laralaralara

i have this feature from vogue paris last year posted on the inside of my closet door. i regret not being able to make the pictures bigger, but the colours, accessory choices, and overall vibe are endlessly inspiring for me as i get dressed.

rise and fall

actually you know what, while youre there also go see the fiona tan solo exhibit on the 2nd floor. tan is internationally known for her photography, films, and videos. she often explores individual identity in a "world increasingly shaped by global culture" (vag), although while i was moving through it, i was particularly taken by the photograph-like 'still' videos. these video clips depicted people and places and were relatively unchanging. for example, watching the wind blow the new orleans landscape above, or looking into the eyes of various individuals for periods of time.

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i am not sure that these were her primary intentions, but i spent the most time with these images because they addressed a certain fascination i have with photography's inability depict certain details.. the little movements, sound, the way we blink, or put our hair behind our ears. this started for me when people would say things like "youre photogenic", or "you look great in this picture", and all i ever think is that i hope im more interesting in real life because i have never felt that a photograph accurately represented me. thoughts?

do yourself a favour...

if you are in vancouver, go see the kerry james marshall solo exhibit (first one in canada) upstairs at the vancouver art gallery (after viewing the modern woman exhibit, which is also necessary... but for different reasons). just. do. it.

marshall has the ability to acutely communicate issues of african american representation in western culture and art, and the idea of "blackness" which he emphasizes by giving the individuals he depicts very dark skin. his paintings are large, echoing traditional history painting, and use really intelligent juxtapositions that reveal the realities of social and political realtions having to do with race in americas history. for example his vignettes series present "idyllic images of black couples in sumptuous romantic landscapes reminiscent of 18th century rococo paintings, inserting the black figure into an historical narrative in which they have traditionally been absent" (vancouver art gallery)

i was very struck by his paintings because he really has developed his own aesthetic and unique perspective/angle.. and its fascinating. the didactics are excellent and the curating simple.

its been a while

i feel like mk has really developed/matured her style in the last little while. this, to me, is such a classic ashley look but shes totally making it her own with the jewelery, and i think she looks so great. these girls have such a way of making high fashion work day to day without it being too much. and i usually dont like the wet hair thing, but somehow im very ok with it here. its combed so perfectly!

image - olsensanonymous

squeeky swings and tall grass

i was very struck by scarlett on the summer cover of v mag. as im sure youve noticed, ive been

really receptive to summer beauty lately.. kinda searching for images of what im going for, and this is probably one of the closest. natural hair and eyebrows, with a light lip stain and blushed cheeks. the way her hair is styled plays up the romance..

only thing that would make it better (for me) would be to loose the hoops, change into a neutral coloured outfit and throw in some freckles for good measure. but i suppose we musnt question v.

immobile and beachy

i am a bit immobile as mentioned a couple posts ago. why you ask? well, a couple years ago i sprained my ankle in france (running through paris on 14 juillet to catch our train because they metro closed in the middle of the day). i didnt let it rest and heal, and now ive done something to create the same injury. thats the romantic story. the truth is, its the other ankle :P but still on 14 juillet!!! how insane is life sometimes?

i am also immobile because i went to vidal sassoon in yorkville and got a keratin treatment on my hair (see garance's hilarious and accurate review of the experience, here).
this basically means 3 days of no washing, touching, clipping, or allowing any moisture whatsoever touch my hair. it is difficult in the hot toronto summers to not so much as put my very long hair behind my ears. this also creates difficulty when i wash my face, resulting in me staring at the ceiling as i do so, hoping that gravity doesnt kick in too hard.

and in life, well.. my hair is flatter than yours, i guarantee it, and my gestures have become very cher-like. not cher from clueless. only 2 more days and i too will be a new woman (aka, have perfect soft beach waves sans frizz, blowdryers, and flat irons). stay tuned.

