Forgive my lack of new blog posts, but I have been working day and night, night and day to bring you Creative Heart Collective.  Spring is almost here and what better way to celebrate than to have a leisurely afternoon, perhaps brunching, meeting artisans, shopping local and doing a community workshop?  Sounds like too much fun, non?  Don’t pencil or pen it in.  Sharpie that!!

Date:  Saturday, April 16th, 2011 & Sunday, April 17th, 2011

Place:  The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. West, Toronto ON

Time:  11:00am – 5:00pm

Admission:  PWYC* (Suggested Donation $2) 

The Love Collage presents Creative Heart Collective, a Spring show and sale for local artisans, crafters, designers, bakers and retailers.  The mission of the event is to give artists and retailers an opportunity to connect and showcase their wares with the community in a fun and inviting atmosphere. Join us as The Gladstone Hotel Ballroom is transformed into an exciting, bustling marketplace.  This two day event will feature the talent of more than 50 local vendors and artisans.

The focus for the show will be:  Indie arts and crafts, Fashionable giftware, Jewellery & Accessories, Homemade food, Home décor, Beauty, DIY presents, Apparel and Vintage.

* Door proceeds will go to the non-profit organization, The Corsage Project www.corsageproject.ca   

Join us for the following community workshops:

LEATHER WEATHER – SATURDAY, APRIL 16^TH: 1PM – 3PM

The Make Den’s Irene Stickney will be teaching a FREE workshop, ‘Leather Weather.’  She will be teaching participants how to sew little leather medicine or cell phone pouches.  These petite fringey pouches are the perfect functional accessory while galavanting on the sidewalks of Queen West West. 

You need one to match your Muklukks whilst walking along the grassy nole that is Trinity Bellwoods Park. I want one.

WEARABLE ART – SUNDAY, APRIL 17^TH:  11AM – 5PM

Steeped in ancient history, symbolism and a celebration of beauty, Mehndi designs are awe-inspiring works of wearable art.  Henna Yasir will be contributing her artistic talents to the event.  Take a break from shopping and receive a unique herbal temporary tattoo (applicable fees).

For more info, please visit: www.creativeheartcollective.com

Remarkably Coco: Audrey Tatou as the famed designer

There’s something about Paris that captures the imagination, that evokes nostalgia and romance.  That makes you want to start speaking en francais.

A few days ago I rented Coco Avant Chanel, the biopic of famous french designer Coco Chanel.  The film traces the humble origins of orphaned Coco (nee Gabrielle), as portrayed by the ever-amazing Audrey Tatou, as she struggles to make a living - poor seamstress by day and cabaret singer by night.  A series of calculated actions on Coco’s part, she becomes the mistress of a wealthy French aristocrat, yet falls deeply in love with a married American businessman.  A revealing portrait of the designer’s life before fame and celebrity, it is both heartbreaking and inspiring.  Coco was a renegade in an era of opulance and repression; she made her mark by breaking out of societal norms but sacrificed much in the process.  Le sigh! *Insert sob*

In homage to the spirit of Chanel, I have prepared an appropriate brunch outfit for noshing on pain dore, croque monsieurs, bellinis and creme brulee at Le Select Bistro (432 Wellington St. West).  There is an abundance of hottie waiters serving your latte and the chi-chi poo-poo crowd is veryx3 good looking.  Just my kind of brunchie spot.  My favourite decor accents were the red velvet opera curtains, the black and white mosaic tile floor and the poster for Belle De Jour.

Dites, "Mais oui!" (Say, "But yes!") to the Joie Striped Top. A lil' bling with your mimosa never hurt anybody.

Coco detested corsets and dresses. She preferred a good pair of pantalons. Try the Juicy Ruffled Silk Pants. Harem-esque but not so MC Hammer.

Feels tres Chanel: Colour blocking your toes with Sam Edelman "Randell" Espadrille

Decadent Sweet Treat: Moroco Chocolat. Photo courtesy: BlogTO

If you’re like me, you’re ever on the search for new and dramatic ways to channel Blair Waldorf.   Forgive my tendecy to reference soapy teen dramas;  I confess I watch way too much Gossip Girl.  Fortunately, my fashionistah girlfriends are game and rise to the occasion every time I set a strict dress code. 

Our latest foray was a birthday brunch for my loveable, top friend J who is fancy in a down-to-earth way.  We had a delightful ladies brunch at Moroco Chocolat (99 Yorkville Ave.), a french inspired patisserie and cafe in Yorkville.  Clad in the deepest hues of eggplant and mauve and accented in swirling white framed mirrors, the requisite crystal dog statue and lucky white elephants, the Paris decor matched the sumptuous menu.  They offer rich sipping chocolates, fondue platters, lattes with a side of chocolate, mimosas and the fluffiest pistachio macarons (among 11 other flavours).  I’m a vegetarian but I was drooling over the birthday girl’s sweet and savoury french toast which was swathed in bacon, cheese and a healthy dose of syrup.  Insert heart attack. 

On to the outfits…  For Spring, half of the fashionistahs chose Chiffon Floaty Things in a grey-beige.  Watch for this colour combination as it will be the perfect transitional neutral paired with neons and brights.  My bestie C, went with an homage to Chuck Bass, wearing a striped nautical blazer with heavy navy piping juxtaposed with a polka dot cotton t-shirt.  There she goes fashion risk-taking: mixing prints!  Our birthday girl, never one to disappoint, chose a cape in yellow and black plaid paired with a black sweater and grey bezel statement necklace.  Ooh la!

