Are you an espresso mad individual like myself who spurns drip coffee for that beautiful tar shot?  I bet that you’ve been searching endlessly for some designer porcelain to house your favourite morning beverage.  Well search no more.  Illy celebrates a famous artist each and every year by releasing a six cup limited edition collection in their honour.  The latest espresso cup set celebrates the fantastic Spanish director Pedro Almodovar and many of his great films.  My favourite cup in the set has to be the Volver cup featuring the image of Penelope Cruz. I’d sell my soul to wake up to Penelope every morning. I guess this cup will just have to do.

You can order a set at Illy.com.

My love for denim knows no bounds – when I happened upon the new GAP 1969 collection, it really couldn’t have had more uncanny timing. I was instantly compelled by the Washed Chambray Light Denim Shirt and it’s casual comfort ways. My only qualm? Having to stick to the no-denim-on-denim rule (aka don’t wear jeans with a denim top. It’s wrong in too many ways to describe).

The offerings of GAP 1969 span from blazers to patched jeans (pictured above). The only piece I would admittedly not be overly keen about would be the return of the denim skirt (long). Careful also of fit for this collection – I’m finding that one size off could be cause for boxy-silhouettes, and oversized isn’t quite oversized in a flattering way (just imagine the quizzical looks that I received when I asked for XL in tops).

Would you wear it?

> images from gap.com

I know spring is on the way but don’t let this 10 degree weather fool you.  If history is any indicator we will soon receive a final whiteout of snow before months end and than trudge through sludge and mud until mid April or the arrival of more summer like weather in May.  This is why I am going to give one last hoorah for boots.

Through fall 2009 and winter 2010 we have witnessed the re-emergence of the great Red Wings style boots.  The boot I will be plugging today is the Bodega Crepe Field Boot.  Bodega, a newish getup out of Boston, has put together a pretty sweet outdoorsy fall/winter/early spring boot which features all-natural leather and waxed canvas.

It’s a revival of something classic and classically beautiful. I received a press kit for the Dove Beauty Bar a ways ago and had to think twice as to whether or not this was a new product. Alas, it’s one in the same with my all-time favourite beauty / personal product – the Dove Bar. Without a doubt, I’ve never quite found a comparable soap – it’s seemingly natural, gentle, and more reliable than any other product I’ve encountered thus far (and that’s becoming a burgeoning collective).

Facts are:

• Dove has been positioned throughout its history as a ‘beauty bar’, and not soap, because of the contrast of some ingredients in Dove vs traditional soap.
• Dove White, Unscented and Sensitive Skin Beauty Bars are dermatologically tested, and shown to be hypoallergenic and non- comedogenic. 57% of dermatologists use Dove at home.
• With every purchase of Dove, a portion of the proceeds is allocated towards the work of the Dove Self-Esteem Fund.

Really and truly – this is a tribute to something great that’s getting a little light again. Aaaand, so concludes this tribute post to a bar of soap.

San Francisco-based company Gold & Citrus is taking accessorizing to a whole new level with their collection of luxurious body jewelry.  A perfect fit for the fashionably creative, these playful pieces are as versatile as they are stunning.  Wear the body jewelery in multiple ways to achieve your desired look - as a long strands necklace to add glamour to any outfit, or neck to waist for a full body boho-chic look.  All pieces are made with the best materials and mix the more traditional (gold chains, beads, gemstones) with the more experimental (feathers, studs, antique sequins)

Visit goldandcitrus.com to see for yourself a little body jewelry by Gold and Citrus in all its glory.

Volume. It’s absolutely key with my scarf selection these days. And what better timing did Kyla Leslie of kove have when her email about her incredible scarves blasted into my inbox. Another slight spurt of luck came upon me when I realized that we were both in the same magical place that was Vancouver. With that said, we had the chance to meetup and chat about the story behind the stunning knit pieces.

