I heart Shoppers Drug Mart

So what if they're the corporate pharmacy giant. I still love it! And I love it even more with the 30% off regular price employee discount! So convenient. Sometimes I'm not sure if my friends like me because of this discount or because they like my sarcasm, enthusiasm for the weird, or personality. I'd like to think it's not the discount. But I would totally understand if it was. ;)

Seriously, don't be shy if you want to come with me to use my discount! Highly, highly encouraged!

Forever long line-ups...

Silk-Blend Dress by Forever 21, $27.80 US
Couldn't find this at the store in Toronto.

I went to Forever 21 today. I really wasn't in the mood to buy anything since it was so hot outside and inside the store there were so many girls looking at clothes and trying stuff on and making the damn store even warmer. It was a mess inside and I couldn't find anything I wanted.
It's true! Even cheaper than H & M and the quality is... well it's not good, but it's not THAT crappy either. Which isn't saying much, but at least we're talking about it, right? And isn't that what they want?

Interesting to note:

Mirrors
No mirrors are on the first floor. The line up was at least 20 people long to get inside the change rooms, where I would hope, there would be some mirrors. Let me know if you venture in there. There is one giant mirror on the second floor. Staff said they would be getting more mirrors in this week.

Sizes
They got some weird sizing going on in this store. There was a "large" shirt that I thought would fit me perfectly. And there was a "small" shirt that could fit multiples of me. Very random. They mainly have 3 sizes - small, medium, large.

Return policy
You can't return anything for your money back. You can only get store credit or exchange within 21 days of your purchase with the receipt. No returns on jewelry either.

I'm kinda on the fence about this store. Don't hate, yet don't like it that much either. Too much estrogen in one place, but it will probably dissipate as they open more stores in the city. Mostly, you won't break the bank, but you might go crazy with the long line-ups if you decide to go in or suffer in the heat looking around.

And I don't think you'd find anything that you Love. You know what I'm talking about. The feeling you get when you find something that you know you'll wear it once a week or bi-weekly and you plan your wardrobe cycle around it. You know you do it! Don't lie!

My friend bought a dress and I picked out 4 things, but it was just too hot in there that I didn't feel like trying anything on. We were thinking to go early in the morning one weekday to thoroughly go through the clothes store. Then we came back to earth and realized that was not going to happen anytime soon.

Opens at 10 am everyday. Let me know if the stuffiness improves. Maybe I'll go again one weekend. Too bad we can't buy their stuff online yet. Cause that would be much, much easier.

* * *

"Celestial Black/White Star" by Keds, $29.99 + 25% off

Brown's is continuing with their sale and if you buy something on sale, you can get your second item (must be the lower-priced sale item) for an additional 25% off. They don't say on the posters, but any other additional sale items (i.e. your 3rd, 4th, etc.) get the 25% off too.

Go to the sale with friends if you need/want new shoes!

I went with another friend to the store at lunch and we picked up some good stuff in a very short amount of time.

Gifts!

Nothing to report on the shopping front. But I did get a number of shirts from my Aunt who has come to visit from the homeland. Yay! Gifts! :) Will check out Forever 21 tomorrow. Was too hot and bothered today.

In other news, Paris is out of jail and is going to be on Larry King on Wednesday. Will she be a trainwreck? I'll be watching and rooting for that! Will you?

This bra squeaks. Serious. (REAL emails)

Convertible Strapless from La Senza, $8.50 (SALE)

FYI. I feel strongly about squeaky bras. This one squeaks. Not cool.

------

Thank you for your e-mail.

In regards to this matter, we would like to advise that all La Senza products do go through extensive testing. This is to provide accurate information on the care label to prevent any problems such as squeaky noises.

We would like to advise therefore, that all bras purchased at La Senza must be hand washed and hung to dry as washing in a machine can causes stretching of the bra chambers which gives the wires room to move.

We have also brought your comments and feedback to the Executives of our buying department.

