1. What are my favourite flowers? Definitely peonies! Sadly, they’re poisonous to kitties so I no longer bring them into my home. I also love hydrangeas!

2. Who’s my favourite model? Hands down Abbey Lee Kershaw! Adorable. (It used to be Agyness Deyn, was who the inspiration behind cutting my hair short a couple years ago).

3. How do I keep my skin so nice? Well, I battle with keeping good skin just as everyone does. Recently I’ve gotten more serious about a skin care routine and now use Skoah products religiously every morning and night. Other than that, I try to drink lots of water, eat well and of course avoid smoking. (Never have, never will).

4. Do you ever go thrifting? What are your favourite stores to get vintage clothes? Yes, I adore vintage clothing, though lately I haven’t had much time to shop. I would say that I don’t have a favourite vintage shop, as each may hold one treasure amongst a sea of not-so-great pieces. But generally Deluxe Junk in Gastown is good, as is Front & Company on Main St.

5. Who do you relate the most with out of the SATC girls? All of them, for different reasons. Just like with the Spice Girls back in the day, one day I’m feeling sassy, the next I’m feeling a bit more conservative. There’s a piece of each girl in all of us, which I think is a large part of the reason Sex and the City has done so well.

6. Do you ever feel insecure about yourself? I used to more than I do now. Of course I have my moments, but as I get older, I find that I face less insecurities. Confidence is key!

7. What personality were you in high school? I was fairly outgoing and friends with an eclectic mix of people. I was very academically inclined and was therefor gung-ho for committees like the student council and grad committee. I was also a tad obsessed with acquiring as many academic awards as I could. I guess that means I’ve always been a bit of a geek!

8. Do I get many hurtful comments on my blog? Occasionally I get a random comment telling me an outfit is horrible. Here’s what I think about negative comments: if that person is reading my blog everyday and continually checking up on what I’m up to, then I will give them the satisfaction of having their comment posted. After all, they’re adding to my number of visitors each day! I knew that when I started a blog I was making myself susceptible to criticism, heck, I was asking for it by putting my life on the web!  (To those of you who do make the few negative comments, thanks for reading!)

9. What makes a true and great friend? My very closest friends are the girls in my life who I can tell everything and anything to. They’re the girls who laugh at me, laugh with me and leave the unsolicited advice at home. 

10. In social parties, do you go up to strangers and start a conversation or are you more reserved and prefer to be approached by people? Both! I love to chat with everyone! I’m certainly not shy!

Okay, that’s it for now. If you didn’t see the question you asked listed here, that’s because in the past few days since I have installed Formspring, I’ve received a lot of questions. I’ll answer more in the coming days! : ) Thanks for your interest!!

Xo StyleStruck

Do You Know Your Target Market?

Search Engine Optimization 101

I’d love for you to take a look and let me know what you think! my hope is that if you’re involved in the business of internet marketing, or business in general, you find these articles helpful! My posts for Bratface Marketing will be coming weekly now, so keep checking back!

- SS

Bernadette Chirac

Recently I came across an article in Canadian Business Magazine explaining about the quotas set in European countries for a certain number of women to be on company boards. The legislation for the quotas was set as a way to increase diversity in corporate management. However, it seems that those who held the power pre-legislation have found a way to maintain their power hold; bring on elderly women who haven’t held a job in 40 or so years who can act as female representation. For instance, the LVMH company brought on 76-year-old Bernadette Chirac, the former first lady of France. I found this article quite interesting, if you’d like to read more, click here!

Xo StyleStruck

Sitting on a Yaletown patio, (Starbucks), thinking about biz. Notice, I’m wearing a collared shirt, which is obviously very professional and pretty much makes me a bonafide business woman, (insert touch of sarcasm). (A Tommy Hilfiger collared shirt. From Winners. Love Winners.)

Today I’m thinking about perceived value, and how you can create that in the way you establish your own personal brand. Recently BC Business published a blog post on their site about perceived value, from blogger Tommy Humphreys, author of The Shift Key, and it made me re-think my strategy in terms of how I position myself as I build my career. Being a blogger, or a “fashion blogger,” as I’m often introduced as, (I prefer: “fashion, lifestyle and PR blogger,” but no biggie ; )), it can be tricky deciding who and what I should and should not align myself with. This is true with every single brand, and I think every organization really has to think and do their homework to make sure that when they do choose to partner with another brand, that their ideals, goals and values line up. If they don’t, the brand value can be damaged. What I’m aiming for, in terms of brand perception, and this is a lofty goal here, so get ready, is to be perceived as a luxury brand, like a Chanel, or YSL blogger. I don’t say this because I literally have hopes to work with such luxury brands, (though, wouldn’t that be a fierce job!), but I mean it in the sense that I hope for my brand to hold serious cred in the minds of those in my industry. Take Chanel for instance, we all want a piece of it. We love Chanel for the craftsmanship, the quality, the sense that it is special and limited in quantity and of course the fact that it is indeed, very top shelf. (I’ve got Chanel on the brain as I am currently wearing the CC sandals.) The ideal situation for a blogger is to be taken seriously, to be understood and of course, to be wanted. What I’m trying to get at, is when you are building a brand, and trying to create a strong, positive perception around that brand, how do you know when an opportunity to work with a company is a good or bad choice for you? I’ve asked around and put together a short list of check points that should align when such a relationship is considered: 

1. Values: Is there a shared set of values? Think community involvement, philanthropy, treatment of employees, quality of life and quality of work.

