My favourite things: Dealuxe online shopping site

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My relationship with online shopping is best described as a love/hate one. It was love when my 13 year-old self discovered that Abercrombie and Fitch delivers to Canada, but it quickly turned to hate when my $30 t-shirt wound up costing me double thanks to a little something called customs duties. The love was re-ignited when I realized I could ship to my friend’s homes in the United States, but it quickly dissipated when the pair of Miu Miu’s I was salivating over went down 50 per cent and none of my friend’s were going to be in the U.S. anytime soon to retrieve them. Sigh. To this day I can still recall the joy I felt upon hearing that Amazon and Gap/Old Navy/Banana Republic had opened Canadian shopping sites. However, said sites cannot account for our lack of mid to high end shopping destinations like Shopbop.com, net-a-porter, Gilt and myriad others that U.S. citizens can call their own.

Though the scales remain tipped disproportionately in favour of our Southern neighbors, I am pleased to report we are getting warmer. Take SSENSE for instance. It’s a luxury online retailer that ships worldwide, but since it’s based out of Montreal – we Canadians pay low shipping and return costs and we avoid the real killer: CUSTOMS DUTIES! SSENSE stocks dozens of “it” brands for men and women, including some of my personal favourties: Rag & Bone, Loeffler Randall, Lanvin, Guisseppe Zanotti, Diane Von Furstenburg and T by Alexander Wang. And while prices are still a little lower in the States, SSENSE has seasonal sales. Plus, they have a store in Old Montreal and they allow you to phone the site and order an item(s) to be delivered to the store the following day for you to try on without any fees or obligations. Take note, however, the retail location is small and only carries high end designer labels.

Call me needy, but the problem with SSENSE is neither shipping nor returns are free. These are just two of the reasons why I love Dealuxe, a Canadian women’s fashion, beauty and accessories site that prides itself in superior customer service and regular deals. The lines available are great, though not as high end as those on SSSENSE (think Joie, Velvet, James Perse, Pink Tartan, Autumn Cashmere etc.), and the selection not as abundant, but the nascent site grows daily.

All orders arrive in a shiny red Dealuxe dust bag that’s perfect for packing your shoes when traveling 

My first Dealuxe experience was when I bought a pair of red skinny J-Brands during a two day 25% off sale. They didn’t fit and I was worried that if I tried to exchange them for a different size, I wouldn’t get the discount since the deal had ended. However, when I called, the girl I spoke with was so nice and gave me the deal, and of course the return was free. Another time I ordered from them, my package arrived with a $25 gift card to spend on purchases over $100. Of course I liked a top for $98. Knowing my promotional code wouldn’t work online, I phoned and explained my conundrum and without any hesitation the customer service rep let me use my card on a $98 top. Canadians are known for being nice, but at Dealuxe they make a business out of it.

At Dealuxe,  there’s always a “daily deal”, whereby one item is offered at a discounted price, but there are other types of deals too. For instance, a couple times a month there will be something along the lines of buy one top get the other 50% off, or all bottoms will be 20% off etc. With those kinds of deals, your savings are equivalent to those you’d get in the States. Good, no? Moreover, as a member (anyone can become a member), I receive daily emails informing me of deals and new arrivals. There’s also an online magazine featuring celebrity looks, editor’s picks, trends and general fashion updates.

Dealuxe can never reach the level of say Shopbop, because their primary market is Canada and there aren’t that many Canadians, whereas Shopbop caters mainly the the U.S. as well as International countries. Still, the site’s dedication to customer care and its consistent growth and improvement is excellent news for all fashion-loving Canadians whose two least favourite words in the English language are CUSTOMS DUTIES! Check it out and tell me what you think.

Must try: Moishes’ three hours to midnight menu

~ valsbitsandbites ~ 3 Comments

My favourite steakhouse happens to be a small chain in the States called STK. I’ve been to the one in South Beach and Manhattan, and the quality of the meat itself and its preparation blew me away. I’m mentioning STK here because a) it has become the gold standard by which I measure all other steaks and b) the restaurant’s catchphrase is “not your daddy’s steakhouse”. In fact, it’s one of those places that’s as much about the “scene” as it is about the cuisine. Moishes, on the other hand, used to be a steakhouse that was very much your daddy’s – or even granddaddy’s – steakhouse. The keywords, however, being “used to be”, because when I dined there a couple of weeks ago on a Friday night, such was not the case. Indeed, Moishes’ dining room received a gorgeous facelift several months back, and though the the new room still has elements of an old-world steakhouse (the place has been around since 1938!) it now feels less stuffy and more “fresh”. I’ve got to give them major credit for this as it would’ve been a pity to see such a storied Montreal establishment become modernized to the point of losing all touch with its roots.

