Best of 2010!!!

These are some of my favourite things of 2010 in no particular order.

1. Rebecca Minkoff and Hoi Bo

Although I did not purchase a new bag from either of these lines, I was very much obsessed with them. Maybe in the new year one of them will be in my possession.

Rebecca Minkoff

Hoi Bo

2. Vanilla Fudge Body Meringue from Spa Sisters

Just one word - Yummy!!!

3. Lancome Hypnôse Drama Mascara

Absolutely one of my favourite mascara's.

4. Cougar Boots - Ringo Star

This year I was lucky enough to get two pairs of Cougar Boots for FREE.  I love these boots. I continue to get compliments every time that I wear them.

5.  Joe Fresh

I have a love affair with Joe Fresh. It is impossible to do my grocery shopping on the weekend and not check out the racks. I can't wait to use the gift card that I received for Christmas.

6. Kobo eReader

Earlier this month I purchased the Kobo eReader from Chapters Indigo.  I swore that I would never purchase any ereader as I love the feel of a book, but I made the decision after careful deliberation. It is so light and I can carry it in my bag. It came with 100 free classic books. I was also given promo codes to get two free ebooks.

I also discovered that you can download books from the library to the Kobo. I was able to get a book from the Toronto Public Library > Download Books, Music and Video from OverDrive website http://toronto.lib.overdrive.com. I am finally reading The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest after waiting for months for the book on hold at the library.

Boxing Day Sales

I was looking forward to doing some online Boxing Day sales, but I have not had much success.

On Christmas Eve, I was on my computer at 8:00pm for the sales on Best Buy and Future Shop.  On the Best Buy site I was trying to order the Epson Workforce Wireless All-in-One Inkjet printer 520. It was on sale for $29.99 from $129.99. That is a $100 saving. They were having problems with the website. After two hours I gave up. I thought that I would try to access the page again, but when I did the printer was sold out. I was so angry. I wanted to get the printer because my printer makes a lot of noise. I do not want to buy anymore ink. The ink cost more than the printer.

At the same time I was trying to make a purchase on the Future Shop website. They had the Wii Fit Plus with Icon Balance Board (Black) for $49.99. The regular price is $84.98. It took about an hour, but the purchase went through. Hopefully it arrives soon. I have to work off all of the food I have been eating over the last couple of days.

Yesterday I almost purchased Ugg Boots from Beyond the Rack. They were on sale for $159.00. I tried for a while, but they were reserved by others and I had to check back in 20 minutes. I was short on patience. Maybe I will just get Emu's. I have received a lot of comments regarding the post I did last year about Uggs vs. Emu. I would like to try on both pair of boots to see which feels better. Many comments have stated that the arch support is better in Emu boots. That is something that I will really need.

I have spent the last two days trying to find a printer online for a good price. I think I will give up now.

I came across on Twitter a great sale for A2Zane. I was so excited. Maybe I could get he Hoi Bo bag that I have been lusting after for months. To my dismay it was no longer available.  Next thought...what other bags could I get. I checked the designer index and they carry Rebecca Minkoff. Sweet. I love this bag.

LARGE M.A.B. with Long Strap

Sold Out!!!!!

For anyone that would like to make a purchase from A2Zane, these are the Boxing Week Discount Codes:

15% off when you spend $100 - Discount Code "10"
20% off when you spend $200 - Discount Code "20"
30% off  when you spend $250 - Discount Code "30"
40% off when you spend $500 - Discount Code "40"


All discounts apply to purchase amounts before tax.Free Standard shipping is still included will all purchases over $50 in CANADA.

Related articles

• Bargain-hunters flock to stores for Boxing Day (ctv.ca)
• Boxing Day shopping madness begins (cbc.ca)

Happy Holidays!!!

Youtube Christmas Food Court Flash Mob  - Hallelujah Chorus



I would have loved to have been there. I remember performing this song when I was in the choir in high school at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto.

Related articles

• Ontario choir's 'flash mob' video sets YouTube record (ctv.ca)
• Christmas Food Court Flash Mob: Hallelujah Chorus (VIDEO) (blippitt.com)
• Hallelujah! Flash mob hits Windsor mall (windsorstar.com)

Missing In Action!!!

