Meet Muffin

You know how somedays you just kinda through stuff on without *much* thought put into it and only later you realize you kinda had a theme going on?



Striped boot-cut pants: Guess; Platform wedges: Manufacture d'essai; Jean jacket: Express; Blouse: Max C; Aviators + earrings: Forever 21; Bag: Rafe

Well that was last week. I wanted to wear these new Guess pants I got and this dreamy idea of pairing them with my nautical platforms. At the last minute I went for a heftier pair and after that, everything just came together. I even put on a jean jacket (my only jean jacket) that I scored at a clothing swap party and hadn't worn yet. I coupled that with a flowy (skull) blouse and suddenly felt very American circa 1975.



Even my hair kind of fit the flow...I was inspired by pictures of Olivia Palermo when she wore her hair in twists to work (note: I don't watch The City but I do look at pics of her outfits). BTW - this was the first pic I took with my new digital SLR camera. I am in LOVES with it! (the camera, not my hair). All my pics have so much depth and clarity, I don't even have to use photoshop on them!

Last weekend was interesting...went on our boat for the first time this year at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club's annual Sailpast. Got WAY too drunk. Took WAY too many pictures with the new cam (be prepared for them, next post!). But at least I got to meet Muffin the next day (my parent's new dog they rescued from the pound).





Ain't she the cutest! She was smaller than I thought she would be, but super duper friendly and licky and does tricks like dance around. I am so happy my mom found her and visa versa, she's like a whole new person having this lil doggie in her life!

In other news, my beloved Vancouver Canucks lost in Game 6 of Round 2 of the Stanley Cup finals. Our saviour - and one of the top 3 goalies in the NHL (according to the actual NHL, so all you naysayers can shove it!)- Roberto Luongo just couldn't bring it to the game. He let a shocking 7 goals in which is unheard of. He was just off the entire game, which was a real shame because we showed some real heart and drive at the end there. It's not all his fault of course, but he was the one I thought would be playing his "A" game...guess he didn't want the cup that badly.

Unlike many "fans" though, I am not jumping ship. They've come a long way this year (lost 11 games in a row in Jan) and to actually get to round 2 (and be the only Canadian team left) AND be the TOP 8 IN THE NHL was more than most could have predicted. Sure, we swept the St. Louis Blues last round (meaning they didn't win a single game of the four) but the Chicago Blackhawks were just clearly the better team. I wish them the best and I thank the Canucks for a thrilling and exciting rollercoaster of a season!

Enough about hockey, let's talk about...blogging.

I've learned that a linguistics professor at the University of Ausberg in Germany is publishing a paper in a journal which features my blog almost exclusively. I don't want to link to the article here because it's not been published yet, but basically this professor used my blog as an example of what blogging is - and that's a huge compliment to my writing (which is un-spellchecked and half-assed at best).

It was neat to see how he broke down specific entries and divided them based on classic linguistic theories about complicating action, narrative, coda and a whole bunch of mumbo jumbo I did not understand. But I was honoured to be used as an example, nonetheless. I will definitely link to it once the journal is published (he's sending me a hard copy too!). This blog is academic material, baby (OK, you can stop laughing now).

Funny...so many bloggers out there get free clothes and free makeup and free samples sent to them all the time. But not I.

What do I get? Linguistic papers and Inside Edition.

Inspired By: The Killers

Last month I ended up scoring some free tickets to The Killers. I used to actually really liked The Killers when Hot Fuss came out and listened to that album all the time. I'm not really a fan of the new stuff - a lot of it sounded very Barry Manilow to me - but they still put on a pretty awesome show. We had excellent seats too which helped, from where we sat we could cleary see how tight Brendan Flowers pants were. Still can't believe that guy is married lol.

That aside, I'm just not sure if The Killers are ahead of their time or just mediocre songwriters. Hot Fuss felt ahead of its time for 2005 or whenever it came out. I'm not sure what can be said about Sam's Town which many critics have dubbed as wannabe Springsteen but I know that their latest album really does push the boundaries. It's not my cup of tea per se (I like things harder and faster) but I can appreciate how they are trying embrace the Vegas Show Band with hints of the Clash and Bowie.

Naturally when I got dressed for the concert I wanted to go for a bit of a glam rock look. I definitely looked a lot diferent from the rest of the concert goers....what is it about concerts that bring out all the hoochies? The whole venue was packed with girls in crop tops, fake tans and nails and spindly stilettos. Stilettos at a rock concert? Please, give me my most-happy boots any day!






