Read Full ArticleStandouts of the Canadian Fall/Winter/09 Fashion Weeks The skinny-over-caffeinated-indoor-sunglass-wearing-people have gone into hiding again - a dead giveaway that all the major fashion weeks have come to a close.Looking back on all the shows, Fall/Winter 2009 is all about black, metallic and form fitting clothes with interesting shapes. We highlight some stand-outs from the Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver Fashion Weeks:Denis Gagnon ~ Montreal Fashion WeekThere was an amazing mix of fabrics ranging from silks to leathers and furs. He used his... | ||
Read Full ArticleFitness at Home: 5 Tips In a few short weeks we'll be peeling off our warmer layers and working to banish our skin's sickly winter pallor with a few indulgent sunbathing sessions in the park.What's this... showing skin? Time to get in shape! If price, spare time, convenience and privacy are issues for you, working out at home may be the answer. With these benefits comes one major disadvantage: how do you stay motivated without access to shiny equipment and the watchful eye of a studly personal trainer?1... | ||
Read Full ArticleProduct Review Club: Maybelline New York Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation We are very excited to introduce you to new Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation from Maybelline New York.At ChickAdvisor H.Q we get to test a lot of new products before they hit the market (yes, we hate us too), so if we like something, it's well vetted. This new foundation from Maybelline New York is our current go to foundation for its impeccably smooth yet natural looking finish. It's no surprise we love it, since Maybelline's original Dream Matte Mousse is the #1... | ||
Read Full ArticleRandom Popular Product: Bio-Oil Wonder serum or just a brilliant marketing? Bio-Oil is on everyone's mind, and surprisingly, it's one of most popular searched items that drives traffic to ChickAdvisor. Though only a few of you have reviewed it, women are googling this product in droves and coming to ChickAdvisor to read about it. So we decided it was time to find out more about this product, and whether it deserves its rep.According to the manufacturer, Bio-Oil is intended to improve the appearance... | ||
Read Full ArticleBackStage Beauty with Eddie Maleterre ChickAdvisor had a chance to chat with world-renowned make-up artist Eddie Maleterre backstage at Toronto Fashionweek.Maleterre’s passion for enhancing the natural beauty of a woman is apparent – he works under pressure, smiling and laughing the whole time.Maleterre let us watch over his shoulder as he transformed one of designer Joeffer Caoc’s runway models. As he worked, he passed on his expert tips in creating this season’s hottest look – the Smoky Eye.“All the emphasis is on the... | ||
Read Full ArticleChocolate Truffles Easter - a time of reflection for some, a convenient excuse to break out the chocolate for others. This year, bid econochocolate a sneering adieu and try your hand at homemade truffles. They are easier than you think! ChickAdvisor member Pammy offers up her famous truffle recipe. Enjoy! Two-layer Chocolate Truffles Gooey inner goodness: 6 oz of quality chocolate (baking chocolate will do) in the flavor of your choice (dark, white, milk, etc) 2 Tbsp butter 1/4 cup whipping cream Slowly melt... | ||
Read Full ArticleToronto Fashion Week Celeb Sightings The lounge in Fashionweek’s main tent can be hectic at times. This is where the Who’s-Who of Canadian fashion pack themselves into tight quarters to schmooze and chat about the latest collections in between shows. On one side of the tent media personalities type frantically, posting their impressions of the last runway show online. On the other side, fashion icon Jeanne Beker interviews designers about their design inspiration. Amidst the buzzing energy, ChickAdvisor caught up with a pair... | ||
Read Full ArticleFashionWeek: How to Wear It Fashion is only art if you don't know how to use it. We break down some of the highlights of Toronto's FashionWeek Fall 2009: Zoran Dobric The Inspiration: The Serbian-born designer’s latest collection was inspired by the art of Gustav Klimt, electronica, and rap music. The Collection:The clothing is architectural, structural and geometric. The colour palette is predominately black and gray, with pops of pink and purple in his 60’s inspired dresses. From Runway to... | ||
Read Full ArticleHot Party Ideas for Rainy Days Spring has officially begun, but many of us just aren't feeling it yet. The trees are bare, the grass brown and crusty, and right now it seems like Spring is just another date on the calendar.Hiding indoors need not be a drag, so we rounded up a few fun party ideas to make time fly.Lazy Days Wine & Cheese MixerWe're slow coming out of hibernation, so keeping an event low-key is a must. Make it simple with a wine and cheese mixer or 'Battle of the Bands' Rock Band sing-off;... | ||
Read Full ArticleLG Fashion Week Fall 09 Picks and Pans I've been going to Toronto Fashion Week for 5 years since it was at the Liberty Grand and front rows were often supplemented with event staff to make shows look more full than they were. It took us practical Canadians a few seasons to warm up to fashion that wasn't imported and bedecked with our favourite European logos. Now Canadian Designers are starting to get some of the recognition they deserve, and that means bigger Fashion Week turnouts than ever. This season saw some... | ||
