Posts tagged GO!

1. West Hollywood shopping: Melrose place. We love this leafy strip with top shops like Isabel Marant, Chloe, APC and Helmut Lang!

2. For the foodies: Try this sandwich take out shop called Ink Sack owned by Michael Voltaggio, winner of the sixth season of Top Chef on Bravo. Our favourite part? You can order any sandwich in lettuce wrap form.

3. More Shopping: The Malibu Market. First of all, Zuma beach in Malibu is gorgeous, and on top of that, the drive from West Hollywood to Malibu is breathtaking. Second of all, the shopping is unbelievable. Stores include; Missoni, Lanvin, Oliver Peoples, Intermix, James Perse and Kitson.

4. Socialize: We stopped by the Soho House, West Hollywood. With its unbelievable view of the city and even better view of the celebs it is a must. This is the best place to have a filling kale salad with 50 Cent.

5. Great stop: We obviously had to stop at the Ted Baker London store in central Hollywood area. Conveniently located right beside the Chanel store.

6. Hungry again? Sushi Park is for the authentic Japanese food lover. This place is know for their Omakase style, which is a Japanese phrase that means “I’ll leave it to you.” They even tell you what sushi you’re not allowed to put soya sauce on.

7. A night out: Chateau Marmont. You may recognize this hotel from a Sofia Coppola film or from a Lindsay Lohan drama. However, its also the ideal atmosphere for dinner and drinks (try the spaghetti bolognese). Or maybe even a hotel room after party?

Get ready for design madness to take over the city! The annual Interior Design Show (IDS13) is returning to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre this week, from January 24^th to 27^th.

300+ exhibitors and new, exciting features can make navigating the show floor quite a daunting task. Here’s our TOP TEN TO SEE AT IDS13 to get you started:

1. WORK.SPACE by National Bank - Booth #1328

Left: National Bank Flagship Branch, Toronto, ON. Designed by Ruscio Studios. Images right: Corus Entertainment, Toronto, ON. Designed by Quadrangle

This year’s presenting sponsor, National Bank, is hosting a contemporary exhibit based on the IDS13 concept space, How Do You Work?, exploring global innovative offices. Under the notion that inspired spaces lead to inspired work, National Bank has partnered with cool curator and website, Trend, alongside respected designer, Jentry Chin.  Visitors are treated to an inside look at worldwide workspaces, Saatchi and Saatchi, Microsoft and Lego.

2. Studio North & Prototype

Back for its 11^th year, Studio North is a IDS’ show-within-a-show that was originally used to showcase Canada’s independent design scene, from coast to coast. The gallery-like booth now features an array of custom collections ranging from furniture, lighting, glass, ceramics, textiles from 60 Canadian and international designers. Among them, we’re excited to see Chris Stevenson’s desk with PROJECTOR Design (above). 

3. Andrew Richard Designs - Booth #1322

Luxury outdoor furniture brand Andrew Richard Designs will debut its latest collection of nautical-inspired outdoor furniture in a stunning, sophisticated booth reminiscent of European coasts. Showcasing NEW designs that highlight 2013 outdoor living trends, including mix-and-match patterns, textures, and materials like teak and the company’s signature Solartex weave, the seaside-like booth will be complete with a custom painting by a local Toronto artist. 

4. designboom mart

Recognized as the first ever design bazaar, designboom mart is taking over the show floor with over 200 objects available for purchase (the first time ever at IDS!). Unique, affordable items – ranging from household products to jewelry, lighting to small furniture – will be sold by the young, international designers themselves.

5. How Do You Work? - Booth #2328

Montreal-based branding and interior design firm Igloodgn (run by co-founders Anna Abbruzzo and Alain Courchesne) is one of five design teams that will be featured in IDS13’s concept exhibit, How Do You Work? Challenged to produce a space inspired by an office setting within a 160 foot shipping container, Igloodgn presents THE GREEN HOUSE, an irreverent botanist’s dynamic working environment. The space will feature renowned brands Cassina, CeramicaBardelli, xilo1934, and Nemo lighting. 

6. International Guest of Honour, Oki Sato presented by Caesarstone

Toronto-born, world-renowned Japanese minimalist designer, Oki Sato, joins IDS13 as the second International Guest of Honour. Sato, who heads up design firm Nendo – meaning free-form clay in Japanese – collaborated with Caesarstone to create a mesmerizing installation with the company’s surface materials, titled Stone Garden: a cluster of ‘table-like’ surfaces that form a seemingly floating landscape. Guests, get ready to be fooled.

