Who doesn't like a contest? {Heiko Gift Basket Contest}

Just wanted to point you all to a contest that Heiko is having! Heiko is giving away 10 gift baskets consisting of the Heiko Cleansing Lotion, Exfoliant, Moisturizer & Lip Therapy with a value of $122.00.

Contest runs until November 30th! This is a great chance to try out Heiko, they're products made with organic ingredients.

Enter here!

Goodluck!

Have any of you heard of Heiko? Or do any of you use products with organic ingredients? If yes I would love to read about it, so list products in my comment section.

Yorkdale is...Nelia {vote}

Back in September I wrote a post about a contest that Yorkdale Mall here in Toronto is having. Well my good friend and fellow blogger Nelia from styleblog has made it to the voting rounds and I would like your help in voting for her, please & thank you! She's a really sweet girl and very fashionable too! Check out her voting page, click here! Right now she's in the lead, yay. I'm rooting for you Nelia, all the best & Goodluck! xoxoxo

*cough* If you win Nelia, Yorkdale Gift Certificates make great stocking stuffers! *cough* OK a coffee will do:)

(image property of yorkdale.com)

They're Back...{The Body Shop brings back the Originals + giveaway time}

When I think of The Body Shop I think of my highschool years. That my friends feels like ages ago! The Body Shop was the birthday/holiday/break-up gift store to go to. I remember buying and receiving so many gift baskets from the Body Shop that I admit I'd have to re-gift because I'd have duplicate of everything. My highschool memories also include the scent of Dewberry, Fuzzy Peach, Strawberry, and my fave Juba perfume oils (which I thankfully own again because it was re-released a few years ago but its gone again). Well no need to fret because The Body Shop is celebrating the 80's by temporarily bringing back a few of the classics! However, only for a limited time, vote for your original favourites and have them remain. By voting you'll also be entered to win a year supply of such product (ends January 31st 2010). I voted for; Banana Shampoo, Banana Conditioner, Banana Conditioner, Fuzzy Peach Bath & Shower Gel, and Dewberry Body Lotion.

One lucky BeautyParler reader will win a giveaway package on behalf of The Body Shop with the following:

Banana Shampoo
Banana Conditioner
Green Apple Shower Gel
Dewberry Body Lotion
Passion Fruit Facial Cleansing Gel

(estimated value $45)

I'll be popping into The Body Shop tomorrow to get a few goodies while they're here. Memory lane here I come. I'll make sure to leave my old highschool uniform kilt at home though;)

Some rules:

(1) Sorry International readers but this giveaway is for Canadian residents only (I swear I have a few goodies to giveaway internationally in the near future)

(2) I won't force any of you to follow my blog but I'll love the support!

(3) Which are your favourite classics from The Body Shop?

Contest ends November 16!

Goodluck!

(image: thebodyshop.com)

Is that Vintage or just Old? {The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping}

Have you ever gone vintage shopping only to discover that you don't know what to look for? I have. In The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping, vintage clothing dealer Melody Fortier helps you thru the process of buying vintage. Fortier has created a cute little handbook that is easy to read, lovely to look at, and easy to carry. I own very few vintage pieces because quite frankly I know very little about labels and value of items. Of the few pieces I own; Gucci purses and a few silk YSL scarves, were the only items that I was able to distinguish quality and price. To this day I can spot an authentic vintage Gucci purse from a mile away, and although I only own three I plan on adding more to my collection. I'm also a fan of bakelite jewellery! Aside from that I've always been sceptical of buying other items because I wasn't sure what to look for. OK so I'm not exactly clueless but this handbook surely helped. My favourite is Chapter 6 Labels & Pricing; labels because they're like a garment's birth certificate and price because basically you don't want to get ripped off $. If vintage shopping is one of your pasttimes check out The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping, you might learn a few things.
To learn more about the author Melody Fortier check out her vintage store, Tangerine Boutique and her blog! You can order The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping from her site here or Quirk Books.

How many of you enjoy vintage shopping? Do you own any vintage pieces? And what are your favourite vintage shops?

