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"Thoughts"
Where would we be without the delectable, inspiring street fashion photographs of Tommy Ton? With all due respect to the initiator of sidewalk photography, Mr. Scott Schuman, I would say that Tommy Ton has spawn a new style of photography. (Jimmy Choo’s 2010 director of advertising sure liked it.) You may disagree with me, but then I have only my twenty-three years from which to draw. The influence of the real woman’s style has become such a significant part of fashion awareness, understanding the trends on the street is equally as pertinent as the trends on the runway. And those mesmerizing detail shots, how I adore them! They’ve become a necessary and most essential part of a fashion blogger’s repetoir. So thank you Mr. Ton! And without further adieu, courtesy of Style.com here are Tommy’s top photos from 2011:
Tommy Ton is to fashion what Ladurée is to desserts.
Care to add touches of glamour to your life? If these little practices aren’t already in your repertoire, then January is a fabulous time to introduce them to your weekly routine
Sitting down with your favorite magazine and a piping hot cup of tea or coco in that mug you purchased while traveling
Wearing red lipstick
Fresh flowers for your home
Traveling: I like to make it an occasion. I plan a cute but appropriate outfit. I dress my Passport in a chic leather cover. I have my essentials in my carryon: lotion, eye mask, Pashmina scarf, lip balm and of course the necessary reading. And I strut all the way down the air shaft to the plane.
Stepping out of a car legs first, so as to show off your shoes
Treating yourself to a blow out whether it is salon or home done
Purchasing a little something lovely from that gorgeous-but-far-too-expensive shop that you adore so much, like a beautiful scented candle or piece of stationery
Lighting candles when you are home alone and curling up on the couch with a luxurious throw
Having your nails perfectly painted
Wearing your most fabulous sunglasses
Decorating your home for the seasons
Adding texture and layers to your home décor with a gorgeous wool blanket, ornate and modern picture frames, metallic accents, delicious scented candles and sheepskins
Accessorizing an outfit; it just feels good and fabulous – and don’t forget a cocktail ring
Showcasing just your most fabulous lipsticks on your bathroom counter – I like to feature mine in a glass canister, with crystal diamond paperweights
Wearing an agora beret, because it’s very French of you and rather adorable
Dressing for the evening in a glamorous natural fiber like silk, you can’t help but feel elegant, and it radiates
Ordering a peanut buster parfait for yourself just because. What diet?
That sweet moment of calm after a hard-working yoga class; you’re lying on your mat under dimmed lights with only your breathing to focus on… It is a moment of true serenity
Knowing you have proper stockings and garters on under your dress rather than the usual tights
Laughing freely
Speaking confidently in a group of people – how it becomes you!
Ordering your drink of choice at each restaurant, some call it boring, I call it a signature and exploratory
Having a signature: red lips, always in heels, a gold watch or consistently having perfectly done nails
How many can you check off your list?? xo
TRUTH(S): So a couple months ago I started a new business venture (as you know), and thus, gave myself a pay cut. It seems brand new businesses don’t provide a consistent and dependable cash flow as corporations do. You gotta hustle for the money. Of course life has been different since having left my structured 9 – 5 office job, and while I am in no position to be buying Fendis or Pradas right now, I must say I am thoroughly enjoying the entrepreneurial ride. It is much easier to swallow the “I’m not allowed to go shopping” pill when you know you are building a business that will likely one day allow for a lot of shopping. (It better.) However, just because I am not currently shopping for myself (okay, so I might be picking up the odd thing here and there… like a pine scented Voluspa candle that was an absolute necessary purchase for the festive season! If I can’t have a Christmas tree in my apartment, I at least deserve the smell, right??), doesn’t mean that my family should suffer too. Holt Renfrew is currently having a designer sale (and a miserable one at that – slim pickings this year Holts) and I thought perhaps I’d be able to find a treat there for someone on my list. Even though I have been an avid Holt Renfrew shopper, and was indeed carrying a Cole Haan bag that I purchased there, I swear the sales people were looking at me like I was a bag lady looking to pop a bauble into my black puffer winter coat. One little sales associate followed me around. She sure killed my Christmas optimism. I wanted to punch her. I wanted to get in her face and say: “DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I’VE SPENT HERE OVER THE YEARS?! THE ONLY BAG LADY I AM IS A KATE SPADE, COLE HAAN, MARC JACOBS CARRYING KIND OF BAG LADY!” But I didn’t. I kept it to myself. I found myself feeling rather blue because of the experience on my way home, thinking of the negatives rather than the positives (of which there are plenty and I must remember that) and so decided to find solace in the fact that Ms. Carrie Bradshaw at one point had some serious financial woes that would surely trump mine:
Or find the episode here. Relating to Carrie sure helped.
