Cover FX

Co-creators Jenny Frankel and Lee Graff

A few weeks back I was invited to the first ever Cover FX beauty blogging event. Which of course I was so excited about because I have been a fan of their products for well over a year when my makeup artist friend, Michelle French, suggested it to me. She told me the magic of how their total coverage cream foundation can even cover up tattoos and that they are an industry staple and so I was sold.

I have since been in love with their products. It even made my 'Top ten things I can't live without.' They are a Canadian company that was born out of Lee Graff's specialty in corrective cosmetology within Sunnybrook Hospital. During the SARS incident it was quite difficult to get people in a Toronto hospital she branched, joined forces with Jenny Frankel and they inadvertently started a cosmetics company.

And what a dynamic duo they are. Their company, now celebrating it's ten year anniversary, to astonishing heights. They have won the "Best Prestige Foundation" three years in a row from Cosmetics Magazine and have joined the ranks in the beauty industry as one of the best go-to products around. They sell in Canada, US and the UK and have been depended upon by the likes of Angelina Jolie to cover up tattoos when filming.

Cover FX cupcakes by Sugar Baking

Photo by Anjali Handa

The evening started with lovely cupcakes made especially by Sugar Baking, which of course I couldn't eat (#GlutenFree) but I really wanted too ...

Makeup tutorial time on the 3 Step Essentials kit
Photo by Anjali Handa

Learning the art of flawless foundation

So during the night we learned the art of getting a flawless face through their 3 Step Essentials Kit

which was at first a little awkward for me. Blending foundation - who knew I could do it? But the results were fabulous. I will share the details of how to do this in another post. But I am pretty sure that if you are shopping for a foundation you will want to look into their products because they are all made from a dermatologist and a chemical engineer, they are all good for your skin.

I *may* have gotten some goodies to try

iskwe performs in Toronto tonight

I am pretty excited about tonight's festivities. My girl, isKwe, is performing in Toronto for the first time in over three years. That's because she has made her rounds from Toronto to LA to NYC and is finally back in Toronto (at least for a moment). She is a TripHop and RnB singer/songwriter of Irish, of Cree/Dene descent.

She has been my friend for about two years and has become very near and dear to me. When I took over her life in LA for a few weeks back in November 2008 I was pleasantly surprised to find a rough cut CD of some of her new music that she had been working on. I of course uploaded it to my iTunes and have been singer her praises (figuratively not literally) ever since.

But because she has been to and fro I have yet to see her singing live and so tonight at College Street Bar in Toronto I get to finally see her in action. It's been a bit of a wait, but I think well worth it. 

N.B. isKwe & Natasha Waterman Facebook event page
         isKwe muzik Facebook fan page
         isKwe on Twitter

Roundup 03.05

  

This was a totally boring pretty quiet week because I am mostly just doing my homework and freelance writing. So all else has pretty much fallen to the wayside. It's a hard knock life. Luckily I am escaping this weekend to go to the Rock a Skin launch party tonight at the Tattoo Rock Parlour, the York U pow wow tomorrow and to Kinnie Starr's concert at the Rivoli tomorrow night. Back to the boring grind again next week.

OSCARS

-The Oscars are coming up and I interviewed celebrity hairstylist Dylan Hanson on how to get red carpet hair for MSN.ca. So if you are looking for getting hot, sexy hair check it out here.

-If you want to throw your own Oscar viewing bash here is what you need to do it right. I wrote that for MSN.ca and wish I could have my own party but I still have to paint my place before I have guests over.

NOTEWORTHY

-I got my first serious blog hater who came around after my Week 5: Gymetiquette post (look at anonymous comments). I am pretty sure I know who this punk is so whatever. It is bound to happen but the funny thing is the worst thing he had too say is that I was not Indigenous enough. Oh ouch. I have only been hearing that my entire life.

NATIVE 

-The APTN show'Cashing In' started this week and last year I was totally into the show and even wrote a post about it. I am in love with this sexy modern drama about Native people. Finally a show about Native people that doesn't talk about Bingo. Awesome sauce.

-Urban Warrior Plex got a write up in the Calgary Metro last week. He is really making positive waves and it is great to see him getting media attention.

-There was more talk about the 'Sundance in New Mexico' initiative that is going to expand training opportunities for Native and Hispanic filmmakers. And yes there will be an actor's lab. So don't be surprised if I don't come back to Toronto after going to Albuquerque in April (#justsaying).

FASHION

 

-@heydoyou found this awesome fringed monokini from Victoria's Secret. These are going to be hot this year. I was obsessing about it already last year when Lindsay Lohan was spotted in a Free People's one in Hawaii. I would like one in black although I don't know where I would wear it unless sitting poolside at The Delano.

Do you want to rock a skin?

 

 Thunderbird - Spirit in the Sky design submitted by Terrance H. Booth Jr.

  

Electric Peacockiness design submitted by Terriblis Gesserit

 

Jazz City submitted by Anne T.

