It's Spring time, friends. And I'm pulling off my pants — slipping into something more comfortable. Like shorts.

Yassah, it's time for change. A little bit of Spring cleaning is in order. Mandy Candy and the writers have done a wonderful job with the site lately — but still — I'm feeling the need to change up this here blog. Methinks we should raise the bar a bit; juggle the writers — challenge them for something more.

I'm also thinking we should expand.

The seeds had done been sown, so let's raise up and branch out. Music? More art? A little bit of creative writing? Yeah. All of those things. But perhaps we'll launch a sister site or two. Here it's all about the fashion.

Oh. And hey. Speaking of fashion, mayhap you heard, mayhap you didn't — but I'm planning on spending some serious time in the Toronto fashion industry throughout 2008. All this to build bigger bridges between Vancity + Toronto + Montréal + NYC. The mission is the same: connect the indie players to the world stage. As well as getting in bed and whoopin' it up through the Americas, our good friend SwAnN is going to begin leveraging her European influence. Soon you'll be chantin', "I see London, I see France. I see Blas' underpants."

Yes. A change of clothing! A whole new style is nearly upon us. Stay tuned faithful reader....

Same Blas time. Same Blas channel!

— BOURNE

"They’ve named me “movement�, round here —
A fool no more perseverant than the wind.
“Shifting�, they call me.
They refer to me as “change�.
And of these things, I am perpetuity —
In truth I am just a man." - Salty Soul

....:: from the laptop of mandy candy

Gorgeous Designer = gorgeous jewelery.  Sugarlime Jewelery's Karen Buder is rising fast in Vancouver's fashion scene and her designs are gaining momentum in Toronto. Shall I dare say that Sugarlime will soon become international? Chatting at Capers (one of Karen's favorite places!), Karen talks about how Sugarlime became the famous jewelery line today.

When I first met Karen, I thought this lady was super down to earth. Time quickly passed by as she told me how Sugarlime got its start and the plans they have for the line to expand to Toronto and Tokyo. Sugarlime is very popular in Vancouver as Karen's designs have already showcased in much media such as FASIHON, eTALK, Toronto Star, and on Oprah! Famous celebs include Sarah McLachlan, Tori Spelling, and Ugly Betty's Rebecca Romijn. I fell in love with the line long ago - and I fell even harder after interviewing Karen.

I fell in love with these and now I am the proud owner of them ;)

Let's see what this creative and business minded lady has to say______

Let's start with asking where your inspirations are from, anyone or anything that particularly inspires you?

Traveling - I love being by the ocean in South East Asia surrounded by those amazing colors. It's also the sights I see and the people from those places that inspire me. 

How did Sugarlime expand to what it is today?

We started out five years ago - my husband Mike came up with the idea to host these exclusive jewelery shows, free of charge at high-end venues. Mike manages the company and works on the strategic development side of things. I'm very passionate and driven about Sugarlime and thrive off of managing the PR for the company - I love it. It's all about making connections and building and keeping those relationships.

Did you always know that you were going to be doing something this creative?

Not at all. I've always enjoyed crafts and drawing. I also love photography but I didn't know I was going to be a jewelery designer at all. I used to work in law as a legal secretary for the longest time - I couldn't release my creative side enough in that capacity though. My husband Mike and I were backpacking in Asia and we were in Vietnam when we came up with Sugarlime.

What would you consider the highlight for you in the history of Sugarlime?

We were voted as one of the most successful designers in BC on a special segment in a CTV news interview. My dad was in the hospital when that happened, in a coma from a serious car accident. I remember playing that interview for him and him having just opened his eyes around that time. I will never forget the look on his face - acknowledging Mike and I, recognizing us on the interview and at his bedside. It was an amazing feeling and he was just so proud of us too.

Favorite pieces?

I love the classic Mandy necklace - I wear that a lot. We've had rave reviews on the Dina necklace and I love our Sadie earrings - they were one of the very first pieces I designed. I also love the Sasha earrings and the Tia charm bracelet.

How would you describe Sugarlime in one word?

Inspiring. 

What do you see in the future for Sugarlime?

There are so many opportunities for Sugarlime, it's endless.

How do you think Vancouver can improve in terms of establishing as a fashion Canadian city?

I love supporting local shops and independent artists but there needs to be more publicity and awareness about our local designers. However,  I think we need to also keep on top of all the events and all the going ons, trends and news in places like New York and LA and stay connected with Vancouver's local scene.

So what about your popular Wine and Cheese events?

