Cartier

Cartier: Style and History is currently on exhibit at the Grand Palais. We headed to check it out in early January but the line up was insane. We figured mid week during the last week of January would be better. There wasn't a line, but it was packed inside. This is one of the few times I've seen french people lose their composure, people were going crazy for Cartier!

The exhibit features pieces from the house of Cartier (founded in 1847, which makes it older than Canada). The pieces were amazing and I can see why Cartier has been called "the jeweler of kings and king of jewelers".

Crowns and tiaras are featured prominently in this exhibit. This one can also be worn as a necklace, but if you can afford the crown I'm pretty sure you can afford a necklace.

 

All kinds of other jewelry is displayed.  

Of course there are watches.

And non jewelry items.

They also have a section displaying their famous clientele. Like Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor.

You may also spot the famous Panthère Cartier!

I was hoping that DJB would surprise with some Cartier jewelry after the exhibit but no such luck :(

Winter Shorts

Shorts - Pimkie; Shirt - H&M; Sweater - Zara; Tights - The Bay; Boots - Calvin Klein; Watch - Michael Kors; Earrings - MArket in Paris; 

You already know I am a big fan of wearing shorts in the fall. See evidence here. Its not surprising then that I am also a fan of wearing shorts in the winter! These are a little more winter-ish though with their quilted pattern and faux leather trim. It definitely feels more like winter here lately so I am looking forward to jetting off to Portugal in a couple of days!

These pics were snapped at the Square du Vert-Galant which is a quiet little gem located at the tip of the Ile de la Cite. 

Marché Grenelle

A visit to Paris is not complete without a visit to an outdoor market. You can Google which ones are the best, of course this is entirely subjective. I feel like going to the market is the only reason people in Paris get up early in the mornings, so if you plan to visit one of these markets make sure to get there before it closes (usually around 1-2pm).

We visit the market by our place at least once a week, it runs on Wednesdays and Sundays. This is my favorite market in Paris because it's close to our apartment and, most importantly, it's covered by the metro line that runs above it. It's perfect for rainy winter days like the ones we've been having.

Produce makes up a lot of the fare for sale. But there are all kinds of things you can buy here.

Poor lapin :(

I always stop at this one bakery stand. It has Polish candies and the two women that run it are both Polish/French. They usually yell at me for one reason or another. We decided to buy the olive bread because it looked so good. Except we came back to buy it, and it was gone. I think DJB cried a little.  

The flowers for sale are also amazing. The only thing I wouldn't buy here are the clothes.

Guest Post - Rethink 2014

Written By: Yvonne Ho

There’s no better time than now to rejuvenate your signature look. Seek inspiration, know what you like and be confident.

Inspiration is everywhere. Blogs, pinterest, artists, art, models, celebs, magazines, street fashion, nature, music, mothers, brothers, technology, history… 

Look around to spark your imagination, it’s the most important step. I admire others fashion choices daily but I’m luckier than most, I have two particular women right in my scope who always motivate me to get out of my style rut. The ever feminine and elegant Joanna from colourmoibeautiful.blogspot.ca and the creative and whimsical Kat from the Walter Phillips Gallery. My bestie and housemate respectively.

The fur vest, always chic and surprisingly practical.

The two have contrasting styles and are even geographically opposite. Big city Paris, the fashion capital of the world vs small town Banff aka The Land of the Puffy Jacket. Originally, it was the fur vest and love of fashion that linked Joanna and Kat in my mind but on closer inspection it’s their confidence and sense of playfulness that I appreciate most. Joanna, with her bright lips amidst a sea of barefaced Parisians and Kat with her Czaritsa inspired ensembles where Gore-Tex is the norm. These two wear whatever the hell they want and it’s truly delightful. 

Though I’ll always be a minimalist at heart, I will still be influenced by my friends. Not always with their particular sartorial choices but 100% with their attitude. For me they both serve as a reminder for 2014 that it doesn’t matter where you live or what you do, don’t take yourself too seriously with the art of dressing. Try new things, be playful and unapologetic. Be bold. Express yourself.

Photos By: Chris Anderson ShotBy.CA

Model: Kat

Madrid

Madrid lacks a central symbol that most major European capitals have. No Big Ben, Eiffel Tower, Colosseum, Brandenburg Gate, or Acropolis (okay there is a palace). What it lacks in major tourist traps, it makes up for in it's general coolness. It's like a version of Paris that likes to party hard.

I was actually disappointed that it was colder in Madrid than Paris. To be honest, I pictured Madrid with a much milder winter. But you still got a sense that winter is very short lived here.

Madrid has great museums and there are some very famous Spanish artists to showcase. The museum Del Prado is like the Louvre of Spain. If you are a fan of Goya, this is the place to see his works. I have to admit, I knew little about Goya until this visit, but I especially liked his "Black Paintings". He painted these dark paintings on the walls of his house when he was old and crazy. DJB had nightmares after seeing these. You can guess which one of these is Black Painting. (Sorry a lot of the museum pics are iPhone pics as we had to sneak the pics...shhhh!)

Another good museum is the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. There are a lot of Picasso and Dali paintings here. The most famous piece is Picasso's "Guernica" which depicts the bombing of the town Guernica. Going to Madrid and not seeing Guernica is like going to Paris and not seeing the Mona Lisa. Except unlike the Mona Lisa, you probably won't be disappointed :)

The second best part of Madrid is just wandering around. The streets are packed and the city is full of little peculiar things to see.

Like the flying Pope.

Or creepy statues staring at you from above.

Or the bear eating from a strawberry tree that you have to touch for good luck.

We even stumbled upon Ernst Hemingway's favourite restaurant in Madrid and sat at his special spot. He loved Madrid, the NY Times wrote an article about his time there, which can be found here.

Like I said, there are people everywhere.

But the best thing about Madrid (I'm sure you can guess what I'm about to say) is the food! It never hurts to eat where the locals eat. This place only had three things on the menu. Deep fried cod, croquettes, and empanadas.

We spent ten days in Spain and we only ate Paella once. This is because good / authentic Paella is hard to find, so make sure to ask someone where to go for Paella. Chances are, it will be pricey but worth it. ( iPhone pic)

The Spanish love their olives. This country turned me onto them as I didn't really like them until I ate these...

And Bocadillos...

And desserts...

And churros and hot chocolate. The hot chocolate is literally chocolate that is hot.

DJB and I like to head to McCafe's in each country we visit to see the regional differences. Breakfast from a McCafe in Spain:

Every time you order a drink you get a little snack...literally every time. If you eat your snack and order another drink you get another snack. This keeps going until you stop eating...or stop drinking.

This is what they call Kilometre Zero. They say if you step on it and take a picture you'll come back to Madrid. I hope it is true.