A Moving Hiatus

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I know it hasn't been that long since my last break, but I'm taking another one so I can pack and move. Cue the fun parts (choosing new furniture, looking at home decor blogs--yippee!) and the not-so-fun stuff (shopping for insurance policies, bleh). Needless to say, there's a lot to do.

I'll be back the week after Canada Day. By then, I ought to have a slew of beauty product reviews, a glimpse into how we've decorated our new place, and maybe even an outfit post or two up my sleeve. Enjoy the next 1.5 weeks, dear readers, and thanks for bearing with me!

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On Hiatus This Week

The boy and I during an afternoon of realtor appointments. Fun!

I've been tiptoeing toward my goal of buying a home for the past 5-6 years: saving up for the down payment, reading news about the market, looking at realtor listings and dreaming. Now it seems that all the tiptoeing has become a mad dash to the finish line. In the past few weeks, the boy and I have gone to open houses and realtor appointments and we ended up putting an accepted offer down on a lovely place. Hurray!

But anyone who's ever bought a home knows the stress doesn't end with an accepted offer. So I'm taking this week off blogging to handle everything on the homebuying front before our subject removal date. It's just too much to juggle, and quite frankly, my heart's not into blogging about summer sandals and nail polish when I'm preoccupied with something as big as this.

I'll return next week with new posts. In the meantime, wish me luck!

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Best of Blog 2011: Fashion

Hopefully everyone is still enjoying their holidays! After several days of gorging on big dinners and a day trip to Seattle, I'm starting to get used to this whole vacation thing. If you're unlucky enough to be working on the days between Christmas and New Year, here's another round-up of links to make the work day go faster.

I had the privilege of attending Eco Fashion Week shows for fall/winter 2011 and spring/summer 2012. Standouts included newcomer Sofia Clothing and veteran Nicole Bridger.

Local entrepreneur Christie Lohr founded Style Nine to Five, a job search website targeted specifically towards jobs in all areas of the fashion industry. Check out my interview with her.

It was a dream come true to interview shoe design legend Stuart Weitzman not once, but twice. Similarly, meeting fashion luminaries such as Jeanne Beker, Jason Wu and FLARE editor-in-chief Lisa Tant was delightful.

Other highlights: a milestone Obakki fashion show in a historic church, Banana Republic media previews for pretty summer dresses and elegant Mad Men-inspired pieces, the Thomas Sabo and Eileen Fisher grand openings.

In local fashion news:

• Dace celebrated 10 years
• the inaugural Style Salons discussion took place at the Shangri-la Hotel
• one of my favourite shoe stores, Rowan Sky, moved from Yaletown to Gastown
• Jane-of-all-trades makeup artist, hairstylist, and personal style consultant Nadia Albano opened her own studio
• fashion PR agency The Honey Mustard rebranded itself as The Fashion Capsule and moved into new digs

I wax poetic about some of my fashion obsessions:

• a Prada-inspired Zara top
• classic trench coats
• bib necklaces
• Wayfarer and cat-eye shades
• small cross-body bags (plus, advice on what to stash in one)
• chunky chain jewelry
• blue lace
• leopard print
• cute rain boots
• sparkly costume jewelry for the holiday season

And last but certainly not least, I had an article published in FLARE this year! That was a tremendous achievement.

Happy New Year, lovely readers! See you in 2012.

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Best of Blog 2011: Beauty

From product reviews to media previews, this was a banner year for all things beauty on Solo Lisa. Here's a look back at some of my favourite posts. Enjoy!

The next time you're looking for a way to pamper yourself with a facial or a massage, look no further than Lady Orchids Day Spa in Mt. Pleasant, Suki's on South Granville, Footworks Relaxology, Sabai Thai or Spruce Body Lab.

Organic products dominated my skincare reviews this year. From organic hand lotion and Pangea Organics's Canadian launch to classic Weleda skincare staples and lip balm in the world's first biodegradable tube, it's clear that all-natural options are more popular than ever. Of course, for those on a budget, there's always Burt's Bees.

Are you wearing SPF right now? You should be! Winter is no excuse not to protect your skin. If you're stumped, here's a look at some great SPF products.

I got to dabble with Givenchy products this year! My thoughts on their special edition eyeshadow palette, mascara and eyeliner and lip gloss.

I also had the chance to review Mary Kay's newest products. While I wasn't so impressed with their eye makeup, I did like the Redefining Elegance collection.

