Cheesecake...

 Available in slices or mini size

Couldn't wait to devour the slice, I promise it's not that tiny!

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. Trees Organic coffee with free wifi and amazing cheesecake. This month they have the mango splash cheesecake. A summer special valid until the end of August. Made with fresh mango and my favorite part, a good amount of graham cracker!
Come by while you can to snatch up the mango cheesecake. Four locations to serve you, Adam from Yaletown is amazing!

Mini Cheesecakes, how adorable!

Personalized Cupcakes...

* Warning the following pictures are not PG13...lol

How fun are these? My girlfriend made these for her boyfriend's birthday. What a way to say, have your cake and eat it too!

She takes orders too! Contact Nia

The Mortal Instruments...

 The Mortal Instruments



My Verdict: Praiseworthy. Ummm...Can the movie come already???

Trapped in a world of Shadowhunters, and Downworlders...one can only imagine! If you haven't read the book, read and enjoy and reminice what young love feels/felt like...

Teenage love with it's no responsibilities, and doing anything and everything for the one you loved...

I have many favorite quotes...this being one of them..

"There is no pretending," Jace said with absolute clarity. "I love you, and I will love you until I die, and if there's a life after that, I'll love you then."   Book Three, City of Glass

Now who wouldn't fall for that??? Team Jace all the way!

I waited 5 hours to get my book signed, it was my first and probably last time I will ever go to a book signing! Waiting in a hot room, on an empty stomach with no end in sight isn't fun. Perhaps if they served snacks, or drinks i'd be more inclined to go.

Can it be May 8, 2012 yet?

Valerie Fraire

More Runes

They had airbrush tatoos at the book signing, by donation*

And the post cards...hillarious!

Finally the letter..

Cartier Tiaras...

Rouge Cartier
Cartier, jeweler of kings...check out the history of diamonds and royalty.
Absolutely mesmerizing!

The Halo Tiara

Worn by Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge on her wedding day

Royal Collection...

Have you seen this???

The Royal Collection

Lewis Whyld/Pool/Reuters

Look at the lace detail, it's amazing!

The Royal Collection wedding dress on display July 23 - October 3, 2011.
I do have to admit the display of the dress in that room does look creepy...

Wish I could teleport to England..."beam me up Scotty."

Also at the exhibit Royal Faberge

Check out more details on the dress exhibit at What Kate Wore Blog

IMATS Spree...

Eve Pearl

Hakuhodousa

Crown Brushes

MAKE UP FOR EVER

My Verdict: Pass. IMATS Vancouver was small, and none of the speakers were topics i was interested in. Ticket prices for 1 day $35, and both days $60. Waited 2 hours for MAKE UP FOR EVER, items at 40% off. I got there early but really there was no need as the line-ups started to dwindle by 2pm.
Best to bring a friend and save time between taking turns shopping and lining up. Other helpful tips; wear comfy shoes, bring a snack and water!
Overall I would not go again, perhaps in a different city(Now the IMATS Los Angeles is something worth going to.) with more tables and make-up discounts. If you're in the industry you could purchase from the websites or pro stores and save on the long line-ups, along with ticket entry.
The final day they try and liquidate items, so either take your chance or buy a ticket for both days.



Highlights: Crown Brushes for variety and affordable brushes
Haquyoko for good quality professional brushes
Eve Pearl for the Salmon concealer

Frugal Finds...

Forever 21 Floral Embroidery Tunic SM

Urban Behavior High Waisted Shorts with pockets

Black XS, Fit true to size, 20% off!

Or use your SPC for 10% 

Sample MAC Old Gold Pigment

They're really good about giving samples of pigments, simply ask one of the make-up artists and you'll be surprised at the amounts they give!

Treat after a long day of shopping...

Rocky Mountain Monster Apple; Tiger Butter

White chocolate, peanut butter, caramel goodness!

