A few questions with Yasmine Louis

When I like something, I REALLY like it.  Remember last month when I visited the boutique Fresh Collective and fell in love with their fashions?  Well....since then I’ve been obsessing over Yasmine Louis’ tee-shirts.  So much so that I had to reach out to her.  I had to let her know how cool her apparel is, and most importantly, to share her brilliance with the happygrrls’ audience.

Enjoy!

Hometown

Lots...but Toronto is my favorite.

Did you always want to be a designer?

Making art was never a question. I just always made stuff and sold it, even as a teenager in the streets of Montreal. And I can't imagine not making things.  

How did you come up with the concept for your t-shirts?

My everyday life. I wanted to have a line of clothing that had a meaning to me, not just a pretty print. Each of my prints (image and text) are inspired by a photo I've taken and by a specific moment. English is my second language (French being my mother tongue), but it's important to me to keep the sentences as I would say them, even if it sounds a bit odd. My work is almost like a journal... "today was almost perfect", "i lied and went to see a matinee", "i think it's going to be very awesome", these are all quotes from my everyday life, thoughts, or things I did.

What is the silk screen process like?

I have help before a big show, someone to assist me with ironing, folding etc., but I do all the printing myself. I can't imagine having someone else printing my work. I love the moment when you lift up the screen and see that perfect print. Impeccable lines. I love mixing colours and being in front of a blank shirt -- making something new every time.

Printing can be fast or slow depending on how you approach the technique. I use multiple screens and all my shirts are different so it can be time

What inspires you?

Toronto, good and bad days.

Where can we find your creations?

My studio on appointment, shows (check out my next show date on my website at www.yasminelouis.com), Fresh Collective stores and Millicent Vee in the Distillery.

Thanks, Yasmine!

Michelle

Hmmm, street food!

Okay, is it me, or are you addicted to the Food Network’s mouth-watering, totally delish ode to street food TV show, Eat St?  Cool, I knew I wasn’t alone. 

Who could possible resist a show devoted to displaying the culinary delights cooked on a food truck?  Not me.  Each and every week after I watch an episode, I always utter the same phrase, “Why aren’t there more food trucks in Toronto”?

Looks like someone heard me!  I recently found out (via my sis) that there is a website called Toronto Food Trucks that can help you find and track down food trucks in the Toronto area.

They deliver you the latest news on the burgeoning food truck scene, and it even boasts customer reviews—so you’ll know which one to check out. 

It’s better if you sign up (don’t worry it’s free) and they will e-mail you the location of the food trucks.  If you don’t want to sign up, you can always follow them on Twitter and get the details.

Can’t wait to nibble on some sweet street eats!  Yay!

Michelle

Petite Feet Shoe Sale

A friend called and asked if I was interested in going with her and her friend to the Petite Feet Shoe sale.  Since I’m a sista with anything but “petite” feet, I told her I wasn’t sure. She assured me that the sale offered a range of sizes, so I accepted the invitation. LOL!

OMG, there were hoards of women with baskets and baskets of super sexy shoes trying to get their shop on! 

I had a major purchase earlier in the day, so I was only allowed to look and not buy.  Actually the line up to pay for the pretty little shoes was crazy!  So we took a quick glimpse around, and we then we were off for dinner.

If you are interested in getting a few pairs for the summer, check out the sale at

The International Centre – Hall 4

69oo Airport Road, Mississauga,

* It runs from April 5^th – April 8, 2012

Have fun shopping!

Michelle

Tweet me!

Okay, I realize that I’m a little late to the party with this, but I’m finally on Twitter.  You can tweet me at @happygrrls.

Feel free to tweet me your thoughts, questions, or anything that pops into your head!

I look forward to hearing from you.

Michelle

Twitter:  @happygrrls

e-mail: michelle at happygrrls.com

Dresses, skirts and t-shirts...oh my!

Today was unseasonably warm...oh, I’m sooo not complaining!  I enjoyed every minute of the delightful weather by hanging with one of my besties grabbing lunch and doing a little window shopping.

We wandered down Queen and Bathurst and found a barrage of quirky clothing shops.  We are both girly girls and adore wearing dresses, so we ran into one of the stores that seemed to have our name written all over it.

Fresh Collective

Fresh Collective is a designer run boutique.  They display the work of local designers who create unique pieces for the person with anything but boring fashion sense.

We were greeted by probably one of the friendliest people on earth—soo refreshing. She told us about the designers that created the items for the boutique and encouraged us to take our time and take a look.  She didn’t pressure us at all, so we were able to spend a looong time in the shop playing dress up!

I fell in love with the dresses, but I really, really wanted one of Yasmine Louis’ t-shirts.  They are beyond cool.  She is an artist that takes pics around Toronto, makes silk screens and prints the images on t-shirts, pillows, and other clothing items.

It wasn’t necessarily what the t-shirt looked like that got me; it was what was written on the t-shirts.  Whatever Yasmine is thinking  is inevitably written on the t-shirt.  It’s like her own stream of consciousness captured on a t-shirt.  I looove it!