Image via Wikipedia

I was minding  my own business today while in Holt Renfrew,  when I heard a voice say "I have not seen you in a while."  I turned around a saw the salesperson that always helps me. Of course I was in the handbag section of the store.

It is a good thing or a bad thing if a salesperson knows your shopping habits?

Roots Daily Tote

Last month I posted about the great deal on Roots bags available from Chapters Indigo.  The Roots Daily Tote was listed at $59.00, but now they are offering it at $20 off.  That means the bag is only $39.00. If you have not purchased it yet, now is a great time to get one.

Sephora: Harajuku Lovers Wicked Style Bag Collection

I can't seem to leave Sephora without purchasing a makeup bag. This time I purchased the Harajuku Lovers Cosmetic Case (Clear) from the Wicked Style collection.

Price: $12.00 (US)    $18.00 (Canadian)

JALDA Handbags Sample Sale

The online sample sale will be going on through the holidays.

Website: JALDA Handbags Sample Sale

Chloé Pure Paddington Leather Duffle Bag

The Chloé Pure Paddington leather duffle bag has been updated. 

Net-A-Porter.Com - $1800.00

Details:

• Width 13" / 34cm
• Height 9" / 24cm
• Depth 8" / 20cm
• Handle Drop 6" / 14cm

Fabulous At 40!!!

I turned 40 this past week and I hate saying my age. I have been told that I should embrace my age, so I will start saying that I am fabulous and 40.

At the beginning of the year I had decided that I wanted to go away for my birthday. I am tired of seeing snow on my birthday. I went on a 4 day cruise to the Bahamas. It was so nice to see palm trees and have sunshine on my birthday.

These are a couple of pictures:

I told my sister that I want to give myself 40 gifts for my birthday. She asked me if I was going to buy them in the dollar store. A gift does not have to have a dollar value. It can just be doing something nice for myself.

Am I A Reformed Shopaholic?

I received yet another "By Invitation Only" card from Coach for the holiday season. I did not get a chance to use the last invitation, so I decided that I would purchase something for my birthday.

I went into the Coach store in the Yorkdale mall last week to look at some of the items that I was interested in buying. I really like the Madison Leather Large Sophia Satchel bag. The bag would cost $398 less the 25% discount. The invitation is good until December 12, 2010, so I still have time.

Since the last One of A Kind Show in the Spring I kept thinking about the Hoi Bo bag that I saw. I had planned to return to the show and make the purchase. Well I went to the One of A Kind Christmas Show yesterday, but I did not buy the bag. I did not even go to the booth. I found it hard to spend that much money on a bag that is made from cotton. 

Hoi Bo Large Satchel $480

I did not spend much at the show. Of course I had to get my Skinlicious soap and the Vanilla Fudge Body Meringue from Spa Sisters.

I am still searching for the perfect gift for my 40th birthday.

I was once an impulsive shopper, but recently I put more thought into what I am going to buy.

Harajuku Lovers Brush Roll

I was quite surprised to find this Harajuku Lovers Brush Roll (Snow Angels) at Winners last week. It was only $14.99

Traces Of Lead In Reusable Bags

Image via Wikipedia

First they said that plastic bags are not good for the environment, now they have discovered that traces of lead has been found in reusable bags. Something else to think about.

Click the following link for the video from CTV News British Columbia:

CTV British Columbia - No lead is good lead for shopping bags, doctor says - CTV News
 

Related articles

• Big Plastic Says: Reusable Shopping Bags Will Make You Sick! (food.change.org)
• Lead found in reusable shopping bags (cbc.ca)
• Lead in reusable bags doesn't stop many (msnbc.msn.com)
• Shoppers shrug off fears about toxic reusable bags (sfgate.com)

One Of A Kind Christmas Show 2010

I am looking forward to the One of A Kind Christmas Show and Sale this year. I will visit old favourites and new discoveries.

