Smarter.com - making good deals easy

Bargain hunters unite! For some people, it's not just about having the hottest item. It's about having the hottest item, at the lowest price. After all, if you can get that perfect new "It" bag for a fraction of the price as your best frenemy, well then, you just made yourself feel pretty damn good!

Smarter.com is a comparison shopping service that helps every bargain seeker's quest for the best deals on merchandise ranging from books, appliances, and electronics, to furniture, to clothing! Smarter.com is a great source for obtaining great discount women's clothing with an extensive section covering handbags, shoes, clothes, and accessories. Looking for something practical like women's slips? They got that. Looking for a cute women's jumpsuit? They got that covered too! Just search for whatever you're looking for, and Smarter's search engine will hunt out the best online deals, showcasing the cheapest deals first. As well, Smarter.com checks out their retailers approval ratings, so retailers with poor customer service ratings are weeded out. You can even send an SMS to Smarter.com with a product's ID number and they can price shop for you on the go! It's like having an awesome personal shopper/best friend on your computer and phone! How can you go wrong?

When you came in, the air went out

Dress: Barefoot Contessa
Bracelet: ICE.com
Clutch: vintage, Conversation Pieces
Heels: Aldo

I've been a bad bad girl and I apologize. I haven't been keeping up on reading through my blog reader and now I have over 300 posts back logged. I promise I will work through it soon! As well, I only posted 3 times this week! Well, 2.5 since the weekly links list doesn't really count. It's kinda sad that I consider posting 3 times as slacking. Since when did blogging take over my life?! This week work has been rather consuming, as well as family time with visiting relatives, so I just haven't had the motivation to blog as much. Instead I've been taking time to hang out with Mr. Artist, doing yoga, and killing brain cells with friends in all the most enjoyable ways.

Right now Mr. Artist and I have been obsessed with watching True Blood. It's a show about vampires that actually depicts the vampires as being the sexual, violent creatures they are, rather than just being pasty emo-boys who whine about true love all the time (oh no! I glitter in the sun! I must have no soul! - give me a break). As sexy as vampires are said to be, I think I'd rather be a werewolf's chick as werewolves will keep you warm in the winter with their super-heated bodies, they're uber-buff, and they're loyal. What more can a girl ask from a supernatural boyfriend? Anyways, what's also sexy is this country song that is True Blood's theme. I hate country, but I have to admit that Jace Everett has a voice that really makes a girl's knees quiver.

Lust of the Week: Joie Shoes Santo booties

via Chickdowntown, $420

Now as the summer winds down and fall lurks on the horizon, I'm beginning to think about fall fashions. This season, we've all heard constantly about camel, long coats, calf-length skirts, and a return to lady glamour, but seriously these trends just don't work for everyone. Personally, if I wore a long overcoat, or a calf-length full skirt I won't look like a charming schoolteacher, I'll look like the old maid librarian who probably owns like 10 cats and collects display plates. Not hot.

For those who like a little more spice in their wardrobe, stay true to your siren colours by sporting a pair of hot stiletto booties, like these Joie ones from Chickdowntown. The criss-cross straps and brass toe keep things interesting and give it a slight edgy soldier feel, which you could totally play up by pairing with a khaki skirt and military jacket! Screw playing sweet. Some of us prefer attitude.

Weekly Shopping & Goodies

A Few Goody Gumdrops is giving away a gorgeous must-have Stella & Dot Natasha Bib Necklace!

Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy is encouraging Vancouver hotties to show their kitty with The Kitty Card!

Fashion Hippo finds stylish tweed jackets to wear this fall from CHANEL inspired to military to cropped.

RedPoppy Fashion is gearing up for Fall and wants to introduce you to the just launched line of gorgeous silk scarves from VITTORIUM...

Shopping and Info loves Julia Roberts' bracelets she wore to Regis and Kelly to promote Eat Pray Love.

Style Eyes has been looking for sustainable options to keep extra cosy and warm this winter in her post Friday Finds - Classic Coats

The Bare Skinny is seeing red, TRUE BLOOD style.

