The Cheap Girl

I know not everyone would be thrilled to be known as "The Cheap Girl!" (I wouldn't want my friends to be saying that about me!) But this cheap girl really knows her stuff!

Wanna know about local sales? How about the Aritzia 25th anniversary sale that starts today and runs till November 22nd? You can find it on her blog! Seriously, my life has improved by 82% since I added her to my google reader.

www.thecheapgirl.com

Everybody's gone surfing!

After skimming October's LouLou magazine (Canada's shopping magazine!), I wrote down some web sites to check out. Some of them were winners and others were losers. But I'm sharing them because, as they say, my garbage may be your treasure. What I mean is, I don't like skate clothes but maybe you do.

1. www.thecheapgirl.com

A Toronto blogger's guide to deals... many of them are only in Toronto, but she has included some warehouse sales, etc, in Vancouver. Very helpful if you want to know when the D&G warehouse sale is!

2. www.chickadvisor.com

Also Torontocentric, but has info about EVERYTHING. If you are looking for a review for something, check here first. Thinking of buying a new lipstick? Check here first. You can also sign up to be one of their reviewers... could be fun!

3. www.evegraveldesign.com

Montreal-based designer Eve Gravel shows off her wares at this site, and they are great! Lots of plaids and lovely romantic pieces.

4. www.chiccane.com

This one was fun to drool over, but out of my price range. In that sense, it was looking at net-a-porter.com: I enjoyed looking at it, but left the site a little sadder that I can't afford anything on it.

5. www.store.thinkempire.com

Skate clothes. Snowboarding clothes. Totally not my thing - although I would love to learn to snowboard, I would never wear this super-casual stuff on a day-to-day basis. I'm just a little too girly, I guess!

Happy surfing!

Natural Deodorants

I had a helluva time trying to find a decent "natural" deodorant. I pretty much just wanted to switch off of antiperspirant, because it's not supposed to be good for you. Which makes sense, I mean, how can blocking your body from a natural process (even if it's a gross one like sweating) possibly be good for you?

I've tried three natural deodorants and am ready to award first, second and third place to them.

Third Place: earthscience mint rosemary natural deodorant (about $8 at PriceSmart)


I had two issues with this deodorant. When I first put it on, it felt fine but the mint rosemary scent reminded me of roasting lamb. If it had been any good, I would have just tried a different scent. But it burned my skin and left me with red, puffy underarms for about a week. I will never buy this again. Grade: F

Second Place: JASON Lavender Deodorant Stick (about $8 at PriceSmart)


This deodorant smells quite strongly of lavender, but the tea tree and aloe varieties do not smell as strongly. It felt good going on, although sometimes it didn't seem to dry and would be sticky. I also had to reapply it during the day as it didn't last more than about six hours. In the summer, when I was hot, it would show up as ridges of white goo. Grade: C (and by "C," I mean that other than the First Place deodorant, this is the only other one that I've found that is even remotely acceptable).

First Place: Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Deodorant in vanilla coconut ($23 at Sephora)


I didn't want to like this deodorant. I really didn't. Because I knew if I did, I would end up spending $23 at Sephora every time I needed new deodorant and that just seems kind of silly to me. But this deodorant is so amazing I'm willing to not only go across town to buy it, but also to shell out almost $25 for one stick. It smells fantastic. After I checked the reviews on Sephora.com, I thought the smell would be really strong and overpowering, but it's not. I put it on in the morning and I can be confident that I'll smell as fresh when I go to bed as if I had used antiperspirant. Grade: A+

Happy Portobello Holidays!

The Portobello West Fashion and Art Market has organized a couple of special weekend-long holiday markets!

The market, which usually takes place on the last Sunday of the month at the Rocky Mountaineer Train Station in Vancouver, will be holding additional holiday markets on the last Saturday AND Sunday of November and December, from noon to 6pm.

Check out their website for more details: http://vancouver.portobellowest.com/When/When.php

One of a Kind

If you're like me, you love having clothes and jewelry that aren't just like every other girl's. You search out original items to make you stand out. People are always asking me where my jewelry is from, and usually my answer is "Portobello West."

But that could change after next weekend's One of a Kind Show and Sale (Thursday October 8th to Sunday October 10th at the Vancouver Convention Centre). Over 200 artists from across North America will be exhibiting their wares. And you have the chance to buy some of them! Hooray!

This show and sale is perfectly timed to get you started on your Christmas shopping early. I know it's hard to go around only spending money on other people for these few months leading up to the holidays, but it's so rewarding to give unique and beautiful gifts that you know your friends and family are going to love. Didn't your mom ever tell you, "You should always give gifts that you would be happy to receive." Mine did, and I live by it!

Check out the website here: oneofakindvancouver.com.

