Montreal

  • September 3rd, 2010

    Word on the Street: The 2nd Annual Vitamin Victionary

    Just in time for back-to-school, we've compiled a list of our favourite words and catchphrases—this round is sure to make Oxford's next edition.

    Eat Pray Loved (v.): The act of leaving one's spouse to embark on an Oprah-approved journey of self-enlightment (may include an independence party, book club and ashram)
    Usage: Did you hear about Sally and Paul? She eat, pray, loved him!

    Tweethearts (n.): Couples who are infatuated with each other over Twitter but whose relationship would never exist in real life.
    Usage: I hope my boyfriend doesn’t mind that I’m spending all weekend flirting with my tweetheart.

    The jardigan (n.): When a jacket and cardigan meet—surely more staying power than jeggings?
    Usage: If his jardigan weren’t cashmere I wouldn’t have taken it. But I just can’t resist good Scottish cashmere.

    Bagacitis (n.): A reoccurring inflammation of the shoulder and upper arm area as a result of carrying a heavy handbag.
    Usage: Just the thought of the It Bag being back in style has made my bagacitis flare up.

    For more Vitamin Daily coinage, click here.

     

  • September 3rd, 2010

    All Dolled Up

    Sure she’s daddy’s little girl, but it’s your closet that Little Miss Dress Up raids come playtime.

    Spare the Loeffler Randall sandals, but spoil her inner Rachel Zoe, with Dace Paper Dolls. A collaboration with Philadelphia fashion illustrator Dallas Shaw, the doll and the fall 2010 Dace fashions to dress it with are a free download. The first look featuring a knit dress, ankle booties and a billowy jacket is now online, and more will follow in the next couple of months.

    Suddenly saying “cut that out” sounds so obliging.

    www.dace.ca

  • September 2nd, 2010

    In a New York Minute

    For a bit of fall fun, take yourself on a long weekend to Manhattan, the city that never sleeps.

    do
    Whether it’s your first trip or your fifth, launch your big apple adventure with a stop at the sleek NYC Information Centre. Use interactive touch-screen maps to get local celeb recommendations or create itineraries that can be emailed to your phone. 810 Seventh Ave., New York City, www.nycgo.com

    shop
    We squealed with delight upon discovering vintage-inspired dresses (from $178) at James Coviello. This girlie boutique on the LES carries soft floral numbers that hint at a time when swingy skirts and hourglass figures were the very definition of subtle sex bomb. 70 Orchard St., New York City, 212-695-0842, www.jamescoviello.com

    sleep
    The four-poster beds are divine but you won’t want to sleep at the new Gansevoort Park Avenue. More midtown chic than its Meatpacking sister, it has six bars, a heated roof top pool and spacious rooms with step-out balconies. Order cocktails and nibbles from your assigned iPod GPS and staff will track you down on any floor. And for trips around town, dial up the hotel’s chauffeur-driven Porsche Panamera. How 21st century. Rooms from $325, 420 Park Avenue S., New York City, 877-830-9889, www.gansevoortpark.com

    eat
    We love Sachiko’s On Clinton for traditional Kushiage made from crisp, panko-breaded beef, chicken or veggies served on skewers ($24/10). Sit in the back garden or in view of the restaurant’s striking David Hockney collage. If you’re lucky, Sachiko herself might bring out a bottle of sparkling Nama Sake from behind the bar. 25 Clinton St., New York City, 212-253-2900, www.sachikosonclinton.com

     

  • September 1st, 2010

    Symphony in the City

    Catch one last outdoor concert before summer flies the way of the Canada Goose.

    The Montreal Symphony Orchestra is launching its 2010-2011 season with a free open-air event featuring music by Strauss, Stravinski and Gershwin. An homage to Haiti, the show takes place in front of the MSO’s future l’Adresse Symphonique home with narration by Quebec writer Dany Laferrière and performances by Luck Mervil and Cirque Eloize. 

    That all sounds fab but we’ll be focused on the sexy flip of Kent Nagano’s hair as he waves the baton.

    7 p.m. September 2, on the Parterre of the Quartier des Spectacles, Montreal, 514-842-9951, www.osm.ca

  • August 31st, 2010

    What Joe Knows

    We love re-stocking our fridge while re-vamping our wardrobe, but sometimes we need some fashion focus.

    Joe Fresh's new 14,500 square-foot freestanding Studio is a jewel to behold. Housed in the stately Jean-Talon train station, it carries women’s, men’s and kid’s togs that had us feeling decidedly single-minded. We spotted a grey silk blouse ($39), matching mom-and-daughter motorcycle jackets ($49/$29), black stretch capris ($16), and a delicate pink lace bra ($16).

    Put them all together and we’ll be multi-tasking in style.

    Joe Fresh Studio, 395 Jean Talon St. W., Montreal, www.joe.ca
    See photos from the store opening today on our Editors' Diary.