Happy Birthday Nathan!

Today's Nathan's birthday! This picture is from his birthday last year, so I'll be sure to post some pictures of this years birthday (with a new home-made hat of course) later in the week.

Toronto Events

Nuit Blanche:
Nuit Blanche is a free all night contemporary art 'thing' on October 3rd, 2009. The 4th annual Nuit Blanche includes the work of over 500 artists exhibiting in galleries, museums and unexpected places all over the city such as bus stations, grocery stores and even underneath bridges. I'm super excited for this and will definitely be attending as a first time participant going all the way from dusk 'til dawn (I've been out of town for every past year so I'm going all out this weekend)!

Click here for more information.

Fall Home Show:
Join over 250 exhibitors at The Better Living Centre this weekend who will show you the latest in home & garden products and services. There will also be HGTV workshops available for free on site hosted by experts in their fields. The workshops include tips on becoming your own decorator, luxe living for less, power tools for beginners, DIY ideas and several more. I'll be attending with my mom for the first time, so I'll keep you posted on any good finds!

Click here for more information.

Vanity Fair Portraits:
The latest exhibition at the ROM (Royal Ontario Musuem) is Vanity Fair Portraits which is a collection of almost 150 photographs from both it's vintage period (1913-1936) and it's modern periods (1983-present). It was created to celebrate the 2008 25th anniversary of the modern Vanity Fair as well as the 95th anniversary of its founding in 1913. The exhibit features legends such Madonna, Ernest Hemingway, Bette Davis and Louis Armstrong as well as the works of famous photographers Edward Steichan and Annie Leibovitz.

Click here for more information.

Before

I'm starting my upholstery classes tomorrow and I can't wait!! This chair that I found on Craig's List will be my project for the next 10 weeks. I'll be sure to show you the finished product in a couple months when it's all done. Wish me luck!

Style Alert: Leopard Print

When I was 16 I had my room decked out in anything I could find leopard print-pillows, candles, and I even went as far as re-upholstering a stool and a chair in a leopard fabric. Needless to say I was a bit leopard crazed! In the past few years, I've collected a few more leopard pieces such as a couple knit cardi's and a pair of pumps. Now I'm feeling re-inspired by this print after seeing these great street pics:

Leopard bike shorts get toned down with a black blazer and basic white tee. These shorts would also look great layered under a cute black skirt or denim cut-offs.

A leopard dress looks very sophisticated and classic when paired with black tights and a black clutch. Over-sized leopard printed faux fur is everywhere and looks oh so glam and cozy!

Leopard print shoes kick up any outfit a few notches especially wedges such as these ones.

I think this is my favourite leopard look! I'm just loving the leopard harem pants paired with the lace booties and leather biker jacket. I want this whole outfit please!

Photographs from Chictopia, The Sartorialist, Taghrid, Life By Ida.

Home Tour: Long Beach Loft

I love everything about Kristopher's and Ginger's 1728 square foot loft in Long Beach, California. Everything about their loft screams my boyfriend and I! Everything from the colours (we're crazy about celeste and orange) to the retro furniture to the open concept to the amazing DIY steel door to the music room (my boyfriend is in the music industry and has a ton of similar equipment) to the hard loft feel. I just love it! For more details click here.

Photographs from Apartment Therapy.

Recipe: White Chocolate & Cranberry Scones

I was in the baking mood last weekend and decided to whip together some scones on Sunday for breakfast. I've never made scones before, so thankfully they turned out great! I'll be making lots more in the future! I based my scones on a recipe I found on Epicurious. The recipe called for dried currants, but instead I used 3/4 cup of dried cranberries and 4 white chocolate baking squares. Serve with jam or butter for ooey gooey goodness! Click here for the recipe.

*I also think the dried cranberries and white chocolate would be delish with the biscuit recipe from the strawberry shortcake recipe I posted a few weeks ago.

Have a great weekend!

Boutique Spotlight: Love of Mine

Love of Mine, the most recent addition to the trendy Queen West strip in Toronto (just over a week old), is a boutique full of cherished treasures. Being the new kid on the block, it stands apart with eccentric items from artists all around the world. Anna Damelin, owner of Love of Mine, hand picks each item, "I find things that I love - and will continue to love forever - and put them in my store. I'm inspired by craftsmanship, artistry, and originality - and that's what I hope brings people to Love of Mine".

