the it lists – fashion & trend blog

Excuse us while life is interrupted by this thing called the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

So our little, big city of Vancouver has been infiltrated by the world. Living and working in the heart of the Olympics has been an adventure. Everyone seemed to hold their breath wondering what these weeks would be like: it’s been crazy busy – our team apologizes for irregular blog posts, but all of us have been beyond stretched with all the extra work unexpected work the Olympics have brought.

Speaking for myself alone (Shelley) my day job has entailed doing the publicity behind launching the first 3D Video Game that works without the goofy glasses. It’s part of some amazing tech being presented out of the Ontario Pavilion. And it’s been the reason I’ve been running on too many nights with too little sleep!!

And if we aren’t working we’re trying to catch Olympic fever! Everything from Birk’s brunch schmoozing with the likes of Lisa Tant (editor Fashion Magazine)…wandering the seawall….pyro & fireworks nightly…free concerts…the medal presentation (Victory Ceremony) with highlights of Torah Bright getting Gold for Australia (women’s snowboard/halfpipe) & Deadman’s Theory concert (Leila & I caught this one together). Or a fav! the ziptrek at Robson Square that is usually lined up 5 blocks by 8am. Speaking of lineups – at all hours a good 2-3 block line up to get into the Bay to buy those coveted Olympic red mittens (if you can get them).

One more week and we’ll be back to normal – until then enjoy these snaps of Vancouver during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Shelley, Jesselyne, Leila, Nicole, & Crystal

Vancouver Seawall – Science World

Victory Ceremony – Medal Awards  &Deadman’s Theory

Torah Bright & Ziptreck (day)

Robson Square – Ziptrek (during the day and at night)

Model searches aren’t just for Tyra (and soon to be Naomi) a Vancouver retailer is doing a search of their own too!

Wear Else has launched a ‘New Face’ contest in search of a model to be featured in a Spring Advertising campaign, on their website and on any television appearances… and if that’s not enough to make you want to enter the winner will not only win a $2,500 shopping spree, but also Where Else VIP status (usually only for their most coveted clients!).

Simply email your picture until Dec. 15th  (or a friend’s if you can sneak one in when she’s not looking!) and a line or two why you think you, or she, should be THE NEW FACE OF WEAR ELSE to newface@wearelse.com!

10 Finalists will then be invited for a professional styling and photo shoot.  The finalists’ best picture will be posted on www.wearelse.com and Wear Else shoppers and fans will vote for the Winner!

Sometimes being an “It Girl” all starts with the name.  Something that Carly Pope has a check mark beside.

Nylon Mag shared they do “It Girl” nominations based on a girls’ ability to do virtually nothing except look pretty and be well connected.  Our Nov pick is about the girl from Vancouver that works hard to make it happen.

We truly have a girl crush on her after her most recent role as an edgy Rolling Stone reporter (flirting with dirty Duchovny) on Californication and another fav role as Kris in “Young People Fucking,” (segway: she volunteers for Vancouver Options for Sexual Health). She is also an “It Girl” because she loves coming home and hanging with her friends and being real when she’s not in the LA spotlight.

We’ll be watching for her new show “Day One” on NBC, airing right after the Olympics.

Check out the Lab Mag (click image) feature on Carly Pope!

Okay Vancouver girls – it’s true: Real fashionistas never pay retail. I was out of town for FreshOut’s first sale, but friends shared the great fashion deals they picked up.

This is NOT a sample sale. It’s a private shopping experience for women bringing the hottest, new L.A. inspired looks direct from manufacturers to you. No Retail Markups! You pay Industry Insider WHOLESALE PRICES! Everything $5 – $50!

Lately it’s been sad to see a bunch of Vancouver restaurants saying ‘ado’ – a sign of the times. I will miss the Earl Grey Martinis at Chow! So I’m pretty excited to see a grand-daddy of a space launched on Granville Street, as the new neighbour to Sanafir (a huge fav).

Last nite I went to the media launch of Circa Restaurant & Lounge. Circa is a 192-seat, two-level huge room. The top level is a little darker mood, edgier and more my style and with a great view of the vast room. And I love the Bocci lights & DJ to dine by.

But the private dining room is by far the coolest feature to this spot. Sliding private doors, dark wood and elegant lighting to set the tone for a perfect dinner. Very nice room, and they’re all about the shared plates! Hopefully they keep on the menu the Urban Legend cocktail – my reco.

1050 Granville, Vancouver, BC

The gal fashion bloggers behind Vancouver-based Style Finds and The Conveyor Belt are teamed up to bring you a clothing sale.

The Epic Sale sale is all about the redistribute the wealth of their hand-picked thrift store finds and vintage goods acquired over the years, at incredibly affordable prices. This Saturday, April 18 their store will come to life for one day only.

Grace Gallery April 18 (I think starts 10) – 5p 604.644.7612

Glamour girls who’ve been waiting with bated breath and glossy lips can start hyperventilating now: Cosmetics giant Sephora is set to open three stores in Metro Vancouver.