TheFind says don't forget to beautify your bottom fringe with these Lower Lash Mascaras!

Violet Revolution is giving away this adorable dress from Greenheart!

Get your glam on with The Kitty Card

Ladies, listen up. You work hard, so you deserve to play hard too. The modern high maintenance woman knows that it takes a lot of work to look as good and to live as good as we do. A real high maintenance woman deserves a sweet deal or two to help her live that luxury lifestyle, while not losing all her hard earned cash!

The Kitty Card is a great service based out of Vancouver that knows just how today's urban female lives and what she desires. Founder Lexie Lamour started out by organizing one-off, all female social events where attendees received special treatments and discounts, but soon found that the demand far outstripped those able to attend, so she started The Kitty Card as a service women could use anytime.

The Kitty Card is an exclusive, female-only discount card. Think of it as a grown-up, sexier version of those student discount cards malls would give out. If you love to try new restaurants, dance in the hottest clubs, and tone your body to the edgiest workout routines, then The Kitty Card is for you. Just check out the growing list of companies offering Kitty Card discounts!

• Ginger 62 lounge
  
• Caprice nightclub
• Narcissist Design
• Luxe Lashes
• Society Restaurant & Lounge
• Eccotique spa + salon
• SKN Holistic clinic
• She to Shic Beauty lounge
• Powervibe Fitness
• SIP Resto-lounge
• The Refinery
• Chau Kitchen
  

I was lucky enough to receive a complementary card from Lexie herself and I have to say one does feel quite VIP with this little plastic jewel. On a girl's night awhile ago, I got myself and a bunch of gal pals VIP line with no lineup, or cover at Caprice. Waltzing by everyone else who had been waiting in line in the cold night for an hour felt amazing, I have to be bitchy enough to admit. If you are someone who appreciates the finer things in life, like good times, good food, and a good pamper session, then definitely invest in The Kitty Card. It will make your life just that little bit more fabulous!

It’s a dark night But love will break my fall

Sweater: H&M
Skirt: Aritzia
Bangle: H&M
Sandals: Forever 21

The weather has been a bit cooler now after a nice, long turn of hot, sunny weather. I think I'm meant for more tropical climes as I actually prefer warmer, humid weather to non. 20 degrees is actually cool to me! Certainly cool enough to wear a sweater instead of just a tee, or tank. This sweater from H&M was a great find as its bright blue color warms up any outfit and it has a great, slightly slouchy, fit. These sandals from Forever 21 have also been a summer staple this year as they are super comfortable and go with everything!

Tonight I am going out with the girls to listen to the mind-bending beats of trance duo Myon & Shane 64. Here's a popular song of theirs featuring vocalist, Aruna in the song Helpless. This video reminds me of the sun soaked and sweat streaked days last week that I haven't quite gotten my fill of yet. It is also filled with uber-fit young 20-somethings slinking around in couture makeup and artfully anti-establishment outfits. What are you up to tonight?

Lust of the Week: Style Stalker Possession dress

via StyleStalker, $139

Damn I am cursing the skies that I don't have anywhere to wear this dress, or that I don't go clubbing enough to justify buying another sexy club outfit. Perhaps there is some way to make this daytime appropriate? With its thoroughly modern pale pink tone and jet black criss-crossing straps, this dress was made to kill, yet it also looks amazingly comfortable (given you haven't eaten a scrap of food in order to preserve a flat middle). Please someone invite me to Vegas, or some other exotic locale so I may purchase this!

Weekly Shopping & Goodies

A Few Goody Gumdrops is wearing her ever-so chic Lanvin Pompom Bag this weekend with her Azzaro Gown!

Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy is showing you how you too can wear purple eye shadows for day!

Child Mode reports that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt could be designing a fashion line!

Fashion Cents wants to make sure you don't break any vows. Get 3 tips for what to wear to a wedding this season.

Fashion Hippo urges you to embrace the fall in Elizabeth and James, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and Missoni

Handbag du Jour wants to know what you think of Rihanna's 'Guardian Angel' gun bag by Vlieger and Vandam – edgy or crazy.

