Let’s admit it- every woman wants to get rid of her cellulite as much as any mother does with her fully grown-up offspring after college.

Well little did you know, there are anti-cellulite products (99% of what’s out there) and there’s….. (harp playing, angels singing, Holy light descending from the sky) a product that Clarins developed that reduces and helps PREVENT cellulite.

If you’re like me and don’t intend to only eat salad veggies and drink water all summer long (well? what!), this can actually come quite handy.

Another trick to hide your cellulite is to either go all out and flaunt your legs knowing that things will indeed jiggle, and when you sit down well things get contracted hence cellulite shows even more. If you’re a little more self-conscious, use the products, use thicker fabrics that will conceal your skin texture and instead of wearing shorts that are barely longer than your crotch (trust me, those shorts are definitely NOT for everybody) play up your body type and instead show your nice cleavage, your waist, whatever makes YOU feel beautiful. It’s not because it’s summer time that you necessarily need to rock those barely there shorts. A little modesty is a great look on most people!

With the following beauty routine/products whatever your story is, you will definitely feel better and your skin texture & cellulite will improve, guaranteed 100%. I tried, tested, smelled, slathered on those products worthy of writing about, dear readers.

Step 1 (sorry if a NKOTB song just popped into your head while reading this out loud)

Prepare your skin with Clarins Exfoliating Body Scrub for some baby smooth skin ($45)

Step 2: (sorry if the NKOTB song is still stuck in your mind at this point)

Tonify & firm your skin with Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil ($56) – it smells heavenly and smoothes any spider veins you may have.

Step 3:

Shape up! It’s time for some Clarins Body Shaping Cream. Use it after you rinsed off your tonic oil while showering. This cream ($68) targets stubborn curves & firms, too.

Step 4:

Trust me how can your cellulite not improve dramatically, right? Your beauty routine ends with Clarins Body Lift Cellulite Smoother ($65), a “skin-care product jointly developed by Clarins Research and the scientific community, based on a highly efficient formulation containing plant extracts to refine skin texture and protected by 4 patents”.

Summertime blues, no more.

“This is about the women of Cannes, women who mix bathing suits with real pearls and diamonds”
“After all, you can’t wear fakes into the water.” – Karl Lagerfeld

Dive into Cannes and it’s faded era of glamour.

Diana Dors

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Alain Delon & Romy Schneider

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Romy Schneider

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Anne Baxter

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Annie Dupeyrey

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Barbara Bouchet

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Bella Darvi

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Brigitte Bardot

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Caroll Baker

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Catherine Deneuve

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François Truffaut & Jeanne Moreau

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Grace Kelly

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Susan Hayward & Ingrid Bergman

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Ingrid Bergman

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Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg

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Jean Cocteau

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Jean Paul Belmondo & Jeanne Moreau

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Jean Shrimpton & Terence Stamp

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Jean-Louis Trintignant, Anouk Aimée, Pierre Barouh & Claude Le Louche

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Keith Richards

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Marie Laforet

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Marilyn Monroe

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Monica Vitti

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Natalie Wood

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Rolling Stones

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Sophia Loren

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Sean Connery

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Susan Hayward

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Sydney Pollack and Robert Redford

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Ursula Andress

I have been to Cannes and the city has a very special glamorous vibe to it. Old-town glamour. I’ve been to Hotel Martinez on De La Croisette Blvd and had drinks at this celeb’s haunt….

Eerie

Kisses from Cannes:

The Cannes Festival will be held from May 11 to 22.

God Bless the F131 Hellcat Combat.

This slick, American-made, testosterone fueled motorcycle is a Godsend for our eyes. Not to be a downer but nevermind owning one: you’ll be lucky to ever see one.

A lean, mean, roaring machine, this beast boasts a special camshaft grind, 132 rear-wheel horsepower and 150 foot-pounds of torque. It reaches 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds. That’s $24,642 per second or $69,000 USD new.