Trending and Spending

I just added a great-looking event to the calendar (below)!  It's Spend on Trend, a three-day retail event featuring a variety of independent Canadian designers!  Sounds to me like it's going to be even better than Portobello West.  Not that I'm complaining about Portobello West - love it!  

Have a look at the calendar, or go to the Spend on Trend website for more information.

Packed Weekend!

This weekend is packed!  There's not even room to breathe in this city!  Well, actually, everything that this weekend is packed with is relaxing, so you'll definitely have room to breathe and relax.  And shop, and go out, and...  you get the point.

Tomorrow, Friday the 17th, will see a variety of activities going on in Yaletown.  I guess everyone there got together and decided to get their name around.  First of all, it's Hot Friday, which means there will be a DJ, performances and retail promos (from noon to 7pm).  Second, and perhaps more importantly, there's a Shopathon!  Discounts, specials, prizes, cocktails and free swag!  Can you turn that down?  Me neither!

Want to do something more cultural?  It's also the Vancouver Folk Music Festival down at Jericho Beach!  Go see Fire and Wine, the Weakerthans, Dan Mangan and a variety of others (those are just the bands I know from the radio!).

This weekend also sees the arrival of the BC Renaissance Festival, if that's more your speed.  You can make the trek to Langley (!) to go to the Renaissance marketplace, see their performances, and wear your chain mail (because, seriously, how often do you pull that one out of the closet?).

And if you don't want to go all the way to Langley, you can go see the Comedy of Errors in Queens Park!  This one is even free!  Shakespeare?  Outdoors?  Free?  Count me in!

Still haven't found what you want?  No Doubt will be in town Saturday night, GM Place, packed with screaming fans while Gwen and her buddies put on a phenomenal show (just guessin').

For more info about any of these items, check out my calendar at the bottom of my blog.

Have a great weekend!!

Sephora

I had to check out the new Sephora store in Coquitlam Centre last week, and I have to say, the crowd was overwhelming!  There was no line to get in, but you could barely move inside and the line to pay went right to the door!  I've heard that the Pacific Centre location had an hour wait just to get inside!  I guess now the powers that be know that a Sephora could have opened here ages ago and done fantastically.

I wasn't disappointed, though: the store carries everything that a Sephora should!  Philosophy, Urban Decay...  you name it!  Once the buzz wears off, I'll be heading back to spend my hard-earned money on lovely beauty products and make-up.  

I've already mentioned that the first thing I will buy is Hope In a Jar, by Philosophy, and then I think I'll try and find a new foundation.  I'm currently using MAC Studio Fix, which I find very nice, but I'm always ready to try something new!

Shopathon!

Shopathon? Really? I didn't even know that was a word!

Well, it may not be in the dictionary, but this Friday there will be a Shopathon in Yaletown from 3-9pm! Over 40 stores will have great discounts and specials, prizes, cocktails and even FREE SWAG! The first 250 shoppers will get a free swag bag, but you MUST RSVP (at http://shopyaletown.wordpress.com/rsvp/).

While you're in Yaletown, enjoy Hot Friday, this Friday July 17th from noon to 7pm. Hot Friday includes live music, DJ Wyatt, retail promotions and other performances.

Why not celebrate the end of the work week with a fun day in Yaletown?

More info: www.yaletowninfo.com

The Most Wonderful Day of the Year: July 10th

No, it's not Christmas: it's the grand opening of the new Sephora stores in Coquitlam Centre and Pacific Centre!!!   What could be better?

I'm trying to wangle my way out of work early so I can be there - crossing my fingers!  What's going to be my first purchase?  Hope In a Jar!  Just check out the reviews - it's a best of Sephora.  And it comes highly recommended by several friends.  Don't worry, I'll let you know how it goes.

So where will I be on Friday at 3:30?  Sephora Coquitlam Centre - I'll be the one with bells on!

Keep it in, keep it up!

Don't be ridiculous, I'm talking about belts! They keep your belly in and your pants up!

I've been dreaming of acquiring one of these Catalyst Reaction belts ever since the first time I attended the Portobello West market over a year ago. They're dreamy!

Catalyst Reaction makes beautiful leather (I think) belts with painted (I think) designs on them. Choose from swirls, random objects (buildings, trees, fleur-de-lys, etc), a city skyline, and more! My favourite is the city skyline, and if they're at the June market I may finally make my purchase.

Catalyst Reaction also makes a variety of leather cuffs and belt buckles. You can check out their web site at www.catalystreaction.ca, but sadly they don't seem to have any pictures of their work on their (except the one picture on the home page). You'll just have to go to the market, or one of the many local shops that sells their stuff, and check it out there!

