Second Published Article

Festival Québec Mode shines a spotlight on Saint Joseph

(My second article in the Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.)

Realistically, about four of you are going to read this long article and you are most likely related to me hence feeling slightly obligated...thanks I hope you enjoy it.  For the rest of you....

In a nutshell, I was hired, by an English journal, to cover all the fashion events here in Quebec City.  The first paragraph explains the rest.  A few details, a rue- is a street (rue Saint Joseph is in the lower city of Quebec. The city has been working to restore it.  

I love the area, it has a bohemian chicness to it.

March 21st kicked off the month long Festival Québec Mode in Centre-ville de Québec. Rapidly growing fixtures in fashion, boutiques on rue Saint Joseph rolled out the red carpet combining fashion and glamor with music and entertainment. Festival Québec Mode, encompassing all things fashion, is a refreshing way for retailers to promote their stores to a style conscience audience. Open to the public, everyone was invited to attend shopping events, runway shows, makeovers, parties and exhibitions



Boudoir Lounge set the scene for one of the premier destination retailers, Novo, on April 11th. Owner Yan Aubé slid into a booth with an encouraging group of friends and family by his side. An A list crowd filled the room. A designer himself, Aubé is focused on attention to detail, not only with his own clothing line, but in all the items within his boutique located at 708, rue Saint Joseph Est. In Novo, you will find local designers, European lines and Yan Aubé’s personal Collection. “Right now I am really excited about Twin-Set” says Aubé. Twin-Set is an Italian company who seems to share his philosophy on clothing. United they provide marked individuality, contemporary appeal and a feminine fit. Equally important, Novo carries a must see, must have collection of menswear.

The delicate nature of spring veiled the chic boutique Uni(t) on the night of April 18th. Owners Ingred Nourcy and Jean Morin circulated through the room warmly greeting new and old friends as if in the comfort of their home. An overall feeling of luxury and ease encompassed the showroom. Champagne flowed and music pumped while the subtle presence of informal models lifted the heads of those in attendance. Globally labeled fashion for men and women lined the walls. There are obvious benefits to hosting a show within the intimate setting of a retail space. Most importantly, the ability to feel and touch the merchandise connects the client to the ware. The blend of vintage and contemporary apparel inspired thoughts of long carefree drives with the windows rolled down and no intention of stopping. It is a good night when reality is better than fiction.

A historical institution dating back to 1867, Laliberté tied their 145th Anniversary into Festival Québec Mode. On the night of April 19th, an exposition of sheer entertainment took the full house back in time. While audience members lip synced the words to California Dreamin’ the models took to the runway in modern day flower power apparel. Inextricably linked to days gone by, pretty florals, bold stripes and sophisticated solids proved fashion worthy of today. Laliberté may be a historic fixture in Québec, but with events like this one they are staking a claim in modern Québécois fashion. Graphic Designer and two year employee of Laliberté, Chantel Ferland said, “it is a diverse store that is continually evolving to fit the needs of their customers”. That is just what visionary Jean-Baptiste Laliberté had in mind. Historical photos and advertisements stirred “remember when” comments from Laliberté lifers who proudly shared stories with one another. The night appropriately drew to a close with applauding customers marveling at fabulous-luxurious furs, the medium that started it all.

Let's face it, most women would rather have a root canal than shop for undergarments or bathing suits. In a one-on-one interview with co-owner of Flirt, an intimate apparel and swimwear bouquet located at
525, rue Saint Joseph Est, Josee Robitaille tells QCT writer, “I am the President of the complex women of Québec club”. After sharing a sincerely hearty laugh she continued to explain that no matter where you are in life finding the perfect lingerie means finding the right place to buy it. She and daughter Véronik Simard considered every angle when designing their shop and purchasing merchandise to provide a superior shopping experience. For starters, forget about buzzing florescent lights and cold feet, their spacious changing rooms have adjustable lighting and heated floors. “We take our time and get to know our customers and we listen to their needs”, says Ms. Simard. Their attention to detail inside the shop carried over into an amazingly fun and energetic fashion show. Representing all forms of beauty the ladies utilized models of different age, size and race on the runway. Sexy, yes, but classy, respectful and fashionable could also define the pieces worn throughout the show. The passion behind Flirt makes it a destination everyone should treat themselves to.

