Tempo Toronto » Style

Vintage Wedding

admin — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:06:05 +0000

Lovelier, the second time around

by Elizabeth Mason

Photo: Scott Downey

The second and third time brides have most probably already lived the fantasy of their first traditional wedding gown. Now, in consideration of a more seasoned spirit, they lean towards an elegant or sexy cocktail dress, that’s powerful and uniquely different than the gown they chose for their first wedding. No longer feeling compelled to blow the baby’s college fund on a single expensive designer bridal gown, the second-timers are more inclined to consider value and the potential to wear their vintage dress or gown for future occasions.

Because they are having this wedding just for them, second-time brides are not as concerned with choosing a gown that will wow their family and friends. They just want to dazzle their new husband. With second-time brides, there seem to be no ‘sides to their box’.

If you are considering a vintage gown for your wedding you need an open mind. If a gown has ‘good bones’, for example, but needs a little updating, then having courage and imagination – and working with a vintage specialist - is the secret to a beautiful and uniquely-your-own vintage bridal gown.

Selecting for age and proportion

Photo: Scott Downey

The dress needs to be age appropriate, as many second-timers are in their forties, fifties or more. The dress must be figure flattering, and must transition from the ceremony to the reception with both functionality and beauty. Often times the brides will opt for a variation of white, in creams and ivory to embrace the tradition of the wedding, but not the symbolism of the ‘blushing bride’ in pure white.

One of the only restrictions when choosing to wear vintage is the issue of sizing. Women were much smaller in past eras, and there are limited amounts of larger sizes especially from the 1920s through the early 1940s. Bear in mind also that many eras required a specific type of undergarment to structure a figure to fit the cut and drape of a particular style – such as the restrictive corsets worn during the ‘New Look’ era. That being said, I am never opposed to altering a gown to compensate for a more contemporary and comfortable undergarment. (continues on next page)

Toronto’s edgy glamour designer Catherine Curtis

Your personal virtual brand

admin — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:47:39 +0000

What’s in a name?

by Deborah Weinstein

Everything, when it’s your personal brand; and perception is reality in the virtual world.

But branding isn’t something left to corporations and products. We are all brands. Your personal brand reflects who you are and what you do. Your personal brand is reflected in what you say and what you do. This is particularly important in the social media space, where your words, thoughts, musings and frailties are broadcast, saved and indexed by robots. It is therefore important to be proactive about managing your personal brand.

Virtual personality

This brand personality also needs to be strong, authentic and compelling. This is what helps people emerge and differentiate themselves from millions of other voices clamouring to be heard. Your name in the socially-networked universe defines your brand — your essence, what you stand for, your reputation and your three second BLINK, all in 140 characters or less!

Differentiate yourself

So, how do you differentiate and elevate your personal brand, your on-line identity, in a social world teeming with thousands, no millions, of individuals calling out to be heard?

For proof of the bottom-line importance of asserting your personal brand you need look no further than:

A recent poll of 2600 North American Hiring Managers that revealed 45% of those surveyed use social media background checks to vet prospective employees; and
35% of respondents said they’d found something social that caused them NOT to hire the candidate. (continues next page)

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Eyelid surgery

admin — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 20:55:01 +0000

Subtle nip and tuck

There are two arguments. Age naturally, or, do all you can to look your best for as long as you can.

True, genetics play a part in how we age. However, for most people over 50, hormone changes, stress and gravity conspire together to orchestrate an increasingly rapid decline in our faces – bags, lines, wrinkles and loss of volume, with dryness added in for good (or bad) measure.

Fillers, lasers, Botox and Thermage are some of the non-surgical options, and they can be very effective. When you want a more lasting result, or have a specific problem area you want to work on, surgery may be the answer. Many people are opposed to vanity surgery, but surely this is a personal choice.

Long gone are the days of dramatic – and weird-looking – facelifts, in Toronto at least. This is Tempo Toronto’s look at upper and lower eyelid surgery. Performed by Dr. Trevor Born, Toronto’s favourite cosmetic surgeon (who also offers plenty of non-surgical options), he has mastered the art of subtlety.

With eyelid surgery there are three parts: remove the puffiness, fill in the hollows with micro fat grafting, a technique he has perfected, and tighten the skin. Though intricate surgery, the results he produces have everyone guessing that you’ve either been on a great vacation, or are getting plenty of great sleep. Apart from closest family and friends, not one of our subject’s network knows that she has had ‘her eyes done’.

