Style Blog

TIFF 2017: #Cumberbrunch with Grey Goose Canada and Deadline

12 September, 2017 By Nelia 1 Comment

It’s not everyday that you get to attend a very intimate panel with a bunch of movie stars, delicious Grey Goose cocktails, killer views, and a pair of seafood towers…but that’s exactly what I did on day 4 of TIFF. Last Sunday, I found myself on ~~top of the world~~ the rooftop of Lavelle staring at the handsome cast of The Current War film. Led by Deadline Hollywood’s Joe Utichi, the panel consisted of Director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, Writer/Executive Producer Michael Mitnick, and actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Shannon and Nicholas Hoult.

The actors seemed to be in great spirits, cracking jokes, enjoying their Grey Goose Caesars (both Cumberbatch and Shannon had two each, but who’s counting), and chatting about all things electricity, relationships, and muttonchops. When asked a slightly baffling question about getting ugly for a film role, Cumberbatch quipped that he “loved being ugly in this film” as Edison…even though no noticeable changes were done to the actor’s appearance beyond wardrobe. But he did seem to have a sense of humour about the whole thing. In response to the question about the cast’s own relationship with physics and sciences and how it impacted their acting, Cumberbatch confessed that he “was really bad at physics at school”, while Hoult’s response was slightly less modest: “I understood everything and I think that shines through in my performance”, he said with a laugh. Hoult also shared that the cast took a science lesson to prepare for their roles.“Nick is a bright boy”, added Shannon, while Cumberbatch concurred that Hoult did better than the other two in class. Beauty and brains!

After the panel, my friend and I seized the opportunity to say hello to Hoult and grab a photo with the actor…and in case you were wondering, yes, he is very good looking (and tall) IRL, and was super nice about our fangirling.

The Current War will hit theatres on November 24th, and the full video of the panel is embedded below for your viewing pleasure.

More after the jump!
[Read More…]

TIFF 2017: Favourite Moments

10 September, 2017 By Nelia 1 Comment

TIFF is arguably one of the most exciting times to be in Toronto, and this year’s festival has not disappointed so far. Here are some of my fave TIFF 2017 moments, from fundraisers to celeb sightings.

1. Priyanka Chopra at TIFF Soiree
While I wasn’t able to make it to the TIFF Soiree this year, I followed the fancy affair on Twitter. Priyanka Chopra was this year’s guest of honor, in town to promote Pahuna: The Little Visitors, a film she produced with her mother, screening at this year’s festival. Chopra’s Soiree appearance was in service of TIFF’s Share Her Journey campaign aimed to promote and empower female voices behind and in front of the camera.

“One-third of the films selected for the 42nd Toronto International Film Festival are directed by women, with an even higher number of female-identified short filmmakers at Festival (42.4%) and the director-driven Platform programme at gender parity. Films by women at Festival this year include the solo directorial debuts of actors Greta Gerwig, Brie Larson, and Molly Parker, as well as new work by Deniz Gamze Ergüven, Dee Rees, and documentarians Alanis Obomsawin, Agnès Varda, and Jennifer Baichwal.” If you’d like to support women in film, you can donate here: http://www.tiff.net/shareherjourney/

2. Call Me By Your Name Premiere and After-party
My Day 1 of TIFF began in the best way possible – with tickets to the premiere of Call Me By Your Name, a Luca Guadagnino film starring the impossibly handsome Armie Hammer and newcomer Timothee Chalamet. Going in I had no idea who Chalamet was, but after watching the film I am now in awe of this talented young New Yorker and his magnetic screen presence. The movie was a stunningly filmed coming-of-age love story set in a small town in Italy; it captured the angst, the pain, and the joy that comes with that first love. And while it was a two-hour long affair, I wanted to watch it all over again once the credits started rolling.After listening to the director and the leading men give thoughtful and eloquent answers during the Q&A, le bf and I hightailed it to the film’s swanky after-party at STK Yorkville. I had the chance to congratulate Armie and Timothee on the film, and got le bf to snap a photo of Armie and I…which he sadly bungled. Thankfully the in-house photog captured our mini photo-fail and I still ended up with a memento of my brief Armie moment.

3. Julianne Moore VIP Reception with L’Oreal Paris
Celeb encounters are always an exciting part of TIFF, and this year I was lucky to have been invited to an intimate Julianne Moore reception hosted by L’Oreal Paris. Julianne arrived looking as stunning as ever, and shared a few thoughts on her favourite red carpet moments from prior years. She stressed that every red carpet moment is a result of a “professional collaboration”, and that if left to her own devices, she’s actually not that great at blowing out her own hair. When asked about her top beauty tips, Moore shared that she wears moisturizers with SPF since she was 23 years old, she pays regular visits to Joanna Vargas for facials in NYC, and that “sleep helps”. She also revealed that she owns the same pair of Givenchy heels in every colour because of how stable they are, even if they don’t look it.

