sparkleshinylove - A lifestyle blog for girls who love a little sparkle!

Roxymandy February 4, 2014

Fun and Fabulous Spring Nautical Finds

I’m completely over winter. I’ve been spending the last week looking online at dresses, bikini’s and everything spring. Sometimes when I put my winter jacket on I feel an intense rage that I seriously need to keep under control. Things that make me happy include vacation planning, party planning, and shopping for spring and summer clothes. I have decided to do all three over the last week, and I want to share some of my spring finds with you. Right now I am completely obsessed with the nautical trend, and I have found some really great pieces that make me forget about the huge (yet still adorable) pink sweater I am wearing right now with my winter boots and jacket on standby at the door.

Click on the description of each item to be taken straight to the online shop for each piece. Look how easy I made it for you!

Dynamite Cropped Sweater with Anchor

Dynamite Printed Woven Tee Red Stripes Anchor

Sea Bound Striped Scarf

Forever 21 Off-Day Slub Sweater

Hollister Wheeler Springs Tank

Mango Striped Cotton Sweater

Tory Burch Caroline 2 Strip Ballet Flat

Michael Michael Kors Medium Jet Set Travel Striped Tote

Jayu Anchor Ring

Sephora Dior Blue Nail Polish

J. Crew Merino Triple-Stripe Elbow Patch Sweater

H&M Figure-Fit Jacket

Old Navy Women’s The Pixie Skinny-Ankle Pants

Old Navy Women’s Graphic Crew Sweaters

Kate Spade Shira Dress

Roxymandy January 31, 2014

What to Do – Valentine’s Day Ideas

Valentine’s Day is only a couple weeks away, and if you haven’t planned something you should probably start brainstorming! I made my own reservations a couple days ago, and it wasn’t easy because my first restaurant choice was completely booked. Don’t be like me – book now! Instead of the standard flowers, chocolate and dinner plans, here are a crew other creative ideas to spend your night.

At the Toronto Zoo they are having their First Comes Love Adult Dinner Event.

They are having a romantically inspired dinner with a special animal visitor, an interactive group presentation and a tour of the Zoo’s Reproductive Labs led by their Reproductive Specialist Team. Couples will learn information about parenthood amongst different species, and more.

A portion of ticket prices will go directly to support Toronto Zoo reproduction and conservation efforts.

This is a 19 + event, and runs on both February 14th and February 15th from 6:30pm until 9:00pm.

The cost is $65 per person for a zoo member, or $120 for zoo member couples, and $75 for non-members or $140 for non- member couples.

At Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto they are having a Valentine’s Day date night. For $250 per couple they are offering an appetizer, entree, dessert, a bottle of wine, live entertainment, a lounge area to relax in, and a cash bar. Patrons will be seated either in the Dangerous Lagoon tunnel, or just outside of it. There is also a 10% discount for annual pass members. Seatings are at 6:30 and 8:30pm on Valentine’s Day, and everyone leaves with a complementary souvenir photo.

To book, email valentines@ripleysaquariumofcanada.com

Le Dolci is having a Valentine’s Day Truffle-Making Class on February 13th from 7pm to 9pm. The cost is $140 per couple, and each pair will learn to make hand rolled truffles.

1006 Dundas Street West, Toronto

www.ledolci.com

Murder at the Rom – Meet your Match Special Edition

A murder mystery at the Rom with a twist – singles will be placed into teams, and the hunt lasts two hours. Tickets can be purchased at www.urbacapers.com

Roxymandy January 29, 2014

Where to Shop – Saks Fifth Avenue to open at Sherway Gardens

When Sears vacates Sherway Gardens in February, 2014 Saks Fifth Avenue will be taking it’s place. Competitor Nordstrom already announced it’s plans to open at Sherway as well, but have delayed their opening until 2017. Saks Fifth Avenue will likely open first in 2016. The store will be approximately 130,000 square feet, and could possibly feature a 25,000 square foot food hall as well.

