ANNA DELLO RUSSO for H&M

Fashionista ANNA DELLO RUSSO is collaborating with H&M with an extravagant and exclusive accessory line of 50 products, ranging from turquoise suitcase with gold scrolls to chunky stone drop earrings.

The italian editor at large and creative consultant for Vogue Japan launched her inaugural collection for H&M last night at cabaret club Paradis Latin, in Paris.

The inspiration behind her line was to recreate what it's like to travel to Fashion Weeks around the world: “I wanted to recreate the excitement of the fashion weeks tour, when you enter a dreamy fashion bubble that is almost like a parallel reality. I tried to capture that sense of freedom, joy and excitement.”

AdR in Oscar de la Renta and accessories from her H&M line

Dello Russo said of her collection: “My message is: use accessories like a personal touch, as an amusing way to revitalize your life and wardrobe: you will turn an ordinary day into a sensational fashion week day.”

She added that ‘accessories are vital’ to any fashionista. “Accessories are like vitamins to fashion: you should use them liberally as such,” she said.

The collection goes on sale worldwide on October 4! 

Yours truly,

Olga Markiza 

Sharing is Caring

As I sat down for a well deserved apple break after a two hour walk on the Mount Royal, I spotted a squirrel and couldn't resist sharing my apple .

“Love only grows by sharing. You can only have more for yourself by giving it away to others.” 

 -Brian Tracy

     Happy Thursday to everyone! 

Yours truly,
Olga Markiza 

Valentino honored at the NYC Ballet Gala

This week, designer Valentino was honored at the the 2012 New York city Ballet Gala. 

Sarah Jessica Parker shined in a floral and elegant Valentino couture gown, with a complementary choice of Christian Louboutin shoes and Fred Leighton jewels. 

Sarah Jessica Parker with designer Valentino

Sarah Jessica Parker in Valentino

Anne Hathaway looked glamorous in a long sleeve but rather revealing Valentino gown. The Les Misérables star accessorized her floral gown with a Roger Vivier Boite de Nuit Clutch.

Anne Hathaway in Valentino

Have a great Wednesday everyone,

Yours truly,

Olga Markiza

Little Red Riding Hood in the making.

I'm currently helping a friend organize her daughter's second birthday party. The theme: Little Red Riding Hood.

Stay tuned for the end result... 

Yours truly,
Olga Markiza 

Armenia and the Kardashians

A dialogue with patient X:

-“Armenia...? Where is that?” 

-“It’s in the Caucasus region, bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, Iran to the south, Azerbajian to the east.”

-“...? Oh, so it’s a muslim country.”

-“No, it’s not. It’s actually the world's first Christian country.”

-“...?”

-“It’s where the Kardashian's father is originally from.”

-“Oh really?!”

Armenia is little country still unheard of to many.  In my 2 month stay, I learned a lot about the country and the people. Armenia has a rich history, beautiful mountainous scenery, countless monasteries and very hospitable people.

Garni Temple, in the Kotayk Province of Armenia

S. Astvatsatsin Church built in 1026.

2 hour hike to Sourp Nishan, Armenia

From pre-historic and early Christian monuments, UNESCO world heritage sites, hiking, wine and brandy tasting, Armenia offers a safe, fairly economical and memorable traveling experience.

Carahunge, Armenia's Stone Henge

Monastery of Khor Virap, in the Ararat plain

Haghpat monastery, UNESCO world heritage site

For more, visit: http://www.tourismarmenia.org/

Yours truly,

Olga Markiza

Knock knock, who's there...?

Good oral health is a key component to a healthy life. 

When was your last dental check up?

My everyday tools

Zeus getting his dental check up 

Yours truly,

Olga Markiza

Glitter and Vintage

Among my many flaws...I have the tendency to acquire things that might look pretty, but are often useless:)

The other day, i couldn’t resist these glitter tapes.

After a brief and worthless debate with myself whether to buy them or not, I finally purchased these colorful arts and craft gadgets. 

