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The Anthology

Diary | House Guest Supper Club

People who call Vancouver a no-fun city are crazy.

Maybe they don’t get out much. Or maybe they’ve never been to House Guest. The supper club opened in Gastown a few weeks ago and last night they held a private party with Alicia Quan, Peter Ty, Rick Chung, Mana Mansour, May Globus, Liv Hung, Kumike Ide, Lisa Wong, Lyndi Barrett, Eryne Ordel, and a million others whose picture I didn’t snap.

If you’ve been to the space, you’ve probably already fallen in love with the décor.

My favourite design elements? The hand-painted wall paper by designer/artist Adam Lupton and the vintage suitcases encased in plexiglass that are used as tables in their downstairs lounge (Maurice Li snapped a great shot of them).

The skull wall’s pretty b-b-b-bad to the bone too. The two dapper gents in front of it, Justin Devlin and Mattie Schmidt, are the men behind unconventional space (they’re also Northill cohorts).

So, all you pretty Vancity-ers, who’s up for chicken and waffles at brunch on Sunday?

[I’m wearing a vintage jacket, Banana Republic necklace, Mango shirt, J. Crew skirt]

P.S. Facebook’s extra fun once you’ve liked The Anthology.

November 18, 2011 by

You’re invited! | Banana Republic’s Holiday Style in the City

A sponsored post.

I love holiday season! The sequins, the red lipstick, the big cozy coats, and of course the holiday parties. I’ll be hosting one at Banana Republic alongside Vitamin Daily Editor-in-Chief Sarah Bancroft and I’m the It Girl’s Anya Georgijevic.

And we’d love to see you there! Join us Wednesday, November 23 5:00 – 8:00 at Banana Republic on Robson. You’ll get 25% off the new collection, complimentary cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a special gift with purchase.* Also, enter for a chance to win a $500 Banana Republic holiday shopping spree.

Want in? Of course you do! RSVP so you’re on the list!

Wednesday, November 23 5:00 – 8:00
Banana Republic, 1098 Robson St., Vancouver
RSVP: intern@taitpr.com 
Twitter: #BananaRepublicxVitaminDaily for event updates
*Gifts with purchase while supplies last. Discount applicable to regular-priced merchandise only.

November 18, 2011 by

Linked | Bassnectar at PNE, Chambar’s new cocktails and more…

The Anthology’s list of what’s new, what’s now and what’s next…

1. Dance party! Is it dub step, electronica, punk or all of the above? Who’s to say. One thing’s for sure — California’s Bassnectar will be performing at the PNE Forum on Friday, November 18th.

2. Veni, vidi, Versace. The Versace for H&M collection will be available this Saturday, November 19th at Pacific Centre in Vancouver, Toronto Eaton Centre, Bloor Street, Yorkdale Mall, and Downtown Montreal.

3. You may have driven over it, but have you ever flown under the Golden Gate Bridge? I took a helicopter tour for the Province and nearly left my lunch in San Francisco.

4. Look up. It seems the minute there’s word of a Death from Above 1979 show it sells out. The on-again off-again Toronto-based duo will be bringing their raucous show to the Commodore not once, but twice — Sunday, November 20 and Monday, November 21.

5. Boot Camp! Of the social media variety. If you nabbed a spot before it sold out, you’ll get to see me put on my professional face (see above) and speak alongside Liv Hung and Jon Becker this Saturday at SFU’s Social Media Boot Camp.

6. Shaken, not stirred. Vancouver’s Chambar’s new bar manager Jacob Sweetapple just unveiled a new cocktail list and you’ll find his not-so-secret recipe for a delicious winter punch right here.

November 17, 2011 by

Playlist | Hey Rosetta at the Commodore

By Erika Renfrew

I issue all of you (yes, even you!) a small challenge.  Stop and take a minute, put down whatever it is you’re doing and listen, really listen to some music.  One condition, it has to be Hey Rosetta!

No longer a Canadian secret, this Newfoundland-born band has been singing, strumming, drumming, violin-ing and even cello-ing their way across stages. Despite a definite indie-rock vibe, these six talented musicians have that extra special something; you can’t say what it is, but you know they have plenty of it.

Headphones don’t do them justice. Hey Rosetta! live at the Commodore Ballroom was beautiful, moving, happy and sad all at the same time. They are raw, honest and, to put it simply, make amazing music.

Oh, and have you heard of The Jezabels? I hadn’t, before seeing them open the show and woo the crowd. To say I was pleasantly surprised would be insulting; they left me at a loss for words (not right now, of course).

Ch-ch-ch-check it out! I dare you.

November 17, 2011 by

Before | The Mint Blazer

Oh boy. This ain’t pretty.

mint-blazer-before

But that’s okay. It isn’t supposed to be. Many of you told me you love The Anthology before/after shots because you get a kick out of watching the transformation of these monstrosities. So I’m getting this mint jacket tailored in the hopes that I can wear it for something other than dressing up as your mom in 1986.

Will it be minty-fresh to death afterward? Stay tuned and find out.

P.S. You’ll find all The Anthology’s glorious (and hideous) before and after shots riiiiiiiiiiight here.

