Weekly Couture

After a long and stressful week, a much-needed girl’s day out was in order. We decided to hit King Street West, one of the hottest new areas in Toronto. (Tip: When you hit King Street West, be sure to take the subway down as parking is a nightmare!)

10 a.m. – First on our list was a relaxing Ayurvedic Massage ($155 for 75 minutes) at Shizen Spa (Cosmopolitan Hotel, 8 Colborne Street). Erit, the Spa Manager and an expert at Ayurvedic Massages, suggested this treatment as it is based on 5,000-year-old ancient Indian traditions and combines warm sesame oil and a light rhythmic touch to soothe and restore the nervous system.

Finding the perfect gift for your yummy mummy can be quite difficult (and expensive!). Our moms come in every variety - from earthy or urban to chic and classic – so sometimes finding the perfect M-Day present can take some careful thought. Here are some of our Mother’s Day gift suggestions in every price range for moms across the spectrum! (Tip: If all else fails, go to WaySpa to get your mother a lovely massage or pedicure at the spa of your choice.)

What: Invited to a wedding? Cocktail party? Black tie affair? From finding the perfect present to navigating the latest fashions, Holt Renfrew’s expert personal shoppers will handle it all.

Why: Did we mention it was complimentary?

Where: To book an appointment, go to the Holt Renfrew website and fill out a form, or call your nearest Holt Renfrew.

What: A fashion outlet full of high-end brand name designers including D&G, Armani, Versace, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Christian Dior.

Why: Up to 80% off retail prices. And everything is current – you won’t find any end-of-line merchandise here.

When: Open from Thursday to Saturday 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: 1601 Matheson Boulevard East, Mississauga. Call 905-625-7282 or 416-275-3609 for more information.

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Shopping vintage in Toronto is not an easy task; it requires a lot of energy and hours of searching, which more often than not results in a wasted day with little more to show than aching feet, frazzled hair, and empty arms. But fear not - there are scores of great places to shop vintage in Toronto. The trick is just knowing how to search, where to shop, and what to look for. Even before hitting the shops, it’s a good idea to flip through a few magazines and to tear out a few looks that appeal to you. Or, make a list of key items to search for so that you have something to fall back on when feeling overwhelmed in a vintage shop. When searching for fabulous finds, it’s also important to think outside the box; dresses in larger sizes can be altered easily, jeans and dress pants can be shortened, and just about anything can be dry cleaned.

Online shopping is at an all-time high these days. Aside from the obvious drawbacks such as the inability to try things on, another major problem is that many online shopping sites don’t deliver to Canada! But for every problem there is a solution – and that’s where US Global Mail comes in.

When you register with US Global Mail, you get your very own US mailing address (i.e. a suite, box, apartment, department, or office in the United States!) US Global Mail claims to have the most advanced mail forwarding service in the industry. This means that you can view incoming mail in real-time and customize each shipment by carrier, speed, and price. Their special shipping agreements allow them to offer rates substantially below retail.

What: Great sales on designer clothing by Stella McCartney, Zac Posen, Alexander McQueen and Givenchy.

Why: Take an extra 30% off!

Where: The Yoox website.

1. Alexander McQueen Poncho (was $1190 US now $839 US), 2. Stella McCartney Coin Purse (was $74 US now $52 US), 3. Zac Posen Top (was $530 US now $378 US), 4. Givenchy Purse (was $629 US now $440 US), 5. Stella McCartney Pumps (were $220 US now $154 US)

Who: Two young jewelry designers Shawna and Jessica of J&S Jewels.

What: The second annual J&S Jewels winter jewelry party.

Why: Get a head start to your holiday shopping with their unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry designs. Most of their jewelry is made with semi-precious stones and sterling silver clasps, and all at a fraction of the retail price for comparable pieces.

When: December 9, 2006 from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. (Tip: bring cash or cheques as credit and debit will not be accepted).

Where: 28 Mossgrove Trail, Toronto. Call 416-385-3421 for more details.

Men are often the most difficult people when it comes to buying gifts. Either they already have everything they want, or they are very particular in what they like and would rather pick out everything themselves. But in any case, there just isn't much out there for the boys.

If your man is into technology, try one of the newest iPod accessories like the iFlip Portable Video System (for watching your iPod videos on a larger portable screen) or the iGloves (so you can change songs in the cold without removing your gloves!). For the sports fans, one of the hottest items this season is the new Spalding NBA Official Game Basketball, which can be purchased on the NBA website. Your b-ball loving boy will be super impressed!

Who: Designers Claudia Grundman and her mother Elynn.

What: Claudia Accessories’ new jewelry line carried at Lileo. (Plus, receive 25% off all regular priced merch in store.)

Why:The mother-daughter pair have accessorized Ciara and ET Canada’s Cheryl Hickey and their jewelry is available in over 60 stores across Canada and the United States. Their accessories have also been featured in Fashion, Flare, Lou Lou and Strut.
When: The sale runs from now until November 12, 2006.