Dress Me Dearly

Summer trends from your fave local fashion bloggers

2013-05-14T07:43:00.002-07:00

Bloggers galore at Breakfast Television Edmonton! It's BTV Bloggers Week and I've invited my fellow fashion bloggers to show off their favourite summer looks from local boutique Bamboo Ballroom. Stay tuned for the video!

Summer 2013 Makeup

2013-05-14T07:07:00.001-07:00

Makeup artist Stephanie Strazza was live with me for BTV Bloggers Week on Breakfast Television this morning showing us easy, breezy, on-trend summer makeup. Bronze is the word and her best tip for summer skincare - Vitamin C serum for sun protection and cell rejuvenation.

Live from Breakfast Television Edmonton!

2013-05-14T05:19:00.002-07:00

Bloggers run rampant on BTV this week!

Today I'm blogging live in the wee hours of the AM from the City TV Studio for Breakfast Television Edmonton!

BTV is letting me take over the studio with fashion and blog talk for the second annual BTV Bloggers Week with host Ryan Jespersen. Up first at 7:10 am we have Makeup Artist Stephanie Strazza showing us summer makeup trends and her favourite products.

At 8:10 am it's summer fashion trends with your favourite local bloggers. Sandy Joe from The Pretty Secrets, Jenna of Smitten and Stylist Zoe Kreider showing off their fave looks of the season from Edmonton boutique Bamboo Ballroom.

Stay tuned and follow all the action live at @dressmedearly and @BTEdmonton.

The Rip-Roarin' Refinery

2013-05-12T13:21:00.002-07:00

Got your tickets yet? The Art Gallery of Alberta's Rip-Roarin' Refinery party is Saturday, June 1 and tickets are on sale now for AGA Members.

This 1920's themed shaker is the newest instalment of the AGA's Refinery events - popular late-night art parties that transform all four levels of the Gallery with music, art activities, installations, performances and more. Edmonton singer/songwriter, Colleen Brown, has been invited on as the Rip-Roarin' Creative Director - meaning a night filled with energetic musical performances including local darling Mitchmatic as DJ. Fitting, as the party is themed around upcoming AGA exhibition, The Piano.

And of course - right on trend - the AGA invites you to dress the part in 1920's style. Check out their Refinery fashion inspiration featuring Mode Models in wardrobe from Simons and Swish Vintage.

Photograph and logo c/o Art Gallery of Alberta.

Lash Affair Giveaway!

2013-05-08T20:25:00.000-07:00

It's your lucky day. Dress Me Dearly has teamed up with Edmonton's Lash Affair Lounge to give away a set of lash extensions to a DMD reader, expertly applied by one of its Eyelash Technicians! I fell in love with the beauty trend after doing research last year for this segment on Shaw TV Edmonton's Press 2 Play - and ignited a love affair with these no-worry extensions that make my peepers damn near irresistible.

ENTER TO WIN LASH EXTENSIONS FROM LASH AFFAIR
1. Leave a comment on this post that includes your email address
2. "Like" Lash Affair on Facebook
3. "Like" Dress Me Dearly on Facebook

For Extra Entries:
1. Follow Dress Me Dearly on Instagram
2. Follow Lash Affair on Twitter
3. Tweet about this contest tagging @dressmedearly and @lashaffair
(one extra entry for each)

Good luck! The winner will be announced on Monday, May 20, 2013.

Contest closes Sunday, May 19, 2013 at midnight. Only one winner will be drawn. Winner will be announced on social media and contacted via email.

Manly Monday: Men's Vintage Pop-Up Shop

2013-03-04T01:00:00.000-08:00

Pencil this one in kids! Next Monday, March 11, Whyte Ave's Barber Ha will host a vintage pop-up shop of menswear from local Etsy purveyor, Vintage 2A (formerly known as la fripe) owned by Sarah Ares.

Sip a drink, peruse the racks, check out shave demos from the grooming experts of Barber Ha, and feast your eyes on le show de peep - a naughty View-Master peepshow by Edmonton artist Le Tivoli that's becoming a fixture at cool kid events across the city.

Sure to be fun times and some much needed fashion love for Edmonton's handsome men.

Check out Dress Me Dearly's coverage of past pop-up boutiques from Vintage 2A>

Kiehl's 10 Day Challenge

2013-02-28T23:59:00.000-08:00

Kiehl's Canada enlisted fashion and beauty bloggers across the country to participate in its 10 Day Change Your Skin Challenge using one of its bestsellers, Midnight Recovery Concentrate ($48 CAD).

