The Christmas Buzz...

I really am a shopping junkie, but I am a hardcore shopper... the one who can shuffle through a rack with pizazz, determination and the ability to dissect the objects very quickly.

I have to say I have only shopped online once.... not sure why, but my experience left me happy and pleasantly surprised. (thank you http://www.neimanmarcus.com/) and this has allowed be to become highly more opened to the idea of shopping online.

And then I am sitting a table having drinks when a old friend of mine tells me about http://www.ukamaku.com/--- never heard of it, but how appealing to be able to purchase Canadian made garments in a one stop. Doesn't help that I have a personal infatuation with Breeyn McCarney dresses.

And then I had heard that my favorite Internet window shopping site opened a boutique right here in Toronto, let the anxious giggles begin!! I love this Augustina Boutiques Ltd., with it's gold jewellery and it's adorable clutches like the evie envelope with it's massive bow on the front. But my anticipation and excitement will be if they have the vintage Babar prints the show in the Auggie section of the site which is the very adorably shown kids items.

So if you are interested in getting some shopping done, here are some great avenues to spoil yourself as well as others during the Holiday, I know I will!

PS. Did I mention that December is my birthday month... and I super excited to turn 30!! **hint, hint on the items I want**

How do you find a word that means Maria?

" How do you solve a problem like Maria?

How do you hold a moon beam in your hand?---"

There is not many Maria/Mary's in my life... and for those who know me so well, know of a Maria who has been part of my life for so long that I get all bubbly inside like the Julie Andrews character of Maria in the Sound of Music.

But there is a new Mary in my life... and I was and still get excited about the idea of seeing her or the pieces she creates, this being Mary Katrantzou.

I don't get excited much about fashion lately... as so much of it feels same old, same old! Let's repeat the decades of the 30s through to even the 90s on repeating stylish pieces giving them a slight redo, better material composition and perhaps call it anew. But there are times like when I happened to stumble upon Style.com's pictures from the runways (thank you from us minions who are sitting in the comfort of their couches who can appreciate what is happening across the globe) where I see something that astounds me.

As I am staring at each picture and imagining the imagery of architectural beauty that drew her to put art on the a material and create a beautiful dress... I dare not say more than I was FLOORED! And then the opportunity came to meet Mary (who I had exchanged a few words with on twitter previously) at the Room for the God Save the Queen event.

Even more personable than you can imagine, a humble person at best.... this is not the persona I would have ever expected from someone who got to show at London Fashion week; but here she is talking to MOI her biggest Canadian fan. Her pieces are as beautiful as they appear on the runway, and unfortunately this isn't always the reality. Some pieces slightly reminiscent of Marie Antoinette with details and accents more towards the hip over the shoulder. Her lampshade detailed skirt are really just more and more beautiful than you can imagine.

I really really want on of these pieces, this has gone high on my WANT list... so much so that I think I might NEED one!

Belle of the Ball!

I really do love my neighbourhood... most of the people I know know this about me!

It's always sad when a business closes in the ward that one lives in to be unsure that something just as great if not better opens! And then something does, and it brings a smile to your face and a beaming glow to the rest of the dwellers of said neighbourhood.

To this I attribute Bobbette & Belle that opened up on Queen St. E. I had the pleasure of going to the grand opening and even with my new health kick and need to lose weight for my 30th birthday I couldn't resist the delicacies that were sprawled out on the table. Beautifully decorated location with stunning cakes out on display... a grand kitchen in the back! This patisserie is gorgeous!

After having a conversation with one of the owners it was a pleasure to find out that she lives in my little neck of the woods neighbourhood... and what more can you ask but to support a neighbour as well as getting a great macaron just down the street!

I have to be honest I enjoyed a fresh chocolate marshmallow and a white macaron.... it was divine! The patisserie has Wi-Fi which may be too good to be true... as I would spend far to long noshing on way too yummy food. But they make a mean hot chocolate and have a very appealing and comfortable space that makes you feel as luxurious as it looks.

So if you happen to come down to Leslieville it's a must see and a must taste experience!

Cheers!~

Walking Dead!

I hate... repeat it... I HATE HORROR MOVIES!

I always have I always will hate gross, dirty, Gorey horror films. Worst of all I live in a home with a man who loves these movies, enjoys them... and when he encourages me to watch them my blood churns at the thought. Don't get me wrong I am a good wife, I have tried and tried... Texas Chain Saw Massacre... gross! Saw... sheer DISGUST!

But then AMC, which has turned out to be my most new favorite station on television with ground breaking produced shows such as Mad Men and Breaking Bad throws me a wrench into the mix by creating this masterpiece they call "Walking Dead."

The show starts off following the situation that brings Police Officer Rick Grimes to understand a disease has possessed the population, he was left for dead and zombies roam the streets... while he searches for living folk, it almost is reminiscent of Will Smith's version of Hancock but so much better. This is a great story taken from another comic book series, but it's so lovingly executed... I really am excited about this storyline. I am mostly sad that there is only 6 episodes this season, I haven't heard if they are picking the series up for further episodes but they sure should.