kate moss via knightcat

la mode de vie

in the spirit of the fresh eyes with which i am viewing toronto, yesterday i made a trip by myself to the museum of contemporary canadian art.

the current exhibit, empire of dreams, used the work of toronto aritsts in various media to contemplate the built environment. it was exactly what i needed. what made it better was when i realized how close i was to ossington, thus in a hotbed of private galleries, design stores, and clothing boutiques. including the previously mentioned jonathan + olivia.

i went to check out the goods and was impressed with the precise selection of high end niche labels alongside the more affordable topshop gear.

i left with a black longsleeve by l'agence which fit so perfectly that there was no moment of contemplation. the deal was only sealed when i read the label:

100% pur amour. composition/ 50% jour 50% nuit. crée pour votre mode de vie. design de: l'equipe. pour: vous

lady phoebe's fall

well it may not be raining anymore but i am kinda trapped indoors for a bit (will explain in another post) so lets talk celine.

i was curious to see how phoebe would transition her aesthetic from last season, and i think she did a really nice job. she's sticking with what makes her designs so admirable (precise but loosely cut clothing that can blend into your wardrobe seamlessly) but using heavier luxury materials.

for this fall, i do like the idea of adding one detailed piece for interest (see dries post), but phoebe is carving out a significant place for celine on the fashion landscape.

cake opera

i urge you to go to cakeoperaco.com and browse through the pastry designs that this toronto company has created. i have no need for a $1500 macaron wedding cake at the moment, but their pastry aesthetic is so fresh and worth exploring.

hair inspiration. plus 7

honestly, could this day be any more beautiful?? i am planted on my deck. the sky is bluer than matisse's nudes. i have been tagged by miss moll cherie* to list 7 things about myself! so here we go:

1. favorite writer (fiction) = oscar wilde 2. i am currently reading 5 books simultaneously to suit my various moods 3. i find the taste of cilantro positively offensive 4. my friends are wicked amazing 5. art history education 6. i like my life right now/ am happy 7. i follow the nba more closely than fashion sometimes (thought i'd end with a punch)

isavirtue, you're it!
* these photos are also reblogged from miss moll cherie, im pulling my summer beauty inspiration from jane's hair colour and overall sunkissed look

leave lebron james alone

im choosing to ignore the villainizing of lebron in the media and cleveland. so should you. sooo in the spirit of this rainy day in toronto, im going to start thinking about fall. i love the way dries balances soft, effortlessness, with strong statement pieces.

fluid pleats

really into skirts that fall just below the knee.. especially with subtle pleats. i dont know what to say about the peacock in relation.. i took this picture at the botanical gardens at niagara on the lake and i think it pairs well with the skirt. colours, fluid and linear repetition, etc. first image from jak&jil

the heat of the moment!

its just hot enough that my judgement is impaired. this means debuting a faux-dries dress that i bought (for the beach) in le marais for 10 euros. it also means i dont have the discretion not to post a blackberry image of it.

growing up to meet you down on velvet green

and the reason the detox must happen: summer has hit with a vengeance! it is so hot in toronto that you

can hardly think, and i dont mind at all. i am making my first trip to the beach on wednesday, after perusing st lawrence market. daily fun like this is the reason i havent been updating frequently, so my apologies.. although i am not necessarily sorry!

image reblogged from vero, title from jethro tull's velvet green. so far one of my frequently

played summer songs.

pre-detox

ive had really good luck with desserts lately. often when there is a dessert on the menu that i am interested in, i will opt for a (much) lighter meal so that i can order it. this was the case with most of these (except for the chocolate crocodiles, which came with the bill at le crocodile in vancouver).

from the top: a pistachio/dark chocolate/other amazingness dessert at araxi in whistler, assorted sampler from brentwood bay lodge, assorted sampler from moroco chocolate (note: banana/choco/peanut butter spring rolls, madeleine/choco/apricot hamburgers), and traditional tea tier at the prince of whales hotel at niagara on the lake.