Lets get touchy-feely

well, not actually...

It must be a guilty pleasure of mine, but every time I pass through Holt Renfrew I definitely make it a point to quietly gush over the Alice + Olivia collection. Really, who can actually keep their hands to themselves when they are expose to a selective combination of beautiful textures, fabrics and layers paired with a touch of femininity?

I Pity the Fool....

via forever 21

a. grand faceted ring @ $5.80 CAD

b. faceted jewel earrings @ $6.80 CAD

c. sweet bunny trio stud set @ $4.80 CAD

d & e. center stage ring in light brown/gold and black/gold @ $5.80 each

Since Forever 21 opened its doors in Vancouver (well, Burnaby but really...), I've probably stepped foot in there a dozen times. (Which isn't a lot, considering I've probably stepped into the XXI in San Fran about a dozen times over the course of 7 days). I'm half afraid of Metrotown and half afraid of teenagers. And to top it all off, it's always a gong show in there.

So, I mostly admire the random pieces that I am fond of via their website. Sometimes with Forever 21, it's hit or miss but most times I find that the jewelry is pretty good at representing the brand. It's good at imitating the "now" and the "current" and it's pretty disposable but you go back to it time and time again. 

But am I willing to wear questionable earrings is another question altogether. (I am. I mean look at the "faceted jewel earrings" - they're so... estate-jewelry-esque).

Thief. Thieving. Stockholm syndrome?

No. Mostly kidding.

Rachel Comey is welcome to take my money anytime.

rachel comey linger via frances may

Obession of the Day: August 15, 2010

Image courtesy: urban outfitters.

I don't even like cats but like I said... it's all about the packaging. BUT!, Paul & Joe makes rad lipsticks... so that doesn't hurt either. Seriously though, it has been on my mind ever since I saw it on notcot.org.

Where my grandma goes for some senior discount love...

image courtesy virginia johnson

The Bay has never been a fancy place to shop - at least not on the West Coast. And it never mattered to me anyway (probably because my loyalty lies with a long-gone department store) but on a business trip one year I learned that The Bay was a big deal on the East Coast. It was certainly fancier, more Holt's-like in the East.

That was 3 years ago though.

And The Bay seems to be learning that they have to change their game to well, stay in the game. They got some very lucky breaks so far. The Olympics quite easily made their year - almost everyone doned some sort of Bay produced Olympic gear. It wasn't all mass-produce goodness either. Someone was smart enough to ask Virginia Johnson to produce some whimsical Canadiana scarves - Doug Coupland would surely approve. Rachel Bilson was spotted around town (Vancouver) with her small-pox blanket jacket*, which made the hearts of bloggers and tabloid readers flutter. Although it could just be Rachel Bilson and not the coat...

And now Rachel Roy brings her THE RACHEL line to The Bay.

Maybe soon a Topshop? Hmm. You don't say.

*The jacket was actually a part of a collaboration with 10 Canadian designers to recreate jackets/coats with their (in)famous Point Blanket. That's actually pretty cool too. Just saying.

Spring Essentials

a. soft striped romper by forever 21
Rompers are important to me for 2 reasons:
1. shirt
2. shorts! in one!

b. silk rib over-the-knee socks & luft balloon tights by hansel from basel
I have sickly pale legs and no amount of sunshine seems to change that. Socks are essential to hide my inherent pastiness.

c. over-sized, plastic sunglasses by karen walker (the pilgrim)
I used to have really over-the-top-sunglasses and then I turned 26.

d. shark print shawl/scarf by virginia johnson
I have a very soft spot for Virginia Johnson's printed shawls and pretty much anything with an animal motif. I've also developed a habit of wrapping my extra-big-scarves/shawls around me like a cape* instead of wearing a cardigan. Scarves/shawl may very well take over my love for cardigans. No lie.

*I know a shawl is pretty much a cape but doesn't it sound cooler?

Not trying to brag or anything...

Rachel Comey Ipswich Brogue Wedge

I went to Portland and Rachel Comey stole my money (not literally).
(FYI: There were sweat-toe-marks made by some else' toes but that didn't gross me out enough to not buy them. What's wrong with me?)