Kindest Regards

La Senza Lingerie

-----Original Message-----
From: Terri [mailto: Terri]
Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 9:54 PM
To: OnlineManager
Subject: ProductQuestions

Date: 06/19/2007,

Name :

Terri

Email address :

(Terri)

Comments :

Hi, I just wanted to let La Senza know that the Convertible Strapless bra 30149-0151 is very squeaky because of the plastic/elastic lining on the bottom of the cups. I think its due to the friction between the plastic lining and the underwire. Is the underwire plastic coated as well? I purchased two of these bras and they both squeak and others who own the bra have noticed as well. I have been a long time customer and would like to know if there's anything I can do because I can't wear them because of the noise. Anyways, hope you have some suggestions! Thank you.

My Chair

Oh yeah, I forgot to write an update on my chair hunting expedition. I finally found a chair worthy of my buttocks and room 2 weeks ago. I found it at the Tent Sale from De Boer's - a "fine furniture" store. I couldn't find a picture of it online and I'm too lazy to take a picture of it in my room and post it so I'll let your imagination take hold. It's a cross between the two chairs pictured here. It's got the arms of the 1st chair and the rest of it is like the second chair, except a little smaller in width and the chair back is taller in height. I'm happy with it. :) It in no way goes with the decor of my room (which is painted light green with flowered wallpaper if you must know), but I figure in the future when I move into another house, it will go nicely in my living room.

Disappointed with a Capital D

Lake Hodges, Hollister $19.90

Went to the Eaton Centre today to report on the sale situation. There's really nothing to report. It was an utter bust. Nothing that good or worth spending hard earned after-tax dollars on. Save it and invest it and get better stuff in the future!

Went to Banana Republic and practically everything is on sale, but it was still expensive. Lots of nice dresses and dress shirts, but still over 120$ and 60$ respectively. Too expensive for me!

Also stopped by French Connection and nothing to report. The good stuff only had Large and Extra Large left. Saw some nice handbags though.

Also went into Hollister. Why? Good God I don't even know why. Damn salesgirl at the front didn't to greet me when I came in the entrance and when I was halfway into the next section of the store had to blurt out her spiel to me. "Hi! Welcome to Hollister!" Wait, I don't think that's what she said. Some sort of contrived statement that I don't remember. I felt bad, so I mumbled an acknowledgement. But I just ended up looking like an idiot since I was already halfway to the back of the store.
Oh! Now I remember why I went in. I want this sweater, which is supposed to be ON SALE according to the website, since it's so cold at my desk at work. Went to the sale section and this damn sweater could not be found! Disgusting! How could they tease me like that? Blast!

So feeling wounded, I went to Over the Rainbow to try on Ridiculously Overpriced Pants and the ones that I posted about yesterday could also not be found. Double Blast!
I tried on another pair of the same style, but the material was that shiny jean material in a lighter blue/grey colour and somewhat reflective. I don't like that. It's weird. It's like wearing mirrors on your lower body. Or that reflective tape that bikers wear so car drivers don't run them over at night and make them have to go to the hospital and die. Or on the street if no one bothers to call 911.
I honestly don't see what the big deal is (about the pants, not the dying part. Dying is bad, even if they were bikers). The material was thinner and more stretchy, but totally not worth the 290$ price tag. And I felt so short because the pant leg was so long that I had to fold at least 6 inches of it and the security tag practically had to be folded in as well.
Saw a cool jacket and asked the cashier if they do holds. She said, "I can hold it for 1 hour." WHAT? What's the point!?! Just say you don't do holds, I won't cry about it.

So I didn't get anything today or find anything worthy of your attention. It was a bust. But at least I have some inane material for this post. I'm out.

The Designer Jean aka The Ridiculously Overpriced Pant

Kurt by Rock and Republic, $255

I've never paid over 75$ for a pair of pants (among them formal black dress pants), so it pains me when I see 300$ pairs of jeans on the market and women who buy them. However, I've never personally tried on such pants, so I really can't judge these women. Or the pants. But, it still pains me.

