Things have just gotten a lot more beautiful at Toronto's Yonge-Dundas Square with a brand new Shoppers Drug Mart!

Shoppers Drug Mart has officially opened its doors at Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square in a unique re-imagining of the space once occupied by the Hard Rock Cafe and Friar’s Tavern, offering consumers a refreshed design and a convenient and interactive retail experience while paying homage to its predecessor’s iconic history and musical roots.

To honour the musical history, the space includes artifacts from the  venues as well as memorabilia from some of Toronto’s music legends, in addition to an interactive timeline that allows shoppers to see historical highlights come to life through photos and video. 

The whole first floor houses the beautyBOUTIQUE featuring a Quo digital wall that provides consumers with beauty information tailored to their selections and preferences...

along with another wall featuring a rotating selection of unique indie beauty brands for customers to explore as well as access to the expertise of Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Experts and services such as personalized skin care consultations, make-up applications and lots of beauty events on the outside patio!

 Available are all the brands you expect to be able to find at Shoppers like Benefit and Smashbox...

 and some you usually have to make a trek to the department store for like YSL and Chanel!

And some that you've been buying elsewhere but will now be able to pick up here and collect your points too - I was excited to see a Glamglow section...

And Philosophy!

 Lots of options for the boy too!

And more fragrance then you can shake a stick at (although I don't know why you would want to shake a stick at fragrance, that's just weird)!

Along with lots and lots of beauty - the store offers enhanced convenience food offering including an assortment of fresh and healthy food items that can be purchased on the g, fresh produce, PC Kabobs, pork chops, ground beef, burgers, chicken breast, sausages, and salmon, grocery items such as cereals, soups condiments, ice cream and various frozen foods, ready-to-eat food such as sandwiches, wraps, sushi, as well as fresh pastas, sauces, quiche and meat pies.

And of course a pharmacy - in addition to the full-service pharmacy, the store’s offering will include digital pharmacy, where patients can manage their prescriptions online and compliance pack services so patients can have their medications organized by date and dosage time in blister packaging.

Strangely, even with all the amazing beauty options I was most compelled by the self-serve shipping station in the post office - with unique self-serve technology that allows you to print shipping labels or stamps, drop off parcels in a secure drop box and pay by debit or credit before receiving a receipt with the tracking number - no more waiting in line!

There's lots to love at the new location - see you there!

- Lisamarie -

DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse opens in the GTA and their first mission is to bankrupt me!

It's finally here! DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse has opened it's first Canadian stores at the Heartland Centre in Mississauga and Woodland Hills in Newmarket - and it's shoes as far as the eye can see my friends! I had a chance to scope out the Heartland store on Tuesday night prior to the opening and I managed to impress even myself with the number of shoes I immediately coveted - I highly recommend you get to one of the stores to make your own wish list, but in the meantime, enjoy mine!

1. BCBG Generation Peep Toe Fringe Suede Boot in Stone (also comes in black) - $99.99 - regular price - $175

2. Nine West Colour Block Black/Grey Suede Boot - $124.99 with an additional 30% off - regular price - $195

3. Sam Edelman Strappy Black Leather/Suede Boot - $149.99 - regular price - $295

4. Anne Klein Chanel Inspired Leather Ballet Flat in White/Beige (also in black) - $69.99 - regular price - $125

5. Urban Expressions Bag - $79.99 - regular price - $100 - would be the most practical in the beige or black

but I just can't help loving the bright blue one the most!

There's also a great clearance section where I found a pair of: 6. Keds for Kate Spade in Polka Dot which were 30% of the regular $89.95 price!

- Lisamarie -

Leaves of Trees offers quality body products with the personal touch!

If you enjoy fine quality skin care; appreciate simple modern packaging that is reusable and/or recyclable; are conscious about your health; and you read labels then the all-natural products from Leaves of Trees are something you need to know about!

Owner, Dr. Roohi Qureshi is passionate about producing the best quality product possible based on organic and fair trade sources wherever possible and her recipes are hand made in small batches so you get the freshest, most natural product she can give you. Leaves of Trees also committed to the Environmental Defence - Just Beautiful Pledge - so no dangerous or harmful substances (parabens, petrolatums, triclosans, etc) are added to the products

Dr. Qureshi describes her products as "modern apothecary with a pinch of Morocco and other exotic flavours. Many of which  are actually based on unrefined argan oil which she gets from a women's cooperative in Morocco. This oil moisturizes without leaving you feeling greasy and is full of anti-oxidants to reduce the skin damage caused by free radicals."

