STARSTRUCK

Sorry for the hiatus – I had a VERY close friend in town for a week (after recently completing her PhD!!!!!!!) - we had an amazing time exploring SoCal – and getting some work in didn’t leave time for writing!

Nonetheless, last week was MAJOR – aside from memorable trips to Rodeo, The Beverly Wilshire (the hotel in Pretty Woman.. “what’s your dream?”), The Beverly Hills Hotel, Bel Air, Malibu (the right picture is a private beach Paradise Cove),

Bel Air, Malibu, Laguna & Manhattan Beach, UCLA, Runyon, and a road trip to Palm Springs & Las Vegas – I had my biggest celebrity experience to date. I ordered tickets for a live taping of “Chelsea Lately” weeks ago – a talk show hosted by the sharp tongued and incredibly witty comedian Chelsea Handler – I hadn’t heard of her or the show before moving, but both are pretty big in LA. We went last Monday and were told to come back later in the week – the show offered us VIP tickets to one of Thursday’s shows, but couldn’t tell us who’d be on. We showed up Thursday and until sitting in the studio with 5 minutes till taping, we still didn’t know who the guest was – we’d seen a billboard that Jennifer Aniston was to be on Thursday night’s show - but we didn’t think there was any way they taped Thursday’s show Thursday afternoon (it was a 2:30pm taping and the show airs at 8pm) – well, we were wrong… and WE SAW JENNIFER ANISTON.

Less than 10 feet away I was dying!! Almost having recovered from five minutes of shaking and almost crying in the short window after finding out the guest was in fact her - and the show starting (can you say starstruck?) –

we watched the six minute set in an audience of maybe 80 people. It was intimate. Intimate enough to tell you, with Jen - what you see is what you get – she’s just as you imagine from what you see on TV / appearances etc. And she’s even tinier, more fit and gorgeous in person. This is no girl next door; she’s a total knockout. STUNNING. Her hair is to die for, her outfit was phenomenal and her skin radiates. She had a small entourage and was probably in and out of the studio within the hour.

So that’s my celebrity highlight so far – look out later this week for more on Vegas, although what happens in Vegas…

k

"If the shoe fits...

... buy it in every color."

One of my favorite quotes; quotes are one of my favorite things - one of the many reasons I’ll be featuring a different style quote on WATW everyday – and likely the odd inspirational one for good measure!!

Like most women, I love shoes. I have to admit I’m my mother’s daughter here – growing up I remember not being able to fathom her some hundred of pairs of similar styled and colored shoes that graced her bedroom, the laundry room and work room.

Years later, I’m just as bad – if not worse… I have the closet of a “stylist” to prove it. This weekend marked my completion of unpacking & getting my LA life in order – starting of course with a shoe emporium – aka a bookshelf from Crate & Barrel that I had custom glass shelves made for… resulting in a custom 8 shelved shoe heaven (see overflow above & below)!! This creation has caused me to realize two very important things – I have a lot of shoes & I don’t need anymore for a while. I need to instill a one in one out policy pretty soon.

I thought I’d share my Cinema Muse when it comes to these gloriously soled friends – so here are my top shoe themed & inspired movies:

- Cinderella – her famous glass slippers

- Wizard of Oz – Dorothy (Judy Garland)’s red slippers recently made an appearance on the Today Show

- In Her Shoes – every pair of hardly worn gems owned by Rose are truly as gorgeous as her sister – Maggie (Cameron Diaz) – both women fight over everything, shoes included.

- Pretty Women – who doesn’t remember Julia Robert’s "hooker boots" – ironic seeing as this season's must-have boot has the same above the knee look (with a little less heel, pleather & working-girl feel)

- The Devil Wears Prada – we love all Emily Blunt, Anne Hathaway & Meryl Streep’s shoes & boots here – but special tribute must be paid to Anne’s HOT high mid-thigh Chanel boots that she wears when she seduces her boyfriend – Adrian Grenier (pre-Entourage fame)

- Confessions of a Shopaholic – admittedly not the best movie, or wardrobe – but Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher) has a few wins on those gams that make it worth a watch.

- Sex and The City – one can only imagine the sales that Carrie Bradshaw and her beloved 3 best gal pals have generated for Jimmy Choo & Manolo Blahnik – the most popular of course being the lone sole in her dream closet….

