Adorable Cakelets!

Cupcake stores have been around for awhile now and this trendy pastry's popularity doesn't seem to be waning.  Everyone loves this sweet delectable and how can you not when it tastes so good and looks just so darn adorable? Unlike cakes though, I haven't seen that many extravagant cupcakes, until now.  American baker Amy Eilert's unique "cakelets" merge the creative whims of decorative cakes - into a miniature package.  These tiny pieces of art look almost too good to eat, as Eilert fashions airplanes, burgers, designer purses and more into bite-sized delights.  I'm personally in love with how girly and cute this teacup one is, although the burgers one also has a special place in my heart.  Check out the full collection online.

Product Review: Wonderbra Ultimate Strapless bra

The Product
I've always had a hard time finding a good strapless that gave one support, without making one's boobs resemble Madonna's famed cone bra, or causing them to hang granny style just above one's belly button.  I have no idea why strapless bras are often constructed so poorly and I don't care - I just want it to work!!  Most of the time, I just go commando, since I'm not so endowed as to render a bra as a requirement, but I do so usually with a large sense of trepidation.  As such, I was immediately intrigued when lingerie retailer Lingerie Please contacted me asking me to try out one of their Wonderbra strapless bras.  The description for this bra states that its "hand shaped internal structure holds you up just like you would with your own hands" - talk about creepiest product description ever!! But hey, if it works, I think I can handle an unfortunate metaphor.

Price
At $53.97, this bra is a bit expensive; however if it's really the only strapless you'll ever need, it could be worth it.

Effectiveness
If the description states this bra was supposed to be like two hands holding you up, then those hands must have been made from cotton-coated steel because that is how this bra appears and feels.  I felt like I was wearing medieval armour in this bra, and while it did provide better support than other strapless bras I'd tried, I definitely don't think I enjoy the iron fist approach to my undergarments.

Buy or Ditch?
I'd have to go with ditch on this one.  I just can't get over how stiff it is!

Final Verdict: C+

LA trip recap *pic heavy*

Los Angeles.  The city of angels was pretty good to me, though by the end I dearly missed the comfort of my own bed.  It was everything I'd hoped for, hot sun, good eats, and good times!  I definitely got a taste of the LA lifestyle and I have to say, it isn't so bad!  Maybe I'll have to add LA along with Honolulu to my list of acceptable US cities to live in ;)

Partying it up, LA style!  From sun down to sun up, literally.

Probably about as close to anything resembling Johnny Depp as I'll ever be

Millions of peaches, peaches for me

My heart will go on!

Not sure why I'm rubbing his belly, he's not Buddha, so it's not good luck!

Largest cupcake I've ever seen

Cute Sanrio art in Japan LA boutique

A rainbow of macarons

...and eclairs

...and fruit tarts!

The very cute Mimi, who seems to have an affinity for shoving her head into my Toms

Delicious and mysterious unknown Korean seafood soup at a Koreatown drinking hole beats french fries any day

Me unsuccessfully tanning at Zuma beach

American sized burgers from In N' Out.  The name of this fast food chain is as cruelly funny as it is accurately true.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE TRIP: TACO TRUCK TACOS

Next up in the trip recap is my LA trip shopping haul! Stay tuned!

Back from Cali!

Loving my retro Modcloth swimsuit!!

Hey everyone! Thank you for your sweet vacation wishes while I was gone! It was a week of little sleep, but much fun.  Ate some delicious tacos, shopped a lot, and met some very fun people.  Sadly I only tanned this much.  Seems my super power is invinicibility against UV rays.

I bought lots of things I can't wait to share with you all but until I get my photos all together, you'll just have to be satisfied with this hint: they include an owl, Marc Jacobs, TB and some laundry.

Lust of the Week: a beach vacation

But oh wait! I will be on one... starting today!  Taking a bit of a vaca for a week readers to the sunny climes of California.  I'll be soaking up some rays, some alcohol, and some good deals with my soaring Canadian loonie.  Will take lots of photos!

<3 MizzJ

Summer is...

Gelato time

Brilliant sunsets in the city

Tea time

Weddings

Lazy afternoons in with the doggie

That's just a little bit of my summer, in photos.  How has yours been so far?

All photos from my Flickr - add me!

Could you be the devil? Could you be an angel?

Necklace: H&M?

Shorts: Guess

Watch: Invicta

Sweater: Dynamite

I can't remember where I got this necklace from... I'm assuming H&M, but I should check with roomie since she has the same piece!  I realized I've been really slacking off on the outfit posts.  Usually I do them in the mornings before heading to work, but I've been finding my mornings too stressful and not conducive to photo taking so I don't have as big a backlog as before.  Hopefully that will change! 

Lately, I've also been pondering a makeover for my blog.  I've been doing this blog for the last couple years and frankly I'm getting a little bored with the format and focus.  Originally this blog was just a creative outlet and I wanted a name and look that was fun.  While I'd still like my blog to be all those things, I think I want to branch out a bit and have it look more polished.  Maybe transition from being so fashion focused and turn more lifestyle oriented to include more food, music, photography and culture? 

A large part of why I blog is for you, the people who for some reason, follow me!  So any change I make also has to take you into account, so please I'd love your feedback!  Do you think a makeover is a good idea?  Any suggestions for a new blog name?  And what do you think the new focus should include?

