First Day

I have my first day at my new internship today. If anyone's a little bit curious I'll be fact checking here for the next three months. This is my first foray into the real adult working world (ie: not making lattes) and I'm pretty nervous. The office is on the same floor as Fashion and I have a feeling I'm going to feel a lot like Ugly Betty stepping into the offices of Mode. At least i'll be sans poncho and braces. Wish me luck.

What the Wild things Wear

It's finally starting to feel like Fall and today's blustery weather made me realize it might be time to retire the sandals and start seriously thinking about some more seasonably appropriate wardrobe choices. In anticipation of the cooling temperatures, and the release of the highly anticipated film Where the Wild Things Are, Opening Ceremony has come up with some pretty whimsical Fall furs that are perfectly on trend this season. Collaborating with the film's director Spike Jonze, the retail store slash gallery space has launched a 'Wild Things' inspired collection of men and women's clothing and accessories. The designs range from a very literal wild thing onesie (complete with ears and tail) to some much more wearable fur trimmed pieces and animalistic accessories in brass and silver. Unfortunately you'll have to head across the border to the New York boutique if you want to get your paws on any of these wildly fashionable pieces. For now i'll settle for watching the amazing trailer for the film on repeat, because we all love cuddly creatures dancing around to the sweet sounds of Arcade Fire.

the uniform

the uniform:

An overly oversized jumper or t-shirt that one can wear with shorts, leggings, a skirt, or, if long enough, nothing else at all.

It all started last fall when Jessica and I were perusing the sale racks of our beloved H&M. We both spotted this absurdly oversized sweater (pictured above - it seems that Betty loves it, too) and decided that it would be a fun purchase (especially since it was under $20 bucks). I ended up wearing mine so much that my boyfriend coined it as 'the uniform'. Now, whenever I go shopping, I'm always on the hunt for a new uniform. In my opinion, H&M still has the best ones (my lovely striped jumper and equally pretty cream/black number are also from there).

In Korea (where H&M won't open until March 2010 - gahhh), I've resorted to American Apparel for indulging my 'uniform' addiction. It may just be 'overpriced cotton', but I can't really complain about the cost of these two recent buys as I love them too much. The Uniform works well dressed up, dressed down and is perfect for a relaxing Sunday afternoon, like today.

Missed Connections

It probably says a lot about my social life, or lack of one, but one of my favourite online activities is checking out the 'missed connections' listings on Craigslist. While everyone's favourite communal classifieds site can be creepy at times (a brief browse in the personals section will confirm this), there is something kind of romantic about reading people's brief little love letters to complete strangers. I love that in a city of however many millions, people who exchange brief smiles on a streetcar can still hope to find one another again through the magic of the Internet.

Here are a few of my favourite 'missed connections' that I spotted today...

"I was siting behind you on the street car around 11am this morning heading west. I talked to you for a moment. You said you've been on a lot of subways around the world. You're very sweet."

"this monday you had on these hot yellow shoes, a t-shirt, and ripped dirty blue jeans. you were walking in trinity bellwoods park at around 7:30 am with a cute dog and a coffee that was spilling all over the place. i was biking to work. you didn't notice me, but in case you caught me staring... you are fucking gorgeous."

"I see you everyday, wake up to you every morning and you are the breath of fresh air anyone would need in any morning, good or bad. you live on Myrtle ave and you are the most wonderful lady"

turning it out

With somewhat of a limited wardrobe over here in Korea (and the hope to save money), I enjoy checking out the occasional street style blog for some inspiration on how to rearrange what's already hanging in my closet. My current go-to site? Turned Out by Maya is soo cute, and the girls she photographs daily are always very intriguing - plus she writes such lovely letter-type descriptions about/to each one. With so many street style blogs dominated by male photographers, it's nice to have one from a woman's viewpoint for a change. And Maya Villiger is very refreshing. Go on over and see for yourself.

middlesex

I was thinking how amazing it was that the world contained so many lives. Out in these streets people were embroiled in a thousand different matters, money problems, love problems, school problems. People were falling in love, getting married, going to drug rehab, learning how to ice-skate, getting bifocals, studying for exams, trying on clothes, getting their hair-cut and getting born. And in some houses people were getting old and sick and were dying, leaving others to grieve. It was happening all the time, unnoticed, and it was the thing that really mattered.
-Jeffrey Eugenides, Middlesex

Jeffrey Eugenides is the most beautiful writer. I am such a fan of his and if you haven't read Middlesex yet it should at the top of your Fall reading list. The story is so incredibly layered and it's one of those books where you want to mark up all the best pages to reread once done - I wish it had been on one of my (many) university book lists. I especially loved the above quote and am tempted to purchase another copy, as mine is sitting an ocean away, which is much too far.

katie likes

1. Tinted Sugar! I'm so happy.

2. Slouchy hats and coats

3. Jade nails for fall (thanks, WWWD!)

4. I normally don't love fiction, but these short stories had me laughing, crying, and wishing Neil Smith would hurry up with another book.

