I’ve been going through the motions, mired within some serious blog writer’s blog defunct, and I won’t lie – it’s been fairly hideous and non productive.  Thus the blogging returns with a particularly delicious collection of velvet trappings.  These are not your average plain Jane velvets; we’ve tossed aside the droll figure skater dresses and replaced them with elastic waist mini shorts and deliciously printed velvet maxi skirts.

If velvet footwear is more your thing, Topshop’s pompom slippers, House of Harlow’s throwback Bailey boots and Penelope Chilvers’ red Cubana boots are just the thing for fall creeping.  For those with a streak of vampiric dandyism, Unconditional’s jacket is a beautiful piece, while Topshop’s Cross tunic and Marc Jacobs’ velvet top are perfect for day to day professional dressing.

I’ve been sent $150 from Value Village, and I’m about to see if I can locate 3 complete outfits (I’m talking hat to shoe, here!) with that $150.  It’s going to be tough, but I’m going to be using all of my thrifting skills [and a bit of luck, as is always needed when thrifting] by exploring the Vancouver areas’s best Value Village spots.

I’m damn determined to find pieces that are going to shock you; it’s happened before, and I’m certain today’s soggy transit fuelled search will yield some brilliant results yet again.

I’ll be shooting these outfits in the next week (approx), so you’ll see exactly what the pieces look like, will have the all important detail shots, prices of each items and which location I found each item at.

Watch this video, get acquainted with L.A.’s Roark Collective, pledge some support to their cause, and help them create their SS12 collection.  If you’re completely unfamiliar, Roark is within the Odyn Vovk, Rick Owens minimalistic drape vein, and is quite spectacular in my opinion (if you’ve never seen the leather pieces, you must!)

Roark has till November 21, 2011 to raise $35,000 (they’re at $945 so far), and if they don’t meet that goal they don’t collect any money from donors.  Be a champ and put some dollars towards a great label that supports North American design, has their pieces made within the USA and really designs some rather beautiful pieces.

Check ‘em out on Facebook and donate, even if it feels minimal, little bits really add up.

Peek over to the right at that amazing talon ring, fresh from the new, Vancouver designed, Army of Roksz jewelry range. The AOR collection includes a motley group of claws, nails, native inspired carved shapes in silver discs and crystal shards, so pretty much the hottest accessory trends of the current market.

I have a claw ring, which basically wears like a claw shaped brass knuckle.  It’s pretty amazing, and even better due to the designer carving all pieces first out of wax, then hand casting each unique piece.

Even better is she takes custom work; nothing is off limits! Pick her brains, beacuse it will be truly worth it.

If you want a piece of the action, visit Jennyfleur Loves in Yaletown, which is the only retailer in Vancouver to carry the range.

Bodysuits are the key for mix and matching, creating amazing holiday looks and generally one upping te females around you, and I’m convinced that bodysuits are key for holiday and New Years’ dressing successes.

My plans for New Years includes grabbing that velvet Topshop harness piece with a wide A-line skirt cut up in an asymmetrical style with the edges all raw and fraying.  Creative dresses are getting so expensive, and why spend a flash of cash on one piece, when you can mix and match to create multiple pieces?! Seriously.

Other highly loved mentionables include the Topshop Caged, We Are Handsome’s The Knight, The Lake And Stars’ Fingerprint, VPL’s Harness and Wolfrod’s Wild Lace.

Come and see the art show that I’m participating in on November 10th!

If you want a preview of what you’ll be seeing, I shot the photo in the background of the flyer below.  There is a complete set of five, along with 8 other artists, so you’ll have lots to see.

Opening event is Thursday November 10th, though the show runs till the 22nd if you can’t make the original opening.  The show is at Rize [Googlemap] in my hood, Mt Pleasant, Vancouver.

Valentino’s studded lady flats are a safe stretch for the conservative ladies to expose a bit of edge, especially with their very ballerina pointed design and nude shade.  Jeffrey Campbell’s Bad Alice have brought the design to a wide audience, now with a contrast T-strap

Whether or not you believe in the institution of very close knockoffs, this is one trickle down style that many are going to be grabbing at.

Cult favorite Noir Jewelry is on sale at Prive right now.. that means these amazing leather and hardware spiked cuffs are $38-120 each.

My personal favorites are shown; these would look fantastic stacked up a single arm! The black/gold cone cuff ($110, from $265) and thicker cuff with spikes ($75 from $90) definitely reign supreme.

As a fan of Karen Walker (I own the Bunny frames shown below), I’m always on the lookout for new loopy sunglasses.  I ended up stumbling across the Something Else by Natalie Wood site, wherein I discovered that she is launching a new eyewear collection.  As it turns out, the group looks pretty similar to Karen Walker’s range, a Kiwi to our Aussie Natalie Wood.

Check out the Radiant Frame below by Something Else; they sure look like echoes of the Bunny to me.  The rest of the collection looks like a less angular version of the Walker set; decide for yourself here.

Colored denim is so passe; we’re officially diving head first into the realm of the richly hued cordoroy trouser.  Cords are no longer purely the property of Paddington Bear; these are  serious contenters in the denim world’s fight for supremecy. If you doubt, scan the selections below; these are rich options, people.

