On August 15th, Michael and I celebrated our 8-year wedding anniversary at the Andaz Hotel in Ottawa. We were given this lovely experience in exchange for an open and honest review. Thank you to the kind and caring staff at the Andaz Hotel Ottawa who took excellent care of us and made this night especially magical. To capture the memories, I hired Ottawa photographer Kamara Morozuk for a couple’s session. Here is a recap of our stay.
What’s the most cost effective way to add a bit of edge to your look and declare your personal style? Jewelry of course! It’s amazing how a little bling and chain can go a long way. Today’s holiday gift guide is all about supporting local and finding unique Ottawa gift ideas for yourself or your gal pals this Christmas.
What if I told you there is a sweet little eye-candy shop nestled on York street in the Byward market, just around the corner to Sussex. You’ve seen it, it’s by the parking lot, you just haven’t satisfied your curiosity enough to enter the white gates. The store is called Stunning, and if you haven’t been inside, you’re missing out!
I discovered Stunning last year, when I finally took the plunge and went in the shop, where I met the lovely store owner Mandy Gosewich and her dog Pearl. Now, I’m a seasonal regular. I wait for Mandy to post some bait on her Instagram feed, and then pop in when I am tempted to see the treasures in real life. That’s what happened when I spotted these little puff earrings!
Mandy has an exceptionally edgy style, and sources her goodies from all around the world. She has great stories about her buying trips to New York, and can tell you where each piece comes from. What I love about shopping there, is the reward for your individuality. Because there is so much to chose from, it’s up to you to find something that calls you, that suits your personal style. You know you will be the only one with the awesome necklace, or killer earrings, and that you were the one to find them! A challenge we easily forget when we go shopping at big retailers.
Mandy helped me pick out a few awesome pieces to showcase in this gift guide. I hope you love them as much as I do!
I have a soft spot for long chains. This one in particular has a perfect blend of edge to it.
Yup! Removal pompom on this tuque!I call this the puff cuff! You can get one or a pair! Can we also take a minute to stare at the ring!! It’s amazing!I loved these simplistic geometric earrings.This little candy shaped clutch stole my heart!Hoops are back, and this is a very cool way to warm up to them! Love the geometric design here too.These earrings to me are Kate Spade on a motorcycle… right?This bib was out of this world! Just wear all black and wear the rhinestone bib to the party!
So, what do you think? What caught your eye? I am in love with my little puff earnings and can’t wait to wear them for my Christmas party! I really want that long necklace too…
So will you satisfy your curiosity next time you’re in the market? If you head over to see Mandy, please tell her Chantsy sent you! Happy shopping and don’t forget to support local when you can this Christmas!
Ottawan’s have been anticipating the opening of Andaz Hotel for quite some time, and finally we can all rest, because it’s open… and you’re going to love it!
I was invited to the grand opening party a few weeks ago, and had the opportunity to savour and soak in all the Ottawa details nestled in this new boutique hotel located in the heart of the Byward Market. Between the gastro dining experience at Feast + Revel and Copper Spirits and Sights, the famous rooftop patio and trendy cocktail lounge, Andaz is no hospitality rookie and knows how to welcome it’s guests.
The evening was filled with experiential entertainment, like the yummy gummy Squish candy bar, hummingbird chocolate and wine tasting and, my favourite, the pickle smorgasbord at the Walter’s dress-your-own caesar bar. On a side note, the Andaz caesar is getting quite the reputation for it’s ketchup chips and seaweed rimer, which I am a huge fan of! We can thank Executive Chef, Stephen La Salle for all his magical creations!
This past weekend, I was lucky to celebrate my birthday and organized a dinner with friends at F+R. We then headed to the rooftop patio for some cocktails, got cozy in a booth and stayed warm by the fire pit. This was exactly how I wanted to spend my birthday. The weather was perfection and the company was even better! On a surprise note, I was even crowned with a gorgeous tiara from Ottawa Royal Style by Maria Al-Masani herself! I mean… that’s quite the birthday gift!
A photo posted by Ottawa • Canadian Blogger (@chantsy) on
So, on your not-so-spare time, you can have a peak at some of the pictures from the Andaz opening event. These lovely photos were taken by Eric Vance, super talented (and handsome!) Ottawa photographer. These photos are protected by copyright and are not to be used without permission. Thanks!
Well friends, it has come and gone, another successful year of the Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show. This year was bigger than ever; more vendors, more space, more stuff!! If this year had a theme, it would be COLOUR and I tried my best to photograph and capture the essence of it all.
Funny story- I walked by a booth that categorized their clothing by era. What made me feel old for the fist time in my life (because, honestly I still feel like I am 25), was the 80’s & 90’s section! I mean, I was born in the 80’s and grew up in the 90’s… was it really that long ago? Enough to call it VINTAGE?!! Hahaha it totally made me laugh.
Yesterday, I finally made it to A Vintage Collective a new mini vintage market downtown, they also had a booth at the show. It completely reminded me of Queen Street West circa 1999, you remember… that shop with the Gorilla at the front door! What really came to me as a surprise was the “Fresh Prince of Bel-air” vibes of clothes in the men’s department… and actually women’s too (aunt Viv rocked those shoulder pads like no other and so can you!).
Vintage clothes is hot, no matter when. What I find interesting is that even with vintage, there are trends. Last year, it was all about fur and vintage Chanel. This year the direction we are headed in, is full on colour with a dash of old school hip hop (#HammerTime).
I totally had my eye on that Karl Lagerfeld scarf in the top right corner.