The surgical experience

Apparently, Dr. Born provides excellence in patient care and preparation. Here’s what we were told …

Thorough and considerate consultation, pre-surgery. All options covered, all risks discussed.
Day of surgery: bags, sunken hollows and drooping eyelids
Detailed preparation for surgery and recovery. No surprises on the day, or afterwards.
Consistent excellence in patient care for several weeks before and after surgery. “Feels like you’re the only person who matters there.”
Dr. Born focuses on optimal health before surgery, and is a believer in homeopathy and effective supplementation to position you for rapid healing.
Extent of bruising, pain and swelling, and downtime after procedure exactly as described.
Two months after surgery, wide-eyed
Back in circulation after two weeks, swelling and bruising gone and great result obvious in less than a month.
Dr. Born cares deeply about his work, his patients and their results.

The results

You can make your own judgment from the photographs (all unretouched, all without make-up). The important thing to know is that the subject was thrilled. Was it worth it? “The pain and suffering was minimal, my bags are gone and my top eyelids don’t droop any more,” she told us. “I was really concerned that I would lose my smile lines, but I didn’t – they are just a lot softer now. The best part is that I don’t look ‘done’, just naturally refreshed. I’m very happy with the result.”

www.drtrevornborn.com

199 Avenue Road, Suite B
Toronto, Ontario M5R 2J3

416. 921. 7546

info@drtrevorborn.com

Lundström Collection at Fashion Week

admin — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 18:30:18 +0000

Inspiring Fall/Winter 2010 Runway Show

Or simply just look at designer stuff.

Of all the runway shows we saw, the Lundström Collection shone, as far as Tempo Toronto was concerned. These are wearable clothes, and we loved them all.

The polished brochure (from which we lifted the photographs below) describes the collection thus: “Lundstrom Collection unfolds with a timeless and chic debut for Fall Winter 2010. Coats are classic in luxurious fabrics with a focus on swing silhouettes. Sweaters are sweet in silk, cashmere and merino wool. Suiting is structured in menswear plaids and Donegal tweeds, while blouses are pretty with soft ties and gathers at the neck. Easily transitioned from day to night, the collection is charmed with understated elegance and a polished modern appeal.”

All so true. There’s not much we can add to that.

There were 39 items on the runway, and we’ve selected just five outfits here because space is limited. The Lundström Collection is owned and operated by Eleventh Floor Apparel Ltd., 255 Wicksteed Avenue in Toronto. You can see Lundström creations at eleven in Toronto, which is at 116 Cumberland Street in Yorkville – though obviously not the Fall Winter 2010 Collection, yet. This is a preview to whet your appetite.

Toronto’s LG Fashion Week March 2010

Batty eyelashes – now there’s hope

admin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:38:55 +0000

Lamenting lashes no more

“Give it to me with all speed!”

Well, what would you say if Toronto’s leading cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Trevor Born, told you he had a product that could help grow long sweeping eyelashes in three months, and show an improvement in just four weeks? Admittedly, they weren’t the shortest eyelashes ever, but Christina was convinced that her almost 60-year old eyelashes were markedly stubbier than they had been in her glorious, wide-eyed youth.

One of Toronto’s most respected Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Trevor Born (a clinical lecturer and instructor of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Training, with expertise in the fields of facial rejuvenation and body contouring) has the skinny on a miracle liquid that will, within three months, render your eyelashes to the state they were many decades ago, or perhaps even better. It is a pharmaceutical creation, which means you have to get it from a doctor, and you have to apply it daily for 12-16 weeks to get the optimum effect. There’s some after-growth maintenance too.

Longer eyelashes: yes!

admin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:01:12 +0000

We’ve been trying out Bimatroprost by Ocular Esthetics ever since Toronto’s leading cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Trevor Born, clued in a Tempo Toronto team member that he could help her grow the long sweeping eyelashes of her youth, in three months. We took pictures to document the progress. All of the ones shown here are with naked eyelashes – no mascara, no product, no anything.

Dr. Trevor Born is a clinical lecturer and instructor of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Training, with expertise in the fields of facial rejuvenation and body contouring. In his practice, he can offer a product (called Latisse in the United States) that potentially returns eyelashes to the state they were in your twenties, or perhaps even better. It is a pharmaceutical creation, which means you have to get it from a doctor, and you have to apply it daily for 12-16 weeks to get the optimum effect. It is not for everyone, your eyes must be healthy, and you have to apply the product with care and attention.

There’s some after-growth maintenance too (continued application every two or three days). Dr. Born discussed all the benefits, how to use the product, and all the risks – in his inimitable, caring fashion – and we were good to go.

Each day you have to apply a thin line of the liquid along the base of your (clean) upper eyelashes. That’s it! We promised you the results after three months. And here they are. It really works. (In case you’re wondering, we did pay for the product.) Stunning. Not bad for eyelashes that have been around for almost six decades!

www.drtrevorborn.com

199 Avenue Road, Suite B Toronto, Ontario M5R 2J3 416. 921. 7546 info@drtrevorborn.com

New hairstyle transforms a tired look

admin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 07:49:55 +0000

The dirty blond colour that Rosa Galati from Woodbridge had originally used on her hair was very close to her skin tone, which gave her complexion a washed out appearance. The style was also rather dated. Daniel Occhiuto of Salon Daniel Luis encouraged her to go back to her natural hair colour. By the time the old colour had grown out, Rosa could boast an alluring silver grey which, as it has less pigment, would bring more warmth and colour to her skin tone – a more vibrant and youthful look altogether.

