Baglicious Year In Review

Comic created using software Comic Life http://plasq.com/comiclife

Boxing Day Shopping

I spent all day in bed on Boxing Day. I woke up and had breakfast and felt that I was coming down with a cold or flu. I decided to go back to bed. I did not plan to spend the whole day in bed. Before you knew it the sun had set.

I was not planning on going Boxing Day shopping. I think the last time I went Boxing Day shopping was back in 2005. The sales are not any better the day after Christmas than they are prior to Christmas. For the last couple of years I have found great deals online. This year on Christmas Eve I finally purchased the KitchenAid mixer that I have wanted for a VERY long time.

Future Shop's Boxing Day sale started online on December 24th at 8:00pm. I have wanted one for many years, but was holding out for a great deal.

KitchenAid Custom Edition 4.26L Stand Mixer (White) on sale for $179.99. It took about 45 minutes to checkout. The item was sold out after I made my purchase. I was not the only one that thought that it was a great deal. I can't wait for it to arrive.  I can start baking again.

Happy Holidays

Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday season.

Discounted Gift Cards

Have you ever received a gift card that you never used? At this time of year many people will give or receive gift cards as Christmas presents.

The website CardSwap is Canada's #1 site for discounted gift cards at 10-40% off face value. The concept is similar to Ebay a peer to peer online market. Gift card holders can redeem their unwanted gift cards for cash and shoppers can save money.

I love a deal so I was very intrigued when I heard about the website. I have a gift card in my wallet that I have been carrying around for the last two months. I can't find anything in the store to purchase.

To purchase a gift card on the website take the following steps:

• register on the website
• search for the gift card by merchant, price or category
• select the gift card
• confirm shipping address
• make payment using INTERAC online from your financial institution

You can also create a wish list of favourite retailers and are notified when gift cards become available.

All gift cards are validated before they are put on the website. The website does not accept credit cards or PayPal as a form of payment. The form of payment that is accepted is INTERAC. Making a payment is similar to making an online bill payment.

Enter to win an iPod Touch by visiting the website. The contest ends December 31, 2009.

website: www.cardswap.ca

Mor Cosmetics Gift Pack

It is impossible for me to go Christmas shopping and not make purchases for myself. I seem to find the best items during this time of year.

When I was in Holt Renfrew last week I purchased this beautiful gift pack from Mor Cosmetics. I will keep the tin once I have used the items.  Holt Renfrew $48.00

THERE'S NO TURNING  BACK

SNOW GARDENIA Triple-Milled Soap 200g  7oz

ORANGE BLOSSOM Hand Cream 100ml  3.3fl. oz

CASSIS NOIR Lip Delight 10g  .35oz

Marc by Marc Jacobs Zipper Chain-Link Metal Bracelet

I would like to find this bracelet in my Christmas stocking. I don't wear bracelets often, but I would definitely like to have this one.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Zipper chain-link metal bracelet  $78.00
Net-A-Porter.Com 

Paris, France

As I approached the door of the Coach Store on Bloor Street in Yorville Toronto this morning, I noticed that the greeter at the door looked at my bag and was not pleased. This area of Bloor Street is similar to Fifth Avenue in New York. You will find all of the designer stores on that street. This was my first visit to this store location.

I purchased this bag on my first trip to Paris in 2007 from a street vendor for 12 euros. When I carry the bag I have fond memories of that trip. When I go shopping function wins out over style.



Unlike the other customers in the store I was not carrying a Coach bag or wallet or wearing the shoes. I wanted to get out of the house early this morning, so I grabbed the bag I used the day before. When I left the store the greeter did not even say good bye. That was just rude.

Never Plan A Shopping Spree

Never plan to go on a shopping spree...you will be disappointed. It is better when it happens in the spur of the moment.

I decided that I would go to the Toronto Eaton Centre this afternoon to use special offers that I had received and to do some pre-birthday shopping for myself.

1. I went to the Coach store to look for anything to purchase using the preferred customer invitation that I received. I have spent days on the website looking for an item. I had no idea what to buy. I walked around the store several times. There were items that I liked, but not loved. I left the store feeling defeated.

2. I went to Sephora to get my Beauty Insider birthday gift. I had also received a Beauty Insider coupon - $15 store coupon off $35 of merchandise. I purchased this Sephora Pure Cosmetic Bag. I was on my way to the checkout when I saw this. It is 100% natural cotton, machine washable and eco-friendly. I was not aware of Sephora's Pure line. I will have to look into that. I also had to get the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment. I just finished my last tube. I love it.

Price: $18.00 online $24.00 Canadian

Image from Sephora Website

3. I went into H2O+ to purchase facial moisturizer. That was on my list of things to purchase.

4. I went into Bath & Body Works to purchase the True Blue Spa Shea Cashmere Body lotion. I was a good girl. I did not take the blue bag that the staff give you to fill up with items you only realize you put in the bag until you get to the cash register.

I guess my horoscope was right today - Sagittarius are strongly advised today to keep their money in their pocket because once you start spending there will be no stopping you.

I'm Blushing

I went into Sephora to buy a brush for The Multiple all-in-one makeup stick by NARS. It can be applied using your fingertip, but I would prefer to use a brush.

NARS Maui

However, I left the store with a new blush by NARS. I purchased the blush Taj Mahal on the left in the image below.

I usually don't leave the house without a little blush. It adds a pop of colour to my face. My favourite has been MAC Sheertone Blush Hushabye. In the summer I would use MAC Sheertone Shimmer Blush Ambering Rose. The blush by Yves Saint Laurent is for days when I want a subtle look.

The blush by Nars has to be the absolute best blush I have ever tried. It does not require the same amount of blush on the brush as the other brands. I figured that out the first time I applied it. It also goes well with my skin tone that has a yellow undertone.

From left to right:

1. NARS Taj Mahal
2. MAC Cosmetics Sheertone Blush Hushabye
3. Yves Saint Laurent Blush Variation #14 Rose Whisper
4. MAC Cosmetics Sheertone Shimmer Blush Ambering Rose

Deals and Sales This Month

The month of December can be a very expensive month. Stores are offering so many sales and deals this month for Christmas that one can go crazy spending a lot of money. It is also my birthday this month. Various stores send me discount deals or free gifts for my birthday.

I still have not decided what I will purchase with my Coach preferred customer invitation.

As a member of the H2O+ Plus Member program I am eligible for 15% off this month.

Deals this month:

Holt Renfrew

LeSportsac

Fruits and Passion

MAC Cosmetics

FREE STANDARD SHIPPING
Receive FREE STANDARD SHIPPING with all purchases from 11/27 - 12/13. No offer code necessary. Offer is valid on orders shipped to Canadian addresses only.

Cake Beauty

Between the 2^nd and 6^th of December 2009, you can get a 40% discount from Cake Beauty Canada using the promo code below!

Promo Code: friends

Discount: 40% off

Expires: 6^th December 2009