Mizdragonfly

Artists of the Week

2012-03-30T09:20:00.000-07:00

I love it when my friends give me new ideas for music to check out. My friends have a diverse taste in music which is great for getting me out of my Indie/Alternative box. In the spirit of the Juno Awards in town this weekend here are some songs to get you in the party mood.

Calvin Harris - I Feel So Close. Not only is this Scottish DJ/songwriter/singer/record producer cute but he whips out some sick beats that make you want to dance all night long. This is my FAVORITE song right now!!

Rihanna - You Da One. Rihanna seems to pump out a constant flow of top hits. This one is my favorite because she returns to her Caribbean roots with slow reggae beats and her Carib accent.

Cassius - I Love You So. This sultry, tasty song is great to listen to in a dark lounge. It gives any atmosphere a sexier vibe.

Have a great weekend!!

Ciao,
Kristy

Stardust

2012-03-29T07:28:00.000-07:00

Karine found these amazing pieces on Etsy. These collections from various artists have a stardust/space/galaxy theme. If you like the retro look circa David Bowie or just want to add something funky to your style check out the Etsy Shop online. Here are few awesome pieces:

Hand-Painted Galaxy Nebula Cosmic Leggings.

Northern Lights Ring - Autumn Skies.

Hand-Painted Space/Galaxy/Nebula Jacket.

Orion Nebula Cotton Tote Bag.

Inter-Galactic Love!!

Ciao,
Kristy

Trending with Tommy

2012-03-28T06:41:00.000-07:00

It's Wednesday again which means it's Trending with Tommy day! This time we are headed to the beaches of Japan for some stylish beach wear. Tommy shot an ad called 'Going to Rainbow Beach' for Vogue Japan. I love the bright colors, oversized hats and the funky heels (check out the scuba outfit...fabulous!) Now we just need some sun and a beach Otown!

Beachtastic!

Ciao,
Kristy

Dress Thinner

2012-03-27T13:50:00.000-07:00

Well, I got my Women's Health Daily Dose as usual and was happy to see something about style (and I'm not talking workout gear). The Dose today is '5 Ways to Dress 10 Pounds Thinner'. Who wouldn't love to look like they've lost weight without having to do all the dieting and working out? Get a notepad and pen ladies....here we go:

1) Boot Cut Jeans - dark boot legs are the most flattering, giving you a long, lean look.

2) Body Lengthening Clothes - a common misconception is that baggy clothes make you look skinnier...wrong! Wear clothes that are body skimming such as lightweight vertical pieces (cardigans, scarves, necklaces) to create a body-lengthening look.

3) Structured Fabric - dresses made from structured fabric hide imperfections (hmm hmm muffin top) while crisscross detailing gives you that hourglass shape.

4) Accentuate Your Waist - try a flowy dress with a thin belt to define your waist. Make sure that if you cover your chest to show some leg and finish off the look with high platform heels (the further you are from the ground the thinner you'll look).

5) Long Dark Pants - shoe-skimming super dark pants give you a long, lean silhouette. If you are bottom heavy wear the pants with a light colored shirt.

Remember, accessories also help create length and hide imperfections. Good luck ladies!

Ciao,
Kristy

The Girls About Town

2012-03-26T14:28:00.000-07:00

Salvatore Ferragamo has just launched his much anticipated blog-style Web platform - The Girls About Town. The website is live with a Tumblr feed for its brand ambassadors. Fashionistas from around the globe can post photos, style news and trends that inspire them. Check it out for yourself at http://thegirlsabouttown.tumblr.com!

Happy Tumbling!!

Ciao,
Kristy

Pin-Inspiration

2012-03-23T07:46:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures I found on Pinterest.com that caught my eye. A mixture of style, paintings and interior decorating...everything is beautiful and inspiring. Do something creative this weekend!

Happy Weekend!!

Ciao,
Kristy

Artists of the Week

2012-03-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

I'm back again with my top 3 Artists of the Week. Summer is going strong so I wanted to find songs that reflect the hot sun, warm breeze and long bike rides along the river finishing off with a cold beer on the patio with friends.

Two Door Cinema Club - What You Know. This upbeat song makes you want to throw a Frisbee around on the beach with your friends, laughing hysterically.

Great Lake Swimmers - Easy Come Easy Go. I LOVE this up-and-coming band with its smooth acoustic sound and easy going vibes.

Yukon Blonde - Fire. These guys are a throwback to Lynyrd Skynyrd with their deep south rock 'n' roll. This is perfect for chillin' on the patio.

