Imagine you've got an A-list guest list and an endless budget for your next shindig. Now what? Just ask Mindy Weiss, party planner to the stars.

Weiss has arranged some notable fetes, including Jessica Simpson's latest baby shower and Ellen and Portia's romantic wedding. She took a few minutes out of her busy day to chat with Vitamin Daily about stress-free party planning.

You deal with clients that have a lot of resources and creativity (and are used to getting what they want) – how do you turn their ideas into a cohesive, intimate party?
I love when my couples come in with inspiration. It’s important for me to capture that inspiration and to build off of it. For this, I use tools like my Note 8.0 to clip out images and  add notes right on them with the S Pen. This lets me send it straight to my client, giving it a personalized touch and enabling me to truly capture the vision of the event. We also have to look at the budget and make sure it is a reality and then we set up a table of their ideas complete with cloths, florals and place settings just to see if we are going in the right direction.
 
Summer means a lot of impromptu BBQs and garden parties – what should a good hostess always have on hand?
Although I always love fresh food items, it’s good to have some frozen appetizers and plenty of ice in the freezer! It is also important to have plenty of fabulous plastic ware or fun pool friendly melamine dishes. Make sure there is extra lighting for when the sun goes down.

How should a hostess manage guests that are a little…socially difficult (ie: the Chatty Cathy, or the guy who always talks about his boat).
Embrace it unless it gets dangerous or out of hand, and next time you make the guest lists maybe think about which guests go better together.

What’s your favourite trend for 2013?
I'm seeing a fun switch in bringing indoor elements outdoors, and outside elements inside! Creating a "living room" feel outside with rugs, comfy couches and lots of pillows is definitely a big request this summer. Likewise, bringing in plush plants to create a garden space indoors, creating "living" walls full of succulents and ferns, and yes, even indoor trees! These type of spaces transport guests into a whole new world, creating memories and an environment that will long be remembered!" A great tip for working with my clients to decide on a venue is for me to go there beforehand and capture an image with the Panoramic Shot on my Note 8.0. This allows me to show every aspect with my clients and gives  them a great feel for the space without taking too much of their time. 

It's official, folks. Shopping mecca, Target is now open in Calgary. With three locations opening today, Chinook Centre, Market Mall and Forest Lawn Shopping Centre, smart shoppers with an eye for design have descended into shopping bliss.

Just as eager, I immediately went to my closest Target at Chinook Centre this morning. Not one to wait in lines, I got there just after the doors had opened. Armed with a big red cart and my extra-strength deal finding eye, I headed into the store to find some new treasures. 

The store was filled with happy shoppers, many with small children, exploring the two-level brand new shopping experience. I loved seeing so many well-dressed people in the aisles - everyone was looking fabulous. My favourite shoppers was a decked out in Kate Spade Mom and her tiny daughter who was prancing around the store in an aqua tutu. The things you'd only expect at Target, right?

As promised, the aisles were nice and wide with plenty of room for multiple carts in passing. Prices were excellent - I only noticed a couple of products that weren't as inexpensive as I had seen them in the American stores. I am talking cosmetics here though - they were the same prices as Shoppers or Walmart. 

The home decor selection is hands-down the best place to find a good deal. Target's new line Threshold is full of amazing home pieces and furniture for great prices. You'll also find Nate Berkus' line for equally affordable prices. 

I left the store with four bags of goodies and haven't even explored the menswear or food & drink departments, I know I will be back again soon.

Three cheers for Target bringing affordable and beautiful products to Calgary. We're glad you're our neighbour.

Oh, and isn't this wrapping paper the best you've ever seen?!

The only thing cuter than kids clothes is kids clothes that look like adult clothes, and to that end, the DVF collection for Gap is insanely adorable.

We love the colourful prints, classic wrap dress and fun espadrilles, which are all comfortabe, easy-to-wear and not too precious for the sandbox.

Available now at www.gapcanada.ca

Ever wonder how clothes go from the runway to the rack? The Fashion Buyer, that's how. One of the most interesting and sought-after jobs in the industry (just ask our Editor-in-chief Sarah Bancroft, who used to do it for Aritzia), a fashion buyer's job isn't just about looking at clothes - they have to be pretty handy with the excel spreadsheet, too. (But we'll leave the numbers to them.)

We virtually tagged along with the team from Vancouver's Secret Location, an upscale concept store in Gastown that stocks the international labels rarely found in Canada, on a buying trip to Paris, London and Milan. High style was the order: runway shows, private viewings with designers and, of course, shopping. They shared some photos with us:

Up close at the David Koma show - we love the structure and texture of this look.

Who wouldn't want the Kaiser on their chest? We imagine this Tee on a few off-duty models this fall.

And part of being a fashion buyer is doing lots of research, like perusing iconic international boutique 10 Corso Como in Milan. Gallery, bookshop, boutique, cultural hub - it's truly lifestyle eye candy.

