The opening of Charcut Roast House last week was a grande affair. More than 200 people, including media, business folk and foodies packed the new eatery located off the Hotel Le Germain lobby. Here are a few of my favourite shots from the evening. 

Quiet before the storm: A few people mingle around the communal table before the opening celebration madness begins. (Love the iron chandeliers.)

Who needs an I ♥ Alberta Beef bumper sticker when you can have an oversized painting of the black and white beast in all its glory!

Coined "urban-rustic," the urban part comes into play right off the bat at the front entrance where this piece by artist Darcy Lundgren hangs. The beer cellar (right) includes nearly two dozen brews from around the world.  

This kitchen shot was taken right before my battery died. More than just a result of me forgetting to charge the battery, it was also fate. Minutes later, a pig's head appeared and was placed nonchalantly on the counter. Trust me, some things are better left to the imagination. 

Charcut Roast House, 101, 899 Centre St. SW, 403-984-2180, www.charcut.com

Talking fashion and home décor at the Calgary Home + Garden Show.

As Vancouver's city-wide hangover sets in, we're saluting five great things about the 2010 Winter Games.

1. Holt Renfrew's chic and cheeky sports-themed windows.

2. The first of the many great parties! Media from around the world mixed and mingled at the Opus Hotel podium-themed event (look for editor-in-chief Sarah Bancroft on the far left). Vancouver editor Joy Pecknold even got up-close-and-personal with a pseudo rock star.

3. Corporate met quirky at the Coca-Cola Pavillion. Check out the pillows made from recycled bottles and Vancouver editor Joy Pecknold looking fierce in polar bear paws.

4. Loads of international street style...we snapped this hip chick downtown.

5. Noise complaints, lineups around the block, bagpipers, a steady rotation of U2, wine served in a plastic cup and a floor so sticky managing editor Maria Tallarico was constantly checking if she stepped in gum. Irish House 2010 earned its epic party house reputation. We saw, we drank, we conquered.

Torah Brigth, Australian gold medalist, sat down with VitaminDaily.com to dish on her snow style. Read our interview here!

First off a HUGE congratulations on your Gold medal. We were all cheering for you big time. How thrilling! Thank you for taking some time to answer a few questions from Vitamindaily.com about your personal style.

Now that you are a Gold Medal winner, what will you wear!?
As soon as I can get out of this uniform...a nice fitting pair of jeans, cute shoes and a t-shirt.

We hear you are no stranger to bling, and that you are known for the rhinestones on your snowboarding designs for Roxy. What else goes into your fashion designs?
The 3 words I would use to describe my outerwear for Roxy are feminine, luxurious and glamorous. The cuts are more fitting to women. Although you are out on the slopes you need to dress warmly you also want to dress like a female. You want to look cute. That is where Roxy and I get together.

We also hear that the Torah Bright for Roxy goggles are super popular. What makes them different?
The frame is the normal Roxy frame but bedazzled with bling. There are few styles coming out for Fall 2010 that are super chic.

We can't help but notice your amazing complexion. Any cold weather skincare tips or products you swear by?
I think a change of everything is good. If you feel like it is not doing the job change it up kinda like mascara. Moisturizing is important morning, noon, and night.

Congratulations on your engagement, by the way. Do you know what your wedding dress will look like?
Thank you. My dress is a lace mermaid style in an ivory. It is elegant and classic by Monique Lhuillier.

Last question, the Canadian men snowboarders have been causing controversy for their pants being too tight. What do you think?
I had no idea about this! Well, you don't want to look like a gangster when you are riding so tight pants is ok. I like them fitted not tight.

Thank you so much for this interview and now go celebrate!

If we book ourselves into the new Hotel Le Germain Calgary for a couple of nights, does that count as a stay-cation?  

Stay tuned for more as the hotel officially opens next week.   

Behind every stylish man is a...

For our fashionable male readers who get there on their own, I'm not going to finish that sentence but for all the ladies who want to suggest a few spring looks for their men, here are some of the top picks from Harry Rosen.

It's all about a comfort chic and laid-back cool with lots of denim, printed tees and sport-inspired looks with a touch of prep-school attitude.

Brown is the new black when it comes to footwear and have a little fun with the accessories. Tip: a fabulous pocket square completes the whole look.

Stay tuned for the new 30,000 square-foot store opening this fall where a certain man-of-the-moment will be added to an already impressive line-up of designers. 

Construction was still in progress just hours before the grand opening and many tenants have yet to move in, but Fashion Central is officially open.  

I was seeing red as the hue appeared everywhere from the main staircase connecting the three floors to next door, the home of the Betsey Johnson boutique.

I played Sartorialist and snapped pics of a few fashionable folks who stopped by the grand opening. Katie of Alberta Fashion Week and The Style Guys (a.k.a. Aly and Jason) looked fabulous, as did stylist Karla and designer Adejoke, below.

It's still cold, dark and gloomy outside but last night, spring had sprung (sorry, I can't help myself) at Holt Renfrew. Barbara Atkin, Holt Renfrew's VP, fashion direction, stopped by the store for her biannual trend presentation. 

Holt's staff, who also happen to all be gorgeous, modeled the season's key trends. Clockwise from left, world culture, urban traveller and prep-school cool. 

As for shoes, there are those clogs again, and Nicole Richie has expanded into footwear with a House of Harlow shoe collection (right).

You can count on Marc Jacobs for cuteness and my favourite of the night, the nude pumps by Celine, right.

As for beauty trends, the full brow is back so put away the tweezers and start filling in. 

Before she takes on RDJ and Gwyneth in Iron Man 2 this spring, ScarJo is hitting Broadway for the first time. On a recent trip to the Big Apple, I checked out a preview of Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge, a tragedy about a longshoreman named Eddie (Liev Schreiber) who becomes dangerously obsessed with his young niece Catherine (Johansson).     

Post-show, the fans lined up by the exit to get a glimpse of the celebs and have their playbills signed. Every time the door swung open, the crowd held their breath only to sigh with disappointment if the person exiting wasn't one of the stars. Finally, Schreiber, who in my humble opinion stole the show, came out all cool, calm and collected. Unfortunately, no Naomi Watts but I did quickly snap this shot before we got ushered off the street by a very tall NYPD officer who was not messing around. 

After losing my prime street-spot for snapping photos, I couldn't see much over the thick crowd on the sidewalk. A few minutes later, the door swung open again but instead of Mrs. Reynolds, Mr. Reynolds dashed out. The crowd was momentarily caught off guard and he escaped unscathed onto the NY street, disappearing into the darkness. I didn't have a chance to snap a pic of the supportive husband but this is pretty much what he looked like that night, minus the bike helmet. 

Finally, Scarlett emerged but again, my paparazzi skills were just too amateur and all I could get was this shot from behind. I loved her wellies. New Yorkers love to wear rubber boots when it snows, it seems. 

A View from the Bridge opens Jan. 24th in New York.