Sunday 15 September 2013

Trending Now: The Dos and Don'ts of Sneakers


A while back, I published a "trend alert" about Wedge Sneakers. It soon became the blog’s most viewed post. Women of the world shouted hurray for comfort! Months later, the wedge sneaker is still a must-have accessory, perfect for the fast approaching fall weather. Recently however, I’ve been spotting a new version of the trend  *drum roll*  Ze Sneaker. I’m not talking Isabel Marant here, I’m talking Nike, Adidas... the classics! Many of you are thinking “Whoa, we were on board with the wedge, but gym shoes ain’t sexy!” I assure you ladies that once you’ve seen the following pics, you’ll be running out to get a pair.

 
Here are my dos and don’ts regarding sneaker wear:  1) Your gym shoes and your fashion statement should not be one and the same. Leave the sole support in your locker  2) Go for a thinner, sleeker shoe. They will pair up perfectly with a skinny jean  3) Don’t be shy to roll up your pants and show off a little ankle  4) Don’t rock a skirt with this look. Now’s the time to showcase your androgynous side and play up your femininity with simple pink lips, loose curls and full lashes  5) Don’t downgrade your accessories. Bring out your favourite oversized purse, manicured white nails, and sexy shades.
 
 
 

Monday 19 August 2013

Silver Lining / Summer & Fall Beauty Goods


This weekend was my sister in law's wedding. I carefully packed my bags, excited at the idea of wearing my new BCBG dress, my epic new necklace… my sky high heels… That is until, my husband forgot my luggage and I was left 150 miles away from clean underwear and my new goods. No deodorant, people! No shoes for the wedding! I’m convinced this is a girl’s worst fashion nightmare…

I guess there are worst things than having to buy new makeup, shoes and undies… Here are my go-to beauty products – all fresh and new!


Foundation: Cover FX, pressed mineral powder foundation with SPF 10  & Giorgio Armani’s Maestro Skin Perfector / Eye Shadow: I swapped my classic Naked Palette 2 for Lancôme’s Colour Design in Gris Fatal / Mascara: Guerlain’s Maxi lash / Eyeliner: Smashbox’s Limitless Liquid Liner Pen in black

Monday 13 May 2013

Cloud of Doubt


Several months ago, I went to a gallery opening...

The atmosphere is electric; the crowd is great... the art is even better! I’m in my element. An acquaintance turns to me and says “Emily! Meet (let’s call her Olivia)” “Olivia! This is Emily. She has a great blog about art and fashion.” Icebreaker! I’m digging it. Olivia raises her eyebrows ever so slightly: “Oh my. Art annnnd fashion?” Her eyebrows rise up a notch. “I’d never dare. Aren’t you scared to lose credibility? I mean, we all like fashion and makeup, but to say it out loud is... well...” She sips her wine and bats her eyelashes. I smile and think Whatever, I rock. At the time, I don’t remember being particularly frazzled by this statement, but it’s the kind of comment that slowly grows until it forms a small cloud of self doubt...

I suppose I thought that coming out in the open might create an interesting discussion. Am I the only one that feels this way? And while I’m at it, you know what? I like Macklemore’s song Thrift Shop. I don’t care what people say! It’s catchy and hilarious. And my toenails are blue. And I buy more art than I have wall space. And I also buy sandals, like this epic pair from Zara:

Suck it Olivia.
 

Sunday 31 March 2013

Peeps Show (Happy Easter!)


I absolutely needed to share this HI-LA-RI-OUS article D sent me a while back, which documents how Peeps are made. I am a big Peeps fan – not so much because of their taste, but mostly because they are so cute slash creepy. (Ahhh... the unique but thrilling combination of cute/creepy; a rare gift!)

Cute fact: did you know that Peeps were created in 1953? And that 2 BILLION Peeps are produced every year? Creepy fact: Peeps are insoluble in acetone or water. Ish. Now that’s food for thought.
 
Purple Peeps on the conveyor belt.
 
According to The New York Times, “It takes six minutes to make a Peep. Ingredients are mixed, air is injected and the emerging Peep is blasted with a sugar shower and decorated with two tiny eyes made of edible wax.”
 
Sugar coating


The eye attachment station

 
‘‘No one Peeps chick is the same as another,’’ claims Matthew Pye, the company’s marketing director. ‘‘Each one has its own personality.’’

Eye placement guidelines


Peeps rejects (insert sad face)
 
 
 
Peep away; I want to her from you! What’s your guilty pleasure?