Not settling on revamping the decor alone, Moishes’ renaissance extended to its menu, which now includes a 3 hours to midnight special. For the sum of $25, one can indulge in an appetizer, a main course and a coffee or tea. Pretty good, eh? And indulge we did – starting with the complimentary coleslaw and crunchier than crunchy pickles for which the eatery is well known for. To start, we sampled the organic salmon tartar and a house salad. Our other options were chopped liver (not a fan) and Caesar salad (too heavy with meat). The portions were on the smaller side and not particularly awe-inducing, but the tartar was light, fresh and well seasoned. Similar adjectives can be used to describe the house salad, but honestly, what more can you really expect from a house salad?

The stuff legends are made of – Moishes’ pickles and coleslaw, and lots of butter.
Perennial favourite salmon tartar was light, fresh and well seasoned

Coming off my experience with Milos‘ limited 10 p.m. special, I was pleasantly surprised by how many main course options there were at Moishes – 12 – and a whole hour earlier! I was also pleased to see so many people taking advantage of this incredible deal. Upon walking in at 9 p.m., my friends and I witnessed a whole slew of golden agers filing out, only to be replaced with a younger crowd – a restaurant version of changing of the guard if you will. Okay, back to food… I opted for the filet mignon, as did my friend, while our other friend ordered the famous chicken breast. My steak paled in comparison with STK’s juicy and tender filet mignon, but it was good nonetheless. And, hey, for $25 bucks… I’ll know for next time to order it medium-rare, since medium was a little too well done for my liking. Meanwhile, my friend’s chicken was very juicy and flavourful. To accompany our mains, we had the option of choosing either a Montecarlo potato which is basically mashed potatoes placed in a baked potato shell with chives and lots of yummy seasoning, or french fries. The fluffy Monte Carlo is pure-potato bliss, while the fries were lackluster and definitely needed more seasoning and crunch.

Petit Filet. Steak lovers can get steak frites, rib steak or kobe burger too
You guessed it – chicken! 
Amazing Monte Carlo potato and ho-hum fries. 

By the end of the meal we were beyond stuffed; it goes without saying the pickles and coleslaw didn’t help matters. We were also totally impressed by how much food the special entailed, and the quality of the service. Our waiter was an older gentlemen who was super attentive, professional and polite. It seemed as though our presence was genuinely valued and we weren’t just the “late night” crowd. This is key to making these types of deals work, and explains why Lemeac, and now Moishes are packed, while Milos’ special isn’t filling the house. Needless to say, I’ll be back – appetite in tow.

Bits of wisdom from a 24 year-old

~ valsbitsandbites ~ 3 Comments

I am 24 years old today. Today, I am 24 years old. Hmm, maybe if I keep saying it I’ll start to believe it. Doubtful. Anyways, I have two choices: I can cry and wallow in self pity as I think of all the things I have yet to accomplish, or I can eat cake (from Cocoa Locale no less), and share some of the wisdom I’ve gained during my time on this planet. You’ve probably heard some, or most of it before, but in the event that you haven’t, perhaps I can spare you some of the mistakes I’ve made while helping to enrich your lives (I can’t believe I just wrote that). Be forewarned, there will be plenty of cheesiness so grab your barf bag in advance. Here we go…

1. Don’t skimp on quality shoes or a good haircut. Both can make or break a woman and you don’t want to be a broken woman now do you? Come to think of it, the same applies for men too.

2. Listen to your parents and older siblings as they might actually know a thing or two about life considering they’ve been alive longer. Try to learn from their mistakes and achievements and make an effort (if/when possible) to foster bonds with them and other members of your family. At the end of the day, family is the MOST important thing.

3. It’s better to have a few great friends than a lot of so-so friends. If you find your so-so friends aren’t adding anything to your life and are actually keeping you from building stronger relationships with the friends who are always there for you (well almost always, nobody’s perfect), then bid them adieu. Remember, it’s about quality and not quantity.

4.  Don’t go to an esthetician, masseuse, or any service professional for that matter without a referral or some thorough research. The last thing you want is to end up with a toe fungus and one pant-leg shorter than the other.

