Changes

For two years, I logged my every thought and feeling on my first blog over at Friendster. (It still absolutely breaks my heart that I lost all of my content from those early days...) Following that has been my (just about) two and a half year run here at Blogger... but I suppose it was only a matter of time before I was antsy for another change. This weekend, I finally bit the bullet and made the move over to WordPress. I have to admit that I was fairly pleased with myself for doing as much of this on my own as I did; however, I also owe a million thanks to my little bro, Janine and Raul for all of their help with the transition.

Please update your feeds, bookmarks and blogrolls accordingly. The home of my "shiny new blog" is right here: Work In Progress

Thanks everybody for all of your support! I hope that you'll follow me into the next phase...

I Had To Find The Brake

I often feel like if I stop for one minute, I'll shut down and I won't be able to start back up again. Then like a house of cards, everything will come tumbling down. I'm a control freak and I'm attracted to extremes, so sometimes I don't even realize how hard I'm pushing myself.

In the last few weeks, I have been sicker than I can ever remember being. It has made me realize that I'm not invincible; that if I don't take care of myself, I won't be capable of doing what I need to do. Caught up with "being in the zone, " and so busy congratulating myself for how much weight I'd lost, I didn't even realize how little I was eating, the limited hours of sleep that I was getting, or how hard I was pushing my body with intense workout sessions. Commitments on top of commitments, and I couldn't ever bring myself to just say no. I kept motoring through. I hate letting people down, so will go to just about any length to avoid it. Go, go, go is what I did, until I finally hit my breaking point, and ended up being forced to do nothing but rest for almost two whole weeks. I started to genuinely worry that I was never going to get better. I guess this was my body's way of pulling on the reigns. Without balance, bodies, minds, and even machines break down. How easily I seem to forget that.

Finally starting to feel better, I have spent this weekend allowing myself to unravel, digging deep underneath all those layers of muck to see what was going on in the cluttered up parts of my mind and the empty spaces of my heart.

Life involves constantly readjusting priorities and trying find balance. I recognize now that I need to start making my health and well being a priority. I need to listen to my body and learn how to relax. Oh, how I've fought it. As it turns out, I'm actually not the energizer bunny.

I will rest tonight,
to the tips of my toes.

Butter And Blogs

I saw Julie and Julia, and loved it! It really made me want to think about some sort of short-term goal that I can set for myself, that makes every day a little more fun and challenging. Hmmm…

And if Sophie Dahl's book wasn't enough inspiration to get me to put on an apron and spend some time in the kitchen, this film certainly gave me an extra push in that direction.

Photos: Sony Pictures

Tennis, Anyone?

The season's final Grand Slam is here, and the all-white outfits from Wimbledon and clay-stained duds from Roland Garros have given way to some of the season's loudest fashion statements. Long the home of John McEnroe's headbands and the understated styles of Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, the courts at Flushing Meadows have seen everything from Serena Williams' cat suit to Roger Federer's monogrammed jackets in recent years. This year's U.S. Open is no different.


I've been glued to the action. Since opening day of the tournament, we've not only seen lots of seriously bold colours and designs on the athletes, but some great, classic looks as well.

Serena Williams rocked Fuchsia by Nike, while her sister Venus came back from a knee injury to win in a bright pink tennis dress featuring her specialized crest.


Bouncing back victoriously from her shoulder injury, Maria Sharapova advanced to the second round of the U.S. Open with a 6-3, 6-0 victory over Bulgaria's Tsveta Pironkova. As always, Sharapova looked fashionable in her black tennis dress with silver straps and a silver headband. Coordinated on all fronts! I'm lusting after her gorgeous Tiffany's earrings too. Maria always brings glamour to the court.


Today, she donned the same style dress in a pink tone with bright neon yellow details and swapped her headband for a visor.

17 year old Melanie Oudin knocked off the three-time Grand Slam champion and former No. 1 Sharapova 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 this afternoon in a huge upset. The youngster brought some style to the court with her colourful kicks.

Photo: Ladydragon

There are so many fashionably coordinated looks on the court at this tournament. If anybody understands how a great outfit can enhance your performance, it's me! (wink) Just putting this post together has pumped me up to get to the gym in some cute Roxy Athletix gear!

These days, a good sense of style seems to be just as important as good racquets and sneakers.

Here are some more of my favourite U.S. Open looks:


Okay, I've got my wardrobe, my sneakers and my racquet ready to go. Who wants to play me?