TIP: On the money-saving side of things, my Mum taught me a good tip years ago that I swear by today: when you notice that you’re hair is in desperate need of a deep conditioning treatment or one of those fancy hair oils to help tame the wild ends, go into your kitchen, get the olive/sunflower seed/whatever kind of oil and put a little drop in your hands. Rub the oil around the palm of your hands so that it is evenly distributed and then slightly rub the bottom half of your hair. You’ll see smooth, shiny looking hair instantly, and the oil is good for your hair! Just be light on the application and don’t go anywhere near your roots, we all know roots need all the help they can get for volume, and most products weigh them down.
TIP: The VOLTS (an exclusive, invite-only online sale site) wants to extend an invitation to StyleStruck readers to join! Join here and use invitation code: STYLESTRUCK. There’s some fab things on The Volts – things that would make you a great gift-giver! #ILoveDealsAtChristmasTime
TIP: Score yourself a pretty-something-new with my angora beret giveaway thanks to Barefoot Contessa!
TIP: One more tip, it’s about skin. For the past 8 years I have suffered through hit-and-miss boughs of acne. While it was never severe, those pesky spots always came at the wrong time, like popping up on a shoulder when I was meant to be having a beach day, or appearing over night on my chin when there was an event that evening. Even the memories make me shudder. What changed? A few months ago I was having dinner with a good girl friend who stays in fantastic shape seemingly effortlessly. I asked her what her diet was like, she said she had cut out pasta, most dairy and red meat. (Talk about will power.) I thought I’d give it a try. Cutting down on the red meat was surprisingly easy, and cutting out milk was no effort at all as I replaced it with almond milk. Pasta was another story. It was through this experimental diet that I found out I am allergic to something in milk. It seems milk creates spots on my skin. Since replacing cows with almonds my skin has dramatically changed, it is less oily, way smoother and noticeably spot-free! (98% of the time – stubborn little beasts.) If you are a regular milk drinker and have had skin issues by the likes that I did, I recommend trying cutting it out – there’s nothing to lose, other than regular concealer touch-ups. :) (Give it about three weeks, that’s when I saw changes.)
Now back to glittering up paper – the positives are back in sight! Yahoo! – Since we’re sharing, I’d love to hear your similar stories and comments! (Comment above.)
P.S. With the Christmas season now upon us and card-giving time fast approaching, I’ve put a 20% discount on all LOVE + MARK’D cards! Use code: CHRISTMAS at checkout! Merry card shopping!
There’s been an online surge of quotes for the home lately, and having had an empty frame hang on my wall for some time now, I thought I’d create my own set of thoughts for the wall. But rather than be the usual life loving girly quotes, I decided to write a mix of positive thoughts about myself and a few big goals. While it may seem a dash narcissistic, having positive reinforcements in our spaces can really do wonders for the daily outlook, not to mention that having your goals in front of you helps bring them to fruition! Here’s my DIY:
My supplies:
{Ikea frame and mat, permanent gold marker & brown packaging paper from the local dollar store, Martha Stewart glitter glue pen & gun metal colored glitter}
The result: glittering reminders
Very pleased. What do you do to remind yourself of your goals and special attributes? Lots I hope! Bisous!
I purchased this book at Brooks Brothers a few months ago. While most of it is filled with helpful hints on how to be a proper lady, there are a few funny ideas, like this one. Had to share!
Happy Friday!