All in the ♥ of shoes.

k

World On Fire

I’m sure you’ve seen and heard the news – Southern California is facing some of the worst wildfires our local Fire Chief himself has seen in 30 years... Thankfully it’s no earthquake – but it’s equally as threatening & devastating to those who have lost their homes, and the families of the two firefighters who lost their lives to the fires last weekend. 2,000 homes have been evacuated, and another 10,000 are still considered under threat. They're hoping for a date of containment of September 15th - still 2 weeks away. It's been declared a state of emergency.

Living just over a few miles South of the Hills, they’re never out of sight – and right now you can see, smell, taste & feel the smoke in the air. It’s about 10 degrees hotter than it should be this time of year – which you can imagine, is HOT. It also means that combined with the smog and regularly poor air quality, outdoor exercise is strongly discouraged. One morning a week a new friend and I (a fellow Canadian from Vancouver) hike Runyon Canyon – as I’ve said before, it’s my favorite thing to do in LA – you get a great view of the city, the Hollywood sign (albeit cheesy) - and with numerous trails offering different levels of difficulty, you can definitely get your sweat on... We’re skipping this week, with the smoke we’d likely both end up with coughs, or worse – it’s a much lower altitude, but the amount of accessible oxygen in the air is comparable to Kilimanjaro & Everest Base Camp – without the glory!

On a much lighter note, this week’s celebrity sighting was Bob Harper – the male trainer from "The Biggest Loser" – I’m not sure if he’s into women... but he’s totally cute. I saw him at Starbucks Monday after learning my hard drive that died last week is a lost cause and I've lost almost all of my data (the files on my external back up can’t be read) - awesome. Thankfully his adorableness and friendly smile lifted my spirits!! I chickened out before I could tell him I'm a big fan - so Bob if you're out there - keep up the great work!

k

Birthday Bonanza

Birthday quarter is coming to a close – it’s official... I’m 29. My weekend was amazing and I’ve fallen in love with Southern California. Saturday morning we hit the road early at
7am, and after stopping for Noah's Bagels, we were in Laguna by 9 – despite some overcast it was gorgeous! Turns out my birthday surprise was a day at the Ritz!! Thank you, thank you......!! Starting with yoga in a gazebo overlooking the ocean, followed by pedicures in a world-class spa - it was heaven. We hit the beach where I was surprised with Sprinkles cupcakes (from Rodeo Drive – I can now say they’re worth the never-ending line) and wine… yum! We enjoyed the pool and amenities until heading back to LA late afternoon (I’ve never been so excited by so much car time, LOVING the new ride) – thankfully the sun had come out in full effect by about 2pm.

Back in the city we got a small group of people out at the Sunset Marquis in Hollywood for

drinks – it’s a gorgeous hotel on Sunset Boulevard with a back outdoor patio bar (where we started) and a trendy hot bar in the front (where we ended – and saw Orlando Bloom, Kings of Leon & a few other celebs) – the venue was recommended by a local friend and was just what we’d hoped for… after a few too many indulgences I can’t say I felt great Sunday but we fought it with a hike at Runyon followed by the Dodgers game (we lost to the Cubs but we’re still in first… THINK BLUE!!).

Thanks for all the birthday wishes -- love and miss you all!

k

Birthday Eve EVE

This won’t be the first birthday I’ve spent in California – I had my 26^th in San Francisco while I was there with PwC – I’d just moved out a few weeks earlier so in similar fashion the celebrations started in June & July. In my 29 years I’ve spent my birthday in three other places - Muskoka, camp, and Toronto once I entered the corporate world when my birthday fell during the week (although I almost always took the day off). This year’s festivities start gearing up tomorrow on Birthday Eve Day – with a massage and facial at The Palazzo Spa which was part of my welcome package) – and then Saturday morning I’ve been told by my best friend we have to be in Laguna Beach by 9am – with yoga & running clothes – and we’ll be back in LA in time for dinner / drinks in Hollywood – uh, OK!!!

As much as I'll miss friends & family, you've all done MORE THAN enough to make up for the distance (thank you to my former esteemed colleagues who gave me my first birthday cake this year in MAY!!!) - and of course, any day I'm here in my happy place is a day I'm all smiles...  :)  Life is good.