The Hellcat, produced from 1942 to 1945, is one of the major aircrafts in the history of American airplanes. With 12,275 units built over 4 years, this fighter aircraft had for main goal to fight the Japanese Zeros.

Confederate took this aircraft as a reference for its first motorcycle. According to Confederate, the Hellcats are simplistic, lightweight and use a very rigid structure, just like their ancestors. The structure is widely made of carbon fiber and all the peripheral equipments are of extremely high quality: 50mm Marzocchi reverse fork, Penske rear shocks, 6-pot front brake caliper. With the extensive use of carbon fiber, the dry weight remained fairly low at 222 kg.

The Confederate Hellcat Combat F131 is equipped with a 2,200cc V twin engine. Designed by Confederate, the latest versions of the Confederate such as the motorcycle we are offering for sale develop 149 bhp. These sexy beasts were only produced in a limited series of 20 machines.

Oh, I forget: Brad Pitt & David Beckham like”em too.

Take a peak:

Hear it roar here:

To learn more: Confederate Motorcycles

The dog is the only animal that has seen his god. ~Author Unknown

If you can look at a dog and not feel vicarious excitement and affection, you must be a cat, for
there is no love story as mankind and its most loyal friend.

Take a look at this superb retrospective of Old Hollywood and its VIP dogs….

Ann Baxter

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Arthur Elgort

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Audrey Hepburn

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Betty Gable

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Brenda Joyce

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Doris Day

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Elizabeth Taylor

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Faye Emerson

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Glenn Ford

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Ida Lupino

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Janu Russell

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Lucille Ball

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Marie Wilson

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Patricia Morison

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Piper Laurie

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Rita Hayworth

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Robert Cummings

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Signe Hasso

L.O.V.E.

Peter Zumthor: brillant mind, forward thinker, soulful creator.

World renowned Swiss architect Peter Zumthor has officially been named the winner of one of the world’s most prestigious architecture prizes: the British Royal Gold Medal. Personally approved by Her Majesty The Queen (!), Zumthor founded his architectural firm 33 years ago in Switzerland.

In his book “Thinking Architecture”, Peter Zumthor explained his philosophy of architecture: “I believe that architecture today needs to reflect on the tasks and possibilities which are inherently its own. Architecture is not a vehicle or a symbol for things that do not belong to its essence. In a society that celebrates the inessential, architecture can put up a resistance, counteract the waste of forms and meanings, and speak its own language. I believe that the language of architecture is not a question of a specific style. Every building is built for a specific use in a specific place and for a specific society. My buildings try to answer the questions that emerge from these simple facts as precisely and critically as they can.”

What a man.

Check out my personal favorite projects below.

Here’s a project that especially resonated with me: The Bruder Klaus Chapel, Wachendorf Germany

Zumthor used a technique called “rammed concrete”. The timber was then burnt out by colliers, using the same process as making charcoal, leaving a charred inside. The floor is made of poured lead. An oculus at the top is open to the sky letting in the rain and light. How dope is that?

Next: another masterpiece: The Kolumba Museum, Cologne, Germany

Zumthor had great difficulties in planning and constructing this Museum in the centre of Cologne.

In a genius display of mastery and sensitivity, Peter Zymthor effectively merged the ruins of a destroyed Catholic church with sober, minimalist and contemporary architecture. The results? such a stunning MASTERPIECE.

The architect managed to reinterpret a highly sensitive matter: religious art.

Zumthor wrapped both the octagonal chapel as well as the Roman ruins with a double height nave supported by thin metal columns.

Like a true piece of art, this monument is dramatically lit up since indirect light filters through the wall perforations…

Sick. Is it me or I see unfathomable spirit in all his realizations?

Another great project: The Therme Vals, Graubunden Canton Switzerland

With a grass roof structure half buried into the hillside, the original idea was to recreate a cave.

