Innovative and Unique Packaging

It kind of looks like a silver, mini hand weight, but it’s really a tube of lipstick. The unique, one piece design means no more having to hold the lid and tube in one hand and a compact in the other, while executing a flawless application. No lid also means it can’t come off in your purse and cover everything in a layer of ‘Pink Surprise’. Simply twist the bottom of the tube and a little round ‘door’ on the top pops open and up comes the lipstick! The little door is very shiny and doubles as a mirror so after applying, you can make sure you stayed inside the lines. Even better, this isn’t part of a high-end cosmetic line – it’s part of the new, limited edition spring line from Quo (Shoppers Drugmart’s own cosmetic line). Funny enough, it's called Quo Flip Stick and is featured in the newest issue of Glow magazine. You can choose from six different shades - I bought the orange one, and right now the lipstick is on sale for $13.50 (regularly $17.99).

Handy Hairband

Goody makes all types of pretty hair accessories. They also have a few that aren’t so pretty, but are very practical. Their Stayput line of no-slip, wide headbands are great for keeping long or short hair out of your face and off your neck. The elastic headbands have ‘rubber treads’ on them that help grip your hair so they don’t fall out while doing downward dog in yoga class or donkey kicks in Abs, Butt and Thigh Blast class. Bonus – they are large enough to go around even the biggest head. You get two for $7.99 but colour selection is limited to black/gray or black/red. There are narrower, kid-size ones available in funner colours, but they won’t fit large heads or full manes. Available anywhere Goody is sold.

A Night of Culture and Laughs

Toronto Irish Players present The Muesli Belt. This play takes place in a Dublin pub and is about the changing face of the inner city and how those changes impact the lives of the characters we meet in the play. Written by Jimmy Murphy. Directed by Barbara Taylor.
The play can be seen at the Alumnae Theatre (70 Berkley St, Toronto) and runs from February 27th – March 1st and March 5th – March 8th. Tickets are $15 and $18 dollars. They are offering ‘2 for 1 preview performance’ on Feb. 27th and a special gala performance on Feb. 28th.
http://www.torontoirishplayers.org for tickets and further info or call 416-440-2888

Great Event, Great Cause

Project Georgian Warmth -Wine & Food PairingFundraising Reception will take place on Thursday, February 21st in The Great Hall, at Hart House, University of Toronto from 7-11pm. It will include an assortment of unique & interesting wines selected for tasting, expertly paired with hors d’ouevres as well as a Silent Auction. Tickets $70 Project Georgian Warmth was established in 2005 by three mothers who adopted children from the Republic of Georgia. All funds are used to provide medicine, medical supplies, equipment, tests and treatments, as well as necessary food and diapers for orphaned and abandoned children in Georgia. For more information & to purchase tickets go to www.projectgeorgianwarmth.ca

Spring Has Sprung!

Well, in the clothing stores it has. Almost everyone is offering further markdowns on fall/winter merchandise to make room for all the new spring arrivals. Wiarton Willy says early spring, Punxsutawney Phil says six weeks more of winter, Shubnedacadie Sam says early spring. Isn’t six more weeks of winter and early spring the same thing?!
So depending on which groundhog you believe, take advantage of the further markdowns or start scoping out great items for spring that will be on sale soon, because the summer stuff will be out in two months! Trust me.

Bitter Sweet – 20% off earrings, buy 1 get 1 free on selected rings, 50% off selected satin clutches, baskets full of assorted brooches/necklaces/earrings are 3 items for $10.

Laura, Laura Plus, Laura Petite – up to 70% off end of (winter) season items.

Addition Elle – a further 50% off already reduced prices, selected jewellery buy 1 get the 2nd for half price.

Reitmans – end of season items are priced at $29.99 or less. They have also already marked down some of their early spring arrivals.

