Roxxi 1995 - 2008

Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.

-Milan Kundera-

Getting back on track

I must apologize for the extended hiatus. I have been in and out of depression for awhile but I am finally getting on with my life. You see, I lost my beloved dog Roxxi to cancer late last year. After six months of chemotherapy, she succumbed to her illness and as much as I wanted to have her with me, I could not bear to watch her go through the weekly IV infusions and injections that caused her immense stress, anguish and pain. I loved her so much but I had to let her go. I don't regret my decision, but I miss her very much. Things just weren't the same without her. Until I brought Tia home.

My husband and I drove six hours to get her. She is so beautiful and everyday I grow to love her more. We took a family trip to Nova Scotia back in July, where we rented an oceanfront cottage in Guysborough. There, she really showed me how full of surprises she is. On her first day, I took her to the beach and immediately, without prior exposure to any large body of water, she ran headlong into the crashing waves and started to swim.

Do you know what happiness is? I see it everyday on Tia's bright, innocent puppy face. But I also know profound sadness and I live with this feeling too, everyday. I am getting better and only now am I able to talk about Roxxi without falling apart. I had so many wonderful memories of her, for almost fourteen years of my life she was a part of it. She watched me graduate from high school and struggled with me throughout my undergraduate years. She kept me company when I moved out of my parents' place and stayed by my side while I wrote my Ph.D thesis. I am thankful that she at least saw me through my wedding day and as if she knew before anyone else, she closed that chapter of my life.

To eternal friendship and new beginnings.....

More on LG Fashion Week

My hubby and I walking out of the tent for a quick Starbucks break. It was hot inside the main tent and I was not in any mood for alcohol.

Happy St. Patty's Day! I love the green outfit, how fitting for the occasion.

At the Linda Lundstrom fashion show. I love princess-cut dresses so naturally when I saw the model walk down the runway in this breathtaking confection, I was smitten.

At the Heart Truth Fashion Show. This dress was so adorable and the way Tara Spencer-Nairn (Corner Gas, CTV) skipped down the runway was so refreshingly youthful. Designer: Damzels in this Dress. Loved it.

This was the Bustle fashion show. There was one particular model that caught everyone's attention here because he sort of glided down the runway without as much as moving his hips. He literally glided down the runway. It was weird.

Photo Credits: Benjamin Wong

LG Fashion Week Tuesday Night

Project Runway Canada contestant Sunny Fong's winning design on the right, inspired by the House of Versace. LOVE IT! Plus purple is my favourite colour. The next one down is also Sunny's creation for evening wear. Very nice.

I headed down to Nathan Phillips Square for some fashion inspiration. Didn't really have too much time to spare, just one night. Saw some big name industry insiders and watched some live interviews by Fashion Television host Jeanne Beker. I couldn't catch Joeffer Caoc's show (again!) so I vowed not to miss it for the third time. Highway traffic is such a bitch.

More pics to come in the next few days...so ciao for now.

Barbie World

These are two of my favourite Barbie dolls: The Marilyn Monroe Barbie and....
The Juicy Couture Barbie girls (below). Makes me wish I was ten again!

On March 16th, 2009, Canada's first lifestyle Barbie store made its debut on Queen St. I've never outgrown this pint-sized fashion icon and I can't wait to browse through the shop for a Barbie-infused sartorial fix!

Giambattista Valli Pre-Fall 2009 Collection

I want this....

And this.....

This berry number below would go really well with my LV Alma Epi bag in Cassis.

Warning: The following images may cause heart palpitations. These beautiful creations could only come from one extraordinary designer known as Giambattista Valli. How does he do it? Sigh.

I dream of Tanzania

In the coldest of winters, my mind seeks respite in far off places in search of new adventures......

I visited a Flight Centre a couple of weeks ago and spoke to a travel agent about the best places to do safaris. He recommended Tanzania. Where else could you experience guaranteed sightings of the "Big 5", namely elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and the rhinoceros? So I looked into this option more closely and discovered other wonderful bonuses: Game drives in the Serengeti, observing the famous wildebeest migration along the Ngorongoro Crater and paying homage to Olduvai Gorge, known to the intellectual world as "The Cradle of Mankind". I became convinced that this was going to be my next destination. Stay tuned as I begin preparations for an East African safari adventure!