The thermal bath station is built from layers of Quarzite slabs. This stone obviously became the star of the design. Peter later claimed: “Mountain, stone, water – building in the stone, building with the stone, into the mountain, building out of the mountain, being inside the mountain – how can the implications and the sensuality of the association of these words be interpreted, architecturally?”. Believe it or not but the stone rooms were designed not to compete with the body, but to flatter the human form…

Every element merging into a perfect communion. A true landmark…

To learn more:

Peter Zumthor

Hello, mamasita!

Caution: Heat Inside!

Nevermind the garters, the corset, all the fla fla.

One lingerie item is timeless, oozes elegance. Only one lingerie item is powerful: the body.

Feel the drama!

Only 2 brands currently create the most jaw-dropping bodies these days. One is very expensive, the other is eco-friendly & moderately inexpensive – for now.

London-based Bordelle;

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and Montreal-based, eco-friendly White Label;

(I own the below model)

Both brands currently have a ripple effect throughout the lingerie world. Bordelle is an underwear maker whereas White Label is a designer line with a lingerie division.

Consider this post a museum and those images, paintings.

I’ll now let you interpret them…

White Label Body & Tights

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Bordelle

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White Label Body & Tights

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Bordelle

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White Label Body & Tights

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Bordelle

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White Label Body & Sequined Bra

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Bordelle

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White Label

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Bordelle

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White Label

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Bordelle

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White Label

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White Label

Where to buy?

White Label

Bordelle

If you liked this article and are into edgy, racy lingerie, you will also like Only Pretty in Strumpet & Pink – Strumpet & Pink fancy knickers & Commander in Chic – Bondage-inspired Fashions

Yesterday I had the pleasure to attend the newest Lisabel Art Gallery exhibit on Ottawa street in the heart of Griffintown.

I can’t tell what I enjoyed the most: the company or the super sleek, très neoteric gallery. Either way, it made for a lethal combination!
A red carpet, a black Lincoln Navigator at the door, white leather lounge chairs, 27C in the midst of winter, I felt like I was in LA.

This gallery is an absolute must on the Montreal art gallery scene. If you’ve never been, brace yourself for high octane, in-your-face aesthetics, and a drop dead gorgeous venue.

Take heed! The space can be rented out for private events.

Since Lisabel (stands for “God’s perfection” ) was more in demand last night that the Pope at the Vatican, let’s let the pictures do the talking, shall we?

Beer & sausages courtesy of Brasseur de Montréal

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As you can see animal prints were all the rage! (Please excuse my lame pun)

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“Inside Me” $5,400 CAD

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Look at that muy caliente door! that door is leaving me embarrassingly out of breath!
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A close-up
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Lisabel, the painter, wearing a creation from Be Wear Benetdiction.

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ok, I need to make my coming out, folks. I was totally into that bathroom. I’m totally digging it. Matter of fact I barricaded myself in there for quite a while… I mean, this is HOT! Even my own reflection looked much better in there.

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Watch a clip from the event here:

It is the liquid polyester resin that gives Lisabel’s paintings such a glossy finish.

Her biggest clients include BMW, Bombardier, Roche Bobois, the Intercontinental Montreal Hotel, Sothebys.

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To learn more:

Lisabel

I need to make an official coming out.

I’m into glass.

I have a fetish and profound love for anything glass – I’ll blame it on my zodiac sign, Aquarius.

My ideal home would be concrete floors and translucent glass.
A bed made out of glass.
Glass furniture.
Glass china.

My motto? if it’s beautiful, it is practical. Period.

Straight out of a fairy tale (at least my type of fairy tale), the much anticipated and fragile museum of glass opened its doors on May 18, after 5 years of construction.

The SHMOG’s purpose is to serve as a bridge between China and the world.

Shanghai-based German company Logon took charge of the architecture & exterior of the museum. Germany’s Glashütte Lambets supplied the glass used for the museum’s façade inscribed with glass-industry terms in 10 different languages.

Shanghai-based COORDINATION ASIA was in charge of the museum concept, design, art direction and supervision of the overall museum interior.

The building is a former glassmaking workshop, one of the bottling-plant structures that the Shanghai Glass Co. still owns.

