...and don't forget the wrists!

Images:

jakandjil.com/blog

seaofshoes.typepad.com/sea_of_shoes/

thesartorialist.blogspot.com/
***

I quite admire those that put a little effort into embellishing their wrists, as it's a part of the body that I find often gets neglected (well for me at least!) in the dress up department. Here are a few examples of ladies who do it right while making it look effortless and tasteful (best viewed when zoomed in). It is something that's definitely worth noticing as it's the little details that matter.

The Hills are Alive!

For The Hills fans out there - the trailer for season 5. I must say I got a little teary eyed at the end when Heidi and Lauren shared a moment. Spencer is still quite repulsive. Just a side observation: Heidi upgrades from the iphone to the bold, incase you needed to know?! Enjoy. (Thanks G!)

VB wears VB

Images: victoriadavidbeckham.blogspot.com/

You know you're good when you wear your own collection. Victoria Beckham recently released her collection of dresses and they are "majahh!" I'm actually quite surprised that she struts around in her own designs. I thought it was only D&G, Armani, & Cavalli for this former Spice Girl. But if it's good enough for Vicky Becks it's good enough in the world of high fashion. The advertisement for the collection is lovely she even sings the tune you hear in the background and makes reference to her Marc Jacobs ad campaign.

"Bring your dancing shoes and something to tie your hair!"

I'm obsessed with America's Best Dance Crew right now! I cannot get over how amazing Beat Freaks are. They have set a new standard in the world of competitive dance. Beat Freaks turn their dance into an art incorporating different styles of dance, props, and their signature lengthy head spins where their minute and a half routine wow's the crowd and leaves you amazed and wanting more. This group has so much skill with their perfect dance moves, smooth transitions, and dedication. But most importantly this group has so much passion that I'm confident will be named America's Best Dance Crew. We will see in 2 weeks!

Check out their past performances from week 5 and 6
after the jump that is AC Slater...I mean Mario Lopez!
(Hopefully Youtube doesn't take down the videos)

"You speak Prada?"

Images: frillr.com

Having a bit of a lazy day so I thought I'd post up a few Prada Spring/Summer 09 Ad's it also helps to remind me that summer is just around the corner.

twenty five.

So I'm jumping on the bandwagon but only because my favourite person in life requested me to fill this out. Enjoy!

***

Rules: Once you've been tagged, write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

1. I’m really, REALLY good with remembering people’s names including last names and other minor details such as area of study. It’s really weird.
2. I love when comic books get turned into movies.
3. I’m rather handy when faced with a predicament that involves improvising that entails fixing something or trying to improve it in some way.
4. My favourite painting is Cézanne’s Jas de Bouffan. We shared a moment.
5. I’m a tiny bit of a tech-geek.
6. My inspiration for my blog title comes from the name of a clothing company I had to invent for a grade 12 independent project which was inspired by the movie Alice in Wonderland but became translated into French in 2009 because it sounds so much better.
7. I used to not have eye creases and one day I woke up and they miraculously appeared best thing to ever happen lol!!
8. I love to bake to the sounds of Handel, Vivaldi, and Bach. Just a side note I cannot make butter cream icing for the life of me! If anyone can help me out with pointers that would be super! However, I do make an amazing fruit tart that I’m pretty proud of (Thanks Martha Stewart!)
9. When talking to people I sometimes find it hard to look them straight in the eyes. It’s not that I’m rude it’s just that I feel like the eyes are the window to the soul.
10. I got to wander around the confines of Holt Renfrew after hours with no customers or staff (it was work related of course) it felt rather magical. I felt like the storybook character Corduroy, only human and surrounded by designer goods!
11. I have an OCD with having clean hands.
12. I wore Invisalign’s for a year and kind of think it was a big waste (don’t tell my Dad that!).
13. I was born with a full head of hair.

14. One of my biggest pet peeves are when people don't take off the label on their wool coats. It totally grinds my gears!

