So Much Goodness

So, you may have noticed I have been less than awesome at blogging this past month or so and I am now finally able to share the resason why. Next week (unless technical difficulties ensue) I am starting a new freelance position with Microsoft Canada as their Fashion & Beauty blogger! So every spare minute (we were also putting together the biggest issue of the year at the magazine) has been spent contacting PR reps and sourcing material (see reading fashion mags...tough life) and not to mention the work necessary to land the gig. Ultimately, I'm not sure that there is going to be very much time left to keep this blog alive, but I'm definitely going to try. I have too many random thoughts that just shouldn't be ignored!

Speaking of which, there is nothing I like better than when a cool band covers another cool bands cool song. All that can amount too is a whole lot of cool right? So imagine my excitement when I stumbled across three of the members of Paramore doing their interpretation of one of my personal faves, Use Somebody by the Kings of Leon for the BBC. Granted it's not as strong (see heart stopping) as the original, but Hailey's voice is pretty amazing and there are some cool intonations. So check it out and let me know what you think. 

I'll keep y'all posted on the Microsoft project, so you can transfer your love and affection over there asap. hahah.

And Cue The Quarter Life Crisis!

I kid, I kid, I'm pretty sure I already had that crisis back when I was 23...guess I'm only living 'till 92 then? So it's my birthday on Monday, the big 25. I haven't quite figured out how I feel about that yet? I seems kind of old, like I should be on my way to figuring everything out. So I guess I had better get on that soon? 

Anyways, to my friends in C-town, I hope to see you all Saturday at Jeanine and Mere's for a little wine & styzze (aka. style). And to all my other pals, wish you were here to celebrate with me! xox.

Two Tickets To Paradise

I've spent the last week in Vancouver loving life and tomorrow I am off to my personal heaven, Sakinaw Lake on the Sunshine Coast. Last year was the first summer out of my nearly 25 years I didn't make it up to the lake, so I am extra enthusiastic about getting there this year. I can hardly wait to just recline, sip some delicious beverages (we are big time winos) and get some serious summer reading under my belt before I have to return to the harsh reality of Cow Town. My summer is about to officially begin.

Get Thee To Reykjavik

Iceland has been at the top of my places to visit list for a couple years now, but on this less than stellar Saturday night in Cow Town (detoxing and being broke does not a wicked party night make) I stumbled across yet another reason to get there, and get there fast! Reykjavik Looks is a blog in the vein of The Sartorialist, in the sense that it is straight forward images of exceptional street style. But, while The Sartorialist jets around the globe (and many a fashion week) to find his subjects, whomever is running Reykjaviklooks seems to have all the talent they need in a city of 120,000. These images have led me to believe two things about the geothermal nation. 1.) 99% of the population could be international models and 2.) They all have overactive fashion senses. Take a look and judge for yourself (cause I'm a sucker for a folkloric cape).  

Ummmm....AMAZING. This looks like my kind of town, and I'm not even taking into account the stunning Scandinavian architecture and landscapes. So, who's with me for Reykjavik 2010?

Umm....WTF?

At Tuesday's MLB All-Star game (that's baseball folks) not only did Barack Obama throw the opening pitch, but nine time Grammy award winner Sheryl Crow sang a rousing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. So who pray tell was on hand to represent the true north during Oh Canada you ask? NO ONE! It was a freaking canned karaoke track! To this I say the following:

Dear America, 

We know that you feel that baseball is "your sport", but please don't forget that  two nations compose the major leagues teams. Next year, at the very least, we will expect you to fly in KD Lang, Anne Murray or even a Canadian Idol finalist to belt out our tune. Or better yet, why not have whichever bombshell that you are paying thousands of dollars to sing both songs? We know it's a challenge to learn all those new words, but as long as you don't have one of the Simpson sisters do it everything should be fine. On second thought, why don't you get Ashlee to pre-record it and perform one of her now rousing lip syncing jig routines? We won't even complain if FOX edits it out of the broadcast as usual—it's the thought that counts after all.

