{ ...:::VanillaBlonde:::...}

Shoppers Drug Mart Spend your Points Event!

2012-09-06T11:36:00.001-07:00

I absolutely had to share this for any of you out there that are addicted to Shoppers Drug Mart like I am, or who have Shoppers Optimum points saved up and ready to spend!

I have been saving my optimum points forever and missed the last spend your points event, and now I'm glad that I did! This way I'm going to get an extra $50 worth of merchandise for my points! I need to make my list asap!

Decorating my Bedroom!!!

2012-09-01T20:47:00.000-07:00

This past week I went to Home Sense, Pier One, Bowring and Bouclair and found so many wonderful things that just had to come home with me!

My bedroom is not yet decorated and it's starting to get to me. Everything on my bed was white, white sheets, white duvet, white, white, white! I wanted a drastic change so I bought this black duvet cover for my bed from Bouclair!

This isn't my room, but I haven't made my bed.... and now I need to find a black bed skirt but I can't seem to find one anywhere! Do you have one? Where did you get it? Have you seen any for sale anywhere?

I had trouble deciding what accent colours I wanted to use but I decided on a medium grey fabric for the headboard that I am recovering and pink pilows.

I got these cushions at Home Sense, I love the shade of pink and the fabric is really soft! I can't stand when decor pillows are made of material that isn't comfortable to put your face on. What if you want to flop down on the pillows? That's the whole point of pillows isn't it?

This black chaise is in my living room and the zebra accent cushion is paired with a teal pillow, this is just to show the pink pillows.

So now I have white sheets, a black duvet and pink accent pillows. I still need to recover the headboard, but I'm waiting on a friend to come help me because I really don't know what I'm doing...... I still need a bed skirt in black, a pink throw of some sort and a body pillow cover that is either grey or pink.

What do you think?

Maybelline BB Cream - I love it!

2012-08-27T08:30:00.000-07:00

If you haven't tried BB or Beauty Balm Cream yet, you need to! I was skeptical at first, how can a cream be 8 products in 1 tube? Somehow they have done it and I absolutely love this product!

I bought the Maybelline BB Cream to test out first because I have had great luck with Maybelline in the past. I use their pressed powder and it is one of the only ones that doesn't clog my pores. I have very sensitive skin, and after almost a week of using the BB Cream, my skin is still virtually flawless!

One of the best features is that it has an SPF 30 rating and I put that to the test this weekend! I have extremely pale skin, and I spent about 6 hours out in the sun on both saturday and sunday and I did not get burned!

I opted for a shade darker than my natural skin tone, just to be sure that I didn't end up slathering cream all over my face that would make me look lighter than I already am.

It also isn't as greasy as other moisturizers, which is great because I get really shiny in my T zone and I have to apply pressed powder before I leave in the morning because of the shine from the moisturizer.

All in all I think it is a fantastic product! The only disappointment I have is the price difference between the US and Canada. When I was in the states last month I saw it for something like $7.49 at Target and here in Canada it was on sale for $9.99 but I think it was originally $12.99. I should have bought it at Target!

If you are hesitant about trying it, don't be, it's worth it! I really like this cream, it's light, protects your skin, isn't oily and provides a nice even tint, you won't be disappointed!

New Heels! Nine West Love Fury

2012-08-16T16:18:00.000-07:00

I shouldn't have... but because of the summer sales I just could not resist these hot pink beauties! This picture does not even capture just how vibrant these babies are!

The best part is that they are quite comfortable because they have a thicker sole on the ball of the shoe. I'm not great at strutting in heels but I am trying to work them in so I can eventually wear all of my heels. I have way too many pairs of heels that I can hardly tolerate wearing!

Ironing is far from fun.... & I need to find new vibrant bedding!

2012-08-15T20:05:00.000-07:00

One of the things that I have been missing has been an ironing board. Because an ironing board is an extremely boring item I haven't made it a priority to get one. With all of the back to school ones however I found one that I actually wanted to buy - ta da!!!

A PINK ironing board!!! The best part is that with all of the back to school / college sales it was only $12!! I was SO happy to finally have an ironing board that I went crazy ironing a whole pile of clothes and then I washed all of my bed linen and ironed it too!

The grey paint on the wall is the new colour that I painted my living room.

Now I need to get some more vibrant sheets. The ones I'm using right now are a bamboo cotton blend that are absolutely luscious! The only downside is that they are white. There is no colour whatsoever on my bed. I'm trying to decide if I should get purple or vibrant blue sheets...

The Ultimate Cupcake Carrier!

