Keira-anne.com

I have traveled very little in my 20-something years. There are no exotic stamps on my passport, no photos exist of me posing in front of pyramids or the Eiffel Tower and I have yet to cross either the Pacific or Atlantic oceans. However, unbeknown to me, I only needed to cross to the other side of North America to experience culture of the international variety.

While Vancouver is celebrated as a virtual melting pot of ethnicity, it’s still relatively young. There are brownstone homes in Brooklyn that are older than this city. New York City, originally founded as New Amsterdam, was first settled in the early-to-mid 1600s and has since grown into a city that straddles the precipice between cosmopolitan and historical. So many city blocks are completely saturated with what once was and still is.

Nowhere does that seem more true than Little Italy. Wednesday, May 26th was a hot day – a day with the kind of heat that feels like a solid substance wrapping itself in and around your body. Rebecca and I donned slim-strapped sandals, barely-there dresses and gathered the hair off the back of our necks. It was necessary for survival. I love that kind of heat.

Photo: miss604 on Flickr

We wove our way through narrow city streets in Lower Manhattan – the very first part of the city that was settled upon – and found ourselves in the middle of the bustling Chinatown district. Famished from walking and desperate for substance in our stomachs, Rebecca and I diverted onto Mulberry Street. Blink and perhaps you’ll miss Little Italy, a neighbourhood that’s gradually become so small yet is bursting at the seams with dignity in its roots.

It’s overwhelming. A street that at one time served as the centre of the blood-soaked Five Points neighbourhood was now lined with brick veneers, fire escapes, colourful awnings scribed in Italian, delivery trucks providing everything from prosciutto to tomato sauce and flags flying with red, white and green. Older men bellowed at each other from across the street, wiping their hands on their aprons. Younger men bantered jokes in a language so fast and so beautiful that it mesmerized me. Tourists on the sidewalk noshed on cannolis and gelato.

We selected a restaurant on the west side of the block, choosing to sit on the sidewalk and soak in our surroundings. Rebecca and I pushed our chairs in under the red and white checkered table cloth, my back bumping up against a flower box occupied with scarlet-coloured geraniums. I ordered a glass of house pinot noir and then fell in love.

My man couldn’t have been more than a year or two older than me. Save for a few broken phrases in English, it was clear that he spoke only Italian. My man’s white shirt was chiseled around his torso and tucked into black pants that appeared to be nothing short of expertly tailored. His undershirt was traceable under his long sleeves and even in that 95-degree heat, my man didn’t break a sweat. His eyes were playful but his expression was stern and concentrated. When he wasn’t refilling our water glasses, my man was coolly leaning on a nearby parking meter with a cigarette posed between his bow-tie lips. I was infatuated and unable to look anywhere else.

There on Mulberry Street, in the middle of intense heat and thrust into old-world Italy in the middle of Manhattan, I recognized that some things never change. Forever known for their remarkable dishes, perfected wine and searing passion, the Italians also have not lost their knack for invoking love at first sight either.

Truth be told, I was never much of a fan of dressing for the hot months. Jeans, boots and cozy sweaters have always been more my thing, but lately I’ve been embracing Summer-savvy style. The vibrancy of sunshine and blue skies is the perfect excuse to unleash splashy colour, while wearing less clothing leaves room for more accessories.

While I’m holding tight to a budget and saving most of my clothing cash for Fall and Winter, I could help but add a few essentials to my warm weather wardrobe on my recent trip to New York City.

The one must-have item that I didn’t want to be without was a romper and it was instant love when I found this silk-blend one-piece at Diane von Furstenberg’s studio flagship. The psychedelic tribal design caught me – hook, line and sinker. I wasted no time in wearing it while out and about in the city that never sleeps.

Sunglasses are a no-brainer and in more ways than one. Often times I’m mindless when it comes to sunnies and end up losing them in no time, so it’s one accessory that I don’t invest a lot of money in. $10 aviators from H&M do the trick and are essential for the beach. Swimwear is easy to stock up on without damaging my wallet, so when I found this nearly neon ruffled bikini at Victoria’s Secret for the price of a couple deluxe cocktails, I couldn’t refuse.

Canada’s best-kept fashion secret isn’t so secret anymore because Joe Fresh is graduating from Superstore and moving into it’s very own department store in downtown Vancouver this September [source]. These cork-soled sandals set me back $9 last summer, so stocking up on two pairs made the most sense. I’m a big fan of the gladiator sandal trend, but simple will go much further than elaborate in terms of design and versatility.

