Doin' mommyhood with style!

This is an homage to moms, new or not so new that are constantly on-the-go and doing their thing in style!

It's abit late since Mother's day was last May, but the new pic of Kourtney Kardashian on the cover of Baby Couture (an LA based mag i guess?) has inspired me.  She's a new mom but a very dedicated one, always on the go but having time for her baby--even managing to juggle her life while never missing a beat with him!

Just checking out Kourtney Kardashian's blog on Celebuzz shows just how mommyhood has given her a new glow about her, and a second wind for juggle life with a career and a family! I love how she hasn't traded her busy schedule and dedication to her family with the sense of stylishness she had pre-baby.

I hope someday when I become a mom on the go, I'll be just as stylish and energetic as she is!

When in Rome....

A few months back, I was lucky enough to be able to watch the movie 'When in Rome' with my oh-so-fave actress from the Veronica Mars series Kristen Bell and Las Vegas series Josh Duhamel.  Even when I first saw the trailer, I knew instantly that I would love this movie--and I was right!

This movie has instantly become one of my fave movies of all time--bar-none!

I guess this more relates to a movie review than a fashion related entry, but in a way, it still relates.

I loved the fashion in the entire movie, from her office wear at the museum in New York City to when she was in Rome and even while at the actual event for the museum to showcase the art.  The fashion was bang-for the ever-lovely Kristen Bell.

Of course who could forget, major eye-candy, Josh Duhamel!  Fashion sense and comedic timing--puurfecto!

I would recommend this movie to anyone that is into romantic comedy like me....It's the new wave of romantic comedy...Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan had to step aside sometime!

Online v. In-store?

I love to shop....It's like having an honorary black-belt in what I consider to be a sport.

I love shopping and as such, I tackle these kinds of shopping dilemmas. haha you're probably thinking 'wow those are some hard-hitting problems you face..' lol indeed.  When you're an avid shopper like me and you love to get the best out of your hard-earned $$$ you won't be able to escape that lingering question that the world of internet has opened up....

Online or in-store?

Falling for Fall (boots!)

It's approaching the end of July fast...You know what that means--Fall! luvs.

I wait for this season every year!!! (seriously.)

I love the fall foliage, the cooler weather (unless we get an indian summer) and even thanksgiving & halloween! haha.

Along with the change of the season means changing of the wardrobe. lol.  So official, almost like 'changing of the guards'..It's a ritual for me, to change my wardrobe from the summer cutesy tanks and shorts, to the appropriate hues and styles for fall.  Bring on the warmer sweaters, the darker jeans and the blazers....!

oh how I love fall...ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT.

Anyways, I was browsing for fall ankle booties to buy for the season, knowing full well that with the end of July comes the Fall preview collections--just a tease of what's to come!

So here are some of my options...tell me what you think!

Dressing for the Occasion.

When you are part of the Wedding Entourage, there is no need to ever figure out what to wear since the Bride has this all worked out for you as part of her, well...Entourage lol.  While we've all had our chances of being part of a bridal party at one point or another, whether as a flower girl, bridesmaid or even a Maid of Honour--it isn't always going to be the case..

Everyone makes a point to dress well for a wedding of course, since most weddings require either a suit or a dress or some culturally-specific attire.  Most weddings are either semi-formal or black-tie events--as would be stated in your invitation to prevent anyone from arriving in jeans and a t-shirt to a semi-formal dress shirt and tie event and stand out like a sheep among wolves.

photo courtesy of: http://agirlgottaeat.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/1280x1024-satc-1.jpg

So you have RSVP'd to a wedding and it's coming up soon...what to wear?  I thought I'd share a few of my lessons over the years of going to weddings...

Summer = Wedding Season!

Summer is in full swing....and you know what that means.....

It's Wedding season!

I love wedding season....It gives me an excuse to buy a beautiful dress and party with loved ones..

In honour of that season, I will be doing a few blogs on weddings....anything from wedding plans, to dressing for a wedding etc...

Happy Wedding to all of you!

Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear: Loves it.

The world of fashion moves two steps ahead of the normal world, and anticipates the ever-changing trends of the public.  I always get excited about fall during summer and thus, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the sneak peak of Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear collection.  I had my eye on one designer in particular, Chloe.

For those that know me well, I rarely spend my hard earned $$$ on the designer clothing.  I much rather invest in another lux, handbags.  Ever so often, however, I do venture to the designers to get ideas on the upcoming season and what looks good and what may not. 

Chloe
Under the hands of what style.com has mentioned to be the first female designer at the Fashion house of Chloe since Phoebe Philo, Hannah Macgibbon shows her take on the Chloe Fashion 2010 Ready-to-Wear collection.  Exciting! Finally! A woman back to take the healm.  Mind you, she was also a protege of Ms. Philo, who I believe has her own line now (must put on the list to check out!).

