Bohemian Rhapsody

I'm definitely a fan of the bohemian look and my style tends to veer in this direction. Here's a few pieces I've seen lately that have caught my eye.

Kimchi & Blue

I love the colors and patterns of this silk dress from Urban Outfitters ($58). Trimmed with crochet at the neckline and partially lined. I would wear this as a long tunic over jeans.

Banana Republic

Here's another great silk dress from Banana Repulic ($110) with a paisley print in burnt orange and navy blue. Love the kimono sleeves!

Odd Molly

I saw some pieces from the Swedish designer Odd Molly at a boutique in Montreal and was immediately drawn to them. Each piece of Odd Molly clothing is hand sewn and all fabrics are organic and sustainably sourced. Gorgeous detailing and even the labels and tags are quirky and detailed. I love their embroidered tunic tops and dresses. Looks like you can email them to find out which stores carry their pieces in your area.

Dress it up!

I love the green salad this Lebanese restaurant in Montreal makes and have tried to recreate it at home. I have been using the following recipe that I think comes pretty close. I've been making it every day this summer!



I think the key to get the extra lemony flavor is sumac, which is a reddish ground herb you can find at middle eatern markets. I found sumac at Adonis Market in Montreal which is an AMAZING grocery store if you haven't been.



Lebanese Salad Dressing

1 clove of garlic minced
Juice of 1 large lemon
Equal amount of extra virgin olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper
Salt to taste
Bunch of fresh mint (about ½ cup), coarsely chopped
1 tsp ground sumac


Serve this dressing over a salad of romaine lettuce with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onions (that have been pre-soaked in salt-water).

Grey or Gray?

Top
I love this drapey grey top from Lux with lace detail ($48). The back dips down just enough without exposing too much. Available at Urban Outfitters.


Shoes


These studded grey pumps from Jean-Michel Cazabat ($495) are a little tough, but still refined which I love. Available at shopbop.com.



Ombre


I love this cotton maxi dress in grey ombre ($125). Best of all it's made using 100% organic cotton, and non-toxic dyes. Available at shopintuition.com.

Great In-VEST-ment

This simple look of a close-fitting vest with wide-leg pants caught my eye in the latest issue of Instyle magazine. I like the fact that this vest buttons up high enough that it can be worn without a shirt (not that this is exactly a work-day look).

I've been looking for a vest like this. found a couple that have possibilities.

L.A.M.B.

I like this wool brown and light blue houndstooth vest from L.A.M.B ($265) available at Nordstrom. Although the price tag is a little bit high.

Pencey

This boyish vest from Pencey is another one that buttons up higher ($265). Available at shopbop.com.

Give a Hoot

Owl Light

Nights at our country house are very dark. I've been looking for a light for our hallway for those light night bathroom trips and think I found the perfect lamp. This porcelain owl nightlight from Viva Terra ($149) stands 10" high.

Owl Art

These little owl plaques ($20) from Fred Flare come in a multitude of colors--blue, pink, green, etc. Wood base with a hand cast plastic owl. A few of these would look cool grouped together.

Woodsy the Owl

If you grew up in the 70's like me then you probably remember those public service announcements featuring Woodsy the Owl. This t-shirt ($24) from Junkfood (available at Fred Flare) brings me back.

Do Be, a "do bee"

Do you remember that show Romper Room? I loved the part of the show where they drew the name of a lucky kid that got to be the "do bee" of the day. The show would end with the line, "Do be a 'do-bee'.

My sister is found of the bee (has one tattoed on her hip), so I'm always on the lookout for interesting bee pieces she might like. Here's a few jewelry pieces I've found recently:

Pin

This is a great little Queen Bee lapel pin ($18) from Bell'Occhio.







Necklace

I absolutely love this silver Bee pendant ($100) from Kiss My Ring. Looks like an old seal or emblem.

Cuff


This Jessica Kagan Cushman resin cuff ($160) has a definite sense of humor. Available at shopbop.com.

Oh, Canada!

In honor of Canada Day (July 1) I thought I would post info on some of my favorite stores in Montreal.

Zone Maison

Zone is a great home furnishings store with a couple different locations in Montreal. I bought these "bear claw" salad servers ($8) there. This is a great store to find gifts and they have many items that are relatively inexpensive. They have some jewelry and accessories as well.

Lola & Emily

This is a great airy clothing and accessories boutique on St. Laurent. The store has big couches and rustic furniture and feels comfy in addition to carrying the latest trends. Check out their website at http://www.lolaandemily.com/.

Freitag Concept

This is my very favorite jewlery store. Unique pieces and the prices are incredibly reasonable. The owner is extremely friendly and helpful. I bought my mom several pieces from this store and own quite a few myself. I wish they had a website! 3762 boul. Saint-LaurentPhone : (514) 845-1788.

Space FB

This store carries it's own line of t-shirts and casual wear for both men and women designed in Montreal. There's also a Space FB outlet on St. Laurent up the street from the regular boutique. 3632 St Laurent Montréal, QC H2X 2V4. (514) 282-1991‎.

Oonu

With a newly opened boutique on St. Laurent, designer Claudia Gilles designs unique fluid pieces for women. She also has a line of maternity wear. Wrap dresses, jersey pants and tops all in body conscious, but flattering shapes. 3878, boulevard Saint-Laurent. (514) 227-1272.

James

This store reminds me more of L.A. than Montreal. It was my dose of west coast style while living in Montreal although I did more browsing than buying. Great denim, feminine tops, sandals and accessories. 4910 Sherbrooke St. West (upstairs) 514-369-0700.

Indigo
This is an amazing Westmount store to buy jeans and t-shirts. All the major brands are featured. Denim from Joe's Jeans, Hudson, Paige Premium Denin, etc. Michael Stars t-shirts as well as many other brands. 4920 Sherbrooke St. West 514-486-4420.

Simon's

I love this Montreal department store for all kinds of interesting accessories and clothing finds at reasonable prices. A great coat department in the winter and swimsuit department in summer. Simon's also has a housewares section. I just wish they had shoes! Online at http://www.simons.ca/.

Brown's Shoes

No trip to Montreal would be complete without a stop at Brown's shoes. The store on Ste-Catherine has a huge selection of women's and mens shoes. I just saw these great boots on sale for $99! Check out the website at: http://www.brownsshoes.com/.

Oink Oink

This Westmount toy store carries a great selection of toys as well as some clothing and accessories, stuff for summer camp, books, games. There's also a great infant section. Check out their website at: http://www.oinkoink.com/.

Jack and Jill

This small NDG toy store is jam-packed with all kinds of little knick-knacks, toys and games as well as great kid's clothes, leggings, pajamas and candy. 5330 chemin Queen-MaryMontréal, QC H3X 1T7 (514) 488-5841‎.

Babar en Ville

With two stores in Pointe-Claire Village and on Greene Ave. in Westmount, this is a great children's book store with books in both english and french. 1235 avenue GreeneWestmount, QC H3Z 2A4 (514) 931-0606‎.