Lashes...

My Collection...

Top Faves: Shu Uemura Luxe in Black

Sonia Kashuk Full Glam Eyelashes

Princess Lee Lashes

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. Love the look false lashes give, they really open up the eye. Depending on the look you're going for there are natural/dramatic styles, and are available in synthetic or natural hairs.

My top faves are above; Princess Lee for affordable. I found these at Crystal Mall for $28/10 pairs. Apparently they're sold in Taiwan for less than $10 for 10 pairs. I need to find a Taiwanese friend:) They come in #6, #7, and #8 lengths. Don't be fooled as there are fakes! The authentic ones are only available in the 3 lengths and have the white stickers holding the lashes down. I own the #7, and love to wear these for a natural look.

Shu Uemura for high end. You could reuse these at least 5 times or more! On the pricier end, but the look they give are sexy and dramatic.

Affordable alternative: Sonia Kashuk Full Glam lashes, these are available at Target and they come with a mini glue. For $4.99 you can't go wrong. Fret not, Target is coming to Canada!

For glues I use Duo, or Shu Uemura.
Eyelash Case Dolly Wink

Beauty Supply Spree...

Ardell Lashes

Spa Ritual Mini Nail Polish in Dreamsicle

Zoya 3in1 Nail Polish Remover

Babe Feather Hair Extensions

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. Purchased at Icon Beauty Store, I came here specifically for the Spa Ritual Products along with the feather hair extensions. Many of the other brands they carry are available at several beauty supply stores. 

Spa Ritual Products to update soon...

Kendra Scott Jewelry...

Wren Earrings in Blue Agate

Tavi Earring in Bright Pink Jade

Danielle Earring in Turquoise

Each come with their own pouch, and all have a good weight to them

My Verdict: Pass. While I love the pieces I chose customer service was a nightmare! Doubled charged, and getting a hold of someone to rectify was near impossible. I suppose if I lived close to the actual store, purchasing there would be less of a headache.

Kendra Scott Sign up for emails to receive the 20% off, be sure they add it. That was half my problems...

Aritzia Private Sale...

t. babaton silk dress 20% off

t. babaton cotton/modal tank 20% off

Gift with purchase: Beach Towel

Came in Pink & Yellow and Blue & Yellow

Value $65

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. Great place to pick up essentials, casual outfits and work gear. Aritzia Private sale: score items that are not usually on sale first and receive a free gift! 

When they have the warehouse sale it's worth it to pop by. Long lineups and it's a zoo, but bring a friend and be ready to try on clothes in a communal area. Sign up to be notified of upcoming events and sales.

New York Culture...

Set in Style: The Jewelry of Van Cleef & Arpels
Cooper-Hewitt Museum
Admission $15, you receive a Program with Pictures and info on the pieces

Alexander McQueen:Savage Beauty

MET Museum

Admission $20

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. The Van Cleef & Arpels exhibit at the Cooper-Hewitt Museum was wonderful. The Mansion is AMAZING, imagine the parties and wearing the jewelry! Highlights: Jewelry from Dame Elizabeth Taylor, HSH Princess Grace Kelly and Duchess of Windsor. Free guided tour daily.

Praiseworthy. MET Museum Alexander McQueen exhibit is otherworldly. I literally had chills walking through the exhibit. My favorites were the It's Only a Game Spring/Summer 2005 room, and the dress from Widows of Culloden Autumn/Winter 2006-7.

The lineup was long, so be prepared to wait and come early! I would have loved to have seen the rest of the museum, but we arrived mid afternoon and was only able to view the McQueen exhibit, well worth it!

Worth Mentioning: Taxi's in NYC

Very particular and you must have an address, 3/4 of the driver's had no idea where the locations were. 

New York Eats...

Todd English Olives

Butternut Squash Tortelli

Olives Open Faced Omelet

Sides: Mascarpone Crepes, Blackberry Jam

Garden Market Fruit

Yellowtail Sashimi

Filo Spun Tiger Shrimps

Clams with Black Bean Sauce

The following have no pictures but worth a try:

Green Salad

Beef Roll

Coconut Basmati Rice

The cocktails we had were fantastic!