For ten days straight I applied two drops of the lightweight serum after cleansing and under my face moisturizer in the evening when "skin is most receptive to repairing itself from daily aggressors." Kiehl's promises the "elixir effectively restores skin's healthy appearance overnight, resulting in a smoother more radiant complexion by morning."

I accepted the challenge, but have actually been using this product sporadically since June and am already a proclaimed fan. Admittedly however, I am brutal at keeping a consistent skincare routine... in other words I work too much and drink a lot and in my buzzed, tired stupors can't be bothered to either a) apply moisturizers and serums at night or b) even take off the day's makeup. I know, I know! This is beauty blasphemy! The shame.

So, as a lazy skin caretaker, I welcomed a challenge like this. I've been told over and over again by beauty experts the key to great skin is consistency. And of course, they are right. After using the concentrate nightly for the past ten days my skin is way less dry, and if I do say so myself - pretty radiant. I wouldn't claim it transformed me into a porcelain doll overnight, but my skin is holding moisture better in general, and I am using less moisturizer in the mornings. In conclusion: great product that makes my skin feel silky smooth.

Want to try it for yourself? Edmontonians can purchase it at Kiehl's locations in Southgate Centre and West Edmonton Mall, or of course online. And for a list of my top five favourite Kiehl's products, check out this post!

P.S. Last year I shared some of your concerns about Kiehl's animal testing policy. I can confirm both Kiehl's and its PR representatives have assured me "Kiehl's has never done any product testing on animals and never will." However, this statement does not mean animal products are not USED in its products or during preparation of the products. In one product in particular, Kiehl's uses lanolin, which is an ingredient derived from sheep's wool. If that is a concern for you, be sure to check ingredient listings on Kiehl's products, which are clearly stated on its website.

dress me dearly nominated for a yeggie!

2013-02-26T22:11:00.003-08:00

Cool news ya'll! Dress Me Dearly has been nominated for a 2012 Yeggies Award for best in Fashion & Style in Edmonton.

What the heck is a Yeggie? It's a new Edmonton awards show to celebrate outstanding social media content creators in the city. Local bloggers, podcasters and social media influencers are producing diverse content, and in its inaugural year, the Yeggies will be sure to promote more awareness of these sites to Edmontonians.

How does it work? The public was invited to nominate their favourite digital media personalities in 12 awards categories from fashion, politics, humour, to arts and culture and non-profit. A panel of judges will hum and haw over the nominees and the winners will be recognized at an awards gala this May.

If I added up the hours I've spent on Dress Me Dearly, plus the bazillion other projects I've launched in conjunction with my blog, my calculator would explode along with my brain. I've made a concerted effort to keep Dress Me Dearly focused on supporting and collaborating with Edmonton's fashion community and provide coverage and insight to what's happening in our fair city to a national audience. So send out positive vibes for me, and I just might win this thing!

As always, thank you, thank you, thank you for your encouragement and support.

xo
Dress Me Dearly

Image Credit: Pedersen

"Aurora" unveiled at Simons

2013-02-21T05:28:00.001-08:00

Last night, Simons, unveiled a majestic new art installation entitled Aurora designed by Canadian architect and artist, Philip Beesley. A stunning piece that responds to movement by changing light patterns, Aurora invites customers to physically interact with it, something art doesn't often do and even less often in a retail space.

Find out more from the artist himself on this segment from Breakfast Television Edmonton.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED. Dr. in da house.

2012-12-31T15:51:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year to my DMD readers! I hope your year was as crazy, fulfilling and full of life lessons as mine was. As a kick off to 2013, let's celebrate with a rad giveaway. One lucky reader will win these Moya Dr. Martens boots valued at over $300 and get to be twinsies with me! Enter now or forever hold your peace. xoxo

To Enter
1. "Like" Dress Me Dearly on Facebook
2. "Like" Dr. Martens on Facebook
3. Leave a comment below with your email address
4. For extra entries Tweet, Facebook, blog or Instagram this contest and tag @dressmedearly and @drmartenscanada. Please note in your comment below. One extra entry for each.

Contest closes Friday, January 11 at midnight. Winner will be contacted via email. Open internationally.

Winter Skincare at Lux Beauty Boutique

2012-12-19T20:00:00.001-08:00

It's another edition of Dress Me Dearly on Shaw TV's Press 2 Play! I paid a visit to Edmonton-owned store Lux Beauty Boutique to get some tips on winter skincare.

Holiday Shopping Party & Giveaway!

