No Excuses Facial Treatments at Ritual 2

We all love the idea of going for monthly facials, highlights, manicures and pedicures, but that can really add up. Hair and nails aren't really negotiable, so it's usually the facial that doesn't make the regular beauty routine. That's unfortunate because our skin is truly the most worthy investment of the lot - unless you have premature grays like I do, in which case it is a tie with the hair.

I get a lot of emails from PR companies with news releases on the newest spas, services and treatments among a slew of other announcements. Generally, unless there is something in the email that really grabs my attention, it gets filed under "G" for garbage because, well, it is impossible to cover everything. So when I received a blast that Ritual 2 on King St. W is offering speedy wallet-conscious MicroZone Treatments, I was intrigued and immediately called their publicist to see if I could test drive one. Lucky me, they let me try two!



The MicroZone Treatments are five quick 20 minute facial treatments for $25 a pop.
Using only Dermalogica Products, these sweet pick me ups are designed to address the following issues:

1. Dull skin? The Flash Exfoliation Treatment polishes and brightens your skin.

2. Bothersome breakout? Extractions are in order to decongest your problem areas with the Blemish Banishing Treatment.

3. Tired eyes? The Eye Treatment concentrates on hydrating and minimizing fine lines, leaving you looking well-rested and refreshed.

4. Rough, chapped lips? Their exfoliating, hydrating and firming Lip Treatment is designed to plump your pout.

5. Feeling dehydrated? The Hydrating Treatment quenches environmentally stressed skin.




My appointment was set for Saturday to try the Flash Exfoliation and the Extraction treatments. I thumbed through magazines for 10 minutes while I surveyed the bustling little spa. The concrete floors, white walls and pink accents are quaint and cheery. The front section is a full service hair salon with a little Dermalogica products corner where anyone can walk in, test the products and take home a sample or two. Tucked in the back, behind a thick curtain is the spa area.

After a short wait I was greeted by my esthetician, Samantha who carefully explained the treatments and did a "face mapping" of my skin telling me how the different areas were doing. I did pretty good, with the exception of some "pinking" on my cheeks, which Samantha told me can be caused by issues with your lungs, usually caused by smoking or extreme temperatures. Since I've never smoked a cigarette in my life it's fair to split the credit between Winnipeg's Artic winters and Toronto's smog. Thanks! I scored a "B" for my chin area, which actually means "breakout activity" thanks to a sizable zit that has taken up residence there.

Samantha expertly slathered and massaged my skin for the exfoliation (very nice!) and then turned up the lights for the extractions. I never look forward to extractions as they can be quite painful. It's like getting excited before a bikini wax. You don't. It hurts, but it makes you look better. I don't know if it was Samantha or the way they all do extractions at Ritual 2, but these did not hurt at all. It was surprisingly pain free. The 40 minutes went by in a blink and I was sorry when it was over. For a combined retail price of $50, these treatments lasted approximately 45 minutes and were well worth it.

There was no heavy sales pitch at the end of the treatments. Samantha actually said to keep doing what I was doing, but step up the exfoliation to 3 times a week for the summer.

Having never visited Ritual 2, I was struck by how friendly the staff were. There is absolutely zero attitude here. This makes perfect sense: Owners Maria Cristina and Bruna were former bartenders - an excellent occupation for honing great people skills!

For $25, I have now have no excuse not to add these treatments to my regular beauty routine. I will definitely be back!

www.ritual.ca

Read my review on ChickAdvisor

How Far Do You Walk in High Heels?

Someone needs to invent some heels that are actually made for walking. With 2 1/2 inch heels. That look sexy. I am one of those who would rather be in pain with nice shoes on, than wear flats that make my legs look like thick pegs. Yes we live in North America and flip flops are the universal shoe of summer, but isn't it about time that changed? Can't we step it up a little and at least attempt to compete with our sisters in France?

I live downtown and walk pretty much everywhere, whether it is to a cafe 20 minutes away or 20 blocks to the main shopping drag. I walk there, shop, wince, pause at a cafe, and hobble home. Since a large part of my job involves attending events of every kind, I'm in heels for those too. Take Wednesday for example. A photoshoot from 12 - 4 and two back to back events from 6 - 10:30. That would be 8 1/2 hours standing in my favorite David Dixons, wishing I could slice my feet off at the ankles. Thankfully I have been introduced to Airplus for Her, which does help somewhat, but what I'd really like to see is a hot pair of heels with all of the cushioning and comfort of my RBK runners. I'm picturing it now. If I had any photoshop skills I'd try to create an artist's rendering, but you can see from the image above that I clearly don't. Seriously though, is this too much to ask? How hard would it be to invent something like that?

How far do you walk in heels?

Update (several minutes later after actually doing some research): It seems someone has thought of this sort of thing. They aren't exactly the comfy running shoe hybrid I imagined, but they are a stroke of brilliance in their own way.

The Sheila Driving Heel is designed to fold into the shoe for safer driving. I imagine you could even ride a bicycle with them! Brilliant! Unfortunately they are in the UK and I don't know if anything ever came of these hot little numbers beyond the prototype.

If they do make it, I would totally buy shares in that...

Whirlwind Meetings with Women of the Web

What a month of crazyness! I appologize for my lack of posts of late. I have been rushing like mad from event to event being spoiled, networking and learning. The best part has been caffeinating myself (yes, I've relapsed) with some of the best young web chicks in the country - and even my favorite Dragon!