Making a debut as the “it” apparel event, Festival Québec Mode General Director, Karine Albert, could not be more elated. “The turnout is more than we anticipated”, Ms. Albert said with a smile.

This article, compared to the last, is a little less flowery and a lot more detail. 

I had to say a lot in less than 800 words. 

Enjoy your day!

 I've walked up and down the streets looking for this button.... 

Please let me know if you find it. (Wink)

Don't forget to enter My Freshwater Pear giveaway...here

My Freshwater Pearls

"Pearls are always appropriate"...Jackie Kennedy

There has never been a season without pearls making an appearance. Demure to dynamic, pearls make a statement.

Partnering with My Freshwater Pearls could have caused some serious financial issues for me, but wait until you see how affordable they are. 

Their prices are on average 75% lower than jewelry stores and they also have an amazing selection of necklaces, bracelets, anklets and earrings.  

Autumn Rose Necklace $50.00

 Some facts from My Freshwater Pearls site:

Origins of Freshwater Pearls

Freshwater pearls originated in the lakes around China. The Chinese people found that they could encourage mussels, like the saltwater pearls occur in oysters, to create these pearls quickly and in vast quantities.  Natural pearls are formed by foreign material, whether it is sharp or a parasite enters the mussel and cannot be discharged. The mussel coats the object with the same secretion it uses for shell-building, nacre, to reduce the irritation. For cultured freshwater pearls, workers would slightly open the shell and place a live mantle tissue from another mussel into the slits; which in doing so creates nacre production for the mussel. Most freshwater pearls are entirely made of nacre, just like the natural freshwater pearls and the saltwater cousins. Due to culturing has allowed the prices to be more affordable, rather than the natural ways. The only main difference between the two, natural and cultured, is that they start not by chance, man deliberately intervenes with nature it place an irritant. Natural pearls are very rare to find, but can be very beautiful, however, due to overfishing, pollution and other factors makes them harder to find without too many imperfections.

Freshwater pearls originated in the lakes around China. The Chinese people found that they could encourage oysters to create pearls by cutting a small strip from the mantle of the oyster and inserting it into the oyster.  The oyster then coats the strip with several layers of minerals and proteins. Adding layer on top of layer the oyster creates a pearl composed entirely of nacre. (This is where cultivated fresh water pearls differ from cultivated salt water pearls. Salt water pearls are created using a small bead to start it.) 

The length of a pearl necklace has a lingo all its own. It is all dependent on how low a necklace hangs when being worn. For example, a classic collar necklace, single or multiple strands, does not hang down it simply touches the throat and measures anywhere from 10 to 13 inches.  Next are the pearl chokers at 14-16 inches, the princess length around 17-19 inches, the matinee length is 20-24, the opera measures 28-35 inches and anything longer than the opera is considered a pearl rope.  

History is marked with stories of the pearl.

Perhaps that's what makes it "Queen of the gems".

Without a doubt I could go on and on....(AnnOnandOn), but I don't want to overload you with too much info.  If you would like to read more, My Freshwater Pearls has a wonderful page, "Pearl Education", that is worth the read.

While I enjoy a new pair of charming freshwater Pearl stud earrings I think it's only fair to share....one lucky reader will also receive a pair. 

(Value $27.98)

All you have to do is:

Visit My Freshwater Pearls then come back and tell me your favorite item.

As a THANK YOU for all who follow my blog I'd like to offer an extra entry. Just leave a comment telling me that you follow AnnOnandOn.

(If you are a new follower...welcome! Make sure to leave a comment.)

One more....o.k. 

If you "Like" My Freshwater Pearls on Facebook you can get an extra entry.

That is a possibility of three entries.

  (Starts April 19th and ends April 29th)

Good Luck! 

A women needs ropes and ropes of pearls.

- Coco Chanel

Daisies...

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If I Had My Life Over - I'd Pick More Daisies  

Nadine Stair

If I had my life to live over, I'd dare to make more mistakes next time. I'd relax, I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I'm one of those people who lived sensibly and sanely, hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute. If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.

My First Article

Marie Dooley celebrates 25 years on the Runway

(article originally published in Quebec Chronicle-Telegraph 4/11/2012, you can get a glimpse of it here )

Truly excited for the night to get under way, Marie Dooley peeked through the doors of the exquisite Salle de Bal within Le Château Frontenac. What she saw was hundreds of eager fashionistas awaiting her 25th Anniversary Signature Collection on the night of April 4.

