Adorn Inc.

MOVING TO WORDPRESS

2008-02-07T22:15:00.000-05:00

Check out Adorn Inc's weekly obsessions at adorninc.wordpress.com

Up and at 'em

2008-02-07T10:30:00.000-05:00

While middle parts take centre stage for flowing locks, you can hold on to your side part when you're sweeping your hair up.

Bottega Veneta, Spring/Summer '08

Balenciaga, Spring/Summer '08

Chanel, Spring/Summer '08

Parting ways

2008-02-06T11:03:00.000-05:00

Ditch your side part for a more centred approach this spring.

Gucci, Spring/Summer '08

Versace, Spring/Summer '08

Erin Fetherston, Spring/Summer '08

Floral Display

2008-02-05T09:54:00.001-05:00

Blooms are all over the runway for spring and they're not only cropping up in fashion. And while the floral coif on the runway might be bold, you can easily work the trend a little more subtly. For blondes, stick to neutral and pastel coloured blooms; while brunettes can play with the colour wheel a bit more. So when the last patch of snow fades away, rush to the florist and pop a posy in your hair.

Ralph Lauren, Spring/Summer '08

Christian Dior, Spring/Summer '08

Hair is all banged up for spring

2008-02-04T10:07:00.000-05:00

The bangs are back! Back on the runway and back on me. When spring rolls around I'll be pairing my fringe with softer tresses.

Gucci, Spring/Summer '08

MA in Children's Literature

2008-02-01T09:57:00.000-05:00

There's something shocking about turning the story of Marie Antoinette into a children's book. I mean you can't tack on "a happily ever after" ending to the Queen of France. Nevertheless, some authors are working hard to make MA's story PG. Would you read these to your kids?

Lynn Cullen's Moi and Marie Antoinette tells the story of Marie Antoinette's childhood - from the perspective of her pug.

Kathryn Lasky invents M.A.'s diary during her first year as dauphine of France in The Royal Diaries: Marie Antoinette: Princess of Versailles, Austria-France 1769.

Coif

2008-01-31T11:40:00.000-05:00

From Beeskneesindustries

"Let Them Eat Cake"

2008-01-31T09:56:00.000-05:00

Alright, so she didn't say it. But surely you can imagine Marie Antoinette munching on these ornate cakes from Cake Box.

Tacky goodness

2008-01-30T15:52:00.000-05:00

Nothing says "off with her head" like an action figure.

(Baron Bob)

Goody Two-Shoes?

2008-01-29T15:23:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I called Marie Antoinette a rebellious teen. Today I could call her a prude. While Marie Antoinette conjures up the image of the free spirited teen, gobbling down cakes and candy all day long amid dress fittings, according to EM Vidal, Marie Antoinette was more well behaved. She shushed people using the f-word around her and ate little more than barley bread during the famine. Then again, there was that little gambling problem she had. Sinner or saint, she's fabulous.

Smells Like Teen Spirit

2008-01-28T16:12:00.000-05:00

Some call it angst. To others, it's rebellion. If you've ever wondered what teen spirit smells like, look no further than Marie Antoinette. Recreated by Francis Kurkdijan and sold by the Chateau de Versailles, "M.A. Sillage de la Reine" is what historians claim Marie Antoinette's perfume would smell like. Made from all natural products, hits of rose, iris, cut jasmine, tuberose and orange blossom complement cedar and sandalwood scents and tonkin musk and precious grey amber base notes finish the scent.

Marie Antoinette

2008-01-28T09:33:00.000-05:00

I imagine that when people think "bookclub", they think of 60-year old women gabbing about Nora Roberts' latest would-be book. Quelle horreur! Well a few friends and I decided to create a women's biographies bookclub. We met yesterday for the first time with the daunting task of choosing our first book. With a ton of strikingly fabulous women to choose from including Bette Davis, Hilary Clinton and Joan of Arc, we settled on Marie Antoinette.