In other news, I'm pretty enamoured with Dermalogica's anti-blemish products and soothing Redness Relief SPF 20.

I tried LashDip at Noir Lash Lounge and I liked it.

Note to self: Pay more visits to BeautyMark and Kiss & Makeup in 2012.

My love of lipstick has resulted in quite a collection. Here are my picks for fuchsia, plum, red and pink.

Also, my inner magpie thinks you should wear glitter nail polish this NYE. Zoya has just the ones.

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Season's Greetings!

Photo by Mukumbura

Wishing all of you a wonderful holiday season filled with warmth, laughter, good food and great company. Thanks for reading Solo Lisa this year.

I'm going to be taking a hiatus from Christmas until Jan. 2. While I'm gone, you'll be treated to a blast from the past via round-ups of the best posts of 2011. Just a little something to read and/or revisit in case you're bored.

See you in 2012, lovely readers!

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Road Trip!

By the time you read this, I'll be in Long Beach, WA, with the boy, enjoying grassy sand dunes, long strolls on the boardwalk and evening breezes that smell like the ocean. That's right, we're going on a little road trip to celebrate our two-year anniversary and my 27th birthday! After Long Beach, it's off to Portland for some salsa dancing, shopping and my special birthday dinner at Toro Bravo.

I've scheduled posts for the entire time I'm gone, so check back often and have a great weekend!

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Whistler-Bound

The boy and I are off on a much-needed mini getaway where fun and relaxation await us. Posts will resume Tuesday. Have a great Monday everyone!

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Best of Blog 2010

I hope that you're enjoying the holidays and that Santa brought you everything your heart desired! Solo Lisa will be on hiatus from now until the New Year. I'll still be on Twitter and checking for comments, but there won't be any new posts until January 2011 (more about that later). In the meantime, if you're unlucky enough to have to work on the days between Christmas and New Year's and you're bored out of your mind while everyone else is on vacation, why not take a look at what's in the archives?

This year started with a resolution to become a better cook and to try one new recipe a week. Cooking once a week wasn't always possible, but my culinary skills have improved from month to month. My first cooking attempts eventually led to roast chicken, lemon ginger bundt cake, and, more recently, Chinese egg tarts and apple pie.

I also had the chance to read some great books in 2010. From a hilarious style advice tome written by a blogger to books about narcissism, the history of glamour, the beauty industry, and the savvy female entrepreneurs right here in Vancouver, there was no shortage of stylish reads.

Who could forget the Winter Olympics? The highlights of my experience: venturing downtown on the night of the opening ceremonies and brunch at Birks with medallist Jennifer Heil.

2010 will also be known as the year I abandoned lip gloss for lipstick. And speaking of beauty products, I just can't get enough of nail polish! Butter LONDON, Spa Ritual, and American Apparel were just some of the brands I tried.

Out of the many events I attended, Eco Fashion Week and the grand opening party for the Joe Fresh Granville store were particular standouts.

Trips taken this year: Saltspring Island and New York.

In other news, I also started doing vlogs and haul videos.

Are you still searching for those perfect denim shorts or that cute pair of rain boots that aren't Hunters? I'm just asking because I've found mine.

So, about January 2011: I might be a little scarce on the blogosphere because I'm starting a new job on the 4th! It's a very exciting opportunity and I'm thrilled. But a new job also means new responsibilities and a steep learning curve, so if I'm not commenting on blogs as much or posting as frequently, I apologize in advance.

See you in the new year!

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On Vacation

Just a quick note to say that there will be no new posts between September 19th and 26th. A one-year anniversary with the boy, my birthday, and a week-long trip to New York are all very good reasons for a vacation. Have a great week, and I'll see you when I get back!

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MIA This Week

I'm taking a bit of a blogging break this week for many reasons:

1. The Victoria Day long weekend was such a relaxing time I don't want it to end.
2. I'll be working on a secret project.
3. I'm experiencing a bit of blogger's fatigue. Nothing has caught my fancy or inspired me lately and I don't want to post just for the sake of posting if I don't feel strongly about it.

Posts will resume next week, and hopefully by then I'll have made enough progress on the project to announce it.

See you soon!

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Happy Holidays!

