Then we’ll head to the beach and get a head of beach bombshell hair
Or something like that
Because it’s freeing not to think about hair too much in the summer or try to create a casually toussled look like we’ve been to the beach, even if we haven’t.
For effortlessly chic, sexy undone hair that shouts “just got out of the ocean and my hair dried perfectly.”
And the best way to do that is with:
A product that will help do it for us. A product such as Quai Wave Spray. The one that all the women in the biz who matter use, so I’m told. Hey; I matter dammit!
So I am being sent some my way any day now. Because I love the way my hair dries naturally after having spent time in salt water. It’s the best!
Quai uses rice protein instead of salt in their spray. They say that the rice protein protects hair fibers from the inside against oxidative damage due to solar radiation and hair keratin from degradation.
I think it may work much better than the empty plastic spray bottle I filled up with ocean water thinking I could create my own natural hair product. It was ingenious by the way, just not perfect. It was too drying.
This feather light spray is formulated to give natural wave and body without any dryness or crunch.
What else you need to know:
Shake it up and spritz it on damp or dry hair from root to tip to activate natural waves, enhance texture, boost body, and give hair memory. Or, just mist the roots for extra volume.This product is scented with Ouai No. 2 Fragrance, containing notes of Italian lemon, amber, and white musk. No Parabens, No Animal Testing. Available at Sephora or visit their website: http://theouai.com/
*First five lines and the one below taken from the uplifting song Tomorrow from the Broadway musical “Annie”.
When I’m stuck with a day that’s grey and lonely I just stick up my chin and grin and say, the sun will come outeventually tomorrow. Sure I do! Then I know my hair will be better.
Get inspired by these bathing beauties from past to present.
Grace Kelly
It’s ALL about the Head Scarf
Rachel McAdams in one of my favourite films “The Notebook”Who can forget Darryl Hannah in “Splash”Liz Taylor “A Place in the Sun”Rihanna loves to take chances: on the cover of “Harper’s Bazaar”
That’s pretty much it for today
Do you have a favourite Style Icon? I mean other than me!
Land of Art, Charm, History, Tradition and Wonderful Wines.
Italian Days on the Drive. Photo: d. king
For three days in a row I enjoyed little Italian touches and some major ones, not in a physical sense but in other gratifying ways.
I made a typical Italian Rosé Sauce on Saturday. The kind I’ve been craving for ages; nicely rich & full of flavour. Simple and satisfying.
Because I wasn’t sure if I’d be eating
Italian on “Italian Days” the following day, Sunday. They have Italian Days in many cities across North America where they close the streets to traffic, put up white tents to sell odds ‘n ends by storefronts, have staged live music, many food vendors and crowds where you can hardly walk without bumping into someone and wait in line forever to get something you can normally get on any other given day. Anyway, in Vancouver it took place on Commercial Drive (aka “the Drive” on the East side of town ) in what used to be a mainly Italian neighbourhood but now houses an International variety of cuisine. I think I did notice a few Italians here and there but most of them probably left for the day. It was fun for a few hours especially from where I sat, comfortably under a heat lamp on a side street enjoying a glass of wine while watching the passersby and a plate of calamari. The real Italians were elsewhere, sitting inside one of the many Cafés sipping espresso.
Then yesterday (Monday) I spent part of the afternoon at the Vancouver Club with real Italians flown in fresh from Italy especially to educate the trade about the wonderful ancient wine growing regions for Prosecco & Valpolicella and of course to promote the wines.
