Le Ambie

Le Ambie Pronunciation [luh-ahm-bee]
–noun
1. The result of an Amy Winehouse type beehive topped with a small brimmed hat tilted back and to the side a la Debbie Gibson
2. An avant garde hairstyle cool enough to grace the Chanel Pre-Fall 2008 catwalk in London.

[Origin: 1585–95; am (var. of AMY) + (DEB)BIE]

-Carly

To Dine For

Cafe Flore, St. Germain, Paris.

Mark my words, I will become a regular here this summer.  The fashion set's favourite spot since the YSL vs Lagerfeld 1970's heyday (for more on that, you must read "The Beautiful Fall".  Did you know that YSL stole Karl's boyfriend, Jacques?  Why has no one made a film about this heady era?  What I wouldn't give to play Loulou de la Falaise, the ultimate Paris party girl...)

 Fashion tangent--let's save her for another entry.  

When enjoying the best mustardy tuna nicoise from an indoor table (au plein air is for tourists, just look at the man in shorts and sandals), I would dress like chic Vogue Paris staffer Melanie Huynh, see here.

Back to the point...

It is important to frequent places where you are treated royally. We all love special treatment. The comfort of a readied table and ability and to order sans menu never loose their novelty.
While I moan about my disdain for Toronto, there are a handful of places I adore.

1> Crepes a Go Go: The best crepes in the city. Organic ingredients and buckwheat batter lesson the sin. The place is kept cozy under owner Veronique's warm demeanour. A kiss-kiss greeting and the soundtrack of fluent French flutter from the Gallic staff. Pictures of Gainsbourough and Piaf decorate the mirrored space. Tartinade avec Banane oozes charm and homemade nutella. Perfect snack for a jaunty stroll or for Sunday girlfriend recaps. During weekly visits, I wear a cap Veronique once commanded I sport.
"Always wear zis hat. I love zis hat!"
I like to pretend that I'm the love child of Yves St. Laurent and Betty Catroux when I visit.
Layers of black and gray, Chanel flats, floaty scarf and noir shades.
Perfect place to sport A.P.C. mixed with vintage togs you picked up on your travels. Messy hair a must.

2> Terroni: Whether it's the Adelaide or Yonge + St. Clair Location, I relish in the atmosphere and the Funghi Absoluti salad. Loud, bubbly and boisterous--the perfect place to dish with your girlfriends or sip pinot with the boyfriend. Love that you can show up in shorts and a slinky T or a raw silk LBD and still get seated at the best table. Cute modelesque male servers are better than the desserts.
Last time I dined, I swathed myself in the tightest of purple pencil skirts, leather motocycle jacket, paisley silk scarf, gunmetal gray tights and girl's basketball team-worthy platform pumps. The outfit perfectly restricted overindulgence of pizza. All the better for post-dinner party hopping.

3> George: There is a reason this place is included in the discerning Wallpaper City Guide of Toronto. Romantic to the nth, George feels like a secret garden hidden among the Queen St. East. Delicous magenta plush seating and burnt sienna latice windows. The tasting menu serves food in doll-like portions. I'd wear a minuscule Miu Miu mini satin party shoes and a bow in my hair.

4> Le Pain Quotidien: Okay, so it's in New York, but Toronto just got its first of 2 locations. Sadly, they are both in the nether regions of Uptight Uptown. Nothing beats the location across from The Ritz, overlooking Central Park. Equally great with a gang of plus 10 for brunch or as a shopping cardio pit spot. The food is organic Belgian patisserie--massive macaroons and tasty tartines all feel homemade. Communal tables encourage conversation with ex-pat strangers with indistinguishably chic accents. Go Belgian in the best avante garde Antwerp has to offer. How about an Oliver Theyskens mini for Nina Ricci mini, Dries Van Noten cashmere cardi and Maison Martin Margiela slouchy boots? Spritz on some L'Artisan Perfumeur and go forgo maquillage.

5> Fuzion: In the heart of the gay village, this resto is sprinkled with the kind of flair only born fashionistos can muster. The most well-groomed and friendly men abound. These gentleman appreciate your ensemble more than your other assets. They love the shoes, don't notice the stems. They will be happy to go over the desserts with you, but quick to remind that "a moment on the lips...."
The food is quite thoughtful and the printemps patio is made for lounging carelessly. Wear Wolford. A stretchy dress, cropped jacket and fancy metallic footwear with a snakeskin clutch.

x M.

Fringe Festival

I am grateful the prairie skirt days of seasons prior are now demode. The only brand of bohemian I can bare fashion wise is Toulouse Lautrec and Co. Before I sound hasty, let's specify that the trend can work when balanced with something sleek. Enter the fringe. A little flourish of suede is all you need. I just ordered a pair of darling booties to promenade around France in this summer. Sandals and perhaps a slightly unsightly vintage Danier jacket are other possible considerations. If I don't fall in love while abroad, I'm thinking I'll take the money I would have spent on fancy lingerie and buy myself the final word in fringe: Balmain's boots. A perfect example of how to wear this trend--with something sharp and sparkly. To go with a flowy style would be so Sienna Miller 06. This season, it's more Pocohontas partying at Studio 54.

From London's darling Christopher Kane's shreds and snakeskin, to the unusually softened showing at Roberto Cavalli, the fringe has benefits.

x M.

Think Pink

Sonia Rykiel F/W 08

No matter the season, Rykiel always gets it right.

Given the miserable weather today, I felt inspired by this fabulous--albeit fall-ish--outfit.

The pink should be obnoxious, but it is the exact shade that Holly Golightly wore to tear up her flat after finding out dear Fred is dead. Loved the sickly sweet dress mixed with her destructive mood. I adored the way she tore her pillows up, covering her abode in feathers.

The chicest nervous breakdown ever.

x M.

Miu-nie Mouse

Although Miuccia Prada claimed Swan Lake to be her inspiration for her Spring 2008 RTW Miu Miu Collection, Freudian theories would beg to differ. Pictures speak a thousand words, and these ones are screaming that Minnie Mouse was her major muse for this collection.

Unlike Zac Pozen (who tried to pull off this look a season too late, with poufless and deflated silhouettes) Miu Miu's runway show did not call for mousey pom pom headpieces, as the clothes did a great job speaking for themselves. Looks like Minnie Muse is the mouse of the moment.

-Carly

Barre Hopping

While the media was busy harping on Amy Winehouse, in regards to her less than polished pink ballet slippers, all I could think about is, where I could possibly get a pair of my own. In search of my beloved split sole pink satin Blochs, (along with a kind and non-judgmental shoemaker to re-sole these puppies) many signs have been pointe-ing to the beginning of a modern ballet revolution.

Sashaying over to the Parisian catwalks, we find ballerina inspired looks from both Chanel and Givenchy’s Spring 2008 Couture shows, featuring an unplanned pas de deux of Lagerfeld’s tweed jacket recession strategy and Tisci’s gothic ballerina muse. Models were clad in pale pastel tights, satin sandals, bejeweled ballet flats, tons of tulle, and topped with tiaras.

For those who didn’t make it to the couture shows, experience them through the eyes of Gershwin, at the New York City Ballet’s version of An American in Paris. The production features a cast of beatniks, fashion models, tourists, schoolgirls, and even a Tour de France bicyclist.

Want less talk and more twirl? Step up to the barre at the prestigious, National Ballet School of Canada. The school is offering adult classes après work hours to those pirouetting posers (like myself) who never had the chance to take up this dance form as a child. Registration starts soon - classes range from levels I-IV, and even at the beginner’s stages, are said to greatly improve posture… might pliés be the new Pilates?

-Carly