TWENTY YORK STREET Goes to PRINT

Last Fall, I received one very lovely e-mail that made me smile, a lot. Wait, who are we kidding here... that made me jump off my feet and pump my fist in the air saying yes!

I received a wonderful message from the Editor-in-Chief of Where Ottawa, Misa Kobayashi, asking if I can do a Q & A on a fashion section she is featuring in the September/October 2011 issue of the magazine.

Where Magazine is a widely read publication that is available in top hotels, restaurants, golf courses, marinas and some tourist information centres. Where Ottawa provides timely, local information on the hottest and most essential shopping, dining, cultural attractions and entertainment in Ottawa and surrounding area. 
 
View a copy of the Viritual Paper: 

Below is an excerpt of Misa's e-mail that caught me by surprise and that completely touched me. I think we can all agree that blogging is not as easy and free spirited as it sounds. It takes a lot of hours, a lot of effort and sometimes, brings about frustration. Writing - like any art is a creative endeavour that calls for the requisite inspiration and for being in the moment and that - as cliche as it may sound, at its worst, is like chasing elusive dreams.

"Hi Marilou,

This is Misa from the tourism magazine Where Ottawa. Thanks for tweeting me back! I wanted to get in touch because I'm working a feature for our upcoming September/October issue about Ottawa style and shops, and I'm interested in including a short Q&A with a local fashion blogger. 

I've checked out your Twitter and blog and think you would be a good fit."

The table of contents page. I'm on Page 18! 

Find Victoire Boutique on Page 17.

Although there has been many validations to this blog in the past, this particular e-mail somehow really gave me the testament that all my hard work and that of my team has paid off. Not that a blogger only becomes a blogger once she reaches a thousand followers, millions of page views, hundreds of comments on his/her post or when a printed publication deemed her or him so.

It's just that in this case, Twenty York Street has not only existed but flourished and that is not without the strategic collaborations with equally, if not more, talented individuals around me who has extended their helping hands and have on their own, shaped Twenty York Street (@20YS) to what it is today.

So, here you go, so excited to share with you, the excerpt to the printed Where Ottawa feature:

Silk crepe skirt - MIIKALI by Juliana Giraldo, Linen blouse - Banana Republic, Leather pumps - Guess, Serpent Cuff - BCBG, Gold pendant necklace - Foxy, Multiple friendship bracelets - gifts from Friends, Scarab emerald green ring - Frash, Grape cluster earrings - Frash, Gold Watch - Michael Kors          

Published Photos courtesy of Jose Perez-Alvarez of YouGotSquared.com

There are countless of people who have been instrumental to the existence and success of this Fashion and Lifestyle Blog. Without my team of very talented photographers, you'd probably be swift scrolling your way to the end of each post as they will be no more than words after words. Brilliant words, mind you but still words.

Twenty York Street is nothing without the beautiful and artistic images (and words) of the following amazing talents:

Jose Enrique Perez-Alvarez of YouGotSquared.com

Richard Tardif of Richard Tardif Photo

Adam Pap of Adam Pap Photography

Arne Berg of ABerg Star Photos 

Ashelle of Pink Beautiful Love

Lee Mosseau of Moose Photography

There are, in fact, many, many more individuals I need to thank from the bottom of my heart. More photographers and videographers who have kindly given me their time and share their passion with me. Thank you to the many designers, stylists, magazine editors, PR agents, stores/boutiques, TV producers, models and other members of the media who have helped me in more ways than one.

Special thank you and kisses to my dear friend and life-saver/sanity-keeper, Natalie of Natalie Does 24 K or as you know her here at Twenty York Street as The Busy Neighbor. She does more than just edititing for me, she is my man (don't know if she'll quite like this compliment but trust me, it is!), my woman, my (very, very good) friend! Always kind, generous and charitable, please make sure to check out her newly launched blog (will tell you more soon)  Natalie Does 24 K and follow her journey to her first ever full marathon in San Franciso this year! Please feel free to donate and share to such a noble cause!

Skin, Body and Hair Care - courtesy of THANN North America 

(I die for the THANN top-seller Shiso Body Butter!)

A very heartfelt thanks and deep gratitude also goes to the man behind THANN North America - Mr. Fadi Ghaby, Owner/President - who believed in me and has given me even more opportunities to explore my talents and skills to its highest potential. For giving me the valuable support (technical or otherwise), the mentorship and the guidance, to push the creative envelope, every single time. 

And of course, my eternal love and utmost gratitude to my loving (and many times, 'almost' understanding) friends and family, who - let's face it - does not really understand what I do or why I do it but accepts me and love me anyway. 

To E - for putting up with me, through all the ups and downs and for believing in me and telling me I'm beautiful, every single day.

Cover image: The National Art Gallery of Canada

Where Ottawa: September/October 2011