Michelangelo: Quest For Genius

 Last Weekend, we visited the Art Gallery Of Ontario (AGO) to view their latest exhibition about Michelangelo: Quest For Genius. The exhibit showed several of Michelangelo's drawings from his Casa Buonarroti Museum in Florence. These drawings showed Michelangelo's creative process in completing his masterpieces. In every genius there were torment, struggles and then mastery. Michelangelo learnt to draw people from actual live models and cadavers. He drew every human body part, down to the muscles and individual features of the model. He used these drawings as practice to create the Sistine Chapel ceiling, the Last Judgement, his paintings and sculptural works like the Pieta and David. This exhibit showed Michelangelo's humanity and at the same time his master genius. Michelangelo is for me the best artist of them all just because he created the Sistine Chapel ceiling, the last Judgement, the Pieta and David. These are priceless masterpieces that show the history of mankind and connects us to the great power of God. 

 

 Michelangelo's drawing of the head as his practise to create the Sistine Chapel.

The drawing on the right is the Madonna and Child. 

 

French sculptor, Auguste Rodin, greatly admired Michelangelo. Rodin traveled to Florence and Rome to study Michelangelo's technique. Rodin applied what he learnt to his bronze sculptures that are displayed in Paris at the Musee Rodin. The Exhibit here at the AGO included some of Rodin's sculptures to compliment Michelangelo's drawings. View here Holt Renfrew's tribute to the Exhibit titled Renaissance Woman which celebrated these masterpieces by Michelangelo and Rodin with Fashion. (Photo credit: Holts Muse)

Michelangelo Exhibit is now at the AGO till January 11, 2015. 

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Summer Reads

This Summer season, whether you find yourself at the Beach or at Home, we relax more and enjoy the summer sun. It is also the time to catch up on our Summer Reads. Here are some of my recommendations that will transport you to different places, cultures, dramas and give you some love story inspirations. The first book is Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walters which was set in the Cinque Terre region along the Ligurian Sea of Northern Italy. In this Story which begins in 1962 involves some Hollywood intrigue set in this Italian Riviera. The other Book titled 2 States: The Story Of My Marriage, written by Chetan Bhagat transports us to India where the author, written in his male perspective,  tells us about the challenges of marrying outside of your State/Province and social class in India. This book is very funny and also very informative about the trials, challenges of marrying outside of your social class and region in India. The book also shares the different traditions in India about courtship, families and marriage. Lastly, the Book, Paris My Sweet: A Year In The City Of Light And Dark Chocolate written by Amy Thomas, is about the real life experience of Amy Thomas who left Manhattan for Paris, France. This book is so delicious to read and makes one want to just leave for Paris right now. How about you? What are your inspirational Summer Reads?  Do you like to be transported to some far away place during this Summer Season?

Yesterday, July 1st was Canada Day. Here was a  feature about the fashion style around Canada titled True North that will transport you around the major cities in Canada. (Photo Credit: Holts Muse).

Happy reading and travelling!

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Part II: Summer Style

 It's Summer and the the temperature is rising. One of the best styles of summer is the Summer Dress. There are so many designs and styles in the market right now. But these Summer dresses from Holt Renfrew Canada are so unique and pretty. The blue and gray floral gingham style dress  and the lace dress are both so feminine and elegant. The red and white dress (by Stella Jean) with the tropical fruits and plants design is perfect for an evening party by the Beach. What do you think? Do you wear Summer Dresses during this season? Now is the time to wear the Summer Dress and pair it with your favourite flat or high heeled sandals. 

View Bon Voyage,  a feature about what to pack to your Summer Destination.

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It's Finally Summer!

 It's finally Summer! As you know, Summer brings with it the sun and the heat. I was at the GAP store to check out what is new for Summer. I was excited to see these shorts and t-shirts in hot pinks, coral and blues. I ended up buying some summer dresses which I will be wearing this Season. What will be your favourite style this Summer Season?  Then of course, besides Fashion, we also have to update our Summer skincare. Don't miss watching the videos on the Summer Beauty Guide presented by Holt Renfrew. Get ready for Summer! Here it comes.

