Gallery Mint Museum

You wouldn’t believe what my family had been through last month while preparing for the wedding of my youngest sister. Just when we thought we had everything prepared from my sister’s bridal gown, invites, catering service, reception area, wedding band, flowers, down to the wedding favors, we all felt whacked on the head with an aluminum pan when we realized we had not booked a photographer yet.

It’s not that none of us had done wedding photography in Toronto. I personally love to take pictures and have actually posed as photographer on some friend or cousin’s wedding but not on my sister’s wedding. You see, my sister’s a professional model, very prominent and her guest list was comprised of distinguished figures from the fashion and entertainment industry so naturally, our family only wanted the best photographer for her on her very special day. As my parents and sisters rummaged through the yellow pages for renowned wedding photographers in Toronto, I stuck my nose online hoping to stumble on a good company but all I saw were photography jobs in Ontario. Duh, I wasn’t in search of a job I thought in distress.

In the process of searching, I came across this company in Ontario which offers spray tanning. Wait a minute I thought. I’ve been longing to try this thing for the longest time but I really can’t find time to research for the best company that offers it. Maybe my family won’t mind if I linger on this website for a while and so I did.

As I went to the services pages of the website, I was surprised to find out that it houses the famous makeup artist in Ontario. Wow, I think I would want to avail her service instead of the celebrity makeup artist who’s doing my little sister’s face and hair. Besides, I’m pretty my sister wouldn’t appreciate sharing the same look and hairstyle with her older sister what on her wedding day!

I was jotting down the contact details of the company as indicated on its website when I suddenly felt the pangs of guilt because the entire household was busy looking for a photographer while here I was simply out for self-gratification. I was about to close the website when I noticed on the services page that it offers mobile and in studio photography services. Is this website heaven sent or what?

I immediately contacted the company and voila! In just a matter of five minutes I was able to book the best photographer in Ontario for the wedding of the year.

Now as my parents and other siblings sit in the living room recalling last month’s events, we can’t help but feel proud of the work we have accomplished.

Mistisy Makeup is a company offering wedding photography in Toronto. For more information, visit http://www.mistisymakeup.ca

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/not-just-wedding-photographers-in-toronto-1543249.html

With a new fashion season fast approaching, we look back at the runway trends that easily transitioned into everyday, high street fashion.

Spring/Summer 2009 was a happy mishmash of style contradictions: comfortable but tasteful dressing, structured and architectural pieces, fluid and draping dresses, bohemian dressing, and an undeniable ’80s flashback that saw fashion reviving some of the trends from this “decade of excess”, which we never thought will ever see the light of day again.

There are so many interpretations of the different looks that designers sent down the runways, and this list doesn’t even capture half of all of these looks.

However, these are the looks that were deemed most wearable—meaning they suited even us mere mortals who don’t have the gams and sizes of those ladies who walked the runways. Here, in no particular order, are the top ten looks from spring/summer 2009.

1. Fringe

The fringe is most always associated with the wild, wild West, but this season, designers showed the versatility—and glamour—of fringe.

There were still allusions to the Western world and the cowgirl, as seen in Hermes, but other designers, like Alberta Ferretti and Aquilano e Rimondi, resurrected the swinging 1920s with flapper dresses. The “glamour fringe” in jewel-tone and metallic frocks gave us the perfect look for a night out on the town.

2. Goddess dresses

Another look that’s great for a night out is the goddess dress. These Grecian-inspired frocks never really go out of style. Season after season, they come back; thanks in big part to designers who have made this look their “own”.

Marchesa is one brand that constantly gives us to-die-for, gorgeous goddess dresses. Monique Lhuillier glammed them up with jewel embellishments in her trademark light and airy creations. The ethereal, lovely and always elegant appeal of goddess dresses will survive any season.

3. Statement shoes

Pair your party frocks with statement-making shoes. (Or better yet, wear these with your most basic outfit and see the magic these shoes can weave.) The season’s most provocative footwear showed cut-outs and peekaboo details, usually in platform booties or towering gladiator sandals.

Yves Saint Laurent’s collection was the jump-off point for this shoe design trend, when his collection showed his now famous Caged Heel bootie. Also scoring high were Balmain’s jewel-encrusted gladiator-style stilettos by Giuseppe Zanotti. Other designers, like Nicholas Kirkwood, showed off sculptural, covetable pieces, too.

4. Trashed jeans

Classic denims were a no-show this season as the runway showed us the many ways we can “trash” our jeans. Another ’80s staple, acid wash and faded (bleached) jeans were seen in the high-end brands and most especially in the high-street labels, like Topshop Unique.