They’re warm, they’re fuzzy, they’re outrageously the rage, and handcrafted with love on the west coast. kove is a brand that’s homegrown and literally made with love by Kyla herself. Don’t take my word, take hers:

kove is a mix of handmade crochet and knit accessories that have been inspired by life on the west coast. each piece is designed to be worn throughout the seasons in a variety of different ways. tucked into a winter coat or layered instead of a jacket, kove items provide warmth and protection from the elements all year long. each item is custom made to order. currently, it will take less than five business days to make and prepare your order for shipping.

It was something that awaited her when returning from travels – Kyla Leslie is a modern crafts-ista. With a passion for bringing in a new flare for knitwear, kove is a definite result of a young love for what would appear typically traditional.

I’ve got a love for kove in the form of a spring green mainland warmer – and you should too.

> For more on Kyla + kove, see les links:

http://kovebyhand.blogspot.com

http://www.twitter.com/kovebyhand

“Saving women from their beloved damn heels.”

No matter what, there’s something still too primitive about a barefooted beauty in the wee hours of the morning after a night chock full of dancing. Here’s an in for innovative concepts like Damn Heels and earlier posted cazz. Foldable ballerina flats are our saviours for stilettos – they’re a compact and wildly affordable product that have entered the fashion-inclined markets. Essentially flats that stem from an easy-to-pick menu (three sizes – S-M-L and in a small range of colours). Damn Heels brings some sassy branding to it, as they’re wrapped up literally with a hot pink bow, complete with a leather-like pouch and little shoes housed inside topped with more ribbons at the toe. What’s more? The pouch turns into a reusa-bag that carries your hefty high shoes. While the Damn Heels shoes are a bit more thin in material / do without the elastic band backing of the shoe that cazz has, it’s definitely got the look down.

See below for some more product shots (they retail for $20). Hot hot et hot.

> images from damnheels.com

Indie bands can be a dime a dozen – but what isn’t is a band that comes along producing music that makes you jam out unknowingly while listening to them. And by that I mean a band that has you bopping in your seat while multi-tasking, and singing along to words that you didn’t realized you had learned. TV Heart Attack, based out of Vancouver (Thorny Bleeder Records), is a band starting to make waves with their latest EP “Lost in the Sway“. Lucky me happened to be in Van city and had the opportunity to meet up with Jason Corbett for a Q&A amidst the Olympics action to chat music, TV, and possibly heart attacks (or something of the sort).

1. TV Heart Attack – who are you?

   TV Heart Attack came together after being unsatisfied with previous bands. I wanted something fresh, new, and a way to express myself. We’ve got a busy group of guys together, Art and I do the business and write the music, Ryan is an actor on the side (he’s on Smallville, has been on Battle Star Galactica), and Dom is a full time drummer.

2. TVHA says they experiment with sound – how do you describe it as of right now?

   I’d say our music is a throw back to the 80s in how we write it – it’s a modern take with retro influences like Echo and the Bunny, David Bowie, and Gang of Four. We gather those influences and put them into today’s format. It’s sort of a pop structure…poppier and more accessible than Queens of the Stone Age.

3. You’re coming to Toronto to perform for Canadian Music Week – what can we expect from TVHA live?

   The record’s always one thing – slick and should be well produced. But when you play live you can be more dangerous and raw. People should expect a good rock show.

   What kind of people do you attract out?

   Well…a lot of pretty girls.

   And why is that?

   Oh, we’re friendly guys! But really, we get a good variety of people out – not people that you might expect out at rock shows. We like performing in smaller venues to get into the vibe of the room. But don’t get us wrong, we’ve played larger venues like Virgin Music Festival (the year the Killers were on), but you get to be a little more connected with the crowd in a smaller gig.

4. You say that some things are best left unexplained. Any examples of other things you think shouldn’t be explained?

   I think having to explain what kind of genre of music we are…someone best described it recently as “goth light”, which I hadn’t heard before. I think that labeling it in a genre provides people with a perception before they hear you. Who wants that?

5. The AO music video has some pretty interesting imagery – any explanations as to what you were going for?

   We wanted to create a homage to 2001 Space Odyssey’s look. We were a bit restricted in space for the shoot because of our equipment (insurance issues). We chose to use a Genesis video because it’s the closest to film that we could get. The concept was brainstormed by with the production team…though I think it was a bit of a pretty safe music video. AO is a radio and commercial song though.