Photos courtesy of Sports Illustrated

A New Season In The City

The first episode of the second season of The City is set to air September 29th on MTV and I'd be a lying if I didn't admit that I can't wait. So many rumours, and by the sound of it, so many changes. As usual, what excites me the most, of course, is the fashion.

via People TV Watch:

First of all, her former boss Kelly Cutrone has made Whitney an offer she can’t refuse, to come back to People’s Revolution in New York, working “five, six hours a day” while at the same time working on her own fashion line.

Meanwhile, her former nemesis coworker at Diane Von Furstenberg, Olivia Palermo, is turning her promotion into a new job at Elle, where she’s already clashing with Erin Kaplan, a PR director for the fashion mag.

Since her days on The Hills, Whitney has always been focused on a career in fashion, but there will be two big distractions for her as season 1 continues. First, a pal from Los Angeles, Roxy Olin, has arrived at the doorstep of Whitney’s new West Village apartment, looking for a place to stay and a new job.

Second, of course, is a new guy. With Jay Lyon in her past, Whitney is single and hanging out with a cute new guy named Freddy.

Check out the trailer:




My girl crush on Whitney Port will undoubtedly carry on into the fall. Here are some recent photos of Whit out and about in New York. As always, I'm loving her quirky LA meets NY style.


**Photos are not property of Work In Progress. They have been taken from various websites. If your photo has not been credited and you would like it to be, please e-mail me.**

Carrie's Back

Filming for the second Sex And The City movie has begun in New York City. It's true, initially I wasn't totally pumped on the idea of another film, but I'd be lying if didn't admit that I am absolutely giddy over these first glimpses of the fabulously fashionable Carrie Bradshaw's wardrobe. Check out these photos taken on set this week...would you look at those Louboutins? Oh my!


SJP looked stunning in a white Halston dress and Christina Louboutin heels, carrying a Chanel clutch bag. The kicks are my favourite part... (how hot are those??)


Loving this gorgeous purple pleated dress and super glam flapper-esque Christian Louboutin Gino T-strap shoes.

Fashion guru Patricia Field is getting sky high marks right off the bat. Now bring on Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha!

Photos from various sources

Voluptuous Delights

Photo: Sermulher

Sophie Dahl, one of the most glorious women on the planet, shares delicious secrets from her slinky kitchen, funny stories and favourite recipes in a beautifully illustrated hardback:

Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights: The Art Of Eating A Little Of What You Fancy

As somebody with a pretty rocky relationship with food, (and who is by no means a cook) I really appreciate Miss Dahl's honesty (and fantastic suggestions). Her book, full of delectable recipes for each season, photographed to magical perfection and accompanied by her positively Mitford-esque writing voice and a luscious abundant take on food. Sophie also writes about her battle with weight and her body. Flirting with every food fad from Atkins to raw food over the years, she has had both misadventures and victories in her quest to have a sound healthy relationship with food. She writes about the how press never understood that her weight ballooned during her modeling years not because she was a compulsive over-eater or a "fatty," but because she felt the pressure of a hardened industry where she did not fit in. She ate for comfort, she ate for sadness, she ate because she felt the expectations of everyone telling her 'you are an inspiration for everyone normal and large', she ate because it seemed like she had to be big, otherwise what the hell was she doing in this glamourous world? Then she discusses how later, after she lost the weight, she had to deal with people all over the world commenting on her shape. People were telling her that she had sold out, that she had lost her confidence, that she was much better and more authentic when she was full- figured. Sophie's frank analysis of her body throughout her life shows considerable and commendable hindsight. She writes with such poignancy and pathos, I felt very sympathetic. I could also relate.

"I have been as round as a Rubens and as skinny as a twig," she writes in the introduction. Ultimately, her book is less about food and more about eating, if that makes any sense. The happy medium where she finds herself now, slim and fit, leaves her in a healthy position- which is where this book is coming from.

As Sophie writes, "we have to change our understanding of what is beautiful and what is sexy." She says that she has seen and been that woman who is "reed-thin and creamily voluptuous. The women who are truly sexy are those who eat sensibly, but don't count calories or stuff their faces. They exercise, but in a way that they enjoy. They are not prisoners to their body"

"Sexy," Sophie writes, "is inherent in a healthy appreciation for food, in having the energy to romp with your beloved, pick up your baby, cook dinner for your friends... it is feeling sated, having opinions and feeling alive."

