Category — travel

Shake it out! You wish you were Florence Welch with her poise and regal Elizabethan good looks. She epitomizes fashionistah adventuress in this McQueen.

Every Spring, the fashionistahs flock to worship at the altar of Anna Wintour.  En masse, they come in droves to fete the designers and out ballgown each other at an annual event, The Met Gala.  The soiree marks the opening of the fashion exhibition of two Italian designers, Impossible Conversations: Elsa Schiaparelli and Muiccia Prada at the MOMA.  If you are in New York and a lover of fashion history, you should probably check it out.

Now back to the extravagance and audacity that is the Gala.  Best-dressed lists are subjective and my point of view is that these celebs chose to go a more adventurous route, the path less beaten, choices more playful and memorable in their selection, statements so individual, they seared into the fashionistah collective consciousness. 

Fashionistah Grain of Wisdom:  When selecting evening attire, you must wear the dress and not let the dress wear you.

My girlcrush Emma Stone unafraid to rock a red floral Lanvin mini. Red lipstick + red dress. Why? Why not?

Pow! January Jones punches you in the face with her vibrant yellow Versace. Love how she paired the architectural detail of her structured peplum with a turquoise Art Deco necklace.

Gwyneth tips off her figurative hat to Prada in this satin hi-low mini dress. Deceptively modest in the front, daring in the back!

My heart belongs somewhere in Andalucia and I have an affinity for anything related to Spanish culture – the food, the people, music and fashion.  While the celebration of Cinco de Mayo is based on a historical event (the battle of Pueblo Mexico), I thought it would be fun to give you a few creative ideas to celebrate. 

Forget Vicky Christina Barcelona. This is quintessential Penelope Cruz in Volver. You must. You REALLY must.

Ole! Wear something bright and preferably ruffled. Vanessa Hugens in a striking canary yellow gown at the Journey 2 premiere. Chiffon always makes one look & feel like a goddess.

Rise of the Espadrille! Loving the rope detail and the softest pastel blue of this Dolce Vita wedge sandal.

If you ever happen to find yourself in Spain, you must check out the distinctively national fashions of Almatrichi. Combining opulent fabrics, inspired by flamenco and tropical living, this line has the most beautiful dresses and flowy skirts.

Book a trip to Cabo San Lucas. I've been to Mexico a few times and I love the turquoise water, daytripping and the delicious food. I support your desire for travel!

And last but not least, perhaps you want to enjoy some Spanish cuisine whilst wishing upon that Super Moon – check out some Mexican dining options via BlogTO.

Blake Lively frolicks on the beach with her perfectly tousled blonde hair, silver tunic dress, legs up to there and gladiator sandals.

A friend once commented, “You are always taking glamourous vacations.”  To this I replied, “It’s glamourous vacations ONLY…with fun friends.”  Stay-cations are fine if you’re moving or you need an extended period of time to do monotonous errands, but I say book me the next airplane ticket out of here and it better include beach, ocean and caftans.

Not a fan of going North of 20th, but I might to hit that giant pool at the Fontainebleau. Oh yeahx3!

I am very excited to return to my stomping grounds, my Latino home away from home, South Beach.  Over the years, I have accumulated travel compulsions knowledge that have carried me many a Resort season.  If only real life could include higher levels of sun and fun, our troubles would melt away like the last ice cube in your salty margarita.  Here are some of those pearls of wisdom just in time for vacation season…

Apply a liberal coating of bronzer on thy legs before wearing bright short shorts: Free People Lace Shorts

Rise from the tides and brunch in this Nanette Lepore Marseilles Tunic. A sideways braid is the perfect way to get your salty ocean hair to chill out.

Espadrille meets Wedge in the Charles David Baja Sandal: The shoe that keeps on giving can be worn for more than a block. The perfect pair for an evening of Salsa or a day of shop-shop-shopping!

I am G-L-A-M-O-U-R: In order to have a glamourous vacation, you must channel your inner socialite. Dear heiress, try this watercolour Maggie London Maxi for size.

Le Scandinave: Log cabins covered in fresh powder. And reallyx3 hot tubs.

Nothing says a Canadian long weekend like heading up North.  I love the idea of skiing, especially after watching the episode of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills where the ladies take the PJ to Aspen.  To live in truth – I would rather the sitting in hot tub portion of that girls trip.  Plus, I am not the best skiier.  This one time, I almost died on a mountain in St. Donat on my grade 8 ski trip to Quebec.  Let’s save that story for another time, shall we?

RHOBH in Colorada: Lisa Vanderpump channelling Dr. Zhivago. So ridiculous!

