Pride Nails

You may remember that I sported these rainbow skittles nails a few years back to attend Pride Parade (I really can't say "no" to a good themed mani). Now this year, thanks to Pride Nails, I'll be able to save precious nail painting time while also supporting the Vancouver Pride Society.

White Nail Polish: AVON Iceberg White / Rings: House of Hudson (c/o)

Designed in collaboration with Incoco, proceeds of these 100% real nail polish strips go back to the Vancouver Pride Society, a non-profit organization that brings together the LGBTQ community and its friends and allies through local events like East Side Pride, the Sunset Beach Festival, and of course, the world-famous Vancouver Pride Parade. Through the sale of Pride Nails, the Vancouver Pride Society hopes to raise over $20,000 for the Pride Legacy Fund, which provides scholarships and support for the youth in our communities.

2015 has obviously been a historic year with respect to marriage equality, given the recent same-sex marriage referendum in Ireland and the U.S. Supreme Court decision on gay marriage. I'm so glad other countries are finally taking steps towards greater equality in this regard, although we still have a long way to go in terms of LGBTQ rights generally. I know it may not be much, but every little show of support helps.

Find Pride Nails in stores (only if you're in Vancouver) or online.

Like A Cat

I've been doing quite a bit of experimentation with sunglasses recently, from different styles to materials, and it's been especially easy thanks to e-tailers like Polette Eyewear. Last Fall, you may remember I tried out some of their round frames and this summer I've been wearing the Duffin Sunglasses. Admittedly, these are more unconventional than I'm used to, given their cat-like shape, but that's all part of the fun. Plus, they are lightweight and the gold complements summer tanned skin perfectly.

P.S. The lovely people at Polette are offering one of my readers a pair of sunglasses of their choice. Scroll down for all the details on how to enter the giveaway!

Crop Top: Wilfred Free (Aritzia) (in different colours) / Skirt: Topshop (similar)
Sandals: Gravitypope / Bag: Chanel / Sunglasses: Polette (c/o)

... Want to win a pair of Polette sunglasses for yourself? 

All you have to do is follow Polette on Instagram and Twitter, and like them on Facebook. Then leave a comment here with a link to the sunglasses you'd pick from the Polette website if you win. Winner will be drawn randomly. Giveaway ends July 23.

{GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED}

Budapest: Thermal Baths, Cafes, and Ruin Pubs

As a follow-up to this post, which focused more on the city and architecture in Budapest, I wanted to share a few of my favourite activities and places from my recent vacation. There is seriously so much to do and it's all pretty inexpensive, especially compared to other countries like those in Western Europe.

At the top of my to-do list was visiting the thermal baths. Budapest has been referred to as the "City of Baths" and I wanted to pack as many spa days into my trip as I could (#treatyoself). Our first was at the Széchenyi Thermal Baths, which features 18 indoor and outdoor pools. Naturally, we had to spring for the upgrade package which granted us entrance to the Pálmaház with its hammocks and complimentary fresh fruit plates.

The Gellért Baths are located in the Hotel Gellért on the Buda side of the Danube. Another famous bath complex, it's smaller than Széchenyi but known for its beautiful Art Nouveau style.

Being from Vancouver, where coffee addictions run rampant, it was nice to find that cafe culture was prevalent throughout the city and there were many to pick from. The more "hipster" include Massolit Books & Café and Café Csiga, where I had the most delicious coffee and breakfast.

We also paid a visit to Lotz Terem, a hidden gem of a cafe located in the ALEXANDRA Bookstore. Isn't the ceiling absolutely stunning?

I didn't do any shopping in Budapest aside from gifts and souvenirs (shocking, I know). However, we did check out some lovely vintage stores, like Ludovika Shop.

And, of course, a visit to Budapest could not have gone by without a sampling of their amazing nightlife. Ruin pubs are located in abandoned apartment buildings, factories, and department stores, and are outfitted with rejected furniture, crazy artwork, and other cool knickknacks. Many feature multiple rooms and are open till 6 a.m. I feel like I'm far beyond the typical clubbing age now but this was seriously the most fun I've had partying... maybe ever.

The pictures below are from Instant, a multi-room labyrinth of a club that had DJs spinning tracks in different themed rooms. So fun. We also checked out Szimpla Kert, the city's first ruin pub, and 360 Bar which is not a ruin pub but an outdoor bar located on the roof of a highrise building giving a crazy view of the city.

That's it for my Budapest vacation re-cap (can I just go back already?), but I will have one more travel diary coming up soon from my short stay in Vienna!