5. Kate Spade and an approaching birthday

bat for lashes

I love, love, love a fresh face and dramatic lashes, a la Twiggy. Simple, classic, and amazing. My favourites: this one (for when my wallet's looking empty) and this one (for when I feel like a splurge).

Sorry to blog when bitter

Because every aspiring journalist loves it when third rate community newspapers forget to credit their work.

Baaah where's my byline Beaver?

bored to death

Jonathan Ames, a young Brooklyn writer, is feeling lost. He's just gone through a painful break-up, thanks in part to his drinking, can't write his second novel, and carouses too much with his magazine editor. Rather than face reality, Jonathan turns instead to his fantasies — moonlighting as a private detective — because he wants to be a hero and a man of action.

I just watched the premiere of HBO's Bored to Death, which stars the always quirky Jason Schwartzman as an alcoholic writer (an alcoholic writer who only drinks white wine!!!) living in Brooklyn, who refuses to face reality (as so many of us often do). Also, the girl who has just left him is played by Olivia Thirlby, who I think is just lovely (and she has the best hair - I hope I can admire it in at least one more episode). The show is both smart and funny - I will definitely be tuning in next week (especially since Gossip Girl's gone to shit). Thank goodness for HBO.

Happy First Day of Fall

Ten Things to look forward to this Season

10. The return of the girls from The City and The Hills and all of our other favourite guilty pleasure reality TV indulgences.

9. Pumpkin Spice, it makes everything nice.

8. Saying see ya to sweating it out in the humidity and hello to wrapping ourselves up in cozy knits in the crisp Autumn air.

7. Donning our most creative costumery and heading out for a ghoulish Halloween style night on the town. Let's just hope we're not getting too old for this.

6. Tights....because unless you have legs like these, we could all use a nice opaque black stocking to help out a little. I'm loving that embellished legs are in for fall - can't wait to dress up office attire with some of these bedazzled numbers.

5. Apple picking - plaid shirts, hay rides, McIntosh apples and the delicious pies that follow.

4. The premier of Coco Avant Chanel, a film about the early life and loves of my favourite fashion icon.

3. That free all night contemporary art thing (aka: Nuit Blanche) lights up Toronto for the city's art lovers from sunset to sunrise October 3rd.

2. Little Miss Katie's birthday is just around the corner. I know we wont be together to celebrate, but she knows i'll be having an 'Autumnal' themed cupcake in her honour.

1. What am I looking forward to the most this season? Lazy Sunday afternoons (that I'm sure I will have a newfound appreciation for once I start working full-time) ... and potentially spending one of them re-enacting the magical fall scene in the photo above.

Made for Suede

Somehow the weather in TO is still (miraculously) hovering in the twenties but I'm desperate to get involved in some fall fashion trends. So while the continuous sunshine is debunking my efforts to try out faux fur accents and thigh high boots, I've decided that it's definitely time for my finger tips to make the transition from summer brights to darker fall/winter shades. This weekend my friend Jill, a fellow nail polish junkie, informed me that OPI recently introduced a new re-release collection entitled OPI Suede. And if the word 'suede' makes you think soft and fuzzy, think again. This new collection reworks OPI's popular colours of the past and gives them a new iridescent quality. The polishes can be worn alone for a matte-like shimmer or with a glossy topcoat that'll really make the glitter shine.

Colours from top left: You Don’t Know Jacques, Russian Navy, Lincoln Park After Dark, OPI Ink,
We’ll Always Have Paris, and Suzi Skies In The Pyrenees

Similar to this summer's matte collection these six polishes make us see our old favourites in an entirely new (and in this case, extremely sparkly) light. The suede polish offers a unique look and texture, but be warned - like the matte this polish will chip easily so be prepared to touch up when necessary.