5. Don’t squeeze pimples! If you want to know how to properly pop a pimple, watch this video from Dr. Oz.
http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Dr-Oz-Demonstrates-How-to-Properly-Pop-a-Pimple-Video 

6. Admitting you need help and asking for it isn’t a sign of weakness – quite the opposite actually. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to lean on your loved ones during hard times and/or to seek professional help. Everyone and I mean EVERYONE goes through rough times and if people aren’t willing to be there for you when you’re not at your best – to hell with them.

7. Comparing yourself to others is a recipe for disaster. For example: “everyone has a boyfriend and I don’t”. First of all, that’s factually incorrect, second of all, it only exacerbates the problem. In grade one I learnt that everyone is different, not better or worse, just different, and today it’s something I have to remind myself of regularly. Besides, I whole heartedly believe everything happens for a reason. Wishful thinking?

8. No matter the situation, always be yourself. One of the best compliments I’ve ever received was when a good friend said to me: “no matter what, you’re always Val”. When I thought about it I realized it’s true, and I felt proud to not have changed who I am so that others would like me more. I don’t like myself all the time – not even close, but push comes to shove I wouldn’t want to be anyone else. I simply wouldn’t know how to. I never was that good of an actress.

9.  Happy people are attractive people. Smile. If you have to fake it till you make it, that’s okay too.

10. Your body is the most important thing you have, so treat it as such. Don’t eat processed crap and eat organic and local food when possible. Be sure to incorporate plenty of fruits and vegetables and drink copious amounts of water. And exercise! Try different fitness classes, sports, trainers etc. to figure out what you like and then just do it. Shake things up from time to time. Don’t feel guilty about sometimes canceling plans because you have to exercise, taking care of our bodies and in turn our minds is the best thing we can do for ourselves. This also means getting enough sleep, and finding ways to cope with our stress and anxiety. Oh, and floss for God’s sake!

And one more for good luck: Stop obsessing over what others think of you; most of the time they’re too busy thinking about their own lives. I mean that in the best way possible.

Val, where do I go for a non "touristy" meal in Italy?

~ valsbitsandbites ~ 6 Comments

Aside from my current home, Montreal, and my future home, New York, there’s one other place that’s near to my heart and that’s Italia. I haven’t frequented all parts of Italy – not even close, but I’ve been fortunate enough to visit and revisit this country countless times and with every trip I fall deeper and deeper in love. A sojourn in Italy is an exercise in pure hedonism – food included. I think part of the reason food in these parts tastes so good is because Italians enjoy such a symbiotic relationship with eating. Their passion makes everything that much more delectable, not to mention the country is geographically blessed. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t eat badly in Italy – you sure as hell can and it’s the worst feeling because life’s too short to eat badly – and in Italy of all places. I’d like to save you the heartache by listing five of my favourite  restaurants in five Italian cities that are both authentic and AMAZINGGGG. Sicily, where I traveled to this past summer isn’t mentioned because this culinary paradise is getting a post of its own very soon. Buon appetito!

1. Boccanegra (Florence)
Florence’s claim to fame, besides Michelangelo’s David and the Galleria Uffizi of course, is the Florentine T-bone steak a.k.a. “fiorentina”. At Boccanegra, a rustic-chic restaurant off the beaten path, the main draw is the “fiortentina”, whose succulent taste remains engraved in my memory even three years later. Talk about well done.

2. Quattro Mori (Milan)
My dad’s discerning Milanese business associate took us here when we visited two summers ago, so Quattro Mori has earned the “local” seal of approval. And after devouring their famous seafood dishes – it earned this blogger’s approval too.

3. Ristorante da Dora (Naples)
Located on a narrow residential street replete with laundry hanging off balconies and old men playing cards, Dora’s surroundings are about as stereotypical old-school Italia as they come. Once inside, things don’t get any less cliche; from the photos of celebrities on the walls (Georgio Armani, Cher etc.), to the restaurant’s guitarist, who is sometimes joined by Dora herself; a woman whose voice can easily be mistaken for Pavarotti’s. All the above add an ineffable zest to the dining experience, although rest assured, the food needs no accouterments. Dora’s seafood is hands down the BEST I’ve ever eaten. Whether you opt for a local white fish, baby squid or their speciality: spaghetti con vongole (clams), you’ll enter a state of pure unadulterated bliss.

