Illustration by Wendy Ding
I’ve been lucky with getting illustrations of myself made. At Textstyle’s 4th anniversary party, Toronto based illustration Wendy Ding sketched me unbeknownst to me. I’m wearing a Mara Hoffman dress from Rac Boutique and a Nine West handbag.
OPI Man with a Golden Gun
OPI is the collaboration kings in the nail world. I think OPI Man with a Golden Gun will be the very best. That’s right, OPI and James Bond. OPI is celebrating James Bond’s Golden Anniversary with this special polish and a whole collection based on Skyfall, the latest Bond movie due out this year. Man with a Golden Gun is a top coat that contains 18 karat gold and comes in a limited edition gold coloured bottle. It will be released in October and will retail for $37.50. I need to get my hands on this badly.
image: OPI Facebook
Dickensian Volume by strangebeautiful
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.
Dickensian Volume by strangebeautiful
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.
Dickensian Volume by strangebeautiful
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.
Dickensian Volume by strangebeautiful
Dickensian Volume by strangebeautiful
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.
Dickensian Volume by strangebeautiful
Dickensian Volume by strangebeautiful
Dickensian Volume by strangebeautiful
Dickensian Volume by strangebeautiful
Janelle Monae and Covergirl
I rarely pay attention to new beauty ads but this one involves Janelle Monae. She’s now the latest Covergirl and has a huge advertising spread in the September issue of Vogue.
“I believe it’s time that women truly owned their superpowers and used their beauty and strength to change the world around them,†said Monáe. “One of my core values is to help redefine what it means to be a strong and beautiful woman in the music and fashion worlds and to empower the wonderful things that make us unique. Becoming a COVERGIRL is truly an honor and a gift: it opens up a new platform for me to inspire women to feel stronger, braver and more beautiful inside and out.â€
Janelle Monae and Covergirl
“Ever since Janelle made her electrifying arrival on the music scene, she has captured our imaginations, stirred our souls, and made us all move our feet,†said Esi Eggleston Bracey, VP and General Manager, COVERGIRL Cosmetics. “Janelle is a true force of energy and a beautiful spirit who truly delights in her creative journey, not just the destination. We’re elated and can’t wait to show the world another dimension of her artistic ‘superpowers’ as a member of our COVERGIRL family.â€
images: courtesy of Atlantic Records
I want – I got Greeting Cards by Eighty Seventh ST.
Monica Smiley of Eighty Seventh ST. creates hand illustrated fashion inspired paper products. Monica is a Toronto based illustrator with a degree from Ryerson’s School of Fashion.
eighty seventh ST is a chic brand of hand illustrated paper products with a high fashion edge. A whimsical collaboration of art and design, eighty seventh ST offers unique gift ideas from greeting cards, to art prints, and custom design projects that go beyond design borders. Our products are 100% designed and produced in Canada, and all products can be 100% recycled.
I want – I got Greeting Cards by Eighty Seventh ST.
In collaboration with eLuxe they produced the best event swag item ever: personalized, illustrated greeting cards. For every attendee to eLuxe’s open house there was a set of greeting cards with our own personal Monica Smiley illustration. Completely amazing!
Duck Bag and Backpack by Baggu
Backpacks are such a huge trend right now and I’ve been overloaded with backpack pitches. Now I’m interested in backpacks. I have an MEC pack that’s very good but not stylish in any way. It’s also too big. I’m currently enjoying a Nella Bella backpack from the Fall Winter 2012 collection but I could use one a bit smaller. Baggu creates simple cotton handbags in vibrant colours. I love the simplicity of these packs and the colour schemes. The Duck Bags are really cute too.
Baggu bags can be found at Magic Pony in Toronto and The Drake General Store.
images: magic-pony.com
My friend Eric from Whistler always emails me the most adorable things. This video is an example.
