Hot Spot: House Guest

Last week I attended the media event for House Guest, Gastown's newest hot spot. And, it's just that.

The crowd was eclectic, from fashion bloggers to foodies, there was something for everyone. House Guest is definitely the type of place that attracts beautiful people, but it also boasts great food. I must say that the quality of the food surprised me, even though Liv & Kelsey had told me how great it was.

Liv & Kelsey of Northill Creative

In addition to the crowd and the food, the space is gorgeous. The branding was done by House Guest bartender, Adam, with owners Justin & Mattie leading the team behind the decor.

Food recommendations:

• PMC - pimento mac'n'cheese croquettes (the Red Eye ketchup is amazing)
• Petite Ground Round - braised short rib Sloppy Joe's (favourite!) *
• Fish Tacos - soft shell crab tacos*

* not on the online menu

I'd had such a great time at the media event that I had to go back the next day to try some other items on the menu (still delish), scope out the actual crowd (still beautiful and well dressed!), and drink some more!

Ashley from Social Chair & Peter of the Starving Stylist

Be sure to save me a spot at the bar.

Amazeballs

Some things require no words...

Tibi Metallic Jersey Easy Pant ($230) - image from tibi.com

And sometimes things don't need any words and yet you use them anyway.

These pants! Not only are they amazing! gold lame, but they're harem pants! Say it with me - gold lame harem pants. It's my sartorial nightmare dream come true! But seriously, forget a night on the town in these bad boys, try a Wednesday to work. I've never met a drop crotch I didn't love.

I'm such an 80s kid. And 80s-wear this time around is so much better than the first...

SATC2

A Little Less Wednesday & A Lesson in Primary Colours

If you had a really keen eye, you would've noticed that I wore my Wednesday Addams dress to the Vancouver Blogger Meetup panel.

Dress: Vintage Socks: Falk Belt: Club Monaco Shoes: Shoedazzle Bag: Cambridge Satchel

I probably could have gone a (little) bit shorter in the skirt, but at this length, it's still office appropriate. I love the shortened sleeves. I kept the collar because 1) I was kind of scared how it would look altered; and 2) Pussybows are so hot right now. But overall, I'm very pleased with my first go at reworking a vintage piece.

The primary colour palette wasn't intentional. It actually works without being too Sesame Street or obnoxious.

Wednesday already. Can you believe that it's the middle of November?!

untitled post.

Genius personified.

Vintage.

Homemade Vietnamese salad rolls.

Blackberry vodka sauce - perfect with ice cream.

Festive Hallowe'en cupcakes.

Shockingly accurate.

Hallowe'en costume.

More festive cupcakes.

Hallowe'en wig - playing with fringe.

Rawr.

Rainbows.

Brunch at Save on Meats.

Vancouver Blogger Meetup: Recap

First off, thanks to everyone who came out last Wednesday. A big thanks to The Network Hub for letting us use their fabulous space. A huge hug to Hummingbird 604 for asking me to be on the panel, and of course, a huge thanks to my fellow panelists: A Beautiful Life, Fashion Forward 40, & Style Struck.

For those of you who missed out, we had a lively discussion about monetization, the state of blogging in Canada, PR pitches, and many other things.

A few tips from the evening's conversation:

1) PR firms: Know the blogger & their content before pitching. Also, personalize pitches.
2) Some brands, big and small, don't see the value of getting blog exposure.
3) Don't get discouraged by not having a high number of comments.
4) Blog for yourself, not for attention.
5) Have a consistent brand across social platforms.
6) Post as often and consistently as you can.
7) Take the opportunity to meet other bloggers in real life - even if you seem like a stalker.

Likely telling about the time I was pitched a story about sex toys.

If you have any other questions for me to (attempt) to tackle, ask me on Formspring or shoot me an email.

(212) Showcase

A couple weeks ago, I attended (212)'s Winter showcase. The event was held at Montauk Sofa's new Gastown location. It is an amazing space with vaulted ceilings, exposed brick, wood beams, and glass. So beautiful. We were treated to canapés from Cobre and cocktails from GLIA.

