Item of the Week: Marc by Marc Jacobs Heart Locket Watch Pendant

This adorable Marc by Marc Jacobs heart-shaped watch pendant is sure to be a hit for Valentine's Day whether from a loved one or from yourself (to yourself). I love how pretty and simple it is.

Love is in the air!

$194.39 CAD at Nordstrom.

Vancouver 2010 in Style

The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics begin next Friday and if you are in town and you haven't gotten around to getting your Olympic gear, this post is for you. From $10 to $450, there are so many stylish options to get you into the Olympic spirit!

The red torch-bearer mittens are a must-have item! At only $10 CAD, how could you pass on this amazing deal? Net proceeds go to support Canadian athletes. Get them now!

HBC Mittens, $10 CAD at The Bay

Vancouver label TNA released a Canada collection to commemorate the Olympics. I am coveting this adorable crewneck Canada long sleeve tee.

TNA Canada Sweater, $40 CAD at TNA and Aritzia

The Bay's cowichan-inspired sweater is adorable with the little elks on the front and the maple leafs on the sleeves. What's on the back? "CANADA" - loud and proud!

Cowichan-inspired Sweater, $100 CAD at the Bay

Also from the Bay is this cozy Canadian Olympic Team Parka. If you are heading to Whistler, this is a stylish and patriotic way to keep warm in the snow.

Women's Canadian Olympic Team Parka, $150 CAD at the Bay

Not officially 'Team Canada' but proudly made in Vancouver, a stunning handknit 100$ wool sweater by Granted would make a beautiful souvenir for those visiting our beautiful city.

Granted Mask Bear Handknit Sweater (made in Vancouver), $349 CAD at LYNNSteven and Granted Clothing (online)

Canadian fashion darlings DSquared2 designed this cozy fleece hoodie exclusively for Holt Renfrew. It gets better: you can meet Dean and Dan Caten of DSquared2 in person February 13, 5-7pm at Vancouver's Holt Renfrew!

DSquared2 Team Canada Fleece Hoodie, $350 CAD at Holt Renfrew

For the not-so-sporty Team Canada lover, Alexander McQueen has provided an elegant way to support our athletes. His signature skull scarf has gone Canada-crazy with this limited edition Maple Leaf/Skull scarf. Fashionistas are going to love this one!

Alexander McQueen Maple Leaf Skull Scarf (exclusive to Canada), $450 CAD at Holt Renfrew

Team Canada!

www.vancouver2010.com

Beauty Fridays: Secrets of a Beauty Insider

ADELE CHAN owns and runs Blank Communications - a public relations agency that specializes in Beauty and Fashion representation. She is my go-to person when I need information on the latest 'hot' products and the first person I consult when in need of a new skincare product. With over seven years as the PR rep for Vancouver's beauty mecca BeautyMark, Adele has tested every beauty product carried by BeautyMark. I've asked her to select some of her favourites and share her beauty tips.

BEAUTY ICON: Christy Turlington.

SKIN CARE: Linacare cream (which is Vancouver-based), Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser, Sara Happ Lip Scrub in Cinnamon Sugar, Bliss Pore Refining Scrub.

Linacare Transforming Face Cream, $58

Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser, $20

Sara Happ Lip Scrub in Cinnamon Sugar, $31.50

Bliss Pore Refining Scrub, $39

MAKE-UP: Fresh Umbrian Clay Foundation, Fresh Face Lustre, Kiss Me Mascara, Cargo Essential Eyeshadow Palette, Stila Lip Glaze, Cargo Bronzer.

Fresh Umbrian Clay Foundation, $46Fresh Face Lustre, $56

Kiss Me Mascara, $35

Cargo Essential Eyeshadow Palette, $34

Stila Lip Glaze, $29

Cargo Bronzer in Medium, $26

BATH & BODY: Principessa Amore After Glow Salt Buff, Adara Virgin Coconut Oil.

Principessa Amore After Glow Salt Buff, $30

Adara Virgin Coconut Oil, $39.50

HAIR: Oribe Hair Masque.

Oribe Hair Masque

NAILS: Butter London Horse Power Nail Fertilizer.

Butter London Horse Power Nail Fertilizer, $24

SIGNATURE SCENT: Fresh Lemon Sugar.

Fresh Lemon Sugar, $81

BEAUTY SECRET: Facials every two months.

TOOLS/GADGETS: BaByliss dryer, Japonesque heated eyelash curler, Whip It eyelashes for special occasions, fresh makeup brushes.

Japonesque Heated Eyelash Curler, $22

SKIN 911 REGIMENT: For pimples - Mario Badescu drying lotion; puffy eyes - my son's gel teething rings from the fridge; hydration for dry spots - WoWee Hydrating Balm; Skin 'pick me up'- Cargo Big Bronzer.