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. Spent a day with Steffy trolling Metrotown. Came away with a perfect beach cover-up, and killer shorts that I could dress up or down. H&M on it's way, soon Metrotown will be THE shopping mecca everyone will flock to...if they haven't done so already.

Pretty Pins...

Trifari Bow Brooch

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. I'm infatuated with all things royal. With the recent tour of Canada and the US for the Duke and Duchess, I was inspired by Catherine's waredrobe. Spice up an outfit with a pin/brooch, so many possibilites on how to wear it!
While googling brooches,(also known as fibula* in ancient times) I came upon this site. Since real diamonds are out of the question, I settled on my next favorite thing; bows.
I liked Trifari designs the best for the affordability and variety. The stones look so real! They just don't make brooches like they use to...

Now if I can just get my hands on a fascinator:)
* fibula

I LOVE Homesense...Part Deux

Framed Corkboard $24.99, Compare at $40

Desk Organizer $7 Clearance, Compare at $20

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. I needed a white framed cork board and wanted this but was waiting for a sale. Lucked out and picked up the Homesense one instead. Check out the clearance section, I always find steals!
Found a beautiful mother of pearl votive holder but it had some damage, will hunt for it this weekend.

Votive holder $14.99, Compare at $25

I also liked these:

File Holder? $19.99, Compare at $35

Jewelry Box $24.99, Compare at $35

I found a similar one at West Elm for $79



Lattern $10 Clearance, Compare at $22

I love the clover pattern, but alas, I have no backyard:(

I LOVE Sephora...

Top Row: Smashbox Iconic Eyes Eye Palette $12

Stila It Girl Eyeshadow Palette $14

Algenist The Concentrated Reconstructing Serum Sample

Dior Capture Totale One Essential Sample

DDF Acne Control Treatment Sample

Dior Nude Glow #001 Aurora Limited Edition

Philosophy Vanilla Birthday Cake Gift

Victor & Rolf Flowerbomb Rollerball $25

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. Score samples and a gift for your birthday. I got a Philosphy vanilla body wash. Tried out 2 palettes that were a steal! Loving the Stila It Girl palette, so much so I bought a back-up. Great for an everyday look and Kitten eyeshadow is worth all the rave.
Smashbox makes a good everyday make-up look, but pack it on to get color payoff. For $12 for 4 colors, why not right?
Love the Dior Nude Glow Healthy Summer Powder for a contour, it's a limited edition so pick this one up while you can. Available in two colors: Aurora and Sunset. Check out fellow blogger, Cafemakeup for full review.
Sephora has the best rollerballs, so much variety and so convenient for travel.

Romer's Burger Bar...

Yam fries with orange aioli and chipotle

Magic Mushroom

Plenty of chopped BC portobellos, arugula, herb and garlic

Boursin cheese, caramalized onion
Served on a lightly griddled brioche bun,
with garlic olive and pepperoncini on the side.

Organic roasted baby beets, sweet onion, arugula, local goat cheese

Mango Mint Iced Tea

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. If you like fresh, natural, free-run goodness pop by here for the gourmet burgers! The burgers are definately dreamworthy!

Must try: The Ultimate Kobe Classic

Premium Kobe beef, horseradish jack, chanterelle mushrooms, onion strings, truffle mayo, organic watercress, garlic mustard, robust red wine demi-glaze on the side
Served on a lightly griddled brioche bun, with garlic olive and pepperoncini on the side.

This is my usual choice, will update with photo soon!

Kits location: Very busy on the weekends, line up moves fast. Get good food, beer and watch sports!
Romer's Burger Bar; Now 2 locations!

Cotton Pads...

Steal: Daiso $2  Splurge: Shiseido 

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. Spend the money on cotton pads. I found the Daiso ones and stocked up. I hate it when you wipe your face and you're left with stray cotton. You end up spending more time picking off the pieces, or re-cleaning the area only to have more stick. Or worse, it's like sandpaper and you're rubbing it around sensitive areas. Ouch! These are both durable and soft, and can multi-function. I use them to remove make-up and nail polish. If you don't have a Daiso, the Shiseido is excellent.