Once with youthful aspirations of becoming a lawyer, Québec native Marie Dooley now fills armoires with what she describes as "classic pieces with longevity". That is a plus for those who are budget conscience and have a desire to welcome each season with a few "must haves". Dooley understands that building a wardrobe requires clothing capable of transcending the boundary between weekday and weekend wear. Ideally, these investments should be versatile enough to mix and match through the seasons. "I dress real women", says Dooley. Looking around the room at her clientele it is clear that she has spent years perfecting apparel while mastering the art of helping her clients express their individuality. "Being beautiful doesn't mean being perfect", she says, "That is why it's so important to know your clients. And, I know my clients". Known for her impeccable tailoring skills, clients can also look to Ms. Dooley for timeless interpretations of high fashion trends.

The fashion show is underway and for sixty minutes all eyes fixed on forty-three pieces from Marie Dooley's Spring/Summer Signature Collection. The obvious consumer approval was marked by nodding heads and continual clapping. Without question, outfitting yourself for spring and summer will be anything but a yawn. Exciting pastels, patterns, sculpted necklines and full on color from top to bottom had wandering fashion spirits uniting. It was clear that the adoption of trends does not mean that a collection has one look. Hemlines hit the floor and played peek-a-boo with knees. The return of the long jacket did not mean you cannot wear your short one. In fact, Dooley showed us they are both perfect to pair with attention grabbing stretch denim skinny jeans. She also put the cotton t-shirts aside and made room for the innovative comfort and durability of bamboo. This natural flowing fabric has the richness of silk yet does not require trips to the dry cleaners. Showing off her versatility, Dooley explored the roots of origami by coupling her signature buttons and figure flattering cuts in an array of colorful twisted tops. Throughout the night models flirted with sexy while maintaining sophistication in a variety of dresses. With nostalgic silhouettes from eras gone by, some of her 60's style dresses may even steal the heart of popular TV series and this season's fashion buzz, Mad Men's Don Draper. Her whimsical silk dresses are sure to inspire romantic getaways or long strolls through Vieux Quebec.

In her 25 years as a designer, Dooley has been an active member of the Quebec arts community. Recently, she collaborated with the Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec on theModeet Apparence dans l'Art Québec, 1880- 1945 exhibit. Inspired by Adam Sherriff Scott’s work Anne, Wife of the Artist, Ms Dooley designed a modern version of the dress seen in the painting. She captured the essence of art and fashion through a breath-taking floor length emerald silk gown. Envisioning the night of a special event Dooley shared part of her interpretation saying, “What matters to me is that women feel great about themselves. I want women to be able to forget about what they are wearing once they get dressed.” As timeless as the artwork, her dresses exude confidence, radiance and the perfect amount of femininity.

It is no coincidence that the 25-year capstone was a flowing white silk wedding dress inspired by the dress made for the Mode et appearance exhibit. The final gown brought everyone to their feet and a smiling Marie Dooley out from behind the curtains to take a final bow. 

So there you have it. My first newspaper article. 

Let me know if you are interesting in seeing the newspaper version by emailing me.  

It is almost that time to kiss Quebec City good-bye.

I've spent the last couple days going through a whirlwind of emotions. 

Who am I kidding I'm still caught in the vortex. 

Moving is stressful. Leaving friends is hard. Trying to squeeze in all the last minute 

things to do seems next to impossible.  

It's become my home.

~

It's is equally important for me to share with you the Quebec City I've grown to love.

Where would you like me to take you? Let me know and I'll do my best... 

*Next post...where we're going.*

Where have I been?

I have a very good (cute) reason  for my absence.

 My cousin and his family came to Quebec City for a visit.

We toured the city in style 

and

 made some new friends.

Laughter filled the space between naps and tasting our way through the city.
 If I could freeze time, I would still be hugging and kissing these sweet cheeks.

Happy  Easter...

Thinking of you. 

I hope your time with friends and family is extra sweet. 

xo

Extra.... Extra....

Read all about it.

It's official, I'm in possession of my very own press pass to write for a local English news paper. I will be covering Festival Quebec Mode (Fashion). Quebec City is highlighting and celebrating their fashion industry with weeks of fashion shows and expositions with local designers and stores.

Pinch me.... I might be dreaming.