Purses!

Checked out the purse sale section in the Bay this week. Quite a few of them caught my eye but most of them had really heavy hardware on them (Kathy van Zeeland), so you end up lugging around a five pound purse once you put all of your belongings into it. Sale prices ranged from $17.99 to $104.99. They had lots of styles, colours and brands to choose from. The burgundy patent clutch from Cabrelli & Co was a steal at $19.99; my eye kept going back to the purple satin clutch by Nine West; the little straw bags ($17.99) from Liz Claiborne would be perfect for spring; the bright coloured totes were big enough to hold workout wear but not so large that you’d feel like you were hauling around carry-on luggage. Some of the names to choose from – XOXO, Murval, Fossil, Bianca Nygard, Tignanello and Hilary Radley.
Selections will vary from store to store. Right now you can get 25% off regular priced bags

Find the Perfect Prom Dress

Fashion Crimes has a Prom Registry so you can make sure you’ll be the only one wearing your dress at your school. Stop in during March Break and get first dibs on their new Prom collection and take advantage of their sale on Prom and Graduation dresses starting at $20! This is the place to go for unique and unusual dresses.
322 ½ Queen St West, Toronto 416-592-9001 for hours of operation

I'm Surprised

While at the Eaton Centre checking out where the new M∙A∙C store will be, I noticed that Addition Elle had closed down. A Hallmark Gold Crown store will take its place and open some time in April. There is a large, two-story Addition Elle just down the street, but a lot of people probably found the Eaton Centre location more convenient when shopping on their lunch hour.

New MAC

Thanks to Carrie for giving me the heads up on this many, many weeks ago. This weekend I finally dragged my butt downtown to check it out. Very soon you won’t have to hike to the other end of the Eaton Centre to go into the Bay to get your M∙A∙C fix. In May, not sure when, a free-standing M∙A∙C store will open on the first floor of the Toronto Eaton Centre right near the fountain. The ‘boutique’ stores usually carry the M∙A∙C PRO line as well as the ‘regular’ line you see at all the counters in the Bay. I don’t have a favourite cosmetic - love the lipsticks, glosses, eyeshadows, liners and nail polish – but the one stand out accessory for me are the wipes. They’re the only thing I’ve found that take off my waterproof mascara easily and completely.
Toronto Eaton Centre, 220 Yonge St (Yonge/Dundas)

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