Mixtape Fridays | Jennifer Hudson

J. Hudson week is almost over so we thought we'd close it out with a little female empowerment music to start your weekend off. I hope you go out and show the world who you are and what you do, in that fierce way Jennifer Hudson goes about everything in her life. Through the ups and downs we hope you know you have the strength to move forward and pursue your life's dreams.

Get out there and shine ladies.

Grooveshark- Listen

things we love- Jennifer Hudson

We were inspired by Ms. Hudson's strong, feminine qualities this week. She says she eats chocolate everyday and is weak when it comes to a beautiful handbag.  There's a difference between being feminine and being a girly girl and we think Ms. Hudson is all woman.

hat ring words

handbag chocolate 

candles cuff poster

diamond polish

Style Icon- Jennifer Hudson

We like a strong woman at Something Pretty. Especially one who can triumph over heartache, transform herself in the face of adversary and still come out on top. We like how Jennifer Hudson has changed her style over the years and are loving her new found love of colour and structure.

1- blazer, 2- pants, 3- tank, 4- cuff, 5- shoe, - bangs, 7- makeup

8- dress, 9- cuff- 10- shoe, 11- lipstick, 12- hair 

Things we Love- Maggie Gyllenhaal

I would say Ms. Gyllenhaal is a bit of a hipster/feminist/pretty cool lady. We love that she is an activist and uses her celebrity status for good. We assume she's into all things local, handmade and supporting good causes, so that my friends is what inspired us this week.

1- hoodie, 2- artwork, 3- jacket

4- shoes, 5- spoons

6- boots, 7- poster, 8- sweater

9- ornament, 10- charity

Style Icon- Maggie Gyllenhaal

Maggie Gyllenhaal is not your average actress. She is the opposite of the cookie cutter hollywood type and we adore her. There is something honest, accessible and real about Ms. Gyllenhaal. She manages to balance her work life, her family life, and being active in the world in an uncomplicated way, with grace and a sense of humour. She's a bit of a hipster without all the attitude and she makes us want that effortless cool mixed with the quirk and elegance that makes her style unique.

1- Shirt, 2- glasses, 3- cardigan 4- scarf, 5- leggings, 6- toque, 7- boots

8- hair, 9- tank, 10- vest, 11- boots, 12- leggings, 13 skirt

Mixtape Friday- Marilyn Monroe

I think we all have a little Marilyn in us. The need to be wanted, to be seen for who we are and what we do, we want to sparkle in our own unique way. I think what makes Marilyn such a phenomenon is not only her beauty and sparkle, but her vulnerability. Even the most vibrant of us can be tortured by demons and that's what inspired us with this mix.

Things we Love- Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn inspires us to be girly, sparkly, feminine. We are enchanted by her and let her legacy inspire us this week.

Book, Tokyo Milk perfume, Sparkle shoes

Sunglasses, Ruffles

Words, Poster, sparkles

Mic, Andy warhol

Style Icon- Marilyn Monroe

Arguably the classic female icon of all time, Marilyn Monroe has inspired many, fascinated most, and is practically royalty in many circles. She was the ultimate embodiment of femininity, mixed with a flair for the dramatic, and tormented by her own demons, is it any wonder we are so captivated by her? Her style was ultra feminine, showing off her curvaceous bode.

1- halston dress, 2- cape, 3- liner, 4- lipstick, 5- shoe

6- Dress, 7- hair clip, 8- lips, 9- gloves

mixtape Friday- Adele

Last week we were all about staying warm and being naughty, this week we're all about being cozy and bundled. Adele inspires us to be true to ourselves and do what we do from the heart. She is soulful in a way we strive to be and so we were inspired to create a mix with that same soul feeling. Pulling songs from artists that inspired her musical career and that make us reminisce about love, and longing and things in between.

things we love- Adele

Adele is self-proclaimed hoe body and now that she has her sweet little babe to care for, we were inspired by her home life. It's chilly in London during the winter so all we could dream about was cozy blankets & knitwear, warm tea, candles, flowers to brighten things up, a pretty accessory, and we're thinking she has an amazing dressing room.

top row- sweater, candles, throws,

2nd row- peonies, collar

3rd row- tea, england, dressing room,

last row- lips, image

Style Icon- Adele

We love this amazing singer/songwriter, not just for her ability to say the words our hearts have been feeling, but for her ability to stay true to herself through it all. She has her own unique sense of style, one that is one part bohemian one part comfy one part retro. She isn't afraid to gush at the Grammy awards, or acknowledge she has snot dripping down her face in front of millions. She is unapologetic about her curves, and inspires us to be the same. She's an every girl, with a potty mouth and someone who we think would be a blast to have for a dinner party. Or to help you through a bad breakup.

