SAnTa guMbY

I love this time of year, especially when the Christmas tunes start playing. And I’m not talking about the Black Eyed Peas latest remix of “Little Drummer Boy” (please tell me there isn’t one). I’m talking about the oldies, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald…sure Dolly Parton too! I look forward to the lights, the Wish Lists, getting together with friends for Christmas parties and connecting with family.  Last night I was doing a bit of cleaning and I came across my Santa Gumby! WOW! I can’t even tell you how much I love this guy. I’ve had him ever since I was a baby. My grandparents gave him to me. It always sat on top of their cupboard. It had been given to me last year….after all these years and this gumbyish figurine makes me smile all of the time. I could be crying about something and all I have to do is just  look up  at Santa Gumby sitting on the ledge minding his own business and I smile………yes it’s the little things that make me happy. And yes….I’m still a child at heart. What’s your favorite Christmas decoration? – Christina XO

Home Is Where You Can Find It

Last night I was walking home and was startled as I stumbled upon a pitched tent on the sidewalk. This was some ones home for the night. As of late ,Vancouver weather has been quite cold, snowy and easy for one to COMPLAIN. I’ve done it, you’ve done it, but how many times have we thought about the homeless people who walk the streets night and day freezing their entire self off? In the past two weeks I’ve seen two homeless people steal something from 1. Whole Foods and 2. Starbucks. I thought to myself, “Good For You”! I think both companies should treat them! So I didn’t say anything. In other circumstances I would have but seeing as both companies make loads of moula I don’t think they’d be missing out!  I gave a homeless man some tea a few weeks ago…It wasn’t much but it was something. If you see a homeless person today do something kind. I’m sure they will appreciate it. – Christina XO

REd hOt

As of late I have been into the whole red lipstick look. Coming from someone who usually sticks to nudes and gloss or my favorite medicated Blistex, I’ve been loving the look. One would remember the  whole red lipstick with a bun on top of the head look if they danced in recitals at a young age.  I was a wee little tater tot dancing at age 4 when I first honed the look. Since then every time I would see this it would remind me of dance recitals. But now…NOW! I think it’s such a sexy, fun hot look especially dressed up for a night on the town! I have a coral color by KORRES (my favorite makeup line) and have my eye on a CHANEL tube. YIKES! I saw it and stopped mid step. I’ll have to add that to my Christmas Wish List – Christina XO

Going The Distance

Yesterday, my guy and I planned to take  a little road treat to Seattle. Although plans were a bit shifted we made the best of it. Isn’t is always the way? You plan a trip and BOOM something comes up. Oh well….We went with it. So we took advantage of the time we had and across the border we went. First stop,  my all time favorite grocery store, Trader Joe’s. I have the worst ADD when it comes to stores, the bright colors, the tunes blaring over the stereo system, the free coffee, the people, the giant liquor section and the deals. It’s such a shame that we don’t have them in Canada. You can find everything for CHEAP!! Not to mention, the quality of products that you get. I’m a bit of a health nut so I tend to buy a lot of yummy healthy eats. The bonus of the fruits and vegetables is you don’t feel like you bought a small island when purchasing fresh organic food. Seriously, a bag of organic apples were $2.99 which I think is tres reasonable. I don’t have much of a sweet tooth either but if there is something with chocolate and peanut butter in it I am a sucker! Therefore, we HAD to buy these mini chocolate chip peanut butter cups. OMG!!! buy some frozen yogurt and dump some in! YUMMMMMYYYYYY!

Our second Stop was the Buffalo Exchange in Bellingham. WOO HOOOOOO Vintage heaven. WOW! I usually take my consignment to a few stores here in Vancouver but from now on I am taking everything here. They didn’t hesitate with barely any of my items and I ended up with either $65.00 to spend in the store OR $40.00 to take with me. I opted for the $65.00. So basically, I got a credit of $65.00 and bought a pair of vintage cowboy boots for $25, leather back boots for $25, a cute dress for $10.00 and 5 pairs of brand new Betsy Johnson socks for $11.00….I paid the extra amount. I was a very happy camper.

Next, my main purpose was to search for my HUNTER rain boots which are about $50.00 cheaper than in Canada. (And I bought them with my birthday money) Like I say, when it comes to boots, shoes…I will pay for quality. And considering they are a durable boot why pay $15 for a pair that will fall apart? Especially living in Vancouver I will use them all of the time. So we went on a goose chase for them, we couldn’t go as far as Seattle due to time but I ended up going to two Nordstrom’s. First one they didn’t have my size in the black. My boyfriend at this point wanted to leave me at the side of the road. The lengths a man will go for you in order to get a pair of rain boots is the test of a true man. He went for a beer at this point because I was driving him crazy. Then we zipped to the second Nordstrom’s where he was adamant about me getting them considering that was the main purpose of going to the States. We zipped there and I got the last pair! YES!!!!!  Again a happy camper.

Then I got caught at the sale rack! Shhhhh.

Last stop before home, The Casino. He lost. Booooo.

Anyhow, had a great day and look forward to an overnight where we can spend more time in Seattle. I’m pooped. – Christina XO

 

Dreamer

Dream on it. Let your mind take you to places you would like to go, and then think about it and plan it and celebrate the possibilities. And don’t listen to anyone who doesn’t know how to dream. – Liza Minnelli

$500.00 GUILT FREE SHOPPING SPREE!!!

Be careful what you wish for, it may just come true. In this case, it is a shopping spree dream come true! Woo hoo. Vancouver label, lily+jae was offering an oppurtunity to win a $500 SHOPPING SPREE at the lily+jae pop up shop for sending in an image of yourself dressed in your favourite piece of lily+jae. And I did just that! A friend of mine knew I was a fan and encouraged me to submit! Thank you sweet friend! Every time I enter a contest or buy a lottery ticket I always visualize the winning…..Let’s just hope this is the first of many. – Christina XO

For those who aren’t familiar with lily+jae get yourself educated and shop! You’ll find a slew of original one of a kind pieces that only you will be wearing. I LOVE lily+jae. A bit about the label:

Created by Jude Feller,  lily + jae blends feminine and masculine styles to create a flirtatious line of contemporary women’s  wear. After seven years in the costume department for film and television Jude left to pursue her dream in fashion. She launched her debut collection in spring of 2007. Within a year the brand expanded into the USA, followed by international recognition in Japan six months later. lily + jae has progressed into a responsive fashion label with appeal to the contemporary woman.  The brand has appeared in Teen Vogue, British Glamour, and Nylon, and have been seen on stars such as Lily Allen, Amy Smart, Ashlee Simpson, and Sarah Polley. Although the collection is independently designed and manufactured in North America, each season is inspired by a different city around the globe and we can’t wait to see where we go next.

xo

lily+jae

The Chosen Ones

Over the weekend I was super stoked to attend THE CHOSEN ONES vintage clothing sale at the Waldorf Hotel. Again!  I love love love this place. I decided to go on Sunday closer to closing time where I avoided the crowd and was was lucky enough to pick up a few items (pictures to follow). The group vintage sale was founded in Toronto two years ago, and offers ‘select vintage from select vendors’. The retail concept set up shop at the Waldorf Hotel for the month of November. I hear they are going to continue this and have this once a month. Yippeeeeeeeee!!!!! – Christina XO