Happy Friday!!

Happy Friday!! After a looooong and busy summer, I'm heading off to the beach for four days to catch some waves, fresh Atlantic air, fresh fish and salt water taffy.

Don't forget to participate in my Shopbop giveaway below; there's still plenty of time to participate! Have a great weekend!

We are tied to the ocean.  And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came. ~ John F. Kennedy

(images via Glitter Guide and Pinterest)

Shopbop giveaway! (*pretty skirts and more!*)

Hear, hear, the end of summer is near and it's time for a cusp-of- fall giveaway! Just in time to replenish your wardrobe and replace your worn out flip flops, jean shorts and light dresses and t-shirts.

Why not indulge in a stunning Vince Skirt, some pretty Kenny dresses, or splurge on a Robert Rodriguez necklace?

Shopbop is generously offering a $100.00 gift certificate for one of my lucky readers. To win, simply leave a comment, follow this blog and for additional entries, tweet this giveaway or share it on Facebook.

Don't forget to become a Shopbop fan here!

The winner will be randomly selected in a week. 

Good luck!

(Images via NY Times T Magazine)

Details

After moving last week, I'm still unpacking and now working on getting the details right.  To me, the small accessories and personal touches are what truly make a home.

I came across by Kyle de Woody's lovely apartment in New York. I love how she's incorporated a touch of playfulness to her space, a bit of retro vibe and a fun mix of art.

Stay tuned for the winner of the book giveaway!

Have a fantastic week!

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 + Interview and Giveaway!!

It's Friday, the sun is still shining, Mad Men is back this weekend  and Jenesequa's lovely blog is hosting an interview and giveaway today!

What more could I ask for?

Hope you have a terrific weekend. If you want to go all out on Sunday, Estee Lauder is hosting a fun Mad Men contest on Twitter where you can win a $1000 Bloomies gift certificate.

(Images via here)

Happy Friday + Gourmet Cake Bites!!

Happy Friday! Hope you had a fantastic week. This is my last post before going on holiday, and that makes me very happy...I know I said that there would be no more giveaways, well you know what, ha, I lied! I have another wonderful for you!

Mariah of Cedar Fort Books graciously offered a copy of Wendy Paul's upcoming 101 Gourmet Cake Bites for my readers. Wendy has been baking for years and it shows!

It's a fantastic recipe book for delicious cake bites that include such American classics as pumpkin pie, root beer floats, ginger bread cookies, raspberry & New York cheesecake, key lime pie but I must say that my favorites are the special themed selection of cake bites such scrabble, life's a beach, and ghosts (and so much more)as well as the Pink Lemonade cake bites...YUMMY!

To participate, simply become a follower of this blog, leave a comment and for additional entries, follow me on Twitter.

The winner will be announced upon my return from vacation next week.

Have a fantastic weekend and good luck!

(First Images French Frosting)

Happy Monday!!!

Happy Monday!! Hope you had a fantastic weekend! After a crazy busy week, I was able to relax on Sunday with some reading, gardening and cooking. I picked up a copy of The Paris Wife by Paula McLain. I noticed that the covers are much different in Canada and the UK from the U.S. cover and in my opinion, prettier. Which one do you prefer?

 UK Cover

 Canadian Cover

U.S. Cover

Have a great week and don't forget to participate in the Dr. Perricone Giveaway below!

(images via Decorista, Vogue and Coffee, Cul de Sac and Amazon)

Happy Friday+Shopbop Giveaway!!

It's Friday, Spring is almost here and my novel, J'Adore New York, is about to come out in a mass paperback edition so I am celebrating all of this great news with another $100 Shopbop certificate giveaway!!

Why not treat yourself to a fabulous new shoulder bag?

A stunning evening clutch by Whiting & Davis

A pouch by Joy Gryson 

Or simply something lovely from Shopbop on sale? 

Simply become a follower of this blog, leave a comment, and add this giveaway on your twitter or Facebook page.

For additional entries, add my book link to your twitter post.

Good luck mes amies! ( the winner will be announced next week.)

(images Mango spring via french frosting and flickr)

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