A short history of Old World Wine Country:
The VALPOLICELLA territory has ancient origins, natural beauty and artistic value. In Roman times it was known for its fascinating landscape and its tranquility. Ancient palaces and noble villas are among the most attractive historical monuments in the area. During the rule of the Most Serene Republic of Venice, large land tenures were established: country houses turned into splendid villas, decorated by the best artists of that period, and became the place where aristocracy and intellectuals had their cultural gatherings. There are architectural jewels in the valley of Valpantena. Rural and town churches are spread all over the territory, enriching Valpolicella building panorama, made of small villages, courts, towers, capitals, fountains and dry stone walls. All these monuments were built by local peasants, whose technical mastery turned country labour into ART.Valpolicella “Superiore” is made from selected grapes grown in the best locations. It is aged for a year minimum thus obtaining its characteristic ruby-red colour with garnet shades; the nose is slightly ethereal with hints of vanilla. Its flavour fine, harmonious, dry and velvety. Especially fine when paired with second courses of red meat and medium seasoned cheeses.
Prosecco: not just a name.
chilled Prosecco bottles
Prosecco with friends: when I have a special occasion (which almost everything is a special occasion) I like to start the evening off with an Italian Prosecco. I never think too much about it, just that I like a nice tasting, tall cool glass of bubbly. But now I know a bit more about Prosecco Superiore and realize the refinement of the region it comes from. Apparently it makes a difference between various types of soil, climate and the skill of men (yes, men) who have passed down the art of their hand-crafted labour from one generation to the next. It is thanks to this experience that they can cultivate the steep slopes of the hills that they have adorned with manicured vineyards, creating an environment so spectacular that it is now a candidate to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. So there is a “Superiore” for every occasion in three versions that vary in their residual sugar content. Brut, the driest style, Extra Dry, the most traditional version, and Dry. The sparkling wine also differs according to where it comes from within the region. So the best advice I can give is to try them all and find out which one(s) you love best.
Amarone Amore:
(ps: the individual bottles shown in photos are my picks for this week)
Amarone Wine: The Patriarch of Valpolicella Many wine lovers know Amarone on a first name basis, though relatively few are personally acquainted. This is most likely due to the high entrance fee. Perhaps you’ve seen him lingering at the bottom of a wine list next to other recognizable stars such as Brunello di Montalcino or Barolo and wondered:
What is the story on this dude? Is he worth it?
Yes. Amarone is worth the minimum $50-$60 ++ bottle price. While some wine prices are artificially inflated, there’s a practical explanation as to why Amarone is one of Italy’s top red wines. – and one of mine too. It comes with a good story:To tell it properly, we must begin at the end, with Amarone’s family name: Valpolicella. Like Romeo and Juliet – it is in fair Verona where we lay our scene…
Verona is a jewel of a city in northeastern Italy, an hour and a half due east of Venice by car. The town is home to an immaculate, picture-perfect medieval center, as well as one of the most untouched Roman amphitheaters in the world, where concerts and events are still held.
The 5 Levels of Valpolicella Wine
Tier 1:Valpolicella Classico
Tier 2:Valpolicella Superiore
Tier 3:Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso
Tier 4:Amarone della Valpolicella
Tier 5:Recioto della Valpolicella
Why is Amarone Wine so Expensive?
After harvesting the grapes for ‘Tier 1’ Valpolicella Classico, they are immediately crushed and fermented. This is a light, high acid red wine; it generally sees no oak aging and provides a perfect match for the traditional local appetizers. In Verona, everything tastes amazing when accompanied by delicious Valpolicella.
By contrast, the fruit destined to become Amarone takes quite a different journey before reaching the bottle. He is, after all, the family Patriarch – most wineries will select their older, more mature vines for this wine. Grapes are picked a bit later to ensure ripeness – usually in mid-October. Then, they are left all winter to dry into raisins.
For those few who are completely oblivious to the popular series Downton Abbey®….and who are these pour souls?Downton has nothing to do with Downtown.This is one series that I admit to have binge watched. Aside from the exquisite costumes (imagine getting dressed up like that everyday?), I wasn’t even expecting to like it all that much. I’m pretty particular about what I watch in general, but the quality of the overall show, scenery, characters and let’s face it the clothinghad me hooked. And Maggie Smith alone is mesmerizing. I also loved Shirley Maclaine’s cameo.