 

Monday 18 March 2013

Hey you! Homes, clothes and some Stikki


Peeps, I haven’t been in touch in forevaaa! Life has been too hectic/crazy/amazing to sit down... here’s a short recap: Hubby and I bought our first home. Wait, that totally deserved more exclamation points... let me start over: Hubby and I bought our first home!!!!!!! It’s a done friggin’ deal. Can you believe it? After months and months of searching, we fell in love. The move in date is August and although that seems quite far away, I know time will fly.
I’ve also been blessed with some epic girl-time and you know what that means! Shopping! Below, you’ll find a few of my fave new purchases.
Vero Moda’s kakhi jacket with faux leather sleeves ... if it's got faux leather sleeves, I'm buying it. Period. / Kate Spade Winking Georgie clutch (it ACTUALLY winks... hello awesomeness!) / My fave conditioner by Kiehl’s / Rebelle Rouge Coco Shine by Chanel / Lemon coloured iPad cover by Coach / Art geek alert! I purchased Urban Outfitter’s Curtis Kulig iPhone cover. This totally kills my street cred, but I think it’s worth the risk.
 
And since I appear to be on a spending roll (guys, guys, this didn’t all happen in one day... I haven’t written in a while, remember?) I also purchased this awesome new silkscreen print by the Montreal artist Stikki Peaches. For those following my Instagram, you know I’m a fan. Come on ladies! Batman and James Bond rolled into one? Printed on crinkled kraft paper? Ohhh... so badass I couldn’t resist. Being an art historian has its perks, so I was able to purchase this print before its release date... it should be available soon by clicking HERE.
 
Stikki PeachesBatBond (edition of 50) soon available at Station 16.
 
How have you been?
 

Monday 28 January 2013

Interview with Emma Arnold


I recently had the opportunity to interview Emma Arnold, founder of the Institute for Art and Environment. The I-AE is an organisation which focuses on the role of art within an environmental discourse. Quite simply, it's "part art project, part geographical study." I’ve followed Arnold’s website and Instagram for some time, and have been impressed with her documentation of Montreal’s urban art community. Keep reading to discover what led this Environmental Studies Graduate to pursue her passion for mapping Montreal’s street art.

Tags and the Guarantee Pure Milk Bottle
 
 
In 2009, you founded the Institute for Art and Environment. What motivated you to do so?
The I-AE was born out of a mix of love and frustration: a love of art and a frustration that in the environmental field more attention is not paid to arts and culture. In the environmental sector, there is a very strong art/science divide and I wanted to try and bridge that divide through my research.
 
What is your passion?
Professionally, I consider myself a cultural geographer and at times an environmental philosopher. But I am also an artist – an illustrator – and I bring my passion for art to everything I do. I believe that my mixed background in the arts and sciences is part of what makes this research innovative and interesting. In some ways, I take a very scientific approach to my research but I also understand art and the techniques and skill involved in graffiti and street art.
 
In your opinion, what defines street art?
I try not to define street art. Instead, I take a pretty broad approach in my research. I take photographs of anything that was left there by someone else. These might be tags, stickers, paintings, drawings, wheatpastes, sculptures, messages, anything really.
 

Mural by Cryote and Waxhead
 
 
What is a typical day like?
Because of the nature of my field research – walking outside and taking photographs – it often depends on the weather and the light. A typical day of fieldwork involves randomly picking a neighbourhood and walking around with my camera. Part of my research involves trying to get lost in neighbourhoods so I do not usually have much of a plan in mind when I go out. On a good day, I’ll cover 10-15km on foot and take about 100-500 photographs. So far, I have walked over 500 km and taken thousands of photographs. The rest of my time is usually spent at my laptop. I map my routes, edit photographs, and upload images to my website and to Instagram (@artandenvironment). I also spend time doing research, writing papers, and lecturing or presenting at conferences. And with what time is left in the day, I draw and paint and make my own art.
 
How does Montreal’s geographical environment affect its art community?
Montréal is a relatively small city whose streets are grid-like. It is therefore fairly easy to navigate. Because Montréal is an island, it is also physically constrained. While some artists tend to concentrate on one neighbourhood, it is not unusual to find an artist’s work in many different areas of the city. In terms of the way the city is planned, some neighbourhoods are more conducive to graffiti and street art. Some have a lot of abandoned buildings which are prime targets while others have great alleyways that quickly become densely populated with art.
 
