Lisa's Most Coveted List

Greetings, lovely readers! Sorry for the unexpected hiatus last week; I needed a break so I could focus on work and other priorities. Now that I'm back though, it's time for a long overdue edition of my Most Coveted List.

This edition is going to consist mostly of things for, in, and around the home. Ever since temperatures have dropped, I've gone into nesting mode. After all, few things beat that super cozy feeling one gets from staying indoors when the weather is dreary. To make my nest extra cozy, I've been shopping for holiday decor, vintage-inspired glassware, and scented candles in the hopes of making this house (well, condo) feel more like a home. Here are five home finds I am loving or lusting after right now--some unattainable, some budget-friendly.

1. Armchairs with legs like the Aquarius Allure armchair (pictured left) and the Pipeline Series chair by Jeff Messerschmidt ($1,200; available from Kelly Wearstler). Lately the boy and I have been on the lookout for an armchair for our living area: something that's padded and comfy but still sleek and streamlined, something that has a minimal footprint in our open concept space. Either of these beauties would fit in beautifully. (The only downside is that one of these chairs costs more than a mortgage payment, but one can dream.)

2. Glass butter dish (available at The Cross Decor & Design and Crate & Barrel). Sometimes the simplest things can make a house a home. Such is the case with the humble glass butter dish. I didn't know how much we needed one until the boy remarked on it as he was folding the greasy, crumpled wrapper around the remainder of our butter for the umpteenth time. This version has a solid heft to it, a simple and timeless design, and is big enough for a full block of butter.

3. Illume extra long matches ($5; available at Chapters). These 4.5" long matches make it possible to light that last inch of a scented glass-ensconced votive candle without scorching my fingers. Genius. Why didn't other match manufacturers think of this sooner?

4. Homecooked meals. Comfort food like roast chicken and baby potatoes (served with spring mix salad and pineapple for a simple yet sumptuous-feeling Sunday dinner) reigns supreme this time of the year. I've been making roast chicken every two weeks or so and saving the bones for stock.

5. TWG Red of Africa tea ($30.50 at Urban Tea Merchant or Dean & Deluca). On particularly cold nights, I like to cozy up on my couch with a soft throw, a good movie, and a cup of caffeine-free tea. My recent favourite is this Red of Africa tea which I received in a gift bag during Fashion's Night Out Vancouver. Described as "a dessert in itself," the loose leaves produce a steaming, fragrant cup of tea with the heady aromas of vanilla and sweet spices. It's dessert without the sugar and the guilt.

Your turn! What are your essentials for making your home extra cozy this winter?

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Lisa's Most Coveted List

It's finally starting to feel like summer! Here are 5 things I love right now which are very much in the spirit of the season.

1. Deborah Lippmann 'Addicted to Speed' quick dry top coat (available at Wishlist Boutique, BeautyMark, Kiss & Makeup, and Holt Renfrew). As relaxing as I find DIY manicures and pedicures, I don't love doing my nails two hours before bedtime and still managing to wake up with inexplicable dents and creases in my topcoat. So imagine how thrilled I was to find Deborah Lippmann's 'Addicted to Speed', which dries to a super shiny finish and hardens polish in about 10 minutes. (For best results, apply it two minutes after your nail colour.) What's more, it makes your lacquer last longer and stand up better to chips. Pricey, yes, but I don't regret buying it as it's made my DIY manis look light years better.

2. Sunday afternoon salsa at Robson Square. Every Sunday from now until the end of August, enjoy free lessons, performances, and social dancing in Robson Square. I've been going to this for years and look forward to the return of this event each summer. If you've ever been curious about salsa, or you took classes long ago and want to brush up in a non-intimidating atmosphere, I encourage you to check it out.

3. Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 'Tutti Frutti'. If you've been a fan of orange ever since Pantone decreed 'Tangerine Tango' to be the colour of the season, then this is the perfect lip colour for you. It's a creamy orange without a hint of shimmer and very moisturizing, and the texture is somewhere between lipstick and balm. Since buying a tube of 'Tutti Frutti' at London Drugs, it's all I've wanted to wear on weekends.

4. Candlelight. Even activities as simple as watching a movie, reading a magazine, and eating dinner seem more romantic and glamorous with a scented candle glowing in the background or a couple of lit tealights. The orange chick candleholders pictured above were a media gift from the CB2 grand opening party.

