Bohogi, sounds like a sloppy sandwich, doesn’t it?  It’s my play on words – a bohemian/yogi fusion if you will.  And for those of you scratching your heads, per the Urban Dictionary, a yogi is defined as, “One who practices yoga and has achieved a high level of spiritual insight or a teabag that has been rolled into a joint to add flavour.”  I am obviously referring to the former and not the latter. 

The promise of Spring/Summer always gets me in the mood for bohemian attire.   But for me, Bohogi is more of an attitude – a love of altruistic good deeds, an appreciation for beauty, people, culture and spirituality, a return to nature dressed up in an embellished caftan.   But Bohogi goes beyond that.  It’s really ‘be yourself.’  Are you picking up what I’m putting down?

Close your eyes.  Let’s make believe I decided to erect a giant Bohogi teepee for my friends in my backyard.

Lucky girl has her own library and teepee! Um, spoiled.

Then we draped the walls with these sumptuous velvet Viceroy curtains from Anthropologie.

The will of the universe: We throw a bunch of Sky posie pillows in there and they land oh so perfectly like a shoot for Elle Decor.

And your feet were kept warm with this brilliantly bright Gloria's Garden rug. Love matchy-not matchy.

And we snuggle in this DVF Tie Dye Duvet

Impromptu dance party: We listen to Miike Snow on this Roberts Revival Radio or we ask our friend to bring their iPod speakers. Whatevs.

The more I think about it, it sounds like a fun party idea.  Hrmm, maybe I should plan that.  And, I’m taking credit for coining the term Bohogi.  Give it a few months and it will be all the rage on MTV (just like crazytown). Trust.

WWJD? What would Julia do? Throw a dinner party!

It has always been my natural tendency to bring people together.  “OMG, I am going to introduce you to so-and-so.  You two are going to hit it off famously.  I predict future BFF’s.” Among friends, I have been called the rubber cement that binds a group.  In school, I wasn’t elected VP Social for nothing.  My parties, big and small, have been the stuff of legends and fairytales.  It sounds awfully sentimental but to me, it’s such a beautiful thing when strangers become friends. *le sigh*   

My gift to you dear readers is The Love Collage coming alive in real life.  What better way to experience what you read than to live it?  I will be producing a series of lifestyle events (from fashionistah crafts to dance parties to food tastings and beyond) that echo the spirit of The LC – fun, unique, inspirational, engaging and connecting the community. 

The first LC event kicks off this December 5th 2010,  The Snow Day Holiday Market  a holiday themed show and sale for local artisans, crafters, designers, bakers and retailers.  The mission of the event is to give artists, entrepreneurs and retailers an opportunity to connect and showcase their wares with the community in a dynamic and inviting atmosphere. 

Date: Sunday, December 5th, 2010 from 12pm-5pm

Place:  The Gladstone Hotel, 1st flr Ballroom. 1214 Queen Street West, Toronto ON

Admission: FREE

This year’s participants range from vintage inspired jewellery to holiday stationery, natural body & bath products to gourmet cupcakes, original artwork, knit warmwear and toys hand-made with love.  Talent!  Pure talent!  Please join us, tell your friends, meet some new ones while shopping local and handmade with love.

Keep connected with The LC by signing up and subscribing to receive notifications of new posts.  I look forward to the exciting socials I’m cooking up for 2011!  I hope you are too! xoxo The LC

Ooh French Country in Red: A pretty table setting from Dinner Party Wars

In an attempt to avoid time suckage, I choose to live in a television free zone.  Though having stayed at my mother’s place for a few days, I could not help but succumb to the home improvement shows on HGTV and fanciful cooking segments on Food Network.  I still quite enjoy Jamie Oliver’s lisp. 

One show in particular that had me intrigued was Dinner Party Wars, where three couples competed in a challenge to host the best dinner party.  Having been a hostess and a guest at many social gatherings, both exceptional and fall dead asleep boring, I could probably fill a novella with quips and useful advice.  With the holiday season fast upon us, I thought I could share some of these useful grains of wisdom with all of you.