I have to say, Birthday-fever is spreading the continent. So thank you everyone for your well wishes – 29’s looking good so far!!

k

My life weighs 3,600 lbs

Ok – in fairness, it’s probably more like 5,000…. I have a few things stored in Toronto and with all of my trips back and fourth over the last three months (and the help of friends) – my moving truck doesn’t have my entire life – just the majority.

Imagine my surprise to find out my stuff was arriving today – 24 hours after passing my driver’s test, getting my new ride (more pictures of her to come next week – one word – LOVE) – and all in birthday week no less!  I’m really going to be calling LA home.  I’ve been loving it so far, but never underestimate the power of a kitchen table.

I moved to LA June 2^nd, I haven’t had a couch, kitchen table, desk or many other comforts of home since...  after three years of making my 10 Delisle condo perfect, I left it all behind.  I’ve slept on a mattress right on the floor (which oddly I got used to) – and survived with a few dishes and patio furniture from Target.  I have a fair bit of my clothes, but being an admitted shopaholic – there’s a lot more to come.  The weirdest revelation of my minimalist existence has been that I’ve gotten really used to it – and I almost like it… it’s simple.  It’s going to be weird to unpack all of my stuff – a lot of it clutter, and reflective of my old life – my old ways of constant busy-ness, nonstop work/ activities/ life – often forgetting to breathe!  I’ve been reminded that the most important things in life aren’t things - they’re people, experiences and places – I’m not going to pretend I’m not THRILLED about my new car, and the opportunity to sit on my couch – but I like that I know I don’t need it.

Couch or no couch, I’m home.  

k

My New Baby

As much as I LOVE the babies of my friends & family – proud parents and PAPA, you know who you are – when I refer to my baby I’m usually talking about my website – or in this case it’s an exciting purchase, like my new car. The 3-month process to get it has really felt like a birth of some sort…

In an attempt to go green, I first had my heart set on the Lexus RX hybrid (no, not for dropping kids off at the Granite) – but sadly that was a no go, so next - in an attempt to be thrifty I fell for the new VW Tiguan. It drives well & I loved the massive pana sunroof. Sadly being self-employed was a roadblock there as well… so as per usual as a new resident without any US credit history, I had to try and try again – thankfully BMW came through (and thankfully I had the dealerships working for me in tandem) and has let me lease a X3 for the duration of my visa (3 years!). The only catch being I have to get my California license before I can pick up my car. It’s ironic because the insurance companies give you a 6-month grace period to get your local license, but BMW couldn’t flex on this at all - even after a lot of begging & pleading.

I never expected at 28 (OK, a week shy of 29) to be taking an eye, written & road driver’s test– after countless hours on the phone, internet and at the DMV office itself - I can really say I’ve felt the effects of California’s budget crisis firsthand. Each call takes an average of 30 minutes on hold (thank goodness for hands-free!) – each line was at least 30 minute’s wait & you have at least 3 per visit (never mind the 35 question test took less than 10 minutes) – and the testing offices are now closed Friday & Saturdays as the State can’t afford to pay the staff.

I shouldn't complain, reading a driver’s manual is probably never a bad idea (it’s good to know California made texting & emailing while driving illegal earlier this year – and of course, heavily enforces hands-free) – and my new friends at Beverly Hills BMW are calling in a favor to get my road test that's scheduled for next week pushed up. So in the end it's worked out - I’ll have my new ride in time for my birthday (BIRTHDAY rides!!) – and after renting, cabbing, borrowing, walking & running my way around the most spread out city in North America – I’ll NEVER take having a car at my full disposal for granted again!!

I'm ready for my “ultimate driving machine, sheer driving pleasure and the ultimate driving experience”! Let's see what these Germans can do...

I can't wait to meet her!!

k

BIRTHDAY MONTH!!!

Most people know I’m REALLY into birthdays – OK, obsessed is probably more accurate. They are actually my favorite thing in life. Whether it’s a close friend/ family member/ colleague, or my own – there’s nothing I love more than to get really into the whole celebration. As I’m maturing I definitely prefer other people’s special day to mine – I love making a really big deal out of it and making people feel incredibly special. After all, it’s the one day a year that’s all about YOU. In fairness, I don’t celebrate my birthday solely on August 22^nd.

