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Workspace | Niki Blasina of A Haute Mess

What’s this? A brand spanking new column? Why yes, yes it is! Workspace takes us inside the creative spaces of some very creative people. First up, the coffee table belonging to Niki Blasina, a blogger from Vancouver who writes the always hilarious and ridiculously stylish A Haute Mess (if it’s not one of your favourite blogs already, it will be).

Here, the naughty hautie takes us through her workspace, in her own words…

1. My computer: this is the heart and soul of my workspace because without it, I wouldn’t have work! Or a workspace for that matter, because I would be homeless. So… it’s pretty important.

2. I don’t always have fresh flowers, but I like to as much as I can because I think having something like flowers and/or other plants add something special to your workspace. The small vase is great because you only need to steal a few at a time from your neighbor’s yard, so they’ll never notice. (But these ones are from my mom. Precious!)

3. Day Planner + iPhone: Who needs a smart phone when you have a sweet Mead “Upper Class” day planner? Well, I do. (But just for instagramming, duh.) I still like to write everything down, old skool, so my day planner and my iPhone are the second most important items on my “desk,” because they keep me organized and connected.

4. I usually have a few lookbooks and magazines piled on top of my one and only coffee table book (Vogue Magazine’s People, Parties, and Places). Sometimes they inspire new posts, or serve as a reminder of posts I have planned in my head, and as more come in, they get moved to the unseen (and unsightly) stacks on stacks on stacks on my real desk.


5. Other important items include various pens and highlighters for writing and doodling in my high school style day planner, and a daily urine sample for my probation officer that I keep in my favourite speedo-clad-cartoon-man mug. Just kidding, it’s tea. (My probation officer requires stool.)

6. I almost always have a candle lit, because I like my spaces smelling nice, but moreso, I have a weird paranoia about smells. You know when you walk into someone’s house and it smells weird/has a certain smell to it, but you never think your own house smells weird? Like how people generally don’t smell their own B.O.? This is my fear. And by being OCD about candles, I know my house doesn’t smell like soup, or farts. It smells like an extreme fire hazard.

P.S. While you’re sunning your buns, click your way over to Niki’s blog A Haute Mess.

June 20, 2012 by

Trippin’ | When in Paris, How Many Crepes Are Too Many Crepes?

In her latest dispatch by Katie Burnett, a friend, actress and writer living in London shares her favourite things to see, do, eat and drink in Paris.

London to Paris is an easy, breezy 2.5 hour train ride, and I spent a very hot and beautiful weekend there exploring the city. As someone who loves books, I did a bit of a literary tour, and stopped by the old standards like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. No matter how many times I’ve been to Paris, it never gets old to see the Eiffel Tower in the distance!

Cafe de Flore and Cafe Deux Magots
Located right next to each other in the ultra trendy area of Saint Germain-des-Pres on the Left Bank, these two restaurants are both steeped in exciting history as they were hotspots for Simone de Beauvoir, Ernest Hemingway and Jean-Paul Sartre (among others) to gather and rendezvous with other writers, artists and intellectuals. Tea and a croissant will set you back 10 euros, but it’s worth it!

Shakespeare and Company
For North Americans passing through Paris, this bookstore is a must. Beautiful, crammed and elegant, Shakespeare and Company has hundreds of English books on the bottom floor, and a library on the top floor, which is also used for poetry nights. You can’t remove any books from the library, making it that much more special to sit and read them. (Fun fact: Most of the people who work in the bookstore also live there, and my sister’s friend once lived there and wrote poetry in exchange for her lodging.)

Ernest Hemingway’s House
When Hemingway first went to Paris he lived at 74 Rue du Cardinal-Lemoine in the Latin Quarter. It’s in a great area that’s a few steps from cafes and bars (now home to some of the best happy hours!) and a few minutes away from the stunning Luxembourg Gardens.

Ladurée
If you are like me and love sweets, Laduree is a very dangerous place. Stepping in is like entering Sophia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette – and believe me, you’ll never want to leave.

See a French Movie
If your French is up to it, it’s a lovely experience, especially seeing a movie that won’t be out in North America anytime soon, like the Marion Cotillard film Rust and Bone. Or if you’re stuck in North America, try renting the Guillaume Canet-directed Tell No One (yes he’s the hot guy who wasn’t Leonardo DiCaprio in The Beach).

Oh and the answer to the age old question, how many crepes are too many crepes? Easy – as many as you want! How many times are you in Paris?!