While I’m partial to the darker red J Brand 511s, the purple and teals follow in close second and thirds.  For more primary lovers, Rag & Bone’s red and Sandro’s royal blue are just the thing.  For those that really aren’t into the color parade (I know you’re out there); J Brand’s burgundy almost passes for a worn in black, but there’s no real fun in that, is there?

I’m thinking of adding this to the holiday gift guide.  What do you think; a printed Gaultier brick of pure goooooold, retailing for just about $1,681 (the product sways with market value, like lobsters).

Anyway, yes? I’m thinking this is a devilishy wonderful new addition to the affluent paperweight collection.

Below are two outtakes from the photos I’ve created for an uncoming group show themed on movement at the Rize space in Mount Pleasant, Vancouver.  The photos in the collection are anonymously themed; the images are about the body of the subject, how she moves and what is created during the movement.

Event details in flyer form are coming up, but the opening night is November 11th.  I want to see you there!

Unagaro may have gotten dotty last season, but the real polka prime time is fall.  This is advantageous as The Outnet has a handful of quite lovely Ungaro pieces that have been marked down 80%.  Aside from the basis that the regular price for pieces from this house is beyond outrageous, think instead of yourself getting a $2,300 dress for $460.

Three favorite pieces are the chiffon and wool bodycon, printed silk wrap and [my personal favorite] the asymmetrical A-line.   I feel like these polka dots are the anti dalmatian effort; these are definitely a refined pattern to contrast more carefree animalia.

When black and grey dominates winter looks, you need to have a bag for an evening out that all but spanks everyone that looks at it.  This can be attained by the Nuevo and Palmero clutches; both genuine leather accessories by HOB Design.  I was quite surprised that these are actual leather [handmade] pieces at this price.

The shop these were picked up at is B-Unik, which supports independant artists who actually make some really cool stuff.  There’s a bonus for Canadians, since B-Unik is located in BC, which means no import fees for orders staying in the country!

Want a bonus bonus? Use promo code “lovetoblog” to get 10% off your order.

Claw jewelry is a sashay away from taxidermy, and I have to admit I’m loving every minute of it.  I first found the Pamela Love eagle claw necklace while perusing SSense, and now I’m on a rampage!

The high street has quite a few inspired by pieces, my favorites being Modekungen’s ring, Iosselliani’s earrings and Noir x DC Comics’ earrings.  MDKG’s cuff is a pretty good inspiration piece as well, and for a reasonable rate.

Dominic Jones’ ring is a safe mid-range purchase, while Ann Demeulemeester’s claw cuff  and chain wrap bracelet are both certainly  killers!

Capes always make me feel like I’m a kid in dress up clothes again, running around the city or riding your bike feeling invincible.  While these are a higher level of personal costuming, they still deliver the same result (for me, at least!)

Fall 2011′s capes are interesting; they seem to be either armless takes on military styles as YSL’s button up, Burberry Brit’s leather trimmed, Ralph Lauren’s Healtherly and Gryphon’s Sherlock are a small group of excellent examples.  Others, like DKNY’s two tone wool and Zero+MariaCornejo’s leather and shearling are just as if your favorite blazer or jacket had lost its arms!

For excellent leather utility bags, these Marc by Andrew Marc bags are pretty much what you’ve been waiting for. There are a good lot of pieces in multiple colors available, including the Backstage cross body ($145) to Backstage satchel ($186) and Backstage tote ($180).

These bags tickling your fancy? Get into Beyond The Rack straight away!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  I guarantee you know someone who has been affected by the big C, so give the video below a little play and get acquainted with Telus’ Pink Network.

Fan and add to the photo gallery on The Pink Network’s Facebook, and Telus will donate $1 to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.  $25 is also donated for every Blackberry Curve 9360 sold, as well as $5 from every pair of pink Wicked Metallics headphones. They are prepared to donate $400k, so do your part.

When it comes to skirts in the fall, a little longer length, a slap of color here and there, and a close cut is just the ticket.  There are a handful of wool skirts from J. Crew that are just perfect for affordable standout additions to your wardrobe; favorite colors are definitely viridian green, vibrant flame and spicy gold.

For color blocking fans, Preen’s Fox skirt is a Harrods’ exclusive, though you’ll be paying for the privilege.  To add some spice to the more conservative cut, Kelly Ewing’s vertical stripe, Moschino’s polka dot and Marni’s block print are excellent pieces to break up an otherwise monochromatic look.

For basic grey, Robert Rodriguez’s grey is a proper basic, while Vivienne Westwood’s Waterfall and Moschino’s biker asymmetrical zip up appropriate for any office or professional scenario.

While we’re in the day and age where many Photoshop their Facebook profile photos, and routinely expect what we’re seeing to be an exaggeration of the truth.  One iconic photo we expected to be fairly close to the real thing was Audrey Hepburn’s iconic Breakfast At Tiffany’s photo, which was apparently airbrushed to add some extra perfect.

The biggest shock to me in all this was they used to mark pen on a photograph to mark where it was to be airbrushed. How archaic!