Fashionista Sista

I am what I am, and what I am, is just fine with me.

April 26, 2010

My Olympic Adventure 2010

Looking back it all seems to have come and gone so quickly, but I remember the slow build the last few years to the 2010 Olympics hosted by Vancouver & Whistler.  What FUN I had during the whole 3 weeks.  By the 3rd night I hat just gotten home from work and had an epiphany while sitting on the couch.  “Mary what are you doing? The Olympics will never be in my town again in my life time.  Get out there and have some fun!” and my friend.. I did.

Check out this vlog about my Olympic Adventure.  Its a little unsteady at times as I was just getting used to my camera and I might of had a drink or two in celebration, but overall its a pretty fun adventure complete with the Olympic Rings up in Whistler, 3 Street Parties, a Before & After photo of Granville Street, and 3 Young Medalists on the podium at the end. Yay! Who knows you might be in the crowds somewhere.. Enjoy the memories.. Mwah!

February 23, 2010

StyleMisters

This ones for the Gents. If you have a man in your life that’s in need of a little fashion intervention, tell him to check out this blog for just a sec cause it may help him to get inspired in the fashion realm.  I know its tough cause guys need “fashion” to first of all, take barely a minute to do, cause no one wants a guy that looks like he spends a ton of time in front of the mirror and quite frankly most guys just don’t feel inclined that way anyways. We like a guy that’s a guy, but the truth is that its ok to get fresh these days in Mens Fashion.

I’m stoked to show these kool kats off in this blog. I’ve got a whole bunch of friends that are what I would call Seriously Stylin Gentlemen without even trying. Guys that just somehow look handsome no matter what they’re doing. Check out some of these sexy looking fellers.

Style Misters

Cool black layers with pops of white. Roll up your cuffs and show your tats. = Rad

Bowler Hat and Pea Coat. Ya.

Formal Friday Attire – I digs

Geek Chic Holland Style.

Sexy Chill Styler

Ghetto Fabulous

Pepe Fresh – The Yellow Tie is Killer.

If I was a guy I would rock it out too. Boring doesn’t have to happen anymore cause Men’s Fashion has picked up its game in a serious way. There’s so many more options, detailing, cuts, and layering that can happen just take some notes from these guys. Find a signature accessory if nothing else and run with it for a while. It will inspire another and suddenly you’ll have your own cool personal style start to emerge and it will only get better and more put together with time. If you take just a minute or two to shop for your ‘wardrobe’ you won’t have to think hard when you want to go out, it’ll just be there sitting on your dresser and your good to go. Of course it has to look like you didn’t think about it.. but you did. Everyone does, don’t be fooled.

Pick up a scarf, or a cuff, try a hat or a new colour of sneaker that you haven’t tried before and remember to wear it when you go out on the town! Girls love this kind of stuff on guys!! Its in the details. Seriously. Now you know. Think layers, playing with prints, ties, hats and contrasting something in your outfit for a more graphic and modern approach.  Go and Get Fresh already!

October 14, 2008

Roadtrippin’ Victoria Style..

Where: Victoria, Vancouver Island

 

Sleep: Empress Hotel. 

Rich with history.  Elegant rooms.  Centrally located.  Just look around you and take it all in.  It’s worth it if you’d like to invest in the sleep.

 

Getting Around:

Just walk.  It’s pretty easy to get around, or you can just hop in a cab or a bicycle rickshaw.  For a romantic twist hire one of the horse & carriage teams and ride around the elegant waterfront.

 

Eat: Spinnakers Gastro Brew Pub 

Drive just over the Esquimalt Bridge to Spinnakers and sit around the comfortable dinning tables in the restaurant or the pub upstairs and enjoy some of the tastiest beers on the West Coast.  Their Honey Pale Ale is the best I have ever had.  Sincerely.  The great food is produced locally so they bake the bread, pastries and desserts like the amazing Truffles to tempt you as you walk out the door.  I couldn’t say no to the gold flecked Caramel or Vanilla Latte truffles. Aaaaaaaaamazing.  You can also stay in one of the cool Guesthouses in the back if you’ve had a one too many in the bar.  How sweet is that?  A must do when your by the water!

 

Eat: The Reef – New to Victoria but an oldy but a goody in Vancouver!

