On the Coolest Person of the Year and Britney Spears

Ryan Gosling plays it cool, Britney Spears, his former Mickey Mouse cohort, does not. Believe me, I'm not considering what I've just said to be mind blowing, but when I considered commenting on recent news items featuring both parties, I just couldn't help drawing a few comparisons. Same humble beginnings, not so same humble presents.

Last week TIME Magazine writer Joel Stein appointed Ryan Gosling as the Coolest Person of 2011; Gosling refused to talk about the 'honour' with Stein. Damn, that's cool. That same weekend Britney Spears got engaged to boyfriend Jason Trawick, and immediately wanted to talk publicly about the 'honour.' She blasted a teaser of the news on her Facebook page, presumably 2 seconds after it happened. Ryan Gosling doesn't have a Facebook page. Damn, that's cool.

Brit and Jason appear K-Fed and Brit style on the cover of this week’s People Magazine. A few months ago it was wildly speculated that Gosling turned downed the magazine’s Sexiest Man of the Year title. Damn, that's cool.

Ryan starred in arguably one of the best movies of 2011, Drive. In the retro-esque film noir he spoke maybe 10 lines throughout the whole thing, which was fiercely badass. Damn, that's cool. I could never be badass; I've got too much to say. Recently Brit also starred in what we can classify as her own film noir with Jason in her video for Criminal. Sure it was pretty badass itself; Jason looked surprisingly hot as hell and it had an equally hot make-out scene, but, ironically, every time she spoke the video got worse. She could stand to take a note from the Driver handbook.

Gosling is dating Eva Mendes. They aren't publicly commenting on the relationship, but he did recently travel to Paris just to pick her up so she didn't have to travel back to LA alone. We can be pretty sure something is going on. Damn, that's cool. Again, Spears and Trawick are electively appearing in a national magazine, tagline reading "All the details!" This includes pictures of the ring and this quote from Jason: "she's is my everyday Princess." Um, okay. Also, did I not just mention that she cast him in her latest music video and they have a full on naked make out scene?

Our beloved Ryan also commented on Mouseketeer Christina Aguilera's singing ability on NPR Fresh Air last week, of her talent he said, “you look at someone like Christina Aguilera, who is, y'know, was like 11 years old and 40 pounds and singing like Etta James, and you see someone who is realizing their destiny." He said nothing about Britney. Damn, that's cool.

In all seriousness, Ryan congrats on your Golden Globes nom this week and Brit congrats your engagement, for both I hope the third time’s the charm.

Comparatively yours,
Lauren

EDITORS NOTE: Gosling has recently thrown a wrench into my whole rant by appearing in the Funny or Die video featuring Eva Mendes, see the clip here. He does however, make that night gown and cap look cool. Thus I rest my case.

Gentlemen's Review

We’ve recently taken to integrating GQ into our monthly magazine medley, and aren’t ashamed to admit it is just for the pictures. The benefits of reading articles on men’s style, culture and fitness sadly escape us as we are yet to apply them in our everyday lives (aside from raising our already unrealistic expectations of how future mates should dress, naturally). Gentlemen’s Quarterly gains Caitlin and Lauren as readers by using the strategic placement of attractive men on the cover, and appeasing us both graphically and fashionably. Yesterday, as we did our usual peruse of the magazine racks, a buffer than usual looking Matt Damon caught our attention. We dove right in. To our supreme delight, we stumbled on a spread of, not only one, but two of our favourite gents looking beyond dapper in a Spring Style spread. Max Greenfield (Schmidt, to you New Girl fans) looking attractively quirky in different shades of grey and Formula 1 fave, Lewis Hamilton, taking layering to a new level of sexy.

Sartorially yours,
Us

Endorsement of the week: Olive et Gourmando

With such a food-centric holiday quickly approaching, I couldn’t help but look back over my various food adventures over the past year. People do that right? I’ve been to some great restaurants this past year and would like to reflect on a particularly fun eating experience in Montreal I had last summer.

Olive et Gourmando, located at 351 Rue Saint Paul Ouest in old Montreal, is a charming eatery/bakery. Stop in for a gourmet sandwich or tasty patisserie. Always packed with locals and tourists alike, this spot is great for brunch, lunch and snacks.

This place is for the diner who dabbles in gustatory passions. The food is great, the atmosphere is ultra hip and the prices are reasonable.

Check out their cool website.

I took the photos below during a visit to Montreal in August with my mother and sister.

