Avril

There is nothing more emblematic of spring for me then fresh flowers and pretty raincoats! 

This month I asked my friend Ariane to pick a couple of coveted and loved items. So, here is what miss April picked:  

This raincoat

Boots similar to those

This bag

Something sweet 

A leather glasses case made by her boyfriend

....and also made the wish for a dog to bring home. 

I chose to add this sweater. 

If there were 48hrs in a day, I would totally knit that for her. 

ps: I am having a hard time uploading my image without blogger ri-sizing it. For the full size desktop (2500x1400px) please download it from the FB page here. It seems to be re-sized down there as well. I'll try to figure it out before the next month. Sorry about this! 

Mars

A cameo from my handsome husband for the month of March. A little way of honoring our anniversary coming up. My sweet lumbersexual man ready for an outing at la cabane à sucre, pocket knife, iphone, and cozy knits. 

Here are some of his favorites: 

Merino wool Watch cap from Mercantile

This jacket

An Antler sweater

(because he's jealous of the one I knit for our daughter)

An old Banana Republic shirt I bought him 

A pocket knife 

Redwing Heritage boots (he should buy, if you ask me) 

Oscars' Fashion 2015

 I watched the Oscars yesterday (duh, like the rest of the planet. And managed until around 10h30pm since that was already pushing drastically my bedtime.. I know..) And, wanted to share my favorite looks. I am not very up to date with the fashion world right now. So maybe those are just nice classic looks... 

 I find Emma Stone always stunning (and talented and hilarious) her choices are always interesting. I love this sort of gold? Chartreuse? Sparkle lemon-yellow?? I find it really chic. That photo does not do it justice. 

 Other then that Jennifer Lopez's gown was just sooooooo beautiful. I actually think it would look even better as a wedding gown then for an award ceremony...that color! (I wish I could get married again to wear that gown. That much) The details are so delicate and pretty in a not tacky-swarowsky kind of way. I'm not a fan of the crazy cleavage boob-pancakes look, but I'm aware that this is J-Lo and therefor it is probably inevitable. 

 I don't know if I love Jared Leto's look... All I can say is that it triggered some interest, emotions, compared to the see of boring black tuxedos. (There was a couple of dark-color sort of shiny jackets.. burgundy (Neil Patrick Harris' second look?), forest green.. but MEH it didn't do it for me)  I love that he is doing something different. That lilac color is so intriguing. I do love the Jesus-hairstyle, though, that I am positive about. 

Janvier

2015! Already!!! 

I'll be posting free desktop calendars every month again. Hopefully on time, each month.

 For January, I always love my dose of cozy knits, introspection, calm and hot beverages. I'll try and incorporate some local (or not) favorites into these monthly drawings. I'm also taking this chance to just draw pretty girls and women (and maybe a man or two?) well dressed and stylish. I have mostly children work line up this year so it will do for a nice change. So here it is! I hope you enjoy it :) 

The coolest chunky knits

This shawl I want to knit

Those mittens I should finish 

This really cute café in a town we love

The perfect winter boots

Noémiah Fall-Winter 14'

Photo: Instagram Noémiah (@missnoemiah)

 Isn't it funny that the last post I wrote before taking some time off with my baby was about some work for Noémiah... and now first one is all about her as well! I have started working again since earlier this fall, but there is not much I can show yet. This gorgeous collaboration took place in late spring and summer, and her De Glace collection is now out, so I can brag. 

 I designed some patterns for her, but she ended up using this single motif instead. It embellishes some pieces, embroidered in shiny gold thread.. and Also a cashemere scarf. What more could I ask for? This collection feels much more mature, Noemiah has found herself... and it's really a pleasure to be working with her after all these years! 

Photographe : Stephanie Lou 

Assistant à la photographie : Damien Thiberge 
Maquillage : Catherine LeMay 
Décor : Justine Roy et Joanie E. Roy 
Modèle : Valérie Collette

Happy  Birthday to my friend Ariane. :) 

Some last minute work for Noémiah

 I did those for my friend Noémie last week, designer behind the lovely brand Noémiah. I was not supposed to take more work.. but I remembered I had told her I'd do it a looong time ago and had forgotten. Woopsies. It's always fun to try and find ways to match the soft look of her brand with  my illustrations. I really like how these turned out. Here are some of my favorite pieces from her last collection... Can't wait to see what she'll have for spring very soon!! 