[Photos by Katie Burnett.]

P.S. Catch up on Katie Burnett’s earlier dispatches, like her list of must-reads and add to your “When I’m in London” list: Sundays on Brick Lane, Saturdays in Camden Town, Friday nights at the theatre, and East Coast nostalgia.

June 17, 2012 by

The A-list | Great Reads

In The Anthology’s A-list column (“A” stands for Anthology, in case you haven’t had your coffee yet) we tabulate a few of the very best things in life. This list of must-reads is compiled by Katie Burnett, a friend, actress and writer living in London. Now you’ll know what to crack open when you’re done reading The Hunger Games…

Is it time for summer yet? I am very ready for some sun, and while I always get into a panic when my TV shows go on hiatus for a few months, it means I can finally pay attention to my very, very large pile of books all begging for my attention. So if you’re looking for some books for the plane, the pool or for fun, here are my picks for summer reading.

1. Just Kids by Patti Smith

I am beyond obsessed with this book about the early beginnings of the “godmother of punk”, Patti Smith. It is a detailed account of her pre-fame life with the artist Robert Mapplethorpe, littered with stories of life in the iconic Chelsea Hotel, nights spent in proximity to Andy Warhol, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and the struggles an artist faces. It is a beautiful, sad, poetic and fascinating book that is not to be missed.

2. Born to Run by Christopher McDougall

Here’s the thing – some people love to run, others hate it. I love to run but it took me years before I could proudly declare it, and I still wake up very sure I should stay in bed instead of lacing up and going outside. But when I’m in my Lululemons, with the right music in my ears, I can go forever. Or, like, an hour. Christopher McDougall’s book is a breathtaking look at the evolution of running, of ultra-marathons, and the people who run them. The author goes down to find a deeply hidden tribe of people in Mexico who are the fastest long distance runners in the world, for whom running is not just recreational but is what shapes their lives. Every chapter is an intriguing feast for the senses, and a constant reminder and inspiration to get on the running shoes and run not just because we can, but because we were born to do so.

3. The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald

If you’re mine and Kelsey’s age then Leonardo DiCaprio was your first and potentially favourite boyfriend, thanks to Romeo and Juliet and Titanic. I am a massive fan of The Great Gatsby and can’t wait to see Leo as the great Jay, but since that’s not coming out till Christmas 2012, why not revisit Fitzgerald’s other classic novels in the meantime? I love The Beautiful and Damned, and how it portrays life in the Jazz Age and the enigmatic world of the elite in 1920’s. If you can’t get anywhere this summer, might as well escape to another era with Anthony and Gloria Patch.

Fun fact – this book has long been thought to be based on Fitzgerald’s marriage to Zelda. Why not check out Woody Allen’s glorious Midnight in Paris and see Allison Pill and Tom Hiddleston recreate Scott and Zelda?

4. Glamorama by Bret Easton Ellis

Bret Easton Ellis books are not for the faint hearted, and you’ll understand if you’ve read American Psycho or The Rules of Attraction (or seen the films!) Glamorama is no exception, as it dives into the world of a 90’s supermodel and is a totally satirical look at celebrity. Victor Ward is a vapid model and wannabe actor who gets involved in a dangerous international model terrorists….sounds nutty, yes, but thoroughly entertaining, especially as Ellis’s attention to detail is amazing to the point of unnerving.

P.S. Catch up on Katie Burnett’s earlier dispatches and add to your “When I’m in London” list: Sundays on Brick Lane, Saturdays in Camden Town, Friday nights at the theatre, and East Coast nostalgia.

May 13, 2012 by

London Town | Anatomy of an 80’s Film

In her latest dispatch from London, Katie Burnett, a friend, actress and writer, takes us behind the scenes of her short film 80’s Vampire Flick…

Remember how Heathers was the coolest film ever? Aside from the hunk that was Christian Slater (who didn’t have a crush on him during Heathers, Pump up the Volume and Untamed Heart?!!), the film had snappy one-liners and incredible shoulder pads, and one of my personal favourite actresses, Winona Ryder.

So, OK, you know Heathers was super back in the day, and vampire stuff is super cool now? And you know how the 80’s are somehow funny, no matter what? Scrunchies, mom jeans, Christina Applegate? What does it all have in common? Well, one day my friends and I decided to stop waiting to see if Spielberg was going to call (any day now) and go out and make a short film.

