Around my closet having a flashback

Hello everyone! Did you read Monday's post about what has been going on in and around my closet?

As I mentioned there, I have been thinking about starting this series for a long time, and in a response to that post a few people asked why. My two biggest source of inspirations have been the beautifully illustrated series that chronicles the life at Jenny's house, and Of A Kind's 10 things newsletter (if you have not signed up for it, point your mouse here immediately! It is one of the few emails I eagerly wait for to reach my Inbox). I find it is great to have a summary of what's going on with my favourite bloggers' life, so here is my shot to give you a glimpse into mine.

I just came across this draft post from last May, which was supposed to be the first one (aaarghh!). I found myself smiling because since my baby boy's birth last year time has really flown by, so these snippets bring me back to my long gone maternity leave and my early concerns about my post-pregnancy style.

Anyway, this is the flashback to what was going on around my closet then:

• Assessing new purchases and rediscovering old favourites (thank goodness, there are a few things that still fit me)

• Establishing, once and for all, that pink is not my favourite colour

• Falling in love over and over with my new white Zara tee

• Fitting again into my Aspesi puffer, perfect for the upcoming soccer season

• Developing a coffee addiction à la Lorelai Girlmore

I am particularly nostalgic about the Girlmore Girls' reference because that's the one thing I associate with my maternity leave -- while breastfeeding my son during his first few months of life I got to watch the entire series again. Good times.

Around my closet in 8 days

Hello everyone! What have you been up to lately besides freezing to death? (If you have been on a beach vacation, please have pity and do not share with us popsicles though)

Last week I did not go to Alt Summit. I had (kind of) made my peace with it even (you may remember it is one of my dreams to attend since I started blogging). But that was before I realized via Gabrielle's Instagram feed that I missed, among other things, the presentation of Garance Dorè. Just one of my favorite fashion bloggers. BIGGIE. So I spent the rest of the week fantasizing about attending Alt Summit in New York (which is much closer to Montreal than Salt Lake City), before my husband crashed that dream too by telling that he is going to a conference every weekend in June.

Anyway, aside from being bummed out about Alt Summit (and let's not even talk about the shmorthex), this is what has been going on in and around my closet last week:

• Thanks to the latest round of the gastro we all came down with last weekend, wearing more and more of my own (pre-pregnancy) clothes.

• Thanks to the latest round of the gastro we all came down with last weekend, feeling like the title of this new book -- which I am most definitely reading next.

• Smiling at these 10 things all new moms should remember. And these ones, too.

• Getting inspired by Paris Fashion Week about how to wear red and pink for Valentine's Day.

• Tossing also the second cashmere sweater I got (just because it was on sale) from Joe Fresh, and dropping the moderate tone of my last review: stay away! Their quality is really poor.

P.S. I wanted to start this series since last year but never got around to it… I hope you like it!

This is the end

Hello everyone! Have you shopped the sales?

If you haven't, you do not have much time left, and you'll need a lot of patience. All sales have been pretty much picked out, but it is not too late to score a good deal. Yesterday I entertained myself by taking a look around downtown Montreal while my car was being repaired. If you have little time, I suggest you hit two places: Holt Renfrew and The Bay.

The sales at Holt Renfrew will be over on Monday. All sale merchandise has been moved to a small section on the third floor. Think very small. But you can get lucky: I spotted an elegant pair of taupe Jimmy Choos with jewelled points for 300$, a Brunello Cucinelli top with embellished shoulders for 200$, and an Armani ink blue cashmere sweater for 300$ (down from 1500$, believe or not). Rag & Bone famous pilot tote is 300$, but only in the military green suede version.

The Bay will be continuing its sales for a while longer, but there is a much larger selection. Think about spending a long time because brands and styles are all mixed up.
Happy shopping!


Photo: Holt Renfrew.

You know you have a problem when...

Hello everyone! What is the one thing you obsess about?

Admitting you have a problem is the first step towards getting over it right? So here I go. I am a handbag fanatic. (I realize now that you may have figured it out already since posts about handbags --like this one, this one, or this one that is an all-time favorite among readers--are a recurrent item on this blog.)

After Santa brought me not one but three bags, I found myself lusting over this Alexander Wang's number (styled by Margo & Me in the pictures) when it popped on The Outnet. And I have not yet returned this Saint Laurent's copycat to Zara. (Which I bought just--ya, right--to show my mom the exact shade of grey I liked while she was hunting for my Christmas present.)