“Design-wise, we wanted to create a piece of black crystal glass. Sparkling, reflecting, sleek and deep,” Thürmer says. – Tuija Seipell.

Extremely sleek doesn’t even do justice here. This is just so beyond.

Take a look for yourself:

It’s been a long winter but Spring is just around the corner (maybe) and it’s time to get out from under the duvet and put those shearling slippers in the wardrobe to write a little about a subject dear to my heart… QUEBECOIS FASHION !!!

What can we say about « quebecois fashion » ? In the last few months, some articles stated that the Montreal fashion week presented here last February wasn’t the best or most interesting one presented lately. Another article even went as far as saying that Montreal wasn’t a fashion capital?!

And why is that so???

Could the main reason why Montreal is not a fashion capital be simply its population? I already can hear your cries of indignation, you who fought real hard to steal a deal during Montreal’s and Quebec City’s last « braderies » but, none the less… The fact is that after a)you’ve purchased a car, 2)put the cash down on that condo located in one of the numerous «new plateaux» that are popping all over town, 3)that the vacation in a sunny paradise is booked after you’ve 4)stood in a line-up for hours to buy the latest I-gadget and the biggest flat screen available at Future Shop, 5)After you’ve had a fancy meal at one of those trendy, expensive… « sugar shack » style restaurants …. In other words, when debts are equal to your annual income and that you now have everything you need to impress the crowd, there’s nothing left for clothes.

Anyhow why bother?! The National Costume Institute can close and its collection scattered through town will be sold at a bargain price! The historical references I was talking about shouldn’t matter. The « lab créatif » can quietly close too… Our starving local designers, struggling financially don’t need help… Why loose our time paying a visit to the « Musée du Costume et des Textiles du Québec » ?
It’s only about clothes and not the history they tell. Fashion is after all, pretentious, superficial, ridiculous… There’s no reason paying more for clothes that have been designed with thought and wit when you can buy them cheaper and by the dozen at any retailer in any mall in town. And that replica you bought on Canal Street during that last trip to the Big Apple… So chic ! And nobody will see the difference, right !?

So if we exclude those who really have zero interest, the culture or the money, or those for who « rags » is a detail they will consider after the next « referendum », or the other who simply don’t have taste and who believe that wearing one of those « patchwork ensemble » made them the ambassadors of « quebecois fashion »… We have those who dig fashion and like to dress well but, time and time again, they will buy fashionable clothes like they do with anything else and I mean that instead of buying from local designers, they will buy from an established, international brand. One that confers a status to the wearer. One that will impress the crowd. One that will scream how much they spent. If they ever become interested in local designers, it will be because the work of those designers have an « international » flair or if you prefer, it is because it will look like the work of some big designer seen on the latest Paris, Milan or New York runways.

I’m bitching but am I any better ? Not sure ! I love to dress ! For me fashion is the most visceral way to communicate with others. Clothes protect me from the elements, help me conceal my modesty, reflect my mood, tell people a bit of who I am and what I do for a living… Dressing well represents my self-respect and sets the tone as to who I hang out with but… I don’t buy from local designers. Why ? So far I didn’t find a local designer whose work doesn’t look like the diluted version of another international designer when it is not simply actual enough. Often, the quality isn’t there enough to justify the price tag.

I really hope that soon enough, I’ll find a local designer that will make me wet my panties and for whom I’ll be ready to max out my credit card. I hope I’ll soon have the pleasure to slip on their clothes but in the meanwhile… There’s always Jil Sander !

That is all for the moment… Of course exploring the reasons why Montreal isn’t a fashion capital doesn’t stop there. I’ll be back trying to dig up some more on that really interesting subject but, it is late and I need a drink more than ever.

Mr Hope Less Ness

Hey fashionistas.

Spending more time at the gym than with your man or your children? If so, dressing mainstream is NOT in your cards.

Why, what’s wrong with Lululemon and Lolë, you ask?