Summer loving is here so enjoy!

Ciao,
Kristy

Trending with Tommy

2012-03-21T06:44:00.000-07:00

This week with Tommy Ton is all about the Word on the Streets - Summer Style. Warm weather makes us all want to ditch are dark winter clothing and leather boots for bright, colorful dresses, sandals and wide-brimmed hats. It's time to redesign your wardrobes ladies so get out to your local boutiques and malls and get shopping!

Enjoy!!

Ciao,
Kristy

Swimwear 2012

2012-03-20T13:10:00.000-07:00

It seems that winter has vanished and we've jumped straight into summer. This weather makes me think that I need to boost up my workout routine then find an amazing swimsuit for the beach. There's one designer that comes to mind that creates fabulous, sexy swimwear: Amber Watkins. She is a local designer in OTown, has shown her collection at Ottawa Fashion Week since 2010 and will be opening up her own shop in the near future. Her swimwear is 1960s inspired with bold cuts, brilliant colors and a unique style that will definitely get you noticed on the beach. Check out her amazing S/S 2012 collection:

Also check her out at the 2012 Ottawa Fashion Week...

Happy Summer Time!!

Ciao,
Kristy

St. Patty's Fashion Tips

2012-03-16T09:13:00.000-07:00

Green is a color that goes with just about every complexion, hair color and style. And luckily color is in for Spring/Summer 2012 so you shouldn't have a problem finding that perfect outfit for Saturday. Here are a few pieces for those fashionistas who want to celebrate in style.

Emerald Green denim or jeggings.

Green nail polish. Try OPI from Sephora, Essie from Joe Fresh or butter LONDON from Urban Outfitters.

Ditch the solid green shirts and go for something with green stripes or patterns.

Try some accessories like green sunglasses, jewellery or shoes. [Remember to not over do it. Mix in some other colors like black, pastels or white).

Happy St. Patty's Weekend!!

Cheers,

Kristy

Artists of the Week

2012-03-15T11:05:00.000-07:00

Music just keeps getting better (at least within the Indie/Alternative Rock scene). This week I have chosen artists that will go along beautifully with the sudden Spring weather and sunshine. Whether you are running along the canal, driving around with your windows down or sitting on a patio drinking a cold beer; these songs will make your experience that much sweeter. Enjoy!

Naked & Famous - Punching in a Dream. My favorite band from 2011, their music is lighthearted and makes you want to run through a field of daffodils. (Also check out their other single Young Blood).

Feist - I Feel It All. As our Canadian Indie Princess, she continues to make spiritual music with her soulful voice and acoustic instruments.

The New Pornographers - Moves. This Toronto-based band always has upbeat, retro songs that make you want to jump up and down uncontrollably.

Happy Spring!!

Ciao,
Kristy

Trending with Tommy

2012-03-14T11:06:00.000-07:00

Tommy Town is back and this time we are checking out the off-catwalk fallout from the Fall 2012 shows. Black, black and more black seems to be a common theme. Jock style bomber jackets, color blocking and fierce heels continue to trend. Chunky, colorful necklaces and white lace seem to be new additions to the Fall street style. I know it's too soon to be thinking about Fall but you can always try these looks with less layers for Spring/Summer.

Happy Fall trending!!

Ciao,
Kristy

Bedouin, Estella and

2012-03-13T13:08:00.000-07:00

I am a BIG fan of Fashion Television! As a Canadian show, host Jennie Beker and he FT crew have always incorporated Canadian artists, models, designers and music into their episodes. I stumbled upon this video featuring the new music video by Bedouin Soundclash with Coeur de Pirate. The black & white nature of this video gives it a vintage feeling. There is also a photoshoot with Canadian model/actress Estella Warren. She may have disappeared from the modeling scene for a while but now she's back in full force with that huge pout and long legs.

http://watch.fashiontelevision.com/in-fashion/2012/march-2012/clip632712#clip632712
(copy & paste to view video)

Go Canada!!

Ciao,
Kristy

Magic Monday

2012-03-12T11:35:00.000-07:00

The newest line of nail polish has been shipped in from Britain and is now available at Sephora. Ciate is a product of UK designer Charlotte Knight who describes her collection as "paint pots." These bow-tied nail lacquers do not contain common chemicals like formaldehyde so they are good for your health and don't smell. From classical jelly-red Mistress to golden-green Oil Slick to shimmering top coats, you are bound to find a color that matches your personality. Sold for $15 each in a Sephora near you, start collecting today!

