Get Your Polish On

We finally have our summer! So, if you haven't done so already, get your pretty toes on.

The best pedicure in Calgary can be had at Macaronies in Kensington.

Macaronies' newest esthetician, Kim, is the lady to see. I broke from my French pedi tradition and opted for sparkly red (OPI Little Red Wagon) last visit. Love it. I also love the mini-OPI polish bottles. Do you ever use up a full size bottle of nail polish before it goes gloopy or you fall out of love it? I don't. Minis are the perfect solution.

Lee National Denim Day

Almost everyone I know either wears jeans every day or on "casual Fridays". That means everyone can participate in the Lee National Denim Day to benefit women's cancer programs. This is US-based charitable organization but funds to find a cure benefit women everywhere.

Organize your workplace and raise money on Friday, October 2nd.

Carine Roitfeld. Sigh.

Photo: Hedi Slimane

This morning, I happened to click up on an image of Carine Roitfeld, editor of French Vogue. Love, love, love her. You simply MUST read this February 2008 New York Magazine featuring Ms. Roitfeld - it's an absolute classic. A few quotes:

“I do not like comfortable,” Roitfeld says. She has outlawed sneakers and what she calls “Hugg boots” in her office because “they are hugly.”

Regarding a trip to Thailand:

“You think this will be so glamorous,” she sighs. “You have the idea in your mind and then you get there and the people in the hotel …” She grimaces and gestures hugely in the hip area. “There were lots of people who were so fat and like that.”

About the first lady of France, Carla Bruni:

“For us it is good. She is very glamour. She can fit in the clothes."

So good. If you want more....

Just Charming

Image: Juicy Couture

Image: Tiffany & Co.

I'm all over the charm thing. It's fun jewelery you can mix and match to your mood and outfit. The clip on charm, like this Juicy Knight's Helmet, is perfect for fashion chameleons. If you have a standard, link bracelet, you can change it up any which way.

Juicy offers loads of clip on charms in both gold and silver tone. Or if you want to go up market, you can spend a little or a lot on charms at Tiffany. Have the jeweler add a lobster clip if want the removable option.

Anthropologie in Alberta!

Wheeee! Such great news on this cold, wintry day. Anthropologie is soon to open a store in West Edmonton Mall in Alberta. If you love Anthropologie as much as I do, this is cause for major celebrations.

They even sell items that are made in Canada, like the cool Nine Pin Earrings above - very cool.

It almost makes going to the mall bearable.

Almost.

Sound Styling

I've taken to carrying copious amounts of food around with me at all times. Part of my healthy-eating, YAYOBA kick. The dusty, beer-chillin' cooler bag just wasn't maximizing my style. So began my search for a cooler bag - focus on the COOL.

Through my search I have deduced that cooler bags fall into one of three categories:

1) Utility: think Walmart, red and navy with plenty of zippers
2) Obnoxious: think Budweiser and Harley Davidson
3) Impractical: think faux-Burberry design, large enough to hold a few carrot sticks and a bottle of expensive water.

The solution I found really has its' own category - Burton.

You know I love Burton luggage. Big fan. Should have known Burton would create the smartest cooler bags too. The Lil' Buddy even has a set of battery powered speakers you can plug your iPod into. The sound's not Sennheiser but it's pretty fun to have music with your cooler.

Good side zip compartments, sturdy zippers and loads of funky prints. Love it.

Check out CNET's review:

We're So Vain: Tickle Me Francey

Yes, the fingers (and now toes) are constantly on display. If you're like me, your hands and nails are the hardest body part to maintain. Someone actually asked me once if I was a GARDENER?! Rude! My hands were even clean.....

I've found a nail polish color that reduces maintenance time. It's very close to nude in color so won't show chips and wear as quickly. Tickle Me Francey is from OPI's La Collection de France, Fall 2008 and is lovely for Spring 2009 as well. So pretty.

Now I will paint my nails, sip my latte and dream of getting my butt to France.