Midnight Blues On the Town

Attended a stagette last weekend and had no clue what to wear since I had spent all my time last week obsessing about what to wear to the Juno after party.  Finally pulled out a metallic bubble dress, a navy blue shrunken tuxedo jacket, and my prized midnight blue round-toe pumps (Marc by Marc Jacobs).  My favourite item though, is my art deco-inspired sapphire ring, which used to belong to my mom.

Seafood Spectacular at Coast Restaurant

Seafood is one of my favorite things to eat and as far as seafood platters go, they can be hit or miss.  Freshness is obviously key, but equally important is delicate preparation.  I can't stand rubbery crustacians and chewy bivalve mollusks, and once over cooked, there's no going back.  

I was at Coast Restaurant on the weekend, and I had one of the most impressively prepared and presented seafood platters in a long time.   We ordered three of these gigantic platters between 12 of us, and the whole table oohed and aahed when they arrived.  Complete with smoking dry ice underneath the platters, the arrangement consisted of prawns larger than my hand span, a lobster, Alaskan king crab, Dungeness crab, mussells, clams, oysters, and a tempura tuna roll.  We girls wasted no time polishing the plates clean!  I think I was more than half full before I started the main course.

A sampling for dessert followed: a baked banana pudding with creme anglais, a peanut butter bar (tasted like a fancy Reese's peanut butter!), mini sweet crepe, and a molten chocolate brownie.   Everyone had a bite of each, and a perfect way to finish up a very fine meal.

HK Hit List #5

I'm only days away from departure, and I can't wait to look for this next Hit List Item. I've always loved the look of a slouchy blazer, and it's never been more hip than now with the whole "boyfriend" trend - jeans, sweaters and cardigans. Named as one of the top Spring 2009 trends to AVOID this year by this article, I can't disagree more. Number 5 on my HK Hit List, The Boyfriend Blazer.

I'll look for one in a bright or more feminine colour, and in a light weight material, as to avoid excessive drabiness. Below is a pretty linen one from Top Shop.

This beautiful salmon pink slouchy from Stella McCartney is a great spring addition to any wardrobe. Maybe with white bubble shorts or a slim pair of distressed jeans?

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Fashion + Peeps at Post Juno Awards Party

The Wasserman Entourage hit the town last night for EMI Music's Post Juno Awards Party Bash held at Players Chophouse.  We met up first at Chambar (pics below) before crossing the velvet rope to this invite-only party.  My girls styled it up and I had to get some snaps of them below.  

Really loved the sparkly purple halter top - lovely details!  I am chanelling Olivia Newton-John and Blondie with my high waisted, ultra tight black vinyl leggings from Urban Outfitters, tucked-in white halter tank, black studded heart belt, and patent booties.  I've also got my much-prized Marc by Marc Jacobs Lock-It-Up oversized clutch.

Below: My British mate ever so stylish in a Paul Smith tuxedo jacket with velvet lapels, paired with white sneaks.  I'm crazy about the "British coins" detailing inside the jacket and the playful plaid lining the collar. Smooth, P, very smooth.

I found this group of deliciously dressed gals when we arrived at the party.  That pink dress by Guess by Marciano is very yummy.

Galloping on the Beach

Miss Fancy and I went on a beach ride at Iona Beach in Richmond over the weekend.  When the tide is out low, you can ride very far to the shore on flat sand and clay.  Sunday was the perfect day for riding on the beach - endless clear blue skies matched by endless crashing waves stretching out as far as we could see.   Below was my view from Fancy's back:

We took turns making videos of each other cantering and galloping along the beach.  Below, we were as close as we could get to the waves without the horses spooking.

There were many interesting birds at Iona, including this bald eagle.    I wish I had my other camera with me as my point and shoot can't zoom in too close.

Springtime in Paris

This makes me want to shop in Paris so badly.   I love her pink slouchy blazer, grey scarves, and her pixie bangs.

Blue Sky Black Death

Just chilling out and laying low tonight since I've got a stagette and the post Juno party hosted by EMI to go to this weekend.  I don't know how I came across Blue Sky Black Death, but this is perfect music to just space out to.   Blue Sky Black Death is a music production duo from San Francisco, and their name is a "skydiving phrase alluding to beauty and death".   

There's a desolate beauty in their music - a kind of emptiness that is beautiful and sad all at once.

My Fave Bag and Belt Right Now

I wore this outfit from earlier this week.  I love how accessories can transform a seemingly plain khaki shirt dress into something much more interesting.   One of my favorite belts right now is this brown corset, equestrian-style one from from Urban Outfitters, and I am carrying this cream and brand canvas Agnes b bag nearly every day.

Shirt Dress, from Hong Kong

Watch, from Swatch, Copenhagen 

Oxford Black and White Pumps, from Nine West

Canvas Bag, from Agnes b

Corset Belt, from Urban Outfitters

More pics over at The Anthology.

HK Hit List #6

I'm only one week away from my trip and I have so much to do still - eek!  Plus, I realized I am only on item #6!

I love bubble skirts and dresses so it's only natural that Number 6 on the HK Hit List is - Bubble Shorts.  I think bubble shorts are fun and sweet, and a very versatiile item.  Think of a light cream or white pair with my new denim vest, or perhaps with a springy, light blazer in a peach or citrus colour.  Fun!

Here's one of my fave bubble shorts, in a floral print from Elizabeth and James.  Available at Shopbop.com.

