Sample Sales in Montreal

In Montreal, as much as we love to be foodies, we also like to look good. Wait, not just good, but fabulous. It doesn’t matter what style we are representing, we do it best than any other Canadian city.

As any fashionista will tell you, the best items in a wardrobe has a story to tell, and most of these stories root from a bargain. A bargain is found in vintage shops, annual sales, thrift shops and lastly sample sales. Sample sales are the epitome of the great lengths we are willing to do, to look good for a good price.

In Montréal, we have plentiful of samples sale offering brands at a lower price. Last summer, I recall sifting through bins of American Apparel clothing, until I found one of my favourite shirts. American Apparel’s massive sample sale near Namur metro station, created so much buzz that the line ups were ridiculous.

So where is one to go to know of these sample sales? Are there secret e-mails be passed from one shopper to the next? Most likely there are. However, I love Sample Sales dot com, offers a place for organizers to publicize their sales. Catering to 6 cities, Montreal can be found.

Clicking on the Event Calendar, you will see past, current and future sales. With a click of a button, you have access to the hottest deals in town. It doesn’t stop there; signing up on their mailing list will only get you exclusive first passes to some events.

Since summer is on its way, it’s time to start looking good, in any style.

Love the city you are in.

Amour de Montreal

Dépanneur Le Pick-Up

Saturday morning, waking up you realize that it’s 12:30am. Getting out of bed, you’re still a bit hazy from the night before, standing in front of the bathroom mirror you gaze at your hang-over reflection.Your hair untidy, you realise that your skin no longer has its natural colour, and then, your tummy beings to grumble.

Realising that you have no food in the fridge, you must venture out for food. Then it hits you, knowing that it’s the afternoon, the old age question pops up into your head. Do I want breakfast, brunch or lunch? Eggs and toast or a burger?

If you are like any other artsy folk, then you know the secret to solve this old age problem. Tucked away in Little Italy, is a Dépanneur like no other. Disguised as a Dépanneur, is a hip artsy hang out serving scrumptious food.

Le Dépanneur Pick Up, which recently opened up last year, has been a success, especially with the art scene kids. The unique atmosphere is mixed with vintage décor, hipster-retro servers, innovative food made with the freshest ingredients and of course, art.

There are two specialties that I constantly hear about and have tested, their pulled pork sandwich (Vegetarian version also) and their daily brunch specials. Brunch at the Pick Up is creative, mixed with fresh spices and herbs. For example, their breakfast potatoes are mixed with regular potatoes, spices and sweet potatoes. Yes, I wrote sweet potatoes. Two words: genius and delicious.

It doesn’t stop there, their sandwiches such as the vedantanator, le post-reveillon, tapenade and club chipotle, serve up a yummy appetite. Spicy eggplant, spicy Mexican mayo, mango and cranberry spread are just examples of their fine ingredients.

So when you do wake up this Saturday morning or any other day, and have wiped out the contents of your fridge, head to the Depanneur Le Pick Up. Don’t feel intimidated by the environment, the friendly servers will treat you as their own.

Love the City you are in.

Amour de Montreal.


Dépanneur Le Pick-Up
7032 Rue Waverly
Metro : De Castelnau

747 Express Bus

For all you travellers, ready to spread your wings and fly this Spring and Summer, get ready for 747 Express Bus!

Today, the new bus service by the STM begins. The service is 24 hours! Yes 24 hours!

Finally your Opus card can be used, with no additional fees. Those that do not buy monthly passes, the cost for one-way is $7.00.

Click here, for more information.

Global Warning: Scenes from a Planet under Pressure

In the last decade there have been extraordinary developments in sciences and technology advancement. Every day we are steps closer in finding ways to combat diseases. Who would of imagined 30 years ago, that we would have wireless internet, let alone mobiles?

It’s true that our generation is advancing at a rapid rate, but with all the remarkable breakthroughs, somehow we are unable to find solutions for problems that can be easily attained. For example, global warming, scientists and researchers have discovered solutions to combat against it. And yet, many of us still do not recycle and governments balance these issues with costs.

Let alone global warming, we are also facing problems with nuclear proliferation and recent shifts of demographics. Particular in Quebec, we have “Reasonable Accommodation”. When each of these issues is compounded on top of one another, there is a realization that our world is under pressure.

The question is what can we do about it? How can I make a difference? The answer is to get informed and be aware of what’s going on.