Black Buddha

Fashionista

Ajna Bar  formerly Buddha Bar

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. Todd English Olives butternut squash tortelli was melt in your mouth dreamworthy, along with the mascarpone crepes. We literally cleaned our plates!

Praiseworthy. Ajna bar is a must do for a Friday or Saturday, the food is delish and the atmosphere was hot! Located in the Meat Packing district, minutes away from clubs and other restaurants or bars.

Praiseworthy Cafeteria. We ate here after the club and it did not disappoint! There was a line up at 5am! Try the buttermilk waffles, mac and cheese and tomato basil soup! Chace our server was amazing!

Pass on The Standard Grill, food (Alaskan Black Cod, Potato-Leek Salad, Tomato & Almond Gazpacho) was poor, service was ok and atmosphere was worse! 

Nightlife: Praiseworthy
1 Oak
Gansevoort Park Rooftop

Pass
Beauty & Essex
Rift Raff

Honorable Mentions:
Sex in the City Carrie eats...

Magnolia Bakery

Pass on the Red Velvet Cake Slice, not enough cream cheese flavour and cake wasn't moist

Praiseworthy on the Chocolate Cupcake with cream cheese icing
Lemonade

Dean & Deluca
Red Velvet Cupcake; creamcheese was delish but cake was ok

Baked by Melissa
Praiseworthy on the Peanut Butter Chocolate Cupcake
Pass on the Red Velvet Cupcake

Cafe Cluny
Praiseworthy on the Brioche French Toast

New York Spree...

Lay's Garden Tomato & Basil

The best chips ever!! This is my 3rd bag :(

.99 at Duane Reade

Sally Hansen Lace Nail Polish Strips

Thanks Leah for the tip!

Vanity Kit from Anya Hindmarch 50% off

Christian Louboutin from Saks Fifth Avenue 30% off

Sally Hansen Nail Polish Strips $11.49 from CVS

Tiffany Sterling Silver Purse Pen

My Verdict: Priaseworthy. Shopping in New York in June is perfect! We had one day of rain and the rest were humid and sunny. The sales have just started and items haven't been picked over. The shoe sales at Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue are a must! It was a zoo in there, so come early and bring friends! BTW wear comfy shoes and shopping gear! You can literally spend the whole day there!

New York State of Mind...

What does one wear for a girls trip to NYC?

Here's a few pieces I chose...

Airport staples...layering is a must! and cashmere socks!

Hair and Makeup...

Skincare...

Tea at The Plaza...

Pink Lemonade and The Classic tea option with Tuscan Pear Rooibos

update: loving the Cornelia James lace gloves!

Nail Polish: OPI My Chihuahua Bites! (Thanks Stef!)

My Verdict: Pass on Tea at the Plaza. Our waiter was not attentive and kept cutting us off! Food was ok, the only thing that was praiseworthy was the Pink Lemonade.

Praiseworthy Afternoon Tea at Bergdorf Goodman had much tastier treats and the view was spectacular. (Try the Prosciutto tart) Not to mention the retail therapy that's available on the lower floors. (sorry I didn't have my camera with me for BG, too busy shopping!)

Coming Soon...

In no particular order;
New York State of Mind...
Aritzia Private Sale...
Update:Whitening Strips...
Kendra Scott Jewelry...
Lashes...
Personalized Stationary...

update soon!

Lip Staples...

Beaute Luminous Volume Gloss in: If and Girlie Show

I purchased mine here

Mika Makeup: By appointment only, or online shopping

For a Pink Lip:

Benefit Posie Tint (gift)

Chanel Chintz Rouge Coco

Beaute Girlie Show

Lipliners:

Mac Subculture (gift)

Chanel Natural (gift)

Mac Spice 

For Peach Lip:

Nars Barbarella 

Beaute If

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. Beaute lipglosses give you this plump pout without the sting, has brush applicator and no smell. Price is a bit steep, but this has been a staple in my makeup bag for the last 4 years. I always go back to it.

Recent Finds...

June 2011 People Style Watch Issue

Listerine Quick Dissolving Whitening Strips

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. People Style Watch magazine, some pages I'm loving: 

Cover Look with Blake Lively

I Really Love My...