If you don't know who Arlene Dickinson is, you're probably not watching much TV... or spending much time on the web. She's the CEO of Venture Communications, has won a slew of awards in Canadian business, is a Dragon on CBC's hit show, Dragon's Den, is an expert on Fortune Hunters, and in fact was the expert for our segment, and is just on all accounts a force to be reckoned with. I contacted her shortly after our show aired in January, and have had the pleasure of meeting with her in person this past month. This is a huge deal for us as Arlene is one of the most powerful women in the Canadian media scene. Despite her enormous success, she is extremely grounded and kind. Not to mention beautiful. I believe she may have the nicest teeth in the business...

In the last two weeks I met Erica Tam, the bubbly and vivacious founder of The Style Spy. We met over lattes at Starbucks and learned how much we have in common. It's amazing how parallel our experiences are on opposite ends of the country! Later, we joined Jen McNeely and Olga Barsky from She Does the City on the noisy patio at Le Gourmand. Olga and I have been rubbing shoulders at events across the city for the last little while and it was fun to get to know her better and to meet Jen, the founder. Both women have impeccable style and it was immediately arranged that we would go shopping in the near future.

Jen and Olga

Ellen of Lipstick Powder 'N Paint and Joy from Makeup Junkie and Anita from I Want I Got have been part of my posse since we started covering the same events ages ago.

photo by David Wile

Joy has been working with us on our new show, doing an awesome job with my makeup, and yesterday she did it again for a photoshoot with David Wile. Joy did not disappoint and her makeup application was flawless, which we celebrated afterwards with a drink at Lusso.

Joy and Ali

David was a genius at getting some really great shots of me. I am one awkward dork when it comes to getting my photo taken. You would be embarrassed by association. But more on that later.

Janine (2nd from left), Krisia, (3rd from left), Gail (middle), Susie Love, Anita, Ali

I have been bumping into Gail McInnes so often in the last two weeks, you'd think we were stalking each other. It began with the filming of our new show three weeks ago, when she happened to be walking down the street looking stunning with a friend of hers. Both were camera ready and more than willing to appear on the show. I then saw her nearly every other day at a series of events. Girl is connected!

Yvonne Kai and I shared breakfast at the Beaver earlier this week. The stylish party maven and I discussed events, some new ideas and ways we might be able to work together. Yvonne has worked all over the world and has impeccable style. We agreed Canada has a ways to go yet, but we're getting there. Slowly ;)

Christa Jean (L) Photo credit: Petitefashionista.com

Christa from the Petite Fashionista threw her first event last Sunday. The petite blond threw a 250+ person bash at the Proof Lounge on Bloor. It was quite impressive and for the first time, I actually felt tall. It was pretty cool looking out over the stylish shorties that amassed for the event. I don't know how she manages, but I guess I'll find out later today. We're meeting up for a coffee. At this point, I expect some shares from Starbucks for my investment!

Ellen (Lipstick Powder N Paint) and Krizia (My Beauty Match)

Janine Falcon from Beauty Geek and Krizia from My Beauty Match have both been a pleasure to get to know these past couple of weeks. Janine is much more comedian than geek and she knows the secrets of the magazine world.

And finally, I had the pleasure yesterday of meeting Lainey from Lainey Gossip and Candace Bushnell at a back to back P&G Beauty event and the Cover Girl Gotta Have it soirée at Forever 21.

Ali and Candace Bushnell

I saw Candace Bushnell at the Modwomen party recently and made a video from it. Yesterday was a more intimate affair and a chance to meet in person and snap a picture. Despite her enormous success, she's very gracious and kind. She's also very feisty, which explains how she is able to keep up with her jet setting lifestyle. We were pleased to hear she does on occasion leave the house with track pants and no makeup. There is a lot of pressure for women to look perfect - especially if your mug is constantly on display, so going about without the zillion dollar wardrobe and professional makeup can be sort of incognito.

Lainey was hilarious. She does not hold back. She is her blog in the flesh. It was such a treat to be able to sit down with her at Forever 21 to get the smut in person. I was more fascinated with how she is able to write 3,000 + words/day plus all of her appearances and media obligations with Etalk. She just shrugged. When you love what you do it is amazing how much you can accomplish.

Ali and Lainey

It's really exciting to see what these women are accomplishing and I feel truly inspired!

Clean & Clear Flirt with Fame Contest

Win a Super Sweet 16 Fantasy Party!

Clean & Clear and MTV are hooking up to hook you up … By giving you the chance to win a Super Sweet 16 fantasy party!

Does anyone else you know have MTV coming to their B-day Bash and recording it for all of Canada? Not only will you be Flirting with Fame - you’ll be all FAMOUS! All you have to do is enter at www.flirtwithfame.ca … And to make the contest that much sweeter, Clean & Clear is giving away weekly $1,000 cash prizes EVERY Monday!

Prize
• One unforgettable party bash (30 to 50 guests), courtesy of Clean & Clear and MTV, with and MTV DJ (to be held anytime between June to end of September)
• MTV.ca camera crew will cover the Super Sweet 16 birthday party and put it up on the Web site!
• $1,000 cash prizes drawn every Monday for 8 weeks!

Kids' Birthday Party Themes

I remember birthday parties of my childhood. They typically included Pin the Tail on the Donkey, Hot Potato, and Musical Chairs followed by D.I.Y. pizza. If you were really lucky, your mom booked the party room at McDonald's.

In that vein, the last few parties I put together for my kids consisted of turning on the lawn sprinkler and filling the SuperSoakers. Less is more was my thinking. As my oldest starts edging toward double digits, I'm discovering that such simple delights aren't quite up to par. It seems that More is more.

My daughter attended a fabulous party this weekend. My friend pulled out all the stops for her son, planning and executing what may go down as Year's Best among the elementary school set. While I am not usually an overly competitive mom (except for on the soccer field. Yes, that was me that time), she inspired me to put a little more effort into these little shindigs.

