Ottawa Festival Fashion Season: Glowfair 2016

It’s June in Ottawa and that means Festival Season is in full swing! First up, is the third annual Glowfair 2016, happening on Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18.

As usual there is a jam packed schedule complete with free street concerts, silent disco, DJ battles, larger than life art installations scattered throughout the blocks of Bank Street and live entertainment of all kinds.

Music Lineup at Glowfair 2016

For me, this is where it gets super exciting! Toronto trio Keys N Krates, who won the 2016 JUNO for Dance Recording of the Year, will headline on Glowfair’s Morguard Mainstage on Friday, June 17th. Dragonette (YASSSS!!!), who earned a JUNO in 2012, will take the mainstage on Saturday, June 18th. There are so many exciting bands coming this year, it’s insane! Most of all I am super excited to see, Halifax indie-rock genious, Rich Aucoin! I saw him almost 3 years ago at a Kos concert and fell hard!

The all-Canadian mainstage lineup also includes; Montreal’s dream popsters, Young Galaxy; The Balconies; Fevers; Montreal’s Caveboy and Vancouver’s Gang Signs. The DJ stage will feature this year’s JUNO nominee AutoErotique; Lissa Monet, KHAØS, Strange Future, DJ Grace, DJ Daisy & M. Caffrey, JUNO-nominated DJ Rise Ashen and Frayd.

Ottawa Bank Street Style Festival Fashion Blog Glowfair 2016 Music Lineup
Block themes at Glowfair

Block themes this year will include dazzling performances by Montreal performance artists, Black Mohawk; live DJing by JUMP-FM; and outdoor art gallery; a heritage-themed block; a truly bizarre bazaar; the popular Glowfit yoga; the Enchanted Forest; an expanded, two-block Kids’ Zone and screenings by the Ottawa International Animation Festival.

Glowfair 2016 Bank Street Ottawa Fashion Blog Festival Black Themes

For the complete lineup and more information, follow Glowfair Festival on Instagram and visit their website www.glowfairfestival.ca

Ottawa Fashion at Glowfair

And because this is a fashion blog, I am leaving you with a few gorgeous Ottawa Street Style Photos taken at last year’s Glowfair by the ever talented John-Finnigan Lin of FinnSquare.com.
John was the first photographer I officially worked with for my blog, and helped me get stunning photos to start the whole thing. I owe him everything!
Ottawa Bank Street Style Festival Fashion Blog Glowfair 2016 1 Ottawa Bank Street Style Festival Fashion Blog Glowfair 2016 2 Ottawa Bank Street Style Festival Fashion Blog Glowfair 2016 3 Ottawa Bank Street Style Festival Fashion Blog Glowfair 2016 4 Ottawa Bank Street Style Festival Fashion Blog Glowfair 2016 5 Ottawa Bank Street Style Festival Fashion Blog Glowfair 2016 6

Watch for Ottawa Instagram Ambassadors who will be at Glowfair to capture you in your very best festival fashion!

Ottawa Bank Street Style Festival Fashion Blog Glowfair 2016 Instagram Ambassadors

Continue Reading

Bailey Nelson: Ottawa welcomes new eyewear and sunglasses store in Westboro

I was walking in Westboro on Victoria Day, and noticed a new shop, and it was the only one open on the strip. Of course, being the curious person that I am, I walked in and started chatting with one of the employees. It’s an Australian brand that has recently launched in Canada called Bailey Nelson and is a prescription eye wear and sunglasses shop made in Canada. Every pair is slowly crafted and assembled in Canada, using the best quality products sourced from countries like Australia and Japan.Bailey Nelson Westboro store Ottawa Fashion Blog Mode Xlusive Chantsy

It turns out this is the company’s sixth store, and they opened it right in the heart of Ottawa’s boutique shopping district! I love it! The store itself is simplistic, with clean lines and natural accents. The company has an eco-friendly eye and a soft spot for maximizing sustainable materials.Bailey Nelson Westboro store Ottawa Fashion Blog Mode Xlusive Chantsy Blogger

The premise of this business is that all frames are $145 (taxes in!), whether it’s prescription or sunglasses. The sunnies are made with high quality lenses and they are all polarized, which means they are actually good for your eyes (bonus! fashionable and functional).Bailey Nelson Westboro store Ottawa Fashion Blog Mode Xlusive

There are loads of gorgeous styles to choose: from feminine flirty to geek chic, with most options being unisex. I am told that the glasses are made in small batches, so the really popular styles will naturally become collector’s edition. At that price, you can afford to start your own collection and BUY THEM ALL!! hahaha

If you’re in the area, I highly suggest popping in to say hello! The staff are super friendly and the shopping experience will not disappoint!Bailey Nelson Westboro store Ottawa Fashion Blog Mode Xlusive Chantsy Style Blogger

Get out of your comfort zone, and start exploring the new shops that are popping up in Ottawa!

Continue Reading

Getting Backyard Ready: Eat Drink Spring 2016 reminds us how to indulge outdoors

We have so many plans for the backyard this summer, and I can’t believe it’s already May 3! It’s time to hustle people! This spring has been quite a drag, and I’m finding it really hard to get in the groove.
My husband plans to build a pergola, and I want to create an outdoor living space where we actually have a chance to enjoy! We still have to plant the garden and I need to get my herbs ready!

