Sunday, June 14, 2009

BEHIND THE SCENES OF CSL SUMMER 2009 PHOTOSHOOT "BERMUDA"

One fine spring day CSL's Bermuda photoshoot brought together a team of photographers, makeup artist and stylists to make some incredible photos. Here our model Alina receives hair treatment from makeup and hair artist Caley (Artists Within).

Derrick Woo who shot the magazine photos shows off behind the lens.

Our behind the scenes photographer Jessie Yardley inspects his collection of cameras to choose the right one for this CSL photoshoot. "Isn't it nice to see the robins back?" asked Jessie as we started taking the shots outside.

Alina gets her makeup applied by Caley.

Alina gets her nails polished in a bright spring coral colour from Essie for the photos.
The shoot also coincided with the launch of Jessie's new website for models, artists and photographers Model Republic.
Want to see how the pictures turned out? Go to http://www.citystyleandliving.com/ and view the Spring 2009 issue now.

BONTERRA TRATTORIA AND NINO NEGRI WINEMAKER DINNER


A roaring fireplace, one of many, comforted guests to this wonderful evening.




The tables were set as guests arrived to the wine tasting and dinner. The patio at Bonterra filled with minature lilacs, vines and all manner of flowers provided a beautiful setting. Fountains, flowers and foliage combined made a beautiful impression.





Chefs, wine enthusiasts, and food aficianados all gathered to celebrate Nino Negri and its winemaker Stefano Puppini. Bonterra's manager John made a stop at every table to ensure that everyone felt welcomed and at ease.





Here, the marketing represenative for the Nino Negri speaks about the grapes used to make this Italian wine from Lombardy.


Both white and red wines from Nino Negri decorated every table. Edible arrangements of bread sticks were also used for the tablescape and tasted light, sweet and unlike any other bread sticks we've ever had.


On the menu (pictured above and below):
Lamb Duetto Pistachio Crusted Loin and Roasted Chop paired with Valtellina Superiore Sassella Le Tense 2004
Almond and Cherry Crostata with Vanilla Bean Gelato and Pecorino Tuscano paired with Dobogo Tokaji Aszu 2000




The crostata was a standout, with the almond providing the perfect balance to the cherries. It was a lovely Calgary evening, with the sun still providing its radiance late into the night - a wonderful backdrop for the wine and food.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

GANDHI SOCIETY OF CALGARY 10TH ANNUAL DINNER AND LECTURE


(Doors open at 6:00 pm - Samosas, Pakoras and Soft Drinks served)

Date: Sunday, September 27, 2009

Time: 6:00 PM

Location: NIRVANA RESTAURANT
1009 - 5075 Falconridge Boulevard NE,
Calgary

Dinner Type: Vegetarian

Cost: $30.00

Speaker: Dr. Victor Ramraj
(“The Man Who Suffers and the
Mind Which Creates: V.S. Naipaul
on Mahatma Gandhi”)

DINNER: 7:00 pm

LECTURE: 8:00 pm

Introduction of Speaker: Dr. Irving Hexham

For Tickets Contact:

Anthony Parel: 239-4480 (parel@ucalgary.ca)

Annie Looyis: alooyis@telus.net
Phone: 547-9879

Saroj Tiwari: tiwari@ucalgary.ca
Phone: 275-4020

Yvonne Hébert: yhebert@ucalgary.ca
Phone: 220-7361

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

ED HARDY LUXURY COACH


This is a vehicle of imposing dimensions and presence. Large scale versions of Ed Hardy’s tattoo-inspired designs are printed over the entire coach, and the result is eye popping.

As a mobile billboard, the full graphics 'wrap' is grabbing attention on the road wherever it goes.

The coach’s sumptuous interior provides an ideal hospitality environment for a VIP lounge and media hosting centre, while setup on location at special events.

The coach will also function as a product showcase and mobile retail outlet, facilitated by a large area with generous awning coverage, an outdoor video screen for presentations, a refreshment station and more.

This summer’s tour schedule includes several events at Circuit Mont-Tremblant, the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Crescent Street Ford Racing (NASCAR) Festival, and several regional kart racing events. Further touring plans include events across Canada, as well as the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games.

Christian Audigier, the charismatic fashion icon responsible for the success of the Ed Hardy brand, will personally be attending the Montreal NASCAR events to be held August 27 to 29, 2009.


www.edhardyshop.com

HOT RIDES

The Spyker

Interior of the blue Bentley


CSL was exclusively invited to the opening of the new Dilawri Group's Aston Martin/Bentley/Spyker dealership in southwest Calgary a few weeks ago.