1. The Totally Amazing Gross-Out Party

My friend created a team competition inspired by Fear Factor/Amazing Race. Each team had to pass through stations of increasing icky-ness on the way to victory. These stations included (in no particular order):

~kiddie pool filled with cooked spaghetti and several real and fake earthworms. Find at least 10 worms to proceed to the next station.

~a large mop bucket filled with a mixture of water and cornstarch, plus peeled grapes ("eyeballs"). The cornstarch mixture should be thick enough to stand on, but thin enough to liquefy when you hold it in your hand. Find the grapes!

~a window screen dripped with icing sugar/water mix or vanilla pudding. You should dribble it on to mimic bird poo, which the kids have to lick 10 times to move on.

~change a dolly's poopy diaper, filled with lemonade peepee and chocolate pudding doodoo.

The winning team gets first dibs on Kitty Litter Cake! Totally edible, assembled in a litter pan, and served with a Pooper Scooper, this cake has Tootsie Roll turds that'll have your guests totally amazingly grossed out!

2. Treasure Hunt

Load up on pirate costume accessories from the dollar store and play a nautically-themed treasure hunt. You'll need a large yard or park for this.

Prepare a treasure map and clues, with a buried treasure chest at the end of the game filled with loot (this can double as your goodie bag). At each station, the teams find the next clue and must pass a piratical challenge to proceed. If you have access to a pool, the winners make the losers walk the plank (i.e. diving board) with all their clothes on.

3. Academy Awards

Collect Halloween costumes and old clothes, plus a video camera and several script ideas. Ask your budding actors to produce a commercial or short movie, including some basic editing, adding background music, etc.

When the teams have finished, hold a screening in your rec room with popcorn and Twizzlers (cover any windows thoroughly to produce a movie theater atmosphere). Award the winning team trophies for their achievement (you can find cheapies at a dollar store). Burn each child a DVD of all the submissions as part of their goodie bag.

**
Now, I'm not claiming that I'll be doing any of these things come next b-day party. I think, though, that the cop-out days of Twister 'n beanbag tosses are probably over. Do you have any cool ideas for birthday parties?

Become a ChickAdvisor Fan on Facebook

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P.S Like our new logo? More to come!

Wanted: You!

CoverGirl has launched a new line of Gotta Have It colourful eyeshadow palettes for the summer! Cute, cheap and flirty, these juicy shades are great for experimenting and trying something new. They are throwing a big bash tomorrow, Wednesday June 25th from 7:30 - 10:30.

Want our job for the day? We need YOU to help cover it for ChickAdvisor!

What's involved:

* Makeup and trends with Celebrity Stylist, Paul Venoit

* Insider Fashion Tips from Canada's Next Top Model, Rebecca Hardy

* Exclusive After Hours VIP Shopping Discount at Forever 21

* Gossip with Lainey Gossip!

* Enjoy the Juice Bar and Hors D'Oeuvres


Are you:
A ChickAdvisor Member?
A good writer?
A lover of all things shopping and beauty?
Interested in getting into the industry?

If yes and you live in the Toronto area, email us ASAP with your contact info and a link to your ChickAdvisor profile and we'll chat.

Dream Careers: Fashion Designer CARRIE

The Designer's favorite dress: CARRIE Architectural Dress (D0007). Image courtesy of CarrieHayes.com

When it comes to careers there are really only two kinds: Those you live and breathe that define a large part of who you are, and those that pay the bills but aren't a raison d'être.

I am more of an "I am what I do" than a "It pays the bills" Chick. Yes there are other sides to me that are not related to my work, but I couldn't do something I didn't enjoy just to pay the bills because I think it would kill me. There is no shortage of amazing jobs out there, but how do you land one that really inspires you?

We're talking to people who have "dream careers" to get the inside scoop on what it takes to make it in their industry.

Inside the Toronto Fashion Incubator

Carrie Hayes is an up and coming Toronto designer I had the pleasure of meeting last month at the Elle Show. The soft spoken TFI resident is the force behind her own chic label, CARRIE, which specializes in tailored elegant pieces for women.

ChickAdvisor:
You knew you wanted to be a designer since you were in 6th grade. How did your imagined life as a designer when you were young differ from reality?

CARRIE:
I didn't imagine life as a designer at the time. All I knew was that I loved sketching, colour and creating beautiful things, whatever form that took. Fashion appealed to me as the ultimate form of personal expression. So my love of it grew from there. A lot of people think design is a glamorous job and are drawn to it for that reason but I was never thinking of it in terms of the lifestyle I would have doing it. I did it because I loved the process of creating clothing. For this reason, reality closely matched what I imagined.

ChickAdvisor:
What did you have to do to get where you are?

CARRIE:
I went to the International Academy of Design for fashion design. While I was studying I apprenticed with Toronto designers. I then graduated and started working in the design and manufacturing side of the fashion business. I was also making custom corsets on the side for my private clients. Fashion has been my whole life for a while now. I think you have to be dedicated to it in a very concrete way to make it in this business. Between starting school and starting my business, I spent six years working and learning at other companies.

Some of Carrie's earliest sketches as a young girl

ChickAdvisor:
What is the hardest part of your job?

CARRIE:
The hardest part of my job is the hardest part of anyone's job, which is doing the difficult things. In fashion everything is difficult. Everything is competitive. So I'm challenged every single day in anything I do to be smarter, harder working and more persistent.

ChickAdvisor:
What is the best part of your job?

CARRIE:
The best part of my job is being able to do something I find fulfilling. Practicing my art allows me to express myself. Making it my jobs allows me to practice my art every single day. So the opportunities I have to express myself in a meaningful way are frequent. I'm very thankful for that.

