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geekiviews: Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics Nail Polish

I was sent a package containing some Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics Nail Polish. The package contain a base coat, top coat and four colours. The names are stewed in a lot of pop culture and rub some people the wrong way. Brazen Hussy = metallic dark fuschia; Camel Toe = medium dark neutral beige, Virginal Pink = light pink and Cougar = medium red with blue-orange. I’m ambivalent about the names to be honest. I like regular colour names, it’s easy. I guess I’m a traditionalist in that sense.

Brazen Hussy was my favourite of the bunch. It’s the type of colour I would wear normally. I like dark colours in nail polish like purples and blues with metallic finishes. I’m also a fan of neon and grey based shades. I decided to try something different and went with Virginal Pink, a colour I would never wear.

I applied the nail polish as laid out in the instructions with slight modification. Two base and top coats were needed. I went with three coats of Virginal Pink because  it didn’t cover my nails completely. It was a little streaky.  The top coat takes awhile to dry completely.  It’s not quick dry so be careful, I learned the hard way.

Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics Nail Polish

Virginal Pink and I still don’t get along. I don’t like the colour as a nail polish. The durability of Cheeky Monkey nail polish surprised the hell out of me, three days without any chips. The polish looked as fresh as the day I applied it. I didn’t push the polish to the limit because Virginal Pink was killing me and I had to remove it. I decided to go back to my roots and applied Brazen Hussy next.  It was a beautiful, rich purple colour.  I was in love.  There were no streaks and I only needed two coats.  This polish also stayed chip free for days.  Chip free is a big  thing for me.  Nail polish chips like crazy for me and to have one that lasts is huge.  I’m impressed with Cheeky Monkey.

Our quality and heritage in manufacturing has lasted over 20 years. Our quality assurance procedures, experience, values and personality help assure that you get the best product possible for the price. Our design and inspiration comes from Canada. All our products are quality manufactured in the United States and our onsite lab has created over 600 colors, using the highest quality base and colors, and a full line of nail treatments and cuticle oils which we’ve selected the top 39 for our initial launch. Most of our ingredients are from Europe, our brushes from Spain, our bottle glass from Italy, which is all then manufactured in our state-of-the-art facility in the USA. Extensive quality control checkpoints during and after the manufacturing process ensure the best quality available. All components are imported from Europe or manufactured in the United States. We adhere to US, European Union and Canadian standards for cosmetics and measurement.

All Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics are 3 Free containing no formaldehyde, toluene, or DHP. Our products are non-toxic and rank a one on the skin deep cosmetics safety database (a 1-10 scale with one being the lowest hazard score).

You can purchase Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics Nail Polish online and a few stores in Toronto.

The Tale of Two Barbies

So, I was asked to style a Barbie doll for LG Fashion Week. I thought it would be fun so I accepted the challenge. It turned out that Barbie was an albatross.

I had a bunch of ideas for Barbie swirling in my head: Give her a haircut, make her a mini me, fur, etc. It was really hard to boil it down. With the deadline soon approaching I came up with something and I thought it was pretty fucking clever. Dare to Wear Love Barbie. Here is my quote for her

IMGP7096

“I guess this is the Dare to Wear Love Barbie. I really loved the small samples of fabric that were left on front row seats at the Dare to Wear Love show last season. I collected them all. Barbie’s proportions allowed me to create the wrap dress I could never wear given the amount of material.”

I made the dress (check that architectural shoulder), the necklace and bracelets. I also dyed the shoes and handbag to match.   She also got a little haircut. My mom thought she was excellent, I was confident. I was all proud of myself and the great tie in to last LG Fashion week. I packed up Barbie and dropped her off to the GCI Group Toronto office.

When Two Barbies Goto WarWhen Two Barbies Goto War

It was the next day I got the call. Apparently there was a theme and it was LBD. Dare to Wear Love Barbie didn’t fit that theme. Now, I read the brief that was given to me and I was under the impression that there were no rules. I received tweets from staff at GCI Group that said there were no rules either. You can imagine I wasn’t the slightest bit impressed with this development. Here’s a PR Pro Tip for you, make your communication ambiguous free! I’m a Software Tester so ambiguity and me aren’t friends at all and to be burned by it really galled me.