Ladybrillemag.com says catch Sierra Leone's Vickie Remoe Talk Show Online!

RedPoppy Fashion loves a smoky eye and red lips for Fall, and can't wait to try some fresh new makeup in those perfect Fall colors from Sephora...

Shopping and Info loves Julia Robert’s sandals in Eat Pray Love.

Simply Sample Sales Shares Deals & Discounts From Kohl's End of The Season Sale!

Style Eyes loves the autumn focus on socks find out more in her post Friday Finds - Ankle Socks

TheFind is giving away one Diamond Circle Pendant by Tacori - Enter for a chance to win this statement making necklace!

What's Haute Magazine is excited for the exclusive advance look at John Derian, Mulberry and Tucker for Target - all on sale this Friday at Gilt!

How to: An easy purple eyeshadow look for the day

Last time I showed you how you could wear purple and green eyeshadows to create a unique, smoky look for evening. Many of you commented that you couldn't wait to see how to wear purple for the day and now you have your answer!

Daytime makeup shouldn't simply be relegated to neutral tones, nor should color only be something done by those under 15. If done subtly, purple shadows can be used anytime and all year to enhance the beauty of your natural eyes. Check out the video below!





Thank yous must go out to my video producer, Alex of RaginRonin Productions - he is super fun to work with! If you like what you see here, then please subscribe to my channel to stay updated with all the latest video flows!

If you have an idea for the next makeup feature, then please let me know in the comments or email me!

"Holy crap it's so good" steamed fish with black bean sauce

To my humble palate, the best way to eat fish is done Chinese style: steamed. Steaming maintains the moisture and all the nutrients and flavour of any meat you make and with fish it seems all too easy to lose those things whenever I've eaten fish done in more Western ways, such as baking, or grilling. This easy-peasy recipe reminds me of home and is super easy to make. Definitely try this out.

• 2 lb/900g whole snapper, cleaned and scaled (I used a tilapia fillet, but generally just use any kind of white fish)
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 tbsp black bean sauce (to make fresh, crush the beans in a little bit of water and add a bit of cornstarch to thicken the fluid)
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp light soy sauce
• 2 tsp sugar
• 2 tbsp dry sherry (I subbed in mirin)
• 2 green onions, chopped into large slices
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• lemon wedges, to garnish
  

Rinse the fish inside and out under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Make 2-3 diagonal slashes in the flesh on each side. Rub the garlic into the fish.

Mix the black bean sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar and sherry together in a bowl. Place the fish in a shallow heatproof dish and pour the sauce over top. Sprinkle the green onion and bell pepper on top. I also threw in the garlic slices.

Place the dish in a steamer, cover and steam for 10 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through. The fish flesh should look a little flaky. Serve immediately and garnish with the lemon. The sauce tastes amazing on rice too!

Product Review: ICE.com sapphire & gold bracelet

Guys: looking for something special for your lady? Ladies: looking to spoil yourself a little with a sparkler? Then get your asses over to ICE.com! You've heard me rave about them before and I'm going to rave about them again because well, I just can't get enough of the gorgeous jewelry available at this online retailer.

ICE.com offers a huge range of jewelry for affordable prices. Their shipping is punctual and their site is super easy to use. Each product listing contains detailed descriptions, user reviews, photos, and even product videos.

Recently I was able to participate in ICE.com's special Summer Styles event by reviewing a feature piece for sale on the site. I chose to receive this gorgeous 25 carat sapphire and 18K gold over sterling silver bracelet:



This lovely piece has fast become one of my favourite bracelets. Its subtle, elegant shine stands out, but not in a flashy way. The dark sapphire stones match everything and the gold overlay gives it a warmth that feels luxurious. The length of the bracelet is 7", which was almost a bit too big for my wrist as I'm able to slide it on and off without undoing the clasp, but was still small enough to be wearable (thank goodness!). Originally priced at $180, this bracelet is now on sale for $55!




You can check out this bracelet and more amazing pieces during ICE.com's Summer Styles sale, on until the end of August and shop pieces up to 75% off! As well, Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy readers are eligible to receive an additional 20% off all items on ICE.com by entering in the discount code FBSS2 at checkout. Happy shopping!!