2012-12-04T22:04:00.001-08:00

The Bay & Dress Me Dearly Holiday Shopping Extravaganza
Sunday, December 9, 2012
The Bay, Edmonton City Centre, 10250-102 Avenue

Dress Me Dearly and The Bay at Edmonton City Centre invite you to a special Holiday Shopping Party to kick-off the festive season!

Guests will enjoy 10-50% off an enormous selection of merchandise throughout the store and HBC credit card holders will receive an extra 25% discount! A perfect evening to finish your holiday shopping and pick out a special something for yourself.

Along with major savings enjoy treats, refreshments, entertainment, giveaways and more! I'll be offering styling advice all night and showing off my favourite Bay picks for the winter season. Plus....

Just for Dress Me Dearly readers, Edmonton City Centre is doing a special holiday giveaway! Enter below for a chance to win a $25 Edmonton City Centre Gift Card AND a $25 Bay Gift Card!

To Enter:
1. "Like" Edmonton City Centre on Facebook
2. "Like" Dress Me Dearly on Facebook
3. Leave a comment below naming your favourite Edmonton City Centre store and your email address.
4. For extra entries Tweet, Facebook or blog about this giveaway. Please note each extra entry in your comment below.

Good Luck! Contest closes Friday, December 7 at midnight.

dress me dearly talks fashion with capital ideas

2012-11-16T10:28:00.003-08:00

This year the Edmonton Journal launched a cool new project entitled, Capital Ideas - a networking community of entrepreneurs, business people and go-getters who share advice and the lessons they've learned running their own businesses. Part of the success of this initiative has been a series of free-to-attend panel discussions held at the Edmonton Journal building. Interesting Edmontonians are invited to talk about a variety of topics from "the necessity of failure" to more specifics such as branding and website development.

Well you're in for a treat, because Capital Ideas has invited Dress Me Dearly to join their next panel discussion, "What Not to Wear: Entrepreneur Edition". Myself, Stylist Lazina McKenzie and fashionable dude, Garner Beggs, will be talking all about personal style and how it affects your business endeavours.

Hope to see you there, find out more and RSVP here!

dress me dearly on press 2 play

2012-11-05T22:55:00.003-08:00

If you've been following along with Dress Me Dearly on Facebook and Twitter, you know I've started yet another new venture. You can now find me on Shaw TV Edmonton's newest show, Press 2 Play! I get to play Fashion Correspondent, galavanting through the city talking with local retailers, stylists, designers and anyone else doing awesome fashiony things in E-town. Check out my first episode and stay tuned for more segments as I'll be posting them biweekly right here on DMD!

shop 'til you drop

2012-10-15T21:34:00.000-07:00

This Thursday, Dress Me Dearly is partnering with Buffalo, LOULOU Magazine and West Edmonton Mall for the Shop 'Til You Drop event!

Almost 50 retailers across the mall will be offering a variety of steals and deals including special discounts, gift with purchases, beauty treatments, swag bags, food, live music and more.

You can find Dress Me Dearly at Buffalo on Level Two dishing out style advice, mingling with guests and showing the must-have Dress Me Dearly picks from the store. There will be goodies, a DJ, and gift bags for the first 50 customers, so don't miss this event!

Looking forward to seeing you all this Thursday! Check out all the stores offering deals and some of the exciting activities from LOULOU Magazine.

The Monstrous Baroque Refinery

2012-10-11T11:43:00.001-07:00

The Monstrous Baroque
Refinery late-night art party
Saturday, November 17, 2012
9 pm - 2 am
Advanced tickets for AGA Members on sale Tuesday, October 16!

The Monstrous Baroque Refinery is the next edition of the Art Gallery of Alberta's ever so popular art parties that have Edmontonians clamoring for tickets to see just what the Gallery will pull off next. Being described as "a ball of monstrous proportions" the evening will be full of surprises with all four floors of the iconic AGA building coming alive with performance art, installations, decor, music, food and activities inspired by 17th century opulence and supernatural creatures. The theme of this Refinery lets the imagination run wild, inspired by two of the AGA's newest exhibitions, Beautiful Monsters: Beasts and Fantastic Creatures in Early European Prints and Misled by Nature: Contemporary Art and the Baroque.

For dress code inspiration, Dress Me Dearly Styling collaborated with the Art Gallery of Alberta on its first ever Refinery fashion editorial! The series of photos shot by fashion photographer Harvey Miedreich features Mode Models in contemporary Baroque inspired wardrobe provided by some of Edmonton's favourite retailers and designers: Loft 82, Holt Renfrew, The Theatre Garage, Swish Vintage and Sweet Carousel Corsetry.