As a spa conoisseur, I would encourage you to brave the sub-zero temperatures to rest and repose at Le Scandinave at Blue Moutain (152 Grey Road 21, Collingwood ON).  There is something so lovely and scenic about driving through the country and passing little townships, population 2,000 a la Gilmore Girls.  For a special occassion or the reward to a gruelling work week, you deserve a massage followed by breathing in fresh air, tiny snowflakes landing on your chignon while you sit in an outdoor bath, punctuated by a giant chocolate chip cookie.  Deeee-lightful!   

Some Spa Etiquette for Beginners:

Be a lady in this Ella Moss Vintage Suit: I think it's more appropriate to wear a more covered suit if you are going to a unisex spa. Save your string bikini for Rio - ay! ay! ay!

Whenever I see a cute retro bikini, I'm always like, "Of course! Carmen Marc Valvo" Remember to add your optional halter strap to your bandeau to avoid wardrobe malfunctions.

Most spas will provide a complimentary robe, however, some don't. Bring a robe in a waffle or plush terry. For the super-swank, Ralph Lauren makes customized robes with your very own monogram. Ooh la!

No shirts, no shoes, no service! I really don't want to see Moobs while noshing on my low-cal lunch. Keep your toe-sies warm in this colourful array of Ugg Dakota & Ansley slippers.

Music is my life.  My life is a dance song.  When I am in a crap mood, I blast the music and sing along.  And when I stop at a red light, I sing to my neighbour.  Don’t judge meeeaahh!

This playlist is alternately titled Botox and Hip Hop.  I didn’t want to name the post that because let’s not get it twisted – I don’t love botulism but I do love hip hop.  Alas, to each their own.  Driving bumper to bumper on the 10 West freeway takes a zen attitude, the ability to merge aggressively (yet safely) and solid tunes to enjoy the late afternoon sunset.  Being on the West Coast always reignites my love for Hip Hop.  The proximity to the beach and salty air remind me of old copies of Seventeen magazine featuring a fresh faced Cameron Diaz.    

Did you have this issue of Seventeen too? Bright, bold and casual and characteristic of California girls

Here are some tunes that remind me of California:

Lana Del Rey (aka Lizzie Grant) posters are plastered on every corner.  A young songstress who was recently remarketed to appeal to the blogosphere and Silverlake hipster set with her plumped up lips (not pumped up kicks) and 60’s styling.  Her music is a melange of heartbreak ballads (of the ‘I love bad boys but they don’t love me’ variety) and uptempo alterna-pop.  There is a lot of controversy surrounding her imminent rise to superstardom but I still dig her music.

Lana Del Rey covers British Vogue. If you can look past those plumped lips, her music is Nancy Sinatra meets a Quentin Tarantino movie.

• Lana Del Rey – Video Games
• Lana Del Rey – Born To Die

Oh boy, do I love me some hip hop! Listening to the radio in LA, they always play the best old school R&B and Hip Hop.  You definitely have the chance to discover new tracks.  A dance-y hip hop song is better than a shot of espresso in the morning.  I love the melange of genres when a hip hop artist does an alternative mashup.

• Flo Rida f. SIA – Wild Ones
• Trey Songz f. Nicki Minaj – Bottoms Up
• Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa – Young Wild Free  “So what we go out!  That’s how it’s supposed to be!”

A Perfect Day: Summer & Marissa get their tan and drank on.

OMG, I have been such a baaaaad blogger! Naughtyx3. 

After much cajoling from my loyal fashionistah friends and followers, I have plugged in my laptop to write a fresh post.  It’s a blessing, a Chinese New Year of the Dragon ‘Gung Hay Fat Choy’ kind of miracle that I have a few minutes reprieve to write this.  But it’s far from home that I find myself and inspired to write about where I am – California (insert Phantom Planet).  Sunshine and palm trees, Hollywood vistas and blonde hair.  It’s like a surreal dream or an episode of Access Hollywood.

The East Coast is so vastly different from the West — people are warmer and the vibe is casual.  There are so many great brands borne out of California, from swimwear to apparel.  With so many celebrities and Richie Riches around, there are a ton of contemporary brands that started off on the West Coast to achieve widespread acclaim.  Lovelies, let’s take a look at some Cali brands and trends…

While Juicy Couture is so early 2000's, I love it on babies, especially their bottoms. Any respectable girl would only wear a full tracksuit lounging around the house.

Love me some Ella Moss, especially a chevron maxi dress. Also look for the softest cottons and jersey knits from Michael Stars, Splendid and C&C California. Purrrr!

Teeter tot on the brightest colour block high heels. Enzo Tolten Slingbacks also come in the most delicious turquoise/seafoam green combo.

My butt looks tight in Paige Premium too. Breaking News: the Men in Spain were all about the coral jeans. Give it a year and it will be all the rage amongst the fashionistah adventuress-skinny bitches.