toronto

Kat’s Closet – Peplum Please.

Weekends are always such a mad dash between work and celebratory wishes in repeat. This has perfected my functioning on too little zzz’s and multi-tasking magic. Note this outfits accessory; a scrumdiliumptious fibre one bar. I was waiting for my ride to birthday festivities and needed a quick snack to tie me over. Multi-tasking magic.

I haven’t been in H&M is eons it seems. The one closest to me is always full of chaos because of it’s downtown Toronto location but I braved the storm the other week and found a couple of cute additions to my closet. I wore these pants for the first game of the Raptors season. My choice to wear them was inspired by Beyonce’s courtside outfit for the Brooklyn Nets home opener the night before. Nobody like B. And I’ve been rockin’ my my inner Madmen 40’s inspired ‘do all weekend too just because I felt like stepping outside of my box. Truth is, it’s completely me. Hope your weekend was magical. -k

Peplum Top – H&M
Cropped Pant – H&M
Fringed Necklace – Zara
Boots – Nine West
Fibre One Bar – Whole Foods

Instagram my Life. 12.

Cityscape. Workscape. My escape.
Catch your breath, take your time. -k

City love.

I’ve got a bad case of fernweh. The wanderlust bug. I get antsy when I receive an email from Westjet and when I realize that I have three ‘days off’ in a row. I love watching the airport landscape fill with ever changing, beautiful people and writing about ‘what ifs’ and ‘one day’s’ in my journal on the plane. I hate packing. Trail mix, a new playlist, my latest brain food novel and the largest cup of coffee possible accompany me to aisle 33, window seat. But when the recognizable building tops and light patterns of my city come into view just before landing there is always that simple peace of the familiar. It’ll always be good to be home. -k

Porcelain Update.

Hi. Happy FriYAY. Yes, I said it. It’s been a busy one and at 6:41pm as I wait for my chicken to cook there is still more FriYAY to come.

We just got back from rehearsal for Porcelain I’m ignoring the mad sniffles that have visited me this week and asked them kindly to be nice until 1am. Sometimes you just need to plow through! Amberley, this one’s for you!

Porcelain is her brain child. She’s putting together some last minute music changes and the guestlist for the evening. And I sit here at the counter laughing because everywhere I turn there is a costume piece staring at me.

It’s been really cool manipulating the show when we show up in the afternoon to suit the venue at hand. This afternoon we fell in love with the circular leather banquets and falling lights. It’s going to feel exactly how we like it.

Amberley, Candice, Ashley and I are all so, so thankful for the support that we have had over the last few months in the city from family, friends and strangers that aren’t strangers anymore. I’m thrilled and nervous about the audience attending tonight. Thank you for being there for us while we burlesque.
Dinner is ready and my pillow is calling shortly after. Naps save lives.
Here are some pictures from the show last weekend. Have a wonderful weekend and be safe! -k

The Spaces Between a Dance Floor and a Basketball Court.

My acting teacher used to tell me that my extremely animated facial expressions were both a pro and a con. A pro for stage life. A con for the way I really felt about a situation or moment when I wanted to lock it as an inside thought. I’ve learned to live with it.

This was the truth written all over my face the moment I dropped my bags inside my apartment door and sat my tired self down on my couch Sunday night, roomie in tow. I’m thankful for her because she understands the hustle because she does it too.
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My current calendar is full of intimidating excitement. Porcelain has been getting big bites in the city and we’ve got a set of shows coming up in the next few weeks. Somehow it’s easy to go to rehearsal instead of bed.

We’re performing this Friday —> Porcelain at Cube Nightclub

Saturday, we hit the stage at a 20’s themed Halloween event for Remy Martin. The four of us had a moment where we nodded in agreement that we didn’t care that we were missing Halloween parties or that we wouldn’t get home until after two or that sleep was a foreign word because we were exactly where we wanted to be. Performing. It’s a pretty incredible feeling and it’s pretty dope to feel a similar buzz from the people surrounding you.

I was on a bus watching the flying by scenery change from concrete jungle to fields and farms. There is something uber comforting about the escaping into the great white north. The Raptors took the game to Casino Rama for a scrimmage for fans.

For myself I’m involved in a variety of areas when events like this are put together, both in the game aspect and social media/television coverage and it’s really cool to see the power of teamwork bring the game closer to the fans.

It also marks the marked the completion of the preseason and we’re ready for the everything to count. The bumps and fumbles of the dress rehearsal mode are left behind. Time to get the show started!

This morning I masked tired eyes with a ball cap and my tired brain with coffee and an honest smile and put forth some prep for the big home opener on Wednesday. Looking forward to making magic with the wonderful people I work with again.

Time to disappear for a couple of hours and get my yoga fix. Balance. -k

Just another day at the office.