I love the Pink Grapefruit Argan Hand and Body Lotion - 37ml - $10 - which is great for dry skin and packed with unrefined Moroccan argan oil in combination with unrefined shea or cocoa butters to moisturize the driest of skin leaving it silky but not greasy.  Just keep in mind that they only use natural preservatives so the shelf life isn't as long as a drugstore moisturizer - you'll want to stockpile it but don't!

I passed the Lavender Argan Hand and Body Lotion on to my sister which she wore during a mosquito laden trip one weekend and she swears that she didn't get a single bite - yes, lavender is a mosquito repellent!

I also love the custom packaging option they offer on the handmade soaps - such a perfect wedding favour idea!
 
If you're in Toronto you can check out the new flagship store at 177 Queen Street East - or find them online at www.leavesoftrees.com.

- Lisamarie -

Consonant - new store, new products - have they ever been busy!

Toronto Consonant lovers rejoice, getting your hands on your favourite products has become even easier now that there's a brick and mortar Consonant store at 2479 Yonge Street!

Of course the best part of shopping there is getting information straight from the horse's mouth (ok, I'm not 100% sure they have any horses working there but there are people who know stuff) about the products, the ingredients and skincare in general. As well as access to their Best Skin Seminar Series, a selection of health and wellness books and a Friends with Benefits Program (which isn't quite as kinky as it sounds, it's a points program to help you score money off your products).

Along with the new store there are also new products!

Consonant Antioxidant Superhero Serum - 30ml - $63 - who doesn't want a superhero at work on their skin? Formulated with a high concentration of the post potent antioxidant vitamins - A,B & K - and minerals - selenium, zinc and copper - to stop the oxidation that attacks your skin, while marine clay smoothes the skin's surface eliminating the look of fine lines and wrinkles while evening out skin tone.

Consonant Ultra Moisturizing Organic Face Cream For Dry Skin - 50ml - $54 - perfect for those with the driest of dry skin it contains high levels of deep penetrating organic botanicals and natural source hydrators including elevated levels of Cassia Angustifolia Seed Extract for the most potent hydration levels possible and of course it's unscented and 100% natural.

Consonant 20% Clay Exfoliating Bar - 90g - $18 - contains 20% Manicouagan Clay from Quebec - a fine clay that gently exfoliates skin leaving it softer and smoother feeling.

And with winter coming, it's a great time to try out one of my favourites - Consonant Organic Lip Conditioner - 4ml - $12 - contains 60% sweet almond oil and is 100% natural, organic and effective! If you are tired of waxy feeling lip balms you will love how soft and creamy this feels on!

If you can, go visit the new store at 2479 Yonge Street in Toronto - 416-925-2855 and if you can't you can still visit their products at other locations or online - check out www.consonantskincare.com to find locations near you that carry their products or to order online.

- Lisamarie -

6 By Gee Beauty is worth the trip to Rosedale!

Toronto ladies have a new destination for 6appeal!  With natural skincare, travel sized beauty and grooming products, accessories, handmade fragrances as well as all kinds of unique gift ideas 6 By Gee Beauty is the place to be!  Newly opened and located at 6 Roxborough Street West right next door to Gee Beauty - making it awfully convenient to get pampered and go shopping all in one trip!

Also available, which your pasty winter skin will be needing soon, is Coco Tanning.  It's the safest way to capture a healthy, golden tan that looks natural -  not ‘orange’ or streaked and is evenly applied to your whole body by a professional using Saint Tropez product.

The cost is $70 without exfoliation and $140 with exfoliation. 

You will love the Le Labo Fragrance Bar which is having it's Canadian debut here - the products are handmade and personalized which make them a fabulous gift idea (and don't forget to get one for yourself of course)!

There is also lots of cute jewellery, bags and accessories!

As well as travel and lifestyle books.  I saw so many things that would make perfect hostess and holiday gifts!  What was my favourite find? Seeing that they carry the whole Nude Skincare line!

- Lisamarie -

You're Too Fat for Club Monaco, Max Azria's $400 Dress Falls apart and Denis Gagnon Saves the Day!

