I've mentioned the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics a thousand times,

so my excitement has been obvious for months. They're now only days away from beginning and Vancouver is experiencing the nicest February (I think) we've ever had. So with the sun shining I can't help but get excited for warm weather and most importantly - my upcoming trip to Cuba! Which is in 20 days, not that I'm counting. Currently loving...

Fashion meets the Vancouver 2010 Olympics

in this month's issue of TLC (This Little City) Magazine. I assisted the stylist for the shoot and when I heard that the editorial was going to be Olympic themed, I thought "oh hellllllll no" with no concept of how it could be pulled off. I (obviously and pleasantly) was proven wrong by my good friends Elie Tahari, D&G, Haute Hippie, Mandula, Aime, Robert Rodriguez, John Fluevog, Diane von Furstenberg, Missoni and more.

Photography by Trevor Brady and Styling by Karen Munnis of Judy Inc.

Another Olympic editorial that's a must see is Style Republic Magazine's "Hockey Night in Canada", shot by Mike Chatwin and styled by Jason Matlo. The 4th photo in is my favourite.

Is everyone getting excited for the Olympics? Vancouver - we're 8 days away!

ps. Add me on Facebook! Let's take our friendship past a page view or a blog comment.

FMA Entertainment Weekly

There's a new show in town and it's for all of us lovers of fashion, music, art and lifestyle - the appropriately titled FMA Entertainment Weekly, featuring Vancouver's own Erin Ireland (@erin_ireland), Meena Mann (@MeenaMann) and Allison Warnyca. As an attendeee at their official launch party last week, I got the chance to grill the FMA ladies on the fashion, music and art they love. Mostly the fashion, of course.

Erin Ireland (left) and Meena Mann (right) after interviewing supermodel Coco Rocha (center)

First up, the fabulous Erin Ireland:

Erin interviewing Coco Rocha

How would you describe your style? Equestrian

Most recent purchase: the biggest, softest, cream-colored wool sweater

Favourite item(s) in your wardrobe: a light brown leather jacket that I bartered for in an Italian leather market and my Gucci purse bought in Florence 5 years ago which I still use everyday.

Styling tips: An outfit should always include one 'wow' item. Also, belt and shoes should always match (unless either is red & green and stands on its own).

Must haves/Wardrobe staples: A white collared shirt - classic fit and ultra white, and leather knee-high riding boots.

Currently Craving/Wish list: A Mackage black leather bomber and black Le Pepe riding boots.

Favourites to wear on FMA: neon pink lipstick (YSL #49), slim-fitting blazers and Lisbeth Jewelry.

Best interview yet: Sting. Unfortunately it was off the record at a premiere in London. We talked about his time in Vancouver rehearsing on the First Nations reserve.

Worst interview: A homeless guy on Granville street who I didn’t’ realize was homeless at first. Turns out he wasn't well. He followed us around and tried giving us something red and sticky-looking from a dirty jar.

Best/favourite part of your job: Easy - getting to test great food at events or restaurant shoots, then blogging about it: www.itstodie4.com

Worst part of your job: In the Spring and Summer I drive a Vespa and therefore have chronic helmet head hair. It doesn't look good on camera.

Fashion/Music/Art you’re currently loving: For music, Kay Musik – a Canadian living in LA on her way up the ranks. Her sound is a mix of Missy Elliot and Nelly Furtado.
For art: 'We, 2008' by Jaume Plensa, located in English Bay. It’s beautiful at night! It's part of the Vancouver Biennale.
For fashion: Zanerobe, a great preppy line out of Australia.

Vancouver hot spots…
Dining: Glowbal Group's Trattoria on 4th - specifically for the brussel sprouts! (just try them)
Drinking: Americano Soy Misto at Medina Cafe on Beatty street
Shopping: Club Monaco
Relaxing: making banana bread
Beautifying: Essensuals London (on Richards St.)

Erin (right) and ET Canada's Erin Cebula

Erin and Meena at the Whistler Film Festival

The lovely Meena Mann:

Meena on set

How would you describe your style? Conservative with a sexy edge. I like to have fun with my clothes but still feel like an empowered woman.

Style icons: Penelope Cruz is definitely the top of my list, followed by Madonna.

Most recent purchase: Firetruck red open toe pumps (worn with turquoise dress)

Favourite item in your wardrobe: There are a few items, love my Cowichan sweater along with my thin black short-sleeved turtle neck from Club Monaco, but if I had to choose one it would be my jean print and leather tights.

Styling tips: Always wear clothes that accentuate parts of your body your are confident about, and never let your clothes wear you.

Must haves/Wardrobe staples: Chunky bracelets and narrow to wide belts.

Currently Craving/Wish list: A sexy, feminine power suit.

Favourites to wear on FMA: I always like wearing bright colours on TV, or neutral colours layered with different patterns and designs.

Best interview yet: Two – Stacey McKenzie (Canada’s Next Top Model) and Roger Cross (Fringe and 24).

Worst interview: I’ve never had a bad interview but the most nervous one was supermodel Coco Rocha.

Best/favourite part of your job: Working with an exceptional team, but most of all introducing successful Canadians to local artists in hopes of inspiring them.

Worst part of your job: Forgetting to ask a question that you desperately wanted an answer to.

Fashion/Music/Art you’re currently loving: For fashion – chunky accessories and ultra high heels. For music – Beyonce’s latest album. For art – Vancouver artist Pamela Masik.

