San Diego & Street Art

When I was in California, Hubby and I went to San Diego, where Hubs had a little business to attend, leaving me to my own devices. First stop: the Museum of Contemporary Art! Since I appeared to be the only visitor there, I decided to start up a conversation with the staff. Turns out, like me, they were street art enthusiasts. They were kind enough to draw me a city map, where I spotted some awesome pieces. Check it out: 

Here is a small ceramic piece I found by the French artist Invader in downtown San Diego.

 

 

Top: Shepard Fairey & Invader / Bottom: Vhils & a faded wheat paste by Os Gemeos

Sunny Disposition

Oh yeah... Did I mention that I’m the luckiest girl alive and that I recently spent a week in the heavenly state of California? Truth be told, I’ve never travelled as much as this year – I feel both giddy and blessed at the idea. Since fall/winter has so quickly washed over Montreal, it was fun to pack my summer brights before storing them for good and feel the sun on my snow-white skin once again.

 

1. I dare you to name one other tree that can brighten up your day like a palm tree / 2. Welcome to California! Wearing my silver bangles on the plane and my summery Isabelle May bracelet / 3. On trend with Song nail polish by Butter London / 4. Hubby and I’s first stop: yup, In-n-Out! I couldn’t wait to take a bite of my burger before snapping this shot.

Three weeks

Did you miss me, dear PartyMixTape readers? Oh, I missed you! But since my wonderful friend Dominique took over during my three weeks off, I know you were in good hands. That’s right: I’ve been traveling with my Hubby. We flew in to Amsterdam in early August, jetting off to Bremen for a crazy-fun German wedding, took a train to meet up with one of our good friends in Berlin, headed to Prague and finished in Munich. What a whirlwind trip! Here are a few pics:

 

1. Giving myself an orange pedi while packing (nail polish on your toes is a must!) / 2. View from Prague’s Old Town Hall. Meters below, we saw Prague’s famous Astronomical Clock. In the distance, here is The Church of Our Lady before Tyn, which dates back to the 14th century / 3. Hub’s epic burger at BARROCK / 4. Me, standing in front of the Berlinische Galerie, Berlin’s Modern art museum.

 

 

1. While in Berlin, our friend Isabeau decided to introduce us to the city’s “underground lifestyle.” To this effect, we visited numerous squat houses… my initial reaction was “Hum. Hello? I’m too cute for this!” But the memories of these eccentric graffiti-covered buildings are some of my favourite / 2. To enter the Reichstag building, Berlin’s parliament, you must go through more security than the airport! However, the breathtaking 360-degree view of Berlin’s cityscape is well worth it / 3. The Neuschwanstein Castle, two hours away from Munich / 4. Sausage. I’ve eaten enough for the next ten years. For obvious reasons, this picture is hilarious. Hubby says it would be rude to say why. Let me just say a *muffled haha.* 

 

After three weeks away, it’s good to be back! More posts to come soon!

Shoe Issues

This summer, I am planning a three week trip to Germany. Hubby and I have our plane tickets booked and hotels lined up. Although this is nothing short of amazing, I am worried about one thing: shoes. Without fail, I always pack too many. Sandals, sneakers, high heels, flip flops: you name it; I’ve got it in my suitcase. This weekend, I went for a two-night trip to Ottawa and packed three pairs. You see the problem? I vow to make things different – but I need your help! In your opinion, how many pairs would be a reasonable amount?  

1. TOMS in orange and white / 2. Tory Burch Bernadine wedges / 3. Valentino Rockstud kitten heels / 4. Missoni flat espadrilles in Coral Wave / 5. RADA beaded gladiators / 6. Tory Burch raffia logo ballerinas in blue / 7. Michael Kors white Vivian cork wedge slingbacks / 8. Rebecca Minkoff Baha sandals in neon / 9. Michael Kors Reichow sandals / 10. Jimmy Choo Nova glittered leather slingbacks / 11. TKEES Zincs flip flops in neon orange

I'm back

I’m back from New York! Although I’m a little disappointed to find Montreal so chilly and grey, it’s good to be back with Hubby. That being said, my trip with the girls was nothing short of amazing. A whole five days of walking, shopping, talking, shopping, eating and museums: I was in heaven! New York’s classic Easter Parade, a Cindy Sherman solo exhibition at MoMA and fantastic sunny weather made the trip that much greater.

