The French effect

Hello everyone! We all know that French is in, but have you ever found yourself lusting over a Celine or Saint Laurent handbag?

If you have (I know I did for sure), and you do not have the budget for it (I know I do not for sure), fear no more. The French effect is in full swing. The majority of handbags out there today have been taken over by Phoebe Philo's induced minimalism in the form of sticking out corners, fluid leather (or leather look-a-like), and small printing. I am not just talking Zara here.

Take totes, for instance, which are always a good choice for spring and summer. Lululemon Carry Me Om tote will fit all your needs, essentials, and even SS14 sporty trend. Banana Republic Ashbury tote will be perfect for work and pleasure, and it comes and a lots of colours and patterns. Indigo Becky Pebbled Tote will not break the bank (and it is now even on sale). I personally lust over BCBGeneration Wilson Tote in grey (if it wasn't for the fact I have too many black handbags, in black too). No matter what you choose, at less than 200$ any one of these options will give that je ne said quoi without depleting your kids' college fund...


Photo: Celine.

Olympics fashion

Hello everyone! Have you been following the Sochi Olympics?

I am not a big sports fan, but I deeply enjoy watching figure skating at the Winter Olympics (do we want to talk about the commanding power of black worn by the Russian couple last week?). I also entertain myself with -- you guessed -- Olympics fashion.

If you feel like supporting this great country, this time you do not have to sacrifice style. Although they have not sold out like some of the pieces from the uniforms designed by Ralph Lauren for the American team, The Hudson's Bay nailed it. I particularly like the absence of giant logos and the sleek appeal of the reversible quilted jacket and the fleece pants, both of which one could wear even after they Olympics are over without seeming ridiculous (plus, they are both reasonably prices at 150 and 60 CAD, respectively).

P.S. My favorite ensembles are Lacoste's uniforms for France though, but maybe because the grey jackets had me salivating... (you know, me and grey).


Photo: The Globe and Mail.

Pink or red for St Valentine's Day?

Hello everyone and Happy St Valentine's Day! Did you wear pink or red today?

My older son has the day off school, so we had a slow start this morning that was the best gift (considering the baby is still not letting me sleep much... waiting for the tide to turn now that he is one years old any time though, right?). My husband went out to get croissants and I did not have to care about the dirty dishes from last night because this morning my housekeeper is coming. Bliss.

Somehow, this year I also decided to go the whole nine yards and dress thematically. Heart-embossed iPhone case: check. Love bracelet: check. Cruciani heart bracelet: check. Pink sweater: check. Yes, pink. Maybe because pink has been popping everywhere at NYFW. Maybe because pink is the colour for spring (Neiman Marcus has a few styling suggestions -- I like, especially that IRO white jacket and J Brand fuchsia cutoff shorts combo). Whatever the inspiration, I realized that for someone who does not consider pink to be her favourite colour, I seem to have an impressive array of clothing in this hue.

But it is this little Zara bag that has been giving me the deepest satisfaction today. Coral red with pink piping and a French touch, made of a saffiano leather look-a-like material that feels as true as the original. Voilà!

P.S. In case you are team red, you may want to snag this awesome red Fendi baguette over at Yoox!

Happy National Sweater Day!

Hello everyone! Did you know that today was National Sweater Day in Canada?

Every year, WWF-Canada call on Canadians to put on a fun sweater and turn down the thermostats by two degrees Celsius on February 6 to support energy conservation and action on climate change. People can also contribute donations, which show up as "stitches" on the fun sweater posted on the WWF-Canada dedicated website.

Lacking a fun sweater, I celebrated by wearing a grey Equipment cashmere sweater, my latest score in the hunt for cheap-yet-lasting cashmere. Not one, but two debacles with Joe Fresh's cashmere have made me push the envelope a bit -- on the path traced by Garance Doré, no less, who indicated that Equipment could be her sweater dealer.

One wash and not too many wears later, the jury is still out on this one. I will keep you posted.

Off the street

Hello everyone! Have you started following New York Fashion Week?

Maybe I should have asked: have you started following Fashion Week street style? Because, as we all know, the fashion industry has turned street style into a business of its own. I won't deny that I am guilty, too, of drooling over Miroslava Duma's latest ensemble. But in occasion of NYFW I want to draw your attention away from the beaten path, to the rest of my fashion icons, rigorously off the (main) street. 

From the top: Gabrielle Blair, who rocks an amazing jacket at Alt Summit; Joslyn Taylor in one of her deconstructed outfits; one of my favourite ensembles of the blogger behind The Lilac Pages (the one that has made me develop a yet unfulfilled obsession for Maison Scotch); and Sara Strand in the best rendition of the black ankle boots.

P.S. More looks I love on Pinterest.

Memories from plus two degrees

Hello everyone! Did you have a fun weekend?

Around here the thermometer finally hit temperatures in the "plus", so we spared no minute and spent almost the entire time outside. The great thing about living in Montreal is that it is surprisingly easy to feel like you are on a mountain vacation just by driving five minutes to the Mount Royal. The newly redesigned Beaver's Lake has all you need for skating, sledding, and resting in between with food and a cup of hot chocolate.

The down side of living in Montreal is that winters can be brutal. I am back hibernating now...