2012-08-10T20:34:00.000-07:00

Back in June I was at my local costco and I saw the best baking good transporter I have ever seen! Since I was going to be moving the following week I decided that I would buy it at a later time, on less thing to move!

That was a big mistake! What I have learned with Costco is that if you really like something you need to buy it right then and there! No waiting, if you know you want it - put it in your cart!

When I needed the cupcake carrier for a party I was going to, I couldn't find it! I had to settle for a substitute which holds less cupcakes, and only holds a dozen regular cupcakes instead of 36 like the cupcake carrier from Snapware.

It is such a genius idea and I don't know why it wasn't thought of before! It holds a dozen cupcakes on each tray. Each tray is removable and it each of the 3 containers snaps together. If you only need one tray, you can take only that tray and snap the lid on! If you need two trays, take two, or all of them!

So when I went to costco this week to find a rug for my living room, and naturally couldn't find it, I found the Snapware cupcake caddy - and I put it in the cart!

I used it today to take three dozen mini cupcakes to work!

________________________

In other news - I'm heading to Target tomorrow and I cannot wait!

World Adopt a Cat Day! Adopt a pet: Save a furry life!!

2012-08-07T20:29:00.002-07:00

Taken from THE TORONTO STAR

Toronto Animal Services offers 2-for-1 cat sale

Published on Tuesday August 07, 2012

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Video: World Cat Day adoption special

In recognition of World Cat Day (Aug. 8) Toronto Animal Services is offering 2-for-1 kitten and cat adoptions until August 15. All kittens and cats are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, vet-checked and microchipped. Keith Beaty video.

Sarah-Taïssir Bencharif
Staff Reporter

About 10 times as many cats as dogs are up for adoption in Toronto, so Toronto Animal Services is holding a two-for-one cat sale.

Some cats, like 8-year-old Magnolia, have been waiting a long time for a home.

Magnolia is the longest-standing resident at the Toronto Animal Services’ south shelter. The brown tortoiseshell tabby has been waiting for a home for seven months. Her last owner had her since she was a kitten, and then died.

“She’s been overlooked because she’s a little bit older,” said Nicola Ware, an animal care and control officer with Animal Services.

Though Magnolia has her own room at the shelter — a slight perk of age — she and 415 cats across Toronto are awaiting adoption.

World Cat Day could change that.

In recognition of the event, which takes place Wednesday, Animal Services hopes to give as many cats as possible a new, loving home.

Cats heavily outnumber dogs in shelters because stray cats aren’t all spayed and neutered, said Ware. All the cats available for adoption are spayed, neutered, vaccinated, vet-checked and microchipped.

If someone’s not ready to take on the responsibility of two cats, Ware said they can split the $99.75 fee with a friend or family member. The offer runs until Aug. 15.

World Cat Day celebrations will begin at the city’s east shelter on Progress Ave. at 10:30 a.m. There will be lots of eligible kitties to play with and hopefully adopt, said Ware, who has three adopted cats.

It’s all a way of saying thank you for the companionship and joy cats bring people, she said.

“There’s nothing like having a purring cat fall asleep on your head,” Ware said.

And it could be better with two.

“They keep your feet warm when you’re in bed.”

-Taken directly from the Toronto Star

I found it! OPI Fly: Nicki Minaj Collection

2012-08-01T16:33:00.000-07:00

I found it! I was looking for the OPI polish called FLY which is part of the Nicki Minaj Collection and after several failed attempts to locate it, I found it! I found it at Chatters in Mississauga after I called completely by fluke!

Since this is a limited edition polish and teal is one of my favourite colours, I bought two! I have no idea why OPI would discontinue this gorgeous colour.

I also bought this really adorable pink heart-sparkle polish that is part of the Minnie Mouse Collection!

I am not going to repaint my nails yet because I'm about to start painting the condo.... it's been a few weeks since I bought the paint and I seriously need to get this done!

Even more Polishes!

2012-07-30T18:18:00.000-07:00

So the latest nail polishes that I am absolutely crazy for are these ones!

This pink by OPI is from the Disney's Minnie Mouse collection and is called "If you moust you moust". It is an absolutely adorable shade which I picked up today!

I also got a Revlon base coat on sale at Shoppers Drug Mart for $5.99 (half price!) and a super dry top coat from Essie!

I am currently searching for the "Fly" shade of teal which is part of the Nicki Minaj collection for OPI. I've been a couple of places trying to find it but haven't had any luck so far. So I did what any girl desperate for a polish would do, (as suggested by a friend) I posted a question on their facebook page!

I really I hope I get a response. It's the perfect shade of teal! And the other teal that I bought from Sally Hansen completely stained my nails and no amount of polish remover will take it off!