Jacket: Forever 21; Dress: unknown; Gladiator cuff: House of Harlow; Boots: ASOS; Earrings: Forever 21; Necklace: DaisyChain; Bag: Chinese Laundry

Design Profile: Hannah Fletcher of Narcissist

Today I decided to put my neglected journalism degree to good use and interview designer, friend and fabulous fellow fashionista, Hannah Fletcher.



Fletcher, 25, a statuesque and stunning glamazon, is not only a winsome model, amazing pole dance/fitness instructor and all-aroung good egg but she's the head designer at the respected Vancouver clothing company Narcissist.



Founded in 1996, and purchased in 2008 by Tracey Copeman, Narcissist is a homegrown Canadian label that's known for their flattering/slimming cuts and versatility of their dresses. Proudly made and designed in Vancouver, their boutique is located in the up and coming Main Street area - 3659 Main (at 21st Avenue); they also have a newly launched online store. They also offer the collection wholesale which is carried at select boutiques across Canada, with one in the USA.


K: When did you know you wanted to be a designer?

H: I was always interested in fashion as long as I can remember – my aunt brought me back a fashion design kit from Japan when I was kid. I loved it. It wasn’t until I was 15 that I knew that fashion was what I would do.


How did you get to where you are now?

At 15, I started planning. I had my eye on Kwantlen’s Fashion Design and Technology program. I knew it was a competitive to get in to the program so I did everything I could to succeed. For example, at 16, for a career preparation program, I started working at a children’s costume shop as a design assistant. Then, in first year at Kwantlen I landed my first real industry job as a technical designer for a missy women’s wear line. I did my internship at Narcissist in 2003 but was still working for the missy women’s wear line so it wasn’t until I graduate in 2005 that I was hired at Narcissist. I started as production manager and by 2006 I was a designer. In 2008 I became head designer.


Karen, Spring 09


What are some of the hardships you have encountered on the way?

That’s a tough question. I wouldn’t describe any of it as hardship, but some of it was rather exhausting! There was lots of volunteer work, fashion shows, sleepless nights sewing, pattern drafting…etc. School was probably the toughest part to be honest. If I hadn’t been such a keener and if I hadn’t pulled so many all-nighters……(insert winky face here ;)


What is the best advice you ever received?

This is kind of funny – I wouldn’t call it advice – but the best thing a teacher told me was in second year. She said that I was a ‘predictable’ designer. I was not happy about this, but truthfully, at the time, I was. I was so focused on (only focused on) grades, that I was missing the point. It wasn’t until I started becoming rebellious that I started excelling. This was when I discovered design was my forte.


Do you have any advice for people with designing aspirations?

Work hard, stay with it and stay focused! It is hard to make a living doing what you love doing, so you really need to be a superstar to get there!


Giselle, Spring 09


Where do you hope to take Narcissist?

The company has had some success over the years but it has remained small, with a very local focus. We've enjoyed an excellent reputation in Vancouver for over 10 years. Narcissist is a Canadian label, designed and made in Canada and so we're now focusing more on our National presence. We're incredibly well-known in Vancouver and we know women love our dresses. We do have a few loyal customers from all over Canada and the US , but the rest of North America hasn't had the chance to get to know what Narcissist is all about - and we'd love them to. I can’t wait for the day we are big enough that I can start designing my own fabrics!

Peneloppe, Spring 09

What are some of your fashion pet peeves?

I LOVE this question (laughs). I don’t like cookie-cut, clone fashion. I don’t like: ‘I am not-in-to fashion-so-I-am-going-to-wear-my-sweatpants to work, to dinner’….what!? VANCOUVER stop this!!!

Personally, I would rather see someone try (even if they don’t get it) than not try. There are stylists out there that can help too! (Like my friend Giovanni: pinkandgrey.ca)


What do you do when you aren't designing?

Fitness and dance. I can be creative in both – but a total different type of creativity.


Who are your favourite models and why?

My friends! Matilda, Kenia, Laura, Jessica, Kylie, Leah…all of the models in our shoots are friends. Not only are they absolutely beautiful inside and out, but they are also real women!


Who are your favourite designers and why?

Tough one. I can’t say for sure – collections change from season to season, and sometimes I love a collection one season and not the next. Overall, I have to say I usually really like Erin Fetherston, Rebecca Taylor, and Stella McCartney.

Tessa, Spring 09


What is your take on the Vancouver fashion scene? What do we need to do to become more internationally (or even nationally) renowned?

Tracey and I talk about this all the time. From a business perspective we all need to think bigger than Vancouver . From a public perspective, we need more appreciation for fashion. Being well dressed can enhance your marriage, your career, your confidence…there are so many benefits. We talk about the benefits of yoga or the benefits of eating well and it all makes sense. So why don’t we get fashion?


