completely opaque

Crystal Clear Chandeliers: Vampire Weekend Concert March 30, 2010

2010-04-05T10:27:00.010-04:00

Last Tuesday a friend and I trekked it down to the Sound Academy to see the Vampire Weekend concert. It took us a bus and a cab to get there but the trip was well worth it.

A sold-out show in a huge venue isn't the best situation for those of us under 6 feet but we managed to find a spot in the back that happened to have a clear view of the stage. Camera in hand, slung over the guardrail of the AV booth, I was able to get a few shots of the band.

Despite the distance the sound was crystal clear. Booming out of the high-tech speakers of the Sound Academy, V-Dub as they are affectionately known, put on a flawless show. A perfect concert for those looking to dance, they played a selection of songs from their new album Contra and their self-titled debut album.

Five chandeliers hung over the band as they proved time and again they are a truly cohesive unit. Every song sounded like it was coming straight our of your earbuds, with the added bonus of a concert environment. Engulfed in smoke and flashing lights every member of the crowd was shouting out the lyrics of their favourite songs.

As the eyes of the polo-clad model lit up, synchronized with the beat, I began to feel that the band was not just here to play us some songs but to provide a full entertainment experience.

These are Vans!

2010-03-22T15:03:00.002-04:00

Believe it. I saw these on WWW Daily. Not traditional Vans but very right now they look comfortable too.

Liz's Sheer Genius Life

2010-03-21T22:11:00.006-04:00

Last week, on my hour-long commute to school, I came across a glowing review by The Globe's T.V. critic John Doyle. He actually called MTV's My Life as Liz "sheer freakin’ genius." My interest peaked, I headed straight to the MTV website and I was not disappointed.

Liz Lee is a self proclaimed 'freak' is a sea of blond, tanned clones. MTV follows her as she tries to navigate the conservative town of Burleson Texas and High School where original thought and self expression is punished. Some might be surprised to hear that it's on MTV but the unique fusion of fiction and reality, which MTV perfected, is what makes My LIfe As Liz so special.

Everything about Liz is different and she's proud of it. Hilarity ensues when high school shenanigans are combined with her self-deprecating, quirky and quick-witted style. A wacky cousin and a good soundtrack are icing on the cake. My Life as Liz can be found Monday nights in the 10-spot.

Tight on Space?

2010-03-17T14:15:00.000-04:00

Soon most of my classmates will be moving out and finding places in the city. On a tight budget we aren't going to be living in the lap of luxury any time soon. For those of us who are looking for functionality in a cute package I give you the Mayfair Steamer Secretary Trunk . For the low price of $2,995 it turns into a work station with a pull-down desktop and multiple drawers, cubbies, wire management and books shelves. On wheels you can just close it and roll it into the corner.

ilikecool

matte about you...

2010-03-16T22:52:00.002-04:00

I recently picked up essie's matte about you. It's my new favorite product! Matte nail polish has become increasingly popular. Brands like, OPI, Zoya, essie and Aritzia have all come out with their version of a matte look. Prices ranging from 11 to 20 dollars. You will end up spending a pretty penny while your beloved normal colours start separating in your drawer.
Well, essie's has come up with a solution. Simply apply a base coat, two coats of colour and then a layer of matte about you instead of a top coat. Once dry you will will be able to wear your favourite colour in a matte version.
It's that simple!

Brian Williams

2010-03-04T21:26:00.001-05:00

This came up in my media relations class today. It is the Thank You note NBC News host Brian Williams left on the CTV website. Enjoy!

"After tonight's broadcast and after looting our hotel mini-bars, we're going to try to brave the blizzard and fly east to home and hearth, and to do laundry well into next week. Before we leave this thoroughly polite country, the polite thing to do is leave behind a thank-you note.

