Wish List

1. Nail polish is always a great idea! Especially if you don't really know the person you're shopping for too well. You can simply look at their nails every once in a while, and run to a drug store to snatch either a bright colour if you think they will like it, or play it safe with a neutral colour.
2. Scarves! Everyone loves a warm and cute scarf. This season infinity scarves are especially hot, and you can grab them at several places for a reasonable price. Just make sure that you don't manage to find the ugliest one in the vicinity.
3. A subscription to a magazine! Whether it's National Geographic or LOULOU, the person will surely enjoy the gift.
4. Try something personal! Sometimes they can be the best presents. If you have a really close friend, try finding a great picture of the both of you, decorate the frame all pretty-like, and give them a thoughtful present!
5. Gift cards, gift cards, gift cards! They can be a really great present. Buying things for people can often be a waste of money if your gift-receiver doesn't really like the present you gave them or if it doesn't even fit them. Sometimes, though, they can suck a bit - you can sometimes look a bit cheap. But add an awesome card with it, and you're clear!
6. Pamper them! Whether it's a self manicure kit, or a redeemable gift card for a free pedicure, they will be sure to love it. (A great gift is the Airplus Spa Value Pack - I've already got it for a few on my list!) Even some hair treatment ideas would be a unique and much-appreciated idea.
7. If your wallets are swollen, then a great idea is a guitar! I know that everyone would be ecstatic if they tore up their wrapping paper to reveal a guitar. Some places sell guitars for pretty cheap, too! Just look around, and try to find the guitar that is optimal for your receiver!
8. Chocolates are always a cheery gift. You can buy the assortment boxes, and the lucky person who gets it will have no trouble eating them up.

Good luck, and try not to break the bank this year!

Indulging - Smartly

I just ordered these simply MAGNIFICENT wedges, and am so excited! I pride myself on being a bargain finder, and boy did I find one that tickled my fancy today! They're from Aldo (my favourite shoe store), and are called Forwood. I got the purple ones, because I got a steal of a deal and, hey, I love purple! Normally they are $90 which isn't too bad, but I'm not really willing to put that much down on a pair of shoes. I ordered them online today for $27.99 and free shipping! I am SO excited - it looks like an early Christmas for me this year! 

Footsy

Tights now are a necessity if you are to wear any sort of dress or skirt - it's too cold to go without! The cold weather, as we all know, is tough on our skin. Our faces need moisturizer more and more often, our lips need that chap-stick and our hand thirst for that cream. Sometimes your skin can get so coarse and dry that your heels can rip and tear your tights! I know that most of you may be thinking that it's a little bit of an exaggeration - but I kid you not. Your feet take so much wear and tear from walking and running on them day after day - they deserve some special treatment. Show winter who's boss with the Airplus Spa package! I got it only a week or two ago, and I've already used it countless times. It includes hydrating foot cream, a pumice stone, an exfoliating sugar foot scrub and aloe infused socks. After using it, your feet will feel as soft as baby's bottom and you won't be able to wait before using it again. As well, while you're cuddling with your loved one by the blazing fire, who wants sandpaper ripping up their partners legs? I sure as heck don't. Give it a try ladies (and gents), you won't regret it!  

Chilly

Well, as you can tell, the temperature is quickly dropping, which sucks. You feel like curling up on your couch near a blazing fire, and hot chocolate in your hands warming you up. Halloween is going to be a chilly one this year! Ladies (and gentlemen, is this applies to you), if your costume is a little skimpy and you want to go out on Halloween night to get some candy or go to a party - wear a jacket! I know that this completely ruins your costumes - so maybe a jacket isn't right for you. Try a hat, scarves, gloves, fuzzy socks, a long sleeve, pants, or just covering up a little bit. For parties - you can for sure wear a jacket! Just take it of when you get inside, and when you're outside you'll be warm and cozy while all your other girl friends get hypothermia. Have fun!

Warming Up

Warm yourself this fall with some slick new legwarmers - they're a great fashion piece, are ultra-warm and comfy. Legwarmers, though, can be a hard to pull off. Firstly, you're going to need a pair that are actually, well, nice. My personal favourite are grey and black ones from secret. They are super-versatile, which is great. You can wear them with tights, leggings, jeans, bare legs or even trackpants. They also look super duper cute with booties, and coming out of military boots. These are great little accessories to have in the fall, and will definitely turn some eyes.