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, $23

WoWee Hydrating Balm, $16 (1 oz)

Cargo Big Bronzer, $32

BEAUTY PET PEEVE: Fillers for fake full lips drive me bonkers!

A LOOK YOU ROCKED BUT NOW REGRET: Blonde hair!

CAN'T-LIVE-WITHOUT AKA YOUR 'SURVIVOR' LUXURY ITEM: Hmmm... Fresh Face Lustre.

Thank you Adele!

All products are available at BeautyMark.

Adele and BeautyMark have also provided me with an exciting reader giveaway! Click here for details!

PHILOSOPHY Cookie Exchange Set GIVEAWAY

As many of you already know, BeautyMark is my number one beauty spot in Vancouver. They are graciously providing one lucky reader this fun Philosophy Cookie Exchange Set.

I love this product! It's soft and creamy and delicious. Plus smelling like freshly baked cookies doesn't hurt, right?

$40 value

Share warm, fresh-baked cookies. The goodies you'll get from philosophy's Cookie Exchange are to be enjoyed as you cleanse from head to toe. Satisfy your sweet tooth with 4 mouth-watering cookie scented shampoo, shower gel & bubble baths 4 oz. It includes sugar cookie, snicker - doodle, oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip flavored shower gels for an ultra-rich bath or shower experience. These high-foaming, 3-in-1 formulas smell delectable and foam with holiday delight.

Comment below for a chance to win! Make sure you leave a way I can contact you (comment under your Google/LiveJournal/Wordpress account or leave your Twitter username). Winner will be selected randomly. Winner will be selected on Sunday, February 14th (my Valentine's gift to you). Good luck!

BeautyMark

1120 Hamilton Street #103
Vancouver, BC V6B 2S2
Canada
www.beautymark.ca

Holt Renfrew Spring 2010 Fashion Preview

Previewing upcoming collections is one of the perks of having a fashion blog. This week I attended Holt Renfrew's Spring 2010 Media Preview, hosted by Barbara Atkin, Vice President of Fashion Direction. Barbara Atkin has a great eye for details and I appreciate the contemporary direction Holt Renfrew has been focusing on.


For my international readers: Holt Renfrew is the go-to place for high-end fashion in Canada. As you already know, I am a Holt Renfrew devotee.

"Timeless iconic pieces are the passport to success." - Barbara Atkin

1. WORLD CULTURE
- prints, ornamentation, embellishment

Diane von Furstenberg S/S 2010 RTW

2. URBAN TRAVELLER
- inspired by nature, army surplus, all-American work wear

Alexander Wang S/S 2010 RTW

3. EXECUTIVE SUITE
- elegant, smart, clean lines, investment clothing

Akris S/S 2010 RTW

4. COOL SCHOOL
- eclectic mix of colour, patter and print

Marc by Marc Jacobs S/S 2010 RTW

5. SILHOUETTE FOCUS
- structured shoulders, voluminous, angular, strong

Balmain S/S 2010 RTW

6. FABRIC & PATTERN FOCUS
- prints, rough hewn, world print, colour blocking, cut-outs

Balenciaga S/S 2010 RTW

MUST-HAVES

1. SHIRT TALES
- white shirt, classic to soft silhouettes

Celine S/S 2010 RTW

2. GO SHORT
- mini skirts, short shorts

Prada S/S 2010 RTW

3. IN THE TRENCHES
- military, perfecto jackets, trench coats

3.1 Phillip Lim S/S 2010 RTW

4. INTIMATE APPEAL
- lace, ruffles, transparency

Marc Jacobs S/S 2010 RTW

5. AT EASE
- fluid silhouette coats, cardigans

Milly S/S 2010 RTW

ACCESSORIES

1. NEUTRAL ELEMENTS (wood, suedes, distressed leather)
2. ORNAMENTAL REMIX
3. REFINEMENT (timeless, iconic)
4. PEEP SHOW (cut-outs)
5. NUDE COLOURS

BEAUTY

1. DRAMATIC BROW
2. PINK AND CORAL LIP
3. WHITE EYELINER
4. RAINBOW EYES

MENSWEAR

1. TRENCH COAT

Burberry S/S 2010 RTW

2. THE BLAZER

Paul Smith S/S 2010 RTW

3. NOVELTY PRINT SHIRT

Etro S/S 2010 RTW

4. THE CHINO

DSquared S/S 2010 RTW

5. THE SUMMER SUIT

Gucci S/S 2010 RTW

MEN'S ACCESSORIES

1. THE POCKET SQUARE
2. THE MESSENGER BAG
3. THE DRIVER SHOE
4. THE LACE-UP


Thank you Holt Renfrew for hosting a great event! It's always a pleasure.


*All images courtesy of http://www.style.com/ and http://www.wwd.com/.