What trends for summer and fall are you most looking forward to?

I really like the peaches and the skintones even though they are harder colours for most of us to wear. But I have found by adjusting my makeup a touch (adding more peach and bronze) I can usually do it!

I am also so happy the trend continues for high-waisted pants and skirts. They are so much more flattering on most people (not everyone though).

Aurora Fall 2009 preview


If you had to buy one fantastic item for this year, what would it be?
(laughs)This is the hardest of all the questions…just one? I guess a great pair of shoes. But it would have to be a ‘fabulous, can’t-live-with-out’ pair.

Madison Fall 2009 preview

What item has been your greatest investment?

Surprisingly, I have compliments daily on my Betsey Johnston handbag - which is totally over the top - but seems to work with EVERYTHING.

For more information on Hannah and her designs, please contact:

Hannah Fletcher
Designer
Narcissist Design Co.
t.604-568-1555 / f.604-568-1556
http://www.narcissist.com/

All photographs by Jesse Winter Heading (fantastic local photographer and good friend) - he also has a Flickr page (of which I just linked to a shot of my boyfriend :P)

Wednesday Winners!

Dress and chain bracelet: ASOS; Gladiator Cuff: House of Harlow; Necklace: Forever 21; Bag: Mango; Boots: Modern Vintage

I got this dress (not a skirt or top but a dress) from ASOS after eyeing it for quite some time. It was supposed to be "inspired by" Nicole Richie...so I decided maybe I should pair it with Nicole's House of Harlow jewelry line cuff and just go full on Richie. Only thing I am missing here is the headband (which I refuse to do...so far).

So before I get into the draw, I just wanted to ramble incoherently about nothing in particular...

**My man and I are road-tripping it to Oregon next weekend (a long weekend). I haven't been down the coast since 2002 or something silly. We are spending Friday night just outside of Seattle, Saturday night in Portland and Sunday night in Seaside, by Cannon Beach. For the latter, our hotel is RIGHT on the beach which is awesome. You know what else is awesome? Oregon has no sales tax! And Portland itself is known as the vintage clothing capital of the world or something...if anyone has any suggestions on specfic stores I would really appreciate it...I've been looking through the online guide and it's so overwhelming!

**My accountant is finally doing my taxes from last year and the last couple of years (while I was at school) and I'm getting a whopping amount of money refunded! Like enough to go on an African Safari or something like (or two tickets to New Zealand, where I am actually going). However, I am planning to be a good girl and plunk them down on my credit card and pay it off - but not before I get myself (finally) a Digital SLR camera! For someone who went to school for photojournalism and who loves photography, a digital SLR camera is something I have been sorely missing! I am not getting a high range one because I don't have the money, but I am getting a Sony Alpha A200K 10.2MP DSLR SLR Camera With 18-70mm Lens Kit one which is apparently great bang for the buck (on sale for $430CND) and is perfect for someone who is just starting out with SLRs. Plus the lenses are exchangeable with old Minolta ones (like my dad has). I pick it up from Best Buy tomorrow and I am SO excited!

**My parents finally got a new dog. If any of you remember, our beloved Ellie was killed last year in Palm Springs when a car hit her while she was trying to save my mom - it also hit my mom and my mom is still in the process of suing the heartless old wench who did it(you can read the terrible story here *sob*) - now there is no dog that can ever replace Ellie (or Duke, our previous dog) and I am happy to report that Duke and Ellie are often in my dreams as if they never went anywhere, but my mom went to a rescue shelter with her friend last week just for fun. All the dogs seemed so scared and shut but they saw this little scruffy dog who ran right over to my mom. She jumped into my mom's arms and started licking her all over. Well, that did it. My mom had to rescue her right there and then. The dog is called (get ready for it)..MUFFIN...and she's 8 years old, so she's not a pup. But she's very lively and I am so happy my parents are giving her a good home, it's not fair that the older dogs get neglected and eventually put down because everyone wants puppies.

Anyway, Muffin is doing great, getting used to my parents and the fact that she's got a home now and won't be sent back. The only thing my parents are worried about is taking her on the boat - the boat is a huge part of our lives and all our dogs adapted to it. We are hoping she will too (btw she is a Havanese and Bichon mutt but looks like a scottie dog with a very long tail...)

