The countdown is on with our wedding (we're down to the 3-month mark!), which means it's time for me to start playing it safe with hair and skincare. This is a bummer for a beauty blogger who loves trying the latest and greatest, but excellent news for you, dear readers, especially if you're intrigued by the newest John Frieda haircare collections. Read on for why these collections are so revolutionary and how you can win the one that best suits your hair colour desires!
Lip balm is one of my daily essentials all year round, but it becomes especially important come winter. I've long been a fan of Burt's Bees lip balms for their effectiveness and affordable price tag (under $5 a pop), but I didn't know just how many flavours it came in until I was invited to host the #UncapFlavour giveaway. All the details (and instructions on how you can win them all) after the jump!
When the going gets tough, the modern girl heads for the spa. Evidently WonderBra Canada feels the same way, because they've collaborated with Spa Finder on a very special promotion happening from now until May 10th, and they're offering one lucky Solo Lisa reader the chance to win WonderBra lingerie and a $200 Spa Finder gift card. More details after the jump, and giveaway details at the end of the post!
When the Bar Method opened its first studio in Vancouver five years ago, I tried a class and wrote a glowing review afterward: "The workout definitely lived up to its reputation for being tough and effective. Over the next two days, soreness lingered in my upper arms and quads, and my abs ached a little whenever I coughed or sneezed. But was the Bar Method such a scary workout that it would intimidate beginners? Probably not." Well, I still stand by that glowing review. The Bar Method is the same tough and effective workout it always was, combining exercises inspired by yoga, pilates, and ballet. When done in intervals in quick succession, these small, precise movements isolate and strengthen key muscle groups.
Well, here it is, the second part of my collaboration with Bootlegger! This time around, participating bloggers were asked to style a holiday party look using some of the dressier pieces from the store's offerings. Their holiday Temperance collection is gorgeous as usual (I wore one of their dresses to the boy's office Christmas party last year), but this time around I found myself being more drawn to the effortless chic of a dressy top and slouchy trousers. With suede stiletto booties the look is dressy enough for a party at a downtown hotel, but it's also just as appropriate for a low-key dinner party at home. The necklace picks up on the gold and sequin details in the patterned top, and adds just enough sparkle for a festive vibe.
You may remember me cryptically alluding to a special holiday collaboration with Bootlegger a couple weeks ago; I was asked to style two looks—one cozy, one holiday—and co-host a giveaway alongside two other bloggers. Well, I'm so happy that the time to share the cozy look and the giveaway has arrived. More photos and details (plus a chance to win a $300 gift card) after the jump!
When One Of A Kind asked me to contribute to their blog and curate a holiday gift guide, my mind instantly jumped to all the cozy things that make a house truly feel like a home during the winter months. The Toronto-based craft-fair-turned-online-shop offers nationwide shipping and an eclectic selection of unique wares from Canadian artisans. Just think: hand-screened linens, handcrafted beeswax candles, Canadiana throw pillows, and adorable ceramics are a click away from brightening up your home or making someone on your Christmas shopping list very happy. And to sweeten the deal, OOAK is offering one lucky Solo Lisa reader a $50 GC to spend online.
I already have two red plaid shirts in my closet, but that didn't stop me from coveting this wrap from Bootlegger the instant I saw it in their fall/winter lookbook. The draped front lends a feminine vibe to an otherwise tomboyish style, and the soft cotton is just as cozy as any borrowed-from-the-boys flannel. I'm pairing it with summer staples and ankle boots as we ride out the last of the warmer temperatures; so perfect for crisp evenings and long hours spent working at home.
More photos (and a chance to win a $100 Bootlegger GC) after the jump!
If yesterday's post about my phenomenal first visit to CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La piqued your interest in the new Sea Therapy Facial treatment, you're in luck! One Solo Lisa reader will win a facial ($195 value) and be able to experience the luxurious facilities at CHI firsthand.
My eyes love the sight of vertiginous heels—my feet, not so much. In fact, most days you'll find me in flats or low heels, and lately during my evening walks, you'll find me wearing my Native 'Verona' botanical print slip-ons. They're comfy and breathable, good for summer storms or sunny beach days; what's not to love? I got mine directly from the brand, but the good news is that you might be able to score your own (or shoes of your choice) from Canadian shoe e-tailer ShoeMe.ca, who's offering one lucky Solo Lisa reader $150 to spend on their site.
A sunny beach day here, a backyard barbecue there...if we don't pause to appreciate the finer moments, the dog days of summer are bound to slip by in a golden haze. One way of slowing down and commemorating small pleasures is sharing a photo a day, which is why I was so excited to participate in the Staples Canada #30SummerDays photo challenge. The challenge was simple: Staples would send me the Canon PowerShot S200 wifi-enabled point-and-shoot camera to try out, along with a calendar of daily themes to inspire my snap of the day for the month of June.