The Cape is to Blair Waldorf as Sequins at breakfast is to Serena Van Der Woodsen

One to Watch: She did Chuck Bass Nautical Meets Pearls

This morning as I walked to the cornerstore to buy some cream, the sweet smell of freshly baked croissants wafted through the air.  This is the double edged sword that is living in close proximity to decadent french patisseries and gourmet shops.  On one hand, there is never a shortage of sweets or flaky breads in an emergency.  On the other, I have to constantly resist temptation.  Confession:  I have consumed an exorbant amount of Brie and those ten-million dollar too delicious for their own good, Raincoast Crisps. (You need to try the Hazelnut ones, but be forewarned, it is addiction forming.) Ooh la la!

With the fresh snowfall, I am constantly layering with a cozy sweater or craving comfort foods.  Here are some of my suggestions to warm up on a cold Winter (almost-Spring) late afternoon:

Mmm, apple crumble with vanilla ice cream and drizzled with caramel.

• Apple Crumble – In an effort to become a domestic goddess, I have been trying to make everything from scratch.  My latest attempt in the kitchen involved an apple crumble with Hagen-Daz Dulce de Leche ice cream.  Such an easy recipe with apples, flour, brown sugar, oats, butter and a dash of cinnamon, the smell alone reminds of my childhood.  Don’t forget to add the lemon juice to help the apples soften while baking.  Please, learn from my mistakes.

Eco-friendly poutine served in a recyclable bowl @ Poutini's

• Poutine – It must be a Canadian thing because I don’t know anyone that doesn’t LOVE poutine.  A relatively new place just opened up in Queen West West called Poutini’s, House of Poutine (1112 Queen St. West) and they obviously specialize in poutine.  They hand cut their fries, use real gravy and their cheese curds are extra cheesy.  They also serve specialty varieties of poutine for brunch.  Poutini Florentini, anyone?

Potatoe, Potato: Bailey's latte or Tea with Bailey's. Choose your poison.

• Bailey’s with Tea – I was once at a dinner party and during dessert, they served Bailey’s with Tea.  In lieu of adding cream, just add a shot (or two if you’re a party trooper) to any variety of black tea such as English Breakfast or Orange Pekoe.  A nice after dinner drink following a hearty comfort meal.

To inaugurate the New Year, I often come up with a reason to hostess an intimate get together with my fashionistah girlfriends.  The most inventive of which was a few years back, a Japanese themed soiree where girls arrived in kimonos, red lipstick, chopsticks in hair, some in wigs and we feasted on a meal of miso and sushi.  You know it’s a good party when there’s fake hair involved. 

Too lazy to make your own huevos, check out Easy Cafe at Queen West & Roncey.

Not content enough to be stylishly dressed and coiffed at all times, my university friends also have Martha Stewart tendencies preparing lavish gourmet meals, perfectly presented with a sweet parting gift of a bonbonierre to take home. Last year, we were all about mini everything – mini quiche, mini sliders, mini crudite, mini cupcakes, mini, mini, mini…etc.  Inspired by the rock n’ roll, motorcycle, spanish leaning breakfast menu at Easy Cafe (1645 Queen Street West), I proposed a Mexican brunch theme.  We had a hearty feast of guacamole with nachos, spinache and red leaf salad with feta, refried beans, spicy roasted potatoes, breakfast burritos garnished with salsa, cheddar, sour cream and chives.  We finished with a bold Mexican coffee topped with a dollop of whip cream and a platter of desserts from La Casa Dolce (732 Browns Line).

Fancy breakfast burrito. Ay! ay! ay!

Here is a quick and simple recipe for a breakfast burrito (serves 6):

1. Dice 1 red onion, 1 red pepper, 1 tomatoe, 1 cup mushrooms, grate 1 cup cheddar
2. Saute vegetables on medium heat.
3. Add 6 eggs and cheddar.  Season with greek seasoning, salt and pepper to taste.
4. Add in a side of sausage for you carnivores.
5. Serve on a warm soft tortilla and let friends dress their own with salsa, sour cream, chives and more grated cheddar.

Los huevos están muy ricos!  (Translation:  The eggs are very delicious!)  Then we all took a siesta.

Good Old Days: Remember when Summer saved Chrismukkah? Teardrop.

I see the Seth Cohen clones on Queen West West streets shivering in their size zero skinny red jeans, walking their girlfriend’s mini French bulldogs enrobed in knit sweaters.  Sweeties, eat a cookie and that leather jacket is appropriate for Fall Trans (Aug-October)!  Get your tooshie indoors and have a mug of apple cider!!  Stat! 

During the holidays we all succumb to being a cozy homebody.  Around my neck of the woods, there is a new marshall law regarding dress code, “Boho chic: Leggings or Leisure Wear ONLY” My friends are digging my wavelength.  Around the house, I have been preparing decadent brunches of crepes with nutella, unseasonal ten-million dollar berries such as strawberries and blackberries with a side of French brie to much fanfare.  The home decor has also been re-vamped with some faux poinsettia and some strategically placed mistletoe. haha.

While shimmying around my lovely Carrie Bradshaw-esque kitchen, I like to crank the holiday tunes.  Not just any old Christmas songs, but the emo(tional) indie rock ones you might find on an O.C. compilation.  It just makes sense given the artsy neighbourhood.

Here some jingles to make you jingle-jangle your can around the house: 

• Last Christmas – Jimmy Eat World
• Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Coldplay
• A Great Big Sled – The Killers
• Christmas at the Zoo – Flaming Lips
• Holiday Road – Matt Pond PA
• O Holy Night – My Morning Jacket
• The Christmas Song – The Raveonettes
• Are You Coming Over for Christmas? – Belle and Sebastian