Sincerely, Your Devoted Neighbour (yes we spell it with a u up here),

Canada  

No Use Crying Over No No Doubt

It's a slightly sad day in the neighbourhood for me today as my favourite band (god it's been almost 15 years now!) No Doubt is playing for the first time in Calgary. I was even offered pre-sale tickets through my peeps at Live Nation (they know the depth of my love) but just as with Coldplay last month, I just couldn't cough up nearly $100 to see an act I have already seen live twice (I don't understand tickets that cost more than $45), plus no one else in Cow Town seems to share my adoration of the skarific quartet. So here I sit on my couch, blogging and watching So You Think You Can Dance instead of rocking out with Gwen and the boys. The only thing that stopped the depression from sinking in was remembering that this time around I actually got to speak to the band, including Gwen and baby Kingston, about touring after a ten year hiatus. Now, I'm not saying that it's better than the concert, but it does help ease the pain. It was easily the most surreal experience of my life to date (dreams really do come true it seems) so thank goodness I have the audio files to prove that it actually happened....just wish I could figure out how to post it!?

Stampede Roundup Y'all

Oh my goodness, I am now officially on day three of my post stampede detox. Definitely need to drag my sorry ass (and desperately deprived chi) to yoga tomorrow, but the nutrients from the whole foods and gallons of water and green tea are already making the world of difference—thank sweet baby Jebus cause there were some rough mornings (more like afternoons) during the ten days of sponsored debauchery. Rich and Mikey made the pilgrimage for the first weekend and we had a stellar time, so here are some highlights of our experiences.

Betty frickin' Crocker right here! Would you believe I even made the plate? The boys arrival cupcakes...Richy said he liked purple.

Started things off with a delicious sangria party. Clearly I'm excited about the boys' arrival, or maybe it has something to do with the fact we had to take 20 pictures to get one with Richard's eyes open?

Let the debauchery begin! First night on the town and we did it right (the Britney Spears top knot almost ensures a good time) if you look carefully you can see our delicious KD dinner pot still on the stove.

Lights out for Mr. Bailey. He was dead to the world until Mike and I arrived home with the pizza, then all of the sudden a second wind hit.

After a brief rest it was Pancake Kegger time. Due to me never learning my lesson about pacing myself the night before (I was not alone this time) we missed the actual pancakes, but a venti Starbucks iced coffee and a couple red eyes (hooray for clamato juice) the over smile was back in place.  

Somehow a finger mustache trend was started. I'm personally all about it, it adds a little something.

Party bus time! This is who we will now and forever refer to as Evil Gilly (I hope you can see that crazy look in her eyes?). Let's just say she had a fondness for looking people in the eyes and then proceeding to pour her drink in their lap. Backpacked around the globe with the woman and have never seen her in such fine (see. terrifying) form.

Two of Evil Gilly's unsuspecting victims. I have a picture of Lindsay's crotch post beer dunk, but I didn't think she would appreciate it posted on the interwebs!

Things after the Cowboys patio got too messy to document...I kid, I just stopped taking pictures until the next day, but picture a freak thunder storm and an impromptu Beyonce inspired dance party plus the birth of Mean Spirited Drunk Richy. He even hated the people on tv once we got home! 

Who goes to a wine tasting at the Stampede you ask? WE DO!!! After watching a few good RomComs and seeing a wicked cool Joshua Radin/Xavier Rudd concert we were ready to head to the grounds. Wine seemed much more palatable than more beer and learned a few things to boot.

We watched the Chuck Wagon races (wagering drinks was the best idea ever!) and then caught a glimpse of The Great Big Show, hence our shocked and amazed faces. 

Then off to Nashville North for one last round of ridiculousness. Nothing else I can say about that evening except that I picked the boys up two hot German girls and then before I knew it it was 6:30 a.m. and there was yet another dance party at my place...or maybe that was just me? 

Had a sensational time with my beloved boys and hope they plan to make it a tradition. You own the cowboy hats now, so you might as well use them once a year right!? I might have nursed my liver back to health by then.