There. That's my problem. Maybe I should start a series of posts about handbags. What do you think?

Under my tree

Hello everyone! What did Santa bring you?

I was blessed to receive not one, but three bags. The Chloé Marcie cross body (my mom's gift) speaks for itself, so let me share my enthusiasm for this Elizabeth and James's iPhone wristlet.

In spite of the (too) many handbags I own, lately I find myself not carrying anything but my phone, keys and credit card. Generally stuffed in my pockets (gasp). Whatever it is too blame for this state of affairs (the kids, the winter puffy jackets, you name it), I started searching for a wristlet. 

I owned one by Michael Kors a few years ago (similar to this one), and I liked it, but it was unpractical to have to keep the phone stuck in there and answer calls while holding it to my hear. I wanted a wristlet where I could fit the phone in its case, and take it out easily when needed. Michael Kors now has one that would fit this requirement but it is a bit, well, boring. On the contrary, this Elizabeth and James is made of a sturdy and luscious leather, and has such a fashionable strap! I have been using it for a month now and I am super-happy about it. Recommended!

P.S. I am trying to keep up with my blogging Saturday (remember my New Year's resolution?), even though this weekend the gastro has hit us hard. I have to say that, even though I still feel awful, just getting out of the house for a couple of hours has been the best medicine...

On the oxygen mask

Hello everyone! How often do you get some time for yourself?

I wish I remember where I read this parenting advice that has really stuck with me. Sometimes, as they instruct you to do on a plane in case of emergency, you got to put on your oxygen mask first, and then help others. Alias: it is ok to take time off to breathe. It makes you a better person and a better parent.

This is what I am reminding myself now that I am sitting at the gym while my baby is at the gym's daycare. On a Saturday morning, after having spent the whole week at his regular daycare, 8 am to 4 pm. I wish I could be a lovely human being during the weekend, and breeze through the mountain of household chores that pile up throughout the week while gracefully entertaining my 7-years and my 11-months old. Truth is: in the past three months I have gotten a three-hours stretch of sleep at best, the demands of my job have been increasing, my husband has been traveling, and I got no holiday refresh. I am EXHAUSTED. As much as I try not to (it is my top New Year's resolutions), I use "the tone" (as we call it) with my son way too much, and for too little things. I am cranky and I get upset at the speed of light.

I need a tank of oxygen. I am just hoping these two hours at the gym will be enough.


Photo: A different perspective by Charles Gullung (via mom filter).

Happy New Year!

Hello everyone and Happy New Year!

Believe it or not, I started writing this post on Christmas Eve. I wanted to explain to you that I was going to be busy during the break, and thus to wish you Happy Holidays, see you in January. I was so busy that I did not even get around to post the "Sorry I am busy" post.

Here we are. The holidays are over. YESTERDAY I started teaching. Boy, where has last year gone to? Last time I checked I was eight months pregnant, and compulsively eating oranges with balsamic vinegar. Now my younger son is ten eleven months old, and against all odds I have shed most of the baby weight.

My parents have been able to come and spend the holidays with us. Even though my dad strained his back badly at the beginning of January, and my mom has not yet recovered from her broken elbow, they arrived on my birthday and they left three days ago. After almost six months of separation, our family Christmas was a really happy one even in spite of the awful weather, which forced us all inside the house the entire time they were here. Precisely because they were not in full health, I had an increased workload. I did not read books or magazines. I did mountains of laundry. I did not dress up, and most of the time did not get dressed out of my pyjama at all. The baby contributed to the general hectiness by switching to worse and worse sleeping habits.

As we were playing Trivia Pursuit waiting for the new year, I came to the realization of what a mess I am. I can never find my home keys (yesterday I had to go and camp at the nearby Chinese restaurant with the kids while waiting for my husband to get home and open the door for us). I lost my mom's ATM card. Bills have been piling up (did I mention the police stopped me a few days ago because I was a month late renewing my driver's license?).

2014 calls for an intervention. I begun by forcing some structure upon myself. Saturday mornings will be my "me" time to decompress. Mondays will be my stay-at-home days to tackle house projects. Wednesdays will be spent at my downtown office working on a large research project that is due in February. All other days will be my regular working days, which I will try to start with a gym session.

The plan is simple but feels ambitious at the same time. Will I make it?