If you love a pair of shoes so much you buy a pair of colors, who says you can’t wear both at once? Not Sing Tao journalist Phoebe Cheng (aka Miss Match), who picked up both sets of heels in Hong Kong. Much more subtle than my constant Aircast clash, while adding oomph to the Oval Room at the Fairmont Palliser. 
Category Archives: Snapped
Make Your Minivan Cool
This wrap almost makes the impossible plausible.
Spotted in the Victoria Park district: the distinct tartan of a certain luxury goods clan. Tarted up by Ink’d Graphics, a Cochrane company that specializes in creative car wraps, I could almost imagine driving this Cadillac of minivans though the Scottish moors. But then I got ahold of myself and realized my Highlander fantasy makes much more sense when it involves more Burberry, less van. 
That buckle almost makes me want to take a look under the hood. Some things just make my engine purr.
OMG it’s opening!
The paint on this mural had barely dried when Target finally announced that the long awaited Western Canada rollout will begin: tomorrow morning at 8 am.
It’s a big box bonanza: 10 stores in Alberta, 9 in BC and 3 in Manitoba. In Calgary, bullseye devotees will be able to cruise the wide, well-lit aisles at the Chinook, Forest Lawn and Market Mall locations. Shawnessy shoppers will have to cool their jets until May 14.
Despite a nationwide press release, they’re calling it a soft opening. Perhaps it’s a nod to the lack of any type of star-studded gala, like the party that launched Target in Toronto. There are no events scheduled anywhere tomorrow — not even any red and white ribbon cuttings.
However, the attention to local detail in this mural almost makes up for it. Not only because this chic cowgirl is strolling past the city skyline punctuated by the Calgary Tower on her way to the Stampede grounds. But because, geographically, it’s pretty accurate. The Tower is a few blocks northwest of the building the mural is painted on, while the Stampede grounds are just across Macleod Trail, to the east. The copy continues the theme from Target’s television ads. And even though some people are still miffed over the first commercial use of the song to Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, Target has Canadianized it. Bon travail, neighbour.
Calgary Wonderland
Get that John Mayer song out of your head, I’m about to talk about art.
Back in October, I was driving through downtown Calgary and I saw this. It’s not that unusual to see construction crews working 24/7 here, but blowtorching a giant head is a tad uncommon, so I pulled over. 
This sculpture reminded me of one I’d seen at Sunset Beach in Vancouver. And another holding court on a corner of Marine Drive in West Van. So I looked it up. Yes, Calgary is the latest city to welcome one of Jaume Plensa’s giant heads to our public space. 
The Barcelona sculptor is obsessed with heads. Our version is a 12 meter tall bent-wire portrait of a young girl, placed in the curve at the foot of Encana’s new Bow Tower. Besides engaging a wide audience, the panel who chose Jaume wanted a sculptor whose work could withstand our wicked winds and wild weather changes.
A few days ago, driving by the Bow again, I realized it’s finished. I love it! My red-eye fix-resistant eyes glow with the inspiration Jaume was going for when he said, “My vision for Wonderland is to inspire everyone who experiences the sculpture: I believe the architecture of our bodies is the palace for our dreams.”
He did another sculpture for the Bow, a bronze called Alberta’s Dream, which will be unveiled later this year. In the meantime, did you notice? Almost impossible to tell with the graininess of this shot and the rays of light coming from my crazy flash eyes, but … no bandaid! I’m wearing Lancome concealer and foundation. Next time I’ll brave a close-up. Boots, Michael Kors.
Doggie on the Catwalk
Buzz took a paws in his promenade (as a former TV journalist, I absolutely cannot resist this fully fromaged yet delectable cliche) through Victoria Park today to share the latest in canine couture. The best dressed Lakeland Terriers wear hand knit ribbed turtlenecks. Note: the subtle grey wool of Buzz’s sweater complements the color of his fur instead of competing with it.
Schmancy Fashion Show
I was a little concerned when I arrived at the fundraiser for the Glenbow Museum and saw the swag. Pencils? Cardboard George??
Then I ordered champagne and it came in a can. But since it was Sophia Coppola’s sparkling wine, with bendy straw, accompanied by Givenchy-wearing software genius Drew Tollerud, suddenly, the evening had potential.
Then the show started:
Jaunty Martha’s Vineyard-inspired moments started to zip by on Belgo’s purple-taped hardwood.
Whoops! Who sent that pink bag out twice? And may I suggest removing that superfluous strap?
All clothes from Holt Renfrew’s spring collection. Was the style actually schmancy? Not sure. But was Schmancy Style a fun evening raising money for a museum that celebrates Western Canada? Yes. Yes it was.
Fancy Schmancy
Sequins, lace, purple faux fur and hot pink tights are vital tools when attempting to reach the summit of Schmancy Style! Check back for more on the fashion show and fundraiser for the Glenbow Museum.
Cowboy Country
Everywhere you look in Calgary, even in the tony neighborhood of Mount
Royal, being true to your roots means staying true to your boots. xx
Blue Trees on Blue Besos
Snapped in Mount Royal, Calgary: fighting the winter blahs with blue! 