Sephora will open stores July 10 at both Pacific Centre and Coquitlam Centre, as well as at Metrotown in October.  [Source - Vancouver Sun - Read more].

Is this a great concept our what? Once Loved Thread’s is getting set for their 2nd annual Frock Swap.  What you send to closet purgatory might be heaven-sent for someone else =  the ultimate free clothing swap.

March 29/09, Sunday
12p – 4p
Box Studios – Vancouver
Sign up Here

Admission is free for each person that brings as least 6 clothing items to “swap”. All remaining clothes after the event are donated to WISH Women’s Shelter.

Last year eager swappers found never-worn shoes, brand name jeans, kitsch vintage finds and almost-new accessories.  After all…one Woman’s ‘never-worn’ is indeed, another woman’s ‘newly-worn.

I don’t know how cold your hometown is, but Vancouver winters are normally pretty balmy. Maybe two weeks total of snow, and lots of rain.

Not this year! Crazy snow that this city didn’t know what to do with, and when the snow finally went away we had 17 days of fog. It was beautiful and creepy...take a look at my three favorite pictures.

For more Vancouver in the Fog – click here.

Fluttering eyelashes – no mascara required? Eyelash extensions are hot. I don’t have much for eyelashes so when I got the chance to test drive eyelash extensions I was all in.

Semi-permanent eyelash extensions that give you longer, thicker and very natural looking eyelashes (no one will know unless you tell them). And best of all they stay on for about a month before you’ll need touch ups.

Each synthetic lash is individually glued to each one of yours – so its important you find a well-trained makeup artist. I put myself and my lash lust in the hands Oribu and Karin, the ladies behind a great new beauty boutique, MikaOlivia.

They took me a few days to get used to – just how to wash my face and be gentle. But now they’re my favorite accessory. Women everywhere are catching on and becoming Lash Addicted!

Image [source]

When I joined the Burlesque Beauties at their gig at the Playboy Mansion, we did a little detour to visit Vancouver’s Canadian designer, Jason Dussault and his L.A. location, the Dussault Apparel™ Motel Store.

The themed store is designed to look like a creepy 1970’s roadside motel, and is famous for shutting down part of Melrose Avenue for it’s grand opening launch co-hosted by Dussault’s business partner in the MoneyBag fashion line, Gene Simmons.

I couldn’t leave without a Dussault hoodie ’cause once you put one on you’re sold. It starts with the butter-soft, faux mink lined pockets and hood. Oh my. And then there’s the gorgeous Chinese silk embroidered lining. And that’s just the inside.

I picked a white-on-white print with a stunning Koi Fish embroidered on the back. Every time I zip it up I feel hardcore edgy and cute all in one. You’ve never tried a hoodie like this one – and and you’ll never want any other hoodie except Dussault after.

In the vein of ‘So You Think You Can Dance,’ ‘Pussy Cat Dolls’ and ‘Girlicious’….                   Burlesque Beauties are the next evolution of Burlesque. With their own style of nuevo-burlesque they are part of an entertainment movement that empowers both men and women. It’s romping girl power – ka poww!

Burlesque has seen a revival, but now it’s kinda ‘been there done that,’ but not with these gals. You won’t see nipple tassels – instead it’s some brand new sexy moves for the ladies to watch and learn….and a good old-fashioned teasing for the men.

Here’s the fun part – they need to replace one of the original members: Miss Baby Doll. The final three have been narrowed down – and perform at the new Edgewater Casino. It’s the perfect date nite so grab your tickets, and cast your vote: May 30 & May 31.

Edgewater Casino. 750 Pacific Blvd. Vancouver, Canada. Facebook info

I spent last nite resurrecting my high school crush on Nick Rhodes. Duran Duran kicked off their North American tour in Vancouver.

A mass of 30ish women (and their loyal boyfriends in tow) holding up cell phones, screaming to ‘Rio’, echoing bad dance moves and living in the 80’s.

I forgot how genuinely fun this band was – I really had a great time. Oh, and I must admit that Simon Le Bon did the least painful introduction of the band – that I’ve ever experienced at a concert. He actually made it fun.

This time I wasn’t working, so my seats weren’t as fantastic as when I was working the Kanye West gig. But I still managed some good shots.Um, and that’s me groovin away to ‘Save A Prayer’.

Winter means Christmas social circuit, and also lots of cocooning at home to ponder your decor. We live in a loft with these huge walls beaconing for the art my budget hasn’t (yet) let me buy.

I’ve thought of wallpaper, but that hurt my head more than my budget. So the compromise is Surface Collective’s removable wall tattoos (‘stencils’ for the less hip).

Swirls of design, pussy willows, or origami storks – all work on walls, windows, or mirrors. I love the idea of tone on tone decals for the more subtle,  but that gold metallic would look sold in the den. Hmmmm.

Order at Yaletown Sofa Company or check out the online catalogue.