5. The panoramic view of the city from our building's rooftop patio. This is easily one of my favourite things about our new place. Mountains and water to the north, lush green trees to the east, downtown to the west. We invited Alicia and Adam over on Sunday for an ad hoc picnic on the roof.

What are you coveting during these lazy, hazy days of summer?

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Lisa's Most Coveted List

A random round-up of five things I love right now.

1. Mary Kay limited edition Mint Blossom Pedicure Set ($30). I like turning home pedicures and manicures into a ritual which starts with a soothing soak and involves exfoliation and moisturization. Then I'll flip through magazines or watch a movie and relax while my nails are drying. Kits like Mary Kay's make this ritual that much more enjoyable. The tote bag contains mint fizzies (drop them into a basin of warm water and watch them melt into nothing), a cooling moisturizing gel, pumice stone, and emery board--all the essentials for pampering tired feet. For an extra icy cool boost, I put the foot gel in the freezer for 10 minutes beforehand.

2. Cushions from IKEA's new MYRLILJA textile collection (in stores now). Who would've thought that IKEA's design team could be capable of coming up with something so twee? The MYRLILJA series is the brainchild of Lycke von Schantz, who looked to eclectic sources of inspiration to create a sense of whimsy and nostalgia in her designs. Expect graphic stripes and Pucci-esque colour swirls. But my favourite motifs are embodied by the cushions shown above: bright colours, polka dots, cameos, typography. If I weren't afraid these patterns would be too feminine for the boy's tastes, I'd be so tempted to buy a cushion or two for our new home.

3. Parliament Interiors. Speaking of home decor, consider me obsessed with this gem of a Gastown store. Shopping at Parliament is a bit like seeing a Pinterest board come to life. Chevron stripes and Greek keys on cushions, throws, and rugs. Tufted headboards and couches. Beautiful little white hexagonal side tables and glass coffee tables. Owls on everything. What's more, the owners do a great job stocking pieces that reflect the colour trends of the season. (Right now it's shades of blue, gray, and mustard yellow.) Seriously, check this place out.

4. Geisha Ink liquid eyeliner in brown ($30 at Noir Lash Lounge). Geisha Ink is my favourite liquid eyeliner of all time for good reason. It stays put all day without running or smudging, but comes off easily with a swipe of eye makeup remover. While black is a classic staple and ideal for dramatic cat-eyes, I like their new espresso brown shade during the day because it subtly defines the lash line without looking too harsh.

5. Joe Fresh marine boat neck tee ($24). Quite frankly, life is a little crazy right now and it hasn't left me much energy to focus on getting creative with outfits. Until I get my sartorial groove back, it's going to be easy no-brainer outfits like sailor stripes, jeans and ballet flats. The folks at Joe Fresh generously gifted me this tee when I attended their media preview a while ago and I can't stop wearing it. The heavyweight cotton is just warm enough for these autumnal-feeling summer days we've been having without feeling too heavy.

What are you coveting lately?

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Lisa's Most Coveted List: Spring Beauty Edition

Phew, I haven't published a Most Coveted list in a while! To reintroduce this blog feature, here's a list of my favourite beauty products for spring.

1. Anything from Consonant Body. Okay, so I'm cheating by including an entire skincare line as my first product. But ever since I first tried their products almost 1.5 years ago, I've been hooked. Their foaming face wash is tops. Their eye creams are great for day and night. I also love their organic soaps: so gentle and never drying. Ooh, and their organic hand lotion. (Clearly, narrowing it down to one product was difficult.) I recently stopped by BeautyMark to restock my Ultra Firming Eye Cream and Ultra Moisturizing Eye Cream ($36 each) and was pleasantly surprised by Consonant's new packaging. The old glass jars have been replaced by pump dispensers--definitely more hygienic than dipping your dirty fingers into the cream all the time.

2. A lipstick/gloss/balm hybrid like ILIA'S tinted lip conditioners ($24). When winter turns to spring, I dryclean and put away heavy wool garments, swap boots for ballet flats and canvas sneakers, and incorporate more colour into my outfits. I also tend to favour lighter lip colours like corals and pinks over saturated matte shades for everyday wear. A pigmented moisturizing formula delivers the best of both worlds by giving me a subtle hint of tint and doubling as a lip balm.

