Tis The Season!

Just like summer is known for being 'Wedding Season', December is known for being 'Party Season'.

Here's where you can catch me over the next few weeks:

Tweetup for a Cause - December 2

On Wednesday, December 2, Bloggers and Tweeters from Vancouver are meeting at Library Square to collect non-perishable food and monetary donations. Stop by between 5-7pm and bring an item or two, or even $5 to donate to help someone else have a memorable Christmas.

What's Hot for the Holidays - December 2

Yes, my second event for Wednesday. Thankfully, this party, held at Boudoir in Yaletown, runs from 7-9pm. The event, hosted by Crave, Operation Style and Boudoir, will feature 20% off Boudoir dresses and gift certificates, plus plenty of other surprises.

Haus of Klaus - December 10

From 5:30-7:30pm, Noir Lash Lounge is hosting an invite only event. Celebrating the Holiday season, and the launch of the much anticipated Noircissist card, this party is going to be fabulous!

Gift of Design Fashion Show - December 17

As I previously mentioned, the Gift of Design is a great opportunity to get a sneak peak at Vancouver's up-and-coming designers. Dress to impress, as the dress code of The Vancouver Club doesn't allow jeans. Which, for us ladies, means that the men there will be well dressed...mine included.

Gift of Design

On Thursday, December 17th is the Gift of Design Fashion Show.

Gift of Design is a showcase of Kwantlen's 3rd year design students. The event is being held at the fabulous Vancouver Club and tickets are just $30! That includes admission, a free drink, and the chance to win some great door prizes. Plus, in the spirit of Christmas, proceeds are being donated to the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau!

My cousin, who currently works at Zoots (on 4th) and will soon be moving to Moods (in Yaletown), will be doing all the hair for the event. Plus her fiance is working with the jewelry.

If you're anything like Mandy and I, we're already trying to decide what dress we're wearing. Something fabulous, obviously!

If you want more info, contact Mandy, since she's the communications coordinator!

Hope to see you there!

The Greatest Baking Accomplishment Ever

Almond macarons.

They have feet! Success!

I made an almond buttercream rather than the typical ganache. I'll definitely be making a ganache next time.

Ganache or not, they were still delicious.

Lusting

Elizabeth and James Isis Dress - $445

Since I first saw the line created by the Olsen Twins, I have been in love with Elizabeth and James. They have such an amazing knack for design, recognizing how fabrics drape and fall on women. The Isis dress is amazing. It reminds me of the asymmetrical dress that Serena wore on Gossip Girl last week. I love the ruching detail on the sides to hide a less-than-perfect stomach. Kimono sleeves are my favourite because they're so comfortable. The length is great because you can just wear a simple pair of killer heels to complete the look - minimal to no jewelry. And with a hook-and-eye closure, leaving a slit in the back, is classically sexy. To finish, the fabric looks so smooth, like suede, that I just want to rub it against my face.

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Escape

On the Sea-to-Sky

Vacation anyone?

Gimme S'mo

S'mores Cupcakes.

They were much better than the Rocky Road ones. Chocolate chip and graham cracker cupcake with a faux marshmallow icing. Yum.




If you ever want a recipe, just email me.

Let's Hear it For the Boy

Not all of us fashionistas are blessed to have a fashionisto as our leading man. But, thanks to this article in the Globe and Mail, there is hope!

The article was inspired by, Put This On, a fashion blog by men for men. It features How-To webisodes that address issues that men have.

The idea of the site is great; there is definitely a need for fashion blogs directed at the general male population. Looking through the site though, I didn't find it as helpful as another blog though.

The Style Blogger is another male targeted blog that I find a lot more informative than Put This On. I really like that it has questions from readers about issues that are practical and informative. If I were to recommend a blog for men to read, it would definitely be this one.

Fashion Smashion

There are no words to describe this debacle.

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Lusting

Sam Edelman Zoe - $320

Like most fashion bloggers, I'm always browsing shopping websites. I never buy anything though, because I'm always so freaked out that whatever I buy won't fit, and it will just be far too much work to ship it back and exchange. So because I'm on a quasi-shopping ban, I've been doing more browsing than usual. I was fortunate enough to come across these lovelies. I love the contrast of the suede and leather, but what made Cupid's bow strike my heart, were the harness-esque straps. Yes, they would be tedious to put on, but with skinny jeans, liquid leggings, a skirt/dress and tights...oh baby.

As Seen On...

Global Grind!!

The Haus of Hybrid was quoted on Global Grind - The World According to Hip Hop, and I couldn't have been more stoked.

