PARKLUXE 2014 - FASHIONABLE NIGHT IN #YYC!!

NORDSTROM OPENS ITS FIRST CANADIAN STORE IN CALGARY!!!

It's been an exciting waiting time for all Canadian #fashionistas since Fall 2012 - especially those living in Calgary - as Nordstrom has launched its first international location at Chinook Centre in Calgary! The opening gala, hosted on September 17th, 2014 by members of the Nordstrom family (tickets were sold out to 1,800 guests within just 2 days!!) and raised $180,000 for the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation and United Way of Calgary.

 With @NordstromYYC Manager - Shelia Wooldridge(on the right)

Beautiful #beauty section at Nordstrom in Calgary

Invited guests had a chance to taste Hotel Arts’ cocktails and delicious (and visually unique!!) hor’s oeuvres, such as waffle cones, Alberta lamb popsicles, fried chicken, and roasted yellow and purple beet goat cheese lollipops—and few more!!

 It was a glamorous evening - just think of two spacious levels with apartment-style change rooms and 30 real models presenting such brands, like Missoni, Marc by Marc Jacobs or Rag & Bone.

 One of my favourite is definitely the shoe department with Valentino, Chloe, and what makes me so excited - exclusive shoe line designed for Nordstrom by Sarah Jessica Parker!!! 

Delicious creations by @HotelArtsYYC

I absolutely loved the background live music thanks to Toronto-based recording artist - Sean Jones!! (you really wanted to start dancing!)

Everyone was leaving the new store with fresh flowers bouquet (what a nice gesture Nordstrom!)

Must-try @NordstromYYC restaurant - Bazille

One of the stylish guests:-) (from DaDe Art)

Together with Calgary Jewellery's - Bernard Florence

Calgary was very lucky to have Nordstrom opening first at our city - the next steps are openings at Ottawa’s Rideau Centre on March 6, 2015; Pacific Centre in Vancouver in Fall 2015; Toronto Eaton Centre and Yorkdale Centre in Toronto in Fall 2016; and Sherway Gardens in Toronto in Spring 2017!!

EXPECTING A MIRACLE - MY PREGNANCY JOURNEY…

I was waiting with that news to share but now - being almost 6 months pregnant - I am so excited to spread my joy with all of my readers&followers - but mostly other expecting Moms!

Since it is my first baby (o.s. it's going to be be a boy:-) every day is a new discovery for me, I am facing challenges that I've just heard about - and trying to find solutions can be tough - so I decided to share my prenatal journey till the day of welcoming our baby into the world:-)

I know so many expecting women are scared and complaining about the way their body changes; some of them stop feeling beautiful; many of them have hard time to find good quality clothing but still looks stylish&fashionable. What about those type of questions: what necessary items should I get for a baby, how to convince my husband to support me&take prenatal classes with me (event where to look for them) - the list could probably go endless - but my goal is to help all of you - Mommies-To-Be - how to stay healthy, feel&look beautiful and be prepared for the new baby to arrive!!!

Together with few brand names&companies we created this exciting project - and at this point I would already like to say "ThankYou" to Bikram Yoga Calgary South (especially Lyndsay and Morgan). Diva Salon&Spa (thanks Rasha), Aurora Midwifery and Healthy Birth Choices ( Rhonda&Sue), as well as to my talented friend - Lea Romanowski (Designing On The Edge) for creating beautiful fresh flower crown & of course to my husband - Rafal - for taking the picture we could use for our promo poster:-)

I started this project by taking one-on-one Bikram yoga class with Lyndsay - twice a week in the morning (sometimes it's so hard for me to get up:-(. Lynsday is amazing instructor - and especialy because she had he daughter almost couple of years ago - she shares her joy with me also by encouraging me to take those hot yoga classes regularly. Apparently they help a lot, not only with your physical appearance - but mainly-it trains your brain how to stay focus&conscious and how to control your breathing - which I am sure will help me during delivery (thank God there is still few months ahead of me:-)I will try to share some pictures and maybe do a quick video demonstrating you some of the postures(that you can also do at home)!!

This week I had a chance to finally spoil myself by having extraordinary treatment at Diva Salon&Soa - Chinook location - with my favourite beauty practitioner&senior aesthetician - Sarah.

I am going to be seeing her once a month - for the next four months!!

This time we decided to do hand&foot treatments - so Aveda Foot Relieving Treatment - followed by shellac (which I've never done before).

Chinook is actually one of my favourite Diva's location - their spa is located on the upper level - and after changing in my robe (I had to take a picture!!) we went to the beauty room to do my for treatment!

First we've started with choosing the right combination of oils - and of course I went with "energizing one" (I need that constantly!). For those of you who have never been at any of Diva's salon - they are one of the city's only Aveda lifestyle salons, whose plant derived products will leave you looking and feeling your best!!

Aveda Foot Relieving Treatments are customized with Aveda's pure plant and flower products, for balance and recovery of hands and feet, combined with nail grooming.

I really enjoyed myself sitting on one of those comfortable massage chairs - while Sarah was making sure I am actually relaxing at the same time.

You can really "switch off", and after exfoliating your legs&feets with scrub & applying a lotion(mine was with mint scent - so cooling and refreshing) you feel like re-born!!

Although I am not a big fan of shellac - it might be a good option for you - expecting Moms - because as a great alternative to gel nails - if done properly - it can really give you a break from worrying about your nails&color for about 2 weeks!!