November 16, 2011 by

Style | Art Institute Paparazzi Fashion Grad Show

By Erika Renfrew

Two words you may not expect to start a fashion show summary: Flash and Mob.

To kick off The Art Institute of Vancouver’s Paparazzi Fashion Show, students, teachers and two seriously talented hip-hop dancers took turns jumping out of their seats and gettin’ down.

The Paparazzi show presented the final collections of The Art Institute’s fashion design grads. Still an AI student myself, it was inspiring to see semesters of, not really blood, but definitely sweat and tears, come to life on the catwalk.

I swear on my Steve Madden oxfords I hold no bias.  The show was terrific! Each designer created three looks, and was given the freedom to be authentically themselves.

There were red carpet-worthy dresses, rock n’ roll patchwork, tulle gowns and a dash of menswear.  Did I mention the wired, pompom skirt?  These budding designers literally leaped outside the box.

Congratulations to the fashion design grads!  Keep your eyes peeled for them, folks.

[First look: Victoria Patterson, second look: Jonie Wong, third look: Amanda Warwaruk]

November 16, 2011 by

Diary | Cupcake Girls and Mobilicity

I have two addictions — sugar and my phone. (Actually, if you count vintage clothes, Twitter and my iPod, I have way more than two addictions, but we’ll ignore those for the moment.)

Last week, Mobilicity hosted me at the Cupcake Girls set/bakery for a delicious little cupcake-icing demo, which we shot on Mobilicity’s smart phones. “It’s as easy as getting a cupcake,” said Mobilicity’s general manager Matthew Gould.

And waaaaaay easier than icing a cupcake.

The Cupcake Girls Lori Joyce and Heather White (pictured with yours truly and Matthew Gould) are about to resume filming their third season of their hugely popular show.

And with cupcake-icing skills like these, I’m expecting an invitation to be a guest on their show…any day now.

[I’m wearing a vintage dress and a vintage YSL belt.]

P.S. Feed your Twitter addiction — follow The Anthology!

November 14, 2011 by

Diary | Shoppalu

By Erika Renfrew

I am neither a hunter nor a gatherer when it comes to shopping.  While I appreciate vintage clothing, I prefer a simplified shopping experience. Solution? Shoppalu. They do all the work: find, restore and revamp vintage apparel and accessories.

At the Shoppalu F/W 2011 sale, racks of retro maxis and fur coats were hung alongside brand-spanking new designs. Vintage shoes, jewellery and leather belts filled the room (I didn’t bring nearly enough money). Shoppalu also carries new fashion labels from around the world.  I was ready to give my foot for a pair of leopard print, studded Matiko loafers.

My favourite new piece is an amazing pair of high-waisted floral, corduroy shorts from Lucca Couture. With a spirited and trendy eye, Lucca Couture has that special something something.

Do yourself a favour and take a peek!

November 13, 2011 by

Linked | TEDxVancouver, I am Downtown, Wu Lyf and more…

The Anthology’s list of what’s new, what’s now and what’s next…

1. Art attack. The Eastside Culture Crawl’s 15th anniversary is coming up and there’s no better way to spend it than by creeping through artists’ studios, which is exactly what I’ll be doing November 18 – 20.

2. Ideas worth spreading. TEDxVancouver hits UBC’s Chan Centre tomorrow. I’ll be there bright and early with a triple shot of espresso in hand. Will you? There are still a few tickets left.

3. Rock out. Other Lives, the band that blew me away when they opened for Bon Iver at the Orpheum a couple months ago, will be playing the Media Club on Friday, December 9.

4. Rock out some more. New Jersey’s Wu Lyf will be bringing their husky-voiced indie pop to the Electric Owl on Friday, November 18.

5. I am downtown. Not literally, mind you, but on Wednesday, November 16, Pacific Centre will be hosting a shopping event and you’re all invited.

6. Warm up. Kove x The Anthology giveaway winner Kelsey Klassen wore her chevron scarf to shoot Vancouver Fashion Week. How much do you love it with that printed top? Soooooooooooo much!

Movamber alert. The ladies who started a fundraising campaign for the fight against prostate cancer were aiming for $5,000 and have upped that to $10,000 thanks to all your support. Donate here.

Plus (see what I did there?) The Anthology’s now on Google+ See ya there!

November 11, 2011 by

Style | Lauren Elaine

By Erika Renfrew

As a natural brunette, I could argue that blondes don’t always have more fun. I can’t, however, say the same when it comes to those California girls.

LA-based designer Lauren Elaine presented her S/S 2012 Swimwear collection at Vancouver Fashion Week. The designer also happens to be a model/actress and in true Hollywood style, the show opened with a short video featuring flirty blondes, flashy cars and some kick-ass music (excuse my French), followed by models blowing kisses to the cameras as they shimmied down the runway.

Lauren Elaine featured itsy-bitsy, metallic bikinis adorned with chains and lacing. For those of us who are a wee bit more modest, sheer tunics and street-worthy cover-ups completed the collection.  My favourites were the maxi dresses with elasticated tops and playful patterns; sort of LA cool meets Vancouver ease.

Having toted an umbrella and mittens to the show, I was disappointed that I didn’t walk outside into the California heat.

November 11, 2011 by