February 4th, 2012
We’ve Seen the Light
Being scared of the dark is no longer an excuse for putting off bedtime.
Meet the Glo Nightlight, a bedside lamp with removable glowing balls that act as portable nightlights. The phosphorescent balls aren’t electronic and don’t get hot, so they are safe to snuggle with when the room goes dark.
The balls’ light will fade 30 minutes after they’ve been removed from the base, and you can select one tone, or have a rotating array of colours. We suggest you choose the colour that will best ward off any monsters lurking in the closet.
Boon Glo Nightlight, $84.99 from Saf & Benjamin, 1081 Marinaside Cres., Vancouver, 778-328-8194 and online at www.safandbenjamin.com —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg
February 3rd, 2012
Sensational St-Cyr
If we were heading to the Quartier des Spectacles area during the '40s, we’d probably be seeing burlesque sensation Lili St-Cyr. Today, we’re heading to the all-new restaurant that bears (half of) her name.
Located in the grime-meets-gentrification 'hood, St-Cyr is the latest dining option for festival and showgoers alike. But with fab French-inspired fare, a great lunch table d’hôte and outstanding desserts, we may be headed there sans ticket stub.
And sweet lovers be warned: St-Cyr’s chef has worked at Michelin star restaurants, and is known for his desserts. Au revoir, resolutions! —Christine Laroche
St-Cyr, 22 Ste-Catherine St. E., Montreal, 514-586-6222
For photos of last night’s pre-opening night, please see our Editor’s Diary.
February 2nd, 2012
Beckham’s boxers
Top of the morning to you, David!
While we’ll make any excuse to gawk at Mr. Posh Spice in his skivves, we have an especially good one this morning as his collection of bodywear is launching at H&M today.
Following in the Mrs.’ designer footsteps, the football player has concocted a collection of men’s basics for H&M, including boxers (from $14.95) and a t-shirt ($17.95).
His tank ($17.95) has quickly become a fave with the ladies, if only because “We’re wearing David Beckham’s tank top” is a phrase we just can’t get enough of.
—Christine Laroche
H&M, 1100 Ste-Catherine St. W., Montreal, 514-788-9535, www.hm.com
Photo credit: Alasdair McLellan
February 1st, 2012
Shapely on the slopes
No matter what the groundhog sees or doesn’t see tomorrow, winter is with us for another little while.
The best thing about pulling out of hibernation early? Gearing up with a sweet new jacket to hit the slopes in. We’re especially smitten with the offering from The North Face: Bright colours, tons of technical details and, best of all, fabulous fits that flatter our curves instead of giving them a boyish, boxy look.
The second best thing about pulling out of hibernation early? One word: Après! —Christine Laroche
The North Face, 4927 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal, 514-489-1517, www.thenorthface.com
January 31st, 2012
Loving Lana
The first thing on our to-do list of the day? Download Born to Die ($9.99 on iTunes), Lana Del Rey’s new (and much-buzzed about) album.
The up-and-coming lovely (heeding from Lake Placid, NY) has already made the internet explode twice: First after her clip for “Video Games” went viral, and most recently, after a less-than-stellar (read: really bad) performance on SNL. Some love her, some hate her, but it’s hard to be impartial to her soulful voice and melancholic songs.
As for us, we’re loving Lana. —Christine Laroche
January 30th, 2012
All about the eyes
We kicked off the year with the very best go-to-bed-early intentions, but it’s easier said than done.
Thanks to Turkish Rose and White Tea Eye Cream ($69.60) by Pangea Organics, you’d be none the wiser that we were up late for a The Bachelor marathon. Its all-natural formula delivers powerful anti-aging and antioxidants to the sensitive skin around the eyes. Plus, it is decadently rich (read: won’t smear all over your pillow) and feels so fabulous that it’s become our favourite step in the nightly routine.
Sorry Ben, we’re getting our daily rose intake from Pangea. —Christine Laroche
At Solospa, 429 Cartier St. W., Laval, 450-505-1500, www.solospamontreal.com and online at www.pangeaorganicscanada.com
January 28th, 2012
DOTE In Style
If Suri Cruise taught us anything in 2011, it’s that stylish pre-school attire is just as important as learning to tie your shoes.
Inspired by shopping trips to Paris and, of course, les chic petits enfants, Canada’s Dote Baby was born, a brand-new online baby boutique for fashionable parents with a discerning eye.
The store’s extensive international brand selection (shipping to: everywhere) includes adorable, trendy pieces from Sweden’s Cheap Monday, Bébé by Australia’s Minihaha, as well as the must-have, celebrity-adored Minnetonka Moccasins.
For those who appreciate the finer things in life, for the little ones in your life, yourdoting hours are about to go into overdrive. —Caroline Gault
January 27th, 2012
Delish dumplings
We graduated from Concordia a long, long time ago but we kept going back to our old stomping ground anytime we had a hankering for dumplings.
No longer: Perennial Concordia ghetto favourite Qing Hua has opened a second outpost, this time setting up shop in Chinatown. True to the original, the dumplings are highly addictive and the setting is frills-free.
Trust us: The steamed chicken curry ($9.99) and chicken coriander ($11.99) dumplings are well worth trekking out for in the cold! —Christine Laroche
Qing Hua, 1019 St-Laurent Blvd., Montreal, 514-903-9887
January 26th, 2012
Pastel me pretty
They felt wild at first but our red, teal and purple jeans are starting to feel totally tame.
We’re stepping up our rainbow antics and slapping down our credit card for these pastel jeans by Second ($120). The aqua hue undeniably pretty, the mid-rise, skinny cut is super flattering and they are comfy cozy.
Because sandals in the snow are a definite no-no, we’re sneaking in some new season style with these must-have jeans. —Christine Laroche
At Blue Marine & Co, 1383 Greene Ave., Montreal, 514-935-9825, www.secondclothing.com
January 25th, 2012
Relief from rom-coms
Our better(ish) half has seen his fair share of lady films on the big screen so we’re giving back by taking him to the Montreal leg of testosterone-filled Mountain Film Festival tour.
What we won’t tell him is that while the films are all themed around (mostly bromantical) mountain adventures – these are the best picks from the Banff Mountain Film Festival, after all – they also feature breathtaking scenery, moving storylines and heart-palpitation inducing scenes (like this image from the film Sfinga) that make them a delight to watch.
We love a win/win. —Christine Laroche
405 Ste-Catherine St. E., Montreal, 514-987-3456, www.banffquebec.ca
