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The Anthology

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

Sniff! Sniff! Hooray! It’s a Marc Jacobs BANG giveaway!

It’s peppery, it’s woody, it’s Marc Jacobs’ latest fragrance. And peeps are loving it.

marc-jacobs-bang-ad

Want to win a 50ml bottle for you, your man, or your favourite man friend? (Obviously.) There are three ways to enter — do all three and you’ll be entered thrice!

For one entry: Comment on this post and tell us: Who deserves to smell this good? (I’d pick my husband. My mother, on the other hand, picked Pierce Brosnan.)

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

For three entries: Holler @TheAnthology on Twitter.

This giveaway is open to residents of Canada only. (Sorry international friends, we love you, but rules are rules.) The lucky winner will be chosen on Wednesday, November 24th. Good luck!
November 17, 2010 by

Lovers of pampering, rejoice!

For there’s a new spa in town.

frilly-lilly-interior-vancouver

Frilly Lilly has opened its first confectionary-inspired location in Vancouver.

frilly-lilly-the-anthology

And I was at the opening party. (Seemingly lost in thought — about the meaning of life or manicures, I can’t remember.)

frilly-lilly-spa-interior-vancouver

With much of the interior designed by my favourite Vancouver-based home decor store, The Cross, the space is beautiful.

vintage-sequin-cardigan

Wore a vintage sequin cardigan, plum-coloured silk button up shirt.

suede-shorts

And my favourite suede shorts.

frilly-lilly-product

The best part of the night? I was sent home with a goodie bag filled with their sugary sweet products. And I’ve been rejoicing ever since.

[First, second, third, and sixth photos by Melissa Skoda.]

P.S. Lovers of Facebook, rejoice! For The Anthology is on it.

November 14, 2010 by