Some might call it hoarding, I just call it spoiling myself with a not so useful little thing :)

Yours truly,

Olga Markiza 

Christian Louboutin in Moscow

After the opening of a Christian Louboutin store in Saint-Petersburg, the renown red soled footwear designer stopped in Moscow, where he participated in a special shoe signing session for his Moscovite clients, making these Loubs extra special.

For more, visit: http://www.vogue.ru 

Yours truly,

Olga Markiza 

Paris vs New York?

If you’ve been to Paris and to New York, then you’ll definitely enjoy Paris vs New York, a tally of two cities. Vahram Muratyan is the graphic designer and art director behind the creative visual match between these two cities.

Macaron vs Cupcake

La Parisienne vs Madmen

Jean-Luc Godard vs Woody Allen

French baguette vs bagel

Ventilo vs AC

Baguette versus bagel or macaron versus cupcakes, these humorous and friendly graphic art will surely keep you entertained.

To find out more about Vahram Muratyan and his graphic art, visit:

http://parisvsnyc.blogspot.ca/

Yours truly,

Olga Markiza 

Elie Saab's fall 2012 couture collection

Chantilly lace, silk jacquard, beads, sequins and crystals... Elie Saab has done it again. A light, yet rich and elegant couture collection of cocktail dresses and evening gowns. From soft shades of pink to vivid jade and black embroidered tulle, Elie Saab focused on "infusing the collection with imperial splendor."

Elie Saab's fall 2012 couture collection

  

                                                    

Yours truly,

Olga Markiza

Michel Legrand, 80, is just getting started!

For those who’ve seen the 1964 French musical film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, will surely recognize it’s famous theme song. Not to forget The Thomas Crown Affair (1968), which features the hit song "The Windmills of Your Mind" and Summer of '42 (1971).

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, 1964

A scene from the musical The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

The man behind these musical soundtracks is Michel Legrand. Known as a composer of innovative music for films, his popularity quickly reached the United States, where he collaborated with  Hollywood for many years.

Over his lifetime, Michel Legrand has made over a hundred albums, composed for more then two hundred film and television scores as well as several musicals. He has won three Oscars and five Grammys. Legrand has contributed not only in the film industry, but also in jazz. He has worked with such diverse musicians as Miles Davis, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Neil Diamond, Charles Aznavour, Frank Sinatra to name a few. 

Yesterday evening, as part of his world tour celebrating his 80th anniversary, I had the pleasure of seeing Michel Legrand at the Maison Symphonique de Montreal. Musical composer, arranger, conductor and jazz pianist, Legrand delivered an uninterrupted and energetic two hour concert of his greatest hits. 

At 80, Michel Legrand insists he’s just beginning his career. In an interview by Jeff Heinrich of The Gazette, Legrand mentioned: “I’m not at the end of my career – I feel like I’m just beginning. I’ll keep going until I’m dead – and I hope that’ll be as late as possible, because I want so much to accomplish, more than I already have”. 

“As long as you have things to do, death can wait.”

In the early years

Michel Legrand today

The legendary Michel Legrand is indeed LE grand. 

Yours truly,

Olga Markiza

What are you baking today?

What was once reserved for an older population, baking has acquired a phenomenal popularity among younger amateur chefs.

Whether its Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram, people are sharing more and more pictures of their desserts. From cupcakes, macarons, decorative cakes and sugar cookies, everyone is baking!

What are you baking today? 

Yours truly,

Olga Markiza

Burguer cupcakes!

A fun idea for your last BBQ of the season! 

Image from www.ohcupcakes.net

For more original cupcake ideas, visit: www.ohcupcakes.net 

Yours truly,

Olga Markiza 

You don't need to floss all your teeth...

This week's dental blog:

Like Baz Luhrmann mentioned in his Sunscreen song, using Mary Schmich's words of wisdom, FLOSS!

Whether it’s waxed or unwaxed, flavored or unflavored, regular or tape, flossing can reach areas that brushing alone can not clean. It reduces your chance of getting tooth decay and gum disease.
Start flossing today. 

A fellow colleague's look of the day

Yours truly,

Olga Markiza