 7. Ciot’s Mosaic Maestro - Booth #1518

Founded in 1950, Ciot is a leading importer, distributor, retailer and cutter of marble, quartz, onyx, ceramic tile and stone for residential and commercial markets. Ciot will be showcasing its new made-to-measure mosaics created by Italian Mosaic Maestro Igor Marziali.  Joining the IDS13 floor, Igor will be creating these artistic mosaics on-site in Ciot’s Burdifilek-designed for guests to experience his creative process.

 8. High Low Design with Jill Greaves presented by National Bank

Interior designer Jill Greaves will be presenting a seminar on Saturday, discussing the top five items to consider before embarking on any renovation project. Touching upon budgeting, space planning, and value for the future, Jill Greaves will discuss were to save and splurge for every room of the house. 

SEMINAR SCHEDULE

 9. Modern Kid

Great design isn’t just for adults. Visit over 8 exhibits presenting what’s new in contemporary designs for children’s rooms, nurseries, kids rooms, playrooms and more. We’re excited to see what’s new at Gautier Kids and to check out Magic Pony and Three Pears’ spaces.

10. Globe Style Saturday

On Saturday at 2pm, Canadian design visionary Douglas Coupland will take the main stage to discuss his new body of work and ongoing take on high and low culture, technology, and changes in human existence caused by modern technologies. We worked with Coupland in November at the Design Exchange’s annual fundraising gala – he was selected as the inaugural DX Intersection Gamechanger. We can’t wait to hear what his next interdisciplinary move will be…

Miami… we can’t get enough of the sun-soaked beaches, chic hotel bars, trendy stores and gourmet eats. Although we can’t reveal all our favourite hotspots, here are a few to arouse your taste buds and get temperatures rising!

The Michelin starred Hakkasan at the ultra-chic Fontainebleau Hotel and Resort in Miami Beach has set the standard for Cantonese cuisine and haute Chinois interior design. Carved teak walls and turquoise hues infuse the décor of the space, creating a seductive enclave of rich textures and private niches. Serving modern Cantonese cuisine customised to make the best use of fresh local ingredients, Hakkasan also offers a fantastic dim sum lunch menu, New World wines and sake.

FAV DISH: Crispy Duck Salad

ZUMA brings Chef Rainer Becker’s internationally acclaimed Japanese cuisine to The Epic Hotel in the heart of Downtown Miami. Rooted in a philosophy of authentic dishes with intense flavours, the Zuma experience is complemented by an informal Japanese dining style called ‘izakaya.’ This swanky resto is no stranger to celebs like Quentin Tarantino, who often parks his yacht right outside.

FAV DISH: Kinoko no kama meshi (rice hotpot with wild mushrooms and Japanese vegetables & tuna tartar)

WATCH ZUMA VIDEO HERE.

Asia Di Cuba unites the best of Asian and Latin cuisines, delivering exotic signature dishes in the backdrop of the architecturally stunning Mandarin Oriental Hotel designed by Marcel Wanters. Offering spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, Biscayne Bay and downtown Miami, this is one sexy spot to be taking in a sunset while enjoying delectable delights from the restaurant’s Ceviche & Raw Bar.

FAV DISH: Pan Seared Ahi Tuna. 

For you bag-lovers out there www.snehavarma.com will be holding a fabulous boxing day sale.

From 9-11am EST: all bags will be 50% off the regular price

From 11-1pm EST: all bags will be 40% off the regular price

From 1pm EST on January 26-December 31, 2012 11:59PM EST: all bags will be 30% off the regular price

This year, Faulhaber wanted to do something different to celebrate the holidays. With an office full of self-proclaimed foodies, and just a bunch of girls who love food, we headed downtown Toronto for an expert cooking class at Viva Tastings. Owned by Cordon Bleu trained chef, artist and caterer Karen, Viva-Haynes and assisted by Anne Hynes, also Cordon Bleu trained, Viva offers full service catering, cooking classes, and corporate team building.

Although some of us questioned how enjoyable cooking with your co-workers would be, we had a delicious experience! It was BYO wine for the three hour cooking class, which we enjoyed with some hors d’oeuvres before we got started. We divided and conquered to tackle the 7 course meal that included filo wrapped chicken with brie, fennel soup and molten lava chocolate cakes. The highlight dish? Arctic char dip. In one word – MMM! While we whipped up our culinary creations in Viva’s state-of-the-art kitchen, we took the time to get to know each other a little better.

