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Kelsey Dundon

We Heart Art!

You know what’s fun? Art openings.

kelsey-balloon-installation

Especially when the opening is at the gorgeous Rennie Collection in celebration of Turner Prize-winning Brit Martin Creed.

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Sure, there were broccoli stamps, video installations, a mechanized piano and living statues. But none of us could get over the balloons.

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I mean, this installation is essentially an Ikea ballroom for grownups.

briony-balloon-installation

Honestly. When was the last time you saw someone over the age of six this giddy?

Martin Creed’s Collected Works will be at the Rennie Collection until October.

[First photo by Briony Lennig.]

P.S. Take a look at this interview with The Anthology and it’ll become very, very clear why this writer did not go to art school.

May 22, 2011 by

The clothes! The tunes! The moves!

hairspray-stanley-theatre-cameron-barnett

I sat down with Broadway star J. Cameron Barnett to talk about his latest role — as Seaweed J. Stubbs in the Stanley Theatre’s production of Hairspray the Musical. And yes, he broke out into song during the interview. Watch the clip on VitaminDaily. Thanks again, Cameron!

[Photo of J. Cameron Barnett and Robyn Wallis by Emily Cooper.]

May 16, 2011 by

A Super Giveaway by Dr. Nicholas Perricone!

Let’s talk luxury for a second. There’s nothing that makes me feel more spoiled than using fancy shmancy face creams, elixirs and serums.

super-by-dr-Nicholas-Perricone

I want to share the feeling. So The Anthology is hosting a Super by Dr. Nicholas Perricone giveaway! This line features ingredients so tasty — think coconut, green apple and acai — you won’t know if you should eat them or wear them. (Trust me, you should wear them.) Want to add one to your beauty routine?

For one entry: Comment on this post and tell us which Perricone product valued at up to $150 you want and why. (I never get enough sleep so I’m partial to Bright Eyed Flawless Eye Treatment with melon benefits myself.)

For two entries: Write on The Anthology’s Facebook wall.

For three entries: Holler @TheAnthology on Twitter.

The contest is open to readers in Canada and the US. The lucky winner will be chosen on Monday, May 23. Good luck!

May 13, 2011 by

The worst “before” shot ever!

I’ve got to be honest with you — I didn’t think it was possible to out-ugly these “before” shots. But we’ve done it, friends! With this frilly floral frock we’ve crowned a new hideous-est “before” shot.

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This is worse than your Great Aunt Hilda’s nightie. Worse than a plaid potato sack. It’s so terrible, it’s fantastic.

This dress was actually a gift from my friend Surina who challenged me to make this little ditty wearable. (And by “me” she means “my tailors”.) So what do you think? Is it possible to turn this monstrosity into something stylin’? Stay tuned… my tailors may have met their match.

P.S. Just heard that the Fashionista’s Ball received many donations from you lovely Anthology readers in support of the United Way. You’re the BEST!

May 11, 2011 by

The great hunt for great vintage shops in Palm Springs

Coachella 2012 is a long way off (sad face) but just in case you’re going to be in Palm Springs before then, I thought I’d share what just might be the best vintage shopping in the desert.

coachella-parking-lot

Resale Therapy looks like an unassuming shop in the corner of a Palm Springs strip mall, but it’s actually a treasure trove of vintage gems.

If you walk through the front room full of consignment racks, through the second room full of giant fur coats, through the third room full of garage sale-style clothes, to the fourth room at the very, very back of the shop, you’ll find their Tresor de Vintage section. And it is heaven. Full of silk, satin, beaded  wearable works of art from the 50s, 60s and 70s, you might just find yourself trying on everything there (it’s not that big, you just might be able to).

I fell for a royal blue shift dress with a heavily beaded trim by Mr. Blackwell himself, a snakeskin clutch by Jackie Kennedy’s favourite designer Oleg Cassini and a black-and-white striped secretary dress by Christian Dior.

Huh. Maybe I should head back to Palm Springs.

P.S. I picked my top seven spring looks from Park Royal. And they include short shorts for men.

May 6, 2011 by

There was a time

When I would have been tempted to shorten this midi skirt.

vintage-midi-skirt

But now is not that time.

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Besides — with shoes like these, it really doesn’t matter what’s going on above them, does it? (They’re Thakoon.)

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The skirt’s vintage. As is the polka dot blouse. And together they are the perfect mismatched print combo. Just the way they are.

P.S. After months of hard work, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s Pink Tour launches today in Vancouver. So proud to be part of it!

May 4, 2011 by

Oh! Obakki

It’s going to be a beautiful autumn. Especially for Obakki.

obakki-dip-dye

The Vancouver-based luxury line debuted its fall/winter 2011 collection in spectacular fashion at St. Andrew’s-Wesley Church the other night. It felt a little like going to a wedding, actually – all the guests were lined up in pews, eagerly anticipating the dresses.

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This was the first show Obakki opened to the public with ticket sales supporting the Obakki Foundation. And as creative director Treana Peake explained, it was orchestrated by a team comprised entirely of Vancouver talent. (Holler!)

obakki Fall Winter 2011 show

And oh what talent it was! With neutral earth-toned palettes, lots of knits and a few lace accents, the silhouettes were ladylike, the effect polished. And they were each finished with a pop of bright red lipstick.

The whole thing managed to achieve the impossible: distract my beach brain for a moment and actually get me excited for holiday parties.

P.S. Follow The Anthology on Twitter and it’ll be a beautiful summer too.

May 1, 2011 by

So I was thinking

This outfit seems like something Amelia Earhart might have worn.

vintage-jacket-and-trousers

Rugged jacket, silk scarf, tapered slacks tucked into boots — she was one stylin’ aviator. (Seriously, google her. You would not believe the beautiful pieces she wore while flying a plane.)

Except none of my vintage pieces date back to the twenties when Earhart was setting her records. My jacket is from the sixties (it’s actually a men’s battledress jacket) and my scarf is from who-knows-when.

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And as much as I love my vintage men’s Omega watch, nothing beats Earhart’s most notable accessory — an airplane.

P.S. In case you’re wondering how to cater your own royal wedding-watching party, I wrote a little poem on VitaminDaily.

[Photo of Amelia Earhart found here.]

April 28, 2011 by