i want your leather-studded kiss in the scene, i want your love.

Lady Gaga is the most fearless star we've seen in a long time, when it comes to her sense of fashion. Her outfits, as ridiculous as they are definitely grab everyone's attention, and leave people talking for days. Fashion is a huge part of her musical career. Her most recent music video, for Bad Romance was designed completely by Alexander McQueen. From the dresses, to the set, the fashion aesthetic was evident throughout.

As much as we love to hate her, it is definitely her eccentric sense of style mixed with her killer beats, that makes her such a huge star.

bangin' betty.

New look for a new year.

I'm LOVING the bangs that I finally got after talking about it for months. I needed a little change, and I'm glad I went for it.

just a small town girl, living in a lonely world, took a midnight train going anywhere..

The beautiful Ayla White turns 23 this week, and last night we celebrated her birthday in true Toronto style. The spread- Anna and I decorated the table with fake orchids, in honor of the featured cocktail, the Wild Orchid Martini, and fed our guests baked brie with pecans and brown sugar, assorted candies, crab stuffed mushrooms, and mozza sticks.

I purchased these little parfait glasses at Value Village for a mere 99 cents each, and they were a perfect way to serve the assorted candies at the party.

Brie cheese is always my go-to appetizer, because no matter how you bake it, everyone always seems to love it! This time I used a tsp of melted butter, with 2 Tbsp brown sugar and 1/4 c crushed pecans. I baked it 425 degrees for about 15 minutes and served it warm, with rice crackers.

Happy Birthday Ayla! I hope your 23rd year is the best one yet! Love you.

the cat's meow.

Hugo makes everything better.

I love this picture of Audrey Hepburn, and Cat, in Breakfast at Tiffany's because it reminds me of every single snuggle session I have with Hugo. He may be mental, but he melts my heart.

i simply remember my favorite things, and then i don't feel so bad.

It is snowing like mad in Toronto right now. This could not be more upsetting to me, since winter is not exactly first on my list of favorite things. It couldn't be farther from the top, in fact. It's during these times, that a reminder of the things you love, is the most essential. Everyone needs a little something to warm their spirits.

Here's a list of the things that fill my heart with sunshine, everyday. Even in a blizzard:

Family. Friends that are basically family. Hugo, the best part of my day.

Dance parties, themed parties. Any party, really.

Disneyland, New York City, California, the ocean. Sunshine. Champagne & Cupcakes.

M&M's. New shoes, High Heels. Christmas, Halloween costumes. Songs you know every single word to.

Running, the best way to relieve stress. Fashion magazines, cookbooks.

Sex and the City. A glass of wine after a long, trying day. Sleeping until noon.

Cute boys, secret crushes, being there for each other, falling in love.

Laughing until it hurts.

Rollercoasters, lipgloss, party dresses, a strong cup of coffee, bicycles with baskets.

With so many great things to make me happy, it's hard for me to spend too much time being sad. Sometimes it's just the fondest memory, or the littlest thing that can spark the most happiness and light up even the dreariest of winter days!

winter white.

1.2.

Marion Cotillard is absolutely breathtaking in this white Elie Saab one-shouldered dress at the SAG Awards on January 23. I used to think white was a color only to be worn in the summer, but lately, I have just been loving winter white. I think it's such a stark contrast to the typical blacks and grays that we grow so comfortable with in the winter months.

Marion Cotillard is one of my favorite actresses to watch at award shoes. My number one favorite gown of all time is the one she wore to the 2008 Academy Awards, where she took home the coveted Best Actress Award. It too was white, and a Jean Paul Gaultier masterpiece. With scalloped edges, and a mermaidesque feel, she was not only the best actress of the night, but also the best dressed.

1. Elie Saab, at SAG Awards 2010, photo courtesty of justjared.com

2. Jean Paul Gaultier, at Academy Awards 2008.

babycakes.

Being the cookbook junkie that I am, I recently purchased a copy of Erin McKenna's Babycakes cookbook, based on recipes from her New York City bakery of the same name. Specializing in vegan, gluten-free, and almost entirely sugar-free goodies such as cookies, banana bread, and you know it, CUPCAKES, she has won countless 'best of' awards in New York, and has just opened a second location of the bakery in Los Angeles. Having food sensitivities to gluten, dairy and eggs, she has developed delicious alternative recipes to some of the world's favorite pastries.

Tonight I was feeling both ambitious and domestic, and thought I would try out a couple of the recipes. I made jalapeno cornbread, and due to a copious amount of overripe bananas and a serious craving for banana bread, I tried out one of those as well. I have to give it to Erin, she is a genius. The corn bread was single handedly the best thing I have ever tasted. And not just for vegan/gluten-free. I mean, in general. And the banana bread. Sorry mom, but it blows yours out of the water by about 300%. It has the perfect, soft consistency, and the perfect combination of bananas and cinnamon. Who needs a boyfriend? I am in love.

Next week, I am going to attempt the vanilla cupcakes, and if they are anything like the two recipes I tried today, somebody is going to have to come revive me from my food coma, because I just cannot get enough babycakes.

lunch time.

After a birthday weekend, of unhealthy eating, (I live by the mentality that on your birthday you can do whatever you want) it is time to get back into the swing of things.

So to start off, I made myself a delicious stuffed red pepper for lunch today. Stuffed with brown rice, artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, spinach and chickpeas, it was so delicious, and the perfect snack for a chilly day.

To make:

1 red pepper, hollowed out on top, seeds removed

1/2 c pre-cooked brown rice

3 artichoke hearts, chopped

1/2 c chopped, fresh spinach

1/3 c chickpeas, rinsed and drained.

