The Royal Wedding

Granted, I am an incurable romantic, and thus, would not have missed the coverage of the Royal Wedding for anything. I also love fashion, (being a fashion photographer, ) and was as curious as all the rest to find out at last,  which designer Kate chose.

The dress; exquisite, yet understated, modest, elegant. --  designed by Sara Burton, for the House of  Alexander McQueen. 

Kate's second dress of the day, also by McQueen. Strapless gown with  circle skirt and diamante detailing at the waist. A simple white shrug tops the look. Very elegant in its simplicity and Kate wears it well. It does not "wear her!" , as more elaborate , "fussy" dresses tend to do.  It is also very appropriate for these more austere times. 

Prince Charles and Prince William, dashing , in tuxedos.

Hats were de rigueur, and here are just some that I liked;

Victoria Beckham has great fashion sense. 

I'm not sure about these 2 though!  Hope they never sit in front of me at the opera!

In memory of Cayle Chernin.

I resolved to post only happy, upbeat  things in my blog but since I count actors a large segment of my clientele, I feel it appropriate to share the following herewith;
Celebrated Canadian actress, teacher, mentor, documentary filmmaker Cayle Chernin passed away on February 18th.
As a friend of Cayle and her husband Dwight, I was privileged to attend the memorial evening held at the Bloor Cinema last night,  honouring Cayle and celebrating her life.   I took some still photographs for Dwight --and for the ACTRA archives,----capturing the spirit of the evening, the tributes, the entertainment, the laughter, the tears.
From the huge turnout,  it was obvious that Cayle was much loved. Among the luminaries who paid tribute   to this fine actor of stage and screen, --star of Don Shebib's classic Canadian film "Goin' Down the Road" an its recently completed sequel "Down the Road Again",-- were, --Don Shebib himself and Jayne Eastwood, who costarred with Cayle.
Her husband, actor Dwight McFee, had this to say; "We know this; Cayle Cernin loved her work. she brought joy, insight, wisdom, grace and beauty to the creative process" Her obvious love of life, love of art, love of being an artist, her enthusiasm, her joy were contagious. I felt her company uplifting.

Though Cayle  has left us, she will not be forgotten. The Cayle Chernin Memorial Fund was created by husband Dwight, to honour the nurturing spirit of the late actor. The fund will award an annual cash prize to an emerging female artist in the performing arts, alternating yearly between theatre and film/digital media.  

Cayle Chernin 1948-2011

One of the still photos I took during rehearsals at the Factory Theatre, last June.

Don Shebib, paying tribute to his star  Cayle-in "Goin' Down the Road"

Jayne Eastwood reminiscing

A celebration

Eat, drink and be merry!---which is what we all did , with family, this Easter Sunday.
Good food, good wine and good conversation----and a good time was had by all!

My little niece did such a great job painting a variety of  Easter eggs, she put me to shame----and baking is not my forte either.   I decided, I'd better stick to photography.

More tradition;

Looking forward to tomorrow.  Getting together with family , ----Easter Sunday.
Usually lots of fun,  and photo ops, -of the family portraiture kind . What  can I tell you....no rest for the wicked!  (Photography is in my blood.)

Tradition

 I hate rain. All week it has been overcast and  raining. But today, the sun came out  just in time for the Good Friday procession. So why wasn't I happy about it?  
Well,   "anything worth doing, is worth doing well",   is my motto, and we photographers know that a sombre subject needs sombre, moody lighting. Sunshine is NOT it!  Still, I carried on . I sure had photogenic subjects. I looked for all the world like a photojournalist, with all my gear, and got so immersed in my photography, that I forgot to memorize where I parked the car. ---I had a hell  (oops, so sorry!)--heck of a time  finding it at the end!  But walking back, I ran into an old acquaintance. An excellent photographer, who has been photographing this event annually, --for decades-----rain OR shine.

(As for me, --I could get to like street photography--and photo journalism!)

Are those Nikes?----just asking!

Guess where!

Some people I came across  today, on.....................................................College street!

Decisions , decisions

Guess what!  I bought beautiful cards to send family on the West coast. Only trouble is, -----I forgot to send them!                     The last time I was there though, I photographed some arrangements---just snapshots with my IPhone, ----at the local florist. Luckily, I kept their card.   Now the only problem is, .....which arrangement to choose?   Never could make up my mind!......By the way, ...did I mention ...I'm a Libra?

Anyway, here are my range of possible choices;    H-E-L-P !!!

