Archive for June, 2010
The Inspiration that is Frida Khalo
I think I speak for all woman (and man) kind when I point out the extraordinary woman that Frida Khalo embodied. Her passion for art, love of animals, eye for beauty and color, as well as rebellious personality make her one of the most remembered and cherished artists of all time.
Why exactly? Because with every whim she followed her instincts and her heart. With every experience she grew stronger no matter how negative they may have been. Jotting entries down in her journal, creating oil paintings infused with wildlife and heartbreaking imagery – if there was one main theme behind her artwork it was authenticity and acceptance.
What I love the most about her (and draw the most inspiration from) is how she was never anyone other than herself. Through good and bad habits she had a “take all of me or nothing at all” approach to life. She was passionate. She never settled.
Katharina, one of the lovely creators of KL goodness (a specialist when it comes to sewing machine embroidery) reminds me so much of Frida. While she is very much her own person, there is a wild beauty within her that is so refreshing and strong, you can’t help but think of Frida’s spirit.
Frida’s portraits were another highlight of her perception of the world. She did not try to beautify herself on canvas (in fact I find her much more attractive in photographs), but instead looked reality right in the face (sans alteration) and made it astounding. As a woman, this takes some serious guts!!!
Frida is a big part of what the KL team accomplish every day. The boutique is full of trinkets and prints alike that mimic or fully resemble this icon.
Kat even has this stuffed doll on her bookshelf…
My personal fave?
The Classic Hardware Frida bracelet, available for $55 at the boutique (There are also Frida necklaces and earrings). When I wear mine not only do I get heaps of comments, but it reminds me to stay strong and stay true.
xox
I did this embroidery on a vintage $2 bill in my early twenties.
The Queen is very important in hat-wearing society. I learned how to make bibi hats from Pauline Duguay, and the studio has recently released a new batch of bibi creations. I personally love the turquoise butterfly terrarium and the leaf.
Kat
Donna truly is a jack of all trades! Shown here modeling her beautiful cami’s (which she sews, cuts, chooses the fabric for, delivers to stores and manages the inventory for – phew!), this lady truly is a powerhouse if I ever did see one!
Donna’s cami’s are essential to the KL boutique for both their beauty as well as their simplicity.
You see, most of the KL creations have multiple adornments, bold patterns and intriguing cuts when it comes to their style – to which the perfect classic or racerback cami comes in to save the day! Tank tops have become the wardrobe basic, making them perfect layering pieces and colorful pops to any outfit – simple or extravagant!
We have the cami’s in-store for the small price of $26 (made completely by Donna the one-woman-wonder, here in Montreal folks) in a rainbow of beautiful colors for you to match with your favorite dresses, pair of jeans or KL party skirt!
It’s summertime! Stock up on DB tanks!
xox
It’s Monday morning… the moment everyone’s clocks set back and the possibilities of a whole new week lay ahead. Everything is fresh…
So before you get lost in the trials and tribulations of your day, why don’t you just take a moment to think straight and let at least one person know how much they mean to you!
It can be through the telephone, through a love note or simply through a nice gesture… anything to brighten their day and let them know that you have their back 
!
It’s easy to put people on our “to do” lists or schedule them into our days itinerary, but the real love comes from someone knowing that you went out of your way to show some love.
So happy Monday to you all, and I challenge you to do one good “friend deed” today in whatever form may hit you!
Spread the love!
xox
This is about Betsy. She said to me on the phone that she wanted a rainbow wedding dress. I was delighted. Just my kind of project. We talked and I got a sense of her personality and then I took the time to make my first three sketches.
Elements of all three dresses became her dress. We chose her favorite silhouette, neckline and mixed up the embellishments to create the boquet-butterfly-fiesta party dress. The butterflies that I used as sequins on her dress have also been used by Martha Stuart to make this fab rainbow butterfly cake.
Happiness can sometimes be hard to come by… life has a way of dragging us through the ringer at moments! The secret of the successful though, I have learned, is to consistently and always keep your eye on the prize! Always think big, never let your dreams outta sight, and keep working hard towards your end goal!