Shoe Wednesdays: Bloch Patent Captoe Ballet Flats

We all want the Chanel two-tone ballet flats but I actually think that these Bloch lookalikes are just as pretty. Bloch makes beautiful dance-inspired shoes that are beautifully crafted and reasonably priced.

Founded in 1932 in Sidney, Australia, Bloch has been providing hand-made ballet and pointe shoes for many famous dancers and has successfully transitioned into the commercial market.

They are classic and adorable and come in a million colours including black/white and white/black combos.

In Vancouver at Blubird, Lola, and Block (approximately $225 CAD).
Online at Bloomingdales ($125 US).

www.blochshoes.com

Style Icon: Daphne Guinness

I have received requests for more "rich bitch style icon" posts. I know it's been a while but this should make-up for it: DAPHNE GUINNESS.

Vanity Fair (August 2008)

There are normal people and there is Daphne Guinness. Ms. Guinness is the ultimate fashion fantasy where everyone wears couture 24/7 and has ridiculously perfect bone structure. I like this world and therefore I love Daphne.

Vogue Italia (September 2008)

Born in 1967 into the blue-blooded Guinness family's life of privilege (her father is a baron and a member of the Guinness brewing family), this gamine beauty has been on best-dressed lists - and a few worst-dressed lists (they just don't understand!) - as long as I can remember. Daphne (may I call you Daphne?) is not everyone's cup of tea. If your style icon is, let's say, Jennifer Aniston (sorry), Daphne will look like a prettier and younger version of Cruella de Vil. So let's not argue, just let me share my Daphne-love.

in Chanel Haute Couture

A.A Gill says it the best:

"There are people who dress up and there are people who dress down. There are people who dress badly and people who dress inappropriately. Some dress blindly or cheaply, and there are those who barely dress at all. There are people who wear costumes, and people who wear uniforms. There’s fancy dress and armor, clothes that say, 'Come here' or 'Stand back,' that whisper, 'Trust me' or 'Respect me,' that shout, 'Fear me.' But there are very few people, just a handful, who have a relationship with their clothes like Daphne Guinness. The Guinness heir and fashion muse doesn’t dress up or down. She dresses out. Her clothes don’t say anything at all, because they’re not talking to you. They’re too entranced by Daphne Guinness. But she has never had a look, never once, never remotely, that was anyone’s but her very own." - Vanity Fair, August 2008

Vogue Italia, November 2009
(love her with black hair)

There is two underlying themes behind Daphne's ensembles: armour and surrealism. The former extends from her long blood line of knights and barons, and the latter from spending her childhood surrounded by artists like Salvador Dali himself (geez, how many of us can say that?).

"I grew up in an artists’ colony near Barcelona with Salvador Dali and the Surrealists, so my dress sense is very coloured by my youth. Everybody knew that Dali was the most crazy; you’d go to his house and he would have lobsters in his pool. Anything went, clothes-wise." - Times Online, August 22, 2007

She is a risk-taker (she recently wore the crazy Alexander McQueen monster shoes) but has her own signature look. I love how she combines tough-looking, armour-like accessories with very feminine elements like ruffles and lace. She is known for her impeccable eye for accessories, even creating her own metal gloves and cuffs.

in Chanel

in Proenza Schouler

wearing, and accompanied by, Oscar de la Renta at The Costume Institute's "Model As Muse" Gala

in a Rick Owens jacket and a vintage dress

in Stella McCartney

with Giancarlo Giammetti in Valentino

in Alexander McQueen with André Leon Talley

her own metal glove design

amazing necklace
(she has THE BEST accessories)

another amazing glove
(dying for this one)

Drool. To prove that we all have something to aspire to, Daphne also has style icons of her own: the Duchess of Windsor, YSL muse Loulou de la Falaise and the brilliant late Isabella Blow (of course, 'Izzy' to Daphne). She counts Karl Lagerfeld as a close friend and claims to have hooked him on Grand Theft Auto.

She may be friends with many top designers, but Daphne insists on purchasing her garments. Most importantly, she never borrows pieces like Hollywood actresses and finds the whole lending-for-award-shows process offensive. I remember watching the documentary The Secret World of Haute Couture on CBC's "The Passionate Eye" and she said something like: "If I see an actress wearing it, I don't want to wear it!"

It's art and she lives it.

Further reading:

The Phenomenology of Body, directed by Daphne Guinness (video).
My life in fashion: Daphne Guinness and her obsession with armour. The Times.
Daphne Guinness, golden girl. The Telegraph.
Rare Bird. W Magazine.
Heiress Apparent. The Sunday Times.

P.S. As intimidating as she looks, she is said to be very friendly and sweet in person. In April 2008 she donated 1,000 ready-to-wear and couture pieces for a charitable auction for Womankind Worldwide. Browse through the collection here.