• Check out these...amazing non??? but for $20, yikes!

Eye-Makeup Remover...

MAKE UP FOR EVER Sens'Eyes

Lancome Bi-Facil

Dr. Renaud Dual-Phase Eye and Lip Make-Up Remover

Chanel Gentle Bi-Phase Eye Make-Up Remover

My Verdict: Pass on the MAKE UP FOR EVER Sens'Eyes. The bottle doesn't dispense all the product. You're literally wrestling with it to get the remainder of the product out. You end up wasting a lot of the product. If they decide to change the packaging, the gel formula is excellent for those who don't like the dual-phase.
*Update: I have just learned that the amount listed on the product is actually what gets dispensed. Manufacturers usually put more than the listed amount. Regardless, the packaging still sucks...

Pass on the Lancome Bi-Facil, the product leaves a film of oil on the eye. Would need to wash it off with cleanser. Often seeps into the eye, very uncomfortable.

Praiseworthy on the Dr. Renaud Dual-Phase Eye-and Lip Make-Up remover, gentle and doesn't leave an oily residue. Promotes "longer, stronger, beautiful lashes." If you have eye-lash extensions, pass on this one - it will loosen the adhesive. Same goes for all oil based removers. I purchase mine from Doug at MANSCAPE.

Praiseworthy on the Chanel Bi-Phase Eye Make-Up Remover, gentle with no oily residue. On the pricier end, but if you're thinking of the Lancome Bi-Facil spend $6 more and try the Chanel.

Lazy Wo/Man's Cleanser...

Bioderma Sensibio H2O 250 ML (Thanks Decleor)

Biorderma Sebium H2O 125 ML (Thanks Decleor)

Here's one of my favorite You Tube Make-Up Guru's take on it...

Lisa Eldridge

Skip to 5:34 if you must

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. Clean's face make-up/eye make-up with no rinsing required! Use with cotton pad, and wipe away make-up. Simple and easy, and tres fast! A must have in any make-up artist's kit. Found mine at Shoppers Drug Mart, this is my 3rd bottle(gift for volunteer work). Shoppers sometimes offer specials in which you receive the gift with purchase size(125 ML).

Personalized Stationary...

Top Row: The Paper Queen

Middle Row: Sugar Paper

Last Row: Homesense

Paper-Ya

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. I love writing and receiving handwritten thank you's or just because notes. It's an amazing feeling receiving a hand written note.

I love The Paper Queen because of the variety, there's so many images to choose from. Not to mention the detail, love the sparkles! How cute! The picture does not do them justice.

Sugar Paper uses the letterpress printing method, love the history behind the letterpress. Not only is it classic and luxurious the card stock is thick and sturdy, exceeding all my expectations! Contact Megan, shipping was prompt and customer service was excellent! 

I like Homesense for affordable stationary. All these were under $10 each. They usually come in a pack of 10 or more. Stock is always changing so check back often.

Paper-Ya is great for the paper aficionado. I've purchased notebooks, note cards, wrapping paper, book binding supplies, and most recently wax for my wax sealer(Murano glass purchased at the Venetian in Vegas). Adore the Vera Wang stationary!

Money Bags...

I recently received an email from my friend Olga with the heading of Money Bags. Curious to know what it meant I read on...

Calendar for July

Money Bags
This year, July has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays.
This happens ONCE every 823 years. 
This year we're going to experience four unusual dates;
1/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/1/11 and 11/11/11
Now take the last two digits of the year in which you were born - now add the age you will be this year.
The results will be 111 for everyone in the world. This is the year of the Money!!!

The email also required forwarding as the proverb goes that if you send this to eight good friends money will appear in the next four days as it is explained in Chinese Feng Shui.

Since it's a blog I'd like to forward this out to the universe and wish everyone receives their bounty! Also Happy Canada Day!!!

Information taken directly from email, Thanks Olga!
above calendar image found on Money4invest