Boxing Day

Boxing Day is about a week away. For those of you who like a discount and don’t mind waiting in line to pay then this is your day!
Come visit me I’ll be at AM 68 in les Cours Mont-Royal, helping out a friend. I’ve been working Boxing Day for him for the past 5 years and every year it’s a blast.
For those of you who know me this is where I buy 70% of my wardrobe. Great styles, quality items and guaranteed exclusive.
Come in, it will be my pleasure to help you with all your fashion needs.

Coming soon
Ladies spring/summer 2010 colors

Dress The Part (Part 1)

I don't want my blog to become a rag mag/ bitch fest like Perez Hilton. For the record i think what Perez does is despicable and the boy should take a long look in the mirror before ever criticizing anyone ever again. That boy is full of poison, talk about bad karma !!!

I just had to show you all this because I wonder what people think before leaving the house?

Trying to look cool and wanting to be noticed at an event is fine. But one must be careful not to cross the line between cool and ridicule. In this case, need i say more......

Making the right impression is very important that we like it or not! What people see is what we are judge on first. Having the right look will augment your chances at being noticed in the best way.
X-mast parties are the best time to make a good impression outside your work place. Have the right look, to be noticed and that promotion can be closer than you think. I cannot stress the importance of your look in your professional life. Dress the part!!!!

Simpson Girls

I was never a fan of the Simpson clan. This said I’m totally bias on their look. You can look good but doesn’t mean I’ll like you as an artist.
In their attempts to glam up for the red carpet the girls of chose frock that don’t seem to agree with everyone. These outfits landed them in hot water.
In my opinion Mortisha and Disco Ball don’t look so bad. Ashlee is missing some color in her face. A little blush and lipstick would have done all the difference. Jessica on the other hand is wearing a gorgeous dress. She’s grown to be a big girl yet she still looks good. If you gain weight does it mean you have to hide under a robe all day?
I think I’ll be sick for saying this… but well done girls you look good.

Return Of The Lego

In the past year I’ve noticed that Lego’s are making a come back. My favorite toy of all time is back but in a way I never would have imagined. The influence of the Dannish toy is seen all over from furniture, art, even fashion.
My personal favorite are these Jean-Claude De Castelbajac watches.
X-Mast is coming, hint !!! hint !!!

Ode To My Bag

I've had this M0851 bag for over 2 years now. It's aged beautifully, the leather darkened, yet retaining its shape. This bag brings me everywhere from weekends up north and NYC, from work to shopping (i don't like plastic bags). I have several bags but none give me the joy this particular one does. best part is that they are all made in Montreal.

M0851 is having a sample sale.

Its Christmas party time all over again. What to wear? OMG shoes! You need to make an impact and you must look better than everyone else at work. If you want to be the belle or beau of the ball, trust VELENO.

Working with your budget, taste, and event we will do all the shopping and styling for you.

Don't hesitate to contact us for a consultation on current and upcoming trends. You wouldn't want to be out of date!

This is a recent photo shoot i worked on. Thank you Gabriel ( model) and the fabulous photographer Nic Small.

Retro Chairs

Veleno is proud to present its new furniture entry. I came upon these retro chairs a few months back. They were in a very bad state, having probably spent the last 25 years in a dusty dirty basement. I've restored them to the best of my abilities. They were made in Montreal back in the 60's. The orange chair is a little damage but still in good condition.

I want to sell the pair for $80, if anyone is interested contact me.

Alice

I've always been a fan of Alice in Wonderland. Controversial since its first publication in 1865. It tells the story of a girl named Alice who falls down a rabbit hole into a fantasy world populated by peculiar and anthropomorphic creatures.

When logic and proportion

Have fallen sloppy dead,

And the White Knight is talking backwards

And the Red Queen's "off with her head!"

Remember what the dormouse said

Feed your head

Feed your head

(Grace Slick, 1966)

The movie is only coming out in March 2010 but I just can't wait. I've been languishing since I found out back in Feb. Who could ask for more than a Tim Burton Alice in Wonderland featuring Johnny Depp?

Tokyo Correspondence

We live in a mass consumption society. Everything must be made fast and cheap, compromising quality and craftsmanship for $$$. We have lost originality and the beauty of carefully crafted objects, hence making everyone and everything aesthetically boring.
My good friend and correspondent, Dan (cool hunter) Morin, whom is presently living in Tokyo, found this beautiful door handle of some random shop in the back streets of Harajuku. I like it so much I’ve decided to make it my pick of the week.
America take notes!