Here are a few of my favorite mantra’s that mentally free me during times of hardship and transform the ordinary days into extraordinary ones .
- Love yourself. By love yourself, I really mean WORSHIP yourself. I really don’t have any clue how anyone gets anything done in life while they consistently go on about insecurities and doubts. Stop working against your potential for greatness, allow yourself luxuries and all the love the world has to offer!
- Travel. Be it to the grocery store or China, sometimes a change of scenery is just what the doctor ordered.
- Surround yourself by amazing people. People you aspire to be, people who inspire you and who support everything you are in this world! Never imagine people being better than you – if you think of yourself as the best you will become it! Toxic people in your life need to be flushed, so stop hesitating and allowing them to poison your positivity!
- Spoil yourself. I know it’s cheesy because of all the cosmetics companies sport this as their advertising headers, but you know what – they’re on to something! Allow yourself the little extra’s and know your worth (now realistically multiply what you think it is by 1000 – that’s what your REAL worth is). Women are made to think of others first – realize that you cannot spoil others without spoiling yourself first!
- Set your feelings free. Be it anger, fear, happiness or excitement – let it go! Put emotions into actions and allow yourself to move on to bigger and better things via creativity and experiences! The moment you realize you are an entity who owns their emotions and not the other way around, is the moment you win.
- Listen to music. So many more times than not there is someone out there who has been in the same rough spot as you. Inspiration comes in so many forms, but music has the ability to feel like a good friend offering up the greatest advice. Soak up a soothing melody and let someone else’s experience get you through the toughest times .
- Take care of your body. Adorn it with lush fabrics, exotic colors and precious materials… be a goddess and feel like one! Feed your mind via books and philosophies, nourish your body with clean foods and rest your soul with peace and quiet. Rest and relaxation is the new luxury – true proof that some of the best things in life are free!
- Be creative. Paint, write, construct, solve… whatever side of the brain proves to be your strongest, use it to your advantage and indulge in the luxury of seeing something materialize from your own two hands. There is nothing more rewarding than being able to add your perspective of beauty to the universe.
- Do something that scares you. You have no idea how freeing it is to test yourself and succeed at conquering your fears. It is like a breath of fresh air! In my experience the things I am most scared of end up becoming the things I come to call my faves.
- Believe. Doesn’t have to be in God. Doesn’t have to be in fate or destiny. Believe in something you feel strongly for… be it your cat, car, neighbor or politics… being able to exercise your love for something and stand up for it without question adds to the intrigue of your personality and gives you a loyal edge.
Having said all of that… don’t you just love these gorgeous organza inspired prints?
xox
I have always been attracted to the myth and meaning of animals. We are so far removed from them in our urban day to day, that when a fox runs across the road in front of me, it is a profound moment. For years now I have been documenting all the animals that I encounter. Surprisingly, this happens without having to drive to the country. In Native folklore the meaning of these chance encounters are called animal medicine.
The Deer is gentleness:
Stop pushing so hard to get others to change, and love them a they are.
Apply gentleness and become like the summer breeze; warm and caring.
The Rabbit is fear:
What you resist will persist. What you fear most will be called to you by worry.
(But today we see rabbits as sweet and cuddly and innocent and edible. )
The Giraffe is the ultimate fashion model animal.
The exoticism of this animal is essential in it’s public perception of today. Seeing a real live giraffe is as unattainable in real life as the perfect body.
Regularly I see a beautiful woman trying on a dress in my change-rooms who sees herself as defective. Her eyes fixate on one spot: her hips, her knees, her shoulders, her tummy, her whatever….and she cannot see the whole picture of who she is anymore. It’s too bad, because the whole picture is a beautiful woman.
The porcupine is innocence.
Don’t get caught in the world of fear, greed, suffering. Let go of seriousness and severity.
Remember fantasy, imagination and COLOR. This will lead you to JOY.
May it be beautiful before me.
May it be beautiful behind me.
May it be beautiful above me.
May it be beautiful below me.
May I walk in beauty.
Now I am a very loyal gal when it comes to taking the metro here in the 514, but there are some cars that just grab a hold of my soul and don’t ever let go! Besides having a mega soft spot for vintage rides, when they are adorned or personalized I don’t stand a chance!
