Canadian fashionistas always have their finger on the pulse of Montreal, our mecca of flâneuses and incredible shopping. Opening their first store outside of Quebec, the sartorially revered Simons is setting up shop at West Edmonton Mall.

Carefully curated with collections international designs like Missoni, the Edmonton store will also carry Simon’s signature private label of apparel and home decor. Our must-have for fall is the Twik Asymmetric Cocoon Sweater ($88) – just the right item to layer up on cooler days.

Like the landmark Quebec stores, the Alberto location has a creative, architecture-focused milieu. Renown Canadian architect Philip Beesley has installed a glass cube filled with crystalline columns that respond to human movement, creating an astonishing soft light sculpture that reflects throughout the store.

Your shopping experience is going to completely change after visiting Simons. —Kait Kucy

Simons, West Edmonton Mall, 2nd Level, www.simons.ca

So Pretty, Cotter's line of one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry is catching the eye  of accessory junkies all over Canada.

With a seemingly neverending selection of rings, bracelets, earrings and pendants, So Pretty is presented in three main collections: Pixel, GumDrop and Flutter. Discover which of three matches your style personality.

A standout piece is the minimalist Gold Pixel Necklace ($111). Throw it on with a simple white T-shirt and jeans and you'll be rocking the weekend chic look like it ain't no thang.—Kait Kucy

So Pretty Jewelry by Cara Cotter, 780-875-1457, www.sopretty.ca

It’s official! J.Crew has opened its doors in Alberta.

While we might still be longing for a shop in Calgary, the gorgeous new Edmonton store is worth the trip. The third store to open across Canada, the YEG store carries only women’s clothing and accessories. And at almost 6,000 square feet that is a lot of fashion inspiration.

According to Tom Mora, VP of Women’s Design at J.Crew, three pieces every woman should have in her closet this spring and summer are:

Coloured Denim.
Light Pop-over Sweaters.
Patterned Tops.

Now, start turning heads. —Kait Kucy

J.Crew, West Edmonton Mall- Suite 2566, 8882 170th St., Level Two, Phase III, 780-484-1590, www.jcrew.com

It’s not a panini. It’s Press’d.

Exclusive to Edmonton, Press’d The Sandwich Company has opened its second location in the Courtyard Block on bustling Jasper Ave. The brainchild of three former University of Alberta varsity basketball players (and yes, there is a Golden Bear sandwich on their hot press’d menu), this healthy little deli has one-upped Subway times three, and introduced local, unique ingredients on a selection of breads baked the morning-of (choose from pumpernickel rye, focaccia, wheat or white), paired with zesty, homemade soups (like the Cream of Potato with Bacon or Tomato Bisque) and flavourful salads with a crunch (like the Broccoli Crunch, that is).

Now, if only their made-to-order sandwiches were made-to-order everywhere. Subway should be feeling the press’ure. —Caroline Gault

Half sandwich ($4.49) or full ($7.49), Press’d The Sandwich Company, Courtyard Block, 11214 Jasper Ave.,
Edmonton, 780-756-5707, www.pressdsandwiches.ca

Hang onto your heads, Edmonton’s historic Garneau Theatre is going nowhere fast, and Metro Cinema is the new star of the show.

With a line-up of indie flicks, cross-Canada touring films and retro movies as old as the theatre’s 1940 doors, Metro plans to host interactive events, bring in film directors for premieres (meet the filmmakers of The Future is Now! on August 12th) and blend the best in recent local shorts with Japanese fare from the '60s.

And if you’re into gore, mark your Metro calendar with August’s DEDfest 2011 for kung-fu masterpieces and an underground horror fête you’d never thought you’d see on the big screen. Only now you can.

Screenings start August 5th, while the official grand opening weekend will be held September 16-18.
—Caroline Gault

Metro Cinema, Garneau Theatre, 8712-109 St.,
 Edmonton, 780-425-9212, www.metrocinema.org

We’ve already blogged about the grand opening, but can’t hold back on the details.

Fresh off a six month-and-going-strong stretch in Vancouver, the hugely popular OAK + FORT has arrived on Edmonton’s premier boutique shopping strip, Whyte Avenue, replacing the Eden Lily flower shop with white walls and gorgeous garments.

Proudly Edmonton-owned (that goes for the Vancity shop, too), O + F keeps a rotation of freelance designers amidst a steadfast few in-house, ensuring a majority of their items stay under the $200 mark and are decidedly hard to resist.