Animal Skins

As you all have probably noticed, animal prints are coming back with a rather large bang. It's sometimes hard, though, to find some decent looking prints on a piece of clothing that you will actually wear. So here is an ingenius idea - animal printed tights!! Just wear your favourite dress or skirt, and pair them with some of these tights and BAM, you are automatically a fashionista of her own accord. Secret actually has the cutest animal printed tights - zebra and leopard.prints that can go with virtually anything. BUT make sure that when you wear patterned tights that you go with a rather simple top, you don't want to cause some sore eyes, but don't be afraid to experiment! These not-so-subtle and sexy tights are going to be huge, be the first to be seen sporting a pair!  

Fashion Insoles

As my readers have come to learn about me, I'm all about comfortable fashion. Sof Comfort has come out with these slick new insoles that are super-foamy and really comfortable that are thin enough to fit in any of my shoes - even my high-heel strappy sandals! They don't slip out, either - the have a sticky back so that you can rest assured that your comfort will last all day - and all night - long. They come in packs of three - for your favourite shoes. these insoles are great, too, because they aren't gel, so if you sweat you won't go slipping and sliding in your kicks. Try them out - I'm sure you'll love 'em!

Ouch! My Feet...

Running is great - it can get you in shape pretty quickly and can improve your athletic ability greatly. Running, though, tends to hurt my ankles, heels and hips (I know, I sound really old when I say that). After running, I crawl into my house and lie down for a bit trying to recover. My heels hurt me very much - so much, in fact, that I almost considered shoving toilet paper in the bottom of my runners. Airr has these smart little heel cups that fit right into the back of almost any shoe. It has these air pockets that absorb shock and make running a heck of a lot more pleasant for me. Now running is something I don't dread, and I can finally get to the fitness level I want without all the agony!

Like A Puma

Puma, personally, is a store that I love. It has all the products that I need for exercising, and are always at an affordable price and are made with the best quality.

One problem that I run into frequently is my socks. When I run, my socks either fall down by the end, are too thick and hot, are too thin and cheap, or are simply just uncomfortable to do tedious exercise in. Puma has these great socks that are just the right thickness, and absorb any excess sweat. As well, they come in quite fun colours, which is always a bonus. My socks usually get holes in them very quickly - usually within the first two months. These Puma socks, though, are made of the quality that Puma has as a standard. I suggest to anyone that really needs socks to exercise in, or just ones that are extremely comfortable, to go out and buy a pair of Puma socks. You won't be disappointed.
 

Getting Fit

Getting going, now, is more comfortable than ever! SofSole has many things that can help you feel better when exercising. Whether your arch is huge or non-existent, they have the right insole for you. There are different levels of cushioning, too! I have a pair (or rather several pairs) of their insoles, and use them daily. Even just walking to school or to the store, they are great. They don't wiggle around inside your shoes, and provide the cushioning needed for maximum comfort. Even if you don't need full cushioning on your foot, SofSole has heel cups! Just slip them in the backs of your sneakers, and off you go! They don't move and are oh-so-comfy! They absorb much of the weight of running and walking, and even my knees and hips seem to be thanking me!

Keeping track of your exercise is another story. Thanks to New Balance's 3Axis Pedometer, you can count every step! It comes with a clip, so you can clip it on your pants. It's so tiny, too! Barely there, it can count every step, your distance travelled, how many calories you've burned and the time. It can tell whether you're running or walking, and has memory for your daily workouts. It's durable, too - I admit that I have dropped it a few times, and it works fine!  

No more excuses, go get some exercise. Get ready for the beach because the time is near!

Easy Ways To Eliminate Bikini Season Anxiety

By now, the majority of us are panicking about going to the beach in our bikinis. Fret no more! Here is a list of easy - and inexpensive - ways to achieve the body you want.

