Fashionista Sista

Here it is… a throw down.

I’m so tired of being bombarded by horror flick ads.  The first time I realized that I despised having to witness horror ads was when I was watching So You Think You Can Dance on Much Music in the afternoon with my little guy and sure enough suddenly Cut to commercial:           

 We’re looking at a woman standing in front of the mirror and suddenly the scariest and most horrifying face pops into the mirror reflection on screen and scared us both in a major way.  It was totally uncool having the Ad come on at 1pm in the afternoon, especially being sandwiched between fresh and inspired dancing on the show.  It was a crisp sunny day and suddenly my energy shifted uncomfortably and I had to fight to get my good vibes back.  Little kids don’t deserve to witness horror like that let alone adults!  Terrible TV scheduling. especially when its the daytime and the shows content is very audience friendly.  I wrote an email to the Much Music and they took note and made the change, as far as I now they stopped the Ads playing on the show before 6pm.  Props.  

 However, the next few times I really felt oppressed by these horror flick Ads was when this one Ad constantly kept playing while I was watching channel 6 during the Fashion Police for the SAG Awards this very evening!  Suddenly Cut to commercial:

 Scary movie Ad for The Univited comes up and there’s horror everywhere.  Twisted bodies, scary eyes and dark content jumping at me.  This same commercial has been on for weeks and I despise it.  Everytime I see the beginning of the Ad I have to turn my head away before it cuts to something scary and horrifying that eventually comes up in one of my nightmares.

 It’s a total injustice that we (the average cool sista and brotha out there and our innocent amazing children) are forced to endure those scary and dark images when we are least expecting it… let alone when we are expecting it.  In this crazy wild but beautiful world it seems to be a terrible idea to constantly force darkness onto people especially before 6pm on daytime television when all we’re trying to do is make something positive happen with our day!!  Spread the love yo and stop paying for the ugliness already.  The problem I see isn’t in watching these shows (even thought I must say ease off the horror train man) but its more importantly about these Ads being on TV so often and on the wrong content shows.  Everyone of us has to fight so much negativity in the world, why the heck are people buying into it all?  Smarten up.

 This is your heads up TV Programming peoples.  Put your scary horror Ads online targeted websites or during the TV shows and Films that are more appropriate for the horror set.

 Please take note.  This is the word From a down sista.. Peace.

Straight up.  My resolution for 2009 is to be more… FABULOUS!!!

 Oh ya, its on.  I’ve decided this year that I’m going to dress up more often and shine.  I invite you to do the same.  Being the fashionista that I am, I have more than a few party dresses, a sexy selection of heeled shoes and boots and other pretty things kicking around in the back of my closet waiting patiently for the day they get to rock it out with me.  The funny thing is that I haven’t worn as many of my special pieces in the last few years because I got pregnant, became a mom, worked continually hard on my business Clutch Jewels, and then suddenly before I knew it, I realized that I was surfing on this cloud of easy wearing knits, my signature pinstripe dark denim jeans and sneakers. 

Sigh.  Sounds good.   But you know, I’ve reflected on this a lot in the last few months and I want to have more fun with it these days.  Fashion is the spice of life for me as with other things like my family and friends, traveling, boardsports and playing with my son Judah, but the bottom line is that

FASHION IS FUN.

I’m having a ton of fun rocking out fresh new outfits, and I’ve already been paid a whole bunch of great compliments since I started working my New Year’s resolution.  People smile at me more often and every time I look in the mirror I think ‘sweet, I look great.’  I’d say it’s a win win sitch.  So I urge you to step up this year and have fun when you’re putting your outfit together for the day.  Be sure to wear all those sexy shoes or high heeled boots that you have in your closet.  It doesn’t take a ton of money to have great style.  All it takes is keeping your eyes open for some special pieces that can be transformed a few different ways in amongst your wardrobe to keep it Happenin’. 

So here are 6 solid fashion tips for you to remember as you get dressed this year to help you start looking more fabulous everyday.

