dancing in the streets

just yesterday i was reminiscing about last summer's vacation to the west coast, yet somehow, i already have another trip to look forward to.

how can a girl be so lucky, you ask ?

well, the fam is planning yet another beachy getaway, this time to virginia beach. it's a city in itself, and it's even enlisted in the guinness book of world records for the longest pleasure beach in the world. the preparations have just begun, but already we're scoping out beach-houses (in awe, might i add, for their size and in some cases, for their price) as well as sorting through the best and worst dates.

oh, and did i mention that it's smackdown in the middle of the hamptons ?

needless to say, i'm fully motivated to become the beach bunny i was always meant to be.

zoë

i dream of things that never were

in no particular order, some of my california memories.

i'm kind of still sorting through the shots, so these are just a mismash of idiosyncratic moments that made me smile. looking back, i was smitten by the noisy city filled to the rim by irreverent passerbys consuming copious amounts of starbucks. funny thing, isn't it ? as i sauntered through the labyrinthine streets, i couldn't help but admire things that were probably all too common to most locals. i suppose that's the true beauty of being a tourist.

what i loved the most about my trip was the vast array of neighborhoods i visited.

laguna beach was an artsy community where i witnessed many attention-craving middle-aged women window-shop for exquiste hand-made birthday cards or brightly painted pottery.

on the way to dodgers stadium, fiesta music flooded my ears in what seemed to be mexican neighborhoods that were real & gritty.

i was baffled by the wealth at newport beach, where families of all kinds filled beach houses worth millions, equipped with outlandish accessories that have no use in such a serene environement.

the grove was slow-paced and tranquil, as shoppers nonchallantly swayed designer handbags to the beat of street musicians playing acoustic hits.

the curlicued streets of downtown los angeles were most busy, and also the most likely location to witness fashion daredevils making prompt exits from tattoo parlors or wig shops.

fans of all sorts rejoiced in the thematic arrangement outside of kodak theatre, as mimes are replaced with movie stars and men in disguise sell maps to the stars.

i just can't stop thinking about it.

an don't think i'm even close to finishing the tale of my west coast adventure.

zoë

make sure you've been nice.

vacation recap: day one.

between departure & arrival, everything went smoothy. the plane was a safe haven compared to the bustling airport(s), and we had the privilege of individual touch screens where we could relish in everything from cinematic masterpieces to quirky shows. i, for one, spent the ride in las vegas counting cards with the aid of 21 and in the city we were fastly approaching, los angeles, laughing it up with larry david while watching curb your enthusiasm. before i knew it, we were in los angeles, waiting to collect our bags and head out into the hot july sun.

once we were installed at our good friends' house, we could really start to relax. we were on the other side of the continent - which quite literally felt like the other side of the world - but we felt right at home. the night was spent lounging outside watching the hills in the distance, listening to kid rock & catching up on some much needed zzz's. before we knew it, it was sunday, and then began the adventure of a lifetime.

zoë.

slow dancing in a burning room.

"live in southern california once, but leave before it makes you soft."

i loved it.

zoë.

i heard that cali never rains.

my bags aren't packed. i'm leaving in less than two days and i haven't even begun packing. i suppose i've mentally compiled a few lists of items that will be completely necessary on the west coast, but if i could have it my way, i'd bring everything.

unfortunately, though, my dad rented a prius (an environmental gem, albeit as small as they come) and oversized luggage is unacceptable. and for that reason, i must pick & choose my garments one by one, all the while leaving room in my suitcase for everything i plan on bringing back to canada in the near future.

anyway, since i'm leaving around 5:30am on saturday, i've only got today and tomorrow left for posting. tomorrow will be fully occupied with packing & whatnot (although i will try to squeeze in some time to show you the final product before i leave), which leaves today for every last tidbit of information that i could possibly leave for you to chew on in my absence.

firstly, my two favourites on project runway season five.

also, i suddenly felt the urgent need to comment on balenciaga's fall collection (like it hasn't already been done a million times). what i like the most about nicolas ghesquière is his linear approach to fashion. his creations are true pieces of art - complex and breathtaking - all the while seeming to be molded to the woman's body, in a way that a rare few have seen done before. also, he has the talent of blending together different eras - one can automatically think modern while gawking at his designs, but can also be catapulted into the past, be it '50s or far before that.

