Currently viewing the tag: "Christian Louboutin"
Tuesday morning and the alarm goes off, and I miss it. Then I realize I have 30 minutes to dress and get over to a DKNY fall fashion preview on South Granville – insert fashion panic here. (A fashion panic is different from the usual morning panic because it involves a lot of running around trying to find the right necklace with the right blouse – items that haven’t been worn to an event or featured in a blog post recently – and trying to achieve that fashion editor hair: perfectly, effortlessly messy, which obviously takes work.) Don’t let these casual shots fool you, there was no calm at the Haus of StyleStruck this morning.
{ Wearing: Brooks Brothers chambray shirt, Talula Babaton trousers, Christian Louboutin cork sandals, Zara bag, New Look chain necklace, Fossil rose gold watch, aviators from Paris }
Whatdya think of my little kitchen? It’s made for microwave meals, though I do my best to cook as much as I can in it. Don’t even bother telling me how much you envy my 1960′s tile laminate or counter tops, I already know it. (Ha!) On the fridge is a sweet bon bons bag I picked up in Paris (it was full of sweets at the time), a pink dry erase board and decorative jugs on top. My yellow mug is from Harrods and in it I’m drinking tea from Ladurée, another delight from Paris. The pine mirror that you see a smidgen of I made in wood-shop class back in high school. I actually have a few pieces in my home that I have made. And that unsightly brown box behind me by the door? Proud to say that is now empty as I’ve just assembled a new piece of “office” (but more realistically a section of living room) furniture for my new biz. Which will launch soon. Tease.
The DKNY Fashion Preview – I’m going to let the clothes and bags do the talking…
{ Lisa Kwong of Tara Parker Tait PR passing out bags to Kendra of Van City Pretty, Lisa of SoloLisa and Jen of HerWaiseChoice }
{ The above woolly jacket: I want, I want, I want. }
Tweet me! Or post your stylish outfit on my Facebook page! Xo.
Ever have those weeks where you are in a bit of a mad rush to get yourself accustomed to a routine that is unfamiliar and in your haste completely forget to blog for four days? Well I do, and this week was it. Being back from a month in Europe, I feel like everything has changed. Perhaps it’s the new appreciation I have for the French way of life. Oh Paris, how I miss you. Let’s reminisce for a moment shall we; a look back at my visit to Principality of Monaco…
{ Top to Bottom: Strolling through Monte Carlo by the Chanel store – note the Chanel planters, the Grand Prix circuit through Monaco, a dance school named for Princess Grace, a decadent dessert served outside the Hotel de Paris and Monte Carlo Casino (needless to say it was a very, very expensive treat) and the harbor, filled with yachts. }
{ Wearing: Diane von Furstenburg eyelet wrap dress, Gianni Chiarini bag, Zara flats, Michael Kors watch and Armani sunnies }
If you visit Monaco, I highly recommend dressing up. I thought I looked the part, but I felt severely underdressed, particularly in Monte Carlo where the Casino sits high atop the hill. There millionaires parade their luxury cars, overly-groomed and tweaked women and bedazzled pets around as status symbols and the women carry Dior, Hermès and Louis Vuitton as if there wasn’t any other option. Oh yes, now I know why I felt underdressed, I forgot my Birkin! Silly me. ~
The weekend I came back to Vancouver my man, George, planned a few fun activities for us like visiting the Greater Vancouver Zoo and having a couples massage at Spa Utopia. Both were fantastic (swoon). Some may think I overdressed for the zoo, I think: “If the animals look fabulous in their prints and colors, why shouldn’t I try as well?” I particularly envied the pythons and the crocodile, though of course seeing them (and all the other animals), in their cages was disheartening.
