As a birthday present for me, my close friend gave me a spray tan at her spa Oresta's http://www.oresta.ca/ on Wellington. She wanted me to look nice and tanned for my Cuba holiday. I have also heard that tanned skin can make you look 10 pounds slimmer - so sign me up!
This was my first spray tan. It was a very interesting experience - what I can say is that you can't be shy getting a spray tan. There are a few steps to follow to help ensure a good tanning experience. First you are supposed to exfoliate your skin, wear no makeup or creams, wear no jewelry and also wear dark preferably black clothes - so not to stain them.
When you arrive, you have the option to wear your bra and undies - if you want to opt for disposable undies - you can ask for them. I however decided to wear my birthday suit since it was my birthday present. To get your tan, you stand in this special tanning tent and she will start spraying you with the tanning solution. You are asked to do all sorts of poses while you are being sprayed to ensure a nice even tan. If you have large "natural" breasts, they may ask you to lift up your boobies to spray under them. God forbid if you have a shadow under your boobs.
The result - I would say I am very satisfied with the tan. It looks natural, and I don't even feel it on my skin. I would definitely recommend this to anyone. It is also great for when you feel like "crap", it gives you a beautiful glow and boost.
And do I look 10 pounds slimmer? Well I feel good and I think it's the confidence that makes me look slimmer.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Stay-at-home Mom Look
Wanna look like you're from the 'hood of Wellington West', or more specifically assimilate into the Wellington West stay-at-home mom fresh look? You can even wear this ensemble when you're not in the neighborhood for a distinct and immediate nod to your lifestyle.
First you need to be pushing a stroller, not any stroller, a Chariot or Bugaboo. http://www.chariotcarriers.ca/ http://www.bugaboo.com/
Holding a latte cup from Bridgehead or Starbucks. http://www.starbucks.com/ http://www.bridgehead.ca/
Sunglasses on top of your head - you even have them if it's raining.
Lululemon sweatshirt. http://www.lululemon.com/
Lululemon yoga pants
If it starts getting cold, a Lululemon coat.
A scarf.
Comfortable shoes or sandals - never heels.
Of course something from Joe Fresh, to show off your thrifty side. http://www.joe.ca/
If you have all this, you will fit right into the "hood". Oh, I shouldn't forget to mention, you do need to have a child to complete this look.
First you need to be pushing a stroller, not any stroller, a Chariot or Bugaboo. http://www.chariotcarriers.ca/ http://www.bugaboo.com/
Holding a latte cup from Bridgehead or Starbucks. http://www.starbucks.com/ http://www.bridgehead.ca/
Sunglasses on top of your head - you even have them if it's raining.
Lululemon sweatshirt. http://www.lululemon.com/
Lululemon yoga pants
If it starts getting cold, a Lululemon coat.
A scarf.
Comfortable shoes or sandals - never heels.
Of course something from Joe Fresh, to show off your thrifty side. http://www.joe.ca/
If you have all this, you will fit right into the "hood". Oh, I shouldn't forget to mention, you do need to have a child to complete this look.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
The Best Places to Buy Shoes
Our neighbourhood is not the best place to buy shoes unless you are looking for kid shoes or hiking boots. You have to travel outside of our "hood" to a few good shoe stores. Here are some of my favourite places to go:
Glebe Trotters in the Glebe on Bank Street.
Letilillier http://www.letelliershoes.ca/ downtown on Rideau Street.
Browns http://www.brownsshoes.com/ and The Bay in Rideau Centre. The Bay is great especially on Bay Days - because of their great discounts.
Solea on Carling http://www.solea.ca/
Kilborn's http://www.kilborns.ca/ in Newboro on Rideau Lakes is a fantastic place to go if you don't mind the drive (almost 2 hour drive). When I entered this store I was shocked, for a small town this store has a crazy selection of excellent shoes and is definitely worth the drive if you are having trouble finding the right shoes or boots in Ottawa.
