Art Central 2017

1.  Afonso Tostes, Fogo Mensageire, 2016

A Quick Look at Art Basel Hong Kong 2017

1.  Michel Perez Pollo, Hermitano, 2017

Finding the Right Look for Spring

A trench coat may be a timeless classic but when everyone starts wearing one I begin to crave something different. That's where Smythe comes in. With their silhouette hugging jackets they seem like a perfect addition to your Spring wardrobe. I find them stylish and extremely flattering especially since they cinch in your waistline just where you need it most. Their latest season has several to choose from along with a few other pieces that I thought I'd add into the mix. If you don't want to pay full price, and I don't blame you, you may be able to find something similar at designer resale sites such as Tradesy where there are more and more options to choose from. It certainly never hurts to look.

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40 Reasons Not To Have Children

This is not a new book but one that only recently fell into my lap and what a delightful and ultimately depressing read. If you enjoy brutal honesty then you'll appreciate Corinne Maier's not-so-tender insights on the pains of motherhood and the most common consequences of choosing such a role. Weight gain, droopy breasts, and stretch marks, and these are just the beginning. Although not everyone suffers in this same way, it is certainly enough to make you ponder why having kids is on everyone's to do list. The author laments that she regrets having children for if it were not for their presence she could have spent the money from her book sales traveling the world. But then you can't travel the world forever and besides, without them she would have never written the book. While the book reads like a worst of the worst case scenario it's a lot of angst in one really short book. I'm not sure it's entirely convincing. But if you are child-free, then you may revel in its humour and thank life that you do not have a ball and chain just yet.

Weekend Links

Avish Khebrehzadeh

South American tribe with the healthiest hearts

Dior's new creative director

The Pioneer of Arab Art: Mahmoud Said

A Diabetes Doctor speaks

How One Woman Started a $25 million company

The most potent inflammatory: turmeric

Why everyone should take fish oil

Christo's latest project: The Mastaba

World's cartoonists on this week's events

The Right Bikini is Waiting for You

As we celebrate more flurries here in Canada I can only think of one thing: vacation. This winter has lasted long enough, but then every year seems the same especially at this time of the year. No matter how long you have been living here one never truly gets used to the winter weather. Not even a Canada Goose coat can make you feel better. Although some people try this very technique. I'm now convinced that a beach getaway is the only effective solution. Which brings me to the topic of bikinis. While I may own a classic blue and white Toile de Jouy two-piece I wouldn't mind a replacement. So far, I've come up with this list. If you're booking a vacation, have a look, you just may find something too:

1.  Amir Slamin - Farfetch

Now Exploring...Big Flavors From a Small Kitchen

Big Flavors is a deliciously beautiful cookbook full of interesting food combinations that look like works of art on each consecutive page. Focused on achieving balance through taste and texture, chef Chris Honor achieves something quite delectable here. The soup section is pretty good especially if you're looking for a quick, hearty meal with Eastern European influences. Overall, the recipes are neither too complicated nor super easy either. A little effort will be required, especially in finding certain ingredients like white poppy seeds, which the author uses quite generously throughout (I have yet to see these in a store). The cakes section is probably the simplest of all which is quite welcoming and encouraging. I always judge a restaurant and cookbook by its dessert and Big Flavors has enough to please. The lemon, basil, yogurt cake as well as the Guinness, date, chocolate cake both look delicious. And for the health-obsessed there is a chocolate wonder that is vegan and gluten-free and looks amazing. If only one could decide which to start with.

Weekend Links

Nostalgia by Prasad Raghavan

The 10,000-step myth and the real health goals you should aim for

In Paris, the Two Women who are Colette

Unlocking the Secrets of a Mediterranean Diet

Is Fashion Getting Smarter?

African migrants in Italy launch organic yoghurt, vegetable business

Advice from International Women's Day

On Joan Didion and her new book

Women in Fashion on How to Get Ahead

The Business of Hygge

Mohsin Hamid has written a new novel, Exit West

Architectural Digest undergoes a makeover

The Latest Sales at Christie's

How to Fix Your Metabolism

Best Diet for Women in their 30's

Billionaire BernardArnault expands his Parisian museum empire

What you need to know about Botox and other treatments

20 Beet recipes

5 Art Exhibits to See in Paris

Chloe gets a new creative director

Domenico Starnone's New Novel, "Ties"

40 Stocks that Are Up 1000% Since 2009

A User's Guide to the Whitney Biennial

The Best Alternative to Coffee

Ever since I discovered fresh organic turmeric hiding in my local grocery store I've been using in my morning drink. The root, which reminds me a little bit of a pleated worm, is the perfect addition to your hot water and lemon start to the day. Although the root alone won't wake you up quite like a jolt of coffee, adding a tablespoon of blackstrap molasses certainly will. So, if you find caffeine wrecking havoc with your nerves, or are simply looking for an alternative, this combination is a winner. I won't list all the benefits of turmeric but there are plenty and this is a good way to incorporate it into your diet without even thinking. The bonus: you'll get 20 percent of iron and 300 mg of potassium per each tablespoon of molasses, and the vitamin C will help your body to better absorb the iron. If you are anemic this is a great natural supplement.