Party, programs, cocktails, designers, & bloggers

The winter collection at (212) is...ok. There were some outfits in the show that I thought really worked, and some that worked but I probably wouldn't have felt comfortable putting together. That said, while the clothes are nice, they're just so, generic. The palette was muted, with greys, blacks, plums, and blues.

Vancouver is grey and dreary in the winter and I don't always want my clothes to reflect that too. I can't control the weather, but I can control my clothes and let them have the life that the weather lacks.

I really appreciated the layering and the turtlenecks. These are definitely looks that I would see in places other than Vancouver, so I definitely have to give credit where credit is due.

Thanks to DITC for hosting such a great event & for providing the photos.


Collage photos are property of Haus of Hybrid.

Sexy Socks

Coming back from New York Fashion Week inspired me to try some new things with my personal style. While I spend most of my days at work chained to a desk, it's sometimes difficult for me to really push the sartorial limits (although, on occasion I can get away with some pretty fun things...like turbands).

One of the things I've been experimenting with are socks. Not plain old black or white, but rather, pop socks. I've only been able to find a couple pairs of really good ones, so if you know where I can find more, let me know!

The first time I wore socks with heels was also the first time wearing pop socks - go big or go home right? That was back when the weather was warmer and I could risk going out in bare legs without fear of frostbite.

Recently I pair some socks with pants. Mine are cropped, but for a little bit of sass, roll up some other pants. (Yes, the bathroom is back.)

Shirt: Primark Pants: Banana Republic Blazer: Zara Socks: GAP Booties: Rampage

Same socks as seen here

Don't think that fun socks are only for the women! This is definitely something that the men can do too! Not only is it stylish and unexpected, but it's also an attention grabber and a conversation starter.

iPhoto My Life

I enjoy sharing the random photos I take in my day-to-day life because some of you don't follow me on Twitter (...and you should), and because it helps you gain a better idea of the person behind the madness.

The White Arrows

The Naked & Famous

Homemade cupcake from a co-worker

Outfit from Who Wore it Best day

Totally digging houndstooth right now

Outtakes from our Who Wore it Best (at work) shoot

My new Minnatonka's

Waffles from PHAT

Turkey sausage brunch from Seb's

See???

New ring & my favourite mug

Appreciation-grams from co-workers (proceeds to charity)

Turtle, Turtle: An Outfit Post

And no, I don't mean this:

I'm talking about turtlenecks.

I think most people thought Niki from A Haute Mess was crazy when she declared her love for turtlenecks, but how cray cray can the girl be when InStyle and the rest of the fashion world agree? (Don't answer that, because you have no idea...LYMY!)

I picked up a lightweight white/cream turtleneck from Joe Fresh a few weeks ago (I was planning on getting one from American Apparel, but since I wasn't sure if I'd dig the look, I opted for the cheaper version) and hummed and hawed over how to style it. The weight of the turtleneck was key for me. I usually shy away from layering because I don't enjoy feeling bulky. But I'm determined this season to experiment more with layers.

The possibilities are endless for such a great staple, it easily works in to my wardrobe in and out of work. (Apologies for the crappy photos - I don't leave enough time in the morning to take pictures before work, and by the time I get home at the end of the day....gross. So, here's a tour of the bathroom at my office. You're welcome.)

I wore this outfit before it became wool coat weather, but it can easily be adapted.

All basics: moccasins, jeans, turtleneck

Add statement necklace for a bit of oomph (also seen here)

Add another layer for warmth (or cold weather denial), I opted for chambray

Finish with your fall coat (leather, anorak, chunky knit, etc.) and a scarf

Wearing: Shoes: Minnatonka Jeans: Fidelity Turtleneck: Joe Fresh Chambray: By Corpus Necklace: Aldo Jacket: Identify Scarf: unknown (from a random store at the train station in Marseille)

Vancouver Blogger Meet-up

Come join me on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 7:00pm at The Network Hub for the November meeting of the Vancouver Blogger Meetup.

I'm going to be a panelist along with Olivia of Style Struck, Liv from A Beautiful Life, and Tracey from Fashion Forward 40. We'll be discussing fashion, blogging, and what it's like to be a fashion blogger.

Read our bios on Hummingbird 604.

Come join us for some dress up, drinks, and fun! See you there!