4. Mongrel House
One of the liveliest places to be during TIFF is Mongrel House, with nightly parties that have everything from table tennis to live karaoke to free poutine. This year we spotted Stellan Skarsgård, having a great time, laughing and chatting with the attendees. Shia LaBeouf and Canadian tennis player Denis Shapovalov also made an appearance. With a lengthy list of Mongrel Media movies screening at TIFF this year, there’s a good chance more celebs will be stopping by in the coming days, so keep your eyes peeled if you find yourself near the beautiful Campbell House at night.

5. Papillon Grey Goose After-party at STK
STK Yorkville is playing host to several film parties during TIFF this year, sponsored by Grey Goose and Nordstrom. One of the first parties held at the fancy steakhouse was for Michael Noer’s remake of Papillon, with star Charlie Hunnam in attendance. The handsome actor happily posed for photos, taking selfies with everyone brave enough to ask. A selection of delicious Grey Goose libations was on offer, but the coffee-based Star of Film Noir cocktail was my fave (Grey Goose vodka, espresso, and coffee liqueur…yum!), and gave me a much-needed boost of caffeine for TIFF.

More TIFF moments are coming to the website soon! Including Jake Gyllenhaal in Stronger, and brunch with Benedict Cumberbatch!

Photo Credits: 2 – GP Images WireImage courtesy of TIFF, 2 and 5 – Lu Chau // Photagonist.ca, 3 – Ryan Emberley, 4 – Mongrel Media

Beauty: Introducing GABRIELLE CHANEL

6 September, 2017 By Nelia Leave a Comment

For the first time in 15 years (!!!), the House of Chanel has released a brand new fragrance – GABRIELLE CHANEL, named, of course, after the the inimitable Gabrielle Coco Chanel. Created by Olivier Polge, GABRIELLE is a fresh floral fragrance with warm notes of Jasmine, fruity scent of Ylang-Ylang, fresh essence of Orange Blossom, and a finishing touch of Grasse Tuberose. This feminine fragrance is an instant classic, and the streamlined yet striking square bottle only reinforces its timelessness.

To celebrate the new fragrance, a beautiful mini film starring Kristen Stewart and directed by Ringan Ledwidge was released, capturing the essence of the rebellious spirit of Gabrielle Chanel. If you’re still not familiar with the designer’s history of breaking the rules and reinventing herself, make sure to watch the Inside CHANEL videos linked below. They offer a fascinating glimpse at Coco Chanel’s life and of course the history of CHANEL.

As for me, I am smitten with GABRIELLE CHANEL. I’ve been lucky enough to wear it for a few weeks now and it’s my current go-to perfume – can’t get enough! The new fragrance is now available at all CHANEL Beauty counters in Canada, so make sure to stop by and try it for yourself.

More after the jump!
[Read More…]

Shopping: Fall 2017 Trends You Can Wear Now

14 August, 2017 By Nelia Leave a Comment

It may be August, but it certainly doesn’t feel like it. Let’s face it…this summer in Toronto has been a bit of a bust weather-wise, which really makes me want to start buying fall clothes ASAP. Right now I am looking for chic pieces that can be worn on cooler summer days and through early fall and the below four trends will make it super easy to inject some effortless cool into my summer/fall wardrobe.

If any of the items below catch your eye, you can get an additional 15% off your first Shopbop purchase by shopping on the mobile app and using the special promo code APP15 (more details here). Happy Shopping!

1. Ruffles
As someone who’s not very girly, I am usually not into super frilly things, but this time around, I am loving how fresh ruffled tops feel, especially when paired with raw-hem denim or leather culottes.

2. Fancy Footwear
This season’s hottest shoes are either on-purpose-ugly, all-white, or mules, so choose your poison (or perhaps all three!). I’ve been loving the simplicity of slides, and I am also starting to see the appeal of some of the clunkier heels too. These convertible shoes by JAGGAR are at the top of my list at the moment. None of the sex appeal, but comfort and cool appeal for days!

3. Flares
After years and years of skinny jeans, our thighs can finally breathe a sigh of relief, because flares and culottes are in and are here to stay for another season or two. Whether you invest in a pair of Re/Done jeans or wear a pair of dramatic flares to the office, you can finally give your skinnies the boot (for now).

