A Rare Find

After PMA returned from Sin City, she raved about the amount of time she spent at Sephora (and this is from a girl whose heart rate doesn't start speeding up as she nears the store!) Her new find is the Bare Escentuals Mineral Makeup. Their tag line: "Makeup so pure you can sleep in it." She noticed that the coverage was flawless and truly believes "You should try this!" I love trying new things but am a cynic when I see the word flawless....only if I have makeup applied daily by a makeup artist can I somewhat achieve that.

On the occasions that I decide to wear makeup, I hate the fact that I am aware when liquid foundation is on me...makes me want to wash my face. Makeup, it's such a love/hate relationship. I hardly wear it and am on the quest to look for something that makes my skin "flawless" without having to wear anything. Trust me girls, I'll let you know when I find it! So Lychee and I hit the Sephora and let their makeup artists take a shot at applying the makeup. I love the fact that it's minerals and is in powder form. The instructions are "Swirl, Tap, Buff." How easy can that be? (I need things to be easy, I'd rather spend the rest of the time catching up on my zzzz's.) So I try it, and I can't even see that there's anything on my face. I guess that's a good sign. Although I do feel like I'm not applying it properly, I'll give it a few more weeks before I add it to the rest of the makeup that temptation drove me to buy.

The product that really intrigued me in their collection was their Rare Minerals Skin Treatment.

This breakthrough, mineral-based nighttime treatment represents the first of its kind. For the first time ever, all 72 organic macro and micro minerals that exist in nature are available in a time released, active ingredient formula. Containing no preservatives and zero irritants whatsoever, it's ideal for all skin types, even the most sensitive.

Bare Escentuals creates its products with the belief that healthy skin is the first line of defense against aging. The patent-pending, 100 percent pure organic mineral concentrate in RareMinerals Skin Revival Treatment™ contains a perfectly-balanced blend of 72 macro and micro minerals harvested from untouched, virgin soil. The unique, non-aqueous form of the organic soil mineral concentrate is the perfect nutrient carrier for vitamins A and C, and a host of botanical extracts. Some of the benefits are: faster skin renewal, increased firmness, improved hydration, increased skin luminosity, and a reduction in the appearance of redness associated with acne and rosacea.

The exclusive powder form delivers these benefits at their fullest potency, and also increases the skin's ability to better utilize each of its natural ingredients. While the Pillow Puff™ applicator provides flawless delivery and exact application, the real action takes place while you're sleeping.

So, easy to apply makeup, a product that claims to be beneficial for me and works best while I'm sleeping, I can spend all day in bed! Yes, I'm sold and hey, I'm worth it. :)

Vivienne Westwood For Nine West

Shopping can be boring.
Yes, you heard me.
No, I'm not smoking crack.
Sneakernerd (who buys neon shoes), you can probably relate...
But I do find I get bored of only buying basics, neutrals and classics.
And what do I do when I own enough of them?
Well I need to jazz things up, spice it up a bit.
This collection may be a bit too much for me but for those who love to be different, Vivenne Westwood has put her modern punk and new wave fashion sense on some Nine West designs. At first I thought the boots were ugly from just looking at the site but look at how that model rocked them.
*Nine West

Always Bet on BlaK?

Do you often find yourself faced with that really tough question? Namely, "what do I feel like drinking right now? Coke or coffee? Coffee or Coke?! Coke or coffee, damnit?!?!?"

Me neither.

But the good folks at The Coca-Cola Company are a few steps ahead of us, or so they'd have us believe. In their quest to conquer the multi-billion dollar energy beverage market while at the same time fending off challenges presented over the past decade by our collective obsession with coffee culture, they've decided to try and kill two birds with one stone.

And stone, thy name is Coca Cola BlaK!

That's right my friends, it sounds like this is what you would get if you mixed your standard-issue Red Bull, Coke and grande Americano in one convenient bottle. Never before has a single product displayed so much potential in uniting club kids, couch potatos and average joe hipsters into one harmonious society! The power of beverage never ceases to amaze me.

Coca-Cola BlaK is a sophisticated, premium blend of Coca-Cola, natural flavors and coffee essence. The effervescence and rich flavor of Coca-Cola BlaK provide the perfect pick-me-up for people looking for new ways to stay refreshed any time of the day or night. "Coca-Cola BlaK is a uniquely invigorating beverage that is full-bodied in flavor and as refreshing as you expect Coca-Cola to be," said Katie Bayne, senior vice president, Coca-Cola Brands, Coca-Cola North America. "There is no other beverage available today quite like Coca-Cola BlaK. Imagine the refreshing taste of an ice-cold Coca-Cola that finishes with a rich essence of coffee. Only Coca-Cola can deliver that distinct combination of flavors."

I missed out on my chance to sample this the other day, but if anyone has tried it, please do comment. BlaK has been on sale in the USA for several months now.

All I've heard about it so far is that it's a) dark; b) hearty; and c) sweet. While BlaK doesn't sound that appetizing to me, I'm not going to sit here and pretend that I don't come from a culture that likes to mix soda pop with substances like milk and yogurt. Nonetheless, the jury is definitely out on this one.

Stats: 46mg of caffeine | 45 calories | 12g carbs | per 237ml bottle

Best of Both Worlds

Leave it to the resident alcoholic to bring you the latest in the trendy tipples department...

Straight out of Brooklyn, NYC comes Wine Cellar Sorbets - each pint with an alcohol content of 5% on the label - ostensibly for those nights when you can't decide between a frozen dessert and a glass of wine for your post meal indulgence.

