All posts filed under: i got

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Cucumber Smash Picnic Throw by Calica

i got: Cucumber Smash Picnic Blanket by Calica Studios

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I’m not going to lie, Instagram definitely influences my purchases. Case in point, the woven blanket. I discovered American companies like Slowdown Studio and BFGF. Slowdown Studios collaborates with artists to “create living, breathing works of art that are both functional and beautiful” while BFGF is the work of solo artist, Lilian Martinez. Both companies make beautiful woven throws and other textile based products. Out of the two, BFGF is my favourite as Lilian often features black and brown women in her designs. Money prevented me from purchasing anything. Shipping costs and the exchange rate would push these throws close to $300 CAD. Luckily, I discovered a beautiful Canadian alternative. Calica is a collaborative textile studio based in Toronto and Halifax. They sell a small collections of throws and scarves. I can’t remember exactly what Instagram account introduced me to Calica, but I was now obsessed with their throws that are woven in North Carolina. I didn’t order the throw online, I made a trip to the One of a Kind show last December. I …

Totem Dopp Pouch by Bookhou

i got: Totem Dopp Pouch by Bookhou

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I almost walked away from the Bookhou Totem Dopp Pouch. I was visiting City of Craft for the first time with Monique from MoonRox and we both had our eyes on it. Why the hemming and hawing? Well, I really like cross body bags. They are my staples as they are versatile and easy to carry. Pouches and clutches are kinda a pain in the ass and I only really use them when going to something formal. That being said the Totem Dopp Pouch print was gold and I really liked the oatmeal linen it was made from. So, I spent the 30 bucks and picked one up, at that price it was hard to say no. Totem Dopp Pouch measures W 25.4 x H 17.78 cm. It’s large enough to carry the essentials (Wallet, Smartphone, Keys, Gum, Mascara and Lip Balm) and it’s not bulky. The print placement varies on each pouch due to its handmade nature. The outer material is 100% linen and the lining is 100% cotton. The Totem Dopp Pouch has …

Danny Chelsea Boot by 3.1 Phillip Lim

i got: Danny Chelsea Boot by 3.1 Phillip Lim

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There is a damn good reason the Danny Chelsea Boot by 3.1 Phillip Lim is sold out online is sold out online. It’s the most perfect Chelsea Boot ever! I wanted the rose gold Quinn loafers but The Room didn’t have my size. My heart was broken. I wandered the shoe racks deciding what to do. Finally, I bit the bullet and went for the Danny Chelsea Boot. I don’t regret it one bit. What makes these the perfect Chelsea Boot? Well the almond toe shape is slim but roomy. The shaft is streamline and fits under slim pants perfectly. The fit is perfect, they didn’t require breaking in at all. I’ve been wearing the boots nonstop since I got them and they are so incredibly comfortable. My heels are very, very, very lonely at this point. I don’t think they’ll see the light of day until the snow starts and I have to start wearing winter boots. images: 31philliplim.com, me

Changing Up My Sneaker Game with New Balance and Palladium

Changing Up My Sneaker Game with New Balance and Palladium

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Fall weather means parting with my sandals and covering up with closed toe shoes. My sneaker collection loves fall because I forget about them in the summer and they sit unused. Normally my sneaker game consists of Tretorns and Chucks of various styles. I have a thing for high tops and I have my Vegas Adidas and a great pair of Alexander McQueen for Puma kicking around too. This fall I wanted to change the silhouette up in my shoe game and that came in Palladium and New Balance form. Palladium is a French company started in 1920. Their famous Pampa boot was born in 1947 and the French Legion adapted them for their use. I’ve been receiving their press releases for a few years now but never saw the shoes in person. That changed this summer when I went to a Fall Winter 2013 preview. I really like the shape of the shoes and the different treatments they came in. Palladium loves colour and you can find the perfect colour for you in canvas …