(Photos by Noémie Vaillancourt and Manon Parent and you know, hair and make up by me ;))

Geneviève

Happy Birthday to my dear old friend Geneviève. 

No matter the distance, country and continent, I always cherished your friendship. I'm so very lucky to have you near right now! 

xx

That dress is from the designer Orla Kiely, a common love we share.

(Geneviève is much more talented then me at rendering fabric and pretty dresses, though!)

Fast Fashion

 Zoe Gray recently contacted me to share a video that she has produced, concerning fast fashion. I think that this kind of sustainability, longevity topic is super à-propos in many spheres of our lives right now. I personally have felt this way not only about clothes, but also food, furniture, even experiences like what you do over the weekend or where you vacation.. 

 Still, I feel like there has been a sort of shift in my attitude with clothing when I noticed that a lot of what I bought at HnM was coming apart, or having wholes in it super fast (ok blame me, I put EVERY THING in the dryer) Still.. There are pieces of clothing from Gap that I've worn for over 5 years. Sometimes more. (If they still fit me, but that's a whole other subject.)

 I wish I could buy more clothes from local designers but the truth is I kind of cannot afford it. I will splurge on a scarf, or one item from time to time, and I feel like in a small way I am doing what I can to encourage them? But most of the time I have to buy clothes for less money, and figure out the ones that will last many many seasons. First of all I aim at neutral colors (that I won't get tired of, since I mostly like to wear grey, black, beige and navy) Things that mix and match well. And I have also come to find the stores where the clothes are kind of well made - well tailored for me, affordable when in sale, and also going to last long. I also find that as I get a bit older *not that old* my style is not evolving so much with the trends each season. I do love to buy "statement pieces" from time to time, but mostly, I'll stick to what makes me feel like me. 

 Anyways, watch it, it's fun and well made, and interesting! Maybe I have a bit of a bias because of my animation background, but oh well! ;)

Created by OnlineMBA.com

Noémiah : Roses d'hiver

 It's the second time I get to play around and do hair and make up for a Noemiah shooting. Exactly why my friend Noémie trusts me with this.. I have no clue! It's not like I know what I'm doing. But pitching in with whatever experience I have of applying make up on my own face, YouTube videos and pinterest tutorials... it usually turns out ok ;) 

 This time she was shooting her Fall-Winter collection for 2013, Roses d'Hiver, not only for her stunning as usual feather jewellery.. but also featuring clothes and purses for the first time!!! I am so excited to see Noemiah grow her brand. (and to see her evolve and grow as a designer and person at the same time.) She is one hard working woman, and her creations are nothing short of delightful, feminine and graceful perfection. 

 I basically did exactly what she wanted in terms of looks. She came up with most of the inspiration and styles, her taste is always very tasteful and trendy. We usually agree with what looks good with her products, and she trusts my eye too, whenever she hesitates, since we have worked together on many occasions. 

But little did I know I was going to ALSO play florist all day. ;)

The flowers she had picked were gorgeous. (as was the model, right!?)

Playing around with the gold leaf foil was super fun! 

It was a bit time consuming to apply.. but I think the result is really worth it.

Photograph: Manon Parent

Model : Mickeline Couturier

You can see the full collection here and shop here. 

Fall...

Some looks I'm looking forward to this fall. (I'll try to look this good) 

All photos from the copyright cemetery Pinterest. All I could trace back is the photo of the first leather jacket up top, it's from Free People. Otherwise all dead ends. I'm sorry. I'm a bad person. 

Pattern Lush

I have a major crush on that new Diane Von Furstenberg collection for Gap Kids. 

The colors, the patterns... so inspiring !! 

Spring II

Happy weekend, everyone! 

xo

Illustration for Mode Trotter Blog

Well, well... seems like this is the week I brag about recent work! ;)

 I worked on the re-look of Cindy Laverdière's blog, Mode Trotter Blog, a couple months ago. The new look (works of Rose Flash Studio) is up now! And wow oh' wow, am I proud! I love the new look.. and those experiments with lipsticks paid off!! It looks really sharp, I think! (Thanks tones cheap Joe Fresh mate lipsticks that tasted like cheap wax!)