4. Round Bags
Straw bags and baskets were huge this summer, but for fall, round is in. Don’t be a square and go for a ladylike clutch or a vintage CHANEL shoulder bag – the rounder the better.

Gadgets: Fitbit Alta HR Review

11 August, 2017 By Nelia Leave a Comment

If you know me IRL, you know that I am slightly obsessed with Fitbit fitness trackers. Every day I try to hit at least 10K steps, I check my sleeping stats religiously, and get into somewhat heated stepping competitions with friends and family on the app. But as far as obsessions go, this one has helped me get off the couch, become more fit, and yes, lose weight.

My first Fitbit tracker was Fitbit Alta, I loved its sleek design and how inconspicuous it was. I could stack a few bracelets around it to dress it up, or wear it as-is and not feel like I had a fitness tracker on – it was pretty perfect. Then, a few months ago I tried Fitbit Charge 2, and with this tracker I could also monitor my heart rate, helping me get a more precise reading of my daily calorie burn, and helping me track exercise better.

But while I loved the functionality and features of Charge 2 (Guided Breathing Sessions were a huge bonus!), with its wider screen and band I found myself missing my thinner tracker. What I really wanted was to wear my Alta, but with all of the benefits of heart rate readings too. Well, my prayers have been answered with the new and improved Fitbit Alta HR – it still offers the same stylish design, but this time with a PurePulse Heart Rate monitor built-in, so I can track low-step exercise like Barre better, keep an eye on my resting heart rate changes, and get a better overall understanding of my fitness level.

These days my Fitbit Alta HR is on my wrist every single day – from work to sleep and everything in between, and I truly can’t imagine how I ever functioned without it. It made me a more active person, and it fits my personal style – what more can you ask for?

Fitbit tracker was provided free of charge. All opinions are my own.

What They Wore: Grey Goose Sunset Soiree Picnic

1 August, 2017 By Nelia 1 Comment

I love picnics! I would picnic all the time in the summer, but I am way too lazy to put together a basket of provisions, blankets, utensils, drinks, and a million other things you need for an outdoorsy meal. Well, earlier this summer Grey Goose made my most exquisite picnic dreams come true and more!

The brand’s annual summer party was held at a Bridle Path mansion, its backyard set up with chic blue blankets and picnic baskets stuffed with a delicious meal prepared by Chef Justin Kent, along with an iced bucket of Grey Goose Rouge au Vin cocktail at the ready. With three lovely blanketmates, I enjoyed every moment of our picnic, sipping those refreshing cocktails, and devouring the incredible Poulet au Moutard, and other French-inspired nibbles.

After dinner, the guests spread around the grounds to enjoy the rest of the fun activations like a game of petanque, live music, a dove/goose balloon release, and Grey Goose Esspresso Martinis. There was even an artist on hand to sketch everyone’s stylish outfits! As afternoon stretched into late evening, the backyard was still abuzz with excitement – people dancing, mingling, and enjoying the free-flowing Grey Goose cocktails. And if that’s not a sign of a great summer party, then I don’t know what is.

If you’re planning on hosting your own al fresco soiree this summer, I highly recommend the Grey Goose Le Grand Fizz cocktail collection – these delicious concoctions will impress even the pickiest guest, and require only a few ingredients to whip up. I am also including Chef Kent’s recipe for Poulet au Moutard, because it was just too good not to recreate.

Happy picnicking!

More photos and recipes after the jump!
[Read More…]

Style Blog Travels: Boating in Capri

26 July, 2017 By Nelia 2 Comments

Before our trip to Italy this summer, I told le bf that we are definitely, 100%, non-negotiable renting a boat as soon as we get to Capri. Mostly, because one of my happiest memories in life involved boating in Capri and I wanted him to experience the joy of cruising around this beautiful island with me. He wasn’t psyched about navigating an unfamiliar boat in an unfamiliar area, but as I said – non-negotiable. Spoiler alert: he ended up loving it! If you’re into swimming, beautiful views, wind in your hair and sun in your face, then you too must rent a boat in Capri the next time you find yourself on this gorgeous island – it truly is the best.

While doing my boat research, I stumbled upon Capri Boat Banana Sport company and I am happy to report that they were professional, well-organized, and affordable – would hire them again without hesitation. Renting a boat for 2 hours cost us EUR 90 (each additional hour is only EUR 30, and the all-day rate is EUR 220), the staff was very helpful, walking us through the ins and outs of operating and anchoring their boats, as well as giving us a bit of background info about the island’s best sights along the way, before taking us to our boat. It was such a straightforward process, that both le bf and I immediately felt at ease.

