Thursday, November 25, 2010

Christmas Shopping - fun or fright?

Good morning Stylistas, 

Senzu Swarovski© Divine Rock
Pendant in Sterling Silver
(SZ9PE2)
Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? I always find that I have these great ideas throughout the year for presents, and I think to myself: 'I should write that down for Christmas, so I'll remember'. Invariably I don't and then December arrives and I am scrambling to think of what to buy friends, family and co-workers. 

Luckily, this year will be much easier for me, now that I have the perfect source for gifts for most of my friends and family with Senzu! Now if I can just get around to getting my orders in, in stead of working on all other aspects of the business ;-)  At least I won't need to drive to the mall through sleet and snow, sit in traffic jams, fight over a spot closer to the mall entrance, and then wrestle my way through the mob in the stores. Most likely I'll be doing most of my Christmas shopping the easy way; online, in my pajamas, on the sofa with my iPad, relaxing with a nice cup of green tea and listening to some music. This is especially convenient now, since I will be in Thailand over the Christmas holidays and a lot of my friends and family are scattered all over Canada, the USA and Europe! 

Senzu Swarovski©
Magnificent Magenta Heart Set
(SZ9PE5-SZ9EA12)
However, I do enjoy shopping 'out' as well, especially at events that support local businesses and the community we live in. That's why I look forward to hearing from our Stylist David Lecitra how much fun he had at the Eglinton Community Centre Holiday Fair this coming Friday the 26th of November, where he will be hosting our booth together with my partner-in-style, Sumitra Mahakanok. Come see us there if you are in Toronto! We'll have some great new Senzu jewellery there. 

We're also excited about the upcoming First Annual Senzu Holiday Soirée right here in Oakville on the 1st of December. A lot of people have confirmed their attendance, so it promises to be a great party at a beautiful lakefront setting. We'll have the Christmas décor and Christmas tree up, so it will be a fun way to welcome the last month of 2010. Please RSVP to join Sumitra, if you haven't yet, this will be an event not to be missed! Also, you never know if @Santa_Claus might show up, now that he's following @senzustyle on Twitter

Senzu Swarovski© Pink Heart Set
(SZ9EA10 - SZ9PE3)
It will also be a bit of a celebration, since it will be 2 months since we had the unofficial 'Soft Launch' of Senzu. Plus, we will be at 150 unique and beautiful Senzu jewelry pieces. We started off with just 46, so we've tripled the selection! To celebrate, we've joined with Swarovski© Elements to create some beautiful crystal pieces that will be online in the next few days. There is just a limited quantity, so if you'd like them for Christmas, please contact Sumitra to order. 

Besides the Stainless Steel Collection, we now also have the Spirit Collection and the Elements Collection. Another 2 Collections will be introduced very soon, so if you haven't yet, browse our website and discover great new Senzu jewellery

Wishing all our American friends and fellow Stylistas around the world a very Happy Thanksgiving and a great weekend!
Styling it up,


Cristel

Thursday, November 18, 2010

How to recreate the 'Mad Men' 60s chic today.

Good morning fellow Stylistas,


With the new Season of Mad Men underway, the latest 60s style revival has reached a new level of excitement in the fashion world, from the runways to looks seen on the street by ordinary mortals like us. 



The characters of Betty Francis (played by January Jones), Joan Harris (Christina Hendricks) and Peggy Olson (Elizabeth Moss) have become the personifications of elegance, style and female empowerment, and the looks they sport in the show are being recreated by women around the world, who love the femininity it exudes. So how to recreate that 60s elegant and stylish look without looking old-fashioned?


