Instead of spending big money on martinis, why not splurge on a ticket for a gala fundraiser?  What could be better than getting dolled up for a big dinner, seeing a show or even dancing the evening away – all in support of a good cause.  Ottawa’s events calendar is chock- a- block of such opportunities, and aligning your social life with a sense of social justice can have tangible benefits for you, your community, and the world beyond. 

Here are a few upcoming events worthy of a splurge, along with some outfit options…

This Saturday, February 14, the black-tie Snowflake Ball 2009 will be held at the Hilton Lac Leamy.  This gala will benefit those suffering from Crohn’s, Colitis and colorectal cancer through The 3C Foundation and CHEO’s Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Centre, sponsored by the CHEO Foundation.  This swank affair will be a Masquerade, and guests are encouraged to don masks or 18th century costumes in the spirit of a Venetian “carnivale”.  In addition to cocktails, Cordon Bleu cuisine and live music, there will be live performances, a charity auction and take away party favours courtesy of PRADA perfumes.   Tickets are $250/person, and available here.

         
                              Snowflake Masquerade – by Kitelove on Polyvore.com

Or, for the more arty advocates, what about the V-Day 2009?   This local event is part of an international V-Day movement, which combines the grass roots efforts in 119 countries to raise awareness and funds to stop violence against women and girls.  Money raised at this weekend’s benefit performances of the well-known off-Broadway show “Vagina Monologues” will go to the Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC) in Ottawa and to the V-Day International Spotlight Campaign to stop rape in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The V-Day Ottawa shows will feature performances by scores of Ottawa women, including a few local celebrities like Globe & Mail Senior Political Jane Taber and CTV weekend anchor Kimothy Walker, in addition to a generous number of raffle prizes and a “made by men” bake sale.  Two shows will take place on February 20 and 21 at the Bronson Centre. Tickets are $20 ($25 at the door) and may be purchased in advance at Venus Envy, the Ottawa Women’s Credit Union, Mother Tongue Books, Sophia Esthetic and Collected Works.  For more information, click here.

Arty Advocate – by Kitelove on Polyvore.com

Finally, for those music lovers out there, Ottawa’s annual Black & White Opera Soiree concert and gala will take place Feb 21.at the National Arts Centre.  Presented by Bell, TV news anchors  Peter Mansbridge, Lloyd Robertson and Bernard Derome will host a “Gilbert and Sullivan on Parliament Hill” evening, with proceeds benefiting the National Arts Centre Orchestra and Opera Lyra.

See the show on its own, or join a fabulous gala celebration that includes cocktails, dinner, the concert and a VIP post party complete with the star performers. Tickets for the concert are priced between $50 and $80, and can be purchased through TicketMaster outlets (613-755-1111) and the NAC box office. To go to the gala for $325/person, call 613-947-7000, ext. 322 or 613-233-9200, ext. 224.               
                                          black & white soiree – by Kitelove on Polyvore.com

And, if the bottom line ticket prices are still a bit too steep, don’t despair. You can always get involved by volunteering your time.  Behind the glitz and glamour of a gala night, there is plenty of planning and preparation to be done, and “many hands do make light work” as they say.

I myself have found a cause to get behind, but more on that later.  For now, consider some fabulous fun with big benefits!

It is still a bit hard for me to believe, but my closet was actually built custom.  Talk about every girl’s dream come true!  Prior to moving in, storage of any kind in this house was nonexistent, so it really was a necessary addition.  Fitted with shelves, drawers and an accessories rack it has a place for everything.

Would you believe then, that after more than a year of living here, I still don’t have it organized?  Even after I threw a bona fide hissy fit explaining to the the fella that a girl should not have to share – I’ve left it chaotic and crammed.  This beautiful closet – in its current state – is not worthy of so much as a matched hanger.  Shame on me!

So tomorrow, I will take it on.

Not only do I have visions of a systematic arrangement of wardrobe essentials – punctuated of course with a few spectacular special pieces – I want a closet with personality.  I want a closet where I can see what I’m looking for and where I can spend a little time.  One that is feminine, fun and fabulous, and one that inspires just that little bit of extra effort when getting dressed.   And, I hope it ends up being just a little bit like me: sufficiently cluttered so as to not limit creativity, but adequately ordered to ensure efficiency.

Here are a a few that have stirred my closet cravings…

Collage images via Domino, Design-59 & Brilliant Asylum

Well, here is the official update.  Just this morning, the Canada Post man dropped off my new pair of Sigerson Morrison Belle 5700’s from Gravity Pope in Calgary!  “Good grief” some may be thinking, “what’s the big deal?”. 

