2009 June | The Conveyor Belt - A Fashion and Lifestyle Journal

Holt Renfrew Contemporary Correspondent Competition

The Holts Contemporary Correspondent search is underway in three Canadian cities, and one of our Vancouver stars needs your vote to win! Two finalists in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal are battling it out through a series of fashion challenges until August 2nd. Votes cast by the public each week will determine who secures the coveted position in each city.

Stylefinds editor Shallom Johnson is one of two finalists, narrowed down from over 300 applicants, for the Vancouver Contemporary Correspondent position – but she needs your votes over the coming weeks to win the job!

The challenge this week was to turn an outfit from drab to fab using accessories – here’s what Shallom did:

Using the same dress, she changed her look entirely with accessories:

Voting for the first week is open until Wednesday, so be sure to visit the Holts Facebook page, become a fan and vote. It’s really simple and you’d be making this fashionable girl’s dreams come true – I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more than Shallom. She’s one of the hardest working, positive, inspiring, creative and amazing women I am privileged to know.

VOTE NOW!

Published by Terri on June 26, 2009 in Fashion. 3 Comments

From A to B In Style?

bikes

Generally I have an opinion on something and will share it, invited to or not, but today I am confused. The source of my confusion is the practice of cycling in Vancouver. I must say first, I am not questioning mountain biking or biking as a sport. The issue in question is biking as a means of transportation in and around Vancouver’s downtown core.

The cons are evident immediately. Flat, helmet hair is comparable to runners with jeans- not cool. Arriving somewhere sweating- also not that cool. Panting up ‘hills’ while people in cars gawk- not cool unless it’s a jeep full of hotties into active chicks. Getting dolled up to go out somewhere and then biking there ensures what you saw in the mirror at home is now gone- and you’re hideous- red faced, sweaty and with helmet hair.

The pros aren’t hard to find either. There’s no arguing you’re getting there faster than if you walk. You never pay for parking. You can do it drunk. It is environmentally friendly. You’re getting exercise, aka keeping your buns in shape. You never need god dam exact change for the bus (I’ll rant on this later).

I once bought a bike when I was living in Sydney. It cost me about $150 and I rode it three times and gave it away. I just never felt I could pull it off. And I lived at the top of a hill. End of story.

What do you think? Should I embrace biking or stay true to slow and steady walking and the occasional irritating bus ride? Is helmet hair worth it or is ditching the helmet worth the potential fine? What is the most stylish/ sensible/ cost effective/ efficient mode of transportation (besides an SUV) in Vancouver?

Published by Jenn on June 26, 2009 in Lifestyle. 1 Comment

Dogs as Social Networking Tools

terri’s dog, jill

A lot of people in Vancouver have dogs. It goes hand in hand with the wholesome lifestyle. Now originally I thought dog owners were simply animal lovers who enjoyed companionship and wanted something cute to come home to. But now I get it- they want dates.

Me, Terri and another friend were sitting at a pub in gastown with their two dogs tied up on the other side of the railing. Every second person or group that walked by stopped to pet the dogs and most had a few kind words for us. We got smiles off almost everyone. It was feeling very social and comfortable until a few hotties cruised by and my lighbulb went off. Who needs match.com or whatever that popular fish site is when all you need to do is turn to (wo)man’s best friend?!?

What cuter way to meet the man or woman of your dreams than by having your dog run up and lick them? I’m sold. Having a dog gives you free license to chat to anyone you like without seeming weird. Without a dog, you need a reason to approach the hard bodied stranger in the board shorts. Put a leash in your hand and you can run over smiling, and you’re in – at least for a chat. And if he has a dog, it’s fate.

For now I’m a dateless without a dog but am putting myself in the dog-sitting market. I will walk them, pick up their poop and put treats in the pocket of my summer dresses – all in the pursuit of meeting cute boys. So if you have a dog that needs walking (or are a cute boy and would like to cut the middle man (dog?) and take me out), get in touch!

Published by Jenn on June 24, 2009 in Lifestyle. 2 Comments

Living in Glass Houses

I took a trip up to 100 Mile House this weekend to buy raw alpaca fiber for the larry. FW09/10 collection, and during the drive we stopped at some decrepit abandoned houses along the highway. After walking around the property, I noticed something further back obscured by the trees.

It looked like a tile building covered in graffiti, and it wasn’t until I poked my head inside that I realized the entire structure was made of glass bottles.