The Beauty Of Nature

Who knew??? That is what I’m told
Is it such a surprise????
Last weekend I was in a chalet on Lake Baribeau near St-Donat. I could not have dreamed of a better weekend get away.
The plan was not to stay in the chalet the whole time. Paul and I sure didn’t stay in. Saturday at 5:45AM we were up after not sleeping very well. Hard to sleep with the worst snoring in history in the next room. By the way for someone who didn’t sleep we sure heard you!
At 6AM we were eating bread and Nutella watching the sunrise. By 7AM we were out hiking, exploring the mountains behind the chalet.
It was pure magic. No traffic noise, no construction, just the melody of the wind in the leaves and rain falling. Despite bear alerts and hunters we kept walking. We hiked for 10hours but hunger got a hold of us and made our way back to the chalet.
Sunday 7AM we were out exploring the lake and enjoying our last moments in this mountain paradise.

But who knew right?? Who knew I could hike up a mountain? Who knew I could start a fire? Who knew I could paddle a canoe?? Who bloody knew??? Am I such a city boy to you all?? I guess I’m full of surprises but if you guys had seen me growing up it would not have come as a surprise but more a conviction that you can take the boy out of the wood but the call of the wild never dies.

I was in my element. It rejuvenated me and made me look at city life in a very different way.
I have a question to you all?? Is Physical labour become outdated? Is walking not cool? Have we become so lazy that we have forgotten how to use our bodies? I mean escalator, automatic doors, taking the car to go down the street. Have we forgotten that in some not so distant past our ancestors worked the land and got off their ass to survive?? But who knew that physical labour was un-cool?

Boy and girls, I cannot stress enough to get ready for the cold and snow. There is nothing more pathetic than people who think they are cool by wearing thin clothes, summer shoes, and no hats and gloves in winter.
Be cool, be warm, and be prepared! Embrace winter it’s a lovely season.

My pick this week is Alpaqa.
Situated at 533 Duluth in Montreal, http://www.alpaqa.com/

They have the perfect winter clothes. Sweaters, gloves, hats, socks ect... all made of alpaca and all their products are had made and fairly traded in Peru.
Ban synthetic fibers, all they do is pollute and feel nasty.
Go natural this winter, it feels good!

Veleno Presents Jenni Adams

Born in Newfoundland and established in Montreal since 2005. This bohemian party girl’s style is a breath of fresh air and exactly what this city needed. It seems to me that Montreal is full of designers but most of them just do recycled vomit.
Having studied textiles at College of the North Atlantic; Anna Templeton Center, Jenni’s extensive knowledge sets her apart. Her artisan way of dying fabric to achieve spectacular results is unique. Acrylic and rayon being her 2 enemies, she knits luxurious scarves and hats for our cold winter using quality wools. Mixing practicality and fashion her pieces are always one of a kind.


Halloween…..
I haven’t been into Halloween since I’m like 7. It’s only yet another holiday turned into mass consumption. Let us buy junk from China that we don’t need to dispose of it on November 1st. I like the idea of fancy dress but we could have that all year round. The candy part of Halloween is now out of control. Jujubes shaped like a chicken’s foot????
Blurrrrrrp…….. No, thank you! Blue whales and peach rings for me please.
Even the costumes are boring these days. I remember going as a mouse one year. My mom made my costume out of left over carpet. The year after I was a Smurf also made by my mom. These days’ parents buy their kids a plastic sword, a plastic gun and a rubber mask of something ghastly. If I had kids I wouldn’t let my kids’ anywhere near plastic guns and swords.
I haven’t dressed up for Halloween in years. I’m actually tempted to dress up for once. Question is what will I be???? Frankly I see enough queens imitating Britney Spears and Celine Dion. Halloween is every time I step foot in the village. Humm I know I’ll get Jenni to dress me up in something fun. This way I'm sure I’ll be fabulous.
You should do the same. Custom made Halloween costumes, now that sounds like me. I think I want to revisit the mouse costume or maybe the Pied Piper…



jenniferadams57@hotmail.com

For all you Montrealers the following will not come as a surprise but more of a slap in the face. A firm conviction that summer is almost over.
Nights are colder, back to school, fall fashion everywhere.
I’m not complaining! I’m one of those that enjoys and finds something good in all seasons. Yes, even winter. I’ve been around too many people who bitch about the weather. It’s too cold, too hot, wet, dry, humid ect… OH PISS OFF !!!! Shut up and keep your negativity to your self. Nature is beautiful in all its aspects, rain shine or snow. Its inevitable, seasons come and go.

