MissAdventures With Maya

During this year's TIFF, I found myself at a gathering of super kewl kids and various actors at Toronto's Cheval. Giddying up the festivities with some bling at the party , ICEROK Jewelery was front and center on the décolletages around me. The Canadian design team behind the chic jewelery line is pumping out some really timeless pieces. Already well placed on the chests of L.A.'s celebrity DJ's and select celebrities, it's only a matter of time before the Canadian market takes note. My personal fave is the wee "Silver Spoon". Besides having watched every episode of the 80's show, I love this charm necklace ( $150 CND ) and I end up losing count of the compliments by the end of the evening. For those feeling less controversial and more femme fatale, then pick up the Curvy Dagger necklace ($120 CND). You can check out their wares on the website www.icerok.com and leave the holiday mall trauma to someone else by visiting an independent retailer near yo

What does one do with a massive downtown loft when not throwing all night dance-offs? Host photo shoots, of course. Recently, Toronto stylist Luis Zulayhka and photographer Sara Wainio had some fun with the natural light of Studio M. (aka: chez moi) The fashion shots were a love child of the brilliant lighting (merci Mother Nature) and the talented efforts of all involved. Many thanks go to Francis , from MAC, who completed model Brownen's look with a dark lip and smokey eyes. Watching the petite French-Canadian, cute as a bouton make-up artist apply various techniques with a steady hand made me wish I took the time as an 8th grader to learn the ways of eye-liner. Sigh. Here's to a very successful first photo-shoot and many more in the future! Sante! xo Smooches, Miss M

All my friends wore leggings. Sporting them with carelessness because it was the only way to wear a sweatshirt tunic out as the main attraction of your ensemble. We were, however, 12. Ah, the 80's. I understand the full vicious circle that Fashion travels in; albeit a wormhole at times. I know that things come back; but who, pray tell, buried these things in the fashion cemetery back in '89 without knowing that they will rise, alive and demented, in the future? Leggings are not pants. They never really were and to 're-invent' them as such plagues me with the question: Why must I have to bear witness to every nook and cranny of the bottom half of your body? In daylight... whilst shuffling in Uggs and choking down yet another 900 calorie frappachino? You know who you are. If you insist on wearing them, then prepare for the scrutiny of the judging eyes about you and please lady, hit the gym as often as possible. Like moi, leggings are extremely unkind. Smooches. Miss M