TFBB XIII - Nov. 25

You’re invited! Calling all local fashion bloggers:

What?
Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch (TFBB)

Where?
Brassaii
461 King St. W. (map)
Toronto

When?
Nov. 25, 2007
11:30 a.m.

Who?
The TFBB gang and friends.

How?
RSVP by logging on to http://tfbb.eventbrite.com

Special thanks to Danielle great illustration and poster, Anita for setting up the RSVPs on eventbrite and Henna for booking Brassaii. Unfortunately, I probably won’t make it to this one but can’t wait to read about it on the ’net afterwards.

Tags: Brassaii, blogging, fashion, social media, TFBB,

Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch TFBB - the Feb. 07 edition

You're invited! Calling all local fashion bloggers or fashion blog lovers:

What?
Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch (TFBB)

Where?
The Drake
1150 Queen St. W.
Toronto

When?
Feb. 25, 2007
11:30 a.m.

Who?
Special shout-out to Danielle for the inspiration, Anita for carrying the ball and Adrian for the wonderful, Warhol-inspired graphic.

How?
RSVP by logging on to http://tfbb.eventbrite.com

Technorati tags: blogging, fashion, social media, TFBB, The Drake

Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch VII - Sun., June 24

You’re invited! Calling all local fashion bloggers or fashion blog lovers:


What?
Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch (TFBB)

Where?
Brassaii
461 King St. W. (map)
Toronto

When?
June 24, 2007
11:30 a.m.

Who?
The TFBB gang and friends. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make this one.

How?
RSVP by logging on to http://tfbb.eventbrite.com

Technorati tags: Brassaii, blogging, fashion, social media, TFBB,

Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch XII - Sunday, Oct. 21

You’re invited! Calling all local fashion bloggers:


What?
Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch (TFBB)

Where?
Brassaii
461 King St. W. (map)
Toronto

When?
October 21, 2007
11:30 a.m.

Who?
The TFBB gang and friends.

How?
RSVP by logging on to http://tfbb.eventbrite.com

Special thanks to Adrian for the sassy poster, Anita for setting up the RSVPs on eventbrite and Danielle for keeping us all on our toes.

Tags: Brassaii, blogging, fashion, social media, TFBB,

Special Pre-Fashion Week: Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch XV - March 16

You’re invited! Calling all local fashion bloggers:


What?
Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch (TFBB)

Where?
Brassaii
461 King St. W. (map)
Toronto

When?
Mar. 26, 2008
11:30 a.m.

Who?
The TFBB gang and friends.

How?
RSVP by logging on to http://tfbb.eventbrite.com

It’s been a while since I’ve brunched with the gang. I’m looking forward to this one. Hope to see you there.

TFBB Zola aka Zola Annual Dot Sale

What?
Zola Annual Dot Sale – sale footwear from $35-$150 ($65 for last pair)
Sigerson Morrison, Patrick Cox, Claudia Ciuti, Cesare Paciotti, Missoni, Diana Broussard, Michel Viven, Joeffer Caoc and many more are all marked down as far as they can go!

When?
• Jan. 9-31
• TFBB Zola (gathering of TFBB shoe lovers): Jan. 16 at 2:30 p.m., RSVP

Where?
Zola
1726 Avenue Rd. (map)
Toronto, ON

If you go, leave a comment and let us know what you find.

Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch XI - Saturday, Sept. 30

You’re invited! Calling all local fashion bloggers:

What?
Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch (TFBB)

Where?
Frans
20 College St. (map)
Toronto

When?
Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007
7 p.m.

Who?
Special shout-out to Danielle for her terrific poster (more about that later) and co-ordinating this event.

How?
RSVP by logging on to http://tfbb.eventbrite.com

Technorati tags: blogging, Frans, nuit blanche, TFBB

Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch X - Sunday, Aug. 26

You’re invited! Calling all local fashion bloggers:

What?
Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch (TFBB)

Where?
Brass Taps
221 Carleton St. (map)
Toronto

When?
August 26, 2007
noon

Who?
Special shout-out to Danielle for her terrific poster (more about that later) and co-ordinating this event (and picking up the ball in my absence.)

How?
RSVP by logging on to http://tfbb.eventbrite.com

Technorati tags: blogging, Brass Taps, brunch, TFBB

Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch VII - May 27 reminder

You’re invited! Calling all local fashion bloggers or fashion blog lovers:

What?
Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch (TFBB)

Where?
Brassaii
461 King St. W. (map)
Toronto

When?
May 27, 2007
11:30 a.m.

Who?
Special shout-out to Danielle for her wonderful Breakfast at Tiffany’s poster, Anita for her technical expertise support and Carolyn for co-ordinating this event.

How?
RSVP by logging on to http://tfbb.eventbrite.com

Technorati tags: Brassaii, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, blogging, fashion, social media, TFBB

Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch VII - May 27

You’re invited! Calling all local fashion bloggers or fashion blog lovers:

What?
Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch (TFBB)

Where?
Brassaii
461 King St. W. (map)
Toronto

When?
May 27, 2007
11:30 a.m.