ChickAdvisor:
Who in your field really inspires you?

CARRIE:
Anyone who spends time and energy saying something important with their work inspires me. There are too many Heidi Montags out there cranking out clothing labels so they can call themselves designers. Anyone who designs in order to create beauty inspires me.

ChickAdvisor:
What is some advice you would give to fledgling designers?

CARRIE:
If you want to be a designer I would really evaluate if you're doing it for the right reasons and if you are then pursue it your whole life and never let someone else's opinion derail you. Only quit when it isn't making you happy any more.

ChickAdvisor:
Of your collections, what is your favorite piece of all time?

CARRIE:
I personally love the Architectural Dress (D0007) from my Fall 07 season. That was one of the first pieces that communicated clearly who I am.

ChickAdvisor:
Who is the CARRIE woman?

CARRIE:
The CARRIE woman is intelligent, easy going and sexy. She cares about good design and isn't willing to settle for less.

Carrie poses with one of her newest pieces

www.carriehayes.com

Fashionistas: Appear on an Episode For Our New Series!

Toronto: We are looking for the stylish among you to appear on an episode we are filming for our new video series!

If you have a fun personality and a unique personal style, we want you on the show. We will be filming at the Eaton Center the weekend of July 12th. Want in? Send me an email!

P.S Guys are welcome too!

The Art of Seduction French Lingerie Fashion Show

Why I'll be spending more time at the gym...
BubbleShare: Share photos - Find great Clip Art Images.

There is nothing quite as motivating as 20 lingerie models strutting the runway to make me want to get in better shape. Last night the Art of Seduction put on quite the show. I brought Alex who was more than willing to be the photographer for the evening.

The collections were stunning, but I'd have to say my most favorites were Princesse Tam Tam, Rosy and Elixir. I love the lace arm-sleeves and that ridiculous black hat. Everyone should have a hat like that.

The world would be a much more glamorous place, no? On the way home, Alex kept asking me when I was going to buy more lingerie...

Would you bring your man to a show like this?

Girl Talk - Why it Works?

There is a great discussion going on in our site forum* right now about the When, Where, and Why of having sex for the first time.

The first poster is contemplating if the time is right for her to "go all the way", and at the same time has concerns about protecting herself and sharing this moment with her boyfriend. Her comments have prompted many insightful responses from our members, including one who wistfully wishes she would have had this type of support back when she was facing a similar situation.

It struck me then that most of us probably do have quite a bit of support from family and friends, but hearing the tough truths from those closest to us - does it help?

Mom says: "Protect yourself! You don't want to end up pregnant at your age."

Grandma says: "In my day, if a gentleman wanted to call on me he had to ask my father first. Save those bedroom shenanigans for the wedding night, missie!"

BFF says: "Like, oh my Godddddd, he's kind of a tool."

Why is it that reaching out to a community of women you've never met can be in some ways more informative and comforting that trusting the opinions of your loved ones? Every comment in the thread echoed exactly what this young woman probably has already heard-- she probably did not get much information that she didn't already have.

Yet, sometimes hearing good sense from strangers can be more powerful than from someone you know is biased. Maybe it's exactly because they don't know the intimate details that their uniquely objective opinions strike a chord, or maybe it's because we feel we could freely disregard a stranger's advice and never have to deal with the aftermath of a hundred I-told-you-so's.

I have attended the last two ChickAdvisor ShopCrawls in Toronto, and in both cases ended up shopping with girls I had never met before that night. Strangely, I found myself putting greater stock in their fashion opinions than the few people also at the event who I know well. My Facebook account (though sadly neglected) is full of friends and friends of friends that I have only known a few months, but my emailing with family and former best friends has dwindled to a bare trickle.

Is it because I know what they will all say before they say it? Do I really think I'll get a fresh perspective from a stranger? I get into deep discussions with my seat mates on an airplane, talk politics with my hairdresser, and share Too Much Information with other mommies when discussing childbirth and other such (supposedly) private topics. In many cases, I would never dream of chatting about this with my family.

In the case of ChickChat, we can talk about everything under the sun because each of us has different experiences that offer perspective on any topic. We have a diverse ages, educations, relationship commitments, careers, and goals - and yet we usually come to a consensus. Who'd a thunk? Often, that consensus boils down to some good old common sense... the same 2 cents you probably already heard from your mom.

Thank you to all our ChickChat participants! We wouldn't be the same site without you.

To all of you who've never tried it, check it out*. You can always post anonymously and expect sincere answers.

*You must be a member and logged in to use our site forum. And behave yourself, or the site moderators will kick your @ss :D

Neat Storage Essentials

NEAT Storage Essentials, an adorable housewares boutique in Yorkville now carries Reisenthel products, a popular line from Germany that specializes in high quality household items, including a collection of uber cute reusable bags.


While I thought the Reisenthel products were great, I was especially struck by the cuteness of the store. If you've been in The Container Store in the US, you know we have nothing like it here. Neat Storage Essentials is like an upscale and much smaller version.


NEAT Storage Essentials is making the move from its original location in Yorkville, to 628 Queen Street West this fall. The NEAT Queen West location will be designed to present customers with a multitude of space-saving solutions from companies all over the world. Designers at 64th and Queen—Converse Canada, JacFlash and South Hill Home can be found on their client list—are working on the store design.


NEAT Owners Helene Clarkson and Andrew Livingston aim to inspire as they make their buying decisions to fill their store with best-in-category pieces from brands such as Authentics, Blomus, Element, Flor, Kartell, Metro, Normann, Reisenthel and more.

The MMVA Revolver After Party

Last night Revolver Film hosted their annual Much Music Video Awards bash at the Rosewater Supper Club to celebrate 25 years in the biz. Celebs made off with thousands of dollars of swag including sunglasses from gafas worth $1000 a pop.