1- Coat (similar), 2- Tank, 3- Sweater

4- scarf, 5- boots, 6- jeans, 7- image

8- sweater, 9- image, 10- boots, 11- image, 12- leggings

Mixtape Fridays- Bettie Page

We're thinking you might be spending a little time indoors this weekend, what with the cold weather and this hot icon to influence you. Bettie Page taught us all to let our hair down and not take sexuality so seriously. As much as she was a sex symbol there was something tongue in cheek about the way she did it, and that quirkiness makes us love her even more.

So go find someone to cuddle up with, put on this mix and see what happens. 

Listen here- Grooveshark

things we love- Bettie Page

Our items are saucy and sultry with a little kitshy mixed in. I think that about sums up Bettie Page.

jacket, lingerie, image

car, lunchbox

image, stockings, painting

umbrella, truck

Style Icon- Bettie Page

Well last week it was all about quirky, this week we're all about sultry. Ms. Bettie Page, aka the queen of Pin-up has inspired some of the most stylish women of our generation. Madonna, Dita Von Teese, Katy Perry... the list goes on. The bondage photos of her in the 1950s caused such an uproar politicians used her as a direct example of pornography. It takes some serious empowerment to push the barriers and expose that which is taboo. It's what makes Bettie Page such an icon.

1- bralette, 2- cardigan 3- image 

4- image 5- leggings 6- shoes

7-image 8-corset 9- image 10- garter  

Mixtape Friday- Zooey Deschanel

Happy friday pretties! Now that it's getting colder we hope you'll have a chance to snuggle up indoors and listen to this indie mix, inspired by the indie/quirky queen Zooey Deschanel. If it's raining perhaps you'll shimmy around your house talking to Siri a la Iphone commercial featuring our style icon, or you could get adventurous and throw on some galoshes, grab an umbrella and jump some puddles in a sweet retro skirt. Regardless of how you spend your weekend, we hope you let your inner silliness out, are kind to yourself and others and don't let anyone tell you to harden up. As our Zooey quote said: "...look around you. All of this is for you. Take it and have gratitude. Give it and feel love."

listen here- grooveshark

Things we Love- Zooey Deschanel

When I think of an evening hanging with Zooey I imagine hanging around drinking rye in kitschy tumblers, in a retro rancher somewhere, listening to records and watching her hilarious performances. Pink cupcakes and fondue would obviously be a key factor in this evening soiree.

Top row- Lounge, Fondue set

2nd row- Record player, tumblers, Rye

3rd row- Image, She and him poster, Elf poster

Last row- New Girl poster, cupcakes

Style Icon- Zooey Deschanel

We had fun with this one. Both of us have serious girl crushes on Zooey Deschanel, so we had to feature this quirky, blue-eyed, croony voiced, lovely. Her style has this fun, tongue-in-cheek quality that is refreshing and relaxed, something we both love. A quirky girl like this was bound to find her way onto our icon list.

1- Top, 2- Jacket, 3- Skirt, 4- Boots 

5- Glasses  , 6 Dress, 7- Hair, 8- Shoes, 9- Lips  

Mix Tape Friday- Elizabeth Taylor

If anything, Elizabeth Taylor loved falling in love. More than her acting career, more than her oscars, more than her jewellery, Elizabeth Taylor was a lover, marrying 8 times throughout her life (she married Richard Burton twice!) A lover knows that love fills you up and can leave you hollow, so this mixtape is dedicated to all the lovers out there, with full hearts or broken ones. Wherever your heart has lead you, we hope you find whatever your heart is needing this weekend. 

Listen here- Grooveshark

Things We Love- Elizabeth Taylor

Inspired by her legendary star quality, we chose the lap of luxury as a jumping off point. Purple hues, rich textures, and bedazzled details make up this list of things we love.

Top row- Room (you can stay there!), Polish

2nd row- necklace, champagne, robe

3rd- Pinot Blanc, Those eyes, Image

last row- Poster, perfume canister

Style Icon- Elizabeth Taylor

Oh Liz- Legendary Silver Screen beauty. Those Cleopatra cat eyes of hers were destined for greatness, don't you think? Ms. Elizabeth Taylor is the highest earning deceased star, bypassing Michael Jackson and Elvis- now that's star power!

And let's not forget her amazing contribution to supporting the fight against HIV and AIDS, and to help support those living with the disease. Remember back in the day, there was incredible backlash against people suffering from this disease, there was little support and so much stigma. After witnessing one of her close friends die from the disease, Elizabeth was appalled by the lack of support and decided to spring to action. That's why we're featuring this woman. We like when our icons take action, it makes them so much prettier.

 1- House of Harlow Sunnies, 2- Lipstick, 3- Dress, 4- Necklace, 5- Shoes.