Jewelry is another accessory element that can’t be overlooked. I snagged this ring, also from H&M, for $3.95. Frappuccinos cost more.

I’m starting to sense a colour theme here…

I’m a big bag girl. Yes, I’m big on bags generally, but what I really mean is that I need room to play. Small handbags and clutches have their time and place, but I need the ability and space to toss some extras in when the occasion calls for it. This Summer I’ll be switching between this berry-coloured Marc by Marc Jacobs hobo that I found in Arizona with its price slashed by 90%. Yup, 90%. My other go-to carry-all is also brought to you by the fine folks at Joe Fresh for a whopping $5.

Just because it’s the off season doesn’t mean I can’t and shouldn’t represent. I was blown away by the two-storey NBA Store on 5th Avenue and picked up this vintage Phoenix Suns tee for me and a Steve Nash toddler tee for my niece. That little girl’s got too much Canucks gear.

My plans for the coming weekend included a mani/pedi until I weighed out the options. Shell out $50 for a once-in-a-while luxury or spend a fraction of that for new colours that will last all season long? The answer is obvious. From left to right I’d like you to meet Brisk Blue, Mango-Get-Em and Lickity Split.

Crown braids started to trend last summer and they haven’t lost any steam. It’s an easy way to keep my hair off my face while showing a little attention to detail. The same attention to detail can be said for this sweet, strappy and silky Quiksilver Women slip dress. The neck tie-up slays me.

Always one of the last and never one of the least is my pièce de résistance. I stalked it online, admired it from afar and gazed longingly at photos of it for months. The maxi dress is as crucial as they come for easy and effortless style while remaining entirely comfortable in the heat of July.

The Vertias maxi dress, also from DvF, is charged with romantic details and thoughtful design. The slight hem lift in the front allows the gown to bustle and flow rather than create the billowing effect that most maxi dresses fall victim to.

I bit my lip while trying to decide between the maxi dress and the romper, even though I knew they’d both be practical and that I’d wear each item a lot over the coming months. However, it was Rebecca who tipped the scales for me.

“How often are you in New York City, in the Meatpacking District, at your favourite designer’s studio?” she asked. Good point.

No matter what you find yourself wearing – or not wearing – over the coming months, there’s one item no one should be without. Sunblock is your best friend. Practice safe sun because, though her designs are legendary, no one actually wants to look like Donatella Versace when they’re 55.

You tell me: what are your summer must-haves? Wish list items? Which items will you be stocking up on for Summertime?

Someone once told me that there’s no experience like riding the New York City Subway. Over 650 miles of tracks snake and slide their way deep under Manhattan, reaching out to four of the five boroughs. It’s impossible to descend the steps into any station and not be instantly overcome by the sensory experience that awaits.

The stations are hot and stuffy. The still air is a fragrant tonic of charred street meat, diesel and urine. The noise is deafening as trains rocket in and out of stations, sparking over the rails with an unmistakable squeal. The paint is peeling off steel beams, the overhead lights flicker and buzz and passengers wait like flocks of vultures to squeeze between the doors.

It’s intoxicating.

Photo: cafemama on Flickr

On the very last day that Rebecca and I spent in New York City, we traveled across the Brooklyn Bridge one step at a time. While Manhattan is most certainly its own world, crossing the iconic span over the East River felt much like stepping through a portal.

As my feet found solid ground in Brooklyn, every little thing I’d long associated with the city’s biggest borough suddenly came to life. It’s the home of the Beastie Boys, of sizzling Italian-American pizzerias, of Coney Island, of century-old brownstones and even the original Dodgers baseball team. When I was younger, my family lived on a cul-de-sac called Brooklyn Place and my school was called Brooklyn Elementary. Naturally, I secretly pretended we lived in Brooklyn.

After a couple hours of exploring, the time came to return to Manhattan and we decided to do so by way of the subway. High Street Station was bustling with people on that muggy Friday afternoon. Finding a seat was easier than expected and within minutes our train jolted to life and rattled toward downtown. A group of b-boys kicked their ghetto blaster into high gear and began to break-dance in the middle of the train. Our fellow passengers gave wide berth and kept the dancers moving with cheers and clapping as beat-heavy hip hop sputtered from the well-played speakers.