15. I'm constantly making lists - shopping, to-do's, favourite things, pros/cons, etc. and am really good with keeping track of things.
16. In junior high school I used to hide cheat sheets for tests in my “spacemaker” and pretend to be looking for something during a test. Oh whatever don’t act like you’ve never done it!
17. Sometimes I think I was supposed to be born Greek or maybe I just wish it?
18. I have a tendency to over book myself when making plans with others. But I guess I just want to see everyone and do everything! My apologizes if this has inconvenienced you in some way or another!
19. My first crushes in JK were Hunter and Justin. I just couldn’t decide who I liked better. Some things never change I suppose?
20. The only sport I’ve ever done and actually enjoyed was fencing. But this was a phase.
21. I’ve wanted to be everything from an entertainment journalist, paleontologist (random I know!), fashion designer, something in marketing, to owning my own hotels, interior decorator, a forensic scientist on CSI, and currently: a health care administrator (I think?!).
22. I keep all my movie stubs.
23. If I could be any comic book character it would be Mystique from X-Men.
24. I believe things are always meant to be and whatever happens, happens for a reason.

25. To this day I still think the movie IT by Stephan King is the scariest movie of all time. It probably isn’t but I just can’t seem to bring myself to watch it.

***

Tag...you're it.

FYI:

http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2009/02/10/
facebook-mystery-who-created-25-random-things-about-me/

Vanity Insanity

Has anyone else heard of Latisse? Latisse is a bimatoprost ophthalmic solution and the first and only FDA-approved treatment used to grow eyelashes, making them longer, fuller and darker. It’s a solution prescribed to actually treat hypotrichosis another name for having inadequate or not enough eyelashes (yes there’s an actual term for this!). The solution is dabbed on the top of the lash line like eyeliner but should not be placed on lower lash line.

The discovery of Latisse was accidental. Eye drops to treat glaucoma had the side effect of growing eyelashes in one woman. The glaucoma medicine, Lumigan, is being renamed and repackaged as Latisse, in order to target making eyelashes grow.

Yah that’s right everything we’ve all longed and wished for can be possible with this product. It sounds too good to be true in my opinion as are most things in life.

The before and after pictures show the progression throughout the treatment period, they are darker and some cases are longer but who knows they could be doctored right? But check them out for yourself (http://www.latisse.com/BeforeandAfter.aspx?state=30). I also love the list of possible side effects which one can get when on this product located on the first page:

- Darkening of the eyelid with may be reversible
- Increased brown pigmentation of the coloured part of the eye which is likely to be permanent
- Itching in the eyes and/or eye redness. However, this was only reported in 4% of patients
- Eye irritation, dryness of eyes1

I think I’ll just stick to my less damaging lash enhancing methods until somebody comes up with something with little side effects.

Fun fact of the day: Maybelline was named with a combination of the creator’s sister’s name (Mabel) and the product’s main ingredient (mascara), Vaseline.

If you’re bored check out the evolution of lash enhancers.
http://www.latisse.com/Evolution.aspx?state=51

Would any of you try this product? I know some of my readers out there don’t need this product since they’ve been blessed with amazing lashes. You all know who you are! I’m pretty sure I acknowledge them on a daily basis.

1http://www.latisse.com/Default.aspx?return=true

Image: Keira Knightley as Twiggy

Artist as Subject

When I should have been reading about Manet and an article by James Rubin entitled The Artist as Subject: the Paris of Édouard Manet. I actually went on a blog break and came across this wicked Kanye West video for his song Heartless. It’s not his next single, Amazing will be. He is dropping the idea since there’s another video out there that’s doing the same technique.

I had this idea to relate Kanye West to Impressionist painter Édouard Manet in order to relieve my guilt for procrastination. In my research I found that both approach the expression of art in a similar fashion. Manet took his own world as subject matter for painting, declaring a social position and artistic attitude much like Courbet. Manet’s art had captured something of a modern consciousness where his visual and social experiences were coextensive. He referred to his hometown and always put his origins and loyalties on display. Manet’s name was associated with radical, avant-garde destruction to tradition and throughout the decade received lots of criticism for his painting style, particularly for his paintings Déjeuner sur l’herbe and Olympia. Manet painted with Monet and Renoir at Argenteuil where they influenced each other a lot and shared an interest in modern subject. A critic named Louis Gonse considered Manet to be the "father of modernism."

Édouard Manet - Déjeuner sur l’herbe and Olympia (1863)

If you really think about it Kanye West is not so different in producing music and clothing instead of paintings. His lyrics are similar in Manet’s subject matter in that he rhymes about what he’s about and his experiences and loyalties. His recent album 808s & Heartbreak pushes the boundaries of what is considered to be acceptable in rap music. On the subject of criticism, Kanye has been dubbed “Mr. Controversial” and has received a plethora of criticism during his career about his political lyrics and his memorable Bush line during the Hurricane Katrina fundraiser.

