“It’s party season again and nothing feels better than a new party frock, to rock!”

3rd Sweat Shoppe DESIGNER POP-UP
Saturday, Nov. 19th 3:30pm-10pm
Sunday, Nov. 20th 1pm-8pm

SALON155, 155 Delaware Ave. Toronto

Sweat Shoppe founder and stylist Lindsay Choi and guest stylist Carolee Custus are hosting a 2-day designer pop-up sale featuring Canadian designers DIA, Lissa Bjewelled, Zoran Dobric, Breeyn McCarney, The Paddock, plus more.

As we know, retail department stores can really become much more popular when they host parties and then document all the fun on their very own blogs (just look at b-insider from The Bay). It’s also an awesome platform to highlight trends and products and get people flocking to the stores to buy!

photos with Leandra Medine of The Man Repeller who was there to celebrate the launch of holts muse.

I finally just checked out the new Holt Renfrew blog today – http://www.holtsmuse.com. Holt Renfrew is Toronto’s haute department store destination for big-time labels with so much exclusive content possibilities, so I would expect that their blog would be top notch, no?!

Although it’s still new so doesn’t have a ton of content, I love the features: a shoe buyer’s diary in Paris, Behind the Seams with Smythe, Street style shopping (at Holt’s of course), A look at Holt’s employees….

As part of its launch, Holt’s Muse is searching for the NEXT HOLT RENFREW MUSE!

To enter, upload a streetstyle picture of yourself for your chance to win a Holt Renfrew gift card (sorry, don’t know how much it’s for) and have your picture featured on the blog https://www.facebook.com/HoltRenfrew?sk=app_210568622344959

I received an E-mail (sometime in the summer) from Jasmin Dosanj, a photographer who was born in the UK, travelled to Calgary to attend the Alberta College of Art + Design (ACAD) where she got a BDes in Photography and now lives in Toronto where she is establishing herself as a photographer. Welcome!

(sidenote: the more I see it, the more I’m getting used to the glamourous idea of a turban…)

While the temperature is cold enough in Toronto for leather capes and skirts (see below), things are heating up in the fashion world as the Spring 2012 product previews come in. Canadian wholesaler (of big name fashion brands), Se Ce Apparel hosted a, ‘Step into Spring 2012′ party recently, giving guests a look at trendy designer picks in bright spring colors, patterns and prints.  Labels included 7 for all Mankind, Eileen Fisher, House of Harlow, Trina Turk and more, all part of Ce Se Apparel’s line-up. Below are some snaps from the event to keep your fashion inspiration flowing. After all, spring isn’t that far away

One look at this fashionable gal and I knew she was a fashion stylist – they usually look the best, in a contemporary sort of way that the average person might not get (yet). Jessica Albano via Flare Street Style.

This Halloween, our award-winning Opera House offers refuge from streets haunted by tawdry vixens sporting polyester satin with a world of glamour, opulence and mystery. The annual Venetian Ball is a fundraiser for Villa Charities, which provides support for our city’s most vulnerable – our elders and disabled, and is a highlight of the social calendar.  Even free-market fundamentalist Kevin O’Dreary (aka the Daffy Dragon) was caught in a charitable moment.

The evening celebrates Toronto’s fierce passion for opera, with selections from Rossini, Puccini and Mozart. Measha Brueggergosman (my new favourite soprano), crowned with an afro, makes Maria Callas look shy as she saunters onstage in a flowing silver gown and bare feet. Martha Wainright’s boy, Rufus, strikes the right note as both a librettist and vocalist, and the Canadian Tenors (yes, there are four of them), have voices (and eyes!) that could melt the garters off Angela Merkel.  Luckily, my mask hides my blushes as I make the acquaintance of these gentlemen!

A Venetian ball is, by definition, a masquerade. Cheers to those who dressed in full costume, but if you didn’t wear a mask – you can find them in the trimming shops on Queen between Spadina and Bathurst, or you can order them on-line.

Mask Italia has some beautiful laser cut pieces. Ask the artist to put your mask on a hair band – it’s far more comfortable and stable than ribbons, and be sure to buy your mask before your dress and jewelry. If you want to go the whole nine yards – you can rent costumes and gowns from Malabar or Theatrix, (arias not included).

70s REVIVAL TRENDS:  bow blouses (my mom wore these and I would NEVER imagine doing the same) and paisley prints (which had a brief comeback sometime in the 90s).

Honestly, both are available everywhere these days (especially vintage on Etsy), but a few I came across online:

Vero Moda Rosa Bow 3/4 Long Sleeve Top on sale for $35 with free Canadian shipping at Tiastar.com


Shop Bow Blouses on Shopstyle


The very popular ASOS  pussy bow blouse on sale for $27 right now


Paisley prints @ Forever 21

Paisley on the runways – Fall 2008
Dolce & Gabbana | Gucci | DKNY

Love the look Tiffanie! A bow blouse and jeans, topped with a great little blazer with accented shoulders and a matching bag and shoes (which I love!).