**My online shopping ban is going great, two weeks or so into it. It's hard though, there is so much I wanna buy but I've stopped looking at the sites so there is no temptation. I've just allowed myself to look at net-a-porter because I can't afford things there anyway! I also went out shopping last Friday night - I forget that Vancouver's main shopping street (Robson) is a 8-minute walk from my house. I checked out Payless but didn't see anything cute in my size (why does size 5 or 5.5 get the shaft?). Then I went to another store and found ALL the shoes I had been eyeing online...Sam Edelman, Steve Madden, Blowfish, Dolce Vita, Report, Jessica Simpson, etc. I had no idea that our stores carried them. Anyway, I looked at all of them but found that I don't have much impulse when I shop in person. I would have snapped it up in a second online but now, I just took my time and decided that I didn't really need or want any of them.

That was until I came across another shoe store where I found the perfect pair of nude Michael Kors cork wedges....

Wish I had found these sandals ages ago, because they are what I have been looking for (but have been unable to find so I've just been buying other shoes to make up for it). So I feel like my shoe-shopping is done! For now...

**Last but not least, I got my iTouch 8G. This is just the best thing ever and so much better than an iPhone (I say that because I don't use my phone that often, I am happy with my current carrier and all my friends with iPhones pay huge bills each month). I am in love with my virtual koi pond and the aSleep function is awesome...I program it to make beach sounds and it turns off in 40 minutes, perfect for someone like me who needs noise diffusion at night. Most exciting of all is the Closet Organizer app but I have to take pics of all my clothes first before I can get that to work....sounds like a Friday night to me! The only beef I have with the iTouch is that many apps need a wi-fi connection...to Starbucks I go!

**Thanks for all the comments on the hair - honestly, I really am a hair spazz and I can't do ANYTHING with my horrible thin flat hair, so if I can do this, anyone can. I am thinking about doing a step-by-step tutorial just to show you how easy it is :)

All right, enough of that...on to THE WINNER!

*drum roll*

AMELIA! of that blog name that's really long and I can't spell it properly ;P Congrats Amelia, you have wone the NWT Forever 21 dress!!!

Also, I did a second draw for a "secret prize" and that winner is: CopperOranges!!

Ladies, congrats!!!! Yay! Please email me your address so I can send the items on their way :)

Congrats again to the winner....oh and to answer a few questions from last post, yes some say I look like Jessica Simpson (won her lookalike contest, got to meet her, etc) but I don't see it so much anymore (speaking of Jessica Simpson, I totally called it - I knew she "gained" weight on purpose so she could lose it and then get magazine covers...cuz what else does she have going for her now??) and no I'm not an actress, I've just done some background work, some more prominent than others and some that did involve some acting (but luckily not much because I suck ass at it :)

PS - Thanks to ALL your submissions on the "fashion pet peeves" - it was a riot to read! And yes, I found out I cause some people's peeves as:

I do wear huge wedges, I do wear sleeveless shirts when I in fact have flabby arms, I'll throw on Lululemon pants (but they make my butt look nice when I am running errands at 8AM!), I do wear bootcut jeans with high-heeled boots (but bootcut jeans are meant to be worn with boots!), I have bra straps that show, etc.

All in all though, great list and it's fairly obvious that you ALL have a vendetta against Uggs and Leggings (and yet I see this ALL the time - I'm tempted to put a picture of a friend up here as she is a repeat offender!). I also had to agree with someone's hate of blinged out Guess bags, trackpants with heels, and the most horrifying....Uggs with gym shorts! Who the hell would do that??

PPS my dad wears crocs and won't stop.

Wedding Weekend

Hi folks!

This weekend flew way too fast, did it not?

The wedding I went to turned out to be a fabulous time had by all. I had my aprehensions about going alone (well, my bf was the best man but still, more or less alone), and still felt a bit nervous and out of place in the wee church. But once we hit the reception, it turned out to be a lot of fun.

I was placed at the groom's parents table which caught me off-gaurd at first but then realized it was the best place to be. I was next to one of the groomsmen's (the groom's brother) girlfriend, as well as his parents and grandparents whom I had met at their engagement party last year. That party was a blast and so was this one. I forget what fun Brits can be, especially when they've had a few pints in them. In fact, the groom's father had the best speech of all.

Actually my boyfriend's was very good and the groom himself almost had me in tears with his speech, but it was his dad that stole the show (dressed to the nines in a white tux, channeling James Bond): "Jamie, you are part of the family now. And I don't want you think of me as "dad" or "father" but think of me as...an entertainer!" and then he started singing and did a little dance before the MC ripped the mic from him lol.

And entertaining it was, this was the first wedding I had been to where the speeches and chit chat were kept to the minimum "Let's just get straight to the drinking!" declared the bride. They also provided props on the dancefloor which became more and more interesting as the night (and the booze) wore on.

