Don’t believe the hype! Or maybe they want you to (jedi-mind trick). 43 songs including beloved classics. I can’t wait for “I Just Wanna Love U”

It’s been weighing heavy on our minds this week.  My VIP carpool has been cranking up the Beyoncé (all my single ladies!) in anticipation for the On The Run concert.  We’ve been comparing our favourite lines from Drunk In Love, with a unanimous vote for “last thing i remember is our beautiful bodies grinding off in that club” and “surfboard-surfboard” (obviously!).  After we’ve cooled our excitement, the next heavily contemplated topic of discussion is what to wear.  Here I present you a myriad of choices to ponder when thinking of your concert-inspired wardrobe.  Remember, to consider your audience. XO

Beyoncé in Versace for New Year’s Eve with a bold hottt pink lip. They call it Maximalist style. Too much is never enough.

Versace, Versace, Versace: B in Miami with a custom Atelier Versace bodysuit. Loving that emblem cap.

Oh let me just throw on my Givenchy Couture cape and bodysuit. Fancy!

Purrrr! Need me some cat ears. I am super particular about my accessories but these ones from Asos are on the money honey.

How about that polka dot bodysuit you weren’t sure you would get the right ROC (return on compliment) on? Beyoncé wiggle-wiggles for Jay.

Tom Ford makes Varsity chic in sporty sequins.

Canadians girls do it better: Double denim Canadian tuxedo. Wear it sexy for your mandatory hair fling during Grown Woman.

If you’re going to eat your feelings, go with Gelato! via Vogue Italia

My day started off kind of crappy.  So to rid myself of the blues, I put on my most flowy floral, maxi skirt printed with flowers and tigers, an opulent gilded, pair of braided gladiators and my sunglasses.  Then I got into my car (Habeeba), opened my sunroof and hit Queen West West for some retail therapy.

High ROC (return on compliment): Maeve Banda Skirt from Anthropologie

Though I live downtown, I haven’t been on a proper stroll to pop into the cute boutiques — there are so many new ones which is fun, exciting and most of all, dangereuse (dangerous in French).

Here were some of my faves:

Zumel & Co (863 Queen St. West) – Filled with racks of colourful blouses, dresses and feminine separates, I think this would be a good place to find a lovely outfit for a daytime cocktail or a unique piece for your work wardrobe.

Cabaret (672 Queen St. West) – This is an oldie but a goodie.  A family owned vintage shop specializing in 1920-1970′s clothing.  Nothing cheers me up like going into the basement of a vintage store, trying on random retro outfits and digging for hidden treasure.  Nothing.  I got my besties’ bday present there – an elaborate, Art Deco black beaded headdress which they died over.  Plus, the shopgirls were sooo nice and loved my gypsy jetset outfit. PS. I love you.

Wildfox Couture Pop-Up Shop (711 Queen St. West) – Vintage inspired casual wear for dreamers.  Based out of LA, this brand is all about distressed terry cloths, soft slub t-shirts, relaxed sweaters and Malibu-inspired beachwear.  A fave brand of celebs this pop-up will be here at least until the end of Summer.  I could not resist the cute quotient of a Koala pullover because obviously, koala is my power animal.

Taylor Swift in her Love Potion No. 9 Wildfox pullover

I never gave up on the romper. I love a good romper/gladiator sandal combo. That’s my drinks on a patio outfit. Loving the cool blues on this Dolce Vita Romper

A girl needs to dream.  A girl needs to dream about a bright sunshine-y day without rain or sleet or snow.  A day without salt stained boots and static-y flyaway hair.  Of turquoise waters and itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny bikinis.  Having gone on a warm December vacation, my hopes were high for a quick segue way into Spring.  Since that hasn’t been the case, I’ll settle for Summer Beach Dreams.

I have already planned out my travels for the next year (because a girl has got to see the world).  Well, if you’re a follower of the LC, you know how I feel about a gypset wardrobe. If it were tropical here, I would be wearing a caftan walking down the sidewalk.  Some summer loves to keep you daydreaming… *lesigh

Bright bikini babes in H&M Swimwear

Psychedelic dreamers: I really need more Mara Hoffman Resort in my life right now.

Vix St. Marten caftan because you know how I like to channel Morocco.

Daria in Gucci Macramé. I actually read this copy of Elle Spain while in Salamanca. Fun fact.

“Hey girl, can we cuddle yet?” Ryan Gosling notebook. He always knows what to say.

Did I ever tell you about the time, this random guy yelled at me on the street, “Do you like hip hop?” I pretended I didn’t hear him because I was wearing giant earmuffs.