i got: Cynthia Doll Dress by Collectif

i got: Cynthia Doll Dress by Collectif

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A new clothing shop opened in my neighbourhood called Rosie the Rebel Retro Boutique. My fashion radar spotted it out of the corner of my eye on the way home one day. I jaywalked across Bloor to check it out. Fashion is a calling, literally at times. They carry Rockabilly, Psychobilly and Retro clothing. I soon realized this place would be really bad for my wallet after trying on this cherry dress and crinoline combo. The cherry dress didn’t win my heart this round, it was a 50s style dress from London based, Collectif. Established in the year 2000, Collectif is an independent 1940s and 1950s inspired vintage reproduction brand based in London. We create garments and accessories that are inspired by genuine vintage patterns, knitting patterns, and fabrics from our extensive archive. (source: Collectif website) The Cynthia Doll Dress makes me feel as if I should be attending a sockhop with my little white poodle. It’s perfect for the office and I’ll be able to wear it in all seasons. It comes in blue …

i got: Kaiyra Sandals by Nine West

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It seems we skipped spring and moved right into open toe shoe wearing weather. I honestly thought I wouldn’t wear sandals until closer to June but there I was wearing peep toes at the end of April. A new summer season means new wedge sandals. I was having a particularly bad day and used my Nine West gift card to cheer me up. I love a good wedge sandal and I have more than a few pairs of them kicking around. I was debating between the Kaiyra and Shaky sandal. The blue and green patterns of the Kaiyra won out. They have a 5″ cork wedge with a 1″ platform. They are high but comfortable, the perfect shoe dimensions. I still might get my hands on the Shaky sandal, they are on sale now. So is the Kaiyra if you are interested.

i got: Black Lizard Rider Bag by Loeffler Randall

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I’m having an intense love affair with a handbag right now. It’s the Loeffler Randall Rider Bag in black lizard printed embossed leather. This bag came into my life with the help of eLuxe’s great personal shoppers. I made a comment on the eLuxe Facebook page when they posted a preview of the beautiful Neon Red and Bubble Gum Loeffler Randall Rider Bag. It seems my Internet squeal of a comment prompted a mental note for this personal shopper. I soon received an email telling me that the Rider Bag was in stock and ready for purchasing. The Rider Bag is adjustable. It’s an attaché , a shoulder bag or a cross body bag. It also has two straps on the back that allow it to attach to your bicycle handles if you do that sort of thing. The dimensions of the bag are 11.5″ x 8.75″ x 4.5″. The shoulder strap is 14.5″ long and it adjusts to 20.5″ when in cross body mode. There are 3 pockets inside the bag and it can …

I want – I got Editorials – Spectacle

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So, this is the third post in my I want – I got Editorials group. I was blogging for the award-winning MasterCard Stylicity project this season and I organized three editorial shoots for the stores Philip Sparks, Nomad and Spectacle. The shots turned out really well so I’ve decided to showcase some of them here too. This is Spectacle. I did the modelling for this shoot because I LOVE sunglasses and I was looking to pick up a pair myself. Dave Yan and I had a great time and the staff at Spectacle were very helpful. They didn’t mind us almost taking over the shop. Spectacle has a ton of sunglasses and regular eyewear in the shop. It took me a long time to figure out what I wanted. Previous “i wants” from Charlotte Olympic x Linda Farrow and Prabal Gurung x Linda Farrow didn’t look good one me at all. I also tried on some pairs from Claire Goldsmith and Thierry Lasry which I really liked In the end, I bought two pairs of …

i got: Nicholas Kirkwood x Erdem Ankle Boots

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Sneaky emails and reminder tweets enter my social space once the major discounts start hitting The Room at the Hudson’s Bay. It’s a good time to be hunting for bargains. It’s during these sales periods that I get strategic about things. It’s about desirability of the brand and price. During this magical time that ownership of the brands I lust for becomes attainable. The Room blessed me with an amazing Christopher Kane skirt. The Room has a great selection of shoes and the pickings are getting pretty slim by the time it’s 60% off plus an extra 40%. This shoe shopping experience was extra fun because I coerced my friend, Natalie into coming. There were a few choices of from my watch list of designers: Kirkwood, Sanderson, Olympia, Alaia, Atwood, Margiela. I tried on a few and stared wistfully at some wishing I had the same size feet as Stefania from Textstyles.ca. I wandered the racks several times with a pair of pretty loud Erdem x Nicholas Kirkwood ankle boots. They were a thick tweed …