It was my piece on Steph Pratt's plastic surgery. And while it was a rant of sorts (because she looks totally ridiculous), it's also an important subject.

Young women these days have such distorted views of beauty. They think that they need to be stick thin and have the perfect everything. That's not the case, at all. Unfortunately, the industry that we all love promotes this image. But the biggest culprit is Hollywood, obviously. If Steph Pratt wasn't on TV, there would be no way that she would have even thought about getting plastic surgery. But because she is, she felt pressured by everyone around her, probably indirectly, to go under the knife. There is no reason that anyone that age (what, 22?) should ever get plastic surgery, unless it's for medical reasons. Starting young like that just creates more and more problems and before you know it, you'll have a forehead like Vanessa Williams or Nicole Kidman.

As a community, promoting a healthier image is something that we need to advocate. Start at the grassroots level. Make our voices heard through little things, like writing a letter to Glamour Magazine, telling them you loved a certain model in their pages.

Happy Weekend All. Happy Friday the 13th!

My Love is Like...Vampire Blood?

If you know me really well, you know that I am Anti Twilight (as well as Harry Potter), which is why this is kind of a weird review for me to write. I almost feel hypocritical, but I justify it because I am so Pro DuWop Lip Venom. I love the tingly sensation that you get when you wear DuWop products, so when the DuWop Lip Venom V was announced, I was skeptical because of the Twilight influence, but intrigued.


The DuWop website says that Lip Venom V is not a gloss but a "shimmering crimson lip stain" with a "super potent bite". It is considered to be a lip conditioner and contain argan, avocado, olive oils, and vitamin E.

Let me start off by saying that anything that is written on the website about vampires and crap, is well, just that. Crap. "This product should be shaken before use to represent the blending of the human and vampire worlds". Seriously? If I had seen the website prior to buying the product, there was no way I would have. I'm 25 for Pete's sake! I don't want some crap thrown at me about vampire and human worlds. The marketing for the product is horrible. It's a $25 lip stain! Not a gloss. So, using this ploy to market is a bad idea. 15 year olds can't afford $25 lip-anything, nor should they be wearing lip stain. But that's another issue all together. I understand that the product is Twilight sponsored, no problem there, but the marketing is totally corny.

But other than that, everything else said about the product is bang on. It provides a great red colour, an awesome tingly sensation, and it feels good on your lips!

The downside is that the red colour is a bit too bold for every day wear. It's a night shade of red, and would be difficult to pull off at work or school. But props to you if you have the confidence to rock that look in the day.

Overall, I'm not too satisfied with the product though. But here's why: I didn't know that it was a stain. I was expecting a red lip venom gloss, so imagine my disappointment when I discover that it's just a stain. I didn't read up about it before - I saw DuWup, I saw red, and I wanted. So any dissatisfaction that I have with the product is entirely my problem.

Verdict? Toss up. If you're willing to spend the money for a small lip stain, then do it! But I know that I wouldn't because there are other products out there that are a bit more economical for me.

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Lest We Forget

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Make sure that you take a moment today to think of all of those who gave their lives so that we could be here today.
And of course, those men and women who are over in Iraq and Afghanistan today and those who are preparing to go over there.

~

A friend of mine is in Afghanistan as a US Army Medic - everyone who loves him is counting the days until he's back safe.

When Stop-Loss came out in theaters last year I went to see it. It upset me so badly that in the middle of it, crying, I texted one of my really good friends, a ROTC Army Cadet at Arizona State, that I didn't want him to go to war.

To Americans, knowing someone that has been or is going to war is common, but in Canada, it is extremely rare (at least to my knowledge) to know someone in that situation, which is why I brought up these two individuals.

Regardless of why people choose to go to war and regardless of why we are fighting these wars in the first place, these people are heroes, and today, we honour them.

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Another One Bites the Dust

I suppose it's that time of year where people are pinching their pockets in order to save up for Christmas.

True, the MARC by Marc Jacobs bag that I'm lusting after isn't super expensive. However, I haven't had a job in almost 2 months. Yes, I have a job that I'm starting on Thursday, but it's still going to be at least another 2-4 weeks before I even see a pay cheque. So needless to say, it's not going to be mine anytime soon. (That being said, it doesn't mean that it, or it's close relative, won't be mine ever, just not in 2009.)

So it's true, I too, am on a shopping ban of sorts. Nothing compared to Nicole's ordeal, but rather, I'm just trying not to make crazy outlandish purchases.

Yes, I know that I have a job, but it's not permanent, so it will end probably around May. Plus, my best friend moved to London (Boo! Hiss!) and we're hoping to go to Egypt for Easter, so I need to save for that too.

