City Chic: Montreal

Old Montreal by FB

FB is just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver. She is an ordinary 20-something year old who got out of $60,000 of debt in 18 months, earning $65,000 (gross) a year with her handy budgeting tool. She writes a blog called Fabulously Broke in the City, that is half money & half lifestyle, and considers herself to be more of a moneythropologist if you will, so the blog is less about tips and more about exploring money issues.

♥ Tell us a little about where you live

Montreal is one of the only places in all of Canada that can truly be considered half (Quebecois) French, half English. Almost everyone around here speaks both languages at least semi-fluently, and one of the languages perfectly.

It isn't a melting pot like Toronto, with lots of different languages and cultures, and the charm is that it is recognizably European (leaning towards French) in attitude and culture.

For example, you will probably see a lot more people speaking in Quebecois French, biking here (more bike trails and bike paths), and smoking a lot more (almost everyone seems to be a smoker, it's insane).

It is also the home to some major universities like McGill and Concordia, so during the school year, centre-ville (downtown) is flooded with students.

Rent is pretty cheap here, depending on where you want to live, but it's expensive in other ways, such as the cost of groceries.

♥ Give us three words to sum up the style there...

Uber Trendy, College, Olsen Twins

Think Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen, but more casual with lower heeled shoes for example.

But they pick and choose their trends. I haven't seen harem pants explode here like I did in Europe (awful!!) but they're really into the skinny jeans and leggings thing.

from Style de rue at Elle Quebec

♥ So what should I wear if I want to blend in with the locals?

The basic style is to dress trendy but with a funky urban edge. I see a lot of American Apparel mixed with leather, plaid and black. Lots of black.

They are in love with skinnies and leggings right now. AND BOOTS! If you pack a pair of boots, you will most certainly blend in.

Any style, any height, any colour.

And if you dress too nicely, you're going to be stared at. I'm talking about perfect hair, perfect sunglasses, high heels, perfectly done nails, lots of gold jewelery, tight clothing or revealing clothing, or a lot of colour.

This is not a city that is going for "polished chic" with a ghetto edge.

from Style de rue at Elle Quebec

♥ What are the 5 essential items I should have in my carry-on when visiting your city?

Generally speaking:

1. Sunglasses
2. French-English Dictionary (helpful for deciphering all those French words, but most people here know enough English to help)
3. Montreal Metro map and a weekly pass to get around the city easily
4. Comfortable shoes like ballet flats or trainers (there are a LOT of hills here)
5. Camera -- you are going to definitely want to take pictures

But if it's cold, you will want to bring an extra sweater, scarf and earmuffs or a hat. It snows a lot in the winter, and gets very cold and windy as we are basically an island by the water.

♥ What are your top 3 shopping picks for someone with a modest budget?

Blu-berry on Ste-Catherine (also near F*L*Y, another great boutique with similar prices)

Winners (It's like a T.J. Maxx or Marshall's. There are two, one at Atwater Metro and the other in the Eaton's Centre underground.)

Simons Clothing (Very Montreal.)

There's also whole underground shopping city once you hit downtown. Get into a door of a mall like at Simons and go down the escalators to enter into the underground.

Warning: You will get lost so grab a map from the info booth.


♥ What are your top 3 thrifting/vintage picks?

Eva B.
Specializing in retro clothing from the '60s, '70s and '80s and rents costumes -- 2013 Boulevard Saint-Laurent Montreal, QC H2X 2T3

Pre-Loved
They take existing items and re-cut and re-fashion them) -- 4832 Boulevard Saint-Laurent
Montreal, QC H2T 1R5 or their website.

Village des Valeurs (Value Villgae)
None are located downtown Montreal, you will have to travel via metro for them.

at Eva B by FB

♥ Where are the best cupcakes to be found in your city?

It's not a cupcake city, but here are some other options.

Natas (Custard Tarts, that are actually Portuguese): Bela Vista on 68 avenue des Pins Est makes the best I've ever tasted, and I've actually been to Portugal and tried the famous natas from Lisbon. I like the hint of lemon they put in these Bela Vista natas.

Croissants: The best croissants that taste like they are from France, is surprisingly from McDonald's here. WHO KNEW?

Pain au Chocolat (Chocolate Bread): Is really more like a pastry with chocolate inside. I like them at Au Pain Doré.

Galette de Roi (King's cake) or a similar Almond Pastry: if you are in Montreal around the beginning of the year like in January or February (only!), head to Au Pain Doré and pick up a cake of Galette de Roi or they have another version, a kind of millefeuille almond pastry thing.

Or the signature Quebecois dish: a savoury poutine, which is fries covered in gravy and cheese. It's on the menu in a lot of places, but I hate the dish, so I don't eat it or know where to find the best version.

Check out these two sites for reviews:
http://www.montrealpoutine.com/reviews.html
http://ourfaves.com/f/143998/montreal-poutines

♥ What about the nicest cocktails/mocktails?
Le Newton is the only one I've ever gone to and it's really nice inside. The crowd tends to be older, more business-y, probably in their late 20s or 30s. I am neither, but I am not into bars.

1476 rue Crescent, Montreal QC.

Like I said, I am not really big on bars or clubs, but if you are into that, the nightlife here is INSANE especially on Crescent Street. The drinking age is lower at 18, so lots of tourists come up from the States when they turn 18 to drink and party in Montreal. Just head up Crescent Street and you'll find something. They're more into beer and wine here, than cocktails.

from Style de rue at Elle Quebec

♥ Tell us the number 1 thing we absolutely must not miss while we're in your city.

Old Montreal with Vieux-Port (Old Port) and the gorgeous old buildings.

It's best in the summer, because everyone sits out on the patio and has a beer midday. And there are a LOT of awesome, high-end gastronomic restaurants here, plus a lot of great little gift shops with cool things like Mortimer Snodgrass 457 Avenue Victoria Saint-Lambert, QC J4P 2J1.

In the winter, it's cold, but kind of dead in terms of liveliness, and it's too darn cold and slippery to be walking around on ice. Still, not a bad place to visit, because they sometimes hold old-style fairs, where they dress up in period clothing and pretend like it's back in the day, old market style.

♥ Anything else you'd like to add that we won't find in the guidebook?

St. Denis is a popular place to shop -- lots of quirky, independent stores. St.Denis and Rue Rachel is the heart of that shopping area.

I'd also suggest going to the Museé des Beaux Arts store. Never mind the museum itself (which to be frank, isn't all that hot the last time I went), the store is full of super cute things, souvenirs, jewelery, bags....

Visit Parc Mont Royal. It's that huge hill with the nasty slope I told you about. You can take a bus there I think, so you don't have to hike like a mountain goat. The view is incredible at the Chalet (Chalet du Mont Royal) when you reach the top and the hiking trails (one of them) will bring you downtown near St. Denis for that shopping I told you about.

You should also drop by the Rotisserie Romados for some cheap Portuguese grilled chicken. $10 and you will walk out there stuffed like a turkey. They speak some English, but it's mostly French or Portuguese. 115 Rue Rachel Est Montreal, QC H2W 1C8

That should about do it if you're here for a week :P

Thanks so much, FB! If there are any other gals from Montreal out there, do add your tips in the comments? Interested in writing City Chic for your city? Check here to see if your city has been covered! If it's still to be done, email me at ooh.la.la.cherie@gmail.com.