Brush up on your social skills: Kate Spade Occasions

• Guestlist, guestlist, guestlist - I once read a hilarious blurb in a book about seating people alternating funny-boring-funny-boring-etc  If it were up to me, there would be no boring!  But there is some truth to this statement that the personalities should mesh well.  When throwing an intimate dinner, the best ones have a good blend of friends and strangers who will hopefully connect on their commonalities – “Oh, you love red velvet cupcakes? OMG, me too!”  And ’tis the season for love connections.  Did you know that if you hook up 3 friends successfully, you get a green light straight to heaven?  You haven’t heard about this?  That’s because I made it up.    
• Decorate Good Times –  I have had many themed parties – Japanese, French Wine & Cheese, Summer Al Fresco.  Even if you don’t go over the top with party decorations, a lush bouquet or some tealights helps to set the mood.
• Greetings and salutations - A good hostess welcomes new guests into the fold by greeting, then taking around the new arrival to strangers.  A conversational starter is how they know each other and letting the individuals know if there something mutual between them ie. a similar career, a sport or activity, where they live, etc.  It’s always nice to leave a guest with few acquaintances at the party with a friend (co-hostess) who is very accomodating – this way, they never feel awk-ward. 
• Feed the People –  Although it is not uncommon to start a dinner party late, you should have drinks, nibbles and appetizers ready for guests.  Even if you have special prepared warm appetizers, it won’t kill you to leave pretzels, nuts or chips on the tables.  They knew they were coming to a party so they have been saving their appetites.  For smaller gatherings, a fixed menu is manageable, however, for larger parties a buffet style may please more people’s palettes and food preferences. 

Dessert served up on these Natural World plates from Anthropologie. Bugs and grenouilles never looked so appetizing!

• No Prohibition – Never let the drinks run dry.  Always top off glasses but offer water when you notice people crossing the line into OOC (out of control) territory. 
• It’s a Party – Parties are meant to be enjoyed, by everyone including the hostess.  Let your guests get involved if they offer.  Allow them to bring out plates of food, refill wine glasses or help you put dishes into the dishwasher.  You should be giggling, clinking glasses and dancing too!  What’s the point of having a social if you’re going to be a party pooper and boil over like a stress pot?  A memorable party is one where everyone has a great time.  Remember, a happy hostess sets the tone. 

Careful now! Don't cry over spilled wine...unless it's red and your couch is white. Busted, so obsessed with Anthropologie.

Is that your shoe? Follow skinny jeans westward (to the tune of "Follow the Yellow Brick Road")

Bored much?  Sad and depressed that you have to start wearing a jacket?  I feel your pain.  You know what will cheer you up?  It’s that time of year again for the 8th Annual Queen West Art Crawl.  I know ART can draw you out of your funk.  Best of all – it’s FREE!  Taking place from Friday, September 18 to Sunday, September 20, 2010 the QWAC is an annual event celebrating local artists and the community.  The theme for this year is ‘Intersections’ which means the art and installations will have a mash-up quality.  Remixes are always fun, non?

The QWAC centers around the Outdoor Show and Sale in Trinity-Bellwoods Park but there are many interesting happenings going on along Queen West West and deeper into Parkdale.  A curated list of things to check out:

• Opening Night Gala at The Gladstone Hotel -  An Art Battle, two artists will compete in a timed paint off.  You be the judge. 
• Outdoor Show & Sale – Over 250 local artists and food vendors will be setting up shop in the park.  A great way to interact with artists and decorate your living room.
• Symposium Series – Set up in the park will be a number of artistic organizations and artist guest speakers talking on various subjects from creative process to local ‘stitch n’ bitch’ meet-ups.  
• Walk the walk – Make sure to stop by the many galleries, cafes and shops lining Queen West; similar to Nuit Blanche (but not open all night) many are community partners and will likely have some special programming.

I encourage you to design your own art weekend and visit the Offficial Website for the Queen West Art Crawl.

