Sunday morning was one of those morning when you know that something good must come to an end, like leaving Manhattan for home, and leaving the glamorous and exciting Ace Hotel for Vancouver’s quieter West End. I should have gotten up early that morning to pack, but those giant beds with enormous white down duvets and endless pillows trapped me, so I simply couldn’t get up. I paid for it half an hour later though when I was rushing around like a man woman trying to stuff all of my new purchases into my already stuffed suitcase, (as usual, I brought double what I needed, but how is one supposed to know what she will feel like wearing?!). Luckily, I was traveling with a man whose suitcase was barely half full! In went my new 6″ heels, hair dryer, straightening iron, magazines and accessories. What someone might of thought had he had his suitcase searched at the air port haha… but Tommy is a sport! (Thanks Tommy!)

After barely getting my suitcase to zip up, we ditched our extremely heavy bags at the front desk and hopped in a cab to the West Village for brunch! We spotted a cute restaurant, Phillip Marie, that had the feel of a southern home and served “new American” cuisine. I chose the chicken, brie and pesto sandwich and a cup of hot coffee, perfect for a cloudy New York City day.

After brunch we wandered through the Village till we found the Rag & Bone shop, (above), where Tommy got a beautiful pair of leather sneakers and went halfers with me on a gorgeous navy Fall 2010 cashmere sweater which I will post about soon! (I’m in no shape for a photo shoot at the moment).  You can find Rag & Bone in Vancouver at Holt Renfrew, Misch, (womens) and at Gravity Pope, (mens and womens). Click here for an Elle.com mini-feature on David Neville, and here for Marcus Wainwright!) As if on cue, the rain started to come down and it was time to go back to the Ace to collect our bags and make our way to the dreaded airport, (I hate flying).

The travel experience was less than desirable. Because of the torrential rain, our flight was delayed 3 hours, meaning we would miss our connecting flight in Seattle that evening. Which did indeed happen, and thank you American Airlines for treating us like lowly customers-I will not be flying American Airlines any time soon. We found ourselves stranded in Seattle for the night with no option other than to pay for a night at one of the airport hotels, synthetic sheets anyone? Finally, on Monday morning we made it home, still wearing Sunday’s clothes. Luckily, I wore a cute outfit, though Tommy did point out that perhaps all white wasn’t the best for traveling. However, I made it home without a spec on those white clothes, and somehow still smiling. All in all, it was a wonderful trip that I won’t soon forget! 

Wearing: Cecico blouse, Sirens white jeans, Poetic License platform sandals (5″ for travelling), Gianni Chiarini leather carry-all, Marc by Marc Jacobs necklace, Michael Kors watch, bracelet bought from a street vendor in SoHo and aviators from a mid-town street vendor, ($3!!).

The lovely bride, Lauren Bucquet (now Lauren Humphreys!), in Lanvin.

After the ceremony we walked down a small hill to the park restaurant where the reception was held, and were greeted by servers offering these adorable drinks: Arnold Palmers (iced tea and lemonade), with bourbon

The reception was held under a large white tent, which had small lights strung across the top, sooo romantic and pretty, and also quite 1940s looking. I adore that idea. Here is Tommy, the best man, giving his speech to the guests under the romantic tent:

And you may recognize these boys…

David Neville and Marcus Wainwright, co-founders of the Rag & Bone label! LOVE their clothes, and love them. Lauren works as a designer at Rag & Bone, as seen here.

These boys were so lovely to meet and chat with. David began by introducing he and Marcus by saying they were in the fashion industry, and had a “small operation.” Lovely and modest! I told him I was familiar (and obsessed, though I left that part out, after all, I was trying to keep my composure), with their clothes and thought they were wonderful. Then David asked me who made my dress! I sheepishly said, “Well… I’m sorry I’m not wearing Rag & Bone…” and he said, “Oh well I know we didn’t make it!” So then I told him it was BCBG and he said he liked it. And I will now forever remember that he liked my blue dress. : ) I should mention a note to the ladies: I’m sorry to say, both David and Marcus are married! Marcus’ wife was at the wedding and she was also very lovely!

I wore: BCBG dress, vintage belt, vintage rings, Stuart Weitzman heels and my vintage Pierre Cardin snakeskin clutch – I know you know the one!

After dinner and speeches, the night was spent dancing to music from the 60s through to the 90s, it was a fabulous night!

Xo StyleStruck

Saturday morning we headed out of our hotel in search of breakfast nearby. We strolled down a few blocks and ended up, by accident, exactly in front of the Empire State Building! Quelle chance! Fabuleux! In all my time in NYC, I’ve never been up the Empire State Building! Breakfast was put on hold as we went to check it out. (If you’re going to do the Empire State Building, I highly recommend going early in the morning, we were there around 10 am and for once, there was no line! I’ve seen the line go around the block, and then what you don’t know is that once inside the building, there are several floors with ropes set up like mazes designed for more waiting. It could take hours.) The view was breathtaking, I’m so glad we did it!

