A December to Remember

And the Christmas countdown is on...go!

I'm a bit weird about holidays; I'm not like my sisters when it comes to their intense excitement leading up to the holiday. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I don't yet have a family (of my own human babies...don't tell me Zoe isn't my daughter!) to plan with/for, or maybe I just lack the "festivity gene". Whatever it is, each year I say I am going to change that. And, I rarely come close. A few examples of my recent attempts include (but are NOT limited to!): ordering personalized gifts early (as in mid-Nov, for me that's early!) off of the internet for some recipients (said recipients will remain unnamed until execution of gifting) ; drinking my soy chai latte in a festive Starbucks cup; attempting to wear more red; and playing Christmas music whilst getting myself ready. Ok I totally fail at holiday spirit. But I'm not against it!!

One of my bestest friends and I made a vow/pact/decision/promise that 2012 is THE year. Just wait folks, 2011 was pretty bang-up for me; but 2012 is when we will see it all really start coming together. I can't wait. Which brings me to my point...I am going to give myself an awesome December. Healthy choices, lots of laughs (Modern Family may or may not play a large contributing role), lovely visits with people important to me, and probably a few new pairs of shoes. OH! And of course, buy some gifts for those I love (almost forgot...).

In the spirit of Christmas, and for those of you a little behind on their gift shopping (shame-free zone), here are a few ideas on what to get for your special someone. Enjoy!

Gifts for Your Gals...


Have a "Handy" Holiday
Christmastime brings lots of formal functions. There's something very feminine and lady-like about having a fresh, clean manicure. One of the latest crazes, Shellac, is a perfect way to achieve this feeling/look. I got my first Shellac manicure when I was visiting my sister down in California, and it lasted just about 2 whole weeks! I love individuality, which is easily achieved through nail polish, but I just can't stand the same-day smudging and next-day chipping. Check out local nail salons near your lady's location, and buy her a gift certificate! She will most likely love it (at least a 50-50 chance!! JK...95% guarantee), but if she isn't brave enough to commit to Shellac, she can use it for a pampering manicure or pedicure. Us ladies love some good old fashioned pampering!

"Ring" In The New Year Right
No, not THAT kind of ring! Pressure-free zone, here. Once again, Christmastime=cocktail time. Company Christmas parties, friendly gatherings, family photos; these events inspire - and allow - us ladies to spice up our outfits. A PERFECT way to to this is with a current yet classic cocktail ring. One of my favourite sources of high-quality costume jewelry is Stella & Dot. I own many pieces from this young, fast-growing, stylish jewelry line; and I can vouch for both the amazing quality, and top-notch product guarantee. Click the link, which will direct you to the "Independent Stylist" site of my beautiful sister, Cristin. If you have any questions or concerns, you can find her direct contact info on this site.

Rock Around The Christmas Tree
I'm a sucker for the velvety, soulful vocals of the late Amy Winehouse; and from previewing her soon-to-be-released album "Lioness: Hidden Treasures", the featured songs (including a favourite classic "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?") fall anything but short of my expectations. It is to be released December 6, but can be pre-ordered on iTunes. Her un-measureable talent will live on, despite her heartbreaking, untimely death at just 27 years old.


Oh Right, the Boys...


Go Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland
We all want our men to look good. Yes, they are handsome and attractive and would look sexy in a potato sack. But that's not the point. Think of how spiffy he will look in a gorgeous pair of Mr. B's for Aldo boots! I have viewed the collection in-store, and can say that I will be encouraging all the dudes asking for fashion advice to check the styles out.

Not-So-Silent Night
You have your favourite tunes, and he has his. That's ok! Now you can keep them separate, with these groovy new headphones, "Tracks" by Sol Republic. These affordable (starting at just $99.99 for the on-ear version), high-performance 'phones marry comfort, style, and sound. Plus, they're endorsed by the ever-talented Steve Aoki, so you KNOW they're good. Rock on!





Handyman Under the Mistletoe
Our men are men. Real, tough, hands-on men. So go ahead and encourage his handiness with a functional, fully-loaded, stylish "Shift" pocketknife, available on the innovative website Quirky. And don't worry, they ship outside of the US, with UPS being the more affordable option.

HAPPY SHOPPING!
xox

Wardrobe Favs, Revived!

