12
Jul 10

Breakfast at StyleStruck’s

Monday morning and there is a blustery wind storm making an incredible racket outside my window. The kitten is scared, she’s curled up in a ball in my lap and won’t leave. I’m a bit late with this blog post, the past few days have brought with them a lot of late nights, (thank you work), and a serious dizzy spell. Anyways, I owe you some pictures of this new table and chair set I mentioned!! But this post is a little different than any other I’ve done, I decided to snap a few photos soon as I woke up, as to make it natural, sans make up! HORROR! I didn’t even brush my hair, which you’ll see. Welcome to breakfast at my place! Mmm raison bran!!

My new favourite seat in the house. You’ll notice the shabby curtains that my landlord has stuck me with. But first things first, 1: table & chair set, (check!), 2: living room rug, 3: coffee table, 4: new curtains! One at a time, unless anyone wants to sponsor the fixing up of my apartment?? (Note: Wearing: Pajamas. Tank from Le Chateau, sweat pants from El Costco and slippers from La Senza!)

Chairs from UrbanBarn.com, table from The Cross, (my FAVOURITE store!), pine desk from Ikea and desk stool that Marie is enjoying, from Walmart! So very cheap and chic, non?

Now I really do need some gorgeous white sheer curtains, or perhaps white curtains with a light taupe design on them… or black and white?? Something subtle or dramatic?? This could take awhile. 

Xo StyleStruck

My Style / The StyleStruck Family — 3 comments
07
Jul 10

My Almost Adult Apartment

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


My Style / The StyleStruck Family / Thoughts — 5 comments
06
Jul 10

Keepin’ Up With SS

Hello!

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

Thoughts — 2 comments
03
Jul 10

Haus of SS, and Marie

Lately I’ve really been feeling like I need to get my apartment in order. I need to make it an adult apartment, with real furniture. A couple days ago my Mum and I arranged for the delivery of two lucite chairs from Urban Barn! I’ve had my eye on these chairs for what seems like at least a year now, and they’ll finally be mine! Now I just need a fabulous table, maybe something in black lacquer? A white vintage wooden table? Round or square? I have no idea, but I need to find one quickly!


What would you put with chairs like this? Help!

Xo StyleStruck

Photography & Style — 3 comments
02
Jul 10

My Canada Day Patriotism

I spent my Canada Day with my Mum. It was a glamorous day of shopping for a cat carrier, (pink), a watering can, (pink) and a frying pan. Though I did add the pink Kate Spade to this outfit and that made everything feel a little bit more fabulous. And of course I showed my patriotism with this ruffled red and white striped cardigan from H&M! 

Wearing H&M striped cardi, white H&M tank, vintage denim cut offs, white leather Zara flats and Aldo elephant ring. Red nails by Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics.

Did you dress for Canada Day??

Xo StyleStruck

My Style — 2 comments
01
Jul 10

BC Biz Top 100 Luncheon

What: BC Business Top 100 Businesses Luncheon  Where: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver  When: Wednesday, June 30, 11:30am

I’ve never seen so many suits in one room! I accompanied BC Business blog writer, Tommy Humphreys, (he writes The Shift Key), and was able to meet so many people, including bumping into an old high school friend, hear some inspiring stories and have a great lunch. It also gave me a great opportunity to dress up!

Wearing Jason Wu skirt with a blouse from Target, Prada nude mary-janes, Kate Spade purse and a Fossil watch. I looove this skirt, walking up and down the marble staircases at the Hotel Vancouver, my skirt was swishing and flouncing around. Very pretty! (Previous blog feature of the Jason Wu skirt)

The Shoes! A pair of Pradas I snapped up at a Bergdorf’s sale a couple years ago in NYC.

Tommy introduced me to his BC Business online editor, John Bucher, so I snapped a picture of the two of them:

Notice John’s matching silk tie and pocket square, very nice John. 

BC Business’ Top 100 is a list of the year’s top revenue producing companies in British Columbia. To view the list, click here! And to see more pictures from the event, check The Socialist blog on BCBusiness online!