Long Cat Scarf by BECKSÖNDERGAARD

i got: Long Cat Scarf by BECKSÖNDERGAARD

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I received this lovely Long Cat Scarf by BECKSÖNDERGAARD from the Caroline and Matéo, owners of Canon Blanc during a little MasterCard Stylicity shopping trip. Check out an interview with them both for the MasterCard Stylicity Blog. It’s pretty obvious that as a cat lover I’d appreciate a scarf of a cat wearing a scarf. Very meta. This cotton scarf is lightweight but massive at about 1 ft x 2 ft. Normally, I only use light cotton scarves in the summer but I think the length of this BECKSÖNDERGAARD one will allow for multiple wrappings for warmth. BECKSÖNDERGAARD is a Danish accessory brand started in 2003 by Lis Beck and Anna Søndergaard. The line carries scarves with unique hand drawn prints, handbags, gloves and knits. The line is known for their eel skin leather accessories and the hand drawn prints. The scarves are hand made in India. BECKSÖNDERGAARD products are available in Toronto at Canon Blanc. Canon Blanc 679 Queen Street West Toronto images: the-dressingroom.com

i got: Dickensian Volume by strangebeautiful

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I blogged about one of my latest nail polish interests, The Dickensian Volume by strangebeautiful. I ordered the set from the States and decided to share some photos of some of the colours. Jane Schub (strangebeautiful) has drawn inspiration from the dark side of Dickensian times. Referencing the Brothers Grimm, Dickens, Edward Gorey’s The Loathsome Couple and dark earth elements such as coal and shale. The moody and mysterious polishes come in ten metallic shades. The packaging for the Dickensian Volume is really pretty lovely. The forumla on the nail polish is thicker than most I use but it dries extremely smooth and perfect. I found the brush a bit difficult to work with. While I love the packaging to death but a shorter brush would be perfect for this polish. None of the polishes have names or numbers so it’s a bit hard to tell the difference from photos. Some of the blacks have hints of red, blue or green and there are a number of different shades of grey.

geekiview: Velocity V50 Compact Vapor Generator Iron

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I’m a total garment care nerd. I love my clothing and I take care of it so it lasts. I hang dry a lot of my wardrobe and that results in lots of ironing and steaming. I ditched my old iron years ago when I learned about Rowenta steamers. However for garments like dress shirts and pants I really, really missed that crisp feeling and look an iron provides. I tried for many years with a steamer but I just can’t replicate that look. Last year, I broke down and bought a shitty cheap iron for pants and shirts. It wasn’t that good but it was sufficient. I attended the TFI New Labels Contest this year and I sat at a table with folks from TNT and Reliable Corporation. I knew who TNT was so I proceeded to find more information about Reliable from my seatmate, Kimberly. They are a long time sponsor of the TFI and the company specializes in professional and commercial steam cleaning products as well as sewing and fabric care products. …

i got: Tubereuse Noir Baxter of California Candle

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My Barber at Hollow Ground Barber Shop introduced me to candles from Baxter of California.  Since 1965 Baxter of California have provided men with grooming products.  They have a range of skincare, shaving and hair care products.  In addition grooming accessories, candles and fragrances round out the product selection.  Baxter of California also collaborates with brands like Saturdays NYC, Porter and Unionmade. These soy wax-based candles are geared towards men and are produced with the brand Joya.  I love the Tubereuse Noir scent which has fragrance notes of  Tuberose, Bergamot, White Tea Rose, Geranium and Camellia.  The packaging, designed by Marc Atlan is very cool. You can get a wide selection of Baxter of California products (including the candles) at: Hollow Ground Barber Shop 1053 Bloor St W. Toronto image: baxterofcalifornia.com

