Archive for May, 2010
Rice Paper Cutouts
Paper arts are some of my favorites because of the innate attention they pay to fine details. Some of the most incredible pieces are the ones done with rice paper (as shown in all of these pics), meticulously cut out entirely by hand! From entire scenes to animals, folklore and lettering, each is more beautiful and intricate than the next!
Enjoy some of Kat’s faves!
Happy Memorial day Monday!
xox
Just a little follow-up concerning the fabulous event Ms. Sue Montgomery hosted to help raise money for a business school that was near destroyed during the tragic earthquake in Haiti…
xox
Madeleine Turgeon is an award winning artistic expressionist. Taking inspiration from the natural world all around her and injecting her oil paintings with beautiful and expressive colors, it is no wonder her eye for beauty is the perfect compliment to the Katrin Leblond boutique and collections. Displayed on the walls of our St. Laurent store (and nationally in both private and public collections), Turgeon’s paintings will reach out and grab your attention while sifting through our racks upon racks of fashion goodies 
… all pieces are for sale, so if one catches your heart and doesn’t let go you can bring it home with you!
Boutique Newsflash:
- Jaclyn Murray Ebb and Flow purses on sale 50% off. KL leggings on discount reg $ 85 now $65. Polk a dot Cardigan on sale reg.$74 now $49.
- Lili Bordelic will be playing at Dix Onze Sunday May 30th (tomorrow) 2010 on Saint Denis 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Come by the boutique Sunday between 2:00pm and 6:00pm and wish Katrin a Happy Birthday Month!
xox
Alright everyone… it’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for… the Athena dresses are OFFICIALLY in-store! This runway highlight (and equally talked-about statement piece amongst Montreal Fashion Week attendees), will absolutely be flying off the racks with the beautiful weather we have been having as of late! Priced at $325 in an abundance of fresh and classic colors (turquoise, black, fuschia and grey) and in sizes XS to XL…wait too long and they will be gone – you have been warned!!!
Gorgeous draped jersey cotton embellished with hand appliqued frills makes for an all around amazing summer look. Wear it casually poolside, dress it up for a special event or rock it on an urban level with a funky/flirtatious handbag and wedges! This dress will take you high and low and become your new best friend .
I just know this will be the next signature KL dress… this one is history in the making (and you can hold me to it)!
xox
Jamie Brock, one of my favorite KL boutique designers has just recently gotten back from Costa Rica where she lives part-time when not designing fabulous eco-friendly fashions here in Montreal . Welcome home Jamie!
Jamie’s line Advika focuses on creating comfortable, fashion forward pieces entirely made from textiles such as soy, hemp, organic cotton and bamboo. Pretty cool, huh!?! She was kind enough to make me one of her incredible dresses (that I am completely obsessed with might I add), and I can’t get over it’s amazing versatility!
Above, Jamie sports one of her Advika creations in black (also available in-store in deep purple and lavender in sizes small through large).
Jamie’s sister Jen created and designed this gorgeous mosaic shower for their Costa Rica getaway home…
They also have a goat that they milk themselves that likes to hang out
If you love far away fashions, be sure to head to the KL Boutique to check out Katrin’s personal collection of hand-picked scarves she brought back from Thailand! They are selling for only $8!!! Can you believe?!?! There is a rainbow array that make perfect headbands, neckties and purse charms, so snap these babies up while they are still around.
Enjoy the beautiful summer day (hopefully by a pool)!
xox
So admittedly this is a late birthday wish to the divine, amazing, colorful and unique goddess of a birthday girl… but
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATRIN!!!
I speak on behalf of all your Montreal fans when I say that I wish you the most glorious year to come filled to the brim with inspiration, love, wealth, health, intrigue and surprise!
Keep on inspiring, spreading the love into multiple people’s lives and spreading your infectious positivity – it is people like you who make the world a better place (we need more of you)!!!!
