New Handbag vs. New Clothes

On Wednesday afternoons I go to the store Winners to kill some time before my pilates class. This week I found a bag that I really loved, but I could not decide if I should buy it. I loved the colour and the leather was so soft. I have been looking for a crossbody bag for a very long time.

It is that time of year to put away the summer clothes and get ready for fall. I need to get some clothes for fall and winter, but I really wanted the bag. I made the hard decision to put the bag down and look for clothes.

I am not as impulsive as I used to be. A year ago I would have purchased the bag and been able to justify it as a great purchase. I still think about the bag, but I saved that money and purchased a pair of jeans and black pants.

The Sak 'Juniper' Convertible Leather Flap Bag

By Invitation Only

Earlier this week I received a phone call from someone from the Coach store on Bloor Street. He was calling to let me know that I was invited to the Preferred Customer Fall event. He asked if I had received my invitation.  I said that I had not received the card in the mail. Apparently the invitations were sent by email this time. He said not to worry that my information was in the computer.

The invitation arrived the next day. The invitation clearly states that it "is an exclusive offer just for you and cannot be shared." Possibly they don't want people sharing the invitations.


Yet again I don't know what to buy. I am not interested in any of the bags or wallets. I would consider getting some jewellery. There is a necklace and ring that I like.

*25% off entire purchase from September 17 to September 26, 2010 at any Coach store or online at www.coach.com

TIFF 2010: Day 10

Image via Wikipedia

This is the last day that I will be attending the Toronto International Film Festival for 2010. This year the festival has added an extra day of screenings. I need a day of rest before returning to work on Monday.

Until next year...

These are the films that I saw the over the last ten days:

Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen
Stone
L'Amour Fou
Julia's Eyes
Rabbit Hole
Pink Saris
What's Wrong With Virginia
Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame
The Sound of Mumbai: A Musical
Dhobi Gha (Mumbai Diaries)
The Butcher, The Chef, and The Swordsman

The End

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TIFF 2010: Day 9

Image via Wikipedia

It took nine days for me to really get into the spirit of the festival. Sad to see it come to an end. However, I saw a movie today that put a smile on my face. I could tell from the title that I would enjoy the documentary The Sound of Mumbai: A Musical. I have loved the movie The Sound of Music since I was a child. I wanted to sing along to the music in the documentary. For one night the children from a school in the slums are given the opportunity to perform at Mumbai's National Centre for the Performing Arts.

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Natural Beauty by Michelle Phan

I wish I had more time in the morning to get this look.

Michelle Phan's Lancome video:

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Watches at Amazon Canada

Watches are now available at Amazon Canada . The carry such brands as Fossil, Guess, Kenneth Cole, and Michael Kors just to name a few. 

I like this watch. It has the same look as the watch that I bought at Ardene.

Fossil Stella Collection Multifunction Black Dial Women's watch #ES2541

List Price:	CDN$ 95.00
Price:	CDN$ 73.20

TIFF 2010: Day 8

I can't believe that the festival is almost over. The time went by so quickly. I don't feel like I have seen that many movies. I still have four more to see over the next two days. Next year I will not schedule any appointments during the festival. 

I decided this year to eat healthy. That means I avoided all of the "bad" food and cut back on Starbucks. I also made sure to fit in pilates over the last eight days. That will have to change for next year. I did some shopping at the beginning of the festival. That was a week a go.

What was I thinking???

TIFF 2010: Day 7

Image via Wikipedia

Today when I was getting a massage my massage therapist asked me if I had seen any celebrities. I told her that I was not interested in seeing the stars. I have been going to the TIFF since 1995. Over the years I have seen many celebrities, but I don't get excited. Most of the people that actually attend the screenings of the films are interested in the movies and not who is coming to the festival.

She listed off names of all of the celebrities that she had seen. I asked her if she was the massage therapist to the stars. I was joking. She said yes. I could not believe it. No wonder I had so much trouble making an appointment for this week.

Over the years I can see the festival changing. It is more about what celebrities are coming than about the films. That is quite disappointing for someone who loves watching good movies.

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TIFF 2010: Day 6

Image via Wikipedia

It is day 6 of the festival and I am getting really tired and I still have four more days to go. Today I saw the film Rabbit Hole from director John Cameron Mitchell. The film was about a couple played by Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart who are dealing with the death of their son.

At the end of the film was a question and answer period. I was not able to stay for all of as I had an appointment to get to. The director John Cameron Mitchell, Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart the screenwriter and another cast member were present. That was quite unexpected.

Nicole Kidman is also a producer of the film.

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Rebecca Minkoff Spring 2011 Fashion Week Presentation

It is too early to think about Spring 2011. I am not ready for Fall 2010.

The Meaning of Life!!!

This video is so beautiful

TIFF 2010: Day 5

I did not have any films scheduled today for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). It was a day to run errands and to get things done that I will not be able to get to until the festival is over.