Vancouver hot spots…
Dining: Section 3 for their garlic and brie cheese platter, Pourhouse for dinner.
Drinking: Glowbal
Shopping: Top 3 stores are Club Monaco, Zara and Plenty.
Relaxing: English Bay Beach
Beautifying: Ignite in Gastown

Meena with Roger Cross post-interview

And the gorgeous Allison Warnyca, who you might recognize from Battlestar Galactica and Supernatural:

Erin, Meena and Allison on the red carpet at the FMA Launch Party

Favourite item in your wardrobe: My tie-dye yoga pants

Styling tips: Less is more.

Must haves/Wardrobe staples: Big badass leather boots, and Hanky Panky underwear

Currently Craving/Wish list: A little brown bomber leather jacket

Favourites to wear on FMA: My black Jonathan and Olivia dress (worn to launch party)

Best interview yet: Destineak! They just got engaged and were so amped up.

Worst interview: I haven't had one yet!

Best/favourite part of your job: Meeting amazing artists.

Music you’re currently loving: Gorgol Bordello – a Gypsy Punk band. I’ve never danced so hard in my life!

Vancouver hot spots…
Dining: Chambar (on Beatty St.)
Drinking: Abigail’s (on Yew St.)
Shopping: boutiques on Main St.
Relaxing: Infra red sauna at Flow (on Burrard St.)
Beautifying: Jogging in the rain.

From L to R: Erin Ireland, Meena Mann (both wearing JC Studio) & Allison Warnyca (wearing Jonathan & Olivia)

Be sure to catch FMA Entertainment Weekly, every Saturday night at 10:30 pm on KVOS!

Thanks again ladies! A special shout out to Erin for the launch party and for all your help. xo!

Me & City, Agyness Deyn and Orlando Bloom!

Yes, you read correctly - that does say Orlando Bloom. Apparently he still works, even though it's been 100 years since his last movie. A pirate turned model, he's featured alongside the darling Agyness Deyn in the Spring 2010 ad campaign for Chinese label Me & City. The duo portray a young Hollywood couple incapable of escaping the prying public eye.

All photos from Fashion Gone Rogue

Aren't they adorable? I wonder if he got tips from Miranda. I also wonder whose dogs those are, they were big selling points for me. I also also wonder where I can get my hands on that striped dress and that moto vest with the epaulets...

ps. Check out the Fashion & My City feature just launched on Alix Rose! As a blogger in this year's Olympic city, I was the first to kick it off. Thanks again Alix!

Hope in Haiti indeed,

judging by the fabulous turnout and generous support of many Vancouverites at the Hope in Haiti event at Barcelona nightclub last night. It was great to see so many familiar faces, but I definitely missed a few I would've loved catching up with. Regardless, it's wonderful to see people come together and really support such an important cause.

Inside Barcelona. To read the live blog of the event and for more (and much better!) pictures, check out Solo Lisa.

A Haute Mess readers have never seen these before...
Financially I suck right now and I don't really have any money to donate, so being able to help give money through shoes was awesome.

What I wore. A vintage dress and a vintage clutch and Christian Louboutin pumps. I had a bit of a Snooki poof going on too, please forgive me. I was aiming for the Sienna Miller in Alfie half-up-do ever since seeing pictures on Sterling Style, but ended up looking a little bit like the Jersey Shore.

Now that you've forgiven the pseudo-poof, please excuse my face. This dress will be for sale in The Haute Mess Shopping Emporium, opening... soon. I must apologize again for the delay, it's on the back burner for now until my schedule and the weather find common ground.

Looking to help? The Red Cross in Canada, The U.S., the European Union and all over the planet are in need of contributions and donations for Haiti Relief. Every little bit helps!

Haiti, Vancouver 2010 and Cuba?

What do they all have in common? Meeeee! Almost.

1. To all Vancouverites, have you bought your ticket to the Hope in Haiti fundraiser taking place this Wednesday at Barcelona? If not, stop reading this and go do it! It's going to be fun, there's good music and an awesome auction, including a pair of shoes donated by yours truly. But most importantly it will be a good time for a great cause.

Still not convinced? Before I e-slap you let me ask, what would George Clooney do?
Exactly. See you there!

2. The Olympics are here in 17 days! Vancouver can you believe it? World, are you excited? I'm really looking forward to meeting new and interesting people here for the Games and seeing our city transformed into an Olympic Wonderland. What I'm most looking forward to is the exciting news... I'm going to be covering exclusive events and parties during the Olympics for Aritzia! I can't share more than that for now but definitely will as soon as possible.

The 2010 Olympic rings in Vancouver

3. On a completely non-fashion related note... I'm going to Cuba! Sort of. But most likely. I'm hoping that by posting this online I will make it official, kind of like a Facebook relationship status. Ha. A couple of my friends and I are looking into taking off to Varadero for a week, so if anyone has any tips or good advice to share, I'd love to hear it.

A Haute Mess in Cuba?

ps. tweet with me on Twitter or join me on Facebook!

Alexander McQueen SS10 Campaign

How stunning is this?

Raquel Zimmerman (and snakes) photographed by Nick Knight for the Alexander McQueen SS10 ad campaign.

A Big Congrats to Jennifer P. from Massachusetts, winner of the Haute Giveaway, and thanks to everyone who entered and for all your enthusiasm. Until next time!