Fill in the blank.....Rainy day!

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I like rainy days because______________________.Sometimes I ___________________, but what I really like __________________________________________.

(My answers are in the comment box.  I look forward to hearing yours.)

Home Sweet Home

Home is where we are....

This summer we are spending some time at a cottage in Michigan while my 

husband continues to write his thesis.   I will of course busy myself in countless ways. 

While we miss the beauty of Quebec City there is no shortage of breathless moments here.

Is cleaning always at the top of your "to do" list?

Despite their good intentions and best efforts, Americans doing their spring cleaning might make the home look or smell better on the surface, but vacuuming and cleaning machines only remove some of the dirt, dust and particulates that cause allergic reactions.  In a recent national poll commissioned by Stanley Steemer, the nation’s largest deep cleaning service, nearly half of respondents predicted spending less than four hours total on this year’s spring cleaning.  But only 19 percent reported having ever used a professional for cleaning.  

To combat this difficult allergy season this spring plus truly make your homes clean, consumers should consider a deeper cleaning twice a year by the professionals at Stanley Steemer.

• Not just for carpet cleaning, Stanley Steemer’s expertise extends to hardwood, tile, air ducts, water damage restoration, and more!
• Stanley Steemer’s proprietary equipment and cleaning processes remove more than 98% of dry soil from floors
• With over 70 branches  and 220 franchise locations in 48 states, Stanley Steemer services 95% of the country

Make your cleaning easier by contacting Stanley Steemer. 

Stanley Steemer and MyBlogSpark provided me with a gift certificate and information for this post. I am so grateful!   

Hello...

Hello...

Hello...

I am so happy to be back!  

First things first, my niece Paige is in a band, 6 Degrees. 

 They are competing with 3 other bands to open for the Jessica Price Band. 

How can you help? 

 Go to Facebook.....to the Jessica Price Band (official site)...

scroll down to 6 Degrees and like them. It's a great rendition of Coldplay's "Fix You".

The voting closes tonight at 11:59 pm.  Please (with sugar on top) go and vote.

More later from sunny Michigan.

Second Published Article

Festival Québec Mode shines a spotlight on Saint Joseph

(My second article in the Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.)

Realistically, about four of you are going to read this long article and you are most likely related to me hence feeling slightly obligated...thanks I hope you enjoy it.  For the rest of you....

In a nutshell, I was hired, by an English journal, to cover all the fashion events here in Quebec City.  The first paragraph explains the rest.  A few details, a rue- is a street (rue Saint Joseph is in the lower city of Quebec. The city has been working to restore it.  

I love the area, it has a bohemian chicness to it.

March 21st kicked off the month long Festival Québec Mode in Centre-ville de Québec. Rapidly growing fixtures in fashion, boutiques on rue Saint Joseph rolled out the red carpet combining fashion and glamor with music and entertainment. Festival Québec Mode, encompassing all things fashion, is a refreshing way for retailers to promote their stores to a style conscience audience. Open to the public, everyone was invited to attend shopping events, runway shows, makeovers, parties and exhibitions



Boudoir Lounge set the scene for one of the premier destination retailers, Novo, on April 11th. Owner Yan Aubé slid into a booth with an encouraging group of friends and family by his side. An A list crowd filled the room. A designer himself, Aubé is focused on attention to detail, not only with his own clothing line, but in all the items within his boutique located at 708, rue Saint Joseph Est. In Novo, you will find local designers, European lines and Yan Aubé’s personal Collection. “Right now I am really excited about Twin-Set” says Aubé. Twin-Set is an Italian company who seems to share his philosophy on clothing. United they provide marked individuality, contemporary appeal and a feminine fit. Equally important, Novo carries a must see, must have collection of menswear.

The delicate nature of spring veiled the chic boutique Uni(t) on the night of April 18th. Owners Ingred Nourcy and Jean Morin circulated through the room warmly greeting new and old friends as if in the comfort of their home. An overall feeling of luxury and ease encompassed the showroom. Champagne flowed and music pumped while the subtle presence of informal models lifted the heads of those in attendance. Globally labeled fashion for men and women lined the walls. There are obvious benefits to hosting a show within the intimate setting of a retail space. Most importantly, the ability to feel and touch the merchandise connects the client to the ware. The blend of vintage and contemporary apparel inspired thoughts of long carefree drives with the windows rolled down and no intention of stopping. It is a good night when reality is better than fiction.

A historical institution dating back to 1867, Laliberté tied their 145th Anniversary into Festival Québec Mode. On the night of April 19th, an exposition of sheer entertainment took the full house back in time. While audience members lip synced the words to California Dreamin’ the models took to the runway in modern day flower power apparel. Inextricably linked to days gone by, pretty florals, bold stripes and sophisticated solids proved fashion worthy of today. Laliberté may be a historic fixture in Québec, but with events like this one they are staking a claim in modern Québécois fashion. Graphic Designer and two year employee of Laliberté, Chantel Ferland said, “it is a diverse store that is continually evolving to fit the needs of their customers”. That is just what visionary Jean-Baptiste Laliberté had in mind. Historical photos and advertisements stirred “remember when” comments from Laliberté lifers who proudly shared stories with one another. The night appropriately drew to a close with applauding customers marveling at fabulous-luxurious furs, the medium that started it all.

