A few photos from a very fun trip to L.A. and Palm Springs.

The stunning Venice Canals

Blown away by all the contemporary architecture in Venice

This is along the boardwalk

The lobby of The Palihouse West Hollywood!

Staying here was a huge highlight of my trip.

#dreamy!

Interior Design by Heather Ashton

Look at this gorgeous space. Full kitchen! Gorgeous mix of materials rugs, marble, velvet etc etc. Loved.

Gjelina on Abbot Kinney!

Great food and people watching.

On Sunset Blvd.

Another highight was visiting my friend fellow Illustrator Betsy Everitt in her beautiful home in Brentwood. Here she is in her garden.

Betsy's House on Canyon Road

#wow

Fantastic cafe!
Joan's on Third in L.A.
Best grilled cheese sandwich ever

The Getty

Architect Richard Meier

My sketch

Incredible midcentury architecture in Palm Springs #Donald Wexler

Bonjour! I've just returned from a dreamy holiday away in Montréal.

(American Readers take note!: Montréal is a beautiful historic city in Quebec Canada with gorgeous architecture, great shopping + restaurants. ie. All the charm of Europe without the expense!
Added bonus: I think they have the best bagels in the world.)

Old Montreal looking so cozy + romantic at Christmas time.

One of the biggest reasons for the dreamiest of my trip (in addition to my travelling companion bien sur!) was our hotel! We stayed at the Hotel Gault in Old Montreal and I can't recommend it enough.

Hotel Gault Exterior - I loved this elegant corner door

The Gault is a boutique hotel housed in a former textile headquarters which was built in 1871.
The façade is considered "Second Empire-style" (ie influenced by the buildings of Haussman's Paris) and features vertical pilasters carved into blue-gray limestone. It's a five storey building with only 30 loft suites making it truly "boutique". The first floor featured a restaurant, cafe and cozy library with a fireplace. The staff were very welcoming and always friendly + helpful.

Hotel Gault Exterior. Tres snowy!
The exterior of the building is in complete contrast to the very contemporary + beautifully designed interiors.

Our Room Night 1

Check out that wall - I never met an 19th century exposed brick wall I didn't like. :-)

Our Room next couple nights

- featuring: foyer, work area, to-die-for bathroom with mod tub + lux fixtures plus (not seen in photo) - tres comfy King bed, lots of custom closets and **2 beautiful french windows which opened up to the most dreamy view. **

The rooms were so big- they felt like little loft apartments rather than hotel rooms. SIGH.

(Don't hate me. :-)

Beautiful view from one of the french windows.

Breakfast at L'Express

Atwater Market

Dinner at Joe Beef

Very cozy interior with great filled chalkboards.

View from the Bar

Me on Rue des Artistes in Old Montreal

Breakfast at Beautys

92 year old Founder Hymie Sckolnick holding a postcard of himself from 1942 (!)

Closeup of postcard. (Is that not the cutest?)

Place d'Armes + Notre Dame Basilica looking very special + Christmasy

Close up of Maisonneuve Monument in front of Notre Dame

Noel bread

Other highlights included:
- visit with Louis and Charles
- le Cartet on Mcgill St
- a visit to Pointe-à-Callière: Montreal's Museum of Archaeology + History (A-mazing)
- very special Christmas dinner with sweet Zab + family
and a visit to Fairmount bagels to stock up on sesame bagels for the drive home.
Num num.

*Au revoir Montreal! Je t'aime.*