Explore this menu and you will be pleasantly surprised.  The Pina Colada’s are nice and frothy and the Mojito’s and Ceasar’s are killer.  A great way of getting out of the wet or cold fall and winter and slipping into a little bit of Jamaca.  WE love the Reef and always have a good time!  Bring back the Banana Bread Frenchtoast!

 

Fun: Madam Tusades Wax Museum

Check out the Wax Museum near the Empress Hotel on the water.  I used to go there as a kid and I still love going to this day.  A little creepy, but good creepy.

 

Shopping: Antique Row

Enjoy a historical slow shop walk down Antique Row.  There are so many pretty things to tempt your eye and possibly your wallet.  Areas like Antique Row, Fairfield Village and Cook Street Village are great shopping.

 

More Shopping: Artina’s, Rebel Rebel, Roberta’s Hats, Oscar & Libby’s

These are my top picks for boutiques around the downtown area.  Easy to walk to them all and you can stop and shop at so many other’s along the way.  Artina’s is a Canadian jewellery shop that really knows what their doing.  Their respect for their Designer’s and excitement over the jewels they carry make them a must shop.  Rebel Rebel is a hipster clothing shop to satisfy the urban fashionista.  Roberta’s Hats… just cause I can always find a fresh new hat to rock there.  And last but not least, Oscar’s & Libby’s is a fun and frolicky boutique of fun and fashionable gifts that you have to stop by on your shop about town.    

 

Tourist Must-Do: Royal British Columbia Museum

This museum used to blow my mind as a kid and it still does today.  Take a few hours and enjoy all the rich and colourful display after display of Westcoast Canadian history. 

 

October 5, 2008

Roadtrippin’ to Seattle

Where: Seattle

Right down town in the thick of it.

 

Sleep: Sheraton Hotel. 

Handsome, designer rooms.  Clean and contemporary esthetic, with a nice widescreen TV and great views of the city building rooftops.  Centrally located.  You’ve got to check out the amazing touch screen tabletops that are in the lobby sitting area.  They are beyond cool.  Check out google maps and all the other interactive stuff they have on there.  Technological wonder.

 

Getting Around:

Just walk.  Its pretty easy to get around you just have to wear walking shoes because you might climb a couple of hills but with enough cocktails you won’t notice a thing!

 

Eat: The Crab Pot down on the water. 

Sit with your friends at a long table, with bibs and a cutting board in front of you and they’ll serve you up a seafood feast that will stuff you silly.  There was no way we could eat it all.  We did seem to have a lot of waste so order a pot at a time and order as you need more.  It’ll keep the food warmer longer too.  Still it was a riot eating like that and a must do when your by the water!

 

Eat: Palace Kitchen 2030 Fifth Ave.

We literally stumbled into this late night resturant for some nosh and our last drinks for the evening.  Low and behold we were pleasantly surprised by the polite and jovial staff and the FOOD was stellar!!! Order a bunch of appy’s and share with your crew.  You will be completely glad you did.  I can’t even remember all the dishes that we enjoyed they were all just so divine.  We also enjoyed a round of peach mojito’s and whoa…  I was hooked.

 

Fun: The Underground Tour.

See the way Seattle evolved from a seaside town with ladders that people had to climb up and down everyday to do their daily errands to the modern cosmopolitan city it is today. 

 

More Fun: Seahawks Football Game

Not a football fan?  Me neither, especially not the NFL.  However, I’m always good to go do something sportingly fun, so I went with my crew, and even though we were up super high in the nosebleeds it was an experience I enjoyed though ally.  It was so much fun being surrounded by Super Fans everywhere, cause they’re straight up crazy for football down there.  Oh oh oh and they have good beer!!  That’s a huge blessing, because well.. Budweiser sucks!! 

 

Shopping: New H&M

Just opened their doors and all in all the shopping is good.  I’m not crazy about the way they merchandised the store but I eventually found some fun items so I was happy when I left.

 

More Shopping: Nordstrom Rack

Clothes and shoes for days and days and days.

 

Tourist Must-Do Too: American Music Experience AMP

Learn in a savvy multi-media way all about the history of Rock music and make some music yourself.