So here I was with a new Barbie, my old Barbie (I was allowed to keep her) and no ideas. I was really beginning to detest Barbie once more. She was the damn albatross around my neck (If you aren’t getting my albatross references will you please go out and read The Rime of the Ancient Mariner already!). I really had no idea what I was going to do; the hoochie mama dress had to stay. I was quickly losing motivation.

When Two Barbies Goto War

Thank god for Dean Davidson. I was at his place on Saturday borrowing jewellery for Prom V: Noir. I managed to convince him to create jewellery for my Barbie. The only thing you need to dress up a LBD is some fabulous Dean Davidson pieces. Barbie was slowly turning into a tribute to Dean. So Dean and I designed a statement necklace, earrings and bracelets. The earrings and bracelets had Dean’s signature brushed metal finish. They are pretty damn cute.  I added a Dean Davidson book and silver ribbon for a belt.

When Two Barbies Goto War When Two Barbies Goto War When Two Barbies Goto War

So, I dropped Barbie off on Sunday before the Izma show. The other Barbies look amazing and once I get better photos I will post them all. That is my story about the two Barbies and the frustrating ride its been. I know which one I like better, what do you guys think?

LGFW – IZMA Fall Winter 2010

LGFW Fall 2010 - IZMALGFW Fall 2010 - IZMA

You want to know how to get in my good books for a fashion show? Use I wanna be Adored by The Stone Roses in your runway music. It’s one of my favourite tracks ever. It was stellar when this track kicked in during IZMA’s Fall Winter 2010 collection. I was singing along and tapping my foot in the front row. You also put David in the show. Dreamy.

LGFW Fall 2010 - IZMA

One of my favourite pieces. Long Cardigan with Shawl Collar in red and grey fox. I love the pattern created

I never expected to say fur and beautiful in the same sentence. I’m usually pretty ambivalent about fur. I find most of it awful on purely aesthetic terms. Izzy Camilleri and Adrian Mainella presented a beautiful fur collection. The construction of the garments was spectacular. All fur in the collection is sourced from NAFA Origin assured, sustainable wild Canadian furs. It’s a selection of coyote, raccoon, muskrat, red fox, grey fox, beaver and silver fox.

LGFW Fall 2010 - IZMALGFW Fall 2010 - IZMA

LGFW Fall 2010 - IZMALGFW Fall 2010 - IZMA

The underpinnings were sheer and leather. The trousers leather were to die for. They did a great job of complementing the fur pieces without becoming the focal point. It was all about the fur and it was front and centre. It’s spreading from the outerwear and accessories domain into ready to wear. IZMA outerwear including capes, trench coats, bomber jackets and ponchos. In addition to that were fur tunics, pullovers, cardigans and skirts. It was a visual pleasure. The coyote pieces looked light and inviting. The finale three IZMA Atelier looks were such a treat. Opulent and beautiful. I was kinda speechless.

LGFW Fall 2010 - IZMALGFW Fall 2010 - IZMA

LGFW Fall 2010 - IZMA

I have a preference for the lighter side of the collection. There were some show pieces that I thought were a bit much. I didn’t understand the football pad looking piece made from black and red fox (look 25) that came out on one of the models. The bags were too bulky for my tastes, but I don’t really understand fur bags to begin with.

LGFW Fall 2010 - IZMA

Overall, it was worth giving up my Sunday evening. My mind hasn’t changed about fur in general. I still find majority of it aesthetically displeasing. It’s nice to see that IZMA is changing that.

PROM V: Noir

PROM V: Noir

On the weekend I attending PROM V: Noir, a fundraiser for the Royal Ontario Museum.

PROM V: Noir

Welcome to the dark side of the ROM with PROM V: NOIR, a thrilling night of dramatic glamour and cinematic fantasy inspired by the ROM’s captivating collection of winged creatures in the newly revamped Bat Cave and the recently opened Life in Crisis: Schad Gallery of Biodiversity.

Hosted by MTV’s Dan Levy and Jessi Cruickshank, hundreds of YPC members and guests will take a sensational step back into vintage Hollywood complete with private eyes and femmes fatales. Experience the melodrama of a dazzling Golden Age film première—with a contemporary twist—as you pose for a mob of flashbulbs on the black carpet, investigate tempting diversions in dark shadows, sip swishy cocktails, and shimmy the night away on a fierce dance floor to the sounds of a live Big Band and stellar Toronto DJs.

