yorkville | Trendy Techie

July 14, 2013
by thetrendytechie 4 Comments

Tea Party with Jeanne Lottie and The Loved One

This Saturday I went to a tea party at the Jeanne Lottie Pink House in Yorkville, hosted by Jeanne Lottie and The Loved One! It was a beautiful, hot day and it was great to spend some time with the lovely ladies and lads. I’ve been a fan of Jeanne Lottie purses for years and have used them in many photoshoots and events, so I was so happy to finally get to meet Jane Ip, the designer behind the brand.

Antonia Akai-Casuccio of The Loved One was co-hosting the event - the pieces she brought were absolutely exquisite. If you’re looking for special occasion accessories, The Loved One is the place to go. This beautiful beaded collar was handmade by Antonia. Wouldn’t you just love to wear it? I can see it with a charcoal dress and a loosened braided chignon.

Beautiful beaded collar handmade by Antonia of Toronto's The Loved One

I love this handcrafted tulip hairpiece from The Loved One’s David Dunkley collection. All the feathers are individually hand cut, each petal hand shaped and hand painted. Such a show stopper!

Antonia also brought pieces by jewelry designer Margaret Rowe. These stunning bracelets and necklaces are reminiscent of old Hollywood, and carry a timeless elegance about them. The Gatsby Braided Bracelet and Nouveau Bouquet Cuff below are my favourites from the collection. Follow the links to see them on The Loved Ones’ website. :)

The Pink House is filled with purses upon clutches upon totes - it’s like a handbag-lover’s Heaven! There’s something for everyone in here, whether you’re looking for a colourful everyday piece or an eye-catching crystal and stud clutch.

We snapped a picture together - I call it “Black-Haired Beauties.” :P This photo really captures the fun of the Pink House. The whimsical purple walls, crystal chandelier, and candy-colourful purses make it feel like something out of a movie. Before you ask, my little pink purse is indeed a Jeanne Lottie! It was my very first one that I got as a gift years ago. It’s the perfect size for events and I’m convinced it’s magic because it somehow fits my phone, keys, cards, and camera!

I love this picture of my Michael Kors heels, taken by another tea party guest. These heels are fairly high but so comfortable! Alright, I’ll admit that my feet hurt after three and a half hours of standing in them, but considering their height I’m very happy with how easy they are to wear. For the record: yes, I am wearing nude heels on fuchsia tights. I like the combo for this outfit, what do you think?

What a beautiful and refreshing day. Those girls sure know how to throw a party! The Pink House is so cute and I’m looking forward to going back again soon. Next time you’re in Yorkville, be sure to stop by at 32 Scollard Street!

~Sage

June 11, 2013
by thetrendytechie 15 Comments

Be Inspired, Not a Copycat - Why I Choose Grace Kelly Over Ke$ha

If I could choose another decade to live in, it would be the 1950s for so many reasons. Cheery positive music, bright colours, bubbly cars and high-waisted circle skirts - sign me up! It’s odd how much changes from decade to decade. It makes me kind of sad to think that we’ll be remembered as the Ugg generation, the Facebook time period, and the Honey Boo Boo/Toddlers in Tiaras/Hangover watchers. What happened to the days of elegance and class and appreciating what we have? Yes, the 1950s were much simpler, but that also means they were more positive and gentle, and I’d trade this drugged-up, antisocial age for some good, clean, old fashioned fun. And don’t even get me started on the media back then…Old Hollywood, yes please! I’m a sucker for that elegant, high-class society stuff.

This mega post features my favourite summer look, which takes us right back to the 1950s with a gorgeous circle skirt halter dress by Pam Chorley, a Toronto designer whose store I’ve been obsessed with since I was little. I always used to say that one day I would have a closet full of dresses and would be that girl who wears dresses and high heels on a daily basis. Well now I am! Dreams do come true(?) :P These heels are by Stuart Weitzman (the same ones featured in this floral post from spring), and a vintage headpiece from a prophouse sale in downtown TO! That’s another thing I love about Toronto. In addition to all the wonderful shops like Kate Spade and Holt Renfrew that you can find in Yorkville, there are so many hidden sales and events and things you can find if you’re in the know. I’ve lived here all my life and still find it so charming with so many new things to discover!

I love this crazy monster art installation! So unique.

How cute is this puppy? I just want to squeeze his happy little face! XD

A nice young man in the flower shop posed for a picture with me!

Even though it’s 2013, I try to find ways to inject that fun 1950s spirit into my life. In this era we’re losing individuality. People are morphing into the same person because we’re all tapped into the same social networks and idolizing the same stars. Not every girl wants to be Ke$ha, but when every singer autotunes their voice to sound the same, all our “role models” end up being clones of one another, and we only have one cookie cutout to model ourselves after. That’s why I choose the stars of old as my inspirations. Princess Grace, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe - those are the women I admire, not trashy Ke$ha and Beyonce.