Animal print

Animal prints are still "in"!--(Were they ever "out"?)  There is something about animal prints that I really love----and of course, --I am not alone!

Like most women, --I LOVE shoes!

No, this is NOT from the Bata Shoe Museum. This is current "Wearable Art!"--and affordable, too!

Beauty

What a depressing day this has been. No?  Here we are --in mid April,   and it is so very cold, ---and snowing!   I was quite depressed, when suddenly, I spotted this flower stand--- -in the mall. It was     overflowing with gorgeous, colourful flowers,--- just the thing needed to lift my spirits. Beauty always does that for me.

Jeanne Beker, I love you!

Want to see my latest purchases? --perfectly justifiable expense, since Jeanne's new clothing line ,"Edit", is very wearable, flatters my somewhat ample figure and flatters my ego , too! (I wear 2 sizes smaller in Jeanne's clothes, than in other clothing lines.)  The pant actually goes up to the waist, which means it is sooo  comfortable and figure flattering. No unsightly bulges happening as can be the case with hip huggers, if worn by "real" women like me.  Practical, comfortable AND stylish. Priced well too!  How many clothing lines can claim that?  Most designers just don't get it!  Jeanne does.--Real women, mature women want to look stylish and fashionable too.  For me, Jeanne makes that possible. As an added plus, these clothes have staying power. They will not be "out" in 4-5 months time, so they are real value for money.
Thank you Jeanne Beker!

Good advice

Seen , posted on the door  of my next-door neighbour at the studio;

A tall order? Perhaps, but ideals certainly worth aspiring to, so I thought I would share them with you.

Cheers. 

In praise of shopping

Did I mention before that Retail Therapy is good for your health? In fact, it is recommended that we engage in it daily. It promotes longevity.
Perhaps this gentleman has heard the news too. I saw him at the entrance to The Bay--at Sherway.   (I cannot lie, I was not on vacation at some exotic locale!)
I thought the garment was so exotic, so colourful and attractive, I just HAD to photograph it.  (What a nerve, huh?)  The gentleman had no trouble with granting my request, and was most gracious .
But I really AM a pest, no?

Art exhibition.

Back at the mall----again!
Sherway Gardens is a Happening Place!  Today, I came across an art exhibition there. An exciting, vibrant show. Take a look;

Maybe he doesn't agree !

Oh well, you can't please everyone,

Seems......everyone's a critic!

This just in;   -in The Star that is;

"Ottawa auctioning off thongs  to help balance budget."  Honestly,--I didn't make this up---and to prove that , here is the photograph .

The article continues;

"Ottawa;-It gives a whole new meaning to Crown assets. The Government of Canada in its ongoing quest to balance the books is selling off government property, including --ahem--ladies' thong underwear.It's all about the , uh, bottom line. After all, the Conservative Government has vowed to eliminate the deficit four years from now. Property seized by or forfeited to the Crown must be disposed of.  Public Works and Services Canada's website is currently displaying a range of sexy thongs that come in pink, magenta, violet, blue, silvery black, white and nude.  The thongs along with a pile of bras were among items stolen from an Ottawa lingerie boutique recovered by the Ottawa Police Service. "

Think I'll get a few.  Just to help balance the budget. -----They'll look great under the Ku Klux Klan tunic. (See yesterday's blog)

The future of fashion (?)

I wish I had taken a photo. It didn't occur to me yesterday.
At the Total Health Show  (see yesterday's blog)------I saw a girl , dressed for all the world, like a Ku Klux Klan member!   After I did a double take, someone explained that she was wearing special clothes intended to repel the harmful electro magnetic radiation we are bombarded with in our modern environment.  On closer examination, I could see silver threads woven into the cotton-like white fabric.  This  shapeless tunic with long sleeves and a pointy hood, was most unbecoming---but practical, I guess.    Since I wouldn't be caught dead in it, I never bothered to find out about price.
On the plus side though, being a one-size-fits-all tent,    it would hide a multitude of sins . And, this would be a great equalizer; like the drab (navy) uniforms worn by all (til recently) , --in China for instance.
No more envying the rich in their Guccis or Ferragamos or Jean Paul Gaultiers. School kids could actually concentrate on their studies  instead of coercing their mother to break the bank  so as to buy them what  Justin Bieber or Hanna Montana wear---this week!
Look out  house of Chanel,  Dior   etc, ---we might be onto something here after all!

..and who will need Fashion Week?

This is what said garment looked like......I swear!