Maryam Keyhani Fall Winter 2012 – 2013
Ever since reading Overdressed, I’ve been thinking about spending my money with a bit more caution when it comes to fashion. High on my priorities are well made, wearability and country of origin. I’ve decided that less is more and I want to stop those random H&M or Zara purchases and save for a couple of big ticket purchases a season. The fall, I want a Maryam Keyhani necklace.
Maryam Keyhani Fall Winter 2012 – 2013
Maryam’s work is as stunningly beautiful as she is. I really feel like these necklaces portrays her aesthetic perfectly. And who doesn’t want a part of that.
Maryam Keyhani Fall Winter 2012 – 2013
Maryam’s necklaces feature folded silks, structured metal and strands of pearls.
Maryam Keyhani Fall Winter 2012 – 2013
Maryam Keyhani Fall Winter 2012 – 2013
Maryam Keyhani is available at Holt Renfrew in Toronto.
images: torontolife.com
Raj Nagra, Bombay Sapphire Master Mixologist
It’s not every day you have Olympic themed cocktails created just for you in cleared out bar. This terrific experience at Suits in the Trump Tower was thanks to Raj Nagra, Bombay Sapphire Master Mixologist. I filled out a questionnaire about my food tastes a week before the event and Raj came ready with three Olympic cocktails for me. He was so bang on with every drink, they were a delight. I’ve included the I want – I got x Bombay Sapphire Cocktails so you can try them at home. You want to, believe me.
Bombay Sapphire Macchiato Martini
Bombay Sapphire Macchiato Martini
BRONZE – Macchiato Martini
1 part (30 mL) Bombay Sapphire
1 part (30 mL) Tia Maria
1 part (30 mL) Espresso
Pinch Sichuan pepper
Method: Shake with ice and fine strain
Glass: Cocktail
Garnish: Milk froth and nutmeg
Bombay Sapphire Cucumber & Dill Smash
Bombay Sapphire Cucumber & Dill Smash – photo credit: iwantigot.com
SILVER – Cucumber & Dill Smash
2 parts (60 mL) Bombay Sapphire
2/3 part (20 mL) Agave nectar
6 chunks Skinned cucumber
1 thumbnail Deseeded jalapeño
1 Large sprig of dill
½ Fresh lime
Pinch salt
Method: Muddle cucumber & agave nectar with salt. Add other ingredients and shake well with ice
Glass: Old fashioned
Garnish: Cucumber slice and dill sprig
Bombay Sapphire Peach & Sage Swizzle
Bombay Sapphire Peach & Sage Swizzle
GOLD – Peach & Sage Swizzle
2 part (60 mL) Bombay Sapphire
4 Sage leaves
¼ Fresh peach
Pinch Sichuan pepper
½ part (15 mL) Fresh lime juice, fresh orange juice & fresh grapefruit juice (each)
1 part (30 mL) Ginger, cardamom, clove and nutmeg simple syrup
Method: Muddle peach and sage into the base of a glass. Add all ingredients to a ¾ crushed ice filled glass and swizzle. Crown with crushed ice, drizzle ginger liqueur and garnish
Glass: Oversized old fashioned (or pilsner)
Ice: Crushed
Garnish: Peach, lemon, orange and grapefruit with nutmeg
Raj Nagra, Bombay Sapphire Master Mixologist
The cocktails really were to die for and the personal touch was really great. I’d even agree with the medal standing Raj gave the drinks. Peach and Sage really tops everything.
Raj Nagra, Bombay Sapphire Master Mixologist
images: courtesy of Bombay Sapphire
Triarchy Fall Winter 2012 – 2013
Canadian denim brand and I want – I got favourite, Triarchy took their bright skinnies and traveled all the way to Peru to shoot their fall winter 2012 – 2013 lookbook. The result is a very beautiful lookbook. Such a refreshing change from the standard way I’ve seen denim presented.
Triarchy Fall Winter 2012 – 2013
Triarchy Fall Winter 2012 – 2013
Triarchy Fall Winter 2012 – 2013
Triarchy Fall Winter 2012 – 2013
Triarchy is available at Dutil Denim in Toronto
images: courtesy of Triarchy
