TIFF 2017 made bearable thanks to the Essentials Lounge 8!

Celebrity hunting is hard work, don't let anyone tell you different - but it's made a bit easier after some pampering time at this year's Essentials Lounge 8 - George Clooney won't be able to resist me now!

First they got me smelling great for George with Michael Kors latest offering, Sexy Ruby (100ml EDP - $135) - a modern chypre scent inspired by the unique link between seduction, strength and glamour - where fantasy meets femininity and a woman is her sexiest.

Chasing George will be so much easier in a pair of the new Keds x Rifle Paper Co kicks! The bright orange Triple Decker Birch slip ons ($90) make me happy just looking at them!

SkinCeuticals got me glowing with a quickie peel and a re-introduction to C E Ferulic (30ml - $170) - a daytime vitamin C serum that delivers advanced environmental protection and improves the appearance of lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness and brightens skin's complexion. Available at SkinCeuticals.ca and select medi-spas and dermatologists.

I admired the Tweezerman Rose Gold collection and scored a pair of personalized tweezers that are also pink - my husband won't be able to get away with stealing mine anymore! Available at tweezerman.ca.

Dior made me totally kissable by hooking me up with their new Addict Lipstick ($35) - a breakthrough creation of a lipstick that boasts a hydra-gel core with a top coat effect for sensational mirror shine. Concentrated in the shape of a CD at the center, the ultra-moisturizing soft core runs the full length of the stick - I love the Must-Have shade, a raspberry pink shimmer! Available at Dior counters across Canada.

L'Oréal was showing off their latest collection of super moisturizing hair products - Ever Creme - with a Deep Nourish Shampoo ($8.97), Conditioner ($8.97) and Renourishing Butter ($12.96) - for locks George will be dying to run his fingers through! Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

And so you don't get blinded by the bright lights of Hollywood and forget where you came from, Tuck Shop Trading Company was on hand to remind us with their Wool Ball Caps ($48) bearing the name of Toronto neighbourhoods in the authentic, exclusive Toronto subway font! Available for retail at Tuck Shop Trading Co. (1226 Yonge St.) or online at TuckShopCo.com.

And if I don't track George down, I'll be able to deliciously eat my feelings thanks to Green & Black’s organic chocolate bars (100g - $4.25) are made with hand-selected, ethically sourced cocoa beans for a truly premium chocolate experience. Available in 10 unique flavours.

But don't worry George, I haven't given up yet!

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday Michael Kors Sexy Ruby

Michael Kors introduces a new scent, inspired by the unique link between seduction, strength and glamour - where fantasy meets femininity and a woman is her sexiest:

Michael Kors Sexy Ruby - 50ml EDP - $110, 100ml EDP - $135 - a modern chypre scent as brilliant as the jewel that inspired it with top notes of raspberry, apricot, davana and pepper; heart notes of orange blossom absolute, Indian jasmine sambac and rose petals; and base notes of moss crystal, cashmere woods and vanilla bean.

It comes in a dramatic bottle of red-faceted glass and capped by a signature Kors golden grommeted square that will look super glamourous and elegant on your dressing table and you will be equally impressed with the fragrance itself - I wasn't expecting to like it, anything with that many floral notes is hit or miss for me but this one is a big hit - it's fruity-floral with a warm sexy dry-down - very me!

Available now at Hudson's Bay stores across Canada and online at thebay.com.

- Lisamarie -

Accessorize with Tortoise Shell from Avon, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors and Naturalizer!

Just because September is just around the corner doesn't mean anyone wants to start pulling out their fall wardrobe but if you are looking to start gradually changing seasons then an easy way to do that is with your accessories - and you can't go wrong with the autumnal shades of tortoise shell!

Avon Fade To Dusk Link Necklace - $16.99 - oversized links on a 48 cm chain with adjustable 9 cm extender.

Available from your Avon rep - 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca.