Yet Another Reason Why Sweden Rules

Spontaneous Dancing Michael Jackson Tribute! That is all I have to say...just watch.

"The world's a roller coaster and I am not strapped in. Maybe I should hold with care, but my hands are busy in the air."

My personal philosophy courtesy of Mr. Brandon Boyd of Incubus. 

Let Me Introduce You To........

The Dumbest Bachelorette "in Bachelorette history"! So, I just barely controlled the urge to hurl my laptop across the room when Jillian once again fell for the ridiculous douchery that is Wes. Now, if it was dreamboat Kiptyn pulling this shit (though we all know it never could be) I might understand her idiocy, but it's not. Instead it's the dirty southern drawling, chinless, famewhoring "musician". Dude, maybe if you could write more than one subpar song success would have hit already? In what will now and forever be dubbed "the most ridiculous episode in Bachelorette history" Jillian was once again duped by this Texan tool. I hope to god, for her sake, that the producers are forcing Jill to keep him around. Otherwise, I'm afraid our once beloved Canadian girl just may deserve him. So Jill, hurry up and cut my almost perfect surfer boy Kiptyn loose so he can have his real shot at love with this slightly less gullible Canadian specimen.  

"It's Vogue Ok?"

OMFG! How is it possible that I have been completely oblivious to the fact that their is a real life version of The Devil Wears Prada currently in production entitled The September Issue? The documentary follows the notorious Anna Wintour during the production of the September 2007 issue of Vogue (the biggest issue in Vogue history) and gives an insider perspective on the most powerful woman in, not only publishing, but fashion in general. I know it's  not everyone's cup of tea, but I nearly lost my head when my pal gyoza (aka. Christina) sent word of the project. Then I checked out the trailer  and now I can't wipe the stupid grin off my face. If one day I can have a tenth of the success of Wintour I will die a happy lady, so I will be the first in line when (and if) TSI hits Canadian theaters, looking for a glimpse at her secrets. 

Vancity Vacay

Well, I'm not sure I would call three days of continuous partying a vacation, but it certainly was a trip! I forgot to take my camera out on the first night, but after arriving (first time ever enjoying a flight, executive class is like another world!) Kimbo picked me up at the airport and we headed to Yaletown to see her and D's summer rental and get a bite at the Cactus Club (bellinis and prawn ravioli trio=Heaven). Then it was time to meet up with pops for a fine feast at Gastown favourite Bonita. After dinner it was time to meet up with my beloved pal Carolynne and my VanMag lovelies Christina and Steph at The New Bohemian in Kitsilano (it's my cousin Paul's lounge and it's pretty awesome even without my bias).  We then proceeded to indulge thoroughly in the cocktail list and girly gossip. If you are ever at the NB you must try the Boho Chic, it is like liquid candy, I kid you not. So a fabulous start, but I knew Friday was going to be a busy one so off to bed I went.

Friday started bright and early with Kim picking me up at 9:30 to wisk us to a day of birthday preperations. While she was getting her eyelash extensions put in (yes we are those kind of girls) her future sister-in-law and I Daniella went and scavenged for a coffee and nourishment, or in Daniella's case tea and a scone (clearly English at the core that one). Did a little browse around the Yaletown Beauty Mark and picked up a Stila Lipglaze in grapefruit which I love and then we were off for mani pedi with the rest of Kim's gal pals. Kim is the kind of girl who has a lot of different 

groups of g-friends from all her different exploits in life. I always hear about them, but this was the first time meeting most of them, so it was really nice to put a face to all there names. She seems to be a magnet for good girlfriends in her life, so I can't imagine how big her bridal party is going to have to be when that day comes! Anyways, Kimbo was planning a heck of a birthday fete for that evening, but unfortunately the Mag Awards were also that evening, so I gave her herbirthday champs, got buffed and polished with the ladies, ate a little lunch and had to be on my way to Carolynne's salon, The Colour Box on W. Cordova, for more pre-award preparations.