We and a few brave photographers braved the elements, standing in the rain for several hours to interview celebrities. Band members from ill Scarlett, Finger Eleven, Hedley, Mobile, Winter Sleep and Canadian Idol Kalan Porter were more than willing to discuss their wardrobes with us... and a few other things.


Imagine asking a famous rockstar with eyeliner and black nailpolish how he feels about being a fashionista. Priceless. It was worth the rain and the bad hair I exposed everyone to. Favorite responses included "F&%*'n, #$@*, ya Man!" as well as articulately delivered monologues from some of the toughest looking rockers on why it is ok for a Dude to be a fashionista. Their mothers will be so proud.

Our DOP Brad Dworkin uses a raincoat to protect his camera and I let my hair go to $hit.

What really struck me that night was how nice everyone was. I expected these guys would totally brush me off with my fashion questions but they were so into it... it was cute! Even the ones you would expect to have a lot of attitude were really great. Watch for our video coming soon!

Happy Father's Day!

How well do you and Dad get along?

My Dad is pretty cool. He likes goes clubbing, throws awesome parties and has a better social life than I do. He can function on very little sleep, whereas I need 8 hours, he's an excellent gourmet cook, and he also runs a successful business. His philosophy is work hard, play hard. Mine so far is just work hard... er, work hard. He is generous, smart, and though he is an avid hunter/fisher, he also has a very endearing soft side - especially when it comes to his kids.

I call my Dad often to get advice about the business or just to talk about my day. Since he lives in Winnipeg and I am in Toronto, we don't get to see each other as often as we would like. We have gotten in the habit of texting each other this secret code we have that goes back to when I was about 5 years old. It is a 4 letter acronym that is totally nonsensical to anyone else but it means we are thinking of each other.

Of everyone in our family I am the most like my Dad. The good parts as well as the bad. We're both the second born and known for our feisty nature. Along with that comes a good dash of charm that really comes in handy. He definitely has enough stories to prove it!

He recently flew in for 24 hours to see me graduate last week. I know he was really busy with work and so it was a sacrifice for him to come. I'm really thankful for the relationship we have and hope that my kids enjoy my company as much as I do his.

Today make sure you take a moment to raise your glass to Dad.

Luminato: Get Pampered With Garnier

Luminato is a great festival for the city of Toronto. Not only are there a lot of wonderful performances and cultural experiences to take in, you also get access to a lot of cool free stuff!

Garnier has set up a cute little dome tent beside the Harbourfront Center that you just might want to check out! They have skin and haircare stations set up with experts to advise you on which products will best match your needs. They've got a few samples to try and will set you up with a coupon card you can redeem wherever their products are sold for some tidy discounts!

Wondering which hair colour to pick up at the grocery store? They'll find the one that matches your hair the best.

Worried about which cream is the best for your finicky skin this summer? Visit their skincare section for a personalized consultation on which products are right for you from cleanser and exfoliator to eye and day cream.

In addition to offering hair colour tips, they'll also take you through the best daily haircare products for you - and even style your hair a little. I went in with a mess of frizzy hair from the humidity and came out with a classy pony tail.

Ellen our beauty expert came out with a new "do" too!


Need one more reason to check it out? They've partnered with Nestle Noir and have a lovely platter of chocolates to munch on while you browse.

ModWomen & Candace Bushnell

I had the pleasure of attending the Lipstick Jungle Cocktail Luncheon by ModWomen yesterday at the Design Exchange. Candace Bushnell was the key note speaker and it was hosted by Cheryl Hickey. For $100 a ticket, women came decked out in their cutest dresses bags and shoes and were treated to a girly event like no other.

The beautiful Cheryl Hickey was the best dressed of the bunch!

Candace Bushnell makes the rounds in the media lounge

Guests sipped the Lipstick Jungle Cocktail (pomegranate juice and martini prosecco) while getting their hair and makeup done at the booths on the lower level. They then made their way to the second floor for beet risotto, snacks, and the speeches.


Authors Arline Malakian and Kim MacGregor, discussed their book, "Be a Woman" and shared some really inspirational insights with the audience.


Then Candace Bushnell hit the stage. Not quite the sweet voiced Carrie you would expect, Bushnell is loud, gruff and a little outrageous. She had plenty to say about shoes, her real life "Mr. Big" (she married "Mr. Bigger" instead), and why she thinks women need to work hard and buy our own shoes.

Goodie bags featured treats from Makeup Forever, Swarovski, Zink Magazine, La Senza and several others. One thing's for certain: ModWomen founder, Loulou Vibert really knows how to throw a party!

www.modwomen.com

ChickAdvisor Wants an Intern

*We'd love to boast that all of these pretties work for ChickAdvisor, but actually, they're just wearing the t-shirt. Oh, except for Claire (3rd from left) who does work here.

We are in the fortunate position of having too many products, too many events and too little time. Are you...

*Smart
*Savvy
*Fun
*Fashionable
*A ChickAdvisor member
*A good writer
*Detail oriented
*Reliable
*Have a few hours you could spare

We are looking for another "Chick" to add to the team to help us out with a few things here and there. The job is flexible, fun and gets you access to fabulous events and free products. It is a fantastic way to get really valuable web experience. This is a part time internship that can work around your schedule.

Send us an email with your resume, tell us why you rock and we'll chat.

Filming a new series!

You may wonder why I haven't been doing a lot here on the blog lately. In the last 3 weeks we have hosted two major events: our 3rd Shop Crawl, and the Sex and the City Chicks Night Out. I graduated from my 4 year degree, and started filming a new TV/Internet series. I'm having a blast but needless to say, have been quite preoccupied! Thankfully Claire has been pulling double time to make sure everything is still humming along here smoothly.