We decided to make it a comedy. Tasked the writer, I decided to combine my love for 80’s films with the overly popular vampire craze, and make what is now known as 80’s Vampire Flick – a story of five high schoolers on detention, but one of them is a vampire slowly killing them all off.

Tasked with dressing the actors, I set off the ever popular Brick Lane, a place which, if you’ve been reading these dispatches, you know has incredible vintage clothes.

For my character (right), the bitchy Kiki Summers, I went for bright pink with a huge head of fake hair and a scrunchie. For Tristan Brooke, who played Kiki’s all-jock boyfriend Bobby, I went for a letter jacket and cutoff t-shirt, with a bright pink soccer ball, because nothing says 80’s like ironic pink and matching couples…

For Caroline Amer (right) who played Brandi, the head cheerleader who’s in love with the school outcast, I found a little vintage cheerleading outfit that already had MVP etched into the back (found at Rokit Vintage) and curled her hair to the nines.

Jackson Miller, who played Jimmy D, well, he was able to wear all his own clothes…

Roshni Rathore played Virginie French (below), the emo girl dressed all in black, and she had hair teased as high as Kelly Kapowski and some rad orange lipstick to off-set the whole outfit. Nothing says emo like a black cutoff denim shirt, skinny black jeans and black pumps. And nothing says 80’s like some orange lipstick!

Obi Ugoala (left) as Carter Luther is a very, very tall man, but with some specs and Santa braces (suspenders), he suddenly looked shy and vulnerable. Not only was every item of clothing affordable, it was all found on one street – the always incredible Brick Lane!

Special thanks to Sally Miura for make up and teased hair and Laurence Chater for directing!

P.S. Want to keep adding to your “When I’m in London” list? Catch up on Katie Burnett’s earlier dispatches: Sundays on Brick Lane, Saturdays in Camden Town, Friday nights at the theatre, and her East Coast nostalgia.

January 26, 2012 by

London Town | Sundays at Spitalfields

In her latest dispatch from London, Katie Burnett, a friend, actress and writer, shares the secrets of Spitalfields Market…

Remember that adorable film with Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts? Notting Hill was it? Loved it. So cute. Know it off by heart – “I’m just a girl standing in front of a boy” etc. And what huge attraction is in the London area of Notting Hill? The infamous Portobello Market, home of vintage things, antique things, expensive things. But what if you don’t have that much money to spend and are looking for something lesser known? Look no further than Old Spitalfields Market, located right by Liverpool Street.

On Sundays, hipsters, families and fashion editors alike converge down on the market, sorting through the rails of 5 pound dresses for a diamond in the rough, sampling the “best brownies in the world” and checking each other out for fashion inspirations. If you’re only in London for one Sunday and you need to pick your market, make it Spitalfields. While it’s still a very busy market, it’s one a lot of travellers don’t know about. And don’t we all want to return home with a one-of-a-kind item of clothing to make family and co-workers jealous?

For your hunger, try Androuet, the Parisian cheese shop where you can buy a few hunks of British and French cheese, or stay for a glass of wine.

And for those of us without a huge Benefit store in our cities, make sure to stop by and pick up some items you might not be able to get at home! Or for your sweet tooth, visit the rows of reasonably priced and delicious baked goods! The nearby Sunday Up Market will provide more vintage choices than you can handle, and if you haven’t filled up on food from Spitalfields, there will be more than enough choices from the food stalls with cuisine from around the world to tempt you!

It’s entirely possible to bring 20 pounds (roughly 31 CAD dollars) and walk away with an item of clothing, some funky jewellery and a very full belly!

[First photo found here, second photo found here, third photo found here.]

P.S. Want to keep adding to your “When I’m in London” list? Catch up on Katie Burnett’s earlier dispatches: Sundays on Brick Lane, Saturdays in Camden Town, Friday nights at the theatre, and her East Coast nostalgia.

January 5, 2012 by

Style | The Wish List Collabo

A little while ago I asked you guys what you were wishing for and boy did you send in some great ideas. None of you said you were wishing for world peace, mind you, but your picks are so fun and unexpected I won’t hold that against you…

Allie
1. A lovely little heart ring by Verameat (also available at Vincent Park in Vancouver).
2. Shawl from Marche St. George (thanks to your Vitamin Daily post!).
3. Dolce Vita Kimora Sweater (also available at Vincent Park in Vancouver).

Keltie
4. I would add this little lovely to my wishlist!

