LADIESFUND®

By T. U. Dawood

DelectablyChic! is excited to present its 3^rd Annual Summer Bridal feature, this time a four part series on Wedding Prep, Make Up & Beauty Must-Haves for the 2012 Summer Bride, The Wedding Day, as well as Wedding Related Ideas.

We begin with Wedding Prep.

Once the engagement ring is on, the official Wedding Prep begins including wedding etiquette:

Something New

There are some fantastic books on wedding etiquette.  We recommend Something New: Wedding Etiquette for Rule Breakers, Traditionalists, and Everyone in Between by Elise Mac Adam, which is a very modern, relevant handbook to ensure your guests feel comfortable, even in the stickiest of situations.

C.R. Gibson Wedding Planner, Now & Forever

Even if you decide to go with a wedding planner, it can be handy to have your own Wedding Planner book full of checklists and we simply love the Now & Forever Wedding Planner book by C.R. Gibson.  If you are planning your own wedding, this is a fantastic guidebook full of worksheets to keep the bride organized and on schedule, invaluable tips, as well as room to record everything from the guest list to the bridal registry.

My Fair Wedding

Once you know your wedding etiquette inside out and are completely organized by your planner, it’s time to think of those how to add an extra oomph.  Check out David Tutera’s My Fair Wedding: Finding Your Vision . . . Through His Revisions! which highlights how a little tweaking can make your wedding much more special and memorable.  The book has examples of common or traditional ways of doing things and then has David’s innovative revisions which add that certain flair or panache to the same element of the wedding.  This book and its inspired ideas are for that bride who wants that certain something extra.

While the wedding organization is critical, it is even more important for the bride to look radiant on her special day.  Hence, the other really critical wedding prep that should be begun immediately is ensuring the bride is healthy, glowing and looking her best.

Brides have traditionally taken time off to be pampered, massaged and well rested.  However, even modern, busy brides can still look their best with a few insider beauty tricks.

For the Face:

Vasanti’s Detox Nutrient-Rich Purifying Facial Cleanser feels like heaven on your face and almost like a nightly mini-spa treatment.  Although you can start using this anytime, we recommend at least one month before your big day to ensure a natural bridal glow.

If you want a more intense facial cleansing and plumping, consider a Silkpeel Dermalinfusion facial by trained Esthetician Rose Cruz at Ivory Salon & Spa.  This is a more advanced technique than microdermabrasion and is said to work wonders with acne and sun damage by intensely hydrating the skin and stimulating the growth of new healthy cells.

For the Hair:

For your hair, try Salon La Coupe Volume, Moisture or Curl Refresh dry shampoo.  We recommend using this shampoo at least two months prior to your wedding day to ensure your locks will be in tip-top shape.

Or, if you want to lighten your hair naturally, LUSH Cosmetics’ BIG shampoo is quite an industry secret.  Made of seasalt and citrus, it breaks down henna and not only adds volume (hence the name) but gives your hair a sunkissed look with a killer bounce.  It’s very potent stuff, however, so you should be careful not to use it more than once a week, particularly if you have baby fine hair.

For Overall Relaxation:

For overall relaxation, try LUSH Cosmetics’ Relax, Take a Bath trio of stress-relievers.  Indulge in a hot, steaming bath fragranced with lavender and chamomile in the three different bath products – a Waving Not Drowning bath bomb, Bathos bubble bar and Dreamtime bath melt.  Use them one a week for the three weeks leading up to your special day, or indulge in one a day for the last three days prior to your wedding.

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The crème de le crème of Toronto high society gathered recently for the National Ballet of Canada’s 60^thanniversary Diamond Gala at the Four Seasons Centre, a night of dining and dancing that raised$1.25-million.

Lloyd Robertson and Principal Dancer Greta Hodgkinson

Outside the centre, mannequin style models wearing specially designed tutus posed in the blistering heat while the 1500 guests were greeted with chilled water bottles.  The red carpet was filled with the who’s who ranging from the Old Guard to some very avant garde party-goers.  Most of the women were wearing long ball gowns with some in sassy cocktail dresses.