Happy painting!!

Ciao,
Kristy

Artists of the Week

2012-03-09T09:05:00.000-08:00

As promised, here is Week 2 of my top three artists that I'm listening to this week. I wanted the theme of this week to be warm and happy to go along with the warmer weather and beautiful sunshine we will be seeing this weekend. Enjoy!

1) The Sheepdogs - Southern Dreaming (these guys won the Rolling Stone's Cover Contest last year and since then have exploded on the music scene in North America....way to represent Saskatchewan boys!)

2) The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition (the best road trip song EVER!)

3) Walk the Moon - Anna Sun (this band opened up for one of my other favorite bands - Young the Giant - that played in Ottawa last week).

Have a great weekend! I'm off to Montreal for some much-needed shopping.

Ciao,
Kristy

Balmain

2012-03-08T12:20:00.000-08:00

'Couture but effortless' was the theme of Balmain's Fall 2012 Ready-to-Wear collection. Beautiful off white sweaters tucked into low slung velvet and satin pants complete with layers of pearls and crystals is what made women at the show sit up and pay attention. Balmain is known for his beautiful and intricate embroidery of tops and fitted dresses and masculine jackets which he pairs with simple black pants. This high-low look is all the rage this Fall.

Love it!!

Ciao,
Kristy

Trending with Tommy

2012-03-07T07:24:00.000-08:00

This week we are Trending with Tommy on the streets of Paris! There is a mixture of black leather, fur, straps and lace up heels which sounds more like something you would find in an S&M store then in the City of Love. Paris has turned gothic along with the Fall trends....and I love it! It's not all dark, however, some Parisians were spotted wearing color block outfits and Navajo patterns matched with beautiful leather satchels. Magnifique!

Happy trending!!

Ciao,
Kristy

Gothic Glamor

2012-03-06T09:17:00.000-08:00

Beauty insiders know that the new Fall trend is a bit of gothic glamor matched with some light brows. The purple haze seen on the lips and eyes of models strutting down the runways contrasts beautifully with dark hair and bleached eyebrows. I for one love a deep mulberry pout because it creates a dark romantic look that goes well with every complexion. Bleached brows were also trending in Fall 2011 giving models an almost ethereal look that is a great compliment to the crimson lips.

Purple Haze: To finish off this look you need a high-gloss shine and lip liner.

Bleached Brows: it's important t pair the light brows with a dark lip color so that you don't end up looking like an alien.

Got get goth!!

Ciao,
Kristy

Shooting the Streets

2012-03-05T13:54:00.000-08:00

As I'm sure you've all realized by now I am a HUGE fan of Tommy Ton (maybe obsessed is more accurate). I love photography and prefer photos of real people going about their daily lives...what I call a natural shot. No one can capture life on the streets better than Tommy. Here is a behind-the-scenes video of Tommy Ton shooting the off-catwalk scene around New York City. I hope this inspires some of you to get out there and capture the style of OTown/Gatineau.

Happy shooting!!

Ciao,
Kristy

Artists of the Week

2012-03-02T08:00:00.003-08:00

I am always on the prowl for new artists and new songs so I've decided to create a weekly 'Artists of the Week' blog. Here are my top three artists for this week (Note: I am huge indie/alternative fan but enjoy other genres too. If you have your own suggestions I am all ears):

Beirut - Santa Fe

Wooden Sky - When We Were Young

The Balconies - Kill Count

Happy listening and bonne fin de semaine!!

Ciao,
Kristy

Fitness & Beauty

2012-03-01T10:20:00.000-08:00

Being healthy and staying active is a big part of any fashionista's lifestyle. Clothes don't fit you, you fit the clothes. Feeling great and having glowing skin means you need to eat right, get some exercise and get lots of beauty rest. Sign up for Women's Health Daily Dose Newsletter to receive daily emails on fat-burning workouts, food for healthy skin and easy recipes. This is a great way to stay gorgeous and glam! Get started now so you look fabulous in those Spring/Summer outfits!

Perfect Skin: 10 Superfoods to a better complexion: almonds, carrots, dark chocolate, flaxseeds, green tea, safflower oil, spinach, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and canned tuna (check the link for alternatives to these foods).

Fast, fun workouts: if you think that the longer your workout the more calories you burn, think again. Short, intense cardio can burn twice the calories as sweating away on the elliptical for 45 minutes. Here are 7 great moves to help you burn fat in just 20 minutes (see link for more details).

