Concrete Junglez: Canadian Graffiti Part Three

Location: Back Alleys of Queen St, Downtown Toronto

Freedom Walk 2011

Freedom. 

To be FREE. Free from everything that binds us down, robs us of who we are and takes away what chances we have in life.

[free-them] is an organization of dedicated and passionate people, founded with the belief and heart to fight global human trafficking and abolish the modern day slave trade.  

You'd think stuff like this doesn't exist in Canada but the statistics are actually pretty scary. The media also doesn't cover everything and it's almost like it's taboo to talk about these things or even address some of these issues. It's also so glamourized on TV and in movies. Looking for a great time? "Ya man let's head over to the nudie bar and watch some pussy and have some drinks!" Everyone is guilty in some way shape or form of somehow funding these sick organizations. Even watching porn. Hit up the strip club, yep. Who knows what happens behind closed doors. There's rhyme and reason for everything. 

If you're interested in getting involved with [free-them] or educating yourself on this global issue, you can visit their www.freethem.ca and www.forfreedomsake.ca . They are also still accepting donations until October!

Check out some images below of their 2nd annual Freedom Walk 2011 that I attended on September 18th. It was such a powerful feeling to see such a massive turn out of supporters unified for this cause. The organizers themselves were so overwhelmed with the response that more Metro cops were needed to help chaperone the event.  

A HUGE SHOUT OUT AND THANKS TO THOSE WHO PLEDGED ME! I will always have your backs!

Location: 77 Adelaide St W, Downtown Toronto

Stolen Moments: Rough Night?

Location: Richmond St, Downtown Toronto

The Speed of Sound: Lissie

Ever since I heard her cover of Kudi's "Pursuit of Happiness", she's been haunting my dreams and has successfully planted the seed of her soul inside my head, ears and heart...

Lissie, as per Wikipedia, has her musically classified as country, folk, rock, but she's so much more than that. She's ethereal and intangible. Her voice give me chills and I'm not gonna lie, she makes me cry.  She quite frankly almost brings me to orgasm by watching her perform and sing her fuckin heart out. I can feel her passion and her raw energy radiating through her music and if that's not supernatural talent, I don't know what is.

image source: directcurrentmusic.om

**Her band is also amazing.  Check out her mate who's playing bass AND drums at the same time!

The Rundown: Nerd Alert

Originally I was supposed to be wearing this oversized dorky patterned bowtie that I have, but I couldn't find it so I had to substitute the look for my old skool rope chain.  It completely changed the vibe of the outfit :(  But I'm hoping you get the gist of the look I was going for...dorky college pro fresh!

I looks like something similar to this:

The Rundown:

Oxford shirt: Wilfred

Shorts: Club Monaco

Shoes (unseen): Christian Louboutin

Accessories: Michael Kors watch, RetroSuperFuture frames, custom nameplate rope chain and bamboo earrings Nellies Custom Design Jewellers, SoHo beaded bracelets

Stolen Moments: Vintage Vehicular Homicide

Dude let me borrow your car...but only if it comes with a flux capacitor...
It's the DeLorean babyyyy

Seven for All Mankind Yorkdale Launch!

I went to the 7FAM flagship store opening launch party at Yorkdale Mall yesterday and it was a sardine fest. It was so rammed with people you had to literally throw dem 'bows to get around.  Aside from the lack of space though, it was great! A lot of familiar faces, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, tunes by DJ Vaneska, loads of denim and some truly spectacular artwork. 

The soirée was hosted by Canadian-Somali supermodel Yasmin Warsame, which also featured a silent auction with all proceeds of the night solely dedicated and donated to The African Future, a charitable organization delivering food and medical services to the victims of drought in Somalia.  Amazing!

The store itself also featured and will continue to showcase the Seven Senses which is a group exhibit of 7 Toronto based artists: Caitlin Cronenberg, Justin Broadbent, Elicser, Curtis Santiago, Phoebe Lo, Bryan Espiritu and Julie Moon. The show will continue to run from August 31st-September 8th.

Below are some pics of the event.  You can catch the rest of them on my Facebook page. 

Bryan Espiritu's piece:

I am seriously turned on my this lol: 

Ashley Joseph! I saw her tank and beelined for her lol. Her's is the clean version. 

The denim in various cuts and styles. I like Seven's as they mould to my hips and ass, aka a great buy.

Me!

The Rundown:

Sweater: Voeu T Laxe

Leather Shorts: Zara

Accessories: Club Monaco braided belt, BCBG heels, LV Tivoli tote, RetroSuperFuture frames, beaded natural stone bracelets by SoHo Monet

Street Style: Creatives in Hiding...

Location: Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto

Name: Kevin

These pics are out of focus sorry. Clearly I need to up my prescription...

I love the dyed 'do which matches the fox tail! Oreos and Good Wood, this kid is fresh!

The Rundown: Vichy is The Shit

Well now, truthfully I don't know much about beauty products and the only time I wear make up is if I'm going out to an event of some sort.  I don't wear any foundation, primer or anything on my face besides slight eye makeup, lipgloss and maybe a little blush on a good day. Do false eyelashes count as make up? No idea, maybe it's more like a prop. 

