April 26, 2011

Freedom!

Today I wrote my last exam, which means I am officially done law school forever! 7 years of university and 2 degrees later, I think it's safe to say that I'm ready to not be a student anymore. Thankfully I have a few months off before I start working... I can't wait to do all those things I've missed like, you know, reading for fun? If anyone has any good book recommendations, please let me know.

My bf stopped by with some flowers to surprise me (thank you!). If you can't tell by these pictures, I am really really happy! :D

Bustier Tank: Wilfred / Pocket Skirt: American Apparel / Cardigan: Urban Planet
Tights: The Bay / Belt: Urban Outfitters / Riding Boots: Aldo

April 20, 2011

Canucks Nails

It's NHL playoff time right now and Vancouver is buzzing with Canucks fever. It's funny, a few years ago, I knew absolutely nothing about hockey. And now, thanks to my bf, I know far more than I ever thought I would - stats and player bios included.

So how better to show my support than some Canucks-themed nails in the team's signature colours? I don't have any lighter blues so had to use a dark navy...the picture makes it look almost black but I swear it's blue!

Sally Hansen Navy Baby, OPI Jade Is The New Black, Kiss Nail Art Paint in White

They match my shirt perfectly! And yes... I did just discover the Instagram app for iPhone, in case you couldn't tell ;)


GO CANUCKS GO!!

April 18, 2011

GIVEAWAY: DealByDay Daily Deal {CLOSED}


Congratulations to the winner - PD of Baking in the Rain!



As you may remember from my review of Akbar's OwnDealByDay offers a great service for all of us daily deal lovers. Instead of receiving multiple e-mails a day from all those random daily deal websites (e.g. Groupon, Living Social, SwarmJam, etc.), you can sign up for their early morning e-mail, which consolidates all the day's deals for you. You can even personalize your e-mails so that you only get deals in your area and in the categories that interest you.

And now, the guys at DealByDay are offering you, my lovely readers, the chance to win a daily deal of your choice! That means you can choose anything - from food gift certificates to fitness or spa and nail packages!

HOW TO ENTER:

It's super easy! All you have to do is sign up for DealByDay's personalized daily e-mail and leave a comment in this post saying that you did that. Don't forget to include your e-mail address so we can contact you if you win!

Contest is open to U.S. and Canadian readers or anyone who will be able to use a deal in the cities that DealByDay currently serves (see HERE for the complete list).

A winner will be chosen randomly after April 30, so tell all your friends to enter before the deadline!

April 16, 2011

Akbar's Own

Since the launch of Groupon, group-buying websites have become a sort of phenomenon, with many of us anxiously awaiting the amazing daily deals that arrive in our inboxes everyday. However, I don't know about you guys, but I was starting to get annoyed sifting through all those e-mails... it can be a bit much sometimes!

That's why I was so excited to find DealByDay, which allows you to consolidate all the daily deals into one convenient e-mail. By signing up, you can also pre-set the categories you're interested in as well as make sure you're only getting sent deals within a certain number of km from your house.

Thanks to the guys at DealByDay (who are from Vancouver, btw!), I was able to try out Akbar's Own, an Indian restaurant in my neighbourhood. It's one of those places I always walk by but never actually go inside, so I'm glad I got the chance to see what it was like.

When it comes to Indian food, I have a few favourites that I always order: butter chicken, muttar paneer, and aloo gobi. Surprise, surprise... guess what I ordered? And of course, some sides of naan bread, rice, and raita (a yogurt sauce that kind of reminds me of tzatziki).


The food was, as expected, really good. You can choose how spicy you want your dishes and I felt the portions were an appropriate size for an a la carte menu.

Akbar's Own is more of a "fine dining" establishment, so it's not really the place you would go if you were looking for cheap Indian food. I think it would be good for a date night of some sort, as there is also an extensive wine/drink menu and the ambiance sort of lends itself to that type of atmosphere.

Address: 1905 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC
Website: http://www.akbarsown.ca/

April 13, 2011

Night Vision & Knee-Highs (Boots, That Is)

Along with the cognac satchel from Primark that I featured in this post, I picked up this pair of knee-high black suede boots. I loved them so much, I got the exact same pair in grey too. I figure if you find something you like, might as well buy back-ups or at least a few different colours of it. Surely I'm not the only one who does this, right?

Side note: when you don't have proper equipment and lights, let me just say, it is sooooo hard to take pictures at night! And standing in an alley way trying to find some sort of lighting is only slightly awkward...

Boyfriend Button-Down: TNA / Leather Jacket: Mackage
Jeggings: 7 For All Mankind / Knee-High Boots: Primark

April 10, 2011

Snapshot Tour of Vancouver Food & Drink Spots

It's been a while since I've done a full restaurant review though, of course, I have still been eating and drinking my way around Vancouver. So in this edition of iPhone Snapshots, I've decided to feature a few of the places I've been in the past few weeks.

Not gonna lie... I was getting pretty hungry as I wrote this post!