First, I have to say thank you to those who commented on my “feelings” post. I thought I might get some backlash for that, but your comments were so wonderful, and your words were taken to heart. Many thanks! <3
Bienvenue à Paris! Our first day in pictures:
{ The boulangerie near our hotel that makes the best crepes and serves fresh squeezed orange juice for breakfast }
{ Raspberry, vanilla, citrus and grapefruit flavored macarons! }
{ The first shop that I’ve really enjoyed, mind you it was the first day we went shopping here. I found a very pretty gingham dress and a silk blouse at Tara Jarmon, and am coveting their pony-hair leopard print tote }
{ Lunch break at a very french style side walk cafe, more often called a brasserie. Fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and my Armani sunnies }
{ The oldest department store in Paris - Le Bon Marché. It was here I picked up the cutest cream stationery set, complete with envelopes that are gold-lined and gold Eiffel towers printed on the cards }
{ The flower shops here are to die for, they are so beautifully arranged on the sidewalks, almost as if the flowers are bursting out of the store – j’adore! }
{ My afternoon pick-me-up }
Paris is the kind of city where you can stroll and stroll for hours and not get bored. The architecture is unlike anything I’ve seen and together with the river, the gold details everywhere and what seems to be music in the air, Paris is indeed a very magical and romantic city. Paris is a dream!
Xo SS
Strolling around English Bay on a sunny morning! I love this tunic, it’s the modest girl’s answer to Dolce & Gabbana’s eyelet ensembles. Today feels like a real Vancouver spring day, so of course I wanted to wear sunny, bright colours like dandelion yellow and gold.
Wearing: Exetera blouse and tank (underneath) from Bellissima, Sevens denim, Christian Louboutin sandals, Kate Spade tote, Michael Kors watch, Stella & Dot Eternity ring and H&M sunnies.
Dontcha just love an easy tunic? Girls, I know you’re pickin up what I’m puttin down here, it’s the easiest thing to wear after a big breakfast and a couple mimosas, no? Forgiving and glam! Loves it. I’ve been asked a number of times where I shop, the answer is everywhere and anywhere. I don’t think you can purchase everything from just a couple shops (although the hipster-esque girls clad head-to-toe in Aritzia would disagree with me). Style is innate, so really it doesn’t matter where you shop, as long as you understand the silhouette and fabrications that are on trend, flattering and to your taste. For instance, take this outfit, my jeans are from Aritizia circa 2008, my shoes a hand-me-down from my sister, my bag from Holt Renfrew, and my blouse from Bellissima, which is traditionally a ladies’ shop. I did a tour around the South Granville location of Bellissima last Friday and was very pleasantly surprised by the selection – see my last post! Do you have one favourite store or do you shop around as well?
Happy Friday!
Xo StyleStruck
Wearing: Wilfred blazer, Zara V-neck sweater, Zara leather studded belt, Fidelity denim, red suede *rain* boots – brand unknown. (I’d like to tell you they’re Balmain, but…)
This is what I wore this evening to the Style Salon event at the Shangri-La. I was going for sophisticated, casual chic, all in the spirit of dressing for Paris. You see, I’ve been doing my research to understand the key elements of Parisian style, all of which add up to impossible chicness. Here are a few things I have learned:
1. Clothes are meant to flatter the body, not suck the body in, meaning, the French do not wear their jeans plastered to their legs as North Americans tend to do (good-bye spandex-cotton blend!).
2. Great style has a classic element to it, particularly the silhouette. Think tailored clothes that fit well, no matter what the trend. Maxi skirts? Hits you at the right spot and flatters the waist. Boxy, menswear inspired wool coats? Worn in proportion to the body – proportionate collar, pockets, cuff detailing – so that the body is flattered and not disguised.
3. Good quality fabrics and detailing really lends itself to the overall “polished-ness” of a look, and certainly extends the life of your garments.
4. Style is how you wear your clothes, not looking for a stand out piece that will wear you. What I mean is, styling your clothes the way you feel they look best, perhaps you like your blazer sleeves rolled up with the collar popped, or wearing your sweaters tucked into skirts rather than worn out, or adding a wild dash of color to your outfit through your sock choice, a la Jeremy Szafron! (Video chat to come!)
I am over the notion that have personal style means you are the one that stands out most in a room for your outlandish look. Great style is in the subtleties, in the nuances and most certainly in the way you carry yourself and go through life. Ever think about what the style of your life is? What do you eat? How do you eat? Go out, or grocery shop and cook in? What is your mode of transportation? How do you feed your brain, as in, do you read and what do you read? What stimulates your mind? Are you aware of how what you say and how you say it will shape the perception that people have of you? Are you organized? Do you act calmly, or are you in a state of chaos? What does your home look like, and most importantly, what kind of company do you keep? Lately I’ve been feeling very aware of the style of ones life, rather than just the style of their clothes. I think the full package is the most interesting. Wow, I digress. I must be going through some sort of self-discovery type phase. Speaking to my style, I am willing to note that I now think my apartment looks like one giant tea-party – it’s too girlie and my decorative details are too prim and petite. I need to scruff it up quite a bit.