Lauren Ralph Lauren Tortoise Shell Earrings - $38.94 - tortoise shell links are accented with polished metal for sophisticated style.

Available at www.lordandtaylor.com.

Michael Kors Gold Tone Tortoise Acetate Link Necklace - $175

Available at Hudson's Bay and online at thebay.com.

Avon Fade To Dusk Bangle Set - $16.99 - a 3 piece set of faux tortoise and goldtone bangles in small/med and med/large.

Available from your Avon rep - 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca.

Naturalizer Applause Black/Tortoise Shell Flats - $110 - or pick them up at DSW for $69.99!

- Lisamarie -

Michael Kors Sporty Sexy Glam makeup collections

Along with the Michael Kors Sporty Sexy Glam fragrances are corresponding makeup collections so your changing moods can look as well as smell different - not only are the colours great but the packaging is so luxe that you'll want to have it on display!

Sporty Collection:

Diva Lip Lacquer - $26 - peachy nude
Muse Lip Luster -$26 -  blush-toned nude
Hint Nail Lacquer - $20 - luminous taupe
Gossip Nail Lacquer - $20 - milky, dimensional white
Glow Bronze Powder - $55 - natural tawny sheen

Sexy Collection:

Bombshell Lip Lacquer -$26 -  true, blue-based red
Siren Lip Luster - $26 - glossy red with a dash of electric fuchsia
Scandal Nail Lacquer - $20 - vibrant fuchsia with a subtle metallic fleck
Sensation Nail Lacquer - $20 - scarlet high shine red
Flush Bronze Powder - $55 - healthy, rosy glow

Glam Collection:

Dame Lip Lacquer - $26 - deep cabernet with a hint of berry
Icon Lip Luster - $26 - deep plum
Envy Nail Lacquer - $20 - warm, extra-dark violet
Desire Nail Lacquer - $20 - deep, ebony brown
Beam Bronze Powder - $55 - deep coppery glow

Available exclusively at The Bay.

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Michael Kors Sporty Sexy Glam

Michael Kors has just launched a new beauty lifestyle collection, at the heart of which is three unique fragrances:

Sporty Citrus - 30ml EDP - $55, 50ml EDP - $85, 100ml EDP - $105 - with top notes of crisp orange and mandarin; background notes of warm woods and white florals; and creamy, woodsy base notes.

Sexy Amber - 30ml EDP - $55, 50ml EDP - $85, 100ml EDP - $105 - puts the spotlight on sumptuous amber wrapped in sandalwood and musk, against a bright backdrop of dazzling orange, mandarin and white florals.

Glam Jasmine - 30ml EDP - $55, 50ml EDP - $85, 100ml EDP - $105 - centers around Michael's fave floral note of Jasmine paired with warm woodsy notes and sparkling citrus.

Of course if my fragrance is supposed to change as often as my mood as Michael Kors would have me believe then I'm going to need a hell of a lot more then 3 choices...

Available now exclusively at The Bay. Check out the Facebook page for more info at www.facebook.com/ssgmichaelkors and you have to love the commercial even if the male model looks like he's about 16 - or maybe that's what they were going for...

- Lisamarie -

From Cali to Paris: in Search of The Perfect Little Black Dress

Little black dresses have rocked the world since Audrey Hepburn. Every woman should have at least a couple in her wardrobe, in my opinion, because these dresses can be so versatile. They are easy to accessorize and a classic design will last you many, many seasons. Just ask Lisamarie: she bought her first little black dress in 1988 1958 (it's payback time for this holiday post).

I have selected a few dresses from seasonal to classic, from reasonably priced (no, really) to impossibly expensive!

High Street

Zara's one shoulder black dress is on trend and affordable (just don't ask me how much, I can never find prices on that website!)

Unlike Mango's website with prices everywhere! This one shoulder dress is a little more festive and will look better on curvy women than the previous one. Yes, it costs $139.90, just in case you're not paying attention.

