busy bee

Sorry that updates have been fairly sporadic lately. I've got a ton of final projects and tests.

I am, however, enjoying a break when I leave for Montreal in four days. Since this is my first come visiting that particularly city, if anyone has tips of what to check out and best places to people watch, I'm all ears.

white forecast for the summer, again?

Betsy Johnson x 2, 3.1 Philip Lim

So Fashion File is touting white as the main color of summer 07, and I'm slightly weary since not only is it a repeat of last year but there's also a very fine line between gorgeous designer clothes and ratty white Gap shirts and shorts that are bound to appear on the masses.

we've got soul, we've got style

I've been so bogged down by projects and constant demands, that I've had no time to escape my little Toronto-attached 'burb and go exploring the city. Well, yesterday, following my instincts to neglect the pile-up of final projects and go out, I ended up going to see Hot Fuzz (not a porno flick by the way) all the way in the heart of Toronto. I took the Queen streetcar for the duration of Queen West (a good 50 minute commute) and happened to rediscover one of my favourite neighborhoods.

Riding past the kaleidoscope of fashion that's present on the street makes me really questions why Toronto hasn't got a street style photographer blogger a la Facehunter, Sart, and the crop of other fellow posters who put their city's fashion online.

In the mean time, there's the Street Trends & Photos section of Toronto Street Fashion.

picture taken from TSF

relaxing

The new ads for Nine West. I am seriously considering buying the bag, but I'm not sure which color would be better. I'm sort of inclined toward the green but I already have a green bag. And yellow is more fun for summer.
I am just heading off for coffee, and to read The Constant Gardner.

Lancome embraces green

Lancome has "embraced" a range of eco-chic initiatives that include their launch of Primordiale Cell Defense, which defends your skin against the damaging effects of the sun, environment and high temperatures. And since they have so been inspired by their new spokesmodel, Elettra Rossellini Wiedemann (daughter of Isabella Rossellini and granddaughter of Ingrid Bergman) who proposed going in a new environmentally-aware direction, the company has promised to plant one tree for each bottle of Cell Defense sold, for the first 10,000 bottles.

So is this a new gone-green approach that companies embrace to "give back to the community"? Or a marketing ploy to win over environmentally-conscious consumers?

picture from China Daily

story from Vanity Fair

working the two-tone

taken from facehunter

Grind me up

Grindhouse, Grindhouse, Grindhouse. Three hours of pure fun, hot chicks on bikes and with guns, cocky guys, odd limb detachments (a la Sin City) and a whole lotta blood. And Rosario Dawson's bangs.

There's been some hate on the 'net about her kickin' do, but I think they're edgy and cool.

So what are your thoughts?

The style from Europe

I was browsing Style.com and came across Sartorialist's best of Paris and Milan. I'm posting my favourites below, and I've noticed how I tend to favour looks with one stand-out piece. My by-far preferred are the last two, what with the gorgeous coat and the striking hair.
source

the no bake policy

Summer's fast approaching (although you wouldn't say that from looking out my window - with all the snow-covered streets) and magazines are breaking out the bikini, tank tops and shorts selections. But rarely do I see satisfactory sunscreen coverage. I got Teenglow in the mail today and there was the obligatory page dedicated to stating what a sunscreen was, the importance of wearing it, the different brands, etc. As soon as I saw the words Life Brand Essentials Sunblock, I had to put down the magazine. Here is the essential tip for buying sun screen:

Don't be cheap. That doesn't mean that it had to be La Mer or cost $400 per jar, but I'd suggest staying away from brands such as Life or Coppertone, since they usually make your face look as if you took an oil bath.

And don't think that a foundation spiked with SPF 15
will cover you properly. "Most of us apply foundation only where we need it or
we use a light layer, which doesn't add up to enough protection," says NYC
dermatologist Lisa Airan. (from iVillage)

and more alarmingly...

If the prospect of cancer isn't enough of a deterrent, keep in mind that sun
exposure is the cause of almost all wrinkles and age spots.

So what products give you the coverage without the greasy look or sticky skin?

La Roche-Posay High Protection UVA-UVB Sunblock Lotion with SPF 45

This is more of a lotion for those summer days when the sun is at its hottest as wearing such a high SPF is not comfortable enough for everyday. Absorbs very quickly and doesn't leave any white residue.

Marcelle Hypoallergenic Suncreen with SPF 30

Marcelle products continue to impress me. I usually slather it on generously in the morning, and in about five minutes, it all absorbs, leaving a glowing complexion (all you need is a sweep of blush and you're good to go).

Also worth looking into (especially if you're looking for a more inexpensive option) is L'Oreal Ombre range of sunscreens. I've used one last summer and it is top notch.

I'm looking into buying another one (either from Clinique or Vichy) so I'll keep you guys updated on how well those work.

The Make up and Beauty Blog also has some suggestions (although I'd recommend getting a higher SPF than 15)

Galliano references, is genius

Little Red Riding Hood, courtesans in big hats, 16th-century royalty, hippies crossed with bag ladies, modern takes on flappers (flapper style is really in this season, with the short cropped hair and a page spread in LOULOU on how to do your Louise Brooks-inspired make-up), and gothic lingerie. And whether or not it's your cup of tea, you have to admit that Galliano grabs your attention.

make up: Pat McGrath
set design: Michael Howells
hats: Stephen Jones
hair: Julien d'Y

picture source: style.com

Scarlett in Vogue

Lovely Scarlett is Prada (left) and Dolce & Gabbana (right).

Pictures: style.com
Read interviw: scarlett letters