happy birthday woody allen

what's new, pussycat?

Everyone's favourite little Japanese kitty cat turned 35 the other day. Kitty White ('Hello Kitty' is just a nickname according to chief designer Yuko Yamaguchi) celebrated her party at a London bar last week, complete with models showing off some kitty garb, a Godzillla-sized plush Hello Kitty doll suspended above the runway, and roomwide projected animations - you can read Dazed Digital's full article here). Growing up I was obsessed with this little mouthless Kitty and her friends, owning just about every piece of Sanrio paraphenalia available - except for the toaster. I love that toaster (a bit more than any 25 year old should).

Happy Bday Daddy-O

I'm just going to throw this out there - Katie and I both have really cool Dads. And, fresh on the birthday heels of one Miss Merchant, my beloved Papa is celebrating his own big day today. He's turning SIXTY years young, despite all the questionable recreational drug activity and his nefarious travel antics over the decades. And while I can't be there to celebrate with him, he has hopped across the pond to the UK to revel with family and prep school chums, I hope he knows how much I love him and couldn't be happier to have such a brilliant (not to mention bad ass) father.

bonne fête

Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you.

Katie darling turns twenty-five today, and since she made such a lovely birthday list pour moi I thought it only polite that I return the favour. Without further ado, my top 10 reasons why Miss Merch is worth celebrating …

1. She understands just how much love (and work) goes into producing dense cappuccino foam.
2. She knows how to bust a move during a 4am electro (or occasionally, a Britney Spears) dance party
3. The woman can pour a real glass of wine
4. She always gives in to my Hamilton nostalgia whenever I (used to) pay her a visit – you’d think there would only be so many times one would put up with window shopping at Pure followed by bean bar pesto – but Katie’s happy to indulge.
5. She’s managed to land herself one heck of a man…anyone who wakes me up with a non-fat latte and a blueberry white chocolate scone after an impromptu sleepover is a keeper in my books
6. She loves books…good ones…and she’s always happy to recommend/let you borrow her inspired literary choices (the same goes for movies, music, fashion – the woman is a pop culture savant)
7. She leaves hysterical and completely unintelligible voice mails that have me howling with laughter every time
8. She totally supports the universal truth that leggings > pants
9. A total class act in the kitchen, Katers has culinary skills that put the rest of us to shame – she has come such a long way since her signature dish from university days: frozen chicken fingers
10. She’s full of adventure, from her covetable wardrobe to her latest move off to Korea she never ceases to amaze me, if not make me a wee bit jealous.

And while I miss her dearly I know that she will have an absolutely wonderful celebration today. So raise a glass of champagne for me my dear, and toast your fantastic self. Happy 25th!

september baby

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

Biiiicycle, Biiiiicyle.

I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike.

After a week of hunting for the perfect bicycle I finally picked up my sweet wheels this afternoon, a birthday present from Mom and Dad. Yeah apparently i am an eight year old, but I'd like to think that the move from four wheels to two is not only a nostalgic reaction to my quarter life crisis but rather a solid effort to make my life a little more eco friendly. Unfortunately no one will be coughing up the $200 it would cost to paint this beauty Tiffany blue so i'm thinking of getting crafty and doing something like this to jazz it up a little. And you better believe i will be pimping this ride out with a wicker basket, some tassels on the handle, and maybe even an outrageous bell.

I can't wait to peddle my pretty little bicyclette around the neighbourhood. And before you start making fun of my latest hobby just ask Mary Kate (a not so Fat Bottomed Girl) how sweet life on two wheels really is. Get on your bikes and ride!

“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.”
Wise words from a beautiful mademoiselle celebrating her 126th birthday today.

I consider myself quite lucky to share my own birthday week with my personal favourite leading lady in the world of fashion. My love affair with all things Chanel began with a grade ten fashion class assignment. Now while my own fourteen year old wardrobe choices often involved wide leg denim and crop-top graphic tees I still had the good sense to select Chanel as my designer of choice for our in class designer profile. After an extensive period of research (remember this was pre-wikipedia days) I managed to stumble over my ten minute presentation on the life and achievements of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel. And while my delivery was marred by the usual indicators high school awkwardness (nervous laughter, rosy cheeks etc) by the end of the class I had convinced myself, and hopefully some of my teenage classmates, that one day we too could embody the elegant beauty of this iconic designer.

Ever since then I have looked to the past and present designs of Chanel as inspiration for a style of dress that is timeless in its classic simplicity. And while i've moved on from my sparkly doubled C's china town earrings and i'm only 6 months into my five year piggy bank savings plan for this bag, I still believe that regardless of income we can all take on some Chanel inspired pieces in our own wardrobes. So spritz yourself with some No. 5 and throw on your favourite black and white ensemble (with matching pearls of course) to celebrate the legacy of Ms. Coco and how far we've all come from our fashion challenged high school days.

Happy birthday, dear Jessica...

I know this post is a little early, but I'm 13 hours ahead over here in SoKo - which means it's already a special someone's birthday! So without further ado...here are 10 reasons why I am celebrating the birth of Miss. Napier:

10. She's a brunch enthusiast. And who doesn't love someone that appreciates a good brunch.

9. Not only is she a blossoming fashion photographer and blog writer, Humanitarian Napes is on the planning committee for The Amazing Race Against Time, in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

8. She knows that goat cheese, roasted red pepper, pesto, and sundried tomatoes are what really constitute a good meal (not to mention she can whip up an impromptu breakfast like a pro when her guest is feeling a little... under the weather).

7. She is an incredible party planner: from a nautical themed birthday bash to rainbow bright pride soirees, this girl really knows how to throw it down.


6. She's somewhat of a globe trotter. Luckily Jessica takes some pretty fantastic photos, which make it easier to live vicariously through her many travels.

5. She can dress with the best of them - and doesn't mind spending the day scouring vintage shops in T.O to find some hidden gems.

4. She is absolutely hilarious and can come up with a quick pop cultural reference faster than you can say Chuck Bass wears purple suits.


3. She's an avid reader - and I've got love for anyone who shares my interest in reading the satirical memoirs of gay men.

2. She loves white wine and multi-grain tostitos more than I do... or maybe the same as I do... or maybe almost as much as I do.

1. She knows that: La minita, cinnamon buns, mixed cds, the Koreans, pastel man, glasses to-town, team (not so) hella-tight, snooty combo platters, long beads, Locke Street, quotable cards, the bean eater, second floor mills, bean bar pesto, orders to comply....are the foundations of a beautiful friendship.

Happy Birthday, Napes!!! Love, Katers xoxoxo