The Anthology is growing (and not because I’m adding a new intern)

I’ve been rather mum on this subject (that’s a hilarious pun, you guys!), but I’ve gained a bit of weight around my midsection. And it’s the kind of weight that kicks you, if ya know what I’m sayin’, not the kind of weight you kick yourself for when you indulge in seconds at a baby shower buffet (see above).

Why didn’t I shout this news from the virtual rooftops eight months ago, the moment I saw that little plus sign on a stick? After all, I happily had my wedding profiled in a magazine and I share so much of my life on The Anthology. Why not chronicle every fetal hiccup? Well, I’ve been preoccupied with trying to figure out how on earth I’m going to take a few weeks off from running my company post-kid (seriously, business-owning moms, how do you do it?) and I haven’t wanted to bore you with ultrasound updates, so I haven’t written much about it (unless you count this list of my top five maternity must-haves).

But boy have I been talking about it. And you know what’s surprised me most? The third question people ask me. The first is always “When are you due?” (in theory less than a month) and the second is always “Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?” (Nope!) The third? “Are you going to turn The Anthology into a mommy blog?” No, it’ll stay the same design-focused, fashion-loving, travel-obsessed blog it’s always been. Though I will be giving a bit of air time to cute gifty finds like this handmade stuffed fox because we all have nieces and nephews we need to buy for.

[My non-maternity dress is from H&M]

P.S. You can follow me on Twitter without worrying that I’ll tweet from the delivery room. My name may start with a K, but I am no Kardashian.

March 17, 2013 by

Style | Mrs. Draper’s Look: Talking Banana Republic’s Latest Mad Men Collection on CTV

I haven’t yet caught up on Mad Men’s latest season. But Banana Republic’s latest Mad Men collection? That I’m up on. It’s the third of its kind and it’s inspired by the look of the new Mrs. Draper (who’s played by a Canadian actress, btw). Earlier this week I stopped by CTV Morning Live to talk all things Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce and spring.

But first, a little pre-show war paint (you’ll find my dissertation on what to wear and how to paint your face for television here.)

Let’s talk about these pants for a second. I can’t wait for real sunshine, but in the meantime cropped lemon-yellow trousers will brighten up days filled with spring showers.

And menswear. I’ve always loved it because the silhouettes change subtly each season and the tailoring remains classic, so the focus tends to be on texture and fabric. Two things I adore.

Then there’s this dress. It’s one of my favourite dresses from the Mad Men-inspired collection and it looks an awful lot like one worn by the new Mrs. Draper. The model also bears a striking resemblance to the new Mrs. D., doesn’t she?

And for something a little Mr. Draper-inspired, a skinny tie and slim-fitting textured cardigan. A look that’s as dapper as Draper can be.

Missed the morning segment, sleepyhead? Catch it online here. Thanks for having me, CTV, Banana Republic and Tara Parker Tait PR!

[I’m wearing a JNBY sweater, Joe Fresh tanktop, Topshop jeans and Elizabeth and James shoes.]

P.S. Get your mod on — like The Anthology on Facebook.

March 14, 2013 by

Diary | Go Grocery Shopping with a Dietician

A sponsored post

Second only to cooking with a personal chef is grocery shopping with a personal dietician. While I’ve never had a chef (because, I mean, come on), for an all-too-brief moment I went grocery shopping with dietician Melodie Yong.

It’s National Nutrition Month, you see, and Healthy Families BC has just launched their Shopping Sense tool. I’ve worked with Healthy Families BC through my former agency (skip 30 seconds into this behind-the-scenes video and I’ll tell you all about that) and through my own creative consulting company Northill. 

Plus, I love me some healthy eating so I wanted to know what I didn’t know, ya know?

These nine grocery-shopping tips stood out.

1. Shop with a list. It’ll cut down on impulse purchases (like Swedish Berries — those little gummies get me every time.) Need a little help with prepping and planning? You’ll find a few helpful tools here.

2. Eat your veggies. “It’s a boring message,” Melodie says. “But no one wants to hear what they can’t eat — they don’t want to hear they can’t eat cookies — they want to know what they can eat more of.” Besides, you feel like a superfood hero when you actually eat your greens and purples and yellows.