What should have been an uneventful journey from Brooklyn back to midtown turned into a Friday afternoon impromptu train party. Nothing short of something quintessentially Brooklyn, I can’t imagine a more fitting way for New York City to bid us farewell than with the smiles and laughter of 50 of our newest friends… at least for one afternoon.

In a city like New York, figuring out where to stay can be as daunting a task as deciding where to eat. And much like the abundance of restaurants and food vendors, New York City most certainly offers hotels to suit every budget, taste and style. When Rebecca and I started planning our trip to the Big Apple, we knew what was important to us: location and a big, comfy bed. A good price wouldn’t hurt either.

We started our hunt for a boutique hotel online and, after exploring a number of travel sites, came across Distrikt Hotel – the newest shining star in the Ascend Collection from the Choice Hotels International hotel family. The pictures promised something marvelous, but it was the proximity to the subway and a few major attractions that sold us. Having just opened in February, 2010, I can attest to the fact that Distrikt Hotel offers an accommodation experience that is entirely its own.

When first entering the lobby, I was instantly impressed with the minimalist but tasteful décor. Organic elements such as carved wood and a living wall of vines caught my eye and attractively complimented the marble, stone and brushed steel detail. Also noticeable to me was the music. Rather than the standard lull that can be expected in elevators, Rebecca and I were greeted by themed tunes such as “Empire State of Mind” and “Angel of Harlem”.

Containing only four guest rooms each, the floors at Distrikt Hotel pay homage to the distinct and flavourful neighbourhoods that make New York City what it is. Boasting northeast views to the Times Square district and a gigantic king-sized bed, Rebecca and I found our room on one of the Chelsea Market floors (nestled below midtown Manhattan, Chelsea Market charms with a community feel much like Vancouver’s West End).

I’m one of those people who believe that it’s the little things in life that count, and this much is also true of Distrikt Hotel. No detail was overlooked, from the luxe Frette linens imported from Europe to the Ecru New York bath and beauty products. One can argue that our room was spacious by NYC hotel standards, but I’d venture to say it was spacious even compared to my own apartment. There was plenty of room for stashing our multiple pairs of shoes, as well as our many, many shopping purchases.

At the end of each long day, Rebecca and I enjoyed nothing more than sinking into our plush bed, cranking the air conditioning and allowing our plasma TV to carry us into a deep sleep. And downstairs, the Collage Bar & Bistro made sure we never went hungry. While nosh is easy to come by in a city like New York, having a scrumptious food option within the hotel was a lifesaver for us on more than one occasion.

While I knew that visiting New York City would be the trip of a lifetime for us girls, anyone who has travelled knows that the right hotel can make or break a vacation. The courteous and well-informed staff at Distrikt Hotel made sure that our stay was nothing short of perfection, and I am most certain that I’ve found my home away from home on future trips to the Big Apple.

For more information on Distrikt Hotel and to book your next visit to New York City, please visit Distrikt Hotel’s website or call the hotel reservation line at 1-888-444-5610. Distrikt Hotel is located in the heart of midtown Manhattan at 342 West 40th Street, New York, NY.

Disclaimer: Rebecca and I were not asked to write a review of Distrikt Hotel, nor were we compensated for doing so. We did, however, received a complimentary room upgrade and several complimentary dining experiences.

Almost all my life, I’ve had ideals and expectations about what I thought New York City would be like. Four full days into our trip, I can say with absolute certainty that this city has met and exceeded any ideas I held. Rebecca and I have been living an adventure that is nothing short of amazing.

Before we arrived, Rebecca and I agreed that we wouldn’t plan an itinerary, but instead wake up each day and see where New York City takes us.

In the short time we’ve been here, we have drank $2 cans of PBR in a Tribeca dive bar, strolled the sunshine-splashed pathways of Central Park, soaked up the atmosphere at Union Square, stood face-to-face with the Empire State Building from the top of Rockefeller Center, given our credit cards a solid workout with some of the city’s best shopping, cooled down with frosted hot chocolate from Serendipity 3, strolled through the West Village like a couple of locals, mesmerized ourselves with the dazzling lights of Times Square and noshed on fried green tomatoes in Hell’s Kitchen.

Needless to say, the pedicures we treated ourselves to were much deserved. Whoever said that New York City is a walking town wasn’t kidding.

With three full days left, there’s much we still want to see. Battery Park, the Staten Island ferry, Chinatown and the Brooklyn Bridge are on tomorrow’s agenda, and we’ve already snagged tickets to see Sex and the City 2 while we’re in the city. I’m sure that by the time we arrive home, it will have all seemed like a dream, but we’re certainly living that dream while we’re here.

