Courtesy of Toveren.ca

Ever since she was a little girl, playing dress-up with her grandmother’s jewelry, Carleton Eckhardt has had an eye for design and beauty. After graduating from fashion management at George Brown College, she set out as an entrepreneur launching her very own Toronto based jewelry line: Toveren. Chatting with this budding designer, we found out more about these all natural, high-end statement pieces, and how we can get our hands on them!

Pony: What made you get into making jewelry? And how has your style evolved since you started?

Carleton: I remember making friendship bracelets using embroidery thread, beads and hemp when I was younger – I’ve always loved creating things. When I really fell in love with jewelry was when I discovered my great grandmothers vintage costume pieces. It was that chunky, glam look that I couldn’t and still can’t get enough of! I started to have visions of something that I’d want to wear and became obsessed with creating it so I started making costume jewelry pieces for myself. I’d search flea markets for vintage findings so that my jewelry had that one-of-a-kind feel. My first pieces were long single feather and chain earrings that I’d pair with a stud.  Family and friends started asking me to make them earrings and it really just went from there.

Pony: You’ve got a nice mix of day-to-day and statement pieces in your collection. Which do you find to be the most popular?

Courtesy of Toveren.ca

Courtesy of Toveren.ca

Carleton: My aim is to create pieces that stand out but are still wearable for day-to-day.  The MOLLY bracelet is very popular because it has a chic simplicity when worn alone and can also be layered with multiples of the same bracelet or others. All my rings are adjustable from a size 6.5 – 11 so they work for just about anyone on any finger. I also do custom work upon request so there is something for everyone!

Pony: What made you choose Toveren as your name?

Carleton: I come from a Dutch background and the word “toveren,” means to ‘practice witchcraft,’. When I heard the word, I really thought that it was a great fit for my pieces. I love to work with natural materials and have done a lot of research pertaining to their various properties for which I have acquired an appreciation and understanding.

Pony: You’ve worked and studied fashion over the years, would you consider collaborating with any young designers?

Carleton: Yes, one hundred percent!

Pony: What sort of pieces can we expect to see in the near future?

Courtesy of Toveren.ca

Courtesy of Toveren.ca

Carleton: I’m working with various fabrics, wood, crystal and bone to create bold, eclectic pieces; great statement necklaces and chunky cuff bracelets are just a couple of examples. I will also be doing some mens pieces in the near future.

Pony: How long does it take you to make each piece? What’s the process like from start to finish?

Carleton: The length of time to create a piece varies. I hand select all my materials and before I work with certain crystals and stones, I’ll cleanse them as they are meant to embody the individual energy of the wearer. I make all items by hand and spend the time to make sure that my pieces will go the distance – quality is everything.

Pony: Where do you get inspiration for your materials?

Carleton: I was born and raised here in Toronto, but always loved the beauty of nature and the outdoors. I love to combine elements from the two by using natural materials and adding a little edge. When I was young my sister, cousins and I used to collect rocks and natural quartz at our cottage – I was always really interested in different types of fossils, rocks and crystals.  My current pieces really embody a little piece of my childhood.

Pony: Where can we buy your pieces?

Carleton: I am currently selling my pieces on Etsy, my website Toveren.ca, and specially made-to-order through email (info@toveren.ca).

– Emma Farquharson

Courtesy of Google Images

It started about five years ago, my addiction. Probably around the same time Lulu Lemon became popular. I was relatively active and had just bought my first (and last) Tae Kwon Do uniform. It got a lot of use, and throughout my career training to become the next Tony Jaa I bought several sports bras, leggings, gym bags, etc. to make sure I was always in the appropriate gear. Nothing out of the ordinary.

When Tae Kwon Do ended I decided to take up ballet. I bought some slippers, leotards, shorts, and decided after a few months that ballet was not for me. Next came skiing: boots, skis, poles, helmet, snow pants, jacket, mitts, socks. And then golf: clubs, bag, polo shirts, shorts, shoes, gloves. Dirt Biking: boots, jerseys, pants, helmet, gloves, armor, bike, goggles. Sailing. Cross-country skiing. Snow shoeing. Yoga. Squash.

