Monthly Archives: May 2011

May 31, 2011 · 7:45 AM

Woven White

There is nothing more comforting to me then a crisp white shirt. Perhaps it is because I wore one with my uniform over the majority of my adolescent life it is almost second nature for me to get out of bed and put one on.  Or maybe it is because the feel of woven cotton on my skin is so clean and fresh, I end up wearing such shirts to bed.  The classic white button up shirt is the also the one article of clothing that I can clearly envision such iconic images and characters such as Brigette Bardot, Carrie Bradshaw, Marilyn Monroe and not to mention our favorite sociopath, Patrick Bateman.  Christine

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May 29, 2011 · 9:02 PM

Coney-Mation

Back again at Lakeview.  Story of our lives.  Sitting above our poutine and milkshakes (we do not recommend such indulgences as they kill the waistline) is Adam ShaX’s colourful collection of Coney Island photographs.  His images glow so bright from the walls of the diner in what could be mistaken for animation on LCD screens.   The Lakeview is yet another public gallery for Scotiabank’s CONTACT Photography Festival which runs for two more days.   Here is what I suggest to you; open the map, close your eyes, point to the screen and visit the installation closest.

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May 25, 2011 · 8:14 AM

Ordinary and Everyday

I always talk about how comfortable my Yoga jeans are and how I can’t go back to regular jeans, so I just had to buy another pair.  I went to ShopGirls Gallery Boutique in Parkdale and ordered the high waist skinny jeans in black.  I’ll start with the basic colours and then I’ll venture out to stone wash and other shades.

Yoga Jeans by Second Denim. High waist, skinny, blue.  So comfy.

While I was at ShopGirls I happend to notice more great photos as part of the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival.  The photos were shots of past home interiors by Mandy Keeping, Emma McIntyre, and Jade Lee.  By documenting these ordinary and everyday places over time, the photographers are given the opportunity to reflect and understand their relationship to these spaces – to examine whether or not they still resonate on an emotional and personal level.  The photos caught my eye and made me think of my grandparents and older relatives homes.  Interesting to see how home decor has drastically changed over time.  It made me think about my wardrobe and how I loathe some of the things I wore 10 years ago, and what my wardrobe and home decor will look like in another 10 years.  hmmmmm, we shall see.

I hope you’re taking advantage of the festival. I love that it pops up virtually everywhere, like little unexpected treats. Enjoy! JD

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May 24, 2011 · 8:13 AM

Until The End of the World

Many crazy people believed the world was going to end this weekend, so we decided to live by this quote “Let’s party like the world is ending Saturday and continue partying when it doesn’t.”

We finally got a taste of REAL summer and what a glory it was.  We gathered a group of friends for a picnic and some bocce in the park and it turned out to be an awesome afternoon.  Trinity Bellwoods Park was filled with people relaxing, playing games, and just loving life.  I love when the park is packed – it reminds me of a busy beach. We had food, tunes, sunshine, and good people. What more could you ask for?

We also went to the Lykke Li concert at the Phoenix and it was just amazing.  Her music is the best to begin with, but seeing it live made me feel it in my veins. The beat of the drums combined with Lykke’s unique voice, outfit choices and dance moves easily make her the coolest chic out of Sweden. We love the Swedes – Lykke, Robyn, and Elin! I think a Seven Dollar Pants trip to Stockholm is in order.

And of course a great weekend wouldn’t be complete without milkshakes and mimosas a la Lakeview.  Good times all around. Glad the world is still here. Slow clap. JD

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May 19, 2011 · 9:42 AM

Cape Town in Navy

This is my mom’s maternity cape that she wore while she was pregnant with me.  I was a giant baby by the way, coming in at 9 lbs 4 oz…and 1 month overdue.  I love fat babies…maybe I knew I wanted to be one before coming out.

I added this cape to my coat collection because I was inspired by the capes at American Apparel.  I noticed them in the window and suddenly remembered something similar in my mom’s closet.  I called in a panic like I always do when I think something has been given away. It went something like this…

Me: “Mom? Do you still have that cape? Please don’t say you gave it away.”
Mom: “I might have given it to so and so’s daughter when she was pregnant, but it might still be here, let me check.”
Me: “No! you can’t give stuff like that away!”
Mom: “You’re in luck, it’s still in the closet.”

