Friday 31 August 2012

Back to School

I wore a uniform all through high school, so my memories of back to school shopping have more to do with what colour notebook to get or what trendy binder I should chose for my history notes. Nonetheless, I still get nostalgic this time of year when I see all the back to school ads on TV. There’s something to say about being able to re-invent yourself every September. Here are some things I would get if I was going back to school next week.

Have a great long weekend, everyone!



1. Port of call sweatshirt from Jcrew / 2. Moustache Erasers & Rissani Bamboo iPhone Case / 3. Madewell Keds Champion Sneakers / 4. Dooney & Bourke Backpack / 5. iPad / 6. Moleskin notebooks / 7. Ray Ban reading glasses / 8. Predict-A-Pen has the answer to all your important questions: Should I go out with my friends? (without a doubt); study for that test? (dude, no way!); flirt with my teacher? (not for a million $!).







Thursday 30 August 2012

The September Issue


I love Glamour Magazine. And this month, my excitement was even greater than usual when I realized it was time for the most amazing of all issues: the September Issue.

For the magazine’s first ever “full-on fashion issue”, Glamour got the help of Victoria Beckham (by the way, how awesome was it to see the Spice Girls reunited at the London 2012 Closing Ceremonies?).  After a thorough read, I feel ready to make a fashionable transition into fall.


All images via
Here are a few things I learned:

  1.  It’s totally OK to wear black at a wedding (not yours!). This is good, since I’m going to one this weekend and was a bit nervous about my black (but oh-so-chic) Calvin Klein dress.
  2.  Necklaces shaped like a fake collar are very trendy these days. Not so sure about that one…I’ll ask Emily to do some research and write a post about it. Stay tuned!
  3. Purple and oxblood (or Chianti, as Glamour prefers to call it) are THE colours of the season.
  4. And, finally, when asked if they would rather have a lifetime supply of Louboutins or one amazing night with Ryan Gosling, 68% of women surveyed by the magazine said they would choose the shoes. I, personally, would pick Ryan (who needs that many Louboutins?)








Tuesday 28 August 2012

The Canadian Tuxedo


Recently, Emily wrote a post about how to rock a jean jacket. This – and some of your comments – started a conversation about the expression “Canadian Tuxedo.” She hates it, I think it’s funny.

Regardless, it looks like pairing a jean jacket with jeans is trendier than ever. Even the Canadian Olympic Team did it for the closing ceremonies in London!  What do you think of this fashion trend? Will you be sporting the Canadian Tuxedo this fall? 

{1) {2} {3} {4}




Sunday 26 August 2012

How to Layer Necklaces

Layering necklaces is not a complex trend – yet sometimes it can feel daunting. Am I wearing too many? Is this too flashy? 

Image via

Most days, I simply wear two chains to the office: one 14 inch and another 20 inch, both with beautiful silver pendants. But when it’s time to dress up for date night or an evening out with the girls, I pile on a few more. Ladies: Do not hesitate to combine different colors, textures and lengths. Layering necklaces is the perfect time to mix and match different metals and styles to create a unique aesthetic. To better showcase your extravagant neckwear, I would recommend keeping your outfit simple

If this trend is not for you, try combining a few simple chains of different length, ranging from 12 to 18 inches. Keep the amount under four to prevent excessive tangling!

Image via


Wednesday 22 August 2012

Van Gogh: Up Close


This summer, the National Arts Gallery of Canada in Ottawa featured Van Gogh: Up Close, the first major exhibition in Canada in over 25 years of works by this famous Dutch artist. It brings together more than 40 of Van Gogh’s paintings from private and public collections around the world, as well as works by other artists who inspired him.

It’s great to be able to see such famous pieces in a museum, but, in this day and age, there are so many other ways that works of art can be appreciated by a wide audience. At New York Fashion Week in 2011, for example, this collection of Van Gogh inspired dresses by designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy from Rodarte blurred the lines between art and fashion.

Image via
A little bit more practical, this bike was inspired by Almond Blossom, a famous painting by Van Gogh.

Images via

For those of you who still prefer the museum setting, there’s still time to catch the exhibition. But you gotta be quick, it’s only on until September 3!


Monday 20 August 2012

Love What You Do


If you’re having a case of the Monday blues, this image may bring a smile to your face. I hope that you are all loving what you do and doing what you love.

I’m curious as to what pieces of wisdom you live by...

All images via
 Happy Monday!





Saturday 18 August 2012

Currently Craving Michael Kors Fall 2012 Collection


These Michael Kors Kaelin boots are what Emily is craving for fall. Although I like the boots, I’m more into the Jet Set Large Item Tote.