This is kind of a continuation post of my Holiday Gift Guide 2013.  I reallyx3 put the brakes on my OOC tendency to buy “one for you, one for me” when Christmas shopping.  My Christmas tree and décor went up mid-November so I have been enjoying the lights, baking for friends, attending socials and wrapping gifts.  In an effort to share some delightful gift ideas and live cyber vicariously through my blog, here are more fun ideas to help you through your holiday shopping…

J.Crew Flower Latice Necklace: Sometimes I see girls around the office wearing the most amazing statement necklaces and I’m not gonna lie, I’m kind of jalouse (jealous in French).

And for the more decadent bon-vivants in your life, some gifts which are worth the splurge!

Lately, I’ve been sporting vibrant redlipstick to work and to parties. I love the creamy texture of NARS — the shades of Manhunt and Red Lizard make ‘em stop and stare. Trust.

My champagne of choice is Moet but Veuve makes some very nice holiday giftsets. Check out these mini champagne bottles that you can give out to friends with colourful straws for a NYE part-ay! Go socialite!

For the gourmands who could use a bite to go with their giant glass of wine…

Mmmm. I discovered Coach House Shortbread at The One of a Kind Show. They make the most delicious sweet and savoury flavours of shortbread and wrapped so beautifully. Image c/o BlogTO

Sad face, I can’t find my Anthropologie apron. This would be a perfect Secret Santa gift *wink-wink*

If you’ve been following the LC, you know I’ve been on this #juiceodyssey of late.  Quite simply, I’m feeling juicer’s remorse discarding all the leftover vegetable and fruit fibers.  Surely, my compost is another person’s treasure!  The easiest thing I could think of making was a carrot cake, which is a cozy Sunday afternoon baking session.  I asked my sister for a recipe because she is one of the best bakers I know and she referred me to an easy recipe in her Joy of Cooking.  I made some modifications because I’m on a health kick and if I’m going to feed my colleagues carbs, I’m going to sneak in some healthy ingredients because I care about them.  *wink*

Carrot Cake (via The Joy of Cooking)

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cups whole-wheat flour (originally all-purpose flour)
• 3/4 cup brown sugar (originally 1 cup)
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon all-spice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup shredded pineapple (original 1/2 cup canned pineapple)
• 1 teaspoon Chia seeds (say yes to Omega-3 goodness), flax seeds would be fun too (surprise!)
• optional 1 cup raisins (no thank you)

Preheat oven to 350F

Combine all the dry ingredients in a medium sized bowl.

Combine all dry ingredients.  Gradually fold in dry ingredients into wet.  Add in carrots, pineapple and chopped walnuts.

I used carrot fibers but didn’t have enough so I chopped up more. Call me crazy but I juiced a pineapple.

Thought “whoops, I should have borrowed my sister’s handmixer” but once I combined the carrots and pineapple, the batter was much smoother.

Use a 13×9″ round or square pan.  Line the bottom of the baking tin with parchment paper or aluminum foil.  Spray lightly with cooking oil to easily take it out when serving.

Smooth the top so that it bakes evenly…and so that it looks perfect.

Voila! Carrot Cake perfection. The house smells so delicious.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out dry.  Let stand to cool and serve to your friends!

Inside Gio Rana’s — much funkier than you would expect from its non descript exterior.

My fashionistah bestie C was celebrating a milestone birthday and she requested that we venture east to her neck of the woods.  Being completely clueless on restos in this quadrant of the city, she suggested her fave Gio Rana’s Really Really Nice Restaurant (1220 Queen St. East).  This is a long standing hidden gem in Leslieville, marked by a giant nose housed in a former bank.  It was a wonderful choice for its eclectic décor, lively ambience (Lenny Kravitz, Biggie, oh yeah) and most of all its excellent Italian food.  We tried a number of appetizers to share - the risotto balls, brussel sprouts with prosciutto and crustini.  My entrée was a nicely prepared salmon with a side of rapini.  We finished with a birthday platter of chocolate molten cake, tiramisu and goat’s milk cheesecake.  Sooo delicious! 

No need for the address. Just stop when you see that massive paper mache nose on Queen East.

You can never go wrong with an Anthropologie statement necklace. My life!

I lovex3 buying birthday presents for my girlfriends, especially clothes.  I know it sounds really weird but I love dressing my friends.  They say that I’m the only person that still buys them clothes as gifts.  But I am pretty spot-on when it comes to making sure my gift choices match their styles.  Dress you up in my love.  Trust.

Dorothy Perkins is a London-based brand. Lovely damask and abstract lace prints in a fit and flare. Super flattering silhouette.