Mousy Brown's crafted the Marie Antoinette inspired hair and makeup and will definitely be seeing me the day of the party to recreate this look.

A huge thank you to the entire creative team for their hard work on this shoot - I can't wait to see what you're all going to wear!

See the complete fashion editorial here

Today's the Day!

2012-09-29T17:03:00.000-07:00

Can't wait to see you all today for the Dress Me Dearly + Stella & Dot Tea Party Pop-Up Shop! It's gonna be a blast with giveaways, goodies and fashion gabbin' galore. I'll be dishing out jewelry styling tips, showing off my favourite fall must-haves and can't wait to meet more of my E-town readers.

xoxo
Dress Me Dearly

Outfit: Hat, Oak + Fort. Dress, Oak+ Fort. Necklace, Stella & Dot. Ring, Stella & Dot. Bracelets, assorted.

dmd fave picks: stella & dot

2012-09-26T09:25:00.000-07:00

In preparation for Sunday's Tea Party Pop-Up Shop event I've been perusing the Stella & Dot website picking out my favourite items. If you know Dress Me Dearly you know how much I love loud, fun, statement jewelry, so I'm loving these bold pieces from Stella + Dot's newest collections.

I hope you'll join me at the event on Sunday, September 30th to sip tea, mingle and shop! We'll also be giving away an awesome prize package for people who RSVP to Callie_Dee@hotmail.com - so don't forget to RSVP!

And Stella & Dot has announced a new giveaway for this event only! Orders over $100 will also be entered to win a piece from the limited edition Alice Temperley collection. Check out the behind the scenes video with the designer herself. And If you can't make it to the show, don't fret! You can order here to be entered.

For all the deets check out the Facebook event page>

My Picks: 1. Pegasus Necklace 2. Serpent Bangle 3. Lilith Fringe Necklace 4. Tempest Necklace 5. Pyramid Studs 6. Bello Bangle 7. Camilla Ring 8. Lakra Bangle

dress me dearly and stella & dot tea party pop-up shop

2012-09-24T10:28:00.000-07:00

The latest and greatest Dress Me Dearly Shopping Party is next Sunday, September 30th and you're all invited! There is nothing I love more than meeting my readers in person - well, except for maybe shopping. So really this is the best of both worlds.

I'm thrilled to be partnering with Stella & Dot's Edmonton Stylist, Callie Derksen, for a Tea Party themed Pop-Up Shop! We'll be hosting the event at Cally's Teas on Edmonton's Whyte Avenue. The event will have tons of jewelry for you to shop and try on, delectable treats and I'll be offering up jewelry styling tips! Plus Cally's Teas is offering 10% off teas and tea-ware, so you can continue the Tea Party at home!

I hope you'll join us to see all the new items from Stella & Dot, including my picks for must-have fall statement pieces.

Also, if you RSVP by this Wednesday, September 26th to Callie_Dee@hotmail.com you will be entered to win a limited-edition piece designed by London designer Alice Temperly for Stella & Dot. I've seen some sneak peeks of the collection and it's aaaamazing. You'll also win a one-on-one style consultation with me! Can't wait to see you all there.

Click here for more info!

Outfit: Olivia Bib Necklace, Stella & Dot. Shirt, Urban Outfitters.

nyc diary continued

2012-09-16T23:46:00.001-07:00

Want to see more of my NYC Travel Diaries?

Click here for the outfits, sights, shopping and more!

IFB Conference Fall 2012

2012-09-12T10:18:00.003-07:00

The IFB Conference and my week vacay in New York City seems like centuries ago, even though it was just last week. So much happened in a mere six days, and I'm still digesting it now that I'm back in E-town.

I jetsetted over to NYC with fellow Edmonton blogger and friend, Vickie of Adventures in Fashion. We spent two days at the Independent Fashion Bloggers Conference listening to some of our favourite fashion bloggers talk about their successes, challenges and some pretty philosophical concepts all related to the world of fashion blogging. It's much more complicated than you think people.

Panels topics included: The Business of Blogging, Bringing Bravery Back to Blogging, Journalism vs. Blogging and The New Entrepreneur. Some of the world's top bloggers spoke including The Glamourai, I SPY DIY, Glitter Guide, Style & Pepper and writers from Teen Vogue, Matchbook Magazine and more. Even Canadian model Coco Rocha and Iman stopped by as keynote speakers!

