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Kelsey Dundon

Tis the season to shop for others

Tis the season to shop for others. Tis the season to shop for others. I’m hoping if I repeat it often enough, it’ll stick. I’ve never been very good at buying for other people. But you know who is? Courtney Starheim of C Star Events. Event planner and gift-giver extraordinaire, she shares with us her picks for the hostess with the mostest.

Anthology-holiday-gift-guide

Rocking Around the Christmas Tree
For the fun loving hostess who rocks out to Brenda Lee while preparing appetizers, mixing drinks, and answering the door (among other party-related tasks).

1.  Note Cards are one of the best gifts to receive; pretty stationery is such a nice thing to have on hand.  This set — by Vancouver-based Pink Door Paper Company — is particularly sweet.  [$10 for a set of 6].

2.  Pinatas that sparkle like disco balls are the perfect addition to any party.  No longer reserved for the kids’ table, pinatas are a fantastic way to incorporate personality.  The Confetti System makes this beauty.  [$140].

3.  Another fun gift idea is a Mixology Book. “Vintage Cocktails” found on Amazon is on my wish list.  [$50].

4.  Journals are a great way to capture memories from parties throughout the year.  Guests can sign these pages and jot down quotes, inside jokes, and other fun quips which will no doubt evoke laughter and memories when read back at future events.  Isn’t this one from Anthropologie beautiful?  [$18.00]

5.  Bubbly is a party staple and a unique alternative to gifting a bottle of wine.  Elephant Island’s “Pink Elephant” is a crowd favourite; who doesn’t love pink champagne?

6.  French Macaroons are en vogue; however, they are not the easiest treat to find (at least in cupcake-crazy Vancouver).  If you are able to pick up a box (these lovelies are from Thomas Haas), your hostess will be forever grateful.

Bearing gifts like these, you’d be welcome at my place any time, Courtney! Tomorrow: part two of the gift guide!

P.S. Hey tweeps! Follow Courtney here and The Anthology here.
December 10, 2010 by

Just a little crazy

Jackie O’s relatives Big and Little Edie have inspired a documentary, Broadway play and HBO film. Now, the eccentric recluses have inspired a display at one of Vancouver’s favourite stores; Lola Home & Apparel.

grey_gardens

The boutique just moved to Vancouver’s Beatty Street. Its most prominent — though temporary — feature? The scene recreating some of the most famous moments of Grey Gardens using pieces from Vancouver designer Jason Matlo, crinkled newspapers, and stuffed raccoons. With tons of scarves, brooches, and fur (though no pantyhose as pants), it’s all the right kinds of crazy.

grey-gardens-lola-vancouver

I was at the new Lola for a launch party recently and the display was so off-the-wall batty, I had to watch the documentary. And the documentary was so off-the-wall batty that I now need to watch the HBO remake (starring Drew Barrymore).

I have a feeling there’d be no better inspiration for eccentric vintage fashion. And we all know how much I love that.

Have you seen it? Did you love it?

P.S. The Anthology’s Facebook page is a little eccentric too.

December 7, 2010 by

Well this is a first…

Nokia gave me an N8 to play with (thanks guys!). And while I’m not a very techy person and can’t elaborate on all its fancy features, I can tell you about its video camera. Or, more specifically, I can show you what you can do with it.

So without further ado, please allow me to introduce you to The Anthology’s first video. Shot entirely on an N8, set to the tune of Moth’s Wings by Passion Pit, and starring my pup Leroy.

P.S. The Anthology’s Twitter feed is a first, too.

December 6, 2010 by

Make Your (Beauty) Mark

I’m like a kid in a candy store when it comes to cosmetics. I could spend forever spritzing and sniffing and sampling. (Some might call it an addiction. I prefer to call it a keen interest.)

beautymark-grace

That’s why Vancouver’s BeautyMark is one of my favourite shops to get lost in. And also, to celebrate in.

beautymark-yaletown-event

The Yaletown boutique just marked its ten year anniversary (hip! hip! hooray!). So owner Marc Brunet (on the left) did what anyone would do — threw a party. (That’s Melania Dela Cruz of Dela Cruz PR to my right, and Erin Gee of Define Magazine to my far right, by the way.)

stila-cosmetics

Soon, BeautyMark will have even more reason to celebrate. Come spring, this cosmetics candy shop will be moving to a new location — twice the size, twice the floors, and twice the sugar-free indulgence. Can’t wait!

[Photos by Ellen Ho.]