LaSenza – Canadian company now owned by Victoria’s Secret. Was hoping this would be a good thing but haven’t been impressed so far. They do carry the VS Beauty Rush line and lotions, washes and body mists are 2 for $18 if you’re into glitter and sweet smelling body products. The Victoria’s Secret Garden line is also available if you prefer no sparkle or sweet smell and body products are 5 for $30 right now. I have to admit I did love the Beauty Rush cosmetics 2 for $10 – glittery eyeshadows available in beautiful colours and bright lip glosses. Let’s hope they start to carry the VC Very Sexy Line too.

Fairweather – lightweight v-neck sweaters $19.99, lace trim camisoles 2/$20, Mikk Couture hoodies and pants (great for lounging or yoga) 2/$30, winter bomber jackets from $30 and jackets with zip-out linings or sleeves for $50, quilted vests $20, hoodies with faux-fur lined hoods $19.99; My absolute favourite items – sequined tanks tops 2/$30 available in eight colours. These would look good now with black pants and a little cardigan. In summer they would be spectacular with jeans and metallic sandals!

Suzy Shier – end of season camisoles, tank tops, t-shirts, tops, blouses, skirts, pants, sweaters and jackets priced from $6.98 to $29.98.

Cleo – an additional 25% off already reduced prices.

Ricki’s – items priced at $19.99 or less; lots of tank tops and camisoles to choose from, the stand-out item for me was the kimono sleeved satin tops.

Town Shoes – up to 70% and as part of a Valentine’s Day promotion you “pick a heart” and receive an additional 10%-20% off.

Cotton Ginny – up to 70% off end of season merchandise.

Spring Shoes – 50% percent off selected items.

Xcetera – 50% off everything in store – bags, jewellery, belts, etc.

YZZA – 20% off already reduced prices

I don’t quite understand why so many stores stocked tanks tops and camisoles for fall/winter, but bad buying on their part means spending less money on our part stocking up for summer. Why pay $19.99 for a tank top when you can get one for as little as $7.99?

Great Hair, Better Price

I only get my hair cut about twice a year, and I travel to the other side of the city to my “regular” salon because they’re affordable and do a good job. This has become tiresome so I heeded the advice of many friends and acquaintances and made an appointment at the Aveda Institute & Academy (located at King & Jarvis). From the beginning I decided it was a good choice as you have to call at least two weeks in advance if you want to get an appointment on a preferred day or time.
Jade was my stylist and my appointment began with her studying my hair type, face shape and asking me what I do style-wise with my hair now. I’d brought a few photos of the hair cut I was hoping for and after looking them over, she took them to her “educator” (the person who supervises the students while they work) and he came over to participate in the consultation. He asked me what I liked about the hair cut and suggested a few changes he would do, taking into consideration my face shape.
Jade then had me choose a scented oil to be used for the neck and head massage given to all clients before having their hair washed. I picked the peppermint oil which gave me visions of chocolate mint cookies while having the most enjoyable neck and scalp massage.
I won’t bore you with the details of the actual washing/cutting/blow drying but I will let you know that it all turned out wonderfully and there were no tears shed (I did have a good 5 inches cut off). I left Aveda with stick straight hair that was as shiny as glass thanks to Jade’s expertise with a blow dryer, straightening iron and Aveda’s Hang Straight straightening lotion.
A hair cut done by an academy student is $30, advance graduate $40 and academy educator services are $55 and up. There is also a level before academy students (forget the name) that charges $16 for a hair cut.
Services are offered at the institutes in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary. Log onto their website for more details, locations and contact information.
And if you visit the academy in Toronto, definitely ask for Jade.
www.aveda-academysalon.ca

It Makes Sense

I stumbled across the best organization invention ever. It’s so basic and simple I’m surprised these things aren’t everywhere – Adjustable Purse Racks! Made by a company called Jokari and distributed under the HomeSense Innovative Organization line, you can purchase this handy item at HomeSense for $9.99.
It consists of two long straps with 8 adjustable hooks on each one. You can anchor the straps to the top and bottom of a door, or hook them on a wall (all hardware is provided). I put mine up as soon as I got home and love the fact I can now see all my purses/handbags, making it much easier to switch purses according to the season, occasion or my mood. THE best $10 I’ve spent in a while.