On the first day back at work, I’m considering putting in for Sweat Pay, some kind of bonus for sticking it out in the heat that has soared to plus-33 degrees Celsius.
Humidity and scorching weather notwithstanding, this feather weight maxi dress won’t sweat if, even if the same can’t be said for you. Keep your locks off your shoulders and makeup light and dewy. Look like a breath of fresh air, though you feel quite sure you’ve melted.
Hello first day of the new work year!
I have found a new love. A dance party. Saturday nights at Clinton’s in Toronto, the djs spin oldies from the 50s, 60s and 70s… and I haven’t sweat and smiled that much in AGES.
For a party where everyone in the room feels like friends, with a rock & roll vibe and everyone cutting a rug… faux leather feels just right.
One key piece, the leather pant, provides a slew of options for cool, cool, cool.
Minimalism has been the buzz for quite some time and although I love the aesthetic, in theory, I could never reconcile my love of objects, texture, pattern and colour with the minimalist ideals that seem to require concealment and pared back clean lines. The cleanliness appeals, but it feels so austere. It’s like getting an arty, but spare amuse-bouche when what you’re really craving is the tasting menu for two, all plated and dropped on your table at once. With that analogy, I realize, is the necessary aspect of sharing the experience. Tasting it and enjoying it all, together, in context. Talking about the many ideas and bouncing between them, rather than just honing in on one. My home is full of visual references, culled from experiences and passions. And I think I like it that way.
I am much happier, I’ve realized, surrounded by maximum visual interest and objects that may not be the singular ‘piece de résistance’ of the room, but which contribute instead to an overall treat for the senses.
Sensory overload and tackiness are the far end of this spectrum. You can take it too far. Subjectively. But, when done well, I’m overjoyed by the idea of maximizing the impact of a space, in as many nuanced ways as possible.
From discreet to over the top, here is an ode… to the max.
This Urban Barn story is more subtle, but still plays with the maximalist ideal: tone on tone, but with big ideas; big texture; perforations, sheep wool in muted jewel tones; amplified size and focal pieces that keep the eye bouncing around the image. Remove a few objects and it could easily change its vibe.
A more elegant take on the Mad Hatter’s tea party with some adult sophistication, monochromatic palette and global influence. Here the ‘more’ is in replicating details: more lantern pendant lights; more candles; more flowers; more pillows. There is a lot going on here, but the colour scheme keeps it feeling cohesive.
Here, the white backdrop creates a clean surface for a lot of detail. Colours pop and no shade is off limits. The colourful bookshelf shares focus with textiles, and painted furniture. Everything is spaced out to keep the eye flowing, and the wood textures help add variety, but at its heart this room is a well curated version of a rainbow, with artisanal and folk influences, housed in an old world shell.
This room relies on paint and fabric to get big impact and to emphasize the importance of every part to the whole. The turquoise wall, crystal and metallic chandeliers, bright artwork and jewel tone hues in the accessories add richness to the already sumptuous velvet couch. Add to that a graphic floor rug, splashy artwork and a side table, sideboard and accessories from a variety of styles and the look reflects a love of many, rather than one specific decor genre.
This gallery wall, velvet tufted couch, woven stool, statement lighting and movie theatre seats bring every point of reference into one shot. Quirky, classic, playful, modern, beachy, global, retro, mod… the gang’s all here.
From the book ON Maximalism, this cover shot has the same fun mashup as the previous image. Clear trends run towards combining eclectic furniture styles with patterns, texture, books, collections, stand out items (stuffed peacock, anyone?), fur, pieces from a variety of cultures and maximizing both the floor space and vertical space. Take it all the way to the roof.
I’m totally drawn to the texture and bold pattern of this rug, which picks up in the cushions on the couch. There is definitely a palette at play, but the motif is confident and playful. Mixed wood and classic details like the chandelier and Chinoiserie ceramic stool make the eye travel, not unlike the designer/owner who clearly has a love of world cultures.
Handicraft pillows, yellow lamps, sarape blanket, coffee table art books, abstract polka dots, man’s head, stripes, art in a variety of styles. This place screams ‘an artist lives here’. I don’t know if that’s true, but the tone of the room is anything but severe and restrained. Maximum colour and texture. To vet a piece, just remember, … if you like it, the answer is ‘yes’.