 
Hand drawn and painted wheatpastes by Stela, 52hz, Futur Lasor Now, and QbNyc
 
 
Should one assume that all street artists share an environmental consciousness?
No, I think that street artists share an environmental or geographical awareness that is very unique. Graffiti and street artists have a very intimate knowledge of the city. To be a street artist, you really need to understand and appreciate the city and urban space. Graffiti and street artists are great geographers.
 
You have walked across all of Montreal in the search for that perfect picture or unexpected finding? Do you have a favourite area to visit?
I am not sure that I am looking for that perfect picture. My photographs are not just documentation but also the data for my research. I suppose I have a bit of a soft-spot for the Sud-Ouest, close to where I grew up. It is an area that is changing quite rapidly and it has been interesting to observe. The other day, it was -26C. I was freezing and my camera battery kept dying because of the cold but I followed a series of hand drawn stickers throughout Pointe St-Charles. I had never seen them before and it was so exciting.
 
 
Hand drawn sticker by MNO XI
 
 
How would you compare Montreal’s street art community in comparison to Los Angeles or London?
Both Los Angeles and London are megacities with much larger, sprawling populations. Of course, they have a rich street art culture but they are also much bigger. Montréal is small and the art community seems to be rather tight-knit. A lot of street artists know one another and collaborate with each other. There are also a few dedicated street art bloggers who document the movement very well (e.g. Aline Mairet). There are also many devoted people who document the scene on flickr and Instagram.
 
What’s next for the I-AE?
I will be starting my PhD at the University of Oslo in 2013, continuing my research in Montréal but broadening the scope to other European cities as well. In the meantime, I am working on several papers to present at conferences. One paper will be looking at the subversive birds of artists Futur Lasor Now and Listen Bird. I am also working on a piece about female street artists in the city, looking at how women work in a male dominated subculture and urban space.
 
 
Good morning St-Henri by Listen Bird

Protesting Lasor Bird by Futur Lasor Now
 
 
 

Monday 21 January 2013

New Discovery: INKKIT


If you’re like me, cute design + glitter = love. I’m not necessarily proud of this equation, but it is what it is and I have come to accept it. For those who love to go the extra mile when sending a letter or wrapping a present, let me introduce you to etsy’s über adorable shop INKKIT. Beware: it's addictive!  

Montage via


Tuesday 8 January 2013

@partymixtape


So peeps, I’m finally on board with technology! I am officially iPhoned and fully armed to better Instagram. Find me under @partymixtape

 

Monday 7 January 2013

Gucci x Hirohiko Araki


We’ve seen several designers join forces with artists in recent years: Louis Vuitton collaborated with Takashi Murakami for their iconic white tote with candy-coloured logos. They followed suit this summer with one of my faves, Yayoi Kusama, known for her bold polka dots. In 2011, Dior debuted their partnership with Berlin-based artist Anselm Reyle at Art Basel Miami Beach. It seems to be Gucci’s turn to enter the contemporary art world.


Fashion fans and art lovers meet Japanese manga artist Hirohiko Araki. Although still fairly new to the North American scene, his series Jo Jo’s Bizarre Adventure, has sold over 70 million copies in Japan alone.

Araki created a story entitled Jolyne, Fly High with Gucci, for the normally conservative brand. These images will be displayed in the windows of all seventy stores worldwide. Gucci’s art director Frida Giannini is excited with this collaboration: “I am quite sure his window installations will stop people in their tracks in cities around the world as they immerse themselves in the fabulous fantasy world he has created.”


For more on this subject, click HERE and HERE.

Wednesday 2 January 2013

Blogaversary


Today marks PartyMixTape’s one year anniversary! I can’t believe how far it’s come…. Looking back, I’ve had some epic interviews with artists such as Whatisadam and Antoine Tavaglione; with reputable designers like UpStage Montreal and Damask & Dentelle; as well as the best of the best in terms of beauty with Beauty Editor. Throughout the year, we’ve seen trends come and go (goodbye green pants and neon eye shadow) and we’ve seen others come back strong (burgundy: where have you been all my life?). All in all, it’s been a pretty fantastic 2012 and I’m bubbling with anticipation as to all the great adventure 2013 will bring.

One of my goals when starting this blog was to share my very varied interests and meet new people with whom to share these passions. Well, it’s been a success as PMT has permitted me to get to know some amazing people, namely Danina from DKMTL, the team at Station 16, the wonderful Galerie Trois Points and Merriah from Art Intake

Words to live by! (image via)


A big shout out goes to my faithful readers and friends.
Thank you for your comments – they are always welcome and appreciated!
 
 
Cheers to 2013!