Who?
Special shout-out to Danielle for her wonderful Breakfast at Tiffany’s poster, Anita for her technical expertise support and Carolyn for co-ordinating this event.

How?
RSVP by logging on to http://tfbb.eventbrite.com

Technorati tags: Brassaii, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, blogging, fashion, social media, TFBB,

Reminder - Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch VI - Apr. 22

You’re invited! Calling all local fashion bloggers or fashion blog lovers:

What?
Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch (TFBB)

Where?
Brassaii
461 King St. W. (map)
Toronto

When?
Apr. 22, 2007
11:30 a.m.

How?
RSVP asap, log on to http://tfbb.eventbrite.com

Technorati tags: Brassaii, blogging, fashion, social media, TFBB,

Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch IX - Sunday, July 29

You’re invited! Calling all local fashion bloggers:

What?
Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch (TFBB)

Where?
Brassaii
461 King St. W. (map)
Toronto

When?
July 29, 2007
2:00 p.m.

Who?
Special shout-out to Danielle for her awesome poster (more about that later), Anita for her technical expertise support and Carolyn for co-ordinating this event.

How?
RSVP by logging on to http://tfbb.eventbrite.com

Technorati tags: Brassaii, blogging, fashion, TFBB

Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch VI - Apr. 22

You’re invited! Calling all local fashion bloggers or fashion blog lovers:

What?
Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch (TFBB)
Time to talk about TFI’s Ultimate Platinum

Where?
Brassaii
461 King St. W. (map)
Toronto

When?
Apr. 22, 2007
11:30 a.m.

Who?
Special shout-out to Danielle and Anita for their support; and, of course Adrian for another fabulous poster.

How?
RSVP by logging on to http://tfbb.eventbrite.com

Technorati tags: Brassaii, blogging, fashion, social media, TFBB,

Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch 14 - Sun., Jan. 27

You’re invited! Calling all local fashion bloggers:

What?
Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch (TFBB)

Where?
Brassaii
461 King St. W. (map)
Toronto

When?
Jan. 27, 2008
11:30 a.m.

Who?
The TFBB gang and friends.

How?
RSVP by logging on to http://tfbb.eventbrite.com

It’s been a while since I’ve brunched with the gang. I’m looking forward to this one. Hope to see you there.

TFBB IX - the recap

Brassaii was host to our first TFBB mid-afternoon bite. Knowing several of the gang would be at the debut of Carolyn’s band, Satan’s Candy the night before, we decided to have a fashionably late 2 p.m. brunch. What style!

We had an intimate group of bloggers:
• Anita Clarke of I want - I got and blogTO
• Carolyn Rohaly of the TFI blog

• Danielle Meder of finalfashion
• Henna Singh of Canadian Beauty
• Sonja Andic of Toronto Street Fashion
• Gail McInnes of the Plutino Group
• Ali de Bold of Chick Advisor

• first timer, Jenna Wilson of Girl from Auntie

and friends:
• Tierre Taylor, photographer extraordinaire, of SNAP Downtown Toronto; and,
• Barry Freedman - a reader who shared his interesting insights about mens' fashions and international travel.

We had some lively discussions including:
• Satan’s Candy's debut performance the previous night
• Toronto Fashion Week (again)
• local designers and artists
• Moo cards
• copyright issues for bloggers
• creative manicures, especially the custom hand-painted designs sported by Carolyn

And speaking of food...
Brassaii came through once again and we’re getting better at dealing with the “no individual bill” policy.

photo credit: Tierre Taylor, SNAP Downtown Toronto via finalfashion on flickr

Technorati tags: Brassaii, blogging, TFBB

Toronto Fashion Bloggers’ Brunch - V

You’re invited! Calling all local fashion bloggers or fashion blog lovers:

What?
Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch (TFBB)
Time to talk about Toronto Fashion Week

Where?
TBA
Toronto

When?
Mar. 25, 2007
11:30 a.m.

Who?
Special shout-out to Danielle for the inspiration, Tiff for carrying the ball and Adrian for the awesome graphic.

How?
RSVP by logging on to http://tfbb.eventbrite.com

Technorati tags: blogging, fashion, L’Oreal Fashion Week, social media, TFBB, Toronto Fashion Week

Weekly Wish - checking out L’Oréal Fashion Week

This week I wanted to do something really decadent... I wanted to head downtown to Nathan Phillips Square and check out L’Oréal Fashion Week. It’s the first year they’re trying something new and making local fashion more accessible to the general public.

I even had plans to meet some of my cool TFBB friends today. They’ve been hanging around down there all week - some have even been lucky enough to attend some of the “By Invitation Only” events.

As they say, some of the best laid plans...

So, instead of going there myself, this week I’m wishing for something a bit different. I’m wishing for those of you lucky kids out there who schmoozed with Toronto’s pretty people at the shows, parties and just hanging around, to share your stories and links to your photos, right here at Bargainista. Leave a comment. Send me a guest post, send me a link to your flickr album. I’m there!