{Thank you to Quirk Books for my copy}

You've got Mail {Swap goodies}

There's nothing better than getting home and finding a package on your entry-way table. Better yet when its a swap package! I used to swap on makeupalley ages ago and stopped (not because of any bad experience because others have been swaplifted) but mainly because of time. A few weeks ago the gorgeous UK blogger Tali from the GlossGoss mentioned she wanted LUSH Pumpkin Soap and I had a couple on hand and decided to send her one. She mentioned lets do a swap, what a great idea! Unfortunately she hasn't received my package yet (she mentioned there's a mail strike in the UK) I received hers. She sent some really nice items:

Barry M lipsticks (yay! as I've been wanted to try this brand) shades in #100 (a bright bubble-gum pastel pink colour) & #62 (a bright Barbie fuchsia pink colour)

Revlon Matte Lipstick in #002 Pink Pout

The Body Shop lipstick #66 (a tangerine sheer colour)

Illamasqua Shimmer Cream in Eternal

Boots #17 Instant Glow Bronzing Pearls in Light

Boots Vanishing Rose Face Cream (loving this!)

samples of Fresh Soy Face cleanser

sample of Korres face cream

Thank you Tali! Can't wait for you to get my package.

Have any of you ever done a swap? Share your experiences in my comment section.

Eye spy Eye cream {Marcelle Essentials 1st Wrinkles Eye Contour Cream} + {Giveaway}

One beauty item I don't review often are eye creams and its not for lack of use. For the past month I've been using Marcelle Essentials 1st Wrinkle Eye Contour Cream. First, some background of Marcelle for my international readers. Marcelle is a Canadian company that sells hypo-allergenic and perfume-free skincare products. For background info click here!

Onto the review {& giveaway};

Marcelle's claim on Essentials 1st Wrinkle Eye Contour Cream, "Prevent the first signs of aging with this ultra-light and non-sticky cream that penetrates skin instantly; allowing you to apply your make-up immediately. Enriched with high performance ingredients, this unique care will increase micro-circulation, reducing puffiness and dark circles. It deeply moisturizes and protects the delicate eye contour area." (marcelle)

*Moisturizes deeply and long-lastingly
*Reduces puffiness
*Reduces dark circles
*Lessens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
*Leaves skin soft, supple and revitalized

A few worthy mention ingredients: Indian fig extract, olive oil, caffeine (stimulates lymphatic drainage & reduces puffiness), Gatuline (smoothes the skin & reduces appearance of expression lines & wrinkles), Heliomoduline (slows down cellular aging, stimulates the natural DNA repair & restricts cellular deterioration), Regu-Age (increases microcirculation, reduces puffiness & dark circles) (marcelle)

Why I liked it! Hydrates under-eye area well without feeling greasy. Works great as a base for my concealer (Bobbi Brown concealer), does not irritate my eyes. Although its a cream its not heavy, in fact its an ultra-light lotion/cream. Eye area does feel smooth & refreshed. I have really bad under eye circles (the brownish kind) so although I didn't see a huge difference perhaps with longer usage they would diminish more. Now the wrinkles! I'm in my early 30's and often get mistaken for being 10 years younger so obviously I'm doing something right (ok genetics play an important role too) therefore I don't have deep eye wrinkles but lots of laugh lines that aren't going anywhere. In my opinion as long as you keep your eye area well hydrated with a good eye cream (like this one) you'll see results in the long run, the key is consistency. I give this eye cream a vote YES! Because its fragrance-free, didn't bother my contact lenses, kept eye area moisturized, concealer didn't fade or run with this cream as a base, and has all those good ingredients. Long-term usage is key! Retail price $27.50 CDN

For the giveaway!! Marcelle not only sent me one but two of these goodies so I'm giving one away! Rules (sorry only open to Canadian residents as Marcelle is only available in Canada) deadline November 16!

(1) your name & age (this product is targeted for those in their early 30's but no worries enter if your age is not in that range)

(2) your current favourite eye-area product

(3) Show some love! Its easier to follow my giveaway if you Follow or Subscribe to my blog (as I'm still waiting the response of a winner of another giveaway) but I'll still let you enter if you do neither:) GOODLUCK!!

(image: marcelle.com)

Trick or Treat {LUSH Limited Edition Halloween Products}

There's nothing scary about LUSH's limited edition Halloween products. Actually the opposite, delightful! You all know by now I'm a big fan of LUSH so a few weeks ago when I wrote that I wanted to get a few LUSH Halloween goodies LUSH responded by sending me some nice treats {thank you!}...Actually the day prior to my lovely treats arriving I got my hands on some LUSH (the great) Pumpkin soap that I decided to share with gorgeous blogger Tali because she mentioned how she wanted some but none were available in the U.K. So now I have plenty of pumpkin soap to last me, yippee! So I get excited about soap...especially because its smells so good.

