Rainy Day Cheer.

Only on the internet could you discover such awesomeness, gotta love social media! Check out these Lovely Little Finds! So ADORABLE! These are some funky umbrellas for an otherwise dumpy rainy day. I am LOVING the couples umbrella!!! You know we've all been in a situation where one just doesn't cut it!

Cool and Quirky Finds.

Okay, I am not calling them fashionable, vintage or décor trendy… but just look at these FABulous creations. I am a sugar phenom so I can appreciate the wonderment that is associated with having furniture of this nature. Its like living in the Willy Wonka factory, ummmm hiiii… can you say FANTASY~

I had a dream!

...and in that dream I was wearing a fantastic outfit. Needlesstosay, it was a great dream.

What made the outfit so FAB was a vest that resembled a mens penguin style tuxedo jacket, only without arms. Now, imagine this- form fitting on top, short in the front and gradually getting longer in the back and eventually turning into tails. Worn with a tight white shirt and high-waisted, semi loose, dress pants...UGH! Gimmie!

Only problem is that it has yet to be designed...get on this ppl. Brings a whole new meaning to the in style "boyfriend" jacket.

Art Attack?

Still into Arts and Crafts? Well, heres a Fab activity thats not only fun but totally wearable!

While doing some spring cleaning, its customary that I go through my closet to compile the clothing that I haven't worn in over a year, which is then handed over to girlfriends to fight over. However, this year the pile is rather small. Why? Because as trends develop, so does my imagination.

A pile of old T-Shirts that, I was finding hard to part with, sat sadly on my floor. Just as I was about to bag them up, I grabbed one from the top of the clump and held it up against me as I looked in the mirror. Thats when the LIGHTBULB appeared. With scissors in hand and a deep breath later, there it was, the same old shirt revamped into the trendy new Crop Top!

I must have been scissor happy after that because three more Crop Tops, and four imaginative backless numbers later, I noticed my pile was gone!

So, not only did this activity give me a fun alternative to an otherwise boring spring cleaning sunday, but it provided me with seven new tops- without cost of buying new ones or the waste in throwing out others. I like to think of it a Fashion recycling, and its cool that they have there own original twist.

Give it a try on your own old items. You could even make an old Denim Jacket into a fashionable vest or add studs to a once boring skirt. The Possibilities are Endless...

Rainy Day Recipe

I found this delicious treat at Life Made Delicious. The Website has over a thousand fantastic recipes that are easy and taste like heaven.


Ingredients:

35 caramels, unwrapped
3 tbsp (45 mL) whipping cream
1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped pecans
2 eggs
1 pkg (440 g) Betty Crocker* Chocolate Chunk Supreme Brownies Mix
1/4 cup (50 mL) water
1/4 cup (50 mL) vegetable oil
Method:

Heat oven to 350°F (180°C).
Line bottom and sides of 8-inch (20 cm) square baking pan with foil or parchment paper. If using foil, grease bottom only of foil with non-stick cooking spray. Make brownie mix as directed on package, using water, oil and eggs. Bake as directed for 8-inch (20 cm) pan. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
Using foil or parchment paper to lift, remove brownie from pan. Remove foil or parchment paper. With deep 3-inch (7 cm) heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut 6 brownies.
In medium microwavable bowl, microwave caramels and whipping cream uncovered on High 1 to 3 minutes, stirring every minute, until caramels are melted.
Arrange brownies on small serving plate. Drizzle caramel mixture over brownies. Sprinkle with pecans.

Let it Rain!

Here it is, day 2 of continuous rain with no hope of sunshine and no reason to go outside. I remember when I was young, the pleasure I would get in putting on my pink rain boots and matching floral raincoat was comparable to hearing the ice cream truck stop on my street.

Lately, rain seems to bring with it the unwillingness to leave ones home, making it extremely difficult to gather friends together for a coffee date or light stroll. A day like today is normally filled with over eating of junk food, frustrated channel surfing and a deep sigh as you catch a glimpse of the outdoors. But, not for me! Contrary to the usual displeasure that surrounds acknowledgement of a rainy day, I am always excited, and here are the reasons why.

1. Being the weekend and all, I can enjoy a cat-nap in the darkness of my living room while listening to the pitter patter of rain overhead.