The conference came at a perfect time for me, as I've been pondering the next step for Dress Me Dearly over the last few months. The world of outfit posts and telling people what they need to buy has got old really fast for me. Over the next few months I'll be working on some special projects and can't wait to reveal a DMD content makeover that will bring you much closer to the insides of Alberta's fashion scene.

janis & vickie take new york.

2012-09-03T23:19:00.000-07:00

My gal Vickie from Edmonton fashion blog, Adventures in Fashion, is galavanting around NYC with me this week basking in the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the bustling city.

Day one had us grasping our surroundings as we took on the beast. Times Square lured us in with its you-just-have-to-experience-it beckoning call, but as quickly as we arrived we realized the tourist frenzy and excessive American chains weren't really our scene. Really Forever 21... do you need a four-floor location?

The first day in NYC continually reminded me of my first time in Bangkok - trying to ground myself in a city of over-the-top consumption and tourist thirst. After over stimulating our senses to the max, we refuelled on avocado maki, put cute shoes to pavement and wove through the streets in search of NYC's unique and quaint neighbourhoods. We found our groove in our hotel's darling, romantic and gritty locale, which is bursting with hole-in-the-wall restaurants, cafes, bakeries, grocery stores and book stores that fulfill every "need" your heart desires within a 30 second stroll. To top it off, our cozy hotel Pod 39, boasts a rooftop patio that might be just a little too convenient with its glorious view and flow of unique cocktails.

It was a fabulous first day filled with new friends, great food, and fashion inspiration galore. Day two and three will be down to business at the Independent Fashion Bloggers Conference featuring keynotes Coco Rocha and Iman and day three sees us meeting up with the likes of Caroline Gault and Jenna of Smitten for the madness that's sure to be Fashion's Night Out.

Stay tuned following us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all the live updates straight from the sidewalks that have won our hearts.

shhhh, top secret

2012-08-28T22:58:00.000-07:00

Last week my worlds collided mixing my fashion passion with my marketing gig. If ya'll didn't already know, I spend my days as the Marketing Coordinator at the Art Gallery of Alberta convincing people just like you to come visit.

I'm revealing some behind the scenes photos from our top secret photo shoot last week for the Art Gallery of Alberta's next Refinery late-night art party. If you've never been to Edmonton's party of the year, this is your chance. Think food, dancing, DJs, art collaborations, installations, performances, activities, exhibitions, and more all inside Edmonton's most iconic building.

The full editorial of our Refinery photo shoot will be revealed in September along with the official theme. All I can say is GET YOUR AGA MEMBERSHIP NOW if you want tickets my friends... advanced tickets go on sale to Members on October 16th, and they will sell out fast. That's a promise.

Stay tuned to see what we have up our party sleeves...

Congrats Kendall!

2012-08-20T22:37:00.003-07:00

Last Thursday, Breakfast Television Edmonton and Mode Models named Kendall Graham the 2012 Face of the Future. Out of five finalists, Kendall at only 13 years old, shined the brightest with her radiant complexion, youthful energy and perfectly unique features. A splattering of freckles across Kendall's nose had me smitten from the beginning.

I had the opportunity to meet Kendall during my live BTV segment styling the finalists on behalf of Edmonton City Centre for the Face of the Future runway challenge. Beautiful, polite and incredibly humble, I was secretly hoping Kendall would take home the prize. And that she did.

Kendall is now signed with Mode Models International, will star in an editorial spread in a 2013 issue of Georgie Magazine, walk the runway and pose in an upcoming Edmonton City Centre fashion show and campaign and take home a $500 City Centre gift card. I can't wait to follow Kendall in what's sure to be a promising career.

Images by Aaron Pedersen. Styling by Zoe Kreider

Manly Monday: Meet Cup of Couple

2012-08-19T23:24:00.000-07:00

Meet Mike Madrid and Gabriel Garcia, the adorable duo behind Cup of Couple, the clean-cut men's fashion blog capturing the couple's oh-so-casual, effortless styles.

Mike's look is a bit zany, translated on printed tees and boldly patterned button-ups, while Gabriel keeps his outfits classic and monotone. The site is a refreshing take on men's fashion blogs demonstrating achievable style that any dude can take inspiration from. Yes, even you.

Based in Madrid, the two don't just spend their days posing in front of the camera - they are more often on the other side of the lens. Mike and Gabriel are both photographers and also produce videos for the likes of Vogue Spain, Harper's Bazaar and other name droppin' fashion publication royalty.

A must-add to your blogroll.

images via Cup of Couple