The showrooms are visually stunning, perfectly accentuating the sexiness of each car. Dilawri is the exclusive deal for the Dutch made Skyper- of which only 600 odd cars are found worldwide.

We took a sky blue Bentley sportscar for a spin around the city and were amazed by the butter smooth drive- one only need to touch the gas to accelerate easily. The creamy yellow leather interior accented by oak panelling added to the cozy feel in this vehicle.

If you are looking for a new Aston Martin, or want a thrilling afternoon, visit the showroom- you never know what you might come home driving!
All photos copyright K&S Media 2009

Friday, May 8, 2009

AN EVENING AT DIVINO WITH THE SUTTON PLACE HOTEL

The light afternoon rain sprinkled through downtown Calgary before our evening began at Divino. We were invited to meet with some of the managers and executive team at the Sutton Place Hotel’s from Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto and Chicago
(The Edmonton property was feature in the Winter 2008/2009 issue of City Style and Living magazine: http://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/ksmedia/citystyleandliving-winter08/)
The appetizers were delightful little bites featuring onion and cheese tarts, crisp zucchini tarts, crisp crab pouches and the selection of cheeses were abundant and a great pairing with the wine as always one of the strengths of Divino.

“We do a lot of business with Calgary, we have great restaurants and have a central location which is great for business travelers”, explained Richard Wong of the Sutton Place Edmonton.


The evening exemplified the strength of the hotel- the people. While each of the properties boast stunning décor and rooms, the friendly and helpful staff keeps travelers returning, as Richard Taylor from the Sutton Place Vancouver adds, “we have beautiful hotels but we're very down to earth, family friendly and accessible as well”. Well said.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY FOR DAVID WALKER

David Walker


Garth, manager at Olives chats with the crowd

Chef Jonathan Canning enjoys a taste

The spread

Robert Bunka shows off the caramel corn

Two guests enjoy the scene

David carefully pours a glass of cremant

There is one thing David Walker and his team excel at is the ability to make people come together around great wine. The friendly and accessible staff lend a refreshing atmosphere to 100 wines by David Walker. The tasting drew a sizeable crowd- greeted at the door with caramel popcorn (you guys really know how to get the party started!)

Several of David's (and his customers) favourites of 2008 were available for tasting, as well as a peek at new favourties from the 2009 collection.

The talented Executive chef at Olives, Jonathan Canning , treated guests to appetizers including grilled shrimp, tuna, salmon and beef tartare, adding, "David loves his tartare".

A lovely charcuterie platter of cheese, meet and olives was also served alongside the wine.

After one great year, here's to another 100!!

http://www.davidwalkerwines.com/

All photos copyright K&S Media 2009


OLIVES RESTAURANT AND 100 WINES BY DAVID WALKER PRESENT AN INTERACTIVE EVENING WITH KATRINA FETZER


Ceago, which means grass seed valley, a brand of biodynamic wines from California
David Walker and Katrina Fetzer have a spirited conversation

Cremant is served to celebrate the event

An evening of wine, food, hospitality and education in honour of the intriguing biodynamic wine, Ceago, was held April 30 at 100 Wines by David Walker and Olives restaurant (conveniently located right next to each another).

It was wonderful to meet many of the people involved in the wine making process (from producing wine to selling and enjoying it), especially because we profiled premier California biodynamic wine maker Ceago and 100 Wines by David Walker which carries this brand in Calgary in the Spring 2009 issue of City Style and Living magazine.

Katrina Fetzer, whose family owns Ceago, spoke about living amongst lavender fields, olive groves and portable chicken coops at her family's vinegarden. As she spoke about the process of making wine biodynamically, it became apparent how practical and intuitive the process really is. Katrina explained that one of the formulations suggested by Rudolph Steiner calls for ground quartz crystals to be sprayed on the vines so that the sunshine will be reflected and magnified (which is useful on overcast days). She said that when they were first experimenting with the formulation at Ceago, they sprayed too much of the crystals and everything was scorched. Even today, if someone at the winery gets some of the quartz on them during spraying they will get sunburn.

For more about biodynamic wine check out the Spring issue at:


Executive chef Jonathan Canning and General Manager Garth Brown of Olives spoke about the social aspect of food and wine. Chef Canning was inspired by Ceago wine and olive oil (available at their winery) for his menu.

Left, manager Brown and right, Chef Canning

Ceago's famed olive oil

Olives provided some beautiful appetizers for the evening.
From 100 Wines by David Walker we walked across the hallway to Olives. And now onto the menu and pairings for the evening.