2. Goals: Are you working towards common goals? When thinking about a brand partnership, consider what kind of relationship you’d like to create with the potential partner, is it short-term or long-term? And does the potential partner want to create short or long-term relationships with their clients? (The obvious answer is of course long-term, but many companies do not operate this way. As I’m sure you’ve noticed when you didn’t receive good customer service at that restaurant you visited recently when they forgot your food and then it was cold. Just an example.) Do their financial goals match with yours in terms of budgets and what kind of money each part of the budget is worth. Example: Is having an influential host at your event worth paying for? (Answer: Probably. It pays, literally, to have a job well done.)

3. Mission: What are you working towards? Does this potential partnership aid in growing your biz/brand? Do both brands hope to make a difference in society through their work?

4. Target Market: So important! Are you and your potential partner selling to the same market? This is an easy one to figure out, and it’s a deal breaker. If your markets align, then fabulous, if not, what is the point of such a relationship? If you want to be the Chanel of your industry, align with companies who also strive to be at the very top of their game, with brands of value. 

I shall now take my own advice and (try to) apply it to my own decisions. Tell me what you think.

- SS

And what I wore while I wrote this business-themed post: Tommy Hilfiger striped collared short, white denim Trina Turk shorts, Chanel platform sandals, rose gold fossil watch, vintage bling, H&M sunnies and a tan leather Makowsky bag. Laptop by Apple. Just another day at the office!

Well, it seems as though the brilliant women’s clothing designer Christian Lacroix will now be designing shrapnel. I mean coins. I’m happy for Christian and his new position, that’s assuming he’s happy about it, but I can’t help but feel as though his skill will be lost on the hard, non-chiffon-type-swooshing surfaces that are silver, copper and other various metals and alloys. Read it for yourself.

With further tears over the end of a Lacroix era that I was never able to take part in,

StyleStruck

This past weekend I spent my entire Saturday and Sunday devoted to re-arranging and fixing up my apartment. Sunday night was spent picking out black and white photos from a stack of old Vogues, then framing them in matching black frames, (see above). A few of the frames feature one picture with a dash of hot pink in it for a little needed color. The three pictures at the bottom are images I took out of a vintage Versace book I found in Brooklyn! All of my furniture has found a new home in my living room, which made room for the new table and soon-to-arrive new, and much anticipated, chairs! It also allows for space for a coffee table and perhaps another comfy chair. Or not, apparently there isn’t a money tree growing outside my balcony. But one day I will have all my dream furnishings! 

Nothing like fresh flowers in the summer time!

If you live in the downtown area of Vancouver, I highly recommend visiting the flower vendor at the corner of Burrard and Dunsmuir. Unlike other flower vendors, their prices are quite reasonable and they provide an excellent selection of flowers! Today I chose a bouquet of a dozen yellow roses, then carried them all about town as I did my errands. I felt a bit like a pageant queen. 

A table teaser! 

This is the year I decided to grow up; I’ve finished school, taken on an internship, (with Andrea Baxter of Bratface Marketing), gotten my apartment in order and I’ve stopped the late nights out, (save for a few dancing nights out with the ladies!). I buy real groceries, like fruit and vegetables and other various ingredients with which I actually cook and bake and I do house work – almost every day, there’s 3 loads of laundry in right now. Oh, and sweatpants are now strictly for at-home only, which of course is very adult of me. And then there’s Marie, my little sweetheart. I’m having a bit of a proud moment that life is starting to straighten out into a more predictable path, rather than the hap-hazard path it used to seem like. Now I’m rambling, anyhow, you get the point. : )

Now I must go take out my laundry, sort it and put it all away. (Oh the joy.)

Xo StyleStruck

Only a few days away and it feels like it really has been too long! First, I received some questions as to where to purchase Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics, they sell their products over their website, which is HERE! And be sure to check out their “Drink Pairings” for the nail polish! Amazing! Love that. 

So I mentioned I purchased a set of fabulous chairs, which were supposed to arrive today. But apparently there was some mix up over at Urban Barn and now the chairs will be coming on Thursday. (They better come Thursday because I neeeeed them for Friday!! Urban Barn, you listening??) Anyways, I FOUND A TABLE! So very excited about this, it’s only been 6 months without a table to eat at. I found the most beautiful mirrored table-for-two at The Cross. It sits under a sunny window and is just divine, last night I sat and stared at it for nearly an hour, thinking of how beautiful baked goods and peonies would look sitting on it. May I just take a moment to say how much I adore The Cross? It is like a little bit of heaven in that store, and to be able to take a piece of that home with me, well, *swooon*. A picture of the table and chair set will come Thursday, so that you can see the set together!

