Style | The Vintage Men’s Leather Bag

I used to live by the beach. Not on the beach, but four short blocks away, so I used to spend almost every night going for walks along the seaside.

And that was even before these two came into my life.

Now I rarely go to the beach at all. Even when it’s sunny. The funny thing is, I’m not sure I could ever live in a city without a beach and yet I don’t take full advantage of the one I have. My summer resolution? To change that.

While it’s not quite beach weather in the ‘Couv, it is picnic-by-the-beach weather.

My picnic basket? A vintage men’s leather bag I found at the St. George’s school fundraiser a few weeks ago. Every spring I find so, so many of my favourite vintage pieces there. So why didn’t I tell you about the sale before it happened? Because I’m the jerk who didn’t want to fight all y’all for the best goodies. (I hope we can still be friends.)

I’m debating whether or not I should polish it or leave it rugged and beat up. Thoughts? Judging by the fact that my mother just gave me a tub of leather polish specifically for that purpose, I think we know her vote.

[Dolce and Gabanna sunglasses, striped t-shirt c/o Gap, scarf found in Mexico.]

May 31, 2012 by

Home | Milk Glass Flower Pot

Does this count as a DIY? Taking a cute little plant and putting it in an even cuter little pot? I’m going to say yes. It’s a great combo — the ladylike (vintage milk glass) and the lady killer (Venus fly trap).

My grandma gave me dozens of pieces from her milk glass collection and I usually use them for dips, crackers and lime wedges when I throw parties.

But it works well as a flower pot too. I can’t believe milk glass isn’t more of a thing. All the pieces are the same colour so it’s a foolproof way to mix and match cheaply and chicly. Grab some before everyone catches on, there are quite a few on eBay.

The silver potted succulent is from Kermodi.

May 31, 2012 by

Giveaway | Yogini by Harvey Prince

Picked three names out of a hat and the winners of the Yogini by Harvey Prince x The Anthology giveaway are…

Amy and Julie, with the grand prize going to Sarah! Congratulations, ladies! May its scent remind you of everyone’s favourite part of yoga class: shavasana.

[Photo by William Klein found here.]

P.S. We have more giveaways coming up on The Anthology shortly so check back often!

May 29, 2012 by

Trippin’ | Palm Springs

When you think of Palm Springs, you think of this sort of thing, don’t you? (This is actually one of Peter Granser’s wicked-rad pictures of Sun City from his book of the same name, but it’s fitting.) With early dinners, long golf games and a lot of quiet, your grandparents love it in the California desert, don’t they?

But can your grandfather do this?

Palm Springs is a blast even if you’re not living off a pension. Doing absolutely nothing but blasting Snoop on your poolside stereo, sipping sangria — which, when I make it, is more like a fruit salad with red wine dressing…

…and bobbing around on pool noodles. It’s my kind of vacation. Not travelling, vacationing. There’s a difference and I love them both (almost) equally.

The area’s beautiful too and not just in a sunshine-and-palm-trees kind of way.  These days, every ad campaign, music video and look book seems to be shot in the middle of the desert, and for good reason — the light is gorgeous, the landscape is eerily barren and the weather is usually incredible (though, as I learned from sweater-wearing experience, that’s not always the case).

Speaking of wearing things, I left my white linen suit and Panama hat at home and opted instead to rock a bamboo t-shirt dress c/o Soleone (comfiest thing ever), vintage beaded belt and Frye shoes. When I wasn’t wearing my swimming costume, that is.

P.S. Make like your grandma and like The Anthology on Facebook.

May 28, 2012 by

Playlist | It’s a Sasquatch Kind of Weekend

This weekend, Vancouver-based photographer Braden Paul is at the gorgeous Gorge (sorry! couldn’t resist) shooting Sasquatch. Not, like, a real Sasquatch, but Sasquatch Music Festival. He went last year and his photos are out of this world: take a look here, here and here and stay tuned for this year’s highlights.

I will also be heading to Washington State, though I won’t be heading to the festival (sad face) instead, I’ll be listening to the likes of Santigold, Childish Gambino, tUnE-yArDs and SBTRKT on my iPod with my Urbanears headphones (pictured in Pattan Dark Grey c/o Urbanears).

May 25, 2012 by

Thank you | National Post

Thank you, National Post, for featuring my striped self alongside Tom Mora, VP of women’s design at J.Crew. You’ll find my recap of the opening of the clothier’s new Vancouver store here.

Thanks, Evaan, for snapping that shot and thanks, Marc, for spotting it!

May 22, 2012 by

Giveaway | Harvey Prince Yogini Fragrance

Want to smell like a yogi? Not the sweaty-cause-I-just-finished-a-Bikram-class kind of yogi, but the kind who’s all ripped and blissed out? Then this is your lucky day! The Anthology has teamed up with perfumery Harvey Prince to give away one 50 mL bottle of Yogini fragrance and two 8.8 ml roll-ons. With notes of sandalwood and Egyptian myrrh, it’s light and spicy and could be yours.

For one entry: Comment on this post and tell us your favourite yoga position — happy baby, anyone?

For two entries: Like Harvey Prince on Facebook.

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

The contest is open to Anthology readers in the US and Canada. Contest closes 5:00pm Thursday, May 24, 2012. Good luck!

[CLOSED] Congratulations Amy, Julie and Sarah!

May 18, 2012 by

Style | Fresh Off the Runway at Joe Fresh

I swear I didn’t mean to dress like Joe Fresh’s PR reps (that’s Laura and Michelle of Tara Parker Tait PR) at the Fresh Off the Runway spring preview. It just happened that way.

I love me some colour — especially orange and cobalt. Those hues were meant for each other.

[Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses, JNBY shirts, J.Crew jeans, vintage bag]

P.S. You and The Anthology were meant for each other so like The Anthology on Facebook.

May 18, 2012 by

Diary | Lunch with Starwood Hotels of Hawaii

If I weren’t such a classy lassy I’d make a joke about getting leid at lunch. But I’ll wait until I’m actually in Hawaii to do such a thing. Because after lunching with the folks from Starwood Hotels I can’t wait to plan some island-hopping.

Who wants to come with?

May 17, 2012 by

Diary | Cento Notti Spring Menu Tasting

A few weeks ago my girlfriends and I made ravioli by hand. Have you ever? With all the rolling and filling and mixing, it is the tastiest thing in the world, but very, very time-consuming. I find it’s much easier to have someone else prepare Italian food for you. Especially when that someone else is Paul Marshall, executive chef of Cento Notti.

I went to the spring menu tasting at proprietor John Evans’s home (not pictured: his trillion dollar view of Coal Harbour) and as much as I loved the ahi tuna carpaccio and pan-seared halibut, it reminded me why caprese salad is the best. And it’s hardly time-consuming at all.

May 17, 2012 by