Boutique Burro Borracho (Facebook Page) if you are ever passing by or in Wakefield check out this store for their coolest selection of the latest fashions.
If you don't want to leave the house, I recommend these two online stores: SoftMoc http://www.softmoc.ca/ and Walking on a Cloud http://www.walkingonacloud.ca/. I've ordered from both of these online stores with no problems.
Happy Shoe Shopping!!
Glebe Trotters in the Glebe on Bank Street.
Letilillier http://www.letelliershoes.ca/ downtown on Rideau Street.
Browns http://www.brownsshoes.com/ and The Bay in Rideau Centre. The Bay is great especially on Bay Days - because of their great discounts.
Solea on Carling http://www.solea.ca/
Kilborn's http://www.kilborns.ca/ in Newboro on Rideau Lakes is a fantastic place to go if you don't mind the drive (almost 2 hour drive). When I entered this store I was shocked, for a small town this store has a crazy selection of excellent shoes and is definitely worth the drive if you are having trouble finding the right shoes or boots in Ottawa.
Boutique Burro Borracho (Facebook Page) if you are ever passing by or in Wakefield check out this store for their coolest selection of the latest fashions.
If you don't want to leave the house, I recommend these two online stores: SoftMoc http://www.softmoc.ca/ and Walking on a Cloud http://www.walkingonacloud.ca/. I've ordered from both of these online stores with no problems.
Happy Shoe Shopping!!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Three Bakers and A Bike
Three Bakers and A Bike is a little bakery/restaurant on Wellington right by Bridgehead. This is one of my favourite spots to have lunch with the kids and my Mother-in law because of the nice, friendly atmosphere and affordable lunches. The kids love going here, but it's more for the cupcakes.
They have these perfect mini sized cupcakes that let you "cheat" a little without feeling that guilty. I noticed lots of preteens and teenagers quite frequent this place buying cupcakes at lunch. If you like their cupcakes, they also make yummy birthday cakes in all different sizes.
If you do go their for lunch, the Friday vegetarian chili is very filling and delicious and the bread is to die for -nothing like fresh, soft bread. Any other day they offer the Soup of the Day and various sandwiches. My kids usually get a grilled cheese and it always comes with a plate full of fresh veggies (which Mom likes).
One thing I don't get a chance to do is grab breakfast at Three Bakers - I've heard its a great place for that too.
I should add, another aspect I like about this place is that all their plates, cups and saucers don't match. I heard they buy all their place settings at St Vincent's - which is kind a cool I think.
They have these perfect mini sized cupcakes that let you "cheat" a little without feeling that guilty. I noticed lots of preteens and teenagers quite frequent this place buying cupcakes at lunch. If you like their cupcakes, they also make yummy birthday cakes in all different sizes.
If you do go their for lunch, the Friday vegetarian chili is very filling and delicious and the bread is to die for -nothing like fresh, soft bread. Any other day they offer the Soup of the Day and various sandwiches. My kids usually get a grilled cheese and it always comes with a plate full of fresh veggies (which Mom likes).
One thing I don't get a chance to do is grab breakfast at Three Bakers - I've heard its a great place for that too.
I should add, another aspect I like about this place is that all their plates, cups and saucers don't match. I heard they buy all their place settings at St Vincent's - which is kind a cool I think.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Goop: Another reason to love Gwyneth
Do you want to live a similar life to Gwyneth Paltrow? Or want to know what she is up too? Well you are in luck, my girl friends introduced me to "Goop".
Goop is a weekly newsletter created by Gwyneth Paltrow. In this newsletter, Gwyneth shares her recipes, interesting products she comes across, recommends books to read and also gives advice on health, beauty and life in general.
I am curious why this newsletter is called "Goop" but then I remembered she is the one who called her children "Apple" and "Moses" - not your most common names.