La Petite France

There are a few French bistros and bakeries in my neighbourhood that I've been meaning to try out so thankfully I was able to drag my friend Lara along for the ride.

La Petite France has a rather small menu but there are some good choices on it. I decided on a classic ham and cheese croissant and side salad. Yum!

Their baked goods also looked delicious (does anyone love fruit tartes as much as I do?), so I've decided I need to go back again soon for an "afternoon treat."

Address: 2655 Arbutus Street, Vancouver, BC


Guilt and Company
What's better than a couple drinks over board games? A bar that offers drinks, board games, live music, and a giant Jenga!

I've got to say, Guilt and Company has really upped the ante on the whole "bar" experience. They have an extensive drink list as well as a "games menu" where patrons can pick from a whole range of board and card games.

My friends and I decided to pair our drinks with a game of Life: The Rockstar Edition and it was a total throwback to my elementary school years. I really need to start playing board games more often - they're so much fun!

Address: 1 Alexander Street (Gastown), Vancouver, BC
Website: http://www.guiltandcompany.com/


StackHouse Burger Bar

StackHouse is one of the new burger joints in town and I'd actually been watching the whole restaurant come together as I bussed home from downtown every week.

Once it finally opened, I was dying to check it out. After all, the interior intrigued me... very "minimalist-cool"... think: glass, mirrors, high tables, and white stools.

The burgers are also all made with local prime rib (with the exception of the non-beef burgers, of course!) and are served on brioche buns. I had the pancetta burger which was super yummy. They're not cheap (mine was $14) but are well worth the price. Definitely planning on going back again soon.

Address: 1224 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC
Website: http://www.stackhouseburgerbar.com/


The Alibi Room
The Alibi Room is a great bar on the outskirts of Gastown which refers to itself as a "modern tavern." I can see where they're going with this description... there are lots of long tables and chairs, as well as other types of seating. I really like the overall feel of the place.

There is also a huge menu of beers from around the world. My bf and friends ordered a few different kinds of beer, which I'm told were delicious. I, however, am not a beer drinker, so I opted for the Pimms cooler. Kind of like a mojito with a twist - refreshing and delicious!

Unfortunately I wasn't hungry on this visit so didn't order anything off the food menu. I want to go back and try something though because I saw a few dishes that looked and smelled mouth-watering.

Address: 157 Alexander Street (Gastown), Vancouver, BC
Website: http://www.alibi.ca/


The Secret Garden Tea Company

What's classier than Sunday afternoon high tea? Every year, my friend has her birthday party at The Secret Garden Tea Company in Kerrisdale, which is the cutest little tea room ever!

I love the Creamy Earl Grey tea the best (though there is an extensive list of teas to choose from), and always look forward to the tiers of food they serve along with it.

This time around there were mini croissants filled with roast beef and roasted red peppers, Albacore tunu salad biscuits, egg salad pinwheels, scones with jam and Devonshire cream (my fave), lemon tarts, apple crumbles, and more. Of course, High Tea is quite pricy (~$34) but it's worth it every once in a while for the experience.

Address: 5559 West Boulevard, Vancouver, BC
Website: http://www.secretgardentea.com/

April 7, 2011

Olive & Oak

I've always been a huge fan of light, floaty tops and was happy to add this recent find from Olive & Oak to my collection. I love all the great details: low neckline, sheerness, rolled up sleeves and little buttons.

And I must apologize for how awful my hair has been looking recently. I have been much too lazy to get it re-dyed, but am planning on fixing it once I'm done exams. Let's just pretend this is a new way to do ombre, shall we?

Sheer Tunic: Olive & Oak / White Tank: Old Navy / Wallet: Miu Miu
Bracelet: Kenneth Jay Lane / Nail Polish: Essie California Coral

April 5, 2011

Essie California Coral

I usually equate Essie California Coral with summer, as I only wear it during the hot months. And in fact, up till now, it has exclusively been a pedicure colour for me. So today I'm mixing things up: California Coral in April and on my fingernails instead! I know, I know... I really do live life dangerously, don't I?

California Coral is a bright and punchy coral shade which leans a little on the orange side (in my opinion). It kind of reminds me of Nicole by OPI The Right Thing, though The Right Thing is more red. Eithery way, a polish like this definitely eye-catching and the perfect complement to monochromatic outfits.

I know some people aren't fans of Essie's formula because it can be difficult to work with. However, I loveeee Essie because it usually dries super shiny, and California Coral is no exception. Now I really can't wait till summer!

April 1, 2011

The Cognac Satchel

While in London a few years ago, I picked up this satchel at Primark (one of my fave British stores for inexpensive clothing and accessories). As I was eagerly yanking it off the wall, some man who was shopping for his wife came over and asked me if I thought she might like it too. Umm... who wouldn't love this bag?!

Bonus: it can also be worn messenger-style, with the top folded over. It's basically like having two bags in one!

V-neck Tee: Ribbon Luxe
Cashmere Cardigan: Zara
Jeggings: 7 For All Mankind
Belt: Urban Outfitters
Bag: Primark
Wedges: Naughty Monkey

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