Tags: L’Oréal Fashion Week, TFBB, Toronto Fashion Week

Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch XII - the recap

Brassaii was host to yet another TFBB today. In addition to yours’ truly, we had an intimate and lively group of bloggers and readers:

• Adrian, Fashion Verbatim
• Anita, I want - I got
• Danielle, finalfashion
• Henna, Canadian Beauty
• Liza, Irene, Rachel and Sonja, Toronto Street Fashion
• Melissa; and,
• Amanda

As usual, interesting conversation ensued:
• Toronto Fashion Week - all this week, Nathan Phillips Square, be there!
• Adrian’s visit with Chanel
• Comments from anonymous bloggers, blog syndication and blog networks
• Fashion PR
• Joe Fresh Style for kids - it’s the best

BTW, check out Danielle’s phenomenal sketch of some of us regulars. In addition to her design talents, Danielle is an extraordinary illustrator. Friends have commissioned her to produce custom illustrations for their blogs and biz cards. You should see her moo cards. If you're interested, let her know. Her illustrations start at $100 - a bargain, don’t ya think.

Tags: Brassaii, Joe Fresh, illustrations, moo cards, TFBB, Toronto Fashion Week

Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch VI - the recap

As we welcomed the warm sunny weather, we also said hello to a new meeting spot: Brassaii.

And what a warm welcome we received...

In addition to reasonable prices, ample comfortable seating, and delicious food, we had excellent service and complimentary mimosas. Not one complaint. We’ll be back!

Other bloggers in attendance were:
• Adrian from Fashion Verbatim
• Anita from I want - I got
• Carolyn from the Toronto Fashion Incubator
• Danielle from Final Fashion
• Sonja from TorontoStreetFashion.com
and
• community members: Andrai and Kasia.

Danielle, Sonja, Anita and Carolyn shared their perspectives and opinions about TFI’s Ultimate Platinum:
• Should we support Canadian designers just because they are Canadian or do they have to earn our praise?
• What does it take to be a good designer: innovation, commercial appeal, a bit of both?
• What do you think?

Anita and Sonja were both chatting away on their new KRZR’s. The MP3 player rocks. Like most camera phones, the camera has room for improvement. We tried to take some pics on Anita’s phone and after six different shots, still didn’t have one we wanted to use on our blogs. Regardless, KRZR’s design sure is slick and made my relatively new phone seem pretty uncool in comparison. Maybe, I’ll get to test one out and let you know all about it first hand.

What would Earth Day have been without some discussion about organic fabrics and sustainable clothing? A few of us got into quite the philosophical discussion about consumer behaviour and materialism. What do you think?

Last but not least and certainly not unique to fashion (or shopping) blogs, was how to pitch a blogger.

Got a great product or service you want us to write about?
• Do your research.
• Read our blogs.
• Make sure you know who you’re targeting.
• Think like a boy scout: be prepared!

Join the TFBB group on Facebook.

Technorati tags: blogging, Brassaii, Earth Day, fashion, KRZR, TFBB, Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch, Ultimate Platinum

ChickAdvisor Shop Crawl: real life social shopping

So far, my tales of social shopping have been limited to After a Fashion outings in Second Life. Thanks to The ChickAdvisor Shop Crawl, I was recently initiated into real life social shopping.

Jenny and I started right at 6 p.m. sharp. First stop, CHANGE, the Scandinavian lingerie chain’s first Canadian location. With CBC’s new Fortune Hunters cameraman following us around for an upcoming episode, it was a bit awkward shopping for undies.

Carole, the assistant manager did her best to put us at ease. In fact, this was the only location where customer service was queen (pardon the pun). We also got $25 gift certificates valid through January. Of course, we both used ours that night. It was the only time I parted with my money. CHANGE is one store I’ll visit again. ; )

I was pumped about C-Squared where we were offered a 20% discount. Jenny scored a sweet pair of chocolate brown Camper pumps.

We made it to the other the other stores on the crawl list as well: Scarpino, Kazuo (reasonable prices, I tried a great coat but it was too big), Fraiche (I’ll be back) and Fashion Crimes. All of them offered 20%-25% off for shop crawlers.

I was disappointed we saved Fashion Crimes for last. The staff refused to stay open past 8 p.m. (the crawl went on until 9) so I didn’t get past their enticing windows. Sucks, huh? Boy, did they pass up an opportunity for new business and leave a bitter taste in many shoppers’ mouths. How unfortunate. Jen and I were hoping to do some shopping there along with my TFBB friends.

The evening ended with a trip to Milestones for bellinis and yummy pizza fresh out of the oven, swag bags (I’ll be discussing mine in an upcoming post), prize draws and a fashion show put on by shoppers wanting to win their outfits.

Social shopping is a phenomenon that’s gaining steam. Groups of people shop together in order to get better prices. As for retailers, it’s a great way to garner publicity for your business, introduce new customers to your store and compete in a competitive marketplace where consumers are becoming more cost-conscious everyday.

Tags: After a Fashion, Ali de Bold, Camper, CHANGE, ChickAdvisor, Fashion Crimes, Fortune Hunters, Fraiche, Kazuo, Milestones, Queen Street, Scarpino, Shop Crawl, TFBB