I do enjoy a good birthday party, especially when the birthday boy is Jack Daniel. Since it would have been highly inappropriate to play Pin the Tale on the Donkey at a man's 160th, we opted for something a bit more befitting of the Lynchburg legend. A Whiskey tasting.

Our fearless libation leader was Jeff Norman, the Master Taster for the Jack Daniel distillery. With a PhD in chemistry and a genetically predisposed palate (his father was Master Taste, before him), Norman is in charge of testing the whiskey as it matures, to ensure the consistency in flavour. He spends most of his days taking sips, and spitting them out (though, he did admit to the occasional "backward spit").

My personal favourite wias the Single Barrel, the most intense of the three, followed by the Gentleman's Jack, the lightest. Norman's advice on mixing? Enjoy the whiskey how you please, but leave the Single Barrel alone, or "don't mingle the single," as he said. I won't! Of course, you can't have a birthday party without a birthday cake. Shaped like a bottle of Jack.

And a nice big hug (and a new hat!) for the birthday boy. Doesn't look a day over 159!

But we should really talk about that mustache. Makeover!

Just when you thought Joe fresh couldn't get any bigger, it's gone and gotten huge. Train station huge.

Housed in the old Gare Jean Talon, the new Joe Fresh Studio store is gigantic and stunning and chock-full of Joe's stylish-yet-budget-conscious clothes.

Only the list of arrivals and departures is left to remind you that, in these clothes, you're definitely going places.

My picks include the pleather jacket (less expensive than leather, and no animals harmed, other than pleathers).

And these knee-high boots which, according to rumour, were sold out by the end of the media launch (but I bet there are more in store by now). 

Perfect travelling clothes. I left well dressed, and more than a little inspired to ride the rails. 

Inspired by British explorers who set out to climb Mount Everest in the 1920s, the fall collection is a mix of their trademark military with plenty of tweed, plaid and knits. The leather-trimmed grey and plaid poncho was one of my favourite pieces of the night. 

    

                           

 

Guests included designer Paul Hardy and fashion writer Rita Sirignano, who looked fabulous in her Rag & Bone shirtdress posing here with Wainwright.

I on the other hand felt a bit like Olivia Palermo in an episode of The City where she’s reprimanded for not wearing Guess to a Guess by Marciano party after Neville asked me where my Rag & Bone was. All was forgiven I think, after I gushed about how much I love his wife, makeup artist Gucci Westman.

 

 

After talking cameras with Wainwright (I have the Canon G9, he has the G10; I want the G11, he doesn’t because it doesn’t feel like a real camera should; I often use the flash, he prefers not to) we finally snapped a photo.

 

This summer's Canada Goose preview gave me a glimpse into my own future, in addition to the Winter line, when they trapped me in my very own snow globe.

Alas, summer is ending and it will soon be time to haul out our gigantic winter gear and waddle around the city like toddlers in snow suits. And speaking of toddlers in snowsuits.

Did everyone just say "awwwwww" all at once? If only they made onesies like this in grown-up sizes! Luckily for us we have plenty to choose from in Canada Goose's new line.

The cozy coat has been updated with new fabrics (love the herringbone. Alas, 'tis only available in the men's line) and vibrant colours.

So when we're all trapped in the snow globe that is Montreal in the winter, at least we'll be warm as toast and looking hot.

An invitation to enjoy the Rogers Cup quarter finals from the view of the IRIS Executive Lounge had me enjoying appetizers and sipping on crisp white wine before noon on Friday. How very civilized!

In between matches the action took place inside the lounge, especially when the lovely Aleksandra Wozniak stopped in to say hello.

We even got to do a little shopping on the staudium grounds! At the IRIS pop-up shop I tried out a very helpful computer system that gives you an objective method of deciding which pair of glasses suits you best. I'm thinking the white ones, eh?

Plus, I found a pair of tennis balls that seemed to be just made for my sporting abilities. Now, all I need is a gigantic racquet.

Really, it was a perfect afternoon. Wine, celebrities, shopping, novelty sporting goods, and...oh yes! Tennis!

My final score? Love all.

When President's Choice initially offered to send me a few tubs of their new Ice Cream Shop Flavours to try I was pretty excited. I mean, how often does ice cream just come to your door? I was hoping for a handsome delivery man to make the entire fantasy complete (is that a waffle cone in your pocket? Or are you just happy to see me?). But, in the end, it turns out that ice cream is tricky to deliver to someone whose "at home" schedule is unpredictable, so instead I got an adorable gift card and headed to Loblaws to pick out a few flavours for myself.

First lesson of dinner party popularity: Bring three tubs of ice cream and inform people that they MUST try all three in order to assist you with your job. People will love you so much, you'll soon be eating ice cream and laughing like a maniac, just like me (see below, right).

After a very serious taste-test, the verdict was unanimous. Ice cream is delicious! And the yummiest of all the ones we tried was the Marshmallow Chocolate Swirl with chocolate covered crispy rice.