Kanye West’s music videos are an art form of their own. They are iconoclastic and innovative going above and beyond to produce an effective visual to illustrate what he raps (or sings) about. Like any artist they become influenced by their peers and their environment this is not any different in the hip-hop world. Kanye has been influenced by producer RZA from Wu-Tang Clan, Daft Punk, Michael Jackson, and Jay Z just to name a few. He has worked with numerous artists throughout his career who have shared his creative vision and have integrated it into their works of art. Kanye West has been considered to be one of the most commercially successful "back-pack" rappers. (Back-pack rapper: Person who raps about real life stuff that matters and his experiences. He is true to himself while rapping and uses his head and heart to write not simply with a pen and producing meaningless words). Perhaps Kanye West is our modern day Manet?

So there you have it: Art history meets Hip-hop. I wonder if Professor Carney would appreciate my juxtaposition? McCleary would for sure!

Images
1. en.wikipedia.org
2 & 3. fadis.com
4. prettymuchamazing.com
5. youtube.com (Screenshot of a fanmade typographic video for Amazing)

G is for Gangsterism

Is there anything better than T.I. and Justin Timberlake together?? Noope! Finally the new music video for their single - Dead and Gone.
Enjoy!

My posts are all over the place today ranging from ladies to gangsters!
Variety is the spice of life right?

She's a Lady. (Whoa, whoa, whoa.) She's a lady.

Photographed in a black Narciso Rodriguez dress.

Source: millionlooks.com

First lady Michelle Obama appears on the March 2009 cover of Vogue. In the article she talks about her children their ideals and fashion. Photographer Annie Leibovitz really captures the elegance, beauty, and class that Michelle possesses. She's truly an inspiration and a real lady in my books.

sorry boys...Balmain has stole my ♥

French fashion house Balmain seems to be everywhere these days! I can't seem to get enough!Created by Pierre Alexandre Claudius Balmain in 1945 the house is known for its classic and luxurious designs. Today, the house is led by designer Christophe Decarnin (seen in the last photo) whose direction has taken a more younger, edgier, more rock feel. But continues to keep it elegant and feminine in the purest tradition of Balmain.

Christophe Decarnin
Source: instyle.com

Look of Love

Happy Valentine’s Day my loves!! Hope Cupid has been good to you. Personally, I’m not so fond of this Hallmark Holiday but instead of hating I thought I’d relate it to something that I know best – Fashion of course!

♥
Marc Jacobs and Versace have come up with “lovely” little cocktail dresses complete with hearts. I can appreciate designers that incorporate the use of hearts into their designs and make them tasteful not tacky.

Onto accessorizing:

Marc Jacobs has the love clutch to complete your heartfelt ensemble.

If hearts aren’t your thing look to Miu Miu, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Marc Jacobs again to add a splash of red and pink to keep you thematic and ever so fashionable!

Left: Prada Tessuto Wristlet

Right: Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis Alma MM

Marc Jacobs Bruna Quilted Nylon Satchel
Image source: eluxury.com

Somehow this post turned into a designer gift slash how to accessorize for Vday guide of some sort. Oh well! Have a good one!

xo

Sex and the City version 2.0

If you haven't already heard it has been announced that a sequel is in the works for a part 2 for the Sex and the City movie set to be released in 2010 (this seems to be a reoccurring theme going on in my blog). I have no idea what the premise will be but probably something on the lines of married life with Mr. Big and children. Hopefully Samantha will still keep with the regular themes of the show and give us the typical Samantha Jones story lines that we all enjoy and love. Personally, I think it's either going to be really good or bomb but with great outfits of course! Thoughts?

Love is...

Source: photobucket.com

On one of many procrastination trips I stumbled upon this and thought it was quite lovely and perfect seeing as Valentine's day is just around the corner. Everyone has their own unique definition of love (this is where I would say the "Different strokes for different folks" phrase that I use quite often) so I'm curious to know...what is love to you? ♥

Inspi-RED

These boots are just too amazing!

My favourite outfit!

Source: http://seaofshoes.typepad.com/sea_of_shoes/

I cannot get over the outfit Jane from Sea of Shoes (one of my fave blogs out there) posted a few days ago!! One word: Amazing!!!! So I had to share. I love the jacket and the cut out boots are too die for! What I would give to raid this girls closet. You can always count on her as a source for inspiration if you ever need it.