So if you like GORE, but if you like great storyline this is a great show to watch! Trust me!

For those about to shop!

This year I am happy to say that I have met a great set of people, some in a personal manner, some through social media; all in all I have met some great friends.

One of these special people is the lovely Laura Connell, who is the author and creator to the website For Those about to Shop . On October 27th, she held a very nice and warm event in the lower area of Marben on Wellington in Toronto.

It was my first event post elections and I was looking to enjoy some good old conversation minus politics with perhaps a glass of wine in hand. There were great little hors d'oeuvres, cupcakes and a seriously nice bartender on hand. I bumped into some of my newer friends and we chatted about everything as we waited for a Tarot card reading from the reader who had a lineup of anticipating seekers of knowledge waiting for her. I luckily got the last reading that night... a lot of what I already knew about myself!

The swag bag was sooo nice, best part was the infinity scarf I got from Dara Dot Design, it's been a lot of fun trying to figure out the different ways to wear the scarf itself.

But some of you followed me over onto Mommydoings from my past fashion blog; while my blogging is fully diverse --- please take a moment to go and head over to Laura's blog, it really is a nice read and hey, she's a petite like me!

Sex pistols was not the theme! LOL!

But it sure was worthy of it's name.... I got to attend the ultimate exclusive 'God Save The Queen' event at the Room in the Bay. This was not your little spot of tea event... but there sure was some champers!

No detail was spared on this theme

I had never been to the, well that's a lie maybe over 13 years ago, when it was a dark whole bunch of stuffy... but wow--- the difference, the bright whiteness of this place glows, every piece shines in this room that has a fluidity that makes you want to roam and roam again through the same sections because it really is a fun space.

The Charlotte Olympia shoe is serious SEXY

But what a great feel for their much fun event that was bringing a bunch of London's best to Toronto. There was some of the usual London Fashion names to expect Mark Fast (who really has been doing the heavy promoting in Toronto for the last year), Erdem and Charlotte Olympia (can I say SOLID FANTASTIC shoes) but I was drawn to the show for someone whose designs left me speechless when I saw them walk down the runway online and followed up by a fantastic twitter conversation with the lovely Mary Katrantzou--- this woman deserves a post on it's own!

The intricately beautiful Mario Schwab

Where do I begin with the pieces that were on display, but to tell you the British are back and with bling in tow. Everyone wants some glitz and glam in their life... and these pieces don't disappoint when wanting to add a little sparkle in your everyday. From the slightly metallic strong colours on the beautiful brocade Erdem dresses, to full on rhinestone embellished Mario Schwab frocks that would make most ladies slightly jealous, to the intrinsically knitted into the dress jewels that Mark Fast added to his already show stopping skin baring pieces.

The Lula Pop-up shop

Ohhh and did anyone go by the next couple days after the event and see the Lula pop-up store? The very gamine looking Leith was ultimately pleasurable and those adorable Rodarte t-shirts are too cute, (OH husband are you reading this???)

The beautiful details in the Erdem pieces

It really was a fun night, from the gaggle of boys waiting outside with a London theme filled moment from the valet to the boys serving us cocktails all night, little bites of scrumptious and gift bags that were union jack appropriate. I had an extra fun night with my lovely gal on the town Melissa, it surely was one of the better events I've been to in a while!

This is my friend Melissa (@Miss_Content) & me

Dream a little dream tonight!!!

I actually have been dying to blog recently... and I have a million post ideas in which to write about.

Now let's talk about the Elephant in the room... I ran my election as said before, and I was lovingly defeated and did not do as well as I had hoped to. But the process was so over the top fantastic and I was so happy to have done so, than to have not done it when I was fearing within myself about the process and the abilities I had.

I am so ever grateful to the most wonderful family members I have who came out and canvassed door to door with me. I am thankful to those who came out and supported me at my events and most of all I am thankful to my husband and my daughters who had to endure an upheaval of our household while I pursued a dream of mine!


Perhaps my loss is well a loss... but the greatness I have learnt and the pride I get to feel when I tell my children that if you want something you go out there and get it, don't let the inner voices of failure sway you, don't let others inabilities to persuade you and reach for the moon, because somewhere there you'll be up amongst the stars (that last bit I read somewhere unknown.)

(images courtesy of weheartit.com)

Out and About and all around!

I really do enjoy my outings, I really enjoy outings that feel worth getting dressed, getting a sitter and driving into the core of the sitting attempting to find parking and make enjoying the evening!

I really really have to give it to GotStyle for not just putting together a nice event, but getting a crowd that fill the room and make you want to stay there and not run for the Hills! While I brought my husband to the Naked Mens Boxer Briefs event at the new Got Style Location (60 Bathurst St.,) which may I add I am a fan of, we had already missed the fashion show.

