-me-some-food-type ordeal - throw a neat blazer over a flouncy shirt or sweater with a slim-fitting pair of trousers and boots. Because it's morning, it's nice to remind people of the sweetness of said time of day, so mimick those rays of sunshine with light colours and lovely little touches of silk or ribbon. Parfait.

Happy Brunching!

Friday, October 9, 2009

Gobble Gobble


Happy Thanksgiving, fellow Romantics.
It's the weekend of turkeys and stuffing, re-connecting with your most-loved and otherwise, lingering over cups of coffee and catching up with your Mama.

Treat your friends and family the way you've been meaning to.

Tell all those to whom it certainly applies that you are thankful for their presence in your life.

Eat your fill.

Bissoux,
-a.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Best Foot Forward


Just look at that shape!!
Charlotte Olympia
Leather Platform Shoe with Suede Toe
£575.00

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Best Foot Forward


Today I saw a lady in a coffee shop wearing such a beautifully simple outfit - a black trench, black cigarette pants and a beautiful cerise scarf, with the most perfectly on-point shiny black shoes. Parfait!

Christian Louboutin
Patent Pumps
£375.00

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Va-Va-Vignette

If you feel like spending two of your minutes simply bathing in fabulosity, click here.

Best Foot Forward


Acne Strap Shoe
£250.00
Mmmmmm

Love Lists


Introducing Rachel Sanderson, a soon-to-be-contributor, and girl-about-town. If you've been paying attention, you'll know all about Love Lists, and if you haven't, get readin!

Rachel Sanderson loves...

dogs
chocolate
snow
chai tea lattes
canoes
fires
sun, moon and stars
bright nail polish
high heels and a nice black skirt
clean hair
a freshly made bed to nap on
the smell of clean laundry
the warmth of clean laundry
cuddling with friends when there's no space
boardgames
smell of christmas trees
non-matching christmas ornaments
smell of a cooling cookie rack
my mom's homemade food
clean socks.

Discovery!


The first in a new series of posts - Surf's Up - we're highlighting some of the internet's finest spots to spend a few minutes.

Spotted! A personality too sensational to overlook- especially when it translates this well onto the computer screen. Garance Doré, with her inimitable style, fabulous photographs, and impossibly chic connections, offers up a little dish of diva to those of us in a less-than-glam living space (As in, less glam than Paris, less glam than invited to fashion week, etc, etc).

Check out her blog for some scrumptious illustrations and adorable french quips.

Bon appétit!

Monday, October 5, 2009

Best Foot Forward


Rick Owens
Leather Wedge Boots
with Asymmetric Leg Opening

£700.00


Sunday, October 4, 2009

Love, Love, Love


A little east-coast lovin' from the ever-so-delightful and downright adorable
Claire Marie Webber.

Love Lists

Everyday, we complain about our problems. About essay deadlines or the constant maritime rain, or the inability to find a pair of clean socks. We complain. We hate things. We say FML way too much for it to be cool anymore. But what if- instead of being whiney babies- we thought of the things we loved, instead of hated?

It’s a project that I started about a year ago, called love lists. The sole purpose is to put joy in someone’s heart or a smile on their otherwise grimaced face. Here’s how to do it:

1. Get scribing material
2. Find a friend. Maybe someone who is feeling low. Or someone that you just want to make happy for a minute.
3. Ask them to list 20 things that they love. Note: These 20 things don’t have to be their ultimate favourite things on earth. Just 20 things that make them smile, or that they appreciate. The person isn’t allowed to take a very long time thinking about it. It’s supposed to be very fresh in their minds.
- Example:
Claire loves lemonade, decks, warm hot chocolate when it’s cold outside, the feeling right before it rains, Birkenstocks, etc.
4. Complete the list.
5. Read it back to them
6. Watch the smile spread across their face
7. DONE!

You can keep the list or you can give it to them to remind them of what’s important to them. I’m making a book of all the love lists that I’ve done in the past year.

So start your list making! Make someone’s day. It feels great.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Where did the romance go??


Nothing to cough at- just a little weekend of tomfoolery and glamourous goodness.
Keep yourselves posted, but don't depend on a post.
I'll do what I can. But a girl can only do so much on such a busy schedule.

Love forever and always,
-a.

Best Foot Forward


Balenciaga
Suede and Mesh Effect Shoes
£705.00



Thursday, October 1, 2009

Best Foot Forward


Christian Louboutin
Velvet and Ostrich Shoe Boot
£1,005.00

For a little va-va-voom!


P.S. Images appearing in Best Foot Forward hail from shopping paradise
Brown's.

Fore!


A double-hitter! Everyone's favourite partygirl, Meredith Gillies, is back with another round of too-good-to-be-true fun fun fun. Follow her instructions for a whacking-good time around the "golf course"!


Please note RITDR will not be held responsible for any swing-and-miss incidents. To ensure you keep yourself and the general public safe and unharmed, leaving those golf clubs at home might be a good idea for the accident-prone among us.



-This activity is for RITDR gals over the age of 19-
Sorry, little ones...

Alas the golf course has closed for the summer and you simply cannot wait for next season to swing your club around. Well, forget the club at home and head to your favorite local pubs because you're going pub golfing. And here's how you're going to do it:
1. Start saving. This is going to be an expensive night, but it's totally worth splurging for a fabulous collection of memories you'll never remember.
2. Round up a massive amount of friends. The more the merrier. The faces on the bartenders who are being approached by 35 young adults is priceless and something you most definitely don't want to miss out on.
3. Out of this mass amount of people pick a team of four and make a sweet team name.
4. Pick the perfect golf outfit. Style is everything people. Showing up in a t-shirt and jeans is socially unacceptable on the pub golf course. Enjoy one night of shamelessly rocking a polo and some plaid shorts. Visors are optional.
5. Set the course. Aim for 9 holes but expect to make it to 5 (if you're lucky). Make a score card and distribute amongst the teams.
6. The rules! Par 4 is a pint of beer. Par 3 is a bottle of beer. Par 2 is a mixed drink. A stroke is a sip/chug/swig/shwail or whatever you want to call it. But lips to the liquor is a stroke so don't mess up or your team is not going to like you.
HINTS: Get the cheapest beer possible(obviously).
Get the mixed drinks without ice and with a flat mixer, this increases your chances of successfully getting a hole in one.
7. You've got the rules, you've got the money and you've got the style, so good luck and hopefully you make it past the fifth bar and all the way to the 9th.

Ps. Everyone's a winner. You're drunk with your friends; there's no losing here.