First shopping report!

So here is the first look at some of my state-side purchases.  I thought I'd start with the clothes because that seems to be easier than the 'product'.   Let's start by saying that Mr. J was admirably patient with me but had I had a bit more time on my own, I likely would have done more damage than I already did.

So this is the haul in it's entirety, it might not look like a lot (or maybe it looks like an obscene amount) but it took me for.freaking.ever just to get the tags off everything.  Speaking of which, when did we decide we needed to weave the tags thru the seams in such a way as to make them annoying.  And why do we need more than one tag and maybe a sticker on two on clothing?  Let's just knock it off already with the stickers and finicky tags.

I now realize I could have done a much better job showing you what I bought, but it's too late for all that.  I've since washed & put everything away so this will have to do.  I apologize that this isn't easier to see!

I did take some close ups of a few of my favourite things.  I don't know what it is with Americans and baby blue sweaters but these were both marked down & down & down until I got them for literally next to nothing.  No one likes baby blue?  The one on the left was $5 and the one on the right, which has kind of a ruffled silky seam on the front, was $2.50.  *gasps*  How could I not buy them.  Plus this Canadian girl loves this color, so I was thrilled.  I mean, come on!

This next picture makes me smile just looking at it.  These are the Mossimo t-shirts from Target (Tarjay) that I LOVE LOVE LOVE.  If you don't have one of these t-shirts, run to your nearest Target *if you have a nearest Target I'm officially envious* and get yourself one or seven.  These were $5 each and are the softest thing ever.  It's a thin t-shirt that looks and feels like you've washed it a million times.  I have one that has lasted well over 5 years now and has held up great, so I'm hoping these will too.  But even if they don't, they are only $5!  I only got two of them and now I'm wondering what the heck I was thinking.
I walk into Target and I get overwhelmed.  I'm so excited to be there and everything looks like something I want/need that I can't think straight.

Like these crates...we bought 3 of these ( I also got one from Wal-mart)  They were so handy for packing up all our purchases & I just am positive I needed them all.  They come in great colors too!

And this purse...it was only $5.  How could I leave it there.  It is one of those slouchy bags but with some good compartments inside that would make a good work bag or just kicking around bag.

Another favourite store is Kohls, but I actually hit that one on our last day and was almost shopped out by this point.  Terrible mistake I won't make again.  I was kind of over trying anything on but I did get one of my blue cardigans there.  I also got some great shirts for Mr. J, who was so over shopping by this time that he was back at the hotel.  One of my other favourite buys from Kohls was this ring.

It's one of those great oversize rings that I love and I already know where I'm first going to wear it.  Love!

Other than that I bought a few of those silky banded blousy shirts at Macys, and a couple of pairs of work pants, some capris, some sweater sets and some pajamas - including a soft, soft nightshirt with martini glasses all over it.   Speaking of which have any of you tried this before?

It might be a little cheesy but I really am curious to try it.  For those of you not familiar, this is a bottle of Skinnygirl Margerita made by one of the original Real Housewives of New York, Bethenny Frankel.  I've never seen this here in Canada, or at least where I live so I grabbed a bottle.  I'll let you know what I think.

And finally I love going through grocery stores and buying treats *read junk* we don't have at home.  These are things that I may or may not even buy if we had them here, but are so alluring to me because I can't get them readily.  Which applies to pretty much everything in life doesn't it.

Believe me...there was more but it just gets a little ridiculous.  Oh and I know I can get club soda here but those little bottles they come in make me feel like I'm in the movies or something.

I'll be back (hopefully soon) with my next installment!

A day at the park - Larping anyone?

Photo source

Anyone familiar with LARPing (Live Action Role Playing) or see the movie Role Models?

While Mr. J and I were at the park today with family, my brother spotted some LARPers in full costume, just down from where we sat.  My brother immediately did the 'Trac, Trac' and motions his head.  'Look, LARPers', knowing I'd know what he meant.

Who knew that our cousin, who was there with us, was a LARPer of sorts.  How would you ever expect that?  He was immediately offended like we were making fun of it.  Once my brother explained what it was, he was a bit placated and said oh, well then he did something completely different.  Oh you mean like fencing we said.  He says, yah exactly...except we wear the lace.

Oh oh.

Me: The lace?

Him: Yah (all indignant, like of course the lace), you know like the 17th century?  And then like a throwdown of sorts says to my brother, 'I'd like to see you in the lace'.

