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.

     

  • August 18th, 2010

    Editors' Picks: Labour Day Weekend Reads

    Need a long weekend beach read? Herewith, our editors' favourite summer page turners.

    Summer Sisters by Judy Blume
    If Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret was your pre-teen bible, pick up Blume's more mature novel, Summer Sisters. It follows two best friends from grade school to their 30s and blends adolescent whimsy and angst with some very grown up topics. (PS: Check out Judy Blume on Twitter). $10 at Amazon.ca
    Maria Tallarico, Managing editor

    Angelina: An Unauthorized Biography by Andrew Morton
    Members of Team Jennifer will enjoy sinking their teeth into. But we’d never diss Angie—why mess with a gal with a knife collection? $16 at Amazon.ca
    Marianne Wisenthal, Montreal editor

    The Recessionista by Alexandra Lebenthal
    "Too Big to Fail Goes to the Beach," is how New York Magazine's Jessica Pressler described Alexandra Lebenthal's hot summer debut novel, The Recessionistas. A fabulously juicy read. $19 at Amazon.ca
    Athena Tsavliris, Toronto editor

    Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
    From the author of High Fidelity and About a Boy, Nick Hornby’s Juliet, Naked is the author’s latest look at what happens when love, parenting and relationships get in the way of life. The story of a washed-up musician also deals with one of Hornby’s favourite subjects: music. $21 at Amazon.ca
    Malwina Gudowska, Calgary editor

    One Day by David Nicholls
    Expressed in snapshots of the same day spanning twenty years, this tale of two opposites, Dex and Em, who connect just before graduation, go their separate ways, yet stay in touch, sucked us in right from the start (perhaps because it begins with the pair bantering and snogging). $13 at Amazon.ca
    Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor

     

  • June 15th, 2010

    Father's Day Gift Guide Montreal

    Steven Keaton, Heathcliff Huxtable, Phil Dunphy—they’ve got nothing on our dad. Here’s our round-up of great Father’s Day gifts, from $10 to splurge.

    With the right tools, Dad’s a whiz in the kitchen. Made in Quebec, Littledeer paddles and spoons are hand-sanded from a single piece of maple wood and come in left- or right-hand models. From $10, La Guilde Culinaire, 6381 St-Laurent Blvd., Montreal, 514-750-6050, www.laguildeculinaire.com

    Our Pop has been sporting bow ties since before Zac Efron was born. He’ll (finally) look hot and hip in this raw Japanese denim number from Montreal designer Naked & Famous.  $25, Three Monkeys, #207-1455 Peel St., Montreal, 514-284-1333, www.threemonkeys.ca

    Give him a taste of the good old days (when he was the only man in your life) with a pair of stainless steel cufflinks featuring photos of you, age two. $90, Magenta Photo Studio, Rockland Centre, 2305 Rockland, T.M.R., 514-739-9966, www.magentaphoto.com

    He introduced you to Kerouac and Fitzgerald, now return the favour. The new Kobo eReader comes filled with 100 literary classics (and room for 900 more). $150, Indigo Place Montreal Trust, 1500 McGill College, 514-281-5549, www.chapters.indigo.ca

    All work and no play makes Dad a dull boy. Hire a Vacation Valet to custom-design the trip of his dreams. You’ll win Best Daughter prize by sending him on the Ferrari driving tour of Italy. Buon viaggio, Papà! $1835/day, www.kensingtontours.com

  • April 22nd, 2010

    Editors’ Picks: Earth Day made Easy

    We’ve all made sacrifices for the environment (like chipping our nails bringing out the recycling). Have a laid-back Earth Day with our editors' tips.  

    Simple Shoes (you probably wore a pair in the early ’90s) are still kicking, but now the brand makes footwear that’s eco-friendly to the nth degree. This season they introduced their BIO-D collection, which will actually biodegrade after they hit the landfill. www.simpleshoes.com
    Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor

    Make your own dryer sheets by adding a few drops of essential oil to a damp cloth. Toss in the dryer, and voila! You’ve beaten global warming and static cling in one fell swoop.
    Marianne Wisenthal, Montreal editor

    Now that carrying a plastic bag is an even bigger faux pas than toting a fake Louis, notable totables are a must. Pack your veggies in this set of three organic cotton drawstring produce bags ($23). www.lavishandlime.com
    Maria Tallarico, Managing editor

    Kim Mitchell’s “Patio Lanterns” may be a radio station deal breaker for some, but Ikea’s new outdoor Solig solar-powered lighting collection (from $9.99) has us wanting to spruce up the garden, make lemonade, and cue the 1986 hit.
    Malwina Gudowska, Calgary editor

    Why not opt for natural cleaning products straight from the pantry? Lemon juice makes a great copper polish and a decent bleach alternative, too. Vinegar removes mildew, cuts grease and removes coffee stains and wax build-up. Cornstarch is super on windows, carpets and rugs. A shot of vodka cures all ills, and it even cleans chrome and porcelain.
    Athena Tsavliris, Toronto editor
     

     

     

  • December 29th, 2009

    Editors' Picks: Best Winter Reads

    Grab a glass of wine and a spot by the fireplace—these are winter reads worth staying in for.

    Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelseaby Chelsea Handler
    Comedian Chelsea Handler’s star has risen this year, and her hilarious and outrageous collection of personal essays has her deadpan delivery of intelligence, wit and bawdiness—it’s a perfect dose of Chelsea for those who can’t stay up late enough to watch her talk show. At Amazon.ca.
    Maria Tallarico, managing editor

    The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss
    It sounds like the ultimate Slacker’s Handbook, but it’s a great, practical guide for the self-employed (or would-be self-employed) on how to run a more efficient and profitable business while you work hard-on your tan! At Chapters.ca
    Sarah Bancroft, editor-in-chief

    Foam on the Daze by Boris Vian
    A moving tale of unrequited love—simply sublime! Published in 1947, one of the Parisian author's only translated books. At Amazon.ca. Elsa Vecchi, Montreal editor, French edition

    The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
    Set aside a weekend for this book. From celebrated Swedish crime writer Stieg Larsson, it is so gripping you won’t be able to put it down. At Chapters.ca
    Athena Tsaviliris, Toronto editor

    Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
    Niffenegger’s spooky sophomore novel is a meaty ghost story about sisters, twinship, love and loss. Perfect for tucking up under the duvet on a cold winter’s night. At Amazon.ca.
    Marianne Wisenthal, Montreal editor

    Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
    In this literary mash-up, Austen’s beloved cast of characters is faced with an outbreak of undead (politely referred to as “unmentionables”) in addition to the usual courtship and classism. Natalie Portman just signed on to produce and star in the film adaption. At Chapters.ca.
    Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor

    The Private Lives of Pippa Lee
    by Rebecca Miller
    Stuck between her former self and the woman she created, the protagonist is forced to examine her life and decide how to move forward. Miller, the daughter of the famed playwright and wife of our favourite butcher (Daniel Day-Lewis) adapted the novel into a star-studded movie this year but it’s a case of read-the-book-before-you-see-the-movie. At Amazon.ca.
    Malwina Gudowska, Calgary editor