Spaghetti con vongole at Ristorante da Dora

Interior of Ristorante da Dora 

4. Osteria Bottega Montecitorio (Rome)
I’m not sure when it happened, but the food in Rome’s “touristy” parts has become, well, “touristy”, and in the worst possible way. My theory is some time ago the Romans decided tourists will come no matter what (hello Colosseum), so why bother trying to serve ’em delicious food. Makes sense no? Luckily, a search for a pharmacy led my parents and me to Bottega Montecitorio. We were immediately intrigued by its modern decor – a rarity in Rome. The food was also quite modern, but not in an obnoxious look at us we’re hip kind of way. A Roman classic, egg pasta with Parmesan and pepper was scrumptious and perfectly al dente, while a salad with avocado and grilled prawns was heavenly on a pipping hot summer day. I’ve eaten here twice – two years apart and have been nothing but pleased. When we realized this eatery is located right next to the Italian parliament, we weren’t surprised either, if anyone is eating non “touristy” food in Rome – it’s the politicians.

A Roman Classic – egg pasta with Parmesan cheese and pepper at Bottega Montecitorio

5. Restaurant Santa Caterina (Santa Caterina Hotel, Amalfi)
When a restaurant is situated in a five star hotel with views of the idyllic Amalfi Coast, the food really doesn’t have to be good, but the thing is, at Santa Caterina it’s really, really good. The menu is small and the prices are steep, but you won’t regret a dime when you’re savouring their pumpkin risotto while live music plays in back and a fleet of professional waiters cater to your every need so you can sit back, relax, and take in Amalif’s beauty. Too fancy for ya? Visit the hotel during lunch and try a paper-thin pizza or a plate of mixed fried fish straight from the Mediterranean that’s sprawled right before your eyes.

The view from Hotel Santa Caterina’s restaurant. Wow is right.
Mixed fried fish for lunch at Restaurant Santa Caterina

Mixed emotions: Milos 10 p.m. "Late Evening" menu

~ valsbitsandbites ~ 2 Comments

Let’s face it, the days of eating a gourmet meal for $20 or less are about as over as Lindsay Lohan’s acting career. Therefore, when a venerable Montreal fine dining institution like Milos offers you a three course late evening menu (10p.m.-12:00a.m.) for $20.11 – you make a run for it, pumps in tow. I have had the good fortune of eating off of Milos’ a la carte menu, and the Greek eaterie has repeatedly blown me away with their fresh seafood dishes, many of which have been flown in from Greece, as well as their Greek feta cheese, olive oil, and a baklava that makes me want to break out in song à la Glee. It goes without saying that a meal here can set you back a pretty penny.

Last Saturday, a good friend and I decided it was finally time to suppress our hunger till 10:00p.m. (on the dot) and try Milos’ late evening menu. Another friend had warned me one of the problems with eating at Milos at that hour is the atmosphere, since the big crowds begin to fizzle out and there’s the sense waiters are trying to rush you so they can finish their shifts. When we first arrived, the restaurant was full, although I will say by the time we were finished at 11:30, it was only about 1/3 empty. Not bad. Our waiter was friendly, swift without making us feel hurried, and all-around professional. I assume the restaurant’s reasons for offering this deal are not to give back to the community and feed the “needy”, but to make money and attract a young cliental, and therefore waiters should never make late night patrons feel like second class citizens, as was the case in my friend’s situation.

Service and atmosphere aside, what left me with mixed emotions was the food. There are three starter options and we chose to share a tomato salad with feta, olives and olive oil (a.k.a. Greek salad) and a meze platter with different “dips”, stuffed vine leaves and pita bread. The salad arrived and was 1/3 of the size of their regular priced tomato salad. I took a deep breath and reminded myself my meal was costing $20.11, whereas normally just one tomato salad costs $25. Still, I couldn’t help but be annoyed the feta came crumbled and there was so little of it, rather than the sizeable chunks that constitute a traditional Greek salad. Yet, what little there was of it tasted incredible. Meanwhile the meze platter was snooze-worthy, with only the small dollop of tzatziki eliciting any reaction. Should’ve tried the organic salmon sashimi instead.

Tomato salad, part of Milos’ “Late Evening” menu.