2. Talk about a personal aphrodisiac! There is something about the sounds and smells, and opportunity to get wet that do it for me.

3. I rarely read novels, I watch movies, and on a day like today I like a good oldie. I am talking 1930ies black and white classic. Not only are these films sensational to watch BUT the fashion inspiration can be overwhelming in many.

4. Instead of stuffing myself with the desirable cheetos and Cho-mo, I make the most of my time at home by trying out new recipes. I surf the web for a healthy, tasty treat, visit my local grocer and let the games begin. If it’s awesome, well then there is dinner and if it’s retched, no one is the wiser.

On that note, enjoy the rain while you can cause the sun’ll come out tomorrow…maybe.

Feelies

Sometimes out of nowhere a certain feeling comes over you, one that is all to familiar. The human heart is an interesting thing.
The brain can spend hours rethinking the same event over and over, trying to remember even the smallest thing that might have gone unnoticed at the time. In the end it can even do a great job of convincing others, and yourself, that your emotions pertaining to that specific incident are under control, and they very well might be. Things are forgotten in time, new memories replace old ones and people grow up, they grow apart and then they grow old. However, there is something to be said for that unstoppable force that occurs when the heart and the brain synchronize for even a moment. You have all felt it, and I personally think it defines the term bittersweet.
Its that first warm breeze you feel in spring that reminds you of summer, it’s the short whiff you get of an ex’s scent, it’s the unexplained smell of a campfire in the midwinter that brings you right back to summer camp and its the song that you hear in the background which reminds you of your first kiss. These moments cannot be controlled and depending on circumstance can be either heartbreaking or heartwarming. I recently felt a breeze that smelt of a cool summer night, the kind where you put a sweatshirt on and immediately mold into it allowing your spine to curl forward as you pop the hood and stretch the sleeves over your hands. I last felt that sensation with someone who was special to me but is no longer in my life. I got goose bumps, then I smiled and then I returned to reality after living in the moment for only a brief second. In my circumstance it is important to remember why that person is gone, however sometimes, regardless of how much pain your hart felt and how hard your brain had to work to get over it, it’s a blessing to be reminded that you once felt that way and to know that feeling is possible again. Happy feeling to you all and may your first breeze be bittersweet.

Litral Strangeness

Okay, so while i was trying to sleep last night i couldn't stop singing this particular section of this Drake song that i had stuck in my head. The song was i get Paper and the section was when they say "yeah, Alexander McQueen,
Im so clean, Its KC and Drizzy, and its the remix remix, C.O.S.S.O.M"

Now flash back to the summer, probs august and i driving listening tot he radio and the song Knock You Down comes on the radio, a song in which the lyrics go " I was flyin', now I'm crashin', This is bad, real bad, Michael Jackson..."

hmmmmm.

So back to last night, i cant sleep because now i am thinking about the strange coincidence that 2 very popular songs within 8 moths of each other give shout outs to two FAB men who ended up dead after the release of the track.

I am sure there are other songs out there with similar situations surrounding them, but regardless- Isn't that just the weirdest thing?

The Spew

Here is a fun little project. Haute Child is going around town to find out popular answers to some interesting questions. After some gritty research, your answers will be polled and you can check out if others agree with you, OR, if your really just one strange bird. Watch out for upcoming polls:

1.What would you win a Gold Metal for?
2. If i had a Million dollars.....?
3. If you could have a magical power, what would it be?

Check back soon for the results.

Unstoppable Disaster.

In the fast paced world that we live in, it is sometimes difficult to press on the breaks, and when and if we do, we are all guilty of the “justifiable” rolling stop. Two weeks ago an earthquake hit the island of Haiti, and although the ground was literally moving below them, a nation stood still for just a moment, holding onto the hope and praying that the damage would be minimal. Regretfully, that was not the case. The damages from the earthquake were dramatic and have affected millions of people, not only in Haiti, but also around the world.

It is bitter sweet when watching the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake unfold. Through watching the news, reading an article, or hearing a tidbit of conversation from passersby, I am constantly reminded and updated on the death toll and damage done by the tragic natural disaster. I know that you are wondering where there could possibly be any good in this situation, and you’re right is thinking there isn’t any. However, if you take a minute, you will recognize that beneath all the greed, anger and frustration that the world has sadly become immune to, there lies a common understanding of compassion and unity.