Kat
5. I’ve been coveting this LL Bean Town and Field Leather Tote for a few Christmases now.  Santa doesn’t seem to be taking the hint.  LL Bean Totes are always on my list, in any form.
6. I’m a big fan of all things moose (it’s a very very long and complicated story that ends in pyjamas)… so when I found this, I instantly dropped some pretty major hints.  Plus it’s under $20!
7. I’m also a Moleskine devotee and have always wanted one of their “Passions” lines of notebooks.

Melissa
8. While my wish list is full of all things shiny and sparkly (think gold watch and sequin pumps), at the top of my list is something I never thought I’d see… a practical item. The Milly Luggage Lock Camille Coat is stunning. A way to keep warm while looking stylish this winter? Sign me up!

Judy
9. My hubby and I are on a tight budget this year. This way, he can pick and choose items he wants to get me and they won’t break the bank!

Steph
10. Am I the only one completely obsessed with the fashion on Once Upon a Time? Not only are the princess gowns fairytale-worthy, the ‘real-life’ characters’ have some fantastic outfits, too. Main character Emma has a penchant for leather jackets, especially those from ocean drive leather, located in Vancouver. Love Emma’s signature red jacket, but I’ve my eye on the gorgeous camel one.

Kumi
11.  Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling: A funny girl who can write? Big time girl crush alert.
12. Michael Kors Quinn Clutch in Kiwi: I love the clean, modern lines of this clutch. The contrast of the soft vachetta leather goes well against the gold clasp, and the fresh color makes this easily wearable year-round.
13.  Small crystal encrusted oval cup pendant necklace by Alexis Bittar: This one is my personal favorite – beautifully crafted and easily transferable from day to night.

Larissa
14. I’m hoping for an iPad because it’s a fun toy and my computer is breaking my back from carrying it around too much.

Michelle
15. A matte bangle from The Twisted Series by hk +np studio.
16. ANY painting from the lovely and talented Andrea Armstrong.

Bella
17. I have been wanting to complete my bedroom for sometime now and I feel these gorgeous nightstands would do the trick!

P.S. There are plenty more wishes where these came from. Take a look at wish lists by Boston-based food blogger Camille Barichello, stylish mommy blogger Anna Cohen and makeup artist Emmy Beaton.

December 19, 2011 by

Camille Barichello’s Wish List

Courtesy of Boston-based blogger Camille of Broken Record (a site that promises “lousy photos, good food”) this wish list is filled with everything but the kitchen sink. Come to think of it, there’s nothing kitchen-related on here at all…

I love your wishlist idea! Here are the things I’m not really asking for, but I secretly want.

1. I love the combination of art nouveau and nerdy topics that Karen Hallion does. My favourite, of course, is the Princess Leia one (“La Dauphine au Alderaan”), which it doesn’t look like it’s for sale anywhere or printed on anything… alas.

2. JHill Design makes gorgeous patterns based on the theme “places I have never been” and you can either get individual prints of particular places, or calendars, etc.

3. I love AntiDesigns’ “Boston Roots” shirt, but their standard colour combination doesn’t really do it for me, so I want to use their Customizer to pick my own combo.  I’m thinking white on red, but I could be convinced about other ideas.

4. I also like all the vintage MBTA photos and old maps at Boston Coasters/Ward Maps.

– Tattoo money, or some other kind of kick in the pants to finish drawing my half-sleeve

– A house…

5. And if I wore jewelry, I would be crazy for these. They’re circuitboards!

Beauty! I am especially in love with those “places I have never been” prints and the Vancouver version that says “Drink ice wine and watch out for whales’ tails.” Sage advice.

P.S. Keep on wishing! Take a look at wish lists by stylish mommy blogger Anna Cohen and makeup artist Emmy Beaton.

December 15, 2011 by

Style | Anna Cohen’s Wish List

Anna Cohen is one stylin’ mama. In fact, that’s exactly what inspires her blog Simply Stylish Mom. Herewith, she shares her holiday wish list.

Ok so this post is basically a ‘hint hint’ to husband but let’s just pose it as an ‘inspiration wish list for the holidays’ heheee…

1. A sexy so-not-Mommy dress for NYE like this.

2. A black biker jacket.

3. A pair of red jeans.

4. Some ‘Kate’ pumps.

5. A silk scarf like this one.

6. And a sequiny blazer (would look amazing paired with a white tee and jeans).

Ok, maybe I’m being a little too ambitious?

No such thing! These picks are gorgeous — who wouldn’t wish for them all? Thanks Anna! Stay tuned, friends, there are more super-stylin’ wish lists coming up on The Anthology!

