PAPYRUS + The Style Guys = The perfect festive pairing!

For those that don't know, I am 1/2 of The Style Guys. My partner, Jason Krell and I appear on 98.5 Virgin Radio every second Friday chatting about fashion, design, decor, and all things stylish and chic. We have also appeared on the Cosmo TV Show, Styleography.

We were approached by the amazing people at PAPYRUS, to host a fashion preview of some fabulous designs, hand made by using PAPYRUS paper products. The fashion preview will take place on November 30th, 2012, 8:15 pm at the downtown location in Calgary for the T'was The Night holiday party. Here is where you can buy tickets to the event, if you don't have them already: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2260242446

The PAPYRUS store will be offering exclusive deals for the this night only:

- 20% off everything in the store
- Limited edition gift bags valued at $300 for all shoppers spending $100 or more
- Buy one, get one 50% off holiday ornaments
- But three, get one free holiday boxed cards

For those that don't know PAPYRUS, you are really missing out! Established in 1950, the luxury brand that emphasizes genunine, personal connections through custom printed announcements, products for entertaining, high-end greeting cards, gift wrap, stationary, journals and unique gift items that combine creativity with flair. It is easy to go out and buy a greeting card or stationary but it takes a company like PAPYRUS to create ones that are unique, stylish and super chic!

Check Out:

PAPYRUS

Marni for H&M Spring 2012

H&M was established in Sweden in 1947 and is synonymous with affordable as well as up to date quality fashion. They have recently been pairing with high end fashion houses such as Versace and Viktor and Rolf to make high end fashion available to the masses.

They have done it again! This time pairing with Marni to create a spring collection filled with signature prints and patterns. Creative director, Consuelo Castiglioni has created a collection for women and men that captures the essence of Marni and will be available March 8th, 2012 in 260 H&M stores worldwide and online.

I have been a fan of Marni for ages because of the playful way they mix bold prints and patterns. A true inspiration to the way I like to design my interiors. This collection has all the freedom and experimentation for which Marni is known for, with all over prints in in strong colours intended to be worn together in layers that both match and clash. I love this sensibility of not having to match.

For women, the colours are vivid, prints are bold. Sillhouettes are all staples with full pleated skirts, dresses, cropped pants, and jacquard kits. It also includes jewelry, shoes, bags and scarves.
For men, the colours are softened for a relaxed take on menswear staples that is truly Marni. Use of prints is subtle, appearing as a lining or as a contrast details in shirts.

Check out this video featuring Consuelo Castiglioni:

Tempaper

Wallpaper is quite a commitment for most as it is quite permanent and can end up costing a lot. For those that are renting, it has been difficult to add any personal style to their space, again because nothing permanent could be done to the space.

Well, until now. Tempaper is a self adhesive temporary wall decor. Their traditional technique of gravure or intaglio copper plate engraving has been used since the latter part of the 19th century. Created by set decorators in NYC being frustrated with not having a source for temporary, reposition-able wallpaper. With so many different styles, colours and patterns available and new ones being introduced every season, it is a simple and cost effective way of adding some punch into any space.

How easy is it to install? Check out this great how to video: http://tempaperdesigns.com/video.nxg

Check Out:

Tempaper

Candles and Scandals

Those that know me, know that I love me my candles. I burn them all the time and I have my faves, so I am glad to blog about my newest fave candle line.

The fab duo that is Colin and Justin have recently launched their line of soy wax candles that smell as good as they look! The hand poured, paraffin free products employ botanical ingredients, colour free packaging, soy wax and pure scented oils. And as they say, "you can now become as much of a candle snob as we are!" Love it!

Colin and Justin have extended a special discount for their Canadian buyers and fans so type in the promo code 'Canada' when making your purchase at www.candjhome.com 

I know I can't wait to get my hands on them!

La Vie Grand Marnier

I have seen this commercial quite a few times and have to say that the advertising team at Grand Marnier have done an amazing job with this one! The music, animation, and Parisian feel are perfect. I love everything about it and wanted to share it with you. The quality like something you would see produced in the 60's with it's hip vibe, I can't get enough.

Enjoy!

PC Home and Joe FRESH Holiday Collections

I was invited to Vancouver to preview the holiday collection from Joe Fresh and PC Home. As you know, I do a lot of work with PC Home products. I truly believe they are a brand that is bringing great decor at affordable prices. I am a firm believer that you don't need to spend a lot in order to get a chic and stylish space.

A modern penthouse was styled to host fashionable peeps and showcase how these items can be used in everyday life.

So, for this holiday season, PC Home has come out with the most delicious dinnerware, accessories, and decor for the home that can't be passed up. The perfect way to add some festive sparkle to your home without breaking the bank! My faves were the felt pillows ranging in colour from soft greys to bold reds, the acrylic deer, and the addition of the wood grain motifs candles/place mats (fab organic touch!)

