I am back from my Internet hiatus but am catching up on an overflowing email box and attempting to provide some organization to my week but I wanted to share a quick post with you. Whether you want to decorate your nails for Valentine’s Day or just because you are tired of your usual dots, this how-to tutorial by Polishpedia could not be easier.
If you do not have a dotting tool you can use a bobbypin or shishkabob skewer.
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Topic Links
* Visit Polishpedia for nail polish how-to’s
I am a huge Etsy fan especially if I am looking for unique items. This weekend I came across a Canadian leather worker (Lea’s Boutique) that creates some unique looking cuffs and rings. One of the things I like about this artist is their respect for texture and simplicity. Remember, I said unique!
Here are my favorites:
Here are my favorites:
These are all actually pretty reasonable with cuffs between $25 to $40 and rings between $15 to $22. I think it would be totally cool to have one of those eye ones — talk about a conversation starter!
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Topic Links
* Get your leather cuffs form Etsy
Recently I had the chance to review a handbag from Pixie Mood, a Canadian company out of Toronto that sells across Canada, the US, and Europe. Pixie Mood is not your usual handbag store. They let their love of animals shine through by not producing products from real leather. For example the Steph bag, which comes in at least six color combinations, is made from vegan leather which is totally animal friendly. Here are a few that stand out:
From left to right:
Each of these bags/wallets come in different color combinations but these are my favorites.
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Topic Links
* Visit Pixie Mood’s online shop
I was at Penningtons this week and took a photo of their bag display. They have some rather large handbags for about $40. Check out your local store to see what they have or stop by the online shop where you can shop Addition-Elle’s handbags at the same time. (If you click on image you can see a slightly bigger photo.)
As you can see they have a lot of great scarves but I did not bother checking the price.
Of course my top fave is the blue one followed by the red and grey.
All the handbags seem to have the same relaxed style.
Looking at the website now I see four of these bags and they are on sale for $29.99. I only see two handbags on Addition-Elle at the moment. They are a bit more structured and not currently on sale.
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Topic Links
* Visit Penningtons for fashionable handbags
I realize I have been on a Naturalizer kick this past year but ever since I picked up a few things from there I have been in love with so many of their products — it’s funny because I have only been in their store a few times and I do not particularly like shopping there but shopping online is another thing. The fall lookbook came this week and my love holds true. Here is a selection of my favorite handbags and shoes from their early fall preview:
From left to right:
From left to right:
I think my ultimate choice would be the green boots and olive handbag — I am not much of a green person but I really like these ones. But I really love the hounds-tooth and Mary Janes too. Decisions, decisions!
If you swing over to Naturalizer they are currently offering 10% off with the code: NATCA10.
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Topic Links
* Get your handbags and shoes from Naturalizer
Customers asked for it and Igigi is providing. It is getting easier to get a complete look from Igigi these days. Not only do they offer great plus size dresses a career wear but they have ventured into the world of jewellery, belts, and handbags. The selection is not exhaustive (they are a dress shop afterall) but it is more than enough to mix and match with their coordinating outfits.
When it comes to jewelry, forget about the dainty chains. Igigi is all about statement pieces like these faves:
Clockwise:
When you wear a statement necklace it is not necessary to worry about other accessories like earrings and bracelets as it tends to look too busy.
If you are not wearing a statement piece of jewellery then there is the statement clutch or handbag:
Left to right:
With beaded and print bags it is nice to keep your other accessories understated but since we are not always carrying our bag it is not necessary to do without them all together.
And belts to cinch and shape:
Clockwise:
Wrap belts give any dress some dimension and help accentuate the hourglass figure. I especially like them with color block top and bottom dresses as it makes them look like two separate pieces.
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Topic Links
* Get your statement accessories from Igigi
Is your spring handbag looking old, tired, outdated? Naturalizer has some delectable bags to brighten your wardrobe. My absolute favorites is the color block grey and white one in the upper right and the yellow one on the bottom.
These bags range from $49 to $99 and there are many more to choose from. I bought a red Naturalizer handbag in October last year and I love it. I am strongly considering the yellow on for the summer or a solid light grey one if I can find it.
You can currently get 10% off your purchase with the code: NATCA10.
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Topic Links
* Get your spring handbag from Naturalizer
Penningtons is carrying way more accessories options these days. They’ve almost always had necklaces, scarves, socks etc. But they have been doing an awesome job on wide belts this past year. And on my last trip I was impressed with the handbags.
Two of my favorites were this grey handbag with the silver buckle for $40:
And the color block tote bag, also $40:
You can find these styles online along with a few other interesting handbags in the same price range.
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Topic Links
* Get your handbags from Penningtons
One of my favorite sites to learn about the best Canadian bargain (coupons, bargains, and deal), on pretty much anything topic, is from the Bargain Moose. I have been visiting Anna’s site for a few years and have it linked in the blogroll. 