One thing is certain: after walking the streets of NYC, I was all the more convinced that a lot more colour needed to be added to my wardrobe. I thus filled my suitcase with green pants, an orange silk blouse, two shades of tangerine lipstick, all sorts of floral patterns and an assortment of statement necklaces. On my arrival to the airport, they marked my bag with a large green tag which read: “ATTENTION: HEAVY.” (Yup, that’s how I roll.) ...Did you read my post about packing? Live and learn people! Pack less. Pack a lot less. Because you will need the room when you return!

I also wanted to thank you all for your suggestions via blogspot, twitter and facebook. I tried to follow as many as I could. I have to admit that the shopping in SoHo was EPIC. The food was out of this world: the TAO, Le Cirque and Becco did not disappoint. This week, I promise to post a few pictures of our trip – so stay tuned.  

Get some colour in your wardrobe! Image via

Packing

Tonight, I’m excitedly packing for my trip! The girls and I have shared numerous phone calls and emails asking:  “What are you wearing to the club?”  “How many pairs of shoes are you packing?”  “Do I take my big suitcase or my really big suitcase?”  For all you travellers, here is my short-ish list of things to pack for a five-day trip to NYC.  (Why bother packing too much when you are travelling to Shopping-Heaven?)

-          1 coat

-          1 scarf

-          1 blazer

-          1 pair of jeans

-          2 party tops (these should work for both day and night)

-          1 party dress (I’m lying – who packs one? What if the other one is cuter on you that day? We are entitled to freedom of choice, no?)

-          3 tank tops or T-shirts

-          2 sweaters

-          1 pair of flats

-          1 pair of high heels

-          1 pair of flat boots

-          A largish purse

-          An evening clutch

-          1 umbrella (the rule of thumb is: pack an umbrella and it won’t rain.)  

-          Jewelry

-          Undergarments (People, don’t be stingy. I once went on a camping trip and didn’t pack enough underwear. Don’t let it happen to you. The moral of this story is: don’t go camping.)

From right to left, top to bottom: Stella McCartney Missy Organic Wool Coat / Stella McCartney Hawaiian printed scarf / Alexander McQueen mid-rise straight leg jean / Zara graded shopper / Steve Madden jazie oxfords / Kenneth Jay Lane Blue Enamel Circle Necklace / 3.1 Phillip Lim Shoulder Pleat T-Shirt / THE ROW 'Pablo Picasso' sweater / Topshop Black Boyfriend Blazer / Jimmy Choo / Nine West Mariola boot / 3.1 Phillip Lim Fur Print Silk Shirt / Burburry umbrella / Sparkle Spade Bow Clutch by Kate Spade / White + Warren Poncho Sweatshirt / Michael Kors Delight Knit Sleeveless Vest Top / Stella McCartney Hawaiian printed silk shirt / Marc by Marc Jacobs Paloma Silk Crepe Self Belt Dress

New York, New York

I’ve been fortunate to visit New York City several times. But I want my trip with the girls to be extra special. We’ve reserved at Le Cirque, scheduled in a trip to MoMa, the Guggenheim, a walk on the High Lines, hopefully a lunch at the Standard Grill, and of course a *little* shopping on 5^th avenue. Do you have any suggestions to help make this trip epic?

Escape to Paris

‘Tis the season when I start to get antsy and want to escape the last bits of cold. I can’t complain since I’ll soon be in NYC with the girls and then jetting off to Germany with Hubby. But don’t you just wish you could fly to Paris for the weekend, shop, eat some cheese, drink some wine and come back in time for Monday? I know I do. Here’s what I’m packing in my imaginary suitcase:

1. Nine West / 2. Sonia Kyriel / 3. Make it Happen / 4. Asos / 5. Revlon Lip Gloss / 6. Sonia Kyriel / 7. Nordstrom Tasha Floral Bangles / 8. Irene Neuwirth Mint Chrysoprase teardrop earrings with pave diamonds, a whooping 10,000.00$ / 9. Valentino / 10. Equipment blouse / 11. Deborah Lippmann, Girls Just Want to Have Fun / 12. H&M pants, less than 20.00$!

Spade Love

I’ve been feeling very Kate Spade-y this last month. Perhaps it’s my upcoming trip to New York with the girls that has me dreaming of spending some money! Check out these images and you’ll understand why I’m lusting over the new collection.

via

via

via

Happy Valentine's Day!

Credits go to Atlantic-Pacific – wearing a wonderful pink tulip dress from Zara / Cookie cutting and ribbon images are from Cupcakes & Cashmere / Pink roses from Damask & Dentelle / Text from Ornamelle / All others from my Pinterest