Here's Fly, what do you think?

Isn't it gorgeous?? Now if I could only find it....... There are virtually no shades of teal in essie or OPI as it is and that makes this even more difficult to track down I guess!

My favourite Maybelline Products!

2012-07-27T21:18:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of my favourite makeup products from Maybelline. Sometimes when you take a chance you can find a really great product!

Baby Lips by Maybelline is a line of lip balms that comes in a variety of shades and also a clear balm like this one. I first bought the "Pink Punch" shade below and wanted something clear and I found this one at Shoppers Drug Mart! It's perfect for summer because it is an SPF20 balm!

This is the first one I bought, Pink Punch and it has a great tint of colour and is a nourishing balm that I really love!

I have tried more mascaras than I can count. Even more than I have ever heard from because I receive some as gifts and my go-to mascara is still Colossal Volum' by Maybelline.

It was a friend of mine that intially recommended the Colossal mascara to me. I had never tried it but she spoke highly of it. I had always used Dior show and wondered if there was a mascara that worked really well to plump up my lashes that didn't cost the equivalent of half a tank of gas - and low and behold she was right!

I use it as a base coat and then a variety of different mascaras as a top coat depending on the day. I have tried many other Maybelline mascaras and this is by far the best for me.

What is your favourite Maybelline product?

I use a variety of makeup products but these products are my tried, tested and true and I have them in my purse wherever I go, and that is the reason that I am sharing them with you!

Should I get an E- Reader?

2012-07-26T08:02:00.002-07:00

I have always loved the feeling of a paperback book but lately I have been more inquisitive about E-Readers. Just for the sheer convenience of being able to instantly download a book, and not having to go to the store or order books online and wait for them to be delivered.

Chapters Indigo does free delivery if you spend over $25 on books which isn't difficult but then you always end up buying more than one book because why would you pay for shipping?

With an E-Reader you can instantly download a book anywhere where you can get wifi access and download the book almost instantly!

The biggest question is do I buy an E-Reader like this kobo? Or do I buy an Ipad and then just download the kobo app?

The original kobo is on sale at Chapters right now for $99. Tempting, but the Vox reader which is more of a mutlimedia device is only slight more at $179.

I looked up a few details on the Vox and it plays movies and television shows and has sound where the original Kobo is just strictly an E-Reader.

Here's the real decision, if I'm going to spend $200 on an E-Reader for it's multi functionality, should I not just go ahead and spend $450 on an Ipad?

Decisions, Decisions! And I really don't know what to do! Do any of you have an E-Reader? Or an Ipad? What do I do? What is it like reading a book on an Ipad? Does the battery on the Ipad last as long as a kobo?

Public Service Announcement: Don't be a Jealous Bi$@h!!

2012-07-23T17:55:00.003-07:00

Lately I have received a couple of very rude comments on my blog and I just want to say to anyone reading this - if you don't like what my blog is about - DON'T READ IT!

You don't have to like what I buy or agree with my opinions, I don't care. If you are going to be rude, I'm not going to publish your comments! It's painfully obvious that you're just jealous - that's not my problem.

Not that I need to answer to anyone but, no one else pays for what I buy but me. So if you are jealous of what I can afford, that's not my issue. I work my ass off to buy nice things. I pay my own way. Get over yourself!

Nothing bothers me more than people who are rude, mean to others or animals and people that are jealous. There will always be someone prettier, smarter, richer, more successful, more dynamic, skinnier, and anything else that you wish you were. The most important thing in life is to be happy with yourself and with what and who you have in your life. Don't spend your time being negative toward other people. Jealousy is a truly nasty emotion - and it's a terrible shade a green! It doesn't suit anyone.

Remember that you have no idea what anyone else has gone through in their life. You also have no idea what they do to help others. On top of everything else I give in both my time and donations to numerous charitable causes.

I'm sure your mother or your father told you "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all!"

More Polishes!

2012-07-21T09:54:00.001-07:00

This week I bought 4 new nail polishes, because Trade Secrets is having a sale! Buy 1 get the 2nd 50% off! I'm kind of going through a nail polish binge right now.... obviously! It's because I actually have time to do my nails! And it's summer and it's ooh so fun to have ooh so pretty nails!

I was also looking for another teal shade since the Sally Hansen one I most recently used stained my finger nails.... and I didn't really love that. I want a more subdued teal so hopefully a different location has a couple of shades to choose from!

I also bought Macadamia hair therapy oil. I only bought a small bottle to test it out.

Have you ever tried this? It's definitely going to be a trial and error at first but I hope it works!

Nail Art Trends I'm loving!

