Marketplace: The World of Rolex

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Luxury watches. Do you have one? Do you want one? Did you buy one to mark a special occasion? Do tell!

I’ve been a long-time fan of Rolex watches, and I’ve admired the ones my various family members own and wear. They’re beautiful, prestigious, and precise timepieces.

There are several classic designs, each of which have a multitude of customization options in terms of metals, diamonds, pearls, face colours, sizes, and bracelets.

The Datejust is available in sizes 31 to 41mm. The date is displayed at the 3 o’clock position under a cyclops (magnifying) lens (which was invented by Rolex in 1953).

The Lady Datejust is a feminine timepiece which is a smaller size but equally as elegant as the larger versions.

The Oyster Perpetual is the purest form of the Rolex collection.

The Day-Date, launched in 1956, showcases the day at the 12 o’clock position and the date at the 3 o’clock position. The Day-Date was the first wristwatch to display the full day of the week. It is only available in 18 ct gold or 950 platinum.

These are my favourite Rolex styles, but the brand has others in its collection, so visit the Rolex site to learn more about the Cellini and the Sky-Dweller, for example.

From top centre: Day Date 40, Day Date 36, Day Date 36, Day Date 40, DateJust 41, Lady DateJust 28, Lady DateJust 28, Date Just 36, Oyster Perpetual 39, Oyster Perpetual 39, Oyster Perpetual 26, Pearlmaster 39, Pearlmaster 34


The Friday Five: Things on My Mind

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1.Monday. The week started off, well, not great. I left my laptop in Toronto, I got a couple of unnecessary parking tickets (seriously – a couple!? Who gets a couple on one day!?), and major winds made my commute less than fun. I wanted to fall asleep and wake up to springtime sun. But, nope, didn’t happen. The week continued. It sort of got better, but it still wasn’t my most fun or memorable week. C’est la vie!

2. Oscars. I didn’t watch the Oscars. On account of my forgotten computer, I had much work to catch-up on, so the Oscars wasn’t a priority. Instead, I got the highlights on Twitter and Instagram. I know the Oscars are about recognizing brilliance in movies, but I was distracted by many of the gowns that floated across the red carpet. There were plenty of capes, pink, and sparkle. Regina King looked stunning in white, and Ashley Graham looked beautiful in black Zac Posen. Tina Fey looked lovely in royal blue and Helen Mirren in soft pink. I think my favourite gown was by Alexander McQueen worn by Lady Gaga. I didn’t love her hair, makeup, or jewelry that everyone else was raving about, but as soon as I saw the dress, I loved it.

And Selma Blair. Oh, Selma. I loved her soft, colourful dress. She looked incredible. I didn’t know she had been diagnosed with MS. Did you see her interview on Good Morning America? I cried.

3. Books. I took out Mimi Thorisson‘s French Country Cooking from the library. As if I wasn’t already fascinated enough by Mimi’s life in Europe, this book has further sealed the deal. I started following Mimi’s blog – Manger – when she first moved to her village chateaux in Médoc, France. That was years ago. And now, this book!

It’s a cookbook, yes, but Mimi also weaves in stories of her home and family throughout. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Mimi makes me want to move to France and follow in her footsteps. Not that I have looked up properties for sale or anything…hmm…okay, so maybe I have.

4. Milestone birthdays. My sister and I had a chat about my upcoming birthday. It’s a milestone birthday…hint…I’m not 20. She asked me what I wanted to do, and, really, I have no idea. How’d you celebrate your big number birthday?

5. A Video. Need to smile today? Watch this video.

Travel: 10 Pieces of Art and Architecture to See in Paris

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Last week, I wrote a post about 10 places to eat in Paris. Today, I’m sharing 10 (plus a bonus) of the art and architecture that caught my attention on my recent trip.

1.Le Louvre. If you’re keen on architecture, the Louvre is a great place to start. Whether you line up to go in or remain on the outside, you are sure to be impressed. The buildings are magnificent. (1st arrondissement)

2. Le Palais Royale. Just a few blocks away from Le Louvre, is the courtyard of the Palais Royal. The courtyard is filled with 260 black and white columns – an art installation by Daniel Buren. (1st arr.)