Let's face it, most women would rather have a root canal than shop for undergarments or bathing suits. In a one-on-one interview with co-owner of Flirt, an intimate apparel and swimwear bouquet located at
525, rue Saint Joseph Est, Josee Robitaille tells QCT writer, “I am the President of the complex women of Québec club”. After sharing a sincerely hearty laugh she continued to explain that no matter where you are in life finding the perfect lingerie means finding the right place to buy it. She and daughter Véronik Simard considered every angle when designing their shop and purchasing merchandise to provide a superior shopping experience. For starters, forget about buzzing florescent lights and cold feet, their spacious changing rooms have adjustable lighting and heated floors. “We take our time and get to know our customers and we listen to their needs”, says Ms. Simard. Their attention to detail inside the shop carried over into an amazingly fun and energetic fashion show. Representing all forms of beauty the ladies utilized models of different age, size and race on the runway. Sexy, yes, but classy, respectful and fashionable could also define the pieces worn throughout the show. The passion behind Flirt makes it a destination everyone should treat themselves to.

Making a debut as the “it” apparel event, Festival Québec Mode General Director, Karine Albert, could not be more elated. “The turnout is more than we anticipated”, Ms. Albert said with a smile.

This article, compared to the last, is a little less flowery and a lot more detail. 

I had to say a lot in less than 800 words. 

Enjoy your day!

 I've walked up and down the streets looking for this button.... 

Please let me know if you find it. (Wink)

Don't forget to enter My Freshwater Pear giveaway...here

My Freshwater Pearls

"Pearls are always appropriate"...Jackie Kennedy

There has never been a season without pearls making an appearance. Demure to dynamic, pearls make a statement.

Partnering with My Freshwater Pearls could have caused some serious financial issues for me, but wait until you see how affordable they are. 

Their prices are on average 75% lower than jewelry stores and they also have an amazing selection of necklaces, bracelets, anklets and earrings.  

Autumn Rose Necklace $50.00

 Some facts from My Freshwater Pearls site:

Origins of Freshwater Pearls

Freshwater pearls originated in the lakes around China. The Chinese people found that they could encourage mussels, like the saltwater pearls occur in oysters, to create these pearls quickly and in vast quantities.  Natural pearls are formed by foreign material, whether it is sharp or a parasite enters the mussel and cannot be discharged. The mussel coats the object with the same secretion it uses for shell-building, nacre, to reduce the irritation. For cultured freshwater pearls, workers would slightly open the shell and place a live mantle tissue from another mussel into the slits; which in doing so creates nacre production for the mussel. Most freshwater pearls are entirely made of nacre, just like the natural freshwater pearls and the saltwater cousins. Due to culturing has allowed the prices to be more affordable, rather than the natural ways. The only main difference between the two, natural and cultured, is that they start not by chance, man deliberately intervenes with nature it place an irritant. Natural pearls are very rare to find, but can be very beautiful, however, due to overfishing, pollution and other factors makes them harder to find without too many imperfections.

Freshwater pearls originated in the lakes around China. The Chinese people found that they could encourage oysters to create pearls by cutting a small strip from the mantle of the oyster and inserting it into the oyster.  The oyster then coats the strip with several layers of minerals and proteins. Adding layer on top of layer the oyster creates a pearl composed entirely of nacre. (This is where cultivated fresh water pearls differ from cultivated salt water pearls. Salt water pearls are created using a small bead to start it.) 

The length of a pearl necklace has a lingo all its own. It is all dependent on how low a necklace hangs when being worn. For example, a classic collar necklace, single or multiple strands, does not hang down it simply touches the throat and measures anywhere from 10 to 13 inches.  Next are the pearl chokers at 14-16 inches, the princess length around 17-19 inches, the matinee length is 20-24, the opera measures 28-35 inches and anything longer than the opera is considered a pearl rope.  

History is marked with stories of the pearl.

Perhaps that's what makes it "Queen of the gems".

Without a doubt I could go on and on....(AnnOnandOn), but I don't want to overload you with too much info.  If you would like to read more, My Freshwater Pearls has a wonderful page, "Pearl Education", that is worth the read.

While I enjoy a new pair of charming freshwater Pearl stud earrings I think it's only fair to share....one lucky reader will also receive a pair. 

(Value $27.98)

All you have to do is:

Visit My Freshwater Pearls then come back and tell me your favorite item.

As a THANK YOU for all who follow my blog I'd like to offer an extra entry. Just leave a comment telling me that you follow AnnOnandOn.

(If you are a new follower...welcome! Make sure to leave a comment.)

One more....o.k. 

If you "Like" My Freshwater Pearls on Facebook you can get an extra entry.

That is a possibility of three entries.

  (Starts April 19th and ends April 29th)

Good Luck! 

A women needs ropes and ropes of pearls.

- Coco Chanel