Anyways, I got an email from Over the Rainbow and they are having a 30% off Spring/Summer sale. And I noticed that the brands Fidelity and Rock & Republic were featured in the email as brands on "sale". This is definitely interesting. Oooo, $300 to $200. Wheeeee!

One of these days, I'm going to try on a pair of these pants and see what the whole big deal is. I like the "Kurt" ones by Rock and Republic from just looking at it on the website. No idea how it would fit my ass though. It better have a lot of stretch the way I'm eating and not exercising these days (I'm a walker, not a sweat-er).
Will report back soon. Too bad I don't have a budget for this site where I get money from others to pay for Ridiculously Overpriced Pants. Any takers? No... I didn't think so. I know my readers aren't knucklehead idiots.

Too bad Rock and Republic is The Cheese though. They name all their jeans after selected musicians in rock and roll. I think that's even more cheesy than one of the lines of the lululemon manifesto mentioned in yesterday's post about watching a plant grow so you can be a better person blah, blah, blah. Can you imagine Kurt Cobain groaning in his grave after hearing he now has a pair of pants named after him? Because he totally is. And I can't say I blame him. But hey, I guess it's a sign of respect and a pair of pants is still better than say, a piece of cloth that is used to mop off grime from kitchen counters all over the world (i.e. a Terry cloth). Or being called Cherry Chan from a nurse or Mr. Chan from a librarian. I digress.

Lululemon goes public

It was bound to happen... Lululemon is going public! They are hoping to get around 200 million in a public offering of stock and will be listed on the TSX. Hahaha... more opportunities for me to post on my blog about it! I have been pretty vocal about my strong dislike for this company and their crazy "marketing" shenanigans. But mostly because of me and me being stupid enough to wait in line for a couple hours in the freezing cold to go to a sale, and not even lining up long enough to get in! Never again, and don't you try either! I'm warning you!
Anyways, they have nice stuff, but it's too pricey for casual/work out clothes in my opinion. I'd rather spend more on formal clothes. But maybe it's because I don't really work out. I'd rather take walks outside or in malls! Heh heh heh.

Lululemon just kills me. I have decided to write them a letter offering my comments on their "manifesto".

Dear Lululemon,

After going through you website, I have decided that I would like to offer some comments regarding your "manifesto". I believe, it is in your best interest to seriously consider some minor adjustments if you will, so your brand can remain at the forefront of yogian fashion for years to come. I suspect many more potential customers and investors alike will be drawn to your website since there is news that you will be going public and it is your corporate responsibility to write the best manifesto possible to get the most number of customers to buy your yogian garments that are known to make the derriere so the much more superior. I have bracketed my comments after each line of the manifesto.

• Drink FRESH water and as much water as you can. Water flushes unwanted toxins and keeps your brain sharp. (Really? Have they done a randomized controlled trial? References please.)
  
• Observe a plant before and after watering and relate the benefits to your body and brain. (Wow, that is so cheesy.)
  
• Coke, Pepsi and all other pops will be known as the cigarettes of the future. Colas are NOT a substitute for water. Colas are just another cheap drug made to look great by advertising. (I wouldn't go that far to call it a "drug". Sure, it's bad for you, but colas do not in any way fall under the definition of "drug" as defined in the Food and Drugs Act in Canadian legistlation. "Drugs do not include any substance... food, drink or cosmetic, or any substance in Schedules A or B." If it was even colloquially a "drug", a more specific term would be "drug of abuse".)
  
• Be yoga. Breathing has you live in the moment and stretching releases toxins from your muscles. (No, I don't think so! Someone should do a Medline search!)
  
• Do yoga so you can remain active in physical sports as you age. (And can buy more lululemon clothes!)
  
• Listen, listen, listen, and then ask strategic questions. (This, I actually agree with. Though some questions are not necessarily "strategic". Some are just stupid. I should know!)
  