1. Explore the depths of your closet and make sure that you are wearing some of those cool pieces of clothing and accessories that have been in hiding and deserve to see the light.  Mix it up a little!

2. If it doesn’t fit you or contour your curves properly DON’T wear it.

3. Wear heels or cute shoes.

4. Accessorize and Jewel thy self for heaven’s sake!  You must wear one signature accessory that pulls your whole outfit together be it a necklace, hat, scarf or earrings and oh ya.. that’s not including your purse or shoes.

5. Try wearing a colourful thick or thin belt around some of your favorite tops, dresses, long sweaters or cardigans to cinch in your waist and add colour.

6. Layer, Layer, LAYER!!!  There are many ways to layer.  Try button up shirts under T-shirts, long sleeves and tailored jackets.  Pop the collar and flip up the cuffs on the sleeves.  Until we start heading into the Spring season try a tank top as a base, layer something fun over top exposing some colour from of the tank top layer underneath and then throw on a stylish scarf and a cool jacket.  When in doubt try it on!

Putting a great wardrobe together takes time and love.  In fact it’s a constant work in progress, because clothes wear out and styles change as do sizes.  When you’re shopping keep your eyes open for that fresh new item that can be incorporated into your wardrobe multiple ways to keep you smiling, inspired and constantly feeling gorgeous. 

I hope to see you round this year.  I’ll be the one wearing FABULOUS…  hope you are too!  Much love.

The Weekend before Halloween – Whoa.  That was some heavy scheduling this Halloween week.  It all started when I dressed my little guy Judah (17 months old) and Lyla my twin sista’s little lady up in traditional Korean costumes.  

Judah might smack me when he’s a teenager and sees what I dressed him up in on his 2^nd Halloween, but he rocked it out looking adorable with his DC kicks at the Cloverdale Kids Trick or Treat Parade last weekend with Lyla as his stunning Korean lady counterpart.  It’s a sweet little stroll with the kids through old downtown Cloverdale as the charming local business’ give out candy to all the lovely children.  Good times.

Wednesday – is when things started to get ridiculous.  I started out Fashion Styling a fun, but totally creepy fashion shoot for Christie Clayton’s clothing label Carny Love with some fresh Clutch Jewels at the PNE’s Fright Nights sets.  Even during the day it was completely creepy and unnerving for me.  All the blood and scary looking creatures were super eerie!!  Still, I always have a ton of fun when I’m working with creative teams so all was well.  Much love to Christie, Kris Krug Photography and the two lovely models.  The pics are indicative of Christie’s funky fashion vision for Carny Love Clothing so well done you guys.  Your green hoody and long skirt rock Christie!!! www.carnylove.com

Thursday – As soon as the sun went down everything was focused on Madonna!  Big ups Sarah, Ricki, Amber, Scott and Katie.  What a riot.  I thought Madonna did a great job.  She works hard for her money and puts on a pretty burly show, although I must admit that on an all around scale Justin Timberlake and Timberland was the show of champions this year.  I’m just sayin… 

Like A Prayer was my fav song for sure and her remixed oldies were fun.  Despite the critics I actually liked the new tunes she played from her newest record. I also liked when she played her guitar with the Gypsy-esque band for a more world sound.  It was lively and I got it.  I guess she could have put down her guitar more, but all in all I got her flow.  There was one song that was a little dull called Human Nature, but that was it for dull.  The only thing I didn’t dig was that I just sat down for a minute after I had been dancing in my killer sexy heels for the last hour and right after she finished that song the show was finished.  Ya.  No encore, no nothing.  House lights on and it was done.  Apparently Madonna doesn’t do encore’s cause when she’s done she’s done.

Through out most of the show though, all I kept thinking was this chickeetah is over 50!!!  Hope I keep looking that hot when I’m her age.  I must say that I did love the fairy tale idea that her and Guy Richie would be married forever so I was a little sad that they weren’t together anymore, but I guess we all have our problems so I’ll give her a little space on this one.  At the end of the day it was a ‘must see’ show and she made me dance the whole time so rock on Madonna, rock on..