Secret Location owner Carey Melnichuk has her own fashion moment.

Who says fashion girls don't eat? Dinner at Derrier in Paris.

Night falls on the City of Light.

 Secret Location, 1 Water St.,  Vancouver www.secretlocation.ca

Canadian actress Kathleen Robertson is in town promoting her new CBC film Mr. Hockey: The Gordie Howe Story. It chronicles the life of hockey legend Gordie Howe, and she plays his wife, Colleen. Gordie loved the game so much he came out of retirement at 45 and continued to play pro until finally re-retiring at 52. A fitting story for a Toronto audience, hot on the heels of the Leafs making the playoffs [Ed note: Welcome to the club! - Sincerely, Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal].

It airs April 28th at 8 p.m., on CBC.

I managed to grab a coffee with Kathleen before she flew back to her LA home.

KH: As a Canadian actress when the CBC comes to you and says they’re making a movie on Gordie Howe, do you feel obligated to say yes?

KR: Yes. Yes. Ha- well, I mean I definitely love working here and I try to do a couple jobs a year. It’s probably one of the jobs that my family is most excited about. They can’t wait to see it! A lot of times I get offered Canadian stuff that I’m not into, but in this case the script was really strong.

KH: I know you’re the proud mum of a 4 year old boy right now, did you see your future self in this role? A hockey mom in training?

KR: He’s definitely more cerebral, very into building - I think he might be more creative than athletic, so I don’t really think so - but you never know.

KH: Well, in the movie you proved you have a firm grip on what offside is though- surely that’s half the battle?

KR: Yes, well, that little scene with that little monologue was the hardest scene I filmed in the movie. There’s always that one scene that freaks you out and intimidates you. [Robertson has a scene where she has to explain offside to a classroom full of people] And for some reason that scene was so tricky. So specific - and I knew it was the one scene where people would call me out if I was wrong. I wanted to make sure the sports fanatics were happy with it.

KH: I was surprised by the amount of involvement Colleen Howe [Robertson’s character] had in the film, her level of involvement essentially made her one of the first female sports agents. That can’t have been a very easy job for someone who didn’t sign up for that?

KR: For sure- especially at that time.

KH: The team managers say among themselves, “Did we just get propositioned by a hockey mom?”

KR: Yeah, you can’t just be a hard worker, you have to be labelled a ‘hockey mom’. She was hugely respected by all of those guys. She was very protective of her sons and husband, and I’m sure she would say it was about getting what they deserve and making sure that they weren’t exploited.

KH: She was certainly a strong figure, but also an excellent dresser. Lucky you!


KR: I know! I had 58 costume changes! Unprecedented for me. A ton! Most movies there’s maybe 4 or 5 at the MOST. So for this - I arrived in Winnipeg and the costume designer said: “okay, so we have 58 costume changes, and they’re alllll vintage.” She sourced it from all over Winnipeg costume houses, and rented what she couldn’t find.

KH: Were you able to swipe any of it? Because there was some killer stuff in there.

KR: No, sadly. I wasn’t - the stuff I loved was all rented, so our conversation would go a lot like this: I say - this is sooo cool can I keep it?  And she would say, “Don’t you dare”, and slap my hand. It had to be returned. Every time I would come out in a new outfit the ladies would coo “Ooooh I love it”. The time period echoes a lot of what’s going on in fashion right now. Plus- no one has it, which is even more fun. The guys in the movie weren’t so lucky.

KH: Poor Gordie. As a whole.

KR: Oh and the guys with the wigs- yikes. To be fair- mine was a wig too though.

KH: When I was watching the film I found more than anything it was a story about moving forward with your life when you know your biggest career achievement is behind you. That’s what I connected to in the movie - Gordie pushing himself back into hockey at 45 years old, knowing that he could probably never perform the same as he once did. Have you ever felt there was a time in your life where you went “It just isn’t going to get any better than this.” Or do you feel that it’s still in front of you?

KR: That’s an interesting question. First off- I would agree. I love that aspect of the movie. Anyone who is in a career that is age-related, you have a certain sense of realization that there is a window. Especially for women. So I think it’s something I’ve always been kind of aware of and weirdly looking forward to getting older as an actress, because the roles get so much better. Especially on television. In your 20s you’re the girlfriend, the pretty girl. For me it’s weird, because I feel like now my career is better than it has ever been. It shouldn’t go that way. In my 20’s I felt like I had a deep voice and it didn’t cater to those kinds of roles. Now my roles are stronger. I’ve been really lucky to have it happen later, because I’m able to appreciate it more.

KH: Sadly, your last show BOSS was cancelled, and I know it broke a lot of hearts.

KR: Mine included.

KH: Has that sadness been a bit eased by the huge outpouring on Twitter? People went crazy, they were so upset!