It seems to me that this tragedy has made people not only slow down, but come to a complete stop, if only for a moment. In a society where it is sometimes a challenge to remember the milk or find time to go to the drycleaners, it fills me with joy to see individuals and groups come together to plan events, and raise money and awareness, for those in need. In a nation, where Starbucks is essential to most mornings, it warms my heart to see that people will forgo there weekly fix of overpriced lattes in order to help the traumatized Haitians.

Over the past few weeks I have seen countless Facebook groups, websites and tweet challenges that aim to raise money for Haiti. Cellular networks and online media have created opportunities for even the busiest of people to donate. Initiatives are popping up wherever I look, from making fashion T-shirts to bumper stickers and hosting telethons or concerts.

It is never too late to get involved, or start an initiative of your own, but for those of you who want to help by donating your time and especially if you have an interest in fashion/arts, then you might want to pay attention to this. All over my homepage were invitations to a model search being held at Reign Nightclub tonight, Friday January 29. The event is being held to gather anyone who is interested, regardless of experience, in walking down a runway to raise money for Haiti. The event sounds like a blast and would be a great way to get involved while combining Fashion and Fundraising.

I often have to stop myself from getting caught up in the superficial elements of life and remember to give thanks for all that I have been blessed with. When life gets me down, I try and focus on what’s important. Most likely, what I am going through is controllable; whereas for others it is not. When my life gets heavy I can put on the breaks; when their lives fell apart, there was no stopping it. That is a message to remember for the next time your jeans don’t fit or your hair falls flat.

Poodles 'n Prada

Aside from my 5 inch, black sequenced, Patrick Cox pumps, my most favorite thing in life is my 2-year-old pup, Miss. Chloe. Weighing in at roughly 11 lbs, Chloe is a cross between a manipulative Maltese and presumptuous Poodle, with a hint of royalty thrown in somewhere. Nevertheless, she's the sweetest bitch female dog you'll ever meet.

Growing up with a mother in the fashion industry, I acquired a knack for labels early in life. It is no coincidence that my darling Chloe is named after a very versatile fashion designer. In any case, my intention is not to enlighten you on my ability to formulate a killer outfit on short notice, but rather to inform the unaware, and to confess to all others alike of my guilty pleasure. I, proud dog owner, go beyond my duties of animal caregiver by over-indulging my pet to the point where I feel no shame in dressing her up in stylish yet appropriate outfits, no inhibitions while strutting walking her down the street as if she were on a runway for Prada and limited remorse when spending $4.95 on a single (and might I add small) dog treat just because it was in the shape of a cupcake...with sprinkles.

What I find most interesting though, is my ability to show restraint (okay okay, moderate restraint) when shopping for myself, but when it comes to Chloe there is a sort of notion where anything goes-within reason of course ;). I can spend hours on a Saturday afternoon weaving in and out of the designer racks at Holt's, feeling the cashmere as if it were my first time and executing extreme self-discipline as to not max out my credit card. The point is that as a reasonable individual, I cannot justify spending $900 on a Dolce and Gabbana blazer, regardless of how fierce I may look in it. On the other hand, while in the mindset of a dog owner, I fall short in my ability to demonstrate logical restraint on treats and toys.

My two biggest weaknesses in Toronto are:

1. My Pet Boutique: an adorable and swanky pet shop located in Yorkville that specializes in cat and dog toys (really cute and original ideas), overly decorated treats and more accessories and variations of cashmere sweaters then one could even dream of.
2. Pink Paws: a kiosk, located in Yorkdale Mall and also has a larger store at Vaughn Mills Outlet Mall, which sells the sweetest little pet outfits that double as an extra layer of warmth in the winter and increased cuteness year round.

I fear not when disclosing this information because I know there are others out there who share my philosophy, "Sure, a dog is just a dog- but MY dog is so much more then a dog, its a member of the family and thus, deserves the best." Now I've seen people wrap up the remainder of their fillet from Morton's with full intentions of feeding it to their pups, which for the record I would never do. However, it is no secret to those who know me, that this past Christmas Chloe received a squeaky toy shaped like a Monolo Blahnik, animal print, pump with a label reading Monolo Barknik. I guess crazy is as crazy does, but I am certain that when it comes to my pouch, I give a new meaning to the term designer dog.