Goop, if not inspirational, is definitely an entertaining read. I would recommend subscribing to this if you are interested in the lifestyle of Gwyneth Paltrow or just curious what the rich and famous do in their spare time.
Check out her website: http://www.goop.com/ and let me know your thoughts on it.
Goop is a weekly newsletter created by Gwyneth Paltrow. In this newsletter, Gwyneth shares her recipes, interesting products she comes across, recommends books to read and also gives advice on health, beauty and life in general.
I am curious why this newsletter is called "Goop" but then I remembered she is the one who called her children "Apple" and "Moses" - not your most common names.
Goop, if not inspirational, is definitely an entertaining read. I would recommend subscribing to this if you are interested in the lifestyle of Gwyneth Paltrow or just curious what the rich and famous do in their spare time.
Check out her website: http://www.goop.com/ and let me know your thoughts on it.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Calabogie Peaks
The weather is getting colder and that means it's going to start snowing soon. When there is snow, ski season is right around the corner!!
My family and I have been skiing at Calabogie Peaks www.calabogie.com/pages/winter-fun.php for the past few years. Before we had kids we religiously skied at Mont Ste Marie and granted we had a great time there. Now with two kids, we wanted to ski at a smaller hill and found Calabogie Peaks "fit the bill".
This is an awesome hill to start your child skiing because they have a magic carpet ski lift on the beginner hill. The magic carpet lift is like a conveyor belt that you step onto and it slides you up the hill. It is the least threatening type of ski lift out there and is key to teaching your child to ski without frightening them or straining your back. Because of the easiness of the magic carpet, we were able to start our children skiing a lot earlier, our daughter was 2 years old and our son was 17 months.
Calabogie Peaks also has an excellent snow school program. I highly recommend that if your children are beginners, register them for the "ski wees" program - it's taught on the magic carpet hill. Both of our kids have been through "ski wees" and we found it taught them the basics of downhill skiing but also taught them to be independent skiers - like how to use the magic carpet by themselves, how to put your skis on and how to take them off - all things that make life easier for parents on the hill.
Calabogie Peaks also has a great recreational racing program too - its called "Snow Stars". Our 6 year old daughter is in the "Snow Star" racing program and had a blast in it last year. We are hoping to introduce our 4 year old son to downhill ski racing too, we just have to see if he can keep up with the 6 year olds.
There is a competitive racing program for older children, I've heard good things about it but unfortunately I'm not too familiar with it.
Don't despair adults about skiing at a smaller hill, Calabogie Peaks is surprisingly challenging and has lots of different hills to ski on. There is also a great bar in the main lodge that we tend to hang out in for lunch and a for few apres ski drinks. They also provide live music on Saturdays, which is entertaining for kids and adults.
For accommodations, there are lots of chalets to rent in the area or you can always stay at the hotel right next door http://www.calabogie.com/pages/resort-accommodations.php. However, Calabogie Peaks is close enough to Ottawa, that you can drive up for the day (about an hours drive).
If you are planning on skiing at Calabogie Peaks this year, don't wait to buy your season pass - they have a sale on now until October 31st.
Check out some video I took of our kids skiing at Calabogie Peaks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-osMg-T6cc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=815KiVI_zs4&feature=related.
My family and I have been skiing at Calabogie Peaks www.calabogie.com/pages/winter-fun.php for the past few years. Before we had kids we religiously skied at Mont Ste Marie and granted we had a great time there. Now with two kids, we wanted to ski at a smaller hill and found Calabogie Peaks "fit the bill".
This is an awesome hill to start your child skiing because they have a magic carpet ski lift on the beginner hill. The magic carpet lift is like a conveyor belt that you step onto and it slides you up the hill. It is the least threatening type of ski lift out there and is key to teaching your child to ski without frightening them or straining your back. Because of the easiness of the magic carpet, we were able to start our children skiing a lot earlier, our daughter was 2 years old and our son was 17 months.