YAY! I have something super geeky, and super exciting to share with you. If you're anything like me, you have at least one article of clothing sadly hanging in the back of your closet, no longer getting any love because of the hideous "pilting" (or balling up of the fibers in the material) caused by good old-fashioned wear-and-tear.

The mini version!

Now, I have always known about those little electric clothes shavers. Mom always had one in the "junk drawer" beside the fridge, and it was a quick fix to little issues. Having grown up with one, I always had one in my home, too. But there's one "big" issue with these little guys: they are TINY!! They are handy (pun intended), and fit into your purse (um, yes, I had mine in my purse at one point). But they are only built for quick, small jobs. Mine overheated, crashed, and burned after 5 minutes of use a couple weeks ago. Enter, my saviour:

Deluxe! De Luxe! Voila!

Sooo...I was pretty ticked off when my mini shaver bit the dust, mostly because I was working on a fav sweater, and in the car (as a passenger!! DON'T shave and drive) in the middle of nowhere. There was no immediate solution. But when I got the chance, I headed back to the store, where I remembered seeing the big-sister version of my original shaver. The Deluxe.

Conclusion: Get one. Get both. Or, if you have to choose, get the Deluxe! It's super cheap (about $20), and worth every penny. It is so fast & efficient! Having one of these gadgets can mean salvaging articles of clothing (sweaters, wool suits, knit scarves, etc etc), and ultimately can save you $$$. I'm a girl who gets very attached to her clothes (and accessories and shoes and jackets and hats...). You should have seen me last night; I literally spent hours "salvaging" items from my closet. A fav knit scarf that I bought in London, an over-sized wool knit sweater, a vest. All just in time for winter! Speaking of which, maybe my next blog should be on Static Guard...

Nostalgia Sets In

Alright people, it's that time of year. For my sister, it's Christmas. For my mom, it's summertime. For my father, it's winter. For me: FALL. There's just something about this time of year. It does something to me! Like clockwork; every year, every September, I wake up and go "!!!!!" (that's me making a face of "ohmygod it's here!!"). Similar to the look you see on a 4 year-olds face at 6am, Christmas morning.

The leaves changing color. The crisp bite in the air. The fool-proof excuse to sit inside with friends and enjoy a bottle (or 3) of wine. Fall to me is a time that brings special people back to town from their summer commitments, sends cute (but pesky) teenagers back to school so that I can shop in peace during the day. Even Zoe likes fall, it's prime even-strolling time! And she can rock her 'poof' withought being too warm.

Ok. Back to Fall. When Fall comes, I think Ali McGraw in Love Story. I think big, chunky knits. Sweaters, scarves, hats. Tall leather boots, ankle booties, dark tights. Plum. Browns. Slate grey. Faux fur vests and jackets. Can I keep going? I think you get my point.

Sooo....as many of you may already know, I'm a bit of a workhorse. I spend my evenings serving people the drink, my days and evenings styling hot models for fashion shoots, and somewhere in between there, I help my lovely girlfriend Kim Stern out with her unique & trendy boutique, APT 22. The latter brings me to my next point: fall fashion is here. It brings me comfort to know that I have surrounded myself with like minds; Kim at APT 22 just returned from a Fall season shopping trip in LA, and my friends - the clothes have arrived.

Please, come join us...come bask in the glory that is Fall fashion. APT 22 is open Monday-Saturday, 11am-6pm. We are also available for personal shopping appointments, so DON'T BE SHY!! And don't be off trend.

APT 22 is located at 1314 - 1 ST SW
You can call us too!! 403-452-5911

Mourning In Style

It's sad, and I hate it; but death is a reality. At some point throughout all of our lives, we experience a loss of someone we love. Having recently said goodbye to my sweet Auntie Barb, it's fair to say that there were far more important things to think about than fashion. However, when it came time for her funeral, I had to buy an outfit. I think this is a detail many of those in mourning wish to skip over.

