Sharifa Samora pt 2, Mother's Day Gifts, Local Shop Spotlight
Let's Do This!
Mother’s Day Gifts
Yes, it’s Mother’s Day coming up!
If you are thinking of getting a gift for your mother or partner, please ask yourself ‘would she actually like this?’ If she hates spas, don’t get her a gift certificate to a spa. If she hates sweet breakfasts (you know who you are) don’t serve her pancakes in bed.
Here are some ideas and local stores (Some provided by readers - thank you! You know who you are!)
-Time with the family doing her favourite activity OR time alone for her to do whatever the heck she wants. What about a trip visiting cute local shops in the countryside?
-Pyjamas! A reader mentioned silk, but I had trouble finding a pair - the only ones I found that I really loved were these, (it’s an independent, sustainable company but it is quite expensive and from the US). I like these cute cotton ones at Indigo for $69.99
-Chocolate. Ernestine is a local online boutique that offers the cutest chocolates around. You can even order through Uber Eats. Choco de Léa is another local online shop.
-Already framed photos ready for hanging or putting on a shelf (if you’ve done a shoot with me you can get framed photos sent directly to anyone you want!)
-Custom jewelry. This necklace from local jeweler Mona is $250. I also like these bubble letters from Boutique Unicorn for $65 each.
-Flower subscription. Floralia’s starts at $105. She also does flower arranging workshops.
-Facial. Kep Skincare’s Signature Facial is $125.
-A donation in her name to a charity of her choice.
Enjoy the day mamas!
Sharifa Samora, Part 2 - Beauty & Style
Sharifa Samora is a style, beauty and skincare enthusiast. Born and raised in Amsterdam, the Netherlands with roots in Suriname, she now lives here in Montreal with her husband and 4 children. She’s stylish, tall and gorgeous and her past includes modelling and pageants at the highest level as well as a corporate career. This is part 2 - part 1 can be found here.
Let’s talk beauty and skin care. How has your beauty routine changed since becoming a mother?
In all fairness, it hasn’t changed. The only thing that has changed is that I am getting older, and sometimes, you need to change some products depending on the maturity of your skin. The one thing that may have changed is that I have less time, so my routine is less spa-like. But since my early teens, I have been a skincare enthusiast. I have always had a minimum of a 3-step (if not more) skincare routine. I will never go to sleep without cleansing my face, and I will never leave the house without a day cream and SPF.
What are your fave beauty products?
I am so fortunate to receive lots of PR from skincare and beauty companies. Somehow, I am still a rouge member at Sephora because I love to try things on my own as well and not feel obliged to say something nice because products are gifted.
I am currently loving:
Nudestix mineral tinted sunscreen
Nars afterglow hydrating lipstick
Summer Fridays Lip Butter balm
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Cream eye shadow
NARS Light reflecting undereye brightener
Let’s talk skincare. What are your go-to items.
Skincare has changed so much over the years, and only for the better. Clean beauty products and brands are stepping up their game. I believe in a good face wash, a serum (especially if it has vitamin C), a hydrating cream, and sunscreen.
Caudalie Vino Perfect Radiance Serum
Do you have any other amazing finds?
I love perfumes, and Guerlain perfumes are my favorite. I also love that you can reuse the bottle; it makes it sustainable.
Do you have any beauty or style icons you look up to?
Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved Jackie O, Audrey Hepburn, and Grace Kelly. You will find a lot of their images on my Pinterest boards when it comes to style. I am also a huge fan of Naomi Campbell’s modeling career. Because of her, I could see myself walking the catwalk.
I also love the style of my queen, Maxima of the Netherlands, and Princess Catherine of Wales.
You have an amazing collection of bags. How do you decide what will be next and do you have a favourite?
When I started collecting in 2006, I was all about the classics—Louis Vuitton, Mulberry, etc. The prices were also friendlier. With all the price increases across so many luxury houses, my focus shifted more to Hermes and Chanel bags. I also love to discover up-and-coming brands like Michino Paris, for example.