Oooh squinty sun! Wearing: Sirens ruffled top, Talula spandex tank, vintage Levi’s cut offs, Zara leather flats, Fossil watch, bracelet from a SoHo street vendor, Gianni Chiarini leather carry-all.

At the tip there, that’s downtown Manhattan. With the Hudson River on the left, and the East River on the right, (I think).

Looking at the Upper East and West Sides, with Central Park in the middle! 

The Chrysler Building! 

Off in the distance is the Brooklyn Bridge. If you go to NYC, I highly recommend walking across the bridge, it is such a wonderful experience and view is incredible!

After breakfast I went off to the West Village to do a little sight seeing and shopping! The West Village is home to the 4 or 5, I can’t keep count, Marc Jacobs stores, with most of them being on Bleecker St. If you walk further down Bleecker, you come to Jane St! And right near Jane St. is one of my favourite New York City stores, Darling.

This is the shop, called Darling, where I purchased my favourite vintage rings, and going back again did not disappoint! This time round I picked up a vintage silk scarf with navy and purple lions and a vintage pony hair leopard print belt. 

After darling I visited a shop called Soapology, where I found the most delicious soy candles and walnut face and body scrub. 

After shopping and sight seeing, (Carrie’s apartment on Perry St!), I took myself for lunch at The Pink Tea Cup. A small restaurant where the servers wear all black with touches of hot pink! The perfect place to order a glass of pink champagne. 

Okay that’s it for now! Stay tuned for Part II of Day IV! It features the wedding and a couple fabulous designers you may recognize!

Xo StyleStruck

Recently I did a phone interview with a journalist from a Victoria paper on back to school fashion. The article has run in 6 various Victoria papers, check out the article here!

Xo SS

Today I stripped my couch of its covers in an effort to clean it. Of course the kitten had to get involved, or rather, stop the process by sitting on the couch. She’s such a good room mate. 

Xo StyleStruck & StyleStruck Jr

Matthew Williamson for H&M wrap dress, Guess by Marciano gold hoop earrings, Marc by Marc Jacobs clutch, Aldo elephant ring, Fossil watch, Stuart Weitzman nude pumps.

After dinner there was no hope of rallying for a second night out, off to the land of dreams back at the Ace.

- End of Day 3 -

It’s a notification of the new Chanel space being designed at Holts. I know what you’re thinking, there already was a fancy party for a new Chanel boutique at Holts, but according to this there will be further changes made to the upstairs Chanel boutique in order to accommodate the merchandise currently held at the W. Hastings location, which is in the process of being closed. (I doubt very much though that this means a sale will be held). 

Nothing like french mail.

Xo StyleStruck

Thursday morning we woke up ready to hit the streets! Off to the Upper East Side for some “light” shopping, as in, I brought back a lip gloss from Chanel. But nonetheless, visiting Miu Miu, Prada and Chanel was just grand. 

The Dior store was getting a facelift, so the exterior was covered by a giant quilted purse. Amazing.

Wearing: H&M army green top, Talula spandex tank, Marc by Marc Jacobs necklace, Macy’s enamel bangle, Urban Behaviour denim shorts, Gianna Chiarini leather carry-all, vintage Ray Bans and Chanel platform sandals.

For brunch we re-visited a favourite, Palace Restaurant. I couldn’t tell you where it is, but I know it’s right around the corner from Miu Miu (where sadly the shoes were fabulously impressive and also highly priced), and just down the street from Turnbull and Asser (a marvelous place to find lovely pocket squares for the gentleman in your life). Palace was full of lunching business types and women meeting to share gossip and news of their grandkids, a perfect midday stop for sugary, syrup-covered french toast! After brunch, we visited the Waldorf Hotel – I’ve never seen such amazing bathrooms! (Except for maybe at the Plaza.)

And to our third and final Upper East Side desination, Bergdorfs! I’ve really never seen a restaurant so glamorous and so full of glamorous people in my life. I could lunch there every day of my life.

My only picture of the Bergdorf’s restaurant and I’m mid-chat. Anyhow, it sure was a treat! By the way, my lunch consisted of pink champagne. After lunch I dragged poor Tommy through the shoe salon, which is more like an amazon of stilettos and leather and crystals. I practically needed blinders on, I was going shoe-crazy. Unlike the last time I visited the shoe salon though, this time I left with no bags. Plenty of wishes and wants though. (Summer 2008 my mother and visited NYC during the July sale season when I purchased a pair of leopard Manolo Blahnik flats, seen here, and Prada nude pumps, seen here. Swooon.) Of course since Bergdorf’s is just next door to the most fabulous hotel, I had to take a photo in front of the Plaza, ohh memories!

Yep, I changed into flats. Zara white leather flats. 