Memorial services and funerals serve a very important purpose: to celebrate the life and legacy of those we have lost. We are not there to draw attention to ourselves. Here is a list of inappropriate, steer-clear-of examples of what NOT to wear:

- slinky, loose-fitting, sloppy tops
- spaghettie-strap or strapless/tube tops
- anything that exposes the bra/bra straps
- denim
- lounge-wear (including yoga pants/sweatpants/sweatshirts/T-shirts)
- frayed/ripped/baggy clothing
- bright, vibrant, eye-catching prints/fabrics
- running shoes, or dirty scuffed-up shoes
- statement jewelry
I could go on forever...and yes, I have witnessed a number of these funeral fashion faux pas take place.

On the other hand, here is a list of things that ARE appropriate to wear:

- colour pallet of black/navy/dark grey
- dresses with high neckline, knee length, capped/full or 3/4 length sleeves
- simple nude/black/navy pantyhose
- black/dark grey heals with a modest height
- if you must wear jewelry, keep it simple simple simple!!
- if the ceremony is in a colder season (aka 90% of the year in Canada!) wear a long, clean, dark dress coat; dark leather gloves and dark scarves are also appropriate for the trip to/from the venue.

I think I have delivered my point as best as I can without turning this blog into a novel. If you are clueless, just remember: keep it simple. This isn't about you, it is not a time to make a statement. Keep it covered.

The Big Return: Ode to an Aunt

I have neglected my blog; I have no problem admitting that. Wow...that actually felt good to say! Now I think I'm back on track!

So there are probably at least 37 (random but solid number) reasons I could give for not updating my blog. Instead of boring you, I will provide the biggest, most honest reason: lack of inspiration. Any artist/creative type/motivation-seeking type can probably relate to this reason (aka excuse), as well as it's solution. Or, in my case, solutions. I will name a few.

Solution #1:
Setting aside the aforementioned excuses/reasons/self convo's of "it's ok not to do what it is you love to do, to make room to do the things you don't so-much love so that you can eventually ALWAYS do what it is you love to do". Lost? It makes perfect sense, so listen up. I am an Aries. That is a loaded statement, but I am actually proud of this fact! I bring this fact up because it helps to explain my ability to creatively "postpone" (see: procrastinate) doing things that actually fulfill me. Wait, no, that makes zero sense. I think I need to touch that in a whole other blog - I am more apt to do things that scare the living shit out of me before I do something that feels right and safe. With that said, it is one of the things I love most about myself, and also one of the things I hate the most.

Solution #2:
A certain curly-haired, inspirational, fellow-Aries friend who shall remain anonymous. She has been in my life for precisely 7 years, and I thank God all the time for that. The moment she graced my life, my whole existence shifted slightly, and I sub-consciously felt safe knowing someone equally as crazy as me existed on this planet. This fantastic being just happened to "gently" remind me one day that I "HADN'T POSTED A BLOG SINCE APRIL!!!!!". Oops. She was right. But thats beside the point. Hearing that haunted me for many weeks! (In this case, the "haunting" was more of a proverbial tapping-at-the-window-type constant reminder of something important waiting to be completed).

Solution #3:
Guilt. I can keep this one short, as we all know how guilt feels; especially when it means keeping ourselves from reaching full potential and satisfaction for no good reason. I love to write, and I love to share. Why would I stop? I don't really know, but I do beat myself up over it daily.

Solution #4:
One woman: my Auntie Barb. After spending the day with her on July 12th, I knew goodbye was near. But that's not the whole story. Leading up to "goodbye", I was blessed to spend some amazing, quality time with Auntie Barb as she fought the evil known as cancer. This woman was fierce, strong, and as stubborn as could be. She wasn't going anywhere until she was ready. It really amazed me to watch her take on such a battle without having one complaint. During our precious visits, she would ask about my ventures in fashion. We bonded over the subject (especially while watching "Say Yes to the Dress" on TLC). While spending time up there, I was looking at some photos of her and Uncle Barry on their wedding day. She had such a cute, lively smile; and her gown was absolutely stunning! If I didn't know any better, I would think that Kate Middleton took direction from her. Which is actually a little funny, because I remember talking to Auntie Barb about Kate's gown, and we both just loved it! Look how cute she looks!

For Those Who Know Me Well

Today is my birthday. That doesn't matter much to me...those who know me well, know that I dislike my birthday. So far, however, it has been quite fantastic. Weeks ago, I purposely booked a shoot for today; that way, I would enjoy at least a few hours of it, and have personal satisfaction from flexing my creative muscles. I spent Friday pulling garments for the shoot, and knew for a FACT that today was going to be a huge success. Now that the shoot is over, I can say without a doubt that it indeed went great.  More to come on that...