Like what you see? Keep in the loop for future ICE.com promotions by becoming a Facebook fan!

Lust of the Week: MIMOBOT Chococat USB drive

via Mimobot, $34.95

As a reluctant techie, but wholehearted lover of all things cute, this week's LOTW is right up my alley. Why have a boring, utilitarian USB key to store all your important photos/files/Korean dramas when you could have something as adorable as this Sanrio Chococat?? Available in 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB capacities, this useful feline will easily have you going w00t!!

Weekly Shopping & Goodies

A Few Goody Gumdrops is giving away a Tie-Dye-For Lauren Nevada Dress! Enter to Win!

Couture In The City back to school with William Rast Denim and Sunday Rocks giveaway! Enter to Win!

Fashion Cents wants you to win designer swimwear of your choice (up to $100) from swimspot.com. Enter now!

Fashion Hippo is having Giveaway Bonanza: Win Cream De La Mer Moisturizer, Tory Burch Wristlet

Handbag du Jour is in love with Rebecca Minkoff's Main Squeeze Clutch.

Ladybrillemag.com says Win Tickets to Watch the Academy of Art Show at NYFW!

RedPoppy Fashion shows you these gorgeous heeled boots that will get you all bootied up for Fall...

Simply Sample Sales Shares Edward Bess Beauty Exclusives,Special Offers & An Extra 10% Off at Zuneta!

Shopping and Info loves the shirt dress Leighton Meester wore on the set of Gossip Girl this week.

StyleMaven scouts out a roundup of Boho Fabric Handbagsincluding Rising Tide's hobo handbag worn by Julia Roberts in the new film Eat, Pray, Love. Style

Style Eyes discusses her ideas on How to jump right out of a style rut

The Well-Heeled Society is holding a "virtual" seat for you to attend the online launch of Brazilian Shoe Designer Carmen Steffens' FW 2010 Collection! Click here for your chance to win a $500 US shopping spree!

TheFind is giving away a Fall Preview outfit from French Connection valued at more than $500.

What’s Haute Magazine features a haute Fall splurge - the Nanette Lepore Hush Hush Leather Jacket!

Those boots were made for walking, but my shorts weren't made for bikes

Black tank: RW&Co
Sweater: Dynamite
Skirt: from Taiwan
Lace cycle shorts: Urban Outfitters
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs
Flats: gift, from Taiwan

Check out my new bag!!! Well, not so new anymore, but this may be one of the first outfit posts I've done wearing it. This Marc by Marc Jacobs bag was the last of its style at Aritzia and I got it for 40% off! I tried to hide it from Mr. Artist's disapproving eyes, but the new purchase shine in my eyes was too obvious. Anyways, with this outfit I was trying to layer a short skirt so that I could make it more appropriate for my super-casual office. These lace cycle shorts have been a godsend this summer as I layer them endlessly with anything and everything.

This week's song comes courtesy of a new Asian pop sensation that I've found recently. Chloe Wang burst onto the Chinese music scene a mere couple years ago, but this US-born, half-Chinese teen beauty is making waves overseas and at home. Below is her single Uh-Oh, which has been recently translated into English for release here. The beat is catchy, but according to the Interwebz, her Mandarin isn't worth sh*t. Oh well, I can think of a few North American artists who can barely speak legible English too and they were born here!

A return to minimalism: Thirtyfour Designs

In a world of manufactured, cookie-cutter goods, the new luxury is authenticity. It's not about how expensive, or how famous an item is, but more about its story, its origins, and the process involved in making it, that makes for the new luxury items. Aligned with that philosophy are a new wave of upcoming designers that truly can call themselves artists, rather than brand-makers.

