Proenza Schouler Lust

Being in the market for furniture, floors, tiles, etc., etc. doesn't leave much extra money for pretty accessories. Which I think makes it pretty unfair that Proenza Schouler chose now to launch their new wallets. The PS1 Continental Wallets come in five colours, and while they're cheaper than a Proenza Schouler bag, at $585 they're not exactly economical either.

Sigh.

Someone buy one so I can live vicariously through you. 'kay, thanks.

Moroccan Fancy from Kohler

Just me or is this Marrakesh faucet from Kohler pretty fab?

Spotted: Faux Fur & Mock Croc

I love the casual mix of prints, patterns and fabrics in this outfit.

I guess it's because I've always had a soft spot for some

soft faux fur and mock animal prints. (Photo by Tommy Ton via Jak + Jil)

Which is why I was really attracted to some of the

accessories that Urban Barn has put on sale recently.

Like their faux fur throws and pillows--

such a great way to warm up a living room.

Not to mention their collection of mock crocodile items.

I guess my Christmas wrapping paper this year pretty much

gives away how much I love the glam look of mock croc.

I really love the chargers (which come in a variety of

colours), but the placemats, trays and storage units

like the remote caddy are also pretty stylish.

What do you think?

Textstyles & Corduroy Magazine's Pop Up Closet and The One of a Kind Show

Happy Friday everyone! I hope my American friends enjoyed their Thanksgiving and everyone survives Black Friday shopping. Is it me or are there a ton more sales this side of the border this year? (More on a sale I jumped at below). This week I was happy to attend the preview of two great events, the first being the Holiday Pop Up Closet curated by the lovely Stefania of Textstyles (check out her blog and photographs--just fab) and Tim Chan of Corduroy, with proceeds being donated to the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.

Being held at Chasse Gardé (who will also be hosting a Magwood pop up soon) from November 26 to 28, this pop up is a great opportunity to snag some super Christmas gifts. I was actually sad that I had finished all my shopping already, although I did grab one thing for myself! The items are presented on vintage furniture for a kind of walk-in closet feel, and are all marked with handwritten tabs giving background on the designers and brands and why they were chosen.

The shop has items for both men and women that range from Field Notes retro notebooks, Manimal Moccasins and great toques to supple leather wallets and chunky scarves made of mohair and alpaca. I was charmed by the Maude & Colette pretzel necklaces by Jacqueline Lane, the sweet smelling body products from Love Fresh Body Goodies, and the leather rucksack from Vancouver's Palmer & Sons. Want to rock a turban this holiday season? There were some velvet ones by Leilanni Todd. Love Emerson Made? The shop has multiple sets of clutches and blossoms that would make perfect gifts. If you're in the area you should really go. I mean, great products and a great cause--how can you go wrong?

I also attended a preview for the One of a Kind Christmas Show being held at Exhibition Place from November 25 to December 5. It was my first time attending the show, although I knew it would be right up my alley. What's better than over 800 artisans selling their creative, unique and beautiful wares in one place? There was everything from One of a Kind Fashion and Flavors to Green products and a whole selection of Rising Stars and first-time exhibitors. Canadian House & Home had a booth and there was also a Love competition with different exhibitors showcasing products inspired by love (my fave was the bright red "Love" buzzer/doorbell by Buzzz). The show also features fashion shows and demos on everything from woodworking to tapestry making.

First off we were treated to a truly delicious breakfast cooked by the Culinary Management students of George Brown College's Chef School. As a girl who usually eats breakfast for dinner and not much in the morning this was a treat. There were both hot and cold selections (poached pears, fresh fruit salad, crispy granola) and I opted to have a small sample of all three hot offerings a Scottish Egg, Cornflake Crusted French Toast with berries and syrup and Wild Mushroom, Spinach and Goat Cheese Tarts. All were new experiences for me and can I just say it was freakin' delicious.

After downing breakfast and meeting some new friends I headed off to tackle the maze of booths. It was overwhelming at first, but I soon found myself absorbed with discovering all this new (to me) talent. I'm planning one showcasing some of my faves in separate posts--there are just too many to fit into one--but suffice it to say that there was a ton of stuff I just loved. And some gorgeous booths, too, like this one from Flakes Paperie.

By Jamie Brick

If you're looking for unique Christmas gifts this is certainly the place to hit. You'll find everything from dinnerware and jewellery to original paintings and clothing. I have to say that the pieces that seemed to speak to me the most were those made out of wood. Observe:



Stinson Studios



A tray made out of a recycled wine barrel from Wine Planks

Wood and Slate Blackboard by Kino Guérin

Annnd after hitting the show I scored a pair of great TopShop flats.

All TopShop shoes at Jonathan + Olivia (have you been? great

shop!) were 40% off, definitely not something I could pass up.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and

don't forget to enter the Orient Watch Giveaway!

 

Love It!: Sliced Agate

Lately I've been obsessed with anything--from jewellery like Serena's Susanna Galanis necklace above to housewares--that is made of sliced agate (which, according to Wikipedia, is a "microcrystalline variety of quartz...characterised by its fineness of grain and brightness of color.")

Dear Santa, One of these necklaces on Christmas
morning would be totally kickass! Love, Me
Hot Pink Agate Slice Necklace, EcoBling Couture, $23.

P.S. These coasters would be great, too!

Leo Agate Slice Coaster, Set of 4, BlyDesigns, $62

Another coaster set option from Be What We Love, $30

Absolutely made for a bookworm like me.