Check out the Holt Renfrew Summer Summer Beauty Guide.  There are videos presenting the Editors of The Kit Magazine showing us their favourite summer beauty products from skin care, make-up, nail polish and hair style. (Photo credit: Holts Muse)

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A Centennial Year At The ROM

This Year is the 100th Centennial Year of  The ROM (Royal Ontario Museum). It will be a year long celebration culminating with the special exhibit of The Forbidden City which features all of the never seen treasures from the Forbidden Palace, in Beijing, China. The Forbidden Palace was the former Palace of the Chinese Emperors, their families, Court Members and Concubines. For Centuries, the Chinese Emperor ruled China and lived in the Forbidden Palace exclusively, giving no access to the people on how they lived and the treasures they owned inside. After the fall of the Emperor, the Forbidden City is currently the Beijing Palace Museum. These treasures we saw at The ROM were never shown outside of China. Our visit was an educating and fun visit full of discovering about the Emperors, their Empress, families, Concubines and their lifestyle and Art currently exhibited at The ROM coinciding with their Centennial Year. 

 These are replicas of the Emperor's Portrait and the Blue and White ceramic jars sold at the ROM Shop. But in the Exhibit, the originals are showcased  as they are displayed in the Forbidden Palace. 

 The Emperor is represented by the Dragon. 

 I learnt from the Exhibit that the Empress of China is not from royal birth but they were originally from the many concubines of the Emperor. Whoever was the first concubine who gave birth to the Emperor's first son, became the Empress. One of the most powerful Empress was Empress Dowager Cixi who ruled the Manchu Qing Dynasty for 47 years from 1861 to her death in 1908.

 

 This Year is the Year of the Horse. 

There were activities inside the Museum for all ages including Lego Land. 

The Theme for the kids is to create monuments from the Forbidden City. Visitors recreated in Lego the Forbidden Palace, an airplane and a tank (both not part of the Forbidden City). 

 The China Gallery.

Inside the museum.

A Fashion Bonus:

In honour of The ROM's Centenary Year and Spring Fashion, Holt Renfrew presents their Style Spotlight: A Day At The Museum featuring Canadian Fashion Stylist, Erika Wark. Don't miss out this Fashion pictorial inside the different galleries at the ROM and the Video.

Happy 100th Birthday ROM!
Celebrate Earth Hour today by turning off lights for one hour starting at 8:30 PM. Let us save our Environment. 

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Winter Essential Oils

During the bitter cold last week, some of my friends last week shared that their skin felt so brittle dry even with the use of lotion. Here in Canada, our winters could be really harsh and cold which causes dry skin, dry scalp and dry hair. I learnt that to survive winter here in Canada, we must adjust our skin care regimen just like we change our clothes to adopt to the Four Seasons.

One of the products I use during Winter to combat dryness is the DHC Cleansing Oil made from Olive oil and Vitamin E. I have to admit that I am a convert to using a facial cleansing oil. I have combination Oily/Dry skin so I have never used any oil based products on my skin. But this DHC Cleansing Oil works well for me this Winter as it thoroughly cleans my skin from make-up, unclogged pores and removes any other dirt. It also moisturises that I now use a dab of Serum and moisturiser on my face. For sure, I cannot use this during the Spring or Summer because then my face will be all shiny from the oil. I also recommend the Shu Uemura Anti-Oxi Skin Refining Cleansing Oil which feature moringa and green tea extracts to combant pollutants.

My scalp also gets dry during Winter so I have loyally used the AVEDA Beautifying Composition Oil for my scalp. I used just a few drops and massage it to my scalp before using the shampoo. 

Then for the Body, it is also very important to use a Body Oil. My favourite is the L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil which forms into a lavish foam when mixed with water and used all over the Body. I also love the subtle smell of the almond all over the shower. It is not too overpowering but the oils are effective to moisturise the skin. 

