Toronto Treasures: Green Zebra Kitchen

image from www.greenzebrakitchen.com

 

Green Zebra has been delivering healthy meals to THE REFINERY home office for the past month, which has been the most amazing time saver.  Convenience, in an extremely busy time of year, is the reason we started the delivery program, but we're continuing our weekly order because all the meals are...

1. Made with whole foods.

2. Vegan.

3. Gluten-free.

4. Ingredients sourced locally whenever possible.

5. We have more energy.

... And most of all, everything tastes great!  It also feels amazing to have a healthy food option that's ready in less than 5 minutes. 

The menus change weekly for awesome diversity, and a little excitement to see what's coming up next!

We highly recommend this awesome find - a true Toronto Treasure!

Discover hidden Toronto shopping treasures on a boutique shopping tour with THE REFINERY.

Lilacs

Every spring, Ottawa streets are lined with lilacs.  They smell so amazing, it's hard not to stop every 3 seconds to smell each beautiful flower... which makes for really long walks.

Sarah Stevenson Sample Sale

With multiple other independent designers, Sarah Stevenson is having a sample sale.  Check out her beautiful prints, and high quality garments from May 25th to 27th at 163 Sterling Road, Studio 9B.   Sarah's designs are so stunning she will surely grow into a well-known designer... and fast.  Now is your chance to get some pieces from her first collections, and say you were wearing her first!

Cottage Weekend

For so many, Victoria long weekend marks the first weekend at the cottage.  Although I absolutely loved my trip to New York City, I felt nostalgic for my annual May 2-4 cottage opening weekend.  This bag reminded me so much of the dining room chairs at the family cottage, I used it for inspiration for an awesome springtime cottage outfit.  The key... layers!  You can take them off, and put them on as the weather changes throughout the day.  The challenge... can you fit your entire weekend wardrobe in that bag - aka, your purse? 

 

Thank-you

Thanks to everyone for all their well wishes for the wedding on Saturday.  Chris and I had a ball that night, and are heading away to NYC for a short honeymoon... and of course some awesome shopping!

THE REFINERY will therefore be closed until May 24, 2011, when things will be back in full swing.  I will also post some pics from the wedding for all of you to see once I get them!

Have an awesome week!

Wen xo

Hats are Back

... well, they never really went away.  However, with the recent royal wedding people are feeling a little more gutsy when it comes to the stunning statement pieces.  When you're wearing a hat, keep the other accessories around your face pretty simple so you remain the focus.

Black & White

Three really awesome ideas for the classic black & white evening combination.  Each of these outfits encapsulate a different vibe: vintage, elegant, artistic. 

I picture the vintage inspired outfit above with red lips to pull the beautiful red shoes into the outfit.  I love that you can buy this dress new or hunt the vintage stores for a dress that is truly from an era past.

 

This cream dress with black lace looks totally elegant paired with pearls and black lace shoes.

 

I love women who can really rock the dress pant and blouse look. Paired with all these awesome accessories, this outfit is an artistic statement. 

If you're attending a wedding, you want to make sure that there is enough black included in the outfit combination that the bride doesn't feel like you're trying to upstage her.  Common courtesy.

Down to Earth Evening

I have some clients who feel most like themselves in casual clothes like baggy jeans and a t-shirt.  There are ways for this down-to-earth personality style to get dressed up for evening, and still feel like themselves.  Choose natural fibers like the silk, leather, and feathers pictured above to keep things natural, but make them a bit dressier by looking for pieces that have a hint of shine.  Also, a patterned fabric that reminds you of nature will be a great way to express your personality.

Bling Bling

As you know, I'm getting married on Saturday - a cocktail style wedding - so I thought it would be fun to post some outfit ideas everyday this week for this style of wedding.

For an evening wedding, why not go all out with sequins and shine, and bling the night away.  I imagine a woman wearing this outfit and drinking champagne all night long!

THE REFINERY weekly wear

Wendy pictured with her maid of honour, and party planner extraordinaire!

My favourite outfit last week was obviously the outfit I wore to my bachelorette!  I couldn't find the right pieces online to demonstrate the outfit, so I thought I'd share the real deal instead. 

I picked up this Charlie Jade dress from Mendocino the afternoon of the big party... the rest just sort of fell in place.  I paired the dress with a necklace known to my friends as a signature piece for me - it's Holt Renfrew private label.  I actually bought the matching earrings a year later at Holt Renfrew Last Call, never thinking I would wear them together, but somehow with this outfit the matching set just worked.  The shoes are a staple pair of glittery gold shoes I bought at Town Shoes for a wedding one year.  They have become my go-to going out shoes because they're comfortable, and just worn enough that I don't care if they get mucked up dancing the night away.  I also carried a kelly green vintage bag I got from my grandmother's attic.  A bachelorette wouldn't be complete without a silly accessory so I sported a "Party Posse" hat courtesy of the Little Party Shoppe given to me after this photo was taken.  

It was a great night, in a great outfit!

Wendy

Hermes Sale

The special silk and accessories Sale put on every other year by Hermes is happening tomorrow - Thursday May 5th - at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.  Expect products to be sold for about 50% off with all sales supporting multiple sclerosis research at St. Michael's Hospital.  The sale goes from 8am to 7pm in Room 203 in the North Building of the convention centre.

What a great excuse to get an iconic Hermes scarf you'll wear forever!

Cherry Blossoms

The cherry blossoms in High Park are such a natural beauty they are easy to use as outfit  inspiration.