I bet you’re busy thinking about this Sunday’s football overload! how you can treat your loved ones to confectionary treats, lacy somethings (ooohh!) and heart-shaped breakfasts. Like you, I’m thinking about giving my loved-ones readers a Valentines treat! (That’s you!) Courtesy of JewelMint I am sending five pretty ladies (or gents!) this delightfully festive gold-plated Lovebirds Pin Necklace! (Which is only available in February, so it’s a rather limited edition! And at $29.99 it’s a sweet addition to your necklace & PIN collection. #Versatile! #TotesAmaze.)
Pin these little lovers to your lapel, your scarf or your hat and show the world how un-cynical you are! We love love! (That was so Charlotte of me. But generally, I refer to myself as a Carrie. Just, so you know. One time I even dedicated a boozy post to each SATC girl…)
Get your pin at JewelMint here, or receive it in the mail from ME by commenting on this post!
Want an extra shot at it?? Tweet me!: “RT I’ve entered to win @JewelMint’s Lovebirds Pin Necklace from @StyleStruck! #ValentinesGiveaway” Don’t tweet? You can also get your extra shot on Facebook! Comment/like here on my page!
Giveaway ends Wednesday, February 8th at 11:00pm, PST. Open to Canadian residents only. Good luck lovers!
{ Wearing: scarf from Le Chateau, Soleone t-shirt (c/o), JNBY fancy-pants sweatpants (c/o, and that’s not their official name), Converse sneakers, Fossil watch, Bfrend bracelet (c/o), H&M aviators, Marc by Marc Jacobs necklace }
Last week I received this very soft white, oh let’s just get technical: organic eco-friendly bamboo basic! from Soleone Luxury Basics. And oh yes, it is indeed a luxury basic. Perfect for a casual and comfortable working morning at the local Starbucks (we have yet to have our internet set up at the apartment). My first thought when I received this T was to give it my twist: how would I style a plain white t-shirt? So I gave it a go with a fur chubby, skinny faded denim and court heels. The end result, while fashiony, was that I looked something like the QBs we’ll be watching this Sunday: top heavy and overly padded. So those photos were nixed and I decided to give “my take” on the T a more organic approach: how would I do comfy casual? And here ya go. Dressed up sweats and a colourful scarf! How do you wear your white t-shirt??
See that little “classy” button?? That was a treat from an event last night at The Bay’s The Room downtown Vancouver. The Room hosted Derek Blasberg to fete the launch of his second book: Very Classy. The event was really a fabulous production: the fashion elite came out in all their expensive shoe glory (I got on this train, sporting my forever-favourites, these Spring 08 Chanel heels), big hair (seriously, those mamas go big) and mega-tron cameras (no doubt the easiest way to spot a blogger). The fashion was eye-candy, as were the displays. And those stacks of yellow books! Derek was kind enough to sign each and every one of ours, generous on the hearts. To get your own taste of Mr. Blasberg I HIGHLY recommend following him on twitter, he writes the most concise 140-character witticisms I have ever seen.
Pre-”Very Classy,” Alicia of Alicia Fashionista, Monika Hibbs of The Doctor’s Closet and Jen Tam of Her Waise Choice and I met for drinks for blog photos and drinks! Alicia snapped this shot of Jen and I. More outfit photos to come. Wearing: Zara coat, Marc by Marc Jacobs clutch, H&M tights & Chanel heels.
Mon snapped this gorg instagram shot of the to-die-for necklace above.
So. I spotted Leigh Lezark of The Misshapes and nearly fell off my chair Chanel heels. Fashion darling of Karl, total “it girl” and definitely stylish. I awkwardly (emphasis on awkwardly) walk over to her and offer something like: “IreallylikeyournecklacecanItakeapictureofit??” (With a very heavy undertone of: “Oh my god I am such a fan dork I love you please oh please can I blog about you?!!”) So then she stood there for me to snap my pic and I lost all camera control. Give me your usual Hollywood celeb and I don’t bat an eye, give me fashion industry insiders and I fall all over myself. (Did I ever tell you about the time I waited for an hour outside the Conde Nast building in NYC’s Times Square just hoping to catch a glimpe of a Voguette??)