So I've decided to dedicate my blog for this week to Marie-Antoine. The biography that we're reading is entitled "Marie Antoinette: The Journey" written by Antonia Fraser. It inspired Sofia Coppola's film - which is probably the most beautiful film I've ever seen - and follows the life of a young Austrian girl stripped of the comforts of home, including her adorable pug, and thrown into the role of Dauphine and eventually Queen of France.

The girliest of cupcakes

2008-01-25T15:14:00.000-05:00

Flowers scream girly-girl. Since that's exactly what I am, I swooned over these floral c-cakes. Pretty!

V-day Cupcakes

2008-01-24T13:43:00.001-05:00

Awww! As much as I feel like throwing up at the idea of Valentine's Day - says the single girl - I adore these cute V-day cupcakes.

If you're so inclined to make 'em for your man, here's the recipe from Martha Stewart's website:

Makes 12

* 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
* 3/4 cup sugar
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Dutch-process
* 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
* 6 tablespoons buttermilk
* 1 large egg
* 1 large egg white
* Light Cream-Cheese Icing
* Candy decorations (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard 12-cup muffin tin (or 6-cup muffin tins) with paper liners. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
2. With an electric mixer, combine cocoa and 3 tablespoons hot water until a thick paste forms (this process intensifies the chocolate flavor). Add butter, buttermilk, egg, and egg white; beat until combined. Whisk in flour mixture until smooth.
3. Scoop (or spoon) batter into prepared tin(s). Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. For the light cream-cheese icing:With an electric mixer, beat 3 ounces softened reduced-fat cream cheese and 1 cup confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. (To make without a mixer, sift sugar before stirring into cream cheese).
5. Use an offset spatula or butter knife to spread icing over tops. Decorate as desired.

(From Everyday Food)

Capital Cupcake

2008-01-23T10:46:00.001-05:00

(Thanks for the pic Simply Anne from flickr)

How can it be that Ottawa doesn't have a cupcake shop? What are we? Betty Crocker loyalists? Well here's what the rest of the country has to offer in the way of cupcake shops. Drool over this...

Toronto:
The cupcake shoppe with flavours from "Yonge n' Eligible" to "Sleepless in Toronto", the sweets look as good as they sound.

Babycake Cupcakes offer "Velvet Underground" and "Polar Bear" cupcakes. Yum.

Montreal:
Check out Itsi Bitsi in Montreal. They've got special cupcakes for the days of the week. Ooooh! "Fennel Orange" Tuesdays!

Now I've died and gone to diet heaven. Clever Cupcakes have "Wholesome Cupcakes" that are made with 100% whole wheat and sweetened with Agave nectar. Ok...it doesn't sound as fabulous as a good ol' sugar fest but they're good for you! Swoon!

Vancouver:
Cupcakes Online has seasonal cupcakes from "Donutella" to "Sweet Sixteen"

I was sure there would be a vegan cupcake store in Vancouver but alas...nada.

Now we've just got to get some cupcake action in Ottawa and we'll be set.

Pacman c-cakes

2008-01-22T14:47:00.000-05:00

Honestly, I just thought these were hilarious. Thanks for the laugh, Naomi from Flickr

Sweet fix

2008-01-21T14:38:00.000-05:00

Have you ever noticed yourself glued to the food network when you're watching the scale? It's January. We're all on diets. But I still need my sweet fix. Even if it's just to look at.

Check out the cupcake shoppe in Toronto.

Believe!

2007-12-17T14:57:00.001-05:00

Since it's entirely a faux-pas to dress up in snow man sweaters ourselves, we'll live in vicarious Christmas cheer through them. These T's are available in pink, blue, green, white and black too!

($30 xs to $40 xl, Ruff Knits)

It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that bling

2007-12-04T13:43:00.000-05:00

Move over Fido. You might be man's best friend but girls know where real loyalty lies. Diamonds. They won't chew on our stilettos or yap when the doorbell rings.