Style Profile - Rachel

Jeans, Red Sunglasses, Flats, and Belt from Urban Outfitters

White Shirt by Talula, Aritzia 

Ring by Aldo

Bracelet by F as in Frank, Whistler 

Where I Shop in Vancouver: Urban Outfitters (evidently), FAB, American Apparel, Aritzia, Betsey Johnson

My DieHard labels: Ksubi, Hudson, Talula, Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, Betsey Johnson

Tunes I’m loving right now: Eagles of Death Metal, Hey Ocean, Tilly and the Wall - all good tunes for summer

Hangover Cure: Mango Happy Planet juice blended with ice from Starbucks

Spring/Summer Wish List: A pair of black leather cut out sandals that I can live in and colourful, loose fitting, high waisted skirts - i.e. Lauren Conrad's Gabrielle skirt (rouge)

Worst Fashion Disaster: I wore four patterns of plaid at one time.. I liked it but I've been told it was a little much

Can't stop listening to....

Geraldine, by Glasvegas.

"I'll be the angel on your shoulder. My name is Geraldine, I'm your social worker".

Silverado and Nitro - My Two Favorite Greys

I had so much fun on the weekend playing with Silver and Nitro at Melissa's barn.  We had a beautiful sunny day, and we both took turns riding Silver, and then Melissa on Nitro.  Hopefully we can go on the trails together in the summer time, but only after I can somewhat control Silver!

Friday Style

Chilled out cardi with a vintage feel, graphic tee and slim black jeans.  A perfect Friday ensemble. Poor boy hat and the ever ironically chic moustache pulls it all together.  

Horse Play

It's the weekend and that is horse time for me.   This weekend will be packed with equine activities: natural horsemanship class with Miss Fancy Saturday morning, then ride (maybe along the trails if it's nice out and practice some jumps - show season is coming up).  On Sunday, I'm heading out to my good friend Melissa's barn in Maple Ridge to watch her ride her two beautiful Arabians, Silver and Nitro, and then it's off to the Quarterhorse Bazaar at Thunderbird in Langley.  It's gonna be so fun!  I'll be getting lots of snaps of my two favorite grey ponies (Silver and Nitro) and might even hop on Silver for a little bit to see how far his training has come.

Here's a couple pics of the minis from last weekend.  At one point, all four of these guys were surrounding me!  I tried to get a pic but it's nearly impossible to rein in four miniature horses especially when they won't stop moving.   They also kept trying to get into the shed where all the supplies are kept!  They know where the food is.

Spotted

At the Anthology, my "purple" outfit from earlier this week.

Chiffon purple blouse - from Yohan centre in Richmond
Bubble skirt - Aritzia
Browny purple silk cropped jacket - Miss Lau, from Hong Kong

Louis Vuitton Genius for RTW Fall 2009

Following on the heels of my shoe review at Paris Fashion Week, I couldn't help but check out what else Louis Vuitton had in store once I saw a glimpse of the fabulous ankle ribbon heels. Starting from toes to head is somewhat unconventional, but a pair of shoes can tell you a lot about a man.  In this case, THE man, Marc Jacobs.

I am not traditionally a fan of Louis Vuitton, and I always associated the brand with either posh types that didn't have much style but the cash to flash or middle-aged, melon-squeezing fruit market types with the $20 dollar Chinese knockoff.  LV bags, real or not, were a dime a dozen.

Please forgive me for the lengthy scrolling as I had such a hard time picking out the stand out pieces from the RTW Fall collection.  If I wasn't a LV fan before, I am now. I cannot stop looking at pictures of this show.  I love everything about it, from the poufy bouffant hair right down to the shoes.  Not sure what I would be doing wearing a pair of vinyl thigh-highs on a wet snowy day in Vancouver but I covet.  All pictures from style.com.

I'm calling this collection Posh Princess Punk.  There were plenty flirty, girly ruffles, ruches, and feminine silhouettes to play pretty princess, and an 80's excess of rich detailing and luxe fabrics like lace, satin and leather to make it rich.   Marc throws in his slice of punk with thigh-high vinyl lace up boots, vinyl harem pants, and bubble shapes with unexpected patterns and colours. Speaking of colour, this collection kept me guessing, and I was never disappointed as one palette transitioned to the next.  There were lady-like blacks and reds, punky magenta and pink, splashy teal and greens, and flirty corals with sexy nude.  I don't know how he managed to make it all work, but as usual, it worked.

What I also love is his take on this season's emphasis on the shoulders.  Rather than going for a skinny, pyramid shape like Balmain, the LV collection played up the hips to balance out the embellished puffy shoulders.  It made for an ultra girly figure.

And the bags.  They were textured, studded, ruched - a perfect mix of rich and bitch.  I think this year might be a first for me in desiring a proper LV bag.  Not-monogrammed of course.

HK Hit List #7

Continuing on our countdown to Hong Kong, my Hit List #7 is Seriously Distressed Denim.  I like them as skinny stovepipes (so I can show off hot shoes), although I'm slowly warming to the boyfriend jean trend a la Katie Holmes.  I think for the average girl though, the baggy, rolled up style is hard to wear, as it tends to make our hips look larger and cut our legs off.  I prefer the slouchy skinny style, as seen below from Current/Elliot.

I'm digging this ripped out white pair from Siwy, and I think it walks on the right side of trashy.

Finally, a pair of jeans from Levis I like - the 80's are really back.

Shoe Roundup from Paris Fashion Week

I checked out this post from Coutorture which featured their pick for the top 100 shoes from Paris Fashion Week.   Chunky, platform heels were in, as were embellished boots.  The cut-out bootie theme has extended to knee-highs and beyond.  A lot of ho-hum stuff, but below are a few of my picks.  My fave is the understated beige Miu Miu's, seen above.

Givenchy Feather Stillettos

Strappy Hermes Sandals

Nude Lanvin Mary Jane Platforms

Louis Vuitton Ankle Ribbon Platforms