On blonde men

Personally I think Matthew McConaughey is a bit of a jerk, but when I saw this I laughed out loud.

Illustration courtesy of my dear friend Kimberly Dean of Dean Velveteen.

M3 Mondays

My new favourite thing to do on a Monday evening - M3 Mondays at the Pantages Martini Bar & Lounge. Enjoy martinis, mojitos, and mac n' cheese for $5 each. I'll skip on the latter but I have to tell you the martinis are yummy (try the French Mistress or Blue Velvet). The onyx bar is beautiful, intimate, and located in the lobby in one of Toronto's chicest boutique hotels.

Indulge. It's a great way to begin your week.

The best nude gloss

The best nude gloss goes to MAC Tinted Lipglass in 'Underage'. It's the perfect soft pale pink with a subtle shimmer. It's highly pigmented so your best bet is to apply some lip balm before hand to ensure your lips are hydrated.

*Also, don't hop on your boyfriend's motorcycle after applying, the gloss is very sticky so wait until after you arrive. Hair in your face is never a good look. If you're patient, the result is a delicious Lolita pout! xx

Buy it here.

Katy Perry in Toronto

Katy Perry played The Molson Amphitheatre last night in Toronto - did anyone have a chance to attend? I was lucky enough to meet Miss Perry backstage at Fashion (s)Cares 2009 (which I covered for Shedoesthecity), and she was as sweet as pie.

This photo covered Toronto's daily free newspaper Metro, accompanied by an article bashing the performance, saying that it screamed 'fashion over function'. Writer Keith Carman continues to say, "It's a sad style-over-substance approach that winds up churning out mindless fluff." I hardly think Carman is Perry's target audience, and I also think most pop music is fluff - but isn't that why we like it? Forget the tough times and dance to your favourite pop record.

Pop stylings - The Asteroids Galaxy Tour

It doesn't feel like summer in COLD & RAINY Toronto but it sure does sound like it. Danish SUPERPOP band The Asteroids Galaxy Tour is just the ticket, and with Mette Lindberg on vocals, I can't resist adding them to my August playlist. Spin it baby!

Beauty icon: Sharon Tate

Lately I've been smitten with the style of the Swinging Sixties - the bouffant hair, the mini shift dresses, long lashes, and nude lips. Sharon Tate was a woman who embodied this look - her beauty is timeless.

Valley of the Dolls is a rather iconic book; I read it last year and couldn't put it down! I recently watched the film and was disappointed because, well it wasn't very good. There was no structure or character development, but visually it was beautiful, and I can appreciate it from that aspect. I'm inspired by the living doll style and have been wearing mini dresses and platform heels all summer.

"My definition of love is being full. Complete. It makes everything lighter. Beauty is something you see. Love is something you feel." - Sharon Tate

Ruby Press

Great mention for Paulina Bijoux this morning on Ruby Press - one of my absolute favourite blogs. The posts are always short & sweet but they offer just the right amount of visual candy and inspiration. Miss always-in-the-know Melissa Davis, owner of boutique PR agency Ruby Press, often shares great links and ideas. She has exquisite taste that is evident in each of her postings. I suggest you head on over and check it out for yourself! Don't forget to bookmark, she updates daily. Oh and she tweets!

Ellen von Unwerth - Photographer extraordinaire

"Ellen von Unwerth brings an energetic femininity to fashion photography - call it girl power. The models in her pictures have real identities, and the photos often convey a sexuality without reducing the subjects to sex objects." - American Photo

Ellen von Unwerth has got to be one of my favourite photographers. Her subjects (usually women) always look beautiful and there's a sort of comfort and strength that perhaps a male photographer might not be able to capture (except Helmet Newton of course). Even when in compromising or vulnerable situations, the model's beauty and sexuality is enhanced not exploited. Maybe this is because Ellen herself was a model, there is that shared understanding. Whatever it is it's brilliant.

Photos: Sarah Jessica Parker - HBO publicity photo for Sex and the City, Dita Von Teese for The Face UK - November 2003, Susan Eldridge for Vogue Italia - 2004, Reese Witherspoon for Interview - December 2006

Love it when you call me legs

I don't care what anyone says, I will always love a romper/playsuit. There is absolutely an age when a woman should not be caught in a onesie, but that time has yet to come for me.

Frolicking beachside, picnicing in the park on a red gingham blanket whilst enjoying a slice o' watermelon, cruising on your cruiser bicycle - these are all instances in which it would be perfectly ADORABLE to be wearing a playsuit. Dress me up in Mandate of Heaven, the best place to find a one-of-a-kind little hotpant number, and I am the happiest girl in the world. Not that I ever need an excuse to go to New York, but if I needed one I think this is a pretty damn good reason.

Mandate of Heaven - at Patricia Field in Manhattan (302 Bowery) and at their flagship/studio in Williamsburg (406 Lorimer, 3rd Floor)

Mama was an ex-showgirl

It's really no secret that it is my secret wish to be a showgirl, if for no other reason than to dress head-to-toe in sequins, jewels, and feathers. The Blonds are the go-to designers for custom pieces that ooze that kind of sex appeal reserved for unafraid, too-hot-to-trot, come hither types. I don't know what it is but I instantly gravitate towards this kind of beauty; maybe it's my love for retro pin-ups and 20's flappers.

David and Philippe Blond are a force to be reckoned with, and although I personally find some of the pieces to border on tacky, I just can't resist a bustier created of silver chains, spikes, and sparkle. www.TheBlondsNewYork.com

P.S. Rihanna looks gorgeous in her Blonds showstopper, but that headpiece is entirely questionable. Other celebrity clientele include: Dita Von Teese, Lady GaGa, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera.

A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future - Coco Chanel

If this is true, then I am absolutely destined for success - I have more than 15 different fragrances, and look to each to suit certain moods and time of day. Is it necessary to own so many perfumes? Probably not - but I really do love how a certain smell can take you places clothes just can't.

I can't possibly tell you what my signature scent is, because I have about 3 that move in rotation throughout the week. I always look to YSL's In Love Again for day - but I use sparingly because it's discontinued and my 100 mL bottle is half gone. It's a great scent though - light & summery. My other favourite is Miss Dior Cherie - it is irresistable & yummy (notes of strawberry, apple, and sugary popcorn), that and I'm a sucker for a beautiful advert campaign (Sofia Copploa is among my favourite directors and I just love the Parisian delight influence). For a hot night out I love a spritz of MAC's MV2 (if you love Vanilla, then this is the scent for you) - plus it is a small size so you can throw it in your bag.

I haven't smelled Marc Jacobs' Lola yet, because it isn't out in Canada yet, but as the sister parfum to Daisy, I'm sure it'll be delicious. And would you just look at that bottle? Beautiful.

Hello, Dolly

Well hello, dolly.

Its so nice to have you back where you belong.

You're lookin swell, dolly... I can tell, dolly.

Welcome / Bievenue

Paulina Bijoux: The ultimate destination for visual inspiration. A place for musings, notes, thoughts, photos, and relevant fashion and lifestyle news.

An irresistable surge of energy resulting in the creative capacity that is Ashley Bartlett. Freelance writer and Fashion Jack of all-trades... err.. Jill.

Inspired by my grandmother, the loveliest woman there ever was.

Take off your coat and stay awhile, you'll be glad you did.

And feel free to e-mail me anytime!

ashley@paulinabijoux.com

xx

P.S. I just can't stand a weak handshake.