Guess I have an addictive personality when it comes to drama, intrigue, history, fashion, romance, power and politics. And everything sounds much more enticing with a British accent. So I joined the masses and ended up binge-watching season six on Netflix. Apparently it was one of the most widely watched television dramas in the world. At least I wasn’t alone.
Which brings me to the very point of this blog post – Dressing Downton; a traveling exhibit that showcases nearly 40 period costumes and jewelry from the hit series!
Changing Fashion for Changing Times
Set in the early twentieth century, Dressing Downton traces the events that uprooted British society on the eve of World War I and ushered in the Roaring Twenties, the Jazz Age and a new way of life.
“Dressing Downton highlights a time in British history when industry, fashion, and politics were changing drastically,” expressed Amy Noble Seitz, Founder & CEO of EDG. “This exhibition quickly filled its three-year tour which says something about our obsession with all things British and our thirst for Fashion.”
About the Exhibit:
This exhibit started off appropriately at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina and will go on to tour other North American cities including Chicago, Cincinnati, Nashville & various cities in California and Florida through 2017.
The exhibition is designed and produced by *Exhibits Development Group (EDG – see below) in collaboration with award winning costumier, Cosprop Ltd; London, Museum of London, NBCUniversal International Television Production and Carnival Films, PBS Masterpieces.
Never a voice like this. Watch this fascinating documentary on the life and career of super singer-songwriter Janis Joplin. See archival footage and interviews with Janis, her family, friends and fellow musicians that highlight her rise to fame in the 60’s. Aside from her unfortunate battle with alcohol and heroin addiction I found a whole new appreciation for Janis Joplin.
*Exhibits Development Group (EDG) is dedicated to the development, production, marketing and distribution of traveling museum exhibitions and cultural projects. EDG also serves as a partner to other exhibition organizers, museums, foundations and collection owners in the U.S. and abroad, in the care and stewardship of their exhibitions and collections. EDG’s mission is to initiate and promote international cultural and intellectual exchange by bringing high-quality traveling exhibitions of art, science and history to broad and diverse audiences. For more information, please visit www.exhibitsdevelopment.com.
I’m prepping for a friend’s pool party. Trying to become bikini-bod ready and perfectly tan in time is just too stressful, so for now I’ll focus on some fun things to enjoy around the pool. Like:
FLOATS for Foodies
For Pizza LoversChocolate Covered Pool Pretzel – Macy’s
FLOATING Pool Tray
For those who do wish to enter into the deep end, fashion a raft for food, drinks, magazines or summer reads. But proceed at your own risk–your guests may never (ever) leave. Yeah; one guest being me.
Now for something so deceptively simple:
Watermelon ice cubes
These frozen fruit cubes are subtly sweet, completely refreshing and–best of all–require only one ingredient. From sparkling water to sangria, they’re a no-brainer way to upgrade your summer drinks.
What do I need? A seedless watermelon, a baking sheet and a freezer.
What do I do? Cut your juicy, seedless watermelon into cubes and lay them flat on a baking sheet. You can add a drizzle of sugar or a sprinkle of mint or basil. Put the baking sheet in the freezer for about three hours, or until frozen. Then plop the watermelon cubes into a plastic bag to store them.
That’s it? Yep. Add them to your drinks for a hint of fruit, or eat them plain–these one-ingredient wonders are just as satisfying as ice pops. Remember them? Those little plastic popsicle trays that you fill with juice and you can even spike them. Just saying…
For girls who spend less time getting done up and more time getting stuff done
Not necessarily what the name implies; nevertheless it is simple and catchy. Milk Makeup is fun, eco-conscious with cool packaging to attract a mostly younger clientele. The multifunctional high-tech formulas are also low maintenance – built for girls on the go.
All aspects of the line are developed in-house at the L.A. and N.Y.C. photo studios of the same name, the one which have hosted legends like Madonna.
