NYFW: A Look Back at September 2012

To mourn the first New York Fashion Week that I've missed in 4 seasons, and to celebrate the wrap up of this season's NYFW, I bring you, 2 looks from September 2012.

Tank: Banana Republic Skirt: Obakki Boots: Alexander Wang Bag: Michael Kors - Photo Credit

Dress: Vintage Bag: Michael Kors Shoes: Zara - Photo Credit

Sunglasses: Spitfire - Photo Credit

Check out my other posts from this week here and here.

2012: Year in Review

2012 has come and gone. Can you believe it? Where did the time go? It seems as though it was yesterday I was making my first New Year’s resolution.

In 2012 I resolved to try something new every month. I think I succeeded.

January: rode in an ambulance and got CT scan

February: went on a date with a complete stranger (in NYC no less!)

March: applied for a job I didn’t have a chance in getting, but landed among the top 3 candidates

April: signed up for the Bar Method’s 90 Day Challenge

May: took a leap of faith

June: applied for my first out of Province job

July: attended a wedding solo where I'm not really tight with anyone other than the bride and groom (Yes, it’s just as awkward as it sounds)

August: went to my first music festival

September: took my first overnight bus trip from Ottawa to NYC and back

October: joined the FHFF team/started shamelessly promoting myself to strangers in Ottawa to get a job

November: started my first French novel (I’m still reading it…)/met 1-on-1 with the Associate of my department/submitted my first article for print

December: did the bone luge at Wildebeest

2012 was a bit of a tough year for me, but it's ended on a solid, good note and I can't wait to share it with you. 

Did you manage to keep your 2012 resolution? What are you resolving for 2013?

Have a happy and safe New Year! See you in 2013!

Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers (for men)

Stockings can be one of the most fun and easiest things you can put together for Christmas. But aside from the standard fare (magazines, mandarin oranges), here are some items that show just that little bit of extra effort.

Image via Dela Cruz PR

Instance Harlow socks - $11.50
Cool socks for guys are a thing right now.

Image via Dela Cruz PR

Urbanears Medis earbuds - $60
They come in a variety of colours, patterns, and styles.

Save on Meats sandwich tokens

Encourage do-gooding.

Image via etsy.com

My Bella copper money clip -  $24
The best part, get it personalized. Lots of other styles available on Etsy.

Image via amazon.com

Tovolo sphere ice molds - $12 (set of 2)

Round ice prevents your drinks from becoming diluted.

Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers (for women)

Stockings can be one of the most fun and easiest things you can put together for Christmas. But aside from the standard fare (magazines, mandarin oranges), here are some items that show just that little bit of extra effort.

Image via sarahapp.com

The Lip Slip - $24 (from BeautyMark)
My favourite lip gloss. Read my review.

Image via kitchening.ca

Kitchening & Co. macarons (Urban Fare & various other Vancouver locations)
Delicious and they look pretty.

Image via katespade.com

Kate Spade business card case  - $58

It's always really great to be able to give someone your business card from a professional looking case. If this one's out of your budget, Etsy has lots.

Image via cwonder.com

C.Wonder cashmere heart gloves - $58

They're super cute and they have smartphone-capable fingers!

Image via cwonder.com

C.Wonder monogrammed stationary cards - $10 (set of 8)
Because everyone wants monogrammed stationary. No? Just me?

Bombay Brow Bar brow tab (6 services for the price of 5)
I don't know about you, but I'd be stoked to get this.

Event: Secret Location x Man Repeller

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

Beauty: Butter London Autumn/Winter 2012 Collection

The Autumn/Winter 2012 trend report contains a huge list of trends and one of my favourites is making its way into the beauty world.

Butter London's Autumn/Winter 2012 collection is reminiscent of the fabric blocking that we saw on the runways this past February at Herve Leger and Alexander Wang.

From the press release:

Sequins! Velvet! Satin! Tweed! This season, the catwalks were abundant with rich texture! We’ve translated this to nails through the infusion of glitter particles and metallic and holographic finishes. The colour tones speak to “earthiness” but are not specifically earth tones – think rust, shimmering greens and silvers. This collection feels future-forward but not futuristic. This season is all about using texture to add interest and depth to your look!

Lovely Jubbly

Trustafarian

Gobsmacked

Shag

Dodgy Barnett

Butter London polishes are $14 and can be found at various retailers across Canada and the US.

San Francisco: Photoblog

A month ago, I went to San Francisco with some girlfriends for the Outside Lands music festival. The festival was awesome - it's music, art, wine, food, and beer focused...so basically adult Disneyland.

Native Shoes - a festival must

PDX art

Hey-my-flight-was-delayed-and-it's-only-10-but I've-been-up-since-3am margarita 

More PDX art

SFO Civic Center

Best. Coffee. Ever.

Always the blogger. Outfit heading to Of Monsters & Men concert

Hey it's @sarallin & @em_rossco

Hofbrau Haus steins remind me, so much, of Oktoberfest 2008 - Biergarten in SFO 

Of Monsters & Men concert at the California Academy of Science - music, food, science, and cocktails might be the best combination ever

Art

Fried Chicken Yum Yum from 4505 Meats

Wine Lands!

Chocolands!

Live mural paintings 

Frickles from Those Fabulous Frickle Brothers

Pre-gaming pre-festival

Party brunch! (9 mimosas later...)

Pretty

Denim on demin (DIY vest & t-shirt)

Gilroy Garlic Mac & Cheese from Homeroom

Brunch at Straw

Obviously

Egg-in-the-hole brioche toast

Chocolate chip pancakes with Nutella maple syrup

Jenga french toast

Red velvet waffle with vanilla cream cheese frosting

Malaysian nachos

Stevie Wonder & his keytar

'Everywhere you look...'

Chocolate peanut butter pie while waiting in line for Ike's

PART of the line at Ike's

Best sandwiches in SFO 

Big bite