Had an absolutely great time at the salon, we got a couple of pitchers of White Peach Sangria from The Greedy Pig next door that may have changed my life. I have never tasted such a amazing sangria, not even in Spain, so it inspired me to go out and buy my own Sangria jug when I got back to Calgary to experiment with. 

We were going for a Blake Lively boho-beachy 

look so Car did some great highlights and toning and sauced it all up with waves and a braid crown. The tone of the blonde ended up being perfect and the hair style lasted all weekend so that was GREAT. Don't want to put down my hairstylist here in Calgary, but I guess Car just knows what I like after so many years (we carried a bottle of bleach and a role of tinfoil across Europe to continually lighten my hair!) she just knows the drill instinctively now.

We were running quite a bit behind schedule after all the chatting and sangria, so I had to hop in a cab and make a mad dash for the Mag Awards. It is actually a really fun event even though I was clearly placed at the reject table this year! Got the chance to see my past editors at Western Living and to catch up with my fellow past WL intern Meaghen Ng.  Hadn't seen the Ngster in quite a while so it was great to get together and live it up a little (we both have a penchant for sparkling wine). Swerve had quite a bit of success at the awards and it was really nice to be there as the Boss Lady received her lifetime achievement award. She really has accomplished so much in her young life, but the honour should've been dubbed outstanding achievement rather than lifetime in her case, as I'm sure the best is still yet to come. 

Just took it easy on Saturday, sleeping and preparing energy reserves for the evening. Was really excited to have dinner at my favourite restaurant in the world Chambar with Kevin, Stephen and Carolynne. We had a really great meal and a really great time talking and laughing. We get a little carried away with our laughing so

 I wouldn't be surprised if we caused a bit of a scene with our antics surrounding a particular busboy whose rump could have cracked walnuts— I'm pretty sure he knew all four of us were scoping him out. 

Kevin was feeling a bit under the weather, so after we had a few crazy shots at Revel lounge he ducked out and Seb, Car and I headed to the Balarney Stone to meet up with Richy and the boys. I had foolishly worn my Michael Kors heels and we ended up standing in a bit of a line (I HATE standing in lines!) so by the time we got in there I was in a bit of a mood. I was just going to duck out with Carolynne, but thank the lord she donated her flip flops to my cause and Richy convinced me to suck it up and have fun. All in all it turned out to be a great time and it was so nice to hang with my boys again, apparently we had missed each other. By the time Rich and I left Mikey's place to go home the sun was rising and the birds were chirping....pretty common place for a night out with them actually.  

Spent Sunday hanging out with mom and visiting with Auntie Bev and Uncle Mark and then it was time to head back to C-Town and get back to work. I would love to say every weekend was so much fun, but it's simply not the case. I'm presently detoxing for another 6 days when Mikey and Rich will arrive for another crazy weekend (Stampede Baby!) It's hard to imagine, but next weekend could be even more ridiculous than the last...at the very least the photos will have a strong western theme. Can't wait to party with my boys again, it is going to be a very good summer if all our adventures go as planned.

The Music Man

Been working like a crazy woman since returning from Van in order to get Swerve's Stampede issue out without a hitch so, unfortunately, I haven't had the time or energy to put together a post about the trip (too much to cover on so few brain cells!). But, I have some cranky followers on my case so I thought I'd better let you know a bit about the great interview I had with the amazing Xavier Rudd yesterday. For those of you who aren't familiar with this aussi's body of work I highly recommend you check him out at xavierrudd.com for a truly unique experience.

I had the pleasure of seeing Xav play at the 2007 Blues and Roots Festival in Byron Bay Australia (where he recorded his newest album) and he blew me away (he's like a one man band with a didgeridoo!) and now after chatting with him about his favourite songs to listen to on tour (the man is DEEP) I am even more excited to see him perform here in Calgary on July 5. It's not a usual opening Stampede weekend activity, but I'm sure it will be an outstanding show and a lifelong memory, just as the first one was. 

Can't wait to sit down and write the piece tomorrow and for those of you in C-Town pick up the July 3rd issue of Swerve and see what the man had to say (and listens too) and get yourself some tickets to the show.