It occurred to me however that a couple of these lil' suckers would also be perfect for any miserable girl or guy who might find themselves wallowing in despair, be it over a spat with a member of the opposite sex or just random self-loathing. You know, dramatic movie-style suffering.

So do yourself a favor - the next time you feel the urge to throw down a pint of Häagen-Dazs to numb the pain, grab one or twelve of these instead to help you forget your troubles (or get alcohol poisoning, or just get really fat - that'll show that asshole what he or she is missing!)

Having said that, please remember to enjoy responsibly.

The idea for Wine Cellar Sorbets came about while Bret Birnbaum and David Zablocki, both wine lovers and childhood friends from Queens, New York were brainstorming menu ideas for their wine bar/restaurant they hoped to open in Brooklyn, NY. Apparently Dave came across wine sorbet while he was a chef out in Big Sur, California back in 2000 and had been making it ever since. Naturally Dave figured it would make a great addition for their wine bar. When Bret heard the idea, not only did he love it, he decided that it should be the focus of their new venture. Instead of opening a bar and restaurant, Dave and Bret decided to bring this wonderful combination of food and wine to wine lovers through gourmet stores, fine restaurants and caterers throughout the country.

Currently available only in New York and New Jersey at celebrated food snob hangouts like Dean & Deluca, Whole Foods, Garden of Eden and Real Food Markets. Also can be found at Eli's and Grace's Marketplace in Manhattan, Blue Apron and Bierkraft in Brooklyn and Iavarone Brothers stores on Long Island. Prepare to drop US$6.99 per pint.

PS: If anyone wants to try and get absolutely shit-faced on ice cream the next time we're together in Manhattan, I'll buy the first round.

The Bible Has Arrived

I was at home for lunch - taking a power nap... Phone rings:

Lemon: "Hi? Who's there?"

Voice: "Canada Post. I have a delivery. Can you buzz me in?"

Lemon: "Huh? Am I buying things in my sleep again?"

Postman comes up the door. It's the +700 page Fall Edition of VOGUE. JOY.

And in the tradition of all Chinese ppl who have these magazine recycling circles... Y'all get that after I'm done with...

No Free Sbux :(

Too good to be true...

Sbux has withdrawn the offer....

Holt's Private Shopping Night

To those who have never been, this night is pretty fun as there are usually cocktails (martinis and wine), hors d'oeuvres and little gift samples etc. There is really no discount per se on items except that if you spend over certain amounts you will get a Holt Renfrew gift card. The amount of the card depends on how much you spend..eg. spend over $750 and get a $50 g/c.

So this is the best night to buy things that either never go on sale (LV) or will sell out before it ever reaches sale season (Burberry trenchcoats) or probably won't be on sale til end of season (if that!).

Shopaholic Confessions

It is late...sneakerdude told me to udpate. I can only confess/admit that I am a shopaholic...that is the first step no?

Tomorrow I will add the latest goodies list...

You're Invited!

Speak of the devil...(who wears Prada, of course)...

Holt Renfrew Private Shopping Night
Wednesday, September 6, 2006
630 pm - 930 pm

See you there.

Er...

My fall shopping started AUGUST 3rd....
To date:
2 winter jackets
1 fall jacket
1 pair of pants
1 knit dress
1 tunic
1 pair of boots
1 pair of suede shoes
1 jean skirt
1 top
1 pair of jeans

Who's out of control?

Free Sbux!

http://divi.wordpress.com/files/2006/08/coffe.gif

Less talk, more shop

Hey, Whatcha up to? Got your Nikes from Proper. I think we’ll have room on the way back this weekend so will bring it back for ya!

Looks like I'll be on the receiving end of a special delivery very soon! A pair of shoes from my in transit collection should end up on my feet by this time next week.

Gimme 5 UK x Nike Court Force Low done in patent and glove leather, with 3M reflective accents. Limited to select Quickstrike accounts worldwide. Production numbers unavailable.

Gimme 5 is the distribution company and streetwear brand responsible for opening The Hideout near Carnaby Street in London. They were the first to bring urban sensations such as Goodenough, Supreme and A Bathing Ape (BAPE) to the UK.

Did I mention I love neon green?

Adding to the Problem

It's unbelievably cold today. Downright frigid. I open up the closet and there's half a dozen sundresses, couple of t-shirts and jeans.

In my purging, I inadvertently sold pretty much everything I have in my winter wardrobe. Yikes.

So you know what this means...

Fall Wardrobe Shopping Spree - Yippee!!!

(So lemme know if there's Holt's event coming soon!)

you think you have problems?

i recently found out that richmond centre is now open till 7pm on mondays, tuesdays and saturdays (previously 6pm) and i nearly peed myself.

Step 1: Acknowledge the Problem

Let's get this party started right...

As the only male 'team member' to sign up thus far, it might appear that I have my work cut out for me here. But don't you kids worry - I'm here to represent.

Allow me to explain...

Only one mere hour ago, I received an invitation from Spoon to contribute here. I promptly scoffed at the silly notion of being included as part of any motley crew that could be known as shopaholics out of control. Then I logged into my Air Miles account and everything changed.

You have 18,746 Air Miles® Reward Miles.

On average, it takes between $20 and $40 of pure, unadulterated spending to garner one single Air Mile.

Do the math.

I've heard that acknowledging the problem is the first step towards recovery... So here you have it - acknowledgement & catharsis. To be followed by intermittent updates as I slowly reform myself to the point where I will no longer be qualified to post on this blog.

Join me on my journey towards self-healing, won't you?