Some sports have made it long-term, others haven’t made it past a week, but this isn’t a shopping addiction. I don’t get a rush when I walk into TNT the way I get one walking into Mountain Co-op, Europe Bound, or Sporting Life. Today I bought an $11 Nalgene water bottle just so I wouldn’t buy a $200 Patagonia fleece. Then I came home and wrote the Arc’teryx website about the construction of their Spacermesh Aerios 7 trail pack. When they write me back about why it’s worth investing $120 on it, I will then place my order with a big smile on my face.

Yes, it’s about the brands. But beyond that, it’s about the dream. The dream that I will someday become a superstar at all of these sports if I just have the right equipment. Who knows, maybe I will. That’s the problematic hook in all this – I don’t know which sports are worth investing in and which ones are a waste of my money. I’m not proud of this, I know my VISA isn’t proud of this, and it’s only getting worse.

But perhaps everyone has their kryptonite. A girlfriend of mine owns about twenty bikinis, another owns twenty pairs of shoes. Is it such a crime to have twenty different sports visually represented in my bedroom? I’m already using my Nalgene water bottle.

Enlighten me, ponies. What vortex does your money get sucked into? Travel? Clothes? Food? Keep me posted in the comments – I’ll be browsing the Zhik website.

– Emma Farquharson

Courtesy of Mushy Pony

After 21 years, Holt Renfrew did the unthinkable – they fired the most adored, most appreciated, and most certainly always beaming: Tom Hargitai, the doorman. Growing up an avid Holts shopper with my mother, we knew him best for his double-cheek kisses, his gentle hand on our shoulders, and of course, his radiant smile.

“Maybe I’m too old”, the 57 year-old told the Toronto Star on Saturday, “I’m saddened by it. I loved my job.”

The general consensus seems to be that he targeted a particular demographic, and that the young women in pill-box hats and grey uniforms that now work there attract a younger clientele into the store.

“The pillbox hats must go, and Tom must return,” said Vineca Gray to the Star. “He is much more than a pretty face. Ask the physically challenged customers, the downtown locals, the tourists.” Not to mention the handicapped in need, whom Tom would regularly give from of his own pocket to on cold, snowy days.

As a young clientele myself (well, 25. Make of that what you will.), I can wholeheartedly say that firing the once dubbed “Mayor of Bloor St.”, who makes people of all ages smile no matter what personal crises they’re going through, is a mistake that will soon be painfully regretted. The customers have spoken, hell they’ve been Tweeting about it all weekend – thanks to social media, we now have a voice against such corporate injustice. Let’s just hope someone’s listening.

After all the years Tom has been there for me, brightening my day, greeting my dog “Joe” by name, answering my questions for an H1N1 article, I feel it is my duty as a writer to publicize this wrongdoing as much as possible. Holts won’t be the same anymore, at least not to me. And no amount of McQueen scarves or Marc Jacobs handbags can change that.

– Emma Farquharson.

Courtesy of Mushy Pony

When it comes to menswear, it’s all about looking suave without trying too hard. So instead of consulting an expert in the fashion industry, we decided to turn to one of Toronto’s top bachelors instead – one who always looks impeccable without breaking the bank, and who’s always got a babe dangling off each arm.

To protect his identity (because real bosses don’t do press) we decided to nickname him The Stag for now. And we covered everything from black tie to bumming around, brands to bargains, and boutonnieres to buttons.

Courtesy of Mushy Pony

Stag: There are two types of suits that a guy in his twenties should have in his closet. There’s a work/evening suit and a casual/trendy suit. Your day job and how dressed up you find yourself in evenings will govern how many of each you have. The work suit should be a more traditional length, likely with two buttons and a good, simple cloth. It should be slim fitting with high arm holes, looks great done up, and have some shirt cuff showing. Because this style is more timeless, I tend to spend more on these suits.

Pony: What about the shirts?

Stag: The shirts should also be slim fitting (you can have a tailor put darts in the back), but when you get them, check that you can still sit comfortably. Take time to make sure the collar is the right size – snug is good. Again, keep the cloth simple and crisp. French cuffs are great, as is collecting cuff links, but if your job has you at a computer all day, keep French cuffs for the evening or your desk will start to chew them apart.