Luckily, you aren’t expected to be a culinary genius, so chef Karen and sous-chef Anne rotated amongst us to ensure we would actually want to eat what we were cooking, and to give us helpful tips. They made it seem so easy! As an added bonus, our meal was not only tasty, but it was also healthy! Viva offers locally sourced, fresh, artisan, and sustainable food.

We were surprised at how quickly, through team work and a LOT of help from Karen and Anne, we had prepared our team feast! We each served our slaved over dishes, and sat around the kitchen to enjoy the fruits of our labour as a team. In addition to being a treat for our taste buds. Karen also uses the cooking experience to facilitate a corporate growing experience – how delicious! While We took time to go around the room and share something new we had learned about our partner, and we reflected on the past year as a team and what we’ve accomplished.

We laughed, we cried, we feasted. Oh, did we feast. Aside from a few over-zealous chocolate lava cakes, our delicacies turned out flawlessly (in our opinion anyways)! Karen and Anne were beyond fabulous, and we strongly recommend a visit to Viva Tastings as an alternative for your typical office party!

Fun Fact: Karen also owns and runs 6 Degrees, an underground kitchen dinner party. How chic! Visit Viva Tastings for more information on how to get your invite or to book your next event!

You can also find Viva Tastings at St. Lawrence Farmer’s Market every Saturday Morning.

TWEET: @vivatastings 

Last night in London, THOMAS SABO hosted an exclusive party at ‘The View From The Shard’ to celebrate the launch of his Sterling Silver Collection for SS13. British model Poppy Delevingne and violinist David Garrett were also announced as the new brand ambassadors.

As the first brand to ever host an event at The View from the Shard, THOMAS SABO personally invited press representatives from 18 countries to enjoy a glamorous night on the 69th floor of the tallest building in Western Europe. The architectural masterpiece, designed by star architect Renzo Piano, which will not be accessible to the general public until February 2013 opened its doors in advance exclusively to THOMAS SABO guests for this very special event.

Notable guests included Poppy Delevingne, David Garrett, F1 driver Nico Rosberg, Jade Jagger, The Sugababes – Keisha, Mutya & Siobhan, Ellie Goulding, Shinghai Shoniwa, Leandro Penna, Laura Jackson, Goldirocks, Lisa Greenwood, Billie JD Porter, Elaine Cassidy, Nat Weller, Sascha Bailey, Brix Smith Start, Stephen Lord as well as International and UK press, VIPs and friends.

Poppy Delevingne is the new brand ambassador for the women’s GLAM & SOUL collection, which is golden silver tri-coloured. Star violinist David Garrett is the new brand ambassador for the first ever separate THOMAS SABO men’s collection REBEL AT HEART.  

The THOMAS SABO SS13 collection will launch in February 2013 and features a new range called ‘Golden Silver’ that features yellow gold and rose gold plated 925 sterling silver for the first time. The SS13 Collection will be available in THOMAS SABO stores worldwide in February. 

We’re no strangers to the rolling hills of Napa. The world acclaimed wineries, breathtaking views, Michelin star-rated restaurants, and luxurious spas keep us coming back for more.

Where we stayed…

It’s no surprise that Solage Calistoga is a haven for celebrities and A-listers worldwide. The artful oasis boasts interiors replete with natural materials, its very own Michelin-starred resto and a killer spa. Mint-scented turn down water and a very sexy shower for two made this a must-return hotel. The cutest duo of touring bicycles parked outside of our “cottage” didn’t hurt the ahhhhhhhhhh factor.

Where we soaked…

In the ‘healing geo-thermal waters’ at Spa Solage, after experiencing the ‘Solage Signature Mudslide’. Spa Solage definitely lives up to its title of Conde Nast’s Number one spa in the Americas and the Caribbean.

Where we sipped and savoured…

Michelin Star-rated Solbar, offers California Soul Food inspired by fresh locally grown, seasonal ingredients. In addition to the delectable culinary offerings, the space includes an outdoor patio where you can dine by the warmth of a fire pit while taking in the spectacular views.

The Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant in St. Helena is one of the three restaurants of The Culinary Institute of America. Its elevated location makes it one of the best places to savour delicious slow braised short ribs, while taking in views of the valley with a glass of wine.