This London it brand took this denim treatment everywhere: on denim jackets, vests, and miniskirts, and even made wearing denim over denim acceptable, even cool.

5. Power shoulders

Who knew that shoulder pads—those made famous by Dynasty TV royals—would be back in fine form? Balmain made the most impact with his padded shoulders that jutted out prominently on his one-shoulder dresses and his now so-famous band jackets.

This flashback to the eighties was also seen in the shows of Karl Lagerfeld and Marc Jacobs (for his own label and for Louis Vuitton). This trend is not for everyone; those who hated shoulder pads in the ’80s shuddered at the thought of having to wear them again. But there were also those who more than happily—and fiercely—wore these architectural pieces.

6. Cover-ups

It was not really expected for summer, but people covered up this season. Their cover-ups of choice? Band jackets and boyfriend blazers. Band jackets, reminiscent of those worn by the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, were on the spotlight once again, most notably in Balmain.

Fashion’s latest it boy, the wunderkind Alexander Wang, meanwhile, made us grab our boyfriend’s jackets and blazers and pair them with the loosest cotton shirts and the shortest shorts—with sky-high platforms, of course.

7. Prints

This year is the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, and it was only timely that fashion also paid homage to this decade of freewheeling love, fun and fashion. Diane Von Furstenberg gave us boho luxe, with her models going down the runway in dresses in bold colors and vibrant prints.

Prints were not restricted to hippie florals (also seen in Fendi, Oscar dela Renta, and Dolce & Gabbana); there were also exotic tribal prints, as seen in Matthew Williamson and Anna Sui, watercolour splashes on pieces by Marni and Rodarte, and of course, fierce and fabulous animal prints (zebra, leopards, tigers, etc.) in the Christian Dior, Gucci, and Prada catwalks.

8. Sportswear

It really is the season for practicality as even the usually frivolous fashion world made an attempt to look comfortable via sports-inspired pieces. Erin Fetherston continued with her laid-back yet ultra-chic pieces; this time, the young designer looked to seventies sportswear for inspiration.

Lacoste, of course, was the frontrunner for this look, but even other designers not really inclined to doing sportswear, like BCBG, showed us their athleticism when it came to fashion.

9. Muted tones

Maybe the big recession has really caught up with fashion, because even in the summer, colors were primarily muted. Gray was ubiquitous, and so were really soft pastels.

But there are always rebels in fashion (which make it fun), and at the other end of the spectrum were day-glo, neon, and punchy colors—like the orange crush in Etro, Luella and Pucci. This really just goes to show that, in fashion, you always have an option.

10. Pants

Marrakesh was closely alluded to by designers like Paul Smith and Dries Van Noten, who had glorious turbans to show off. But it is more important to note that this Moroccan fantasy brought forth Ralph Lauren’s Ali Baba harem pants that literally stole the spotlight (they were very shiny, to say the least).

Yes, pants were strong this season, with everything from dhoti, harem and the simple act of rolling up your jeans dominating catwalks and high streets.

Neelima Reddy, author of this article writes for TheFashionables.com. The Fashionables blog helps you learn everything you need to know about fashion. Know more about Fashion accessories, men’s fashion, women’s fashion, fashion tips, celebrity fashion, hairstyles, trends, makeup and beauty etc. Visit The fashionables

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/top-10-designer-bags-that-rock-the-apparel-world-1543804.html

Are you having a difficult time remembering if Leo’s cause is the environment or is he a vegan? And can you remember if Sean Penn is against the war or was it just George Bush that Penn was vehemently opposed to? Here is our guide to remembering what causes are covered by which celebrities:

Many of us have a cause that we are extremely passionate about. My cause is animals. Maybe your cause is poverty or the Iraqi war. Many celebrities use their fame to bring awareness to their causes.

There are several celebrities who use their fame and power solely for these causes and they have helped advance those causes more than anything. Are you finding it difficult to keep up with the celebs and their causes lately? Here is a brief guide to help you keep straight your favorite celebrities and their many humanitarian causes.

1. Bono

Bono is most likely the first celebrity that comes to mind when you think of celebrity activists. Bono has been an advocate for debt relief for African nations, as well as an advocate for the education of the uncontrolled spread of AIDS in African nations.

Bono has also taken upon himself to advocate for unfair trade regulations and has met with world leaders like George W. Bush and Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin.

Bono’s active support of the plight of third world nations has led to his being nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and being named Person of the Year by Time magazine. In 2005 Bono tied together his four most heartfelt causes with the organization he named ‘DATA’ which stands for Debt, AIDS, Trade and Africa.