3. Colour your plate. Speaking of greens and purples and yellows, eat a rainbow of vibrantly coloured veggies. Melodie recommends putting at least three colours on every plate.

4. Eat something orange every day. Because beta carotene is good for you.

5. Go easy on yourself. It’s okay to have a couple nights during the week of less-than-perfect meals as long as most of what you’re eating is nutritionally balanced. It’s about balance, people. Balance.

6. Can’t pronounce an ingredient? That’s probably not a good sign. While reading the label is key, understanding what’s on it is just as important. But you don’t have to take our word for it: The New York Times has a fascinating — and frightening — article on the science of processed food.

7. Opt for plain yogurt. Avoid the sugary kind and flavour it yourself. Easy peasy. Greek-style will often — though not always — have more protein so compare labels.

8. Go Mediterranean. Comprised predominantly of olive oil, nuts, lean fish, fruit and veggies, a Mediterranean diet is great for preventing heart disease. Also, it’s delicious.

9. Shop the outside of the grocery store. That’s where the produce aisle, freshly baked goods and dairy are located. It’s also where the heavily processed foods aren’t.

Want to tour the grocery store with Melodie? Or at least her virtual self? Then click on over to Healthy Families BC’s Shopping Sense.

March 13, 2013 by

Style | Spring steeze on CTV

Bright and early tomorrow (Tuesday) morning I’ll be on CTV Morning Live talking spring style for ladies like Coco (above) and gentlemen like Jon Hamm.

Set your PVR, mom!

[Pictured: Canadian supermodel Coco Rocha in Banana Republic’s Mad Men campaign]

March 11, 2013 by

Pinstagram | All that glitters

The Anthology’s Pinstagram column marries the dream (Pinterest) and the reality (Instagram).

A hand, please. My friend Ashley and I giving ourselves a hand at Heirloom Vegetarian and a model getting a hand (or eight) backstage at Valentino spring 2013.

Read up. Grabbing a seat at Lisa Tant’s spring trend presentation at Holt Renfrew and a coffee table book I’d love to add to my collection.

Blushing. Rose-shaped, raspberry-flavoured meringues at Gastown’s Cadeaux Bakery (a great place to go for tea) and a Max Factor ad from the 1950s.

Mr. Golden Sun. My speedy boy Roy frolicking in the golden sun and Elle Decor‘s spectacular gold kitchen cabinets, which has me tempted to spray paint my cabinets.

Keeping it old school. The Mighty Oak, a tiny general store/cafe tucked away near Cambie (I wrote about it here), and a vintage-inspired swimsuit from Anthropologie.

Reach the peak. The sun was out! (My Vancouver-based self got quite excited about it.) And a sculpture by New York-based artist Norman Mercer.

Go to (Gas)town. A shot I took after closing down the opening of Rennie Collection’s Robert Beck/Robert Buck show, which happens to be just a few blocks from one of my favourite stores Old Faithful Shop in Gastown.

P.S. There are more photos where these came from so follow Kelsey Dundon on Instagram and add The Anthology on Facebook.

March 8, 2013 by

You Asked | What to wear on TV?

Shannon writes:

Love your blog! I never miss a word (or photo!). I was hoping you might have some tips for dressing for TV?

Next Friday a crew is coming to film a very short house tour. Except, here’s the thing: I have no idea what to wear! I want to look stay-at-home-mom fabulous (in other words, casual) except I don’t think I have much that will work (black tees, white tees, loose sweaters and sweatshirts, distressed jeans.). I need to shop!

Good question, Shannon! It’s something I ask myself every single time I do a segment. Herewith, a few of the most helpful tips I’ve been given over the years.

1. Consider the theme. And then dress a notch better than you actually would if you were in that situation. If I’m doing a spring trends segment for Breakfast Television I’ll wear a brightly coloured Banana Republic blouse and skirt (see above). If I’m doing a “Camping on a budget” segment for CTV (which you can watch here) I’ll keep it casual in Joe Fresh cords. If I’m doing a “Dressing for your body type” segment (which you can watch here) I’ll wear a JNBY dress. It’s rocket science, this part.