Anyhow, I thought I'd let you in on a little beauty secret of mine when it comes to my skin.  Basically, I use an exfoliating cleanser, however I'm not particularly loyal to any brand. Currently right now it's Neutrogena of some sort. BUT, I can honestly swear by these 2 products below! I have no idea what it is about Vichy's Thermal Spa Water Spray but it's the shit.  Apparently it's bottled at the source from a spring in the town of Vichy, France and is exceptionally rich in rare minerals. All I know is that since I've been using it over the past year, my skin has less breakouts and has a smooth natural glow with an even complexion. Gimmick? I dunno man, if it is, don't tell me!

So anyways, after I wash my face, I pat it dry and then spray it on my face. After a few seconds, I then dab a bit of Vichy's Aqualia Antiox "Youthful Deoxidising 24Hr Hydrating Cream" (mouthful yes I know). I only use a very light amount as my face is still damp from the spray so the cream blends in nicely. 

That's my morning and nightly routine. Pretty low maintenace but it works wonders for me! It's not too costly either.  The thermal spray is around $12-$15 depending on where you buy it and the hydrating cream is around $35. Both last me a few months so it's a good buy. 

Bonus, Shopper's Drug Mart is having a 20% off sale on Vichy Products but I have no idea until when. 

Street Style: Real G's Wear Pink

Fresh is fresh:

Tshirt: Stussy Dirty Bird Crew

Denim: Levi's "The 'Two Horse' Brand" Matchstick Skinny

Shoes: Vans 

Even though this is looks completely ridiculous now, you have to admit, at the time Cam'ron was doin' it big with the pink Range and basically pink everything. You have to respect his balliness. 

Below: Cam'ron when Purple Haze dropped in 2004

image source: flickr.com

Street Style: Laces are Lame...

Shoes laces are overrated. 

Below: Morgan Collett, co-owner of Saturdays Surf in New York.
Surfer. Skater. Designer. Entrepreneur.

I can't find my scanner so I took the pic with my Nikon straight outta September's issue of GQ (my fav magazine).

Rumi Neely:

image source: fashiontoast.com

Me: For the record, I disposed of them and have no idea where they are...

You can always ofcourse use them for this:

Max at Ching Skatepark, early summer.

Street Style: Weezy and company at The Molson Amphitheatre

So Friday night, me and the homies hit up Weezy's show at The Molson Amphitheatre. The venue itself is an outdoor structure located inside Ontario Place, but it was so rammed that it quickly became a sauna, especially closer to the stage. The venue was jammed with superfans, scantily clad jailbait groupies, fun loving drunks, wannabe hustlers and everyone else inbetween. It was a great show! Also featured was Lloyd, The Far East Movement, Keri Hilson and Corey Gunz(which I missed GRRR), with a special appearance by Toronto's own Drake. Lloyd and Keri sound amazing live and put on an ace performance, but Weezy stole the show (obviously). 

Wayne has great style that reflects his creativity as an artist and his lackadaisical persona. I loved the baseball socks pulled up with high tops and cut off denim shorts. Kudos to his stylist!

Below: Chin and Mz. Keyz

Fresh Prince's exclusive YSL belt :

Below: Me and my $18 HM tank that I modified with a gold marker:

Before: HIGH HEELS HIGH HOPES

After: Being HIGH HEALS HIGH HOPES

Denim vest: American Eagle

Street Style: Ombre Hair

I can honestly admit I have a hair dye addiction and I haven't had virgin hair probably since I was 13. My first experience was when I decided to dye my hair electric purple in my bathroom.  Needless to say, it didn't really work because I'm Asian and my hair decided to say fuck you hell no. Since then, it's been every colour of the rainbow and in every style including: the blond TBoz, the layered Jennifer Anniston and the hot pink pre Nicki Minaj (that was an accident by the way. Fuck you Manic Panic), etc.

So as I've grown older, I've toned it down a bit  (well kinda because the side of my hair is shaved off) but whatever.  I'm kinda impulsive with it but hair is just hair and it grows back. You only live once!!

So 2 weeks ago I decided to jump on the Ombre craze and dye it yet again.  I do love this look though because it has a laid back, beachy, don't care my roots are out of control sorta look. The idea is to have a transition of colour from root to ends and somewhere in between. 

Me:

Alexa Chung and Kristen Stewart:

image source: glam.com

Drew Barrymore:

image source: blog.lookfantastic.com

A model:

image source: fashionstyles.tk

My girl crush: Rumi Neely

image source: shefinds.com

Nicki Minaj:

image source: cosmaddict.com

Street Style: A Little Bit of Scotch and Soda Please

Location:  Scotch and Soda, Sherway Gardens Mall

Name: Kayla

This is a pretty cool ass holster that the employees of Scotch and Soda are required to wear to enhance your retail experience and provide ultimate customer service.  This utilitarian contraption hosts a measuring tape and probably some other nifty stuff in the pockets.  Bonus! The cute little button that reminds you that they're there to help as your personal stylist!

Fyi, I already asked: They're not for sale :(

Street Style: Vintage Mid '70s

These lovely square pics are of my parents in the '70s.  I had to take the pic with my blackberry because my Nikon kept picking up the raised and grainy texture of the photo paper making it hard to see the actual photographs.

I love the spirited nature of both pics. My mom with her beautiful carefree smile and my father with his reflective gentleness. Can't miss the choppy bangs and layered fringes women often wore as hairstyles and my dad's flared denim, corduroy jacket and heeled boots that were so popular amongst early hipsters of their time.

So young and so free...

The SoHo Monet Collection: Wooden Handpainted Bangle

1" Wooden Handshaped and Handpainted Bangle

"Peace, Love and Light"