Bono’s work with Amnesty International has also gained attention. Amnesty International is a human-rights organization which Bono was first exposed to during the production of “The Secret Policeman’s Ball”. It was this production that helped to develop Bono’s passion for political and social causes which he is so immensely involved with today.

Bono’s band U2 has performed in Band Aid and Live Aid, two concert projects which raised money for the Feed the World campaign. On a controversial note, Bono has been reported as publicly berating other celebrity philanthropists such as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie saying they’re in it as advocates only to prove their own self worth to the world.

Perhaps Bono is most commercially known for his “Red” campaign in which retailers such as The Gap participated in. If you have seen the “Desi(red)” shirts at The Gap, this is part of Bono’s “Red” campaign and a portion of the money goes toward world hunger and poverty through The Global Fund.

2. Leonardo DiCaprio

Environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio uses his fame and influence to bring attention and support to a different cause than many celebrities; the cause of global warming and the environment.

DiCaprio opened the Leonardo DiCaprio e-Activism Center and the David Family Environmental Action Center in Santa Monica, California. The e-Activism Center is open to the public four days each week and is designed to educate and provide resources for the general public to become more environmentally aware.

3. Sean Penn

Sean Penn is extremely passionate about politics and has been an ongoing and consistent advocate against the war in Iraq. Called “An Activist for Peace” Sean Penn also opposes the death penalty and has participated in advocating against this as well.

During the Bush administration, Sean Penn openly criticized the President for his deconstruction of civil liberties. Penn was of course referring to the War on Terror in Iraq.

4. Michael J. Fox

Best known for his role as Alex Keaton in the 80s hit sitcom “Family Ties” or his role as Marty McFly in the Back to the Future movies, Michael J. Fox has stolen the heart of the nation.

Regardless of how you remember him, Michael J. Fox has been actively supporting stem-cell research through his Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. He was diagnosed with the disease in 1991 and disclosed his condition to the public and his adoring fans in 1998. To date, Michael J. Fox has funded almost $150 million for research for more advanced Parkinson’s treatments.

5. Hayden Panettiere

Hayden Panettiere has been a voice for animal rights in her fresh and young career. Because of her work in the animal activism realm, Hayden was awarded the Compassion in Action Award by PETA.

Panettiere is passionately opposed to the countless thousands of whales slaughtered by the Japanese every year. She is also trying to save dolphins from Japanese slaughter. She has gone as far as to blame the United States for not taking a stance against the Japanese slaughtering of the whales because Japan is one of our biggest allies on the war against terror.

Hayden is now celebrity spokesperson for the Save the Whales Again campaign. Who knows, maybe we will see Panettiere on the next season of Animal Planet’s Whale Wars. Ironically, most recently Hayden Panettiere has launched an ad campaign with Dooney & Burke for a handbag that is made of calf-skin.

PETA says they will take what they can get and are appreciative of her efforts for the whale and dolphin cause. However, Panettiere’s seemingly hypocritical behavior has fans who are animal advocates up in arms over her decision to promote the slaughtering and senseless skinning of calves.

6. George Clooney

George Clooney has become a recent advocate of the horrors and atrocities that are going on in Darfur, Sudan. He headed up the “Save Darfur” rally which was in Washington D.C. last April.

During a trip to the Sudan, Clooney actually was able to get some of the horrors on videotape and is planning to use this footage to document the genocide.

7. Alicia Silverstone

Vegan and animal activist Alicia Silverstone has become one of the most well-known celebrity animal advocates in the past decade. While she might have gotten her stardom from a little movie called “Clueless” as a high-maintenance and materialistic rich girl she most definitely shed that image by letting the world know she is a vegan and is vehemently opposed to animal cruelty.

Silverstone appears in the first-ever nude PETA ad against animal cruelty and promoting vegan eating habits. Silverstone promotes cruelty-free cosmetics and fashion as well. Most notably, Alicia Silverstone oftentimes wears and supports Stella McCartney as a designer who is “Vegetarian Friendly”.

8. Pamela Anderson

Despite your personal opinions of Playboy Playmate, model and sometimes actress Pamela Anderson, she is one of the most involved and most influential celebrity animal activists.

Pamela has sworn off fur and even modeled nude (not a stretch in behavior) for numerous anti-fur ads for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. She has pleaded with Austria’s justice minister to allow and not make illegal animal activism groups in the country of Austria. Most recently, Anderson is taking on the inhumane practice of clubbing baby seals.

Neelima Reddy, author of this article writes for CelebToast.com. Know more about celeb gossips, celeb fashions, celeb life style, movies, television shows etc… Visit Celebrity Blog

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/bono-leo-and-pam8-celebs-and-their-causes-1543838.html