My brother: Ummmm okay.

Silence.  Crickets.

My brother: Oh well, that's cool too.

All in all a great day at the park and a reference I'll be able to use with my brother for years to come.  Hope you all are enjoying your weekend! I'll be back in the next day or two with a haul post.  

She's baaaaccckkkk!!

Oh yes we're back.  No more sleeping till your eyes open, shopping till you drop, eating beyond when you're full, cocktails pre-during-post dinner.  Holiday is over..reality is hitting me hard.  I'll be posting about my cross border buys as soon as the pouting stops.

Holidays and Shopping - does it get any better?

Photo source

Hi all, just a quick note to say we're off on holidays.  Off for a little r&r and oh perhaps a bit of cross border shopping (*I heart you so much right now Canadian $).   Who can resist a Target!  Oh and I will be making my very first Ulta trip...which I'm so excited about.  I love me a value kit, so we'll see what I come home with.  Maybe something like this....

Or this....

Or depending how much I spend, this....

 If you have any suggestions for 'must haves' please let me know....all ideas welcome!


If anyone is interested I'll post about my purchases when we get back.  But who am I kidding,  whether you tell me you're interested or not I'll likely post about my purchases when we get back.  


Talk to you soon!


Tracy

July Luxe Box!

This post contains graphic and self indulgent whining.  

Truly indicative of first world problems.  

Reader discretion is advised.  

Well another month and another opportunity for Canada Post to redeem itself.  This month's Luxe box arrived on time, and in this condition....

Perfectly intact, yay!  Ribbon was removed for slightly lame artistic attempt.  I happily opened it all up to reveal what was inside for this month.  

And my honest first reaction was this...wah, wah, waaahhh (to the tune of the wrong answer when you're on a game show).   This is my third box and so far the only one that let me down.  When I first looked at it, all I noticed were the truly tiny sample sized items.  Previously the sample sizes I got were larger than standard, but these were...tiny and like the ones you can get anywhere.  Also there was a Joico K-pak hair serum product last month, so to get another hair oil right away was a bit of a let down.  Anyway here's all that was inside.

I know I am going to sound like a bit of a whiner, but I received this on the same day I watched Jayme and Mendi review their July Birchbox and there's was just sooo much better...you can see that here.  I think that just added to my disappointment.  

Okay so for my first impressions: 


Proclaim hair oil treatment - Again this is a small sample size, not to harp on that...too late right?  It's an Argan oil product meant to be used on damp or dry hair to smooth your hair and tame flyaways.  Well the good news is that it works, the bad...I can't stand the smell.  Anyone try Ojon products?  I couldn't get past their smell and this reminds me of that.  So if you like Ojon then likely this won't bother you...if you don't you will have to wash your hair to get the smell out, like I did.  I will be giving this away to a friend or family member to try.  Maybe the scent won't bother them. 


Trucco Pro Lip liner - This is obviously a full size product so bonus points for that.  Do they even make a sample size liner?  Actually that would be a good idea wouldn't it?  It's a pretty pink, has good staying power but I don't really use lip liners (pretty lazy) so I won't get a lot of use out of this.  I did wear this all over my lip with a lip balm over it, and it was pretty but not a look I'd do everyday. 


Essie Nail Polish - Again this is a full size (so what was all the whining about earlier right?).  This is a beautiful deep red color that I will definitely use as a pedicure color.  I got the shade 'poor little rich girl', how ironic given the tone of this post.  This is my 3rd box and my second polish.  This seems a bit soon for another polish, but I think if I was happier with this box overall I wouldn't have even mentioned it.  


Stella in Two Peony Fragrance - So I looked at this little vial and thought grumpily, these are those lame lil vial size samples you get at any cosmetics counter.  But when I picked it up to smell it I noticed that it's actually a bit bigger than those, and has the cutest little sprayer on the end.  Never seen anything like it.

This little perfume is what completely redeemed this month's box.  I freaking LOVE it.  You only need the smallest amount of this gorgeous smelling scent.  It smells like I'm a wealthy, extremely stylish woman who's on a really fabulous and extravagant holiday and I've just showered, spritzed on my signature perfume and gotten ready to go out for dinner after an indulgent day of lounging oceanside in my private cabana.  You know that smell?  I will definitely be getting this in a larger size.  


So all in all, a little let down but I would still recommend Luxe box.   Looking forward and remaining hopeful about August's box!