I know that when the day finally comes my car will be some outlandish showstopper – and not because of the brand. It will be an eccentric color and for sure have bold designs (if not totally psychedelic) ruling it’s entire frame . I gotta have some way of finding it in a large filled-out parking lot right?!?
Volkswagen hippie buses have a big section of my heart dedicated to them. Not only do I love and admire how people make these their homes/hangouts (I remember seeing them everywhere in Hawaii), but they are always adorned so creatively and positively. Living in a Volkswagen bus must be like finding God in some strange way… how could you ever hold anything other than hope with all those peace signs protecting you?
Aight folks, I must say… this one tops my list!!! A stiletto AND a car in one?!? Whoever made this definitely (subconsciously) had me (and entire womankind) in mind! If I could, I would be cruisin’ around the Montreal streets in this sweet thing… in my stilettos of course (and now that I mention it, how amazing would a Katharina dress look getting out of this shoe car?)
Even though this last one may be a toy car, I love the idea of covering (everything) in sequins. Bring the disco wherever you choose to go… and why couldn’t you get a custom paint job with lookalike sequins on it? All I’m sayin’ ladies and gents, is that we spend most of our lives
a) At work
b) At home
c) In the car, metro or walking
So make sure you adorn accordingly
Happy Friday!
xox
There are so many people in this world with great charisma, style and personality!
People who live their lives wholeheartedly, refusing to ever miss a chance at improving the way they or their loved ones live. Well rounded I guess you could say… but with a definite knack for cool!
These very same people bring the element of design to all aspects of their lives (ever notice how fashion designers and architects constantly seem to surround themselves with beauty?), creating above anything else a beautiful lifestyle. This is what the KL philosophy is all about. Finding love and positivity in everything you do, all day long (every day).
A beautiful lifestyle.
Be it finding inspiration via sandwiches or dressing up your bed for sweet dreaming, imagination is abundant and everlasting . It’s about the little things in your day that will take you the furthest… taking the time to have a bubble bath with your favorite scent, making a batch of cookies and letting the deliciousness intoxicate your home… even taking the time to feel beautiful in the morning and donning some extra zzzzz’s are all little luxurious touches you can relish and appreciate in a day!
On that note, how cool are these sandwiches?!?! Kids love ‘em, how could you not be inspired by them as an adult?! There are so many cool little trinkets in the KL boutique… imagine if they had a mini deli with these crazy creations? SO cool (but obviously not necessarily possible)…
Have a beautiful Thursday – get inspired by food!
xox
More food inspired art that takes another direction is Sandra Kadowaki’s Tatsuko sushi miniature jewelry made out of polymer clay. Sold out in store but always available by special order.
view from the studio around 7pm
These are some of the sunsets I love. On the beach in Thailand, from the windows of my studio and playing with eyeshadow. I have attached a cheesy video that I love because it was my first introduction to make up as a playful artform using colors.
Kat
It has not even been three months since the KL teams involvement in the Bougez pour Haiti benefit, hosted by Montreal Gazette journalist Sue Montgomery, and already the proceeds have been applied to the Decamuss Business School in Port au Prince! Both the Katrin Leblond Boutique as well as Erin the store’s manager contributed via raffle prizes (a worth of over $500) to make this event a huge success!
New computers have been set up, teachers as well as rent have been paid, and the school’s damages from the horrible earthquake are all in the process of being repaired. The school is officially up-and-running teaching English, computer, and accounting classes. Although the aftershock of the earthquake still remains, students are increasingly enrolling in the schools programs with the dream of finding a suitable job when all is said and done.
Many students are studying there on either half or full scholarships, while few have the means to put themselves through the program themselves. Sues project for the future is student sponsorship – contributing individually to a students future (while they at the same time pay a portion to stay invested in what they are doing). Both Sue as well as Nickel Nicolas (the school’s director) have estimated the price of approximately $250 per person (every course and subject determines different tuition prices), so if you are interested in sponsoring a Haitian student’s studies don’t hesitate!