oh, & as we cover garment trends & shoe trends & bag trends, why not take a peek at nail polish trends. for me, adorning my nails with vivid hues is just a different way to express myself. actually, i used to never paint my nails - couldn't find the time, lack of interest (which also entailed lack of ability) - but once turned into twice and before i knew it i was vigorously reapplying different shades everytime the old ones wore out. i wouldn't say i'm a nail polish junkie, but i like to think that a set of well-manicured fingertips is now a fundamental.

i love the baby blue on whitney port & rihanna, as well as eva's navy. i hope to purchase a blue-tinted opi nail lacquer sometime (soon) - either russian navy or i'm dating a royal.

lastly, i shall leave with you a little outfit i put together at a whim, something i could definitely see a girl sporting while sipping a starbucks latte on the corner of melrose & highland.

barbara bui shoes from shopjake; motif tights off of a picture on the cobrasnake; lux zipper skirt from urban outfitters, antik batik bag from shopbop; & triblend tank from american apparel.

zoë.

twenty dollars worth of remedies.

my brithday wishlist is short & sweet.

+ a subscription to marie claire or jalouse.
+ a midsized curling iron.

+ opi nail lacquer in russian navy.
+ low top converse in shrinking violet.

+ burts bees pomegranate lip balm.

+ the delivery man by joe mcginniss jr.

i'm going to be in los angeles for my sweet sixteen !

only ten more days ...

zoë.

take me to new york, i'd love to see l.a.

the countdown is on.

only twenty five more days until los angeles.

before i depart, i'll need to purchase some swank luggage. i also wouldn't mind a nars eyeshadow duo in charade (muted mauve & smokey plum) or mediteranee (muted gold shimmer & burnt orange shimmer), tinted moisturizer, an eyebrow waxing appointment (which is actually upcoming in early july), tooth-whitening mouthwash, opi nail lacquer in russian navy, a formal-themed party, tortoiseshell aviators, a chandelier & dirty blonde hair.

& before i go ...

" i wear weird things sometimes. i like to drink coffee. neither of those things have anything to do with who i am. " - mary kate olsen.

zoë.

stutter step to those slamming grooves.

not surprisingly, kate moss looks nearly as terrific immediately after escaping a nine hour flight as she did walking for ysl. it's all in the casual-comfort attire. basics abound when it's time to put together a travel-friendly outfit, but it's not rare to find more exquisite fashion-forward pieces collaborating with said basics to really make an outfit a hit.

that being said, beside kate moss in all her travel glory in the above picture is toronto's airport. last year, after hearing the news that my flight from toronto to rome had been delayed - get this - six hours, i must say i regretted my choice of heather grey sweatpants & adidas track jacket. when the unexpected occurs (like a very long delay), you can only hope you look the part of a discheveled fashionista on her way to the streets of an equally fashionable location. in the equivalent of a gym class outfit, i definitely wasn't cast as that role. and so, to make a long story short(er), i learned my lesson, and this time around, i plan on looking every bit 'kate moss on her way to heathrow' as i should've last july.



rachel bilson, albeit flying under the radar recently, used to hold a special little place in my heart when it came down to what to wear while travelling. i found her worn-in jackets & sweaters to match up perfectly with the necessity of being snug in my window seat. her layering tactic, as seen above, is also a brilliant way to travel - you'll never be too calorific or too frigid.



as for lindsay lohan, she definitely has the travel accessories down pat. she handles the most exquisite bags for her voyages, filled with all of the bare necessities - cell phone, mp3, lipgloss - and the items that will most likely occupy time - books, magazines - as seen above.



kirsten dunst is simply the epitome of sweet. her vintage-like outerwear, rugged luggage and wayfarers are all efficient and adorable.



lest we forget the victoria's secret angels - i don't plan on dressing up in matching tank tops & bomber jackets, i just thought this post wouldn't be complete without them. i guess it's the glamour that they exhude, even while fatigued & bored aboard a plane (the victoria's secret angels plane, no less). and plus, who wouldn't want their hair to look so perfect, even at thirty thousand feet.



and when one mentions the angels, gisele's name is not far behind. personally, i think she's mastered the look - be it hopping on a jet for a shoot on a deserted island in the summer, or summoning the aid of a taxicab while trying to escape new york's wispy winds in the fall.

and lastly, cameron diaz, seen here, is the practical one. she has the simple jeans, the light knit sweater, the beret to keep strays hidden & the studded burberry prorsum handbag (which i have forever been obsessed with) full of all her necessities.

i better start planning my outfit.