 

Tourist Must-Do: Seattle Space Tower

Head up to the top of the space tower at night when the city is a sea of lights.  Use the powerful telescopes to find the best patios in the city and play some eye-spy.  Enjoy the early part of your evening with a cocktail or two high up in the clouds.

June 9, 2008

My Vegas

Last week I was in Vegas with 10 sassy females aka. Bauders Broads for my sista’s Stagette and after a whirlwind of a trip we made it back home somehow in one piece.  A little worn down and rough around the edges, but we’ve recovered slowly while looking absolutely fabulous so all is well.

Here’s how it all went down… It’s a ride..  Ya ready… Limoed our way to the MGM Grand and settled in quickly.  Went poolside.. sigh. sun.  slushy drinks.  sigh.. What’s that?  Gag.  Choke.  Who freakin knew tobacco smoke was going to be everywhere I turned?  Even at the pool.  There was no escaping it unless I was in my room.  Thank God it was a non smoking room.  Ugh, could you imagine how bad the smell of the musty smoke filled walls in one of their smoking rooms would reek?  Sick dude.  Sick.

So there’s this club called Taboo that we hit the first night.  Funnnnnn music… my man Tommy Boy was throwin’ down some seriously sexy records and we jammed on the dance floor til we shut the club down.  Initially before we settled on a cool spot to rock out and dance baby dance, we moved about the club’s dance floor on a search for a good local.  Due to these roped off square spaces in the middle of the dance floor for losers that lay down hundreds of dollahs for a bottle, there was nary a spot to actually bust out and show some dance skills.  As my girls and I (feather boa’s and all) tucked in beside one of these couches to stake out our spot this woman started pushing at me to get out of her space.  This ridiculous behavior from this woman was seriously laughable.  I was almost embarrassed for her because she was acting like the bully at the playground.  Hilarious.  Still I stood my ground and I did my best to kill her with kindness as is my rule of thumb.  Suddenly I get this bouncer guy at my back telling me to get behind the line of the couches so that I was inches away from her.  FYI: There was no freaking room in the club!  In a calm, but direct way I asked him, “Are you serious?   I actually have to step over this imaginary line so that this woman has enough space to give this guy a raunchy sex grind?  Gross.  Nobody in here wants to see them doing that.  They were super icky.”  The funny thing was that the bouncer showed embarrassment at my comments.  I think that’s why later on that evening he let the girls and I have free reign on the dance floor and all the platforms.   I will elaborate later about the lame elitism bullshit class system that is all around Vegas.  Ick.  Still we had a wicked night because we always have fun no matter what.  We also saw all sorts of characters in there like the Judge Nigel from “So You Think You Can Dance” who was watching me dance giving me the thumbs up!, but he was more than a little preoccupied with the girl groping him!!  Ha ha.  Bauders Broads danced till we shut down the club and then we carried on to some other adventures…

Vegas is all about now, easy, fast, fun, bleeding money, shine, drugs, lights, over air conditioned and smoke infested Casino’s, bling, drinksssssss, sex, yehaw, haughty elitism oh and as long as you have your friends around… FUN!!!

Get a life you elitists asses and your “drop $500+ on a bottle to stand in a roped off area” for lame people with no personality, who need to pay money to “seem” and I use that term lightly.. seem to be cool.  Don’t get me wrong.  I can rock around a roped off area and shimmy my way into anywhere with a charming smile and a hey brotha/sista on my lips.  I know who I am and what I can do… However there was the occasional bouncer that just had to throw his weight around a bit, so that was when the girls and I became aware of this pompous elitist bul&%$@ that was everywhere in Vegasland!!!  Still we didn’t let it get us down.  We just stepped on it and smiled.  

Alas the morning came round and before we made our way to back to the pool we went for a quick shop at Caesar’s Palace.  Wow, impressive building and scenery however at the end of the day you walk out of these big Casino’s and you realize that Vegas is just a mishmash of Casino money madness put into the flavour of theme, desert and ghetto souvenir shops.  Once you move past the casino’s edges the money ends.  I got the impression that none of these huge casino corporations cared much about the quality of life beyond their doors.  Once I looked past the facades my eyes were opened to that eco disaster that is Las Vegas. 