I feel my collection is complete now. Chanel just released their new 25 bag, which, of course, was very high on my wish list. I will never say no to a Hermes Birkin or Hermes Kelly. I also made the rule this year that if I want something new, I need to sell another one, and that is very hard as I really love my bags.
Do you have any favourite pieces you are wearing right now fashion wise? Do you have any favourite designers or local shops?
I love my Chanel blazers. They are timeless and complete your outfit; you can wear them with anything. My favorite local shop in the neighborhood is Maison 4110. I have just purchased flare jeans from Frame in their store, and they are so comfortable. I always discover good-quality brands there.
Other brands I love are Ba&sh, Veronica Beard, Anine Bing, Nili Lotan and Isabel Marant.
I value the fabrics and quality of clothing, so I always read the tags inside a piece of clothing.
Do you have a favourite local restaurant?
Park Restaurant in Victoria Village! I love sushi and if I want to treat myself I go there for lunch.
Fave local style or beauty icon?
I have a few. My friend Roslyn Griner @howrosdoesit, Melissa Soldera @melissasoldera, Peggy Kaz and Amanda Eaman.
Best piece of advice
Life is a marathon, not a race.
Fave vacation destination
My favorite vacation destination is Curaçao. I always joke that I am an honorary Yu di Korsou (child of Curaçao). Curaçao is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. I love the island, and there are direct flights from Montreal. I also need to fly to Curacao to visit Suriname, which is where my family is from. The food, the beaches, I can speak Dutch, and the people there - it is my little paradise.
Fave Dutch food
Haring (fish), Bitterballen, stamppot andijvie (mash potatoes with veggies)
Thank you so much Sharifa! Sharifa can be found on her website, YouTube and Instagram.
Post may contain affiliate links.
First photo by Michelle Little, other photos are by Sherina Shantelle
Local Shop Spotlight: Indian Knick Knacks, NDG
Swati Khanna is a former television producer (think India’s Dancing with the Stars) with a love of all things Indian and a huge, friendly personality. Her NDG shop is carefully curated, with beautiful textiles and recycled stationery.
Working directly with the artisans, Swati ensures she knows all about every product and how it’s made. In addition, 10% of all sales go to the Montreal SPCA.
My favourite items were the beautiful table linens and bags, but there were so many other wonderful products like notebooks, robes, and travelling pouches with waterproof interior linings. Everything has a story, from where Swati purchased the product to how it was made. She really knows her stuff, and her passion for her products really comes through when she talks about everything from the cover of the notebook to the block printing workshops where she gets her textiles. The shop is full of really beautiful, quality items that will last for years.
I recommend stopping in for gifts, textiles for your own home, or just to talk to Swati and learn more about her and her background.
Favourites:
Her in store selection is larger than her online selection so please go in store to check it out and chat with Swati.
Indian Knick Knacks, 5924 Sherbrooke St West, Montreal
Instagram: @indian_knick_knacks
Pregnant? This post is a detailed run down of everything you might need.
La Semaine de Japon is currently going on!
Ilion is great for Greek food. They have a very small eat in area, and lots of takeaway options. The building is under construction and they are really hidden, so let’s support them. It’s in the big green building on Monkland in NDG. There’s also a Van Horne location.
Thank you to those who completed my survey. It’s clear what you want from this newsletter is to focus on local: local businesses, local women and local things to do. You also requested recipes, which surprised me. I’ll include a few of my favourites.
Another request was to talk more about Motherhood, and for more budget friendly items.
I am going to take this suggestions on and try to make this newsletter even better and more relevant. If you’d still like to provide input please do so here - it’s anonymous.
As always, if you have a store, café, restaurant, person, service, business, thing to do, etc. please let me know! I am not everywhere all at once! I need your input! Your voice has value! Thank you.
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Michelle Little is a photographer who specializes in family, maternity, newborn, headshots and boudoir. I offer studio, in-home and outdoor photography. You can see her website here and get in touch here.
I also have an insanely popular photography newsletter you can sign up to here for news, mini session announcements and more. Once a year I giveaway a free studio session to a lucky subscriber (maybe that’s why it’s insanely popular?)