Too far? Paintings on the ceiling? Flags and quilt squares hung from the raftes? Every surface covered? Yup. This room is a little much for me, but I think that has more to do with the moody colours and overall darkness. If this were done in cheerful Frida Kahlo inspired pinks, greens and mustard yellow I’d be head over heels.
Here each item is precious and stands on its own. Satisfying. Together, it’s a feast for the senses.
This indoor-outdoor room looks like a film set. Part jungle, part royal love nest, I’d feel transported just reclining into this pile of pillows. The lushness of the plants, the warmth of the lighting, the texture overload… carved furniture and regal textiles. OTT!
The classic bones of this room, molding, crystal and carpets, all speak to old-world tastes, but when you sneak in some Marilyn, floor cushions, sexy velour couches, fancifully upholstered chairs and a seat that cops a feel, you have an unexpected menagerie that makes a maximum impact. Are you a maximalist, minimalist, or somewhere in between? In my heart of hearts, the max is where I’m most at home.
Built on one strong piece: the global inspired tunic dress. Hone in on the colour palette: gold, rust and eggplant. Mix boldly. Matte dark lips. Gold toes with one glittering nail on each foot. Repeat for the fingers with dark aubergine/wine coloured tips and one statement gilded digit. I prefer the pinky. Kiss kiss.
After a whirlwind tour of New York City, we hopped on a plane and headed to the island of St. Martin. Ready to dip our toes in the water, eat lots of seafood and relax, island style, we checked-in to the Grand Case Beach Resort. We opted for a condo-style resort so we could have our own kitchen and shop at the market, while also enjoying the option of our hotel’s breakfast and restaurant. After all, Grand Case has a strip of restaurants that is well known for its incredible French cuisine and Caribbean and Creole fusion.
Island adventures in eating, sight seeing and relaxing!
We indulged in everything friends and family could recommend, which included a trip to Loterie Farm. By day it’s a park with a private swimming area and hangout, with zip-lining and rain forest tours overhead… by night it’s a posh club or romantic place to tuck away in a private cabana.
Imagine this place by night, lit moodily with twinkling light – the sound of waterfalls blending with the calls of the creatures in the forest and bats swooping silently overhead. We were invited to tour this place all by ourselves when all was quiet.
That evening we ate in the tree top lounge. The food was lovely and you could see the bats sweeping by outside.
Relaxing high in the trees.
Exploring the islands nearby; we took a catamaran trip to Anguilla, on rolling waves and jumped into the clear blue waters to snorkel with sea turtles and cavort on the beach.
Gorgeous sea life was so close you could touch it. I loved swimming over the grazing sea turtles, watching them gracefully dip and bob through the water.
For two days we rented a car to explore more of the small island. Totally do-able. You can drive the entire island in an hour. We stopped at romantic lookouts, quiet cafes and drank coffees in the morning, mimosas at lunch and in the evening we walked or took taxis to enjoy the nightlife, while ensuring our safe return to the hotel.
Grand Case is brimming with great places to eat and drink; it’s known for its restaurant mile.
We particularly liked the Zen’it Beach-Grand Case beer garden and cafe. The owners were friendly and it was a super place to relax in the afternoon and into evening. It was very quirky and laid back.
Sharing drinks with new friends. We were surprised to see quite a few other LGBTQ couples. These New Yorkers were travelling together and they are now newlyweds themselves!
On our journey we were on the lookout for some good local ‘fast food’. Allia had fish escovitch and I had jerk. Of course.
Playing with her food.
Out on the catamaran.
Evening cocktails with mint and fresh tropical fruits.
My beautiful new wife, looking out from Sunset Cafe.
Lobster bibbed and ready to go.
Lolo’s served authentic, piled-high food at very reasonable prices, with all the carb combinations you can imagine: spaghetti, rice, potatoes … all as the sides to your meats… with salad and veggies. This was the place to go if you were hungry and felt like sharing flavourful, simple food.
Lolo’s and Chez Coco are almost indistinguishable from one another, save for the aisle that runs between their outdoor tables. These beachfront open air restaurants were one of our favourite finds. All the dishes were served heaping and hot. Total comfort food.