2012-07-18T20:29:00.000-07:00

Some colours and nail art trends that I am loving for summer! Have some fun with your nails with bright colours!

I have never been a huge fan of polish on my finger nails but I'm getting more and more used to it and it keeps me from wrecking my nails because it's more unsightly if you wreck painted nails. Since removing the fake nails that I tried out for a couple of months I am trying to grow my nails out.

I am so addicted to the pink shades that Essie has right now, it's hard to control myself from buying them all!

Here are another couple of fabulous shades of Essie available! I can't pull off the yellow but maybe you can!

Darker polishes in case you aren't a fan of bubble gum style pinks ;)

Here are two shades that I paired together for a fun contrast.

I've already changed my nails since last week and now have 4 purple fingers and 1 teal! I'm probably going to go back to solid pink over the weekend. I'm not great at doing my own nails, but practice makes perfect right? I hope so!

I just wish I could do both hands evenly! But I'm sure I'm not the only one who has this problem!

Global Warming: Scorching in Toronto!!

2012-07-17T18:58:00.001-07:00

Has anyone noticed how obnoxiously warm it has been in Toronto this summer? Of course you have! But have you noticed this, how now you can go out in a short sleeve shirt and shorts or a dress at night, and not need a sweater?

This just makes me thing that we are really wreaking havoc on our planet. What are the polar bears going to do?? They certainly don't want bikini weather!

We need to seriously look at what we are doing to the planet. This isn't going to fix it's self.

It's not something you think about when you go about your day, but if you days are as hot as mine have been lately, you really start to think about WHY it is so outrageously hot! And the fact that it has never been this warm in Toronto in years.

For my American readers, it was about 111.4 degrees here today, and we are near to or setting records but at a very scary and consistent pace.

Perfect Zebra Bench : Found!

2012-07-08T15:07:00.000-07:00

This weekend I found what I thought was the perfect Zebra bench for my front hall!

I fell in love with it! But realized that it was probably too big for the hallway. I put it on hold until the end of the night and went to look at a couple of other stores.

As my friend and I were walking out of the store we saw a similar but smaller wrought iron bench!

I sat down on the bench to test it, and determined it was perfect! I picked it up and carried it to the cash!

Not only is this bench amazing - I will also be able to recover it when I get tired of Zebra print!

Customer Service is Key: Bowring made it right!

2012-07-05T18:41:00.002-07:00

This week I was browsing the Bowring website and I noticed that the sofa I purchased was on sale. I was stunned! I purchased the sofa less than 3 weeks ago! And now it's on sale??

Obviously unimpressed with this, I took my receipt into the store for a price adjustment.

Seeing as how I purchased the sofa 2 & 1/2 weeks ago, I felt it was not unreasonable to request a price adjustment for the full amount of the difference.

After some difficulty I was able to get the District Manager to call me and we reached a mutual agreement. I received a full refund on a gift card to spend in the store.

I was really frustrated that I even had to argue for the refund and believe that it should be 30 days for a price adjustment. In the end, I am satisfied with the outcome but was unimpressed that it took a considerable amount of my time to achieve.

I really want a bench near my door for putting my shoes on and I am considering both of these benches.

I'm not sure if I like the animal print on furniture that I'm going to have for a long time, which is why this bench might be better?

The white one might be the better choice, and I really like the darker shade.

I chose to buy my sofa at Bowring because it is a Canadian company and the sofa it's self was made in Canada. I think the company needs a better policy in place to ensure that it keeps repeat customers like myself and does not set up to rip them off.

Thank you Bowring for being fair and reasonable, but customers should not have to fight for fair. It just goes to shoe, that you should be adamant when it comes to your money.

Where are the perfect denim shorts hiding?

2012-07-04T20:07:00.001-07:00

I've been looking for the perfect denim shorts, in and around my crazy hectic schedule, and I have yet to find "the ones".

Tonight after work and before school I stopped in at Joe Fresh and found some really cute teal shorts, in the exact style that I want the denim shorts, but in the wrong colour.

I got them anyways because they will be really cute for colour blocking!

I also picked up another pair of flip flops in silver!

The hunt for the perfect denim shorts continues! Hopefully I will find them before summer is over.... although since it was about 42 degrees in Toronto today, I have no fear there are a lot of warms days left!

I'm going to take a look at American Eagle tomorrow and see if I can pick up some cute shorts just like these ones!

Wish me luck!

I've found the perfect summer clutch! And another Maxi dress!

2012-06-29T09:01:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy getting my condo organized that I haven't had any time to post. I did manage to make a brief stop at the mall during the week and found a perfect clutch for summer - which was on sale - and one more glamour gown!