3. Palais Garnier. The Palais Garnier has been one of my all-time favourite buildings in Paris. I love the symmetry of the facade and the golden sculptures (harmony on the left and poetry on the right as you face the building) on either side. Apollo stands int he middle. On the inside of the building, the Marc Chagall painted ceiling (which was painted in 1964) in the auditorium is worth seeing in person. (9th arr.)

4. Le Pouce (The thumb). A 40-foot thumb sculpture stands at La Défense. I don’t particularly love this sculpture, but it was one that I hadn’t ever seen before, so I wanted to share it. Among the modern skyscrapers in this business district, the sculpture kind of sticks out, well, like a big thumb. Ha ha! The 18-ton sculpture was built in 1965 by sculptor César Baldaccini.

5. Arc de Triomphe. The size of this structure, and the chaotic traffic that circles it, is definitely a sight to see. I’d suggest you climb the tower. This is one of my favourite views of the city (another favourite view is from the Tour de Montparnasse). (16th, 17th, and 8th arr.)

6. Hotel Le Meurice. There are many luxury hotels in Paris, many of which receive the “grand hotel” distinction. I mentioned one in my last post – the Luetitia, which is the only grand hotel on the left bank. On the right bank, there are several, including Le Meurice on Rue de Rivoli. I mention this one today because I had the chance to attend a networking event there. It’s spectacular. It’s charming. It’s so very French. It’s rich with history. I was pleased that my interactions with the staff were all very positive. Each person was kind and helpful and not at all pretentious. (1st arr.)

7. Doors. Doors. Doors. If you’re interested in architecture, you could spend hours looking at, examining, and taking photos of doors and doorways. The doors of Paris are impressive because of their size, colours, and details.

8. Place des Vosges. This is one of my most favourite pieces of architecture in Paris. I know I’ve already said this several times in this post, but it’s true. I love this square. It is indeed a true square at 140m x 140m. It was built between 1605 and 1612. Incredible, right? When I traveled to Paris when I was younger, I had several picnics in the park at Places des Vosges. Laying on the grass under the sunshine on a lazy afternoon is a great way to take a break from the busyness of the city. It’s the Parisian way. (3rd & 4th arr.)

9. Centre Pompidou. Many people don’t like this colourful, modern piece of architecture, but I do. I like the drastic contrast between the Centre Pompidou in its surrounding buildings. I like the art that is infused in this area, too, even though this isn’t my favourite area in Paris for wandering about. (4th arr.)

10. The Eiffel Tower. Well of course this is on my list. No matter how many times I’ve seen it, I’m always impressed. Even though I know exactly what to expect when I get to the area of the Eiffel Tower, I’m always taken aback. This structure is terrific. Absolutely terrific. (7th arr.)

11. 23 Rue de Babylone. This is a bonus building that I came across on a new-to-me route I took one afternoon back to the hotel. I believe it’s an apartment building. I loved its rows of curved shutters. (7th arr.)

To see more of my time in Paris, have a look at #WhiteCabanaGoesToParis on Instagram.

Fashion: The Chanel Window

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The French know all about the art of the window display. Shop owners really take their time to design beautiful window displays. This is true of small, independent shops as well as high-end, designer boutiques. There were many beautiful windows to stare at, but it was this Chanel window that I came back to a couple of times during my recent stay in Paris. Each time I went by, I noticed yet another detail. So charming. So lovely. So dreamy.

Just last week, Karl Lagerfeld passed away at the age of 85. The fashion world mourns his loss. The public mourns his loss. He was a genius. Lagerfeld was the creative director of Chanel for 36 years, and during this time, he reinterpreted classic Coco Chanel tweed and pearls in countless ways. More recently, his Paris fashion shows have been over the top masterpiece performances. Ones that inspire and will continue to inspire many in the fashion and art world for a long time.