Bbq and smoke at Lolo’s in Grand Case. They would call out and chat you up like an old friend as you walked by. How can you not stop in for a bite?
Jerk chicken and rice.
I think 3 Euros for two mangoes is a hefty price. But Allia was charmed by the kerchief’d old lady selling them roadside. And they were the BEST mango I’d ever tasted.
Wrecks in the harbour.
Street graffiti pays tribute to the islands French culture. The island is divided between France and the Netherlands.
Zip lining through the canopy.
At Maho Beach, despite the warnings that ‘death may result’… people wait to stand beneath the flight path of incoming and departing planes. We watched from a safe distance, Heinekens in hand.
Beautiful beaches on the island of Anguilla.
Snorkeling right off the rocks at our hotel.
During low season, we had this relaxing beach cafe all to ourselves in the early morning.
Calmos was a wonderful place to enjoy live music and feet-in-the-sand salsa dancing at night.
Our friendly, neighbourhood iguana.
Grand Case Beach Club’s waterfront.
Accommodations. Simple and clean. Air conditioning is a must. The weather was breezy but tropical.
Passing ships at the Grand Case Beach Club.
What we happily referred to as “Our Beach.”
Striking a pose between the sports and water desk, and the cafe at our hotel.
Love. Love. Love.
Lazy afternoons… with cocktails.
Strolling the board walk.
Curried shrimp and rice. Making plans for the rest of the day, while eating = our favourite pass time.
Chicken and shrimp and fish… oh my.
Bye bye, Grand Case Beach Club.
Aurevoir, St. Martin. We will miss you. Thanks for the memories and the most relaxing end to our honeymoon!
Spent yesterday afternoon at brunch with some wonderful friends, great food and good tunes. The bubbly was on ice, as we ate fresh bagels, tropical fruit salad, potato leek and feta torte, crudites and home made hummus. The rest of the day was spent relaxing in the hot tub and pool, celebrating the end of summer and squeezing the last drops out of the warm weather and a weekend with no commitments.
Throw on some 90’s hip hop and indie dance hits and you have the makings of a magical afternoon. Thanks to Jess, Aleks, Liron and Allia for a day of fizzy cocktails and bubbly conversation!
I promise, there is a logical segue here. When you have more than a few things on your day’s To Do list, what you need are versatile pieces that will carry you from one task to the next.
Easy mix and match switch-hitters are a key part of putting together an eclectic style that will be as big a hit at 8 am as they will be at 8 pm, when your day is still going and night life is just winding up. Your clothes need to be chameleons that can work in multiple ways, no one needs an item that only goes with one thing taking up valuable real estate in their closet.
These looks each have at least two pieces that can easily transfer to the next outfit. Swap out #1’s black shoes for the punchy tie-up rust coloured shoes and add a polka dot clutch to wake the more subdued clothes up.
These looks were inspired by my day on Monday when I had to go 16 plus hours without going home with a triathlon of events.
#1: I was called in to do make-up for the VP of a major bank and the CEO of a non-profit, to prep them for their on-camera close-ups. They were shooting video content promoting their partnership and commitment to combating Breast Cancer, so it was important to put these clients at ease and get them ready to pitch this vital fundraising initiative. For me, in addition to being comfortable hauling and setting up equipment, it was necessary to look the part of a pulled-together make-up artist.
#2: Later that afternoon, I had lunch with my wife, walked the city and window shopped. I traded my more professional, structured top for a fun floral shell and cute shoes.
#3: I finished my play day by meeting a friend at a hip little food joint called, appropriately, The Hole in the Wall (Toronto). I traded up one final time (changing in my car) for a flippy skirt to go with (but not quite match) my floral top.
Hole in the Wall, Toronto.
A hidden gem, built between two old buildings, this restaurant is long and narrow … and full of character!
I’ll have to say that this day of clothes hopping was entirely worth it, because after sharing some pinot grigio with my delightful friend, Katherine, and eating the best burger I can remember in a LONG time, the charming server (after overhearing our feminist conversation) dropped off a complimentary chocolate pot de creme and peanut butter dessert, layered decadently in a cute little mason jar and topped with whipped cream.
If I was going to be living it up, I certainly looked the part. Cheers to great causes, great shoes, great food and great company.
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StyleSaVie 