Happy New Year!

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Ah, squeezing in one last post of 2012. I have been relaxing up a storm for the past two weeks which is why I haven’t blogged at all. I planned to blog over the holidays but I was having too much fun doing nothing!

2012 has been an incredible year and I am so thankful for everything that has happened over the past 12 months. I have met some wonderful people and have developed some amazing friendships. I feel so lucky to have such creative inspiring people in my life. You know who you are!

I hope you are all enjoying one last night of 2012. We had the opportunity to go out to a party but decided to stay in with gluten-free pizza, prosecco and movies. So good!

Happy New Year, my lovely friends out there in the internet world!

Love you all. xoxo

celebrate via lomo

skates via urban outfitters

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modern sushi at ki

Sushi; quite possibly my favourite food in the entire world. I would much rather eat raw fish than sit down to a cooked filet. I have to admit that every so often I get in a sushi rut. I develop my favourites on the menu and I end up just ordering the same thing everytime and not really exploring new tastes.

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I was so excited when ki restaurant recently invited Byron and I to come down to try out their menu. ki opened just 18 months ago in Calgary, after exceptional popularity in Toronto. While of course, it can be tricky to serve up the freshest of the fresh seafood when you are on this side of the Rocky Mountains but ki takes so much pride in their product. We met up with their general manager and Sake Sommelier, Adam Snelling and he basically led us through their unique menu with his favourite dishes served up to us for the evening. We sampled all sorts of sakes and had quite honestly the best experience I have ever had with the Japanese menu. My favourite drink of the evening of the evening had to be the Sakagura No Nigori Umeshu Premium Japan which is a pressed plum wine. It literally tastes like delicious candy and I’ve decided it has become my new go-to bottle when visiting the wine store.

The cool thing about ki is that their mandate is all about taking sushi to a whole new level. Indulge in many unexpected combinations like jumbo prawns with pureed squash or seared fresh scallops with buttered leeks. Also, unique dishes that are inspired completely by Calgary’s beef culture. So interesting the way they seamlessly meld Canadian dishes with Japanese traditions. The way they styled their plates was absolutely exquisite – almost too pretty to eat but incredibly worth it after digging in!

Another thing I absolutely loved about ki was their attention to allergies. I let them know that I have Celiac upon arrival and they immediately assured me that they had gluten-free tamari, gluten-free rice vinegar as well some fabulous gluten-free beer. As it happens, a lot of my foodie pals are also Celiac or gluten-intolerant so I would highly recommend this spot to anyone in Calgary or Toronto looking for a great gluten-free menu.

 

Definitely drop by this great spot if you are in the neighbourhood!

 

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adventures with ivivva athletica

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If only Lululemon and Ivivva Athletica had been around when I was experiencing daily woes over my junior high gym strip. Honestly, with hardly any options to step it up a notch from the thin shapeless t-shirt and itchy blue shorts – it was hard to be inspired to participate in group activities in gym class let alone build up a love of exercising. Instead, most of the class was spent feeling self-conscious and uncomfortable. Now that there is so much great fitness gear out there, I feel perfectly happy going to the gym loving my outfit and feeling secure and comfortable in the excellently tailored garments.

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I recently was asked by Ivivva Athletica (Lululemon’s junior counterpart) to bring my teen friend, Bri in for a custom experience in the store. Bri is a dancer and also participates in a lot of other activities like yoga so this opportunity to get pick out some cute new outfits was greatly appreciated by her. The helpful staff started pulling all sorts of great pieces from their collection but we soon realized that Bri loves neutrals and basics! No purple or sparkles for this girl! She picked out some great pieces including a couple pairs of reversible yoga pants and leggings as well as some comfy workout shirts – also reversible.

I love how the store promotes health, exercise and good body image. In the change room area there is a fun runway area with a big mirror, so the girls can come out and strut their stuff! Like any form-fitting gear, sometimes you just don’t want to come out of the change room. Amazingly, Ivivva has thought about instances like this – they have a ‘Mom Window’ at the top of the change room door so your Mom can slide it open and give the final yay-or-nay on that new dance leotard! Perfect for the shy girls out there. Not only that but Ivivva and Lululemon often carry some of the same products

Bri ended up leaving feeling so uplifted and excited about wearing her new clothing to her next dance practice – I think that is how shopping for this kind of stuff should be. The importance is on what looks and feels great and fills you with confidence to push your body to the limit!

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Op Art Gift Wrap DIY

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Another beautiful present snuggled under my tree! Inspired by 1960’s Op Art, I created this fun Styrofoam Sculpture gift topper idea for Swerve Magazine as part of my Holiday Gift Wrap series. provided this beautiful Chevron Glitter wrapping paper that was a dream to work with and the rest of the materials came from the dollar store. Except for the two IKEA paper tape measures which I used in place of ribbon.

I just love the way it turned out with the naturally sparkling balls towering on top of eachother. A special gift for my special pal, Chelsea.

