Sunday, December 27, 2009

Through the looking glass

The only good thing about getting old and losing your vision are the nice glasses one can get out of this experience. Some people love designer handbags, or shoes, but I love designer glasses. They are my only solace when I realize that my vision is just getting weaker by the day.

Who would want to wear the exact same pair of shoes or belt every day? That’s why I think it’s nice to have options when it comes to glasses, especially since they are worn daily and around the face nonetheless.

Here are some of my favourite picks from my own collection. My vision is likely getting weaker, so I’ll be indulging in some new glasses as soon as I get a new eye examination done! I can’t wait. I really am very fond of glasses, as I feel they can change your mood and your attitude. I love wearing mine to change up the look of an outfit.

coach and gucci

I love semi-rimless styles, as I find them the most flattering. They compliment by features, but don’t overwhelm my face.
dior

I also like the thick rimmed glasses, but I do prefer them in lighter colours, like tortoise shell. I find black to be harsh around my face, but I couldn’t say no to these Marc Jacobs glasses. They are very nerdy-chic!
marc and fendi

Finally, my wish list: I love the embellishments on the Dior and Dolce & Gabbana glasses. I like them both in lighter colours, browns or whites. I hope one of these pairs will be my next set of lovely glasses!
glasses I want

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Happy Holidays!

happy holidays

Hey lovely readers! I’m sorry I’ve been absent for the last couple days. It seems that as soon as exams are done, that is when I have to get sick. It happens every semester. So I’ve just been resting, watching movies and marathons of Dexter and True Blood. I just wanted to take some time out to wish you all a very happy holiday! I hope you all get to enjoy these days with the ones you love. And don’t forget to go out and shop on boxing day! My favourite day of the year! Can’t wait to post the goodies I find on December 26.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Blue Challenge!

So the lovely, gorgeous, super-stylish Cheryl from Adventures of a Pinay Niska challenged me to find an assortment of blue items in my closet. I found this challenge a little difficult since my closet is a complete mess right now as I’m moving things out of my room and making room for new furniture and accessories to move in. Nonetheless, I thought of a few items which were not thrown into a pile somewhere in my house and thought I would share.

First are my new Reebok Easytones. I’ve never worn them, but I’ve wanted to try them for when I finally get back on the treadmill. And yes, they are not blue, but the box is so I thought it should count!
reebok easy tone

Second is my Gap merino wool cardigan. It’s from their newest collection, and I just love it. It’s super warm but really light weight. Perfect for layering with anything. And in navy blue, my favourite neutral, it was a great buy.
gap cardigan

Third is my gorgeous Swarovski necklace that I got as a birthday gift last year. It’s wonderful, and the special someone who gave it to me will always be in my heart. And yes, again the box is blue!
blue neckalce

As you can tell, the carpet in my room is also blue, so this proved quite perfect. These are my only blue shoes I could dig up right now. The slippers are from Aldo from 2001, the blue flats are from nine west from a couple years back, and the turquoise sandals are from nine west too.
blue shoes

Lastly, is this beautiful blue scarf my sister got as a present from one of her friend’s who went to Hong Kong. I’m lucky that she lets me borrow it sometimes; I just love the metallic and the blue together.
blue scarf

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Dream Bedroom

dream bedroom

I’m finally done my exams (yay me!) and my winter holidays are here! I’m super excited, not only to have some time away from school, but to redo my room! I’ve wanted to take on this project for the last four years, and it’s finally happening this winter break. My room is tiny, but I’m going to try to do what I can with it; change up the dresser, add some shelving, and hang some of my oil paintings on the wall to finally personalize it. It should be a lot of fun.

If I had a giant bedroom though, this is what I would want it to look like. Fresh, cool, crisp, this room embodies what I would want my room to feel like. I love white with forest green walls. The wood grounds the colours and gives just the right touch of warmth. There is something so calming about this space.


Image from Home and Garden Dream Home 2009

Monday, December 14, 2009

Couture Cake

chanel cake
How cute is this Chanel inspired cake from French designer Alexis Mabille?