6- Lips, 7- Clutch, 8- Dress (similar) 9- Necklace.     

Mixtape Fridays- Lady Gaga

Happy Friday Pretties! This is the weekend we hope you're dressing as whatever character your heart desires,because if you can't do it on Halloween, you're never going to do it. (Did you know Halloween is Ashley's favourite holiday of all time? And she loves zombie makeup! Just another reason to love her)

While we looked deeper into the Lady Gaga phenomenon, we couldn't help notice that although she's totally into dressing up, playing the part, pushing the limits and has blown open pop music, she is well-spoken and has amazing poise when it comes to talking to the media and connecting with her fans. She realizes her fans are vital to her, and she has embraced all their quirks and crazy as much as she has shared her own. I think it takes a strong woman to share herself, her faults, her vulnerabilities and then let those uplift others around them. It's the part we love the most about The Gaga. She is an icon but has a very real human-ness we can relate to. Even under all those layers of costume.

So get your costume out, play the role, but know when the makeup comes off, we love you the best.

We picked some of the inspirational artists Lady Gaga acknowledges- hello 80's pop music.

Listen at grooveshark 

Things we Love- Lady Gaga

The most important thing we love about Lady Gaga is her desire to infuse the world with acceptance, to give voice to those who feel they are without one, and to shed light on matters that most would rather shy away from. Her Body Revolution 2013 campaign revealed a vulnerable side of herself, after she was criticized for gaining weight. Have you seen the girl? Weight is such a personal issue, there is no perfect size, there is no perfect number, each one of us has felt the stab of wanting perfection and it's women like Gaga who make us realize we are all perfectly imperfect. Love thyself, pretties. We love you.

top row- Mic, Gaga, fascinator

2nd row- New York, Heels,

3rd Row- Unicorn, Necklace, Art

Last row- Nails, Hair

Style Icon- Lady Gaga

In honour of Halloween coming up, we wanted to showcase someone with a flair for costumes, a stage presence, and some serious style. Obviously Lady Gaga is the perfect fit. Not only does she play her role as artist/eccentric perfectly, she has used her amazing fame to inspire an entire generation to think differently, to be kind to those who aren't the same, and has called out all those who feel different to join her little monsters. We love her, her causes and everything she is working to change.

1-dress, 2- sunglasses, 3- clutch, 4- shoes, 5- hair clip

6- sunglasses, 7- shirt, 8- hair, 9- blazer, 10- leggings, 11- shoes, 12 lipstick

Mixtape Fridays- Brigitte Bardot

We hope this week inspired you to unleash your inner sex kitten. Brigitte Bardot was certainly one of the original sex kittens of the 60s, but she has shown the world she is more than a pretty face. Now in her 70s Bardot still fights for animal rights around the world, using her fame to do good in the world. Her critics scorn her for allowing her body to age, and yet she refuses to be influenced believing women at every stage can be beautiful, and that is sexy.

There is so much more to beauty than youth and cup size, we hope this mix will get you connected with your inner minx, no matter what stage in life you're at.

Listen at Grooveshark

Something Pretty- Pink Edition | Sneak Peek

In honour of Breast Cancer awareness we wanted to do a PINK Edition for our latest Something Pretty event, and donate 10% to the cause. Of course this wouldn't have been possible without all the amazing women who participated. We are always blown away by fact that we get to spend time with wonderful women, help transform them into their inner bombshell and giggle the entire night. Seriously, we LOVE what we do. To all the ladies who have been part of Something Pretty we thank you- and remind you to keep your boobies healthy :)

Enjoy these beauties.

And just a little reminder- we are now offering private parties with groups of 6 or more, so if you'd like to try something different for your next girls' night out, try Something Pretty.

Things We Love- Brigitte Bardot

Oh Ms. Bardot, you've inspired us with images of tousled sheets and hair, romantic affairs and wearing very little. This week's things we love are very lust worthy, just like Bardot in her heyday. Imagine the scent of sea salt and lavender (like that perfect candle), slinky soft tees, lounging around with Mr. wrong in long lashes and pulling back our tousled hair with knotted scarf. And since she's a long-time animal rights activist, we would cuddle up with a cutie pup. Obviously this all takes place in the sexiest city in the world: Paris.

1st Row- Dolce Gabbana, Sea Salt & Lavender Candle, Paris (unknown)

2nd Row- Pillow, puppy

3rd row- Tee, Bra, headscarf

Last row- Lashes, Lounge

Style Icon- Brigitte Bardot

Today's Style Icon is Ms. Brigitte Bardot. The ultimate sex kitten with a french twist, Bardot was well known for acting in over 47 films, and recording 80 songs during the 60s and 70s. But the more we researched the more we realized she was perfect for our blog. Not just a pretty face, Bardot has dedicated her life to Animal rights activism and now in her 70s she continues to fight for them. As she has aged she refuses plastic surgery, and warns others against sun damage, which she credits for aging her skin. Sexy is not only pretty, it's smart and passionate too.

