Burlington is the largest city in the state of Vermont. Downtown city kids, just so you know it takes an hour to get a taxi.

My cool blonde friend C who reminds me of Mad Men’s Betty Draper recently got hitched in her hometown of Burlington, Vermont.  A bevy of East Coast It Girls descended on this truly postcard picturesque college town.  There we found a cobblestone pedestrian street, heritage buildings, boutique shopping and a plethora of restaurants serving delicious farm to table food.  The city hosts a weekend Farmer’s Market which is not to be missed.  I arrived a day early and I was busted by friends retail therapy in session.  Try the boutique Stella Mae (96 Church St.) for young contemporary brands like Ark & Co, Mink Pink, Chaser and funky shoes from Jeffrey Campbell and Dolce Vita.  To indulge your love of vintage, check out Old Gold (180 Main St.) which houses costumes, kitschy accessories, vintage dresses, denim cutoffs and trendy fast-fashion.  I bought so much there, they thanked me.  Bahahaha.  Noooo, thank you!

Cool like a cucumber: My friend C channels Betty Draper. And sidenote, I’m catching up on Mad Men. Don Draper is reallyx3 screwed up.

Loving to research travel, I insisted that we stay at Tripadvisor’s #1 Rated B&B Made Inn Vermont (204 S. Willard).  Designed in a Victorian Gothic Paris Vogue meets Rockstar, there were quirky details aplenty to feast your curiosity.  Like if Keith Richards opened up a B&B, this would be it.  Rooms are adorned in a cozy whimsical style with electric guitars and drums (instruments can be played until 10pm) and chalkboards for guests to leave their love notes or drawings.  The owner Linda insisted on making us her famous Sangria so we could chillax pre-cocktail party in the tiki backyard HT (hottt tub, oh yes this was the cincher).  When we told our friends, they said, “we got lemonade at our B&B??!!” I just advised that next time they should talk to me.  Such a fun mini-vacay! Highly recommended.

Peekaboo! A grand entrance

The sitting room where you could cozy up and read a book

Coffee Table Books and a giant Hand (just because)

This is my dream: floor to ceiling shelves of books. Say no to Kobo!

Moody art and a reading nook

Breakfast is served. Nothing makes my life like fresh juice and fruit. General rule: I break detox for croissants.

Montreal reminds me of Sam Roberts. He is cute. He-he-he-hon-hon-hon

OMD. Oh mon Dieu! That’s OMG en français. This week, I had the good fortune to spend some quality down time in Montreal. I have often travelled to our neighbour to the East for work but as they say, all work and no play makes V a dull girl.  And when I say dull, I really mean crazy but not of the Jack Nicholson-The Shining variety.

I have a love affair with Montreal – its winding outdoor staircases, the romantic cobblestone streets of Vieux-Montreal, the café culture (so mignon) and its culinary delights.  Some of my fondest memories are of visiting my dearest A while she was in university in McGill; we would often go to her favourite haunts and play dress up in vintage stores.

Admire the Montreal street art while you galavant.

I found it difficult to find a compilation of some of the best trendy boutiques and vintage shops, so I’ve walked a few thousand steps in my gladiators to bring you my best bets:

• DadaDo (4292 Boul St. Laurent) – Artist studio meets vintage shop meets boudoir. The entrance greets you with a bargain bin of accessories and books and as you get further in you will find racks of flowy skirts and lacy slip dresses.

Inside the red velvet DadaDo

• Annex Vintage ( 56 St. Viateur Ouest) – A wide selection of wearable vintage and upcycled pieces.  There are also many pieces from local designers.  I was particularly taken with the “Stay Home and Watch Buffy” totebags.

Annex Vintage: I appreciate a well-curated rack of vintage clothing. Le sigh.

This pic is all about the conversational wallpaper. Discuss.

When it comes to vintage currency, your best bets are denim cut-off shorts and re-worked graphic t-shirts. Trust.

• Lo Well (5364 Boul St. Laurent) – Streamlined Scandinavian is the mood with labels Norwegian Wood, Dusen-Dusen, swim from Mimi Hammer and a wide selection of Montreal-made canvas and leather handbags by Rachel F.

Lowell: Makes me want to pack a bag for a vacay. Oh wait, I am on vacay.

Thoughtful and cool displays at LoWell. I appreciate good merchandising that tells a story.

Accessories by Rachel F. I was taken by the functional styles and heavy hardware on the handbags.

• La (Found)erie (6596 Boul St. Laurent) – I never made it north of the tracks to the up and coming hood of La Patrie but this shop was recently featured in Porter Airlines magazine.
• Onze - This store has 4 MTL locations and features vintage-inspired romantic girly looks.  They were heavy on chiffon floaty things, nautical, floral apparel and accessories.  Here you will find young contemporary brands such as Mink Pink, Gentle Fawn and Ark & Co.
• Kitsch n’ Swell (3968 Boul St. Laurent) – A 60’s swingers pad meets hunters lodge and antique shop.  Fashioned in bubble gum pinks, tassled furniture and laden with curios, there is nothing quite like it in Montreal.  A must-see for inspiration.

Kitsch n Swell: A feast for the eyes. Heaven for 60’s babes.

