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Kelsey Dundon

Let’s head back to the sun, shall we?

It’s so heartbreaking to think that the insanity of Coachella took place this time last week. Even more heartbreaking to think that it’s 350-something days until the next one.

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But at least there’s the summer to look forward to. And although it won’t hit 96 degrees in Vancouver (mostly because we measure temperature in Celsius), it will soon be hippy-dippy clothes weather.

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And it doesn’t get more hippy-dippy than the tie-dyed shirt/dress I found in Turkey, the beaded belt I got in Mexico, and the boots I scored at Umeboshi in Vancouver (close-up here).

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Are any of you heading to Sasquatch? I’m trying to figure out if I can make it work. Would love to pull out my two festival staples again: earth-friendly water bottle (how many times did I stand in line to refill that thing?) and the cross body purse my sister had made on one of her many travels.

coachella-2010-crowd

But until I can figure out how to head back to the sunshine I’m going to have to sit back, relax and wait for the sun to come to us.

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April 22, 2010 by

Let’s say you were going to the opera

And let’s say that opera was the Marriage of Figaro. What would you wear?

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A wedding dress? Of course you would.

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I found this beauty at a vintage shop and even though I’m already hitched I had to have it.

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I’m getting it shortened so it will be more of a ballet length as opposed to an I’m-going-to-the-chapel length. (I’ll post the “after” shot along with the big reveal of my Hammer pants post-makeover.)

vintage-wedding-dress

I’m guessing the dress is from the sixties. But the spookiest part about it? The initials sewn inside — they’re mine.

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April 21, 2010 by

Coachella is more than a music festival

It is also a learning experience. And because this was my first year attending the music and arts festival in the desert, I thought I’d compile a list of the top 10 things I learned at Coachella 2010.

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1. The desert is hot.

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2. A little barf won’t ruin a Phoenix concert. (After the guy next to me leaned over in the middle of the show and puked his guts outs, I contemplated leaving. But, like a true fan, he kept on rockin’ so I did too.)

3. Tweeting about that barf will get you written up in LA Weekly.

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4. Major Lazer can hype a crowd like no other. See exhibit A, which, I should warn you, isn’t exactly suitable for work.

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5. Icelandic is the world’s prettiest language. It doesn’t matter if you can’t understand a word of it, when it’s sung by Jón Birgisson of Jonsi, it’s like watching doves fly under a rainbow on a summer morning.

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6. Wearing a New Kids on the Block t-shirt will make you new friends.

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7. Some bands will blow you away live. (I’ll see you in Vancouver, Temper Trap.)

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8. Others won’t. (Sorry, XX, I’ll buy your next album, but I’ll pass on your next show.)

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9. Canadian flags look out of place among palm trees.

10. Paris and Nicky Hilton are much prettier in person.

Have you been to Coachella? Are you going? 2011, anyone?

April 19, 2010 by

I was naive about Palm Springs

I had no idea how beautiful the landscape would be. What was I picturing? Flat lands and a million swimming pools. But now that I’m here, I’m in love. The desert, the mountains, the colour of the sky at sunset — it is so beautiful.

California desert

Which is why I am even more excited about Coachella.

floral-detail

So what did I bring with me? This vintage, floral, fluttery number. Perfect for the desert, but it wasn’t always this way. Back in the day it was long. Like Rachel Zoe long. And it was gorgeous, but just too heavy to wear.

floral-dress

But back to Coachella. Lexie, you were wondering which bands I am dying to see (and re-see)? Today it’s Yeasayer (who will be playing in Vancouver on April 21), Passion Pit (even though I just saw them on Sunday), the dance-tastic LCD Soundsystem, the one and only Jay Z and my boy Erlend of the Whitest Boy Alive.

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And because my husband loves them, we’re also going to see the way-too-heavy-for-my-taste Dillinger Escape Plan. But we won’t go anywhere near the front of the stage for this reason.

Man, I cannot wait.

First photo found here.

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April 16, 2010 by

Miike Snow

Oh! Miike Snow. Their show the other night in Vancouver was so gat dang fantastic, they have me seriously considering re-seeing them at Coachella this weekend. Even though their set time conflicts with Phoenix.

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And you know how much I really,  really,  really,  really,  really,  really,  really,  really,  really love Phoenix. (Coachella, you are cruel for pitting these two against each other.)

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But Swedish pop powerhouse Miike Snow put on the second-best show I’ve ever seen. (What was the best show, you ask? It’s a tie between !!! (Chk Chk Chk) and that Britney Spears show where she threw a tantrum and stormed off the stage.)

street-style-vancouver

So what do I do? Stand by my old love, Phoenix? Or ditch them for my new love? Help!

P.S. I’ll be tweeting my face off from Coachella. So follow me.

April 13, 2010 by

Beautiful baggage

Melissa writes:

I know you love to travel and you love your accessories, so I am wondering what you use to hold/organize your accessories when you are on the go!

We are going on a cruise at the end of this month, and one of my biggest challenges when packing has been my accessories (as well as over packing, but that is an entirely different battle). By the time they get to the hotel room they are disorganized so I get frustrated and leave them in the suitcase. If you have any thoughts or suggestions i’d really appreciate it.

