Memoirs of an NYC shopping spree!

Picking up a Hermes scarf for the mother in law… very classy lady…

Some gorgeous nude open toe patent Louboutin pumps for myself…

Ahhh… in NYC they have an actual Louboutin store – no messin‘ around!

The excitement of the shoe shop!

Strollin‘ the meatpacking district on my way to my absolute favorite – Diane Von Furstenburg!

The lush Bergdorf window… WoW!

If there was ever heaven on earth… it would most definitely be the shoe section in Saks… Believe it or not I actually had to take a time-out in the bathroom to recompose myself.

Nothing feels better after a day of hittin‘ the shops than these delicious martini’s – courtesy of the Oriental Mandarin Hotel bar… delish!

Intricate Beauty

The GORGEOUS Agyness Deyn seems to be taking over the fashion world alongside conquering every look she comes across! This girls face is so striking it seems she can pull absolutely anything off!

Agyness played muse to Jean Paul Gaulthier for his launch of new perfume “MaDame”, which he mixed in her spirit. Young daring and beautiful.

We just can’t get enough!

Shopaholic?

So tell me ladies, has the recession sent you into a fashion shock? Here in Montreal is most definitely not as bad as in the States right now – so sometimes it can be hard to relate. What have you traded for financial piece of mind during these hard times? Your usual Starbucks latte? Those Manolo’s you croon over every season? What about cutting down on restaurants?

Although the media makes it seem like all these cutbacks are hurting our lifestyles, don’t you think they may actually be enhancing them? Think about it. When was the last time you just stayed home and really relaxed? Enjoyed all the previous items you’ve bought in the past and indulged in a spa night? Had a beautifully home cooked meal with your significant other? Cuddled with your dog or cat? Read a book for that matter?!

The media has been so great at brainwashing all of us into consuming everything we come across that maybe we have forgotten what it’s really like to LIVE. Spending time, not moments with people we love instead of collecting an assortment of “items”. Yes they are beautiful and give you a little spring in your step, but at the end of the day they really aren’t anything more than glamorous marketing schemes whisking us away.

Stop. Smell the roses. Take this amazing opportunity to rediscover who you are and what you like that has absolutely no association to money. The problem with our society now is that we have gotten too used to the “keeping up with the Joneses” lifestyle. Accumulating things to make us look and feel shinier. The truth is though, we can’t afford it! We run in circles trying to get promotions and credit cards, loans and mortgages that never seem to end and that only land a ton of weight on our shoulders. Stress! I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that where stress lives, disease breeds. Try to cut down. Maybe we all don’t need cable television, the latest cell phone, or the largest house. From the famous mouth of Notorious B.I.G. – “The more money we come across, the more problems we see”. Take it as some very wise advice.

Indulge every once and a while, but take on a European way of life – live. Things will only ever be things. Health, happiness and love is what you should be striving towards.

Oh la Dita!

Born Heather Sweet, this sweetfaced blonde from West Branch Michigan transformed herself into the daringly sexy and provocative Dita Von Teese. Bringing back the style of old hollywood, she is always presented in public with utter elegance and pristine perfection. A true fashionista if I may say so – playing muse to a wide array of fashion designers such as Marc Jacobs, John Galliano, Jean-Paul Gaulthier and Zac Posen. Attending events in numbers snatched off the runways presented merely days before.

Performing her classic martini glass burlesque show from London England to Los Angeles, this girl is the cats meow of the burlesque world! Known for her head to toe outfits encrusted with hundreds if not thousands of Swarovski crystals she is well known for her shows at hot designers events (Christian Louboutin, Louis Vuitton, Chopard and Roland Mouret). Also a spokesperson for MAC Viva Glam, she is a proud supporter of the HIV/AIDS cause.