Boating in Capri is very easy, even for inexperienced boaters – there is no reef to worry about, the water is fairly calm, there are plenty of spots where you can drop anchor and go for a swim, and the island itself isn’t very large, so you can cruise around without worrying about getting lost. As long as someone in your group has a driver’s license, you’re all set. There are a lot of stops to make along the way, so you may need more than 2 hours to finish the trip, but it was just enough time for us.

After our boating expedition, which included swimming, going through the Faraglioni arch, and just the overall feeling of being truly alive, we returned our ~~yacht~~ boat, and headed to Terrazza Brunella for lunch. We had a reservation, so we took the funicular to the center of Capri from Marina Grande – the quickest way to get to the top. This wasn’t our first time at Terrazza Brunella, and once again we were not disappointed – the food was top-notch, as was the service and the views.

Post-lunch we did some window shopping along Via Camerelle, but somehow I was able to walk away empty-handed. The store that really caught my eye on this trip was Wonderland, which carried a great selection of vintage bags and accessories. The shop itself is very cute, so check it out if you have time.

Because our boat to Sorrento was departing early, we didn’t have time for a visit to Anacapri, but having visited it in the past, I was ok with skipping it. We took the funicular back to Marina Grande and headed to our dock, sunkissed, with salt in our hair, and bellies full of clams. On our way back to Sorrento, le bf told me that boating around Capri was a highlight of our trip for him, and I couldn’t agree more.

Have you been to Capri before? What are you favourite activities on the island? Share in the comments.

More photos after the jump!
[Read More…]

Beauty: CHANEL Les Beiges Healthy Glow Summer 2017 Launches

25 July, 2017 By Nelia Leave a Comment

If you’re a fan of the glowing “no makeup” makeup look, do I have great news for you! CHANEL has just released the new Les Beiges Healthy Glow Gel Touch Foundation ($70) and it’s fantastic if you’re into dewy, glowy, fresh skin that actually looks like skin. This foundation is lightweight, but buildable if you want more coverage, doesn’t get cakey, and gives your skin a boost of hydration (it’s made up of 56% water and loaded with hyaluronic acid). The recently-released Retractable Foundation Brush ($65) is the perfect tool to apply this gel foundation, with soft, angled bristles, it’s great for daily application and on-the-go touch-ups.

Along with the foundation, CHANEL has also released two new shades of Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick ($53) – shades that can go from summer to fall and add just the right amount of sheer colour to any makeup look. The creamy, velvety stick makes it very easy to apply – it’s virtually mistake-proof!

Lastly, I am obsessed with CHANEL Les Beiges Healthy Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palette ($70) – it is the perfect neutral palette for everyday, natural eye makeup. It goes on silky and sheer when dry, and can be intensified by layering, or used as an eyeliner when applied with a wet brush. If your haircolour is on the lighter side, you can also use this palette as a brow intensifier…alas, my brows are too dark, so I’ll be using it for my daily eye makeup instead.

Have you tried the new CHANEL Les Beiges launches? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Style Blog Travels: Sorrento, My Love

19 July, 2017 By Nelia Leave a Comment

Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast of Italy have a very dear place in my heart. Perhaps predictably, the love affair began with Under the Tuscan Sun, and grew deeper each time I visited Sorrento and the vicinity. I loved it so much, I even got married there! Well, after missing it for 5 years, I finally returned to one of my favourite places in the world to celebrate my 5-year wedding anniversary this summer.

If you’ve never been to the Amalfi Coast, I highly recommend Sorrento as your home base in the area. All other must-see towns are very accessible from Sorrento by boat, bus, or car, and compared to Positano and Capri, there are a lot more affordable options for lodging. Yes, Sorrento is definitely touristy, and gets quite busy in the summer, but for me, the crowds don’t detract from its charm and beauty.

Getting There:
Getting to Sorrento is fairly simple. The closest airport is located in Naples, from where you can either take the ferry or the local Circumvesuviana train. When travelling from Rome, we usually catch a train from Termini station to Naples (just over an hour), and then grab a Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento (under an hour). I recommend taking the Campania Express train instead of the local commuter one – the former is air-conditioned and has very few stops (though it’s slightly more expensive), while the latter does not have air-conditioning and can have some sketchy characters on board (try to stay close to other tourists and hold on to your bags).

