Saturday Excursion

Yesterday I went out with my friends Rita and Jessica to the Windsor Arms* for tea. We had such a great time! Of course, it meant tearing myself away from the coat which is getting outrageously close to looking like a coat. But I was so happy, in the end, to be free of my sewga room enjoying great conversation and beautiful surroundings. (Note: I took photos and will post them soon.)

Afterward, I suggested we head into M0851, a Montreal-based store I've spoken about frequently. Lord, I love that place.

You know recently Kate has been talking about her latest "shopping consciousness" experiment. It involves "buying better", and by that I mean better quality. Somehow, every time Kate goes on a new plan, I get roped in!

Here's the thing. I don't really buy clothing anymore (I suspect you've noticed). I'm not saying I'm opposed to buying - if I need something, or want it tremendously, you know it's going to turn up in my wardrobe. I'm just having more fun spending money on stuff to make my own clothes.

As such, theoretically, that leaves me with a bit of disposable income to spend on luxury when I do buy. Enter my new wallet (with a surfeit of white space built in, apparently, which I can't be bothered to crop today...):
Secretly, it's one I've owned before. And I loved it till it gave up the ghost. See the buttery leather that is so soft it shows that ridge?? That really works for me. The website, on which you can order this, indicates it's a new item. Peeps, it's not a new item. Whatevs.

So I bought it, this Canadian-made item, from a gorgeous store, on a lovely day. It's something I needed, and wanted. I didn't wait for the sale. I decided to pay full price - something that allowed me to indulge my love of instant gratification and which makes me hope the boutique uses funds to pay its manufacturing force fairly. I can only imagine what went into making this thing. And I sure am glad it's mine.

*For such a chichi hotel that website sure does suck. Windsor Arms, join the modern era and fix that thing.

Up in Arms

A few times a year, and especially in the miserable, freezing winter, I try to get to afternoon tea at the famed boutique hotel, the Windsor Arms. This chic and elegant bastion of Toronto the Good is a pleasant reminder of my youthful affluence, and a place I can pull out all the anachronistic mannerisms I so rarely have a chance to flaunt.

I lunched, with my great, long time childhood friend Hilary, on delightful spiral sandwiches topped with coral-hued caviar and amazing scones, clotted cream and pastries. It was a veritable festival of carbohydrates (though I did manage to eat my body weight in various permutations of cream).

Hilly, who arrived first, was shown into the fireplace room, to a choice table in the fray. But, with the wisdom that comes from being the mother (of a preschooler and a toddler) liberated from parenting for 3 short hours, she requested instead another table just as far away from a two-year old as we could possibly get! And when that Burberry-dressed little scamp started screaming, well, we were at the best table in the house.

The conversation wandered - as it does with old friends - to family and shared history. But we hit on the high-points of feminist parenting, the things we've managed to accomplish and the ways in which we continue to strive, the challenges and joys of daily life. I am so grateful to have her as my friend. She is a stalwart constant amongst shifting markers and tides and priorities. She is the object of my great affection and love and respect.

But, a propos of great design - this week's theme, here are a couple of photos of the tea salon:

These lovely teapots held aromatic lavender and rose blends.

Turns out, the Dupuis people were having a little diamond auction in the main restaurant next door to the tea salon:

At one point, I considered sneaking my way in, picking up a paddle and bidding 32 grand on a jewel. But then I remember I need to get WendyB that little Brigid Berlin pillow for her bday so I really should maintain a smidge of liquidity. Man, the recession is such a bore! :-)

Here's a shot of the hotel cocktail bar. This photo doesn't do justice but it's a silvery lavender colour.

And finally, here's a shot of Hilly on the street ouside the entrance. Not only does she look lovely, but it's a great shot of a very elegant coat her mother (perhaps the chicest woman in the world) recently bought for her as a gift. It's cashmere, vintage and Italian. Biggen up the picture to see it's gorgeous lines.