Weekly Couture

Work hard, play hard – or so the saying goes. But how do we play hard (and look hot) after a long day at the office stuck in work gear? Bringing an extra tote with an entire wardrobe change can be tedious; almost as tedious as strutting around the office in a pair of 4-inch stilettos and a D&G corset dress. Instead, try investing in a multi-purpose dress - one that’s appropriate for the office but can be easily accessorized and glammed up at a moment’s notice. Swap your work jacket for a metallic accented cardie. Or, just stash a sophisticated satin clutch inside your daytime handbag. Whether you plan on meeting your pals for dinner on King West or drinks in Yorkville, ditch the hassle and incorporate some of these smart finds to transform your look from day to night.

-compiled by Kathleen Bushie

What: Give yourself a break with some well overdue pampering! Fourteen local spas and salons in the GTA (including the Clarins Skin Spa and 5th Element Spa) are offering a spalicious deal. Normal services often starting at $100 and up, and are now being offered at fixed price rates of $25, $50, and $75.

When: Now until May 26, 2007.

Where: Spas and salons throughout Toronto. Just visit the Beauty + Bliss website to sign up for your spa card and locate your nearest spa or salon!

What: Sisters Alka and Poonam Dhir bring the latest addition to Queen West’s wide array of restaurants with Indus Junction, a contemporary and chic new Indian restaurant, which specializes in modern takes on customary Indian dishes.

Why: Gone are the days of stuffy Indian restaurants. Indus Junction mixes the old with the new, combining traditional Indian meals and flavors with fresh twists, not to mention the mix of modern yet intimate décor the restaurant oh-so brilliantly uses. Rice crackers are served with chick peas, onion, tamern sauce, and yoghurt mixture. Nunaticka, similar to a vegetarian samosa, is breaded and filled with vegetables and accompanied with signature Indian sauces. Fixed prices are offered with $25 for vegetarian plates and $20 for non-vegetarian. Indian inspired martinis, cocktails (pomegranate sour was our favorite!), and desserts are also on hand.

What: Sweater Stone is made from a natural pumice stone which has the unique ability to remove pilling and balling from knits. It actually cuts the filament that holds the pill to the garment removing pilling and restoring the look and feel of the fabric. Pilling commonly occurs on fabrics when fibers are worked loose by rubbing, forming little balls. Loosely woven and knitted synthetics and blends are the typical candidates for pilling. Pilling can happen to clothes, blankets, and upholstery fabrics, however sweaters seem especially vulnerable.

What: ACE Collections, a new Canadian savvy tennis line for women (both on and off the court) officially launched its new spring collection last week.

Why: ACE Collections offers several lines of multi-apparel including two lines of tennis wear, a trendy off-court ‘TEC’ line, and a premium line made with custom milled ‘Supplex’ TM that delivers a sexy and slimming silhouette. And if its accessories you’re after, try the sterling ‘Court Bling’ designed by Rogers Cup crystal artist jeweller Mark Raynes Robert. Robert’s bejewelled accessories include racquet bags, Euro-paks, yacht bags, and clubbing bags.

What: Iqons, a new online community focused on fashion and style, has been quickly building up momentum. Iqons aims to have the same impact on fashion as MySpace had on music and is geared at fashionistas on all ends of the spectrum – from star designers, stylists, and fashion photographers to fashion fans and consumers.

Why: With rich, timely content generated by its members, Iqons has a structure committed to providing support to new talent around the world in partnership with established fashion leaders.

When: Iqons launched on February 13, 2007.