I love more of a good thing!

Mini Mioche is one of the greatest kids stores and lines out there. I'm not really one of those mums that gets too excited about kids clothes, but when owner/designer Alyssa Kerbel has anything to do with them - even I will bolt for the newest piece. 

The kids clothes are just classy. They're comfortable organic cotton, they wash extreeeeemely well, and they don't make your kid a walking advertisement. Plus- in case you needed another reason to pop in- they now make select pieces in ADULT sizes too! I grabbed one of the new hoodies at the newest Distillery location, and it's never leaving my back.

With cards that read: "I knew you couldn't keep your panties on", and books called: "SH*TTY MOM", I fit right in. 

HA! But in all honesty, it's nice to see someone have a light-hearted approach to parenting and gifting for once. 

There are very few stores that are the go-to when your friends have a baby. This place ihas everything you need. 

This onesie was a must-get for my daughter. The perfect coverage and weight for sunny days in the sand.

(full disclosure, I also got her a new polkadot sun hat, some new pink kicks, and the Awesome Book of Love)

And THAT is why I can't go in this store very often. 

Mini Mioche

795 Queen Street West and now 6 Case Goods Lane. 

xo Holland

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 beloved Drake General Store has been spreading its wings since it first opened alongside the Drake Hotel on Queen West. The latest member of the chain family opens its doors today just north of Yonge and Eglinton, after outgrowing the Rosedale store size. 

What do you Uptowners think of all o' this? 

Among the zillions of gift-worthy items, my favourite was the Tobacco candles. Granted, it's a $60 candle, but goddamnit it smells amazing. And it smells a hell of a lot better than that overpriced Elton John candle. If you need a reason, let's say Mother's Day?

Their house line, SHARED, clothed my family over the holidays in their adult onesies. No judgement please. 

Oh- and these pillows. I almost forgot about them. But now I want them even more.

There were designer piggy banks: 

Toronto Editor Athena's fav, MARVIS toothpaste:

And a charming paint box votive set: 

Resistance is futile. 

xo Holland

What are you doing on your computer? There are photos to see!

One of the biggest festivals in Toronto is happening right now, and I'm not talking about HotDocs. 

Although I love a documentary as much as the next girl (actually maybe way more), this year it's all about CONTACT.

We seem to live in a world where everyone is a photographer now, myself included. I really get off on seeing how people capture their worlds in a frame or two. I love how different photos resonate with people for completely different reasons, and how much impact a single frame can have. 

The mystery of it all is where it gets good. Why does someone choose the one picture in 50 to be 'the one'. How do these artists choose their muses, and how much do we define people by their portraits? 

Photography is magical, and if you live in Toronto you're literally surrounded by it right now. Go and give some of these struggling photographers your time. They're only giving you their souls in exchange...

For the full schedule, go here.

xo Holland

One of my favourite fashion events was held this week, and everyone was there in their best footwear. 

My favs were worn by Zoomer Magazine's Derick Chetty...do you think I can make these fit? 

Hosted by Breakfast Television's Dina Pugliese, the Toronto Fashion Incubator's New Labels Show was everything I hoped it would be.

In case you're not familiar with the competition, 4 Finalists have earned the right to compete on game day. Their designs battle among themselves for the ultimate prize: $25K, a FLARE magazine editorial spread, and a collection featured in Target stores in 2014.

Not too shabby...

This year, the charming Sarah Stevenson took the big prize. Her baroque-inspired original prints won everyone over, but most importantly, the judges: Arie Assaraf, Elisha Ballantyne, David Dixon, John Morioka  Miranda Purves and Suzanne Rogers.  Honorable mention goes to Suzanne Rogers for donating the $25K prize.

Sarah Stevenson has been a cult favourite and media darling for some time now, bringing a real uniqueness with her custom prints, and it's wonderful to see her get some proper recognition. For a window into her aesthetic, check out this incredible dress she's selling on her website. 

Big things coming baby, big things...

xo Holland

Images Courtesy George Pimentel

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

The Pink Tartan store (Yorkville) is a boudoir of vintage inspired frocks right now. Think 50s silhouettes, intricate beading and sorbet colours. All we need is a can of Elnette and a dashing date.

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