Jorn Weisbrodt, Rufus Wainwright and Emmanuelle Gattuso

The night began with an overture from Polovtsian Dances by Alexander Borodin that was on the programme of the National Ballet’s very first performance on November 12, 1951.  This was followed by a welcome from Artistic Director Karen Kain who looked stunning in navy.  The ballet portion of the night than began with an hour-long performance of very special short works, particularly sets of pas de deux.

Bernice Royce and Victor Royce, President & CEO of Rolex Canada

First up where Xiao Nan Yu and Jiri Jelinek performing a sexy, sassy, modern pas de deux from Amarant, a ballet that had premiered in Belgium in 2011.  Husband and wife Guillaume Cote and Heather Ogden then performed a World Premiere of the very romantic Polar Night choreographed by Robert Binet for this special occasion.  This was followed by the World Premiere of Silence Screams Venom, a riveting tour de force choreographed by Principal Dancer Guillaume Cote that featured Greta Hodgkinson and four male dancers and is certain to make him an exciting, upcoming choreographer in the dance world.  It was the talk of the after party and created great twitter buzz.  Sonia Rodriguez and Aleksandar Antonijevi (who is celebrating his 20^th year with the ballet this year) partnered for a vignette from the evocative and humorous ’90s contemporary ballet Herman Scherman.  The night then returned befittingly to the more classical and aptly selection excerpt from Diamonds From Jewels by George Balanchine.  This featured the entire corps de ballet dancing to the 1967 traditional ballet.

Dance installation

Afterward, guests mingled at a cocktail reception featuring the night’s signature drink a lemon martini titled Skyy with Diamonds, and hors d’oeuvres such as mini cupcakes and smoked salmon pinwheels from North 44°.

The dinner onstage at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

Some notables spotted included Lloyd Robertson, Cleophée Eaton, Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan, Ross Petty (husband of Karen Kain), Rex Harrington, Roz Ivey, Veronica Tennant, Victoria Jackman, Lydia Prince, Galen & Alexandra Weston, Elvio & Marlene DelZotto ,  John Macfarlane, Victoria Webster, Thor & Nicole Eaton, Lynda Prince, Jian Ghomeshi, Jorn Weisbrodt and Rufus Wainwright and Albert Schultz.

Principal Dancers Jillian Vanstone, Greta Hodgkinson, Heather Ogden & Xiao Nan Yu

Moi

About 550 of the guests were then escorted to the Four Seasons Centre stage for a special dinner prepared by celebrity chef Mark McEwan.  Table for 10 tickets for this special privilege ranged from $15,000 – $25,000.

Photos by Gary Beechey

This article was originally published in DelectablyChic!

Arts & Culture, Style, events, fundraisers, money and happiness, networking, philanthropy, special occasions, spending money, spending money wisely Albert Schultz, Aleksandar Antonijevi, Alexander, Amarant Guillaume Cote, ballet, Cleophee Eaton, Diamond Gala, Diamonds, Elvio & Marlene DelZotto, Four Seasons Centre, Galen & Alexandra Weston, George Balanchine, Greta Hodgkinson, GUILLAUME CÔTÉ, HEATHER OGDEN, Herman Scherman, jewels, Jian Ghomeshi, Jiří Jelinek, John Macfarlane, Jorn Weisbrodt, karen kain, Llyod Robertson, Lydia Prince, Lynda Prince, MARK MCEWAN, national ballet of canada, North 44°, pas de deux, Polar Night, Polovtsian Dances, REX HARRINGTON, Robert Binet, Ross Petty, Roz Ivey, Rufus Wainwright, Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan, Silence Screams Venom, Skyy with Diamonds, sonia rodriguez, Thor & Nicole Eaton, toronto, Veronica Tennant, Victoria Jackman, Victoria Webster, world premiere, XIAO NAN YU

Every year, dynamic idealists gather at Koerner Hall, Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto for a powerful meeting of minds. There was no triskaidekaphobia at Moses Znaimer’s 13^th ideacity presented byBlackberry, which even began June 13 with the theme “Lucky 13.”