Dita’s beautiful two-sided book “Burlesque – Art of the Teese” (both burlesque fashions and bondage) is available on-line on her website – SIGNED! Gorgeous color photos of Dita in many of her glamourous fashions and fetishistic getups… Makes a great gift and re-inspires the sex kitten in all of us!

http://www.ditasdomain.com/sweets/misc.php?sid=0&moreinfo=1&code=DITAO0018

Bug Beauty

Behind the Scenes Photoshoot

Our beautiful model Marine from Montage modelling agency Montreal

The spacious loft set

My mess of a makeup kit 😉

The feisty and intriguing Dominique! Bold is this girls middle name – love it!

Marine in one of her shots.

Visit http://www.barriemacleod.com/ for more shots from this awesome Montreal – based photographer!

Fashion by Katrin Leblond

http://www.katrinleblond.com/

Treat yourself Right

Sometimes we all need to slow down and take care of ourselves. When we are feeling low in spirit, drained of energy and on the verge of getting sick we realize our priorities. We take our time, take that long comforting bubble bath or boost our immunity with an extra dose of vitamins. We need to be taken care of – to preserve ourselves amongst all the world’s everyday chaos. To keep our engines well fueled and running smoothly. We gravitate towards the more comfortable and functional items of our wardrobes and eat the foods from our childhoods that always soothed our ailments.

This post is to remind everyone out there that your health is the most important thing you can possess. If you have love and health in your life, I truly beleive you are amongst the wealthiest. Us fashionistas seem to be especially masochistic when it comes to our bodies – curling eyelashes, bikini waxes, facial extractions, need I say more?

Take a break. Let your body recover. Get out those awesome very in style “boyfriend jeans” and match it with layers of comfy clothing and pick up a book. Listen to music that offers wisdom and awesome beats. Rejuvinate yourself with an all over body scrub. Get those eight hours of sleep and enjoy hydrating your body with those eight glasses of water a day. Reward your body for never letting you down and putting up with all your infamous skyscraper heels!

The more you treat yourself to healthy decisions, the more beautiful and natural you will feel. The best part though, is definately that luminosity that seems to shine off of the well pampered and pruned amongst us 😉

Become one of those very coveted people.

To health!

Parisian Promises

What is it about french fashion? Ahhhhh… although I know it may be my biggest fashion crime, I have never been to Paris! This most definitely has to change, but in the meantime I will continue to dream of that certain “Je ne sais quoi“… What is it about french women that seem so meticulous and divine? My french ideology is an absolutely classic yet frivolous ensemble of style that leaves me yearning to dress in feathers, crushed velvet and sling a sexy black quilted leather handbag over my shoulder (sigh). A succulent lifestyle full of beauty and intellect… not to mention some delicious rich food 😉

Ahhhh… till that day I will continue to imagine myself parked on a terasse in a cobblestone villa sipping my bowl of cafe latte in my grey suede studded louboutins. Paris and I were made for each other!

Till next time I bid you all adieu!

Come back down to earth please…

Alright, here comes a fashionista vent!!! As much as I love and adore all things beauty and fashion, I just can’t understand all those folks out there that are defined by it. How many times have we all met girls (and guys) out there that think that they are better than you cause their style is pimpin‘? Now I understand when you look good your confidence soars, but c’mon now, no need to be a bitch about it! Over my years working in fashion situations I can’t help but notice every time all them foul fashionista’s are in my presence! It really drives me mad! Their rudeness and cockiness is truly uncalled for. Please y’all – anyone can buy nice shoes and look good, but a sour personality isn’t as easily fixed.

Girls! Please be genuine and let fashion be your fantasy – not what makes you who you are! Anyways, a great pair of Manolo’s always look better when your wearing your signature smile with them 🙂

xox – Thanks!

Makeup Inspiration – Find your style!

What can I say? The winged liquid liner look is an absolute classic!

Made ya look pink

Sophisticated detailling

Bronze Outline

Checkerboard Modern

Ladies ladies ladies! Makeup is meant to have fun with and expose all your inner personalities! Don’t be afraid to experiment and step outside of the box!