• SWEAT once a day to regenerate your skin. (Sweat sometimes causes acne if your face or body isn't washed shortly thereafter, right Debra?)
  
• Compliments from the heart elevate another person’s spirit and will often result in an encouraging word for someone else ... a domino effect. (Agreed.)
  
• Your outlook on life is a direct reflection of how much you like yourself. (Maybe... but is it a causal effect or a correlation? Hmmm.)
  
• Life is full of setbacks. Success is determined by how you handle setbacks. (True.)
  
• Write down your short and long term GOALS four times a year. 2 personal, 2 business and one health goal. A university found only 3 percent of the students had written goals. 20 years later, the same 3 percent were wealthier than the other 97% combined. (Agreed. Do it! I find it keeps you more focused on your goals and what kind of person you want to be/become.)
  
• You ALWAYS have choice and the conscious brain can only hold one thought at a time. Choose a positive thought. (Agreed.)
  
• Communication is COMPLICATED. Each person is raised in a different family with a different definition of each word. (True.)
  
• Love. (True. But find someone who loves you back.)
  
• Jealousy works the opposite way you want it to. (I don't get this one. How is someone supposed to use jealousy to work for them? Make someone like them more? Still don't get it. I think I'm even more confused now.)
  
• Nature wants us to be mediocre because we have a greater chance to survive and reproduce. Mediocre is as close to the bottom as it is to the top. Be creative. Do one thing a day that scares you. (True. But I think "scare" is too strong a word. Maybe "uncomfortable, but in a good way!" would be better. But I guess that doesn't have the same flow as "scare". Boo.)
  
• Take various vitamins. You never know what small mineral can eliminate the bottleneck to everlasting health. (I don't think this is a wise decision. It's better to have a good diet and to follow the Canadian Food Guide. Supplement only when you have a deficiency and talk to your pharmacist or physician before you start on it if you can! And please don't believe the junk on herbals. They can interact with other medications and most don't work! Check out www.camline.ca for more information. Sorry, had to plug it, I just had to. That's what working on a review for 3 months does to you.)
  
• Dance, sing, floss and travel. (Maybe... I agree about the flossing, I have narsty plaque when I don't. Aren't you glad I tell you this stuff? Yeeeah. But it's fun to be right at home too. I always find I love coming home after being outside the city and I appreciate it more.)
  
• Do not use cleaning chemicals on your kitchen counters. Try vinegar and lemon. Someone will inevitably make a sandwich on your counter. (Well, I'd rather use chemicals than get food poisoning by E. coli, but this comment is understandable. I would use alcohol instead of vinegar though. It can kill some viruses too. Uetrecht said so.)
  
• Just like you did not know what an orgasm was before you had one, nature does not let you know how great children are until you have them. Children are the orgasm of life. (I'm not sure whether I should be sickened by this one or not. (Thinking, thinking... yes, I definitely should be sickened). "Orgasm" and "children" shouldn't be in the same sentence. Ever. Oh, nooo... Michael Jackson joke coming... No, I can't! Too, too easy!)
  
• Friends are more important than money. Don’t trust that an old age pension will be sufficient. (Duh, of course it's not going to be enough. That's why you should save for retirement and invest early, so you don't end up po'.)
  
• Live near the ocean and inhale the pure salt air that flows over the water. Vancouver will do nicely. Stress is related to 99% of all illnesses. (Well, maybe, but what kind of stress? Oxidative stress? This one needs further clarification and further references. We are evidence-based here at FFAC.)
  
• One hour of aerobic exercise will release endorphins to regenerate cells and offset stress. (See above.)
  
• A daily hit of athletic induced endorphins will give you the power to make better decisions and help you be at peace with yourself. (See above.)
  
• Wake up and realize you are surrounded by amazing friends. (But what if you have sucky friends that stop talking to you for months after helping them get through a rough patch? Are those "amazing friends"? Just saying! They're out there, I suppose.)
  