Too pretty to eat?...Never.

image from T-magazine

To those I love, thank you

to those i love

As I am taking a break from studying in the wee hours of the morning, I just wanted to reminisce about how lucky I am to have certain special people in my life. After all, it is the holidays and it truly is about thanking the ones you love for being there in your life and making those special moments memorable.

To my sister, you are truly the best sister a girl could ask for. Even when you are clumsy and hit my laptop a thousand times, I will always love and laugh at, er, with you! Let’s eat cake now.

To my parents, you drive me crazy, but I know you have good intentions. And I will always love you.

To my special little pet cat, you are smelly but I still love you and care for you like the special little baby that you are. You are adored.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Rainbow Jade

Hey lovely readers,
I am currently studying for my final exams, but thought I would take a second off and just post about some last minute holiday shopping. If anyone is living around the Toronto area, then do check out Rainbow Jade for their holiday jewellery collection. I’ve bought some things from their over the past year and it’s always been super cute and fun to wear. Their pieces are not too expensive (ranging from $10 - $100 for big sets), and some of their jewellery is made with real stones. Here are a few pictures of pieces from them I currently own. Sorry for the weird pictures though, exam time always has me rushing!

necklace rainbow jade
Pearl and crystal necklace

pearl bracelet
Mother of Pearl Bracelet
They have tons of pearl jewelry, I think its their specialty!

turquoise earings
Turquoise Earrings

Hope you guys get a chance to check them out, and that everyone has finished their holiday shopping!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Ice

I thought I would do a quick post today amidst all my exam prep and studying to show to you, my lovely readers, my great finds at ice.com. The quality and packaging of their merchandise has never disappointed. Nor has their customer service. My sister has had experience in returning a necklace to them that she didn't enjoy, and it was done incredibly quickly and without paying any return shipping. My only qualm with ice.com is the shipping charges to Canada. I just think that $20 shipping to Canada when the item is delivered from Montreal is not necessary. Especially since shipping to the states is much less. Also, they do not ship their watches to Canada, which is a shame because there are some really pretty ones on the site I would have loved to get a hold of. But these are just minor details, and should not be overshadowed by their great jewelery and customer service. Here are some of the fabulous things my sister and I have picked out from ice.com so far!

turquoise necklace 2

turquoise necklace
Torquoise and silver necklace, no longer available :(

pendant
4 5/8 Carat Multi-Gemstone Sterling Silver Pendant with Chain

ring

ring2
5 Carat Cognac Quartz and Diamond Trillion-Cut 14K Gold Ring 
I just noticed there is fur on the box from my cat rubbing against it!


bamboo ring
1/7 Carat Diamond 14K Yellow Gold over Sterling Silver Ring Set


And here is my lust list for the holidays. I would love to get my hands on some of these pieces.

elephant

gold key

heart earings

What are your jewelery lusts for the holidays ladies? And if you have any other great jewelery sites you would like to recommend to me, please let me know! Hope everyone has a lovely week.

Friday, December 4, 2009

The Art of the Sari

This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. My mother has a collection of saris that are heirlooms and will be inherited by my sister and myself. For those who are unfamiliar, a sari is basically unstitched cloth that is usually 8 meters in length and is draped around the body using very specific (and time consuming) techniques. A petticoat is worn underneath and a blouse that matches the sari is worn on top. Some of the saris are heavily beaded and embroidered silks while others are chiffon and printed silks. As I get older, it is becoming more important that I pick out saris that are of heirloom quality. My mother gave me some tips that I’m sure are applicable to both sari and non-sari wearing individuals when choosing quality clothing and cloth.