Photo by Rodney Smith, courtesy of Brabourne Farm

2009 has been a good year for me, but also a very tiring one. I desperately need a break, which is why Solo Lisa will be on hiatus from today until January 4, 2010. I'll be relaxing and spending time with friends, family, and the boy, doing some shopping (those sales are awfully tempting!), and--most exciting of all--going on a little road trip to Portland!

Here's hoping you and your loved ones have a wonderful holiday and a happy new year!

Now that I've told you what I'll be up to while I'm MIA, care to tell me what your plans are? :-)

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VFW show reviews coming soon!

What with attending Vancouver Fashion Week shows, meeting some great fashion bloggers for high tea, and spending some quality time with the boy and salsa dancing, I haven't had much time to write show reviews. Oops! Stay tuned for reviews coming later this week.

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Not Here Today

Gorgeous blogger Sal of Already Pretty asked me to do a guest post on dance and body image! Please hop on over and check it out. Sal's writing on positive body image and style is so inspirational and helpful, and she truly is one of the most articulate, entertaining, and thoughtful bloggers out there. Needless to say, I was super-flattered when she approached me about doing a guest post.

Have a great weekend everyone! I'll be partaking in dim sum and dancing--what's everyone else up to?

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Seeking New Reads, New Blog Buddies

Do you stop by Solo Lisa often? If you blog, have I visited your blog before and commented? Have we exchanged links yet? Check out my blogroll, and if you don't see yourself listed, I apologize--I'm woefully inept at updating the darn thing.

I'd like to change that now.

I'd be up for a link exchange if you are! Leave me a comment on this post with the name and URL of your blog. Alternatively, you can tweet your blog name/URL to @sololisa on Twitter. I'll only add blogs that 1) update at least once a month and 2) aren't designed to be solely spam/advertisement/obscene content websites. I'll leave you a comment on your blog letting you know you've been blogrolled, and I'll add you to my Google Reader as well.

Do it soon...I'm looking forward to some new interesting reads. :-)

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Just A Heads-Up...

I'm not feeling like my usual self and will be playing recluse the next few days--no blogging, Twittering, Facebooking, and very little in the way of being online. Expect delays in email replies. See you all next week when I'll feel better hopefully.

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Tidbits And A Tag For Your Wednesday?

I'm a couple days late mentioning this, but I was featured in the Blogger Spotlight portion of this week's IFB newsletter! My heartfelt thanks goes out to Najeema, Eyeliah, Retro Chick, Star Fashion, and Breakfast at Saks for this honour. For that matter, my heartfelt thanks to those of you who continue to read my blog.

I'm also over the moon about getting my first Coutorture mention for Solo Lisa. (My first Coutorture mention ever occurred when I published my interview with Two of Hearts on Stylefinds.)

Welcome, first-time visitors! I hope you enjoy yourselves while you're here. I'm sorry I don't have cookies for you, but my cooking skills are rubbish anyway. You wouldn't want what I bake.

Onto the tag portion of this post...

Little Bow Prep tagged me last week to show my heart through...

One picture

View of Guanajuato, taken on my summer trip to Mexico in 2006.

One poem

"Fable" by Octavio Paz

The age of fire and the age of air
The youth of water springing
From green to yellow
From yellow to red
From dream to vigil
From desire to act
You needed only one step and that taken without effort
The insects then were jewels who were alive
The heat lay down to rest at the edge of the pool
Rain was the light hair of a willow tree
There was a tree growing within your hand
And as it grew it sang laughed prophesied
It cast the spells that cover space with wings
There were the simple miracles called birds
Everything belonged to everyone
Everyone was everything
Only one word existed immense without opposite
A word like a sun
One day it exploded into the smallest fragments
They were the words of the language that we speak
They are the splintered mirrors where the world can see
itself slaughtered.

One item of clothing

Gray gown from the Chanel Fall 2008 couture collection. Original pics from style.com

One song

One place

London. Photo by Dmitry B.

One Disney princess

Mulan

One quote

Yet all experience is an arch wherethro'
Gleams that untravell'd world whose margin fades
For ever and for ever when I move.

-"Ulysses" by Tennyson

I tag whoever's interested in doing this tag! It's a pretty fun exercise in self-reflection.

