Target taking over Zellers

If you are a cross border shopper, you will be happy to hear that Target is moving to Canada from the US. Target will be taking over Zellers and plan to eventually open 200 to 250 outlets across Canada. Beginning in 2013, they will start off with opening 100 to 150 Target stores. For the Zeller locations that are not being converted to Target, they will be sold off.

I for one will be sad to see Zellers go, I have been a big supporter of Zellers in Huntsville. They always seemed to have something I wanted at a discount price. However, I am curious to see what Target has to offer. Target claims to be a "hipper version of Walmart" and more higher end.



Courtesy of The Financial Post

Target also plans to 'woo' Canadian customers with an offer of 5% off every shopping trip when you use the Target credit and debit card - not a bad incentive.



There has been no word yet if they will be opening any Target stores in Ottawa - I'm fairly certain there will be at least one.  And you can bet I will be checking it out for bargains and buying clothes there so I can be a "hipper version of Walmart".

 

Benefit - Confessions of a Concealaholic: Younger Looking Eyes

As I'm aging I'm looking for ways to make my eyes look younger without going under the knife or Botox. I'm under 40 and I'm sick of people saying that I look tired - I'd rather them say "hey you look good for 38" or "you're 38, I thought you were 28!". So I have been on a crusade to find products to make me look younger. I found one makeup product that I believe make my eyes look brighter and more youthful, it is called "Confessions of a Concealaholic" by Benefit Cosmetics.  This is a concealer and brightening kit that contains multiple products.

The Kit Contains

That Gal: Brightening face primer.
Erase Paste: Brightening camouflage for eyes and face 

Boi-ing Concealer 01 Light:  For concealing fair complexions.

Boi-ing Concealer 02 Medium: For concealing medium complexions.

Eye Bright: Pale pink instant eye brightener.

Lemon Aid: Sheer pale yellow color correcting eyelid primer
Brushes: Labelled for each product.
Booklet: Step-by-step lesson .

The two products I believe that made a difference were the Eye Bright and Lemon Aid products. The Eye Bright applied at the corners of your eye and below your eyebrow definitely perk up your eyes with a youthful pink hue. Lemon Aid, is a yellow tinted eyelid primer and when spread evenly over your eyelids make them look refreshed and not so tired.

The Boi-ing concealer products do their job, they conceal all of your imperfections and Erase Paste helps decrease the look of dark circles under the eyes. I was excited to use That Gal, the brightening face primer with a pink hue but it doesn't make me look as radiant as it claims. I believe if you have paler skin, it would work for you.

I have been using these products for about a week now and I noticed noone has said that I look tired. However, I'm still waiting for people to say I look younger - maybe Botox will be in my future.

You can find Confessions of a Concealaholic at Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart, Murale or online at Benefit Cosmetics.

Murale: For Beautiful Eyebrows

I have heard the best place in town to get your eyebrows done was Murale located on Bank at the corner of Laurier in downtown Ottawa. Murale is part of Shoppers Drug Mart and you get the bonus of earning Shoppers Optimum Points when you purchase products or services at Murale. 

Murale has this very cool and specialized "Benefit Brow Bar" and claim that your brows will "look groomed and gorgeous" once they are finished with you. Be prepared if you are getting your brows done, this is a professional job and they take their time doing your eyebrows.

First, they recommend that you don't tweeze your eyebrows at least three weeks prior to your visit; this will allow your hair to be at a more even growth pattern and provide easier maintenance between appointments.

Your treatment starts off with a consultation of your eyebrows with the aesthetician. The aesthetician examines your eyebrows, does some measurements and discusses with you the desired shape that you want and then gives you their recommendations. 

Then once you agree to the shape, the aesthetician will begin waxing most of the undesired hairs and then tweeze other stray hairs. They may even trim any long hairs so the brows look neat and tidy. In the end your eyebrows will have some shape and look defined.

The final step the aesthetician will use the Benefit Brow filler called "Brow Zing" to fill in any sparse areas that were over plucked or to add a slight arch and definition to your brow for an instant eye lift.

Once the aesthetician is finished she will recommend that you come back in the next three to four weeks and that you don't pluck them in between visits.

From all the different spas I have been to in Ottawa, Murale is definitely the best place to get your eyebrows done - I highly recommend them. Let me know what you think of them and what your experience was.

Neighbourhood Valentine's Gift Ideas

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and don't be caught without a present or plan.  I have composed a list of helpful ideas for gifts and suggested some romantic places to eat in Wellington Village and Westboro.

Flowers: A beautiful bouquet of flowers always makes a woman feel special check out Westboro's Trivoli or West Wellington's Flowers Talk.

Chocolate or Candy: Sweeten your sweethearts heart with some delicious truffles from Westboro's Truffle Treasures or some red candy hearts from The Candy Store.