We didn’t get a chance to buy anything this time around, so we’re already planning our next trip in the very near future.  Check it out if you can!

Fresh Collective

692 Queen Street West

416-594-1313

www.freshcollective.com

Michelle

Song of the Moment: Take Care - Drake f/ Rihanna

It’s usually quite easy for me to pick the Song of the Moment.  I first hear a song.  It moves me to my core.  I download it and sing it relentlessly.  And eventually my love for the song will wind up on the infamous happygrrls blog.

This time around, I have been geeking over two songs.  I pitted them against each other to see which one would come out victorious.  After many rounds, there was a clear winner. 

Take Care- Drake f/ Rihanna

I loooved Drake and Rihanna’s first collabo - Say My Name. It was a super sexy flirtatious song and video, and dammit they made the perfect esthetic pairing - they are both stunningly attractive!

Their second collabo, Take Care, is completely different.  It’s probably one of the most morose love songs I’ve ever heard, and bizarrely, I looooove it.  (pssst...this song is a semi-remake of Gil Scott-Heron’s original version, as well as a retooling of British music producer, Jamie XX’s remix of Gil Scott-Heron's version of "I'll Take Care of You").

The tone of the song feels so tragic and gloomy, but when you listen to the lyrics, it tells a different story.  It’s obvious that they both like each other (not Rihanna and Drake, the characters in the song), but they are taking baby steps back into the love game.  They’ve been previously scarred by love, so they’re a little apprehensive about being vulnerable again.

Rihanna uses a deep, breathy voice to convey her pain. 

Know you’ve been hurt by someone else
I can tell by the way you carry yourself
If you let me, here’s what I’ll do
I’ll take care of you
I’ve loved and I’ve lost

 Just like Rihanna, Drake is brooding and waiting for the green light from his crush. 

Cause you don’t say you love me
To your friend when they ask you
Even though we both know that you do (you do!)

With one minute left in the song, there’s a break in the song and Gil Scott-Heron’s vocals kick in.  At first listen I was completely freaked out. I thought that the song was over and a bizarre new song began.  After a few listens it grew on me and made sense with the rest of the song.

I’m sooo in love with this song right now.  It may turn out to be one of my all time fave love songs.  Check it here and let me know what you think.

Michelle

Q & A with Beauty Expert Sandy Gold



Sandy Gold



Although I wrote about stepping up my makeup game all of a few days ago (read previous post!), I'm still a novice when it comes to makeup application.  Instead of suffering in silence, I decided to contact Sandy Gold, a well known Beauty Expert for her expertise on all things makeup.

I was excited to interview Sandy as I’ve seen her how-to videos, visited her beauty blog happiface and watched her on a couple of TV shows (Styleography, Rags to Red Carpet).  I was able to ask her a few questions on how she got into the biz, and what the hot new colours are for Spring 2012.  Enjoy!

How did you learn to apply makeup?

I studied art in high school – so I’ve always looked at the face as a really beautiful 3D canvas.  

How did you break into the beauty biz?

A really exciting moment and a turning point for me was  back in 2007 when some of my how-to makeup videos on YouTube were featured in a segment on Good Morning America and in an article in the New York Times. 

What do you like most about being a Beauty Expert?

I get to meet inspiring women everyday and help them feel confident and beautiful.  How great is that!

What beauty product should a woman always apply before leaving the house?

Mascara—can’t leave home without it  J

What is the biggest makeup faux pas that you would like women to stop doing right now?

Dark lip liner with a light lipstick. I used to do this when I was in high school and it wasn’t a good look ; )

I love visiting your website and your YouTube channel.  I was wondering, do you offer any hands on workshops?

Thank you very much J  Yes, I am currently working on an “Everyday Makeup” class/workshop for April—so stay tuned to happiface.com and Twitter (@SANDYGOLD25) for more information regarding classes, coming soon!

What are the new colours for Spring 2012?

Some of my favourite shades for spring are:

                                   





NAILS

Dior Nail Lacquer in: Water lily (soft green)

L’Oreal Color Riche nail colour in: Tangerine Crush

LIPSTICK

Bobbi Brown neons and nudes collection in: Atomic Orange & Neon Pink

BLUSH

Stila convertible colour in: Gladiola (peachy, orange) & Fuschia

EYES

L’Oreal La Couleur Infallible Eye Shadow in: Sweet Strawberry

Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24hr cream gel shadow in: Tenacious Teal

* Bonus: Makeup tip

I’m still trying to master the Cat Eye eyeliner look, but I always end up looking like I have a black eye!  What are some quick and simple tips to help me achieve this look?

Yes, Cat Eye’s can be a bit tricky. Start by drawing a line first using a white eyeliner pencil (it acts like a stencil) – then once you’re happy with the way it looks, go over it with your black eyeliner.

Thanks for taking the time to answer the questions, Sandy! 

Michelle