Before I get to the pictures though, I just wanna say I had a minor panic attack over what to wear. The dress I thought I was going to wear never came in time, so I had to put on my backup...which was fine, but the shoes were a bit of a predicament. Nothing really went except for these GoJane gladiator sandals. Now, I had heard that wearing sandals to a wedding was bad taste (just as wearing black is though everyone was wearing black, lol) but I decided to just go for it.

Yeah, it was casual but they also went really well with the outfit (I thought) and also covered up the scars (didn't feel like dealing with them) AND were comfy. Besides, my hair and dress were already on the fancy side...speaking of hair, what a mission mine was. People kept asking me if I got my hair professionally done which was a major compliment because it was kinda crazy looking and I am a SPAZ with hair. All I know how to do is blowdry (kinda) or put in a ponytail. But for some reason I started experimenting with braids - thank God I learned how to french braid from doing horse's tails when I used to compete in riding shows - and ended up with...well...this:






Best man and best woman?

Groom and "Best" Man

Met my oldest friend Amanda (who is preggo with child #4!) at The Olive Garden on the break during ceremony and reception - I felt very overdressed for the Olive Garden haha, lots of weird looks!









Nothing like having a wedding during the playoffs - gotta support our team, yo! Also was the reason why the groom had a "playoff beard" going on lol.






Groom and Best Man part deux

Humping the bride





Dress: Catherine Malandrino (scored it off of Theoutnet.com - it sold out in 2 minutes!); Earrings: Forever 21; Rings: ASOS; Shoes: Gojane.com; Cardigan: Karen Kane; Clutch: Forever 21 There is still time to enter the giveaway competition! Please see the previous post - I will be doing the draw on Wednesday :D

Sorbet (and giveaway!)

Skirt: Missoni; Gladiator sandals: Pour la Victoire; Tank + ring: ASOS; Cuff, earrings, shrug and scarf (used as belt): Forever 21; Pink leather purse: Kenzie; Oilcloth lunchbag; dunno, but ain't it a cute alternative to "brown-bagging" it??

I got this gorgeous Missoni skirt the other day that just made me think of watercolours and summer sorbet - ahhh refreshing! Only problem is that's slightly on the large size and a bit too long. In the pics I've actually saftey-pinned the waist smaller and it's still a bit stumpyfying. Now at work, I've actually hoisted the skirt up so it's almost at my bra and re-fastened it again - seems to be doing the trick.

Anyway, most gorgeous of all is this necklace I got from Cupcakes and Cashmere's Etsy shop. How unique is this blue agate?

I love the length of this necklace and the fact that it's 18K gold (or was it 24k?) plated, perfect for someone with metal allergies! I think she's sold out at the moment due to awesomeness, but I'm sure she'll have some more fanciful items in the near future :)

So I've got a wedding tomorrow which I am a bit apprehensive about. My boyfriend is the best man (yes again, he was the best man at a wedding in Sept) and I won't know a single person at the wedding - except for him, the bride and groom and I'll have zero interaction with them all day and night.

Normally I don't mind going places alone as I make friends/getting along with people fast but I have no idea what to expect and it really bugs me that the only people I do know will be there but NOT there, you know? I hate feeling like some straggler, like I'll have to tag along with people I don't know or something. And I have no idea what to do in between the ceremony and reception! I would go to the mall or something but I'll be too overdressed for that. Maybe find a field and take pictures (I will be in farmland)? Sigh. I don't even know what I'm wearing yet...yikes.

Anyway - GIVEAWAY TIME!

I know I just had a giveaway for TWO gorgeous dresses, which will be on their way shortly to their lucky owners, and now it's time for another one!

I just bought this dress a few weeks back and am too lazy to return it. It's from Forever 21, is a size medium and 33 inch long. My problem is my mega wide hips - the top part fits fine, but the bottom is really stretchy so it rides up to be REALLY short when I walk. I hate my legs so it's not the best look for me. Also, I have a looong torso and a bubble butt which makes many dresses even shorter on me. Le freakin' sigh.

Anyway my loss is your gain! To win this new with tags dress, all you have to is answer the following question:

What are your biggest fashion pet peeves?

For example, a few of mine are leggings worn with denim skirts, heavy black shoes paired with pale denim (I once turned down a guy once I saw his shoes), really long nails, brown lipliner with pale lipstick, crimped hair, leggings as pants (as in hello Camel Toe!) and anything from Mariposa.

The winner will be selected at random next week. I will ship to anywhere in North America, as well as the UK, France and Germany, NZ, AU, Singapore and Japan :)

And for shits and giggles, a friend of mine dug up a still of me on an episode of House :P


Aren't scrubs sooo flattering?

Happy Weekend!