Because Rosa’s facial features are soft in nature, Daniel gave Rosa a clean cut with a defined perimeter to lend strength to her soft features. With prominent or sharp features, this kind of cut could look too harsh. The restyling was started on wet hair, and the last part of the cut was done on dry hair. Daniel provided texture in the style, yet left it soft with a little feathering. He cut long, sweeping bangs.

Before quickly styling with the help of a blowdyer, UNA multi-use styling gel was lightly spritzed on the hair. Afterwards, Silker polish was applied to give the hair shine and to complete this chic look, with and without Rosa’s trendy new frames.

Rosa left the salon with a chic hair makeover that requires minimal time and effort to style. Wash, blow and go!

Salon Daniel Luis
(905) 893-2520

10480 Islington Av

Kleinburg, ON L0J1C0

How coaching works

admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:31:15 +0000

5 key pointers to successful coaching

You may have been staunchly independent your entire life, never relying on the input of others. Conversely you may have benefited from having a mentor through your professional life. However, sometimes we all need a little help to get us through a sticky point, and that’s where coaching – the art of improving the performance of others – may just be the thing to help you close a gap between the present situation and the desired one.

In a work environment, a coach helps develop employees and executives by mutually assessing performance, discussing the current situation, defining achievable goals, exploring new initiatives and supporting a coachee in a plan of action.

When adapted for use in your personal life, a life coach can open doors to your ability to develop new skills and talents, and enable you to improve your decision-making abilities, or determine how to best handle life challenges.

Tempo Toronto spoke with Carol Sachowski, President of storycoaching inc. in Toronto about the benefits of coaching. She is a specialist in leadership development, executive coaching and organizational effectiveness, and is also a highly effective life coach outside the corporate environment. Her personal coaching practice zeros in on individuals wanting to work on personal and interpersonal matters such as work/life balance, career transitioning, changing belief systems, coping with sudden change, improving communication skills, and living a happier, more fulfilling life.

About business and personal coaching, Carol says that “The beauty of coaching is that the line often blurs between the two as the client unearths issues around integrity, well-being, bottom line results and heightened self awareness. Significant and life altering impacts are far from uncommon, and many clients wonder how they managed for so long without a coaching component to their lives”

Here are Carol’s five things to know about coaching.

1. When you are stuck somewhere, or perhaps have lost belief in yourself, a coach works with you to encourage you to to hear your own voice telling that which you, really, know to be true.

2. While it takes your own work, a coach will work with you to help you identify your own solutions. At the same time she or he will look to you for signs of commitment to yourself. (Otherwise, it’s just a chat.)

3. Your coach is an effective sounding board, with no agenda of their own, and from whom there is no fear of harsh judgment, injury, or your private information and struggles being shared.

4. Your coach partners with you, and walks along the same path until you are ready to say goodbye. During your coaching life together, you can expect to see an improvement in your own confidence, to become more decisive, to achieve clarity of mind and to become calmer. With the clarity comes renewed ability to make sense of what you’re encountering, and to make peace with what you are bumping up against currently.

5. Your coach should have their own personal groundedness, be doing their own inner work too, and have credentials (such as Carol’s International Coaching Federation certified coaching course, and her Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching).

The frequency and duration of coaching depends, of course, on individual needs. For a specific issue, you may need two or three meetings. For others you may need to meet once or twice a week for a few months. A single session may be helpful – what Carol calls an “amuse bouche” of coaching – to give you a voice of clarity in the moment, before going deeper with more sessions.

Our sample session related to an unusual (for us) inability to make a decision that would affect the development of Tempo Toronto, something we’d been spinning over for a few weeks. Having got comfortable with Carol, she asked those incisive questions: “What is it that you know to be true already?”, “What is the cut off point for you?” and “What happens when you consider some different scenarios.”

Clarity. It was amazing. 24 hours later, decision made. Confidence increased. Calmness prevailed. Everything she told us would come to pass inside our heads, did.

We encourage you to try working with a coach yourself.

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New style transforms

admin — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:37:58 +0000

New hairstyle transforms a tired look

Rosa left the salon with a chic hair makeover that requires minimal time and effort to style. Wash, blow and go!

Salon Daniel Luis

(905) 893-2520

10480 Islington Av

Kleinburg, ON L0J1C0

Longer eyelashes: yes!

admin — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:31:42 +0000

www.drtrevornborn.com

199 Avenue Road, Suite B
Toronto, Ontario M5R 2J3

416. 921. 7546

info@drtrevorborn.com