Here’s the truth: Wearing Lululemon or Lolë is exactly like driving a Honda Civic or a Cavalier Z22 in 1996.

You get to the parking lot and you can’t figure out which car is yours. Fashionistas, you might like Lulu but you just have to stand out in that area as well and that includes the gym.
It’s crucial to display your social status the nanosecond you make your entrance.

A gym is like a high school recess. Show what you got, look your best, be self-absorbed, pretend to be into it and then go home looking flawless.

Flawless? but of course. Channel Kim Kardashian. She goes in every day, with her face full of make up, and leaves even better looking then when she came in. Not a single drop of sweat in sight. She makes us believe that she is dedicated and works out every day but truth is, I don’t see the least muscle tone on her. Who are you fooling, Kim?

Do you really think women want to profusely sweat in public from the most nebulous body parts? Come on. What’s the worst sensation in the world other than feeling sweat drop from between your breasts. Sweat dripping in your eyes. In your face. Rocking a red face the entire time. So. Not. Chic. What you really want to do is do your real workout at home where no one can see you and then do the easy stuff at the gym, like 5 pushups and 20 situps. “Look mom, doesn’t even hurt!”

Here are a few gym essentials every chic woman must have:

Wealthy fashionistas, I speak the truth: money can buy originality and better looks at the gym.

Sweaty Betty Run Bra $62

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Lucas Hugh Lazer Bra $105

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Helmut Lang Asymmetric cropped top $115

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Lucas Hugh Krypton Swimsuit $265

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Lucas Hugh Elite Mesh Tank $194

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Payne revel net panel t shirt $200

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Moncler Classic Vest $205

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Roberto cavalli Love Gym T-Shirt $190

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Hackett Aston Martin Racing Polo Shirt $160

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Joules Vonetta Polo Shirt $130

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Lucas Hugh Prince Albert Jacket $450

Unfamiliar with Lucas Hugh? It’s ok. All you need to know is that the line was launched by Anjhe Mules a few years ago. Anjhe worked with Marc Jacobs and McQueen (gasp!). Isn’t it exciting?
Elle MacPherson & Sienna Miller are fans, yet the biggest fan has to be the Saudi Princess who just bought the entire collection. All the clothes are manufactured in the same factory that produces the Prada and Burberry’s sportswear ranges.

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Lucas Hugh Shell Poncho $565

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Sweaty Betty Velocity Jacket $250

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Lucas Hugh Krypton Leggings $258

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NIKE Pop Art Training Capris $55

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Moncler Classic Sweat Pants $335

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Vivienne Westwood’s cotton jogging bottoms $335

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Adidas by Stella McCartney Run Performance shorts $80

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Lucas Hugh Coot Shorts $177

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Givenchy Buckled High-top Sneakers $606

ok ladies, relax. No one’s going to the gym to run a 10k.

Going to the gym is like a model attending a Lakers game. No one has the intention of finding out who the best player is- they’re just there to check out the hot males.

So fashionable gym rats, take note: these sneakers are safe for the 20 situps you’ll be performing.

p.s. love that soft color!!so cute

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Moncler’s Monaco trainers in white leather $385

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MBT sneakers $320

The award-winning “ARI sports trainers” is the original and first member of the Ultimate Activator family. What do those flying saucers exactly do?
They improve your balance, reduce your back pain, better your posture, increase muscle activity, etc.

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Lexis sneakers $735, Pierre Balmain

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Givenchy Antigona Tote Bag $2,132

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MICHAEL Michael Kors’ Grayson large monogram satchel $450

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Chloe Madeleine patent-leather duffle bag $2,350

My favorite gym bag ever. I would even GO to the gym if I got to carry this bag (I don’t go to the gym. I ‘m a total gym hater.)

So cute, you can actually have lunch afterwards with a friend without being ashamed of your bag.

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Dr Huschka fitness balm $25

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Elemis Aching Muscle Super Soak $70 – trust me, this one is good

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Molami Bight Stingray White & Silver $250

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Bight Molani earphones $150 18k gold