Happy Monday!!

Happy Monday! I hope you enjoyed a fantastic weekend!  Mine was very low key, as planned.  I'm finishing  Rules Of Civility by Amor Twles, a Gatsby-esque romp through New York in the late thirties. It's fantastically written and the plot is riveting. Someone make a movie out of this story,  pretty please! And to Mr. Towles, who toils on Wall Street; please write another book, don't waste your precious talent in high finance...!

 I will be posting sporadically this week, meetings in town and a short trip away oblige. I couldn't resist sharing these lovely photos by Ilona Jongepier in Paris. The styling is superb and the girl and dog, so sweet.

Speaking of lovable pups, if you happen to live in the Montreal area, I encourage you to drop in to Pitou, Minou & Compagnons, on Queen Mary Road for some special treats for your furry friends. The service is very friendly and second to none. In the next few weeks, they will be organizing pet adoption days and nail clippings. You can take a peek at their Facebook page for more details.

Have a fantastic week! xo

Diane in Dior + Party Giveaway!

I don't know about you but my heart just about stopped when I caught a glimpse of Diane Kruger in the show stopping Dior haute couture gown she wore at the Cannes film festival closing ceremony. She looked magnificent, even in the rain.

In honor of the Montreal Grand Prix weekend, I am giving away one free VIP ticket to a fabulous fashion event held at the Windsor Ballroom. ( invitation above)

Details:

Date: Thursday, 7 June, 7PM 

Venue: Le Windsor, 1170 Peel http://www.lewindsor.com

VIP Cocktail: live art and music performances, 7-9PM 

Fashion Show: Tiger of Sweden, 9PM

Proceeds: Jewish General Hospital

To win, simply leave a comment, follow this blog. The winner will be selected randomly this Sunday.

Good luck!!

(images via Vogue and Coffee and here)

Happy Friday!!

Happy Friday!!

I hope you enjoyed a fantastic week! I was able to get so much writing done and it feels great! The weather was spectacular and it finally feels as though Spring is here to stay. Tiny flowers have bloomed in the garden which is always very uplifting.

What do you have planned for the weekend? There is interesting exhibit about the colors of India ending on Sunday in Montreal.

Also, the renowned  Alvin Ailey Dance troop is performing here this weekend, which promises to be a great show.

 Have a great weekend!

"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death."

— ― Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

(Images via The Wild Fleur, Asos, Vogue)

Happy Monday + No. 11 Pour Elle!

Happy Monday! I hope you enjoyed a fantastic weekend. The weather turned and went back to its end of winter temps but it's par for the course. We had an amazingly warm week which allowed me to attend a concert by the Montreal Symphony, dinner at a new restaurant and the opening of an upscale accessories boutique, No.11 Pour Elle.

A nod to London's exclusive No.11 Boutique Hotel, the shop offers haute bikinis, diaphanous cover-ups, gorgeous bustiers, lacy underpinnings and exclusive fragrances. I was thrilled to discover that they carry lines such as Kiki De Montparnasse, Penhaligon's perfume ( I've worn Quercus for years) and Aqua de Coco swimwear.

I encourage you to drop by and pick up something fantastic for the boudoir, you won't be disappointed. Some of the lingerie can also be worn out at night, as a sexy alternative.

The highlight if my evening was meeting a fun group of ladies, including Carrie from les Zurbaines, Patricia Gajo of Fashion Magazine, and their fabulous posse.

The weather allowed me to bravely wear my new flowered pajama pants which were wildly popular with the ladies.

Wishing you a wonderful week! Bisou Bisou!

Last Chance: Jean Paul Gaultier in Montreal

This is your last chance to view Jean-Paul Gaultier's exhibit at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts as the exhibit ends this Sunday.

I went back yesterday for a second visit as the place was an absolute madhouse at the opening. And I'm really happy I did.

If you're interested in fashion and are looking for an excuse to come to Montreal this weekend, this exhibit is not to be missed. 

There are several rooms organized by themes: nautical, punk, boudoir, ethnic mix, etc. and the number of collection pieces on display is quite impressive. Also entertaining is the use of  technology to make the mannequins come to life; they are both comical and fascinating.

There are numerous pieces worn by Madonna on her various concert tours, dresses worn by famous actresses in well known films and some renowned fashion photography.

 

Run if you can before it's too late!

(Photographs taken by me)

Happy Friday + All White

Happy Friday!! I hope you had a fantastic week! I attended the all white dinner in Montreal last night for the first time and had an amazing time. People were dressed to the nines in white for a chic picnic in the heart of the city, which was truly magical. The evening had a The Great Gatsby feel to it, and the weather was simply perfect.

I met some lovely people and danced the night away with my friend Serge in my white shoes. I will definitely do it again next year!

(First three images via The White Ruffle)

Macallan & Highland Park Soirée

I must admit that I'm not a big scotch drinker (if you've read my book, you know that I'm more drawn to pink bubbly) but when I received an invitation to a Macallan & Highland Park Scotch Whiskey soirée hosted by brand ambassador Marc Laverdière at the renowned La Queue de Cheval restaurant, I was curious. I figured the evening would have a touch of Mad Men vintage glamour to it.  I wasn't disappointed.

During the tasting, my palate discovered a sublime world of smoked flavors and aromas.

We sampled a few selections, including the 25 year old Highland Park as well as the 18 yr Macallan Sherry Oak, but my favorite was the 15 year old  Highland Park, an intense mix of smoky and sweet, that left my taste buds yearning for more.

The highlight of the evening was hearing about and seeing ( from a distance!) the 57 year old Macallan elegantly presented in a custom made bottle by Lalique. There are only 400 bottles of this very rare vintage in the world, one of which is in Montreal at La Queue de Cheval.

We feasted on smoked salmon with a touch of maple sirup and I enjoyed a sea bass that was out of this world.

These spirits would make the perfect father's day gift or would look good in your home bar. After all, you never know when that special man will drop by...

(Images via Encore une minute, Macallan)

Happy Monday!!

I had the chance to see the Miles Davis exhibit over the weekend at the Museum of Fine Arts in Montreal. One word to describe it: AMAZING! I will post more information and a review this week and will hopefully go see it for a second time as I feel I might have missed some of it given the size and breadth of the exhibit. 

Have a wonderful week!

(image via Black Eiffel)

Souk @ la SAT

I dropped by the Souk @ la Sat today...It's an offering of original creations made by local Quebec designers. A great place for gifts!

Italian Fashion Week in Montreal

I'm attending a fashion show this evening at Ogilvy's in connection with Italian Fashion Week...very much looking forward to it! I just love the way Italian designers play with bold colors and rich fabrics. Ciao!

Diana Krall

I'm off to see her in concert tonight! Can't wait! You can listen to her in my video bar!