LKisStyle: Guest Blog by Kelly Jasmine, "Hot" Colored Jeans

I spotted colored jeans at the opening of the Editorial Boutique in Montreal a few weeks back.  Little did I know what a trend they would become.  Check out our intern, Kelly Jasmine's, take on the whole vibrant style:




After last summer’s wildly popular Houlihan kick-started the cargo craze, J Brand has once again paved the way for a new denim trend: brightly colored bottoms.  They’re a simple way to make a statement and bring some serious sun into your wardrobe. 

The coveted J Brand 811 Mid-Rise skinny leg in many colors:

Already a big celebrity favorite, they’re a great versatile investment. 

Colored jeans can be worn simply with a comfy tee and flat sandals or be the perfect starting point to really innovative polychromatic outfits.

I love how this fashionista pulled from the colors of the print in her top to unify the three bold hues.

A slightly dressier take on the colored jean is seen here with a playful pink heel.  The shoes are highlighted by the contrast of the pants and a classic blouse polishes the look.

If you’re not feeling J Brand, similar versions are also available from Ksubi, Current/Elliott and Blank.  I own and adore Blank’s skinny jeans in fire engine red, in a flawless fit.

Zara has a more affordable version as well, sported here casually with a breezy pink tank and high-tops.

Summer iss the easiest time to express yourself and experiment with colors, textures and pairings, so enjoy the countless possibilities of denim’s new hues.  They may even surprise you with all they can do...

More fabulous style insight from our fashionista intern Kelly Jasmine next week! 


xxx


LKis

LKisEvents: GLOBLOVE Official Launch Party at Boutique Incognito

I am what you might consider a "regular" at Boutique Incognito, in Montreal.  It's easy to see why:  located in a quaint Westmount 'hood, run by the uber-cool Sara Popa and filled with must-haves for every occasion, it is one of those places that I know I will go into and find something to wear.  

Well, now I can add fabulous (and humanity-minded) underwear to the mix of items I will no-doubt walk out with from this awesome shop.  

New to Boutique Incognito is globLove, a lingerie line that was started by a seasoned fashion veteran,  and boasts a kind of sophisticated versatility:  "dainty bras and panties and alluring slips that can easily take you from morning to a midnight rendez-vous." 

But aside from the obvious sultry and chic overtones, this brand is also donating five percent of its proceeds on every sale to FINCA International, a global microfinance network, which supplies financial services to the world's lowest-income entrepreneurs in 21 developing countries (and to top it off, that means mainly women- how perfect is that?!).  

Talk about additional incentive to buy this fab lingerie.

The evening was a launch event for globeLove, and the chic Boutique Incognito was filled to the brim with supporters, media, scenesters and of course...shoppers. 

Delectable were the sweet treats and festive cocktails that were in constant supply.

I wouldn't be me if I wasn't both reporting and shopping (c'mon, I can't help myself!), and I spotted a gorgeous one-shouldered blue maxi that would be amazing with a pair of silver wedges, hair loose and wavy, and a view of the ocean (view is optional). 

Event-attendees were invited to try on and shop...And shop they did.  The cash was buzzing with peeps snapping up globLove's wares. 

I got a chance to chat with the lovely globLove creator, Liana Artinian, and hear about her amazing journey that led her to globLove's launch.  Pretty cool that she started in psychology and ended up in socially conscious lingerie (kinda' like a lawyer who ends up as a fashion writer...).  

Here she is pictured with her partner in-helping-the-world crime, Stéphanie Émond, FINCA Canada’s Development Manager: 

The best part of the night was seeing customers and industry folk alike, having a cocktail, checking out this great new line (that supports a fabulous cause), and having a bit of fashion fun, Incognito-style. 

LKisEvents: Vichy Skin Health Centre at Luminato

I wear sunscreen.  I swear.  Everyday I put on 15 and head out, rain or shine...that doesn't mean that I don't sit in the sun though, and as I approached the Vichy Skin Health Centre (a giant cube set up as part of the LUMINATO, Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity), I was regretting my sun-kissed habits.  

There is just something about a sprinkle of freckles across your nose, or a tawny (in my case: rosy) glow to your cheeks and not to mention the warmth the summer sun gives you from the inside out (Vitamin D, okay?!).  

But alas, as my age creeps up, I know that eventually my summers laying by the pool and ocean will inevitably show up on my face.  So, I forged on, contemplating my upcoming beach vacation...

The cube was this cool free-standing structure in the middle of metro square and upon entering, I was given a skin diagnostic pamphlet.  And then I headed to station one.  

By using this special wand-dryness-measuring-thing-y, they told me that my skin was dry (like, Sahara dry), despite my twice-daily moisturizing regimen.  First sample given was a hydrating cream- I will definitely be using that!

Next up, a station when I applied these little tabs on my cheek and forehead to see whether my skin was a combination of dry/oily.  And guess what?  Skin was dry...I know, I know.  I got to skip the middle station (it was for damaged skin, and I nearly squealed with joy when I found out that does NOT include me).  

And so I headed for the Vichy skin diagnostic camera.  If it sounds scary, let me tell you: it is.  A polaroid pops out and shows you all the damage lurking beneath your skin.  Check out mine...eeps: 

After I got my photo I headed for the conclusion of this diagnosis with my own personal technician.  