Our new show is going to be a lot of fun and I wish I could say more about that, but you'll just have to wait for now. Luckily for you, we are filming a couple of episodes in July that require your presence. Are you a star? Do you have great taste, slammin' style and an awesome personality to match? If so, we're looking for you and people like you the weekend of July 12th. Send us email and we'll fill you in with more details. We promise it will be fun!

Angelina Jolie's Vanity Fair Cover

Vanity Fair's July '08 cover, featuring Angelina Jolie

Vanity Fair has a reputation for pushing the boundary between art and good taste, doesn't it? For the most part, I have sided with artistic expression. For example:

The beautifully pregnant Demi Moore's 1991 cover

I always thought that she embodied so many beautiful sides of femininity in that picture: vulnerability, strength, bearer of life, fierce protector. Of course, I'm looking at that photo with today's sensitivities (read here: calloused can't-shock-me eyes).



Madonna's Green Issue cover (May '08)

Here I see the tongue-in-cheek portrayal of a dominatrix overpowering (or perhaps bearing the weight of?) the world, from someone well known to support environmental issues. I love this: the hidden messages that make it so much more than just a pretty picture.



Miley Cyrus' June '08 spread

I am of two minds here. For one, she is a girl transitioning into womanhood, slipping out of her cocoon with a Lolita-esque depth in her eyes. But here is also my problem, that in her case she is also a teen role model whose squeaky-cleanness is supposed to be her appeal. This photo spread, while artfully beautiful, should have waited a few more years in my opinion.

July 2008 (pictured at top) features the beautiful Angelina Jolie, her story is subtitled 'Uncensored'. Surrounding her glorious cleavage and smoky, "come hither" gaze are other featured titles, each loaded with innuendo:

~Inventing the Internet: an Oral History
~Abigail Breslin Keeps her Shirt On!
~Man Crushes
~Has Bill Clinton Lost his Mojo?
~Smuggling Cuban Baseball Players
~Exclusive Excerpt from the new James Bond

I don't see a single title that isn't linked to sexuality in one way or another, so maybe they should have called this "The Sex Issue". Then, when you get to reading the article you quickly realize that it has nothing to do with sex (other than that she is beautiful and reveling in her pregnancy) and you have to wonder what the editors were trying to accomplish with the cover.

Should I, as a woman, be offended at the overtly sexualized pregnant Jolie as the ultimate evidence of conjugal bliss? Perhaps as a mother I ought to be peeved at yet another stereotype of perfect womanhood be paraded around for all the swollen-ankled, mood-swinging Mommies-in-waiting to aspire. Is this another blatant example of the sex sells mantra most marketing plebes can't escape? Or maybe it's just a pretty picture...

What do you think?

Toronto: Father's Day Ideas

Dad doesn't need another tie. Do something original this year. Here are a few ideas to celebrate dear old Dad.

Mariposa Cruises is offering a buffet-style brunch aboard the legendary Mariposa Belle on Sunday, June 15, 2008 beginning at 11:30am.

Spend a unique afternoon with Dad cruising the scenic Toronto Harbour and Islands while feasting on a Buffet Brunch created with care by Mariposa’s professional Chefs.

Boarding begins at 11:30am, followed by the Brunch cruise from 12:00-2:00pm. Prices per person are Adults: $48.95 and children aged 4-12: $24.95 each + tax & hsc.

For more information visit www.mariposacruises.com or call 416-203-0178.

Indulge Dad with a tasty treat this Father’s Day! Eat My Words will be at Sherway Gardens on Saturday, June 14 in the Comfort Zone across from European Jewellery at Sherway Square selling brownies along with their fabulous floral cupcakes and some very cute sport themed cupcakes for Dad.

The profits from all Eat My Words treats go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Call 416-621-1070 for more information or visit www.sherwaygardens.ca or www.eatmywords.org.

And finally... Yorkville favorite, Over the Rainbow is having a fun filled event for Dads that supports the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation. There are some great prizes to be won and some yummy cheap eats!

Late-For-Work Excuses: the Good, the Bad, the Idiotic

So you overslept, can't find your favorite sweater, and you've been daydreaming about bumping into that hottie from the 8th floor. Bottom line: you are running seriously late for work.

Since none of the above exactly qualifies as a great excuse for tardiness, you need to get creative. Here are some fab suggestions from MSN.com:

~I had to audition for American Idol
~I was busy being indicted
or my personal fave...
~my route to work was cut off by a presidential motorcade

Apparently these are real life examples of some of the whoppers managers have been fed, and according to the article 24% of employees choose a fib over the truth when explaining away their lateness.

Which is stupid, because in many cases managers don't mind if you're late occasionally, as long as you meet your deadlines and produce consistently good work. I can really identify with this-- my husband and I have been known to be a smidge late at times.

Exhibit A: One of my husband's former employers offered a $25 monthly bonus to every employee that had a perfect attendance record, plus a $100 yearly bonus if you managed that all year. That works out to $400/year extra, which apparently did not sound like a whole lot to my husband because he never cashed in on any of it. One month, he was late 17 times (it was always only by 5-10 minutes) so his boss called him in for a "pep talk".

"There was only one other person who had this many lates in a single month... and we fired him."

My husband simply smiled and explained that he's not a morning person, he stays 1 or 2 hours late every day and delivers on all his projects. His manager made a weak attempt to encourage his future promptness and let it go. When my husband moved on to another job a year later, he received an excellent reference.

Lesson learned: Be honest. Your manager isn't an idiot and won't buy a complex excuse. Also, he/she doesn't care why you're late, just that you are. Deliver on your assignments and make up the time consistently.