So her colour of choice was quite obvious from the first few photos of the Runaway show in Paris.  Lots of neutrals, beige and camel tones.  In fact, one of the most recognizable pieces she has which I've seen so far in two mags, is the Jumpsuit--one being in the Fall preview section of the July 2010 of Harper's worn by Cameron Diaz. 

I love that this colour is once again the dominant colour for fall.  It's fresh and chic, casual but yet dressy.  As style.com desribes it, it's 'grown up' and a new take on the fashion house and it's old flirty, feminine style.  The mens wear inspired looks are just gorgeous.

Celebration of Light 2010: Are you prepared!?

Today is the much anticipated fireworks day.  The Celebration of Light is a 4 show fireworks display that spans over 2 weeks, every wednesdays and saturdays done over English Bay, starting at 10:15pm sharp; just long enough for daylight to subside.  3 countries compete for sky supremacy and creative light-show prowess.  The winner is usually announced on the last saturday, and does a encore mini of the show they previously performed.

I used to live for this event...going to the beach with friends and relaxing while waiting for the fireworks to start..If we decided to go on a saturday, it would be a day at the beach, which usually wears me out but good.  Going to a few of these myself, I thought I'd share what I've found to help curb the boredom, heatstroke and generally be problem-free!

The 3-1-1 rule: leave the hassle at home when travelling to the US

Whenever summertime comes around, I think of travelling and vacations...

There is no better time to travel than during summer, when the weather will be 70% agreeable and it means less to pack and fuss over!

One thing that I think people travelling within North America should realize (and I think mostly everywhere) are the travel restrictions for carry-ons.  Nothing can kill you travel happy mood faster than TSA giving you the evil eye over your non-compliance with their carry-on rules.  You'd be surprised how common it is for people to get the restrictions wrong....

uncovering the shades.

It's been non-stop day after day of beautiful weather here in Vancity, and I thought since it is summer and the sun is going strong daily that I'd blog about sunglasses!

Shades.

Popularized around the 1940s when it wasn't only cool to have them to guard yourself from the prying eyes if you're a celebrity, it became more important to guard damage against the eyes.  There are tons of choices and and name brands, its virtually impossible to not own at least one pair!

Those who know me well know that I am attached to my Chanel sunglasses.  I love the shape--it reminds me of Audrey Hepburn in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' and the lenses are big enough to cover my eyes and not let the rays through...They have helped me shade my emotions on the most difficult of days in the Philippines and have shaded my eyes from the intense rays at Lonsdale Quay on a sunny afternoon.

How does one choose a pair?  Does it even matter what brand or if one buys a pair from the cheap stores?  Why invest in a pair like Oakleys or Ray ban?

Good question!

Make-up in the spotlight.

I thought I'd take the time out to talk make up.  Ever so often, I get that 'if you were stuck on an island..' game, and the question of what make-up I would take if I ever got stranded on one, and actually I don't know.  It always seems to change...I thought I'd shine a light on my makeup bag and it's contents.  Then maybe I'd figure out what I can and can't live without in the process lol.  Though if you've seen my make-up bag that I take with me everyday, it's going to become obvious why it's so hard for me to take just one thing on an island! lol

To make it easy, I've numbered everything instead of taking a pic of each and every piece on it's own like I usually do =)

LC: hairstyle icon!

Move over, Jen Aniston! You've been replaced! lol.  A new hairstyle trend-setter and a Jennifer Aniston of the new decade has arrived in the form of...

Lauren Conrad!

I am a closet Laguna Beach fan *blushes in shame* and more importantly, I've always been on Team Kristin.  I loved the chemistry between her and Stephen Colleti.  I have to admit tho, LC also had her own charms about her.  It wasn't until she started in the spin-off 'The Hills' that she won me over with her sweetnes, loyalty and virtue.

Nowadays, I am also Team LC--admiring her head for business, strong work ethic and ability to keep climbing to the top amidst her reality star status and mindless gossip.  I think she's the Queen B--of the Celebrity business world.  I feel like I'm abit ashamed to admit that I want to buy her book LA Candy lol.

Wearing many crowns, not only is she a fashion designer, a writer and reality star, I can say that she's also my hairstyle icon.  I love how no matter what drama unfolds in her former show, she always looked stunning in her casual OC style waves or her braids.  She has what I'd love, looking great and yet simple and not over-the-top at the same time!

My top 3 styles to covet from the lovely reality star darling:

I've been experimenting with the tousled, messy but tamed look lol...It's hard cause you have to style the hair in a way that looks abit unstyled but yet tamed enough that you don't look like a lindsay lohan hot mess! I love how LC's hair is just tousled enough to not look uptight but yet still tamed enough to not look like she just got out of bed lol. Puurr-fecto!

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Trend Alert: Jen Aniston in Stuart Weitzman wedges!