December 7, 2011 by

Diary | Vancouver Fashion Showcase Wrap-Up

By Erika Renfrew

What’d you do on Sunday?  Sip pretty cocktails?  Sample mini cakes?  Or did you perform acrobatics while hanging from the ceiling?  I could never do that last one, but two out of three isn’t bad.

This weekend wrapped up the Vancouver Fashion Showcase, an event spotlighting 30 of the city’s top boutiques and retailers.  This four-day extravaganza began with a gala and runway show at the Vancouver Art Gallery. What comes after the pre-party?  More parties of course. Vancouver Fashion Showcase hosted three days of shopping with styling competitions, industry talks and exclusive discounts.

Sadly, no shopping for me!  I did attend the official wrap-up party at Canvas Lounge.  With giveaways and great music it was a night to mingle with the inspiring individuals involved, like Amy Podrasky (far left) and Marina Fernandes (centre) who volunteered to help plan the fashion shows and dress the models.

Now for the acrobatics.  I watched a strong, elastic-y woman perform an aerial dance.  She was all-smiles as she twirled mid-air; I was holding my breath that she didn’t fall.

Take part in any of the fun this weekend?  If you missed it this time around, consider this an ever-so-gentle nudge.

December 7, 2011 by

Beauty | Emmy Beaton’s Wish List

To kick off The Anthology’s series of wish list guest posts, Emmy Beaton, a makeup artist from Victoria, BC, shares her picks for holiday beauty must-haves. And boy are they sparkly…

1. Lise Watier Eye Glitter Liner in Black Diamond and Smokey Gold
This year, glitter has been huge – from shimmery frocks to those famous glitter-heeled Miu Miu booties. I’m taking some artistic license and adapting that trend by incorporating some glitter into my eye looks. These Lise Watier glitter liners are amazing – they are easy to apply both as a thin liner or across the lid, and are also easy to layer for more intensity.

2. Julep Maven subscription
Lately the hottest thing in beauty is subscription boxes. Glossybox, Luxe Box, Glymm Box…there are many companies offering similar services – every month they send you a box with trial sizes of premium products, allowing you to test a large quantity of different things without committing to full sizes. Most of the boxes contain a large number of skin products and I love this idea, but alas, my skin is very sensitive. The Julep Maven subscription is different: for $20 a month you get around $40 worth of nail polish and treatment products. I buy two nailpolishes a month (that’s a conservative estimate!) so for me this would be perfect. Are you listening, Santa?

3. Sultra The Bombshell
I’m obsessed with conical wands. They are so versatile, style your hair in half the time of regular curling irons, and never snag or pull your hair. You can even use them to create volume by running holding them against the root while you hold a section of hair vertically. Amazing. So far this tool has been something used exclusively in salons because it’s easy to burn yourself. This one, however, comes with a protective glove!  How smart is that!?

4. NARS Danmari All About Cheeks palette
Whether you’re a hardcore beauty junkie, a lady who travels for work, or just someone looking to simplify your life, these six shades are made for you. This palette has been haunting my dreams. I can’t wait to glow, bronze, and shimmer my way into the new year with this sleek black, mirrored palette. I die!

5. MAC Cosmetics Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Quite the Thing!
MAC describes the colour of this lipstick/gloss hybrid as ‘deep blue plum.’ I’m deeply smitten by the shade – it’s both sheer and bright, and complements all complexions. On fair skin you’ll have a just-bitten pout and on darker skin you’ll get a sultry berry with a bit of shimmer. When everyone else is doing red lips this holiday season, you’ll stand out wearing this knockout purple. The best part is that the formula is so amazingly comfortable, you feel like you’re wearing lip balm!

6. Shiseido Perfect Rouge in BE208 – Baby
Shiseido’s Perfect Rouge line is an excellent range of lipsticks with a really sophisticated formula. Neither glossy nor matte, these lipsticks are somehow light, hydrating, and long-lasting with none of the waxy feel of other lipsticks. I love the warm nude colour of 208 – Baby for the holidays – the perfect complement for a sparkly new years eve look.

7. LeSportsac Charleston Kevyn cosmetics case
Recently I’ve been on the hunt for a cute cosmetics case that I would be proud to pull out in a club or restaurant. This super cute case is fun yet classy, and bears the name of my favourite makeup artist. The collector in me also loves that there are lots of other coordinating items with the same pattern, so I can mix and match. Sold!

December 4, 2011 by