Friday Halloween – I gathered as many costume pieces as I could together for everyone’s costume that I was in charge of and somehow made it come together.  Carved a punkin’ at Sarah’s pad and we enjoyed a delightful Halloween experience on their street.  A ton of kids dressed up in great costumes and we gave out lots and lots of candy!  Sarah was Cinderella, I was a 1950’s Prom Queen with my stunning blue puffy dress and sparkly tiara, Scott was a Star Trek Next Gen Captain, Judahbug was a little fireman and Ricki was the scariest of all… Darth Vader.  He perfected his costume this year with his voice box, flashy button crest and a killer lightsaber that made the perfect sound when turned on.  All the kids were either scared to walk past or they thought he was the coolest guy in the land. 

In the evening it was on.  My 1950’s Prom King Tyler, in all his handsome light blue ruffles and black bowtie, and I, met some of the crew down at the Playhouse for a lively pre Halloween Party warm up.  Great space you guys.  Host another party for sure!!! 

After a few drinks we hit up Open for the early part of the evening and it was on.  It just started filling up with people and suddenly I got on the dance floor.  Then dj hebegebe came on and played a set that was truly wicked and exactly what everyone wanted to hear!!  He felt the crowd and kept me on my feet for an hour or two at least.  Everyone showed up and a good time was had by all… until the next dj came on.  I’ve got to say that he bombed playing some boring generic records that had no soul, so I slipped out and went to the next local at the Big House to cool down and finish off a completely fun evening.   Ahhh the colourful adventures of Mary…  

Hope you had a wickedly fun Halloween!  Much love. 

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. 

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.

Is anyone else freaking out a little bit inside about the global warming scenario and the harmful effects of our everyday lives on the planet that we live on!!!  I’m absolutely concerned myself, and now that I am enjoying my new life with my 10 month old baby Judah, I am really feeling the weight of laying out a healthy future for him as well as for my community. 

There are so many things that we can do to participate on an everyday basis to step back and reduce the foot print each one of us adds everyday to the planets health. You may have heard of some of these before, but as I go through my daily activities I keep finding more and more ways to do my part and conserve so I thought I would show you my style of conservation for all the fashionista’s out there.  Check it out.

 1.  Cup of Latte? I’m your kind of girl. I tend to drink at least one yummy vanilla latte almost everyday. The best thing you can do in this situation is buy yourself a reusable metal travel mug and bring that with you everywhere you go. As if you don’t have one of those seriously cool carry all bags to throw one in. Even if you forget it once in awhile at least you are using disposable cups less.

If you do tend to use a “to go” paper cup and plastic lid with your coffee once your done instead of throwing the whole cup in the bin consider this option when your at home or in the office that has these facilities: separate the lid and then the cup & paper cozy and rinse the cup.  Put the lid in the plastics recycling bin and the the paper cup and cozy in the paper recycling bin. So easy to do. If there isn’t a bin to put them into demand that there is one. I request every Starbucks that I go to to offer a recycing bin for each piece. For such an giant o a company they should be leading the eco way. What about all those Frapacino plastic cups, lids and straws? Those should be recycled as well!!! I have seen far too many in garbage bins at every coffee shop that never make it to the recycling centers. Instead they sit in a land fill or worse make their way into our waterways never to breakdown…  

 2.  Write your local retailers directly, or their websites, or simply make a suggestion with the manager of the store about what to stock on their shelves. Tell their “Buyers” to buy more “green or eco” products!!! They will pay attention because “going green” is on the most everyone’s minds these days.  You can make a difference. Use your voice!!

 For instance: “You guys usually have almost everything I’m looking for, however I do think you guys need to carry a “green” alternative in every product you sell as much as possible such as green diapers for the eco minded moms out there.”