Make sure that the silks are heavy and thick so that the sari has some weight and is able to fall nicely. This orange sari pictured here is pure silk, which has incredible weight. My mom got this sari when she was 15 years old from silk bought from Japan by my grandfather. It still looks brand new to this day.

sari

sari

The embroidery and the beading should be incredibly sturdy. You know when you go to forever 21 or even H&M and if a piece has sequences or beading which is kind of falling apart, or is poorly done? This would never be acceptable on a sari. Even on this polyester one that I bought as a teenager, the beading is all hand done and reinforced so that not even one piece can fall out. These garments are meant to be worn for a long time, so the quality of the beading is incredibly important to the people purchasing them. Even if the sari is inexpensive, make sure that the beading is firmly attached, and it should last for a long time.

sari

sari

Taking care of a sari is incredibly important. This silk-chiffon number is heavily beaded and was given to my mother when she got married 28 years ago. It still looks brand new because she only washes it by hand and with incredibly mild soap. Dry cleaning is not necessary or recommended with any sari. Using harsh detergents is not recommended either. And when you’re storing them, make sure to put in lavender sachets to keep moths and bugs away, and to fold them so the embroidery is on the inside, and the outside is the back of the sari. Many of the saris are going to show signs of staining after 20 plus years, so that is why it is better that the stains be on the inside so the sari is still wearable.

sari

sari

sari


This sari was bought for me seven years ago from my mother, which started off my own sari collection. I still love it, and because it is unstitched, I can be sure that I can still fit in it after all these years!

sari

sari

sari

These dark brown and orange saris have been in my mom’s wardrobe for almost forty years. They are showing no signs of wear and are still in impeccable shape.

sari

sari

sari

sari

So if you're ever interested in getting a sari, or in any special occasion dress in general, make sure that you take special care of it, and buy for quality, not quantity. Special items can last a lifetime, and the memories and stories associated with them are priceless!

Friday, November 27, 2009

Alteration Dilemma

So a while back, I got suckered into a good deal. A great deal actually. I bought a Miss Sixty wool winter coat that I loved for significantly cheaper than the price that it was in stores. Right now, it is at Macy's and Overstock.com for $150 - $170, which is not even close to what I paid! What a steal I got!

However, the only problem was that because it was such a steal, I never really got to try it on before buying it. Unfortunately, the coat is about one size too big for me. Everything, the shoulder to shoulder seams and the chest are about one to two inches too big for me!

Now, next week I have a reading week, and I’m thinking of going and finding any tailor that I can to take in this coat. But my question is: has anyone ever gotten a wool coat altered? I want to get the whole top half taken in. Does anyone have any advice for me, or can tell me if this is even possible? Will altering ruin the coat?

coat front

close up of coat

coat


What I’m most concerned about is the back pleats being destroyed. I bought this jacket specifically because of how the back pleating looked! It’s so Blair Waldorf / preppy schoolgirl cute!

Here is a picture of the pleats, I tried to make the pleats visible by separating them.

coat pleat


PS, I'm sorry about the bad photos...photography is not my forte!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Say Yes to the Dress

Now, I don't mean to be a dress snob, but it is my firm belief that Elie Saab makes the best dresses, hands down. Here are some of my ultimate favourites.

Photobucket

Photobucket
Elie Saab, Spring 2008 Couture

Photobucket

elie saab 2
Elie Saab, Spring 2008 Couture

elie saab
Elie Saab, Spring 2008 Couture

elie saab

Photobucket
Elie Saab Spring 2008, Couture

Photobucket
Elie Saab, Spring 2007, Couture

Photobucket
Elie Saab, Spring 2007 Couture
This one would probably be best, since it combines an Indian Sari with a Western dress! 



eli saab

Photobucket

Photobucket
Elie Saab Spring 2008 Couture Bridal Collection

elie saab bridal
Fall 2005 Couture, Bridal Collection

elie saab bridal
Elie Saab Spring 2005 Couture, Bridal Collection....not feeling the weird veil

elie saab bridal
Elie Saab 2003 Couture, Bridal Collection

elie saab bridal
Elie Saab for Pronovias collection

elie saab bridal
Elie Saab for Pronovias bridal collection

elie saab bridal
Elie Saab for Pronovias bridal collection



All images from Style.com and weddingstylemagazine.com