Hey Style Maven!
Happy Holidays! The new year is rapidly approaching and I resolve to step up my style, one layer at a time. What’s your style resolution?
For the style conscious, step out of your comfort zone and for those who tread lightly, plunge into something out of your ordinary.
Stay on trend with lace-ups and 90s inspired gear and don’t be afraid to break the rules.
I love make-up, especially mascara, so when I got L’Oreal’s
Voluminous False Lashes Mascara in a Fashion Week swag bag, I was over the moon.
The commercial promised false-like results without the mess, not
true. The first time I tried this mascara I though perhaps I had gotten an expired edition. After talking with other beauty aficionados I quickly realized that it was the product not a bad batch.
The worst thing a mascara can do is clump or smear, this does both. It goes on clumpy leaving your lashes tangled and looking like you have all of 3 prongs of hair, disastrous! Good luck trying to recover mid make-up, take my word for it; you’ll have to start from scratch. This product does nothing that it promises, pretty packaging but a giant fail. Save your money!
Hey Style Maven!
Planning a haute Holiday, how about a chic Christmas? Bring on the fun! But before the bubbly, there is that small issue of wardrobe.
Holidays can get hectic, next to Wedding season; holiday style is next in line for times that our wardrobe gets a workout. Not to worry, the season is easy to navigate with a simple black dress and a few statement
pieces.
First and key is a simple black dress. A classic cut that compliments your figure will work best as it is flexible and will last you a
lifetime. This season calls for something with an architectural feel but don’t feel pressured, simple is best. Next, accessorize, I love bold necklaces and vibrant shoes and purses. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns and colours, breaking the rules exude style confidence and will almost always get you a feature in the Newspaper’s style section.
Happy Holidays!
Photography: Champagne by Ambro
It is not easy to achieve fashion and function simultaneously but enjoying Winter is easy, with the right wears. That is why I have turned to 3 countries with notorious winter climates for style inspiration. Here are three countries to channel this winter:
1. RUSSIA: Fraternizing in Fur
A Russian friend once told me that Russians gets dressed up to buy bread. She drew a picture of opulent, brand conscious glamazons, going about life’s little chores in style. How fabulous! To channel Russia this Winter, I suggest something Fur. Faux is just as good as the real deal with this look. You can do head to hem or little touches here and there.
2. CANADA: Cold but Cool
Canadians are silently stylish. No other place on the planet does Winter so well. Unfortunately Canadians suffer from a style inferiority complex that I suggest disregarding this Winter. Channel Canada in cozy down coats and heavy knit sweaters. Canada Goose (clothing) is an excellent source when shopping. The citadel Parka pictured above is one of my favorite pieces this season.
3. SWEDEN’S SERANADE
Gorgeous and Winter savvy is how most people think of Sweden and its people. Their neutral nature and bright personalities keeps them stylish and warm during the Winter months. Channel Sweden this winter in down Vests, bright coloured Parkas and Snow Shades. Loving this pair from Swedish brand Dr Zipe (http://drzipe.com/).
Special thanks to http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/
Marcheleo’s Gourmet Marketplace is the latest addition to trendy Mount Pleasant Village. The chic food store opened its doors earlier this month with an approach that is both novel and niche. They customize the shopping experience.
How we eat and where we get our food has never been more important, and food stores like Marcheleo’s are picking up where the ordinary grocer gets off. The latest edition to the new food revelation covers all the bases, they offer ”gourmet-to-go meals, specialty grocery items, like organic and kosher foods, gluten-free alternatives, and fine imports.” The store caters to a crowd that modifies based on allergies, health reasons and those that are food conscious. Prices are on the higher end and you won’t find generic brands that are expected in your regular supermarket. This is common in shops like this where the objective is subjective service.
The staff is friendly and the service exceptional. Visit them at:
Check out this sleek espresso machine by Bialetti Tazzona. It’s the epitome of style and will be a purchase that I’ll be making shortly.