I was going to take a good number of pictures this evening, however, there was a photographer present and so I’ll let her pictures do the work, rather than mine.
Night!
Xo SS
Oh, and click here for an interesting look at W Magazine!
The new Facebook photo, complete with outfit tags
This afternoon I spent a little time going through my usual sites looking for the latest in social media and tech (Mashable, Wired – I really like their “Epicentre” blog, Globe & Mail, Fast Company, etc), when I came across this interesting article: You can now tag pages in Facebook photos. Did you know you could do that? I didn’t, then again, Facebook only launched it yesterday.
As I read the article I began to wonder what it’ll mean for fashion bloggers, particularly those who generate revenue from their blogs through paid clothing sponsorship. I think it’ll give brands a reason to question whether or not to continue supporting bloggers (uh oh, I’m questioning the hand that feeds me), when they will now have thousands upon millions of people tagging the brands they are wearing in their photos, which will automatically be shared with all of their friends, and then potentially “shared” with many more. That’s guaranteed visible promotion to target audiences. Will there now be less incentive for brands to reach out to bloggers for online marketing purposes? (I wonder what Facebook gets out of this? Maybe one day it’ll cost a business to set up a page… Hmm.)
The thing is, of course, that the bloggers who receive free clothing do so because companies view them as taste makers and know they have a dedicated and loyal readership, whereas we can assume your “friends” on Facebook aren’t checking out your profile in hopes of outfit inspiration, but more likely to see what kind of debauchery you were involved in on the weekend, or who you’re now dating (perhaps as a result of said debauchery). So, now the PR folks have yet another tool to understand, figure out how to leverage and communicate to their clients. Will brands now go hunting for the taste makers of Facebook? I suppose we shall see.
In the meantime, I’ll take a blogger’s opinion over a Facebook photo any day. I’d like to know what you think, drop me a comment if you like!
Xo SS
I am a believer that the most interesting stories come from those we may not look twice at, from everyday people. Consider your own stories and what you have to share, likely I’d rather listen to your thoughts and insights than know what a celebrity has to say, or rather, what their PR team has them say. On that note, here is a video featuring one of New York’s most talented modelistes, or pattern-makers, Nicolas Caito. I love little looks into everyday life like this.
Xo SS
Of what the home-owner (Manhattan-based model Elettra Wiedemann), is saying here about her space, is just beautiful:
“We love to entertain at home. We usually do dinner parties or drinks and dancing. A few weeks ago, we had a chef come over and give a cooking lesson for a bunch of us and then we all pigged out and had champagne into the wee hours. It was super fun, and I learned some great dishes!”
{This picture is one of a series from Lauren Santo Domingo’s APT feature on Vogue.com. Click here to view the full piece!}
A cozy, well-dressed room filled with happy cooks, delightful food and topped-up champagne flutes. I can hear the laughter in my head and I dream of getting all my closest friends together in an elegant room to share a toast to our combined happiness. Doesn’t that sound sensational? Speaking of sensational, I give you one of my loves, the great charmer, Dean Martin:
I do hope you enjoy Mr. Martin as much as I do!
Xo StyleStruck
I present to you some of my most treasured bags: (and my cat)
Apparently, what’s mine is Marie’s.
This collection of bags has come to me over the past four years, mostly from vintage shops around Vancouver.
You’ve seen this bag before – vintage Pierre Cardin, purchased from Deluxe Junk in Gastown for a fraction of what it’s worth. This bag doesn’t seem to wear down, I’ve taken it everywhere and paired it with everything from yellow snakeskin heels to Uggs during a winter outing, circa 2008. It accompanies me on all big occasions – what doesn’t snakeskin pair well with? it’s basically a neutral!
This little piece of candy, by Franchi, was something I had my eye on for weeks at Holts, and then my sister bought it. So I didn’t. Then, when I got my Miu Miu sparklers (seen in last post), I regretted not having it because obviously it wouldn’t have been too much to wear them together… or so I then thought. Anyways, my sister has recently been cleaning out her closet in an effort to downsize and gifted me with this adorable little bag for my birthday! LOVE! I see it with nude mary-janes, or perhaps a new pair of neutral snakeskin platform peep-toe pumps, those would be my perfect shoes. Do they even exist??