These types of conversations take place every few weeks.  Last week I called asking about my leather backpack that came straight from Italy and the response was “we gave it to a girl in Cuba who really wanted it” – I couldn’t be mad at that one, but damn, kinda wish I still had it.

Also shown:
Domino jeggings ($50) from Lavish and Squalor
Steve Madden espadrilles ($50) Winners
Joe Fresh scarf $16
Angelo Damiano aviators (gifted) aka my grandfather’s sunglasses

JD

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May 18, 2011 · 9:58 AM

Glen Baxter’s Sandy Lake

While taking a stroll down Bloor Street, Julie and I popped into the Hugo Boss store to check out Glenn Baxter’s Sandy Lake photo exhibit for the Scotiabank Contact Photography Festival.  Glenn set out to Canada’s north to photo document First Nation community life in Northwestern Ontario.  The focus was to show the beauty within the landscape and the community as well as the hardships such isolation would accompany.  On the top floor of the Boss shop, the exhibit is open to everyone as are most of the festivals installations.  The Scotiabank Contact Photography Festival runs to the end of May so be sure to seek out even a few of the 1,000+ exhibits.  Or, when you are out and about in shops, restaurants or other public places in Toronto look up, you may just be in the middle of an installation.  CM

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May 17, 2011 · 8:05 AM

Photography and Brunch

We’ve been having typical Vancouver weather in Toronto these days and it kinda sucks.  Alas, we’re Canadian and manic weather won’t stop us from living our lives.  I ventured out in the drizzle, and encountered all sorts of surprises that made me love living in a vibrant city…and made me forget that my perfectly blown out hair turned into a fluffy mess.

While walking along Queen street I was happy to see the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival signs in a ton of windows.  I can’t believe it’s already been a year since this great festival graced our city.  Time flies that’s for sure.  Contact is an annual festival of photography in Toronto during the whole month of May.  In over 200 venues, you can find over 1,000 exhibits and it’s free to the public.

I popped in GalleryWest to see Lee Henderson’s Still Life with Thanatotic Animals.  The artist is fascinated by “the end of the road” and how death is reflected in our collective histories.  I liked how the prints were hung along thin cabling – it reminded me of prints hanging in a dark room, which is something I’d like to do myself one day.


Following that I went to Swan Restaurant for a delicious eggs benny brunch.  I tend to go to my favourite places all the time, so it was nice to try somewhere I hadn’t been before.  The food was delicious, service was great, and I love the Art Deco decor.


Overall a great little afternoon despite the rain.  Keep your eyes peeled for the amazing photography hanging right before your eyes.  Check out http://www.scotiabankcontactphoto.com/ for more info. JD

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May 16, 2011 · 2:21 PM

Bridesmaids The Movie

We went to see Bridesmaids on Saturday night and loved it!  Finally a laugh out loud raunchy comedy with an all female cast.  It’s a break through and I have  a feeling we’ll be seeing more of it down the road.  There are so many guy comedies like the Hangover, Knocked Up, and 40 Year Old Virgin, that we all know and love, but now it’s time for the girls to make us laugh.  We were pleased to see a mix of guys and girls in the theatre and the guys were laughing just as much as us.

The “bridesmaids” concept is perfect because most of us have been a bridesmaid and can relate to the craziness of a wedding.  The cattiness, the dresses, the emails, the shower, the bachelorette, the drama!  Bridesmaids does a thorough job of capturing it all.  We don’t want to ruin it, but all we can say is awesome flick, go see it! JD & CM

If you haven’t seen the trailer yet, watch it here…

A behind the scenes look…

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· 8:08 AM

Scarpetta + Boehmer = Date Night

Last week Seven Dollar Pants went out for a proper date.  We got dressed up, complimented each others outfits, and went to Scarpetta for dinner and Boehmer for drinks.

If you haven’t been to Scarpetta yet, you must go.  Hailing from Manhattan, Scarpetta’s Toronto location is in the ultra-chic Thompson Hotel.  To start, we had champagne, stromboli bread with mascarpone cheese, seared scallops, and braised ribs.  Next we moved on to the creamy polenta, duck and foie gras ravioli, spaghetti tomato and basil, and finished off with chocolate salami, and creamy macaroons.  The verdict? EPIC MEAL!  Every bite was like an explosion of flavour, and that’s no exaggeration.  Extreme deliciousness.