Packing Procrastination

I'm heading back to Vancouver tomorrow for a few reasons, but most notably to attend the Western Magazine Awards (my awesome boss lady is receiving the lifetime  achievement award even though she is much too young for it). Such a weekend requires some pretty intense wardrobe options, which requires some pretty thorough  packing....which I hate! I've put it off for two nights now hoping inspiration would hit. I've cleaned my apartment, gone to get chinese food, pondered why there are peas in my wonton soup and  now here I am blogging about packing instead of actually packing (the image above is from my last trip to San Fran, don't be fooled into thinking I have accomplished something here). Even worse than packing for me, though, is unpacking. Usually my suitcase just sits in my living room until I have eventually used everything in the bag, approximately a month or two later. Oh goody, something more to look forward to once I finally do pack!

Critical Critic

My pal (and colleague) Bruce says I am one tough cookie when it comes to musicians impressing me. Every day a few albums arrive at the office and every day I give each one three songs to impress me (that's why record labels line up all the singles at the start). More often than not I am the one who vetoes the album and sends it to the reject pile never to be heard from again (perhaps I do have a low crap tolerance after all?). After a couple particularly brutal rejects yesterday, I started to wonder when the last time I was really blown away by an album was? I miss that feeling. I'm looking for inspiration here people, so please share the last great album (or song) you loved with me. And I'm not just talking about a pretty good Kings of Leonesque  record, I'm talking about the shivers up your spine, tears in your eyes, awe inspiring kind of good. So enlighten me if you would be so kind.   

Lovely Lively

Those who know me will quickly agree that I am much more of a Blair than a Serena. Well maybe 

there is a small part of me in the "old Serena" with the martini swilling and scandalous behaviour? But, then again I am much more intregued by the Chucks of the world than by the Nates. 

So, understandably, I was slightly surprised

 as I was flipping through my stack of Vogues and had to stop and admirer the beauty that is Blake Lively—Holy smokes the girl gives good face. She even makes me give the St. Laurent jumpsuit a second glance, proving exactly why every designer would be lucky to have her in their duds. 

Once again it's photographer Mario Testino that we have to thank for these works of art, but Lively pulls off the old school glamour well. Normally it's her beachy boho hair that inspires my look (in fact she is the inspiration behind the do I have planned for the Western Mag Awards this weekend), but let's give credit where credit is do, the Veronica Lake waves suit her equally well. Now if only Vogue would get Testino to shoot Leighton for the cover they could really have my respect. This is what Vogue does so well; taking a starlet, transforming her look and putting them into an amazing photo shoot. This one is a little simpler than I normally like to see form them, but it still makes a visual impact—unlike the editorial content these days. 

Hey Daddio (And Marky)!

My pops and uncle mark made the pilgrimage to C-Town supposedly to visit me, but I was well aware that the true motivation of the road trip was to do some SERIOUS wine shopping. And shop they did—about nine cases worth. We had two great dinners together at St. Germain in the Hotel Arts and Mercato, which I have been waiting to visit since I moved here; I'm pretty sure their linguine with rock lobster has changed my life forever!

Sadly, the weekend flew by so fast and it was time for the boys to hit the road and me to get some serious writing done before going to press at work on Monday. By the looks of it, though, they will have a few souvenirs to remember me (and the trip, of course) by for a few years to come.

So You Think You Can Dance? I'm Not So Sure

Alright, so I missed the last episode where they cut things down to the top 20, so maybe I'm missing a certain element of attachment, but I am less than impressed with this years crop of dancers. It's so ho hum this year, that I'm able to text and blog while watching. That never would have happened last year with Mark, Kherington (my absolute fave), Katie and Twitch on the scene (I actually didn't care too much for Joshua, but...he won, so what do I know?). 

What is outstanding so far this episode is the lovely Cat Deeley. This photo is an old one, but I assure you, her hair, her legs and her charm have never been in finer form.FLAWLESS. Gotta ask what's going with the wardrobe department though? Cat looks great in her Stella McCartney esque frock, but the dancers are looking ghetto minus the fabulous. Where did all the Gucci of seasons of yore go?