Next we chose among four options and ordered a dorade flown in from the Greek island of Kefalonia. The portion size of the flaky white fish was ideal for us girls (we had also loaded up on snacks at my house first), and though it was a little on the dry side, it still ranks as one of the best fish I’ve eaten in Montreal. Then came the biggest dissapointment: they were out of baklava. In case you missed that, OUT OF BAKLAVA. One more time for dramatic impact: OUT OF BAKLAVA. Our faces were priceless when we heard the news. When your meal consists of three courses and three pretty small courses at that, dessert plays a BIG role. The waiter was nice enough to offer us an almond and pear tarte that’s normally not part of the late evening menu because he could sense tears welling up at the thought of settling for ice cream, or worse – sorbet. It was actually quite tasty, but baklava it was not. I found this inexcusable for such a high-end eaterie. They’ve been in this business a long time and they’ve had this menu for a couple of years and should know how much baklava to keep around. Cue foot stomping.

The Meze Platter was BORING

With a glass of white wine, tax and tip, my meal cost $41.00 – a measly sum when you consider how much a regular meal costs at Milos and the calibre of ingredients used. That said, if Milos wants this special to draw in crowds of hip young people like Lemeac’s 10p.m. special which is $25 for an appetizer and main – they need to ensure service is consistently top-notch, baklava is ALWAYS available and they really ought to add more pizzaz to their appetizers. I would start by serving a “real” chunk of feta, none of this crumbling nonsense.

Pre-meal spread arranged by yours truly. 

Chia seeds: the new "it" superfood

~ valsbitsandbites ~ 1 Comment
Whole organic black chia seeds $6.98 for 300g

The name makes me giggle because it reminds me of chia pets (remember those? I certainly do), but chia seeds are actually a superfood that is so easy to incorporate into our daily diets that it’s worth ch-ch-ch-cheering about. The Aztecs and Mayans have cultivated and consumed chia (a plant species) for millennia, and lately it has been on the tip of many a nutritionist’s tongue because it’s naturally gluten-free, contains loads of fibre, essential fats, omega-3 fatty acids, protein and antioxidants. Chia seeds are being touted as an excellent source of long-term energy that enables the body to function at its highest level and burn more calories during the day. What’s more, chia has been linked to reducing insomnia, nervousness, constipation, improving cognition and soothing dry skin. Need I say more?

How to add chia to your diet: Chia seeds don’t have much of a taste, which makes them ideal for adding to soups, smoothies, cereals, yogurt, oatmeal, salads etc. Some will even use the seeds as an egg replacement in recipes. There’s also the option of soaking them in water. All you have to do is put two tablespoons or more in a bowl and cover with some water. In approximately 20 minutes they will have doubled in size, resulting in a thick pudding. You can buy whole chia seeds or ground chia, just keep in mind it’s better to get dark coloured chia as it is has more nutrients than the lighter variety. I bought my organic Prana brand chia $6.89 at A Votre Sante on Sherbrooke St. West near Vendome, but they are sold at most health food stores.

Visit: pranana.com for more information and recipes.

 Sources: Chatelaine , The Beauty Detox Solution by Kimberly Snyder CN , Wikipedia 

My Favourite things: beauty products

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For the second edition of my favourite things, I’ve decided to write about a topic I’m quite passionate about: beauty products. Part of my inspiration for this post comes from Into the Gloss, a beauty blog I’ve been obsessed with as of late. Bloggeuse Emily Weiss takes readers inside the beauty closets of models, fashion designers, editors, publicists, actors etc. who willingly reveal their grooming routines, beauty secrets and tips. Since I can remember, I’ve loved rummaging around my friends’ makeup bags and beauty product drawers and I can’t get enough of “what’s in their makeup bag” magazine features. I guess that makes me a beauty voyeur? You can also call me a product junkie, although it’s not so much that I like wearing lots of makeup (I don’t!) or that I like using a plethora of creams, oils, hair gunk etc. On the contrary, I’m actually the type of product junkie that researches and buys a lot of beauty items in search of that one stand-out item purchase will make my primping routine that much simpler. You might then say I’m a high maintenance gal desperately seeking to be low maintenance, or medium maintenance at the very least (let’s be realistic here).

I have tried so many different products over the years that my hope is you can benefit from my experiences (there have been many) and perhaps some of my favourite things will become yours too. After all, most of the products we use are a result of positive reviews from our friends, relatives, estheticians and publications we trust. Rest assured I have no endorsement deals (it sucks I know), so everything I write is the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God. I wish I was like Oprah and could give all this stuff away, but alas…

Here are 10 of my favs, I have many, many, many more: 

1. Clinique Acne Solutions Spot Treatment Gel $14.50 U.S.
I have been a devotee of this pimple gel with salicylic acid for several years now, and I know I can count on it to banish the most unsightly of spots without over-drying my already very dry skin. It also goes on invisible so no one but you has to know.

2. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 $42 U.S.
Available in regular, oil-free and illuminating, this tinted moisturizer has somewhat of a cult following and it’s no surprise because it’s just that great. I’m seriously addicted to the regular version (that dry skin again) because it covers exactly what needs to be covered, yet looks completely natural and gives my pale skin a subtle glow so as not to frighten poor passerbys. And how great is it that it has SPF 20?! FYI: I apply it over my Cetaphil moisturizer, but some people find they don’t need to moisturize first.

3. Laura Mercier Secret Concealer $22 U.S.
I’m either belligerently drunk or at the gym if you catch me without any under-eye concealer on. The creamy texture of this particular beauty-savior means it’s both thick enough to cover my dark circles and easy to blend in.

4. Aveda Phomollient Styling Foam with honey $16 U.S.
If like me you have fine hair, you’ve probably bought your fair share of volumizers that don’t deliver on their promise and make hair look flat. Aveda’s Phomollient Styling Foam, however, is so lightweight it provides that ellusive boost and shine we’re all craving. Plus, since all the brand’s products are made using pure flower and plant essences – it smells like nature and not like your grandmother’s toxic hairspray.

5. Bliss Lemon+Sage Body Butter Lite $29 U.S.
While I like a hint of fragrance on other people, I have yet to find a perfume whose smell I don’t abhor on my body. Go figure, right? Though I’ve always been drawn to citrusy aromas, never has my nose been as happy as when it caught a whiff of Bliss’s signature lemon+sage scent. I quickly snapped up the body lotion, albeit the “lite” version since the classic is too rich for me, and a beautiful and yummy smelling relationship was born.

6. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser + Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion 
When I was under a lot of stress last year, my skin did not handle it well. At the time, I was using a high-end moisturizer and cleanser but my dermatologist told me to go back to my Cetaphil routine. Despite the Cetaphil cleaner and moisturizer smelling nowhere near as good as the products I was using then, or making my face feel as tingly– they helped get my skin back in order. In my humble opinion, for dry and sensitive skin like mine, Cetaphil is unbeatable.

7. Calendula Oil around $10 for small bottle
After I squeeze a zit (bad Val, bad), I get a lovely little scar that likes to linger, leaving faint reminders of what once was. Or sometimes, when I’m really lucky, I get random red splotches on my face. Nice.  Upon my mother’s suggestion, I purchased a small bottle of Calendula oil at the health food store and dabbed some on my red marks. Calendula is a flower that’s said to have many medicinal properties, including the use of its oil to sooth skin inflammations. By morning, I could see a visible difference and I liked the thought of putting something so natural on my face. In fact, Kiel’s makes a Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol-Free Toner I’ve been meaning to try.

8. Nars The Multiple in Riviera $46 U.S. 
When I’m craving that dewy summer look, all I have to do is rub a little Nars The Multiple on my cheeks and voila  – I’m magically luminous. I like to use the pinky “Riviera” shade as a blush, but this product comes in 13 other shades and can be used on eyes, lips and the body as well. It’s ideal for travel as it unlike powder, it won’t crack, and it simplifies any beauty routine by not requiring a brush.

9. Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour $24 U.S. 
A new product from one of my favourite makeup brands, the Caviar Stick comes in 12 colours and makes an ideal eye-liner and shadow. I applied some of the creamy, easy to blend stick in “Steel” (a charcoal) on my entire lid, rubbed it in and added a little black eyeliner and mascara to create a smoky- eye look that normally takes me twice as long.

10. Aveda Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment $29 U.S.
When an innocent appointment for a wash-out gloss suddenly turned into an unsightly permanent dye job that turned into numerous attempts to hit edit undo – my hair was in a state of emergency. Dry, and lacking its usual luster, my hairdresser suggested an Aveda treatment with quinoa protein. It took only several times of leaving it in my hair for approximately five minutes for me to see my hair CPR was working. I now use it once a week for maintenance.

5 more favourites: Clean & Clear Oil-Absorbing Sheets, St. Ives Gentle Exfoliating Apricot Scrub, Chanel Imitable Intense Mascara in “Black”, Chanel Rouge Coco Lipstick in “Cambon” and Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara.

