Affordable Faux

It looks like big baubles are back, at least for fall/winter 2008. Many designers accessorized their looks on the runways with large necklaces, bracelets and cocktail rings. We’re talking necklaces large enough to warrant extra strong neck and shoulder muscles just to wear them around all day. I won’t be rocking that trend due to my week neck but I have no problem lugging around large baubles on my fingers.
Fabulous Fakes ®/MD makes lovely, large rings for only $9.99. You can choose from flower shaped rings with clear crystals, larger than life pearls in black or white, coloured square-cut gems or lovely art deco designs.
available at Sears Stores

Sales! Sales! Sales!

Zola Shoes - they're closing their 45 Avenue Road location (Yorkville) so you can save up to 80% on in-stock shoes but only until July 26th.

Cotton Ginny - buy two tees or tanks at the regular price and get the third one free; beautiful cotton sweaters on sale for $19.99 and $29.99; also check out the cotton tunics reduced to $39.99 in either black or white with same coloured embroidery - these are great for dressing up or down in summer time.

Reitmans - their end of season sale is now on. Save up to 70% off spring and summer fashions. They had cute plaid blouses marked down to $3.99!

Addition Elle - the sale here is a little tricky. Some items are an additional 30% off the sale price and some are an extra 50% off the sale price. There are also selected new items that have been reduced by 25%.

MEXX – take an additional 25% off already reduced men's and women's clothing and accessories. I’ve never gone into this store because it always seemed rather preppy. Much to my delight they have beautiful flowy tops and dresses. A large portion of the jewellery is marked down to $7.99-$11.99 and with the additional 25% off, this is a great deal!

French Connection – up to 50% off selected items. This store has cute stuff but I’ve always found it crazily overpriced.

Le Chateau – selected items have been marked down (tops, jewellery, dresses, shoes) but I would suggest checking out the new viscose scarves for $25 each. They’re the ones that look and feel like pashminas but aren’t.

Bedo – semi annual sale offering 50% everything off in the store excluding new arrivals.

Costa Blanca – an additional 50% off items already on sale.

Yarn & Knitting Shop

A new yarn store has opened up at 456 Queen St West called Yarn & Knitting Shop. They don’t carry all those fancy yarns that are popular right now, but they do carry some of the softest yarns you’ve ever touched. The store is set up with the skeins hanging around the perimeter and at the back of the store there are beautiful blankets and knitted bags as well as a small selection of wool fabrics.
For all of you newbies out there, they offer free knitting classes on Sundays – make sure to sign up in advance to guarantee yourself a spot as classes are small and fill up quickly.
456 Queen St W, Toronto ON M5V 2A8 ph: 416-777-9747
www.americo.ca

I Want to Shimmer not Glow

It’s summer. The capris and shorts are out and so are the lily white legs. I prefer to have legs that shimmer instead of faux glow, but finding a product that doesn’t ‘tan’ your skin is nearly impossible. Some of us just can’t use bronzing products. No matter how expense, technologically advanced or tested a self tanner is, we still end up streaked, orange, stinky and with major transfer problems (especially when wearing white).
When the weather started to warm up I pulled out my bottle of Jergens Shimmer lotion and decided I better buy a new one as this one had been opened for the past two summers and was smelling a bit “off”. Little did I know the quest I would end up on. I scoured store shelves for weeks but everyone, including Jergens, only makes self tanning lotion this time of year (possibly any time of year as I also checked out websites to no avail).
I came across an ad for Burt’s Bees Radiant Body Lotion with Royal Jelly in Allure. So when a colleague of mine headed to the States, I gave her the ad to take with her and asked her to pick me up a tube if she saw it anywhere. It looks shimmery when coming out of the tube but isn’t as impressive once on the skin.
So I went looking again. This time I found Bonne Belle Gel Bronzer in Luminous Glow. Not a bronzer/self tanner but a shimmer gel for light coloured skin. Once again very impressive coming out of the tube not so impressive on. If you decide to give this one a try I would suggest using a make-up sponge or brush to apply it or you will end up with more shimmer on your palms then anywhere else.
Needless to say, I’m still looking for the perfect product to replace my Jergens Shimmer lotion.
For something more glitter and less shimmer there’s Lise Watier Glitter Gel for face and body (Étoiles de Mer being my fave) and MAC Iridescent Powder in Silver Dusk. I like this one because the more you perspire, the better it clings to your body so it's perfect for hot, steamy summer nights. For glimmer on the lids but no glitter in the eyes try MAC Liquidlast Liner (their Electrolady is a true purple).

And Summer's Just Begun!

According to my calendar, the first day of summer was on Friday. I think the stores have a different calendar than I do. Summer sales have already started and retailers seem determined to get rid of their warm weather stock.

Suzy Shier - buy one get one half price on regular priced items; take an additional 50% off already reduced items; jewellery is buy one get one free; did you know they carry shoes now?

Fairweather - tank tops and camis for $10 in great colours; take an additional 50% off sale items.

Trove - 25% off purses, hats and clothing; 35% off selected jewellery; 30% off selected shoes; the shoes and handbags are definately worth checking out.

Condos Condos Everywhere

Good thing, bad thing? Due to the condo/hotel monstrosity going up at Yonge and Bloor, an entire block and a half of retail is being elminated. The Shoe Company at 711 Yonge Street will be shutting its doors on June 30th so they're having a closing sale. That means you get a discount on their already discounted merchandise. So, good thing, bad thing? You decide.
location: 711 Yonge St, Toronto ON (just south of Bloor)

Another Warehouse Sale to Check out

Revlon and Johnson&Johnson are having a warehouse sale with up to 75% off selected products. The sale starts June 3rd and runs until June 8th at the International Centre, located at 6900 Airport Road, Hall #3, Mississauga ON.
Jean Machine will also be there selling brand name jeans at reduced prices (SilverJeans, Foxy, Mavi, Parsuco) and Dickies will be there too offering great deals on cargo pants, shorts and jackets.
Hours: Tuesday – Friday 10am-8pm; Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 11am-5pm