Original, funny, quirky with a bit of whimsy, this glorious book is full of memoir, anecdote and delicious recipes, scattered with lovely Matisse-like line drawings that slope off the page. Love Sophie, love her book. I even find myself inspired to whip up some of her suggestions in my own kitchen. (Imagine that!)


Footnote:

Sophie Dahl now lives in London after an eight year sojourn in New York. Her grandfather was the late author Roald Dahl. Her first novel, Playing with the Grown-Ups, was published in 2007. She was contributing editor for Men's Vogue for three years and now works for, amongst others, British Vogue, American Vogue, Guardian, Spectator and The Times.

Photos: BBC

UPDATED:

Miss Vancity Allie asked a great question in the comments about the recipes in the book, so I thought I'd answer right here for everybody.

Each recipe takes a few good quality ingredients and with just some simple preparation and cooking a lovely dish emerges. The recipes are mostly vegetarian, with just a few chicken and fish dishes. There are no demands for special equipment or techniques. Just assemble your ingredients and, as long as you have a basic understanding of how a kitchen works, you’ll be fine. (This is perfect for somebody like me!)

Here are a couple of the first ones that I plan to try:

Pear and Ginger Muffins

Warm Winter Vegetable Salad

And just to give you all an additional little taster, here’s an example of a possible day’s menu for each of the four seasons:

Autumn

Breakfast: Indian sweet potato pancakes
Lunch: Chicken & halloumi kebabs with chanterelles
Supper: Aubergine Parmigiana

Winter

Breakfast: Kedgeree with brown rice
Lunch: Pasta puttanesca
Supper: Monkfish with saffron sauce

Spring

Breakfast: Lemon & ricotta spelt pancakes
Lunch: Crab & fennel salad
Supper: Hortense’s fish soup

Summer

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with watercress & smoked salmon
Lunch: Fish cakes
Supper: Wild rice risotto

DC's King Of Vancouver

The top finishers from the DC Nationals City Qualifiers all over Canada hit the famous Vancouver Skate Plaza in the heart of the city this past weekend for DC's King Of Vancouver, the final stage for this summer’s series.


DC’s King Of Series is a global grassroots skateboarding contest. It travels to local street skate spots in cities across the globe, welcoming the city’s best unsponsored skateboarders to compete in a jam format contest. This weekend Vancouver also welcomed members of the Global DC skate team including Colin McKay, Josh Kalis, Lindsey Robertson, Marquise Henry and Matt Miller.


The choice to have a King of contest in Vancouver was obvious—Vancouver has always been one of Canada’s best skate cities. The streets of Vancouver have spawned many pros including DC riders Colin McKay and Ryan Smith, with Vancouver's wooden indoor play lands (like the Skate Ranch) bringing up other future pros like Moses Itkonen, Sluggo, and Rick Howard. The city’s skate terrain is unique and versatile. On any day, you can skate the streets of downtown, the plaza in the heart of the city or hit up one of the many parks.


DC's Canadian Team Manager Trevn Sharp did an incredible job of heading up the DC Nationals Tour, culminating in the big show at KOV this past weekend. Reflecting on the summer's events, Trevn said, "We saw some amazing skating go down and realized that kids are getting better and better every year. This year we saw a lot of young guns coming out and ripping hard to secure a spot at the finals, proving that anything is possible when your knees are still fresh. Because every city is different, as is every skater, so were each of the city qualifiers. With different elements associated with each province, each skater had their own unique bag of tricks that they brought to the table.The line up for the King Of Van is a mix of raw street skaters, buttery smooth control freaks, big gap assassins and young 'ins who seem to think that nothing is impossible. Fifty skaters will meet up in Vancouver and each has a shot at becoming the king."


In the end, it was 16 year old JS Lapierre from Notre Dame, QC who reigned supreme. He placed first on both Saturday and Sunday, earning him the title of King. Lapierre walks away with instant global exposure throughout the skate world, a spot on DC's Canadian amateur team and $7000 of the $10,000 purse. He will also receive a “SHAZAM” in Color Magazine, where he will be partnered with some of the best photographers and writers in the industry.

Plus, not only did DC hook up the skaters this weekend, at the end of the King Of Vancouver, a cheque for $10,000 was presented to the city of Vancouver for repairs and maintenance on the downtown skate plaza. The money will help ensure that the plaza remains the center for the Vancouver skate scene for years to come.