Moses Znaimer addressing the audience

It turned out to be a lucky event with plenty of opportunities for chance meetings with some of the world’s greatest thinkers and extraordinary trailblazers.

This year’s roster of 50 speakers included guitar legend Liona Boyd, illusionist Simon Coronel, politician Preston Manning, Wealthy Barber author David Chilton, singer Jann Arden, pianist Michael Kaeshammer, possibilian David Eagleman, and so forth.

Jann Arden

Most of the speakers stayed throughout the conference and enjoyed hearing one another and mingling with each other and the guests, many of whom were extraordinarily successful or interesting in their own right.

Liona Boyd was particularly delighted because when she met the The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario The Honourable David C. Onley, O.Ont. at ideacity, he promptly invited her to receive one of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Awards being awarded this week.

Liona Boyd

The networking lounge

This year’s ideacity theme was “The End is Nigh” or TEOTWAWKI, which stands for “The End of the World As We Know It.”  Recognizing that “every new beginning comes from other new beginning’s end,” ideacity found that its audience was 81% optimists and their cheerful outlook and hopeful nature did not change over the course of the conference.

Composing the Toronto Symphony

Some of the most memorable moments included sexologists Ogi Ogas & Sai Gaddam calling poutine “the shemale porn of international cuisine”; illusionist Simon Coronel seamlessly making a card appear and disappear from a variety of places; composer Tod Machover creating – in collaboration with key Canadian musicians – live on stage the genesis of A Toronto Symphony, a work he is composing with the entire city of Toronto; one week job worker Sean Aiken reminding us that at any age we can work toward finding our true life passion; David Jay sharing his story of Asexuality and discovering that 3% of ideacity attendees were asexual; Dignified Death advocate Wanda Morris speaking of respecting an individual’s right to determine the nature and timing of their death; the entire audience performing Kabalah Yoga with Audi Gozlan, Shimmy belly-dancing with Shivaun Corry and bhangra-ing with BollyFit’s Reshmi Chetram.

Sean Aiken

Shimmy

Pinball Clemons

It’s not surprising that the crowd was so happy because in addition to being constantly mentally stimulated by the jam-packed speaker roster, each guest received their own Blackberry playbook with the ideacity app preloaded, was given a trendy Roots leather bag filled with goodies, was pampered with Aveda aromatherapy neck massages, enjoyed decadent networking delectables including oysters and shrimp hors d’oeuvres, and socialized at the famous afterparties at some of Toronto’s poshest hot spots including Spice Route, C-Lounge and Rosewater Supper Club.

A worthwhile and unforgettable conference that the guests look forward to all year.

This article was originally published in DelectablyChic!

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Artistic Director Karen Kain is truly taking the National Ballet of Canada to new heights.  Tonight’s triple bill of three very distinct pieces was an ingenious way to end the company’s 60th anniversary season.

Artists of the Ballet in Elite Syncopations Photograph by Cylla von Tiedemann

After the morose dancing of Hamlet, these vibrant vignettes showcased the National Ballet’s breadth, depth and exceptional talent.  It was also a history tour of the last thirty years of ballet and as Artist in Residence Rex Harrington stated at the pre-ballet talk, it shows the National Ballet’s distant past, middle past and future.

Tanya Howard and Zdenek Konvalina in Chroma Photographer Cylla von Tiedemann

The evening began with the playful ragtime Elite Syncopations, choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan and with the accompaniment of a fully costumed band of company orchestra players onstage led by retired music director Ormsby Wilkins. First performed by the National Ballet of Canada in 1978 with Karen Kain playing the lead female role, Elite Syncopations featured Xiao Nan Yu in the spotlight this time around.  However, this ballet is truly an ensemble piece with a hurricane of dance and comedy, effortlessly swinging between pas de deux and corps de ballet.

Elena Lobsanova and Jiří Jelinek in Chroma Photographer Bruce Zinger

The dancers dressed in hand-painted body tights by designer Ian Spurling charm the audience with a fast-paced romp.  There are many memorable mini dance competitions and the much loved Tall-short pairing pas de deux danced by Christopher Stalzer and Adji Cissoko.

