My Morning Coffee

I have a routine. Every morning I wake up around 8. I lay in bed a minute or two, thinking about my day, and what I feel like wearing. Then I get up. I open my bedroom curtains. Then I open the sliding glass door to let the cool morning air in. I turn the radio on to the CBC (they have great music playing till about 9am) and turn on the computer. I put the kettle on to boil some water for my tea (gogi berry green tea with matcha). Then I sit down. My first task is to log into my e-mails, once I know there is no major business to attend to, I start to indulge in my morning coffee. You know the kind, usually with full milk, none of this skinny shit, with an extra shot of espresso and super sweet. But because I rarely drink coffee (like I said I'm more of a tea girl and also because I'm on a health kick and the only way I like my coffee is super sweet and creamy) I indulge in lifestyle blogs. My favorite being the enticing blog(s) by Yvan Rodic. His pictures are not of any one topic, but of images he captures along his journey around the globe. His pictures are both innocent and gritty. And yet he is able to capture beauty where you would least expect it. I always enjoy sipping my tea and browsing his collection of photos, it inspires me to see outside the box. That beauty exists all around us and does not follow any rules. He also runs another fantastic blog, which is my second cup of coffee,called Face Hunter. Enjoy!




Images Yvan Rodic and Face Hunter

Stealing Beauty

I watched Bernardo Bertolucci's Stealing Beauty last night. I was shocked I had never watched this movie before; it's over 13yrs old! I was captivated with Liv Tylers portrayal of 19yr old virgin 'Lucy'. Not to mention the breathtaking scenery. The whole movie was filmed in Tuscany, Italy. Now part of me wants to move there, become an artist and eat cheese and bread, and drink wine all day. Wait, I do eat cheese and bread, and drink wine...quite often! Well Tuscany has moved up on my list of places to visit. Anyways Lucy's wardrobe had strong feelings of teenage angst (think Hole), mixed with a dash of romance. Many of her outfits were seemingly similar to today's street style. Overall I'm quite happy with the $5.99 purchase I made for this movie (it came in a 2 pack with 'Anywhere But Here').

images stealing beauty

My Top Fives for Fall '09

I went for a job interview earlier this week. They asked me what I think are a few of the top trends for the upcoming season. I know this, I have been reading and studying Fall '09 trends for the past 4 months and yet my mind froze! So today I'm going to list my top five must haves for Fall/Winter '09:

1) Grungy
aka grey sweat pants and shirts, the 90's
Inspiration: Isabel Marant, Rag & Bone.

Rag&Bone - style.com

Isabel Marant - style.com

This look was introduced to us this summer, but sweats were cut off into shorts paired with sky high heels with tough embellishments and a slouchy blazer. I'm looking forward to carrying this look forward into Fall, I mean who doesn't love to be comfortable? And this look has all the makings for that 'I don't care, but ok, I do care' confidence. It's the fashionistas answer to the suburban house wives Lululemons, only WAY cooler!

Silence and Noise Knit Trousers - UO

American Apparel


2) Killer Boots Man
aka a great pair of flat and heeled lace up boots
Inspiration: Street Style from around the Globe

Crystal W from lookbook.nu

Alexander Wang - style.com

Rumi Neely of Fashiontoast.com

image style.com

I love the tough element a great pair of Black lace up boots adds to any look. I'll be pairing these boots with dresses, ankle length trousers, skirts, shorts, skinny jeans, skinny pants...they just fit with any look!

Swedish Hassbeens Lace up Boots - UO


3) Dresses, Dresses and More Dresses
aka DRESSES
Inspiration: 3.1 Phillip Lim, ACNE, Preen, Alice+Olivia...

3.1 Phillip Lim - style.com

Acne - style.com

I love dresses. I find then easier to wear than pants. Especially because I always have a hard time finding a pair of pants I like to wear more than 3 times (but that's something I'll elaborate on in my next must have). You can always wear a dress. You can dress it up with heels or dress it down with tough boots (see above). A dress solves all problems...really if only life were that simple! I went a bit over board this season; see I work in wholesale and I tend to get discounts on items and can do personal orders. A major perk, although not on my bank account! Anyways I do believe dresses are a must have. Always. And this season my choices range from a LBD perhaps with a strong shoulder, to floral and flowy.

Preen - Net-a-porter.com

Alice and Olivia - net-a-porter.com

Silk T-Shirt Dress - UO


4) Super Skinny Pants
aka Leggings with a fly
Inspiration: Alexander Wang, Helmut Lang, Elizabeth and James

Alexander Wang - style.com

Helmut Lang - style.com

Elizabeth and James - net-a-porter.com

Skinny pants. I'm talking super skinny pants. And I'll admit I was a big fan of the legging. But I have come to terms, the legging is done. And with that, this season the super skinny pant was introduced. Now rest assure, most of these styles have a lot of stretch. I mean they would have to seeing as most of us are not part alien (you know the type, 5'11 and a size 0). And there are so many options; leather, denim, cropped. So replace your leggings with a super stretchy skinny pant and continue wearing all those cute tunics, boyfriend blazers, chunky knits and shirt dresses we still love.

PS I still think the latex/leather legging we all ran out and bought last season should not be retired. And could still be a great substitute for this look.

image Holt Renfrew.com
Rag&Bone, Theory, Tory Burch


5) The 80's
aka sequins, bold shoulders, fur, lace, light denim
Inspiration: Balmain, Haute Hippie, Alexander Wang, Isabel Marant, Marc Jacobs.