6. How have your experiences on the Saddlesores and Speed to Kill influenced your TVHA work?

   With Saddlesores I wrote a couple songs that we played at the time. Some people paint and some write poetry. It was never about the rock lifestyle, money, fame…it was a matter of expression. Sharing the experience of connecting with people. When I was a kid I listened to Led Zeppelin and had the hairs at the back of my neck stand up. I want to share that experience with others.

7. You say that you were an only child and did plenty of drawing and listening. But after flipping a coin, went with music. Any art practice anymore?

   Ah, when I was a kid I played with a metal bar and my mom drew out the idea that I wanted to play guitar. The next day, it appeared. I devote everything to the music now – I write lyrics in the morning, night, at work. I collect words, collect ideas on my iPhone, play with my guitar and paint with words. TV Heart Attack is one side of how encompassing music is for me. I still get some outlets for art – I like working with people to put together concepts, I designed the logo for the new record. I’m interested in how music and art is produced – they’re almost synonymous.

8. Who would be iconic now?

   Queens of the Stone Age has a great following…rock and roll is in and out of fashion. Culture these days seems to be just about pop music. Everything’s 99 cents or free. Music has changed and become disposable. Though I’m hoping that certain bands will have certain impact that only time can tell, like Grizzly Bear and Arcade Fire.

   How do you find new music?

   I’m always around music from DJs to satellite radio…helps to have a lot of friends in music too.

   How do you judge whether or not you think something is good?

   I like to have a little grit to my music. I thought that the latest Grizzly Bear record was probably the best one that I’ve ever heard. I like Vampire Weekend, Lady Gaga (guilty pleasure), Massive Attack, Department of Eagles, Caribou (genius), Rammstein (the translations of their lyrics is really smart and taking a piss out of themselves). Though I think they’re the Nickelback of Germany. I don’t like things to be too overproduced – like Phoenix, they’re a bit too polished for me.

   How closely do you listen to lyrics?

   I’m more about the melody over the core procession. And when words are used in a way I’ve never heard before. There’s an art to it – someone can say something so simple but say it with such conviction. And well, when someone else sings the same thing, it can sound like shit.

9. TVHA was formed in 2005 – where have been been, where are you now, and where are you going? Happy 5 years anniversary!

   I told myself when this started that if I wasn’t quitting my day job by X date, I had to stop it. If that had happened, I would have missed out on the most amazing things that have happened with me. Right now we’re having a single that’s on heavy rotation on the radio, we’ve played with the Killers, one of our songs is on a 2010 Video Game. We’re going on tours, seeing cities, being part of festivals, and getting great reviews on our last EP. I don’t know if people are just being nice…but I’ve been surprised at how much positive review it’s gotten. Probably one out of 30 have been bad. Almost every time someone writes something about it, we can pull a line from it as a quote.

Congrats on the release TVHA – see you at Canadian Music Week (March 10-14, 2010). Wednesday March 10 at The Hideout (484 Queen St. West). Set time is 10 PM.

* First commenter gets this cd – come get it! Thanks to Sarah from ShawkinsPR for hooking this all up.

You can find TVHA at www.tvheartattack.com or twitter.com/tvheartattack.

I make it no secret that I purchase most of my shoes from ALDO – there’s something about the styling of there shoes that gets me every time. No amount of expensive shoes can seem to match up to them in my eyes. Yes, mass retailer with the non-mass retailer styling. I dig it. This video is just so damn fun it makes me want to do the twist. Maybe with a giant plastic ice cream cone. Hey – don’t think that way. You know what I mean. Enjoy zis video, xoxo.

It’s Melbreezy’s contest again! If you’re a chickita that’s going to be going to your prom this year, jump jump on this. A rare little opportunity to get this amazing girl to do your makeup.

Entering is easy:
1. Join Facebook Group
2. Comment on the wall with your Name/School/Gr. and that’s it!

Contest Closes Friday, April 9, 2010. Midnight EST.