{ Wearing: pink transparent net shirt which I purchased before a trip to Europe when I was 16 from who-knows-where-but-isn’t-it-great-I-can-still-fit-into-it, white H&M tank, pleated leather skirt from Zara, Christian Louboutin sandals, Marc by Marc Jacobs purse, necklace from a small one-off shop in Paris and ditto with the aviators }
Thank you for reading, you are fabulous. If I could, I’d pin a badge to your shirt that says, “Hello, I am Fabulous.” Pin it on for me because StyleStruck readers are Fab-u-lous. If you’d like more, I occasionally share my thoughts via a twit. I mean a tweet. (And if you want to ask me anything, Twitter is a good place to do it!)
Xo SS
{ No pictures allowed through our tour of Buckingham Palace, these few were captured leaving the palace. }
9:45 am we had an appointment at Buckingham Palace to see the State Rooms, Kate’s McQueen dress and the Royal Faberge. It was quite a tour, easily one of the best I have ever done. I’ve seen many castles, palaces and royal buildings in my life, but I never thought I’d have the opportunity to walk through an operating Royal Palace and home. The rooms with their opulent decor were incredible, as to be expected. The real treat was seeing Kate Middleton’s wedding dress (shown for the first time publicly), along with a video explaining the construction and design of the dress narrated by Alexander McQueen Creative Director Sarah Burton, as well as Kate’s shoes and jewelry from her wedding day.
Immediately after our tour we decided we needed to do something very girly. Naturally, we hopped on the tube for Oxford St, one of London’s busiest and best shopping destinations. (Best for tourists as Londoners have a lot of great shops we don’t in Canada.) One of the shops in that area is the enchanting department store Liberty. (I clearly have a thing for hydrangeas! *Swoon* for hydrangeas.)
{ Then we stopped, mid-shop, for tea time }
Soo many pretty things at Liberty! I have a real penchant for stationery, as displayed above. As Sunday night was our last night, we dressed up for dinner! Which didn’t really work out. We got so caught up walking down New Bond St – where all the designer shops are – that the restaurants had all closed by the time we got to them. We ended up at Pizza Hut. Real glam, particularly my garlic bread sticks.
{ Wearing: Leopard scarf from Winners, New Look t-shirt, Joe Fresh silk shorts, Christian Louboutin sandals, Dorothy perkins necklace worn as a bracelet, Franchi clutch }
London, you treated us well! Mostly. If you don’t count the first Sunday we were there (we arrived in the UK on the Friday), when my wallet was stolen in Nottinghill on Portabello Road. The thief got away with my Mastercard, debit card and ₤60 (about $90 Canadian). What a drag – a whole week was spent without access to any money! Luckily for me though that the girlfriend I’m traveling with, bless her heart, lent me money for that week and we evened it out when I finally received a new MC upon arrival in Paris. Also on that Sunday my pants ripped big right at the worst spot (as seen here), I entered a toilet stall that had no TP (meaning that no, I did not go without, but had to quickly make friends with the girl next to me who undoubtedly thought I was a real perv), and my Tube pass declined to work several times, leaving me stuck in the metal rotating thingy. TMI? London basically kicked me in the pants that day.
P.S. I miss my cat.
Xo StyleStruck
{ Quick stop on route to Piccadilly: “Hello? Operator? Yes, hello, I’d like to place a collect call to George.” … “What do you mean you don’t know who that is??” Wearing: JNBY shirt dress, vintage Pierre Cardin clutch, Christian Louboutin cork sandals, crystalized friendship-style bracelet from New Look – I hear those are all the rage now. }
Exactly one week ago today we were off for a night out in London! Our destination? The infamous, glamorous and most fabulous lounge and club; Mahiki’s, which just so happens to be across the street from The Ritz! We love that. (Check out Mahiki’s celeb gallery!) We enjoyed a delicious dinner with cocktails in their very polynesian lounge and had boozy smoothies in hollowed-out pineapples before moving downstairs to the club. Just before we left I met a very interesting person; Marco, a VP of womens’ wear for Burberry London. He offered a tour of the Burberry office for the following week, which we would have gladly accepted had it not been for an early train on Monday to Paris. Darn train. Très, très triste.