Since you’re going casual I love the idea of a brightly coloured blouse or sweater (Joe Fresh has tons of these sorts of things) and a pair of smart pants (along the lines of those from J.Crew or Club Monaco). And some cool, comfy flats (I’m always partial to those by Loeffler Randall).

2. Get comfy. Almost as important as how your outfit looks is how it makes you feel. You need to be able to move so you can be relaxed on camera. Can you bend? Can you sit? Can you stand without fidgeting?

3. Dress like a box of crayons.  The camera loves colour. ‘Tis smart to avoid wearing all white. Black, on the other hand, can work when you pair it with bold accessories and when you’re shooting on a well-lit set (since you’ll be shooting at home, I’d opt for colour). I was going to wear a dark shirt to host Timmy’s Telethon until I saw how dark the set was behind — bright blue popped more. Prints can work, though they’re a little trickier and you’ll want to avoid small, busy, high-contrast prints like herringbone.

Christine Vu submitted another great tip via Twitter: White is too bright for the camera but if white is what you want, wear light beige. It will appear white.

4. Remember the three S’s: skin, steam, cinch. (I know the third one isn’t technically an S, but if they can cheat with the three R’s…). The camera adds bulk so you don’t want to overly bundle up. Don’t be afraid to show some skin, whether your arms, legs or neck. And consider choosing an outfit that cinches you somewhere, likely your waist. Also, steam your clothes lest you look like Helen Hunt at the Oscars.

5. Get your selfie on. Take photos from every angle. The camera sees things very differently than the mirror does.

6. Get your hair did. Remember how you and your ladyfriends would get a practice updo before prom? Well it’s time to do things high school style. Figure out how you want your hair ahead of time. And no, you don’t have to get it professionally blown out.

7. Paint your face like a tart. A makeup artist once told me if you do your eyes as if you were going out at night, your makeup will read quite naturally on camera. I always feel like a floozy walking around post-shoot, but that’s a small price to pay for looking polished on air. Oooooh, speaking of makeup — become best friends with powder.

Hope this helps, Shannon! Please send a link to the segment when it airs!

P.S. Find answers to your most burning questions like Meg’s How do you start out as a copywriter? Tara’s How do you make your blog look better? Emilie’s How do you gain exposure? And Shona’s How do you do it?

P.P.S. Have a question you’d like a reeeeeally long answer to? Send it to KDundon@TheAnthology.ca

March 7, 2013 by

Style | The best of Paris Fashion Week F/W13

Paris in black and white. Romantic, isn’t it?

Clockwise from the top left: Alexander McQueen, where the looks were positively medieval. Balmain, where the silhouettes made each model look three feet taller than she actually is. Dior, whose runway was filled with the kind of sophisticated pieces Barbie would have worn in the 1950’s. And Balenciaga, where Alexander Wang (who was considered a controversial choice and is now being criticized for playing it too safe) made his debut.

Proof that the city of lights does it right.

[Images from Style.com]

March 5, 2013 by

Bookmark | Oleander and Palm

In The Anthology’s Bookmark column we explore some of the most inspiring places on the wild, wild web.

My to-do list always involves DIYs. Sometimes they’re as simple as assembling an Ikea dresser, but often I have a list of legit DIYs I’d like to tackle. Do I often D them? No, but I love the idea. Maybe that’s why I love Oleander and Palm, a blog run by Canadian-turned-Californian Jeran McConnel.

It’s filled with serious DIYs like her ombre heart napkins and simpler DIYs like this framed geometric heart. Plus, a ton of recipes — cookies and such, sure, but I especially like the sound of lemon lime bitters.

And she loves to throw a themed party. Up next? St. Patrick’s Day.

Oh, and her lavender sachet business cards put my business cards to shame.

So bookmark Oleander and Palm already and bookmark The Anthology while you’re at it.

[Images from Oleander and Palm, obviously.]

P.S. Beef up your list of favourite links with The Anthology’s Bookmark picks.