{ Wearing: Cynthia Rowley blouse, Zara skirt }
Upon meeting Derek I asked him if he could give me a “classy” tip for our photo op, his response? “Keep your shirt on.” That I will Derek, that I will.
Jen and Mon have their books signed. I think we’re all in love.
Okay, that was a big post. My earl grey tea is getting cold. Au revoir!
That’s what these past couple of weeks have been. Just ridiculous. Hence the shortage of content lately. Let’s talk about January, which has also been crazy: from apartment hunting to apartment finding, filling a rather large order for a fabulous shop, Sauce, in Abu Dahbi and Dubai (more on that later), and then running around town picking up clothes for the BT segment (both exciting and thoroughly enjoyable!) Pausing all business for a week away in Whistler, much needed and thoroughly enjoyed but interesting timing considering the moment we returned all move-in hysteria began. First the dreaded cleaning and then the painting of our new place (three coats!!! Which could have been really painful, but thankfully for George’s brothers and their ferocious painting, and wise cracks, it was a good time!). And then there was moving day, the bane of my existence. Boxes out, boxes in, boxes for days. On moving day we again had the help of two of George’s brothers, both of whom are members of the Blue Jays organization – oh man, if they had injured a foot or a hand I never would have forgiven myself. But in the mean time they were brilliant movers! Of course, as you’ve seen on instagram (or Twitter), I did get to stop for a half day of fashion last week when I visited JNBY on South Granville to pick up a wild new white cotton blouse dressed like so:
And also when I sat down (only for five minutes, I swear, obviously, because there was so much work to do…), to peruse the latest Vogue with a mint tea…
Buy really I’ve just been fashion deprived. Particularly because as soon as the commotion was over, I got sick. And had the thrill of having to experience NeoCitran. Brutal, but at least it was in my cute “O” mug, purchased at Chapters. G and I both have them and enjoyed pulpy orange juice in them this morning.
And now all my clothes are mixed around, belts hiding somewhere, sunnies another. But as we finally (two days into the new apartment, but it feels like eternity), begin to sort through our packing and create a semblance of a home, life is getting back to normal. Except for the mass amount of fashion purging I am being forced voluntarily doing. My pain is your gain fashion lovers, for there is to be a BIG blogger clothing sale in March. But I won’t spill the beans on that too soon, they’re not my beans to spill. Except for that I’ll be there, me and my loud pants.
Also in the news this week, I finally set up my Press page, so if you’re new around here check out what’s been published since the start of my little blog. And I’ve submitted a photo for SSENSE’s 200k Facebook Fan Style album and a chance to win some cash to do a little SSENSE shopping. You’ve seen the look, but if you dig it please show me some love and “like” it! (My pic is 21st.)
Alright then, that’s it for now. I shall have some new pictures for you tomorrow, (YESS! Relief.), as I have plans to attend a fashiony soirée tonight, and to chat with a certain Mr. Blasberg on Thursday evening (if you don’t know who that is, um, hello fashion purgatory?), which means I’m going to try and be stylish with what pieces I can find.
Au revoir!
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Recently I had the pleasure of creating a series of customized LOVE + MARK’D cards for Late Afternoon blogger, Liz Cherkasova! Today she published a sweet blog post listing “Just 5 Things” including her cards!
Custom cards is a big (big) part of what I do at LOVE + MARK’D Stationery, if you’d like your own custom (or monogrammed!) set, please contact me here!
Imagine how adorable personal Valentines would be from you to your best loves!? I do those too. Also, check out these ready-to-wear ready-to-mail Valentines cards! (And these, and these and these. All simply perfect for V-day!)