I cannot tell you how happy these make me!  It has been over two years since I ran across this pair of boots in a magazine, and ever since, I have not been able to find anything even remotely close.  I have considered countless stand-ins, but could never quite get this pair out of my head. 

Even when I found them last fall, I hesitated.  The price just seemed to exorbitant given the state of the world, and I had trouble rationalizing their purchase, in spite of my vintage living philosophy and my strong conviction that I would love them forever.  I was resigned to the fact that I might never satisfy my boot related longing.

Then, on a wishful whim, I happened into the Gravity Pope e-store just after Christmas.  I was thrilled to find my beloved boots on sale!  I did a double take, and immediately went elsewhere on the Internet to compare prices.  Indeed, I discovered they could still be found at Revolve, Zappos and Net-a-Porter, some even at a discount, but nowhere could I locate my size.  Once again, I lamented, I had missed the “boot boat”.

So, revisiting Gravity Pope once again, I bit the (boot) bullet and submitted my request for a size check (this fantastic shoe retailer makes their stock available online, but their e-store and real store inventory are not yet in sync).   Fast forward 24 hours and lo and behold, my size 8’s had been put on hold for a whole week.  After more than two years of imaginary outfits and missed occasions, I had been granted another week just to be sure!  I canvassed friends, and re-read my old posts.    I tallied my Christmas bills, double checked E-Bay, and even called customer service at Gravity Pope to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.  In the end, I accepted my fate, filled in my payment details, took a deep breath and just hit send on my keyboard. 

Today, they came.  As I unpacked the box (a really nice box BTW), I was anxious.  I have not previously spent so much of my hard earned coin on footwear, and I worried maybe they wouldn’t be the right colour, or their construction would let me down, or worst of all – they wouldn’t fit.  Well, my concerns vanished as soon as I slipped them on. They fit wonderfully and are unbelievably beautiful.  Once I’ve done due diligence – by reinforcing the sole and protecting them from the elements, I will wear them with attitude and gratitude for a long time to come!

These are my forever boots.

Here are a few of the outfit options I’ve been dreaming about…

Saturday boots by Kitelove

Working Lunch by Kitelove 

In the Office by Kitelove 

Dinner Date by Kitelove

This combo would do well for an early flight, followed by lunch downtown.  

Until soon my friends…

Product information

First stop tonight is dinner at Chez Eric, a restaurant that comes highly recommended by a friend of mine who is a permanent resident of Wakefield. Then it’s just a short walk over to the tavern to see Garnett Rogers, singer songwriter extraordinaire. No doubt the evening will be fabulous, regardless of the warm summer rain.

As to an appropriate look and feel for the occasion?  I’ve always got a few ideas…

 Product Information

Grey Cashmere Cardigan, Yoga Pants, J. Crew. Green Tank, Red Bandana Tank, Old Navy.  Blue Swimsuit, AE Outfitters. Wrap Skirt, Uttam London. Coral Polka Dot Bikini, Chloe. Green Flip Flops, Havaianas. Belt, Jeans, Sunglasses, Earrings, Anthropologie.  Junk Food I Love Star Wars T, noflysonus.com.  Straw Cowboy Hat, Nine West. Tie Died Tunic, Tory Burch.  Jean Shorts, Abercrombie & Fitch.  Nidia Brown Leather Sandals, La Canadienne. Yellow Sundress, Juicy Couture. Tote, Orla Kiely. Wood Bangles, R.J. Graziano. 

While scouring the racks this weekend, I came across a never worn two piece skirt suit in navy wool by Louis Féraud, for only $30.   This French house of haute couture was established in the 1950’s and quickly became a favourite of the Paris elite, including cinema star Brigitte Bardot, who was also Mr.  Féraud’s artistic muse.  Today, the deceased designer’s house continues under the creative direction of Jean Pierre Marty, who honours Mr. Féraud’s sophisticated tradition. 

Famous for their ability to sculpt curves, the clothes are refined, but seductive.  The little navy wool number I found sure meets this standard - and it makes me feel like a millionaire!  I can hardly wait to jazz it up with some sexy red shoes for a downtown 5 à 7 schmooze.  It’s perfect!

  “Fashion is not created to separate people but to bring them together; it is a rendez-vous of love.”  Louis Féraud 

Take a look inside the lapel my new (old) jacket to find Mr. Féraud’s personal style philosophy…