 

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rolling pin wrapping paper DIY

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I can’t get enough of fun DIY wrapping ideas! From glitzy and glitter to the super simple – I love it all. I think that the fact you put work into creating a beautiful package to enclose your lovely gift in means almost more than the gift itself. I have working on a DIY Wrappings series for Swerve Magazine all month long and have been loving every minute of it. Not to mention, while I am doing the DIY, I am also multi-tasking by wrapping my Christmas gifts! Perfect.

Today I am excited to share a unique approach to printing your wrapping paper using a rolling pin and foam shapes. I drew and cut out the shapes I wanted for my cute and wintery paper design. Glued them onto the wooden rolling pin and away I went. See the whole DIY here.

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I also had the opportunity to meet with some of amazing gift wrapping experts at at The CORE and they shared everything I need to know to create the most perfect bow for your Christmas gifts this year. Hint: you’ll need two rolls of wired ribbon to achieve this incredible bow. Thanks Papyrus for the top secret tip!

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Glitz & Glam Gift Wrap DIY

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So excited to share one of my favourite giftwrapping DIYs over at Swerve Magazine with you – the Glitz & Glam Holiday Gift Wrap. Using the most beautiful luxe wrapping paper from one of the best gift & card shops out there, , I have created the ultimate kitsch gift wrappings. Totally inspired by both Andy Warhol and Barbie, you’ll be sure to dazzle any glitter lover this Christmas. To see the full DIY project, click here!

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Diana Vreeland Inspiration & GIVEAWAY

I am SO excited that the Diana Vreeland documentary is going to be released in Calgary this weekend at The Globe Cinema! I pulled together a couple of items that I think Vreeland might find fun and interesting if she was alive today. Watch the trailer below to really get a sense of this incredible woman.Vreeland was a true fashion icon and always pushed the boundaries of the fashion world – it wouldn’t be the same today without her! This fabulous documentary is sure to inspire anyone interested in the way fashion shapes our culture.

Lucky for you, I have a Double Pass to the opening this weekend to give away from the Globe Cinema.

Here are the details:

To be entered three times to win two tickets for Diana Vreeland, here is what to do! This giveaway is only open to residents of Calgary and who can attend the opening weekend of the film at the Globe Cinema at the following times:

Nightly: 7:00 & 9:00
Sat & Sun Matinees at: 1:20 and 3:20

Here are the ways to win:

  • 1) Leave a comment here telling me why you love the way fashion influences culture!

Once you’ve done that, you can also gain a second entry by tweeting about the contest:

  • 2) Send this tweet out to your followers, “Hey ! Diana Vreeland is my fashion hero and I would love to see the doc at the Globe! #yyc #giveaway”

Wait! You can get one additional entry by heading over to Facebook:

  • 3) .

 

Good luck everyone! I will randomly draw the winner on December 7th at 3pm!

Thanks again to the Globe for this great giveaway!

 

Find the goods here:

Edo Bracelet, Leifshop

Colourblocks Collection, ScarfShop

Dolores Milano Turtleneck, Totokaelo

Striped Circle Pillow Cover, Leifshop

Bobby Pins, Kate Spade

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Party in a Box Bookends DIY

Excited to share this brand-new DIY project with you that I have over at Swerve! It is called Party in a Box Bookends and they are literally boxes with mini-parties inside. I went with a monochromatic party scheme but feel free to take yours to the next level! I picture pinatas, bunting banners and confetti. Find out how to make these fun bookends over here. They are perfect anywhere you keep books but I think they would be especially cute in a children’s bedroom! Your first library should be celebrated!

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Neighborhood Clothing Swap DIY Printable

Just as the saying goes, one woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure! Don’t discard your closet rejects so hastily – help them find a glamorous new home by organizing a neighborhood clothing swap. I have a brand-new DIY & Printable over at The Neighborhood all about putting together a neighborhood clothing swap. I am a big fan of the act of swapping so take a note from me and plan your own party. I’ve got everything you need to pull it together including invitation templates, bunting banners and labels for organizing the clothing – all you have to do is send the invites! We all have those neighbors whose wardrobes you covet – so get out there and stick an invite in their mailbox.

You can also take your swap to the next level by providing some light refreshments like lemonade or hot chocolate. It doesn’t take much to pull together a potlucked table of delicious baked goods. Could there be anything better than delicious sweets and “shopping” for new clothes? I think not!

 

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The CORE’s Twas The Night!

Last Wednesday, I attended The CORE Shopping Centre‘s Twas the Night Biggest Private Shopping Party in downtown Calgary with my lovely friend, Morgan. It was an incredible event full of shopping, live entertainment and fashion. I blogged about it over at the Huffington Post – you can see more of my photos over there!

I am officially in the Christmas spirit now – looking forward to continuing the party mood from Wednesday’s event onwards and upwards for the rest of this month!

xo

 

 

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