KR: That role for me completely changed the trajectory of my career. It was such an amazing role and it was the role I had been waiting for. We got to do two seasons, which was incredible, we all would have loved to have done more, but when it was cancelled I couldn’t help but feel I was never going to find another role as good as that. I  was in a funk, I read for a new show, and told the producer in the meeting that my show had been cancelled and I was very sad. He said something that I thought was so great - he said, “good work lives on forever.” It was an experience, it was wonderful, and now onto the next.

KH: Plus- people must write you on Twitter everyday to tell you how much they love you right? Surely that’s worth something when you get down on things? Ratings are one thing- interaction is another.

KR: That’s true- one thing I have found about Twitter is that it’s ALL positive!

KH: I think you may be the first person in the world to say that.

KR: Really? Do you find that it’s negative? 


KH: HA! Yes, I would say it’s where everyone goes to hide and rage type. But, maybe not to you, because you’re extremely loveable.

KR: I get a lot of marriage proposals, and me and my husband love it.

KH: So you’re heading back to LA in a couple hours, did you have time to grab a Toronto souvenir for your boy?

KR: I did! Actually, he asked for specifics this time. Kinder Eggs- because you can’t get them there. And he asked for (laughs) My Little Pony. He wants the blue one, for when his girl friends come over. So he is now the proud new owner of a My Little Pony.

KH: I love that.

xo Holland

Photo by Katherine Holland

Last two days of Coachella brought all the stars. We rubbed elbows with the always hip Kristen Stewart, newly reunited with Edward Cullen, er, Robert Pattinson, at Hot Chip. However, everyone was distracted by the other sexy vampire, Alexander Skarsgard, who seems to be the band's biggest fan.

Katy Perry, who arrived with an entourage of girlfriends, danced away to Yeah Yeah Yeahs. A major style icon of ours, Chloë Sevigny, checked out The Stone Roses and The Make-Up. Backstage, we caught a glimpse of Lindsay Lohan demanding a lot of attention and Talulah Willis hoping to be recognized (not many people did).

Young or old, no one wanted to stand anywhere close to the slew on models who always seem to move in packs: Alessandra Ambrosio, Chanel Iman, Frankie Ryder, and other twig-legged catwalk faces. Best dressed celebrity award goes to Solange Knowles in her pink Alice and Olivia skirt. The nicest celeb award goes to Kate Bosworth, who kindly agreed to pose for a pic.

All the cool kids like Alexander Wang and Agyness Deyn were at the Revolve Clothing and Henry Holland pool party at the painfully hip Saguaro hotel in Palm Springs. The gracious host was out and about chatting with neon-clad party goers. Vancouver contingent was strong as we ran into stylist Leila Bani and photographer Hana Pesut, who was shooting her Switcheroo series with Henry Holland himself. Palm Springs is a hipster heaven of sorts.

Visit Vitamin Daily on Instagram for more Coachella pics.

Love it or hate it, Coachella style is a thing. So much so, it's become formulated: jean cut-offs, risqué bra tops barely covered with crochet tops…yawn. Vitamin Daily was on the lookout for pretty dresses, gorgeous prints, and overall breezy effortlessness.

(And here's what I wore.)

Toronto had its Oscar moment when Erika Bearman (aka @OscarPRGirl) came to Holt's to chat fashion, passion and social media with Lisa Tant, the store's freshly appointed vice-president, fashion editor. Bearman has shed-loads of style, wears a diamond as big as the Ritz, adores Oscar, ("He's taught me to live and love life") and makes vertiginously high shoes seem a doddle.

It's finally here: Holt Renfrew's new banner, hr2, opened its very first location at Quartier Dix30, just outside Montreal. What can stylish, savvy shoppers expect? A whole lot... for less!

The expansive space feels fresh and airy -- none of that cramped, discount retailer feeling here! This is in part because hr2 isn't a clearance centre at all. Instead, the Holts team focused on bringing in fresh labels (ranging from Alice + Olivia to Armani) that are complementary to those available at Holt Renfrew stores (and just a little bit more affordable).

Our favourite department? The huge shoes and handbags section, where we we spotted Louboutin wedges for $199 and a Givenchy tote for less than $1,000. Also on offer is lingerie, jewellery as well as menswear. 

Next stop is Toronto: The second hr2 location is set to open later this spring at Vaughan Mills. 

Tell me you don't want to be this girl's best friend. 

I think there's something so perfect about seeing someone look so at home in their own designs. A lot of times the designers come out all in black, or wearing jeans and a t-shirt. But I think there's something extremely powerful in seeing them rock their own brand vibe so flawlessly. 

She's like a Metropolis superhero, and I'm buying it. Caitlin Power.

She has a very consistent brand image, which is something even the most seasoned designers struggle with. It's structured, it has flashes of metallic. And you probably want to wear it to take over the world. 

I can't help but picture Trinity from the Matrix in every piece.

Am I wrong? 

So if you're down with Trinity, you need to get down with Caitlin Power.

A few selects shots from this season: 

xo Holland

All images Katherine Holland