March 2, 2013 by

Beauty | Revlon Colorstay Creme Eye Liner

I love the look of a heavily lined eye. Maybe not quite as much as Elizabeth Taylor or Cleopatra or Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra, but all things considered, I’m a big, big fan. And I’ve tried every variation of liner — pencil, pen, liquid, crayon, powder (man, they’ve reinvented this stuff a million times).

My favourite? Revlon’s Colorstay Creme Gel Eye Liner (which, for those of you in western Canada, is $10.99 at London Drugs). It comes with a little pot of liner whose lid converts into a brush, quill and ink-style. Is it easy to use? Quite the contrary. It takes a special kind of patience to learn how to apply it without leaving clumps (Beautezine has beautiful step-by-step shots). Then, even when you get the hang of it, you still have to take your time because it’s water resistant so you can’t easily wipe off your mistakes. But that’s precisely why I love it — it doesn’t leave you with raccoon eyes.

Unless that’s the look you’re going for.

[First photo found here, second from Beautezine]

P.S. Make like a modern Cleopatra and like The Anthology on Facebook.

February 27, 2013 by

Workspace | Erin Shaw of Shaw TV

The Anthology’s Workspace column takes us inside the creative spaces of some very creative people.

She’s a television personality, producer and blogger and I’ve known Erin Shaw for years (and her sister even longer because Vancouver is the biggest small town in the world!). But I’d never actually worked with Erin until I was a host on Timmy’s Telethon and she was my producer (thanks again!).

Since she’s always creeping other people’s spaces in her peep-worthy column over at Vancouver Is Awesome, I thought it would be fitting to creep her workspace. Accompanied by photos by Art3fact, Erin takes us through her surprisingly tidy space in her own words.

1. When you look at my desk, it’s pretty organized. When my space is clear, my mind is clear and I’m able to work. I try and my workspace pretty clear and tidy, except for a few key things that inspire me.

2. Pictures of family and friends, a reminder of the important stuff.

3. My Bay teacup – I drink probably about three pots of tea a day if I’m working from home. It’s a great procrastination strategy to always be getting up and making tea. You should try it sometime! I actually bought this cup for my boyfriend for his stocking this year, but he doesn’t get to use it much.

4. The Selby is in Your Place – Great inspiration for my Vancouver is Awesome column “The Pop-In Series.” I tend to be a minimalist in my workspace (and home) by default, and it’s a good reminder that people co-exist with beautiful creative and messy explosions all around them. I would love to have some messy explosions and this book reminds me that productive workspaces aren’t always made up of 90 degree angles and clutter-free surfaces.

5. My notebook. All my notebooks need to be lined because I can’t stand not writing straightly (again — an aversion to messiness). This one is by Leuchtturm1917 and I got it because of the colour. I can never find a black book in the bottom of my bag. It’s always handy to have a smart-looking notebook at meetings…sometimes even more than a smart tablet!

6. My clockradio. I listen to CBC most of the day while I work. I’ve had this clockradio since I was 8, and it was the first place where I got to choose the station. This thing helped me discover the romance of the airwaves…and the idea that through this technology that hasn’t changed much, you can reach an audience. I still love radio and the shared experience that it offers.

7. My pinboard. All the paper that lands on my desk goes up here. Post-its, reminders, cards, stamps, lotto, gift cards, and notes all go up off the desk and onto this board. It saves my sanity.

8. The ledge holds all the nicknacks that I love, but don’t want on my work surface. The mini elephant is from my Grandma who got it probably in the 1960s. I keep it there because it reminds me of my time in Thailand in 2011 when I volunteered with an Asian elephants rescue centre. It’s a good reminder to slow down, and remember that we’re small pieces of the puzzle.

9. Panasonic headphones. I need those for editing video mostly, but they are also really helpful when I can’t concentrate. If I find the right music, I can tune everything else out.

[Photos by Art3fact]

P.S. Get a peek at Erin’s latest projects here. And if you’re in Canada you can catch her guest hosting The Rush March 25-28.

P.P.S. Creep the creative spaces of some very creative people, like Erica Lam of The Style Spy, Niki Blasina of A Haute Mess, and Anya Georgijevic of I’m the It Girl in The Anthology’s Workspace column.

February 25, 2013 by