Yeah so do I. The party tomorrow night I am going to is the launch party for Rock a Skin, which is a company that creates adhesive covered designs for your cel phones. My girlfriend Shannon told me about them and I just loved the idea. The cool part is that artists can submit designs and you rate them. Based on their popularity, they go into production.

So I am pretty happy that Native artist Terrance H. Booth Jr. submitted three designs to them. The Thunderbird is my favorite and it is featured above. There are a few other designs I like too. I can't wait until they go into production and I can choose to rock just the perfect skin.

N.B. Rock a Skin design rating page
         Rock a Skin Facebook launch party event page

York University Pow Wow 2010

Guess what? The York University Pow Wow is coming up this weekend. It is even more awesome because it is now the only pow wow in the Greater Toronto Area since the Canadian Aboriginal Festival moved to Hamilton. So if you are looking to attend a pow wow in Toronto that is (somewhat) accessible, this is it.

Besides the awesome drumming/singing and traditional dancers they have all these craft tables that you can buy cool stuff from like sweet grass incense, beaded earrings, moccasins, and dream catchers (of course).

 

Thursday night they are even having a concert portion of the awareness days (which is there very first time doing so). Shawnee is super hot and she's from Six Nations and you can find her music here, I am sure the concert will be great.

 

The best time to come is on Saturday at noon when the grand entry happens. Then you can watch the dancers and shop at the vendors. Also you can see the cutest Native kids ever. The full schedule is on the poster and can be found at the links below. See you at grand entry!

N.B. 8th Annual York Aboriginal Awareness Days and Pow Wow on Facebook
         York University Aboriginal Services Event page

Beyond Eden

 Photo from The Walrus

If you happen to be in Calgary from now until March 7th, than you should really check out this show, Beyond Eden. It is a musical theater based on the expedition of a young anthropologist/archaeologist Wilson Duff and his Haida friend, Bill Reid. Yes the famous, awesome artist Bill Reid.

Bill Reid had quit his job with the CBC and had begun to explore his Haida ancestry, teaching himself how to carve and the art of jewelry making. Over the next 50 years Reid’s work embraced many art forms reaching international acclaim. But perhaps more importantly, he rekindled Northwest Coast art and culture and has inspired Aboriginal people worldwide to be proud of their heritage. Following the 1957 expedition, Wilson Duff began a spirit quest into the heart of the Haida Nation. His discoveries inspired anthropologists everywhere to see Indigenous peoples in a very different light than they had been viewed in the past.

This show is at Theatre Calgary only until March 7, 2010 with tickets from $41 and $21 for students. It was previously in Vancouver and I just *hope* it makes it's way to Toronto.

N.B. Theatre Calgary 'Beyond Eden' page

The great Cowichan debate

 

 HBC Olympics "Cowichan" Sweater 

If you were in Canada then you definitely caught the Olympics closing ceremonies when everyone paraded around in those Hudson's Bay Company "Cowichan" sweaters. Many of you even want one now. There is this huge debate about them because they were not made by the Coast Salish people of Vancouver Island and outsourced to China instead of being authentically made.

Anyhow, I think they are a little gaudy personally. I saw a girl in my class wearing it and I couldn't stop staring at how strange it looked. That aside, if you like it and want one, I heard they are sold out in all of the Bay's but you may find it on eBay so go look quickly before they are too expensive.  

Aritzia Olympics "Cowichan" sweater

My "Cowichan" sweater from Aritzia.

This Olympic "Cowichan" sweater was sold in Aritzia. I think it is totally cute (if you are 12). I am not into big letters or number emblozened on my clothing personally. Clearly I am not adverse to the idea of an Aritzia "Cowichan" sweater as I bought one last November.

 

 Cool one. 'Deer' from Hill's Native Art

 

My favorite 'Eagle' from Hill's Native Art

But that was before I knew about these authentic Cowichan sweaters. They are sold at Hill's Native Art in Vancouver, but can be ordered online. There are pricey ($255 CDN) but they are handmade from sheep's wool and made to measure which means they will last forever. Seriously you could hand it down to your children. I think this will be on my XMas wish list for next year.

Wab Kinew with Dennis Thomas in his authentic Cowichan sweater.

Rapper Wab Kinew was fortunate enough to score his authentic Cowichan sweater directly from a Cowichan elder. He payed around $400 but seriously a direct sale from the artist is what many around the world dream of. Lucky boy!

 

I know many people like to get all fired up about appropriation and the use of intellectual property and such. Unfortunately this type of debate is age-old and can go back for thousands of years. B.C. Business writer Steven Schelling summed it up succinctly when he said:

"However, like all iconic fashion pieces, the Cowichan sweater has often inspired contemporary designers to put their own twist on a classic."

Does anyone complain about appropriation when using Grecian draping in designer gowns? Now I know that is a stretch, but I also think most people might want to spring for the authentic Cowichan designs. I know I will next year.