PROM V: Noir

PROM V: Noir

PROM V: Noir

There were a few great 40s themed outfits to be seen.  Of course, black ruled the join.  I saw very little colour on Saturday.

PROM V: Noir

PROM V: Noir

I wore Greta Constantine and Dean Davidson to Prom.

PROM V: Noir

Greta Constantine Dress, Wolford Tights, Dean Davidson jewellery, Aldo Shoes, Vintage Clutch

There is something about this dress. I don’t normally feel sexy in anything I wear but this wasn’t the case. It was unusual and powerful and totally went to my head.  It makes you do things your normally wouldn’t!

PROM V: Noir

PROM V: Noir

Photos Taken by Paul Baik for I want – I got www.paulbaikphoto.com

Smythe Fall Winter 2010 – 2011 Lookbook


Smythe Fall Winter 2010 - 2011 Lookbook

I was very excited to received the Smythe Fall Winter 2010 -2011 Lookbook. I knew I would be drooling over coats again like I’ve done in years past.  Smythe is one of the brands that have been coveted on I want – I got from the beginning.  Here are my favourites pieces from Fall Winter 2010 – 2011

Smythe Fall Winter 2010 - 2011 Lookbook

Smythe Fall Winter 2010 - 2011 Lookbook

I like the closure detail on the camel coat.

Smythe Fall Winter 2010 - 2011 Lookbook

I was a fan of the red tartan jacket and I'm dying over the blue one

Smythe Fall Winter 2010 - 2011 Lookbook

There are jackets for everyone: leather, bold shoulders, classic military and equestrian styles.

Smythe Fall Winter 2010 - 2011 Lookbook

Smythe Fall Winter 2010 - 2011 Lookbook

Smythe Fall Winter 2010 - 2011 Lookbook

Smythe can be purchased at Holt Renfrew, TNT Woman, Canopy Blue and Andrews in Toronto. Online shops carrying Smythe include net-a-porter.com, shopbop.com and saks.com.

Ask a Geek: Where to find Jeffrey Campbell Shoes in Toronto

Potion Ankle Boots by Jeffrey Campbell
Sometimes readers ask me questions. If they are of value to all my readers I post them online. If you have a question, please feel free to submit it using the contact form. I’ll definitely do my best to answer it.

I want – I got reader Shop T.O. Live commented on my “i got: Potion Ankle Boots by Jeffery Campbell” post:

I see so many fabulous Jeffrey Campbell shoes/booties posted on style blogs around the world, but I can’t seem to find a lot of selection in Toronto. Can you think of other stores in the city that sell them?

I love Jeffrey Campbell and I’ve posted about my own collection. I only know of a few stores in the city that carry them so I contacted Jeffrey Campbell on twitter to verify. Little Burgundy, Browns, Urban Outfitters (store selection varies) and Chasse Gardée all carry JC shoes in Toronto. From my own personal experience the styles featured in all stores varies. Check them all when looking. The @JCShoes twitter account tells me more to come.

You can also purchase Jeffrey Campbell shoes online in Canada at ssense.com which is Canadian based. Other online retailers include Urban Outfitters and karmaloop.com.

Buckle Boot Madness hasn’t stopped

K-Genius Shoe by Jeffrey Campbell

K-Genius Shoe by Jeffrey Campbell

Yesterday, I went off about buckle boots.  I described my Jeffrey Campbell Potion boots.  I then posted about the original source of my fixation with buckle boots, the C02 Buckle Boots by Chloë Sevigny for Opening Ceremony.  Not to be outdone, I brought Multi Strap Wedges by Ann Demeulemeester into the mix with her boot.   It has come to my attention that that the K-Genius Shoe by Jeffrey Campbell looks a lot like my C02 Buckle Boots by Chloë Sevigny for Opening Ceremony.  I don’t like the Jeffrey Campbell ones much, they would be better in all black.

C02 Buckle Boots by Chloë Sevigny for Opening Ceremony

C02 Buckle Boots by Chloë Sevigny for Opening Ceremony

images: openingceremony.us and karmaloop.com