1 garlic clove, chopped

3 to 4 pieces of sundried tomato, chopped.

Mix all ingredients into a bowl. Add black pepper and about 1/4 tsp of cumin for flavor and then scoop into the red pepper. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and then put in a baking dish and cover with tin foil. Bake at 425 degrees for about 25 minutes, or until pepper is soft and golden brown.

It's also good if you top it with a little bit of parmesan cheese before throwing it in the oven. Also, for all you meat eaters out there, this make a very good side dish for chicken if you want to do something a little bit different!

Enjoy!

and the winner is..

Last night the Golden Globes were held in Los Angeles. I always look forward to the start of awards season, because I love seeing what celeb stylists like Rachel Zoe, bring to the red carpet. I have to say, I was fairly disappointed with what the stars were wearing as a whole, but as always, there were a few starlets who totally rocked the red carpet.

Zoe Saldana, from Avatar was stunning in a burgundy Louis Vuitton. The color was so rich, and perfectly completed her skintone. I also loved the skirt of the dress, with its soft rusching and layering. It was my number one pick from last night's show, simply because of how amazing she looked in it.

Olivia Wilde, is continually on top of her game as well. It's very rare to see her on a worst dressed list. Her sequined Gucci gown was so beautiful; almost as good as the lavender Reem Acra she wore to the 2009 awards. Almost.

Mad Men star, Christina Hendricks chose a peach Christina Siriano gown with a sweetheart neckline. Normally I would detest this color, especially on her skintone, but somehow she pulled it off. The side swept ruffles, and sweetheart neckline made it so feminine and delicate, she looked beautiful.

Lea Michele, from Glee wore a black Oscar de la Renta gown with a full skirt, with feathers. Black is my color of choice, but of all the black dresses, this one stood out. This is the one I would have chosen for myself. To me, Oscar de la Renta is so red-carpet appropriate. He always creates such glamourous gowns.

Lastly, Diane Kruger. The Inglorious Basterds star is such a style icon, there is a reason she's one of Karl Lagerfeld's muses. Her Christian Laroix gown was the perfect mix of beautiful and eccentric. And she rocked the pink. Normally, I wouldn't look twice at anything pink, but it takes a very special dress such as this one to change my tune. The neckline was gorgeous, and the hint of white on the sash, added a little bit of extra flair! Well done Ms. Kruger.

The fashion losers of the night. January Jones looked like she was going to a funeral with a high necked black dress and a weird ballerina headband, and Heidi Klum wore some periwinkle monstrosity. She usually dons red for awards shows and I have to say, it's a much better choice for her. For more pictures of last night's show, check www.goldenglobes.org.

*all images courtesy of www.goldenglobes.org, and justjared.com.

twenty 3.

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4.

5.
6.

This weekend, my beautiful Toronto family helped me celebrate my twenty third birthday. I gotta say, twenty three came up fast! Ayla decorated her table so beautifully, and served me two of my most favorite things: cupcakes and champagne. Then we partied the night away at the bier markt on King W, and met for 'high tea' at the Old Mill Inn & Spa for a grown up style tea party this afternoon. Choice of tea, and an assortment of mini tarts, scones and sandwhiches were the perfect cure to our hangovers. Nothing like some jasmine tea to flush out all those alcoholic toxins.

It was the perfect birthday! I am so lucky to have such amazing friends, both here in Toronto and back home in Saskatoon. I wish we all could have been together, but I honestly could not have asked for a better party.

I am the luckiest twenty three year old in the whole world!

1. Chocolate/Espresso torte from Old Mill Inn & Spa.

2. Scones with strawberry preserves.

3. Pistachio macaroons.

4. Champagne sparkler.

5. Bottle service a la Ayla, and cupcakes, my favorite!

6. Glass of rose and gluten-free macaroons, a gift from Adam!

make a wish, birthday girl.

Since Sunday is my birthday, I would absolutely not object if someone wanted to purchase these breathtakingly beautiful creatures, that are YSL ankle boots (left). Since I already own the pumps (right), I find it only fitting that they should be together. Yves would have wanted it that way.

Oh, I wear a 37, and I will send you my mailing address.

great start to the new year.

Today Ayla, Shayne and I bundled up and hit the streets of Queen West for espresso and window shopping. Ayla introduced me to the store Chatelet on Queen, when I first moved here, and I always look forward to finding time to stop in. It is such a beautiful place to shop for vintage inspired home decor. We also popped into Urban Barn , The Drake Hotel gift shop and a couple of art galleries before stopping in for warm beverages and a snack, at a cool little whole in the wall pub called B. The girls got croissants and granola with yogurt and fruit, and I downed an entire pot of green tea. Speaking of snack, I have been feeling pretty crappy lately, so I decided to cut out all wheat and dairy. It's only been a couple days but I am craving cheese sooooo badly. So far however, I am maintaining excellent self control but let's see how long I can last. There's a wheel of brie in my fridge that is screaming my name, but I'm not going to let it bring me down! I've decided that this year, I am going to stick to my resolutions. I know I say it every year, but if a resoution is important enough to make, it should definitely be important enough to keep.

Here is a picture of my outfit today. I kind of wish I had worn something a little warmer, since Toronto is frigid today and I kept my parka over top of it all day anyway.

Days like this make me wish I lived in California, where parkas and mittens are only an urban fashion myth.

Happy 2010 everybody!

*Scarf: Aldo, Tights: American Apparel, Boots: Macy's, Men's Button-Up: Value Village, Skirt: Garage Clothing, Belt: Vintage/Kensington Market.