Thank you, Canada: For being such good hosts. For your unfailing courtesy. For your (mostly) beautiful weather. For scheduling no more than 60 percent of your float plane departures at the exact moment when I was trying to say something on television. For not seeming to mind the occasional (or constant) good-natured mimicry of your accents. For your unique TV commercials -- for companies like Tim Hortons -- which made us laugh and cry. For securing this massive event without choking security, and without publicly displaying a single automatic weapon. For having the best garment design and logo-wear of the games -- you've made wearing your name a cool thing to do. For the sportsmanship we saw most of your athletes display. For not honking your horns. I didn't hear one car horn in 15 days -- which also means none of my fellow New Yorkers rented cars while visiting. For making us aware of how many of you have been watching NBC all these years. For having the good taste to have an anchorman named Brian Williams on your CTV network, who turns out to be such a nice guy. For the body scans at the airport which make pat-downs and cavity searches unnecessary. For designing those really cool LED Olympic rings in the harbor, which turned to gold when your athletes won one. For always saying nice things about the United States...when you know we're listening. For sharing Joannie Rochette with us. For reminding some of us we used to be a more civil society. Mostly, for welcoming the world with such ease and making lasting friends with all of us."

-- CTV Olympics

Not your Grandma's Headphones

2010-03-02T22:25:00.000-05:00

At the Fall 2010 Dolce and Gabbana ready-to-wear show there was a return to basics. Simplicity and clean tailoring was a theme that ran through most shows this season. Not to be outdone D&G had a playful twist for all those who count on their racy creations.

Music has long been synonyms with fashion, so it was no surprise when a pair of gold head phones showed on some models. They were paired with elegantly embroidered suite and matching bustier or a silk dress. It was all pulled together with simple gold jewelry, sock, heels, beautiful leather handbags and red lipstick.

If you want to get your hands on these babies you can order them off the Urban Outfitters website. Photos from style.com

True patriot love...

2010-03-01T15:05:00.000-05:00

I could not have thought of a better way to finish off the Olympics. Best Picture of the night!

The Row

2010-03-01T14:41:00.000-05:00

As a child in the age of Full House, the Olsen twins have been a constant presence in my life. We have seen Mary-Kate and Ashley go from oddly co-ordinated child stars to chic fashion mavens. The Olsen's latest line The Row recently showed at New York fashion week. The twosome, which previously collaborated on Elizabeth & James, have received glowing reviews. The line is crisp, with a heavy use of black and white done mainly in wool, silk, leather and denim. Infamous for their own daring style they have managed to create a series of current yet classic looks.

Photos: Style.com

France's Favorite Daughter

2010-02-25T15:08:00.000-05:00

Over reading week I spent a lot of time listening to Charlotte Gainsbourg's IRM. The daughter of Jane Birkin and French singer-songwriter, Serge Gainsbourg, Charlotte was born in London and raised in Paris. Hailing from a creative family she

has been involved in music and film since

her teens. Released 2009 IRM reflects on her strugglewith a 2007 near death experience. With some help from cowriter and producer Beck

song like Masters Hands, In the End and
Dandelion exude her carefree confidence. There is a good mix of French and English
for those of us who are not fully bilingual.
The video for her first single, Heaven Can Wait, is completely off-the-wall but worth a watch!
Flaunt magazine recently did a feature of Charlotte and IRM. They said "Graceful, weird, and defiant, Gainsbourg is exactly the type of quirky offspring that France would be fiercely proud of." The spread seems to reflect the playful nature of her music and the lace dress isn't bad either.

Françoise Hardy

2010-02-06T19:07:00.000-05:00

On one of my random internet adventure I stumbled upon a video of Françoise Hardy. Listening to Mon amie la rose, I was immediately captivated. Since returning from Paris, I have been obsessed with anything French and this was no exception.

Françoise Hardy started writing music and performing at French clubs as a teenager. Durning the 60s and 70s she become a household name as a singer and actress. She defined a generation with her bohemian style and breathy ballads.

You might not understand everything she is saying but her voice draws you in. There are many new musicians coming out of France. After listening to Françoise, you can hear her voice in their music.

Look What Just Went Up On Houston St. NYC

2010-02-03T22:07:00.000-05:00

Provocative? I think we have come to expect nothing less from CK, but at least it's a reprieve from the usual waif models. These eye-catching photos of David Agbodji, are no doubt going to cause controversy in the neighbourhood, particularly after the last sexually explicit Calvin Klein ads.

Image: Racked NY

In my peripheral?!?!?