3. Spruce Body Lab Be Smooth Body Scrub ($23). Dry skin shouldn't be a source of anxiety once the winter layers come off and the summer dresses and sandals come out. This dreamy concoction of white sugar, sweet almond oil, blood orange, lavender, and vanilla is the same product that Spruce uses in their incredible exfoliating treatments. Even if you can't afford an afternoon at the spa, you can still pick up this cruelty-free made in Vancouver scrub for some affordable DIY exfolation at home.

4. Shu Uemura eyelash curler. When my cheapie eyelash curler bit the dust, I seized the opportunity to splurge on a Shu Uemura eyelash curler just to see if it lived up to the hype. Admittedly I wasn't very impressed at first, but that had more to do with my poor technique than the curler's design. Once I got used to it though, I found that it delivered an eye-opening but still very natural-looking curl.

5. Curel Advanced Ceramide Therapy Body Milk ($15, available at select London Drugs locations in Vancouver). Ceramides are lipid molecules that occur in healthy skin; the higher the number of ceramides, the softer and healthier your skin looks. Curel's new line of products--originally developed in Japan and now the top-selling sensitive skincare brand there--aims to restore the ceramide balance in sensitive, dry skin. The Body Milk arrived on my desk along with a bevy of other beauty goodies from Curel that I have yet to try. But so far I really like the Body Milk: it's unscented, non-greasy, and fast-absorbing, and it feels like a lotion from a luxe brand rather than a drugstore label.

Your turn! What are your must-have beauty products for spring?

P.S. And speaking of must-have beauty products, have you entered the Flower of Tahiti organic hair masque giveaway yet?

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Lisa's Most Coveted List

It's been ages since I've done one of my Most Coveted lists, so let's kick off the year with a list of 5 things I love at the moment, shall we?

1. The Laundress Wool and Cashmere spray (available at Kiss & Makeup) is a godsend for dryclean-only cashmere sweaters that are likely to shrink in the wash. The anti-bacterial, non-toxic formula contains cedarwood, pine needle oil, spices and lemon zest and is designed to repel moths, remove odor and condition yarns. Spritz some on your favourite sweater and steam it to cut down on trips to the drycleaners. This also brings me to the next item on the list...

2. The Rowenta steam brush (available at London Drugs) turned out to be $50 well spent this summer as I steamed my way through delicate silks, wrinkled shirts and creased bottoms without ever touching an ironing board. It's just big enough to steam an entire garment in less than a minute but small enough to travel well. If you're still contemplating whether to take the plunge and purchase a steamer, I highly recommend it. It'll be a game-changer in your laundry routine, promise.

3. As a hardcore stationery hoarder, it's pretty hard to resist the nostalgic charm of Rifle Paper Co. Florida-based illustrator Anna Bond infuses just the right amount of childlike whimsy and homespun stylishness into her greeting cards and paper products. Pick up a Valentine's Day card for your sweetheart or stock up on pretty all-occasion note cards.

4. Finding new ways to wear sterling silver jewelry I already own: creative, yes, but also a way to keep me from becoming bored and wanting to shop. Pictured above: Filou acorn necklace and bunny ring, Wendy Brandes squirrel necklace and exclamation point ring.

5. My Joules 'Evedon' wellies. I know I've already talked about them here and here. But whenever it rains really hard and I wear my wellies, I feel extra smug and cozy knowing that my feet and legs will stay dry.

P.S. If you haven't entered my Brave belts giveaway yet, do it now!

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Lisa's Most Coveted List

This month's Most Coveted list is equal parts wishlist and love list. Enjoy!

1. Contributor by Rachel Comey sandals ($49 online at Urban Outfitters). Flat and low-heeled sandals are much more interesting than flip-flops when it comes to summer footwear options, particularly when they have cool details like colour-blocking, strap loops and a low 1" wedge heel. If red is too bold for you, don't fret: the black version (featured in I'm the It Girl's latest Shoe Wednesday post) is just as stylish.

2. Alice + Olivia petal sleeve blouse ($221.08). Trends may come and go, but a black-and-white tie-neck blouse has perennial appeal. I like how the sleeves and tie have a soft fluttery quality in Alice + Olivia's version, probably thanks to the luxe silk crepe fabrication.

3. Juliet & Company Poudre Noir necklace ($72.35). Speaking of the appeal of black and white, how about this necklace? The design is simple and beautiful, evoking allusions to art deco and Coco Chanel yet still maintaining a sense of modernity. (Translation: I really, really love it.)