(the wooden art piece in the middle of the store)

Don't get me wrong, I would have enjoyed to see the models peruse through the crowd of people, but this crowd was uplifting and social... talking, networking and making a Men's Event something worth talking about. Men's wear doesn't get the attention Female labels do... yet 50% of the population are males and they make an average median income that is far greater than their equal counterparts, women!

I love Men's Fashion, it is the hidden art of making a man more impactful, of adding a certain sense of self with the most accurate amounts of simplicity. Men's Wear couldn't handle the tsotchkies and severe changes, they couldn't handle the large shifts in their closets. It's in the simplicity of the details in which men's clothing makes a mark.

(husband with George Strombo)

Got Style did a fantastic job, we had fun... it also helped that George Strombolopoulos made an appearance, surely there wasn't a woman in the room who wasn't swooning.

(me and Strombolopoulos)

Ohhh September!

I just realised that I had only written 3 posts in the whole month of September, and really I am not remotely surprised.

September has been a good & bad month for me, with a bunch of personal firsts, a bunch of personal realities, social realities and just stuff... but all in all it's been a month with a lot of reflection which wasn't going to be something I was working on, as you know I like to take time to work on me as much on the other things I tend to do.

What I learnt so far in September:

Your friends will surprise you! Someone might take their time to be there, to be that support you so much wanted and needed... and friends who you know were your friends and somehow allowed far to much distance get between you, surprise you with the reality that well there has been that obvious connection that existed and you weren't crazy.

Ohhh and friends well... just aren't your friends. They talk about you, behind your back, push their personal gains ahead as they butcher your friendship... but somehow want to continue to pretend they are your friend. Which really the more I come to terms with it, are NOT my friends!

I can easily become demoralised... so easily can I get frustrated, when I believed my strength in this world is my conviction to things, but it wanes off and on, and I push and push to keep my convictions into motivations; because you can't let little things bring you down.

And for as much as I could bicker and complain (falling off someones porch slamming my face into their gas meter would be one of those issues) the universe keeps telling me I have good karma and the universe has good intentions headed for me. Like losing my purse in the middle of the city and a good citizen bringing it up to my street to try and find me, leaving it with my neighbour.

And I NEED social experiences, outings, conversations, banter and well just a good ol' girls day out at the spa getting a mani-pedi! Some like to dwell in their dwellings and can feel satisfied with many nights in front of the TV, reading a good book and just being them and their children, I am not that I need more to be satisfied.

So with some much internally fulfilled without pursuit... I am SO looking forward to what October has in stored for me, just hopefully less eventfully harmful!

Thank God for Date Night! (The Town)

Seldom do date nights exist! Rarity where the girls go to my mom's for an over night trip where that night and the next am there isn't something largely construed by someone other than me and that I can do whatever I just feel like it, do what I want, play how I want, wake up when I want.

But we got a date night here, and was it one that has kept me smiling!

We went to go see The Town! Ohhhh THE TOWN! This date night turned into a movie review that had to happen. So with a ton of promotion, a star filled cast and some much hype the Directorial project of Ben Affleck's The Town was the movie that won when deciding what movie be watching this evening. We chose over Easy A, Residential Evil 3D and Wall Street and the Town... husband has a crush on Blake Lively and I had heard the buzz!

The movie starts right from the start with a robbery, if you saw a preview you knew it was about robberies, I have not spoiled the plot for you! LOL But it goes into the grimy parts of Boston (let me add I had never known there to be seedy parts of Boston, but we all learn from movies don't we) Ben Affleck crooked, Blake Lively fantastically Trashy... honestly it's believable!

The movie goes through twists and turns about how criminals and victims can become intertwined, how the good guys want to catch the bad guys and the obvious there is the good bad guys and the BAD bad guys! The movie delves into the obvious of what conditions it takes to produce such characters, it really is a perfection in human belief, circumstances that brought them there and decisions we are faced with everyday.

The scenes are believable... husband refuses to see another car chase where cars do like 4 - 360s just to land on it's tire just to drive off. The visuals are beautiful and the homage to Boston is sincere and lovely! It shows that there is love for the town which the movie was filmed in. The story obvious plot... but the movie gritty and good.

To be honest, wasn't a fan of Hamm's performance, maybe because he came off to dirty and grimy and I see him as Don Dapper way too much!

The end was suspenseful and chilling, gross and honest... I left the theater uberly satisfied. It was outstanding. If I had to grade it, for me it would a 4.5 stars out of 5. Truly brilliant! I think this might have possibilities during award seasons, FOR SURE for Directorial! And don't think that is all Ben Affleck succeeded at, his acting was stellar, and his body (physical body I am referring to here, not his body of work) is to die for, would make most men jealous and obviously women paying attention to him. I believe this movie will be the resurrection of his dwindling career!

Just Brilliant! Catch the preview.

(Husband feels that this trailer doesn't even do ths movie any justice, this is a movie you are just going to have to go see.)