zoë.

seasons wait for your nod.

los angeles in t-minus 62 days.

zoë.

the weather is changing and breaking my stride.

finally, here it is, my weekend in montreal ...

we stayed at the alt hotel, right smackdown in the middle of dix30's lifestyle neighborhood, which is basically a closed in neighborhood that i'd never have to leave - food, clothing, shelter, concerts, gyms & spas are all available in the vicinity - if it weren't for school on monday. the hotel is brand new, and although i will admit that my expectation weren't exactly sky high, i was pleasantly surprised.

two queen-sized beds took up the most part of the room, where ikea accessories and neo-classic accents reigned. an art-deco chair was strategically placed in front of the tall windows, with a perfect view of the entirety of the outlet stores.

my purchases:

dark wash denim shorts, bright pink interlock mini, color-block tee, basic tees in sangria, white & orange, triblend-like tank, neo-hippie dress (all from h&m) and floral print bandaid skirt (from winners). the last skirt may look a bit odd but trust me, it looks like the lovechild of herve leger and heatherette or something. unfortunately, i didn't have time to scavenge the accessory departement, because i was craving a new pair of sunnies. i did find some at winners, though, with a faux-chloe look about them, but they were white and i wanted something different.

all in all, i'd say the weekend was a definite success.

zoë.

loose limbed in montreal.

never leave home without ...

weekend trip away:
marc by marc jacobs luggage, pucci bandeau bikini, stella mccartney studded racerback dress, oversized miu miu handbag, giusepe zanotti sandals, christian louboutin peep-toe heels, cotton miu miu flippy skirt, stella mccartney brassiere, notify denim shorts, billowy vanessa bruno tee.

these necessities should definitely be pulled from your wardrobe to spend the weekend away from home. to rival scenesters with their brights and neo-hippies with their grunge attire, the above items are supremely relevent for the modern-day globe-trotter.

paris rendez-vous:
boyy weekender, myla silk bra, bottega venetta woven clutch, silk marchesa dress, vivienne westwood red label bone bracelet, pringle of scotland top, rick owens lilies jersey pants, christian louboutin pumps, hanii y oversized wool coat, d&g boots.

while taking time away in the city of lights, you wouldn't want to look sickeningly sweet. for that reason, balance out pretty & tough by adding shots of colour and frills to a mostly somber array of clothes - all of which serve as a badge for a woman on a mission.

zoë.

an outdated map crumbled in my pocket.

los angeles, california: 88 days.
i am so unbelievably excited.


my plans to date;
- visit american apparel's flagship.
- drink a chai latte at the coffee bean & tea leaf.
- rent a bicycle.
- explore the santa monica pier.
- dinner & a show.
- scope out malibu & laguna beach.
- promenade on rodeo drive.
- celebrity home tours (to satisfy my trashy, non-cynical side).
- the ellen degeneres show.
- walk a dog.
- ride a rollercoaster & a merry-go-'round.
- dinner parties.
- apply inhumane amounts of sunscreen.
- walk of fame.
- mojitos.
- pictures of the sunset.
- universal studios hollywood.
- maybe catch a glimpse of la ink.
- visit the museum of contemporary art in the heart of downtown.
- chinese theatre.


& that is what i've come up with to date.


zoë.

meet your new beau.

I think I'm going insane. While taking my shower today, I found myself daydreaming about beaches while singing along to Feist's "Sea Lion Woman" which was loudly booming on the radio. In my mind, there I was, laying on Malibu beach (or was it Laguna?), eyes shut, gentle beads of sweat making their way from my eyebrow all the way down to my neckbone, due to the warm sun beating down on my golden skin. I sit up on the lounging chair, tuck my coral-painted toes into the heated sand, acting like an oven against the smooth arch of my foot. As I cock my head to one side, I slip off my eyewear & catch a glimpse of the waves crashing against the white shore, suburban families & Rodeo Drive afficianados prancing along against the pictueresque backdrop.




As rainpours & snowstorms are all I have to look forward to here in Canada, the comforting month of July is what I now live for: Los Angeles, here I come.

At the moment, I'm already mentally preparing my suitcase. If I could get my hands on a vintage Fendi carrier, worth at least two grand, that would indubitably be my luggage of choice, but suffice that I don't have the money to accomodate such a purchase. Besides, it's the inside that counts.