Diva Salon&Spa hand and foot care menu is quite extensive - it also have Caribbean Therapy hand&foot treatment, Botanical Skin Resurfacing hand&foot treatment and of course - artistic nails services!!

For more information - you can either visit Diva's website or call one of the 7 salons' locations!!!

Me&Sarah after the treatments - happy faces:-)

"TALKING TRENDS WITH LISA TANT" - CHECK WHAT'S TRENDY THIS FALL/WINTER 2014/2015 ACCORDING TO HOLT RENFREW!!!

Last week, I had a pleasure to spend fashionable afternoons thanks to Holt Renfrew!!

First, I got invited for media gathering where all local media&fashion bloggers had a chance to see again&talk to Lisa Tant - VP Exclusive Services/FashionDepartment at Holt Renfrew Canada - who visited Calgary for few days to chat about what's exciting this Fall&Winter.

Moreover, during that afternoon-we had a chance to have a first look at the trends book - and what is so interesting-and exciting about it - is the fact that all the photography was taken in beautiful Alberta - both Calgary and Drumheller!!

After our media meet-up on Wednesday last week - the presentation was open to the public on Friday, where all guests had a chance to experience a runway presentation of the hottest trends this coming season.

There are few strong trends you are going to see  - and hopefully will be able to implement into your wardrobe!!!

I love visual effects & prints; "steal wealth" - like a classic suits finished by wearing simple converse; mod - tunics, short skirts&dresses, beautiful coats (my favourite from Canadian designer - SENTALER) together with lower flat boot - just below the ankle; and one of my favourite trend - different shades of RED!!!

In terms of mens fashion - you will see generous coats accessorized with scarves, ties, pocket squares as well as active clothing!!

Me&Lisa Tant after the trends presentation:-)

Together w/one of the models - Kim Noseworthy - after the runway presentation

With stunning models showcasing Holt Renfrew F/W 2014/2015 trends

At media event with couple of organizers&beautiful ladies from Holt's Marketing team - Caitie&Tracy

Chatting with Lisa Tant at @YellowDoorBistro  - media gathering

Thank you Holt Renfrew for beautiful gift (La Prairie night cream)

 and delicious chocolates:-)

CANADIAN LABEL WITH EUROPEAN STYLE - SENTALER - BRAND THAT REPRESENTS THE LUXURY OUTWEAR!!!

This week I had a pleasure to meet with not only beautiful but mainly-talented Canadian designer - Bojana Sentaler, who was visiting Calgary for couple of days to showcase her latest outwear collection to all fashion lovers, that is available both online as well as at Holt Renfrew stores across the country.

 Photo courtesy of Aleyah Solomon

To understand Bojana's vision and approach to fashion, you would have to learn more about her journey.

After obtaining her business degree from the Schulich School of Business in Toronto and gaining experience in the marketing field, Bojana began a journey around the world to explore her true talent and passion for design and fashion.

Throughout those years, Bojana admired fashion trends and lifestyle in different countries that she visited or resided in, from Europe to Middle East, Asia and South America. 

While she was working in Dubai, she had a chance to meet the fashion icon -Mr. Karl Lagerfeld-and by having a conversation with him, she knew that to be designer - you don't need schools - you either have "IT" or no. Looking at her designs, you can definitely tell that she has a sense of aesthetics - and that's something I think she was born with:-)

Inspired by the diverse vibrancy and beauty of her journeys, in 2009 Bojana created SENTALER, a luxury outerwear brand that symbolizes elegance and sophistication.

With a commitment to timeless designs and superior quality, each SENTALER coat is precisely crafted with hand finishing using the world’s finest and rare fabric, alpaca, which is warm, lightweight and exceptionally soft.

I was shocked when I touched her coats - they are so soft and silky to the touch, with a rich handle and sensual drape. 

The main fabric used in the collections is alpaca, a specialist organic fiber, which is harvested by shearing a Peruvian alpaca animal. Bojana discovered it during one of her trips to South America.

What is so unique about those animals, is that they are raised at high altitudes in freezing Andes, so they were able to develop microscopic air pockets in their fiber, which provide thermal insulation. As a result, SENTALER outerwear is lighter and warmer than wool and cashmere. SENTALER alpaca coats are resilient - they will not easily mat, pill, stain, lose shape nor colour.

What is so valuable to mention is the fact that Alpaca fiber is naturally hypoallergenic. Unlike wool, alpaca fiber does not contain lanolin, thus acting very comfortable, especially for sensitive skin.

SENTALER collection is mainly made of baby alpaca, which comes from the first shearing of a young alpaca. This is the softest and most desired fibber. 
But the collections also carries pieces made of the rare Suri alpaca, which contain longer, rich-looking hair that is very silky and lustrous.

Suitable for different occasions, the SENTALER collection is dedicated to the modern, classy and sophisticated women, who enjoy glamour and refinement.

 My meeting with Bojana Sentaler during her visit in Calgary

Me trying one of Sentaler coats - 

Long Belted Coat with Large Alpaca Hair Collar

To see more of SENTALER styles and the Fall/Winter 2015 Collection, 

please check the website at http://www.sentaler.com

If you would like to see, touch and of course - try some of the coats - please contact me directly at 

abasak@fashioncalgary.ca

I am also VERY EXCITED to announce that SENTALER is one of the sponsors for 2014 Fashion Calgary Portrait Campaign and it's exclusive gala event held in November 6th, 2014 at Jack Singer Hall in Calgary by sponsoring my coat for that special night!!

Everything in support of Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and its Musical Camps for Kids!!!

Thank you Bojana &the SENTALER Team!!