The summer time is waning but there are still a few weekends for outdoor bashes or pool parties.  Even though you are attending a casual affair, social etiquette dictates you should still recognize the time and effort of the hostess with the mostess.  After all, depending on the size of the gathering, she has probably spent considerable time and effort: cleaning, setting up, preparing food and cooking.  Not to mention during the party, you will notice the hostess rarely eating, prefering to mingle and ensuring the comfort of her guests.  (Well, I am describing the ideal hostess like my good friend J). 

Remember it’s the thought that counts.  You should always try to consider what the hostess’ tastes are and her needs.  Otherwise, your gift might end up in a future garage sale.  Here are some delightful ideas for hostess gifts she’ll love: 

Babushkups, like little Russian dolls these nesting cups would make morning OJ even more delicious.

Contemporary take on Betty Draper: I would bake all day in these Anthropologie aprons.

Dashing florals: Mix hues of roses with gerber daisies and starbursts. The more colourful and exuberant the better! Photo courtesy Martha Stewart

A small selection of treats from Dufflet Bakery. She can savour them later whilst reclining on her couch, watching True Blood after a long day of hostessing.

Gwen's nod to Chola's of SoCal (Southern Cali (fornia)): "Shhhh, or i'm gonna pop you bi-atch." Love the use of double short form/acronym/bracket.

The other day as I was getting my long overdue pedi, I came across some ridiculously fun samples of nail art.  While the girl in the adjacent massage chair had requested the embellishment of her big toes with a crazytown pattern, I had a momentary tinge of ‘should I?‘  An internal debate raged on in my head (felt like an eternity, lasted only 30 seconds);  I ended up deferring this time around.  My resolution being that next time I have a party/social, I would choose something wild for my finger nails as a ‘conversation piece.’ Plus, who the heck’s gonna look at my toes?  Maybe the one closet foot fetishist in the room.  Dramatization:  I point at random things and hold my champagne flute at eye-level.  “Oh my nails are inspired by Modgliani’s Reclining Nude and I decided to go tribal ikat with my pinky fingers.”

The song that best matches these fingers is Notorious B.I.G.'s Hypnotize.

There’s a quality about Nail Art that is kind of borderline tacky-gangstah.  I won’t lie.  I kind of love it.  It reminds me of Chola style and hip hop.  What is a Chola, you ask?  I kid you not, an excerpt from The Urban Dictionary:  “Hardcore latina gangbangers. They usually have thin, arched, angry looking tattooed-on or penciled-on eyebrows, brown or dark red lip liner, ‘Monroe’, eyebrow and nose piercings, tats, Converse or Nikes, flannel shirts, lots of gold jewlrey (with their name and crosses), crunchy gelled or moussed hair either down or gelled in a high perfect ponytail either straight back or gelled in a design, and they go out with cholos… It is much more common to just look like a chola, and not act like a chola.”  And while I don’t necessarily recommend leaving the house in head-to-toe Chola (unless you want to be the latest Crip or Blood recuit), there are some fun styling homages that I do suggest.

Two-Finger Rings – Of late, there has been a huge influx of two or three finger rings.  I don’t think they are very comfortable but fashion has never been about comfort, has it?  The sensation feels like your fingers are crazy-glued together at the base.  I think the look is reminiscent of knuckle rings, used to pack a powerful punch and kick the crap out of someone in a fight.  These days you can find them emblazoned with your name (a la Carrie Bradshaw nameplate necklace)  or with dainty birds or flowers. 

LC's gold nameplate ring. Don't mess.

Mega-bling Gold - Chunky gold necklaces are pretty major.  I can’t get over the look which has been going strong for a few seasons now.  The necklace can be very street flashy when the gold link has a bit of toughness to it and is oversized almost to the point of parody.  When you wear one, you can refer to yourself as your street cred name.  ie. ”Holla!  Miss X-tina in da house, papy cholo.”   

Editor’s Note:  I just read this post again and to answer the question lingering in your mind: “Yes, I am a lil’ bit loco (English translation – crazy) funny.  And I do talk a lot of smack (crazy-talk) in real life.”

Intense! Kenneth Jay Lane gold chunky link necklace.