Read Full ArticleLast Chance Spring Ski Getaways Steals and Deals Spring is in the air, but we hanker for one last wintry getaway. If you've already received your income tax refund, there's no better time for a last minute trip to the slopes. With most locations reporting deep snow base and lots of fluffy powder, it's a no-brainer.Luckily, most resorts are offering value season pricing to stretch your economy-strapped buck. We daydreamed our way around some popular destinations to get you a sampling of the season's best deals:Mont Tremblant... | ||
Read Full ArticleFall/Winter 2009 Hair Trends with Eric Del Monaco ChickAdvisor met with Eric Del Monaco, Official Hair Artist and Colourist for L’Oréal Paris in Canada, to chat all things trendy in hair this season.Backstage at Toronto Fashionweek, Del Monaco managed to answer our burning tress questions, chat with friends, give the final approval to hairstyles going out onto the runway, all the while effortlessly creating the structural updos seen on designer Zoran Dobric’s runway models.“Last season was very clean, very polished,” said Del Monaco... | ||
Read Full ArticleH2O+: The Story Behind the Brand What pops to mind when you think of H20+? If you didn't say water, you might be a chemistry flunky like me. Or maybe you're already a devotee of this revolutionary skin care company and your thoughts turned to a bright airy store with rows of glass jars encasing sea and sky coloured skin pampering goodness. H20+ is an International skin care concept that is built on the healing powers of sea water and the revelation that a face cream could be gel based rather than a traditional white... | ||
Read Full ArticleThe ChickAdvisor Book Club We are excited to announce the launch of our newest feature: The ChickAdvisor Book Club!Since we're an online community, we have members all over the world. This is something that anyone can participate in regardless of where you live. The ChickAdvisor Book Club is hosted online in our ChickChat forum, and any member is welcome to join.The lovely Sumaya will be my co-host and we're sure this'll be a big hit. Tell your friends, and be sure to sign up here... | ||
Read Full ArticlePasta with Brown Butter Tomatoes and Asparagus This pasta recipe from ChickAdvisor member Creamsicle is really simple to make and absolutely delicious. We've tested it ourselves. Pasta with Brown Butter Tomatoes and Asparagus2 cloves garlic, minced2 cups (500 mL) grape or cherry_tomatoes1 lb (500 g) asparagus, trimmed and cut_into 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces1/2 tsp (2 mL) each salt and pepper4 cups (1 L) dried gnocchi, farfalle or shell pasta1/3 cup (125 mL) grated parmesan cheese2 tbsp (25 mL) chopped fresh... | ||
Read Full ArticleCanadian Designer Series: Carlie Wong Carlie Wong is running out of time. Yet she answers the phone with a relaxed hello. There is no P.R. girl, no snooty receptionist -- rather, a fashion designer in the humble beginnings of an illustrious industry. Humble, sure - but no less impressive.After thanking Carlie for speaking with me, I quickly realize how lucky I am to have some of her time – thirty dresses in thirty days. It’s a seemingly impossible equation. But behind all of the silk, chiffon, and cashmere this is a business of... | ||
Read Full ArticleWine Snob: How to Fake it Like a Pro You're sophisticated enough to know that a proper bottle of vino is the calling card du jour, but a bit of a novice when it comes to picking out something worthy. And should you actually choose something notable, will you be up to the challenge of carrying on an intelligent conversation about it?We asked Michael Fagan, wine 'Matchmaker' with one of the world's largest wine purchasers, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), for a few tips to help us fake it like a pro.How to... | ||
Read Full Article5 Cyber Dating Tips Life is busy. Between work, groceries, housework and “Grey’s”, there’s little time left to breathe let alone meet a man. Thankfully, along with iPhones and HDTV, the 21st century has also ushered in the new age of cyber-dating which means Mr. Right could be just a mouse click away.According to relationship experts, one of the top mistakes women make when dating is, - no kidding – not making enough time for dating! In other words, we want to meet The One but somehow creating that... | ||
Read Full ArticleClear Skin Essentials The smell of spring in the air is all the convincing we need to unwrap our woolen scarves and turn our faces to the sun. Very quickly we're reminded, though, how much more flattering and forgiving of wintry pallor and clogged pores interior light is than the bright sun's glare.It's time to put your best foot - erm - face forward, so we checked out your top advice for all things facial:Best Cleanser: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser First things first - a good cleanser preps the canvas... | ||
Read Full ArticleA Beginners Wine Tasting Guide The following is a beginner's wine guide from Michael Fagan, wine match maker with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO):For more wine tips read our interview with Michael. | ||