So to help you put together a '60s look using pieces in your closet (or as an excuse to go shopping) here's Senzu's Top 10 Tips for '60s Chic today:


10. Show off your curves! Keep it form-fitting on top, flowy on the bottom. A-Line skirts flatter every shape. Dress it up with a little jacket for the office, or a cardigan for a more casual look. 
9. Go floral! Soft coloured floral dresses, skirts and tops add a feminine touch. If wearing a flowered dress, keep all your other accessories and shoes in matching solid colours. 
8. Use 1 bold colour for an elegant monochromatic look. Gem colours are very on trend right now; emerald greens, ruby reds as well as royal blue and purple.   
7. High heels will add drama to your look. Flats will make your look more casual. Nude tones are great at elongating your legs visually. 
6. Emphasize your waist. Synch it with a narrow leather belt in contrasting colours or a fabric belt in the same pattern as your dress. 
5. Clutch your purse. A small purse or clutch that compliments your look without overpowering it. 
4. Up your 'do. The 60s style trend is great if you like wearing your hair 'dressy'. Elegant buns, high ponytails, but also pretty hairbands are all back in style. 
3. Love your Eyes! Ultra-feminine eyes with 'cat-eyes' lined eyes. Bring out the eyeliner and 'Bardot' your look for that extra va-va-voom.  
2. Luscious Lipstick in bold reds work best for this '60s look. For a less dramatic look, go for pale pinks. Keeping cheeks light and soft will give your eyes and lips centre stage. 
1. Accessorize with Senzu jewellery! Especially pearl earrings and pearl pendants, as well as oversized pendants on long necklaces work really well to recreate the look. 


Check out Senzu's new Elements Collection, with some beautiful sterling silver pieces, as well as unique designer long pendant necklaces in brass with silver, rhodium or pink gold plating. Very elegant and these are only going to be available for a limited time (nickel-free and lead-free, as all Senzu's products are). 


There is still time to confirm your attendance to Senzu's Holiday Soirée on December 1st, in Oakville, Canada. It promises to be a fun get-together; perfect to get the Festive Season started in Style. Bring a friend along and be the first to look and purchase  new Senzu jewellery creations that with Swarovski(c) crystals and silver that won't even be available on the Senzu website yet.


We put together a Mad Men '60s Stylebook with products readily available at The Bay, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Aldo's, H&M, Mango and other main street retailers, and of course Senzu Jewellery to inspire you to create your unique Mad for Mad Men '60s style elegant look:


Let me know how you recreated the '60s elegance in your look? I'd love to see your personal take on this '60s trend!

Your Senzu partner-in-style,




Cristel

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Senzu at Events for a Cause

Good morning dear Style Fans,

A quick post today with an update on what we at Senzu have been up to this past week! It has been a busy and social one, with a number of great events that Senzu participated in. 

Wednesday was the Oakville Chamber of Commerce's Business After-Hours Networking Event, which took place at Cogeco Canada in Burlington. Quite a few of Oakville's business leaders attended including Senzu's Sumitra.  Here's a snapshot of Sumitra at the Oakville Chamber event, with Warren F. Boyd, gemologist of note and President of R. T. Boyd Limited


The Wine Ladies Holiday Special in support of the United Way was the second event this week that Senzu attended with much gusto. The event, which was held at the Otello's Banquet and Conference Centre was the second Wine Ladies Event Senzu enjoyed the pleasure of participating in (the first one being the Silkeborg opening of Café Borg for the Angels Project Charity Evening). Quoting @thewineladies' tweet the day after:"...a Fabulous event! It was a roaring success and so much fun."

Senzu's Sumitra Mahakanok, Maureen Mol (above) and her husband John, as well as Senzu Stylist David Lecitra (left) who attended, could not agree more and Senzu was happy to donate Our fabulous crystal heart necklace set to the Silent Auction to help raise funds for The United Way cause. We will soon be posting pictures of the event on our Senzu Facebook Page, and if you have pictures of us at the event, please share them there as well! 



There are a number of upcoming events that Senzu will be holding, including:

- This Wednesday the 17th of November will be Senzu's David Lecitra's Stylist Launch Soirée. David is our first (and as yet only) male Stylist, so please support David and start your Christmas shopping at his Soirée! 
- 27th of November Senzu Stylists and the gorgeous Senzu Jewellery can be found at the Christmas at the Beach Craft Show at the Beaches in Toronto.