Gastronomically yours,
Caitlin

6 Fictional Holiday Parties We Would Like to Attend

'Tis the season, the season of holiday parties that is; we ourselves attended a lovely little holiday shindig this past weekend. However, not all holiday invitations are welcome and our condolences go out to those of you attending awkward office holiday parties this coming week. If we knew how to make the forced conversation and awkward Secret Santa exchange more tolerable, we would surely advise. But all we have to offer is the following imaginative list of fictional soirees we would like to attend as guests of our favourite fictional friends.

Dillon Panthers Holiday Kegger

This is a fully fictitious, yet entirely plausible event. Sadly, as that pesky high school football season only runs from late August to October we never really had the pleasure of witnessing how the folks in Dillon, Texas celebrated the holiday season. Our hearts tell us they would have done it right and we know that the Friday after school let out for holiday break Riggins and the rest of the boys would be throwing together a party. We'd go of course, and much like Julie Taylor did at that anti-formal kegger, drink too much and make a pass at Tim. We would also joke around with Landry Clark, try desperately to befriend Tyra Collette and exchange friendly, yet meaningful gifts with Saracen. Near the end of the festivities, in a perfect world, Coach would catch wind of some misbehaving and come over to break it up, and through his disappointment he'd treat us with respect, inspiring us and wishing us a safe and happy holiday. And we're pretty sure Coach would let us stay at his house if need be.

Sterling Cooper Draper Price Holiday Party

We know what you are thinking here, yes someone got slightly injured that one time, but we are willing to move past it, if you are. This holiday bash is certain to be a gas, if not full-on debauchery. Here are some things to look forward to: the guaranteed open bar over flowing with gimlets and old fashioneds, sitting on Roger Sterling’s lap as he is dressed as Santa and partaking in a conga line enthusiastically led by Joan. Also, the next day rumour mill would be diabolical. Don't lie, you'd love to speculate around the water cooler as to who subtly slipped into Mr. Drapers office, who Peggy took home and why Pete was sulking in the corner, all the while hoping no one noticed the less than innocent kiss you and Roger shared under the mistletoe.

Christmas at Fangtasia

In our imagination, Pam working with some sort of alternative motives has forced Eric to host some sort of holiday inspired event at Fangtasia and we want to be on the guest list. Yes, there is the lingering threat of death and possibility of getting thrown into that crazy underground torture chamber, but it is already decorated with the appropriate Christmas colours! Also the prospect of Eric revisiting any sort of former Christmas spirit he may have had is well worth it, and if we meet him under some sort of sadistic mistletoe so be it. We are a very accepting duo, willing to mingle with the vamps and experience something new, if not during the holidays, then when?

Ludachristmas

Ludachristmas is the annual celebration thrown by the TGS writers, where Frank puts on a delightfully festive hat, Jenna sings show tunes, Tracey hopefully is allowed to drink and we assume Liz Lemon annually brings a platter of her night cheese. Sounds as amazing as Tracey Jordan is at everything. We’d show up hoping it would turn out to be a Kenneth Parcels rager circa Season 1. Grizz and Dot Com you better watch out.

Pawnee Parks Department Christmas Party

Yes, entertainment 720 may have gone under this year, but we in no way believe that this is stopping Tom Haverford from putting together an amazing holiday party, presumably at the Snakehole Lounge. Andy’s band will play Christmas-inspired metal, Jean-Ralphio will hit on you, you’ll share a drink with Donna, Leslie and Ann then later make a mockery of the whole thing with the one and only Ron Swanson. Also, you know that this group is partaking in some sort of white elephant gift exchange and Ms. Knope herself is sending you home with something insanely amazing.

Neptune High Winter Dance

We cannot imagine a better way to spend a holiday party than assisting Veronica Mars crack some sort of winter themed case. Actually we have been discussing this for quite some time now. We realize it isn't Veronica's style to attend such a mainstream event, but we imagine Logan asking her to be his date and she begrudgingly accepts, but only because her collected evidence has led her directly to the suspicious DJ with a criminal record hired by the school. We would then help Veronica set up a complicated sting resulting in an impressive arrest and end the night dancing under a fake snowfall with our betrotheds, as Veronica sends us a quick "thanks for the backup" smile our way.