Banana Republic ($98)

Classic and comfortable, this dress may not be the most exciting in the world but it's the perfect outfit to take you from the office to a night out with different accessories and jewelery. And what's even better? It's a great shape for curvy girls.

The designers' corner

The Hot Chick look by Canadian Carlie Wong ($380) for her Spring 2010 collection. If your legs are looooong and lean, this design is for you.

This sparkly number is from Naeem Khan's fall 09/10 collection. This American designer became hot property after dressing Michelle Obama last year. His style is usually quite mature but elegant. The shape here is classic, and again, should last for a few seasons. On top of that, I never get tired of glitter. EVER. I bathe in it. Daily.

This is what I call the Hot Bitch look, I would totally wear this at the office...if I had a few thousand dollars to spare right now. Good thing that Michael Kors is gay...Lisamarie and I would fight over him. With clothes like that, I just know I would be his dream woman. From Michael Kors Pre-fall 2010 collection.

And last but not least, a flirty and printed dress from the Spring 2010 Christian Dior collection. At this point, you don't even care about the price, do you? You know you would need to take a small mortgage to afford it.

Custom Made

Well, instead of taking a loan to buy a beautiful, fitted dress...I just ordered one from a tailor. Inspired by this Christian Dior dress (worn here by Dita Von Teese) it cost me $440 (for our Toronto readers, go check out  the Wardrobe Workshop), not cheap I'll admit, but the dress fits like a glove and I'm planning on wearing it forever! Or at least until next season. Same thing.

So go, get yourself a couple of black dresses, they are well worth the investment!

-Christelle-

Michael Kors cures my post Christmas blues

 Am I the only one who finds the aftermath of Christmas kind of depressing? All this build up, work and anticipation and then it's just over. What's the best way to cheer yourself up? New shoes of course! A trip to Browns Shoes and an indulgent husband netted me this hot pair of Michael Kors sandals. Black and white snakeskin patterned, silver studded with a 3 1/2 inch heel, they are to die for! I could live without the shiny "Michael Kors" name on the plaque right smack in the middle of the shoe, but I know the label lovers out there will probably especially like this aspect of it.

Now I know you have heard Christelle whine about how ridiculous sandals are this time of year considering Canadian winters, and to that I say toughen up! Of course I think you should wear them with a pair of tights, not bare legs, I'm not a crazy person! But really, if you had to wait for nice weather here to wear sandals, you would only have a couple of months a year to show them off!


 
So go get yourself your own cure for the post Christmas blues - and with all the boxing day sales going on, you don't even need to feel guilty about it!

- Lisamarie -

You might clutch at straws, I clutch at handbags baby!

My daytime handbag is huge, there could be small children trapped in there and I wouldn't know anything about it.  At night however I like to be a little more footloose and fancy free with a handsome man on one arm (I mean my husband of course) and a bag big enough for a lipstick and compact on the other!  This is why I love me a clutch.  In every style, shape and colour imaginable, there is a clutch out there for everyone.  Granted, there are some god awful ugly ones - anything by Judith Leiber comes to mind - sorry Judith, but I have to agree with Carrie on this one, that was a terrible gift for Big to give her. Or the 2008 'It' clutch from Burberry that brought fugly to new levels.  But I'm here to tell you that there are lots of lovely ones out there too.  Here are some of my faves this year:

The Gigi small clutch from Nine West - this sequin covered beauty is actually on sale right now for $65!

Michael Kors Webster clutch in Amethyst - love the gold hardware! $148 US.

Jeanne Lottie and I couldn't pick just one, so here are my top 3:  Snakeskin clutch and it has the most adorable pink lining! $80, Ruffle clutch what can I say, it has ruffles! $100, Evening clutch and it comes in 4 colours $55.

A present from fellow Canadian Jeanne Lottie would make a great present for the vegan fashionista on your list - her bags are all made from non-animal materials!

- Lisamarie -