Contact Sue asap at montgomery.sue@gmail.com
In any case, another Bougez pour Haiti will be taking place this November to raise more funds for this cause. Sue has mentioned that the prizes as well as the event will both be larger scale and just as much dancing fun as the last!
Education is the most important thing we can give Haiti’s future, donate generously!
xox
Wow! The Sylvie’s have been hitting up Italy in style!
From yoga to sightseeing in some of the most beautiful locations, it seems our lovely KL ladies are soaking in what Europe is all about – a beautiful lifestyle! With gorgeous weather, perfect surroundings and hopefully some exciting travel stories to match, the Sylvie’s will be returning to Montreal well rested and with the memory of the perfect getaway!
Enjoy some more of the personal pictures they sent the KL team (it’s like a mini tour via blog).
Enjoy!
(Above Ostuni)
The gorgeously serene beach
Alberrobello et ses trulli
Polignano A Mare
Rome Piazza di Navona
The yoga room were they attend classes twice a day…
A rooftop view of Ostuni…
A beautiful building in the town of Matrina Franca!
Polignano A Mare, the city surrounded by the lush blue waters of the Adriatic sea!
“The trip is fantastic!!! Beautiful weather, beautiful landscapes, great food and even better company. Our yoga group is so sweet and gets along famously! We have two yoga sessions a day that are about 2.5-3 hours long. The first one is very (too) early at 6:30am and the next is at 4:30pm. Between classes we visit the towns around or we take it easy by the pool. In the evenings we have dinner outside as we are serenaded by our host who is a former Italian rock star and loves to sing and play his guitar for us!
Here are some pictures!
Bisous,”
Sylvie G
Have a beautiful Tuesday!
xox
The romance and poetry of roses is deep in our culture and our consciousness. It seems, dreams lay deep in the center of each one, under the folds of petals. Roses are like this incredible heady, intoxicating, offering and at the same time they seem, as if, they hold a mystery. Nature overwhelms when it comes to roses. Sent and colour overdose.
With roses, the artist plays on a palette of nature’s beauty.
After much searching, Katrin found real roses perfectly captured in resin.
These are possibly some of the most beautiful jewelery pieces I have yet to come across!!!
Designed in part by our very own Katrin Leblond and assembled exclusively by Sophie Lin Tran, these real roses have been coated with resin to immortalize their natural beauty!
Hung on sterling silver and 14K gold chains, embellished with real crystals and jewels… what’s not to love? These gorgeous statement pieces hit all the right feminine notes!
The weekend is almost here – hang in there and enjoy the beautiful day!
Don’t forget to spoil dad this Sunday for father’s day!
xox
Imagine the romance of dinner under a chandelier in a beautiful dinning hall or a secret garden. Imagine whispering with twinkling mischievousness to your companion. Imagine the music of tinkling fine china. This is the world I am transported to when I see the earrings and necklaces made by Shopie Lin Tran. A moment were the sweetest and most vulnerable parts of yourself are truly powerful.
Subtly express yourself. Combine sophistication, glamor and innocence. Sophie Lin Tran studies nursing here in Montreal. She dreams of offering palliative care or Pediatrics. She will nurse your Jewelery blues away (her creations above). Sophie Lin Tran is a lovely person and we think she is awesome both for her work and for who she is as a person. Sophie enlists her brother who she loves sooooo much to help her with sales on her jewelry line. Even when she is exhausted from her work study schedule she always has a smile. Sophie creates beautiful intricate, delicate, sweet accessories for the lucky few that snap them up before they are gone. Crystals, gold, sterling, quality materials are her inspirations…. She loves nature and colours and it shows in her work. We love Sophie!!!!!!!
When the magic of the garden wains and the city streets call out their own noisy poetry. When you want to imagine yourself wandering along a street filled with Paris shops or pedaling over cobblestone. Reach for a Melissa Bolduc creation available in all is subtle architectural fashion.
Melissa Bolduc’s (Melow) pieces are now in our shop. This wrap top (above) is available in teal and lilac and black! The jacket below is in linen and is available in aubergine, black and plum for a great price at $135. I love the arcitechtural dimentions to Melissa’s designs. These jackets are so comfortable and easy care. The more you wash them the better they get. The linen “melts like butter” as Kat would say.