LUSH sent me;

(The Great) Pumpkin Soap, as mentioned. Smells like pumpkin (of course), cinnamon & hint of citrus, yummy! Price $5.95 CDN

Cobweb Bath Bomb, smells so good but I haven't had a chance to use it yet. Price $5.95 CDN

Jacko Bath Bomb, smells slightly different than the soap. Also haven't had a chance to use it yet. Price $4.95 CDN

Ghost Shower Gel, which I have been using alot. This shower gel is officially tied with my beloved Dove Cream Oil Shower gel. With scents of rose, orchids, and lilies this is a a bouquet of flowers, nothing scary about this Ghost. I like that the scent lingers on your body but its not overpowering that you can't layer your favourite perfume. Price $16.95 for 250ml

All items are limited edition & if they're not sold out yet make sure to get some before they run out!

Happy Halloween and Trick or Treat!

(Thank you to the great team at LUSH for tracking down the Pumpkin soap)

I'm in love with this Week's "Look of the Week"

I'm not sure how many of you actually pay attention to my "Look of the Week" feature but I couldn't help but post about this week's look because its smoking hot!! I'll be honest I don't watch Gossip Girl, for lack of time. But Blake Lively has one fantastic stylist because this is not the first time I've chosen her outfit for "Look of the Week". But wait guess who's she wearing?.......

Victoria Beckham Collection Spring 2010!! Shoes are Christian Louboutin, of course.

Christian Louboutin Calypso heels

Victoria Beckham Spring 2010 Collection

(images: style.com, zimbio.com via Photo Agency, fashionism,ca)

Drink-up the water's lovely! {Evian Paul Smith Limited Ed. bottle}

What's the #1 secret for healthy and hydrated skin, water! We all know that we should be drinking 8-10 glasses a day but how many actually do? I know with my job I have to drink alot of water and am guilty of not drinking nearly enough. However with Evian releasing their Holiday limited edition water bottles again this year there's no excuse not to drink in style. The Evian designer bottle (click to view previous bottles) tradition started in 2008 with designer Christian Lacroix followed in 2009 with Jean Paul Gaultier. This year there's another Paul in town, Paul Smith! What I love about Smith's design is the vibrant coloured stripes that reflect his signature style. "Youth is not just a question of age, it's also a question of attitude," says Paul Smith. “The concept of the bottle is to complement the brand’s vision of the Live Young™ campaign, by infusing health, youth and excitement into the design.” (evian.com/ca) Although simple in design the bottle is also elegant. A perfect Holiday hostess gift for your friends that don't drink alcohol. I also think it would be cool to recycle the bottle by either re-corking it or using it as a vase.

The new Evian Paul Smith Limited Edition collection will be available in Canada November 2009 at fine dining establishments and gourmet retailers. Suggested retail price is $4.99 CAD per 750mL glass bottle in gourmet retailers.

(images: evian.com/ca, Thank you to Maverick PR for sending me a bottle)

Toronto's LG Fashion Week {Backstage Beauty-part deux}

Now this is the place to be for any beauty junkie! I swear I wouldn't even be in the way, just give me an inch & I wouldn't even move. Just to feel the vibe and energy in there must've been crazy, in a good way!

Beauty by L'Oreal Paris backstage beauty "150 cans of Elnett hairspray were used during fashion week" (image:click to go to their facebook page)

Pink Tartan Spring 2010-backstage (pic by Jennifer Campbell via fashionmagazine.com)

Joe Fresh Spring 2010-backstage (pic by Jennifer Campbell via fashionmagazine.com) Jessica Biffi Spring 2010-backstage (pic by Angela Y. Martin via fashionmagazine.com)

(images: fashionmagazine.com & L'Oreal Paris Facebook.com page)

Toronto's LG Fashion Week {Recap-part1}

Although most want to be seated front-row I know exactly where I'd be...backstage where all the action is at! What could be more fun than watching the Pros do their thing, hair & makeup. Alas I didn't attend any shows except for an invite to Dress to Kill's magazine launch but I left early when someone "stole" my cheese platter from my booth & realized I didn't want to mingle with rats. Is that so bad of me to write? But honestly who takes the cheese platter from someone else's table and runs, ok so I didn't own the chesse platter but is it not for sharing? Its not that I don't like to share & mingle but why not seat with me & my guest, I don't bite. I realized at that point I didn't really want to stay & make small talk. Although upon leaving I met an employee of the magazine who happened to be really cool but by this point I had my coat on. If I had only met her upon arriving I probably would've stayed & chatted.

Look-out for my backstage beauty faves tonight when I get to finishing my posts. Note to self!bring a mouse trap next time:)

Win 1 of 10 dermaglow correction kits {Online Contest}

Just wanted to give you all a heads-up on an online contest that Dermaglow is having...

to enter go to Dermaglow's online contest here! Contest closes October 31 & only open to Canadian residents. Goodluck!

(image:dermaglow)