Leggings as pants: A DON’t that’s sweeping the nation one exposed ass at a time

~ valsbitsandbites ~ 1 Comment

There’s many a reason to love summer, and that includes a noticeable decline in leggings-as-pants sightings. But with summer behind us, these fashion offenders are once again out in full force; parading the streets of Montreal with their ASSets on wide display. Modesty? What’s that? These leggings-as-pants wearers honestly believe the general public wants to see the contours of their genitalia. Now I’m talking about full-frontal offenders here – the ones that don’t even bother to cover up a fraction of their bottom halves, not about the people whose tops fall slightly on the shorter side. That said, I do believe that leggings, regardless of their fabric, should be treated as tights, and you wouldn’t wear tights that exposed your ass now would you? would you? Therefore, my advice is to ensure your top, tunic or dress, covers your entire derriere. This way, you can benefit from the comforts and style of leggings while still looking elegant and put-together. Keep in mind, wearing high boots does not, I repeat does not mean you can get away with wearing a shorter top – unless your boots cover part of your ass, but that’s just WEIRD. Also, I don’t care how thin you are – wearing too short a top with leggings still won’t look classy or fashionable. And just to clarify, although riding pants should ideally be worn with a top that covers the entire bum, if some rear-end is showing that’s fine by me because riding pants a) have the word “pants” in their name and b) are generally significantly thicker than any leggings I’ve seen.

In full disclosure, I have offended once or twice, but I have repented for my sins by swearing to never commit such crimes against fashion again. I strongly suggest you join me. But that’s just my take on it, here’s what some of my friends think on this contentious matter:

Q: Leggings are: A) pants B) equivalent of tights C) sort of like pants, but must be worn with a top covering bum D) none of the above (please provide opinion).

A1: C… but I admit that sometimes (when you’re not looking) I might be a leggings-as-pants offender but strictly only in desperate times such as laundry days – Anais

A2: B. Only B. Ever. – Jacqueline

A3: C, but I MIGHT be inclined to say D if (and only if) they’re really thick, good quality leggings with a “style” (e.g. riding pants leggings or motorcycle leggings) and you have a sick bod. But usually C. – Maxime

A4: I’d say they’re not like pants but they’re not like tights either, they must definitely be worn with a top covering the tush. I’ll go with C. – Kara-Sophie

Val, where do I go for a tasty, upscale dinner in Toronto?

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Don’t spill your coffees ladies and gents – there is good food in Hogtown. And by good I of course mean by Toronto standards, NOT Montreal standards. Toronto is many a thing (large, multi-cultural, predominately English-speaking), but gourmet epicenter it is not. But eh, we still gotta eat when we’re there eh?

Blowfish 
333 668 King Street W. (at Bathurst), and now also at 333 Bay St., reservations: 416-860-0606, major cards accepted. 
Beautiful people and multi-syllable cocktails abound at this sleek Japanese restaurant where the music is loud, and the food is surprisingly delightful. The panoply of creative, mainly seafood dishes may be overwhelming at first, but relax because you virtually can’t go wrong at Blowfish.
Try: Miso marinated black cod and all the rolls!

Nota Bene
180 Queen St. W., 416-977-6400, major cards accepted. 
Voted Canada’s best new restaurant by enRoute in 2008, Nota Bene prides itself in serving seasonal, Canadian cuisine with an emphasis on meat dishes. While the dinning room is visually stunning, the restaurant isn’t pretentious, and the kitchen will even go out of its way to accommodate dietary restrictions. There’s a reason why they say Torontonians are nicer than Montrealers.
Try: Crisp duck salad, big eye tuna tartar, stilton beef brisket burger, beef tenderloin, French fries with pecorino

Lucien
36 Wellington St. E., 416-504-9990, major cards accepted. 
I’ll admit, I’ve only eaten at Lucien once and it was during”Summerlicious”, a food festival where participating restaurants offer discounted three course prix fixe menus to the “masses”. Though the portions were on the small side, both the quality of the food and the service impressed this finicky Montrealer. Plus, the Montrealer who ate with me has since been back and said his meal was excellent. Like Nota Bene, Lucien wins automatic brownie points for highlighting Canadian ingredients, using BC salmon, Ontario red deer,  BC black cod, Ontario pickerel etc., Unfortunately, what I ate that day is no longer on the menu, so you’re on your own. Bon appetite!