Xo SS
Wearing: Necklace from Macy’s – brand unknown, Linq sweater, H&M shorts, Christian Louboutin sandals (and new highlights by Suki’s! Love new highlights).
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
Not quite the dark side, but somewhere in the middle. It’s really the very best place to be. And what is more beautiful than a closet full of sky-high heels? I expect to the true fashion-obsessed, it’s quite like an aphrodisiac. Just see below at Khloe Kardashian’s shoe closet, thanks to The Coveteur (my FAVORITE site on the web right now), and Elle.com. When you see a closet this good, you have to share it.
CLICK HERE to enjoy a full look at Khloe’s shoe collection, as well as a look at corners of her home. It’s fab-u-lous. Okay, a few more…
Talk about investing in your look, Louboutins for days!
Xo StyleStruck
Friday afternoon and Marie and I made our way over to my sister’s apartment where Marie will be staying for the next four days – the man and I are headed to Seattle! Dressing this morning, I felt very inclined to slip on some high-heeled sandals and these Louboutins certainly fit the bill. Comfortable and fabulous in one gorgeous package.
This tote I’m carrying was a parting gift from the Michael Kors at Pacific Centre opening party a couple months ago. Love the red accents.
Wearing: Massimo trench, Zara sweater, vintage pony hair belt, vintage dress, Christian Louboutin shoes, Michael Kors tote, Michael Kors tortoise-shell watch.
Photos by my sister, Monika. Check out her blog here!
This is going to be fantastic weekend with a full line up: tonight I will be taking myself to the Bill Cunningham documentary (a girl needs a date with herself once in awhile). Tomorrow morning I’ll be picking up the most gorgeous sequin dress from Monika’s then watching the man’s rugby game in the park with girlfriends and later attending a friend’s graduation party at Coast. And I’m just getting started, Sunday we leave for Seattle for a lovely little get-a-way and I am beyond excited! It’s so nice to get out of the city, even for a couple days. (And HELLO Nordstrom Rack!)
Have a wonderful weekend!
Xo StyleStruck
Monday morning and I’m up at 8:15 getting a report into work (via email – which meant I got to do my work whilst wearing PJs). A quick breakfast run around the corner to Safeway and Starbucks, clad in sneakers (Coach), flared, faded jeans (Citizens – from twelfth grade), and an easy military jacket (Talula), and I’m back home whipping eggs and milk into a frenzy, pre-heating the stove and grabbing the syrup, cinnamon and butter. Mmmm french toast and caramel coffee.
Soon enough my morning escape was over and it was back to the computer to return emails, make appointments and do work-related research. Finally, in the late afternoon the sun decided to peak out of the clouds and I felt brave enough to don spring sandals – pre-loved, Christian Louboutin gold and cork sandals.
Something about this stealth panda said to me: designer sandals. I dig a mix of casual and fabulous.
Wearing: Zara leather bomber jacket, gifted Ebon Aves t-shirt, Odyn denim, H&M clutch, Fossil rose gold watch, rose gold bangle from Blue Ruby and Christian Louboutin sandals.
Stories: Clothes come to me by way of friends, family, blogging, splurging and searching. This leather jacket has been one of my staples for years now. I think it gives denim a James Dean feel and dainty floral skirts an edge. One night not too long ago I thought it was stolen at a party, I nearly lost it. What is a girl to do without a leather jacket?? And you know how hard it is to find just the right one! This t-shirt is a new addition to my closet courtesy of Ebon Aves, (pronounced eh-bon ay-veez), a local graphic apparel company that creates wittily printed t-shirts. This particular design said something to me, something along the lines of: I am a cheeky panda. What’s not to love? Odyn jeans are not easy to find, and I first found this pair at (212) in Gastown one afternoon just before a big trip to NYC in 2008. I used to rock them with cool sneakers, now in my old(er) age, I opt for heels. The Louboutins are a Christmas gift from my sister, another piece of her Holts collection that has found a new home in my closet. These shoes, which were not produced as part of a Christian Louboutin collection, were designed and made specifically for a Diane Von Furstenburg runway show a few years ago and then later sold through Holt Renfrew. I wonder which model wore them before I did… interesting past life for a pair of sandals! The clutch was a birthday gift from a good friend, a friend with great taste!