There was quite a bit of garbage inside – an abandoned washing machine, a pile of rubbish that looked like it may have once been a couch, and bags of chips left by packs of teenagers.

I suspect it might have been used as some sort of steam room or sauna at one point…but all I could think was, this is a prime location for a photo shoot! I plan to drag some models and a photographer up there soon and see what we can make of it.

The graffiti on the outside produced a wall of colour shining through to the inside – incredibly gorgeous, in a way that these cameraphone images can’t quite justify.

Not only is the structure Canadian, but so too were the bottles it was created out of – you can’t quite see, but each one says ‘Made in Canada’ on the bottom.

I should probably note that these buildings were on the property of a family friend. I wouldn’t advise trespassing on other people’s land – even if it’s for an amazing photo shoot!

Published by Terri on June 22, 2009 in Arts & Culture. 3 Comments

Warehouse Sample Sale Scores

This morning I scoped out the big sample sale I posted about on Wednesday – it officially began this morning, occupying quite a large space on Parker just off Clark St, and I definitely recommend you try to go.

There are lots of great Faryl Robin shoes available in a variety of sizes for $65. I had to pass on a beautiful pair, as the price tag was just a bit too steep. There were also some Irregular Choice shoes in lots of sizes, and then a whole load of sample shoes (size 6) for just $20. My lucky duck of a roommate scored big time, as she is teeny tiny with teeny tiny size 6 feet to match. Everything Colcci is $30.

I settled on these wide-legged Covet trousers that will be great paired with my new Fluevog summer sandals, set me back around $50:

And this tank from local label Lily + Jae for under $40:

Mostly everything was priced for $50 or under. There are some $5/$10/$15 bins to root through as well. I would expect further markdowns as the sale continues – I plan to visit again tomorrow afternoon to see waht kind of markdowns there are. Usually about halfway through a sale, the red pen comes out and prices are slashed further. I doubt my Faryl Robin shoes will still be there, but we’ll see what else comes up!

The sale is on until 8pm tonight, and begins again tomorrow at 10am. Good luck!

1355 Parker St.

Published by Terri on June 19, 2009 in Fashion. 0 Comments

Ready to Run?

this is what we want to do to your runners. espaciovictor photo.

As I made my way back to Vancouver from years living abroad, I spent a week in New York where I noticed a strange new trend. It literally had me laughing out loud in NY, so I was shocked, appalled and pretty disgusted to this trend thriving and seemingly accepted here in Vancouver.

I don’t have a vendetta against running shoes. I jog, and when I do I put on my running shoes for protection, comfort and appropriate arch support. The issue I have with running shoes is that they’re EVERYWHERE! They’re in pubs, shops, restaurants and on people who I can safely bet have no intention of running. They’re being worn with jeans, dress pants and even skirts! They don’t look cool, match what people are wearing or make any sense at all. It drives me crazy, as I really like shoes. Comfortable or not, I like my feet to look good. I’ve spent that last year in London walking 40 minutes to and from work in heels. Why? Because they look great and after a while, you get used to them. It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey…and you never know who you might meet on the journey. And I sure as hell wouldn’t want to be caught in running shoes.

Active gear in general has far too large a presence in Vancouver. I recognize that it is a very active city. Everyone seems to be riding bikes, hiking, smoothie drinking and generally keeping in good health. I wonder what came first – Vancouver’s natural orientation towards an energetic and healthy lifestyle, or lululemon?

It appears lululemon is in with the government. A secret underground partnership that ensures the sun rises in the east, perhaps? EVERYONE wears lululemon, and more often than not when they have no intention of exercising! When I exercise I sweat, go red in the face, and I don’t smell good. Why would I want to spend $200 on an outfit to get yucky in? Oh wait, because I’m not actually going to sweat in it? Well that makes even less sense. Maybe I should start wearing a swimsuit to do my grocery shopping. After all, they say it might rain this week.

I’m not saying London and Sydney don’t have their own faux pas’ because they do. Sleeveless t-shirts on would-be hot Aussies….you get what I mean. London suffers from metrosexual overload. I like a guy who gets ready to go out quicker than I do and that’s not easy to find over there. But the point is, Vancouver needs to smarten up about this athletic wear obsession. Establishments should tighten up their dress codes, and violators should seek help from their quasi-fashionable friends and invest in some decent pairs of footwear.

If you think you might be in need of assistance and have nowhere to turn, email us at info[at]theconveyorbelt[dot]com and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Published by Jenn on June 19, 2009 in Fashion. 3 Comments