Fast forward about six hours and you would find me, along with a slew of other Vancouverites and hip New Yorkers sipping cocktails in the Ace Hotel lobby, which also doubles as a very popular bar in the evenings. The men went on to a bachelor party, (we went to NYC for a wedding, which happened Saturday), while one of the other boy’s girl and I marched off to the Meatpacking District to find some fun! And did we ever! I’m still waiting on the photo from Jen, but we met, and got a photo with, Lance Bass! It was all rather extraordinary the way our night panned out. We jumped in a cab from the Ace with the intention of getting out at a random spot in the Meatpacking District and getting a drink wherever looked good. It just so happened the cabbie let us off right in front of Ten June, a popular NYC club, (which, thanks to Miss Andrea Milner, I’ve been to before!). Of course, being only 10:15 or so, it was too early to go clubbing, so the bouncer told us to get a drink next door and come over around 11:30. Into the next lounge we went! Only after ordering a drink and grabbing a menu did I realize we had ended up at a spot I’ve been dying to go to for years, STK, a fantastic steak house and “it” spot, where we met Lance. 

Wearing: Sirens white t, Zara pleated leather skirt, Zara leather studded belt, Marc by Marc Jacobs quilted clutch, vintage ring and H&M stud bracelet, with matte bubblegum pink Rimmel lipstick. Martini by STK. (You can’t see my shoes, but they were Stuart Weitzman patent leather 5 inchers).

Afterwards it was off to Ten June where we danced the night away!

- End of Day 2 -

Sitting on the floor at the Minneapolis airport waiting for the connecting flight to JFK. Just flipping through Marie Claire when I saw THE KENSIE AD! Gorgeous! Faithful readers may remember I was behind the scenes at this photo shoot, seen here.

We had to get up at 3 am last Wednesday morning to catch the flight to Minneapolis, which explains my “look.” Although I was proud of myself for getting a bit of a tan before we left, (usually I am the palest of pale). My girlfriend Steph and I spent the day at English Bay on Tuesday… I really enjoyed the slide. (Wearing a Victoria’s secret bikini).

Finally we arrived in New York, at the JFK airport in Queens. The drive into Manhattan was absolutely gorgeous and was a brilliant welcome to the city!

About 8:30 pm we checked into the Ace Hotel in Midtown. I LOVE this hotel, if you’ve been reading Vogue the past few months, you know of the Ace. Alexander Wang has been featured there for his latest work, as well as countless other mentions in the various columns of the magazine. Clearly, Anna is a fan of the Ace. 

Even after a long, long day of traveling, when you are in New York, you do not sleep, you go out! So we re-dressed and grabbed a cab headed for the Meatpacking District in search of a fabulous dinner. Just casually strolling through the Ace hallway en route to the elevator…

Wearing: Vintage black chiffon blouse over a Talula spandex tank, Zara leather skirt, Zara faux snakeskin heels, vintage Pierre Cardin snakeskin clutch, white enamel bangle from Macy’s and a rose gold Fossil watch.

Tommy picked the restaurant for the night, which was the Old Homestead Steakhouse, keeper of the most delicious sirloin I’ve ever tasted. As well as a knockout cosmo. Full and happy, it was back to the Ace for some much needed rest! 

- End of Day 1 -

Wearing: Blouse brand unknown, Sirens spandex tank, Zara leather skirt, (as seen here), Fossil rose gold watch, H&M bracelet and an Italian leather bag, brand unknown, shoes, (which you can’t see yet, are Nine West).

With Invito Couture co-owner Yeliz Delaney in front of their Tinseltown store.

The owners of Invito Couture invited me down to their shop to become better acquainted with their merchandise and have a look at what’ll be hitting their racks in the coming fall months! The store boasts a fantastic selection of evening gowns and party frocks, but also a wide array of cocktail dresses, some casual enough for a dinner date. The line is brought exclusively to Canada by Prahlad and Yeliz from Turkey, where the dresses are designed and made. Upon close inspection of the garments you can tell there is a lot of passion and care behind each piece as there is great attention to detail and a lot of integrity behind the label. Something you might find interesting is that Yeliz and Prahlad only bring in one or two dresses of each design, meaning you’ll be guaranteed to avoid those awkward, “Oh my gosh, we’re wearing the same dress!” moments we all cringe at. I bring you a look at some of my favourite looks from Invito Couture, and invite you to check out their store in the Tinseltown mall!

Co-owner Prahlad Delaney shows off a silver satin number.

I was admiring the studs on this Fall 2010 dress…

So naturally I had to try it on! And then another…

Everyone needs a gown in their closet, we ought to all get fabulously dressed up more often, don’t you think?

Thank you to Yeliz and Prahlad for having me to their store! Check them out here and visit them in Tinseltown!

Now I must be off, the final touches must be put on my packing before I can leave for New York City in the morning! (This is why I’ve been slacking a bit on the blog posts!) Expect a FULL report when I get back!

Xo StyleStruck