{ Wearing: Merona button-up shirt from Target (circa 2006), fuchsia Party Skirt, Fossil watch }
The photo-shoot pictures just keep coming! That’s because when you shoot with Jamie Lauren, you get more than one outfit, you get outfit changes. Telling a fashion blogger she gets multiple outfit shots is like telling your boyfriend he can watch sports all Sunday. Giddiness! (Or telling a hipster there’s more than one dive bar in this back alley, or telling a newscaster about the brand new bottles of hairspray in their dressing room, or telling a shop-a-holic there’s an extra 20% off the sale price, or telling a party-girl you know the bouncer, or… I could go on.)
Have a FAB-TASTIC weekend!
This morning I tweeted about this magnificent “prop” (a.k.a. a borrowed Mercedes G55), used in today’s shoot. I was on a mission to capture a couple specific images for an upcoming digital feature and happy to report we did just that! I won’t be able to share all the photos for about a week (they’re burning a hole in my pocket laptop!), but here is a little peek!
{ Wearing: JNBY blouse (c/o, S/S 12 – currently available), H&M pants & aviators, Franchi clutch, Fossil watch, wrapped leather bracelet purchased from a street vendor in NYC’s SoHo, pendant necklace from Holt Renfrew, nameplate necklace was a gift }
What does your weekend look like? Hopefully you’ll have some downtown to read, take in a movie or cook at home. All of those things seem like pure luxury to me lately, seeing as I’ve been living between three apartments the past week and am mid-DIY-paint-project. (I can never figure out where I left my phone charger, my camera or my curling iron.) Thus far this weekend is shaping up to be one of work; Saturday and Sunday will both be spent giving our new apartment the last needed coat of off-white and packing up my old apartment in the West End. (I haven’t even started that yet… thinking about it makes my head hurt!) Despite the craziness, life is pretty gosh-darn awesome, largely due to you readers, so here’s a BIG THANK YOU to all of you who visit me daily. You are the cherry on my sundae(s). XO.
{ Wearing: 3.1 Phillip Lim dress, Browns ID booties, Fossil watch, Storey Design leather bow bracelet, “Let’s go for a fabulous coffee” LOVE + MARK’D card, and now there’s this Valentines version! }
{ Wearing: Basix II dress, Chanel shoes, Aldo cocktail ring, Champagne Holiday LOVE + MARK’D card, Jamie’s cat }
All photos by Jamie Lauren Photography! Jamie has a special promotion on right now for Valentines photo shoots!
Apartment update: I’ve mentioned here and there that George (boyfriend), and I are moving and soon to be cohabitating, or as he jokingly called it last night, “the amalgamation.” How utterly unromantic. What’s also unromantic is the amount of painting we are doing, and have yet to do. The walls of our new home started out a distasteful peachy-apricot color (the light fixture pictured is GOING), are now a messy white (primed for painting) and by the end of today will be a fresh white (hopefully). And then soon, soon, soon, much to George’s manly delight, my mirrored tables and crystal lamps shall arrive at our new home! Yay!
{ I instagramed this yesterday afternoon, I was rather bored of priming. }
* I tweet! Facebook and Pin! *
Yesterday morning, as fiercely tweeted!, I did a segment on Breakfast Television with host Riaz Meghji! I was there to talk fashion and how to dress thinner – 5 lbs thinner to be exact! I showed slimming blazers, a trench coat and dark wash boot cut jeans and some of my favorites and easy go-tos! Click here to watch the segment!