Feel free to explore my complete Flickr set here and Rebecca’s full Flickr set here.

An occasion such as this one called for a big, borrowed suitcase. My darling Pepper’s 29-inch upright is loaded with five pairs of shoes, three handbags, tops, bottoms, under tops, under bottoms and is still barely 2/3 full. Just minutes ago we checked in with our airline; a window seat for me, a middle seat for her. One particular hopelessly chic hotel in the middle of Manhattan is eagerly anticipating the arrival of two West Coast girls.

In just 24 short hours, Rebecca and I will be making our way to New York City.

Photo: A. Strakey on Flickr

I can’t deny that the fact that our ultimate girls’ vacation has finally arrived is a bit surreal. While I anticipate that the adventures that await us will likely keep me from blogging, I’ll definitely be rolling out some updates via my Twitter and Flickr, so be sure to follow along. In the meantime, if you haven’t yet entered to win a $100 gift card, this week is your last chance – I’ll be drawing a winner upon my return.

Enjoy the long weekend, play fun, play safe and don’t forget to slather on the SPF!

The quintessential ’80s movies that defined my childhood are countless. However, few more so than ‘Crocodile’ Dundee. Mick left the Australian Outback for the first time in anticipation of bright lights-big city adventures with his lady love, Sue, and landed on the outskirts of one of the world’s biggest cities. As the camera captured a fraction of the expanse that is Manhattan, 5-year-old Keira-Anne was simply blown away. Perhaps it was Mick Dundee’s naïve curiosity that got the best of me, but I was hooked. I remember exclaiming to myself “I have to go there!”

Photo: _Massimo_ on Flickr

“Imagine seven million people all wantin’ to live together… Yep, New York must be the friendliest place on Earth.” – Mick Dundee

After more than two decades of wishing, hoping, waiting, reading, studying maps and longing over photographs, my time has finally come. This morning I selected a flight, chose a hotel, entered mine and Rebecca’s credit card numbers and the City suddenly became ours. In a little over two months, we’ll be departing YVR on a warm Spring night, landing at JFK airport in time for Saturday brunch in the West Village.

When I was younger, I envisioned myself visiting NYC on my own. While I still hope to someday, I can’t imagine a more wonderful travel partner than Rebecca. We’ve got many of the same interests, hope to see many of the same landmarks and get equally giddy every time we hear Jay-Z and Alicia Keys pay homage to the Big Apple.

Photo: _Massimo_ on Flickr

It’s really hard to believe in some ways. I look at the computer screen, see my name, blink, see the name of a hopelessly chic hotel, the flight number and our selected dates with the word “CONFIRMED” next to it all. Somehow, none of it will seem really real until our taxi starts rolling over the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan. That’s when the rush will begin.

(And don’t worry, mom. We’ll avoid the subway station at the Manhattan Municipal Building for this very reason.)

Living today – in the moment – has become my “thing” lately. I could elaborate but let’s not get boring, shall we? Anyway, if I don’t live in the moment, all the things I’m pumped about next year will be here before I know it and the little things will pass me by. In fact, so much is coming my way in 2010 that I’m already exhausted thinking about it all. Oy vey.

In no particular order…

10. No specific target date has been set, but I will be officially debt-free. Feel free to hate on me, but I’ve worked hard at it.

9. Celebrating my sweet-as-a-peach niece’s first birthday.

8. Shortly after that, celebrating one whole year with my love bug.

7. Fingers crossed that the Phoenix Suns will once again rock GM Place with another exhibition game during the pre-season, a game at which I will be screaming, yelling, cheering and jumping up and down in my jersey.

Photo: taminator on Flickr

6. TORONTO! Or, you know, a suburb-thereof. I really need to see this lady again. (Except let’s not hang with those guys, okay?)

5. Seeing John Mayer in concert on April 1 for the second time. (Don’t be surprised if I disappear for a few months after the show. It’s my hope that I’ll charm my way backstage, after which he and I will embark on a passionate and heartbreaking love affair. I suspect we will exhaust each other by summertime.)

Photo: Flickred! on Flickr

4. Love thy self: I’m one of those people who incessantly say “I want to…” and then never actually do it. I want to cook more gourmet food, drink more wine, have more parties, take more day-trips, rent a car sometimes and do anything and everything that makes me happy.