3.  Use your buying power to stop buying products that aren’t “green” and buy the ones that are local.  The less that product has to travel to get onto the shelves, the more “green” it is and the less of a footprint it has as a whole. Remember that even if it is organic that doesn’t mean it didn’t come from afar. Look at where it comes from and buy locally or at least Canadian as much as possible! That goes for all things fashion as well!!! Shop local, its eco-friendly!!

4. Stop using plastic shopping bags.  There is absolutely no need to use them unless you did a random shop and you didn’t plan for it. Obviously there are exceptions but really that is your excuse once in a while.  You have options now.  Many of the grocery stores are giving away fabric grocery bags if you buy over $100 in groceries.  For a more fashionista approach check out my girlfriends eco chic company http://www.bringyourownbag.ca They carry a whole range of fabric carry all bags with cool quotes and prints on display. 

5. Repeat after me… I’ll never use another plastic water bottle again.  I just read that title article in my 100th Issue Making Waves Magazine by The Surfrider Foundation.   As I read this article I thought immediately about how I could actually make that happen.  It was going to be super tough.  As an example I was at a club dancing the night away the other night and I ordered a water from the bar.  Of course they gave me a water bottle with their logo on it and ended up taking it home with me later.  I just put the bottle in the recycling bin at my pad which seems like the end of it… Its not.

As the article says “water bottles arent’ the only culprit, they are just one of the most popular.  For me all single use plastic is in the same catagory.  To be blunt I see plastic water bottles as… wrong.  I’m suggesting you give up using them.”

To sum it up:

North Americans spent $15,000,000,000 on plastic water bottles last year.  $46,000,000,000 spent globally.  

We pitch 38 billion water bottles a year into landfills.

Plastic is the most common type of marine litter world-wide.

Every piece of (petroleum-based) plastic ever manufactured still exists.

That last one alone is killer.  If that doesn’t make you think about the plastic you use on an everyday basis in a whole new light nothing will.  Hopefully it does make us all consider stopping the regular use of plastics as much as possible. 

6. Stop driving everywhere and walk or ride your bike.  For example: I am a total fashionista and I still managed to go green and look good… I rode my cruiser bike to BC Fashion Week last year on Granville Island from my pad in East Van wearing a cute skirt. Just before I walked into the fashion show I put my heels on, grabbed my purse from my bike basket and rocked on into the show.  If you walk so much the better.  You’ll get fit, have a healthy glow when you get to the event and have bragging rights when the topic of the environment comes up in conversation which we know… it always does…

There are so many ways for fashionista’s to go green.  Do it today.  Make a difference for life.

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! 

Is anyone else freaking out a little bit inside about the global warming scenario and the harmful effects of our everyday lives on the planet that we live on!!!  I’m absolutely concerned myself, and now that I am enjoying my new life with my 10 month old baby Judah, I’m really feeling the weight of laying out a healthy future for him as well as for my community. 

There are so many things that we can do to participate on an everyday basis to step back and reduce the foot print each one of us adds everyday to the planets health. You may have heard of some of these before, but as I go through my daily activities I keep finding more and more ways to do my part and conserve so I thought I would show you my style of conservation for all the fashionista’s out there.  Check it out.

1.  Cup of Latte?  I’m your kind of girl. I tend to drink at least one yummy vanilla latte almost everyday. The best thing you can do in this situation is buy yourself a reusable metal travel mug and bring that with you everywhere you go. As if you don’t have one of those seriously cool carry all bags to throw one in. Even if you forget it once in awhile at least you are using disposable cups less.

If you do tend to use a “to go” paper cup and plastic lid with your coffee once your done instead of throwing the whole cup in the bin consider this option when your at home or in the office that has these facilities: separate the lid and then the cup & paper cozy and rinse the cup.  Put the lid in the plastics recycling bin and the paper cup and cozy in the paper recycling bin.  So easy to do.  If there isn’t a bin to put them into, demand that there is one.