Images via


Which one of these two items from the Michael Kors Fall 2012 Catalog do you prefer?      

Happy weekend, everyone!         


Tuesday 14 August 2012

Life According to my Pinterest

Since Emily often shares with you her latest obsessions in the form of her recent Pinterest posts, I was inspired to do the same. Here’s what I’ve been pinning lately:


My own Freudian analysis of this tells me three things: I love turquoise, I’m craving a little bit of luxury, and I wish I were anywhere but the office – preferably in an exotic location, it seems!

On a side note, I hear that NGOs are starting to use Pinterest as a way of raising awareness for their causes. Have you noticed all the neat infographics that are starting to pop up?

Image added to Pinterest by The Girl Effect




Sunday 12 August 2012

What's in my Beach Bag


Summer will not last forever (don’t I wish!) so now is the time to take advantage of the sunshine and heat. My favourite way to do that is to go to the beach. Nothing is better than spending a hot day by the water, lounging around and catching up on my favourite gossip magazines. Of course, I do that in style! Here is a sneak peek at what's in my beach bag:


BAG  Rebecca Minkoff Neon straw tote / BEACH READ  Us Weekly & Self Magazine / SWIMWEAR  Melissa Odabash Martinique twisted bandeau bikini / LIP PROTECTION  Baby Lips by Maybelline / FOR THE FEET  Neon pink TKEES flip flops /  BEACH MUSTS The best smelling lotion ever: Ocean Potion & my fave water bottle: Fiji /  FOR THE HEAD  Hat Attack Toyo Crochet Fedora with neon band / SUNGLASSES  Kate Spade New York

Where are your favourite beaches?

Thursday 9 August 2012

Best Hair Products


I have thin hair but lots of it. It neither wants to be straight nor curly. It loves to frizz and poof like an uncurly afro. Best hair ever! Ya, right. A girl needs to find the right products for her hair type, because living with bad hair is just not possible. I’ve searched long and hard and now present to you my three favourite hair products:


1. FIRST APPLY MYSTIC OIL TO WET HAIR: L’OrĂ©al’s Mystic Oil is similar to BioSilk or Moroccanoil. I simply prefer Mystic’s smell and texture. Enriched with a blend of avocado and grape seed oil, this lightweight oil pampers all hair types. The formula will leave your hair looking healthy. 2. CURL YOUR HAIR WITH A CURLING IRON: Once you’ve created loose curls, apply John Frieda’s Dream Curl Spray. I like to spray the product into my hands and gently blend it to my hair – but if you want a “crunchier” look, spray away. This product will give you a beach-curl-effect, and in my case, keeps curls bouncy. 3. FINISH OFF WITH: Bed Head’s Spoil Me Defrizzer. This product is a must to keep hair shiny and frizz free. Spray it after, before, later: whenever, you’ll love it! 


Wednesday 8 August 2012

Interview with Whatisadam


In late 2011, I fell hard for a silkscreen by the artist Whatisadam titled Maple Sizzurp. I immediately took an interest in WIA's work, spotting his Canadiana wheatpastes across Montreal. His illustrations of ducks, buffalo and deer display prominent breasts, bold tattoos and devilish grins, while iconic maple syrup cans are hijacked by a mischievous checkered-shirt-fox. Influenced by advertising, comic books and vintage posters, WIA creates art that is uniquely his.   

With a fierce concern for anonymity, interviewing a street artist is no easy feat! Please read on to discover more about Whatisadam and be sure to pick up one of the artist’s limited edition prints by clicking HERE.

Image via

In this day and age, why create art?
Why create art... good question. In my case, I have actually tried stopping. But after a very short period of time, I always go back to it. It’s like a hunger: it eventually consumes you until you have to pay attention to the grumbling. 

What exactly is a street artist?
I believe a street artist is someone who has something to say and doesn’t wait for a gallery or an art lover to notice. They take risks to turn a dull alleyway into an attraction. It's kind of like doing a live painting gig, there's a little bit of problem solving and your limited in time, the only difference in street art is that at any moment someone can chase you away. Seeing as how what I do on the street is in a legal 'grey' area, I prefer not to make it too easy for the authorities, which is why I use the pseudonyms Whatisadam and WIA.

Could you explain your wheatpasting technique?
Wheatpasting is when a poster, sometimes drawn by hand, or painted, silkscreened or printed, is glued to a wall with a batch of homemade glue. It's a technique used to rapidly cover many areas with the possibility of repeated images. 

 Preparing for an exhibition in New York, March 2012

Would you describe yourself as a graffiti artist?
No, there are many terms for what I do, but I don’t think graffiti is one of them. Graffiti is from a different time, where it was about street credibility and freedom. There is very little in what I do that can be compared to graffiti.

