A run through San Francisco (or how to stay in shape while traveling)

Who said your outfit couldn’t make heads turn when you’re working out?

The sun has finally decided to show up and the warm weather is, from my perspective, synonym of “get outside ’cuz it’ll only be there for 3 months”. Bikini season is approaching and so I’ve decided to make a special “welcome back” to my running shoes, and this made me think of the beautiful West Coast of the United States.

This week’s destination? San Francisco, or should I say “A day in San Francisco”. Between the tourists attractions, and the wonderful view, San Francisco is a city of health on the food level, as well as on the sports level.

Make the most of your day

Start your day with a walk to Pier 39, the biggest Pier of the city, where you’ll see runners passing by at every moment. From there, take a boat to Alcatraz, where you’ll face the impressive reality of prisoners of the middle of the twentieth century. Back on shore, rent a bike, and enjoy the wonderful view of the Golden Gate Bridge, as you bike on the road aside of the water. Stop at a small kiosk for a worldwide known “Clam chowder”, and make a small visit of Ghirardelli to enjoy the amazing smell of chocolate. Back on your bike, make a detour to Lombard Street, and reach the end of the road to visit Fort Point, under the Golden Gate. Leave your bike near the entrance and take a walk on one of the most acclaimed bridge in the world!

You’ll probably want to enter the Nike store in Union Square, where the rainbow of running shoes on the wall makes you want to buy every each of them.

Finish your day with a Cable Car Ride, and make sure to catch a picture of the amazing architecture!

This summer, if you’re planning on a trip, take your colourful running shoes with you. Running through the streets is a wonderful way to discover hidden places! It also gives you an absolute different perspective... And it burns the calories you over-eat all-day because you are so right if you want to taste everything!

Lori

Destination of the week - Ponza...

Raise the sails in Ponza, in the Ponziane Islands!

As my friend was taking a peek in my wardrobe the other day, she was amazed (and discouraged) by the number of stripes there was. I don’t know I just like stripes.

This week I’m taking you to the Mediterranean sea, in beautiful Ponza, which is part of the largest Italian archipelago (the Ponziane islands). Since Ponza is in the middle of the sea, usually the destination of cruises or boat travelers, you can take a ferry from many cities in Italy (I have Formia in mind) to go spend a beautiful sunny day, feel the vibe of the sea as you walk down the twisty roads and put on your tanned Italian sailor look.

Talking about looks, that’s where I’m supposed to tell you how stripes are a reminder of the uniforms worn by sailors, but I guess I’ll show you how they have been influential in the world of fashion in the past years.

Throughout the seasons, Dolce&Gabanna has presented a travel-ish, casual but not too sporty look in its spring/summer fashion shows. I love how large and small stripes are mixed with buttoned vests. Some celebrities have even taken it to the next level on the red carpet.

Katy Perry vs Alexandra Burke... Who do you think wears it better?

For spring/summer 2013, Dolce&Gabanna is still embracing the stripes, but this time with a collection called “candy stripers”. Less sporty, more casual-chic; less white and blue, more colorful.

Back to Italy… As you arrive in the small port of Ponza, you are directly brought into the life of the place. A small market with red tomatoes like you’ve never seen, the shop of a local painter, restaurants where you might want to drink a lemonade, because Ponza is very hot in the summer. I remember so well when I took this picture, the temperature might have been near 40 Celsius degrees.

As you continue walking on the main street, you’ll discover amazing little places. One in particular caught my attention and I decided to enter. I might have mentioned it in my Montreal article, but when you travel, don’t be afraid to discover. Get out of the box, and ditch the whole “traveling-guide” thing (but use it for reviews and for not getting lost!!!). And so, I entered the shop, and I must say, it was like Ali Baba’s cave. Rings, earrings, pendants, clocks, shoes, hats, scarves; everything you cannot imagine in a shop of 5 by 5 meters, if not smaller.

After spending at least an hour in this place, you’ll love to walk through the small roads of Ponza, passing by the appartments of the Italians, and realizing that there once was an ancient city there. Some of the “adventurous type” might want to rent a bike and visit other places of the Ponziane islands.

So, dear readers, If your planning to travel by boat this summer, or visit an island or a destination near water, make the most of your trip by adapting your style to your environment. And you don’t have to try too hard! Match these Mango shorts with a colorful shirt, or this Zara dress with a light scarf with prints.

Mango - Buy here!

Zara - Buy here!

Do you want to visit Ponza? Have you been already?

Lori xo

What is sexy? Adam Levine

Is it because of the tattoos? I couldn’t even say...It’s no secret: Adam Levine is HOT. But behind this sexiness hides real musical talent (I had the chance to see Maroon 5 live on February 20 and I must say, if you have the chance, please jump on the opportunity). And with this talent comes a true passion for clothes. (And he’s sweet, and passionate, and funny, and super talented, and I could go on and on...)

