Devil Wears Prada sequel in stores June 4th!

That's right! Lauren Weisberger is following up one of my favourite books (and movies) of all time with a sequel - Revenge Wears Prada! It will be available June 4th and while I realize this is less than three weeks away it seems like forever to wait for a good thing.. And so the countdown begins to my Amazon shipment!

Beauty Junkie: Red Carpet Nails with L'Oreal's Tom Bachik

What do you get when you put ex-skateboarder-graphic-artist-turned-award-winning-MANicurist-and-all-around-amazing-professional Tom Bachik in a room filled with L'Oreal Paris nail products and a handful of beauty bloggers? One incredible night of Red Carpet Nails, that's what! Last week Tom took time out of his busy schedule working as L'Oreal Paris' celebrity manicurist to conduct an interactive presentation sharing the latest nail trends and techniques. And with a professional of this caliber, these tips are coming straight from the red carpet (pun intended).

Tom Bachik - Such an incredible talent and a total sweetheart

Out and About: TRISTAN at Yorkdale Grand Opening

Canadian retailer TRISTAN celebrated the opening of its new concept flagship store at Yorkdale Mall last week. The store has relocated next to Crate&Barrel inside the mall and features a changed layout maximizing interior store space with integrated ecological components including energy-efficient LED lighting and recycled wood materials. Aside from a focus on eco-friendly business practices, the Canadian brand takes pride in offering products which are designed and manufactured right here in Canada, with local company-owned factories producing some 30% of the TRISTAN clothing. They've even got cute Made In Canada tags on the hangers to help identify them!

Out and About: PRESSDAYS FW2013 Preview

A couple of weeks ago I was treated to a sneak peek of a few fantastic pieces coming out for FW2013 from some of my favourite brands including ROXY, GUESS, Cocoa Jewelry, and Dr.Martens.

In line with the recent festival-chic theme, ROXY is introducing some seriously covetable boots for fall as well as wear-now pieces which will hit stores soon including colourful bikinis and flowy dresses. I'm a sucker for crochet detailing and ROXY's got it all covered: shorts, jackets, and the boots. I can't wait until these make it to stores, my wardrobe is badly in need of an update!

Ah-mazing. Want them all

Shopping Bug: Mary Katrantzou Rodizio Clutch

After moving to a larger condo last fall and cleaning out bags and bags of clothes from the closet, many with tags attached, I was STILL left with an overflowing wardrobe. I can only conclude from this that I buy too many clothes. Shocking, really. I also discovered that accessories take up much less space so I could (probably) fit a few more purses in the closet. This Mary Katrantzou print reminds me of my dad's stamp collection from former Yugoslavia so it's probably a mix of nostalgia and the desire to add a statement piece to my purse collection that has me considering this purchase from The Room at $725. Definitely a bit more than I've ever paid for a clutch but I might have to take the plunge (and hide the Hudson's Bay credit card bill from hubs).

T

image via thebay.com

S.T.ar Gazing: MET Gala 2013

Aside from some interesting hairstyles (apparently punk theme = faux-hawks everywhere), it seems to me the usual suspects played it awfully safe for this year's MET Gala.. It's usually the one event I look forward to for the creative interpretations of each year's theme that strut down that particular red carpet. My favourite looks of the night were Anne Hathaway's textured Valentino and Nina Dobrev's sexy and sheer Monique Lhuillier, closely followed by Blake Lively in Gucci Premiere and Jamie King's glam Topshop suit. The best interpretation of the theme had to be Sarah Jessica Parker who married punk to high fashion beautifully in Giles, thigh-high plaid Louboutins and a mohawk headdress.

Anne Hathaway in Valentino

Nina Dobrev in Monique Lhuillier

Beauty Junkie: Pregnancy-friendly products

Have you ever checked out cosmeticsdatabase.com? It's a site that breaks down the ingredients in thousands of beauty products, gives each a rating based on how potentially harmful it is, and finally gives an overall 'hazard' score for the cosmetic product. Warning: it also makes you want to throw out 95% of everything you use!

When I got pregnant I was doing a lot of traveling for work and found comfort in a complex beauty ritual during lonely hotel nights. I was in love with a particular luxury-label serum I had purchased at the airport but as I unpacked one night, I found the product insert in the suitcase pocket - complete with the mile-long ingredient list. Chemicals I couldn't pronounce were formulated to absorb into the pores of my skin, would inevitably end up in my bloodstream to some extent and make their way to the tiny life growing inside of me. I may or may not have panicked (yeah I did) when I thought of everything I was using at the time. This is when my obsession with Argan Oil began but after almost a year of using the same product, like any good beauty junkie - I need a new fix.

I recently found out about Bare Love Beauty, a line developed by a Canadian mom similarly frustrated by the synthetic components found in the everyday beauty routine. Bare Love Beauty currently has 3 products (for face, body, and hair) made with 100% eco-certifiable formulas. They are all lightly scented so as to not offend the delicate pregnant nose and the body lotion is supposed to prevent stretch marks with use. Since giving birth I have definitely not been as strict with myself but because I am breastfeeding and in constant contact with the little one I am still taking care not to introduce a pile of toxins into my body (your skin is your largest organ!). I might just have to give this line a go!

I'd love to know if anyone has other pregnancy- and breastfeeding-friendly suggestions.. Let me know below :)

T

Out and About: ECCO Shoes FW2013 Part II

The mens line of ECCO footwear for FW2013 is nicely varied much like the womens, with dressy, casual, and performance options. For men they've introduced lots of brogue detailing on both their classic models, like the Biarritz, as well as their Collin sneakers. This year there are some nice washes in the Androw boat shoes which hubs has his eye on as well. I'm coveting the messenger bag and sleek tablet case featured for fall, in addition to a few pairs of the colourful sneakers for Baby Stiletto since ECCO never forgets the little ones.

Androw

Out and About: ECCO Shoes FW2013 Preview

One of my all-time favourite previews to attend has to be for ECCO. This is in part because it's all about shoes and purses and one can never tire of those, but it is also because I have an ever-growing respect for the Scandinavian brand. The brand prides itself in creating classic and comfortable footwear from high-quality materials (the leather is produced in their own tanneries), paying great attention to details like contrast stitching and their direct-injection technique for creating a waterproof seal for the sole. For FW2013, ECCO is once again introducing a slew of footwear you will want to keep around for much longer than just a season and the quality of their products ensures they will last as long as you want them in the shoe closet. My favourite pieces are from the Tailored Nature line - both the Pretoria and Poznan styles are calling my name. It would be rude not to answer ;)

Pretoria

Upcoming Events: Bath & Body Works celebrates Mother's Day!

What better time for a busy mom to take a few minutes for herself than in the week leading up to Mother's Day? Starting May 6th through May 11th, Bath & Body Works is treating you to some pampering and 'me' time with free manicures and massages at select malls in the GTA.  Indulge in spa treatments and walk away with a sample of one of the Signature Collection products as well as some gift ideas for the big day! Check it out at one of the participating locations: Toronto Eaton Centre, Sherway Gardens, Vaughan Mills, and Yorkdale Mall.

T