Lost it! Rewrote it!

Oh no!   I just wrote my latest blog---and lost it! I forgot to save it!
I wrote about the Total Health Show I attended today.   I sat in on some terrific lectures on various health issues, --while munching on  a Hot Dog---probably full of Sodium Nitrates!  (well, I was hungry!) I learned more about energy, vibration frequencies, auras of different colours etc. A lot of stress was placed on the dangers of cell phone use and radiation emitted from the likes of wireless phones, computers, etc. Scared out of my wits, I bought a small that attaches to the back of my IPhone  steel-like plate that we stuck to the back of my IPhone, for protection from harmful radiation.   (Know what this plate and religion have in common? There's no proof that either works, -both require blind faith!   )   Actually, the sales lady did try to prove something; instructing me to hold the phone -with-gadget  to my ear, she asked " do you feel the difference(now that the miraculous gadget is attached?)  "Oh yes, definitely!  I see it!  " ---I lied, --not daring to admit the truth. (Reminds me of the story of The Emperor's New Clothes!)
But, gadget or no gadget, ---I resolved to cut down my gossiping on my cell, by half.
I also stocked up on reading material,---great stuff that are destined to take  their place among the few dozen other books that I will get around to reading ..........one day.
Take a look;

Really good news!

Just heard on CTV----Shopping is good for you!  I'm not kidding!   It can seriously extend your life!--but only if you do it regularly,-often!  who knew?    Well, actually, I suspected this all along, but, no-one would believe me. --and in case they still don't, I have the video newsclip to prove it.)
(Does this mean  I should live to be 1000?)

Look out Winners, -here I come!  (Well, at least it's not Holt Renfrew!)

How to kill your budget!

Hey did you notice the cool hairstyles on those mannequins in my blog yesterday?  To die for!--I thought. --and so, I had hairstyles on the brain for a good portion of the day. ---shallow, huh?   Well anyway, I was on this feel-good exercise of window shopping, when all of a sudden, inside a store, I spotted this sales lady  sporting the best looking hairstyle ever!  So, timidly, I sidled up to her and made my confession;  "Lady, I am not in this store to buy clothes, --I want your hairstyle!"---or something to that effect. (I do this often, accost perfect strangers on the street, and beg them to let me capture their neat "DO" with my IPhone. Then, I present it to the hairdresser (the photo , that is,)------and walk out 3 hours later, with hair that looks nothing like my sample photo.  Ever happen to you?
Well, anyway, the saleslady must have been flattered to be asked, because she was most kind, and consented to my taking her image; so, I reached for my IPhone  and guess what.........it was not there!  Oh no!  I left it at home!    When would she be in again?--I asked. (what a nerve,---right?)  Wednesday,---she said. so, back i came on wednesday---only.........SHE WASN'T THERE!    Well, she was there, but on her break or something.   So, what's a girl to do?      I went shopping ,---to kill time  (and my budget!)
Whoever coined the phrase "Shop until you Drop"  must have been thinking of ME!     I had a ball!  an absolute orgy!
But now, the guilt has set in!  Withdrawal is hard!--as any addict will tell you . great highs, followed by excruciating lows. ---and I still have to go back for that photo. (Have to? What do you mean HAVE TO?---Well, I will be on this T.V. show in a week, you see,---and I SO want an edgy hairdo!)   But on this return trip to the mall, how will I avert my eyes  from all the surrounding temptations? It's a test I MUST NOT fail this time!
Saleslady, ----this is all YOUR fault!   if only you stayed put that day!-----just kidding....!
Anyway, I ended up with some timeless pieces of sartorial splendour----------by looking for hairstyles!
Go figure!

More about my terrific "finds" later, but now, here are a couple of the mannequin manes that started it all!;

Oh no,---I missed Fashion Week!

How could I  ?   I ,   photographer and former model, --I missed Fashion Week!  How could I?
However, strolling through Sherway Gardens the other day,  I got a glimpse of  some of the highlights of the season. (Fashion Week showcased next Fall's trends anyway,--and I am in  Spring frame of mind.)
Ah, to shed all these layers, to cast off heavy coats, sweaters. Lighter weight fabrics, lighter colours, sexier styles---I can hardly wait!    It is ironic though, that I have the most clothes for the season that needs the least. The colours, the patterns, the styling--so much more exciting in the spring and summer   (I think, anyway.)  Here is a cross-section of what I saw on display;

What do you think? Think I could resist all this?  Check back. I will let you know tomorrow.