The Montreal Museum of Fine Art’s recent exhibition in their Contemporary Art section is, “Global Warning: Scenes from a Planet under Pressure”.

Stéphane Aquin, Curator of Contemporary Art at the MMFA, has presented us with extraordinary works by various artists dealing with the issues that our world is crossed with. Each piece is placed with one another, creating a story unfolding the truth of our existence, how we treat each other and the very world that we live in.

Admission to the permanent collection is always free. And of course a donation is always welcomed.

Take time to get informed, and listen up!

Love the World you are in.

Amour de Montreal.

The Montreal Museum of Fine Art’s

1380 Sherbrooke Street West

Metro: Guy-Concordia

Another, and Hopefully Last Pause

On March 21, 2010, I accidently deleted a word document containing posts that I had planned to use. Needless to say with several attempts to use numerous undelete program, I knew I needed to start over.

The last few days I’ve attempted to recreate the posts that I had written. However, it’s been an unsuccessful mission. It’s very hard to replicate work; it’s not quite the same as the original.

The plan is: start with a new slate.

I am hoping to get back to you all, this weekend.

Take time to enjoy the weather!

Les Chuchoteuese - The Gossipers

Gossiping.

We all love to do it. Even though we do not like to say that we don’t, but secretly we all do. We love to hear what’s going on within our circle of friends, family and society.

There are those who look down upon gossiping. However, not all gossip is bad. In a recent study, it was shown that gossiping was a way of connecting with another. It was a tool to provide the basis of friendship and to create stronger ties. Gossiping about something and then being the topic of conversation are two different things. Nevertheless, those are the rules of gossiping.

When I think of gossiping, I think of my grandparents, especially grand-ma-ma. Sitting amongst her friends, playing bingo, muttering with one another of who’s doing what these days. “Is her colour real? Where is she getting that extra money?” Along with their continuous laughter, are often looks of astonishment, either sadness or happiness. At the end of the day it keeps these ladies motivated.

It’s often hard to capture the art of gossiping in works of art. However Rose-Aimee Belanger has been able to do. In her works “Les Chuchoteuese”, she draws upon three rounded woman to express the solitude of simple chatter, or as the English translation means “The Gossipers”. Her outstanding work is displayed in old Montréal, on St. Paul West across from the Galerie Sainte-Dizier. St-Dizier is Belanger’s official selling point in Montréal.

Belanger, from Temiscamingue County, Quebec, studied at l'Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Montréal in 1945. Residing in Ontraio, where her studio is, she continues to make sculptures that are made from sandstone, clay and bronze. Les Chuchoteuese is just one of her amazing works that captures life with humour.

Next time when you do happen to be in the Old port, take time to enjoy “Les Chuchoteuese”. Listen closely to what the ladies have to say, and I am sure that they will set off you talking for the day.

Love the city you are in.

Amour de Montréal.

What's Playing: Old Wicked Songs

What do the 1996 Pulitzer price and our very own director, Martin Faucher, have in common? Joe Marans’s play “Old Wicked Songs” playing at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts, is the answer to that very question. Since March 7th Jean Marchand and Emile Proulx-Cloutier have been playing an amazing performance of this award winning play every evening.

Set in Vienna, Austria in the 1980’s, a young American piano prodigy studies with a Viennese music teacher. Both characters are troubled with their daunting pasts that prevents both from pursing what they do best, music. Together, their stories are intertwined, in a political backdrop of Vienna, with one another allowing both to confront their haunting pasts.

I had the opportunity to see the play last Wednesday evening. I truly recommend each and one of you to take the time to see and to sink in the astounding performances. The music itself, which I believe to be another character in the story, is transcending and mesmerising.

Joe Maran’s, Old Wicked Songs, continues to play at the Segal Theatre until March 21st, that’s this Sunday.


Love the city you are in.



Amour de Montréal.

Segal Theatre
5170 Côte-Ste-Catherine

Metro: Cote-Saine-Catherine

I'm Back

As you are all fully aware of, the last month I have been absent from my exceptional and thought provoking blog. I write this with a large smile on my face. I’ve had visitors coming and going, stopping the projects that I have been working on.

That is no excuse, they’ve been gone for more than a week. Procrastination is a thing of the past I say to you all, however we’ll see what time will tell.

However though I return to you all and full of amazing ideas to present to you all in the next weeks to come. So stay tuned, bookmark this page, or better yet make it your homepage destination.

Love the city you are in.

Amour de Montréal.