New Occasional Writing Gig

So I recently got scooped up by Naiad, an International company based here in Montreal, that offers services to and for models. They have a blog where you can check out my first piece. Please keep in mind who it is geared toward; I had to forgo the usual personal anecdotes and smart-ass cracks to keep it on point but I have this and you for that! I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun and I look forward to seeing where I end up for them next! ...

Read more »

Ball-Dropping (But Nice Smelling!)

As it turns out, juggling a full-time job, two business start-ups, two kids, packing for a move, wisdom teeth extraction and the 25 Days of Etsy Christmas is more than I can hack at the moment. And so, here I am, writing about something else. It was time to buy myself a present. I first got a whiff of Narciso Rodriguez For Her in Vogue's September issue and it haunted me until I braved the cold, yesterday after work, and finally bought myself some. I got the large body lotion and the large eau de toilette in a kit that ended up saving me 60% before the 10% rebate the store applied. Angel is my signature scent and I've sometimes taken breaks...

Read more »

25 Days of Etsy Christmas (2013) Will Soon Return...

... Keeping up with the almost daily lists while preparing for a move was one thing but I somehow tricked myself into believing that I could my last two wisdom teeth extracted and just gone on as usual, with a bit if pain. I'm writing this from my couch, where I have pretty much lived since midday Friday and I will get back on this as soon as I possibly can but, for now, painkillers, pureed food and sleep are the only things I have energy for. Have a great evening, reade...

Read more »

A Discount Coupon For You

Hello readers, Engrave Me This, a shop I featured last week, is offering you a $5 discount off of any purchase of $25 or more. Check them out for great holiday gift ideas and be sure to enters THANKSFROMEMT as your coupon code, upon checkout. I'll be continuing along with geekery for another few days and then we will move on to  a few other lists before looking at shops by region, namely Canada and then Montreal. Happy holidays from Montreal Style, Fashion and Sewi...

Read more »

25 Days of Etsy Christmas (2013). Day Seven. For The Trekker.

Today's list is for the Star Trek fan on your list.  1. This set of three Star Trek inspired wine glasses are $70.32 CAD at Impulsive Creativity, a shop based in New Mexico.  2. This beautifully handcrafted leather laptop bag can be found at World of Leathercraft for $279.10 CAD. 3. This great set of Star Trek coasters are from Apocalypse Fabrication and they are $35.70 CAD. 4. Alien Aviary has these earrings for $6.49 CAD. This is another great shop for sci-fi fans and gamers. 5. This Enterprise ornament is from Ginger Pots,...

Read more »

25 Days of Etsy Christmas (2013). Day Six. The Superhero Lover.

BAM! ZAP! POW! This list if for the superhero lover on your list. KABLAM! 1. David Lizanetz, who owns the Sour Apple Gallery, in Pheonix, Arizona, has a great variety of superhero artwork. I love this Wonder Woman piece, which is going for $21.62 CAD. 2. This superhero tie is $21.64 CAD at Hold your Crochet, a shop based in Florida. 3. This The Flash cushion is one of many for sale at Creative Kryptonite. It's going for $16.23 CAD. 4. These Justice League coasters are $10.82 CAD at Green Bird Press, from Denver. I highly recommend that you take some time to peruse this great...

Read more »

25 Days of Etsy Christmas (2013). Day Five. For The Beer Drinker.

Today's recommendations are for the beer drinker on your list. Enjoy! 1. Out of all the beer sampling paddles on Etsy, I chose this one because it comes with the glasses and also serves as a charcuterie board. Get it for $42.98 CAD at JT Woodworks. 2. Beer soap. Is there ever a lot of it on Etsy. I'm particularly thrilled about all of the Guinness soap out there but that's not necessarily everyone's bag. I've decided to share this six pack gift set because of the variety, the great packaging and because, if I'm going to post beer soap at all, I might as well link it to The Beer Soap Company. $45.13 CAD. 3....

Read more »

25 Days of Etsy Christmas (2013). Day Four. For the Wine Lover.

Support small businesses and hard-working artisans by keeping an eye on my 25 Days of Etsy series! Today, gift ideas for the wine drinker(s) on your list. 1. I absolutely love this recycled wine rack by JNM Rustic Designs. It's $112.60 CAD and you can choose between three finishes. Do be careful to take a look at shipping prices but understand that shipping something of this size costs what it does and that this shop charges less for the same type of rack than some others do. 2. This honeycomb wine cork coaster set is $23.59 CAD at Lizzie Joe Designs. 3. These melted wine bottle serving dishes come...

Read more »

25 Days of Etsy Christmas (2013. Day Three. All Things Nautical.

In an effort to get people to stay out of malls this season and to support small businesses and artisans, I present you with my second annual "25 Days of Etsy Christmas". For 25 not-necessarily-consecutive days, I will suggest ten gifts, for a total of 250 gift ideas by mid-December. Today's list is for the sailor, the retro-lover with a soft spot for all things nautical or the parents who have decorated their kid's room with similar elements. Please note that while there is a plethora of beautiful, vintage, nautical-themed items on Etsy, I dug around for handcrafted or re-purposed items, as I'm trying to promote artisans. If ever I come up...

Read more »