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Well, Melissa, if I were as organized as, say, my sister-in-law Jaclyn, I would buy a travel organizer (amazon.com has every type imaginable). Instead, I take a Ukrainian doll approach to packing.

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I start with sturdy jewelry (I leave fragile and valuable pieces at home), which I wrap in scarves (just make sure they’re not delicate or easily snagged).

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Then I pack these scarf-wrapped piece in the clutches I’m bringing with me. And then I stash those clutches in my luggage. So I put to use everything I plan on wearing when I arrive.

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If a piece is too small to wrap in a scarf (earrings, rings and delicate necklaces) I store those in drawstring pouches. Most bead shops will sell them in all materials, colours and sizes. Luckily enough, my Alkemie fox ring (from Vincent Park in Vancouver) came in its own pouch so it’ll travel that way with me to Coachella.

But truth be told, I don’t bring many accessories with me because I like to stock up while on vacation. Accessories make the best souvenirs, don’t they?

Hope this helps, Melissa. Have such an amazing time on your cruise and let me know how it goes!

P.S. Follow the Anthology on Twitter.

April 13, 2010 by

Celebrate Transplant

A guest post by Dan Fumano.

Celebrate Transplant is an upcoming event aiming to raise funds for transplant research and promote awareness of the need for increased donor registration in BC (only 17% of British Columbians are registered donors).  It takes place Saturday, April 17 at the Medical Student & Alumni Centre near Vancouver General Hospital.

This second annual Celebrate Transplant event has been in the works for months, and this year it is dedicated to Eva Markvoort for all she has done for transplant awareness.  Sadly, Eva passed away last month just before her 26th birthday, ending her life-long battle with Cystic Fibrosis.  She was a remarkable young woman who touched thousands of lives, first through her blog 65_RedRoses, then through the documentary film of the same name.

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Eva’s hope was to increase awareness about organ donation, encouraging more people to become registered donors. Reportedly, after the broadcast of 65_RedRoses, the rate of new registered donors in Canada tripled.

Celebrate Transplant is also an opportunity to appreciate Eva’s brilliant artistic and creative side.  The night will be the first public exhibition of a photographic collaboration with her friend Cyrus McEachern, a Vancouver photographer and medical student who helped organize this year’s Celebrate Transplant event alongside Joscelyn Carthy, a nursing student and board member of the Transplant Research Foundation of BC.

Although Eva will surely be in everyone’s hearts and minds, this isn’t meant to be a sombre event; rather, it should be a celebration of the beauty of transplant and the lives that it prolongs. Event details can be found here and tickets bought online here.

April 13, 2010 by

Feast your eyes on these

These beautiful specimens have been sitting in my friend Melissa’s closet since the eighties. And when clearing out her closet one day she thought of me (biggest compliment ever) and generously handed them over.

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Notice the pleats…observe the tapering…

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It’s almost too much to handle, isn’t it?

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I’m getting them tailored as I type and I am praying to MC Hammer that they turn into rad, wearable shorts. Will let you know how it goes.

Want to see some other hideous “before” shots? Take a look here. And here.

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April 11, 2010 by

Coachella Ella Ella Eh Eh Eh

Heading to Coachella this week to dance my face off under the desert sun. So. Freaking. Excited.

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Because it’s always draws the most stylish crowd, I thought I’d pull together some favourite looks from Coachellas past.

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Like Allesandra Ambrosio, who is gorgeous from head to pirate-bootied toe.

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And Sienna Miller, who actually makes effortless chic look effortless.

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And this couple, because their boots match.

First image found here. Second image found here. Third image found here. Fourth image found here.

P.S. Follow the Anthology on Twitter.

April 11, 2010 by

A Canadian in Paris

Wendy writes:

I stumbled upon your blog and I love perusing it! I’m in Paris just now and am staying for two months, and since you’ve been, I wanted to know some of your favourite places to shop (Printemps being one of them bien sur)?  Any good open markets for trinkets that are not overly touristy?

oneandonlyparis

Wendy, you lucky ducky! I am so envious of your two-month Parisian adventure. Now, I was there five long years ago so my shopping memories are limited — we did frequently frequent Printemps and the gorgeous Galeries Lafayette (our little atelier was near the Grand Magasins). I also remember loving the boutiques in le Marais.

But where do I dream of going in Paris? That, I can tell you:

There’s Colette, of course, whose artsy-fartsy funkiness is so irresistible, it would be my first stop.

 colette-interior-paris

Then there’s the shop by Canadian designer Tara Jarmon, who Haute World introduced me to in a guest post she wrote for the Anthology.

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And there’s the brilliant Merci, where you can feel good about stocking up on everything from books to fine jewelry — profits benefit impoverished children in Madagascar.imgmerci1

And finalement, there is Laduree, whose macarons are so beautifully pastel-y, they inspired the colour palette for Sophia Copola’s gorgeous film Marie Antoinette.

Laduree Paris shop window

Hope this helps, Wendy!

So, mes amis, do you have any tips for a gal embarking on a Parisian adventure? Any Paris wishes? Share, please!

Paris image found here. Tara Jarmon photo by Haute World. Merci illustration found here. Colette image found here. Laduree image found here.

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April 8, 2010 by