Cordially Cara

Heading home for the holidays to meet your latest beau's parents? Yikes. Bonne chance.

For some concrete advice with a good dash of humour, Cara Lehocki is back at the keyboard again, bringing us more tips and tricks for mess-free living... or at least making an attempt at it!

How to Meet the Parents.
By Cara Lehocki

Well it’s that time of year again, Christmas tunes are playing on the radio, snow is falling outside, and our exams are finishing up as we prep ourselves for another Christmas. This season could typically be a stress free break from all things academic and give us an opportunity to bake a few treats a la Martha Stewart style. For some of us this may be the case while some of you are in mere panic mode mentally preparing yourself for what could be the most uncomfortable social setting, yes I am talking about meeting his or her parents for the first time.

So you met a cute boy or girl in one of your classes, things have been going well and guess what...they want to take you home for Christmas to meet the good old rents! I have been there and let me tell you I tried to do everything right but ended up doing everything wrong. Last Christmas I dashed around town trying to find the perfect outfit, wine, chocolates and homemade card (which I remade and destroyed four times until I was satisfied with its level of perfection). Then I drove my nerve racked self over to the boys house (for his protection we will call him McDreamy). I was in that house less than 5 minutes when I somehow managed to smack my teeth into McDreamy’s chin, split it open so deep we had to go to the emergency room and spent the entirety of the evening in the hospital getting McDreamy’s chin stitched back together(for those of you wondering we were just dancing and goofing around in the kitchen. Ha!). We missed the dinner they had made for us and we missed the Christmas concert they had bought us all tickets to. My worst fear happened- I ruined Christmas, Yes I really did.

It is always nerve racking the first time you meet the parents so follow these few tips so you don’t do what I did last year..ie-make a horrible first impression.

Dress Appropriately:
This is not the time to show off your curves or new micro mini skirt. Don’t change your style but air on the side of conservative yet fashionable.

Easy on the Wine:
One tends to over drink when they are nervous. There is nothing worse than someone asking you a question about your family and your response is “Oh yes I would LOVE some more wine”. Remember they are trying to get to know YOU, not the silly sloppy you.

Contribute to the Conversation:
It is not enough to look cute and act sweet. Show them you are intelligent and opinionated, they want to see what attracted their son or daughter to you.

Bring a Gift:
It doesn’t have to be something crazy or expensive, just a small thank you for the meal, generally wine or a dessert works well.

Stick Around:
Always offer to help clean up and try not to run away after the meal. If they want to hang out with you to play cards or watch a movie do it, plus it may help ease your nerves and allow you to feel more yourself.

Now I am clearly no expert as my invitation to McDreamys Christmas family affair 2009 is still pending, and my title to this day remains “vampire girl” which I may never be able to redeem. But Despite my self-deprecating humour all I wish to do is pass the little wisdom I have accumulated from experience to those who find themselves in similar positions.

I bid you good luck on all your Christmas pursuits!
Cara “Vampire Girl” Lehocki

Sleepover- Beauty Queen - Makeover Party

Let's get nostalgic.

With finals slowly drawing to a close, girls the country over are beginning to rejoice. For it's home to the warmth and love and comfort of your mama's kitchen, and no more excuse is necessary for a slumber party. Whether you're takin' a load off from your studies or gathering the gals at your parents' place, 'tis the season of the slumber party.

A few reminders to jog your memory, if perhaps a little out of order

1- Breakfast

Waffles. Or pancakes. These are obligatory, unless you're a group of celiacs, in which case I'm sure someone in the group has a gluten-free solution up their sleeve. Waffles/pancakes are perfect with just a little maple syrup and butter, but are also the perfect blank canvas for other fruits and miscellaneous deliciousness.

Like...

bananas

strawberries

chocolate

corn (I'm serious)

bacon (again...)

nutella

icing sugar

EVERYTHING

2 - Chick Flick

Clueless is the best one. This is not a subjective statement. But I suppose if you've just recently watched it and sort of want a break, there are other options.

3 - Makeover makeover!!

A slumber party just isn't a slumber party without someone's face being plastered with makeup. Bump it up a notch by mimicking your favourite runway look/Vogue spread and busting out the camera for a photoshoot of your own.