Following dinner we went over to Ossington to sip delicious vino at Boehmer. It’s a gorgeous space as well. Sometimes the best dates are with your friends! JD & CM

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May 12, 2011 · 7:30 AM

Sand Blast

I’m really liking my new sand coloured jacket from H&M ($69). It’s part cotton and part leather (leather parts include shoulders, elbow patches and around the wrists). I think it will be a good alternative to my black moto jacket this summer.

I paired it with pleated pants from Zara, burgundy belt from Joe Fresh, and striped top from Simons in Montreal. Love that store. Can’t wait till it gets to Toronto! JD

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May 11, 2011 · 8:09 AM

Bun Master

While washing my face yesterday morning, I didn’t mind the giant bun and hairband look I had going on so I decided to stick with the hair do but make it a little more polished for work.

Because my hair was so big, I decided to wear something tame.  I wore my classic white button down shirt by Hugo Boss with my Joe Fresh paper bag princess skirt, aka my staple piece for Spring/Summer. I’m quite happy to finally start wearing it!

Also shown: headband from Winners, lace-up booties from Spring, trench coat from Zara. JD

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May 10, 2011 · 9:20 AM

Leave Your Hat On

I’ve always like the look of the floppy hat.  Sienna Miller wears it best.  They are available at American Apparel but I didn’t want to drop $55 on something I didn’t know I would wear that often.  Thankfully, I found this one at H&M for $14.  I finished off my Forever 21 denim shirt and skirt along with Aldo leather boots and a belt I found in Maui.  It’s funny that as soon as our friend the sun comes out we are trying to find ways to hide ourselves from it. CM

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May 9, 2011 · 8:00 AM

Hot Docs – BUCK

Not sure if I’ve ever mentioned my love for documentaries before, but I certainly love a good doc. If I had time, I would take days off to see as many docs as possible while Hot Docs is on. Hot Docs is North America’s largest documentary festival that takes place in Toronto, and it’s pretty amazing. This year it was held from April 28 – May 8 and I was happy that I got to see a really great one.

I was fortunate enough to meet Cindy Meehl, the filmmaker behind Buck, and she gave me a ticket to her screening. Buck is a story about Buck Brannaman, a true American cowboy who travels nine months of the year teaching people to communicate with their horses through leadership and sensitivity instead of punishment. I’m not a horse person, but it didn’t matter because the underlying theme was so moving. The way you treat an animal or person or even a stranger says a lot about you, and if you can approach relationships with compassion and respect, it will ease the daily challenges of life.

I recommend this film to everyone. It’s amazing! It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it inspired me. Buck is a likeable person.  He’s an ordinary man who made an extraordinary life despite tremendous odds. Everyone seems to love Buck. Watch the trailer here….JD

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May 6, 2011 · 2:34 PM

Heart Replacement

Last spring I posted my fave novelty (but not really novelty because I wear them all the time) heart shaped sunglasses.  Their price tag of $5 from a street vendor in Kensington market also came with a short lifespan – the lenses kept popping out to a point where I couldn’t push them back in.  It was a sad funeral for my fave red sunglasses.  Searching out a new pair online, I found these from the online store Nasty Gal.  Their metal frames make them a bit sturdier then my plastic Kensington numbers and hopefully they will get me through this heart-shaped-sunglasses phase.  CM

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May 4, 2011 · 11:39 AM

Quote To Live By

“Everything passes, everything changes. Just do what you think you should do” ~ Bob Dylan

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May 2, 2011 · 8:08 AM

Spring Weekend Wear

This is my ‘strolling the city’ weekend look. I pieced together something warm, but not too warm, that married comfort and style. Comfort is key in my world.

Outfit details:
Second Denim Yoga Jeans – Shop Girls Gallery Boutique ($110)
Cropped sweater – H&M ($24)
Army inspired jacket – Esprit ($45)
Oxford shoes – Joe Fresh ($69)
Vintage gold belt – Print Fine Vintage ($10)
Neckerchief – gift from my Mamma

P.S – thank god for Yoga jeans – these pups allow me to be comfortable and still look stylish. Perfect for days I can’t handle wearing tight clothing. I need to get another pair in black or white or maybe every shade possible. JD

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