P.S. The Anthology’s Facebook page is kind of like a candy store too.

December 1, 2010 by

Partying Mad Men Style

Holiday parties have started! And my first one was Mad Men-themed.

sixties-inspired

Which means big hair (got a blow-out at Blo in Yaletown).

lashes

Big lashes (got some outrageous fakies at Noir Lash Lounge).

kelsey-candy-cigarettes

And big shout-outs to the way advertising agencies were in the sixties. (The party planners even customized Popeye candy cigarette packs for guests. You’ll notice “Kelsey” brand’s slogan is “High Flavour. High Fashion.” You’ll also notice I’m not condoning smoking, just the eating of candy.)

mad-men-outfit

Surprisingly, not a single piece of my sixties-inspired look was vintage.  My dress was custom-made (you might recognize it from my Twitter avatar), my printed coat is H & M and my shoes are Calvin Klein. What does it say about my style that I can create costumes out of things I wear normally? Wait. Don’t answer that.

P.S. Don Draper thinks you should follow The Anthology on Twitter.

November 28, 2010 by

Walking in a winter wonderland

winter-white

‘Tis chilly in Vancouver so I’m bundling up to the nines in a heckuva lotta plaid. (Very Canadian.)

target-leggings

And thick, thick leggings with piping detailing — only $25 at Target. (Not very Canadian.)

plaid-and-plaid-and-more-plaid

My love of hiking has taught me one thing about how to dress for wonky weather — layer like crazy. Hence the men’s scarf, men’s shirt, oversized vintage wool jacket. And a million other layers of t-shirts under that.

vancouver-snow-skyline

I should be fine. As long as it doesn’t dip below -5.

plaid-on-plaid-on-plaid

Please, Vancouver, be kind to us. (And please, Saskatoon, don’t laugh at us for being such fair-weather wussies.)

P.S. Stay warm with The Anthology on Facebook.

November 24, 2010 by

Yay WIZERDZ!

I am quite possibly the proudest big sis there is. Because my brother’s electronic dance rock band has hit the big time.

WIZERDZ are headlining the Biltmore Cabaret this Monday.

In my very biased opinion, they’re the best band out there (Phoenix be damned). They’ve played sold-out shows in Vancouver and Victoria, a 30-minute live set on CITR, they opened for The Humans at the Canadian debut of their new video and they’re one of three bands currently in the finals of CITR’s Shindig.

wizerdz

Oh, and they dress like wizards.

So put on your cloak, grab your dancing shoes and don’t miss the show. The WIZERDZ at Biltmore Cabaret (395 Kingsway, Vancouver) on Monday, November 29th with The Killing Time Quartet and Vincent Parker. Tickets at the door.

November 23, 2010 by

Winter is here!

It snowed in Vancouver! (Shocking, I know.) Which means it’s finally time to bundle up in giant wooly things.

bolivian-poncho

Like this poncho I found in a vintage shop. It’s the coziest thing I’ve ever put on. It’s hand-knit in Bolivia, a country I’d love, love, love to visit one day.

bolivia_titicaca_

Could that be because its mountain-framed water reminds me a bit of home? (I love you, British Columbia!)

poncho-from-bolivia

Judging by the animal shape woven into it, I’m going to venture a guess that it’s made of alpaca wool.

pet_alpaca_

And while I may not have a pet alpaca…

poncho

I do have a pet German Shepherd Cross to get me through the snow days.

[Photo of Lake Titicaca found here. Photo of the Alpaca found here.]

P.S. We pick the lucky winner of Marc Jacobs BANG this week. Enter and it could be you!

November 21, 2010 by

What would I do without my tailor?

Dress like your Great Aunt Helga? Wander around in a wedding dress from the sixties like some scorned bride?

vintage-ysl-scarf

Honestly, I’d be lost. Or at least I wouldn’t be buying so many vintage pieces and having them made over.

rose-wool-dress-after

Like this dress. Which was gorgeous, just not my style. A few snips here, a little sewing there, and it’s parfait for everyday.

gold-ruby-earrings-from-istanbul

Wore it with my gold and ruby earrings from Istanbul. (Confession: I bought them as a gift for my sister and then promptly stole them back. Please tell me I’m not the only one to de-gift like that.)

kenneth-cole-boots

And my leather lace-ups. Which begs the question: what would I do without my favourite boots? I shudder at the thought.

P.S. What would you do if you won a bottle of Marc Jacobs BANG?

November 17, 2010 by