LAURA KIDD: montreal

10.9.15

Blonde Ambition / Bedtime Stories: Madonna Rebel Heart Tour Concert Look

Last night I saw my queen for the second time. It was the world premiere of her Rebel Heart Tour in Montreal.

If you know me, you know that Madonna is hands down my favourite artist and icon. She constantly inspires me. She's a perfectionist and is always re-inventing herself. I love her attitude towards life and love.

I'm not sure if you can really call her concerts just that. They're more of a broadway musical / production. From the costumes, dancers, performers, and stunts, to the props and special effects, you truly do get your money's worth. This time she had screens that lifted from the ground and dancers who would dance / fly off them in coordination with the images on the screen. Hard to explain in words, but it was really cool! She also had many stunts including men on crosses that would bend and almost reach in to the audience. My jaw definitely dropped a couple times!

Her concerts also make me cry. Firstly when she comes out because I'm in complete awe of her presence and then again whenever she plays a song that I really personally connect to. Her music makes me feel like anything is possible and it's all going to be okay. Her performances and dancers make me feel like our bodies can do anything if we have passion, determination, and persistence. She overall just inspires me to do more, create more, and not care what anyone thinks or says.

She played a lot of her new songs off of Rebel Heart, check it out. But of course she had to play some classics like True Blue, Like a Virgin, and Material Girl. She surprised the audience with a cover of "La Vie en Rose", it was perfect.

Let's talk about my outfit shall we. I've always been inspired by her Blonde Ambition tour hair and make up with the long ponytail, wearing the iconic Jean Paul Gautier cone bra. You know that one! However, finding a similar cone bra is near impossible so I opted to wear a dress inspired by her Bedtime Stories album. The fur purse was hand crafted by my aunt and I felt it was perfect to go along with the "bedtime" look. I also wore a black blazer later in the evening.

It was a day filled with the amazing sights and tastes of Montreal, constant laughter with friends, and of course Madonna! Perfect day-after-bday celebration if you ask me!

Dress: Value Village, $4. Purse: Bev Kidd. Shoes: Expression, The Bay, $32. Lips: Deep Red lip liner, Joe Fresh, $7.

PHOTOS BY LISA KIDD

Keep It 100: Drake Concert Outfit

I wore this to a Drake concert in Montreal last night. I drove up with Rosie and met two other friends there. We spent the day shopping and eating. I didn't find much in store since there weren't any sales happening and my thrifting senses couldn't deal! We did have tonnes of fun though and it's always nice to visit Montreal since it feels like a second home.

Drake was amazing live. He's very talented but also such a down to earth guy. He made the audience feel extra special and incorporated Montreal into some of his songs. I had hoped that we would have played more songs from his best album (in my opinion), Nothing Was The Same but I was still so happy to see him in concert.

I went with a 90s look and added gold accents to break up the black. I had brought heels to wear to the concert but ended up staying in my Nikes and I'm glad I did! There's nothing worse than having sore feet at a concert when you're trying to enjoy the music.

This is my first of hopefully many concerts this summer. Up next is Shania Twain at the end of the month and it looks like me and Rosie will be seeing Nicki Minaj in July.

Jacket: Danier black suede, Value Village, $10. Shirt: Ardene, $5. Jeans: Forever 12+, $18. Shoes: Nike Roshe Runs, Winners, $60. Belt: Value Village, $4. Purse: Value Village, $4. Necklace: Value Village, $5.

PHOTOS BY ROSIE WAUGH

Somebody Told Me

I wore this for a day of shopping and to see Stars and The Killers concert in Montreal with Lisa and Rosie. I had so much fun! I hadn't been to Montreal in a few months so it's always nice to go back. We arrived hours before the concert so we could fit in a decent amount of shopping as well as dinner. I knew the shopping portion of the day would require a lot of walking, waiting in lines, and sometimes running to snatch my size so I swapped the sequin top for a tank top and the flatforms for Nikes and changed before heading to the concert. I do this quite often when I have to get down to business during the day yet want to dress up a little more for the night. I'll often bring a pair of heels or flatforms in the car so I can quickly swap.

I was really looking forward to shopping the Zara there since it's huge, carries XL, and always has sales. I found a couple of nice things but nothing I was in love with. I left empty-handed but we also went to H&M where I found a really cool white mesh t-shirt and some tropical print shorts - both on sale!