Do they ship to Canada?!

Geode Agate Slice Bookends, H and H Home, $125

What a fab addition to a holiday table!

Agate Slice Napkin Rings, Set of 6, Hannah Max Jewelry, $60

Agate can do gothic drama, too.

Black Leather Flask with Sliced Agate, Leas Boutique, $80

What do you think?

Are you feeling my agate love?

Bright Lights: Loving Neon Now...and for Spring 2011

I think by now my adoration of all things neon and chartreuse, and neon chartreuse, has been well documented. I even did a post about another of my fave colours--electric blue--and how great it looks with neon yellow. Admittedly, I've been disappointed in a lot of the neon available in everyday stores and have yet to clap eyes on a neon clutch of any kind that could compete with the Rebecca Minkoff bag or Jimmy Choo clutch that have set my heart aflutter.

It's frustrating when you have a look in your mind and can't seem to replicate it without blowing your entire clothing budget to smithereens. And even though now it's fall, when darker colours always seem appropriate, I can't quite shake the neon bug. Maybe it's just the wishful thinker in me (yes, maybe I'm wishing it wasn't going to snow in this country ever again). I also think neon is great because there's a shade that works for everyone. Yellow make you look too green? Then try hot pink or orange.

When I happened upon these photographs by Tommy Ton backstage at the Spring 2011 Proenza Schouler show (the first photo is also courtesy of Jak and Jil) my heart stopped a bit and the neon maniac in me came out of hibernation. Something about these colour combos just speak to me and, well, make me happy.
 

Lace, sequins and neon? Hello, beautiful! 

Not that Proenza Schouler was the only designer showing hot colours on the runway for Spring/Summer 2011. To further show the trend has legs brights were also seen on those attending Fashion Week and on celebrities from Sarah Jessica Parker to Claire Danes.

Christopher Kane's Spring/Summer 2011 show featured vibrantly coloured pieces that were very "Princess Margaret on acid" according to his sister. [via]

While Jasper Conran Spring/Summer 2011 was also full of ladylike looks, this time in slightly more subdued shades like chartreuse.

As a Toronto blogger I'd be remiss not to mention the fact that neon has also shown up at LG Fashion Week for 2011. Pink Tartan's Kimberly Newport-Mimran sent a slew of glam 70s-inspired looks down the runway and while there was some nude and khaki, as well as ikat prints in shades like white and blue, the majority of the colours were big, bright and bold. [via]

This acid yellow chiffon dress with horsebit detailing is just one of the Spring 2011 Pink Tartan looks I loved. [via] Aside from recent runway shows I was also reminded about how much I love these bright hues when, on a recent shopping trip, I spotted some can't-miss-'em jewellery from Tom Binns. (I apologize in advance for the cell phone quality pictures, I really need to get in the habit of toting a camera around like a real blogger).

I died. Seriously. I think M had to pick my jaw up off the floor while I fumbled for my phone. Sure, there's always the chance that a piece like this will fall on the wrong side of tacky, but there's also something so fun and unique about it. Not your standard statement necklace to be sure.

So, loving the Tom Binns, although the prices might be a tad high for jewellery of this type. I mean, they aren't the most classic pieces. Take the bracelet below, for instance, you can grab it on net-a-porter for only $440. Which is only $420 more than I usually spend on my trendy jewellery at Forever 21.

I might just have to settle for this Splendid tank instead. At $44 the decimal is in the right place and the colour, well, it's just right, too.

Or maybe I'll grab one of the neon headbands I've been eyeing at the lovely Marcela's Etsy shop, Tea Accessories...

So what do you think?

Are you embracing neon with me?

Alexander Wang on Shopbop and a Giveaway!

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED

 

Happy Friday everyone! I thought we'd celebrate the upcoming weekend with another amazing giveaway, this time from the generous folks at Shopbop who are offering one lucky reader a $100 gift card!

Shopbop is an amazing website that offers up stylish pieces from designers like Alexander Wang (could I love his accessories any more?!) all in one place. We're talking everything from the Dree fringed sandals pictured above to oversized handbags and designer totes. One of my faves is this Alexander Wang Darcy Slouchy Hobo..

Of course, if anyone is wondering what to get me for Christmas I'd totally take the Rocco Mini Duffel, one of the many great black handbags available on the site. For more fashion inspiration and news visit the Shopbop official blog, which is currently singing the praises of fringe (much like those killer shoes in the first photo). If you're interested in the $100 gift card (and who wouldn't be?!) see below for details on how to enter.

What do you think of the Addison boots? Yay or nay?

How to Enter

Simple! The giveaway is open to all followers of Sogni e Sorrisi both new and old. Just head over to the Shopbop website and tell me what you would spend your gift card on.

Extra Entries

1. Follow me on Twitter. Thanks so much if you already do--just let me know in your comment!

2. Tweet about this giveaway. To make it easy tweet this:

Just entered the #giveaway @SogniESorrisi for a $100 @shopbop gift card! http://tinyurl.com/25ugkqu

3. Follow Shopbop on Twitter.

4. Blog of Facebook about this giveaway. Please leave the URL in your comment.

Giveaway is open until October 15, 2010.

Winner will be chosen via random.org.

Thanks so much to the fabulous Jude of Food and Life for
the Blog with Substance Award! I'm honoured, truly.

 Also, don't forget that today is the last day to enter the Lemel Designs and Erica Eriksdotter giveaways. Best of luck everyone and I hope you all have a really great weekend!