i got: Abstract Rome Hi by United Nude

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Regular readers of I want – I got know I have an obsession with United Nude shoes. They will also know that I lament the state of United Nude retailers in the city. The stores that carry/carried them stocked the worst styles of the collection and not the architectural beauties that United Nude is known for. Who really wants to buy these after all. I figured the only way I was going to get a great pair of United Nude shoes would be at the flagship store on my next trip to New York City. Well, my prayers were answered at the media preview of Queen Street pop up shop, Sauvage. Sauvage is behind Whitecrow in the Burroughes Building.  It’s got some really great shoes and handbags.  I anticipate that this will be my go to summer sandal. images: unitednude.com, me  

i got: Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 Nail Binge: NARS, Dior, Chanel

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I’ve had some fun buying some of the Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 nail polish options. NARS NARS is one of my go to nail polish brands.  It has a beautiful, slick finish and with a nice brush.  The polish wears well for me too.    I got the entire Night Series collection (Night Rider, Night Porter, Night Flight, Night Breed) because I couldn’t choose. The Night Series collection is based on the iconic NARS Night Series Eyeshadows.  I also had to have the Fall 2011 colour, Galion. Chanel I got The Oracle to pick me up the Les Jeans de Chanel colours that were limited edition for Fashion Night Out 2011.  I had Melissa from Tips Nail Bar to incorporate them into a great blue gradient manicure because I couldn’t choose just one to wear.   I love Chanel nail polish it wears very well and has staying power. Dior I saw Apparat, the new limited edition Dior Nail Lacquer for Holiday 2011 on my new favourite beauty site Temptalia.  The photos on Temptalia looked …

i got: Elaine Ho Jewellery

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I bought the cutest pendants from Montreal based, Elaine Ho at The Coveterie 24 hrs Boutique. I have a strong love of all things cute and round so I purchased three pendants: a cat, bunny and skull. You can find Elaine Ho Jewellery at: Labour of Love 242 Carlton Street Toronto Propaganda 686 Yonge Street Toronto Elaine Ho’s Etsy site

Greta Constantine SKIN for Danier Now Available

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Finally the Greta Constantine SKIN for Danier collection has hit the stores. Last week there was a trunk show at the Danier store in Yorkdale with a discount of 35% off. You bet I took advantage of that to get me some product. Kirk and Stephen were on hand to help shoppers choose and style their Greta Constantine SKIN for Danier pieces. I ended up purchasing the grey suede Awi Vest and the black obi belt. Check out all the photos from the Greta Constantine SKIN for Danier Trunk Show You can take a closer look at this 6 piece collection on the Danier Website. images: courtesy of Danier

i got: Black Perforated Leather Sandals by Givenchy

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Trolling the racks of Holt Renfrew’s now or never sales is always a Saturday afternoon pastime. I have this uncanny ability to find great designer pieces at great prices. There is one sales associate at Holts that is always amazed at my finds over the years like Dries Van Noten pants, Rick Owens Jacket and Alexander McQueen Shoes for example. This season’s find are these sandals by Givenchy. They were featured in a post back in January called i want: Perforated leather sandals by Givenchy. I liked the white and tan colourway at that time but the black and brown is much more comfortable. I’m not a strappy sandal type of girl but these are Givenchy and the heel isn’t towering. It’s always good to have some versatility in the shoe closet to combat the clunky and platform heavy options.