Cha Cha

Foxy Originals Jewelry

 

Spa Sisters

Skinlicious

Hoi Bo

Show Dates, Hours & Venue Information

2010 One of a Kind Christmas Show and Sale

Thursday, November 25 to Sunday, December 5, 2010
Weekdays and Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 10am-6pm

Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place 

100 Princes' Blvd., Toronto ON M6K 3C3 Canada

Chapters.ca: Online Exclusive Deals on Roots Bags

chapters.indigo.ca has an exclusive online offer on 100% leather Roots bags while quantities last

Roots Book Bag 
List Price: $59.00  ($158 value)

Roots Weekender Tote 
List Price $79.00 ($228 value)

I have two roots bags that I have had for many years. The quality of the leather is amazing. Tempting offers.

Cougar Boots Survey

Today I decided to wear my Cougar Boots (Ringo Star) even though it was not very cold. I have to say that these boots are very, very warm. Now I know for sure that my feet will be nice and warm this winter.

Please take a few minutes and fill out the following survey about Cougar Boots:

http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/413388/feedback

For every survey completed, Matchstick will donate $2 to the Red Cross.

Thanks
     - The Bag Lady

Two Bag Shapes To Love

Lucky Magazine - two versatile bag shapes for fall  (The Frame Bag and the Mini Saddle)



For more videos from Lucky Magazine: http://www.luckymag.com/video

Change

Image via Wikipedia

One thing that every woman should do is get a bra fitting. Many women are walking around wearing the wrong bra size. If the straps are digging in or falling off of your shoulder, you need a new bra. If the back strap is riding up then you need a new bra.

For many years now I have been getting a bra fitting as your breasts can change in size. Departments stores do not carry all of the sizes available, so you have to go to a bra fitting boutique. It is a great investment.

Today I went to Change and purchased four new bras as I needed some new. I had noticed for a while that my bras were too big. My band size and cup size had changed.

Change has stores in Canada, Scandanavia, Europe and the Middle East. Join Club Change and get 10% off everything. It is free to sign up.

Another store that I like is Secrets From Your Sister located in Toronto Canada.

Related articles

• 80% of Women Still Wear the Wrong Bra Size! (prnewswire.com)
• How to Measure for Proper Fit of Your Bra (beyondjane.com)
• How to Choose a Bra that Fits (womens-intimate-apparel.suite101.com)
• Glam Slam: The Bra Whisperer (omg.yahoo.com)

My Cougar Experience

Last Tuesday I arrived home to the words "there is a package for you." I was so excited. I was awaiting the arrival of my boots courtesy of Matchstick and Cougar Shoes. I am one of only 85 influencers in Canada to receive the exclusive Cougar kit.

The Cougar kit included:

• 1 pair of winter Cougar boots
• 1 pair of rain Cougar boots
• 1 Cougar mug
• 1 Cougar sweater
• 4 Cougar hot chocolate packages

Receiving the package was definitely the highlight of my day.  When I opened the two boxes I was very happy with my choices. The boots were gorgeous. I could not wait to wear them. They are definitely not the cougar boots that I remember from my childhood. I could not stop talking
about them the next day at work. By the end of the week I think most people that I worked with knew about the boots.

I wore the rain boots last week. I received many compliments. They are so cute. I was extremely happy with the winter boots. I have large calves and can never find boots that would fit. I wore them today and received more compliments. Awesome!!!

Style: TIBET

Style: RINGO STAR

These are the perfect boots for surviving a Canadian winter. Best of all they are insulated and will keep my feet warm.

Thank you Matchstick and Cougar Shoes.

Coach...Save the Date!

I will be getting another email invitation to the Coach Preferred Customer event. This time I plan on using it. I have to decide what I am going to purchase. Maybe an early birthday gift!!!

Receive 25% off online or in stores  from November 5 to November 14, 2010.

Browse Coach.com

Gida Bavari on Twitter

Follow Gida Bavari on Twitter for a chance to win!!!

Also check out the great handbags, clutches and wristlets on the website: http://www.gidabavari.com

Joe Fresh vs. Chanel

The fact that I can do my grocery shopping and do my clothing and accessory shopping in the same store is amazing.

For the last month I have been looking out for a particular Joe Fresh bag that I have seen in ads. It is finally available and I purchased one today. I reminds me of the Chanel Coco Cocoon bag. The price was amazing at only $24.

Joe Fresh

Chanel

Related articles

• Chanel Fall 2010 Cocoon Bags (bagsnob.com)