I request to the manager at almost every Starbucks I enter to offer a recycling bin for each piece.  For such an giant of a company they should be leading the eco way.  What about all those Frappacino plastic cups, lids and straws?  Those should be recycled as well!!!  I have seen far too many in garbage bins at every coffee shop that never make it to the recycling centers.  Instead they sit in a land fill or worse make their way into our waterways never to breakdown…  

2.  Write your local retailers directly, or their websites, or simply make a suggestion with the manager of the store about what to stock on their shelves.  Tell their “Buyers” to buy more “green or eco” products!!!  They will pay attention because “going green” is on most everyone’s minds these days.  You can make a difference.  Use your voice!!

For example: “You guys usually have almost everything I’m looking for, however I do think you guys need tocarry a “green” alternative in every product you sell as much aspossible such as green diapers for the eco minded moms out there.”

3. Use your buying power to stop buying products that aren’t “green” and buy the ones that are local.  The less that product has to travel to get onto the shelves, the more “green” it is and the less of a footprint it has as a whole.  Remember that even if it is organic that doesn’t mean it didn’t come from afar.  Look at where it comes from and buy locally or at least Canadian as much as possible!  That goes for all things fashion as well!!!  Shop local, its eco-friendly!!

4. Stop using plastic shopping bags.  There is absolutely no need to use them unless you did a random shop and you didn’t plan for it.  Obviously there are exceptions but really that is your excuse once in a while.  You have options now.  Many of the grocery stores are giving away fabric grocery bags if you buy over $100 in groceries.  For a more fashionista approach check out my girlfriends eco chic company Bring Your Own Bag.  They carry a whole range of fabric carry all bags with cool quotes and prints on display.   http://www.bringyourownbag.ca 

5. Repeat after me… I’ll never use another plastic water bottle again.  I just read that title article in my 100th Issue Making Waves Magazine by The Surfrider Foundation.   As I read this article I thought immediately about how I could actually make that happen.  It’s going to be tough, but I am determined.  For example before I read this article, I was at a club dancing the night away the other night, and I ordered a water from the bar.  Of course they gave me a water bottle with their logo on it and ended up taking it home with me later.  I just put the bottle in the recycling bin at my pad which seemed like the end of it… Its not.  I thought I did my part.

As the article says “water bottles aren’t the only culprit, they’re just one of the most popular.  For me all single use plastic is in the same category.  To be blunt I see plastic water bottles as… wrong.  I’m suggesting you give up using them.”

To sum it up:

North Americans spent $15,000,000,000 on plastic water bottles last year.  $46,000,000,000 spent globally.  

We pitch 38 billion water bottles a year into landfills.

Plastic is the most common type of marine litter world-wide.

Every piece of (petroleum-based) plastic ever manufactured still exists.

That last one alone is killer.  If that doesn’t make you think about the plastic you use on an everyday basis in a whole new light nothing will.  Hopefully it does make us all consider stopping the regular use of plastics as much as possible.

6. Stop buying items that are over-packaged.  You know, the products at Costco for instance, that are layered in that hard non-recyclable packaging that is impossible to get into.  Why?  Don’t buy into it.

7. Stop driving everywhere and walk or ride your bike.  For example: I am a total fashionista and I still managed to go green and look good… I rode my cruiser bike to BC Fashion Week last year on Granville Island from my pad in East Van wearing a cute skirt. Just before I walked into the fashion show I put my heels on, grabbed my purse from my bike basket and rocked on into the show.  If you walk so much the better.  You’ll get fit, have a healthy glow when you get to the event and have bragging rights when the topic of the environment comes up in conversation which we know… it always does… 

8. Unplug your cell phone and laptop chargers when not in use.  Every day we already use a ton of “vampire energy” when leaving on TV’s, microwaves, and alarm clocks.  Unplugging our chargers is the least we can do.  

9. Turn off all your lights at night and when you leave the house!!!  It’s so easy to turn them back on.  Flick.  Just like that your back in action.

10.  Use less water.  Turn off running water faster.  Take shorter showers.  How easy is that?

There are so many ways for fashionista’s to go green.  Do it today.  Make a difference for life.  If you have one you’d like to suggest please drop us a comment.

Hello fashionista’s… don’t you know the new black is green? Ha ha.