Come and check them out!!!
Have a beautiful Thursday!
Bisous!
xox
Father’s day is this Sunday!!! Are you ready for it?
The KL boutique has these beautiful hand made (completely recycled from head to toe) men’s ties that are made in part by the stores manager Erin ($25-$35 ea. or two for $50)! Tell her a bit about your dad and she will pull the perfect match for his personality
Also in shop that dads love (well, maybe more like everyone…) are our Eat Shop guides ($14.95)! A little pocket book that will help you maneuver around Montreal and experience some of the best shopping and dining the city has to offer… just make sure dad see’s it and you’re not always out “borrowing” it after…
Top it all off with a fabulous hand made card from the Jackie Basset collection ($2.50 – $5.50) and you have a great, original and fun poppa’s day gift!
Spoil dad, but especially with love and appreciation 
xox
Sylvie H wears the KL Jolly Dress in white ($139) and Wendy Thomas necklace ($30)
The KL Sylvies (yes – we are lucky enough to have TWO in ONE store) have been enjoying what seems to be an absolutely drop dead gorgeous retreat to the Santa Maria del Sol yoga center in the South of Italy, Puglia!
Of course they packed along their beautiful KL wardrobes and are vacationing in true style… enjoy some of the photo’s they sent us from various locations!
Sylvie G wears the Hanna Broer Venus Tunic ($78)
Sylvie H sports her KL Leggings (normally $85 and now on sale for $65)!!!!
Sylvie H in her Katharina Deluxe Dress ($149)
Sylvie H total rocks the Sexy Dress ($99)
Sylvie H (left) wears her Paris Cami ($75)
Stay tuned! More travel pics of their exciting Italian adventure to come!!!
Happy Tuesday!
xox
Good morning world! Today here in the 514 the rain rules… and all I can think of is staying inside all warm and cuddled! The store’s Maillagogo sweaters are great for this, coming in an assortment of colors (exclusive ones at that) hand-picked by Erin, the KL stores manager, and made with love and care by the Maillagogo team here in Montreal .
Pair your cozies with some of the amazing new Elisabeth Johnston jewelery (below) and warm up to a nice cup of tea! I love rain days… an excuse to stay in and take life a little slower .
Enjoy the rain day
xox
The Katrin Leblond team welcomes you to the Montreal 2010 Formula 1 race weekend! Amongst all the hype and commotion we invite you to discover our wonderland for a little “break” from both the crowd and the parties!
Step into our world of color, creation and imagination… you will find the perfect ensemble to stand out from the crowd and allow your personality to shine!
Come visit us and allow yourself the souvenir of a great race weekend alongside a beautifully hand made Montreal wardrobe!
xox
Claudette Vandal’s bracelets are now in store. Completely made by hand and beaded to perfection, this gorgeously pleated piece will get you many compliments. Match Claudette’s peices perfectly by pairing them with the beautiful Emilie Desmeules skirts in store.
I love how Emily Des Meules crazy applique of intertwined threads are visually paralleled in the wire knit work of Claudette’s bracelet. I also like how the two pieces similar colour palette plays of each other. Comdining the two makes a sophisticated and artful fashion statement. Claudette knits the metal strands by hand one stitch at a time on knitting needles. Similarly, all of Emily’s fashion works of art are appliqued with love by hand, giving each one it’s own flavor. Last year Emily won one of Quebec’s prestigious emerging artist awards for textile art. She deserves it!
On a different note: We have the work of Amy Belanger in the store.
Amy Belanger’s Chipped China necklaces.
Made from recycled tea cups, saucers and plates, each pendant piece is filed smooth on all sides and hung on sterling silver chains. Amy also creates custom necklaces with your treasured heirloom china that has been passed down for generations. If you accidentally break your family’s treasured piece you can still share the memories the heirloom holds by giving each member a token pendant to wear of great great grandmother’s favourite plate.
It’s Thursday – make it a beautiful one!
xox
Take a good look at these gorgeous numbers… they will be flying off the KL racks newly discounted to 25% off! Made by Gloria Gaudette, they are the perfect balance of professional and funky!