- SS

My Style / Stylish Events — 4 comments
29
Jun 10

My “I’m Going to Get Stuff Done” Outfit

On my way out the door, I thought I’d snap a few photos of today’s outfit. I figured that if I was wearing something that felt semi-professional and fun, I’d feel motivated to check more of the to-do’s off of my long list. I’ve just sat down with a tea and my computer at a local Starbucks, so we’ll see if the outfit proves effective.

Wearing: Sheer ruffled blouse, a vintage metallic leather belt, Kersh cardi, Fidelity jeans and espadrille wedges by a designer who’s name I can never remember, vintage leather bag, Michael Kors watch, vintage gold ring.

Xo StyleStruck


My Style / The StyleStruck Family — 1 comment
28
Jun 10

The Pictures Have Arrived!! The Guess by Marciano Event

With Lindsay Lorimer, Project Manager, Special Events and Marketing woman for Guess? Canada and Niki Blasina blogger of A Haute Mess and co-host! (Be sure to check Niki’s blog for event coverage as well!)

Thursday night a crowd gathered around the entrance of the Marciano store on Robson St, waiting to be let into a fabulous party co-hosted by Niki and I to celebrate Guess by Marciano… There was wine, cocktails and delicious h’ordeuvres being passed around as a DJ played the latest tracks, and what seemed like hundreds of people to mingle with. Amongst the crowd there were fashion editors, stylists, both corporate and freelance, club promoters, marketing pros, CEOs, real estate agents, models, bloggers galore, PR people, fashion aficionados and mega-shoppers! Not to mention, the lovely representatives from Dress for Success, the non-profit we partnered with in putting the event together, (Dress for Success received a portion of the profits from the evening’s sales). Thank you to everyone who came!! The night was such a wonderful experience and I feel so lucky to have been a part of it! 

Niki and I with the Guess? Canada head honchos, all the way from Toronto for the event!

Andrea Pahn, founder of Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics was on site to give girls a mini mani with her brilliant polish!

With Liz Sperandeo, a member of the board for Dress for Success, and a Dress for Success volunteer. Guess? asked Niki and I to choose a non-profit to work with, and who better than Dress for Success?! “Dress for Success® Vancouver is a registered Canadian Charity that helps low and no income women to transition into the workforce by providing professional attire.”

Second from left, stylist Dani Barnes of Dani Barnes Productions.

The swag!

Lovely fashion & lifestyle photographer Christine McAvoy!

Dessert: amazingly delicious mini cheesecakes… No I did not have three of these…

The outfit: Thank you to Guess for Marciano for allowing me to choose an outfit for the evening! In response to some of your questions, yes I got to keep it. : ) Head to toe Marciano, (except for the watch, that’s mine). I love this colour! Reminds me of a Tiffany’s box!

Cheers to a fabulous party!

Xo StyleStruck


Fashion Paparazzi / My Style / Photography & Style / Stylish Events — 7 comments
28
Jun 10

Toasting to Dior!

Listening to Fashion Magazine Editor-In-Chief, Bernadette Mora speak about the history of Dior watches at Holt Renfrew. 

Thursday afternoon I headed down to Holt Renfrew to meet Fashion Mag’s Editor-In-Chief and see Dior’s beautiful watches, which did not disappoint! One of the most delightful parts of the afternoon was meeting and chatting with Holts’ West Coast PR woman, Lenirose Espiritu! Lenirose has been with Holt Renfrew for about eight years now, and started on the sales floor working for Gucci. We quickly got to talking fashion, specifically bags. Her favourite purchase is her brown leather Balenciaga tote, one of the “it bags” of 2006, (I have always coveted the pink version of this bag, even to this day). 

(And that fab Dior gift bag Lenirose is holding? Filled with the summer edition of Fashion Magazine, a Dior eyeshadow compact and a sweetly wrapped box holding four delicious macaroons! Thank you Dior and Holts for the lovely gifts!)

With Bernadette Mora. I loove her look, so Audrey Hepburn, and it’s so working for her.

With fashion journalist, and writer for String Magazine, Nadia Chu. Check out her gorgeous vintage Manolos!! A rare limited edition shoe done for a Neiman Marcus anniversary!

Fashion Magazine’s West Coast Editor Rebecca Tay admiring a friend’s shoes.