Of course, I'm not only seeing LA. I'll also be spending a week in Palm Springs, and we may swing by Tijuana just for the fun of it. But personally, the City of Angels will be my highlight. All of those pictures I'm constantly browsing through on the internet, of Ashley, Cory, Rachel and Lindsay, that's where they are. They're perusing shops or sipping Starbucks - and soon, so will I. Needless to say, the Hollywood girls I've been eyeing for years are my inspiration for this trip.



zoë.

ps: expect a post in the near future featuring the articles i plan on packing & details on my voyage.

Goodnight, Hollywould boulevard.

In a mere two days, I will be flying my way across the country, jetsetter style. I know you're jealous, because you poor little underlings have no clue what it's like to fly Air Chanel. Pity really, but we fabulous people have better things to do than fly coach. How common. Anyways, I mustn't bother myself with your tribulations, no matter how considerate and caring I may be. I have my beautiful self to take care of, and that is a job in it's own right. Anyone who's lucky enough to have seen me in the flesh knows that every square inch of my body is pampered, and it is true what they say, it's exhausting being fabulous. But back to the pressing matter at hand. No matter what your position on the social & financial hierarchy, you know that what you pack for a trip can make or break your would-be glamorous vacay. Personally, I can just call up Karl and have him send me a much-needed item if ever I forget, but we aren't all that lucky. So I'm typing up a little list of must-haves:

- An Eres bikini and a floaty Missoni cover-up at the beach
- A printed DVF wrap dress and classic leather Louboutin slingbacks for posh nights out
- A Milly printed shift and Stella McCartney sandals for 'sightseeing'
- An ivory 3.1 Philip Lim blouse and grey linen Development pants for browsing their Bergdorf Goodman's & Barney's (You can take the girl out of the Upper East Side, but you can't take the Upper East Side out of the girl)
- Catherine Malandrino long cashmere cardigan , Hermès headscarf and dark Tom Ford shades for the airport (You don't want people ogling and harassing you while you try to get back home, do you?)
- And last on the list is a full set of Goyard Luggaage, hat box and all.

If ever you're feeling down during your vacation (although I don't see why you should be), just think of how much fun I'm having in St Barths: it always perks me right up. And if that doesn't work, order a chilled bottle of Dom and drink to heart's content. Then at least you'll have forgotten why you were sad in the first place!

You know you love me,


Okay, so maybe I'm not Gossip Girl. And maybe I'm not flying Air Chanel. And yes, it might not be true that I have a full set of Goyard luggage. But I'm in Gossip Girl withdrawal after finishing the eleventh book recently, and after many trips to Chapters (which were not very fructuous, might I add) I had yet to find a book that was of the same calibur. That is, until I found 'Back Talk' and 'Orange is the New Pink' which kept me content. Anyways, I didn't write that entire letter for nothing, I actually am departing for the other side of the country in the short span of two days. And although the clothing I packed isn't as 'mature' and not to mention expensive as that of Gossip Girl, I still put just as much thought into it. "What did she pack?" Might you ask? Well, to that I say, take a look:

1 - Miscellaneous hair accessories and beauty products: blue elastic American Apparel headband, boat-print Uranium neckerchief, OPI Lincoln Park After Dark nail polish, Olay SPF 15 All Day Complete face lotion, Burberry Brit perfume.
2 - Bathing suits: black 'sequined' triangle bikini top from Old Navy, serpent green American Apparel flat bikini bottom, and hidden beneath that ensemble lies the hellish and ratty old back up bathing suit.
3 - Three pairs of sunglasses: Since my future is so bright, I've got some faux wayfarers, oversized pink metal frames, and some aviators.
4 - Flat t-bar sandals: Shelly's London.
5 - White denim shorts & white jeans: What else is there to say?
6 - Cotton day dress: American Apparel shift dress in raspberry
7 - iPod mini: To stave off boredom and drown out infants' cries.
8 - Zip-up Hoody: Red American Apparel California Flex Fleece Zip Hoody. Wow, what a mouthful.
9 - Bag: A cheap handbag for all my carrying needs.
10 - Books: Again with the staving off boredom, but without the noise blocking advantage, unfortunately.

Along with all of the items I've enumerated, there are more shoes, shirts, jeans, shorts and of course skivvies. But you didn't really need to know that, did you? On another related note, I'm sorry to announce that I'll be taking a brief hiatus from blogging during my trip. More specifically, until the fifteenth of August. Maybe not so brief. But I'm convinced Zoë will keep you content and filled with fashion.

Jessica.