N.B. Cowichan sweaters at Hill's Native Art

See related post:
-Holy Cowichan

Kinnie Starr drops new album

 

March 2nd, 2010 marks the day that Kinnie Starr's fifth Album 'A Different Day' will be released. I am of course amazingly excited because she is one of my favorite singer-songwriters of all time. This Mohawk woman is political, pretty and a little bit of pop all rolled up in one delightful package.

When her last album was released I actually went to my local place for tech fodder and bought the CD. How cute was that? Well I am sure to be downloading it on my iTunes at the stroke after midnight tonight. For those of you who love your WAV files, you can get the album here.

The press release states that it "is a focused collection of optimistic head-nodding songs exclusively about LOVE; 2009’s ticket for mass reconstruction. Platonic love, broken love, and love uncovered. Human relationships are at the center of her gaze." Sounds delicious.

Also see if you can score tickets to the concerts she has listed in Canada below. Toronto is sold out already so you have to really pull some sick maneuvers to get your name on that list (it really helps having a boyfriend in the music biz). She is really powerful and intriguing to watch live, and I have always found it was more experimental than her just performing songs of her album as is.

See related post:

-Kinnie Starr in Toro Magazine

N.B. Kinnie Starr's MySpace Page 
         Kinnie Starr on Facebook 
         Kinnie on Twitter

 

Week 5: Gymetiquette

Don't be a scary sally. 

Photo from Anne Keckler.

 

Okay here's the crazy story: Yesterday while at the gym I finish stretching out and notice my mat is a little bit wet because I was totally sweaty from my run on the treadmill (a little tmi). So I go to sanitize it and wipe it up and notice that the bottle is empty so I go across the room and pick up the other one and clean away. I put the sanitizer next to the empty one for the next person who finds themselves in my predicament. La dee da.

I go to pickup my weights and there is a girl right next to them on the bench who was giving me hard core, evil cut eye. Here's where I made my mistake:

Me: "Excuse me but have I done something?"
Scary girl: "Pardon me?"
Me: "Well I noticed you giving me a really weird look, so I am wondering why? Have I done something?"
Scary girl: "Why would you have done something?"
Me: "Well I have no idea but I noticed you giving me a really mean look, so I was wondering."
Scary girl: "You should put things back when you have taken them." (as she points at empty space where sanitizer bottle used to be) "Why are you even talking to me? (gets ridiculously angry and scary with her face red and slightly shaking) "You shouldn't stare at people." (umm she was giving me the cut eye stare)
Me: "Whoa"

So yes I should have never talked to this girl. Clearly. But the gym I go to is smaller than my living room so it's really awkward maneuvering around someone who is giving you hardcore cut eye for an hour. I thought maybe she was just really focused and didn't really realize she was giving off weird looks (I have been guilty of that before). I also should have brought the empty sanitizer to the staff on duty had it refilled and then sanitized the entire gym especially for her.

I digress. The scary girl then gets up off the bench and starts working out right beside my water bottle and towel at the space I was setting up to do my squats in (at least four feet away from where she was working out on the bench previously).

Me: "Excuse me but I was just about to work out here" (repeat x3)
Scary girl: (gives hardcore evil looks and point to her earbuds) "I can't hear you."
Me: "Wow you are a real b*tch." (It had to be said).

So I picked up my water bottle and moved over to the other side of the benches to do my squats. Thankfully the girl left right after. I however was a total mess. I could barely get through my work out. I am a very peaceful little lamb and do not like confrontations of any sort. I can sometimes cry after dealing with my cable customer care line. Seriously. So I was ready to break down while working out because this scary girl decided to be a gym bully. I made it through some deadlifts but had to leave after that. I did however cry when I told the story to my boyfriend on the phone after I left the gym.

Now I now everyone doesn't go to the gym to make friends. I don't either. But I do however think that people can at least be pleasant to each other when sharing such close quarters. No I don't need to add them on Facebook but you know a little friendliness never hurt anyone.

This is the second incident of extreme rudeness that I have encountered at the gym that I have joined. I've only been there two months. At my last gym I worked out for over a year without one incident. Ever. I feel like I am working out in Parkdale and not High Park by the level of etiquette that is present at my current sweatbox. So I consider my options and wonder what to do about this. I ask for your help:

What should I do about this bad gymetiquette?

MSN.ca homepage homerun

 

  

Photos courtesy of Design + Conquer

Last Thursday, February 26th, was a pretty epic day for me. I wrote a story for MSN.ca on spring fashion trends and it was picked up for the homepage. Not only was it on the homepage (I have had that happen before) but it was on the first quadrant.

If you don't know, MSN.ca is Canada's  #1 most visited portal so that is why it is particularly thrilling. Also Canadian jewelry designer Design + Conquer basked in the same glow as their earrings were featured in the middle photo. How amazing is that? These earrings were featured at LG Fashion Week here in Toronto and can be purchased here.

It was only on home page for less than 24 hours, but it was pretty amazing. I hope to write more that will be featured on homepage. I love my job!

N.B. Spring Fashion Trends articl