The Brand:
Driven by creativity and designed by industry insiders, Milk Makeup is inspired by Milk Studios; a cultural hub in NY and LA, that sits at the crossroads of fashion, music, photography, art and film. A place where trends are born and a platform for the next generation. They see beauty in originality and authenticity.
The Line:
The multi-use 85-piece product line is designed for experimentation and self-expression. Long-lasting shades from bold to bare, whatever your look, they have it. At Milk Makeup, there are no rules. I like that!
Categories including eye, lip, face, skin and hair are paraben-free and made from the best possible natural ingredients including hydrating oils, fruit and vegetable butters, and thoughtful formulations with minimal to no preservatives. New Milk Melt technology, smooth textures, one- step application techniques and bold shades for a totally new take on makeup.
Hey… they have a glow in the bottle oil: aptly titled “Sunshine Oil”
When Kate Moss, one of my favourite style icons, designs a signature capsule collection for Equipment, which just happens to be my favourite silk shirt brand…
It’s a match made in fashion heaven.
I especially love their silk button-down blouses. Because you know…there are your everyday button-downs, and then there’s Equipment.
Kate’s Inspiration when asked about the collection: “it is representative of my everyday style. A little 90’s, a little rock ‘n roll, a bit of an edge with a subtle nod to Bowie.”
It’s officially barbeque season and even though I’m no authority on how to barbeque, I can manage a pretty mean homemade rub and barbeque sauce. But my thoughts are elsewhere right now. It’s on cobalt water and wearing a white bikini while walking barefoot on white sand (in a perfect world). Long days and margaritas are part of the picture. Yes, I love culture and nature….
BEST FOR STRAIGHT-UP RELAXING: MATIRA BEACH (BORA BORA) Photo: Tahiti.com
Museums are nice. Nature hikes have their place, But when it comes to vacation, I also want a beach, dammit. It’s not only for the pure beauty and relaxation, there is so much to discover beneath the sea.
BEST FOR FUN AND GAMES: IPANEMA BEACH (RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL) There’s too much activity, beauty and *teensy bikinis at this photo-worthy stretch of sand. photo: amre/flickr
*Talk-show host Ellen said she flosses her teeth with more string than the bikinis.
Over time I snorkeled in the Philippines, Hawaii, French West Indies, Cayman Islands and the Red Sea; scuba dived in the Bahamas, Mexico and all over Jamaica. It was all I wanted to do for a long period of time. I met lion fish, parrot fish, nurse sharks, sea turtles and almost everything in between and it was my favourite finding Nemo world. But I also got to appreciate that we need to protect – our vast eco system.
BEST FOR PEOPLE WATCHING: BAIE DE ST. JEAN (ST. BARTS, FRENCH WEST INDIES). See sunbathers plucked straight out of Vogue. No, really! photo: John M/flickr
So on this post, nine vacation places in the world every sand-worshipper needs to take once in her lifetime.
BEST FOR SWIMMING: LANIKAI BEACH (OAHU, HAWAII). The name translates to “heavenly sea” – you’ll sea why! Photo: Brian Hancock/flickrBEST FOR SURFING: BONDI BEACH (SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA) photo: Impressions/Getty ImagesBEST FOR SUNSETS: CAPTIVA BEACH (CAPTIVA ISLAND, FLORIDA) photo: Ray Terril/flickr
Set just off Florida’s Fort Myers beach, Captiva is known for its jaw-dropping sunsets, due to its westward-facing direction and unobstructed horizon toward the Gulf of Mexico. When visiting my uncle I ran here with my dog Jia Jia at sunset. Ahhh those days….