Chroma

The second performance Song of a Wayfarer was polar opposite from the first. A very traditional, somber, technique driven piece originally choreographed by Belgian Maurice Bejart for Rudolf Nureyev and Paolo Bortoluzzi in 1971, this duet is truly timeless.  Mahler’s lyrics to the classic song Song of a Wayfarer were sung hauntingly by baritone Peter Barrett.  Emotion-filled and intense, a young man (played by Zdenek Konvalina) struggles with his double (played by Guillaume Cote).  We are unsure what this shadow is, whether his conscience or his destiny, but it is clear this demon has to be reconciled with.  The performance gathered a well-deserved standing ovation.

Zdenek Konvalina and Guillaume Côté in Song of a Wayfarer Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann

The last performance of the night was the highly anticipated Wayne McGregor futuristic dazzler Chroma,originally choreographed for Britain’s Royal Ballet in 2006 and first performed by the National Ballet in 2010.  With neon lighting and androgynous costumes, this frenzied, cutting edge, highly technical ballet held the audience at the edge of its seats.  It’s white décor world is as enigmatic yet whole as the dark, black filled world of the Matrix films.  Composer Joby Talbot includes orchestrations of three songs by The White Stripes.  The jagged edge of the score is a perfect foil for the rapid fire choreography and stark white backdrop which only serves to highlight the architecture of the human body and the nature of physical movement.

Until Jun. 17, 2012; Four Seasons Centre, 145 Queen Street W; 416 (toll free 1 866) 345-9595 or www.national.ballet.ca.

This article was originally published in DelectablyChic!

Arts & Culture, money and happiness, shopping, spending money, spending money wisely CHROMA, ELITE SYNCOPATIONS, GUILLAUME CÔTÉ, karen kain, KENNEITH MACMILLAN, ladiesfund, MAURICE BEJART, NATIONAL BALLET, REX HARRINGTON, RUDOLF NUREYEV, SONG OF A WAYFARER, spending, tudawood, WAYNE MCGREGOR, WHITE STRIPES, XIAO NAN YU, ZDERIEK KONVALINA

Gotta hand it to Kim and the Kardashian crew, or should I write “krew.”  These gals sure have sass, but I must admit they know their colour.

They have designed for Nicole by OPI some sizzling hawt nail laquers that they’ve named “Celeb-Bitties” and “Sophisti-Cuties.”  The first pack of 4 minis is feminine shades of popular pinks while the latter is more silvers and blacks.

Celeb-Bitties

Sophisti-Cuties

These packs are designed so you can change your nail colour often of experiment with nail light.  The colour selections are nice and full of full opportunities but right off the bat, I really fell in love with certain shades.

Wear Something Spar-Kylie

Wear Something Spar-Kylie = LOVE.

Just see it on:

Wear Something Spar-Kylie when applied

Perfect for summer.  Perfect for a cocktail reception, summer soiree, patio party.  Would have been ideal for Scrubs in the City or the Butterfly Ball fundraisers.  This year, Suzanne Rogers and many other VIPs made it a point to wear fuchsia to key events and this nail shade would work perfectly with their outfits.

All three other shades in this 4-pack - All Kendall-ed Up (fuchsia), Kim-pletely in Love (wedding pink) and Sealed With a Kris (blood red) are wearable, striking shades.  A fabulous collection.

The Sophisti-Cuties collection also has some winners, but seems a bit more wintery or goth with its chocolate and dark shades.

I did fall in love with Khloe Had a Little Lam-Lam, though.

Khloe Had a Little Lam-Lam

It’s a very sexy, high impact shade of blue that would stand out in a crowd of candy pinks.

My Empire … My Rules was a bit like Hallowe’en goo in shade, but Hard-Kourt Fashionista is a can’t lose chocolate while Follow Me Glitter is a packs a punch silver sparkler.

These 6 ladies know their “Kolor” and have formed a perfect partnership with Nicole by OPI.

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Lisa Lisson

Women of Influence is known to feature top and inspire speakers but they really outdid themselves on their recent Deloitte Women of Influence Luncheon held at the Metro Toronto Convention Center featuring Lisa Lisson, President of FEDEX Express Canada.