Calabogie Peaks also has an excellent snow school program. I highly recommend that if your children are beginners, register them for the "ski wees" program - it's taught on the magic carpet hill. Both of our kids have been through "ski wees" and we found it taught them the basics of downhill skiing but also taught them to be independent skiers - like how to use the magic carpet by themselves, how to put your skis on and how to take them off - all things that make life easier for parents on the hill.
Calabogie Peaks also has a great recreational racing program too - its called "Snow Stars". Our 6 year old daughter is in the "Snow Star" racing program and had a blast in it last year. We are hoping to introduce our 4 year old son to downhill ski racing too, we just have to see if he can keep up with the 6 year olds.
There is a competitive racing program for older children, I've heard good things about it but unfortunately I'm not too familiar with it.
Don't despair adults about skiing at a smaller hill, Calabogie Peaks is surprisingly challenging and has lots of different hills to ski on. There is also a great bar in the main lodge that we tend to hang out in for lunch and a for few apres ski drinks. They also provide live music on Saturdays, which is entertaining for kids and adults.
For accommodations, there are lots of chalets to rent in the area or you can always stay at the hotel right next door http://www.calabogie.com/pages/resort-accommodations.php. However, Calabogie Peaks is close enough to Ottawa, that you can drive up for the day (about an hours drive).
If you are planning on skiing at Calabogie Peaks this year, don't wait to buy your season pass - they have a sale on now until October 31st.
Check out some video I took of our kids skiing at Calabogie Peaks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-osMg-T6cc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=815KiVI_zs4&feature=related.
Monday, October 25, 2010
4Cats for Birthday Parties
4Cats Art Studio http://www.4cats.com/ recently opened in Hintonburg on Wellington. 4Cats is a franchise art studio geared towards kids and teens with a variety of art themed programs and camps. One thing I didn't know is that they also host birthday parties.
My 6 year old daughter was invited to her friends "Paint Splatter" themed birthday party at 4Cats on Saturday. This was one of the 6 different art themed parties they have. The party runs for an hour and 45 minutes and within that time they created a masterpiece, had a parent supplied snack and cake and then opened presents. Creating the masterpiece I was told was a "great" time. All the girls got to splatter paint on a canvas. The splattering experience involved spraying paint with paint brushes, throwing "paint" balloons and squirting syringes filled with paint.
I must let you know, I highly recommend that you read the birthday party invitation supplied from 4Cats. I just read what time the party started at but skipped over the other details, particularly the one that said "Please wear really old clothes and shoes. Things get messy!". My daughter was wearing her normal dressy birthday party attire. 4Cats did supply her with an old t-shirt but with paint being sprayed everywhere, she still managed to be covered in paint. Her black boots, dress and tights were covered in a rainbow spray of paint, she had paint all over her face and my favourite; she had a pink streak of paint in her hair. Luckily the paint washed off, so Mom and kid were happy.
My 6 year old daughter was invited to her friends "Paint Splatter" themed birthday party at 4Cats on Saturday. This was one of the 6 different art themed parties they have. The party runs for an hour and 45 minutes and within that time they created a masterpiece, had a parent supplied snack and cake and then opened presents. Creating the masterpiece I was told was a "great" time. All the girls got to splatter paint on a canvas. The splattering experience involved spraying paint with paint brushes, throwing "paint" balloons and squirting syringes filled with paint.
I must let you know, I highly recommend that you read the birthday party invitation supplied from 4Cats. I just read what time the party started at but skipped over the other details, particularly the one that said "Please wear really old clothes and shoes. Things get messy!". My daughter was wearing her normal dressy birthday party attire. 4Cats did supply her with an old t-shirt but with paint being sprayed everywhere, she still managed to be covered in paint. Her black boots, dress and tights were covered in a rainbow spray of paint, she had paint all over her face and my favourite; she had a pink streak of paint in her hair. Luckily the paint washed off, so Mom and kid were happy.
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