A table was covered in lotions and potions and I was told my main concern should be protection (60 spf instead of 15 people, seriously) and prevention (retinol stuff should- hopefully- do the trick). 

This was a totally eye-opening experience, not to mention a super-cool space for Vichy to demonstrate its fresh, innovative products.  

Oh, and Vichy-technician-ladies, thank you for telling me I had nice skin: you successfully scared me into sun-avoiding-submission and made me feel fabulous simultaneously.  

Self-tanner, anyone?

LKisEvents: Guest Blog by Kelly Jasmine at the Bloggers' Bazaar

Last week, I had to be away on business in Toronto.  What is a bloggette to do when there is a great event that she wants to attend, but she can't be in two places at once?  

Well, that is where the awesome intern, Kelly Jasmine comes in...She strapped on her Dolce Vita's (her cute wedges) and headed out for her first event sans moi. Check out her guest blog (and her profile!) about the Bloggers' Bazaar:

My first assignment as an LKisStyle intern was having the privilege of attending the Bloggers' Bazaar held at Georges Laoun Opticiens, on St-Denis.  It was an intimate but buzzing scene of fresh retailers and their prospective clients.

On the humid summer evening, I put on my lightest brightest blouse and new Dolce Vita wedges that I have fallen in love with.

The first rack to catch my attention was of the simple, sweet lingerie from globLove.

Right next to it was the interesting case of Darveau jewelry and heaps of little treats from 8 Catering and Patisserie Angelica.

One of the most interesting finds were the Swarovski-jewelled headpieces by Jennifer Laoun-Rubenstein.  Each piece was intricately and elaborately made and subtle enough to still be wearable.  They would look amazing with a pair wedges (can you tell I am obsessed?) and a fluttery sundress.

I spotted fashionista Laura in her stunningly effortless wide leg pants and gold jewels, as she was enjoying the scene.  She looked casual yet so classic and simply stylish.

Also, notworthy: the quality of the vegan leather used in the lovely SAS handbag collection.

The event was definitely a great experience and opened my eyes to how many great collections are born out of Montreal.  I’m very excited to see what else these unique designers have up their sleeves…

Thank Gawd for Kelly Jasmine and all her awesome help...stay tuned for more from her (and me obv) and let us know: who are your favorite local designers?  

xxx

LKis

LKisEvents: Virgin Unite, Grand Prix, Montreal

I love a good party and a good cause.  Turns out so does Virgin Unite, the rest of Montreal and you guessed it, Sir Richard Branson! 

The party was held on the Friday night of Grand Prix weekend in Montreal, on the fabulous new floating spa called Bota Bota.  

Picture this: I enter the fabulous party with my fabulous girlfriends and wearing my brand new dress with a gorgeous Micalla necklace (lent to me especially for the occasion!)....

 A mango cocktail is offered to me, I refuse. Then, suddenly, out of nowhere, mango drink is, in slow motion, flying through the air and landing smack in the middle of my white-as-snow cocktail dress.  Onlookers gasp, and I try to have my best "I never did mind about the little things" moment, as I wipe fluorescent yellow goop off my dress.  After a few minutes soaking my dress in a bathroom sink (now, that was a humbling moment), I threw my hands up and decided to enjoy the party and hope no one would notice the tinge of yellow... Well, it's safe to say that the party started out a little rough for me, but I promise it only got better and better. 

The weather held up and the night began with cocktails on the roof.  Needless to say, the bartenders serving drinks out of the jacuzzi were totally original. 

It helps that Birkin was part of the dream team that threw together this serious event, and I had a blast.  Little decor touches, delicious food (courtesy of Java U, and the delightful Danielle Bitton) and very cool entertainment- there was a ton to see and do at this uber-cool venue (yes, there were mermaids!). 

Sir Richard Branson gave a lovely speech thanking everyone for coming (no, no, thank you, Richard).  

I got to catch up with Sir Richard, and turns out he is the most down to earth spaceship owner I have ever met. 

It was a fabulous evening (top it off with getting to hit the dance floor with the lovely Zoe Saldana and the incognito Bradley Cooper).  The lights went down and I managed to party it up with Sir Richard Branson, white/yellow dress and all. 

LKisEvents: Ralph Lauren Grand Prix Party, Montreal

What is chicer than Ralph Lauren?  Well, on par with this sophisticated mega brand is probably the Formula 1 race that comes to Montreal and turns the city into a who's who festival.  I got to head out to the Ralph Lauren store for a little shopping, schmoozing and car appreciation. 

The fabulous set were there, sipping champagne and, well, shopping...

I fell madly in love with a pair of white leather fringe pants...LOVE.  I am still trying to make an excuse to buy them (Who doesn't need white leather pants?!  They go with everything?! I will totally wear them all the time...).  

The accessories on display were also noteworthy.  These classics with a twist caught my eye. 

It wouldn't be Ralph Lauren without sumptuous knits that make you wanna' cozy up on an Adirondack chair at a Hamptons beach BBQ. 

The dashes of neon on the traditional polo were definitely a cool modernization of a Ralph Lauren icon. 

All-in-all, a fun cocktail party surrounded by fabulous clothes, for Formula 1, is the right combination.  Now I just need to find an event where white leather fringe pants are a required part of the dress code, which will totally happen, right?!