If you’re looking for home grown flavours, Zazu restaurant and farms prides itself in its American classics and rustic Italian menu. Also on offer are limited production wines, scarcely found outside Sonoma County.

Set back in the Southern Dry Creek Valley, we also loved sipping on some flavourful Carignane at Alderbrook Winery, winner of the 2012 International Wine competition.

The perfect recipe for a heavenly getaway. Till next time Napa!

@cf_faulhaber

Join us on Movember 30th as we celebrate a wonderful and successful campaign. 

This September 2012, we all held our breath as a golden statue was erected on University and realized that Momofuku had arrived.

With three floors of minimalist yet opulent design, the space features four busy formats ranging from fine dining to grab-and-go: the exclusive 20-seater called shōtō (3^rd floor), the lounge-bar, nikai (2^nd floor), the buzzing noodle bar (main floor) and finally daishō  – the family-style restaurant (3^rd floor).

Last week, the FPR girls ventured over to visit and chow down on eats from New York’s David Chang. The latest edition to his empire, this Toronto-injection is attached to the Shangri-La Hotel and seated in front of our towering downtown high-rises.

Prior to visiting daishō, we pre-ordered (RECOMMENDED!) a meal for four from the Large Format menu. The fried chicken meal – our indulgence of choice – comes with a variety of à la carte items to accompany scallion pancakes, ginger scallion sauce, jalapeno garlic sauce, pickled vegetables, shaved radishes, herbs and tabasco salt. Guests are encouraged to eat as they please, from making wraps with the pancakes to eating the chicken straight-up with your hands.

To finish it off, Chef Matt Blondin, formerly the executive chef of Acadia, sent our VIP table (we had a burly brother manning the kitchen) a custom creation of an apple terrine topped off with a sour drizzle and a scoop of iced vanilla cream.

From the front of house staff dressed in quirky casual wear to kitchen guys in their whites, we felt very taken care of and right at home – until, that is, it was time to roll ourselves into taxis, extra fried chicken in tow.

Verdict: Definitely, definitely, go.

@ChefMattBlondin @davidchang @Momofuku

“It’s hard to describe the emotion on the face of a parent when they realize you are going to save their child – it’s one of the most gratifying things one could ever witness.”

On October 12^th, Canada’s top fashion designers, photographers and artists will be making their way to Toronto’s Liberty Grand to help support the Herbie Fund, based out of the Hospital for Sick Children.  Every dollar of the proceeds go directly towards bringing a seriously ill child into SickKids Hospital for specialized surgical attention that is unavailable in his/her home country.

This year’s Oceana Ball will feature a live performance by the Principal Ballerina of the National Ballet of Canada, Heather Ogden, followed by a Jully Black concert at the after party. The event will also celebrate the launch of the latest issue of Oceana Magazine,featuring none other than Faulhaber PR’s very own, Christine Faulhaber, amongst other influential and philanthropic Canadians.

Photo credit: Joee Wong Photography

Oceana Magazine, the first national, charity-based periodical, unites high-end Canadian fashion and philanthropy. Each year, thirteen original pieces of art, created by twenty-six of Canada’s leading fashion designers and photographers are featured. Be sure to check out the 2012 copy online the week of the 15^th. 

Photo credit: Joee Wong Photography

The Herbie Fund at SickKids was founded by Paul and Gina Godfrey in 1979 in response to the needs of children, like seven-month-old Herbie Quinones who was born with a rare birth defect that made it difficult for him to breathe while eating. Although SickKids had pioneered a procedure that could heal Herbie, his family could not afford the flight to Toronto, or the cost of the surgery. Upon hearing of the family’s plight, Paul and Gina Godfrey initiated a fundraising campaign to bring Herbie to SickKids, creating the ‘The Herbie Fund’.

Over the last 30 years, the Herbie Fund has facilitated life-saving surgeries for more than 640 children regardless of race, creed or colour, covering treatment expenses, clinical appointments, tests and procedures. The physicians at SickKids donate their time and expertise, waiving their surgical fees in order to support as many children as possible.

The number of children benefitted by the Herbie Fund depends entirely on the amount of money donated, and unfortunately there are always more applications than the program can support. Every ticket makes a difference so show your support by attending Oceana 2012.  We can’t wait to see you there!

Tickets to the Oceana Ball 2012 can be purchased at: www.oceanaball.com.

TWEET @OceanaMagazine