Happy Monday!!

Hope you had a fantastic weekend! I watched a few episodes of Mad Men, got my bangs cut and picked up a copy of and read American Dior by Assouline, it is diviiiiine! I found it at Librissime, a gorgeous bookstore in Montreal. They carry books about fashion and art, it's definitely worth the detour.

Have a lovely week!!

(images via Brocante Home, We heart it, Style.com)

Happy Friday!!!

Hope you had a great week! This image makes me dream of Spring (sighhhhh). Don't forget to participate in the fantastic necklace giveaway!

(image FGR)

Stephanie's DIY: Great Lips!

 
Many of you ladies no doubt have your perfect lipstick that you can't live without, but when it breaks or shifts at its base you're left with a goopy, sloppy and unreliable stick!  Solution, found!

Instead of breaking up the stub and just squishing it into a little sampler pot, here are two great suggestions  incorporating the same idea to help get a professional result.  What's also great about these methods is that you can use them to modify a color you already love by trying these little tricks:

1)  Add extra lip gloss to the mix to dilute your color and make it more of a stain for a daytime look.

2)  Add some shimmer from your eyeshadow or another cosmetic if you want a change from your usual matte color.

3)  Mix in another color if your routine usually consists of blending two colors anyways! 

The trick to these is to find your ratio of color vs. added ingredient.

 
PS:  Hold on to this post for the summer months when your car and purse are bound to make a few sticks melt!  Also, remember that if your favorite shade gets discontinued, you can now salvage all those ends that you thought you'd never use.

 
Have a great end-of-the-week and pucker up!

Stephanie

(Images via Vizualize us)

Happy Tea Time!

This video created for Lipton Green Tea makes me happy! Hope it does the same for you!

(Via Here comes the Sun)

Sublime: Christian Dior Haute Couture

In this collection, a retro silhouette, apparently inspired by illustrator Rene Gruau.

"A small cloud can't conceal a sky full of stars." Unknown

(fashionologie.com)

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

Shopbop Giveaway Winner!

Brrrrrrrr, it's so cold outside today! Hope you're keeping warm wherever you are!

The winner of the Shopbop Giveaway: Deanna G.!!! Please e-mail me your mailing address!

(Images via Colony Calahan, and here)