Exhibit B: I was working night shift full-time at a bakery plus part-time at a grocery store while supporting my husband's studies. Understandably, I was seriously sleep deprived. One day I missed my alarm and was jarred awake by the phone. My manager at the store was calling to see why I wasn't there. In my half-awake state, I mumbled something about not being able to drive my scooter in the thunderstorm and I'd be in when the weather cleared.

She put me on hold, looked outside (I assume), and asked: "What thunderstorm?"

I was starting to come out of my fog and hastily said I'd be there as soon as possible. By the time I got to work I had forgotten all about it (sleepnesia, I figured). Later, my boss found me in the break room and asked about the confusion. Suddenly the entire conversation came back to me, and I stammered out the bald truth about having been still asleep while on the phone. I must have been dreaming the storm. A moment's pause, and then she began to howl with laughter. Other coworkers came in and were told the story in laughing gasps. It was embarrassing, but I laughed it off and it was never an issue. I should add that my manager knew I was working nights too, and so she never questioned my story.

Lesson learned: Again, be honest even if the truth is embarrassing. At least in my case, the excuse was perfectly plausible. Plus, if you're going to use such a complicated excuse, it'd better be the truth or you'll never keep your facts straight on redirect.

Have you ever fibbed and been caught? What was your most creative excuse? Tell us your story in the comments!

ChickAdvisor on Fortune Hunters

We're excited to announce that ChickAdvisor was featured again on yesterday's CBC Newsworld Fortune Hunters program! Check out their website for future air dates and to view our episode online.

Note: this is a rerun of last season's series. We are now, of course, even more fabulous than evah!

Weekend Movie Recommendation: Amelie

Last night the Mister went out with friends, and I saw this as a welcome excuse to watch a girly movie. I realized after looking around Blockbuster for 20 minutes that the pickings were rather slim, so I chose an old favorite.

For those of you who, inexplicably, have not yet seen Amelie, you are missing a real treat! This French film stars Audrey Tautou (recently seen in The Da Vinci Code) as a waitress who spends her time fixing her friends' lives, but eventually realizes that she needs to change her own. Her zany adventures are hilarious and endearing, and her own love story is the stuff chick flicks are made of.

This movie reminds me of Emma in its plot and uses a similar narrative style as The Royal Tenenbaums. If you loved either of those movies, you will adore Amelie!



Heads up: the movie is in French, but has subtitles.

Toronto: Meet Candace Bushnell

On Thursday June 12th, Modwomen.com is hosting a luncheon with Candace Bushnell filled with goodies and treats!

Creator and Best selling author of SEX OF THE CITY and LIPSTICK JUNGLE, Candace Bushnell shares her thoughts on life in today's fast lane. Hosted by Cheryl Hickey of Entertainment Tonight Canada. *First come, first served. Subject to capacity. EXPERIENCE Beauty Bar by Zink Magazine includes: Fragrance Bar - "Lovely" by Sarah Jessica Parker Nail Bar by 10 Spot Hand Care by Cake Beauty Hair by Redken Makeup by Makeup forever Paris Please note (first come first serve) Pre Lectures - (12 noon - 1pm) Redken presents "learn / see for yourself how to recreate sexy urban hair styles from Redken 5th Avenue NYC" "Be a Woman" Authors Arline Malakian and Kim MacGregor Candace Bushnell - (1pm) Lipstick Jungle Cocktails, Evian & Hors' douvres Gift Bags - Swarovski, La Senza, Coty Canada, Environ skinhealth, Makeup forever Paris, Bellair tan, Redken, Zink Magazine, etc. For more details and to purchase tickets visit their website at www.modwomen.com

This Weekend: Want to be featured on our new show?

We are filming a new series this weekend and will be roving about the Toronto Eaton Center. If you want a shot at being on the show, dress well and look for me and my crew. We expect to be filming between approx 11am and 8pm. Hope to see you there!

Gasoline Boycott, Anyone?

"Fill 'er up!" Not bloody likely. It's more like I wonder how far I can get on $10 worth...

Not very far. (Not even at the O.P.I. counter!)

And yet, when I received a forwarded email today about boycotting gas stations on a certain day in the hopes of causing a price war, I rolled my eyes. Why? Because boycotts don't work.

You may not realize that most gas stations are franchises, meaning the owners buy the fuel from Exxon or Shell (etc). They build in a certain profit margin, add the applicable taxes, and then pass it on to the consumer. The local and federal taxes are non-negotiable and the fuel costs are based on macroeconomic factors (and I'll get into that in a sec) that care nothing about a little price war in Gimli, Manitoba or Canton, Ohio. The only wiggle room left to sustain a price war comes from the station owner's profit.

When the gasoline profit is cut for competition reasons, the bacon must be earned somewhere else. As long as the average Joe comes inside and buys a $2 Mars bar and a slurpee, the business makes up the difference. That was before the recession here in the US. Now, most of us swipe our cards at the pump and only go inside to ask directions to the interstate or use the restroom. Result: gas stations lose their profit margin and operate at cost. Owners and employees take the pinch and the price war doesn't even blip on Exxon's radar. Sure it saves you a couple of bucks, but it might cost someone their job.

So, let's say you could persuade the entire country to participate in a one day boycott. The oil companies know that if you don't buy gas on Monday, you'll tank up on Sunday or Tuesday. It will make up most of Monday's loss and their sales will be unaffected.

The price of oil is driven by: the costs of exploration, extraction, refinement and distribution, world currencies and economies (and by extension, world stock markets), geopolitical issues (e.g. war, trade agreements), weather-related catastrophes, and the enormous profit margins enjoyed by OPEC-member countries and oil barons. It is not affected by a 10¢ drop at the pump.