Last night, my Madre and I went for a late dinner and wine. We had so much fun goofing off and laughing (and me drinking wine), and in a bit of a flash, I quickly reflected on the past 25 years my life. Once again, those who know me well (and I mean really well) can truly understand exactly where I've been, where I am now - and all that was in between. Even then, it would take a novel for me to thoroughly share. I have always known that I am an old soul; at 25, I feel like I have covered at least 50 years. And even when I say "50 years", to me that sounds so young and fresh. I am so blessed to have both of my parents with me, both of them healthy and happy. And my siblings...where do I even start? My heart swells when I think of my brother and sisters. My life without them would be like...well, what comes to mind is a Parisian street untouched by Chanel. Empty. Each one of them has blessed me with a beautiful niece (Cristin one-upped 'em and gave me 2), and I can truly say from the bottom of my heart that I live each and every day for those girls. Aalyah (9 1/2), Madison (3), Makaela (18 mos) and Sailym (17 mos) literally comprise the sole purpose of my life. If, at 87, I look back and reflect over the decades (whilst lounging poolside in Spain, wearing a vintage Marchesa, drinking a glass of Merlot), and can truly say that I made these beautiful girls proud - I think I can safely say that I succeeded. And of course, I won't need to be reminded of the verbal contract I made with Aalyah when she was 3 (followed by her initiation of a yearly renewal): When Auntie Carlene dies, she is to leave "all of her fashions, bags, shoes and jewelry" to Aalyah. Yes, I agreed, but that was before the 3 younger ones joined the club...I have complete faith that Aalyah will do what is right ;)

Perhaps when reading my blog, people will conclude that I live for fashion, and nothing else. That has some truth to it, but (and for the 3rd time...) those who know me well, know that there is FAR more to me than fashion. I hope that on this journey of thoughts blogged; you can all see who I am, why I am here, and what it is I intend to accomplish. In the meantime, please enter each blog the same way that I try to live my life: with an open mind, open heart, and free spirit.

Baby, I Was Born This Way!

Bonjour.
That is about all the French I know. But what's a more fashionable way to say "hello"? That's right, bonjour it is. It worked for Coco, it'll work for me.

So, here we go - first blog for myself. Like many other bloggers I'm sure, I can say that I have always put thought into doing something like this, but where does one really start? However, after a fantastic (as always) conversation with a great friend, a seed was planted. This is me watering it...I hope it grows!

Now, since I was a little, little girl, I was fashion obsessed. I can remember locking myself in my room while my siblings were at school, and trying on EVERY item of clothing I had. "This skirt with that top, no wait - that top with that skirt is way better." Anyways, I know it got me into a lot of trouble because who got stuck with the mess it created? My Madre - aka Mother Teresa. But I only have her to blame (or thank). She really allowed me - even from a very young age - to develop my own style. When I say style, I don't just mean the outfits I wore. But also the way I spoke (not always well received), my hair style (never anything crazy), nail polish, piercings, even tattoos. I definitely take most credit for the stylish person I am today, but my mother gave me the room to grow into it. It may have something to do with the fact that I was child #4 and she was tired from the first 3, but I like to think she really knew what she was doing ;). I would like to give my dad some cred as well, but when I try to drum up memories of him having an influence on this subject, I immediately remember comments such as "you sure dress funny" or "you have big feet". He was only joking (my feet aren't that big), but that was about as much as he knew about anything fashion. Steel toed boots and coveralls - I tried that look for a couple summers. Although I managed to add a slight twist to it (yes it is possible!), it just didn't stick. Sorry, Tom!

Going through my childhood photos, I discovered a trend...naps. Me, sleeping. Everywhere. But I did it in style! Even at 3 years old, I knew what was up.

Red body suit, red tights, black tap shoes, dusty pink slouch socks. I would be more than happy to wear this today! But I wouldn't look as cute. I will say this - the dusty pink & red combo is an absolute yes. For somebody wanting to add a flare of color to their wardrobe in a safe, subtle way, try this. It's both feminine and fashion.