4 - Other Obviousness

Truth or Dare

Prank Calls

Not Slumbering

Heart to Hearts

Secret Telling

...YouTube...maybe.

If you're reading this, and really care about womanhood, please send me your favourite Slumber Party tales. It'll only take you a second, I promise!!

Facebook, email, comment this post! Just do it!

Have a gorgeous night!

Ohhh come c'est belle!

Check out Fulvia Farolfi's oh-so-gorgey-porgey makeup stylings.

Purrrrfect for sleepover-beauty queen-makeover-party ideas.

Cliquez ici, svp.

Singin'

Baby takes to the stage this weekend in Seussial The Musical - all your favourite Seuss put to song and dance! Head off to the hinterlands (Aldershot, last stop on the Lakeshore West GO route) for Aldershot High School's musical.

Three performances- tonight, tomorrow, Saturday. See you Saturday.

-a.

All That Glitters...

Proving once more that some of the very best ramblings come outta Canada's best (arguably?) city (ahem! Toronto! duh!) Kayla Huffman and Maddy Aubert have gathered the very best and most interesting bits of fashiony goodness just for you!

Take a look at Gold Faced Betty - guaranteed you'll be glad you did.

Lash Out!

Looking for too-good-to-be-true, yet oh-so-natural lashes? Look no further, ladies, than your trusty Q-tip.

You heard me.
Next time you yank that mascara wand outta the tube, run the bristles over a Q-tip to remove excess, and coat your (curled!) lashes. Now, curled means with a curler. Regardless of how curly those lashes might already be, this tool is quipped as pure magic by too many pros for you to go all diva here. Suck it up and curl. Squeeze over lashes real real close to the eyelid, and repeat as many times as you can moving slowly outward.

Mascara - wipe then swipe.

Now take a lash and brow groomer to run through your lashes, just to make sure, and of course to brush out your brows. Nothing says sophistication quite like a well-kept brow.

Voilà!

Playing Spy

At it again - forever peeking into the beautiful lives of the more fabulous humans among us, I've come across another home to loooooooove.

Have a quick taste of the good life at photographer Dan Martensen and model Shannan Click's home in upstate New York, as featured on TheSelby.com

Saturday!

There are lots of things to do on Saturdays.
Obviously.
Try these on for size, and put some spring in your step as you hit the town tonight with the knowledge that you are a productive, forward-thinking, on-top-of-the-world kinda gal.

Homework (ew!)
It sucks. It sucks on weekdays. It sucks more on weekends. But sometimes learning is fun, and being knowledgeable is always stylish. So just crack down and do it.

Coffeeeeeeeee
Whether you need it to clear that muddled head of yours after a night of tomfoolery, or just simply parce que, coffee dates are great solo or in a pack. Should be accompanied by great thought/conversation, and consequent journalling of feelings, emotions and clever witticisms.

Or! Brush out your fringe, grab a bag, a scarf, a pair-o-mits, and head off to market! Pick up some yum-o somethings to eat for the week, add a bouquet of flowers and you're the picture of perfection. Really hammer the message into your captive audience with a radiant smile as evident above. [Photograph borrowed from Sart... obviously...]

This. Girl. Is. So. Cool.

Emi Kameoka, fashion assistant for Vogue Hommes Japan, was photographed for theselby.com - and a worthier subject can ne'er be found! Check out the photographs and do a little of your own googling - this chick is très cool.

Hello, Sunshine

If that bright, bright sunshine is tricking you too and you've dashed out into the chilliness, beach bag in hand, click here for some serious summery throwback tuneage. Courtesy of Laura Staios.

Tans or sandy toes, unfortunately, not guaranteed.

A Fortnight

RITDR darling and amie-extraordinaire, Emma Pickard brings us some some absolutely gorgeous photographs of her absolutely brilliant idea -

It's fort time!

Keep scrolling for some serious loveliness.

Beautiful

Cliquez ici, SVP!

A Rose-y Glow

Neat!

Get Outside

Before this happens again.

And while you're at it, pick up a few leaves to make some of these lovey little guys.

Croc Around the Block

Completely outrageous.
http://www.theselby.com

Little Dumblie...

Please feel better soon.
And please don't have the piggy flu.
We all love you a lot.

On The Docket...