And to all the regular readers of this blog I apologize for the lack/irregularity of posts as of late – my computer was attacked by viruses and had to be taken into the shop for a good cleanup! All cleared and ready for more action now!
Back to regular scheduling!
Enjoy the sunshine of yet another beautiful blessed day and be sure to send Katrin some birthday love via facebook or twitter! Birthday’s don’t just last one day in KL land… they last (minimum) a week… so shower her with LOVE!!!
The boutique has loads of new surprises for you to discover!!!
First and foremost, this beautiful jewelery collection from Montreal artist Christine Bérubé is new and in-store! Her pieces are largely inspired by water and her memories of it during her childhood. She compares her work to the fluidity of the water that so inspires her .
Also, Erin Reports:
- New in the store: Hanna Boer undies in organic cottons with funky print waist bands are being snapped up for $12 each or 2 for $20.
Hanna also makes easy to wear relaxed fit dresses for summer that she has brought into the store in a variety of colors and two styles: the dot dress and the Venus dress. Come check them out!
Hope you are all enjoying the beautiful summer day!!!
xox
These funkadelic hair elastics and dreads are now in-store and available for summer-time picnics, jam sessions and parties! Constructed and dyed completely by local creative mom Allison!
Allison has become known for her extraordinary skill for fiber manipulation… each and every hair piece is made by hand and is completely unique.
It’s funky time ;P
xox
If only these images could possibly be reality…
butterfly friends dropping by through the window…
… for tea time of course…
For the butterfly inspired, check out these awesome earrings (above) for $28 a pair and the beautiful handmade bracelet for $45 (below) currently in the boutique!
Have a beautiful mid-week day 
xox
(I’m crossing my fingers for a butterfly to drop by and have tea with me…)
The beautiful Tiffany’s stained glass exposition just ended at the Musee des Beaux Arts downtown early on this month. The beautiful work of Mr. Louis C. Tiffany in the form of lamps, window fixtures, mosaics and fire screens were all on display for the public to see and fall in absolute love with.
While I didn’t get the opportunity to visit while this exhibit was on, I did get a chance to admire the beautiful stained glass fixture in the KL boutique…
… done by Kat’s dad Pierre Leblond!
So no need to be sad for missing out on the fun… the boutiques beautiful stained glass display is always open (and the best part – no admission!)
xox
Congrats Kat on being included in the top ten best Montreal designers!!! We are all SO proud of you!!!
Special thank you and shout out to all the LOVELY people who voted – WE LOVE YOU!!!
What a great way to start the weekend
xox
When I first saw these in store I gasped! I absolutely, completely, with all my being, ADORE these necklaces!!! They are gorgeous silver heart lockets by the amazing Peggy Skemp! You’re seriously gonna wanna check these out asap cause I know they won’t be lasting very long in the boutique!
There is so much fine detail (and accurate at that), that they bring an amazingly soulful approach to the heart theme… love ‘em, love ‘em, love ‘em!!!
They definitely made my heart skip a beat
xox
There is nothing more uplifting on a rainy day than a a colorful and positively happy umbrella (and matching rain boots if you can find)! It is an accessory so powerful it can alter miserable moods to elation (take my word for it – I can’t get enough of mine)!
As the weather has been all over the place here in the 514, here are some of the in-shop picks we have to choose from for our next (sure to be) rain day (here’s hoping not snow day!!!).
Go crazy with florals, butterflies, ladybirds, polka dots and frills!
You’ll see you won’t stop at using them for the rain… they make for great beach/picnic shade, keeping your hair picture perfect in a snowstorm and maybe if you are prone to a little magic you may just be able to get around town Mary Poppins style
Just kidding!!! Unless of course you actually can…
xox
Happy Day!
These beautiful Lily Bordelik pieces are a great addition to any wardrobe and are in store right now for $69! Each and every one of them handmade by Montreal cellist Elisabeth Giroux! Be sure to check her out every Sunday during the month of May performing with her trio L’Ensemble TrioSphere at Club Jazz Diese Onze from 6pm-8pm.