Let me explain…  There’s little or no recycling to be had anywhere in Vegas that I could see and I did look for it!  Plastic bottles and the like were being thrown in the garbage everywhere.  It killed me a little bit inside with every plastic bottle or recyclable anything I saw tossed in a garbage can not to mention all the cigarette butts everywhere.  You’d think these huge casinos would see recycling as just another way to make some money back on their entire drink container’s they’ve already sold and made the money off of.  You’d think that recycling would be a no brainer.  Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be important in Vegas.  Something to consider Vegas!!  We know the casino’s are making some serious cake so those corporations should step up to the plate and put some dough into going more Green yo!  

Between the smoking everywhere, the parking lot of idling cars that the strip becomes on any given day, the constant over-air conditioning, the ‘all you can eat buffets’ that must waste a ton of food, the constant drain of electricity to keep all the lights in Vegas twinkling, and all the un-recycled bottles and plastics Vegas needs an eco-facelift in a major way.    

We drove our sexy white limo over to Old Vegas the next evening and trooped around drinking in the lights, the colourful people and these enormously long slushy margarita drinks.  I don’t drink much but once the lovely J put one of these into my clutches that was my tipping point.  The cool thing was that S & I sat down and breathed in some pure oxygen at a bar for 10 minutes that night and I think that’s what kept me from feeling like death the next morning. 

On the ride to Old Vegas our driver drove us over to the famous ‘Welcome to Las Vegas” sign for a tourist picture and on our way back to the MGM we invaded Circus Circus to get a picture taken by the Carousel Bar (a nod to Fear & Loathing) and as we walked through the casino all of us were struck by how gnarly everyone was in there especially the ones that worked there.  I’m really not a mean person I‘m merely explaining what I saw.  I know it was probably about 4:30am, which isn’t the prettiest hour but wow!   Ok moving on…  After we jumped off our limo ship to take a hilarious picture by Treasure Island’s Pirate Ship we headed back to the MGM to find out what was shaking around there.  We were shocked to see that everything was closed even Studio 54.  After a very late morning party session in our rooms I finally went to sleep only to be waken up a few hours later by the beautiful bride Shannon ordering us to get up to go have some fun.  After another shop session around the Miracle Mile Mall we headed to the pool to try to rally for our last night in Vegas.  We were all very hung over and hurting from the debauchery and lack of sleep, but we rallied indeed, put on some sparkly outfits and enjoyed the first part of the night watching Cirque De Soleil – Zumanity. 

We trooped around New York, New York and made plans to hit another club.  LAX was the club we were told to check out first so we sashayed our way past all the lines, went up to the doorman and with Shannon and I arm in arm I threw down something charming.  After the doorman said he could “smell the maple syrup on us” he laughed and pulled back the magic ropes to let us all enter.  Ridiculous amount of people were in this club.  This was apparently one of the biggest clubs in Vegas and believe me there wasn’t a spare spot in the joint.  Once again there were a ton of boxed VIP areas that required a $1000 bottle to be able to hangout in.  This place really had no vibe cause everything was dangerously crowded so after I chatted with a really cool New York City off duty cop we opted to find some new digs.

We cruised back home to the MGM Grand and marched through Studio 54 doors to hit the dance floor yet again.  This club was a really nice size, good set up and we had room to breath.  In seconds I was dancing around the huge dance floor people watching creating vibe.  The girls were getting macked on all over the place so it was happening’.  I met some charming gentlemen, shared many a laugh with the girls and danced my ass off.  I was stoked to realize that I can still out dance anyone.  Bring it I say… Bring it!  No competition just pure fun.  Later on I met a cool dude named G that invited the harem and I up to his Penthouse suite at the MGM to enjoy the view and carry on the party, because once again we shut down the club.  As we finished the night drinking Vanilla Vodka and enjoying some sweet Kush as G liked to call it (Long Beach style) the girls and I realized we had officially rocked Vegas.  We party like Rockstars because we are what we are.  My favorite memory of my time in Vegas will forever be jumping on the pillowy white bed in the Penthouse suite with my Vegas hat rocked to the side and the happy sound of my sista’s laughing after a hard night of making it all happen Vegas style. 

The next day I got on the plane with my Vegas hat on and my feather boa wrapped around my neck and in seconds after I sat down I was out like a light.

So much love sista’s. Think reunion!