3. My first visit to New York City. I plan on leaving my heart there.

Photo: miss604 on Flickr

2. Get sporty. I don’t miss going to the gym but getting active makes my heart go ga-goong in more ways than one. I want to join a co-ed drop-in basketball league or just hit the courts with friends. Bueller?

Original Photo: Fernando Ariotti on Flickr

1. Embarking on the next decade of my life, a trip that someone special to me will also be taking this year.

Your turn: tell me what would make for your “Perfect ’10″. Feel free to make this a meme.

For almost the entire duration of our friendship, Rebecca and I have dreamed and giggled about visiting New York City together. Finally – finally – the trip planning has been set into motion, and with Rebecca’s recent whirlwind trip this week, my stoke meter has been spiking. Though our girls’ vacation to the Big Apple isn’t going to happen until May, 2010, it doesn’t hurt to scout out a bit in advance.

Photo: Miss604 on Flickr

While we’ve agreed to rely more on spontaneity and avoid the usual tourist traps and a packed itinerary, there are certainly a few things I need to do and experience.

1. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise to take in the views of Manhattan from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.

2. Eat a pretzel from a different street vendor every single day (I love warm, salty pretzels)!

3. Visit Times Square at 1:00 a.m. to snap pictures.

4. Cruise across to Staten Island on the free ferry (and maybe “enjoy” an infamous Staten Island iced tea).

5. Take a deep breath from the top of the Empire State Building.

6. Aimlessly wander Greenwich Village to find something unique for each of my special someones.

7. “Hit up Magnolia and mack on some cupcakes…”

8. Allow my darling Meghan to drag us to her favourite places and allow her to set me up with she-knows-who (and I won’t forget, Megs).

9. Buy myself a charm bracelet at Tiffany & Co. and have it engraved with the date to commemorate the trip

10. Devour a tasty lunch in Central Park in the sunshine.

I have no doubt I’ll probably put on a few pounds from all the tempting food. I know for certain I’ll drink a lot of coffee; sleep is overrated and I plan on making the most of our week there (even if it means heading out on some solo excursions). And fingers crossed, this is where we may be staying. We’re checking out our options, but those rooms sure would make from some cute photo shoots!

Twiggy. Jackie Kennedy. Madonna. Gwen Stefani. Princess Diana of Wales. These are all names that have, at one point or another, been synonymous with the term “fashion icon.” One name that will be found on very few lists is Sue Charlton.

In my previous post, I took you to the time in my life when I became captured by New York City by way of the film “Crocodile Dundee.” It wasn’t only The City That Never Sleeps that caught my impressionable 6-year-old eyes. I was captivated by the sophistication and daring nature of the film’s heroine, Sue Charlton.

From the first moment she appears on screen, we are shown a woman who clearly epitomizes a fresh face with an even fresher fashion sense. While at the time I was too young to appreciate the details, now as a woman in her 20s, it’s all that I notice.

From her leather safari gloves to her over-sized hats, gauzy scarves to hip and high-waisted belts, Linda Kozlowski’s Sue Charlton appeared as though she’d stepped off the pages of any Vogue magazine in 1986.

In reality, Sue would’ve needed both a trunk and an iron in the Australian Outback to rock what she rocked, but that’s entirely besides the point.

In fact, 22 years later I’d still like to raid the wardrobe closet from that film. Well, at least some sections of it…

This is one dress that never ceased to completely fascinate me as a child. It was bold, red, daring and showed a lot of skin. With all those cut-outs, I could never, ever figure out how her panties didn’t show. At that age, it never occurred to me that a woman would go out in public without panties. And while I don’t know anyone that could – or would – wear such a dress today, I applaud her regardless!

In the final scenes where the girl gets her man, we are all witness to something I still cannot get over to this day. While running from the Plaza Hotel to the nearest subway station, Sue ditches and discards her perfect leather pumps in an effort to start sprinting. Some men are worth a mad dash, but surely she could’ve tucked them under her arm or something. They were probably Prada!

It’s certainly true that much of what came from Sue’s‘s closet in 1986 should remain there, and only perhaps half of her pieces could translate to 2008. However, there is no denying that she was on top of the garment game. Sue Charlton may not be a conventional fashion icon – nor one that many even know – but that which she dared to wear still echoes today, and that is truly making a statement.

All photo captures from the film “Crocodile Dundee” are credited in their entirety to Paramount Pictures.