Here Elisabeth poses with her cello at the KL ladies dress-up event wearing
- Mini Bibi party hat created by Katrin ($45)
- KL Katharina top
- KL party skirt and leggings
- KL Crinoline ($140 – available in every color under the rainbow)
- Lily Bordelik necklace ($69)
Elisabeth’s necklaces go perfectly with the KL Katharina dress, which this season’s print is inspired by the colorful paintings of Chagall
This showstopping piece was originally created for awards shows, special events and weddings… a beautiful explosion ($198)!
Here the Bordelik necklace is paired with an Advika by Jamie Brock pink tube top (an amazingly eco-friendly line composed of organic cotton, soy, hemp and bamboo) and a Colette Van Haren knitted vest ($78).
Needless to say, there is much beauty to be checked out in-store!
We’ll be expecting you!
xox
Last Sunday as you may already know, was the open house at the KL studio! Here is a beautiful picture story of how a Scarfette traveled all the way fresh from the KL merrow machine (courtesy of Miss Hanna) to a picnic out with the girls on Mont Royal!
Oh glorious friendship!
Thank you Keera and Co. for allowing these personal photo’s on the KL blog We love seeing the continuous passing on of love to our creations after they have left our home…
I love how honest and totally genuine these pics are… SO awesome!
Keera also makes her own clothing, so be sure to check out her beautiful local designs!
Welcome to a new week
xox
Although Mother’s day may be said and done… this is just a friendly reminder that one day can not possibly hold all of the love and appreciation that every single mother on this planet deserves. Why wait for special occasions to celebrate the woman who fed, raised and birthed you (not to mention CREATED you) when you can show a little bit of love every day?
(Katrin above with her kitty child)
I want to take this opportunity on behalf of Katrin and the team to point out the amazingly positive influence Kat’s mom, Barb, has been in her life. Now I don’t know much about their relationship, but it is evident from an outsider’s perspective that the bond they hold is something very, very special. Kat’s mom also helps out in the boutique every weekend, and for that the whole team appreciates and thanks her for her dedication and generosity.
Happy mother’s day from the whole team Barb – You are very loved!
To all the ladies with children… and to all the ladies without… the maternal instinct can be so strong from within us females, that children or not, we have all been the momma bear at some point in our lives!
Every lady deserves to celebrate for deeds previously/continuously done!
Never take the ladies in your life for granted, life is too short for the people you love to not know how much they mean to you. Spoil your mom with flowers for no reason, call up your best friend and ask her how her day was… be a shoulder someone can lean on. Value the beauty the people around you possess!
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY EVERY DAY!
xox
Sue Montgomery, writer extraordinaire for the Montreal Gazette (who covered the devastating earthquake in Haiti) will be hosting a fundraiser to raise money for the Decamuss Business School in Port au Prince Haiti this Saturday (the 8th of May 2010 starting at 8pm)! Sue has remained a loyal KL enthusiast over the years, sporting Katrin’s beautiful designs both in her casual life as well as professional. We love Sue!
Katrin has donated over $400 of merchandise to be raffled off for the benefit, and the store’s manager Erin has contributed personally as well! Make sure to buy your tickets pronto for a night out of dancing and happy hour cocktail prices .
See you there and don’t forget to RSVP!
514 248 1928
montgomery.sue@gmail.com
Every mom is different in personality, style and spirit… here are my picks for Mother’s Day gifts (from what I think my mom would like to receive)
I got the above Corteza pressed rose petal earrings for my mumma last mother’s day and she loved them!
This is the cutest, most beautiful weekender bag that I know my mom would get a kick out of bringing with her to the country!
These beautiful hand painted wooden Russian folk art brooches are all unique, each one more different than the last. I love piling a few on to a jacket lapel or handbag!