How does the public respond to your street work?
Some people will can me a vandal. But more often than not, people seem to really like it. Especially the Maple Sizzurp can. I think they feel it is part of their heritage.


Pasted Maple Sizzurp cans

PartyMixTape has showcased your Maple Sizzurp. Could you tell us more about how this piece came to be?
The 'Maple Sizzurp' can is directly inspired by Andy Warhol's 'Campbell’s Soup' image. I have never been a big fan of Warhol, but I respect his work greatly. The idea came to be after a close look at the work of LA street artist OBEY, and his use of popular culture in his work. I read an article about him, where the writer referred to him as the Andy Warhol of the 21st century. I then realized their similarities and the power of pop art, and using an image people have a connection with. Seeing as how my work is greatly inspired by Quebec culture, and specifically MontrĂ©al life, I worked on a few iconic products, specific to Quebec. The Maple Sizzurp Can is just the first to be released.

Out of your entire production, which piece do you feel best represents your aesthetic identity?
The day I decided to draw a deer with boobs seems to be when my street art went into overdrive. 'Roxy' is a character that I keep going back to, she is my muse. Everything I do now stems from her creation. Street art has been a major influence in my drive in the last four years. Every time I see a new mural, or an outdoor piece I rush back to the studio to get started on new designs.

Roxy (in pink)

How did you become interested in silkscreen printing?
I realized early on that all the images I was inspired by most were silkscreen prints. I like the effectiveness of the art, multiple versions that differ slightly from one to another. The control, the sharp result that I ended up with, and I loved the idea that in screen printing... less is more. 

In your opinion, is conveying a social message through art a trend or a necessity?
I think most artists starting out, believing it is necessary to have a message. But the funny thing is, as you create more... the message becomes more subliminal. It becomes less obvious, which in turn makes it more interesting.

Describe a day in the life of WIA.
Most of my days are filled from working with organizations like Station 16, Cease and EnMasse. I am working on more commissions and “legal” murals now because of the groups mentioned. But I always try to get in a new drawing or painting once a day. I've also begun working with other artists, on a variety of projects. The biggest one yet to come is AAA, a show in the works with artists Alan Ganev and Antoine Tavaglione. 
 
Trip to Nova Scotia in June 2012
  
You’ve created street art in Montreal and Brooklyn, and have recently travelled to the Maritimes. Do you plan ahead what you’ll be pasting? How much does location and context influence your work?
Every time I leave the city, I always bring at least a dozen wheatpastes with me, just in case. But sometimes I try to plan ahead, such as in the case of my recent trip to Halifax, where I painted a "Greeting from Nova Scotia" Roxy Mermaid wheatpaste. Mexico is another example, where I made sure to bring an Owl Mother Mary print. So it definitely does inspire my work. 

Name your three favourite songs:
Narrowing down my favourite songs is always difficult; I listen to podcasts mostly, like RadioLab. But if I had to choose two artists I'm into right now, it would be Neon Indian & Bon Iver. 


Monday 6 August 2012

For the Gold!


I’ve been enjoying watching the Olympics these past days and have been thrilled to see athletes from across the globe showing off their talent and strength: Usain Bolt, Jessica Ennis, Oscar Pistorius, Michael Phelps and Canada’s own Alexandre Despatie, who suffered a severe head injury weeks before the London Olympics… I hope everyone realizes that it’s not only about winning medals. We cheer on the hard work, passion, determination and commitment of these athletes. So here’s to all Olympians; gold, silver, bronze or no medals: WELL DONE!

And since, really, I’m not much of a sporty girl, here is my ode to gold!  
  

1. Deborah Lippmann Boom Pow nail lacquer / 2. Isabelle May Bardot bracelet / 3. Shu Uemura eyelash curler / 4. Gold python bag by Lanvin / 5. Kate Spade bow bangle / 6. Michael Kors Berkley Clutch / 7. Jimmy Choo Glenda glitter flats / 8. Christian Louboutin Rock & Gold ankle boots / 9. Lauren Elan James bracelet in gold (also available in silver) / 10. Essie Good as Gold nail polish / 11. Michael Kors Slim Runway watch.


Thursday 2 August 2012

How to Rock a Jean Jacket


Denim is always on trend. Even when the fashion world had its doubts about jean jackets, admit it, you still thought they were cool. With fall fast approaching, this little number is a wardrobe-must. Afraid you won’t know what to pair it with? Easy! Here’s how to rock it like a pro:



      { 1 }  { 2 }  { 3 }  { 4 } { 5 }  { 6 }  


Do you know how to rock a jean jacket? If so, don’t forget to post a link in the comments section so that we can check it out!