Hello Darlings,

Check out my front-row view of the racing action - as Fernando Alonso speeds by in his Ferrari race car! It's been a crazy hectic week at the Montreal Grand Prix Formula 1 races. To say that I am exhausted is an understatement. With long days filled with so much to do and see, and then going out to parties and event every night, this Formula 1 world is not only glamorous, it is also hard work with brutal levels of commitment.

Despite minor blips, I feel very lucky to have had the chance to experience this phenomenal event. For the past few days I've been throughout Montreal, including wandering the streets of Old Montreal, ate at some great restaurants on boulevard Saint Laurent, experience behind-the-scenes of all things Grand Prix racing at the circuit, and even been the centre of attention changing a racing tire at the uber-popular Crescent Street Festival.

If you doubt my abilities, check out the video of me changing a tire on a race car— a skill picked up at the Crescent Street Festival during the pit stop challenge. I assure you, it is no small task!

Hello Darlings,

After an early flight and a quick breakfast with one of my besties, I was excited to begin exploring downtown Montreal. This is my first trip during the famous Montreal Grand Prix weekend, and the rumors are true about the buzz in the city, not to mention the great weather for wearing my new shoes and skirts!

But so much for early morning flights, since instead of wandering the streets of Old Montreal or shopping on rue Saint Catherine, all I could think about was a cozy blanket and a cuddly pillow. So I made my way to my hotel and before I knew it, I missed my planned big day out.

Hello Darlings,

Have you ever had one of those days when you just want to hide, snuggle under a fuzzy blanket and watch re-runs of Sex and the City. Well, the other day was exactly THAT kind of a day and to put a cherry on an un- fabulous cake, I had a very special event to attend.

One of my dear friends and fellow bloggers, Anthea from Clothes Line Finds, was shooting the final scenes for her documentary at designer-blessed The Room which is a haven for all things beautiful and fabulous located on the third floor of The Bay on Queen Street in downtown Toronto. I’ve been told over and over again this is where fashion-addicts’ dreams come true: well, I wish this fashion-addict had a Visa card for a shopping spree like on the show What To Wear

So there I was, standing in my bathroom mirror, fidgeting my life away, observing my hair, which appeared to have gotten into a fight with my blow dryer. My life would have been over long ago if not for Moroccan Oil, but today the coiffure gods were punishing me for not noticing that I was out of my not-so-secret hair remedy. Still, I managed to tame the beast another way. I took out my favorite YSL magic wand to cover blemishes that occasionally visit, and hide the dark circles that cloud under my eyes during that special time of the month. I then EVEN decided to outline my eyes with eyeliner, a move sooooo rare that the last time I did was New Year’s Eve. I wasn’t getting dressed to impress - I was getting dressed to kill! Well, that was what I kept telling myself while listening to Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.”

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="698" caption="Anthea with Marcus Kan from à la mode"][/caption]

I decided to be fierce (this word always makes me chuckle when I actually use it!) and ignore the day’s “beluga complex” and take out a mini skirt. Ladies, this is definitely the perfect choice on a day when you feel like you’re the size of a whale! Nothing says comfort like strutting your stuff in a flirty mini, even if you don’t feel all that flirty. Keep your chin up and walk like you have somewhere fabulous to be, even if it is a grocery store!

You know that if it was not for this crummy frame of mind that makes even the strongest of us want to eat chocolate and hide; you can be surprised how much better things can get when you feel you do look killer. If you don’t believe it, a gentle smile from a random cutie and a comment on “your cute outfit” is bound to change your outlook from dumpy to fabulous! The last thing that you should do on “THOSE” days is dress dumpy: put on those heels and just get out there! Just remember that you look gorgeous!

I am wearing:

♥ Marc by Marc Jacobs Coat in Sandshell Khaki Trench

♥ Club Monaco Italian Cashmere Sweater

♥ Winter Kate "Tilda" Silk Chiffon Skirt in Vintage

♥ Calvin Klein Sheer Pantyhose

♥ Michael Kors Watch

♥ L.A.M.B Girogie Bootie

♥ Z Spoke by Zac Posen Leather Tote

Still not convinced? Well, in my first year Sociology class we learned this concept while studying delusion, mental instability and society: If you pretend long enough, you are bound to eventually believe something. In this case, this was about people who are constantly lying to themselves and eventually come to mistake that lie for reality. On another side, American novelist Kurt Vonnegut said, “We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.”

You choose your world! For me, whenever I don’t feel my best, or when I feel insecure, I spend that extra time getting ready and it usually does wonders for my self- esteem. Try it! To satisfy the chocolate craving, visit the Godiva store and treat yourself to a Godiva Chocolate Decadence. It takes fabulous to a whole new level! Disregard a fact that you already feel like a whale and just do it… my trick is to wear a loose coat on top for when I just want coverage :P Show some leg and flaunt those heels, but hide your mid-section with a beautiful flow-y top or throw on a loose fitting jacket.

To summarize:

When feeling like a whale on “THOSE” days:

Do spend extra time on yourself.

Be prepared to spend even more time on your hair or just pull it back into a neat pony or high bun.

Do show those gorgeous legs of yours by wearing a fitting pair of pants or a skirt.

Don’t forget to add a pair of heels for extra fabulousness

Do indulge in a chocolate. This is not the time for guilt!

Do wear a flow-y top or a loose jacket. It will make you feel more secure and comfortable.

Do smile!

And do enjoy your day!

What makes you feel better during one of THOSE days....????

When feeling dumpy what makes you feel fabulous?

With Love...

Marta

Post proofread by Iris Braunstein

Hello Darlings,

On the last day of Toronto Fashion Week, I watched the runway shows of Sarah Stevenson, Diepo and Anu Raina. I also stopped by the Spoke Club to check out the Versace fall 2011 show.

Spoke Club, a members- only club located on King Street, always puts on fabulous designer shows with themed evening soirees throughout Toronto Fashion Week; last season I checked out Alexander Wang, and this time around it was all about the glamorous world of Versace House. Of course, having had an opportunity to be surrounded by such wonderful Canadian talent definitely made me feel very patriotic. I am definitely looking forward to next season, and to having my first opportunity to check out Miami Fashion Week this upcoming fall.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="701" caption="Anu Raina...first time sitting front row"][/caption]

This being the last Fashion Week post, I wanted to focus not only on the designers but also on the idea and experience of attending a fashion week. I will also break down what the hype is all about…. So here we go! What wear? Who to see?