Imaginatively yours,

Us

Christmas Wishes

1. Modcloth Elephant salt and pepper shakers 2. Top Shop suede slippers 3. Pantone postcards 4. Nars Danmari All About Cheeks palette 5. Diane von Furstenberg blazer 6. Modcloth studs 7. Harper's Bazaar Greatest Hits 8. Timex Traveler watch 9. Reed Krakoff Boxer tote 10. Tom Ford lipstick in Flamingo 11. Old Navy sweater 12. Vivienne Westwood clutch 13. Semikolon Doc storage boxes 14. Yves Saint Laurent ring 15. apple iPod Shuffle 16. Blu Bijoux Onyx Facet bib necklace 17. Christian Louboutin shoe 18. Kate Spade iPhone case 19. The Perfectly Imperfect Home by Deborah Needleman 20. Deborah Lippmann polish in Between the Sheets 21. Parq clear acrylic modern table 22. Le Donne leather multi pocket backpack

Yearningly yours,
Caitlin

Loblaws: A Love Story

Last week we both had the pleasure of having a Loblaws open in our respective neighbourhoods. We’d like to personally thank Galen Weston for this strategic planning, and sparing us the jealousy that would have ensued had this not occurred.

These Loblaws are life changing. Yes, that is dramatic, but if you live near Queen and Portland or Church and Carlton your life has just changed. You no longer have to do your grocery shopping at Shoppers Drugmart, forcing you to eliminate fresh produce from your diet entirely; you no longer have to trek to No Frills or Price Chopper while praying that they will have something that resembles fresh lettuce or that someone has left a quarter in the cart locker thing sparing you the hassle. You now have Blue Menu and the Insiders Guide at your finger tips and you can finally relate to those Galen Weston commercials!

Here are some other reasons why we welcome these new additions with open arms. They are finally catering to the singleton apartment crowd; now we are able to enjoy the finer things in life in the form of prepared foods for one. No I don’t want to cook an entire chicken, but yes I want to purchase a delightfully premade gourmet Macaroni and Cheese that will feed me for days.

We can splurge and save at the same time: by purchasing that expensive cheese (from what can only be described as an amazing wall of cheese) and then buying everything else PC brand and coming out right on budget! We can stop in and get everything we want all at one place.

Are you going out to a birthday celebration Saturday night? Stop into Loblaws, pick up some flowers, maybe a cute cupcake from the bakery, pick up a bottle of wine for your pre-drink, grab your outfit from the dry cleaner, head down/up to Joe Fresh pick up some new earrings and then ask for cash back on your way out and you’re good to go. We dare you to tell us this isn’t life changing.

Elatedly yours,
Us

Kardashian Konfusion

It has been a big week for the Kardashians. Kourtney announced she was pregnant and then engaged in a twitter war with Teen Ugly Crier Mom, Farrah who accused Kourtney and Scott of being teen parents. I think she is confused.

She’s not the only one. Apart from the much-needed return of Khloe, last night’s KKTNY was full of all kind of confusing antics that made Kris Humphries seem like a genius.

Konfusion #1: When did waking your sister up before her alarm goes off make you a jealous troll? I thought it made you hilarious!

Konfusion #2: How did Jeff and Bonnie Disick produce Scott? They seem delightful, if not confused in general by their son, his girlfriend and the fact that she threw out their chess set.

Konfusion #3: Khloe Kardashian seems to have put her current “career” on hold to pursue therapeutic endeavours? Thanks goodness she came in time to offer her counselling services to Kourtney and Scott.

Konfusion #4: Kris and Kim are confused about what marriage feels like. News flash, I’m pretty sure this isn’t it.

Konfusion #5: What the hell were they cooking in that pan? Just sausage and yellow peppers, half chopped and half un-chopped? Ah, wha?

Konfusion #6: Who were those kids who knocked on Kris Humphries’ door and how much did they get paid to do so?

The only thing people don’t seem to be confused about is how adorable it was when Mason was playing with that broom.

On a different note, can we all celebrate that Kris Humphries finally found a gym in New York conducive to his training needs.

Dashingly yours,

Lauren

How To Decorate

One could not ask for a more inspirational muse.

Inspirationally yours,
Us

source: Apartment Therapy

The Super Outfits

Upon meeting we quickly discovered that our closets featured remarkably similar items, one of the many splendours of a blossoming friendship!

Given these similarities, we quickly began to utilize our combined sense of style to create what we refer to as “super outfits.” The joys of our current super outfits are that they can be worn regardless of the season with just a few minor alterations. If you are our friend then chances are good you’ve seen us wear these super outfits. We’re obsessed.

We’ve taken it upon ourselves to visually demonstrate just how super these outfits actually are! Enjoy.

The Red Jeans

The Denim Shirt

Fashionably yours,
Us