That ridiculously fabulous watch on the left has my name all over it. (A mere $23, 000).

Thank you to Lenirose for inviting me the lovely Dior event! 

Xo StyleStruck

Stylish Events — 2 comments
28
Jun 10

A Girl’s Guide to Dressing for Sports & More

Recently I received an email informing me about a new sports book for ladies, PERFECT! I thought, because honestly, all I know about sports is that there is usually a ball of sorts involved. Though I do enjoy attending sports events. If like me, you could use a little help understanding the world of sports, read on! (And if you really need help, get the book: She’s Got Game by Melissa Malamut.)

This is not a guide for impressing your boyfriend (though you will), it was written to help women fall in love with sports.

This hilarious and practical guide to the world of sports for women provides outlines of the rules as well as superstitions and customs of the four major professional sports. SHE’S GOT GAME, ($14.99) is a must for any woman who doesn’t want to be clueless in the bleachers or on the couch.

Sporting events raise so many questions. What is March Madness all about? What on earth is a pop fly? If they just had the fourth down, then why is it the first down now and not the fifth? What’s a down anyway? What do I wear? Will I wipe out if I wear heels? Should I wear makeup? And how do you say that player’s name?

Melissa Malamut brings a lifelong love of sports, a girly-girl’s sensibility, and insight from fashion editors, friends and her own experiences to this guide. SHE’S GOT GAME is packed with all the rules and history of the games, personal anecdotes, and do’s and don’ts. In this incredibly well-researched and engaging book, Melissa gives you everything you need to feel at ease and fall in love with sports.

NBA Finals Talking Points
The Girlie Girls Guide to Basketball

The NBA has a Dress Code. Why Wouldn’t You?
*       Pro basketball is the most stylish and dressiest sport. It’s really the only sport (maybe with the exception of hockey) where you can get away with high heels. Even stilettos.

*       You can wear anything from team gear to your work suit. Fashion-conscious females in the basketball business suggest jeans, a cardigan and heeled boots, stylish flats or city sneakers. The season goes from winter to summer but the climate controlled 72-degree arenas never change.

Tips for Female Fans
*       Best time to leave the seats (or the couch) to not miss the action: Obviously halftime. Time in between quarters is short (only about two minutes.)

*       Best time to leave the seats (or the couch) for the shortest lines for the bathroom/food: Beginning of the second quarter and beginning of the fourth quarter. You may miss some game play, but the lines will be short and you’ll avoid the halftime rush.

*       When to cheer/not to cheer: You cheer on your team throughout the game whether they are on offense or defense. But when a member of your team is shooting free throws it is customary not to cheer so he can concentrate.

Lingo – Shout it loud – Love this!! 
*       And one! – Shout when a member of your team is fouled while shooting and he makes the basket. He now has the chance for a three-point play by earning a foul shot.

*       Denied! – Yell it after a member of your team blocks a shot.

*       Airball! – When the other team shoots and the ball misses the hoop, backboard and rim completely. Touches “nothing but air”. Slowly shout, “Aiiiiiiiir-baaaaal!”

*       Brick! – Shout it after the other team shoots an ugly looking shot that clanks off the rim or backboard Terms to know

*       Travel – “Too many steps” A violation if a player takes more than two steps without dribbling (bouncing the ball to the court) or moves his pivot foot (one foot must be planted to the ground when not dribbling). The team that commits a travel loses possession of the ball.

*       Double dribble – When a player stops and then restarts a dribble or uses both hands. The team that commits this violation loses possession.

*       Swish – “Nothing but net” When a shot goes right through the basket and touches nothing but the net. Makes a noise that sounds like “swish”.

*       Bench points – Points scored by non-starters.

*       Shot clock – “The 24 second clock” is the time a team has to make a basket. The ball must at least hit the rim before the clock expires or they lose possession. If the shooting team gets their own rebound (takes control of the ball after a missed shot), they get a new 24 second clock.

AMAZING! I coulda used this aaaages ago!! Hope you enjoyed the read!

Xo StyleStruck

Photography & Style — No comments
← Older Entries
Newer Entries →
Get Adobe Flash playerPlugin by wpburn.com wordpress themes