Respect.

Hey kats and kittens,

These are fashion rules you can count on to keep you looking fresh, cool and put together all the time, however some of them are to help you take a risk and try something new.  If you have any rules that you swear by, or that you think you would like to add please drop us a line and comment.  You have to put clothes on everyday anyway, you may as well have fun with it!!  Life’s too short to be a bore.  Rock it out rockstar!  

1. If it feels awkward don’t wear it. 

2. If you are going to be tugging at your clothes all day don’t wear it. 

3. If there are just too many colours in your outfit and you resemble a piñata tone it down sister.

4. If your wearing all black all the time… get a life.  Life’s too short.

5. If you’re wearing one colour from top to bottom. Ugh!  The only time this rule is moot is when wearing a suit or a dress. 

6. When in doubt wear one item of denim at a time except maybe jeans and a denim vest or a jean jacket… sometimes that works, but not often unless you’re a biker or cowboy!!!  This goes for leather as well.  Accessories don’t count obviously.

7. Get yourself a cool medium size purse or bag in a random bright colour for a fun new look.

8. Say no to crack and thongs showing… that is beyond passe!!! 

9. If your “clothes are wearing you” don’t wear them.  When this happens you either need to work on your self confidence or just tone your outfit down so that your personality shines. 

10. If the silhouette isn’t figure flattering don’t wear it.      

11. Try layering.  It can be your best friend.  Layering is all about experimenting.  If it doesn’t work take it off, but try it first because it may look great.  For a more casual look I layer almost everything first with a white boybeater tank.  I have at least 5 in my closet at a time and a few coloured ones as well to layer over top.  Then I layer sweaters, hoodies, shrugs, and other lighter tops over them.  The key to layering is trying it out first and if it feels wierd take it off. Try it.. 

12. When shopping and you just don’t know… try it on.

13. If there is too many things to fix on a garment that you want to buy… don’t buy it.

14. Tailoring is great, but the garment has to be worth it!

15. If you haven’t tried the “new look “on, give it a try you can always take it off.  If one label doesn’t fit you in that hot style you dig, try it in a different label.  It might fit you better than the last one did.  Each designer uses a different fit model so not every label fits the same way! 

16. To keep it fresh and seriously fashionable if you wear a loose knitted garment on top, opt for a tailored pant or skirt on the bottom and vice versa. If you wear a knited flowy skirt, dress or a loose pair of pants try wearing a clean lined tailored jacket or something simple on top.  If you wear a loose knitted garment on top and bottom it can be a bit sloppy.. catch my drift?     

17. Wear a piece or jewelry with your everyday outfits be it to work at the office or jeans and a tee.  Show some personality!  Get inspired.

18. If you aren’t feeling confident that day don’t try to rock a new style or you may end up feeling worse than when you started.

19. Dress up rather than dress down.  When in doubt wear a tailored jacket.  It’ll always make you look smart. 

20. Dress for the event!!

So here it is…

I’m a cool, down sista. I work really hard and play as much as I can. I own and operate Clutch Jewels which I rock with the best team of Clutch Girls ever!!! I also style fashion shoots for who ever pays me enough and do a ton of graphic design. Generally we bring fresh fashion jewels to the peoples. Clutch Jewels make you feel glamourous.

I have oodles of good peoples that surround me with love, goodness, laughter and some times some serious badassness Vancouver Style. I am a new mom with my little 9 month old Judah. Madly in love with him and my new life.

On any given day I love hanging with my family and crew (East Side Wrecking Crew), ripping it up snowboarding on the slopes with the usual suspects in Whistler or skimboarding down at Spanish Banks in the summer. My inspiration comes from boardsports, travel and chill but glamourous fashion.  Skateboarding has been a habit of mine as well since I was a young teen and at 32 i can still rip it up on any given sunny day. I don’t get to skate as much these days, but the wicked skateparks in this town call out to me so I do what I am told and ride. Then I go back to work and make it all happen… Keep it cool my friends.

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