Believe it or not, I discovered the Aromachologie Collection from L'Occitane in the Philippines, a tropical country, when we visited there last October. The Shangri-la Hotels in Manila use L'Occitane as their giveaway toiletries. I tried all of these products when I was there and they worked perfectly for me. These products were made from Five Essential Oils: Angelica, Ylang-Ylang, Lavender, Sweet Orange and Geranium which are all grown in the Provence region in France. These oils are used for the repairing complex in the skin and hair. Now I add them to my Winter skin care regimen especially the Shampoo and Conditioner.

What are your Winter skincare essentials?

View here the Holts Muse Best Face Forward feature for your Skin.

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Holt Renfrew: Happy Christmas Shopping!

Holt Renfrew is my favourite Department store here in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the only high end Department Store here in Canada where one can find the major Designer brands.  There are several stores here in Toronto, the Flagship store at Bloor Street,  one at Yorkdale Mall and  another store in Sherway Gardens. There are also stores in Montreal, Quebec City, Calgary, Edmonton,  Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver.  Every year, the Store displays  fantastic and whimsical Christmas windows! It makes my  day just to walk pass these windows. Holt Renfrew chose the "Happy" theme for Christmas and featured the 12 Days of Christmas  for their Window display.

Presenting  some of the Christmas Windows featured in the Holt Renfrew - Bloor St, Toronto store:

12 Drummers Drumming.

Holt Renfrew offers major Designer Brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Fendi, Gucci, Roger Vivier, Burberry, Michael Kors and Tory Burch, among others.

11 Pipers piping... carrying Prada, Michael Kors and Marc Jacobs bags!

5 Golden Rings

The Making of the Windows:

Window: The 12 Days of Christmas

Video by Holt Renfrew

 6 Geese a laying and 7 Swans a swimming.

8 Maids a Milking.

And a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

Inside the Holt Renfrew Store:

It is always pleasure to shop at Holt Renfrew. I love their personal service. I admire how they wrap the goods I purchased in their famous gray and white striped tissue and place it in their Magenta coloured Holts shopping bag. They take pride and care in the products that they sell and present it to their customers exceptionally well.  I also get to know some of the Sales Associates in the store which makes  it  easier to obtain information and assistance about some of their products and events.

"Happy" Shopper!

For the Holt Renfrew Christmas Gift Guide:www.holtrenfrew.com

Anyone for Glitter striped Fuchsia and Black Prada bag or a Gold glitter Valentino bag for a Happy Christmas?

Glitter Gold Valentino Bag and Striped Glitter Fuchsia and Black Prada Bag.

Holt Renfrew Bag and small accessories section. Offers many Designer brands including Tom Ford, VBH-Victoria Beckham, Celine, Lanvin, Marni, Marc Jacobs, Chloe, Mulberry and Balenciaga,among others.

Happy Christmas at Holt Renfrew Designer Gowns and Clothing including some Lingerie too.

To view the new Holt Renfrew Blog: www.holtsmuse.com

Besides the Designer Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Accessories and Cosmetics, one of the shopping pleasures at Holt Renfrew is the Happy Sweet Shoppe. They offer complimentary sweets like chocolates, cookies  and candies. Also some  complimentary refreshments like Water and Hot chocolate for the shoppers!

The Food section at Holt Renfrew has chocolates  from Charbonnel Et Walker from England, also teas and goodies from Fortnum & Mason UK and Fauchon from France.

The 2011 Holt Renfrew Christmas Bear.  There are also candies and goodies from Dylan's Candy Bar which is the famous Candy store in New York City owned by Dylan Lauren, Ralph Lauren's daughter.

The Holt Renfrew 2011 Christmas Bear Tree.

To win $3,000 Shopping Gift card from Holt Renfrew: https://microsite.holtsstyle.com/en/subscribe/contests.html

Happy Christmas! As Holt Renfrew  shares  "Happiness" to their customers. I hope you will enjoy your Christmas shopping! Remember it is always the thought that counts.  Sharing and loving are the most important during the Christmas season.

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