Place Des Arts/L'Opera de Montreal

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175 Rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest, Montreal, QC, H2X 1Z8

Pagliacci and Gianni Schicchi: The Opera of Montreal kicked off its 30th season this past Saturday evening with a dramatic bang! The double showing could not have been any better. Pagliacci was a dramatic love story amongst a group of traveling performers and Gianni Schicchi was a comedy of sorts, the tale of a deceased Uncle, his will and his very greedy family. Get dressed up and do something different; the opera is a wonderful night out! This double header is playing until October 8th, tickets start at $40.76 during the week and $43.41 for the week-end.

Studio Bliss

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3841 St-Laurent, Montreal, QC, H2W 1X9

Ah, Sigh... Rested!: Studio Bliss not only does massages, they are also excellent yoga instructors. I think I can honestly say I have more or less tried every type of message Studio Bliss has to offer. My personal favorite is the Hot Stone Massage and the Rain Massage. What I love about coming to Studio Bliss is that it is so warm and friendly, nothing is pretentious and you are just met with a feeling of calm in their lobby (the hot tea helps too!). The masseuses take their time to explain everything to you and how what they are doing to your body will help you in the long run. If you’re new to massages I do not recommend getting a four hand massage, it could be a bit overwhelming. So if you’re wanting to try a new place or are just in dire need of a massage, I highly suggest finding Bliss at this studio!! See Full Post

Les Glaceurs

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453 Saint-Sulpice, Montreal, QC, H2Y 2V8

Les Glaceurs: My life is about balancing out everything and if you do not treat yourself every now and then you will explode and end up treating yourself for weeks! That is why I would like to introduce you to my favorite cupcake place in all of Montreal, Les Glaceurs. It is a little piece of heaven on Saint-Sulpice. They have many, many different flavors, but go early because when the day comes close to an end, sadly they run out of their hottest flavors and the choices do become limited. There are no yesterday cupcakes here! My personal favorites are the “Red Velvet” and the “Lemon Vanilla”, you can do no wrong with these. Had a fight with your boyfriend, special girl’s night in or just want to surprise somebody with a little treat, this is your place. They will also decorate your cupcake for that special occasion- just ask! p.s. Les Glaceurs as well offer treats from Bilboquet… but I don’t go in for that! See Full Post

Club Mansfield

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1230 rue Mansfield, Montreal, QC, H3B 2Y3

Be Pool Side Ready!: The best “new”, well not that new gym anymore! Mansfield Club is located in the former Loew’s Theatre. The gym has taken the former theatre’s skeleton and has done wonders with it, turning it into a 48,000 square foot state of the art work-out facility. The cardio room which was once the theatre has a weight room at the floor of the theatre and further up in the “balconies” are now where all the cardio machines are stationed. Arrows do not need to be pointed here, but there are other things we like to scope out while hammering it out on the elliptical machine then the TV screen (that each machine does have!). The club also offers a wonderful array of classes, that as I like to plan my week out I pick and choose from its varied menu. A little piece of advice from me, treat these bookings of classes as you would treat any appointment. DO THEM! Your body will thank you later! The classes are amazing: hook up with the instructor Kevin, he will push you further then you thought you could have imagined! Yoga is also a treat in their magnificent studio that sits under an arched ceiling of windows. Any day of the season this is always a wonderful energizing haven. The club also has an amazing spa that offers an assortment of treatments and The Bistro Mansfield offers a wide array of healthy choices to satisfy your appetite. See Full Post

Place des Arts

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260 Boulevard De Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal, QC, h2x 1y9

Nightlife Change!: Tired of clubs? Watching movies or just want a change it your nightlife? "Place des Arts" is your place. All summer they will be featuring many different shows from: jazz shows, various orchestras, "les FrancoFolies", stand up comedy shows, ballets, theatre, the “Festival Transamériques” (which will feature the wonderful dance performance “Éonnagata”; which is costumed by the British fashion designer, Alexander McQueen), "Opéra de Montréal", conferences, etc. The list can go on and on! "Place des Arts" is a great way to spend a night out; getting dressed up to attend a nice show; it’s a little slice of luxury on its own, (tickets usually start around $45+ depending on which show). I recently attended the opening of “Lucia di Lammermoor”, a tragic love story (but aren’t all operas tragic love stories?!). This show featured a brilliant performance by its entire cast, lead by Eglise Gutierrez as Lucia. The show will run the 27th and 30th of May and the 4th of June. Try to see the show before it ends, otherwise I’m sure you’ll be able to find something else at "Place des Arts"!

Smashing Cosmetica

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694a Rue Ste. Catherine Ouest, Montreal, QC, H3B 1B9

Product Heaven!: Cosmetic junkies rejoice! “Smashing Cosmetica”, is smashing fabulous! I for one, love discovering new beauty products and I love to share this very valuable product information with my friends once I fall in love with something new! “Smashing Cosmetica” is full of this! They carry my personal favorites and some brands I love learning about! Nail polish from “Butter London” offers amazing colors; I’m testing out a hot fuchsia, “Archipelago” which I know I will soon be addicted to their “Pomegranate” fragrance line, “Piaffe”, “The Balm” and some of my current favorites: “Moor Allure”, “Jaqua”, “Principessa” and “Aquolina Pink Sugar”! “Smashing Cosmetica” is also available for makeovers, (costs are redeemable in product). Enjoy! See Full Post

Studio Breathe

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1313 Shearer, Montreal, Quebec, H3K1G6

Love it!: When I first met Studio Breathe it was just a baby, barely out of its womb and now it is a full grown adult! This is the most beautiful studio in Montreal. If you have never been, just go, say I sent you! Kimiko, Alexandra and Alain (as in Alain Bonnamie, the Champion Kickboxer) will take care of you. This studio is a bit on the pricier side but fully worth it, (they are also currently promoting a “Summer Unlimited Promo”) so now is the best time to give them a try! Studio Breathe, located in the beautiful Nordelec building on Shearer St, (Pointe St-Charles) is an industrial space transformed into an urban oasis: bamboo floors, open studio (spin bikes, punching bags), huge windows that welcome in sunshine warmly, a lounge, a juice bar and massage rooms. The studio has many different types of classes available to keep you moving, yoga classes in their tranquil yoga studio, heart pounding skipping classes that will literally sculpt you into a bikini body; Studio Breathe is constantly listening to their members and creating new classes to accommodate their needs. When your exercise is done for the day, massage beds await you; or you can always just come in for a massage and a smoothie (we won’t tell!). See Full Post

Ydem Salon-Spa

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1410 Crescent, Montreal, QC, H3G 2B6

Ydem Salon-Spa: Ydem Salon-Spa is a sanctuary of beauty makeovers! A trip to Ydem Salon-Spa is like no other. Your relaxation starts the moment you walk out of the elevator on the 3rd floor where Ydem Salon-Spa is located (on the corner of Crescent and Saint-Catherine). The place is impeccable, and a HUGE coffee bar awaits you with delicious biscotti. The hair-washing gurus take their time with you, making sure each delicate strand of hair is carefully washed. Also worth mentioning is the brilliant Ydem Salon-Spa head massage. Words cannot describe how good it feels. Then off you are to see Stephanie, Leo, Sandy or any of the other wonderful stylists that this stylish salon offers. See Full Post

L&V Nails

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1406 rue Drummond, Montreal, QC, H3G 1V9

No Appointment? No Problem!: This is my "go-to" place when I need my nails done in a hurry! Walk-ins are always welcome, they deliver great service and do a great job. If you like to plan ahead, they also make appointments! 514-844-7932