Pony: And shoes?

Stag: I try to have two pairs of black shoes and two pairs of brown. It’s nice to get a more expensive, classic pair in each color that you can baby, and a more trendy pair that you’re happy to kick around in. For the better pair, get rubber put on the bottom as soon as you get them to protect the soles, and buy yourself some cedar shoe trees to keep the leather dry. For the more casual, trendy suit, try some different cloths and colours. I have a few of these and they are shorter in length, more fitted, and look better undone than done up. Because the fit and cloth is more of a look for that season, I try to spend less on them and if they end up in a pile my floor after a big night out, I don’t have to worry about it.

Below: Casual suit.

Courtesy of Mushy Pony

Courtesy of Mushy Pony

Pony: What watch brands do you like? And what ones do you find pretentious?

Stag: I don’t really find any watches pretentious unless you’re trying to pull off the white with diamonds rapper style. If you’re going to drop some cash – Bell and Ross, Breitling, Hublot or maybe a Patek Philippe to hand down to the kid you don’t yet have. But for some more affordable options – go with Fossil or Nixon.

Pony: What would you wear on a first date? (Let’s say to Castor for dinner)?

Stag: Castor on a first date? Yikes. Depending on the time of year, some nice dark jeans, a non-work button up shirt, maybe Oxford or whatever, with a casual jacket or a good cardi… or both.

Pony: Does your formal suit change from office to black tie?

Stag: When it comes to black tie, I picked up a Coppley made-to-measure black suit that I had them detail like a tux. I don’t really dig the shiny lapels and patent leather shoes of the black tie look, so I had them make a black, one button suit, with no belt loops, buttons for suspenders, no vents, surgeon cuffs and a peaked lapel. They used a sheen cloth and built it with a canvas backing so it looks formal when it needs to and keeps its shape. I referenced a bad-ass Tom Ford tux when telling the tailor what I was looking for. At the end of the day, it costs less than a decent tux and now I have one that doubles as a beautiful black suit. I wear it with some Boss shoes, a heavy, fitted white formal shirt with french cuffs, some links and a Tom Ford bow tie. Harry’s can hook you up with all the above.

Below: Evening suit.

Courtesy of Mushy Pony

Courtesy of Mushy Pony

Pony: Where do you shop for casual wear? And how do you draw the line between being too artsy vs. too boring?

Stag: My favourite stores at the moment are Uncle Otis, Sydney’s, Buckler (which can be touch and go) and if you can afford it: Lileo. I try to keep things pretty clean and classic whatever the trend is. Mixing expensive, quality staples with more affordable, contemporary looks work for me. But at the end of the day, I think the name of the game is wear whatever you want as long as you’re comfortable; if you’re into it, you’ll carry it well and pull it off.

Pony: What’s a trend you’re getting into right now?

Stag: Obviously the heritage brand look is pretty big right now. I have a few things in that vein, but the majority of my stuff is a little more preppy than that. I suppose I have a base of interesting, relatively timeless, well made, clean cut clothes in my closet that I mix with new looks as they come up.

Pony: Jeans. There are thousands of brands, which do you like?

Stag: I like Naked & Famous, Spurr and I have a pair from Buckler that I like. But it’s all about what fits you. Regardless, I’m not a fan of spending loads of cash on them.

Below: Casual wear.

Courtesy of Mushy Pony

Courtesy of Mushy Pony

Pony: Jewelry on men. Your thoughts?

Stag: I keep my accessories to sunglasses, watches, pens, socks, pocket squares, and cuff links. I know some dudes that can pull off some good bracelets or necklaces, but it takes a certain look.

Pony: What look do you think is hottest on a girl? With so many options, I know I tend to get lost.

Stag: The hottest look I’ve seen as of late comes from this girl I know, and I’d say her wardrobe falls into a “Chic Boho” category. But at the end of the day, I think versatility is hot. Rocking the cottage look when up north, killing a beach look when on vaca, looking sharp and pro at work, looking sophisticated and sexy for a formal shin-dig … you get the idea.

Courtesy of Mushy Pony

– Emma Farquharson