Denis Gagnon pour Bedo

It's a good thing that I'm comfortable with my size because otherwise shopping at Club Monaco would be a crushing experience. While looking for a few new outfits to wear at TIFF events (Toronto Film Festival), my shopping trip led me to Club Monaco. I do like their clothes: nice, classic, great for the office... but also completely overpriced. That's why I only visit Club Monaco when they have sales. But this time, sales or not, I needed an outfit. A super skinny sales assistant tried to cover my body with a shapeless dress "because it would fit a larger bottom". I know she was trying to be diplomatic about it but she looked so uncomfortable with the topic of curves and body shape, it was weird. I looked at the dress: there was nothing sexy about it. I told you I was going to a TIFF party, idiot, not to a retirement home.  I also had to educate her about what neckline better suits pear shape figures. I then noticed a cute dress that would look great on me - she announced that the biggest size they had was a size 4.  I guess, we don't have your size, then! For a second I felt sorry for all the plus-size ladies who probably hear that frequently.  

Bitch, wait. I'm going to try it on. The dress actually looked fine on me, but I just didn't like it that much. In the meantime, the sales assistant had abandoned me as there was nothing else in the store that would fit me.

I left this store thinking that Club Monaco has a very weird attitude. This is North America, most people aren't size 4 or 6. Also you're not Chanel, your clothes are all made in China, why the attitude? 

Undeterred, I went to BCBG by Max Azria. Complete different attitude there: the sales assistant was lovely and made me squeeze into a couple of tight dresses!  

"It's beautiful, beautiful!"

Me: "It's... tight and very revealing."

"No, no you have a nice figure! It's sexy."

While I appreciated her vote of confidence,  I'm not that slutty (despite what Lisamarie says)  and I picked a long elegant midnight blue dress instead. Unfortunately, the dress was already falling apart. No way, I was going to spend $200 (down from $400) on a dress that was already in that state. Sorry, I don't care about the label. I want something that looks good and lasts for a little while, you know.

My last stop was at Bedo. I wasn't particularly hopeful. But I was wrong. So wrong! I tried one dress from the Denis Gagnon collection for Bedo. It fitted like a glove, it was comfortable but it also looked sexy and original. Added bonus: it was inexpensive ($98 for the zipper dress)! The sales assistants helped me accessorize it - and they were good - you know, just normal young women who like fashion! If you want designer pieces at great prices, this Denis Gagnon line is a must buy! I will probably go back to Bedo to pickup a couple more pieces!

The lesson here is clear: an affordable dress can look more expensive than an expensive one!

All pictures - Denis Gagnon for Bedo

-Christelle-

Taking a trip to my happy place

I was thrilled a year ago when Bath & Body Works finally made their way to Canadian soil.  Up until then, I had to troll e-bay or bug my American friends for custom purchases.  Now a B&BW fix is as easy as the closest mall.  I cracked open a new body wash and lotion this week - Black Raspberry Vanilla and it smells yummmmm! Exactly how the name reads fruity and sweet, I highly recommend!  Anyhow this got me thinking that it had been awhile since I dropped by the store, and that every time I had been there it was so packed that I didn't get to take a good look.  Today at lunch it was much calmer so I was able to take some time and really browse.

What did I love?  Vanilla Bean Noel - back for the season and it smells delish!  Hand sanitizer in every scent you can think of (a glamourous way to combat swine flu), bath puffs in brilliant colours and travel sizes of everything - so convenient!  The wallflower plug in fragrance diffusers looked interesting, but too big to be very discreet...anyone have one and can give me your thoughts?  My Christmas list is getting longer by the day - hubby had better start shopping!

- Lisamarie -

Not barefoot, definitely not pregnant and nowhere near the kitchen...

Something secret that most people don't know about me is that I love shoes (shhhhhh) - but what people really don't know is that I don't spend much money on shoes.  Sure I love a Manolo or a Gucci as much as the next girl, but the practical (damn it!) side of me knows that it is crazy to spend this month's mortgage payment on shoes.  If money was no object my collection would rival that of Imelda in size and quality, but since I can't swing the quality I'll keep trying for the size.  So I admit it, I buy a lot of inexpensive shoes - but I'll qualify that by saying I buy cheap, CUTE shoes so let me share my recent find with you, which you smart ladies probably already found yourself - Costa Blanca X - http://www.costablanca.ca/  - Super cute, crazy cheap and all the latest styles.  I couldn't resist picking up these beauties:

I just love a ballet flat and the studs on the toes had me sold.  And at $29.50, these are a steal (they also come in pink which may have to be mine as well!)

So next time you are at the mall, check them out - it's impossible for your husband to yell at you when you say "but honey, they were less then $30..."

- Lisamarie -