Thirtyfour is one such design studio that seeks to return back to the roots of fashion as design and art. Hailing from Malaysia, thirtyfour designs was founded by designers ShuenKee Chong and Linda Chong. With their training in industrial and accessory design, the two have grown their small business into a collective of artists, designers, and photographers, putting out a pared down line of luxury handbags and accessories. The design focus of thirtyfour is nothing but eclectic. The company's own bio states that they seek to "weave together skill sets and aesthetics from such fields as architecture, metal smithing, fashion, industrial, graphic and interactive multimedia design." One needs only take a look at thirtyfour's recent collections to see this urbane and sleek philosophy in their pieces:

Dipped, the company's first accessory line features a series of simple pieces that reflect the gritty reality of modern life with its studded belts and headbands, and leather strap bracelets. Worn individually, or layered for a surprisingly delicate look, these pieces would look great on both men and women.




thirtyfour's handbag line, thirtyfour.skin, also reflects a very modern and minimalistic look. Decidedly understated and utilitarian, the handbags keep the focus on its soft, supple leathers, rather than on ornamentation and distracting hardware. You could easily imagine any of these thoroughly functional pieces seamlessly integrating into your wardrobe to be used for ages.




You can find Thirtyfour wares in various locations around the globe ranging from Malaysia, to New York, Germany, and Singapore. With this season's return to the philosophy of "less is more," thirtyfour is a welcome face on the design scene.

From now until August 8, Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy readers can use an exclusive discount code for any purchase! Simply enter in HMW20 at checkout to receive 20% off! As well, thirtyfour is offering FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE until September!! Happy shopping!

Lust of the Week: Art Attack dress by Mink Pink

via ThreadSense, $50

Although hardly out of my price range, I still think this is worthy of being a LOTW since I am seriously lusting over this dress. Check out that crazy, artsy print - it's a unique item that will make you stand out anywhere. Wear alone, or try pairing with a cardigan or underneath a knotted button-down for a casual twist. I kinda love dresses that look like a top and skirt combo, yet I usually resist buying them. Don't ask me why, but I think separates are more versatile than a dress that can only be worn a limited number of ways. Now, if this came as a top I would be sold, but as a dress - it shall remain only a lust.

Weekly Shopping & Goodies

A Few Goody Gumdropspairs Moni Moni with Taloni and Daftbird for an amazing look! Do you have any idea what I'm talking about??

Child Mode finds the perfect little black dress from Baby K by Myleene Klass for Mothercare

Couture In The City enter to win this years biggest jewelry trend!
Win designer swimwear of your choice (up to $100) from swimspot.com. Enter now!

Fashion Fille has some exclusive pics from Solestruck's first lookbook!
Ladybrillemag.com says singer ONOS rocks!

RedPoppy Fashion is Giving Away a gorgeous Felix Rey clutch to one lucky Follower!!

Shopping and Info has a giveaway for a 1 carat diamond tennis bracelet.

Simply Sample Sales is Madly In Love With Designer Penny Auctions (Quite Possibly More Addictive Than Sample Sales)!

Style Eyes looks forward to the fall and talks about a great trend in her post the circle skirt - ten reasons to love it

TheFind is celebrating the sweet scents of summer with a $50 Giftcard Giveaway from FragranceNet.com, so ENTER today for a chance to win!

Life is no Nintendo game

Sweater, blazer, purse: Zara
Shorts: Urban Behaviour
Shoes: Seychelles
Tights: Hong Kong

I wore this outfit awhile ago when the weather was in that perfect state where one can wear anything from a t-shirt to a light sweater and still be comfortable. I love this outfit for its mix of soft tones, from the purple of the tights, to the light pink of my sweater to the soft metallic taupe of my shoes. As well, this floral cross-body purse was one of my best purchases in a while as it's the perfect size to just fit my bare bare essentials when I just want to run out the door.

When my coworker sent me this song last week, I was immediately impressed with Rihanna's vocals and of course, the very personal lyrics of the song. Love the Way You Lie, is the latest duet between Eminem and Rihanna and is all about domestic abuse. It's an issue that hopefully none of us ever have to face, but too many do. While I have never been in a physically abusive relationship, I can emphasize with how the abused can get trapped into an unhealthy cycle. If you know someone in this situation, try not to judge them, but be there for them. You may not agree with their actions, but they need you more than they probably realize. This song is another example of how music can perfectly express in words and melody something complex.