QUORRA

Some may say I'm biased because I once worked at Quorra, but my love for cosmetics and all things bath & body was founded and nurtured at this beautiful boutique located on 17th ave. The best indie makeup brands can be found here; Sue Devitt, DuWop, Too Faced, and Paula Dorf to name a few. A slew of yummy body creams, skin care, soy candles and yes THE BROW STUDIO await you at this fabulous place. Be sure to indulge in some Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish and a brow design from one of the three talented brow artists.

*Another location is located in Bankers Hall 8th Ave*

A few other insider favs:

-Bond No. 9 New York Perfume in Scent of Peace

-Too Faced Bronzed & the Beautiful Kit

-B. Kamins Vegetable Cleanser

-Bliss Blood Orange & White Pepper Body Lotion

CUTE webistes

Boat People Boutique

GoneFashion.com

LookLet.com

Go Fug Yourself

A great way to spend a rainy day! View and comment on pictures of ugly outfits worn by celebrities. Addicting, yes. Worth your time? Absolutely.

GO FUG YOURSELF

Beach House - 10 mile stereo

Recent Work by Anna McKenzie & Scrblpoez Photography

City Style & Living Magazine

My very first published work! Check out this months issue of City Style & Living Magazine as well as the short bio on ME and my favorite summer treat!

a weekend at the coup

My delicious dinner at one of my favorite Calgary Restaurants, the Coup, proved to be SO GOOD, I went two nights in a row! I indulged in some toasty baked rosemary yam fries with their famous miso gravy, as well as the delicious Green House Effect Salad. I can't forget to mention the Rootbeer Creme Brule or the Lemon Custard with Lavender Shortbread Cookies! Don't feel like waiting 45 minutes for a table? Hang out at the newest additon to Coup; Meet. Also, the Coup's new cookbook includes tons of their famous recipes which can be made in the comfort of your own kitchen :)

Great Inspirational Books

A great in depth look at the basic steps of makeup with step by step instructions, gorgeous photo's and industry tips & tricks

A fun book full of photo's from Teen Vogue, interviews with people in the fashion industry (Phillip Lim, Jemma Kid, Karl Laggerfeld) and advice for people wanting to start out in photography, makeup, fashion design, and set design.

My favorite book for inspiration; makeup, hair, concepts for photo shoots, beauty icons dating back to the 1920's, and a great section on the history of makeup.

My Fav Recent

Peekaboo Apparel

My favorite booth at Market Collective: Peeko Apparel & Vintage by Brook Fung

"Handmade, one of a kind pieces; Ecofriendly & Greenchic"

Peeko Apparel on Facebook

Shop Peeko Apparel

Land Of Talk - It's Okay

Fav Websites

www.urbanoutfitters.com

www.senseofashion.com

www.nylonmag.com

http://lookbook.nu/#more

www.elle.com/streetchicdaily

A Little Bit of Spring Inspiration

APT 22

I was thoroughly devastated when the Hotel Arts' trendy women's clothing store Boutik closed down. Originally in the front lobby of the Hotel Arts, it relocated to it's own location on 1st street; when I went to go pay a visit to the newly expanded store, it was gone! A couple months went by and I received an email that Kim Stern, the original owner of Boutik has recently opened a new store called APT 22. Kim does an excellent job of selecting reasonably priced pieces from Los Angeles! Can't wait :)

APT 22

1312 1st St. S.W

Phil & Sebestian

There's nothing quite like a delicious cup of coffee, rain or shine. Now my favorite coffee can be found 7 days a week! Phil & Sebastian Coffee Company has been a long time favorite at the Calgary Farmers' Market but has now opened a new store in Marda Loop. Hours are Weekdays 6:30 a.m to 9:00 p.m & Weekends 7:30 a.m to 9:00 p.m.

Be sure to check out free coffee tastings at the Marda Loop location Monday starting at 5:30 p.m and 6:30 p.m

House of Vintage

There's nothing better than finding a great vintage store (or maybe that's just me). HOWEVER, a great new store has opened up this week aptly named House of Vintage. Located on none other then my stomping grounds, 17th avenue. (17th ave & 6th street where 'the rocket' used to be). The store itself isn't your typical unorganized, mildewy clusterfuck of a secondhand store. It is, for lack of a better word, pretty. Everything is carefully organized by colour & apparel. There is also a hefty selection of secondhand jewelry displayed neatly behind a glass showcase + baskets full of scarves.

My Ex Closet

My Ex Closet

myexcloset.com

A splendid website where one persons junk is another persons treasure. Truly.

Yoga Santosha

Although I'm not usually the type to commit to anything in the physical activity spectrum (unused gym memberships and promises to run everyday....yeah right) Yoga Santosha has managed to capture my heart. Maybe it's the friendly people, the caring teachers, the calming environment, or all the different varieties of yoga (Ashtanga, Moksha Flow, Hot, Kripalu). Whatever it is, I have managed to commit to this work out regime. I've even started volunteering there on Monday nights! Trust me, a year ago I had noooo idea what yoga was or how it could affect me in all areas of my life. Stop by for a visit and see for yourself!

www.yogasantosha.ca

Yoga Santosha on Facebook

My Favourite Ice Cream Shoppe

Late night Sunday...I am craving some Cookies & Cream Ice Cream. Where can I get a traditional scoop of goodness at 8:00 on a Sunday night? In March?

My Favorite Ice Cream Shoppe is conveniently open, and in the twenty years I've been going there it really hasn't changed. Located in Garrison Woods (Mardaloop), it's bright neon sign and giant mural on the side of the building is hard to miss. Inside are a bunch of odds and ends (various disney character figures, pop bottles, and a giant papermache cow). Of course, there is also Ice Cream, Sorbet, Sherbet, and Gelato. Surely something for everyone!

Taste

Taste is the perfect place if you are in the mood for simple. Its minimalist approach to food is so perfect; you don't have to gorge yourself with oversized plates and starter slices of unnecessary bread & butter. The relaxed setting and open kitchen gives it a super relaxed vibe.

The menu is brilliantly divided into three sections; fives, tens, and twenties.

(As in $5, $10 & $20)

Other features include the ever changing Taste Boards & Taste Test Tuesdays.

I recommend the pretzel bites (above) as well as the Gnocci with Wild Mushroom & Truffle, the Beef Short Ribs, and lastly the Mussels (also seen above).

Yum!

TASTE- 1210 1st St S.W