A parting gift:  One of my fave Sam Roberts songs Bridge to Nowhere & some hottt goss via Lainey Gossip. (ps. I’m sad I’m not going to Smut Soiree this year).  Bonne journée! (good day)

I was walking through Chinatown and there were a bunch of extras in 60’s wardrobe. Sad face, I didn’t realize JGL was there. Stalker.

You make me feel like dancing: Kate lets her hair down at Fran Cutler’s bday in London. It’s an 80’s Dynasty theme.

“Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.” – Kate Moss

That’s some classic Kate Moss for you.  Probably think about it before you bite in to that giant chocolate bar (don’t let them win).  The 90’s supermodel waif is best known for her meteoric rise from Croyden schoolgirl to catwalk sensation/fashion icon but the best urban legends surrounding Moss are of her party girl ways.  Known to have thrown lavish all night drinking-dances incorporating themes (Great Gatsby) or musicians (Oasis) to highlight decades of her life, her reputation took a hit with a tabloid drug scandal a few years back.  Since then, Kate has simmered down considerably but most recently she was quoted, “I may be 40, but I still know how to party.”  Attagirl!

Let’s take a look back at some** of Kate’s best party girl looks, shall we?

**I say some because she partied a lot and she wore a lot of reallyx3 cute outfits…

Kate Moss circa 1993 in a metallic Liza Bruce slipdress. Whenever you’re flat-chested, it comes off less slutty more fashion, non?

St. Tropez or Bust: Often Kate takes the party to the beach, or a yacht, etc.

Celebrating her book signing in a sultry gold Marc Jacobs dress

At the Met flanked by Marc Jacobs working a Stephen Jones turban.

Kate & Stella at The Box Soho in London

If you’re going to eat your feelings, go with Gelato! via Vogue Italia

My day started off kind of crappy.  So to rid myself of the blues, I put on my most flowy floral, maxi skirt printed with flowers and tigers, an opulent gilded, pair of braided gladiators and my sunglasses.  Then I got into my car (Habeeba), opened my sunroof and hit Queen West West for some retail therapy.

High ROC (return on compliment): Maeve Banda Skirt from Anthropologie

Though I live downtown, I haven’t been on a proper stroll to pop into the cute boutiques — there are so many new ones which is fun, exciting and most of all, dangereuse (dangerous in French).

Here were some of my faves:

Zumel & Co (863 Queen St. West) – Filled with racks of colourful blouses, dresses and feminine separates, I think this would be a good place to find a lovely outfit for a daytime cocktail or a unique piece for your work wardrobe.

Cabaret (672 Queen St. West) – This is an oldie but a goodie.  A family owned vintage shop specializing in 1920-1970’s clothing.  Nothing cheers me up like going into the basement of a vintage store, trying on random retro outfits and digging for hidden treasure.  Nothing.  I got my besties’ bday present there – an elaborate, Art Deco black beaded headdress which they died over.  Plus, the shopgirls were sooo nice and loved my gypsy jetset outfit. PS. I love you.

Wildfox Couture Pop-Up Shop (711 Queen St. West) – Vintage inspired casual wear for dreamers.  Based out of LA, this brand is all about distressed terry cloths, soft slub t-shirts, relaxed sweaters and Malibu-inspired beachwear.  A fave brand of celebs this pop-up will be here at least until the end of Summer.  I could not resist the cute quotient of a Koala pullover because obviously, koala is my power animal.

Taylor Swift in her Love Potion No. 9 Wildfox pullover

Hello dearies, Are you having a very merry holiday thus far?  Are you snuggling by the fire roasting marshmallows while it’s snowing and freezing rain?  Are you dancing around your living room in your fluffy slippers and legwarmers to indie covers of Christmas classics?  Just moi!

Vintage Cherry Dress: I bought this at I Miss You Vintage but I never wore it. Could be yours!

To thank you for your continued love and support, click on the link below to get a free giftcard from The Love Collage and Trend Trunk.  You can also peruse my closet for goodies by clicking on the Trend Trunk badge on the left under “SHOP MY CLOSET.”  Click here: https://www.trendtrunk.com/mystery/the-love-collage xo Vanessa

Michael Kors boots with 100% proceeds going to The Corsage Project

Say cheese! We totally took this photo inspired by Vogue 1993 Beauty & the Beach. The memories are all flooding back!

I have a slew of friends who are packing their luggage for warmer destinations come mid-December.  There is only one word: jalouse! (that’s jealous in French).

Recently, at our annual fashionistah holiday brunch, we reminisced about our university graduation trip to Cancun. A few years later, older and wiser, I went on a girls vacation with my bestie C.  Before departing for the airport, I told her father not to worry if he saw bloody beaches on the news; it would be the trail of broken hearts we would leave behind.  Can you believe he let her go on vacay with moi? 

Two girls in Mexico?!!  It was a make or break trip for our friendship but somehow we managed to get into heaps of sketchy fun without the drrrrama.  Stuff that brings back fond memories of Mexico:

Tan faster! Australian Gold so you don't blind the locals with your pasty white legs.

Chloe sunglasses with the rhinestone heart detail. I still have mine. Do you have yours?

Dress for that tropical climate in an emerald green TBags Maxi dress. The best air conditionning is 'no pants.'

This Jemma Jube crochet bikini via Vogue Australia reminds of my bestie's from Preloved circa 2001. Cutes.