The beautiful tablescape at Olives just as the sun was setting

The first course: Marinated Kona Blue Kampachi, preserved lemons, coriander salad, yuzu, paired with Ceago Vinegarden Sauvignon Blanc 2006

The second course: Sous-vide Atlantic Lobster beef tongue tortelini, purple haze carrots, shellfish reduction, paired wtih Ceago Vinegarden Syrah Rose 2007

Our special dish of halibut

Third Course: Ceago Olive Oil Poached Wagyu Beef fava beans, morel mushrooms, veal jus, paired with Cego viengarden Merlot 2002 and Ceago Vinegarden Cabaret Sauvignon 2002

Fourth Course: Red Wine Chocolate Cake Currant Glaze, Black Cherry Gelato

After the last course was eaten and the chefs and sous chefs came out to loud applause, the lively conversation continued across the dining room. By then, the sun had long since set, and all that remained were Katrina's words, "At Ceago, we want our wines to speak to a sense of place."

www.ceago.com

www.davidwalkerwines.com

Friday, May 1, 2009

A SUNNY DISPOSITION

SUNTERRA MARKET WESTJET CAMPUS REDEFINES THE CORPORATE LUNCH ROOM
Sunterra’s newest market location brings nourishment and convenience to busy WestJetters

Calgary, Alberta – The opening of Sunterra’s eighth market, located in the new WestJet Campus, marks the marriage of two Calgary-based, locally-owned companies who share a common vision and focus on people.

“We are thrilled to join WestJetters in their new home,” says Sunterra President Glen Price. “WestJet has a strong and continued commitment to its people and to enriching their corporate culture; we are proud to be a major part of that experience.”

“We’re very pleased to be working with Sunterra in our new Campus building,” says Fred Ring, WestJet Executive Vice President, Corporate Projects. “We choose the people we work with very carefully, and make sure they share the same values, the same goals and most of all, the same kind of focus on customer service. Sunterra is a home-grown, hard-working, successful Alberta company, just like us.”

The same sense of comfort and well-being throughout the campus can be found within the new market, designed to help support busy WestJetters by providing healthy, nourishing food options that complement their lifestyle.

“We took the campus building philosophy that everyone has a ‘right to light’ and applied that to our campus market,” says Price. “Everyone has the right to enjoy food, whether at home or at work, that is healthy, wholesome, nutritious and fresh.”

The market elevates the concept of convenience, from prepared three course meals at an affordable price to customized, nourishing catering services; to freshly prepared daily lunch offerings. Sunterra will be hosting cooking classes at the campus, designed to be fun, informative and entertaining. And, as the on-site vendor, is providing healthy options and fresh, signature products at stations throughout the building.

“This definitely isn’t your average corporate lunch room,” says Price. “A big focus for us is offering affordable convenience to our customers to remove the stress and chore of getting a meal on the table or packing a lunch. We’ll even shop for WestJetters and deliver their groceries to their home or office.”

The new market is an exciting aesthetic blend of the traditional, European-style market concept paired with modern, clean and fresh features meant to complement the cheerful feel of the new campus.
The partnership itself is a perfect fit between two companies who have succeeded in challenging the traditional business models in their respective industries.

“We have partnered with a company who shares the same commitment to quality and so many of our core values,” says Price. “At a time when many companies are facing difficult circumstances, we feel very fortunate to be expanding, growing and cementing new partnerships with great companies like WestJet. The sky’s the limit.”

www.sunterramarket.com

Friday, April 3, 2009

JUST BACK FROM: HOUSTON

In Galveston at Moody Gardens

At NASA



A Victorian Inn in Galveston

Some CSL staffers went to Houston and Galveston Texas for a upcoming story in City
Style and Living magazine.

Imagine Calgary without the snow, graffiti, or Chinooks and with better shopping, huge freeways and hundreds of restaurants to choose from. Then multiply the population by six and you have Houston. As one of the largest cities in the United States, Houston still feels accessible and spread out with lots of greenery (an especially welcome sight, as we had left snow and frostbite here ). Check out our photo at NASA above.

From Houston the team headed about 45 minutes to Galveston, a seaside town. Though it was in the headlines last year because of hurricane Ike, Galveston is definitely back up and running with plenty to do for the entire family.
Look for more in the Fall 2009 issue of City Style and Living Magazine.
www.citystyleandliving.com

Thursday, April 2, 2009

DYSON'S NEW AIRBLADE COMES TO CALGARY


Remember the hand dryer's of yesteryear? Hot, overly drying, and requiring a long time to actually dry your hands. Well, CSL got a sneak preview of the revolutionary Dyson Airblade. Danielle (who actually helped design and develop the product) and Amy from Dyson explained the science behind the product. Like all Dyson products, they take a well-known appliance from our everyday life and make them work properly. The Airblade uses a HEPA filter to filter bacteria, it dries hands in 12 seconds and reduces waste produced from paper nakins. It is the only hand drier endorsed by the British Skin Instituion, the Royal Institute of Public Health and meets of exceeds NFS protocol. Now, for us, what does that really mean?
When we tried the machine there was an initial learing curve. As you can see from the photo, the design is completely different from the old school models. The air currents are massaging (that's what you get from air that is blown at 640 km/hour) and do not dry out your hands. However, there is a method to the Airblade - you put your hands down into the machine and pull them up whilst curling your fingers slightly.
Needless to say, we came back with very clean and dry hands.