It's Always Good to Plan Ahead

So I've been checking out the Portobello West web site to see what I might like to get next time. My mom always taught me to plan ahead and never spend money on a whim (see, mom, sometimes I listen to you!).
If I had to pick my top three for jewelry, here we go:

1. billy would designs (www.billywould.com) comes in at number one! I love how they've used wood with metal. Wood just gives such a nice texture, and it's interesting because it's a tad rarer than silver or gold in jewelry.

2. DiSTRiCT THiRTY DESIGNS (www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5622894) comes in second for their shiny metal silhouettes. I love these simple but interesting designs, that could be dressed up or down. Cutesy animals seem somehow more mature when they're cut out of metal, and could be worn everyday or even dressed up! The flowers and trees are even more versatile and could really go with anything. One of these pieces would be a great investment, and I bet I'd wear it all the time!

3. Black Drop Designs (www.blackdrop.ca) comes in third (but definitely not last!) with their unique glass and resin designs. Some pieces are made with photographic silhouettes embedded in glass or resin, and some pieces seem to have bits of stuff embedded in glass or resin. What I love about these is that they aren't huge. Sometimes you see interesting jewelry pieces, but they're so huge they would really take over your outfit. The Black Drop Designs pieces are small enough that they could still be subtle, but I'm pretty sure dozens of people would be asking where you got your jewelry.

So those are my top three picks for jewelry at Portobello West. We'll see what I actually get when I go there! I know it's good to plan ahead, but at a market with so many awesome choices, it's easy to get distracted.

Step Gingerly

There's no need to tread lightly once you've got this jewelry on! Gingerly Designs makes beautiful beaded jewelry from stones, gems, coral, you name it. It's not your typical beaded jewelry.

I don't generally go for giant beads, but these ones were a tad more sophisticated than big beads usually are. As well, this particular necklace's black beads are made out of some nice stone or something that feels nice and cool against the skin.

You can check out more of their designs at www.gingerlydesigns.com
I got my Gingerly Designs jewelry at the Portobello West Fashion and Art Market, www.portobellowest.com

Long time no see!

Well, I feel like a bit of a loser for not posting anything for over two months. I didn't mean to do it!
Thankfully, Sunday was the day for the Portobello West Fashion and Art Market, so I have some stuff to post - because I got some awesome stuff!
Portobello West takes place the last Sunday of every month, so the next one will be June 28th, and of course I'll be there; I still need a belt! Besides, I got a sweater that I can't wear until it cools off here so I think I might get some more summery clothes.
This past week or so it's been super hot here. I'm pretty sure we've been over 25 degrees every day for awhile (celsius)!! I've just been melting in my condo, but I'll deal with that in order to have the gorgeous weather.
Enjoy the sun and I'll see you at the next Portobello West on June 28th. Check out www.portobellowest.com for more info plus links to most of the vendor's web pages.

The City's Best Fashion and Art Market

It has to be time for Portobello West's new season!
In less than two weeks, this awesome market will be opening again, and to celebrate, they're open all weekend (instead of just Sunday).
www.vancouver.portobellowest.com
The market is held at the Rocky Mountaineer Station, which is near the Science World Skytrain station. A shuttle picks up marketeers (?) from the Skytrain Station and drives them right to the door of the market, but if it's not raining you could walk.
Admission is $2, there is a coffee cart out front, in case you're like me and can't function without.
This market is my favourite place to purchase jewelry, and every time I get something here I get a zillion compliments and people asking me where I got it. As well, everything is made by local (or nearby-local) artists. Can it get any better?

The Bay

I know I've mentioned it before, but I adore The Bay Downtown. I had some time this weekend to go and wander through, so of course I did just that.
Their hosiery section is absolutely amazing! They have everything: dozens of different kinds of fishnets, silky nylons, sheer nylons, patterned tights, fun socks... the list goes on.
This weekend, I even stumbled on some Betsey Johnson tights: pink ones with a super-funky print. Where will I wear them? I really don't know. But I will find somewhere to wear them because they are treasure! And I will definitely be heading back to The Bay Downtown to stock up on tights before the weather turns warm (on a side note: it's supposed to snow on Tuesday... so there will probably be a few more chances to wear tights before the season changes!).

Umbrellas anyone?

If you’ve looked out your window today you may have noticed that the weather is terrible. It’s cold, windy and rainy. It’s just a typical March day in Vancouver, right?

So why not shop for a typical Vancouver accessory today? Check out The Umbrella Shop at Pender & Seymour. This is a whole shop of umbrellas! If you’ve ever envisioned the perfect umbrella and then searched high and low for it with no luck, they probably have it here.

If you don’t want to get rained on during your walk over there, you can also try The Bay Downtown. They also have a good selection of umbrellas, and if you’re coming from the Skytrain or Pacific Centre, you don’t even have to go outside to get there!