Event: Secret Location x Man Repeller

Wednesday, November 28, 2012
A couple weeks ago, Gastown's Secret Location welcomed Man Repeller, Leandra Medine, to Vancouver.


The crowd to see Leandra was pretty crazy. But what else would you expect for one of North America's most well-known bloggers?

The line to see Man Repeller
Secret Location owner, Carey, looking fierce in items found at the store
And now a super awkward montage of photos.




Leandra and I quickly chatted about my favourite post of hers from this past New York Fashion Week. I had had a similar conversation with a couple friends in the menswear industry in New York a few days before that post went up and have had similar conversations with people since.

It's funny, I can totally relate to the situation Leandra describes at Fashion Week. And while there are a lot of photographers who want the crazy outfits, the more well-known, established bloggers are starting to want those who look much more effortless.

It begs the question, has street style maxed itself out in terms of it's insanity, encouraging people to dress in ways they otherwise wouldn't? Is street style going to experience a regression towards more minimalism or just cease to exist (in a world where we are increasingly self-indulgent and narcissistic)?

Leandra's face was getting sore from excessive smiling, so naturally I provided a public service

Save on Meat's Mark Brand & CBC's Big Decision

Tuesday, November 27, 2012
I don't often write a lot about myself here, aside from self deprecating commentary, but I wanted to share with you a story that I really connect with and that is deserving of some seriousness. Regardless of whether you're from Vancouver, the USA, Europe, or Asia, we can all relate to the causes of these issues. All it takes is for one person to lead the charge.

Mark Brand became a household name thank to the OWN network's 'Gastown Gamble', a show that told the story behind Mark's acquisition and revival of the historic Save on Meat's butcher shop in Vancouver's Downtown East Side, Canada's poorest neighbourhood.

Image via Ki Communications
Aside from just reviving a local icon, Mark wanted to establish a social enterprise in the neighbourhood through collaboration with other local programs, providing the area's residents a chance to start over. Rather than viewing these people as addicts, prostitutes, and other nefarious labels, Mark (and his partners) gives them back their identities, their names.

Currently, Save on Meats supports a meal program that feeds 450+ DTES residents daily (we're talking 7 days a week, daily), and is rolling out a one-of-a-kind meal token initiative on November 29, 2012.

The Save on Meats meal token program aims to target that dilemma we all face when we're approached by the homeless. We want to help, but we can never guarantee where the money we give is going - food? Drugs? Alcohol? These tokens, worth $2.25, enable the holder to visit Save on Meats and exchange the token for a breakfast sandwich. The tokens have no monetary value and cannot be exchanged for anything else.

Through his media team, Brand says of the program, "This token program has been a long time coming. It isn't just about being able to provide someone with a nourishing meal, but also the engagement into your community and the power of real human interaction. This is our city and we want to make it better every day with unconventional solutions."

Tonight, Mark Brand and Save on Meats will be featured on CBC's The Big Decision (at 9:00pm!). The show features 2 Canadian businesses that are struggling in the current economic times. Arlene Dickinson, a Canadian marketing communications entrepreneur, will make the Big Decision, as to whether she will step in and invest in Save on Meats, or the competitor.

Earlier this fall, Mark spoke at both TEDxSFU and TEDxVancouver, sharing his story of how Save on Meats came to be and the social enterprise that is currently helping transform the DTES. You can watch Mark's TEDxSFU talk here (TEDxVancouver talk isn't available yet).

Save on Meats has some cool things happening over the next few months - stay tuned to their website for more details.

Event: Blanche Macdonald Fashion Design Show

Monday, November 26, 2012
Last week I attended the annual Blanche Macdonald Fashion Design Show, featuring the school's recent graduating class.

In their final semester, fashion design students have to come up with a 3 piece collection - designed and created in 4 months. What an impressive feat for students enrolled in the 1 year intensive program, with varying backgrounds in design. At Blanche Macdonald, students learn pattern making, garment construction, and portfolio development.

My favourite designs from the show:

Colleen Schneebeli 
Jena Lewis
Katy Baldock
Paul John Reyes 
Summer Li
I really love the juxtaposition of the pristine white dress and the tattooed model in that last photo.

And since I never shy away from an opportunity to look like a nerd... I ate about 6 cupcakes before, during, and after the show...as evidenced by this photo. I'm actually wearing a respectable outfit for once...unlike here, here, here, and here (and probably many more).

Dress: Banana Republic, Shoes: Zara, Watch: Timex

Fashion show photos via Dela Cruz PR.

Event: Ishara x Lauren Moshi Pop-up Shop

Thursday, November 8, 2012
A couple weeks ago, I attended the launch party for the Lauren Moshi x Ishara pop-up shop.

Lauren Moshi is an LA-based artist whose clothing designs consist of original, limited edition prints.

Tanks and t-shirts are $110 (other articles available on Lauren Moshi's website) and prints are $495.



Sweets provided by Cadeaux Bakery





If it's on a button, it must be true

With Alex from To Vogue or Bust, Jennifer from Prairie Girl in the City, and Jen from Her Waise Choice
Meeting Alex for the 27864872364th time - photo credit: Andrea Gurniak

Event: L'Oreal Paris Canada

Tuesday, November 6, 2012
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to have my makeup done by L'Oreal Paris Canada makeup artist, Eddie Malter. Having worked for L'Oreal in both France and Canada, Eddie (and L'Oreal Paris) have moved on from being the official makeup sponsor of Toronto Fashion Week and is now focusing on red carpet looks for celebrities at events such as the Toronto International Film Festival.

We chatted about the L'Oreal Paris products that had come out over the past few months and I'm excited to see what the line has to offer for the holiday season and early 2013.


One of the products we talked about is L'Oreal Paris' Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream. We all know that BB Creams are the talk of the beauty industry these days. What's different about the L'Oreal Paris one is that it comes out white and self-adjusts to create the perfect shade for your skin (whereas other BB Creams are already pigmented). The formula is light and not sticky or tacky on your face. 

With Eddie Malter
My look from Eddie Malter (ft Magic BB Cream, Extra Intense Liquid Pencil Eyeliner,  Power 24H Voluminous Mascara)
L'Oreal Paris swag
 The L'Oreal Paris team was kind enough to give me samples of all the products that Eddie used (and then some!), so I was able to play around with the BB Cream to see if I could make my skin look as flawless as Eddie had.



Success! The Magic BB Cream was as easy to use as Eddie said. I did use a bit of concealer, but not much. I'm pretty lazy with it comes to makeup, so for application to be that easy and successful, it's a definite win for me.

Photoblog: Catching Up on Life

Monday, November 5, 2012
Canapes from Hubbub
No Fixed Address
Seared scallop from No Fixed Address
PNE food
Canadian Parliament
Ottawa
Ottawa
Gothic architecture in Parliament
Parliamentary Library looks like Hogwarts



End of vacation
Enjoying the last days of summer
Feasting at Famoso Pizzeria
Vancouver harbour
Sea planes!
Victoria harbour
CK Underwear - no underwire = most comfortable bra ever #pushit



Vancouver's Kristie Yung preforming at TEDxSFU
Speaker hobnobbing
Vancouver's gem








Lavender latte
Cafe Medina

Espresso braised pulled pork from Murray Street Kitchen in Ottawa

Testing new cocktails at Social in Ottawa

Fall along Rideau Canal

Fried green tomatoes at Union Local 613

Toronto
Treats from One King West

With Ashleigh McIvor
Wedding attire (Obakki)




Fish tacos from The Union Bar
Papaya salad