So, here's to all of us who are trying to save some money, for whatever reason, and end up crying ourselves to sleep at night because there are so many fabulous things that we have to hold ourselves back from buying. (A lack of shopping creates a void in your life! Men can't understand it.)

Good Luck Everyone!

Lusting

MARC by Marc Jacobs Natasha Classic Q shoulder bag - $330 on Net-A-Porter

I saw this purse the other day on TheStyleSpy and it was love at first sight. Not only is purple one of my favourite colours, but I love over-the-shoulder bags - look Ma, no hands! The size is great - sometimes I find my bags a bit too small sometimes, and the one bag that is the perfect size is too casual for some outfits. Thankfully, this bag also comes in basic black, perfect for everyday use. But with violet as an option, is there really any competition? *Sigh* If only I had a job, then I could justify spending that kind of money.

WTF? and Whine Wednesday

I haven't done a WTF? Wednesday in awhile, mostly because there haven't been many things that I have found so irritating that I need to vent about them. Or, I've found things to drive me crazy but they would have been far too difficult to write about. But this one came easy...


Top 10 Things That Make Gossip Girl Suck (This Season)

10) Relationship longevity. What's the point of introducing a character (like Bree) and have them leave within 3 episodes? Especially in Bree's case when you try to develop a storyline and end it in 1 episode.

9) Letting Michelle Trachtenberg sign a contract for Mercy. Sure, Georgina was a bit psycho this season, but the girl makes for good TV.

8) Scott. I can't stand him. He freaks me out.

7) Dan. I had hope for him in the first episode when he was a jerk and got everyone to stay at Georgina's rooftop party rather than going to Blair's saketini party. (Who doesn't want saketinis?? Especially free saketinis. Pretentious or not, college students love free.) But it's been downhill since.

6) The lack of Blair's original followers. They were hilariously awesome.

5) Blair's new followers. They don't even have names. Or lines. Or really serve any purpose whatsoever.

4) The lack of Nelly Yuki.

3) The lack of good storyline for Vanessa. She's pretty and has potential. But stop making her waffle from bad to good and vice versa. Plus her hair is bad. Quasi-dreadlocks? No thanks.

2) Letting them graduate. I understand that people age, but did you ever see Saved by the Bell?? Once it went to College Years, it was bad news. Same with The OC. High school drama is where it's at. Has there ever been a show about kids starting college and how they deal with drama?

1) The show is called Gossip Girl. Where is GG? Aside from the occasional voice over, she's nowhere to be found. Didn't GG say that she would be following them to college? If that's the case, then what's up?! I want the simultaneous texts!


Honourable mention goes to Nate and his lack of storyline.

What else would you add?

Mrs. O Knows

In the December issue of Glamour, (Michelle Obama on the cover??! Loves!) the First Lady discusses dating. She says, "Cute's good. But cute only lasts for so long, and then it's, 'Who are you as a person?' Don't look at the bankbook or the title. Look at the heart. Look at the soul. When you're dating a man, you should always feel good. ... You shouldn't be in a relationship with somebody who doesn't make you completely happy and make you feel whole."

This is definitely something to think about. It's definitely a politically correct way of saying "don't date a douchebag". But of course, there are articles out there that try to make sense of why Hot Girls Date Douchebages.

I don't think Nice Guys have to finish last.

It's a Rocky Road

Last week, I bought a new cupcake book, which I previously mentioned. While I have at least 2 other cupcake books, I bought this one because the recipes seemed to die for! From Margarita cupcakes with lime glaze, to Tiramisu cupcakes with mascarpone cream, and White chocolate panna cotta cupcakes with passion fruit sauce, I was practically drooling in the store.

I first conquered the Rocky Road cupcakes, a childhood favourite.

The Rocky Road mixture, marshmallow, walnut and chocolate chips

I am a big cupcake fan, so I've made my fair share of cupcakes. There was just something about this recipe that didn't quite work out for me. The batter was really thick and sticky, nothing like a normal cupcake batter. This lead to the cupcakes being very dense and cakey. I'm not sure if this is how they're supposed to be or maybe I messed up somewhere (doubtful because I was pretty methodical). It's possible that they were supposed to turn out dense because they have the rocky road mixture in the cupcake, in addition to the topping. The idea of the cupcake is really great because it's such a classic combination. If I were to do it again, I'd try using a standard chocolate cupcake batter and then add in the rocky road mixture, just to see how it works. But regardless, the cupcakes were a big hit when I took them to the boys that I volunteer with!