On one of my stops today I found an item I first purchased back in the fall of 2007 in Paris. I went into Noah's Natural Foods store today and by accident I found the organic ginger candy that I bought in a health food store in Paris.

I loved the candy so much that I regretted not buying more than one tin.  I did not know that the candy was sold in Canada. Now I know where I can find them. However, I do not know if they are sold at all locations of Noah's Natural Foods. I found it at the Yonge and Eglinton location. I usually shop at the Yonge and Bloor location and have never seen them.

Anis De L'Abbaye De Flavigny - $2.99 (Cdn.)

TIFF 2010: Day 4

I missed the block party for the opening of the TIFF BELL Lightbox today. There was a block party from 11:00am to 4:00pm. I was going to show up for the special performance by K'Naan, but I stayed for the question and answer period for the film Julia's Eyes. I was pleasantly surprised by how funny the producer Guillermo del Torro was. He reminded me of a Spanish Kevin Smith.

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TIFF 2010: Day 3

Image by THEfunkyman via Flickr

Today's Films:

Stone - Starring Robert DeNiro, Edward Norton, Milla Jovovich and Frances Conroy

I was quite disappointed with this film. I expected more with such great actors such as DeNiro and Norton. The day before I noticed that Now Magazine rated the film 1 out of 5. Not a good sign.

L'Amour Fou - (documentary) following the death of Yves Saint Laurent, his lifelong partner Pierre Bergé decided to sell the art collection that they amassed over the years

The Yves Saint Laurent-Pierre Bergé Collection: The Sale of the Century

Intersection at Bay and Bloor:

I noticed when I was crossing the intersection that there was a crowd around the back of a truck. There were some guys giving away black bags. I made my way over to the truck to see what was going on. They were giving away goody bags in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Fashion Television.

Inside of the bag were the following items:

 

FT25 Collectors Edition Magazine
Gucci Guilty Eau de Toilette (sample)
Hugo Boss Bottled Night Eau de Toilette (sample)
Bioré samples
John Frieda Collection Brilliant Brunette and Sheer Blonde
Jergens Ultra Care Fragrance Free Moisturizer and Liquid Hand Wash
Maybelline Pulse Perfection Vibrating Mascara
Photo Finish Foundation Primer sample

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TIFF 2010: Day 2

I saw my first film of the festival today and it started with a bang...kick...punch. Lots of action. I  saw the movie Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen (Jingwu Fengyun - Chen Zhen). I like to see at least one action movie in the festival.

After the film I had got some lunch at Freshii. I am trying to eat healthy and avoid the foods that I am allergic to.  

I only had one film scheduled for the day, so about three hours until my pilates class later in the day. I decided to wander down to Queen Street West, a trendy part of Toronto with lots of stores, boutiques and cafes. There was one store in particular that I wanted to check out.

The boutique Jacob & Sebastian carries bath products from around the world. I couldn't resist. I walked around the store once to sample the products. I didn't want to spend too much money as it is only the beginning of the festival and I have so much more shopping to do.

These are the items that I purchased:

The Republic of Tea Be Well Red Teas - Get Clean Herb Tea for Detoxing No.7  ($12.95)

Villainess Soaps Whipped Body Creme - Jai Mahal Whipped  ($14.99)

Villainess Soaps  - Decadence ($5.50)

The Balm to the Rescue - vegan lip treatment ($19.99)

*Prices are in Canadian Funds

After leaving Jacob & Sebastian I started walking west and noticed the sign for the beauty bar the 10spot. I didn't have an appointment, but I wanted to see if I could get a manicure. I felt like pampering myself. Luckily I did not have to wait long.

I was hoping that I would have time to go to the pastry store Dufflet. They have amazing chocolate tarts. I was going to cheat a little bit. Unfortunately, I did not have time after my manicure. I had to catch a streetcar without smudging my nails so I could get to my pilates class.


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TIFF 2010: Day One

Today is the first day of the 35th Toronto International Film Festival. I have been attending the festival since 1995. Every year I take a week off from work to attend the festival.

I have my tickets and I am ready to see some amazing films.


Toronto International Film Festival - September 9 to 19, 2010

Information about the festival is available on the website:
http://tiff.net/thefestival

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Rebecca Minkoff Fall 2 2010

Limited Edition Marc by Marc Jacobs Tote

Marc Jacobs has designed a limited edition tote exclusively for Holt Renfrew. A portion of the proceeds is going to support Vision Spring.

You can reserve your bag now until September 26, 2010 using the online form.  Totes reserved online will be available for pick up and purchase between September 30 and October 2, 2010.

Limited quantities will be available in the store from September 30 to October 10, 2010 or until quantities last.

I reserved mine already in black.

Price $48

Reserve Yours Today

*Vision Spring provides low cost eyeglasses throughout the developing world

What Time Is It?

Great accessories don't have to cost a lot of money. I purchased these watches at Ardene and the best part was the price - 2 for $15.00. The blue one caught my eye first. I have been looking for a cool watch in a vibrant colour.