I was browsing the Summer 2011 lookbook from Montreal based designer Eve Gravel, and I was immediately struck by the soft colours and classic shapes, as well as the lady-like styling (love the lace gloves) of the looks as a whole.
I first encountered her pieces in a shop located here in Ottawa, Victoire, and based on my admiration for some of her garments I saw there, I wanted to check out what was on offer for summer, since I have been spending the cold wintry days day-dreaming about sunny days and summer wardrobe choices. Based on this lookbook (which you can check out in full here), I am hoping to add a few of Ms. Gravel's lovely items to my closet very soon.
First ever attempt at a video review, see what you think! I received a flat iron courtesy of Miskko.com, an online company offering various hair products and tools from names like Babyliss and Biosilk, although the one reviewed here is from Hana, a brand I hadn't heard of previously, but am subsequently quite happy with. I was happy to give it a shot, and hope that you enjoy my (rather dorky) review - and shaky hand filming - oh dear.
It has been a little while since my last Music Monday, and I thought it was high time that I share my newfound love for fantastic folk duo, The Civil Wars. I first heard mention of them via Relevant Magazine's weekly podcast (where, incidentally, I have discovered some great music on numerous occasions) and I decided to investigate. I was immediately hooked. Their style, sound, and serious songwriting skills were enough for me to become a fan pretty much right away. So, so good.
Luckily for me, on their Myspace page you can download a free live recording of one of their shows, seriously awesome. What I love most about that is the dorky and hilarious comments that both members, Joy Williams and John Paul White make throughout the show. It is very much worth the (free) download, you won't be sorry (Note - Barton Hollow is available there too!). I think another winning factor, at least from my nerdy Canadian literature background, they covered Leonard Cohen's song, Dance Me To the End of Love. Poor Leonard, though a great Canadian poet you may be, these two sing your song so much more beautifully (Compare). Fantastic.
This first video is of one of their breakout songs, played on Grey's Anatomy (so I heard, since I don't actually watch that show) entitled Poison & Wine. It is so beautiful and sad and haunting. Have a listen!
This second video features the title song on their debut album, Barton Hollow. By far my favourite song, it has been on pretty much constant repeat on my ipod. I literally can't stop listening to this song.
I am very much hoping to be able to get myself to Toronto in April and finagle some tickets in order that I might actually be able to attend their only Canadian tour date thus far, fingers crossed.
Some of you long-time readers may recall that I pretty much post anything fashion or beauty related that has any connection with libraries, books, or librarian-chic. For those new among you, or if you have forgotten, I will quickly point you to the post re: Jeremy Scott's Dewey Decimal inspired dresses, or perfume that smells like old books. I feel like as a Librarian who enjoys all things style, that this is a duty I really am obligated to perform, wouldn,t you agree?
So of course, whilst perusing the Fall 2011 collection from Zero + Maria Cornejo, I was delighted, thrilled, and otherwise ecstatic to see this lovely bookshelf printed dress! Wearing this, I could be the chicly shoulder-baring yet expertly camouflaged Librarian hiding stylishly amongst stacks of books. Yes please! Sadly this was the only item within the whole collection (which I liked in general, I will note) featuring this fantastic print, but you can bet that it will be joining the Dewy dresses at the top of my bibio-style to-buy list.
I had initially planned on doing a NYFW round-up of favourites towards the end of the week, but today while looking at the collection from Jill Stuart, I just fell. In. Love. As such, I simply couldn't resist sharing a few of my favourites. There were many things I loved about the collection as a whole, rich colours, classy dresses, but what I totally fell for were these amazing animal prints featuring primarily owls and foxes. Those same woodland creatures also graced solid coloured dresses which I did enjoy, but these prints had me at hello.
If I have to scrimp and save, wait for them to eventually go on sale or eat ramen for months, one of these will hopefully find their way into my closet.
I stumbled upon this lookbook full of achingly pretty, soft, feminine looks from New Zealand based designer Kelsey Genna (only 19! Amazing) via Miss Moss earlier this afternoon.
This, the most recent collection from Miss Genna, entitled Begonia House, is full of soft colours, floral prints and shapes, and is essentially exactly how I would dress for a Sunday walk in the springtime. Or any day, actually, weather permitting.