Moda Operandi Finally Pulls Me in with Karen Walker Sunglasses

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I’ve been following Moda Operandi since it opened. In my mind, this is really one of the most exciting online fashion retailers. It gives the fashion lover a chance to secure those special items that you see in a collection but can never find when it hits the retail market. I’ve drooled over many of the trunk shows on the site but I finally bit the bullet when the Karen Walker Resort 2012 sunglasses showed up. They have a purple and fluoro green acetate frame and brown CR39 coloured lens. Now the waiting game begins as the delivery window is from Aug. 20, 2011 – Dec. 20, 2011. I’m hoping it’s earlier. I have a feeling Moda Operandi temptations will become reality much more often now that I’ve dived in. images: modaoperandi.com

i got: White Derby Shoes by Rokin

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I was looking for a great menswear inspired shoe like an oxford or brogue. Originally, I bought some lovely cork oxfords by Dieppa Restrepo at Chasse Gardee. Unfortunately, they didn’t fit very well and I had to return them. I was distraught as the shoes were made of cork and looked amazing. Shoes need to fit no matter how special the shoe is and how much it breaks your heart to return them. My alternative choice was the white derby by ROKIN Footwear also carried at Chasse Gardee. They aren’t the cork Dieppa Restrepo but they are pretty exciting in their own right and super comfortable. During my shoe search I finally discovered the difference between an oxford, brogue and derby. Oxford: a style of laced shoe characterized by shoelace eyelet tabs that are stitched underneath the vamp Brogue: a style of low-heeled shoe or boot traditionally characterized by multiple-piece, sturdy leather uppers with decorative perforations (or “brogueing”) and serration along the pieces’ visible edges. Derby: a style of shoe characterized by shoelace eyelet tabs …

i got: Minimal Baroque Sunglasses by Prada

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The Prada Minimal Baroque sunglasses have been my obsession since the spring summer 2011 collections hit the Milan runways last September. I originally wanted the crazy blue and white ones. They’d make a great addition to my crazy sunglasses collection. It didn’t look like the blue ones would be coming up to Canada in any major quantities so I decided on the tortoise shell Minimal Baroque sunglasses instead. My favourite Prada SA John helped The Oracle and I decide between the two offerings, black and tortoise. I liked the lens shade better in the tortoise and they were a bit more exciting than basic black. Like most of my sunglasses these Prada’s get as many stares as my neon green Prada Postcards. Check out this short commercial for the Prada Minimal Baroque Sunglasses. images: prada.com, me

i got: Luxirare Suede Minivest

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As soon as I returned from my Whistler vacation I ordered the Luxirare Suede Minivest. I like vests in theory but I find them very, very hard to style. After months of hiding, I debuted the vest at the Greta Constantine x Danier Skin event. Looks like I will have to do some more research on how I can incorporate this great little vest into my wardrobe. I think maxi dresses might work for the summer. Jackets and sweaters would be good combination in the winter. How do you style your vest? Outfit breakdown: Luxirare Minivest, Sheer grey dress by Cheap Monday, Joe jean leggings (courtesy of Holt Renfrew), Aldo Black lace up boots, Black tank top by Gap, Dandi Mastrae earrings, Orange Toywatch (courtesy of ToyWatch Canada), Hermes bracelet.

i got: Calvin Klein Alex Heel

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You might remember my little shoe emergency that happened before the When Tommy Met Anna event.  If not, the short story is that I needed to buy new shoes.  Those new shoes are the Calvin Klein Alex Heel from The Bay..  I wanted some basic and black but it had to give me height.  These  platforms fit the bill and they are different from any shoe I have in my closet.  The heel is 5″ with a 1″ double platform.  I predict these will see a lot of wear this summer.

I love Pierre Hermé Macaron

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The Oracle always brings me back Pierre Hermé macarons when he returns from Paris. The macaron are the best thing I’ve ever tasted. It’s a small box of 7 macaron and you can’t have them sitting around for days. You have to eat them within a day or too for maximum freshness. There are all kinds of seasonal flavours so it’s always a different experience. I haven’t tried Foie Gras macaron but I would. images: pierreherme.com

i got: Solvang Clog by Jeffrey Campbell

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When clogs came back into fashion I dismissed them. I’ll never wear these. It’s something I say to myself often and the opposite is usually the result. My thirst for platforms has brought me to Jeffrey Campbell and the Solvang Clog, which I bought at Chasse Gardee on Boxing Day. It’s a very comfortable shoe and gives me that extra height.