Alcohol: Visit our local LCBO and select a premium bottle of Scotch or Vintage Wine for that special man in your life.

Underwear: Lululemon's men or woman's underwear, or a gift certificate to one of our local lingerie stores BraChic or  Lilac Lingerie. I highly recommend buying a gift certificate for that special woman because if you don't know her size and you guess...you are just asking for trouble.

Heart or Love Themed Gifts: A heart key chain, or diamond ring napkin holders are just a few of the items you can find at West Wellington's Thyme & Again. You can also check out Swiss Pastries for other edible gifts.


Dinner Out: Nothing is more romantic then a Valentine's themed dinner at one of our neighbourhood restaurants. I have listed a few of the more romantic type restaurants on Wellington and Richmond Road: Bella's Bistro Italiano, Canvas, Wellington Gastropub, Village Cafe, Juniper, Fratelli, Allium and Absinthe. Remember to give them a call ASAP, they book up fast for Valentine's Day.


Dinner In: Why not romance your special someone with catered dinner at home. This is also ideal if you have kids and no babysitter. Check out Thyme & Again or Dish Catering for take home meals or call one of the restaurants listed below.


Jewellery: Girls love trinkets. The staff at Bija Bijoux and Magpie (opening soon) will be happy to help you pick out something to "woo" your woman.

Contact Details:

Absinthe: 1208 Wellington Street, 613-761-1138

Allium: 87 Holland Avenue, 613-792-1313

Bella's Bistro Italiano:1445 Wellington Street West, 613-724-6439
Bija Bijoux: 1307 Wellington Street, 613-728-7371
BraChic: 433 Richmond Road, 613-321-0401
Canvas: 65 Holland Avenue, 613-729-1991

Dish Catering:119 Ross Avenue: 613-761-1302

Flowers Talk: 1305 Wellington Street West, 613-321-0592

Fratelli: 309 Richmond Road, 613-722-6772

Juniper: 245 Richmond Road, 613-728-0220

LCBO: 222 Richmond Road, 613-729-1735

Lilac Lingerie: 307B Richmond Road, 613-688-0321

Lululemon: 340 Richmond Road, 613-761-1839

Magpie: 430 Richmond Road

Swiss Pastries: 205 Richmond Road, 613-761-6551

The Candy Store: 350 Richmond Road, 613-728-7500
Thyme & Again: 1255 Wellington Street West, 613-722-6277

Trivoli: 282 Richmond Road, 613-729-6911

Truffle Treasures: 314 Richmond Road, 613-230-3859

Village Cafe: 295 Richmond Road, 613-728-2162

Wellington Gastropub:1325 Wellington Street West, 613-729-1315

The Champlain Park Winter Carnival

The Champlain Park Winter Carnival is tomorrow Saturday, January 29, 2011 from 11 to 3pm.

Enjoy the horse-drawn sleigh ride, outdoor skating games, wishing well and live fiddle music.  There will also be a chili cook-off - ideal meal idea for those cold winter nights.  Food and drinks will  be available at great prices. Wonderful winter fun for the whole family.

Admission is free!

Directions: At the Champlain Park Rink and Fieldhouse, bordered by Clearview, Carleton, Cowley and Pontiac Avenue in the St George School neighborhood.

Wellington Wholesale Seafood

We finally have a great place to buy fish and seafood, it's located in Hintonburg just west of Giant Tiger on Wellington called  Wellington Wholesale Seafood: 1105 Wellington St. West.  They describe themselves as "Providing fresh, white table cloth quality seafood to the greater Ottawa region at wholesale prices."

They have fresh and frozen fish and seafood. Of course there is a live lobster and mussel tank to entertain the kids while you shop. With competitive prices and very kind and professional service - they are a pleasure to buy from. One of three owners was the manager of Lapointe in the Market - so he knows his fish. For further information you can check them out on Facebook.

Next time you need to buy fish or seafood, support the little guy and give Wellington Wholesale Seafood a try. Their winter hours are 9 to 5, Tuesday to Saturdays.

Tel: 613-759-4141

Google Maps: Unusual Advice

Google Maps is a very useful online tool for helping you navigate around the country. It has been noted that the programmers of Google Maps got a little creative with specific directions on the GET DIRECTIONS page for navigating across open water.

The first example are directions for the United States to Japan:

On the GET DIRECTIONS page just type in the directions FROM: United States and TO: Japan. Then scroll down to DRIVING DIRECTION #31 and you will be informed of some unusual advice how to cross the ocean to Japan.

The second example are directions for Japan to China:
On the GET DIRECTIONS page just type in the directions FROM: Japan and TO: China. Then scroll down to DRIVING DIRECTION #41 and you will be informed of some strange advice how to navigate to China.

Note: This will also work on your iPhone Google Maps App.