4. The trailer for Black Sheep. Has anyone seen this movie? It's a horror film about killer sheep. Set in New Zealand. And yes, I'm being completely serious. I laughed so hard when I first saw the trailer that I nearly cried. Then I forwarded it to my manager and coworker.

5. Goody spin pins. My thick unruly Asian hair decimates regular bobby pins. They either slide out or become splayed and useless after I stick them in a bun, and it always seems to take more bobby pins than I expected to achieve the perfect 'do. This summer though, I've been relying on the Goody spin pins to put my hair up quickly and easily. Just two corkscrew pins that never splay or bend out of shape, one or two bobby pins to tuck in stray ends, and I'm good to go. The spin pins create a bun that stays in place quite well if you're doing nothing more than sitting in front of a computer and going about your day, although it doesn't hold up to an intense workout or a slew of salsa spins. Oh well, you can't win them all!

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Lisa's Most Coveted List

It's time for another edition of my Most Coveted List! Here are 5 things that I'm obsessed with right now.

1. Campagnolo Roma. An offshoot of the popular Campagnolo pizzeria on Main St., Roma is the newest restaurant to join the Hastings Sunrise neighbourhood, specializing in the traditional flavours and foods of--you guessed it--Rome and Southern Italy. I'm embarrassed to say that since it opened less than a month ago I've already been back 3 times; it's just that good. Try their seasonal spot prawn specials and the delectable Romana pizza.

2. Popchips. Popchips are made from a potato-based flour and popped, not fried or baked. They're also gluten-free and contain no cholesterol, trans fats, saturated fats or preservatives, and at roughly 100 calories a serving, they're a guilt-free alternative to the chips, popcorn and pretzels you usually reach for. As a devoted muncher of countless bags of kettle-cooked chips, I was skeptical that these could rival my preferred snack. But Popchips have a satisfyingly crunchy texture and come in some pretty tasty varieties. My favourite was the salt and pepper flavour.

3. Fresh Sugar Plum tinted lip treatment SPF 15 ($26; available at BeautyMark). This lip balm is one of many SPF products I'm reviewing for an upcoming post, but I love it so much that it deserves to be spotlighted in its own right. The texture is rich and luxurious but never sticky, and the formula lasts a long time once applied. Although it looks quite dark in the tube, the tint is actually sheer and pinkish-plummy. Add to that the sugary scent, SPF 15 and a naturally sourced ingredients list free of harmful chemicals and you have a lip balm sure to become a summer essential.

4. Colourful clothes, particularly those in a palette of bright oranges, pinks, navy blues and beiges. I could stare at these pieces all day long; to me, the hues combine to form the most perfect summer capsule wardrobe imaginable. From left to right: Diane von Furstenberg 'Olivia' dress ($330.81), Ella Moss 'Liberty' strapless dress ($160.83), Dolce Vita 'Lanie' high waist shorts ($89.57), Rebecca Minkoff 'Tatiana' sleeveless blouse ($171.01), Madewell 'Sunday Stroll' shirtdress ($171.01).

5. Pinterest. Cloud computing meets mood board creating in this delightful new platform. I started my Pinterest account on the weekend and it's already become an addiction. It's intuitive and easy to use, plus it lets you create multiple boards to pin images by category. It even comes with a Pin It function you can add to your web browser toolbar so you can pin while you surf. Easy peasy and a lot more manageable than Tumblr for mood board/collage purposes. Who else is on Pinterest?

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Lisa's Most Coveted List

It's been a long time since the last edition of my Most Coveted list. Here are 5 things I'm loving right now.

1. Geisha Ink liquid eyeliner ($30; available at BeautyMark or Kiss & Makeup). As far as liquid eyeliners go, Geisha Ink is one that makes me wonder how I ever lived without it. The formula is waterproof, smudge-proof and lasts 24 hours, plus the tip is superfine. You can draw a line as thin as a thread or lay it on thick for a dramatic yet precise cat's eye.

2. Pretty peachy polishes. After a long fall and winter of dark nail colours, I can't get enough of light blush and beige hues. Not only do they complement a lighter spring wardrobe, they're guaranteed not to clash with the colour-blocked ensembles that are so trendy this season. My picks: Sephora by OPI's 'Nonfat Soy Half Caff' (a warm pinkish beige creme) and Butter London's 'Hen Party' (a sheer peach with blue shimmer).