Swagger Like Us

Source: www.grammy.com

Source: www.mtv.com

This was the only reason why I actually watched the 51st Grammy awards on Sunday to see Kanye West, T.I. (whom I'm kind of sort of obsessed with right now!) Jay Z, Lil Wayne and (a very preggers) M.I.A perform Swagger Like Us. They also won the Grammy for best rap performance by a duo or group. To see these hip-hop moguls on stage together is something that probably won't happen again. It wasn't amazing but it was good and I was a fan of their outfits. They were very well put together except for M.I.A but she's M.I.A so she can get away with anything. Kanye was sporting some crazy back in the day hair which we decided only he could pull off.

A Little Bit in Love with Lykke Li

Thank you Sweden for giving us another one of your lovable imports aside from H&M and Ikea (I know, I know Sweden is known for so much more!). Sweden has made their mark on the music map with pop/indie/electronic/alternative singer Lykke (apparently pronounced Luk-kah) Li.

On Friday February 6th 2009 Lykke Li performed in front of hundreds at the Phoenix concert hall. I had the lucky opportunity to be 4 rows away from the stage and had a pretty good view thanks to my wonderful friend Angela for casually pushing her way through the crowd (and you can bet we had a few angry patrons lol! But this was all forgotten as soon as Lykke Li hit the stage). This is Lykke Li’s second time in Toronto but unfortunately I wasn’t able to go to her first show.

She puts on a fun, passionate, soulful and energetic show. I think only Lykke Li can put together a show where she incorporates the use of a kazoo, megaphone, mini portable electric piano, and bangs on the drum during her performance. I think she wanted to show the audience that she is more than just a pretty face and has all these wonderful little talents. The show had a very intimate feel complete with her cute Swedish band accompanying her. Lykke Li was moving and jumping around all over the stage with her signature arm moves and robotic dance style that I have become familiar with in her videos (See: I’m Good I’m Gone and Little Bit).

One of the highlights of the show was when she did a cover of Lil Wayne’s A Milli. The lyrics were hard to hear as the crowd was overcome with excitement and she went beat crazy on the drums. She also did a Kings of Leon song and gave her guests a special gift of singing us a song from her upcoming album. You can check out the video here:

I loved Lykke Li’s outfit but was wondering how she was dealing with the temperature. She wore a black tunic and this long black scarf with pleats and ruffles which can be seen in the photos, complete with black opaque stockings and Doc martins. I totally want that scarf!

Hearing her belt out her ballads including Little Bit, Tonight, Everybody but me sounded even better live. Her soft sweet voice adds an innocence to her music. It was almost rather haunting but enjoyable and I and the other Lykke fans couldn’t help but sing along and really try to feel the emotions and her wicked dance moves.

Despite the lack of energy some of the crowd possessed I must say I enjoyed her a lot. All in all it was a really good concert and made me appreciate Lykke Li “a little bit” more. I can’t wait to see her grow and evolve as an artist. For those of you who haven’t heard of Lykke Li you can check her out at: http://www.lykkeli.com/.

More photos after the jump! There would have been more videos but blogger takes forever to upload! If there's a faster way please let me know!

Alice In Wonderland in 2010

How fitting to have a post about Alice In Wonderland as my blog title is inspired by this classic novel (if you didn't already know this!) which happens to be one of my favourites!

Tim Burton is set to direct a live-action CGI (think the movie Beowulf) version of the classic "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" set to be released in 2010. I can't wait to see this movie! Anne Hathaway has been cast to play the White Queen and Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter. Should be a good one!

If you ever get the chance you should check out the 1985 creepy made for TV version of Alice in Wonderland which features Sammy Davis Jr. as the hookah smoking caterpillar. It was actually so weird but you can't stop watching. If that makes any sense?!

For the Tim Burton fans out there he will also do the MOMA! This is where the lovely Mag's comes in!

Just letting you know...

School is getting rather hectic at the moment thus the lack of updates! But hopefully after these assignments I will get back to regular updates and finally getting around to personalizing this blog! Thanks to those who keep checking back! Heart you.

I came across this quote on my way to school one day on the topic of breaks which I thought I'd leave you for the time being.

"A break between relationships is crucial for the self-reflection needed to improve behaviour patterns."

xo.