• lululemon athletica was formed to provide people with components to live a longer, healthier and more fun life. If we can produce products to keep people active and stress free, we believe the world will be a better place. (But your clothes are so expensive! What if someone if working so hard trying to keep up with your fashions that it is *gasp* CAUSING their stress? How can you forgive yourself, lululemon? How coooould you?)
  
• Do it now. The world is changing AT SUCH A RAPID rate that waiting to implement changes will leave you two steps behind. DO IT NOW, DO IT NOW! (That's true. No time like the present).

So as you can see, I have thought long and hard about your manifesto and though your current version needs some work, it is definitely a good start. I hope you take into consideration my comments and I hope you will update your website shortly.

Sincerely,
Terri of FFAC

CitiPetro Points Mastercard

Very practical card. 2 cents off a litre of gas at Petro Canada and you get 10 Petro Points for every $1 charged on the card. You just swipe and go at the gas station. No signing for it or anything. I got one because they called my house, told me join, and I fell into their sneaky little trap. I don't drive, so my dad uses it. He likes it and he's pretty picky about this kind of thing.

Oh, story! Whenever I say I don't drive, I always follow up with the excuse that I don't because we only have one car. Though it's true, even if we had two cars, I still wouldn't drive. I heart the TTC. Serious. I even joined the facebook group and I'm the Leslie Station representative. Yeah, I know I'm cool. *hair toss*

Yeeeeah, bring on the cats. I'm ready. Meow.

Shoe shopping is fun. When they don't hurt your feet.

Katchen5 by BCBGirls, 98$ US

Ok, I must admit, I would never consider myself as a "shoe person". I like them, but I don't have 26 pairs like the "average" woman does, and I wouldn't buy them just because I like a pair. First of all, I have slightly wider than normal feet. I prefer the "B" width to the "A" width, especially with heels. This makes it difficult to find ones that don't hurt like the devil.
I have come to the conclusion that for me, I must buy shoes at regular price and at better stores than Aldo. Aldo is quite evil in that respect.

I have honestly bought more things this summer and spent more money than the last two years put together. I think it's because since I was working in retail pharmacy and research with lax dress policies or no dress policies whatsoever, I didn't really see the need to go out and my more business casual clothes. I have so many pairs of jeans, hoodies, t-shirts... it was just fine wearing those. But now, well it seems like it's more important to look more "professional", especially with recruitment dinners coming up ;) And fancy dinners from CSHP (I'm serious, you HAVE to join, it's worth it for the food alone, I'm not kidding).

Sorry, I'm losing track of my point of this post. Anyways, I bought heeled flats (I don't do pointy shoes. PAIN!!!) with the pattern of the shoe pictured here. And they were comfortable! Yay!

Forever 21 is coming...

Forever 21 is coming to Toronto! Yay! 2 weeks away until it opens and I'm really excited! Cheaper than H&M and in my opinion, better styles and a wayyy better website. Very user friendly and many hours of browsing. I'm currently scouring the website so I can plan my shopping trip. It opens on Saturday, June 23 where the Gap used to be on the corner of Yonge and Dundas, near the Eaton Centre. I hope the quality isn't REALLY cheap. :( If it is, I will be disappointed, but I will still probably buy something. Haha... ;)

This company seems to growing very fast and I think it will do well in Toronto. It's going to be beside H&M and I'm sure it will make it an even more competitive market for "cheap chic" clothing. Sure, the company is having some legal problems, since a famous designer is suing them for coping her dress, but I don't think she will win, since there are no copyright laws for fashion design. The sad things is, it's not like she's losing any money over it.
I don't get it, do you think people who could afford her REAL dress would go to a store like Forever 21 and buy a fake one instead? Come on. Just let it go, woman! You weren't going to make any money off those people in the first place!

You know what's funny? There was an ad for the Bedo 50% off sale (I went to the Fairview location, nothing good, so don't bother) in the Metro last week and they spelled Yonge street as "Younge". Hee hee.