april wine.

I love wine. Red wine, white wine, rose, sparkling. You name it, I promise I will drink it.
I do not by any means consider myself a wine connoisseur, I just really like it. A glass of wine is the perfect way to unwind after a long, trying day. The perfect way to celebrate a special moment, and the drink of choice for a dinner party.
With so many different kinds of grapes to choose from, and so many excellent food pairings, it's no wonder why it is a staple in home bars all over the world.
In my opinion wine tastes best in 750 mL form and shared with friends.

Since I am a city girl on a budget, here are a few of my favorite wines that won't break the bank, and definitely won't compromise on taste:

Naked Grape, Pinot Grigio: $10.45-Canada: Pairs well with shrimp cocktail, chicken, fresh seafood or vegetarian lasagna. Has mild flavors of apples, pears, citrus and melon. This is my favorite white wine.

Barefoot Cellars, Shiraz: $9.95-California: I love any wine from California, because it makes me think for one second that i'm there, drinking wine on the beach and exploring all the cool haunts that Los Angeles has to offer. This wine has subtle hints of apple, vanilla and spices and pairs best with grilled meat, such as steak.

Astoria Prosecco La Robinia, Sparkling Wine:$12.65-Italy: Sinple fruit flavors such as pear and apple. It's very light and goes best with soups or apperitifs. I love love love sparkling wine, it's so much fun to pop open the bottle, and toast to whatever strikes your fancy. I am a firm believer that you don't need a special occasion to drink champagne. Right now is as good a time as ever!

Copper Moon Moonlight Harvest, Chardonnay: $9.45-Ontario: Pairs well with halibut or chicken, and contains light violet floral notes and hints of lemon peel and apple. My friend Courtney introduced me to this line of wine and I have to say, I have tried the Pinot Grigio, and the Shiraz and they are excellent as well!

Yellowtail Bubbles, Sparkling Wine:$13.95-Australia: A medium finish, with hints of apple and citrus this is another great sparkling wine, perfect for toasting.

My good friends Tayler and Courtney arrive in Toronto tomorrow and I know that the next five days are going to be filled with girl talk, dance parties and lots and lots of wine! Hope you enjoy a glass or two of your favorite, with your favorite people.

commes des garcons.

If I was a fashion designer, I would specialize in menswear. Well maybe not as a designer, but I would love to be stylist to a male star. I just love the artsy, vintage look on guys and there is nothing like a plaid button up shirt to really make a girl weak in the knees. Right Ayla?

Here is a list of the top ten things my dream date would wear:

Converse Chuck Taylors: I will seriously marry a man that wears Chucks. They are so sexy. $45 at Converse stores.

Gold watch: I like a round faced, gold link watch for men and women. I'm currently on the search for the perfect men's version for myself, but so far they have all had too big of faces for my little wrist.
Cartier Roadster, price upon request.

Bowties: A cute, quirky alternative to regular ties, which I also love by the way.

Oxfords: I love oxfords for women too, but there is just something so dreamy about a skinny guy in vintage oxfords.
www.stylehive.com, $42USD

Tortoiseshell Eyeglasses: I have always been a sucker for a guy with a strong intellect. Not nerdy, but intelligent. Someone to have long, important discussions with until the wee hours of the morning. They say that the eyes are the gateway to the soul, and if this is true, than I can't imagine a better way to offset those baby blues ( or greens, or browns), than with a pair of their grandfather's glasses.
RayBan tortoise shell sunglasses, price upon request.

Cardigans: Button up, zip up, doesn't really matter. I love the way a man's broad shoulders look in a preppy cardigan. Paired with jeans and a button up, or even a t-shirt they add a little bit of class to any man's wardrobe.
Ralph Lauren Polo Cardigan, $200.

White V-Neck T-Shirt: There is no such thing as a guy that looks bad in white. Especially in the summer. American Apparel's white t-shirts, are so simple, but the vivid brightness of the white cotton make any outfit come together perfectly.
American Apparel, $24 each.

Plaid Button-Ups: I don't if it's the lumberjack connotation that comes alongside a plaid shirt, but I have never met a plaid I didn't like. Every man becomes instantly hotter in plaid. I swear, its true.
stylebeans.com, $79.

Leica Camera Case: This little case is perfect for throwing in a camera, plus various cards and cash. It can be worn around the neck or slung over their shoulder and is great for spontaneous photo-ops. I think photography is a really sexy hobby and I would love to go on a date where we just walked around snapping pictures all day.

Trenchcoats/Peacoats/Blazers: I love the layering look that is so easy with guys' clothes. A blazer over top of a t-shirt and cardigan, a peacoat paired with a sweater and Burberry scarf on cold days, or a trench coat over top of a three piece suit for formal events. Jackets make any outfit seem so much more polished.
Burberry Trenchcoat, $995.

I absolutely LOVE the androgynous look for girls, but I think it would be so much more fun to dress a real boy! There is just so much great stuff out there for them right now, it's the perfect time to be a fashionable man.

lee.

Today the fashion world mourns, as it was announced this morning that Lee McQueen, founder and designer of the fashion empire Alexander McQueen was found dead in his home. There are not a lot of details yet, but this news come just on the heels of FashionWeek.

Looks like there will be more to talk about this week, than just the latest trends.

RIP McQ.

not so secret garden.

In desperate attempts to banish my winter blues, I have been finding tons of cute floral prints popping up wherever I go. I recently purchased a pair of Deena & Ozzy Spectator oxfords, in a super cute floral print, and I cant wait for them to arrive.
Florals are such a sweet, feminine way to add some color to your wardrobe. I am usually all about black, so I am looking forward to hopping over to H&M to score some pieces from their new Garden Collection.

Made from recycled, sustainable fabrics, it's a collection we can all feel good about. I have to say, I have been pretty disappointed with their last few lines, but with this one, they have completley redeemed themselves. Bright colors, loose layering, draping, and soft cotton make a perfect combination for spring. Which I hope, is just around the corner!