(Tiffany Starburst ring in platinum, $3500)

(Tiffany in 18k white gold, $3500)

(Tiffany in platinum, $3900)

On the rocks

2007-12-03T14:46:00.000-05:00

"On the rocks" takes on a whole new meaning when the rocks in your beverage look like diamonds, emeralds or saphires. Your guests will love these cool jewels ice cube trays from CB2 at your Christmas cocktail party. Drink up!

All that glitters is usually gold

2007-12-03T12:16:00.000-05:00

When I was eight, I used to wear my favourite gold dress to school on a regular basis. It was probably far too glam for a day of arts and crafts but I guess I knew then that fashion is never practical. I might not rush out to buy a gleaming dress for work wear but I am glowing about gold's comeback.

(LaFemme, $318)

(Gap, $39.50)

(Tory Burch, $225)

Happy December 1st!

2007-12-01T13:00:00.000-05:00

The holiday season is officially upon us! I'm going to celebrate by cranking the Christmas tunes. I wish you a very merry start to your holidays.

Stripe it up!

2007-11-30T16:15:00.000-05:00

I'm seeing stripes everywhere this season: cris-crossed, vertical and horizontal. Worried that wearing a horizontal stripe will add another ten pounds to your look? Limit the trend to your accessories exclusively.

(Jacob, Gap, Urban Outfitters)

Snow Angel

2007-11-28T16:03:00.000-05:00

Rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes will pop against a cream coat and hat. Use textures and sparkle to take winter whites from boring to beautiful.

(Free People Clothing Boutique, Bebe)

Fake your love for the outdoors

2007-11-28T10:13:00.000-05:00

For the girl who falls flat on her behind when she steps on the ice, these coats are for you. It screams winter sports nut all on its own. No skating lessons required.

(American Eagle Outfitters)

Pretty is Practical

2007-11-26T20:49:00.000-05:00

It's a scarf. It's a hat. It's ADORABLE. I know everyone's donning hats for '08 but how can you deny yourself a winter accessory that can save your hair from frizzing during a snowfall and also reduce your chance of getting 'hat head'?

(Urban Outfitters)

Primary Colours

2007-11-26T14:28:00.000-05:00

Pre-new year snow. It kicks your holiday spirit into overdrive and indulges your desire to bake Christmas cookies, watch White Christmas and It's a Wonderful Life back to back and dress your pug in elf outfits. But think ahead a month or two. The snow's still there but Santa's skipped town and you're left to undeck the halls. Beat the winter blahs with a pop of colour.

(Urban Outfitters, The Gap)

Snow underfoot

2007-11-26T11:25:00.001-05:00

I'm lusting after these snug boots by American Eagle Outfitter. They're perfect for stomping around the block to get a look at your neighbours' Christmas lights. Did the Smiths upstage the Jones's this year? Who cares? All eyes are on you and your cute boots.

Smitten Mittens

2007-11-24T22:53:00.000-05:00

For the couple who can't take their hands off eachother, the smitten mitten will keep their hearts and hands warm.

Sip it. Sip it, good.

2007-11-23T15:05:00.000-05:00

Watching your boyfriend zip across the rink in his hockey gear might make you hot for him, but it'll only keep you warm for so long. Once your teeth start chattering, you'll be glad you had a warm chai latte on hand. Suddenly being a puck bunny's not all that bad.

(Bodum, Starbucks, Life is Good, Brugo)

Nippy

2007-11-23T14:36:00.000-05:00

If Jack Frost has his way, we'll have to bundle up. So what'll we do? Relocate to Jamaica? Hibernate indoors? Nah. We won't mind the storm much dressed in these Banana Republic and Tommy Hilfiger coats. So go ahead and brave it.

Snowed in

2007-11-23T11:30:00.000-05:00

The weather's dipped below zero and the snows all a flurry. These cozy hats and gloves from American Eagle Outfitters will keep you toasty and cute while shoveling the lane.