Every year, I host an annual BBQ in May, where my dad roasts a pig on a spit and I invite everyone under the sun for some food, drinks and family time. The end of May is the perfect time to get all the plants in the garden, it’s my moms birthday and everyone comes down for the Glebe garage sale. We’ve been doing this for 6 years now. The annual BBQ has become somewhat of a tradition.

My family cooks a lot, and sometimes we tend to be creatures of habit and prepare the same old foods on the grill.Don’t get me wrong, I am all about exploring new ways of preparing and eating food, my folks… not so much. It’s more traditional and “don’t-mess-with-the-recipe” kind of cooking at their house.

Finding Foodie and Backyard Inspiration 

To get me out of my rut, I usually need something to inspire me! Where do you find your foodie inspiration? Whether it’s watching the food network, flipping through a sexy cookbook at Chapters, or pinning your favourite recipes on Pinterest, it’s clear that we all need to draw inspiration from one source or another. Me, I’m a hands-on learner. I like draw my inspiration from things that I can taste and watch being prepared in real life.

This season, there is no better place for me to get inspired, than the 3rd annual Eat Drink Spring 2016 foodie event in Ottawa. This is actually the sister show to the Ottawa Food and Wine Festival! On May 13-14, you’ll have the chance to taste food, sample over 100 wines and get backyard inspired, just in time for BBQ season! This outdoor event brings together all the besAndrew Pike, resident Décor Expert The Marilyn Denis Show on CTV, Eat Drink Spring Ottawa 2016t wines for Spring and Summer, Artisinal Cocktails, Craft Beers, and even a Battle of the BBQ in support of The Mission. There will be a food Circus under the Big Top, FREE Bottle Camp, Pati-Oh Canada, BBQ School, and non-stop outdoor entertainment all day long.

I think what I am looking forward to the most is learning how to pack the perfect picnic and make drinks using the herbs in my garden. This is all happening at Pati-Oh Canada

BONUS- Andrew Pike, resident Décor Expert on CTV’s The Marilyn Denis Show, will be there to talk about patio and entertaining tips!

Isn’t it amazing when things aline perfectly! I can get all my tips and inspiration ready in time to do up my garden the week after, just before my party!

Admission is $20
BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE
For more details about the event, check their Facebook event page.

So, apparently you can bike or CANOE down to the event at City Hall. I would love to arrive in style in my husband’s canoe! Can you imagine? (I think I might make this happen!)

Eat Drink Spring Ottawa 2016 Schedule

Ottawa Wine Food Show Eat Drink Spring 2016 Ottawa Fashion Blog
I had to share this behind-the-scenes shot of Victor tampering with my shoot. Look at those hands though. He totally gobbled up the strawberries and orange when I was done!
Continue Reading

London Calls: What to Wear to #BASH2016

Did you attend Bash Noir last year? Seriously, it was the highlight of all the events I attended. A job well done, with larger-than-life installations, live art battles, chocolate cigars and mesmorizing dances performed by robotic creatures. I know, it sounds out of this world, and it truly was.

This is why I am so excited for #Bash2016. The Bash events annually support the Ottawa Snowsuit Fund and help raise a lot of funds to purchase snowsuits for kids in the city. After the winter we had this year… I am sold!

Bash 2016, ‘London Calls’ is an enticing affair taking place on June 10, 2016 at the stunning new Horticulture Building in Ottawa’s Lansdowne Park. This 21+ posh affair boasts an evening of royally outrageous entertainment, special guests, London inspired menus and in true BASH fashion- an event experience that is unrivaled in the Nation’s Capital. The ‘Royal Guard’ will be welcoming socialite guests as they enter past the famed skyline, and straight into the London Underground. With a Beatles Cover Band, a VIP High Tea Party, and London themed Tavern, you won’t find a better excuse to support the Snowsuit Fund, and to get seriously ‘groovy baby’.

London Calling Bash2016 June 10 Ottawa Fashion Blog Chantal Sarkisian

Now the question remains… what to wear to the affair?

You would have to confirm with my fellow London fashion blogger living in Ottawa, Flic Taylor from Love A Good Stripe, but based on my research, London style is effortless, expensive with a side of kitsch. And by kitsch I mean colour, pattern, out-of-the-box pairing and just plain old fun! The art is making it look like you are not trying so hard, but you kind of, sort of did.

Quirky London Style- ellecanda.com
Quirky London Style-photo credit ellecanda.com

 

See what I mean? - photo credit ellecanada.com
See what I mean? – photo credit ellecanada.com

Without trying to create a formula, I think this is an opportunity for you to really think outside the box and have fun with your closet. Pairing things irregularly and adding bold colours and print can really take your look to a whole new place. Just make sure you have a killer pair of heels and a show-stopping clutch to pull the entire look together.

See what I mean? - photo credit https://selfserviceuk.wordpress.com
See what I mean? – photo credit https://selfserviceuk.wordpress.com

 

Continue Reading