In the same token, I’m sure that Grace, Audrey and Marilyn never dreamed of working with computers or programming. And that’s why I let myself be inspired, but never copy. Choose your role models carefully, and emulate them in whatever way suits you best.

So on that note, I leave you with two questions: Who inspires you, and how do you choose to inject that inspiration into the way you live your life?

Drop me a comment, I’d love to hear from you. :)

~Sage

OUTFIT:

dress: Pam Chorley

shoes: Stuart Weitzman

sunglasses: Guess

headpiece: vintage

denim jacket: vintage

June 1, 2013
by thetrendytechie 4 Comments

Holt Renfrew 60% Off Spring Designer Sale!

Yesterday I posted about the Grand Opening of the new Kate Spade flagship store in Yorkville, which is probably my favourite area of Toronto. The new Kate Spade is just another reason to visit the area, added to my list of favourite stores there: Chanel for timelessness, Nike for modern comfort that somehow manages to make neon shoes trendy, and of course Holt Renfrew for all things divine. Holt’s is a fashion lover’s heaven, so imagine my excitement when I found out about their spring designer sale!

Screen Shot 2013-06-01 at 10.31.52 PM

The sale features select pieces from the spring collections of most designers, including some of my faves like Roberto Cavalli and Burberry. The sale opened on Friday and pieces are going fast, especially in the shoe department! I’ve never seen so many people in that part of the store at one time. Luckily, the clothing racks are spread all around the store and have dramatically reduced prices!

I LOVE this leather jacket from Burberry. It’s borderline steampunk and so beautiful! Perfect for people with natural curves. Burberry is one of those designers that I’ve never seen a bad piece from. Everything they make is awesome! Check out these intricate leather pants by Roberto Cavalli, aren’t they unique? I mean, you’d have to have legs like Heidi Klum’s to pull them off, but dang what a statement you’d make if you did! Oh Holt Renfrew, I love your summery mason jar displays. Let’s go downstairs and look at accessories!

How cute are these watermelon-red Kate Spade sunglasses?

And this Tory Burch purse is so perfect for summer ice cream on the weekends or dinner with the girls after work.

And of course, I couldn’t leave without getting something! But what could it be?

Stay tuned for a later post to see what’s in my Holt’s bag!

Have you checked out the sale? What did you get, or what was your favourite piece?

~Sage

May 31, 2013
by thetrendytechie 11 Comments

Kate Spade Yorkville Grand Opening!

Yorkville, Toronto. The most fashionable place in the city, home to hundreds of designers, boutique shops and restaurants - if you’re looking for a statement piece, this is where you’re going to find it. I was met with an exciting surprise today as I walked through the little streets to reach Bloor - Kate Spade has opened up a Yorkville location!

Today was the grand opening, what lucky timing! And I must say, I was impressed by this new addition. The shop captures the youthfulness and effervescence of Yorkville perfectly with all its big windows and bright colours. Kate Spade designs are always so colourful! I guess that’s why the motto is…

I just had to try on this purple dress and colourful spade necklace!

Sitting in the window seat, I realized again why I love Toronto. It’s such a beautiful, bustling city with the excitement of New York and the safety of Canada…perfect! There are so many gems, hidden and otherwise, that lie in this crown of Ontario, and I feel lucky to live so close to them.

Back in my own clothes, I hung out with the mannequins a bit, striking some poses like the best of ‘em and enjoying the air-conditioned reprieve from the 31-degree-Celsius weather. When it’s hot in Toronto, it’s HOT!

I love all the neon work in this store! It’s so festive and adds a really nice, retro feel. Maybe I’ll get some for my house and blog by the neon light. :P

HOW ADORABLE are these little coin purses?!? I’m in love. They’re so cute I could just eat them up! ;D Kate Spade’s summer 2013 collection has a lot of cute yummy treat-inspired accessories like these coin purses and the “FLAVORS” bag below.

Hey, remember what I said about finding a statement piece? Here it is! This “OFFWEGO” license plate is actually a clutch purse! It’s super cute and actually holds quite a bit. I’d love to style this with a bright red dress and big black sunhat.

Alright, as the purse says, off we go! What an awesome grand opening. On the way out of the store I noticed this sign below that says, “See you later New York, Hello Toronto!” That’s right, Toronto is where it’s at. Welcome to Yorkville!

I had an amazing time today at Yorkville’s new Kate Spade. Next time you’re in the area, be sure to drop by and check it out! There’s something for everyone in this gorgeous shop. What’s your favourite piece in the summer collection? Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think!

~Sage

PS: I’m submitting this post as part of IFB Project #101 - Write about a brand you’d like to work with! Wish me luck!

Trendy Techie

Toronto-to-Halifax lifestyle blog about being a fashionable girl working and learning in the tech world.

Tag Archives: yorkville

Tea Party with Jeanne Lottie and The Loved One

Be Inspired, Not a Copycat - Why I Choose Grace Kelly Over Ke$ha

Holt Renfrew 60% Off Spring Designer Sale!

Kate Spade Yorkville Grand Opening!

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