Move 1: Leapfrog

Move 2: Bosu Burpie Pushup.

Move 3: Power Knee Tap 'n' Touch.

Move 4: On-Guard Lunges.

Move 5: Tricep Dip and Reach.

Move 6: Climb the Mountain.

Move 7: Plank Row and Leg Lift.

Remember to hydrate and rest in between moves. And don't forget to stretch!!
To your health!

Ciao,
Kristy

Trending with Tommy

2012-02-29T07:10:00.000-08:00

Week 3 of Trending with Tommy Ton is all about the end of Fashion Week and the off-catwalk action. Turquoise and coral are THE colors of 2012. Embellished heels, over-sized clutches, top hats and mismatched prints are all the rage on the streets. Combine everything together with layers or keep it simple with head-to-toe bold colors. Plus, the upcoming Mizdragonfly collection will be a perfect accessory to any outfit this Spring/Summer (so stay tuned)!

Happy trending!

Ciao,
Kristy

Solve the Fake Bake Problem

2012-02-28T15:35:00.000-08:00

There are many things about winter in Ottawa/Gatineau that I love: Winterlude, snowshoeing, skiing and those sidewalk snowplows (I'm from Vancouver so these are a new phenomenon for me). However, there are several things I hate about winter: dry skin and hair, freezing temperatures and how pale my skin gets after months of no sunlight. I am against fake 'n' baking because I don't want to look 40 when I'm 30. So I was delighted to stumble upon Women's Health Magazine's list of the top sunless tanners. This way I can have a glow without the side effects of wrinkles or that orangey tinge. Beauty shines from the inside out so make sure you take good care of your skin ladies!

1) Clarins Delicious Self-Tanning Cream ($40). This is best for dry skin because it contains cocoa butter and aloe vera. It goes on smooth and is non greasy. Get gorgeous caramel color!

2) Declor Aroma Sun SPF 10 Hydrating Tinted Self-Tanning Gel Cream ($36). This is essentially suncream that protects your bronzed face (remember the sun can still get you during the winter).

3) Dove Energy Glow body lotion ($10). This is best for fair skin with a low dose of bronzer for a light glow. This product smells good and the tan builds gradually with every application.

4) If you're looking for a faster, more intense tan try Jergens Natural Glow Express ($7.50). This contains mango-seed butter and vitamin E for soft skin with plenty of pigment for a darker tan that still looks natural.

5) L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Towelettes for Body ($10 for 6 wipes). This is great for the lady on the go with a quick-drying formula. Perfect for quick touch ups after the gym!

6) Neutrogena Sun Fresh Sunless Foam ($10). This contains citric acid so the bronzer bonds to your skin with a fresh citrus scent. This is best for faux tan phobes!

Happy "tanning!"

Ciao,
Kristy

Oscar Wrap-Up

2012-02-27T12:37:00.000-08:00

For most of us fashion lovers, second to the Fashion Weeks in New York, London and Milan, the Oscars is our favorite event of the year. The theme among the leading ladies this year seemed to be white which was a little disappointing given the bold color trends on the runways this season. As always, there were some hits and misses but here is my list of the top 3 best dressed ladies:

1) The queen of style and glamour, Gwyneth Paltrow, stole the show with her beautifully tailored Tom Ford dress and cape. Not only was she practical (apparently LA was chilly last night) but she looked fresh, simple and elegant.

2) Coral was THE color in 2012 and no one could wear it better than the always modern and chic Michelle Williams. Her blonde pixy cut, red lips and porcelain skin made the strapless Louis Vuitton gown look positively radiant. Way to go Marilyn!

3) I am a big fan of the military style and loved how `The Help` Nominee Jessica Chastain wore it so well with a dramatic Alexander McQueen black and gold gown. She really stuck out from her peers on the Red Carpet and earned a salute from me.

Although I can be critical of other people`s style, I don`t believe in making a worst dressed list. Everybody looked great in my opinion and the fact that you were even invited to the Oscars earns my full respect.

Who were your picks for best dressed...

Ciao,
Kristy

Milk Shop

2012-02-23T08:05:00.000-08:00

If you are a fan of Mizdragonfly and are wondering where (besides the Internet) you can buy our jewellery look no further than the Byward Market. Milk Shop is located on Dalhousie at Guigues Avenue. Our collection is just one of many brands featured in the store. Inaas and her amazing team are fun, funky and very knowledgeable about their products. So go check them out and spend some moolah...you deserve it!!

Inaas...

Ciao,
Kristy