Find draped jackets, silk tunics, soft tees, crochet sweaters, dreamy lace and rock star jewellery (from $10 and up) by their eponymous label, as well as leather goods by Korean line, Six Degrees.

Oh, and we’re also having a conniption over their calf-length, pleated Piper Skirts ($68) in cream, blush and black.

We’re not as strong as we thought. —Caroline Gault

OAK + FORT, 10416-82 Ave., Edmonton, 780-758-9199, www.oakandfort.com

Just when you thought you’d never have the chance to drink a cocktail out of a boot, Local Public Eatery came along and poured you a potion with some kick.

A little piece of Vancouver now resides in South Edmonton Common, and although it didn’t come with Kits Beach, the glass boots are no myth.

Try the El Caesar ($8) for its pepperoni-stick garnish on their beach-style patio (again, sans the beach), while you double dip their unbelievable pork gyoza dumplings ($10) in arguably the best soy sesame sauce in Western Canada.

They say it’ll be the talk of the town. —Caroline Gault

Local Public Eatery, 1820-99 NW St., South Edmonton Common, Edmonton, 780-989-5898, www.localsoco.com

The patio must be pretty, pleasant, popular and playful.

Latitude 53
Rain or shine, this contemporary downtown art gallery is throwing unmatched rooftop patio soirees every Thursday evening until August 18 alongside a rotation of incubator artists and fresh DJ’s.

 Latitude 53, 10248-106 St., Edmonton, 780-423-5353, www.latitude53.org


Urban Diner
Just off 124th Street, stroll on over for brunch, lunch or dinner on a private, muraled, garden-style patio and you’ll feel like you’re holidaying in 1950s' Europe.

 Urban Diner, 12427-102 Ave. NW, Edmonton, 780-488-7274, www.urbandiner.com


Packrat Louie
Nestled in the heart of Old Strathcona, don’t let the squeals from their Patio Pig Roast ($60) fool you. This classy place is elegance personified. 

Packrat Louie, 10335-83 Ave., Old Strathcona, Edmonton, 780-433-0123, www.packratlouie.com


Leva Café & Bar
Quaint and set in the old Garneau District, here’s where the best Italian cappuccinos, pizzas and gelatos lull patio tenants into summer comas. Look for the yellow umbrellas.

 Leva Café & Bar, 11053-86 Ave., Edmonton, 780-479-5382, www.levabar.com

The Black Dog
Playing canopy to the mainfloor bar and the grungy-but-popular Underdog, the renovated, elevated Wooftop patio on Whyte Avenue is guaranteed to be heaving on hot summer nights. This is the nightlife. The Black Dog, 10425-82 Ave., Edmonton, 780-439-1082, www.blackdog.ca

—Caroline Gault

Enter the Matrix, Edmonton’s bright and bold boutique hotel adjacent to Jasper Avenue.

Chic, urban and stylish, this spot has 184 rooms, a stunning designer lobby and easy access to all the theatre, dining and downtown nightlife you want. (Psst: If you’ve got a Travel Alberta card, get 30 per cent off your booking.)

And while you’re there…

Visit the Onyx Suite, a $2,000 a night luxury pad featuring a giant terrace with a built-in BBQ and fireplace.

Try the MZ Lounge for a delightful continental breakfast before evening wine and cheese tastings.

Check out the Wildflower Grill, a destination world-fusion, and thus, authentically Canadian cuisine restaurant situated beneath the hotel for city dwellers and hotel guests alike. Owned separately, but partnered with pride.

If the Matrix is all fabricated like its sci-fi name suggests, ignorance is bliss. —Caroline Gault

Matrix Hotel, 10640-100 Ave., Edmonton, 780-429-2861, www.matrixedmonton.com

If Kate’s wearing it, Coup’s got it. Or is it the other way around?

Thanks to the owners’ adoration for European flair, Edmonton fashion is under siege after ten months of good taste from Coup Garment Boutique.

Selling out the navy blue, Toronto-made Smythe blazer Duchess Catherine Middleton wore upon her arrival in Canada, and again during her visit to Slave Lake, Coup is on the pulse of good taste.

On the way are fine fabrics from French lines Vanessa Bruno and Carven, Elie Tahari, everything exquisite by Vancouver’s Obakki, and an online shop come fall.

Beyond their magical in-store selections, they’ve also got specialty shopping services accompanied by complimentary appetizers and wine.

Now that’s a fashion coup we can get behind. —Caroline Gault

Coup Garment Boutique, 101-10137 104 St., Edmonton, 780-756-3032, www.coupboutique.com