Living in squalor?
Time to clean up your act.
Take the night off from your metropolitan ways, slip into something comfy, put the coffee on, turn up the Simon & Garfunkel and give the royal bedchamber a good going-over.

Then sleeeeeeeep and bask in the tidied-up glow!

Class Act

Champions of the risqué and kings of the double-take, everyone knows American Apparel is where it's at when it comes to slap-in-the-face advertising.

But the thing you must know about American Apparel is that their basics simply will not die.

If you're in the market for a tshirt to last you til your last breath or a pair of tights that'll look fresh day after day after day, look no further than your local AA. While this may sound like some sort of paid advertising, it is not. It is the gospel of fashion - follow it and be glad.

the stay-in-bed-all-day-and-hope-the-school-work-goes-away playlist

When the amount of work starts to pile up around you and no amount of black coffee can keep you awake, crawl into your cozy bed and dream that it's not actually happening.
Warning: reality will set in when you wake from your dreams and everything will eventually be due.

1. Walking on a Dream- Empire of the Sun
2. When I Get Out-Danny Michel
3. Oxford Comma- Vampire Weekend
4. Pretty Lies- The Dudes
5. Long Haul- Voxtrot

Cordially, Cara

Please join me in welcoming a new talent to our Romantic pages,
Miss Cara Lehocki.
Comin' at you from the East Coast (N-B, to be particular) Cara brings us a healthy dose of reason in the crazy world of DIY beauty.

A fringe to Cringe at-how NOT to cut your bangs
By Cara Lehocki

Lets forget about getting ready for a moment and remember something a little more crucial...how not to get ready, or in this specific case how not to cut your own fringe. Yes I admit this is not the first time I thought myself to be a talented hair cutter, there was that time in kindergarten, oh and grade 2.. and who can forget the 6th grade bang catastrophe...

And yet, here I am, all grown up, a mature university student...
who has yet to learn her lesson.

Living in a small town, I often find myself utterly bored and to say the least “city-sick”. The options on how to spend a Friday night are....well, less than inspiring, and one must learn to be resourceful in times of drought! Which is why I had the brilliant idea of cutting myself a stylin' straight across fringe. Right? Wrong!

I did my research (a few less than helpful YouTube videos posted by less than helpful girls who also had nothing to do on a Friday night). Borrowed someone’s scissors (which only now I realize may not have been actual hair-cutting scissors) took a long sip of red wine, held my breath and began to cut.

Where did I go wrong?
Let’s just say I did a better job in kindergarten at sculpting the perfect fringe then I did at 21 years old.

Here are some helpful hints if you ever dare to go where only professionally trained hairdressers should go....or if you have a steadier hand then yours truly.

Number one: Iris to Iris!!!! I repeat do NOT cut more hair in front of you face if it is on the OUTSIDE of your eyeballs irises. If one forgets this rule you may end up with what I like to call a “half head fringe”.
Or you could just come out looking like a bowl cut monk.

Number two: make sure hair is dry, not wet, while you are cutting - otherwise they will shrink up after they dry- ew.

Number three: Cut up. What I mean by this is after you make the initial chop at the length you so desire, remember to cut the ends of your hair with the scissors pointing up to the ceiling. This will help them look softer and more natural, unless of course you want the very blunt look which is also quite lovely.

Number four: most importantly one must remember that when they are done they are done! That means put the scissors down and leave them alone! I know the temptation to keep cutting is strong but believe me you will regret it when you cut more off than you were planning.

Lastly remember that it is only hair it will grow out. You can always pin them back if things really get out of hand!

Happy chopping!
Cara

Sweetly Siwik

Gather round, friends, for a glimpse of the good life.
Jayne Siwik focuses her lens on the gorgeousness that surrounds her.

annie.

so i am not sure exactly how to contribute,

i have some photos from the last little while that are stylish and fab i think. and are very west coast.

so i have attached them.

the first one is of my beautiful sister downtown vancouver.
the second and third are of my dear friend chelsea dawn beyer, she is from calgary and she always looks great no matter what, and the last one is my roommates and i watching the sunset in a field [featured in an earlier post and removed for the sake of avoiding redundancy].

use anything you like, tell me what your vision is for west coast contributions and i will make it happen!

love jayne.