I was back in Vancouver the week of May 7 for a number of very special events. On May 7, 1992, exactly 20 years ago, I crossed the border on a Greyhound bus into Canada at Fort Erie, Ontario to begin my new life. It was my official “Day of Landing” – the day that I became a landed immigrant and my first step ever into my new country. What a ride the past two decades has been – a ride full of challenges, joy, beauty, sadness, wonder and lessons. The biggest lesson of them all? The tremendous power of persistence – to never, never, ever give up in the pursuit of a dream. I am a proud and grateful Canadian so it seemed fitting to celebrate the day with a dinner party for a few of my closest friends – some of the people who have been so instrumental in my happiness and success over the past 20 years.
It also seems fitting therefore to share with you the pictures of another beautiful and pertinent event that I attended that same week – The Art of Romance: Jason Matlo’s 2012 Bridal Collection. Jason is someone that all Canadians can be proud of – a homegrown fashion designer with enormous talent, charm and success – an inspiration for us all. He partnered with Tiffany & Co and the Rosewood Hotel Georgia to put on a magnificent event of romance and beauty – I loved it! From slinky, form fitting dresses to princess ball gowns – and my favorite, an elaborately beaded metallic stunner – the show was a feast for the eyes. I hope you enjoy the photo gallery above!
I will be attending Jason Matlo’s Fall/Winter 2012 fashion show soon and I am very excited to wear one of his beautiful creations to the event and to see more of his awesome talent. One proud Canadian supporting another proud Canadian.
I send you all love, strength and pride,
JS
On March 21 we hosted a pre-launch party for My Fat Little Rule Book in the beautiful Rosewood suite at the top of the Hotel Georgia in Vancouver. This event was exclusively for members of the media and Vancouver’s Fashion and Foodie bloggers so if you were not there, stay tuned for a more inclusive book reading when the book is released in traditional print form! In the meanwhile, please click here to purchase the ebook version, and enjoy the video from the glamorous Pre-Launch Party for My Fat Little Rule Book!
If you were at the party, you are most likely in the video. I had such a wonderful evening and I loved meeting so many fabulous and talented bloggers and members of the media. I am grateful to all of you for your attendance and for your generous subsequent support!
~JS
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING…
“Finally, a diet book that is NOT a a diet book. No gimmicks, no secrets, just pure common sense. Jacquie lays out the facts in a humorous and clever fashion, making it almost impossible to fail. It’s unflinchingly honest, brave, and proves yet again that if you commit to something, you can make it happen. Who says you can’t have it all? Even if you’re not trying to lose weight, you’ll burn calories laughing!”
~ Samantha Brandon, purchased My Fat Little Rule Book on April 24
“While her 15 rules address the challenge of balancing fashion, fitness and food through personal struggle and triumph, they’re also about goal-setting and living your life exactly the way you want. Jacquie’s humourous writing style and anecdotes will have you in giggles, too. Case in point: ‘I mean, how does one conciliate Gucci with Gorgonzola or Dolce and Gabbana with Dulce de Leche? It’s a dilemma.’”
~ May Globus, Vancouver City Editor for Sweetspot
“Jacquie’s take on the whole “fashion or food” issue that so many women face is honest and real. I LOVED the diary entries before each of her 15 rules…some of them are really funny. The self-developed rules on how she lost the weight are very practical — I’m going to try a few of the recipes for sure. And I learned about a few designers that I had never heard of before! Thanks for writing this Jacquie!”
~ Suzanne Chun, purchased My Fat Little Rule Book on April 23
“With an underlying message of dream big, score big, the book delivers a frothy take on self esteem issues, reaching goals and Marc Jacobs vs mousse cake.”
~ Olivia Lovenmark, Style Struck
“My Fat Little Rule Book is a fresh approach at inspiring like minded women to learn to be comfortable in their own skin. To love themselves, be proud of the bodies they have, all while taking care of themselves and enjoying the riches life offers.”
~ Jennifer Cunningham-Pistor, Prairie Girl In The City
ABOUT MY FAT LITTLE RULE BOOK
The premise behind My Fat Little Rule Book is how a fashionista finally reconciled with being a foodie, and how she managed to lose the “evil and obstinate last ten pounds.” The author, Jacquie Somerville, is equally crazy about both food and fashion, and, as many women can attest, these two passions usually cannot peacefully coexist.
Jacquie wrote My Fat Little Rule Book as a guide for herself, and it contains the 15 rules she developed that allowed her to achieve her goal weight. Jacquie doesn’t claim to be a health, fitness, or diet expert; rather, this is a book about her journey – it is her first-hand account of the pressure to look fabulous in Gucci while salivating over Gorgonzola.
A highly entertaining account of her 35-day diet and exercise plan, My Fat Little Rule Book includes Jacquie’s irreverent and humorous musings on everything from clothing and cuisine, to lust and motivation. Weaving raw and hilarious personal journal entries with the 15 rules and their accompanying – and shockingly honest – postscript notes, Jacquie weaves a delightful read that many women (and men) will relate to.
The work is also full of surprises, particularly when the reader realizes that this book isn’t only about Prada and prosciutto, but rather, it goes much deeper, digging into the importance of setting goals and how achieving – or not achieving – them can impact one’s sense of self-worth.
The ebook version of My Fat Little Rule Book is available now for purchase on amazon.com, with a hard copy version to follow shortly.
My beautiful friend and fellow fashionista, Rebecca Bree Rawlinson, has taken the entrepreneurial plunge and is about to open her own store: Rebecca Bree Boutique. I am so very proud of her. It takes plenty of courage and guts to follow a dream and turn it into reality.
I’ve decided to dedicate my first-ever interview on my website to Rebecca and her new boutique (see above). In it, Rebecca shares her top 3 tips for taking that risk and following a passion. What do you think? Isn’t she great? Be sure to watch the video clip all the way through…there is a bit of a surprise at the end! (wink)
For more information on Rebecca Bree Boutique, be sure to check out the www.rebeccabree.com. The site is lovely and full of wonderful style ideas.
Rebecca Bree Boutique is located at 3680 West 4th (at Alma) in Vancouver and I cannot wait for the grand opening this summer – Let the shopping begin!
Huge congrats Rebecca – I treasure your friendship, style expertise and inspiration!
~JS