Let's just hope it's all up hill from here cause things are looking a bit rough—maybe this is the one show in the world that Canada can beat the States in production value? 

END NOTE: Now there we go! The tenth and final couple of the night finally brought the heat! Max and Kayla came out of nowhere and delivered the hottest samba maybe ever! I never would have picked them out of the crowd, but holly smokes, they are the couple to watch now. Outstanding! 

Burn After Wearing?

So I took my biannual trip to the dry cleaner this morning (fledgling editor remember?)hoping to have the vodka-tonic spills (I know they weren't my doing, cause that were down the back!) cleaned off the silk dress I wore to my friend Laura' s wedding. The owner took one look at the beaded straps and told me they couldn't be dry cleaned. All my cocktail dresses are dry clean only, so I was flabbergasted and searched for the care instruction tag. On it read the following:

Do NOT Dry Clean

Do NOT Wash

Do NOT Iron

Do NOT Steam

Umm... WTF? Apparently Jones New York believes everyone should follow Madonna's lead and dispose of their clothes after a single wear. If that's the case I'm gonna have to have to a.) start buying my clothes at disposable prices or b.) start making a heck of a lot more coin. But what to do about this damn dress?

The World's Most Hated Bloom

Now I'm not saying I wouldn't slam the door if a date dared to show up with these—I'm more of an orchid or listhianthus kind of gal. But just this once, I decided to bypassed my usual fuchsia long-stems and  give the modestly priced carnations a try. Now don't delve too deeply into that 80's prom montage, just hear me out. As long as you steer clear of the pastels with babies breath and ferns and opt for a monochromatic arrangement in a modern vessel, I think funeral territory can be avoided, non? They are like a blanket or orange frills (forgive the amateur photography and take my word for it). Carnations, I salute you; now who's with me?   

Every Good Blog Needs Some Man Candy

Three reasons why this episode of The Bachelorette is AWESOME:

1.) Vancouver! Whooo whoo, can't wait to come home for a visit next week.

2.) Jillian is wearing the same anorak jacket she wore last season with Jason....they are really her clothes!

3.) Kiptyn, Kiptyn, Kiptyn (imagine it chanted). I knew my boy Kiptyn had this one in the bag, the first moment I saw him emerging from the surf (see above) with that smile and those abs. He's dreamy, 'nuff said.

Ahhhhhhhhh Make that 4 Reasons: Two Douchebags down, one to go! See ya later Juan and David, just wish you could have taken Wes with you.

Umm...WTF?

So there I was at my local Mission neighborhood Safeway (also affectionately known as Crapway due to it's magnificently deficient produce section) on Saturday perusing les fruits when I stumble across these little freaks of nature: Doughnut Peaches. For $7.99 a pound! Since when should tiny fruit equal inflated prices? Can someone please tell me what is wrong with a regular sized peach? Does this have something to do with supermodel diets or Manarexia? The same goes for those stupid tiny banana's that everyone (except me) showed up to school with in 7th grade. And while we're at it, let's address the issue of square watermelons; what in god's name do the farmer's have against spheres? If they were looking to improve upon the peach, maybe they could have addressed the issue of fuzz? Oh wait they did—they are called nectarines. 

The End

I have been dreading this day for the last two months;I even started rationing my nightly reading pages when I reached book four. Last night I settled down, turned on the Kings of Leon album (they are the unofficial Twilight soundtrack) and breezed through the final 80 pages. Now it feels like the day after Christmas, when all the excitement and anticipation is over and your left with an empty and slightly anxious feeling. It's hard to believe I wasted so long resisting the phenom that is Twilight. I guess I just assumed it was only for young girls and that if hysteria followed it the quality just wouldn't be there. I was wrong. This hysteria is like the one that followed The Beatles (quality) rather than The Jonas Brothers (less than stellar). There's a story there I think—better pitch it to the boss lady on Monday. Until then, I will be in mourning over the end of my Twilight era. What the heck am I supposed to read now?