Rosette’s! Mom can wear these in her hair, around her wrists, on her bag, pin them on her blouses… there are infinite ways to wear rosettes!
If there is one thing nearly every family member of mine has gotten from me, it’s his and hers KL pillowcases! I love rolling these up and giving them as colorful gifts wrapped with ribbon! With new additions in the boutique all the time, keep mom updated with the most beautiful, seasonal prints .
And of course you can never go wrong with a velvet ladylike purse!
More mom posts to come!
xox
After Sunday’s open house I decided to take a stroll down St. Laurent in search of some good/cheap grub (and of course to suck up the remainder of the beautiful day before the sun went down. So when I passed by the KL boutique how could I not go in and say hi to everyone?!?
The topic of what everyone was doing for Mother’s Day came up at one point and I got curious as to what some of the KL teams gift picks would be for the ladies in our lives that have always been there through thick and thin. Here are a few of the beautiful Cassandra’s favorites (mom approved)!
Merrowed KL vest… perfect for layering, a gorgeous peachy pink and the softest fabric that drapes on the body beautifully! Sweetness in a nutshell… I think this would look amazing on ladies with grey/white hair paired with a matching lipstick – perfect for spring and summer .
Floral beach/city bag! Wherever ma goes, this bag can take her! From groceries, paperwork, picnics to an afternoon at the lake, this tote will bring the style factor everywhere she goes whatever the task!
KL adjustable cotton rouching sweater – cause summer nights can get chilly and ladies require something classy to cover up… great on busts of all sizes!
A Ladylike top snap purse! Because this bag is so beautifully adorned and detailed that I can’t think of a single mom out there who wouldn’t want to add this to their wardrobe for everyday events and special occasions!
Like Cassandra’s picks? Visit her in store for more of her favorite gifts for Mom!
Save the date and spoil her rotten – May 9th, 2010 Mother’s Day
More gift ideas to come this week!
xox
So this last weekends Design Montreal Open House was quite the success at the KL studio! Rushes of crowds, lots of kiddo’s, familiar faces and the lovely KL team inviting everyone in and explaining how the design process works!
Kat had also just gotten back from Thailand the night before! Amazing that the time difference didn’t seem to effect her optimistic and energetic energy . Welcome home lady!
Hanna stationed herself just outside the studio doors in front of the elevators and offered live demonstrations as to how the boutique’s signature Scarfettes are made… the best part? Visitors got to choose a fabric scrap and watch it transform before their eyes into a wearable accessory – for keeps!
All smiles this girl!
The KL team put wanderers to the textile test…
… and of course the studio was completely adorned with beautiful KL boutique favorites… umbrellas and tulle suspended from the ceiling, patterns on the wall, fabrics and handmade shoes propped on the window ledge…
Guests were invited to enter the inspiration process by viewing Katrin’s personal scrapbooks and favorite visual reads
All of the studio’s work tools were listed and presented on the draft table…
… and even a super duper adorable cupcake pincushion made an appearance!
Katrin printed out a whole lot of inspiration pics from her trip abroad… these are just teasers… beautiful textures, colors and designs were all tacked up on the bulletin board *yum*!
And some of the gorgeous guests!
Katharina gives the inside scoop…
… and Hanna entertains the young ‘uns!
This was an awesome event and it was so nice to see so many Montrealers jumping head first into the world of design!
Have a beautiful start to the week!
xox
I am leaving you for the weekend with some gorgeous photography (some of Kat’s personal picks) and a little preview of what she will bringing home with her when she gets in on Saturday… can’t wait to (hopefully) take a sneak peak at all the new fabrics and trimmings for the studio!
Hope to see everybody on Sunday at the Design Open House event! There will be scarfettes being made in one corner and swatches for the upcoming collection being displayed in the other! Be one of the first few to view Kat’s new collection in progress and experience the studio!
Happy Weekending!
xox
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