These staples will bring you from day to night in true, undeniable style (mix and match her prints with brights for a signature look).
Hope your week is beautiful!
Enjoy the sunshine
xox
These amazing paper cutout wigs are the amazing artistic installment of two very artistic ladies, Nikki Salk (also a blogger and fashion fanatic) and Amy Flurry (a freelance writer, editor and stylist). Creating each and every piece uniquely by hand, what I wouldn’t give to be allowed the luxury to try one of these babies on!!!
Gorgeous!!!
Feeling a mega strong urge to start my ink drawings again and really get back into the release and focus it provides! So much inspiration out there to channel through your own inhibitions and ideals!!!
Happy Tuesday! Get creative!
xox
Happy Monday Morning lovelies! I hope your weekend was great and you all made the very most of the rainy/cold weather… snuggling up with a good book, cozying up to a hot cup of tea or/and making a beautiful homemade dinner with the people you love
Sometimes though, the weekend just doesn’t feel like quite enough escapism… sometimes, come Monday, you still feel the overwhelming desire to stay those extra few minutes in your bed… or crank the shower water temperature up a notch…
Sometimes, you’ve got to allow your body the time to adjust to shifting back into “work mode”… and sometimes your meal ticket to avoiding reality for a little while longer is allowing yourself a few extra indulgences
This is what life is all about after all is it not?
Allowing the simple things to become the things you desire the most… the comfort and satisfaction of enjoying something perhaps a little longer than you should have…
I leave you with the beautiful artwork of Randi Antonsen… a true visual getaway for the start to anyone’s week! Her paintings remind me so much of all the texture and color (not to mention nature theme) that defines Katrin’s work.
Enjoy!
xox
World, meet the incredibly talented Montreal-based artist (and new mom) Vanessa Yanow! Safe to say one of my favorite local jewelery designers, Vanessa’s hand blown glass and zipper creations are real statement pieces! Each telling a different story, glass teardrops capture small tokens and trinkets delicately and intricately.
Vanessa has been contributing to the Montreal art scene for years now and can be found exhibiting her instillation works at various galleries both locally and worldwide! She is both a talent and a wonder, achieving muchly deserved praise wherever she sets her sights!
Her zipper necklaces are one of my favorite items to gift… I know I will always get an amazing reaction when the receiver opens the box and see’s a hand made adjustable neck piece with some of the most beautiful and imaginative materials capsulated inside hand-blown glass.
Vanessa Yanow’s spirited jewelery collection is available in the Katrin Leblond Boutique… Her earrings retail for $38 while her darling necklaces go for $45. A steal when you think of how innovative they are (not to mention that they are completely crafted by hand)!
Happy Weekending!
xox
Summer is officially here and when it’s hot out, the last thing you want is long hair sticking to you and making you even hotter!!! Put that pony up in style, decorate your hair with roses, daisies and crazy dreads (from the KL Boutiques hair adorning superstar Alison)… make your hairstyles fun and interesting!!!
Notice Katharina and Hanna in the above collage? A little sneak peek of the Circus Smirkus costumes that are currently in production
Check out this cool hair tutorial to get a quick pin-up style (you can also put hair up in a ponytail for this look) with all the flower adornments you love
Enjoy!
xox
Heray for new goodies that just arrived in the KL Boutique (woot woot)!!!
Classic Hardware pendants (on the left – top two), pocket watches on the top at $28 (two from middle to right), jewelery travel kits at $29 (bottom left and right), Z creations leaf earrings at $22 (center) and key chain at $12 (center right).
And some more dreamy pieces…
Little Miss Cassandra, our beautiful in-store lovely lady is getting more and more into the acting scene here in Montreal and has been successfully been getting many callbacks for auditions! Get to know the face peoples, it’s only a matter of time before she takes over the silver screen We love ya Cassandra and are all cheerin’ ya on!
xox
A special thank you to M Magazine, a division of La Presse, for the complimentary feature on the boutique and Katrin’s designs!
Be sure to check out the Magazine online for more great fashion blurbs
xox
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