Wednesday Wants...

Happy Wednesday lovelies. 

  Mama is officially (for the first time this entire winter) sick and down for the count. Je suis malade.

 I knew my time was coming, I couldn't keep the virus gods at bay forever.  I'm achy like I just finished a week of doing the 30 Day Shred though I haven't worked out all week (and won't be reaping the butt-kicking benefits.) 

 My lungs, throat and brain hurt. That alone is reason to close up shop and throw in the towel for the remainder of the week am I right? Send in the Nanny please.... Oh, I don't have a Nanny you say?

Never mind, since I am a trooper (read: gave-birth-to-2-boys-without epidurals type of gal,)  a simple chest cold/flu combo won't bring me down or keep me from sharing my Wednesday Wants.  Just bring on the Advil, NyQuil, NeoCitran and I'll be fine- just don't stand between me and my cold- meds.

AnySickness, lets talk about the shopping I won't be doing cuz I'm stuck in bed...

Ok this Alexander Wang Rocco Duffel is nothing new but recently I've been so drawn to the signature studs on the bottom of the bag. Edgy but not too crazy. I'm starting to fall for Alexander Wang....

The new Bobbi Brown-Tibi Collection Peony and Python Pallette. Love these neutral and purple eye shadows in a super cute little case...it will be mine.

I'm wanting a pair of Levi's jean. Yeah Levi's. I haven't owned a pair since probably grade 9 and then they were passed aside for "premium denim."  But I might just have to try out their new Curve ID jeans that are made to fit your shape not your size. And at under $60/pair they're practically giving them away!?

And finally, truly a pipe-dream (or maybe I'm just high on cough syrup) this Alexander McQueen Union Jack Skull Clutch in pink Swarovski crystals.  Husband says that Alexander McQueen's signature skull reminds him of something from Ed Hardy or Christian Audigier but I say that's crazy talk and those names shouldn't be uttered in the same sentence as the late, great Mr. McQueen. Have some respect... 

However at over $2100 I think I'll have to admire its sparkle from afar.

      NOT feeling so

My Visa is smokin'....

Apologies for the delay in posting my Vegas Shopping Review (sounds official doesn't it?)  Unfortunately my computer had decided to act like a pouty little girl and deny me from accessing the inter-webs. Even though Husband is an IT computer geek genius we still went without for a few days. Sad story but true.

However in happier news I can finally share my shopping finds with y'all right now. (See that...3 days in the U.S. and I've picked up an American twang. Give me another week down there and I'll bet you I'd sound like Paula Deen.) 

From CVS and Walgreens I did a bit of a makeup haul on products I can't always (or ever) find here.

1. YSL Rouge Volupte No.2 nude lipstick

2. Rimmel Stay Matte Clarifying Matte Foundation, 200 Soft Beige

3. EOS Lip balm in Fruit salad

4.Victoria Secret Radiant Face Trio in Head Turner, highlighter

5. N.Y.C. Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny

6. Wet N' Wild Color Icon Blush in Pearlescent Pink

7. Covergirl Cheekers Blush in Golden Pink

8.Covergirl Eye Shadow single in Golden Sunrise

9. MAC Mineralize Skin Finish special reserve highlight powder in Chez Chez Lame

10. Monistat Chafing powder gel. (Ok, I didn't invent this idea...chafing gel makes an amazing makeup primer)

11. Illamasqua Powder Blush in Lover

12. Victoria Secret Perfect Lipstick in Scrumptious

13. L'Oreal  Eye shadow in Deep Mocha (brow fill)

14. Revlon Colorstay Mineral Lipsglaze in Lasting Shimmer

15.Wet n' Wild Mega Eyes Defining Marker in blackest black

16.N.Y.C Liquid Lip Shine in Pink Sand

From the "biggest Forever 21 in the world" I picked up these 3 tops. Honestly the store is so huge that I couldn't even handle it (the old Bloomingdales Home location in the Fashion Show Mall). Two massive floors of Forever 21 clothes and accessories. Obviously a Forever XXI lovers dream...it was all a bit too much though.

I picked up these accessories (earrings, and necklace) for super cheap (srsly, practically for free) from Forever XXI and Charlotte Russe (at the Premium Outlets.)

The number one item on my shopping list of must haves was a gorgeous pair of flat leather cognac coloured boots. I got these at Bakers for only $89.00. Can't wait to wear them but since we've got about half a foot of snow outside I'll instead be wearing these Uggs that I got at the Premium Outlets. A winter staple for me and even though I resisted them for a long time (I too thought they were fugly), I finally broke down a few years ago and have a several pairs now.

 Brown classic Uggs, $139.00

 In the airport I snagged the Kardashian sisters new book. Yes it's mindless reading written at a grade 6 level but it's fun and light and entertaining! 

From the Sugar Factory candy store at the Miracle Mile shops in Planet Hollywood I couldn't resist this celebrity line of signature lollipops. I love the sparkly refillable, reusable stick. This one was designed by Kim Kardashian (of course.) Was it over priced? Yes. I guess a "sucker" is born every minute, Mama included! 