Some of you may have heard about it, 222 is to be launched in America in fall. For Him, the style of the singer reinvented, yet simple. In Adam Levine’s words, it sounds like this: 

"It's whoever you want it to be. I enjoy, from the male perspective, something being effortless or casual. You don't wanna be the guy that's trying too hard in a room. Then you just look like an A-hole." For Her, it will pretty much be the female version of his style.  "There's so much sexy out there. My line will figure out a way to represent my convoluted and confusing opinion on what is sexy."

 “I like denim”

Adam says it perfectly: your jeans get the wear and tear from what you go through. Am I the only one who has The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in mind?  Like every single piece in your wardrobe, your jeans are the definition of who you are and what is your type of sexy. The thing about jeans is that they will always be a classic. No matter where you are on the globe, having your pair of jeans with you is a must. It’s comfortable, fashionable, and it can be adapted to any situations. We all know that when you travel, you don’t always know what to expect at the end of the day, and you can’t always carry your wardrobe with you (unfortunately).

Let’s classify jeans. From bootcut to flare, they come in all the possible ways you can imagine: black, white, pale, dark, long, short, cut off, with holes or not, and, pretty trendy at this moment: torn-up. 

From H&M to The Kooples, you can find the jeans that fit you well, embrace your body and that are willing to discover the world with you.

Do your jeans have a soul? If not, you may say “not yet”!

And remember, be inspirational! Clothes aren’t simply fabrics put together. What do you want to say today? How do you want to say it? This is the approach Adam Levine has when writing a song. But he has this same approach when choosing his clothes in the morning.

So Adam, what is sexy? I guess we’ll know in fall!

-Lori

Destination of the week - Montreal...

...in the winter (because it's essential to mention it).

Winter in Montreal is cold, we can’t hide it. But with the wind and the snow come the winter sports, the cozy coffee places and the fur.

Let’s talk fur.

This winter, it’s all about the coat. Fur inside the sleeves, fur inside the hood. Fur to keep you warm when it’s -25 Celsius outside. But as crazy as it sounds, faux-fur has worked its way up recently and the faux-fur boom we have known has brought real fur back in the streets.

As you walk on Saint Catherine Street, you may discover the reality of fur this year, since it’s perfect for shopping on a snowy afternoon, from H&M to Holt Renfrew, from Berri-Uqam to Mcgill station. And for those of you who are coffee addicts, you’ll find a place on Saint Denis Street to enjoy your espresso while watching the Montrealers of the Plateau shovel the snow that keeps them from leaving their parking spot. Try Céramic Café, a super fun place to show off your artistic side while warming up with a good latte.

So I’ve decided to create two looks, very much alike, but very different since one is worth 295CAD$, and the other 2275CAD$. As I said before, it’s all about the fur and finding a way to make it work with the rest of your outfit!

Can you tell the difference between the real and the faux?

3.1 Phillip Lim Rabbit Fur Coat; T by Alexander Wang Silk Blouse; Burberry Smirdan Jeans; Alejandro Ingelmo Rider Boots; Lulu Guinness Patent Medium Eva Bag

Mango Faux Fur Coat; SheInside Blouse; Topshop Worn Jamie Jeans; Anna Field Boots; Udobuy Bag

Depending on your priorities, you can still manage to “work the fur” and walk down the streets of Montreal feeling classy. 

This also applies to your “What to do?” list. Feeling luxurious? Go dine at Relais&Châteaux Europea, Jérôme Ferrer’s art of cooking on De la Montagne Street, or try Geneviève Grandbois’ delicious chocolates on Saint-Viateur Street. Don’t forget the inevitable places, like small Italy, Mont-Royal Street and St-Laurent Street, which are places where you can make charming discoveries, at night and during the day, or try the "Poutine", a typical meal of Quebec, no matter what is your budget. A personal favorite: Tapeo on Villeray Street, a tapas restaurant.

As for those of you who are ready to face the cold weather, ice-skating at the Old Port is a great day or night activity, especially on a warmer day (by warmer I mean -10 Celsius...).

Want a one-of-a-kind souvenir? Harricana, by Mariouche, is a designer fur creation made of recycled coats that you will find on Saint-Antoine Street.

If you want to enjoy your stay, when you’ll be reminding yourself what’s in your suitcase before leaving, it should sound like this: pants, shirts, wool sweaters, wool socks, wool scarf, wool gloves. Well just keep in mind that being hot is so much better than being cold (the two meanings work here) when you have a whole day of visits ahead of you. And don’t forget your fancy boots and clutch for your nights out!

So, my dear readers, don’t be afraid of the number you see on the thermometer, because the cold and the snow is what makes Montreal one of the most charming cities in white!

Have you been to Montreal? Have you always wanted to visit?

Lori xo