To my rescue.

Once again I found myself unable to sleep. Polyvore came to my rescue in the form of an amazing Emilio Pucci skirt.

Stella McCartney bra, La Garconne coat, Alessandro Dell'acqua fringe cardigan, Emilio Pucci skirt, Bangles by unknown, Nicholas Kirkwood shoes.

Back in the 204!

Yesterday I arrived back in my hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba. I was greeted by my dear mom and that magical -30 weather I grew up with. I've never lived anywhere else so this year I truly got that feeling of coming home for Christmas. I can't explain how good it felt to walk through my house. Not only was it so good to come home but also to a decorated home complete with a Christmas tree surrounded by presents and that wonderful Christmas tree scent. My dad wanted to make me a home-cooked, comfort meal so he made my favorite fried chicken, homemade fries, a delicious salad, and for desert homemade fudge by my mom. It's been lovely.
I'm also so excited, for the most part, to see everyone. Last night I went over to Lana's for some wine, catching up, and a well needed tour of her closet. There were some newbies and some oldies but nonetheless all amazing. We then went to Cafe 22 and met some buds there. Feels good to be home.
Yesterday whilst unpacking I opened a dresser door and was excited and curious to find these two beautiful bra type cami's inside:

I immediatly rushed over to my mom and asked where they came from and if I could have them. She said she found them while going through some clothes and they used to be hers. Anyways she gave them to me and I'm a happy, happy camper.
I'm also extremely looking forward to having my roomies back home. On Friday these two gems will be joining us here in Winnipeg:

And just for kicks heres a picture of Ryan wearing Kirsty's gold necklace.

xo xo

Al

What does one do when she can't sleep?

Create polyvore sets in which she can dream about!

Martin Margiela trench, shoes from left to right: Stella McCartney, Azzedine Alaia, Nine West

Pull out the champagne ladies and gents...

It is indeed that time of year again! New years! Inspired my MT's most recent post I decided to do a little new years post as well regarding New Years Attire. Last year inspired by YSL Fall 2007 RTW I tried to recreate a sort version of this white tuxedo jacket:

This is how it turned out:

The sewing was horrible on it but the effect was there. I ended up just removing the lapels from one black tuxedo jacket I had and sewing them on top of a white jacket. I also rented this amazing sequined cap from Ragpickers which I wish I could have bought but it was, sadly, not for sale.

Now what to wear this year...?

xo Al

Quality time with that special someone...

These days my special someone is...homework. As I'm sure most students are feeling right now it's that time to hustle and get s*** done ( I gotta censor, mama Ateah reads this). Anyways for most of the weekend I've been a busy beaver working on my final illustration project. The project was to create a line of clothing inspired by one outfit by any designer from any season. I struuuugggled with what to choose but eventually decided on a Valentino number. I loved the capelets so much on the dress I knew I needed to use it. I gotta give Kirsty Reid some cred for coming up with the name La Cirque Noir. Anyways although I left it till the last moment I could I like how it turned out. Please notice the Lebanese Buns in which a couple of the models are rocking. I know what your thinking "HEY those are Swedish buns!" but you...are wrong. There Lebanese because they have dark hair. OK?

This was my inspiration outfit from Valentino fall 2008 RTW.

Was the son of a preacher man.

Together Marylouise Pels and Vanessa Giovacchini make up the creative due POSSO. They make music, art, dj and can now add design to the list. Posso The Spat is there first design project which consists of a small collection of spats. The definition of spats (according to dictionary.com) are "a short gaiter worn over the instep and usually fastened under the foot with a strap, worn esp. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries". Anyways they are beautiful and I would kill for a pair but my student budget cannot currently afford this sort of extravagance. The spats below are on my list of things I want so bad I would do unforgivable things to get list. The names are pretty crafty to.

The Subject

The Siren

The Preacher

Silhouette.

I need to post this FANTASTIC photo shoot. I found it somewhere on the internet and fell in love. It's from Vogue Italy in November of 2007. The shoot was shot by Richard Burbridge and was simply, and appropriately, titled Silhouette. I loved it so much, and was on the prowl for some sort of new page heading, and used one of the photos for it. Feast your eyes and enjoy.

Polywhore.

I ALSO boarded the bandwagon and had some fun on Polyvore. If only I could have this outfit for realz...

Al

ps Lana I noticed you got the polyvore logo out of the picture. Can you help a sistah out?

I would like to attend...

this:

Why can't there be parties like this around for me to attend? Clowns, costumes, bathtubs, Dumbledore like characters, live band, dancing galore... the whole shabang! That was a special for the UK show Skins called the Skins Secret Party Special. Jason burned me the first season and I just started watching it today and love it so far. This clip is from 2007, I believe, when the show first aired. The show revolves around a group of friends and each episode focuses on one of the characters. I can't wait to watch the rest of the show... Also the band is Foals, in which I thoroughly enjoy, and if I do say so myself the band is quite easy on the eyes particularly the lead singer...

xo

Al

New stompin' grounds.

Newly purchased faux fur vest from Zara.

Our kitchen. Stainless steel microwave and toaster. No biggie.

Outerwear closet.

Kirsty's beautiful antique headboard which was handcrafted in the 18th century in Paris. Maybe not...but it IS from Ikea.

My most loved purchase for the room...sheepskin rug.

FINALLY we have a home. We moved into Mallory Place a couple of weeks ago and it feels great. Can't say I have ANY urge/want/need/desire to do anymore Ikea trips... but were here now and aside from a few boxes (mostly mine, what can I say I've accumulated a lot of raw goods in my days) were getting settled. Now to plan the house warming...

xo

Al

The flow.

Found this photo on the SARTORIALIST this morning and I love it. The colors, the flow, the material...hmmmmmm. I found some material like the gray and black stuff and was going to make curtains out of it and possibly a dress of sorts and it was $30 bucks a meter. The prices of fabric soar HIGH in Toronto. You can bet your bottom dollar I'm going to be raiding, I mean RAIDING, Mitchells fabrics when I go home at Christmas.

xo

Al

ps I feel like all proper bloggers do a little xo of sorts when they sign off so...YAH.

Turn the beat around.

Yesterday while waiting to take the bus to Ikea I got Ry P. to snap some photos of me whilst I tried to keep warm by spinning in my full, evergreen, fall frock.
On another note Toronto is starting to cool off, although today was quite beautiful, and I'm craving a new (but actually old) fur coat and/or vest. Any of these beauties should do the trick just fine I'd say!

Emilio Pucci Fall 2008 RTW

Marni Fall 2008 RTW

Dries Van Noten Fall 2008 RTW

Dries Van Noten Fall 2008 RTW

Also want to dedicate Sweet thing by Van Morrison to Jason if your reading this. Yeah I'm a dork.

There's something about Tilda.

In the past year or so I've developed a major thing for Tilda Swinton. I love her look and style. She hardly ever has a smudge of makeup on, except for the odd bright lip, and I think she's a true beauty. She's also almost 50 and has the most beautiful fare complexion and not a blemish or wrinkle in sight. I really can't say I've seen to many of her movies, except for The Beach, but I'm a huge fan of her. Heres some of my favorite photos of her. Enjoy!

Floppin' around.

I was reading Childhood Flame's recent post about her love for floppy hats and was reminded about a photo shoot I did. A couple winter's ago in good ol' Winnipeg my friend Kevin and I did a photo shoot around Winnipeg for a portfolio I was doing. I was wearing this big, lovely floppy hat that I loved. Unfortunately this summer I drunkinly left the hat on a bench whilst on the way to the Birchwood at Victoria Beach. Anyways here are a few photos from the photo shoot. My good pal Kevin Penner took these photos.