By late afternoon I was also ready for another caffeine fix in the form of a London Fog (above), though, Starbucks doesn’t make them like Delaney’s does. Not enough vanilla I suppose. That, and I’m partial to the local coffee shops – proximity won this time.
Note: I often do posts about my apartment and I am a little embarrassed to show you how lame my baseboards are, but those are one of the things you can’t change in a rental unfortunately. For now, do me the courtesy of ignoring their hideousness. Thank you.
If you’d like to check out more t-shirt designs by Ebon Aves Apparel, click HERE, or visit Lüt Boutique at 4219 Main St. in Vancouver.
Last night I attended a private art showing at Bob Rennie‘s gallery in Chinatown. The multi-level exhibit featured the work of Richard Jackson, an acclaimed contemporary artist who lives and works in California, who was in Vancouver for last night’s event. Unfortunately, because the event was a no-pictures affair, I don’t have pictures for you, except one that was snapped of my date and I, Tommy, standing on the rooftop patio. You may have seen this lit up slogan when driving through Chinatown…
Wearing my beloved DVF silk dress from seasons past. Tommy in a brown cashmere blazer; the sartorial theme for the night was “Mad Men-esque.”
Walking into the gallery was quite something, you were immediately faced with a wall of backwards canvases and arcs of colourful paint… I never was very good at describing art, but it was fantastic and beautiful. (Actually, to be completely honest, what really happened when I first walked in was my dress flew up. I wore a full, pleated skirt and then wisely stood over a grate near the entrance. WHOOSH! went my silk skirt! Then there were more grates throughout the gallery, and yes I did accidentally walk over those too…) Other pieces included giant colourful bears standing at urinals and a large piece of partially-completed pointillism done with a b.b. gun rather than a paint brush. My favourite piece though was the finishing piece, a blue neon light-up sign that read, “paintings,” but lit up strategically to say “ain’t painting a pain.” Cute. I like art that doesn’t take much analyzing. (Note: While I enjoy art, I am certainly no critic). But I do have to say the exhibit was fabulous, provocative and very creative and it was a pleasure to be invited! (Thank you to Yael and Chris for having me, and Tommy for inviting me!)
Fashion-wise, it seems the art ladies favor Christian Louboutin! I really feel that I need to join the Louboutin club.
Xo StyleStruck
Note: Oops, I can’t take the credit for the “champagne bar” comment, that was all Mat! Keep Reading.
Mat Wilcox, photo credit: The Globe and Mail.
In the field of Public Relations, one woman in particular stands out. Her name is Mat Wilcox, founder and CEO of the Wilcox Group. Just to give you a bit of an idea of what Mat does on a daily basis, she and her team handle corporate communications and crisis management. For example, when we were all hearing about the Avian Bird Flu scare, or H1N1 sine influenza, Mat was behind the scenes managing the communications side of these high-profile crises. Pretty big stuff hey? Impressive doesn’t do Mat justice.
A bit more background from The Wilcox Group website:
In 1995, Mat founded Wilcox Group, one of Canada’s largest national corporate communications and crisis management firms.
Mat has provided strategy and counsel to prominent Canadian business leaders on more than $4 billion worth of merger and acquisition projects, garnering millions of dollars in media coverage and national – and international – headlines. She has personally advised CEOs of multibillion-dollar, publicly-traded organizations and provided key counsel to client accounts including TELUS, KFC Canada, Obelysk Inc., Scott’s REIT, Translink, BHP Billiton, Whole Foods Market, Dave Wireless, and Priszm Income Fund.