3. Zooey Deschanel on the cover of FLARE and Lucky. I've loved her since 500 Days of Summer, so it's nice to see one of my favourite style icons gracing two magazine covers within two months. The FLARE cover (shot by Tony Duran) shows Zooey in a high fashion light, while the Lucky cover (shot by Robert Erdmann) captures the quirky Zooey we all know and love. In other news, who else is excited about seeing Your Highness?

4. T. Babaton 'Carter' trench ($250 at Aritzia). A classic trench coat will look good one, five, and ten years from now, so it pays to invest in a nice one. I recently fell in love with the 'Carter' from Aritzia. Single-breasted with a flap that can be buttoned up to the neck or folded down for a deep V neckline, this is a versatile piece that will carry you through spring in style. Plus, the heavy cotton fabrication is more wrinkle-resistant than many of the cheaper trenches I've seen, which means that it'll look crisp and impossibly chic instead of rumpled.

5. You, dear readers! Adjusting to a new job and schedule has been more difficult than expected. I don't have as much time and energy to reply to blog comments, and at times the blogging has become pretty erratic. Thanks for sticking by me during the last couple of months.

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Lisa's Most Coveted List

It's time for another edition of my Most Coveted list! Here are five things I'm loving or lusting after right now.



1. Homemade pesto. Laugh if you want, but I was really sad when I used up the last of this summer's homemade pesto and had to resort to the storebought stuff. Browsing the grocery store aisles and perusing the ingredients list on multiple jars of pesto left me disappointed. Most of them didn't even use olive oil, just soybean or sunflower oil. I came home with a jar that I'm not completely satisfied with, so if you have any recommendations for a tasty storebought pesto brand, I'm all ears.



2. SlopPress.com. Speaking of food, have you heard of Slop Press? This newly launched site aggregates the content that used to be published separately under Vancouver Slop, Toronto Slop and New York Slop. Residents of these cities should check it out to keep up with all the gastronomic developments in their hometown, whether it's Asian fusion food trucks or family-owned Italian delis specializing in house-made salami. I had the privilege of attending their Vancouver website's launch party last Thursday. Judging from the delicious food and drink that they had (Benton Brothers cheese spread, Roaming Dragon appetizers, Re Up BBQ, just to name a few of the generous sponsors), the writers at Slop Press really know their stuff. (Hmm maybe they'll have a pesto recommendation.)



3. NARS velvet matte lip pencil in 'Cruella' ($30 Cdn at Sephora, The Bay and Holt Renfrew). This pencil was also featured in my last Most Coveted list. Little did I know when I bought it exactly how much I'd come to rely on it in the next 1.5 months. That's just how fantastic the colour and formula are. A classic red with depth and sophistication, 'Cruella' adds drama to even the simplest of looks but is subdued enough to work well for the office. It's the go-to shade I always keep stashed in my purse these days.



4. Brooches. Inspired by the way my friend cwangdom always pins a sparkly brooch on her black blazers and coats to brighten them up, lately I've taken to doing the same. My small collection comes from a variety of sources (more about that in an upcoming post this week), but if I had unlimited funds I'd be very tempted to splurge on a vintage Chanel cross brooch or two.



5. Badgley Mischka 'Melissa' bag in leopard. Last but certainly not least on this list is the newest addition to my little purse family, found while browsing Winners last week. I wasn't actually looking to buy anything, and even with the discount this bag cost more than I was prepared to spend at the moment, so I twitpic'd it and put it to a vote on Twitter. A huge thank you goes out to the ones who replied with a unanimous "yes" because otherwise I'd be kicking myself for not getting it. The gold hardware is just chunky and sparkly enough to add a sense of fun to this otherwise classic chain-strap turnlock clasp bag, but not so oversized that this bag will look dated anytime soon. It's a crossbody design and the perfect size for an evening out. I also love the leopard-print ponyhair flap (the rest of the bag is black leather).

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Lisa's Most Coveted List

It's hard to believe that I haven't published a Most Coveted List since the one in May, but it's true! Here's a list of of the five things I'm loving right now.

1. The Samsung Galaxy S Captivate. After making do with a Sony Ericsson for the longest time that did little more than dial and text, I finally upgraded to a smartphone. The Galaxy is thin and light, and the Android OS is comparable to an iPhone for ease of use and access to tons of apps. The 4" screen is also slightly bigger than an iPhone screen, which makes typing on a touch screen keypad is much easier. I'm starting to wonder how I ever lived without a smartphone; it's great yet worrisome at the same time. Checking my email on the go, adding twitpics to my tweets, downloading apps, and playing Angry Birds are all highly addictive pursuits.



