The Anthology

It is also a learning experience. And because this was my first year attending the music and arts festival in the desert, I thought I’d compile a list of the top 10 things I learned at Coachella 2010.

1. The desert is hot.

2. A little barf won’t ruin a Phoenix concert. (After the guy next to me leaned over in the middle of the show and puked his guts outs, I contemplated leaving. But, like a true fan, he kept on rockin’ so I did too.)

3. Tweeting about that barf will get you written up in LA Weekly.

4. Major Lazer can hype a crowd like no other. See exhibit A, which, I should warn you, isn’t exactly suitable for work.

5. Icelandic is the world’s prettiest language. It doesn’t matter if you can’t understand a word of it, when it’s sung by Jón Birgisson of Jonsi, it’s like watching doves fly under a rainbow on a summer morning.

6. Wearing a New Kids on the Block t-shirt will make you new friends.

7. Some bands will blow you away live. (I’ll see you in Vancouver, Temper Trap.)

8. Others won’t. (Sorry, XX, I’ll buy your next album, but I’ll pass on your next show.)

9. Canadian flags look out of place among palm trees.

10. Paris and Nicky Hilton are much prettier in person.

Have you been to Coachella? Are you going? 2011, anyone?

I had no idea how beautiful the landscape would be. What was I picturing? Flat lands and a million swimming pools. But now that I’m here, I’m in love. The desert, the mountains, the colour of the sky at sunset — it is so beautiful.

Which is why I am even more excited about Coachella.

So what did I bring with me? This vintage, floral, fluttery number. Perfect for the desert, but it wasn’t always this way. Back in the day it was long. Like Rachel Zoe long. And it was gorgeous, but just too heavy to wear.

But back to Coachella. Lexie, you were wondering which bands I am dying to see (and re-see)? Today it’s Yeasayer (who will be playing in Vancouver on April 21), Passion Pit (even though I just saw them on Sunday), the dance-tastic LCD Soundsystem, the one and only Jay Z and my boy Erlend of the Whitest Boy Alive.

And because my husband loves them, we’re also going to see the way-too-heavy-for-my-taste Dillinger Escape Plan. But we won’t go anywhere near the front of the stage for this reason.

Man, I cannot wait.

First photo found here.

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Oh! Miike Snow. Their show the other night in Vancouver was so gat dang fantastic, they have me seriously considering re-seeing them at Coachella this weekend. Even though their set time conflicts with Phoenix.

And you know how much I really,  really,  really,  really,  really,  really,  really,  really,  really love Phoenix. (Coachella, you are cruel for pitting these two against each other.)

But Swedish pop powerhouse Miike Snow put on the second-best show I’ve ever seen. (What was the best show, you ask? It’s a tie between !!! (Chk Chk Chk) and that Britney Spears show where she threw a tantrum and stormed off the stage.)

So what do I do? Stand by my old love, Phoenix? Or ditch them for my new love? Help!

P.S. I’ll be tweeting my face off from Coachella. So follow me.

Melissa writes:

I know you love to travel and you love your accessories, so I am wondering what you use to hold/organize your accessories when you are on the go!

We are going on a cruise at the end of this month, and one of my biggest challenges when packing has been my accessories (as well as over packing, but that is an entirely different battle). By the time they get to the hotel room they are disorganized so I get frustrated and leave them in the suitcase. If you have any thoughts or suggestions i’d really appreciate it.

Well, Melissa, if I were as organized as, say, my sister-in-law Jaclyn, I would buy a travel organizer (amazon.com has every type imaginable). Instead, I take a Ukrainian doll approach to packing.

I start with sturdy jewelry (I leave fragile and valuable pieces at home), which I wrap in scarves (just make sure they’re not delicate or easily snagged).

Then I pack these scarf-wrapped piece in the clutches I’m bringing with me. And then I stash those clutches in my luggage. So I put to use everything I plan on wearing when I arrive.

If a piece is too small to wrap in a scarf (earrings, rings and delicate necklaces) I store those in drawstring pouches. Most bead shops will sell them in all materials, colours and sizes. Luckily enough, my Alkemie fox ring (from Vincent Park in Vancouver) came in its own pouch so it’ll travel that way with me to Coachella.

But truth be told, I don’t bring many accessories with me because I like to stock up while on vacation. Accessories make the best souvenirs, don’t they?

Hope this helps, Melissa. Have such an amazing time on your cruise and let me know how it goes!

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These beautiful specimens have been sitting in my friend Melissa’s closet since the eighties. And when clearing out her closet one day she thought of me (biggest compliment ever) and generously handed them over.

Notice the pleats…observe the tapering…

It’s almost too much to handle, isn’t it?

I’m getting them tailored as I type and I am praying to MC Hammer that they turn into rad, wearable shorts. Will let you know how it goes.

Want to see some other hideous “before” shots? Take a look here. And here.

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Heading to Coachella this week to dance my face off under the desert sun. So. Freaking. Excited.

Because it’s always draws the most stylish crowd, I thought I’d pull together some favourite looks from Coachellas past.

Like Allesandra Ambrosio, who is gorgeous from head to pirate-bootied toe.

And Sienna Miller, who actually makes effortless chic look effortless.

And this couple, because their boots match.

First image found here. Second image found here. Third image found here. Fourth image found here.

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Wendy writes:

I stumbled upon your blog and I love perusing it! I’m in Paris just now and am staying for two months, and since you’ve been, I wanted to know some of your favourite places to shop (Printemps being one of them bien sur)?  Any good open markets for trinkets that are not overly touristy?

Wendy, you lucky ducky! I am so envious of your two-month Parisian adventure. Now, I was there five long years ago so my shopping memories are limited – we did frequently frequent Printemps and the gorgeous Galeries Lafayette (our little atelier was near the Grand Magasins). I also remember loving the boutiques in le Marais.

But where do I dream of going in Paris? That, I can tell you:

There’s Colette, of course, whose artsy-fartsy funkiness is so irresistible, it would be my first stop.

Then there’s the shop by Canadian designer Tara Jarmon, who Haute World introduced me to in a guest post she wrote for the Anthology.

And there’s the brilliant Merci, where you can feel good about stocking up on everything from books to fine jewelry — profits benefit impoverished children in Madagascar.

And finalement, there is Laduree, whose macarons are so beautifully pastel-y, they inspired the colour palette for Sophia Copola’s gorgeous film Marie Antoinette.

Hope this helps, Wendy!

So, mes amis, do you have any tips for a gal embarking on a Parisian adventure? Any Paris wishes? Share, please!

Paris image found here. Tara Jarmon photo by Haute World. Merci illustration found here. Colette image found here. Laduree image found here.

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the more fun it is to accessorize.

Short shorts, long jacket and Frye boots? Sounds pretty classic to me. Which means it’s game on. Bonus points if the accessories hold memories.

Take, for example, the gold bracelet I found during my recent trip to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. It reminds me of sun, sand and, well, shopping.

Then there’s the blue and gold bracelet I found at CRS Trading Post in Britannia Beach. Stopped there on our way to Whistler last weekend, which means it reminds me of sun, snow and, well, shopping.

The Trading Post is also where I found my car’s newest accessory, the dream catcher. Which reminds me: I should start planning some dreamy roadtrips for the summer.

P.S. Follow the Anthology on Twitter. And get bonus bonus points.

Design Love Fest is one of my favourite blogs on the whole worldwide web. Curated by California designer Bri Emery (wearing the hair bow in the photo below), it’s a virtually inexhaustable source of design and style inspiration.

This shot of the blogger and her girlfriends was so gosh-darned cute I had to post it. Besides, I love Bri’s grey pumps.