At Love of Mine you will find a mix of jewellery, shoes, clothing, housewares and art. The multi- layered chain necklace by Gemma Redux is breathtaking and the gorgeous leather bags from Helena De Natalio and boots from Candela NYC have my name all over them! There are some amazing plates by designer John Derian that have been decoupaged using antique prints and super cute leather ottomans from Morocco. Anna also hinted that she will be getting in some very unique ceramics from Mexico next month.

Not only does Love of Mine showcase a variety of artists' goods, but it also has an amazing store design. The clean lines, cement wall and antique furnishings not only make this space unique, but also make the atmosphere a great shopping experience!

Decoupage plates by John Derian featured in a antique jewellery case.

Antiqued style wrapping paper.

Butterflies by Canadian artist Kristi Malakoff.

Jewellery by Gemma Redux (I love love love the second one from the right).



Love of Mine
781 Queen St. W
Toronto, ON
M6J 1G1
416.368.4999
www.loveofmineboutique.com

DIY: Leather Shorts

After hunting for the perfect leather shorts and coming up empty handed, Kait from Chictopia (she's a fellow Toronto girl) decided to get creative. She found a pair of leather pants at a thrift store, cut them to the right length and added a fake cuff hem. I love this idea and her entire outfit too!

Style Alert: Leather Shorts

Spotted in Alex Wang's spring 2010 collection were leather shorts, but why not get a head start and sport them now?! Leather shorts are the perfect transition shorts for fall. They're great on their own and perfect with tights or boots when the colder weather hits.

Here are some inspirational looks with leather shorts from the streets:

Photographs via Face Hunter, Vanilla Scented, Karla's Closet, Chictopia

Street Style

Love everything about this outfit!

Photograph from The Sartorialist.

Weekend Scrapbook

Sorry for the lack of pictures this weekend, but it was a very hectic last two days. I hope you had a great weekend!

Nathan's first photoshoot for Brave Petworks. Beef Thai salad. Go karting (and laser tag which was sooo much fun). S'mores made in the oven (quick and easy campfire alternative).

NY Fashion Week Day Eight Pick: Isaac Mizrahi

For the last and final day of New York Fashion, Isaac Mizrahi finished it off with a bang. It was jackets galore at his spring 2010 Ready To Wear show..everything from tuxedos jackets to cropped jackets to sequined jackets to wide shouldered jackets. Rosettes and bustiers were also strong looks in this collection. Here are some of my favourite looks:









Photographs via WWD.

I hope you enjoyed my New York Fashion Week coverage. It was fun, but I'm looking forward to going back to regular posts next week. Have a wonderful weekend! xo

NY Fashion Week Day Seven Pick: Michael Kors

My favourite collection for day seven of New York Fashion Week is hands down Michael Kors. I loved the simple, clean and structural lines in his collection along with the interesting cutout and zipper placements. The asymmetrical lines and clear strips of Perspex were great touches as well!










Photographs via WWD.

NY Fashion Week Day Six Pick: Dennis Basso

With just a couple days left to go of New York Fashion Week, it's getting harder and harder to make a decision for my pick of the day. But there was one collection on day six that was a breath of fresh air and which definitely stood out from the rest...Dennis Basso. His spring 2010 RTW line was screaming sophisticated fairytale and was every princess' dream. Metallic fabrics, ballerina dresses and skirts, lace coats and fur shrugs all done in a soft and feminine colour story.







Photographs via WWD.

NY Fashion Week Day Five Pick: Marc Jacobs

With the much anticipated show, Marc Jacobs didn't disappoint. WWD described it as "a fantastical Coppélia-meets-Pierrot-meets-G.I.Joe-meets-Geisha-meets-Americana-meets-Comme des Garçons kind of way", and I think that sums it up perfectly. One can only appreciate all the detail the went into each garment. Each ruffle, flounce, and sequin perfectly in place along with luxurious fabrics of satins and brocades. Favourite look? Military jacket paired with the mini ruffle skirt!








Photographs via WWD.