Okay, I thought since celebrities are rollin' in dough, they would be able to buy new things all the time and that they wouldn't be caught dead wearing the same thing over and again.  Well I guess not! lol.  The column from people stylewatch have included this section in their mag called 'I love my...' and it showcases that even celebrities with money are proned to occasional over-wear of their go-to accessories and fashion pieces.  I personally love reading this column and always love to check out what the celebrities' faves are....It's nice to know that even when you have all the $$ you could ever imagine, that when you love one particular piece, you'll wear it again and again regardless!
What a relief! I thought I was the only one with go-to pieces! lol.

(courtesy of people style watch website)

I am particularly inlove with these sandals (as i found out, so is everyone else!).  So cute and casual.

Jennifer Aniston certainly is a trend-setter! First her haircut, now her shoes! lol.

I've always loved the laid-back, cali-style, neutral style of hers.  Clean lines and neutral palettes give her a stylish look whether it's running errands in LA or reporting to the set for work.  She is one of my fave style icons...She makes boyfriend tees and cargos look oh-so-simply sexy! Luv her style!

What do you think?

Halston: A Legacy in full circle.

Halston

...or Roy Halston Frowick, rather.

A boy from Des Moines, Iowa whose fashion became as regular of a fixture in the 70s scene as Andy Warhol and Club 54.  He made controversy by being the first to license clothing to a major department store and designing the now famous pillbox hat for Jackie O during the 1961 Presidential Inauguration.  A name that became synonymous this summer with the much anticipated chick flick 'Sex and the City 2'.  How do you ignore a fashion re-built from a tarnished name of a designer who ended in not-so great circumstances, even ending a eerie similar fate to Herve Leger--losing the rights to his own name and the fashion house he built.  Decades after his death, the name rises like a phoenix from the ashes of ruin into the spotlight once again, as Sarah Jessica Parker and her posse of New Yorkers give the designer house a breath of fresh air.

I love the new Halston Heritage collection.  It caught my eye in the first scene of SATC 2, SJP as Carrie Bradshaw stepping out into the New York city streets in her white HH white 3/4 sleeve v-neck tunic, looking as radiant as ever....I love white, and I loved the dress even more.  Upon hearing that the new collection is now available at the Bay (HBC or Hudson's Bay Co.) I was mad with excitement.

Recently, The Bay has put the spring collection on sale for upto 50% off.  If you're a fan like I am by the classy fashion that gives the 70s disco era and updated chic look, then this is the fashion house for you.  I love that the collection gives off a chic casual style and beautiful simplistic pieces that can go from day to night instantly. 

Here are a few of my faves:

The tye dye silk halter jumpsuit, so 70s chic--kind of a chic boho meets the upper west side.  I love how you can sport this during the daytime with maybe those beautiful Stuart Weitzman Wedge Sandals that Jennifer Aniston loves so much! Also still chic and date-ready for the evening!  One less thought if the jumpuit comes as a top and bottom in one, no need to match separates! lol.

One-shoulder Cocktail Dress -- a layer of ruffles for an ultra feminine look (also in for the season!) transforms this one shoulder Little Black Dress from anything but simple!  It's a beautiful cocktail dress that gives you the glam without the loudness..

Of course the piece de resistance, the ultimate love of mine from this collection? the coveted white tunic that SJP wore in the beginning scene of the movie.  Like I said before, I LOVE white like you have no idea, and I just adore this simple white tunic that, to me, is just so spring and airy.n  It just screams fresh and spring!

Tees & Tanks...luv luv luv.  The basics are oh-so-soft! I am powerless to resist buying one of the racerbacks and v-necks on sale....

If you have not checked out the collection at the bay, I urge you to take a look see.  The collection is worth a second and third look....

Tidbit Celebrity Info-- SJP has been named Creative Director for the prestigous Fashion house....Maybe she'll bring abit of her NYC 'Carrie Bradshaw-ish' style into the mix to bring the brand back where it belongs, in high fashion.

Quest for the double C's.

So my quest does indeed continue....I am determined more than ever to get those coveted double C's.

 lol I am not getting any augmentations! ....I am talking about the Chanel 2.55 bag!

I am inlove with this bag...really.

I kid you not, there is no other bag in the world like this shoulder bag.  I have searched and scowered the stores to find something that is comparable, if not by the size and shape then by the quality and timelessness of the piece, and it's ability to transition from a day to night bag-- with space to boot!

I have the same affinity for this shoulder bag as I do with the birkin top handle.  I simply adore beautifully made bags.  There is no comparison.

I don't expect everyone to understand though....I don't have the same love for shoes, at least not that much...

Don't get me wrong, I have lots of shoes, it's just not the same love that I have for good quality bags.  There is craftsmanship there that is lacking with bags made in a factory in the tens of thousands, in weird, un-natural fabrics such as PVC(which by the way, smells awful) or pleather(ugh, like I'd like to carry a bag that's the same fabric as the clothes of a dominatrix!?)...I'm sorry if I offend anyone, but to me, nothing beats a nicely made bag that is going to be a great investment piece and will last.

My heart flutters when I see one of those bags...It's love at first sight!