Bling alert!  Ogilvy’s accessories department is back on our style radar. 

No longer a graveyard of madame pendants, its new costume jewelry counter features six funky designers, many from Montreal. Doll up any LBD with Marie-Lise Lachapelle’s orchid-inspired gold earrings, exotic ivory and wood necklaces from Rosemary Hedges, or stunning pearl-and-crystal strands by Claudia Grundman.

We couldn’t possibly play favorites, but we’re lusting after Skalli’s Miro-like modern pendants, Andrew Hamilton Crawford’s bright, chunky cuffs (pictured), and semi-precious beaded strands by Karen McClintock.

Ogilvy, you’ve officially got your groove back, and now so do we.

1307 St. Catherine St. W., Montreal, 514-842-7711, www.ogilvycanada.com

Looking to make a grand entrance? Honey, it’s all about the dress.

New Quebec label Coccolily is an edgy collection by Naana Tennachie Yankey featuring close-fitting cocktail dresses (from $400) with daring details like bows, lace insets and strappy bodices. The look is pure fantasy; retro futuristic with a dash of burlesque meets Blade Runner. 

Bonus: The wool-and-lurex fabric does wonders to shape the body.

Walk the walk, and heads will turn (as they should).

Coccolily, 715-1117 Ste. Catherine W., Montreal, 514-282-0574 (by appointment only), www.coccolily.com

One of Le Plateau’s best little bistros has moved across town, and we think the new La Montée (formerly La Montée de lait on Villeneuve East) is a much needed addition to the downtown expense-account scene.

The tented back patio is the perfect spot for a decadent weekday lunch and miles away from afternoon office tedium. We positively drooled over the fresh halibut with grated fennel ($21) and got giddy with girlfriends over a glass (or two) of extra-brut sparkling Alsace ($11).

Now if we could only find someone to wine and dine us in the manner to which we’ve grown accustomed….

La Montée, 1424 Bishop St., Montreal, 514-289-9921, www.lamontee.ca

Sure we abide by our dermatologist’s ‘always-wear-sunscreen-and-a-hat’ mantra. But on good hair days, who wants to hide under a wide-brim?

Instead, we’re spraying our locks with Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil ($34.50). A spritz or two before heading onto the terrace keeps our blonde highlights from going brassy and lowlights from turning crimson. We also love the citrusy aroma and non-sticky residue (no combing out mess after patio dates).  

Doctor, we promise we’ll slather on the SPF 50 and wear the hat mañana.

Aveda, 880 St-Catherine St. W., Montreal, 514-868-1414, www.aveda.com

The window-boxes are blooming, Bixi bikes line the sidewalks and pretty people are everywhere.  Don’t you just adore Montreal in June?

For some serious people watching, throw on vintage wraparounds and park yourself on the terrace of Parisian-style brasserie Le Pois Penché. Nibble on shrimp cocktails ($22), sip pink champagne (from $35), and sample a dozen Malpèques from the fresh oyster bar.

No good looking hunks around?  Close your eyes and imagine you’re sitting in the 14th arrondissement.

Le Pois Penché, 1230 De Maisonneuve W., Montreal, 514-667-5050, www.lepoispenche.com

French ladies are famous for their je ne sais quoi, so we’re hanging around Yves Rocher’s new Atelier of Botanical Beauty to get some pointers.

The ubiquitous beauty brand has just gone through its own makeover, launching a new logo, sleek space and a make-up line with colours inspired by plants and flowers. The Metalglow Cream Eyeshadow tubes ($19) are velvety and rich, but the showstopper is the Plumping Sheer Gloss ($19) in coco, gold or hazelnut. 

Vive la France!

At Eaton Centre (Metro Level), 705 Sainte-Catherine St. W., Montreal, 514-844-6223, www.yvesrocher.ca

We may be city gals at heart, but we love the image of a rugged outdoorsman on a horse.

The new Marlboro Classics store in Cours Mont-Royal has everything we need to lasso our inner cowgirl.  This slick outpost walks the line between urban and rural chic with creamy vanilla leather jackets ($1399) and pretty ruffled skirts ($188) that’ll definitely bring the cowboys back to the ranch.

Yeeha!

1455 Peel St., 2nd fl., Montreal, 514-658-9004, www.marlboroclassics.com

See blogger Jennifer Naschsen's pics from the Marlboro Classic store on today’s Editors' Diary.

With big brand stores lined up in predictable order, the downtown-shopping scene can get rather humdrum.

So we rejoice when a hot new boutique emerges on the retail landscape. Behold, Tiger of Sweden has opened its first North American location en centre-ville. Known for Hugo Boss-style elegance, Tiger is a great spot for classic suit jackets (we recommend the Boyfriend Cut) and fitted white shirts ($159). The famed blue jeans ($225) are soft and flattering, while the strapless sundresses ($299) are a solution for summer sojourns.

We don’t want to lure you away from the mall forever, but we have to say: it’s grrr-eat.

Tiger of Sweden, 1130 de Maisonneuve W., 514-798-8821, www.tigerofsweden.com

We may never actually own a Group of Seven but there’s nothing saying we can’t window shop.

This weekend catch a glimpse of some of the country’s finest art at a preview exhibition of Sotheby’s Important Canadian Art Auction. It may be the last time you’ll ever see these great works before they get snapped-up by mucky-muck collectors. Admire canvases by Alfred Casson, Emily Carr and Lawren Harris, or the $150,000 La Prairie by Jean Paul Lemieux that would look perfect above our mantel.

Ah, but a girl can dream.

Montreal Preview, May 8-9, Ritchies, 1980 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal, 514-934-1864, www.ritchies.com

Auction, May 25, 10:30 a.m., 380 King St. E., Toronto, Ontario, 1-800-364-3210.

We hardly need any excuse to buy a new outfit, but some calls to the till are louder than others.

Today we’ll have our nose pressed against the window as Matthew Williamson launches part one of his inaugural collection for H&M, all urban shapes and bursts of colour. For spring, we’ll swan around in the ruffled butterfly print gown ($349) and strike poses on the patio in a vibrant peacock mini-dress ($99). 

Look out for part two of the collection (long dresses and brightly embroidered tops) hitting the shelves on May 14. Ka-ching!

H&M, 450 Ste-Catherine St. W., Montreal, 514-788-9535, www.hm.com
See blogger Jennifer Nachshen's preview pictures today on our Editors' Diary.