Spring

We're all ready, I think.

And, one day I'll man up and buy this bag. 

Mercredis Wedding OCD

This new blog post category is pretty catchy, now isn't it? 

Sick Fashion

Just taking advantage of the Montreal Fashion Week here. ;)

Trying to make the most of the fact that my seasonal allergies are now doubled up by a nice bronchitis heart felt man-flu. 

Hush Puppies

 Last spring I had the true delight of working on some lifestyle images for Hush Puppies. They contacted me and were inspired by my Manly Hipster Calendar, and it was, obviously, an honor to pair my illustrations with their shoes! I do love menswear, sometimes even more then women's fashion. (I secretly buy the GQ a couple times a year, I cannot help myself.) 

 It was a fun process, to sort of pin point at some great trends / styles in menswear to match with three different versions of a new shoe coming out this fall. You can see more about this collection here. 

 And now some of my - read, woman - favorite shoes from their recent collections. That cute motorcycle-ish boot is coming my way via mail soon!! Can't wait for fresher weather to be able to even *think* about wearing fall clothes. Fall is my utmost favorite season, and summer my least one, so this is a time of the year when I can get so so so impatient for that shift to happen. It has been particularly warm here this weekend, and... I'm ready. 

I want to cuddle puppies and wear cute fall outfits too!! 

PLAY. EAT. NAP. 

Amen!!

Our Capital... And Joe Fresh

 Here... I'll say it fast... I like Ottawa. A lot. Every time I go, I find new things to love. Maybe this is not so so popular on my side of the province border...But I say, whatev. Last week we did a little overnight trip to Gatineau / Ottawa to visit Guillaume's sister. She took us out to one of her favorite restaurant, that we had been dying (no, really, we talked about it often) to try. Whalesbone, on Bank St. This place is teeny-tiny, rsv is a must. Even for a party of 3, on a thursday, at 6pm. It's busy but not loud, pricy but not outrageous. And seriously... when the food arrives, you don't regret any penny. Our expectations were met, big time! I had the hanger steak, and the boyfriend had walleye fish. (Fish is their specialty, and it's also an oyster house. But I had eaten a lot of those recently so I felt like a change!) I heard the menu is always changing, with what is fresh from the market each day, I love that! 

 Speaking of love, here's something I wore for brunch on Sunday. JOE. FRESH. My new lover. I like to buy quality over quantity when it comes to shoes (ie: Pretty Ballerina flats, were pricy, but this is the fourth summer they see. Who can say as much about their A*#do flats?), purses (whether it's from a store or a flea market, I buy real leather purses, that will age nicely with time, instead of burst at the seems if you carry too much in it, which we ALL do.) 

Top and jeans: Joe Fresh

Purse: Garage sale find. 

Shoes: Pretty Ballerina

Scarf: Gift from a friend, I believe it was HnM. 

A Girly Post : Shoes

 I know, for a fact, that most women can identify to this. That moment when, you KNOW, you deserve some new shoes. You KNOW it will make everything feel right, and that somehow you did something to earn this. The right to go and buy yourself some awesome new shoes. Either for fall, or for summer, or for no reason at all... Sometimes you just need new pretty things to put on your feet and walk around with. 

 For me, that time had come. I know that buying ballerines and sandals, when fall is just around the corner, might not seem very clever... But! But! Is it me or summer kind of stretches a bit further every year now? It will be warm, and even later, I will love those new flats with jeans, jackets, when the weather chills out. And! I think those Dr Marten wedges are going to look terrific with dark socks, or opaque tights. :) 

I saw these cute Reef flats in Virginia, but they did not have my size. Montreal Magic. Period.

 I pretty much never wear heels. I'm always scared I'll be uncomfortable and will want to walk bare-foot all the way home. So I don't buy shoes I'm not likely to wear, ever. But lately, I've been wanting some sort of feminine alternative to everyday sandals. Something high*er* but not so high that I don't feel natural in it. Those are seriously sooooo comfy. The plastic sole makes them really bouncy, and the arch is not too pronounced. Feels manageable! I hope I'll wear them A LOT.