So what can consumers do? Just as in a price war, we can squeeze the profit - but this time with the giants.

This fun little Vespa costs less than $5000 brand new, gets 70-80 mpg (3-3.5 L/100km) and can travel 60 mi/hr (95 km/h). And really, how cute is it?

1. Reduce your oil consumption.

Duh, yes. Drive less, carpool/public transit more. Buy a fuel efficient vehicle or scooter. The economic principles of Supply & Demand suggest that if we use less, more will be available at a lower price. Before you switch though, consider these:

-ethanol is not the ultimate solution. It is part of the reason our staple foods (think bread, vegetables, etc) have increased in price because instead of eating our crops we are burning them. It is better than fossil fuels, but still needs to be processed and transported.

-electric and hybrid vehicles need to get their energy from somewhere. Know what your regional power sources are: coal? nuclear? hydroelectric? They all have pros and cons.

-getting better fuel economy should not discourage you from driving less. There is still pollution coming from your tailpipe, and highway congestion is a big problem.

2. Adjust your investment portfolio.

Find out if any of the stocks you own are tied to Big Oil, and change that. Rising stock prices line the pockets of the fat cats; they do not create bargain opportunities. Lately, the price of crude has jumped from the low $100s/barrel to over $130/barrel.

At the same time, stocks in solar technology have skyrocketed as savvy investors recognize that this is one of the important trends for the future. As a self-directed investor, I have heard a lot of buzz about wind energy companies set to list on the New York Stock Exchange soon. I, for one, will be waiting with money in hand. Line your own pockets while you stick it to the oil giants!

3. Buy local products.

Everything at the supermarket, furniture store, and mall is shipped from somewhere. Buying from local producers reduces shipping needs and the associated pollution. Your food will be fresher and you support your local economy.

4. Vacation locally.

Check out the vacation opportunities in your state/province. A trip to the beach or a charming B&B will consume less fuel than a Cayman-bound 747. Maybe get to know your city's museums and galleries properly. I personally find vacationing in a 3rd-world country inside a gated compound vaguely depressing, anyway.

Ultimately, using these and other creative ideas to reduce your gasoline use will benefit you as much as the environment because it saves you money. I have found that using the frugal argument is more effective than thumping with my "Save the Whales!" shtick when trying to encourage my friends and neighbors to rethink their eco-footprint.

What other methods do you use to decrease gasoline use? Please share them in the comments!

Chicks Night Out Sex and the City Pictures!

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If you have any pictures you'd like to share from this event, please email them or send us the link :)

Behind the Scenes Party Planning at ChickAdvisor H.Q.

What does it take to pull off two separate events in as many days? And that's on top of whatever other fabulous stuff we've got in the works...

Now, a girl might well imagine what goes on behind the scenes but a fella hasn't a hot clue when it comes to the girly stuff. Alex, though a good sport, was at times left scratching his head as he watched Ali and I.

Planning. Previewing samples (and by that, I mean testing :). Gossiping. Painting our nails. And watching the Young & the Restless. All of which occurred simultaneously.

Eventually he put on his headphones and played some testosterone-laden computer game. But really, it was a win-win situation.

It amuses me how after years of dating and marriage, most guys are befuddled when faced with an estrogen-filled room (and I certainly include my husband here). Imagine this (completely true) situation:

Ali: 'Ooh, the Lise Watier stuff!'
Claire: 'Oh my gosh, pass me one! I have to try it.'
Ali: 'Alex, smell me...'
Alex (suspiciously): 'Why?'
Ali: 'I put some of that stuff on.'
Alex: 'Stuff??'
Claire: 'Hey, so is it true Gloria was fired?'
Alex: 'Who??'
Ali: 'Yeah, it was hilarious! Remind me to buy those ingredients later.'
Alex: ??
Claire: 'Yah, and we have to stop by to buy my kids' souvenirs. We can get it on the way.'

Pause. We're stuffing tissue into the swag bags, taking care to fluff it just so.

Ali: 'Can you email the helpers the final list?'
Claire: 'No prob. We still need to do a walk-through, too.'

Pause.

Alex: 'So, you guys just talked about 46 different things in the last 5 minutes.'
Ali & Claire: 'Yup.'
Alex: 'Just checking.'

Now this is just a pet theory of mine, but I think this is why men are prone to baldness.

Shop Crawl Part 3 Pictures!

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Here are a few pictures from the event on Thursday. If you have some you'd like to share, please feel free to email them to us or links :)

For those of you who came, please review the stores and the products in the goodie bags. That kind of feedback is a huge part of what makes future shop crawls possible.

Toronto: Petite Fashionista Party

The Petite Fashionista is throwing a fabulous event on Sunday June 22nd that we plan to attend... will you?

When:
Sunday June 22nd

Where:
Proof Bar Sky Lounge in the Intercontinental Hotel 220 Bloor Street West

What:
*Bid to Own Celebrity Outfits including HEROs Hayden Panettiere

*Fashion shows by top petite brand designers including TLE Designs, Sweet Petite, Joes Jeans, Benedicto, 5ft2in, Lovelina, Kingston 20 and Fernanda Carneiro will go on throughout the day.

*In addition, ticket holders will receive style advice and tips from fashion insiders, live wardrobe makeovers, and will afterwards be able to shop for the latest trends in clothing, accessories and make-up exclusively for petites.

*All ticket holders will also receive a complimentary manicure, mini massage or the hemming of one pair of pants or skirt. Music to be provided by DJ Loquenz.

How Much?
Tickets are $15, but ChickAdvisor members get a special price of $13 by entering coupon code: CHICK at checkout.

Get Tickets!