Friday, March 27, 2009

LEGAL BRIEFS


Photos Courtesy K&S Media

A soiree of mingling and fashion to celebrate the launch of Rempel Law and in support of Education Matters, was held at the Gerry Thomas Art Gallery in downtown Calgary on March 26 2009. Invitees watched as Artists Within models walked the runway wearing fashions from Boutik, She Apparel, Worth, Gio's and other local retailers. A silent auction offered lingerie, John Varvados perfume, jewellry and merchandise from other local shops. Check back for more photos from the event on the CSL website.


Thursday, March 26, 2009

FROM CSL TO AMERICAN IDOL

In our Spring 2009 fashion editorial, our model, Alex effortlessly pulled off the shiny suit look.


And this week on Idol? An amazing performance from Adam Lambert singing 'Tracks of my Tears' on Motown week, wearing an identical suit. You saw it here first people. You saw it here first.

Getty Images

www.americanidol.com

DO YOUR PART- EARTH HOUR 2009

74 cities in 62 countries commit to Earth Hour 2009

- Earth Hour aims to reach one billion people in 1,000 cities around the world- Economic downturn an opportunity to steer economy into safer sustainable futureDecember 10, 2008: 74 cities in 62 countries are announcing their commitment to switch off for WWF’s Earth Hour in 2009.

The campaign, which hopes to reach out to more than one billion people in 1,000 cities around the world, asks individuals, businesses and governments to switch off lights for just one hour on Saturday March 28 at 8:30pm to create a platform of support for action on climate change.Earth Hour aims to demonstrate unprecedented solidarity and provide a visual mandate for action on climate change.

The lights out initiative, which began in Sydney in 2007 as a public awareness raising campaign, has grown significantly over the past two years and now has 74 cities ready to flick the switch in 2009. Cities already committed include Moscow, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, London, Hong Kong, Sydney, Rome, Manila, Oslo, Cape Town, Warsaw, Lisbon, Singapore, Istanbul, Mexico City, Toronto, Dubai and Copenhagen.At 8.30 pm on Saturday March 28, the world will witness some of the most recognisable landmarks on the planet dim the lights in support of decisive action on climate change.

Icons switching off include the world’s tallest building in Dubai – the Burj Dubai, the tallest free-standing structure in the Americas - the CN Tower in Toronto, Moscow’s Federation Tower and in Rome – Quirinale - the official residence of the President of the Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano.Auckland’s Sky Tower – the tallest tower in the Southern Hemisphere will go dark, joined by Australia’s iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House and across in Cape Town, South Africa, the iconic Table Mountain will mark Earth Hour by turning off its flood lights.Director General of WWF International Jim Leape said, “When leaders gather in Copenhagen in December 2009 to negotiate a new deal on climate they must feel that the eyes of the world are upon them.”“Earth Hour provides an opportunity for the public to send a powerful signal that they are watching and expect action,” said Mr Leape.Executive Director of Earth Hour Global, Mr Andy Ridley said, “Recent events have shown that the world can unite in a time of crisis. The global economic crunch is an example where, when it matters, decisive multi-lateral action by powerful nations has been shown to be achievable.”Mr David Miller, Mayor of Toronto and chair of the C40 Large Cities Climate Leadership Group said, “The C40 Climate Leadership Group is about cities working together to drive down greenhouse gas emissions and that is why as Chair of the C40 I support Earth Hour.

It's crucial that cities and the public come together to take action against climate change and Earth Hour provides a great platform to do that.”Mr Ridley also said 2009 was the planet’s ‘destiny year’, with critical decisions needed to be made at the Copenhagen meeting on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.“2009 is the year we decide the future of the earth. It is the year when the world meets to agree on a plan to reduce carbon emissions across the globe. This is the time to invest in new ways of doing business in a new low carbon economy. We must all step over the line together if we are to succeed.”The extensive WWF conservation network also has more than 30 teams working in countries such as Brazil, Greece, India, Peru, Spain, Switzerland and France, ready to support a local Earth Hour roll out.
http://www.earthhour.org