 At Macy*s I got this Michael Kors bag. I've been hunting for a great leopard print bag for a while and though this isn't exactly what I wanted, it'll do. Originally $300 on for $130 (including my Canadian discount), apparently you receive another 10% off almost anything in the store if you show your passport at customer service.

 From the Alexander McQueen shop in the Wynn hotel I snagged this super cute signature McQueen Midnight/Sun skull silk scarf. 

Saving the best for last, I finally got my hands on a Yves Saint Laurent "Arty" oval ring from the YSL boutique at the Bellagio. Its a great statement ring and will be gorgeous to wear in the summer when I finally have a tan again. (Ignore winter dry Alligator skin on hand)

As always it was a great shopping trip, Vegas never disappoints. I will say again that the lack of decent sales (especially after Christmas) is surprising?! They just don't offer the deep discounts like they do in Canada. However the awesomesauce variety of brands and stores keeps me coming back for more. Till next time Vegas...

Tacky Christmas lights, fat little trees and purple sparkle

It's Christmas time all up in here! And while our outdoor Christmas lights are about as classy as the Griswolds, my kids think I'm an electrical engineering genius with this "display" of lights. 

Moving inside I"ll bore amaze you with our indoor decor. Honestly I'd like to do so much more with the house but Kid # 2 is at an age of pure destruction. He's just so excited by the lights and ornaments that he wants to touch (and break) everything. I'll give our poor tree a week before he pulls the whole thing down onto himself...

 That's one fat little tree, but he's real! 

On the weekend we got our drink on at a pre-Christmas house partay.  These pics were taken way later in the night after much wine/scotch/rum/vodka had been consumed...

 Green party cups mean drink up!

Mama in purple sequins

We love wine. As always.

 Since almost everyone at the party was Greek Canadian it quickly turned into a basement dance party. Who dances in a basement? We all do apparently...

Basement pole dance...

After shots of Ouzo, shirts were being unbutton. Husband decides to rock out on a pink guitar and it seemed awesomely cool at the time...  The picture obviously proves otherwise!

Sparkle!

Mama and Husband are going out to our first holiday party of the season on Saturday night.  It's going to be fairly casual because it's at a friends house. But I'm so dying to throw on some sequins so I can get my sparkle on, but without looking like Rupaul in drag....know what I'm saying?

{this is nice, but no}

So I think I'll try to incorporate a bit of sequin shine while keeping things simple

{Ricki's draped sequin sweater}

{ok so my black pumps are not YSL like these, but the look is almost the same}

I'm thinking that since I can't go too bold on my outfit (no one wants to stand out as overdressed girl at the party), I might as well do a bit more with my makeup. I've just discovered that purple shadows are great for brown eyes. (This is not groundbreaking news but I was a bit scared of purple eyeshadows before.)

 purple smokey eyes are divine!

Do you have any Christmas parties coming up? Are they formal or casual and what will you be wearing?

And more importantly, will you be you rockin' some sequin sparkle?

Like a mirror ball in a disco....

Holiday glam time is here and for parties I'm all about adding a bit of sparkle or shine with sequins. I'm happy to see that sequins are back for another season and when they're worn properly they can totally complete your holiday look. Last year I maintained a brief love affair with black sequin leggings, which sadly I only felt comfortable wearing when we went out in Vegas to club XS at Encore.  It's a bold look, you can't just wear shiny, sparkly pants anywhere. Or can you?

{Sequin leggings work here in the club, sadly almost nowhere else}

Still, I'm loving these dresses and jackets. They scream "it's New Years Eve, I will have another glass of champagne!"

{perfection, head to toe}

 

{Lurve this Nanette Lepore dress with black tights and pumps}

{I wouldn't be pairing this jacket with washed out 90's jeans, but that's just me...} 

 A sparkly sequin tux jacket or blazer can totally dress up skinny jeans or a plain LBD

Would you wear sequins this Holiday season, or should they be reserved for trips to Vegas only?

Images via google and Bloomingdales

House of Harlow 1960

Lately I've really been liking Nicole Richie's House of Harlow 1960 jewelry line. I was checking out a few of her pieces (which are actually incredibly affordable) while I was at Holt Renfrew last week.  Her style is clean with classic geometric shapes and her pieces make a statement without being too over the top. 

{just a hard workin' Mama these days...}

She's actually coming here to Calgary tomorrow to make an appearance at Holt's to promote her new fashion label, Winter Kate. I don't know that I'll necessary head down to see her because of the crowds (that and cuz I'm so busy and all), but I am really interested to see what her new clothing line is like. There's a part of me that can't help forget the Nicole Richie that was on the Simple Life with Paris Hilton, but then again she was in her early 20's when she started that show and now she's in a much different place in her life. It's fairly clear she's left her hard partying, DUI arrests, rehab stays and super skinny days far behind her. I like the new Nicole. She's almost 30, has two kids with a great guy, has written a few books and has even starting acting. Who says any good celebutant can't turn it around? Everybody has to get their shiz together eventually and I'd say she's done a pretty good job!

{Loved this House of Harlow ring, but passed because it was practically the size of a salad plate....a tad big}

{Images via shopbop, Google}

What do you think of celebrity produced fashion and fragrance lines? Do you think they actually do much of the design work themselves or is it just another marketing scheme to make dollar bills?!