Isabel Marant - style.com

Haute Hippie - shopstyle.com

3.1 Phillip Lim - style.com

Alexander Wang - style.com

I know this last 'must-have' is quite broad, but were the 80's not full of hot broads?! Broads in fur, lace, and sequins. All I have to do is add in a dash of light denim and throw on some shoulder pads and I feel like I'm back in 1986 with my mother back combing my feathered bangs. Hot right?! The point is which ever way you take it and to whatever degree you feel comfortable there is a little piece of the 80's incorporated into numerous looks this season. Pairing hot super skinny pants with a fabulous cropped fur coat, a sparkling sequin dress (I ordered the most fabulous pink and black sequin dress from Inwear) with a cropped light denim jacket and your date ready. I love fall fashion!

marc jacobs - style.com

Balmain - style.com

Spanish Moss Vintage

marc jacobs - style.com

Spanish Moss Vintage

American Eagle.com

Watch Out

Sophia Hesketh

Aurel Schmidt

Alexia Niedzielski

Style.com named these beauties as the new faces to watch. I'll definitely be following.

The September Issue

I can barely contain my excitement when I watch this trailer. I'm keeping my fingers crossed it will be showing in Vancouver, or I may be taking a trip across the border...no joke.

Official Website The September Issue

Think about it...

Source GLAMOROUSECCENTRIC.com

Let me lead my post by asking the following questions about the above three images:

1. If it were Kim Kardashian, and not Kate Bosworth, wearing this outfit would you like it?

2. If it were Lauren Condrad, and not Kate Moss, wearing this outfit would you like it?

3. If it were Vanessa Hudgens, and not Mary-Kate Olsen, wearing this outfit would you like it?

Your answers may vary, but I wanted to discuss the notion of a "style icon." While I believe someone like Mary-Kate has firmly planted themselves as style icon and truly deserves such a title, once the title is given do we take everything the icon wears from then on as a masterpiece? Do we worship style icons blindly? If Mary-Kate stepped out in pink leather pants, would we all want a pair?

Let's discuss Kate Moss. In a white t-shirt and jeans, Kate Moss is brilliant. It becomes effortlessly chic genius. If Britney Spears is in the exact same t-shirt and jeans, I doubt her picture would get posted all over fashion blogs and magazines as a source of inspiration. Which leads me to my next question, how much does the actual person wearing the clothes change how we see the clothes themselves? Hiedi Montag, in Mary-Kate's clothing, would feel totally different by virtue of her being her. Skinny Montag aside, a lot of this discrepancy has to do with one's physical body type.

It seems that most "style icons" are incredibly thin. Does that thinness subconsciously manifest itself in our belief of their fashion entitlement? A model in denim cut offs and a white tank becomes something entirely different than that same exact combination at a local mall. To what extent is your actual body type fashionable? It seems that being an icon really goes beyond the clothing you wear. There are all of these other factors that seem to obscure the clothing itself. And is that fair for a body type to be deemed more fashionable than another? Once we come to associate a person as fashionable, it seems they can do no wrong, and anything that looks "off" to us is just something we must adjust our eye to.

I'm curious to hear from all of you what you think of this topic. If it's photographed in Vogue, do we love it? If Mary-Kate has a pair, do we want them? If Marc Jacobs designs it, do we need it?

Do we worship blindly?

Please Note: I take absolutely no credit for this post. It was posted by a fabulous new blog I just starting browsing called glamorouseccentric. I just thought it was well written and entirely true. I would NEVER follow what Heidi Montage or Paris Hilton or Carmen Electra was wearing, even if I did secretly think their outfit was cute. Although when I look at fashion I'm often drawn to a piece or a look. So I admit I don't love everything the 'Kate's' or the Olsen's wear, but I do look to them for inspiration on how I can create my own 'look'. And the same goes for designers, I love Marc Jacobs (he is the epitome of cool)...is his Fall '09 Collection my favorite? Not necessarily. However with any designer, style-icon or regular Jane doe we look at, isn't the beauty of fashion in the eye of the beholder? I guess what I'm trying to say is, no, I do not worship blindly, I worship individuality and creativity.

A Fool Proof Salad for All!

Here's a recipe for a fool proof salad. As in even those who don't like eating their greens will be asking for seconds.

Mix in a large salad bowl:

1 head of romaine washed and cut into bite size pieces.
1 bunch of spinach washed, dried.
1/3 cup of crumbled feta cheese
1/3 cup of dried cranberries (or pomegranate seeds if in season)
On the stove put 1/3 cup of pine nuts in a frying pan and toast (med heat) toss frequently so they don't burn. They are done when the nuts are a golden brown and you can smell them.

Toss all ingredients on top of the greens.

Now make the dressing.

1/3 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon oregano (fresh or dried)
add salt and pepper, to taste

Shake or stir ingredients. Taste. You may want to add a bit more maple syrup ( I like my dressing a bit sweeter). Once mixed up pour dressing over the salad and serve! (best to add dressing right before you are serving)

This salad works great with ANY meal combo. Whether it be steak, turkey burgers, chicken, or smokies, it's a hit!

MinkPink

Does anyone know where I can find Mink Pink in Canada? I know this is Spring/Summer '10 but I want pretty much all these pieces NOW! I would love to check out their Fall/Winter '09 Collection...

source minkpink
website minkpink.com