Fancy Feet.

So, I realize I'm a far cry from the cutting edge of fashion trends, and am definitely not one to dish out fashion advice. This being said, if you've spent the spring with your head in the sand (or could really care less), you may not know that Birks are once again taking over the world.

Here's where I come in. I'm a bit averse to 'hippy culture'. I blame my older brother, his acting school,  those who populated the central fountain at my university, the Pacific Northwest in general, and of course myself for cultivating these feelings. For similar reasons, I take a similar stance regarding hipsters. Where do Birks come into this? Well, thankfully for me, they are now trendy enough to no longer be cool with the later group, and trendy enough that sporting them won't necessarily mean I'm mistaken for the former group. The truth is, I used to own a pair. In middle school. Yes, it's been a while.

The main reason I'm keen on this footwear once again is because of my sore foot (remember the trials of last year? Yes, still going). Summer seems to be the time when I do the most harm to this 'Stress fracture' (or 'nerve damage'...whatever we are calling it). I'm certain it's due to the hours spent in sandals. Flimsy flip-flops to be specific. My foot takes a beating, whenever I have more than a few blocks to walk in summer footwear. Insert Birks. Finally some sandals with some support, that are actually stylish (or at least this week).

Have a look...

Kate in Colour.

My friend Nicola sent me a similar version of the Queen's colour palette sometime last year (also from vogue). I had it taped to the white board at the front of my art room (the kids rolled their eyes). 

This similar version of the lovely Kate is hitting the shelves right now in British Vogue.

I look at this and wonder what it would be like to have so many pretty dresses to choose from....sigh. 

A girl can dream.

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What are my favourites you ask?

Ok, I'll tell you....

Line 1: 9th from the left

Line 2: 2nd from the right and 7th from the left

Line 3: 4th from the left and 2nd from the right

Line 4: 1st and 2nd from the left


What is your all time favourite Kate look? Leave a comment by pressing the comment link below.

Christmas Party Kick-off.

It's a beautiful crisp winter day in London, and tonight I'm heading to my first Christmas party of the season.

Here's the outfit. There's a reason there's only one shoe there. Can you picture this with my walking moon boot? Didn't think so. It's going to happen. It has to happen. I'll keep you posted.

Mango black cocktail dress / Opaque tight, £7.45 / Calvin Klein high heels, £56 / Gold envelope clutch / J.Crew j crew jewelry, £78 / Miso feather earrings / Essie nail polish, £4.97

SOHO night out.

One week ago today, K, and I met up with a friend of mine from high school. He was in town for a visit as London is his 'happy place', and invited us to join him and some work colleagues. We met for dinner at a cute pub, and then headed to Soho for a night out. The night finished with pizza and cappuccinos at the same establishment I'd finished my last SOHO evening in.

As I look at the photos, it is very evident why I am not a fashion blogger.

Here we are failing miserably at our fashion shoot.

I don't remember my top being this see through. Shall we blame the flash?

Dressing alike was NOT a conscious decision.

And as I can't remember where exactly we were, maybe you Londoners will recognize the over the top Christmas decor?

 The decor seemed to continue into the pizza place. This is me ordering in my best Italian. "We'll have one Americana, and one Vegetariana please"....and that's all I've got.

K: Pants: Zara, Blouse: JCREW, Shoes: Nine West
Me: Pants: Citizens Blouse: Aritzia, R Shoe: Chelsea, Clutch: Hobo, Bracelets: JCREW, Halcyon Days, Watch: Calvin Klein

Top Shop Jacket.

Happy Friday!

Just a quick post as I have a very busy day today. I also stayed up too late last night catching up on episodes of Downton. Along similar lines, where can a girl get one of these?

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Now for something else I'm currently pining over. This oversized men's blazer (top shop). Need.

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And here it is again...it's following me. Sigh.

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Why the busy day? I have to get to the pool by 7:30am (yeah, I know, good luck with that), in order to get my swim accomplished (that sounds like I'm training for something. I'm not. Swimming is the only exercise I can do right now with a broken foot), so that I can get to Heathrow in time to pick up my best friend! Yes, she's staying with me for the next 10 days.

I smell trouble...

Halloween 2008.

Her timing is perfect, as I still have some touristy things to check off my own list. 

Here are some of the many things on our list (She doesn't know about 'the list' yet):

1. Columbia Road Flower market

2. Smithfields meat market (early morning for wholesale)
3. Climb the dome at St Pauls Cathedral
4. Tour the houses of Parliament
5. Vodka Martinis at the 'Dukes Hotel' (James bond's Iam Flemming used to frequent)
6. Kensington Roof gardens

7. Portobello Market / Notting Hill (still haven't been)

8. GO TO GORDON'S...AGAIN

Any other suggestions? 

Click on the word 'comment' below this post, and leave us some ideas. I'll be sure and blog some of our London adventures next week.

Karl Lagerfeld @ The Saatchi.

I came home from Thursday night's class feeling pretty pleased that I'd successfully navigated another week in London, and it was finally my weekend.

Did I mention I don't have class on Fridays or Mondays this term? I don't.

It was eightish, S had dinner ready, and I had my feet up and a glass of wine in my hand faster than I could say T.G.I.T....at which point I logged into facebook. You see, I had planned to hit up the new Karl Lagerfeld exhibit (opening today) at Chelsea's Saatchi Gallery, and then head to the King's Road to find some jeans- until I read said message. The message was reminding me of a Friday workshop for three hours in the afternoon at the school. ARGH!!!

S didn't feel sorry for me, I believe she just laughed. No sympathy.

So I woke up today (slightly grumpy), had some breakfast, grabbed a coffee and headed to the train.



It was a beautiful day at Clapham Junction. This is an ugly station, but it sure looked a lot nicer with the sun shining.

School was actually quite painless as the workshop was filled with a bunch of great people, but the best (as well as slightly frustrating) part was, the teacher let us go at 3pm. I didn't really know whether to be happy, or angry that I'd shown up for one measly hour.

I quickly called S to see if she was done, and if she wanted to kick our initial plan into effect. Into the city I went.

To the Saatchi....

The Saatchi is currently filled with photography, but it was Lagerfeld's work, that we wanted to see as it was opening day. His exhibition was titled, "The Little Black Jacket", and was a celebration of Coco Chanel's iconic piece of clothing. Lagerfeld had photographed countless models, actors, and fashion personalities all sporting Chanel's famous piece. He worked alongside Carine Roitfeld (former editor of French Vogue), in creating the show. It was fantastic, and a brilliant tribute to one of fashion's famous pioneers.

Yes, Vancouverites, it's Josh Jackson.

 Also in the Karl exhibit...

As I thought I was merely off for a day on campus, I didn't lug my SLR with me...hence the grainy photos. Sorry about that.

And here's the bonus of visiting on opening day. Free high quality posters of Karl's photos we got to take home with us. It's as if Lagerfeld knew we were forced to work with somebody else's black leather sofas in this new flat...

While the exhibit was well worth the visit, there were a number of other pieces and artists in the gallery that caught my eye.

Portraits by American artist, Katy Grannan. All titled Anonymous. The Gallery brochure suggests that Grannan is attempting to capture the range of prideful individuality in human beings and their common fate. She is celebrating each person's history, their victories, and their defeats.

Have a look...

And some two-piece collages I thought would be neat to try in the classroom. Stezaker spent years gathering images in second hand book shops, and then took x-acto knives forcing two complete strangers to meet.

John Stezaker (Film Portrait Collage) 2008

More for the Collingwood Art Dept-

Student work in the Saatchi.

 The view from the top floor of the double decker bus, as I crossed the river back into Battersea.