The concert was pretty awesome. I've never considered myself a huge fan of The Killers but I grew up listening to their songs and I knew they'd be great live. Stars was the opening band which was absolutely perfect. Brandon Flowers, the lead singer of The Killers, sounded amaaaaazing live. He truly has a unique and talented voice.

Seen any good concerts lately?

Shirt: gifted from Lisa. Jeans: Joe Fresh, Value Village, $8. Flatforms: Zara, $40. Purse: Value Village, $4. Lips: Smitten by Joe Fresh.

Photos by Lisa Kidd.

The Killers. Source: MTV

Bey Bey

As I said in my last post, I've been very fortunate to have a music-filled month. I saw Solange, M.I.A. and the last goddess on my list was Beyonce. I surprised my sister with tickets a few months ago and we've been anxiously awaiting our Beyonce weekend. Since the concert was on a Monday, we decided to turn the whole experience into a mini weekend vacation to Montreal. We got there on Sunday night, went out for dinner and went back to the hotel to relax and I gave Lisa a mani-pedi (I like to do nails, heh). On Bey-day, we got up early and went out to Eggspectation for breakfast. If you have one in your city, I truly reccommend going because everything was delicious. I regret not taking any pictures for you! After breakfast, we got in our swimsuits and went for a dip in the outdoor pool and to soak up some sun. Being pale ladies, we didn't stay out too long in hopes we'd escape a sunburn. We got ready and hit St. Catharines street for some shopping. Our favourite spot was Zara. There's something special about the Zara in Montreal that we just don't have at the one here in Ottawa. They have way more sales, more shoes and friendlier staff, I have to say. I found the black flatforms I've been dreaming of, black patent loafers and these gorgeous drop-crotch pants. I loved them so much that I had to wear them to the concert. Plus, they were super comfy to dance in. Speaking of dance, Beyonce was absolutely everything we expected and more. It was a hell of a show complete with booty-poppin, body-twerkin, and of course, freakum dresses. See below for my favourite costume change and performance. The next day we went out to the art gallery, did a bit more shopping and set sail home. It was a much-needed, relaxing and fun weekend away with the best sister ever.

Top: Value Village, $3 - Body Chain: DIY, brooch from VV $2 - Pants: Zara, $30 - Shoes: Aldo, $38 - Purse: Valentina, Winners, $26 - Cuff: Joe Fresh, $7 Rings: Midi- Spring, $6 for 3, Orange- Ottawa Vintage Show, $14 - Lipstick: Covergirl Lip Perfection in Divine

My new nailz, I thought they were Bey approved. Did em myself.

My beautiful and verrry sparkly twin Lisa. How cool is her sequinned/beaded scalloped top?! A thrift find of course.

Just got to our hotel. Twins weekend begins!

Loved this graffitti! VOGUE! All photos taken by myself and Lisa.

My FAVOURITE stage outfit from her show. Epitome of glamour. Look at the details! Photos found here.

My favourite song and favourite performance. I just about died and went to Bey-heaven when I saw this:

I'm so tangy people call me Matangi

Where did July go? This month has been full of great concerts and there is one more to come this Monday (stay tuned). This month I saw Solange at Ottawa's Bluesfest (AH-MAZING) and M.I.A. the week after. Such an overload of greatness in two weeks.

M.I.A. is hands down one of my favourite artists and fashion icons. From her upbeat and original sounds to her bright t-shirts and embellished shorts, I simply adore and look up to this woman. Not only is she a true artist, amazing performer and fashion icon, she is also a human rights activist. She's had a huge impact on my style and inspires me to wear brighter colours, unique pieces and GOLD, GOLD, GOLD!

I've been following her music ever since first hearing her second album, Kala. I instantly loved how different she sounded and loved how weird and quirky she is. Since Kala, M.I.A. released her third album Maya and is working on a fourth as we speak. She recently released two new tracks: "Bring the Noize" and "Only 1 U" which are both amazing and a taste of what's to come on her fourth album, Matangi.

I am blessed to say this was my second time seeing her and it was an unreal experience once again. Her music is so wild, different and fun, making her concerts just that. I loved her outfit and she even told us that her mother made it (HOW CUTE!)

I originally planned on wearing some bright colours but the humidity and heat made me think more wisely. I swear it must've been 40'c because I was melting even in just a t-shirt, shorts, and sandals. The t-shirt and bag are recent thrift finds that I adore. I am loving white right now so I was very happy to find such cool, bright, white pieces.

Have you seen any concerts lately? Tell me in the comments! Also- follow me on Instagram to see more videos and pictures of the concerts: "laurakidd"