Growing up spending summers in Muskoka and having a late summer birthday meant we’d celebrate in July with my Dad, at the cottage in

August, and again in September with my Toronto friends. At age 8, I started spending my special day at camp – this was a really big deal – I was changing camps and the only 2-week session offered was during the last two weeks of August, meaning I’d be away from home on my biggest day of the year. It turned out to be fantastic because I’d now celebrate at the cottage before leaving, at camp (skipping around the dining hall and wearing a “Birthday Hat” all day) and then again several times after returning home. So for as long as I can remember, my birthday festivities have started in July and lasted well into the fall. I usually start counting down one month before from July 22nd… but once it’s August 1^st it’s officially Birthday Month. Followed of course by Birthday Week, Birthday Eve, my actual BIRTHDAY – and any celebrations trailing which are essentially Birthday Boxing Day.

I start every day reading my horoscope in what used to be The Globe, and now online – being a Leo/Virgo cusp I read both and pick whichever is better. I have strong characteristics of both signs, but I’d say overall I’m a Leo true and true (I have the Tiffany’s astrological pendant to prove it). I love when retailers ask for your birthday – this happened to me at Michael Stars in The Grove a few weeks ago, and imagine my delight when I received a card in the mail last week with a big “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” and saying I’m entitled to 15% off any purchase for all of August. Birthday month is officially here - my Muskoka birthday flowers from last weekend are below to prove it - from my mom who says every day's my birthday - uh OK!!

In case I ever miss your special day...

HAPPY BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE!!!!

k

God Bless My Visa

The last time I was a US resident I wouldn’t have been displaying the American flag with any sense of pride, excitement, or at all – it was in 2005-2006, during the Bush regime… we all know how that turned out – but with Obama in the White House this country has newfound hope – a heightened sense of patriotism…. And most importantly, we’re no longer a worldwide laughing stock.

I get mixed reactions when telling people I’ve moved from Toronto to LA – most Torontonians think it’s cool, a few people have asked how they can do the same. California has the obvious draw of great weather and a healthy lifestyle. I recognize the celebrity focus of LA isn’t for everyone – but it’s hard to argue with ~350 days of sunshine a year. Of course, with this comes the infamous LA smog (you can actually see it as you’re landing at LAX) - so like any city - it’s not perfect, and the smog serves as a daily reminder that we need to be good to our planet. The LA natives I’ve told about my move seem to question why I’d ever leave a place like Canada!! With the US facing a national healthcare crisis, obvious economic turmoil, and California being so ridden with debt the State recently issued IOUs to citizens in lieu of tax refunds (and our best bet out of this is our beloved Governor - The Terminator?!) - I can appreciate how Americans admire their neighbors North of the border. Canada is undoubtedly the best place in the world to live - the quality of life is unparalleled. I’m incredibly proud to be Canadian. That being said – I’m THRILLED to renounce my status as a Canadian resident and to formally beginning this 3-year (plus!!) journey – legally, officially – I live in LA.

k

"Money doesn’t buy you happiness,"

"But it buys you a big enough yacht to sail right up to it."

- Johnny Depp as quoted in the July issue of Vanity Fair.

Living in LA for the past two months, it’s hard not to get caught up in the media / celebrity- buzz of tinsel town. The most prevalent of course being Michael Jackson’s unexpected recent death. I was actually in Toronto when it happened – but I can’t say the aftermath has subdued much at all since. Michael Jackson’s life, his legacy – and the criminal investigation of his untimely death – has been the top story in entertainment news for several weeks now. The latest twist being federal investigators raiding Jackson’s Dr’s office – Dr Conrad Murray, who was with him at the time of his death.

Famous from age 5 – Michael Jackson lived in the spotlight for 45

years – dying at age 50 on June 25, 2009. Sadly, his life and death show that even in the world of celebrity - money doesn’t buy happiness. With Thriller topping the charts as the best selling album of all time - estimated with as many as 110 million copies being sold worldwide (still going strong). It’s been said that Jackson was chasing it's success since the 1982 release – never being able to top or even match his own greatness. Fighting the verge of bankruptcy in recent years, while still wearing couture with jackets in the tens of thousands of dollars, it's clear he was deeply troubled.

It reminds us that too much of anything isn’t good – excess of fame, money, attention, or power seems to have the opposite effect of what you're hoping for in attaining them. Let his death be a lesson to us all and let's let the King of Pop rest in peace - after all, we are the world.

k