Under sunny blue skies, it was a fun filled and entertaining weekend at the skatepark for myself and the massive crowd who joined me.

Back To Fall Basics

After being holed up in my apartment for what seemed like an eternity last week...with barely enough energy to get popsicles from my freezer and capable of little more than sleeping and whining (on account of being taken out by a case of strep throat), I found myself with time to think about what lies ahead...that's right kids, fall fashion! Today I felt inspired to share with you a few key things that I have on my radar for the coming season.


1. First up, jeans are an absolute wardrobe essential. Jeans go with everything and there’s a pair out there to flatter everyone. No matter your personal style, there’s no way you can go into fall without at least one amazing pair of jeans. They’re the foundation of a look, part of countless great outfits, and one of the most comfortable and classic pieces you can own. This season there's no one style to have but rather, there are several great fits and washes that work. Skinny, bootcut, boyfriend, ripped, bleached, tie-dyed, wide-leg trouser, ankle length, black, grey, dark indigo or brightly coloured- you can do no wrong with a great fitting pair of jeans this fall.


2. Who wouldn't want their hands free to sip a latte, send a Blackberry message or flip through the sale racks? Enter crossbody bags. Totally practical, totally hip. This fall you can sling your purse across your stylish outfit. I just picked up a cute one by Roxy; it's perfect for Saturday shopping trips.


3. Another key piece for your fall wardrobe is the basic tee. I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of a top more versatile or essential for daytime than the slouchy basic tee. It keeps you cool when it’s hot out, layers perfectly under everything, never looks too dressy and can be worn a million different ways. Even better, if you’re shopping on a budget, you can’t get more budget friendly than the slouchy basic tee shirt. I own the American Apparel one shown below in several colours, and I love it. Soft, comfortable, and cheap. What more could a girl (or boy!) ask for? the Quiksilver Women's line also has a ton of perfect, slouchy tees. Dress it up or dress it down, a comfy t-shirt never disappoints.


4. A great jacket is perhaps the most essential fall piece that every girl needs in her wardrobe. Not only do jackets keep us warm on cool fall days, but they’re also important for wardrobe versatility and layering. Feeling like you wear the same thing every day? One new jacket can add tons of new looks to your rotation. Jackets are also the perfect way to cover up any perceived body “problem areas” – a well-cut blazer, for example, can cinch you in at the waist, making you look thinner and perfectly proportioned. The hottest jackets this fall include: the denim jacket, the motorcycle jacket, the embellished military jacket and the boyfriend blazer.


5. Sweaters are another must have for fall. I don’t know about you, but when I think of fall fashion, I always think of layering – it can be warm enough that you don’t need always coat but cool enough that you do need sweaters, scarves, and the occasional fabulous jacket...perfect layering weather. Of course a great cardigan remains a staple in every wardrobe, but the "destroyed sweater" has become a must have item this year as well. The incredible Alexander Wang got us obsessed with this trend last fall when he sent his coveted grunge sweater dress down the runway. Ever since, high-end retailers and discount shops alike have been stocking their own versions of his shredded knitwear. A destroyed sweater is a perfect piece for fall because it will keep you warm but not too warm, it can be layered over your favourite tanks and skinny jeans, and will give you that effortlessly chic grunge look.


Photo: Fashion Toast

6. One of the most talked-about trends for fall? Over-the-knee boots. This trend first appeared at the Spring 2009 Ready-to-Wear shows when Givenchy sent an amazing shiny black pair (pictured below) down the runway. Then Blake Lively’s character Serena famously caused an internet uproar when she wore a suede pair during Gossip Girl’s first season. Ever since, the trend has taken off! Over-the-knee boots showed up on all the Fall 2009 RTW runways, spotted everywhere from Louis Vuitton to Prada. Celebrities love this trend too: everyone from Lindsay Lohan to Rihanna to Kate Moss and even Miley Cyrus has worn over-the-knee boots recently. Whether they’re thigh-high or slightly above the knee, leather or suede, flat or stiletto-heeled, every possible incarnation of over-the-knee boots will be available in stores this fall.


My big purchase of the season (I hope) will be the perfect moto jacket. I'm officially on the hunt. What items will be tops on your shopping list this fall?

**Photos are not property of Work In Progress. They have been taken from various websites. If your photo has not been credited and you would like it to be, please e-mail me.**