Happy Friday!!

Happy Friday!! Another week has swooooshed by!

I attended the opening of the new Charlotte Hosten boutique atelier in Montreal and the space simply dreamy. Located at 122 Bernard in the heart of the Mile End, her gorgeous necklaces are drool worthy...She also offers other delicious accessories, such as a collection of lovely bags and scarves. Take a look!

I have another fantastic giveaway coming so please drop in again!

Have a great day!

Let yourself shine!

Hello mes amies! The holiday season is almost here so it's time to bring out the shiny and sparkly accessories! 

I'm attending the opening of the new Charlotte Hosten boutique tonight here in Montreal and I'm really looking forwarding to it. She makes the most gorgeous shiny pieces ( she just signed a contract with Anthropologie!) There is a cocktail party at her new shop on Bernard street.

Another wonderful place for sparkly party accessories is This & That Axesoir, a chain of fab shops here in Montreal.

And since shining on the inside is even more important than on the outside, here are some tips on How To Make Yourself Shine!

• Believe in your abilities.
  No one can believe in you better than you can. And you must do it! Sure your friends and family and coworkers might tell you you're great, that you're a shining star, but you won't really believe it until YOU know that you're awesome. It's as simple as that. Believing in yourself is the first step to being the shining, awesome person I know you are.
  
• Take care of your mind and body.
  By keeping your mind and body in good working order, you're likely to be a lot more confident in your abilities. Take time to listen to what your thoughts are telling you. Know yourself and respect that person. Likewise, listen to your body. Take into account your bodies needs and respect the way you treat your body. You will definitely me more confident if you feel good and have a clear mind.
  
• Emphasize your strengths.
  We ALL have strengths and weaknesses. No one is perfect. So instead of harping on your less-than-perfect traits, focus on what you can do, what you're good at. If possible, get a job (or a hobby) that highlights your abilities. This will reinforce your true awesomeness and remind you of what a stellar being you are. Focus on the good in you!
  
• Leap over obstacles.
  When you encounter things or people standing in your way, use all of your strength and creativity to maneuver around them or leap over them. Those who aren't supportive of you and who don't believe you are a star should be left in the dust. Those activities that don't showcase your true talents should also be left behind. Who needs those anyway?
  
• Break down barriers.
  When barriers are so tall that you can't easily jump over them, break them down. Even if you have to use a tiny chisel and it takes all day long, you CAN break down the barriers in your life. You don't have to sit back and watch life pass you by because something is standing in the way of your awesomeness. If it's in your way, get rid of it. You deserve to shine and no wall of "you can't do it" should stand in your way!
  
• Be YOU and no one else.
  There is only one you, so be the best you you can be. You don't have to live up to someone else. You don't have to be someone else. You only have to be you and you deserve to be the best you that you can be. Consider what you want from life, what you need and what you don't. Make your needs and desires clear to the world and, above all else, stay true to yourself.
  
• Accept praise graciously.
  The best thing about being a shining star is receiving praise for a job well done. Don't shy away from praise or pass it off on someone else. Accept every kind word and amazing compliment and bask in it. No, this doesn't mean you're selfish or cocky or full of yourself. It means you know that you're a star and you're happy that other people know it too. It's tempting to shrug off praise, but don't. You deserve it.
• Tune in to yourself.
  Listen to yourself first and foremost. When you get an idea, don't be the first one to shoot it down. Believe you can do it. Encourage yourself. Fill your mind with the belief that you can do ANYTHING, and you'll find that you can. When you hear negative voices whispering that you're not good enough or can't do it, silence them immediately. Listen to the real you -- the you that believes you can do whatever you believe you can do.

(Images via J. Crew and Wicked Jealous)

A Stunning Home

It has been a while since I've gushed over someone's home but when I came across Christine D'Ornano's Notting Hill home in Elle Decor, my jaw literally dropped to the floor. A Sisley cosmetics executive and heir to an important family, her home looks both chic and comfortable and is filled with unique objects, a look that I simply adore.

On a different note, I am delighted to share my compensation for a writing project I completed for the talented Montreal designer Charlotte Hosten. Now how lucky am I ?? It feels like it's my birthday all over again...If you have any writing projects you'd like me to work on, feel free to drop me a note, my fees are very reasonable ( and I accept fabulous things as compensation too!)

Charlotte Hosten Giveaway Winner

And the very lucky winner is: Sabrina Gagnon! Please e-mail me your mailing address...

More giveaways to come, please check back in regularly. Have a lovely day.

(image: Simply Seductive)

Happy Monday! Divine necklaces: Charlotte Hosten interview + giveaway!

Happy Monday! Hope you had a great weekend! 

One of my new year's resolutions was to add some original content to my blog. And what better way to start than with a tour of of a very talented Montreal designer's studio!

Charlotte Hosten designs and creates some of the most beautiful necklaces I've ever laid my eyes on. She uses silk fabric as clasps,  incorporates vintage treasures as well as exotic finds to her one-of-a-kind pieces.

I was lucky enough to enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of her atelier, meet her team and ask her a few questions:


How did you start your business?

I began selling jewelry back in high school to friends and classmates. It was more of a pastime for me then but I learned that it was something I really enjoyed doing. I then went on to study law at a local university but after graduation, quickly realized that my true passion lied elsewhere. I started designing jewelry as an intern for a well known Montreal designer and after a while, decided to create my own label. 


What makes your brand unique?

 I love to create one-of-a-kind pieces made with vintage jewelry, exotic treasures found in my travels as well as pearls, Swarovski crystals and silk fabrics. I've particularly become fond of helping clients select the perfect necklace for their tastes; not the most expensive, not the one I wanted to sell, but the one that suits her best.


What inspires you?


Travel, childhood memories, and art.  I traveled extensively as a child; my parents are from Belgium and we spent countless summers in Italy visiting museums and art galleries. I also had the opportunity to travel in Africa. My maternal grandmother was a big influence in my life; she was a sculptor, (she particularly enjoyed sculpting animals) so I guess that I'm following in her artistic footsteps. I've also chosen to work under her maiden name, I prefer her name to mine!


Anything you would like to share with our readers?


We are now offering custom made services. If you have collected or inherited some
valuable family treasures and would like to incorporate them into a necklace, I work with you to create a very unique piece. I've done it recently with a few brides who wanted a special piece to wear on their wedding day and this service has become quite popular.


Where can we find your gorgeous jewelry?


For online purchases, they are currently available on my Etsy store. I am working to upgrade our website so that clients can buy our pieces directly. They are also available at numerous boutiques in Montreal.


What can we expect from you in the near future?


I am currently working on my new collection entitled Tea at Rosemary's. It should be available for Spring!


Charlotte is very generously offering one necklace and silk flower pin to readers and followers of this blog who live in North America ( Canada and U.S.) To be eligible, visit her site and let us know which necklace you prefer! Also for an additional entry, post this giveaway on Twitter or Facebook.


The winner will be selected randomly next week. Hope you enjoyed this interview!


Isabelle xo