{ Wearing: Joe Fresh angora sweater, Zara trousers & heels, Storey Design bracelets, Fossil watch }
The models are wearing: (from left to right)
Renee: Trina Turk dress & Sam Edelman shoes (The Bay Downtown Vancouver), H&M trench coat and Storey Design bracelet and black leather croc-embossed bag
Nick: Hugo Boss blazer, Levi’s denim & Kenneth Cole shoes (The Bay Downtown Vancouver) H&M button up shirt, his own tie and watch
Lucy: Theory leather blazer, J Brand denim, Rachel Rachel Roy shoes (The Bay Downtown Vancouver), Joe Fresh silk blouse, Storey Design necklace, bracelets and tan leather bag w/ snake skin detail
Jonathan: Diesel leather bomber jacket, sweater & chinos, Hugo Boss Orange shoes (The Bay Downtown Vancouver), H&M t-shirt
Many thanks to BT for having me! To The Bay Downtown Vancouver & H&M for the fabulous clothes and to Joy Mitchell (thejoyofhair.com), for doing our hair (at 6:00 am!!).
P.S. Yesterday was all sorts of glamour, I went from TV to my sweat pants and an old T to get my painting on in our new home! Step 1: primer… the before and after shots!
It’s not everyday I get in front of a camera and make aim to strut my stuff, oh wait, yup, yes I do do that nearly everyday! But it isn’t everyday that I get to dress up in whatever I want and play in front of a professional camera with the oh-so-amazing Jamie Lauren! I gave a little sneak peak earlier on instagram here!
{ Wearing: Vintage sequin jacket (similar here on SALE!), New Look shirt (London), Zara belt, Forever 21 trousers (similar here), Ballin shoes (Monaco), & Kate Spade bag (similar here) }
{ Wearing: Storey Design leather bow bracelet, Fossil rose gold watch (similar here), New Look embroidery thread & diamante bracelet, Rain leather & chain bracelet (blue version here) & Birthday Crown LOVE + MARK’D card }
Jamie has a special offer for us ladies just in time for Valentines… click image for more!
I have many more looks shot by Jamie to come this week! Wanna see what I’m wearing, LIVE tomorrow?! Well you’re in luck! Catch me on Breakfast Television at 7:30 am for a fashion segment! Au revoir!
(P.S. All photos by Jamie Lauren, permission must be granted for use.)
The other day as I was packing my everyday beauty products for the aforementioned Whistler-getaway (where I instagramed like craazy!), I realize, holy @#$% do I have a lot of beauty junk. Tons of lotions, potions, scrubs, masks, you name it, half used, unused and generally crowding my cupboard. I need to streamline – feel my pain? Well my darlings we are in luck! because The Hudson’s Bay wants to do a beauty trade! A beauty what?! Straight from the horse’s mouth Directly from the PR lady!: “Anyone can bring in their old skincare products from any brand (new or empty) and receive a voucher worth up to $20 off their next cosmetics or fragrance purchase!” OH YEAH!* **
* Bring in ONE product and receive a voucher for $10 off a min. $50 cosmetics or fragrance purchase (before taxes). Valid Jan. 13-26, 2012
** Bring in TWO products and receive a voucher for $20 off a min. $100 cosmetics or fragrance purchase (before taxes). Valid Jan. 13-26, 2012!
Saturdays bring good news, what can I say. I’ll be spending mine getting a little brow maintenance from Chella’s brow expert, DeeDee Marcelli! At The Bay, naturally.
(Sunday should bring good news too!: PRIVE (the provider of sweet, sweet designer sales!), is currently holding their “Sunday Select” selection of gorgeous neutrals and favorite pieces. Think knit dresses, maxi skirts and great button-up shirts. Have you signed up yet?? DO IT HERE LOVELIES!)
The “it” items for spring are upon us, being flaunted before our eyes by the very front-row crew in all their creative glory! Inspiration images by Tommy Ton for Style.com – affordable options courtesy of moi! Which items do you have, need or crave??