2. NARS lipstick in 'Viridiana' ($30 Cdn) and NARS velvet matte lip pencil in 'Cruella' ($30 Cdn). They're the new additions to a growing but carefully curated lipstick wardrobe. 'Viridiana' is a deep berry shade that's matte yet creamy and ideally suited for day-to-night. 'Cruella' on the other hand is a versatile classic red that's a bit more subdued than Sephora's Hot Tango, my go-to red shade which is a blend of red and hot pink. So far I'm pretty impressed by NARS's formulas for their staying power and creamy consistency.



3. Timex Modern Originals Grande Classics watch ($75 Cdn). One of the best gifts I ever received from my parents was a Baby Kermit watch for my eighth birthday. I think I was the only third grader who wore a watch to school every day, let alone one that had to be wound up manually, but I loved it. Over the years I've fallen out of the habit of wearing watches, but a gorgeous one could tempt me back into it. I love the cherry red patent leather strap, oversized face, and sans serif numbers on this particular watch. It's fashion forward and modern yet retains the classic charm of old-school Timex designs. "It's very you," the boy said when I showed it to him as a possible Christmas gift contender. "It's just a straightforward watch but with a twist."



4. Starbucks's caramel brulée lattes. They're my holiday addiction and indulgence, although I try not to have one more than once a week, two tops. And I order a short size: you get the same amount of caffeine and the fun of indulging in a sugary milky drink with whipped cream on top, but it's less sugar, fat, and calories than a tall latte, plus it costs slightly less. Talk about a win-win.



5. Time with friends and family. There's something about winter and the holiday season that makes you want to stay indoors and spend as much time as possible talking and laughing with loved ones. Whether it's craft fairs and parties or catching up over coffee or lunch, I'm really grateful that I can spend time with the people who matter to me.

What about you? Are you an iPhone addict or an Android convert, or are you sticking to a non-smartphone phone? Are you a fan of NARS lipsticks or any other lipstick brand, and if so, what are the shades you're craving this season? What's your favourite part of the holiday season?

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Lisa's Most Coveted List

Confession: I love the thrill of a good purchase, and lately I've been shopping. A lot. Since I was stumped about what to post today, I thought I'd share my recent finds in an "awesome stuff I've bought and am really, really loving" edition of Lisa's Most Coveted List. Enjoy!

1. Chanel Rouge Coco lipstick in Ruban Rose. Curse those Vanessa Paradis ads for capturing how feminine, sophisticated, and romantic the act of putting on lipstick can be. They certainly made me want to check out the new Rouge Coco line. Together with gorgeous blogger Carolina, we paid a visit to the Chanel makeup counter and I walked away with Ruban Rose, a light rosy hue with a slight hint of shimmer. The formula is very moisturizing and feels like you're wearing lip balm, and the colour is light enough to be wearable for everyday and ideally suited to summer.



2. Roots mini cargo in Rustler/flex leather ($98 Cdn). I've been in love with the idea of a pale blue crossbody bag since blogging about one I saw at Coach, but I'm glad I waited until now to get one (and it was on sale!). The leather is soft and supple and the most striking shade of robin's egg blue with a light beige strap. It's the perfect size to tote my essentials as I run errands and wander around the city.



3. Lightweight scarves. Silky and lightweight scarves in different patterns complement my spring trench well, plus they keep me warm on blustery days. I found a gorgeous silk floral number by Oscar de la Renta's diffusion line O at Winners; the polka dot and striped ones are from vintage seller Eclectica Vintage, who was at the craft show Make It! Vancouver.



4. Japanese fashion magazines. I love flipping through Asian fashion magazines for inspiration but am often reluctant to pay $10-20 for a glossy I can't read a word of. Sophia Books, a longstanding Vancouver bookstore specializing in multilingual books and magazines, recently announced it was closing its doors and holding a clearance sale. The news is sad indeed for the city's bookworms, but on the upside, I bought a bunch of discounted magazines and am now making my way through them.



5. Jewelry from local independent artisans and crafters. The sterling silver wishbone earrings are by Pretty Pennie, while the gold bead bracelet is by Lysh&Lo.



Your turn! Have you been craving items similar to the ones I purchased? What have you bought lately that gives you a giddy little thrill? Shameless gloating in the comments is highly encouraged.

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