This leather alligator-printed bag was a find at a Main St vintage shop. It finally came home with me two months after I first saw it, a surprise gift! It is Italian leather and surprisingly completes many outfits – I love the graphic look of the print. Fabulous.
I’m quite sure you’re familiar with the yellow Kate Spade, it’s become a clear favorite. The other, the little pink vintage eel skin clutch is from Value Vintage about 2 years ago when I had first moved to Haro and Bute and Robson shopping was just a hop, skip and a jump away. I would go shopping in the mornings before work, which is actually how this blog came about – an early morning trip to Starbucks and Value Vintage. On that note, happy 2 year anniversary to this blog!
With summer just around the corner, and hopes of making it across the Atlantic to France and England, I’m pinching my pennies. Hence a post featuring bags I already own and plan to use in fresh ways, as I plan to do with all my clothes. Actually, as you might assume, I have amassed quite a collection of clothing over the years, and this spring when I pulled out the S/S boxes from under my bed to switch the winter clothes into, there were so many pieces I had forgotten about! I’m looking forward to styling them into the current trends! (Confession: I can’t stop shopping. I’ve bought a few new things lately, and then the guilt becomes so overwhelming as I know that money should go towards my being able to sleep somewhere in Europe that I return the items right away. Fashion torture. I can’t even go near the shops. Don’t even mention Zara to me.)
Xo StyleStruck
Wearing: Simply Irresistible Leopard print sweater, Dynamite white tank, studded leather belt from Zara, Fidelity black waxed denim, Steve Madden patent leather buckled boots. Fossil watch, vintage ring from NYC. Pink MAC lip colour seen here.
This morning I woke up to the smell of fresh sheets, it’s one of my favourite things ever. Last night I crawled into bed and lit a delicious Soapology candle, with a scent called “morning dew,” making my room smell even more delicious. (I also watched The Bachelor as I enjoyed the romantic candle-light with Marie. I’m a sucker for that show.) I did a little work from bed, oh the luxury of a lap top and working from home, and then finally got on with the day, starting with a few pictures. Leopard and leather called to me this morning. Now I must be off to run around town checking errands off my list!
What little things make you happy on these never-ending cloudy days?
Xo StyleStruck
Today was one of those odd days, and I think I predicted it this morning. I was sitting on the couch, getting a start on my morning work when I noticed that the sky was pink. My father, whose work is to charter his boat and take visitors up and down the Sunshine Coast on trips, used to tell me that “pink sky at sky is sailor’s delight, but pink sky is the morning is sailor’s warning.” Warning for trouble and for storms. I know that he meant it literally, but for me it seemed like a figurative warning. Nothing too crazy happened today, but some not-so-normal things happened, I feel a bit thrown off. In any case, here’s what I wore on this particular day:
~ I feel like this picture, above, sums up today quite well, things were good, but just not quite on point. ~
Wearing: Talula sweater, TNA tank top, Tasha necklace from Nordstrom’s, Forever 21 skirt and boots from Winners years ago – brand unknown.
I was reading through my Twitter feed this afternoon and noticed a tweet about this fantastic website: The Coveted. If you haven’t checked it out, you really must. The Coveted features the interiors of fashion’s heavy hitters’ apartments and closets. I’ve already spent too much time on that site.
Time for bed and a new day!
Xo StyleStruck
Upon looking through my list of favourite bloggers it seems to me my style is a little different. A real mish-mash. I have no idea what to call it though, as I’ve said before. It just is. At some point in my life I’d like it to be more define-able. My top 3 fashion bloggers all have such a fashion identity: Aureta, Emily and Kelly. Here’s what I’m wearing today (mostly), as I fiddle with various programs on my computer at the local coffee shop:
I haven’t shown you my feet because I’m not wearing any shoes. I couldn’t figure out what shoes to wear with such an outfit, and I figured that by the time I figured it out I could have a whole blog post posted. Due to my shoe dilemma, I ended up switching the leather skirt for a pair of loose fitting green Fidelity cargos and Chuck Taylors. Forgive me, I feel like that’s probably a fashion-blogger no-no. *Slap on the wrist*
Wearing: New Era cap, vintage fur vest, gifted Bilby & Moss long sleeve tee, Zara pleated leather skirt and gold studded belt from Bang-On. Gifted Cheeky Monkey nail colour titled, Back Alley Sally.
Must get back to work now!
Xo StyleStruck