2010-02-01T21:13:00.000-05:00

Apparently, bedazzled and jeweled eyewear is all the rage in East London. I could see these being distracting but the sunglasses and the eye patch are extremely popular. So, if you early adopters want to be ahead of the curve this summer, check out these babies.

Pictures from BlackBook

Fashion on a Budget? D.I.Y.

2010-02-01T13:12:00.000-05:00

Today Who What Wear Daily featured D.I.Y creations. Their inspiration came from a resourceful blog called P.S. I made this... The clean, simplistic site provides detailed instructions for your D.I.Y creations that are inspired by the most current fashion trends. Below is their take on a rocker lumberjack look. Have fun!

Pictures P.S. I made this

Bag of the Week

2010-01-30T12:40:00.000-05:00

Boyy Fall/Winter Collection

From iPad to iTable

2010-01-29T19:31:00.000-05:00

With all the iPad hype this was bound to happen. Introducing the iTable. Enjoy!

Courtesy of LikeCool

Enter the Magical Mystery Chambers

2010-01-28T22:24:00.000-05:00

In 2004 Danger Mouse created a mash-up album that became an Internet phenomenon. The Grey Album’s limited release caused a frenzy of downloads and a copyright confrontation with EMI. Danger Mouse, took Jay-Z’s lyrics from The Black Album and layered them with Beatles instrumentals from the unauthorized compilation known as, The White Album. This was the first time many of us heard of a mash-up. Now, an English chap by the name of, Tom Caruana has done it again. Tom took Wu-Tang’s off-the-wall lyrics and mixed them with the Beatles classic melodies.

When you Enter the Magical Mystery Chambers you are transported back in time. Tom incorporates interviews with the Beatles and their fans. By the end of the album you wish you were alive during Beatle-mania. These clips help the album flow seamlessly morphing Wu-Tang into easy listening. From the Beatles classic Michelle to Wu-Tang and Ol’Dirty Bastard’s Got Your Money, you are mesmerized by how the two worlds fuse. It’s no wonder the album was downloaded 27,000 in one month.

A free download of the album can be found on Tom Caruana's Website. You can read an interview with Tom in the New York Times.

Yelp! I Need Somebody

2009-12-15T15:16:00.005-05:00

YELP!

Launched in 2004, San Francisco based Yelp allows members to review local establishments. Yelp a contraction on the words Yellow Pages. If you’ve ever moved to a new city or travelled you know how beneficial a tool like this can be. Yelp was one of three projects, including Adzaar and Slide to come out of, MRL Ventures. It developed out of research into the local services market. After a failed start as an email recommendation service, Yelp launched. Yelp opened an east coast office in Manhattan in 2008 and by introducing a Canadian-focused version that year. Profitability is expected in 2009.

What makes Yelp exceptional?

The sheer breadth of coverage. They cover 22 categories from shopping, restaurants and nightlife to financial services, real estate and religious organizations.

The organized site made navigating thousands of reviews easy. There is a handy search function that allows you to specify regions. In Toronto you can search in Yorkville, the Annex, the Beaches, etc.

They’re not solely in the business of reviews. After all social media is made to connect people. They have the “Fresh List” contains recent posts and recommendations. There is a section for sales and special offers. Along these lines, there is an area highlighting events of the week and future activities in the city.

The reviews are thorough with a maps, pictures, phone numbers, price range, parking, delivery services, accessibility and much more. If you like what you read you can find all the information you need without opening another window.

Will the reviews keep on coming?

Definitely! It has been around for five years and has a track record of growth. The expansion into the United Kingdom indicates that it will be around for a long time and affirms my belief that people love reviews.

What’s in a Name

2009-12-15T15:11:00.001-05:00

This blog is a long time in the making. I had a tough time picking a name because I was under the misconception that it could say it all in a few syllables. I’m about to finish my first semester in the post-grad PR program at Humber College. There is an emphasis on creating a personal brand and finding a niche in the vast world of the internet. Well, this is my foray into the world of niche-carving. As I thought about my personal brand, I realized how my generation favours brand name goods. A few weeks back a casual conversion between classes became an all out debate; does a friend's George Forman grill better than my Hamilton Beach knock off? Maybe, George really does have the muscle. Who knows? I've always been in the 'don't judge a book by its cover' camp but sometimes a name is the make or break factor.