The name says it all…  The only thing that Rain positively signifies is the element of Water…a soothing and purifying ingredient for relaxation.  And you will find nothing but that at the RainSpa, nestled on the 3rd floor of the enchanting Place D’Armes Hotel in Old Montreal.   Cooler temperatures are creeping up on us and before you know it, our bodies will be screaming for warmth, our skin will be thirsty for moisture, and our tense muscles will crave release.  From facial and body care, to massotherapy and aesthetics, the Rain Spa has it all, wrapped up in a warm design and soothing atmosphere.

Being a huge fan of the location and the beauty of the Place D’Armes Hotel, I have indulged in their divine selection of massages many times (Hawaiian rose petal butter massage??? I’ll take three thanks!).   However, when my much needed facial was due, I decided to try out their services, especially since their recent  partnership with Demalogica products meant that I could trust a natural and healthy treatment on my dry, sensitive skin.  The facial of course was nothing less than relaxing, left to the professionalism of a very honest and informative esthetician.  I was really intrigued to try the Dermalogica line and was actually pleasantly pleased.  Laced with hints of lavendar and fresh mints, the products were extremely refreshing, hydrating and not at all abbrazive.  I left with some samples of cleaners and creams and love what it does to my skin!

Amongst the many spa’s in Montreal, I truly find that the RainSpa is amongst the most genuine.  I leave there always feeling reassured, relaxed, and cleansed:)  And above all, the RainSpa has their very own steam baths on the second floor that is available to use and included with almost all of the treatments.  Truly a euphoric experience, the Hammam is a relaxing and revitalising ritual of fragrant vapours traditional of the Middle Eastern Baths,  that frees your body of muscle tension and toxins while stimulating circulation to better clean and soften the skin.  And finish off your experience with a warm tea in their calming lounge.

So need a break yet? I think I’m heading there this weekend!

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Unlike the West Coast hip hop which was coming mostly out of the Long Beach and Compton area of California or the R&B sounds of Motown coming out of Detroit, New Jack Swing caught on across the country.  Hailing from Oakland California Tony! Toni! Tone! was made up of: D’wayne Wiggins on lead vocals and guitar, his brother Raphael Saadiq (born Charles Ray Wiggins) on lead vocals and bass, and their cousin Timothy Christian Riley on drums.  In the 8 years they were together with Saadiq they managed to make four albums (three of which went platinum) and had 5 singles that went #1 on the US R&B chart.  Primarily a R&B/Funk group the band scored a New Jack hit on their second album: Revival with the track: Feels Good.  What’s awesome about: Feels Good, it stays true to the NJS sound but T!T!T! put their west coast funk twist on it.  Standing the test of time, Tony! Toni! Tone!’s classic is the best track kick off the weekend and the last week of New Jack September.

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If En Vogue were the Supremes of the New Jack Era then Boyz II Men were the Temptations. Taking a cue from their protege’s Bell Biv Devoe with their signature drumlines & hip-hop styling but  with a preppy twist. The main difference between the two they had a more wholesome look and their songs showcased more of a soulful and R&B sound similar to the Motown days. With Michael Bivens of BBD executive producing, Boyz II Men’s first album: Cooleyhighharmony sold 9 MILLION copies!!! After listening to it how could it not? It was more then the production, they had classical vocal abilities.  Still to this day there is not even a band that has the talent to have four lead singers with the abilities to sing accapella (as heard in the track: It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday).

Boyz II Men not only reignited the boy band craze but they paved way for artists like Usher, Shai, Soul 4 Real, N*Sync & Backstreet Boys. Holding the record as the #2 all time selling R&B group (TLC being at #1) & the record for the #1 song on the charts for the longest time we give our nod to Boyz II Men today.

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Discovered and signed to Michael Bivins Biv 10 label Another Bad Creation were one of a few kids group to come out during this era.  Despite having a couple of top 10 songs, a platinum selling album and Bivins managing ABC never became the New Edition of this era. They did however give us todays track: Iesha, a charming, upbeat and authentic sounding track which definitely helped push New Jack Swing into the mainstream and homes of middle class America.

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The Narcicyst from SHOT BY JFK on Vimeo. Read More…

Posted under Video, art, design, montreal

Born and raised in Washington DC Johnny Gill is the only member of New Edition that is not from Boston.  Gill was brought into the group by fellow NE member Michael Bivins after the departure of Bobby Brown and the rumors of Ralph Tresvant leaving.  Although Tresvant didn’t persue a solo career until after , with Gill sharing lead vocals NE took on a more mature sound then previously heard before.   That lead the group to their best selling album: Heartbreak which went multi-platinum.

Fast forward a couple of years later, half of the group formed the great Bell Biv Devoe while Brown and Tresvant persued their solo careers at which Gill followed.  Gill having already one album under his belt before joining NE Gill produced and played several instruments (bongos, drums, bass & guitar) on his self-titled second album.  With “My, my, my” become a staple for every bump & grind tape, “Wrap My Body” (produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis) along with todays chioce cut “Rub You the Right Way”  Gill’s status as the star of New Jack Swing become solidified.  Rounding out the final 10 days of New Jack September we hope we rubbed you the right way with our track of the day.

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Les Presses Universitaires de France et l’École supérieure de mode de Montréal (ÉSMM) ont le plaisir de vous inviter au lancement du livre Éthique de la mode féminine dirigé par Michel Dion, professeur titulaire au département de management de l’Université de Sherbrooke et Mariette Julien, professeure au département de marketing de l’Université du Québec à Montréal.

Photo : Dominique Lafond

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Posted under Fashion, art, design, inspiration, montreal, press, store

‘A 21 year disfunctional history of my life with Freshjive’

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Posted under Events, Fashion, art, design, exhibition, inspiration, montreal, photography, press, store