MissAdventures With Maya

Winter worn tresses? There is an end, pun intended. After a heartfelt evening of catching up with one of my most darling of gal pals, of course the conversation lead to hair. I can't shut up about the mop I carry around and especially in this brutally cold environment: enter the Great White North and it's bludgeoning effect on my poor candy floss do. We had a good chuckle about being able to cut our ends with our fingers (scissors not required for such crunchy ends) and then the heavens delivered me a press release this morning about Bain de Terre's Jasmine Infused 2 minute Intense Conditioner. It will be available by March and I can not wait to dunk my entire head into it. Perfect timing for the Spring ahead and at a suggested retail price of $13.25, I won't have to bust out my budget at the salon for a conditioning treatment. Smooches, Miss M xo

I may have already turned you onto the wonders of Morocconoil products, but with Winter get-a-ways marked on some of our calendars, it's good to know that you can take it with you. The travel sized kit has your bases covered to ensure that your hair is picture perfect on your beachy travels while the rest of us grit and bear through the cold months sans the tan. Not only is this kit ready to pack, but it covers your bases with airport requirements on product sizes. The kit includes the moisture repair shampoo and conditioner, the precious repair oil and a hydrating styling cream to ward off the tropical frizzies. (Suggested retail: $45 CND) Yell Bon Voyage to crunchy pool hair and hello to holiday hair paradise. Smooches, Miss M xo

It dawned on me today, whilst chatting with various fashion vendors at the Burroughs Building, that not only was it cold outside, but my skin was in dire need of some serious moisture. At one point in a heated conversation about, of all things, the crappy flea markets I have attended, I caught a glance at my hands. In the bold lighting they looked like some old lady's hands. OLD LADY HANDS! Jeez, what happened to me, I thought and more importantly, HOW!?? Being a natural born "fixer" of all things broken (friends, boyfriends and retail service in society as we know it), I began scanning the room for a remedy. My co-worker and bubbly European lovely, Sabine shook her head and said: "Egyptian Magic". I have heard about it in the past, but never given it a go until Sabine handed me a small sample. After instructing me to put it where ever I felt I needed "help", I envisioned smearing it all over my bank card, my boyfriend, some of my high school friends t...

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

I am always craving a new dress. Not just any old frock, but a good dress. Wandering around the shops, I am bombarded by tacky, trendy and trashy. What's a girl gotta do to get a good dress, I wondered? Enter: Matthew King. Having befriended the local (and talent drenched) Toronto designer, we both got on the topic of my random and empty handed search. Matthew: "What's the matter Mayers?" Moi: "Oh nothing, just trying to find a new dress for the season, but I keep seeing all the same crap. Nothing is classy and yet has a dash of the ole rock-n-roll." Matthew: " I got something for ya...when do you need it by?" Moi: "Immediately." Lo and behold, Matthew drops off a little number to me at my studio. I remove it from the bag with slight hesitation, then nearly stop breathing. The stretch jersey is thick, yet supple, almost has a suede touch. Buttery, I thought as I stripped down and slipped on the new dress. It wasn't black....which I ca...