And believe me, we tested each one a few times to make sure.

This year's Festival Mode & Design was one of the biggest and best the city has ever seen. Even blogger Susie Bubble came in to give Montreal designers some fashion love. My FMDM experience was short, but sweet, starting on Tuesday night with the SIM Minerals party at Velvet launching their new online store. I found the line's founder, Lisa Sim, showing her Montreal amour for design darling Denis Gagnon in one of his surprisingly wearable fringe dresses (complete with classy ziploc purse...a new trend?).

As I walked into the VIP / Media section, I spotted Helmer putting the finishing touches on a fab dress made entirely out of paper (the model was forced to spend much of the evening carefully perched inside the tent, shielding the fragile creation from the rain).

First up was the Micalla show, which barely beat the torrential downpour that forced fashionistas to flee the catwalk in record-breaking time. Luckily we all got to see someof her new directions in jewelry, including draping shimmering ropes under an arm.

Next up was the much-anticipated Jacob show, their first in the festival's history. The kind folks at Jacob invited the media to join them in the VIP section, raised high above the crowds. The evenings winds caused the platform to sway ever so slightly...not a good match for our sky-high heels. Luckily wine was being served to ease our anxiety!

Showing draped dresses, swingy capes, and skinny sillhouettes, this show was a strong reminder of Jacob's fashion ferocity.

My fave? This sexy tulip skirt to take you from the office to an evening out.

This year's FMDM experience was only one day long, for me,but with the buzz surrounding the festival, I can't wait to see what next year will bring. See you there!

The revamped Hotel Havana kept all the best bits

Fridge filled with goodies. Do I even need to leave the room?

Wrought iron bed and best sleeps ever

Breakfast in a basket

The Mad Hatter 

Dreamy riverwalk

Red candles at the Hotel Havana basement bar and my last Texan Margarita.  Giddy up, Cowgirl!

I've been raving about Ontario food and wine all summer so was thrilled to get an invite to a four-course liquid lunch from the Ontario Tender Fruit Producers (www.ontariotenderfruit.com). Wine before noon? I'm always in.

A bunch of hungry editors gathered at La Guilde Culinaire to eat a four-course meal cooked by Chef Mark Picone (www.chefmarkpicone.com) who runs a culinary studio in Vineland, Ont.  Besides the amazing nosh, we were all impressed by his flawless français (not that I would notice if there was a flaw).

To start, spicy-sweet Nectarine salad with chilies:

Next, to-die-for risotto with lemon-infused scallops and morcels of fresh peaches paired with Riesling from Tawse winery (Chef Picone Tip: When cooking Risotto leave some liquid in the pan so that by the time it reaches your table, perfecto!)

Breast of chicken with peaches and brie wrapped in basil, paired with Tawse's 2007 Pinot Noir (a great year for Niagara wines!)

Finally, buttery crepes with caramelized peaches and 2008 Stratus Riesling Icewine:

One nameless guest asked me to delete any photo in which he appeared.  International spy or critic on the lam? I never found out.  Nonetheless it's lovely being surrounded by smart foodies - To my left was Lonely Planet Editor Tim Hornyak, and across was La Presse food critic Robert Beauchemin who considers Montreal "the best food destination in all of the North America".  His top resto picks are Vinizza for pizza, lunch at Auberge Le St. Gabriel and Graziella for dinner.

Me (a little less light on my feet) and Chef Picone in the massive Guilde kitchen

Swag bags filled with Niagara goodies like peach jam, Megalomaniac rosé wine and Niagara Gold Cheese

We may be far beyond junior high, but events showcasing undergarments can bring out the giggles in even the most serious of the Very Serious Journalists. Especially when they have a clever theme like the recent Wonderbra event, showcasing the new fits and styles for Fall. Can you guess it?

The Perfect Pairing for your Perfect Pair. Of course, perfecting the way your pair looks is all about choosing the right bra for your outfit and wearing the right size. Also, it helps to be able to pull off that sexy-sulky model look. I've been working on it, but it seems I can only do sulky.

Lucky for us, we had experts available, ready to measure our perfect pairs and set us up with the best bra for our shape. If you've never been expertly measured before, now is the time. The joy in wearing the right size bra far outweighs the awkwardness of having two women wrapping measuring tapes around your lady lumps.

My fave? The silver-threaded push up with scalloped lace (see above sexy-sulky model on far left). Alas, it only goes up to a C-cup (Hey Wonderbra! Sometimes busty ladies also want to emphasize and not minimize!). I also loved the smooth and sleek look of the black pinstripe t-shirt bra, and the deep grey lace, both of which went to larger sizes.

Also, I love the fact that I can clearly shoot beams of light out of my wrists. Wonderbra? Or Wonderwoman?

Wonderbra's new styles will be available this fall at Walmart ($23)