Stay tuned over the next couple of days. Vancouver Fashion Week is starting and I'll be covering parties and shows here and on Stylefinds. Opening gala is tonight. :-)

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Friday Afternoon Odds And Ends

Remember the post I did about L'Oreal Double Extension Beauty Tubes Mascara a while back? Matchstick has sent me a survey link to pass on to Solo Lisa readers who've read the post. For every completed survey Matchstick receives, $2 will be donated to Shelternet.ca, a web-based women and children's crisis support centre. So if you're bored at work on a Friday afternoon and want to help out a great cause, click here!

Alright, now excuse me as I insert some random Bloglovin' code into my post to verify my blog for the website:

Follow my blog with bloglovin´

And again for my new URL:

Follow my blog with bloglovin´

Have a great weekend, everyone!

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Tagged & Quoted

Ages ago, Couture Carrie tagged me to list 6 things that make me happy. I'm ashamed to say this fell off the radar for a while, but better late than never, right?

1. A stack of glossy unread fashion magazines. If they're spring or autumn issues, even better!
2. Eyeshadow
3. Sunny days
4. Sleeping in
5. Vegetarian hot and sour soup
6. Paris, London, and NYC--I hope to return someday!

I tag whoever's interested in doing this!

Photo by Stuck in Customs

Speaking of Paris, I've been reading Paris Fashion: A Cultural History by Valerie Steele. The book explores how Paris came to be a global fashion capital and discusses the social and cultural developments that contributed to Paris's prestige today. Steele's chapter about Baudelaire and dandyism is full of wry observations; she quotes a 19th-century man criticizing dandyism at the very end. It's a paragraph that describes today's hipsters very accurately, isn't it?

"[The dandy is] the Black Prince of elegance, the demi-god of ennui, looking at the world with a glassy eye...Indifferent to the horse that he mounts, to the woman that he greets, to the man that he approaches and at whom he stares for a moment before acknowledging him, and wearing written on his forehead--in English--this insolent inscription: What is there in common between you and me?"

Well, maybe not the horse part.

To my regular readers, and to those new to my blog via my post on Independent Fashion Bloggers, apologies for a lame post full of odds and ends. I'm usually much more interesting, I promise! (Just click here, here, or here for proof.) I spent the weekend filing income tax returns for my brother and me, and all I want to do right now is curl up with my March issues of Vogue and Elle and forget the world.

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Sweet Tweets

As far as social media goes, I always feel like the latecomer to the party who enters a conversation just as everyone is laughing, and I wonder what's so funny. Yes, it took me a while to get onto Twitter, but I'm there! My time at the Northern Voice personal blogging and social media conference over the past two days convinced me I should start Tweeting. Follow me on Twitter (SoloLisa) and read my updates in my blog's sidebar. Also, if you haven't entered my contest, do it now! Remember: Only people who leave a comment on the original post with contest details are eligible.

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New Look, New Home, New Name, Same Lisa (Kinda)

As you may have noticed, things are changing around here. I've been contemplating a blog makeover on and off for the past couple of months, and after a few hours' work everything came together. I bought a new domain (it's now http://sololisa.com/), revamped my banner, and widened my layout to make use of empty space. Oh, and I shortened the name of my blog from "Solo Lisa y Nada Mas" to just "Solo Lisa."

Face lift aside, changing my URL and blog name have been on my mind for a while for these reasons:

1. The old name and URL were really difficult for English-speaking readers to remember. Google Analytics tells me that most of you Google to get here instead of accessing my URL directly.
2. The old blog name reflected a different self, the self that existed when I started blogging and was interested in Latin pop culture and fashion in equal measures. While I still love Latin music and cinema and am as passionate a salsa dancer as ever, I find myself blogging less about those interests and more about fashion. I wanted to update my blog name to reflect that change in me. It's still "Solo Lisa" as in "Only Lisa," i.e. only about my opinions, interests, and what's happening in my life, but with a bit less Latin flavour.

To celebrate the changes afoot, I'm holding a contest! The prize is a mystery goodie bag full of Random Cute Things. And by random and cute, I mean random and cute: Expect anything from earrings to a Hello Kitty notebook to novelty Post-It notes among the many Random Cute Things in the goodie bag. This is all you have to do to enter:

1. Link me at my new domain (http://sololisa.com/) and blog name (Solo Lisa)! If you already have me blogrolled, please update your link.
2. Leave me a comment on this post telling me you've completed step 1.

One winner will be chosen randomly from the commenters. The contest closes Sunday February 22nd at 11:30 pm Pacific Time. Good luck, and thanks for reading and for sticking with me during this blog transition period!

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