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Recipe:

1 thumb-sized piece of fresh organic turmeric

juice of 1/2 lemon 

1 tablespoon of organic blackstrap molasses

250 ml of hot water

Life is Not a Beauty Contest

But it sure feels that way. While you may not be able to control the number of freckles on your face you can control the strength of your body. And nothing is more empowering than taking care of your health. For that reason, I wanted to feature fitness guru Ewa Chodakowska today. Ewa is already quite well-known in her native Poland and once you have a glimpse of her Instagram and see the success of her devotees you'll see why. The dramatic before and after transformations will have you itching to try her workouts. With so many to choose from, you can be sure to pick one that's right for you. If you're not a fan of cardio then you can start with Skalpel which focuses more on toning. Or if you like Pilates mat work then there is her Secret DVD. But there are plenty of others and they offer worldwide delivery. So when gym workouts reach their peak or you still haven't found something that gives you the results you want then you may want to give her a try. She may turn out to be the only fitness expert you ever need.

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If I Could Rob One Store, Colette Would Be It

Of course, I would start off with the shoes and then the clothes would follow. Naturally, I would need a truck, a big truck, but preferably an automatic. And then off I'd go. Life would be good, at least for a little while, until next season anyway. But silly thoughts aside, I really thought that my love of fashion would abate with time, but so far that hasn't happened. I've just become pickier. Lately though, it hasn't been easy to find anything unique; everyone seems to be wearing the same things. That's why Colette is a great store to visit, even if it's just online. Run by a mother-daughter team, Colette Roussaux and Sarah Andelman respectively, the store celebrates its 20th anniversary this March. Judging by the duo's philosophy it's easy to see why the store has survived so long: 

“We never take things just because we think it’s going to sell,” Ms. Andelman said. “There has to be a certain logic. It has to be different, something unto itself, that’s of high quality and that we’ve never seen before. It has to have integrity and be new. With everything that already exists out there, it’s really hard to do something new.” (NYT)

Here are some of the latest additions to the store that I quite liked:

1.  J. w. Anderson

Weekend Links

Martin Kline, Palm Beach #2, 2012

Chaos and a Little Creation in Milan

Product trends from the Mobile World Congress 2017

Black bean soup anyone?

Omega-3's can combat effects of air pollution.

All about NY's art fair week

Hygge foods

The Walled Off Hotel opens March 11 starting at $30 a night

A Month Without Sugar

Inside the New Saint Laurent

Fermented honey 

On Sophie Calle

I Am Simply Loving this Living Room

I don't usually write about interiors but this room is so casual and down to earth, it's hard not to like. And the layered side tables are fantastic. Who wouldn't want to relax in here?

Belle magazine - April 2017

Aussie Oceanscapes Never Looked Better

When you're dreaming of your next vacation, look no further than these images of Australia's east coast for inspiration. Taken by aerial photographer Gabriel Scanu, with the help of a drone, the works give a whole new meaning to landscape photography. To purchase limited edition prints visit Art2Muse, prices range from $3,300 to $14,500.

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Swimwear: The One Piece is Back

For some reason swimming has never been a popular activity in North America. Maybe it's too high-maintenance, I don't know. But I suppose baring your entire body is not easy. Yoga pants are much more forgiving than a swimsuit after all. It's too bad really because swimming can do wonders for your body.  And I don't mean just from swimming laps. You can exercise in the water much like you can exercise on the ground; it's just much easier. Whether its jumping kicks, lunges or all sorts of ballet exercises, all are possible in the pool. With the added benefit of resistance from the water you can get an incredible workout, all without the stress from regular weight-training. But for that you need the right swimsuit. Not all one piece bathing suits are made for exercise, some are just for the beach. But there is more and more variety out there and it's nice to compare to see what suits you best. Whatever your shape or size, designers are responding kindly.

1. Adriana Degreas - Farfetch