Guilt-Free Shopping

New Nail Trends

Get Ready for Summer

and Celeb Airport Style just to name a few.

I'll do and update on the Listerine Whitening strips next week.

Feel Like Royalty...

Ever notice the Royals wear gloves ALOT? With the recent wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge I was inspired and set out to find gloves. Low and behold I found Cornelia James, worn by HM The Queen!

Comes in a cellophane pouch and each came with a note about the Royal Warrant.

I simply sent an email to Andrew, paid and shortly after I received my gloves.
The gloves are divine! They're so comfortable. I have the lace gloves, and a pair of the white cotton with bow detail.

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. You get what you pay for, fine craftsmanship and stylish! These will be perfect for tea at The Plaza. I'll update with a photo soon.

Anthropologie in Vancouver!

Heartsease Habotai Blouse $118 Heartsease Habotai Blouse

Celestial Coasters $10/ea available online for set of 4 for $32 USD Celestial Coasters

I also liked this Castle Key Bottle Opener $12. But they didn't have it in the store, perhaps in the US? 

My Verdict: Pass on the blouse. It's quite large for a 0, alterations needed. Overpriced, for that much you could get a fab dress instead. Also the pricing in the US is cheaper. However, it's a beautiful silk so if you don't mind alterations or wearing a cami under check it out.

Praiseworthy for the coasters. On the expensive side for coasters but still a beautiful buy. Hand made by Minneapolis potter Kerry Brooks. Not one is alike, each are unique in their own way. Available in a few colors. If you can score this in the States it's a better buy. Less taxes and the exchange rate is good right now. Beware though, these guys are a heavy clay. They also have little round scratch guards underneath. Make sure you double check if they have cracks or broken edges, I found a few like that in the store.

Overall worth a peek, if you've crossed the border to shop it's now conveniently located:

2912 Granville Street

Vancouver, BC 604 734 2529

Anthropologie

For Kerry Brooks Website Dock 6 Pottery

I LOVE Homesense!

Notecards $6.99 compared to $14 (right now i'm using the box to hold pens)
Lolita Lempicka Forbidden Flower Eau De Parfum $29.99 compared to $82
Lauren Conrad Style hardcover book $14.99 compared to $21.99
Travel Nail Kit $6.99 compared to $10

Affordable luxury at a fraction of the cost. They always receive new stock so check back often. Right now Homesense is only available in Canada and the UK. Homesense

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. You can't go wrong with saving money. I once went to 5 different Homesense locations just to get a set of dishes. I wanted them that bad!

Can't Live Without...

1. Iphone
2. Ipad
3. Books
4. Candy

Spotlight: MarinGo tamarind-mango mix
Buy at Asian markets. Found mine at T&T Supermarket $1.99. You get 12 Chewy sour goodness in each bag.

My Verdict: Praiseworthy
If you like sour and sweet and chewy this is for you. I like it so much I purchased 5 bags!

Fashion, Makeup, Style and More...

Left to right:
Lauren Conrad Style (Homesense $14.99)
What to Wear, Where (What to Wear, Where)
Victoria Beckham HardCover, That Extra Half and Inch (That Extra Half An Inch)
Shop Your Closet (Shop Your Closet)
InStyle Ultimate Beauty Secrets (Instyle Ultimate Beauty Secrets)
People Magazine Style Watch Issues (Anywhere)

My Verdict: Pass/Praiseworthy
This one is both, if you can score a sale on them they offer great tips and advice. I found a sweet bookstore that was closing down and got 2 of the books for 60-70% off!

You might notice I don't have Rachel Zoe's Style A to Zoe, that's because I pretty much have the same info in the other ones I already own. I was able to preview the book at my local library, which I suggest you do the same for any one of these. The regular prices are a bit steep!
but if you insist (Style A to Zoe)

Welcome to my Blog!

Where I share what I've purchased and my thoughts.
I usually buy, try and either return or sell it.
Thank god for refunds and craigslist!
The next few weeks will have a lot of content as I'm eager to share my thoughts. Thereafter I'll update when I've given a product a good amount of try out time.
Keep you posted!

Without further adieu...