Some Bits & one Bite to start off '12

First of all HAPPY NEW YEAR to my dear readers. Second of all, I am deeply sorry for being MIA throughout December (c'mon, you know you missed me...). I promise I had plenty of good reasons to avoid blogging, but now I'm back and ready to rumble. This post is a random mishmash of bits and one bite to start off the new year. So let's get rolling.

Fashion
What better way to welcome the new year than with photos of drool-worthy footwear. While in New York apartment hunting last month, I had to stop by the Bergdorf's designer sale to see if there were any goodies worth splurging on – and as luck would have it there were. I've been wanting leopard pumps for quite some time now since they add an element of sophisticated spunk (does that even make sense?) to any ensemble. How perfect then that I stumbled upon a pair by one of my favourite shoe designers: Miu Miu. Don't look at me like that, I swear they're really comfortable.

Then my dear mother (god bless her soul), found a pair of Robert Cleregie ankle booties to carry me through the winter with style, comfort and relative warmth (I can wear my SmartWool socks). I had never tried anything by the French brand, but I instantly fell in love for the chunky heel (hello stability!) and touches of patent leather. I've found my sole-mate.

Interior Design
Since getting accepted to Parsons in NYC and knowing that I'd have an apartment to call my own, I've become slightly obsessed with interior design. It's important for my place to be at least to some extent a reflection of me, which isn't exactly the easiest thing considering most of my furniture is coming from Ikea. But much like in fashion, the secret to making a look truly your own lies in the details – i.e. it's how you accessorize.

In the summer, while in the Amalfi Coast with my family, I bought two medium-large black and white photographs by a local photographer so that I'll always be reminded of one of my most beloved spots on earth. The photographs weren't expensive, but I took them to Art-en-ciel in Westmount to be framed. It wasn't cheap, but it's definitely worth it because now they look like a million bucks. Photos to be posted later.

My parents also happen to have bought colourful canvas paintings by a Jamaican artist during a trip to the island years ago. There's three in total; each depicting a unique scene, and I know they'll add much needed colour and oomph to my mainly black and white decor.

There are two others like this, but they're horizontal and a different size. I think they'll look great together.

While visiting my birthplace this summer, I stole some wooden decorative pieces painted in a traditional Ukrainian folkloric style from my dad's apartment. They don't exactly go with the modern look of my digs, but they have sentimental value and at the end of the day that always wins.

Ukrainian folkloric art

In Saint Martin last week, I came upon a relatively new home decor store called Ambiance, where they sell original pieces designed and made in France (St. Martin is half owned by the French). I'm a sucker for throw pillows and these Paris themed ones have just the right amount of whimsy. Plus, they'll remind me of two wonderful places that I adore: Paris and St. Martin. La vie est belle!

Food
Bistro Lustucru in the Mile-End has been on my to-eat list since last spring, but I only made my way there just before Christmas. What enticed me was their extensive raw bar featuring every kind of tartar under the sun along with other raw items such as beef carpaccio and grouper ceviche. The raw offerings didn't disappoint, particularly the citrusy salmon tartar. Oh, and the fries were beyond. Meanwhile, my friend ordered the fish soup and was pleasantly surprised by how delicious it was. The real piece de resistance, however, was the dessert special. It was a roasted marshmallow and lemon concoction, the details of which have unfortunately escaped me (too delighted to write notes I suppose). And while the service was a little haphazard, the reasonable prices, good music and the laid back, youthful vibe more than made up for it.

Our raw assortment: Salmon tartar, tuna tataki with veal filet carpaccio and beef carpaccio 

The unidentifiable but unbelievably good lemony dessert