Event Recap: Lace Embrace Antique Corset Exhibition

One sunny Sunday afternoon, I made my way in my teatime best out to the lovely Hycroft Mansion in Vancouver to attend the Lace Embrace Antique Corset Exhibition and fashion show.  I was supremely excited to go, as I knew there would be some great photo ops, gorgeous fashions, and perhaps a cupcake or two!  I was not disappointed.  The event consisted of a historical lecture on corsets (did you know that bras have only been around for less than 100 years??) as well as an exhibit of corsets through the ages.  Models wearing modern and antique corsets walked the halls and some of the crowd got into the spirit as well, donning their Victorian and retro best. 

Besides the fashion, I was pleasantly surprised by how beautiful a setting Hycroft Mansion was.  It is a legit Victorian mansion right in the heart of Vancouver!  Only a few blocks away lies a busy traffic road, yet within the mansion's grounds, it is quiet and lushly green.  Such a perfect setting to sit and be pretty.  Funds raised by the event were used to fund a permanent home for this fascinating collection of fashion history.

 

Not really Victoria, but still hot!

 

 

 Her waist is itsy-bitsy!!

Check out these and more in my Flickr set and be sure to visit Lace Embrace for more beautiful corsets.

Lust of the Week: Out of Print Animal Farm tee

via Out of Print Clothing, $28

Fashion and books are two of my favourite things and now Out of Print Clothing are bringing together these worlds with their series of literary graphic tees designed by a variety or participating designers.  One of my favourite paranoia authors is George Orwell and his novel Animal Farm was always a classic story whose disturbing tale stuck with me.  Wouldn't this "cute" graphic tee look bad ass with a black leather skirt and ankle motorcycle boots?

Product Review: Dermaglow Essentials Foaming Cleanser

The Product
Recently I was offered the chance to try out a new beauty line coming to Shoppers Drug Marts across Canada called Dermaglow.  Like Clinique, Dermaglow takes the scientific route, emphasizing its scientific methodologies and approach to skincare.  Since I was seeking out a new facial cleanser, I opted to give the Essentials line Foaming Cleanser for a try.

The Guts
Designed to cleanse your skin of dirt, makeup, oil and sunscreen, without harsh cleansing agents, this foaming cleanser contains all natural soothing cleansing agents like rose water, horse chestnut, camomile and kiwi oil.  It also contains no fragrances, parabens, and dyes to ensure that even the most sensitive of skins can handle it.

Price & Packaging
I received the full-size bottle and was impressed with its large size, which should allow you to keep this cleanser for at least a couple months.  I was a little skeptical of its pump system, as I am with all pumps, but when I used the product I understood why a pump was necessary.

Effectiveness
This has got to be the most unusual cleanser I've ever tried and I've tried quite a few!  While most foaming cleansers come out as a gel that turns to foam, the Dermaglow foaming cleanser came out as... foam.  Just foam.  How the heck does one wash their face with foam?? Surprisingly well!  Now, you'll have to take several pumps to cover your face, and don't expect the foam to expand across your face like most foaming cleansers, because it won't, but it does seem to work.  Once on your skin, the foam feels like a milk cleanser; it has a very thin consistency, but it does wash off all my makeup easily and if used in conjunction with a good toner, works very well. 

Buy or Ditch?
Kinda on the fence with this one. It does work, but I can't say I'm a fan of the literal foam texture. I'm afraid I'll have to say ditch on this one.


Final Verdict:  B

How to maximize your storage, without minimizing your closet

I'm ashamed to confess: I am a mild shopaholic.  I go through waves of shopping where I may go months without buying a thing, and then months where I buy buy buy!  After doing a couple of shopping bans, I think I've managed to gain a hold on my spending habits and stick pretty well to my shopping rules (sale, versatility, closet uniqueness, lust factor).  However even with these rules and self-control, my closet is still pretty damn full.  In particular, my shoe collection has overflowed from my 3 level shoe rack onto the shoe room floor, into the hallway, to my bedroom where shoes peek out from the closet and are sprinkled on the bedroom floor.  I swear though that I'm just waiting for a spare day to go through them all and do a big donation dump - I swear!

Until that time though, I will admit that I may need to invest in some storage.  Thankfully, storage doesn't have to be expensive, nor does it have to take up a ton of space!  Since I live in a small urban condo, space is at a premium, so creative storage ideas are always in style.  Luckily there are tons of options available within the click of a mouse and I found tons of great options at lifestyle retailer K and Co.  Here are 3 great options I found for every budget:

Cheap: for those who would rather save funds for shoes savings accounts than furniture, is this economical Ideal shoe organizer for only 32£!  Made of durable canvas, this skinny vertical shelf can hold up to 20 shoes.

Good deal:  This Melbourne wooden shelf does double duty as storage unit and full-length mirror!  Mirrors are an essential fashion lover's tool.  It also comes in three shades to fit any decor scheme and the price is a totally affordable 70£. 

Pricy: The final option isn't necessarily for shoes, but for other things like clothes, or bed linens.  This Boston bed frame costs 499£ and has hinged bottom that allows you to literally lift up the mattress and reveal a storage space underneath.  You could use this space to store blankets, sheets, towels, or even sweaters, which all provides more room for... you guessed it, shoes!!!

Do you have any other creative ideas for storing all of your life necessities?

**Note: This post was sponsored by K and Co.  The images and content was chosen and written by the author.