As the calendar strikes October and I sit here prepping for another busy day on the work front and the pace of my days speed up down a new post summer Main Street, I once again reflect on the moments that keep me ticking. These are the ones where the label “Taking you past security for the Toronto Raptors” that I’ve placed on my twitter bio comes into effect. The ones that people will remember forever. The great ones.

As we countdown to the first tip off of the new NBA season, the wonderful team I work with did a little ticket delivery ambush to a seventeen year season seat holder. Bob was beyond words to receive his tickets in person via Landry Fields instead of the mail. And the rest of us all left the scene of the crime saying that was one of the great ones.

Here’s the story through the camera lens and the talented crew following the day. Everybody made it what it was. A great one. -k

Creativity Overload.

There’s a dabble of art in everything you do. And then those creative types who need it in their lives for a natural high take it to the next level. And when those creative types join forces to make art I call it creativity overload.

I have so many talented friends covering different outlets of an artists life. Using their hands, bodies, voices, minds, paint brushes, cameras, microphones and tap shoes. And every now and then we come together and intertwine our strengths to create something new. In the journey down the road of creativity I have always believed in helping each other out. It’s a heck of a journey so why not make magic together and help someone find their next open door. Karma is an awesome thing.

A few weeks back I joined forces with Toronto based photographer Valter Mendes (@mendesphoto) and Toronto based make-up artist Jasmine Duffey (@jasmineduffey) for a creative. We dragged our suitcases, Starbucks and stirring minds to the Gardiner underpass in the east end and let the setting sun and surroundings tell us what to do. They did. And this is just a glimpse of what happened…

It was a pleasure working with these two talented folk. Check out their work!
http://www.mendesphotography.com
http://www.morecheek.com

Kat’s Closet- TIFF 2012

And on continues just another manic Monday. It’s been a whirlwind month, ticking off days towards another change of pace. Sipping multiple coffees and squeezing in some final late nights before the transition into another basketball season starts.

TIFF is one of my favourite times in the city. Busy streets and restaurants, beautiful people from around the world and the magic of the movies.

I hit the scene in a pretty simple palate. When the weather starts getting a bit chillier I always tend to grab the black, white and greys. I’m not sure what it is. Maybe just a refreshing something new after a summer of brights. Here are three looks from my week. I doubled up on some pieces but that’s the beauty of finding some real good staples; the mix and match game. And happy new week to you. Make it awesome. -k

Silk Blazer – Zara
Shirt – American Apparel
Lace Shorts – Urban Outfitters
Silver Collar – Zara
Shoes – Kelsi Dagger
Headscarf – A random piece of fabric in my closet

Shirt – H&M
Leather Skirt – Vintage
Necklace – Zara
Shoes – Michael Kors
Purse – Zara

Silk Blazer – Zara
Pleated Shorts – Skirt
Corset – Jacob
Knee High Tights – The Bay
Shoes – Kelsi Dagger

Kat’s Closet- Weekend Edition.

I’ve been slapping the “staycation” card on the table all summer. And it’s been winning me major good times. And so as the summer glow fizzles a little more each day I’m for sure as heck taking advantage of the last hoorah.

Enter this weekend.

It was maybe the new moon, my broadway bound insomnia or that bad tuna salad I ate friday afternoon that put me a little left of center this weekend. I painted my toenails black. And I was in a carefree state of mind and rambled together whatever the heck jumped out of my closet at me with twenty minutes to dress to impress. Or not impress. I was not out to impress. A black and white palate was the tone of taste. Bright anything was not guiding me through my milky way.

Friday I met new people. Amazing people. Sauntered down Queen West to the Savoy and Beaconsfield and Brooklyn. Let the good times roll in a rock and roll soul inspired ensemble. This KISS tshirt started as a tshirt seven years ago. I cut a hole in the neck three years ago because it was fraying. I cut the sleeves off a few weeks ago. It’s tattered and torn and I can’t get enough. Threw a sheer black dress over lace shorts and went with some dressy heels for shits and giggles. Rockstar on the top, girly on the bottom. Just a whole lot of me.

Shirt- Some vintage store on Queen West that’s not there anymore. Time flies.
Dress – Same as above.
Lace Shorts- Urban Outfitters
Shoes- Marc Fisher
Jacket- Danier
Purse- Zara
Lipstick- Costa Chic- MAC

Saturday I spent the day at the zoo. Decided that all animals are spanish because at 3pm they were all siesta-ing when we arrived and we were looking for action. I got home in need of a siesta from the sun and had birthday shenanigans to attend at a dive bar on Dundas. Danced to the best 80s jams ever. Let go. Loved life.

Tshirt- Sauce Hockey
Varsity Jacket- Forever 21. Shocking, eh?
Pants- H&M
Heels- Aldo
Purse- Urban Outfitters
Glasses- Vendor in Soho NYC

Put yourself in a zone of magic. Nobody is here long enough to do it any other way. And I hope you had a magical weekend too. -k

kat stefankiewicz