I got this gorgeous Nine West clutch on sale with some scouting around the mall while I was waiting for my dad's birthday present to be finished!

It was full price in one store and then in the Nine West store it was marked down and further discounted! I saved over $40!

I also got this gown which I was totally obsessed with!

This dress is so comfortable and looks like I'm all dressed up! I have a few maxi dresses in my closet now and I couldn't be happier about it!

What is your favourite colour for a maxi dress?

Cinderella needs a Ball for her new Gown!

2012-06-21T20:19:00.001-07:00

I don't have a ball to go to but I did cave and buy this gown!

The best part? It was reduced and then on sale! I got this gorgeous silk gown for less than half price!

I also bought this more casual maxi dress or "gown" as I like to call them which is perfect for a nice night on a patio.

Toronto is under extremely hot weather right now, and I bought this to beat the heat!

Yes I do realize that these dresses look almost identical, however, one is obviously far more formal, and the other casual. I love maxi dresses and am really hung up on teal right now!

I'm looking forward to wearing this one this weekend!

Moving is Exhausting!

2012-06-20T21:14:00.001-07:00

I've been totally consumed with work and school this week, and of course unpacking, building furniture, organizing, re-organizing and cleaning.

Moving is so so much work! I love all of the furniture that I bought for the condo - now I just have to paint it!

Oh wait, the girl that live here before me was a complete slob!! And I don't think she ever EVER cleaned her fridge, because it took me and half a bottle of scrub free + bleach, + soap and water and rubber gloves to my elbows two hours last weekend to clean the fridge alone! And she left rotting food in the fridge.... how she's still alive I have no idea!

So far I have built one of the Ikea dresser's that I bought, with help from three friends and it's all in one piece - except for one drawer that doesn't want to slide properly!

So this chest of drawers is sitting in the middle of my bedroom empty.... because I cannot figure out where I am going to put it... I still have to play tetris with my furniture!

Since I have so many clothes, I have purchased several organizational tools as well as a second dresser. This might cramp my bedroom, but what else is my room for except sleeping and storing my clothes? I'd rather have my clothes than floor space!

I've stayed up super later after work and school this week trying to get even further organizing and slowly but surely it is getting there.

I will say this, condo kitchens are not designed for cooking and baking... I hardly have room for most of my appliances, and my mom sent me a gravy boat LOL what on earth I'm going to do with a gravy boat in 100+ degree weather I have no idea.... but I don't have to heart to tell her that.

Today's the Day!

2012-06-15T21:28:00.000-07:00

Today I'm moving downtown Toronto, within walking distance of the CN Tower!

It's going to be a really big adjustment to get back into the rhythm of condo living, and this time in a massive condo building.

The last place I lived at that wasn't at home was only 4 stories high!

I'm excited and nervous and everything in between! I think change is an important part of life, and I'm looking forward to this change. It's going to affect many aspects of my life, and I'm excited about it!

Charlize Theron: With a Shaved Head??

2012-06-13T21:14:00.002-07:00

I was just reading that Charlize Theron has shaved her head for her role in the film Mad Max .... she's joined the ranks of Demi Moore - bald and beautiful!

A normal shot of Charlize the beauty..... and now Charlize the baldie....

I'm not sure that I am passionate enough about anything to ever want to shave my head.... is there anything that would motivate you to shave your head?

This is my favourite look on her, she's absolutely gorgeous!

Jennifer Anniston in Hammer Pants???

2012-06-12T20:11:00.000-07:00

This caught my attention in the Huffington Post - Jennifer Anniston strolling through the airport in what can only be described as hammer pants???

Huffington Post

That got me thinking who else has been wearing hammer pants in hollywood....

Apparently J Lo was wearing some gold sparkly hammer pants not too long ago... I know that J Lo can pull of pretty much everything, but this is over the top! even for her!!

And then of course Kim Kardashian pulled on a pair of hammer pants at some point.....

Hammer Pants are signature to MC Hammer, and I really do not believe that anyone else could pull them off!

Who can compete with this?? He kills it in the hammer pants!

Do you own a pair of hammer pants? Have you ever worn hammer pants? I haven't but I am wondering if they are awkward to walk in??

Black Lace Heels: Fendi you need to be mine!

2012-06-08T18:34:00.001-07:00

I have to have these black lace heels - they are so hot!!!

Fendi lace heels, is a sexier shoe even possible??

A sexy take on the classic Louboutin heel!

I love the Fendi ones... I really need to win the lottery!

What about these ones?

Valentino Lace heels

These shoes are super sexy!

Lace heels are my new must haves!

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