The suede collection is proof that sequins are back and its not just our clothes that are getting in on the sparkly fun. And while nails that glitter like a disco ball are a fun trend for fall, they are definitely more of a nighttime look. Although I know that the shimmer and shine wont stop some of us from sporting these Vegas-like nails 9-5 all season long.

i saw the sign

I like the idea of these little public plaques by Keetra Dean Dixon that are sure to "bring surprise and delight to those who find them". The rest of the design projects on this website are equally as cute. Take a look!

wise words, michelle williams

"There is a great Gloria Steinem quote—and I'm paraphrasing—'Become the man you want to marry.' I've taken that on. What qualities do I find attractive, and can I find them in myself? What am I missing? Can I be that for myself?"

Michelle Williams is on the cover of the October issue of Vogue - I loved the article (which I read here, instead of buying the exorbitantly overpriced imported glossy copy), and I think she's both adorable and brilliant (and has grown up beautifully since the days of Jen Lindley). I love the roles she chooses, her carefree style, and her views on relationships. Isn't the above quote inspiring?

it takes two

Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock said it best - it does take two to make a thing go right (music-wise anyways). And tomorrow I will be going to this music festival, to see two of my favourite electronic duos: Toronto's own MSTRKRFT and Norway's Royksopp. Both are pretty outta sight in my opinion. Weeeeee, I'm so excited to dance! Hit it!

This week in unimpressed

W .. T .. F ?

How was this ever...EVER, allowed to happen at NY fashion week?

I can't even begin to file this under 'fashion' as it's too absurd.

OMG, B and her key.

Spotted: Looks like B and I share the same taste when it comes to accessorizing...
and I'm not talking about that questionable chapeau.

I have always loved keys. I think they have a magical quality to them, which probably has something to do with my childhood love for this book. Ever since then i've received and collected keys of all shapes and sizes. I love to hang rusty antique keys on my walls and a shimmery Tiffany key around my neck. So i'm absolutely pleased as rum punch to see my fave gossip girl strutting around in her own Fleur de Lis key, especially in a matching Tiffany Blue ensemble. I guess I'm not the only one loving these vintage inspired pretty pendants.

Photo (and other beautiful photos of keys of the non-Tiffany variety) found here.

favourites

Boaters and bows aside, here are some things I like from NY Fashion week:

- Giovanna Battaglia in cream lace and a pretty skirt (I want her whole outfit!)
-puffy sleeves and gloves at Erin Fetherston
-polka dots for boys at Thom Browne
-irina's new chop (how i envy those who can pull this off)
-pastels and black

images from here, here, here, and here

september baby

My beautiful sister turns 18 today! How time flies. *sigh*

gimme fiction

I just want to laze around with a good book. Any suggestions?

Whip it good

While i'm definitely not cool enough to have caught Drew Barrymore's surprise bartending appearance at Sweaty Betty's a few days ago (or any other official or unofficial TIFF happenings for that matter), i'm still feeling the love for this former wild child's directorial debut.

Indie Darlings + Rollerskates ... movie date anyone?

sock it to me

To suggest pairing boaters and socks with a pretty dress and bare legs would have once caused me to shudder - however, Karen Walker has more than converted me with her Spring 2010 RTW line. It's so refreshing! I would like to dress like this now, please.

Silly rabbit.

We're just getting into that sweet spot of Fall where the leaves are changing and the smell of pumpkin spice is in the air, so the last thing you're probably thinking right now is ... Easter.
Well, tell that to Marc Jacobs who is having a serious case of mistaken season disorder. Designing for Louis Vuitton, he sent out a large handful of his Fall 2009 models in bunny ears. Its hard to say whether or not I kind of love or hate these hopping mad headpieces, but the fact that animal ears have started showing up on beloved style muses the Olsen twins has definitely got my attention. I wonder how long it's going to take H&M to hop to it and produce a slightly more wearable (a little less halloweeny) version of these whimsical wonders.

One thing's for sure: I'm sure Katie's fave (cartoon) girl crush Fifi Lapin will be very happy about this bunny inspired fall trend.

What's in an egg?

If I were to ever open a store (fingers crossed), I would want it to be just like Kensington Market's Good Egg, a shop "dedicated to those who like to eat". Full of beautiful books about the art and culture of food, some fun things (Jessica: look at this bicycle basket), Le Creuset cookware (it's a necessary investment!), and arguably the best selection of cards in Toronto, Good Egg really is a kid-in-a-candy shop experience for those who love food. I could spend hours exploring their shelves, and it's perfect for buying gifts (hint, hint). Plus, their website has witty titles, which I always appreciate. A very good egg, indeed.

braidy bunch

Top knots are good, but messy side plaits (as seen at Alexander Wang) are much sexier. Too bad my hair isn't quite long enough yet.