I shop at both stores in both the US and online. I think this is great news because not only does Saks have an amazing selection of brands for women and kids, but Nordstrom tends to be more competitive in price, so the fact they will be launching at the same mall on a similar timeline will hopefully mean competitive pricing and greater selection for all of us! I love the Burberry boys line but its hard to purchase in-store in Canada because I am always finding their product is out of stock. Saks and Nordstrom both carry the line, and always seem to have everything in stock (and sometimes on sale!) so I and I’m sure many others will be saving on cross-border shipping and duty!

Photo Courtesy of Sherwaygardens.ca

Roxymandy January 22, 2014

What to Do – Events Coming Up!

eLUXE Warehouse Sale – January 22nd and 23rd, 2014

Up to 75% off designers including DVF, J Brand, Rebecca Taylor, Mackage, Michael Kors, Red Valentino, Zac Posen and 7 For All Mankind.

The sale runs 12-8pm.

355 Adelaide Street West, Toronto

http://www.eluxe.ca/

January ROM Kids PD Day Camp – January 24th, 2014

At the Royal Ontario Museum there will be an all day camp for kids with a PD day. It runs from 9am to 4pm, and the schedule is as follows:

Drop off:8-9am

Morning Session: 9-12pm

Supervised Lunch: 12-1pm

Afternoon Session: 4-6pm

Cost is $60-$69, for ages 5-14

The day includes hands-on educational activities, art projects, science experiments, and more!

www.rom.on.ca/en/activities-programs/kids-events/rom-kids-days

Steam Whistle UNSIGNED – January 24th, 2014

On January 24^th, Steam Whistle will host Unsigned #28, celebrating Canadian indie music. The show will be hosted in the Toronto Brewery’s Beer Hall and will feature Bravestation, Ark Analog, and Doom Squad. Doors open at 8pm and admission is only $5 at the door with all proceeds from ticket sales going back to the community through the Artists Health Alliance.

Steam Whistle Brewing

255 Bremner Blvd, Toronto

http://www.steamwhistle..ca/unsigned

Q&A with Flare’s Fashion Director Tiyana Grulovic – January 28th, 2014

Meet fashion director at FLARE, for a Q&A about style and career opportunities in fashion/media at the Toronto Fashion Incubator. The event starts at 5:30pm for coffee and networking, and the Q&A starts at 6pm.

285 Manitoba Drive, Toronto

To register, visit: www.fashionincubator.com/shop

The Drake’s Guilty Pleasures Brunch + Designer Sale – February 1st, 2014

It is the 10th anniversary for this event! Brunch seating’s are from 11:00am – 1:00pm and from 2-4:30pm there is a designer sale open to the public.

There will be free mini manicures, styling tips and beauty touch ups.

The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen Street West, Toronto

http://www.thedrakehotel.ca/happenings/2014/2/1/guilty-pleasures-2014/

Photo #1 courtesy of eluxe.ca, #2 courtesy of rom.on.ca, #3 steamwhistle.ca, #4 flare.com, #5 thedrakehotel.ca

Roxymandy January 20, 2014

Valentines Day Fun with Pottery Barn Kids

The one thing I miss the most about being in school is decorating a little mail box for all of the valentines I would receive on Valentines Day. I loved waiting until the end of the day and seeing how many valentines I received from my classmates. Although it’s nice to get flowers and candy, I still miss getting valentines from my friends. I remember it being such a big deal to see who sent me a valentine, and how excited I was to see which boys included me!

Now that those days are over, I luckily have a child to live vicariously through for this holiday! I have a boy so it really won’t be the same (I can just see myself forcing him to write his friend’s names on valentines, or maybe by then they will be Valentine’s Day text messages?), but at least while he is little I can indulge in this holiday until he is too cool for it.

Pottery Barn Kids takes every holiday pretty seriously, which is perfect for a holiday-addict like myself. They even have a great section right now on their web page which includes how to host an awesome Valentines Day kids party, which includes crafts and recipes. Check out the link here:

http://www.potterybarnkids.com/design-studio/celebration/valentines_day.html

They also have a great selection of Valentines, mailboxes (I LOVED making my Valentines Day mail box – why don’t we do this anymore?), party décor and other cute adorable valentine-themed items that I’m crazy about.

Here are a few of my favourite items below!