Traditionally, tea is my thing, but early this past summer all that changed when my friend VP, a much evolved style aficionado took me on an impromptu visit to Mbco Inc, a quaint modern take on Italian cuisine tucked away in Yorkville, for what he called “espresso time”.
Until then, I had espressos here and there, but only to fit the right
encounter. To me, espresso was a European thing that has a niche market here with history of hot in the 1990s.
On that visit to Mbco Inc I had a tutorial on ”espresso time” that involved the obvious espresso, a chocolate soufflé and some sparkling water. I must mention that VP is a well-travelled Ethical Lawyer who has a continent or 4 under his belt. Being around him is always an experience and the tutorial although unexpected was welcomed. According to him, espresso should be taken in one gulp followed by the sparkling water to cleanse the pallet. I can’t remember if the chocolate souffle had a purpose other than just being delish, but from that day on I always make time for “espresso time.”
SARA LEMMERMEYER
Spotted: YORK UNIVERSTY
On her Style: “I DO A LOT OF ONLINE SHOPPING…PLUS I’M IN A BAND”
Looking good while you learn is not easy. As a student myself, I can honestly say, some days you feel like wearing your PJs to class, and some do. Thankfully there are Mavens of style like Sara, to remind us that we can be fabulous in both the classroom and on the style scene. I love this look, the layering is flawless, her lace-ups boots are bossy and on trend and her statement lipstick and bag pull the whole look together. Would you believe that I ran into her on a washroom break between classes? Head’s up! You never know when you’ll meet your next style soul-mate.
60 of Bloor-Yorkville’s beauty and wellness specialists, has come together for another edition of Beautylicious.
Back with a bevy of all things beauty and beyond; the 10 day celebration that makes indulging easy, runs October 27th through November 6th.
Getting pampered should always be this simple. Those wanting to take part, simple has to choose a service category, then pick a price point, then sit or lay back and enjoy the benefits.
Service categories are Hair, Spa, Skin and Wellness. With price points ranging from $30 to $125, there truly is something for everyone.
For more information including participants and packages, check out:
http://www.bloor-yorkville.com/beautylicious
The next edition of Lg Fashion Week runs Oct 17th through the 21st. The theme is “Canada Cool” and the line-up is a collection of veterans, visionaries and young designers vying for their place in the spotlight.
This edition’s Venue, 221 King West, is a nice change . The Fashion faithful, myself included, were getting bored with the Heritage Court experience. Here’s a look at the Calendar, shows are subject to change. More info at www.lgfashionweek.ca
FEDERICO MAHORA ENCOURAGES YOU TO “DISCOVER YOUR SCENT”
It’s the ultimate in scent; a combination of vibrating aromas meets self soothing. The FM collection, a relatively new line to Canada is the answer to instability at the cosmetic counter. Federico Mahora offers a dynamic tutorial in Fragrance quality and exposures the truth behind the science; a revelation long kept secret from consumers. The secret is that most scents sold over the counter only contain a small fraction of perfume and are mostly made up of Alcohol. Surprised? That’s why FM has partnered with Drom to create a line of Fragrances for a fraction of the price
Drom, a name that is well known in the scent community has over 100 years in the Perfume business. A well respected Perfumery, it is one of the leading creators of most of our favourite brands. It isn’t far fetched to say that the FM line is created side by side with larger brand names. The difference is “what’s inside”.
The FM collection offers a higher amount of perfume content; as a result you are treated to a longer lasting product and a fragrance that lingers longer. The most expensive women’s fragrances all contain 20% perfume oil and last up to 9 hours. All of FM’s Parfum for women contains that same 20% with a much smaller price tag. The most affordable FM Parfum is $12 for a 15 ml bottle and the most expensive is $30. FM is sold via distributors by word of mouth, this way the prices are kept low. There is no money spent on advertising, no celebrity endorsements just the nudge to go out and “discover your scent.
The full collection is available at http://www.fmgroupcanada.com/
