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A Haunted Halloween

Halloween seems to have lost its eerie nature amongst the superhero, fairy, and cowboy costumes that roam the streets for one night every October. But rather than dress up as your favourite character or fantasy, wouldn’t you rather infuse some scare into your night of ghouling?

Get in the spirit with chilling movies, such as American Mary (by the Vancouver-based Soska twins), The Exorcist, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Ringu (the Japanese film that inspired The Ring), or Mama. Find an Ouija board to conjure up the dead. And while Ryan Gosling’s not all that scary, his band, Dead Man’s Bones, will leave you haunted.

~Sandra O'Connell, OPUS Insider

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On Two Wheels

Just because fall has arrived, doesn’t mean it’s time to lock up your bicycles. In fact, the crunchy, crispy sound of leaves under wheels is just as enchanting as when heard underfoot.

When you stay at OPUS Hotel, take a spin on one of our complimentary bikes. There’s something freeing and fanciful about the fall wind slipping its fingers through your hair when winding along the seawall.

Find more cycling inspiration at Cycle EXIF.

~ Sandra O'Connell, OPUS Insider

Images from left to right, top to bottom: Kenevans at Pony Bikes in Melbourne via Cycle EXIF; Annie Leibovitz featuring Cate Blanchett for Vogue 2004; Kinfolk via Cycle EXIF; Steven Meisel for Vogue 1999; Steven Meisel for Vogue 1998; Sman Wooden Cruiser via Cycle EXIF; Steven Meisel for Vogue 2009.

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A Celebration of Cinema Hits Toronto

A festival that sees hundreds of red carpets unrolled every September on Canadian soil has now come to a close. The Toronto International Film Festival, an event that shows more than 300 films, is one of the most lauded film festivals in the world – possibly even rivaling the Cannes Film Festival.

This year showed such strong cinematic stories as Gravity, 12 Years a Slave, Third Person, Can a Song Save Your Life?, August: Osage County, Blue is the Warmest Colour, Enemy, and Dallas Buyers Club. A selection of films that are sure to be listed at awards shows in the coming months.

While films are the main draw and purpose of the grand celebration, the 11 days are also swirling with fashion, food, and parties. From Soho House to the roof of the Thompson Toronto to the Variety Studio at Holt Renfrew, storytellers were everywhere… dancing, drinking, schmoozing, and celebrating their films.

The highlights…

Harvey Weinstein bought Can a Song Save Your Life? at the film's post-premiere gala making it the most expensive party at $20 million.

Jason Reitman once again brought his live reading series to TIFF this year with Boogie Nights. Jesse Eisenberg played the part of Dirk Diggler. Prosthetic not in attendance.

Michael Fassbender dances. And dances and dances. Find him on the d-floor.

To raise funds for Artists for Peace and Justice, Maria Bello dived into Michael Budman’s pool fully clothed for $20,000 at the charity’s yearly lunch.

Some talent do TIFF in multiples… Daniel Radcliffe (Horns, The F Word, Kill Your Darlings), James Franco (Third Person, Child of God, The Director, Palo Alto), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Fifth Estate, 12 Years a Slave, August: Osage County), and Olivia Wilde (Rush, Third Person) dominated the festival with their portfolio of films.

TIFF may be over now, but preparation for next year’s fête is already underway.

~ Sandra O'Connell, OPUS Insider

Images from left to right, top to bottom: Adam Levine and Keira Knightley at Patria (via Toronto Life), Carice van Houten and Benedict Cumberbatch at Soho House (via Toronto Life), Mario Bello at Artists for Peace and Justice (via Fashion Magazine), cast of August: Osage County at Soho House (via Getty Images)

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What to wear on your face this fall

As night blankets our days sooner and weather blows a chill on us, we not only adjust our clothes, but also our faces. Makeup this coming fall and winter is rich with berries and smoke. Blackberries, cranberries, raspberries. Lips will be painted with deep hues that whisper notes of sophistication. Eyes will be smoky with black charcoal, reminding us that punk is here to stay. Eyebrows are meant to be natural, bushy and bold - neglect your tweezers. And if you’re feeling truly bold, get futuristic with your eye designs.

~ Sandra O'Connell, OPUS Insider

Images (left to right, top to bottom): Dolce & Gabbana, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Bottega Veneta, Anna Sui, Michael Kors, Rochas, Rodarte

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Hotels in Hollywood

Film has played an influential role on the scenarios we envision playing out in hotels. There are scenes that have made us teary eyed, lustful and desirous, pensive, or absolutely petrified. Here are some of our favourite clips filmed from the walls of a hotel.

The Tourist

The steamy dream sequence in the Danieli Hotel in Venice between Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie's characters ends far too soon...

Dirty Dancing

The first time this movie flashes before a girl’s starry eyes, she dreams of a summer at Kellerman’s.

Lost in Translation

Lonely woman meets lonely man and an unlikely friendship forges out of a chance meeting in a hotel bar.

The Shining

The tinkering music, the maniacal smile on Jack Nicholson's face, and the eerily calm demeanor of Lloyd the bartender make this a pivotal scene in one of the creepiest films ever made.

28 Hotel Rooms

A salacious affair develops behind 28 doors over several years.

Thelma & Louise

This is the moment women everywhere fell for Brad Pitt as his character demonstrates to Thelma how to carry out an armed robbery.

Ghostbusters

And who can forget this memorable ball of slime who left audiences in the 80’s hoping for a ghostly encounter and an excuse to call Ghostbusters.

~ Sandra O'Connell, OPUS Insider

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90s Replayed

The 90s may have occurred forever and a day ago, but the fashions from that decade doused in hip hop and grunge are still repeating themselves today. Neon reminiscent of the Fly Girls and plaid once reserved for Seattle bands have been rejuvenated for 2013. Time to dig deep in your closets and watch old episodes of My So-Called Life, In Living Color, and Beverly Hills, 90210 for inspiration.

~Sandra O'Connell, OPUS Insider

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Lip Service

Perhaps it’s no surprise that the mouth and lips are frequently featured in art and photography. They are vessels of words, expressions of love, and sensual icons. These are our favourite mouths creatively captured.

From left to right, top to bottom: Matthew Cusick; unknown; Irving Penn; Irving Penn; Tyler Shields; The Rolling Stones; Hugo Barros.

~ Sandra O'Connell, OPUS Insider

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Best pools for a dip

Pools have long been a draw for summer travelers. Sizzling sun. Bare bodies. The coconut scent of sunscreen hanging in the air. Local surroundings are neglected when there’s a pool to dip in and recline beside. The whole scene sends bathers into a hazy, dazy state where time stands still and days slowly extend into nights.

Where is your favourite hotel pool?

(From top to bottom, left to right)

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii (Black lava bathing)

Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, France (French Mediterranean views from the lap of luxury)

Hotel Roosevelt, Los Angeles (Pool-side dancing is encouraged)

One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives (Tranquility in a sea of blue)

San Alfonso del Mar, Algarrobo, Chile (The world’s largest and deepest pool)

Ubud Hanging Gardens, Bali (Each room has a private pool)

Villa Cimbrone, Ravello, Italy (Where Greta Garbo found seclusion with a lover)

Villa d’Este, Lake Como, Italy (Both you and the pool float on the waters of lake)

~ Sandra O'Connell, OPUS Insider