{THE PRINTED BLAZER: Asos: poodle-print blazer, suitcase printed blazer (now on Sale!) & Jacquard cropped blazer, River Island floral print with piping}
{THE STUDDED CLUTCH: Asos suede croc, JJ Winters chain snake print, Michael Michael Kors studded black leather, Rebecca Minkoff ostrich embossed}
{MUSTARD: Forever 21 V-neck, Kate Spade jeweled cardigan (49% off!), Tinley Road pleated cardigan, Modcloth bow closure cardigan}
{THE STATEMENT NECKLACE: Shoshanna gunmetal chain crystal drop (on Sale!), Luxe Rachel Zoe gold oversized chain, Aqua chunky gunmetal crystal necklace, another Aqua crystal necklace (both at KILLER prices!)}
{THE BASEBALL CAP: Brixton Oath navy & grey, Tommy Hilfiger vintage style, Just Cavalli black leather & grey cotton, D&G cotton & leather}
{PRINTED TROUSERS: Asos black & white print (on Sale!), Asos red gingham, Sonia by Sonia Rykiel star print, Aqua purple snake print}
Shop – shop – shop!
Au revoir Whistler! Today our lovely getaway comes to an end – I write this to you from my co-pilot seat as we drive down the mountain. While being incredibly rewarding, the past few months have been strenuous. Starting a new biz is no easy task! Being up in the mountain sure does put little worries into perspective. My stress melted away somewhere between Blackcomb and Whistler. I don’t want to leave!
{ Similar to yesterday: Wearing: Marvin Richards coat, BCBG Max Azria pants, Cougar Pillow Boots (c/o), New Era Yankees hat, Betsey Johnson mitts, Zara bag, scarf unknown }
Back to city life! I look forward to getting back into the blogger rhythm with event season getting into swing! See you out and about!
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A couple weeks ago I took two Joe Fresh diamante necklaces that I found on sale over to my girl friend’s place for some serious help. While sparkly, these necklaces just looked dated, nineties, and not in the “nineties is back” way. Thankfully for me Lucy knows her stuff when it comes to all things jewelry making! After all, she does have her own line of handmade pretty things: StoreyDesign. The identical necklaces really needed some length, they hit somewhere between an awkward choker and the decolletage. 
Step 1: We started by removing the unsightly chain closure from each necklace. You know, that bit of chain that allows the necklace to be lengthened, the hideous one with the silver ball at the end? Ick. Then, with cutters I edited the shape of the hanging pieces.
Step 2: With two little pieces of wire looped, Lucy attached the necklaces so that they hung at slightly different lengths, giving a layered effect.
Step 3: Lanvin has given me a love for the grosgrain ribbon and jewels combo, so to add the needed length to the necklace we tied a light grey ribbon on to each end, again using little pieces of wire that we looped to create small circles.
The finished product! Hung over a BCBG snakeskin vest. Hint: Lucy burnt the edges of the ribbon with a lighter so to prevent fraying.
I’m not the only one who likes a little sparkle… More DIYs on the way courtesy of Lucy! Bisous!
{ Wearing: Marvin Richards coat, BCBG long navy sweater (c/o), American Apparel leggings, Cougar Pillow Boots (c/o), Zara bag, Aritzia mittens, C.C Exclusives angora beret (c/o Barefoot Contessa – which has new Valentines LOVE + MARK’D cards in stock! }
Thoroughly enjoying a few days away in Whistler’s winter wonderland. Everything is white (much the same as Vancouver right now!), and there are enormous icicles hanging on rooftops. Women are dressing up their cozy looks with cute hats, fabulous scarves and chic winter boots. I’ll take this over a beach any day.
This Tuesday at 7:30am catch me on Breakfast Television for a fashionable segment on how to dress thin – find the right fit for the right occasions! Just after me will be our Mayor, Gregor Robertson!
This week I’m spending a lovely four days enjoying a cozy cabin in Whistler with George. Packed are my sequined and angora berets, plaid scarf, ruffled mittens (yes! Ruffled.) loads of sweaters and the other winter accessory essentials: Vaseline, Anna Sui pink lipstick, bronzer and pretty stud earrings. Because that’s all that really shows, my big black puffer coat will be my fashion statement (or lack thereof) for the next few days. I decided packing light(ish) trumped photos of many fabulous coats. Here are a handful of shots from our first day!
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