BEST FOR EXPLORING, FOR KIDS AND IGUANA SPOTTING: PARAISO BEACH (TULUM, MEXICO) photo: Christopher Gonzales/flickr
This hippy-bohemian beach enclave on the Mayan Riviera is a family-friendly town that offers hotels and all-inclusives at every budget. The beach, less crowded than those of nearby Cancun, has soft, white sand and water so clear and calm, you can see tiny fish swimming by. (It’s also pretty close to the Mayan ruins of Tulum, if that interests any budding historians in your brood.) I’ve been here twice – this beach ruined me!
BEST FOR SNORKELING: HONDA BAY (PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES) photo: Caryl Joan Estrosas/flickr
If you love snorkeling in the Caribbean, you owe yourself a trip to this hidden paradise, nicknamed the Philippines’ last frontier. Arguably the best site for swimming and diving in the world, the aquamarine waters of Palawan are home to over 1,600 species of fish. You’ll see everything from starfish and seahorses to sea turtles and sea cows (that don’t say “Moo”).
And let’s not forget the capture:
BEST FOR INSTAGRAMMING: PRAIA DONA ANA (LAGOS, PORTUGAL) photo: Benito Sevilleja/flickr
Notes:
OK, a Bora Bora trip probably doesn’t come cheap, but I’m told there is seriously no better spot for romantic relaxing than secluded Matira Beach. The only public beach on the island, Matira stretches from the Hotel Bora Bora to Matira Point. Think: palm trees, thatched-roof huts and translucent water. At low tide, you can even wade right out to the coral reefs.
the Suquet home tells a story of eclectic elegance, taste and style
La Carinthia Fireplaces among Italian Leather Sofas (you can choose your style and colour).
Last Thursday I attended a designer & artist champagne reception to toast the newly opened Suquet Interiors in Vancouver’s Yaletown. A feast for the eyes…décor and art sublime!
Artist: Tanya SlingsbyArtist: Justin Ogilvie
The building itself has industrial flair with its high vaulted ceilings which melds perfectly to the furnishings inside; an enduring amalgamation of old world charm and modern luxe mixed with captivating art. A perfect combo.
the entrance
It doesn’t get much better than this.
I find the furnishings themselves are works of ART, and
definitely the standout magnificent mirrored fireplaces. Do you get the idea of how much I like them?
Artist: Tanya SlingsbyTanya Slingsby stands beside one of her ART pieces.
I met lovely Tanya Slingsby, an artist who has impressive and varied works of art displayed around the store. There are some amazing stand-alone pieces.
Mosaic wall art by Jason DussaultGeorgina Masana stands next to a set of her paintings
Georgina Masana is another talented local artist. She is originally from Mexico City. Her son Ramon Jr. is co-owner along with Rick Bohonis (previously of Urban Barn). I asked Georgina if there was a meaning to the name Suquet. Her explanation:
“Suquet is the last name of my late husband Ramon’s mother. It is also a Catalan word that means a broth in diminutive. When you use the letters ‘et’ in Catalan it means a diminutive. There is also a dish called Suquet that is similar to bouillabaisse with shellfish and broth served in a casuela. But basically my husband wanted to use it because it sounds nice.”
suquet meal
I agree. It does sound nice and it’s as nice as the tasty photo she sent me of the eponymous dish. Best of luck!
Suquet Interiors – 1014 Homer St. (in Yaletown) Vancouver.
Jeanette Winterson, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit.
Gambling is not a vice, it is an expression of our humanness. We gamble. Some do it at the gaming table, some do not. You play, you win, you play, you lose. You play. – Jeanette Winterson, The Passion
“I have a theory that every time you make an important choice, the part of you left behind continues the other life you could have had.” Jeanette Winterson, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit
The curious are always in some danger. If you are curious you might never come home.
So be it. I’ll take my chances!
Photo: Oprah Magazine – “Live Your Best Life” Okay Oprah, whatever you say!
The sun’ll come out
A product that will help do it for us. A product such as Quai Wave Spray. The one that all the women in the biz who matter use, so I’m told. Hey; I matter dammit!
Available at Sephora or visit their website: http://theouai.com/
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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