This month I received a tweet from her letting me know about their new Bargain Moose App which makes viewing their site from your iPhone so much easier.
And the app is free!
It is a pretty app that works smoothly and if you do any kind of bargain surfing from your iPhone, iPod, or iPad I would highly recommend adding it.
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Topic Links
* Visit the Bargain Moose
* Get the Bargain Moose app
* My other favorite apps
Over at plusshe.com earlier this week I talked about three necklaces I bought on eBay from the shop “wholesalebeads2009”. The beads are made from coconut shells and they transform them into many shapes and sizes. Yesterday two more necklaces I ordered arrived. They are longer than the ones I received earlier and a little more expensive. The brown one is $8.88 and the red one was $7.88; again the shipping was free.
I love the vibrant colors, affordable price and free shipping. The necklaces have a lovely sound to them when the beads hit one another. Most of the coconut necklaces are metal free but as you can see the red one has the half circle beads joined with metal hoops but there are no metal clasps. These two, because of their length, actually just slip comfortably over my head.
Both of these necklaces arrived together but individually wrapped in bubble plastic. They also sent along this cute bracelet, again no metal. Mustard yellow is not a top color choice of mine but I think it is cute and I will go outside my usual comfort color zone to wear it.
As I said over at plusshe.com this is now my new favorite necklace shop on eBay and I highly recommend checking them out as they have a HUGE selection to choose from, making it easy to add some splashes of color and contrast. Bare in mind that they are shipping from China and it may take 3 to 4 weeks for parcels to arrive.
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Topic Links
* Get your coconut bead necklaces from eBay
It has been a wet December here and we have not had to dress for winter yet with warmer than usual weather. I am sure we will be paying for it next month! Lana and I met for our scheduled monthly lunch date — this time the Waring House in Picton. Here is a run down on what she wore:
Outfit breakdown:
Jacket – Winners
Skirt – Touch of Class
Boots – Naturalizer
Gloves – BonTon
Handbag – Coach Outlet
Sunglasses – Ray Bans
Jewelry – Touch of Class
The restaurant was really pretty. There was formal or pub dining to choose from. The menu was the same so we chose the fine dining because it was brighter. Here is a view after the lunch crowd left:
And I had a great view from my seat of the garden. The day started off brighter.:
We worked off our calories by doing a little shopping in Bloomfield. This is my favorite shop (lots of sparkly stuff):
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Topic Links
* All Boot On Sale at Naturalizer.ca! Prices as marked.
* Touch of Class online showroom
If you are looking for something that is understated with a little spark then consider Penningtons. One of my favorite pieces from their holiday collection is the Crossover Dress with Lace Bodice and Tiered layers ($90). I know what you are thinking. “It’s sleeveless!” Yes, it is sleeveless, that is so you can put on the Sequined Cocoon Cardigan ($40). The Row Braceltes ($10), Sequin Clutch ($30), and CZ Studs ($8) are also from Penningtons. The sexy lace peep toe RSVP shoes ($90) are from Zappos.
I would probably go either or on the shrug and clutch, otherwise it might be too much sequin. A nice hot red clutch might be nice too.
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Topic Links
* Get your holiday clothing from Penningtons
* Get your holiday shoes from Zappos
* The Holidays with Addition-Elle
Today is a fun post. I like jewelry and I also happen to like vampires and wolves. Not so much that I would sport vampire teeth in public but enough that I enjoy watching them in the movies and on television.
Emitations is celebrating the latest onslaught of Twilight hysteria with the release of the latest movie installment by offering a nice selection of “vampire fantasy jewelry” with pieces inspired by those worn by characters from different movies and shows. Some of my fave include:
The sterling Belinda Moonstone Ring, $49 — They have been going on an on at the Vampire diaries about the “moon” or “wolf” stone. But it is just pretty.
The stainless steel Edward Medieval Cross Ring, $20 — I love how you can separate the cross center piece.
And the ruby CZ Isabelle Apple Necklace, $151 — For obvious reasons.
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Topic Links
* Get your vampire/wolf inspired jewelry from Emitations
Through the next four months, Vancouver plus size clothing designer Babs will be featured at a number of Signatures "fine craft shows". If you happen to be in the area you can check out her latest fashions and make a few additions to your … [Read More...]
Over the last eight+ years Lane Bryant has consistently delivered to plus size women some pretty hot lingerie and panties when everyone else was trying to sell us basic whites and only basic whites. Now even though there are more choices … [Read More...]
Every week for the last five years I have been sharing my favorite things over at PlusShe.com. Once day a loyal reader let me know how disappointed she was she could not make a purchase at one of the places I mentioned because they did not deliver to Canada. I then realized how important a sister site was so PlusShe.ca was born.
Here are some Canadian shops and shops outside Canada to get you started. Be sure to sign up for my daily updates.