1- mango Shirt 2- Calypso shorts 3- mango Sunglasses  4- Isabel Marant Shoe 5- Pinterest  6- Pinterest

8- HFm top 9- Pinterest Image 10- Torrid Shoe 11- Forever 21 Jeans 12- Torrid Bra 13- Pinterest 

Mixtape Fridays- Betsey Johnson

We hope you enjoyed all things pink this week. Here's a fun girlie mix to inspire you to get out and dazzle the world. Perhaps you will throw yourself an all pink party, or maybe you're one of the fabulous ladies attending our PINK edition Something Pretty, tomorrow night. Regardless we hope you do what makes you sparkle and come to life. Maybe you'll consider finally doing that thing you've been meaning to do, but been to afraid to start. 

In the words of Betsey Johnson: "You have to hold on to your fantasy." Go out and make your fantasy a reality. 

Listen to the mix here: Grooveshark

Things we love- Betsey Johnson inspired

Top Row- poster, pink diana , Image

2nd row- tray, Chuck Taylors

3rd row- shoes, nails, dress

Last row- tutu, record player

You may notice lots of pink this week, which is our way of drawing attention to October being Breast Cancer awareness month! We're big fans of boobies over here, so in honour of Pink Month we've dedicated our next Something Pretty Event (THIS SATURDAY!) to all things pink and are giving a portion of proceeds to the cause.

That being said, we also wanted to profile a breast cancer survivor. Who better than the queen of all things pink, Ms. Betsey Johnson. Fashion designer and inspiration to those of us who refuse to look like everyone else. Betsey has been through her ups and downs but always comes out cartwheeling.

Enjoy!

1- Betsey Johnson clutch, 2- Aritzia Jacket 3- Aritizia top, 4- Image

5- Image, 6- H&M skirt, 7- Tory Burch shoes

8- Faux Fur Vest Nordstrom, 9- James Perse Tank, 10- Image, 

11- Shoes, 12- Torrid Jeans, 13- Torrid watch 14- Torrid Bracelet

Weekend mixtape

Happy friday! Thank you so much for spending time with us this week. We hope you enjoyed the first week of our new blog. If ever there was an inspiring woman, who truly believed in the power of being a girl, who embodied femininity, inside and out, it was Audrey Hepburn. She was not just a pretty face, she was a pretty soul who used her celebrity status for good, who was willing to get her hands dirty and not just preach. That is why we chose Ms. Hepburn as our first style icon. Not only is she one of the classic beauties of our time, but she had brains and strength that made her a well-rounded role model.

So with that in mind, what will you be spending your weekend doing? Perhaps you'll take a ride on a Vespa with a handsome stranger, a la Roman Holiday (one of Audrey's classic films), or maybe you'll get dolled up and take yourself out on a solo date to Tiffany's, or perhaps you will simply help out where help is needed and use your abilities to better someone else's life. Regardless, we hope this audrey-inspired mixtape will encourage you to have a beautiful weekend.

Listen at 8tracks

Happy weekend friends, see you on monday.

Things We Love- Audrey Inspired

Things We Love is a column inspired by images and items we've found around the web, influenced by our weekly style icon. For us, Audrey Hepburn brings out our girly sides. Images of romance, pink, long vacations, inspiring words all made us feel emboldened to be a girl and to conquer the world while  maintain glamour and grace. 

Top Row- ranunculus, dress, romance,
2nd Row- Luggage (source unknown), Jcrew shoes,
3rd Row- Poster, Quote, MAC Gel liner ,
Bottom Row- PUBLIC bike, Typewriter,

Style Icon- Audrey Hepburn

We wanted to choose a strong, classic style icon for our very first week, and who better than the inspiring Ms. Audrey Hepburn. She was a true role model for women of all generations, with her ethereal look and strong will and determination. Ms. Hepburn inspires us all to, not only be the most beautiful creatures we can be, but to make the world a more beautiful place by uplifting those around us. We hope you'll enjoy our Audrey-inspired Week. 

1- Elizabeth & James Cowl sweater, 2- Madewell skinny Jeans, 3- Parker Blue Eternity Scarf, 4- Mark Jacobs Sunglasses, 5- Vera Wang Flats 6- Scotch Soda Image, 7- unknown

8- Forever 21 dress, 9- via RocknRoll Doll , 10- Forever 21 clutch, 11- Forever 21 shoe, 12- via unknown