The Drake Hotel Dining Room + Raw Bar
1150 Queen St. W., 416-531-5042, major cards accepted.
The hipper-than-thou Drake Hotel just so happens to house one of the city’s most happenin’ and tasty restaurants. The hodgepodge of a menu features everything from sushi, to lobster nachos, oysters and burgers. It’s eclectic, but in the best possible way – i.e. delicious. What’s more, it gives you the option of eating light, or taking the comfort food route which is especially nice when you’re out with a big group. Try: sashimi salad, lobster nachos, fresh dungeness crab cakes, french fries, firecracker maple shrimp

Pizzeria Libretto
221 Ossington Ave., 416-532-8000
It takes swallowing some of my Montreal pride to say this, but, Pizzeria Libretto serves some of the finest Neopolitian pizza outside Italy. I can’t believe it either, but alas, after waiting nearly 45 minutes (calm down, they take your # so you can chill at a nearby bar), I was floored by the grilled eggplant, tomato, basil, chili flakes and ricotta salata pizza. Thin crust and bursting with flavour, I truly forgot I was in Toronto – not an easy feat. Libretto shouldn’t really be in the “upscale” category because of its price range and laid back vibe, but it’s unquestionably gourmet, and truth be told, I couldn’t think of a fifth eatery for this post. Eh, that’s Toronto for you.

My favourite things: ça va de soi sweaters and basics

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Despite what we might say, we all pick favourites, and when it comes to sweaters and basics, my heart belongs to one brand and one brand only: ça va de soi. The Montreal-based company has been making superior quality knits since 1972, but I only caught wind of it six years ago when I fell in love with a grey cashmere cardigan at James in Westmount. A blend of cashmere, extra fine merino wool and silk, I stalked this sweater until it went 50 per cent off, and even then I couldn’t believe I was shelling out $160 for a sweater! Needless to say, it was one of the best purchases I’ve ever made because after wearing it all these years it has hardly pilled and remains impossibly soft.

Ça va de soi now has a stand-alone boutique in Ottawa and on Laurier Ave., as well as a store within a store at Ogilvy‘s in Montreal. A major part of why the clothes stand the test of time, is the label’s  “slow wear” philosophy. Their ethos is to use ethical practices to source the best quality fibers from around the world (Scottish wool, Egyptian Cotton, Italian silk etc.), and then to have master spinners turn the raw materials into classic designs. While most of the weaving is done in China, some garments are made in Italy.

Attention is paid to every detail, including the buttons, which are always made from natural materials: mother-of-pearl, oyster, scallop, clam, wood, nutshells etc. Although new additions are made each season, the bulk of the collection remains unchanged year after year. And while individual retailers can put ça va de soi items on sale, you’ll never find the brand’s items being discounted at its stores – a testament to its timeless apparel.

Come fall, I like to treat myself to two new sweaters, and since each one is more luxurious than the next and they all fit so well – it’s not an easy decision. This season, I finally settled on an oatmeal cable-knit sweater in a super fine wool ($200), and a plum boyfriend sweater that’s 50 per cent cashmere and 50 percent super fine merino wool ($270). I like that the latter is baggy enough that I can fit a button-down blouse underneath, while cable-knit is huge this season and the sweater will go perfectly with my flared J-brands. When wool is ultra fine, it’s not in the least bit itchy, and it’s made so as to ensure you’re never too hot or too cold by adapting to the temperature of your body and the environment.

Plum boyfriend sweater paired with Current Elliott denim shirt

And because I couldn’t resist, I ended up also purchasing a thin black turtle-neck made with Egyptian Mako cotton and eight per cent lycra for layering ($75). Ça va de soi’s cotton is seriously bullet-proof. Egyptian cotton is undoubtedly the world’s finest and the technique for growing it hasn’t changed in centuries. If conditions are unfavorable the soil is left fallow, and the cotton is still meticulously picked by hand.

Cable-knit sweater with orange/red Equipment blouse underneath

A new edition to the ça va de soi family this season is a multi-purpose shawl. Available in a range of colours, it’s made by Tuscan weavers using top of the line merino wool. The second I saw it I envisioned the myriad ways I could wear it (over a summer dress, wrapped around my neck with a leather jacket, as a blanket etc.) and have been lusting over the $240 piece of heaven ever since. It goes without saying my mother had to use a bit of force to separate us. Just putting it out there: my birthday is Nov. 10;)

Disclosure: None of the brands endorsed on this blog are funding me in any way, so my opinion isn’t influenced by anyone but myself. On second thought, it would be nice to get me a free sweater…