- The 1st of December marks the First Annual Senzu Holiday Soirée, held at a lakefront private estate in the Bronte Area of Oakville. If you'd like to attend this RSVP event, please contact Sumitra or myself or confirm via the Facebook Event PageIn connection with this, Ms. D.e.v.a, also known as Elizabeth Correia, our newest Senzu's Stylist in Brampton, is also doing a blanket drive for the homeless. Please check out her blog if you'd like to donate, follow or participate in her girls' empowerment events and groups (next event is on the 27th of November, some seats are still available!) 

- 4th of December will find Senzu Stylists and a great selection of Senzu Jewellery at the Sunrise Residences Christmas Fair. 

While I am in Thailand, working with our manufacturers and artisans on great new products (more stainless steel and silver earrings being added this week!), as an active member of the Thai-Canadian Chamber of Commerce, this past weekend I had a chance to volunteer and husband Bradley Mol to play golf at the First Annual Beaver Invitational Golf Tournament for Khun Mechai's Village Development Partnership and Thai Fund Foundation’s community projects. No prizes won, but excellent funds raised for those two worthy causes and another wonderful tradition started! 

We hope we will see you at one or all of these events and if you'd like to host your own Senzu Soirée and earn beautiful free Senzu Jewellery, contact Sumitra or myself today!
Styling it Up,




Cristel,
Your Partner-in-Style.  

Friday, November 5, 2010

How to look Glam Rock Chic this Winter

Good morning fellow Stylistas,


Have you ever thought about a particular fashion trend and thought; ‘Ah, I wish I could pull that off...’? Well, mine is Glam Rock Chic!
How to create the look end up looking either like a member of KISS or a grungy biker chick, especially since the metallics and black/grey tones are such hot hues this winter. 
This week I decided to research how to look Glam Rock Chic without channelling ZZ-Top or Gene Simmons.


Check out these celebrities’ chic and glamorous rock style:

 

Gwen Stefani, Debbi Harrie, Ashlee Simpson, and Madonna show how Glam Rock Chic can be timeless and ageless!

In my reseach I was helped by my friend Tasmalee, the very talented graphic designer over at Innovasia Graphics (who does a lot of our design work), who naturally masters the look regularly. I also drew inspiration from InStyle Magazine and CTV's Fashion Television Jeanne Beker.  
Here’s Senzu's Top 10 Tips to looking Glam Rock Chic:
10. Keep colours basic & the lines simple: blacks, gunmetal greys and other metallics are very on trend right now. A clean silhouette flatters your shape, too many layers add bulk and frumpiness. Think leggings, straight or skinny jeans, pencil skirts. 
9. Go graphic! A graphic T, printed dress or shirt is great to use as your base color palette.
8. Keep the feet feminine; with slinky boots, strappy sandals and boldly colored heels.
7. Add leather, but just 1 piece: Biker, military-style and bomber jackets are all hot right now, or go for the leather pencil skirt. However, too many leather pieces = biker, so use sparingly. 
6. Big hair is Glam! Wear it up in a high, messy ponytail, devil-may-care down or short and spikey. 
5. Smokey Eye. Go for metallic golds, silvers, black, white and purples. Add sparkles at night! Keep lips neutral to draw attention to the eyes; the windows to your inner Glam Rocker.
4. Continue to look by adding a leather studded clutch or satchel bag.
3. Belt it out. Chunky buckle belts help define your shape and glamorize your overall look. Great way to add some rock chic to soft sweaters! 
2. Exhude confidence and smile! Believe you’ll totally rock the glam chic look and you will! 
1. Accessorize with Senzu Jewellery! Senzu's Stainless Steel and Spirit collections lend itself perfectly for many looks, including Glam Rock Chic! 

We put together a Stylebook with products readily available at Danier Leather, Victoria’s Secret, Sketchers, Miss Sixty, Lucky Magazine, The GAP,  of course Senzu Jewellery to inspire you to create your unique Glam Rock Chic:


Boots during the day or heels at night, this Glam Rock look is chic anytime!
Pair up your Glam Rock with worn jeans for a more casually chic look!
Let me know how you style it up? I'd love to see your personal take on the Glam Rock Chic trend!
Your Senzu partner-in-style,
Cristel