I also got the low down on the new JOE Fresh mens collection which is going to be more fitted and tailored, gotta love that!  The preview brought cashmere, mohair, and cable knits to their fashion repetoire. Think luxury meets preppy chic. Cannot wait to get my hands on that delish mohair cardigan... so chic! The ladies already had it made so now it's our turn.

Happy Holidays!

Check Out

PC Home
Joe FRESH

The Loden Hotel

 Signature King

 Garden Terrace

 One bedroom Suite

 Penthouse

 Penthouse 

 Lobby 

 Exterior

Every time I visit Vancouver I make it a point to stay at The Loden. It is one of my all time favorite places to stay. My partner Jason calls me five star Aly because I love staying at really great places that are well designed and have great service. I am happy to report that The Loden gives you all of this and at a great price!

The rooms are fabulous in their design and the beds are uber comfortable. Chic bathrooms with marble, custom warm toned cabinetry and antique bronze hardware. So amazing! The front lobby is stunnig in its design with its gorgeous fireplace feature with antiqued glass surround and inlayed floors. The service is also amazing and best of all, there are bikes for hotel guests to use, the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon in Vancouver.

The Tableau restaurant on the main floor is delicious: food, cocktails and a great latte in the morning can do you no wrong.

Next time you are in Vancouver, be sure to stay at The Loden. I assure you that you wont be disappointed. A well thought out space is hard to come by when it comes to hotels and The Loden has thought of pretty much everything.

Check out:

The Loden 

Tranquil Escape

We recently completed a project on the outskirts of the city limits. The property is surrounded by stunning forests of birch trees and a fabulous view of the mountains. For this post I wanted to focus on the master bedroom. We decided to create a retreat of sorts with a soothing colour palette and a space that the clients would love to retire to at the end of a long day. Here is what we did:

1. Working with the clients existing bed, we added mirrored side tables for a hit of glamour (every space needs a little bling!).
2. The wallpaper is definitely the feature in the room, a neutral tone on tone floral that really makes the large room feel more inviting.
3. I am a big fan of white sheets on any bed, but we added colour through the gorgeous blue tones in the euro shams, coverlet and throw pillows.
4. Accessories on the night stands were kept to a minimum, chrome lamps with linen shades and gorgeous hydrangeas for simple and elegant look. If you are ever at a loss for what flowers to get, hydrangeas are it. They work in both modern and traditional spaces.
5. We played with a lot of different textures and patterns in the room to make it feel inviting but all in the same tones. The antique chair was reupholstered in a gorgeous velvet and we used this fabric as our jumping off point for the accent colour in the room.

Check out:

Bookstrucker Photography 

Lauren Lane Decor

I am a big fan of a good DIY project,  however I will be the first to admit that sometimes I do bite or buy more than I can work out. Well, there is a new gal in town that will take your old pieces and give them a new lease on their design life. Perfect for those of us that have busy schedules and good intentions! 

Leaving a comfortable full-time job in Calgary’s oil & gas industry in a turbulent economy is not an easy thing to do but Tara Jamieson has done just that by trading in her power suits for a pair of coveralls. Jamieson has turned her love of do-it-yourself furniture repurposing into a full-time job by opening Lauren Lane Décor, creating custom furniture pieces, teaching DIY classes and exclusively selling Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

The overwhelming response led to the opening of Lauren Lane Décor, a 2,500 square foot multi-purpose studio space in Calgary’s SE light industrial (just off Ogden Road SE). Customers can browse the mountains of unfinished furniture and have them finished to their liking or hire Lauren Lane to refinish pieces that they bring to the studio.

Lauren Lane Décor works exclusively with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and her own line of brushes, the ultimate tools for covering old furniture with ease. Each week Jamieson also hosts a number of classes on how to use the products and tips on refinishing techniques.

Check Out:

Lauren Lane Decor 

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Versace for H&M

Yesterday marked the launch party for the Versace collection for H&M. The party hosted many a celebrity along with the who's who of fashion. I saw Coco Rocha (my most fave Canadian model), posting pics to her instagram of the runway show last night.

The outfits bring together different styles from the Versace archive. The long awaited collection features iconic pieces for woman such as draped metal mesh dresses, silk crepe dresses with gold buttons, multi colours panel print dresses, and the classic Versace leather jacket. For men, there are sharp suits, printed sweaters, print shirts, and studded leather jackets and trousers.

Over all, I have to say that I love how H&M is pairing with fashion houses to create exlusive collections that are affordable for the everyday consumer. I am sure we have all wanted to own something from Versace and now is our chance, starting Nov 19th!

I look forward to the day where they pair up with GUCCI!

H&M stores in Canada where the Versace Collection can be found:

Toronto Eaton Centre, Bloor Street, Yorkdale Mall
Downtown Montreal
Pacific Centre Vancouver

Check out:

H&M