I believe the word you are now looking for, is WOW. I know, right?
So how did a fairly new blogger like myself come in contact with such an outstanding and powerful woman? I’ve been familiar with the Wilcox group for sometime now and so when I joined Twitter I looked Mat Wilcox up and immediately became one of her followers. Oh, the power of Twitter! Anyone who spends enough time around me is lucky enough to hear me go on about how much I adore Twitter.
Let me take a moment out here and take this opportunity to tell all of you non-Twitterers what you are missing out on: if there is someone you admire, say a celebrity, a journalist or a woman of PR BRILLIANCE with fun, witty 140 character “tweets,” GET ON TWITTER AND START FOLLOWING. What makes Twitter so amazing is the contact it allows you to connect with just about anyone. I often tweet to @FLAREmagazine, and now, oh happy day! Flare magazine follows me on Twitter! And this is how my relationship with Mat Wilcox came to be.
Mat sent out 140 characters saying something cute about how she wasn’t getting full use out of her kitchen at the time, so I responded and she wrote back!
StyleStruck @matwilcox I really think modern kitchens ought to accommodate the modern woman: more shelving, perhaps a shoe rack or two and a wine cellar
MatWilcox @StyleStruck And a full on champagne bar. Plus an automatic hair stylist.
StyleStruck @matwilcox you speak my language!
That was a big day for me.
In January I got to thinking, I’d like to publish a few posts about inspiring and influential established and up-and-coming women. All are Vancouver women with a story to share, and a closet that would make any girl a little envious! Here is the first interview; the role fashion plays in a busy, professional and fabulous woman’s life:
StyleStruck: How do you think fashion influences your life?
Mat Wilcox: I am a minimalist. I look at fashion that I can travel in easily. I have offices in Toronto and Vancouver so I buy two of everything that I love so I don’t have to pack a suitcase. When you travel as much as I do you want clothes that can stand up to airplanes yet look professional and stylish at all times. i.e. my Laboutins!
SS: How does fashion help you shape your personal image/identity?
MW: I am a big fan of structural and clean lines. I love the minimalist look – especially a black turtleneck and riding boots. However, that said, I am having to break away from my all black routine. My favourite designer these days is Pink Tartan – they have a striped coral wrap dress that’s the perfect day to dinner dress for spring. The silk jersey fabric makes it an amazing solution for a weekend away – just pack and go!
SS: What is your favourite occasion to get dressed for?
MW: Truthfully, I don’t enjoy black tie events and fussy hair even though I have to attend a lot of these kinds of functions. My favourite occasion is well…New York anything. I do love to get dressed in New York. It is where I feel most comfortable, especially in the fall. Maybe it’s the all black theme women wear there? I like the sophistication of the city and I feel like a million dollars there.
SS: What have you learned about fashion as your style as changed?
MW: I learned early on to buy the most expensive classic style you can afford. I remember when I was broke buying two items a year. The great thing was that over time you build a wardrobe. Amazingly I still have those pieces (i.e. a classic Chanel bag) and I rotate them in and out.
SS: How did you get your start in Public Relations?
MW: I launched the Globe and Mail newspaper in Western Canada. That was my first PR job and I immediately loved it and knew I had found my niche. From there I worked at the Olympics, Hyatt Hotels and then started my own corporate communications firm. We specialize in corporate communications and crisis management for major companies all over North America.
SS: What part of your job do you enjoy most?
MW: I really enjoy working with our clients and coming up with solutions. I sit on several corporate and charitable boards and really enjoy my work with them. It’s a challenge and keeps me thinking.
As I edit and re-read this post I can’t help but feel an urge to be entrepreneurial! I hope you do too! : ) Check back for more of these over the coming weeks!
And of course, a big THANK YOU to Mat for generously giving her time!!
XO StyleStruck