Where to Stay:
On this visit, we stayed at Casa Evelina Airbnb, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. It was super affordable, with modern, stylish, well-appointed rooms, and located just steps away from Piazza Tasso, and minutes away from the Circumvesuviana train station (and breakfast was included too!). In the past, I’ve stayed at Palazzo Januzzi, and Maison Tofani – both are quite nice, but definitely pricier than Airbnb (use this link to sign up and get $50 off your first Airbnb booking). If you’d like to splurge on a fancy hotel with a view, the Bellevue Syrene is a lovely place, and is definitely on my list of hotels to check out on my future visits.

Where to Eat:
Trattoria Da Emilia is my personal go-to and I’ve eaten there many times over the years. The small seaside restaurant has been a Sorrento mainstay since 1947 and serves simple, but delicious dishes like Spaghetti with Clams (my fave!!!) and Caprese Salad at the picturesque Marina Grande. The service is quick, the location is perfect, and the entire menu is super affordable. For a fancier meal, head to Grand Hotel La Favorita’s rooftop restaurant, where both the views and the food are excellent. If it’s on the menu, try the handmade Eggplant Scialatielli – I am still dreaming about it. On this trip we also had a meal at the Michelin-starred Il Buco, not our favourite meal in town, but still quite good (my lobster risotto was delicious, while le bf’s pumpkin soup was just so-so). Whatever you do, don’t eat at the Piazza Tasso restaurants, these places are ok for a drink and some people-watching, but the food will most likely disappoint.

What to Do:
Apart from visiting the nearby towns and Pompeii (just a couple of Circumvesuviana stops away), Sorrento’s beaches are perfect for an afternoon of relaxation. Since you’ll have to pay for a lounger and an umbrella, get there early and stay for a while. Leonelli Beach is my favourite, with a nice sandy beach, and decent food (I especially like their fresh strawberries with lemon juice and sugar!). There’s a small stretch of free beach nearby, but it gets really crowded.

Shopping in Sorrento is pretty good, there are lots of great souvenirs to bring home – from limoncello and lemon chocolates to spices and ceramics to custom-made sandals. Shop around to find the best deals and avoid buying the “Made in China” souvenirs – there’s plenty of local artisans to support instead. If you’re smitten with Sorrentine cuisine, you can take a cooking lesson at the Quanto Basta Cooking School. The school was located near our Airbnb and was always packed with people, and the atmosphere looked really fun. Since we had a cooking class booked in Cinque Terre, we didn’t end up taking a class in Sorrento, but will definitely do it next time we’re in town. In the evenings the main street gets closed down to car traffic, and you can stroll along Corso Italia alongside locals and tourists, eating gelato, and enjoying the weather. It’s the best!

One thing to note, there’s plenty of stairs, hills, and slippery cobblestones in Sorrento, so make sure to bring comfy flats and get ready to do some legwork. If you find yourself near the beach and dreading the trek up to town, there’s a public elevator you can take instead of walking. There’s a nominal fee to use the elevator, but it may be worth it if you’re really tired or in a hurry.

If you’ve never been to Sorrento, I can’t recommend it highly enough, even if for a day or two. As touristy as it is, Sorrento is a charming town with breathtaking views, great food, and an unbeatable Amalfi Coast location. Have you ever been to Sorrento? Share your thoughts in the comments.

More photos after the jump!
[Read More…]

Beauty: Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Liquified Lipstick

18 July, 2017 By Nelia Leave a Comment

Last week, I attended the launch of the new Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Liquified Lipstick at Chocolates X Brandon Olsen (literally my fave chocolates in the city!). Before learning more about the collection, we had the chance to make our very own chocolate bars with cocoa butter in lovely shades of Bite’s lippies. Suited up in our Bite Beauty lab coats, we got down and dirty with cocoa butter, dark chocolate, hazelnuts, and other delicious ingredients, to make our dream chocolate bars.

Once our creations were put in the fridge to harden, Bite Beauty Founder Susanne Langmuir introduced us to the new lipstick collection. Just like the chocolates we were making, Bite Beauty liquid lipsticks are created by hand in small batches in Toronto, using natural ingredients like monoi butter and coconut oil, which leave lips feeling healthy and nourished. The new liquid lipsticks have a semi-glaze (satiny) finish and come in 12 highly-pigmented modern shades with fun names like Braised, Flambé, Eclair, and Marsala. After trying a couple of shades, I am so impressed with how rich and long-wearing the pigments are, and unlike with other liquid lipsticks, my lips don’t feel dry or sticky during and after wearing Amuse Bouche Liquified Lipstick, on the contrary, they feel nice and hydrated! And while I already have quite a sizeable collection of lip products, the liquified lipstick shades are just so good, I’ll be wearing Flambé and Candied throughout the summer and Marsala, Braised, and Whip come fall.