Sunscreen? Check. Bathing suit? Check. Smooth, summer-ready skin primed for this season's sun dresses, short shorts, and shin-baring midi skirts? Check, thanks to Veet's new Natural Inspirations line and this generous prize pack (valued at $100) to be awarded to one lucky Solo Lisa reader.
Remember last season's Revlon by Marchesa nail appliqués, the ones that sent beauty lovers and fashion fans running to their local drugstores? Well, there's a new collaboration this spring, and trust me when I say you're going to want to get your hands on this one. The Revlon by Marchesa Beauty Tool Collection features feminine lace motifs inspired by dresses straight from the spring/summer 2014 runway. Available in black, navy, and blush pink, the tools retail for less than $20 a pop and would make lovely additions to any vanity or travel makeup bag.
Let's take a closer look at each piece in the collection, shall we?
Ready, set, spring! If you're anything like me, waiting out winter's last days is much more tolerable when you can shop the new spring arrivals in anticipation of warmer weather ahead. LOFT evidently feels the same because they're offering one lucky Solo Lisa reader a $100 GC. All the more reason to hop in your car and make the trip to Vancouver's first LOFT store in Park Royal!
One way of getting over January doldrums is looking forward to the next major holiday or milestone on the calendar—Valentine's Day! Swarovski evidently feels the same way, because they've asked me to show how I'd style their new Amorous pendant for a date, and they're offering another pendant as a giveaway to one lucky Solo Lisa reader. (Scroll to the bottom of this post for the entry form!)
...evo! Please email me at solo.lisa.blog@gmail.com to find out how you can claim your prize. Happy redecorating!
Since buying a condo with the boy, furnishing and decorating it has been one of the funnest parts of being homeowners, so you can imagine how excited I am for this. If you're moving out on your own, buying your first home, or simply looking to spruce up your current digs, I definitely recommend checking out the Vancouver Home + Design Show October 17-20 at BC Place Stadium. Exhibitors include everything from renovation companies to home decor stores, which means you're sure to find what you need to turn a house into a home!
Looking for home decor inspiration? I'm giving away a pair of complimentary tickets to the Vancouver Home + Design Show to one lucky Solo Lisa reader. To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post by Wednesday October 16th, 12pm PST. Good luck!
[UPDATE - October 16, 2013] The winner is evo! Please email me at solo.lisa.blog@gmail.com to find out how you can claim your prize. Happy redecorating!
Calling all aspiring interior designers! Vancouver Home + Design Show and Urban Barn are partnering up to look for the next big interior design star.
From now until Friday July 19th, decorators and designers can enter the competition by creating a Pinterest board showcasing their decor style and filling out the online form. From there, three finalists are given a $5,000 budget for Urban Barn furnishings and must create their dream living room to be showcased at VHDS this fall. VHDS goers will vote on the winning design, which will end up in Urban Barn stores.
Exciting stuff, no? Enter now!
Blondes may have more fun, but they also have their own set of hair woes come summertime. (Think fading colour, chlorine-induced green, and brassiness.) To help golden-haired gals keep their locks in the best shape possible, John Frieda is generously offering one lucky Solo Lisa reader a gift basket stuffed with $150 worth of products customized for blonde hair.
To enter:
A winner will be chosen randomly when the contest ends on Monday July 8th, 12pm PST. Good luck!
[UPDATE—JULY 8, 2013] The winner is Shelley B. Congratulations, Shelley!
Canadian beauty lovers, rejoice! Shu Uemura has just launched a new Canadian e-commerce site, which means it's easier than ever to try their iconic lash curler (seriously the best one I've ever used), infamous cleansing oils, or otherworldly faux lashes. To celebrate, they're offering one lucky Solo Lisa reader the chance to win $100 worth of product from shuuemura.ca.
To enter, simply leave a comment on this post by April 30th, 12pm PST, with a URL for your favourite Shu Uemura product. A winner will be chosen randomly.
P.S. For more, check out the Shu Uemura website to learn how you can win a $500 GC by creating a wishlist, or the ultimate prize of a $2,000 makeover and a trip to Montreal. Good luck!
P.P.S. If you decide to splurge on foundation (one of my coworkers swears by it) or quality makeup brushes, use special promo code SHUBLOG for $10 off any purchase over $50. Happy shopping!
UPDATE [April 30, 2013] And the winner is...Perdita! Thanks to everyone who entered!