We hold our Wine and Cheese events to showcase our entire collection for current and new customers. We're at about 4,000 women now on the guest list. Our first Wine and Cheese Show in Toronto will be on Sunday, April 20th 1:00 - 4:00pm at the Pantages Hotel and we will also be at the ELLE Show from April 24 - 27. 

Where can you find Sugarlime Jewelery?

You can go to their Wine and Cheese events where they showcase the entire collection - you can find details about it on http://www.sugarlime.com. From the site, you can see the collections and various stores that have them!

I already got my hands on them ;)

___________mandy candy

.:.... from the ancient laptop of Dolly Dresden

Fashion. Week. Enough said?

So BCFW has rolled around again, with some truly amazing designers and pieces, including Evan & Dean (simply amazing) who played with mainly blacks, whites, browns, and burgundies. I absolutely love these guys, they design for a full range of body types and truthfully, black-satin-high-necked-ruffle-fronted dresses? How can you not adore them?

Jacqueline Conoir, a very established Vancouver designer, known largely for her businesswomen and classy casual designs, ventured deeper into formal wear this year with flowing satin dresses, which were gorgeous by the way. Then the usual suspects blazers and skirts and high wasted slacks, mostly in earth tones with splashes of vibrant colors here and there.

And Nicole Bridger, another Vancouver favorite, who indecently won “Generation Next� last year and was chosen to showcase her designs this season. She specializes in sustainable and organic fabrics. I believe eco-conscious people deserve a hug and/or a large sugary confection of their choosing. Her garments this season were the wonderful everyday wearable kind that make me smile, wide legs and loose neckline seem a favorite this year and she has capitalized on it.

Final favorite of BCFW would be…Mellinda-Mae Harlingten (or MMH) she walks the thin line between hip retro and tacky retro, a line a enjoy strolling down every now and then, florescent tones and the ever popular high waisted skirts, with button down shirts, interesting textures and by golly: buttons.  Altogether very nice.

Don't forget to check out the designers - click on their names to go to their websites!

___DD

..:::. from the keys of Cale Simpson

Ooh it went, it went so good.

I hit up the Disco Dello Spazio show on Saturday, and oh boy was it ever a night. I had an idea of what kind of scene would be percolating, because I knew one of the dj’s and some of the other people that were going, but I didn’t expect people dressed up in space costumes, Burning Man-esc type outfits, and an organized dance team. This party was the dice!

The music was really on point, and fit the mood of the crowd perfectly. Meaning, it was a mixture of electro-funk, Motown, and jams that made your hands stand and your feet dance.

I lasted until 3 am, before I called it quits and started my stroll home along East Hastings—which is a different story altogether—and eventually ended up at the Naam for some late night nachos.

Just a little thought: Yeah, I walked through a pretty sketchy area of Hastings at three in the morning, received some very ‘interesting’ propositions from people that were in their wrong mind, got ignored by every single cab that passed me by, and stood out like a pit stain, but I was good and I didn’t feel threatened. I had a good conversation with my buddy about how that area of Vancouver is ignored by the general populace, because most people don’t want to admit that an area that is occupied by prolific drug users could ever be a part of a ‘beautiful’ city like Vancouver. We both thought that type of thinking was shameful, and concluded that there can be no resolution from ignorance.

Personally, I see a lot of strength and beauty in the inhabitants of that neighbourhood.

So, I wanted to ask you, reader, what your opinion is concerning photographing street life. Do you think it is immoral? Do you think that by photographing people on the street you are some how using their obvious lack of fortune for the gain of your own? I think this is a really interesting topic, and I would love to read your input.

______Best Respects, Cale

.::::::.. from the laptop of mandy candy

This article is dedicated to the guys out there that are not afraid to take risks, guys that would step out of the box with their clothing and catch the eyes of the girl they desire. To the guys (and the ladies who wants to see their men wear this), I present Brown Sound Clothing.

Brown Sound clothing was created by Johnee Guitar and he passed the line down to two men, Charlie and Rob. Brown Sound is much more than these 3 men though. It is a collaboration between artists and musicians to create this eccentric collection. They have everything from t-shirts to bags to sweaters. I fell in love as their clothing are unique and colorful. I can imagine all types of guys wearing their designs. Their mission is to take clothing that suits both day and night while being influenced by military cuts and rock and roll.

Doesn't every girl like a rock and roll man?

Check out their website at http://www.brownsoundclothing.com

Where can you find their designs?
Here's a list of their stores (Yes, they are in store in Vancouver, Toronto, and New York!) - don't worry if you don't live in any of those places. You can purchase them online at http://www.revolveclothing.com

_____ mandy candy