Spring Summer Winter and Fall
Keep the world in time
Spinning around like a ball
Never to unwind
.Vangelis 1970

There is no better time than autumn to update your wardrobe and look fresh. Think VELENO for all your fashion needs, wardrobe rejuvenation, makeovers, personal shopping, advise on season trends.

This is a personal fav of mine. My pick of the week.
With the change in weather our skin and hair get damaged. Try Kiehl’s Dry Argan Oil, a few drops suffice to moisturize your skin. Try a few drops to nourish and give a healthy glow to your hair. I cannot live without it is a must in any bathroom.

Have a great safe long weekend. Myriam, Jenni and Steph Thursday was awesome. We must do it again soon. Subscribe to my blog to receive weekly up dates and to discover my pick of the week.

Spiritual Trip

This entry will be very different from my first. through meditation and writing i have spent the last few days expelling the poison that was trapped within me.
Few days ago i decided to go to the park and meditate. I had never meditated outside before. The idea of sitting alone in a park with my eyes closed made me feel uncomfortable. Everyone would look and wonder what's the skinny skinny doing?? I do have to mention that people around my area aren't very open minded. Sitting alone, with my vulnerable and fragile mind was like asking for it. All i needed was for some dumb ass teenagers poking fun.
It was nice & sunny out and i decided, well ok at least I'll go read in the sun. Ironically I'm reading a book my dear friend Myriam lent me; Eat, Pray, Love. The main character is on a quest to find herself and at that moment she was in India meditating. After reading for a good hour i looked up and saw trees at about 20m from me. Tall majestic trees, their leafs and branches dancing in the wind. I went into a daze looking at the trees and every movement of their branches. I closed my eyes to take a deep breath and to mu surprise i sat in the dark of my mind the sun shinning on me with the symphony of wind in the trees and kids playing around me.
I sat there concentrating on my self and my senses. At first it was hard to concentrate with so much distraction around. I was a bit nervous also having my eyes closed and sitting alone in the park. This is Montreal, i didn't know if i was going to open my eyes to some dude looking down on me and wanting my shoes or something ...
I was too anxious and this was not working out. My mind was going a 100km /hour. I just could not let go and that when i heard Alyson. She's my Yoga teacher and a wonderful woman and since i started studying with her has become like a guru to me. There she was in my head among the trees and the kids. She spoke softly reminding me of a lesson she had tough a few months back. Most people cannot clear their minds and the more they try the more stress they build up. Meditation isn't something that comes easy once must be relaxed and breath easily. You must let images and tough come to you. If you feel anxious just repeat this to your self.
My body is like a mountain,
My breath is like the wind,
And my mind is vast like the sky.

There i was in half lotus in the park with the wind blowing on me and the chants of birds, trees, kids playing and the sun shinning down on me. I got more than a tan that day. It was such a liberating experience. Like if the wind was clearing me of this poison and the sun filling me with energy. it's impossible to describe what i felt and my progress towards enlightenment.

Alyson
Thank you for your energy and wisdom.

I hope you will all go out and enjoy the few last days of summer weather while it lasts. This weekend is sidewalk sale on St-Laurent. Hope to see you there.

The Beginning

I’ve decided to create this blog to document this new beginning in my life. This new beginning started Tuesday when my boss took me aside to give me my yearly evaluation. We walked into a room where this woman from hr was already sitting waiting. My situation was explained to me briefly. This woman whom I will keep anonymous went on to explain that I possess several great qualities and that I was very well liked by my team. Yet the company was putting an end to my employment with after 1 year as an assistant merchandiser (assistant buyer).
It was a bit of a shock yet I feel relieved. There was my chance to brake free from this hierarchy of gossip oriented 450’s with no taste and know it all divas with moustache. I cannot generalize because I have had the chance to meet some wonderful people which I sure hope will stay in my life for ever.
That same night I meditated and could only think of how much of a failure I was. How could I not be up to the job? There had never been a job or anything I was not up to do. The words of encouragement from my co-workers resonated in my head like little atom bombs and
suddenly it came to me. Get off your ass and just do it! Just because these people can’t see your potential doesn’t mean you don’t have any. So fuck them and prove to yourself that you can achieve anything.
So here I am at the first step in my journey.