1. Exercise! I know, who has the time, right? You don't have to go to the gym for exercise, (though you should try to at least go to the gym a couple times a month) try taking the stairs at work or even at shopping malls. Try riding your bike, rollerblading or walking to school or work. Take your dog for longer walks, or if you feel up to it, runs! The possibilities are endless, just get up off your butt and do something!
2. Eat more healthful foods! If you really want to get in shape quickly, you must start eating better. Stop buying those quick and easy, fat-filled snacks and go for fruits instead. Fruits and vegetable give you much more energy, without all the artery clogging of alternatives. As well, they are easy! Just grab one, wash it, and eat it! Start buying whole grain bread instead of white bread. They taste almost exactly alike, but the latter is worse for your health. If you have some spare time, cut up a bunch of fruits and vegetables and store them in your fridge - that way, when you're hungry for a quick snack and go hunting in the fridge, you can grab a pre-made healthy snack instead of who-knows what else. And be sure not to grocery shop when you are hungry! You will end up buying more than you need, and more likely unhealthier foods.  Stay on the outside aisles of your grocery store - the further inside you get, the less healthful the foods get.
A big problem to watch out for is to only eat when you are hungry. Don't just eat when you are bored!
3.Get outdoors! Go camping, canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing...anything! While you are enjoying nature, you are burning a heck of a lot of calories and fat. Also, when you actually do get around to going to the beach, you won't be pasty white, but already a little tanned. Another bonus - you won't be just slim, but fit! Wouldn't it be nice to have non-bulky muscles to show off? And the more muscle you have, the easier it is to burn calories! It's win-win, so get going now!




  

Oh, Hello Sunshine. Longtime No See.

Be sure to get out there this coming summer and get in the sun! We need our vitamin D, but more importantly you need to tan those pasty and pale legs of yours! Make sure to bring shades and lots of sunscreen - a good tan is not worth getting skin cancer, keep hydrated so you don't have to spoil the fun and pass out from a heatstroke and enjoy yourselves!

Touch of Pink

Ladies, it's time to retire the bronzed-babe look and go for a little pretty in pink. Blushes in pale pink are hitting us hard, and we're loving it! My two blushes of choice are MAC in Pinch Me (pictured on left), and Shiseido in Playful Pink (pictured on right). Applying blush has a different ritual for everyone - it really depends on how pink you prefer your cheeks to be and the bone structure of your face. Personally, I like to apply most blush on the apple of my cheeks, and gently sweep across my cheek bone once or twice. Another thing to keep in mind when buying blush is your skin tone. Always ask if the store has samples, and try them on your hand or arm. Some pinks might be too pale, and others too dark. Nevertheless, blush is the thing to keep an eye out for this spring!

Fishtail Fantasy

An old but ever-romantic hair braid is coming back - the fishtail braid! It takes a bit longer to do than a regular braid, but is definitely worth it. It's quite simple to do after practicing a few times. For a side-fishtail braid, bring your hair to your desired side and split it into two sections. Grab a tiny portion from the left side, bring it over to the right side, and add it to that side. Now take a small portion from right side (not the same piece you just added to that side) and bring it to the left side. Repeat until you reach your ends, then secure with an elastic. The smaller portions you take, the more intricate your braid. This romantic and charming braid is sure to catch eyes this spring!

Spring: Hurry On Up And Get Here!

As we all know and want, spring is slowly but surely coming back. The snow is melting away and the temperature is slowly crawling higher. Time to bring back tights! Secret has the perfect springtime tights - Isn't It Romantic? and they all come in black and in cream and blush in select styles. Pictured on the right is Secret's Dragon Lace design. Get ready to fall in love with this new line's ultra-feminine designs and textures like lace and beautiful designs, some attention grabbers and others outfit completers. Be sure to check out Secret's new spring line at www.secretlegwear.com. Get yourself a pair or five, because spring, here we come! 

Bling In The New Year!

For 2011, go big! Chunky jewellery is still in and looks like it's here to stay. The charm bracelet shown in the picture on the left is a great piece - it's simple enough as not to drown out your clothing but still has quite a significant presence.

Big pieces, like a delicate chain with a large article on it, is also hot. Big pieces can be really cute and unique, and they seem to be floating around everywhere this season!

Something else that I love is this massive ring. Fake pearls are super-stunning pieces, too! They look great on thick necklaces and bracelets. It gives a sort of old-fashioned, classy look. As well, they are easy and simple to mix with a variety of outfits! From dresses to wool sweaters, light cardigans to quarter sleeves, pearls really are a great accessory. For the new year, try out some chunky jewels and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!