For today I wanted to post about an article I just read in July’s edition of American Vogue. A brilliant article FINALLY declaring the end of the gothic-waif-thrifty-hipster! Hurrah!! WE ARE WOMEN. LET US WEAR BEAUTIFUL SKIRTS WITH PRETTY HEELS AND FEMININE MAKE UP. PLEASE. 

“All Dressed Up” by Sally Singer

“… right now, the look that has been doing the rounds for what feels like, oh, forever is suddenly tired, tired, tired. The biker jacket with one too many zippers. The slouchy distressed tees that now only cause frayed nerves. The heavy buckled platform ankle boots that are a dead weight. And the leggings! The leggings, in leather or nylon or gleaming PVC; time for them to walk to the back of the closet. Girls who once dressed for their inner rocker don’t want to hum that tune anymore. “It started as an easy, careless, thrown-on way of dressing that was fun to wear,” says Vanessa Traina. “And then it became trendy and too self-conscious.” (Read the rest of the article in the July Vogue, pg. 61.)

Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah! I do admit though, during the fall I did try to have a “grungy” moment, and am a self-declared failure. I now know that preppy chic is really what makes me most happy and what suits me best. Speaking of which, last night I wore a blue and white striped polo to class with cuffed dark denim and white leather flats. A classmate told me I looked preppy, my heart swelled as I said “Thank youu!” 

More post with lots of pictures coming soon, soon, soon!

Thanks for reading,

Xo StyleStruck

(Above: Ms. Anna dello Russo) Remember, fashionistas and fashionistos, these rules are very important if one wants to become the most fabulous fashion-show attendee. Thank you Anna d R for these bits of brilliance taken right from her blog, (literally taken exactly as is, spelling errors and all!):

” During the fashion week I havemy rules to follow and I’m goingto tell my top ten list for theFRONT-ROW “ 

 1. YOU MUST WEAR OUTFIT ONCE.

2. WEAR GOOD SHOES. DON’TBOTHER WITH A BAG CAUSE WHENYOU PUT IT ON THE FLOOR IT COULDBE ANYONE.

3. WEAR COAT AS A DRESS.ONE-SHOT IS BETTER.

4 . DON’T WEAR SUNGLASSES,IF YOU NOT ARE VIP (VERY VERYIMPORTANT PERSON).
IT’S IMPOLITE. 

 5 . SOMEBODY WEARINGYOUR SAME OUTFIT?
WONDERFUL, YOU DID THERIGHT CHOISE! 

6. FLASHY JEWELS PERSONALIZEYOUR STYLE.

7. NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE EXCESS! 

8. DON’T PEEK INTO THE CLIPBOARDOF WHO IS SITTING NEXT.

9. DON’T SAY HELLO SHOWILY ANDWARMLY AT WHO IS IN FRONT OF YOU.

10. SHARE YOUR LOVE FOR THE SHOWON TWITTER AS MUCH YOU CAN.

Serious fashion advice from Japan’s “it” editor!

Xo StyleStruck

Here is the story, written by Fiona Anderson for Canada.com.

: ( – SS

This post is dedicated to the smart ideas I recently found in an article explaining “how to create communications materials that employees will actually use” by the Harvard Business Review. Communicating with your employees is an equally important aspect of marketing as communicating with your customers. I am very interested in marketing, hence, this post.

A bit I liked from the article: “Internal communications materials are vital to energizing employees and helping them understand and embrace the brand vision, but they are usually so dull and generic that they have the opposite effect: at best they gather dust, at worst they’re widely ridiculed.” Make sure your style of communication hits all the right notes:

1. “Don’t Preach.” – Avoid developing internal communications tools from a top-management perspective, most likely it won’t be read or understood. Instead, have your employees tell you what they’re thinking about in terms of the company’s values, then develop materials that speak directly to your employees. And don’t forget to use their lingo when communicating. Nothing worse than trying to understand something that’s full of pretentious jargon. Dumb it down, (I mean that in the most PC way possible), and make the writing interesting. PLEASE. 

2. “Emphasize Beliefs Rather than Intentions” - “Beliefs come directly from the brand essence, they reveal much about what the company is at its core. Intentions describe how you’ll achieve your business objectives.” Beliefs don’t change, intentions do.

3. “Make the Medium Part of the Message” - Present your communications materials in a new way that will inspire your employees to read it. For example, you could create an internal company blog with daily posts featuring stories you gathered from your employees and messages about how your employees can accurately represent your company both in their work and in their lives. If you already have an internal blog, be real, is it interesting? Would you want to spend your time reading it? 

4. “Design Materials to Fit the Purpose” - The likelihood of your employees reading a gargantuan book of company messages is slim to none. I feel like we all know that, with “we” including those who are managers. So why are intense and intimidating documents still being created and shipped out? Perhaps because companies don’t want to change, the whole text book thing is pretty old school. Personally, I think that that method of communication won’t effectively reach employees 35 and under. Create a piece of company literature that your employees can easily carry with them or easily access, like a blog, to constantly be reminded of the brand they’re representing. Having something that’s easy to access makes it much more possible for each employee to remember what you’re trying to tell them. 

5. “Have Fun” - Communicate in a memorable, effective way by speaking to your employees’ senses of humor. If you can make them laugh, I believe you can have your employees understand and appreciate your message.

- SS