Not only is Lisson a strong, dynamic and inspiring professional, she is an extraordinary individual who has survived and thrived despite her husband being in a coma for two years before passing away.  She balances her work and 4 children, 3 dogs, a rabbit and a goldfish; is a hugger; and begins each day with gratitude.

Lisa addressing the audience

Lisson is the first female president of FEDEX Canada and is a four-time winner of the FedEx Five Star Award (FedEx’s highest accolade), voted by her employees as exceeding company managerial standards.  She is an active member of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives.

At the Women of Influence Luncheon, she spoke from the heart, sharing her story while peppering it with humanity and pearls of wisdom.  She spoke of training one’s mind to keep positive and focused, the importance of mentors and how to find them, filling one’s live with gratitude and constant acts of kindness, saying no and prioritizing “me” time, and nurturing an environment of inspiration.

She also emphasized to the 350 guests in the audience the importance of letting your intentions - particularly career ambitions - be known. She reminded everyone, “Every interaction with senior management is a mini interview.”

Lisa Lisson with author T U Dawood

Now in her 20^th year at FEDEX, she related the charming story of how she got her entry to this family like corporate culture by connecting with a marketing assistant and forming a bond with her.

Featured on Undercover Boss, Lisson shared how that experience helped her connect with her teammates and employees of all levels and better understand what they do each day.

In this intense, emotional speech which resulted in many tears in the audience, Lisson shared her mind, heart and soul and truly inspired those lucky enough to attend.  She’s a leader who is passionate, yet grounded; talented, yet humble; and friendly and approachable, yet professional.

The event was moderated with gusto by the popular Erin Davis, Morning Host, CHFI.

Audience Shot (photograph provided by WOI)

Some VIPs at the event included Barbara Dickson (Managing Director, Queen’s Executive Education), Carolyn Lawrence (President & CEO, Women Of Influence), Devorah Lithwick (Vice President, Marketing Communications, Bell Mobility), Jane Allen (Global Leader, Renewable Energy, Chief Diversity Officer, Canada, Deloitte & Touche), Marilyn Horrick (Chubb Insurance Company Of Canada, Assistant Vice President, Canadian Zone Projects And Communications Manager), Michele Goddard (Senior Vice-President And Managing Director, Client Strategy And Execution, BMO Nesbitt Burns), Nelly Daley (Strategic Account Manager, Cisco Canada), Paulina Paplinski (Senior Manager, Enterprise Risk, Information Technology And Risk Services, Deloitte & Touche), Penny Hicks (Publisher, Maclean’s Magazine), Sandra Stewart (Director Of Marketing, The Jones Group Canada), Susie Federchuk and Valerie Battler (Principal, Career Solutions, Knightsbridge, Human Capital Solutions).

Lisson’s mother, two aunts and nanny also joined the event and were celebrated by the speaker as integral parts of her life.

Guests had come from all over Canada including Bonnie Johnson, who was visiting from New Brunswick, and had planned this as one of the highlights of the trip.

Raymonde Lavoie who is launching Femmes d'Influence

Attendees

Christine Jackson of Burts Bees - a total fashionista

business trends, career development, entrepreneurship, events, making money, money and happiness, networking Barbara Dickson, Bell Mobility, BMO Nesbitt Burns, carolyn lawrence, CHFI, Chubb Insurance Company Of Canada, Cisco Canada, Deloitte & Touche, Devorah Lithwick, Erin Davis, fedex express canada, FedEx Five Star Award, Jane Allen, lisa lisson, Marilyn Horrick, Michele Goddard, Nelly Daley, Paulina Paplinski, Penny Hicks, Queen’s Executive Education, Sandra Stewart, Susie Federchuk, undercover boss, Valerie Battler, women of influence, work/life balance

Despite the fact that fall is around the corner, wedding season is never really over.  Regardless of what season you’re getting married, the planning the Big Day can be very stressful.  Here are some ideas to make everything go more smoothly!

Philosophy Keep The Peace

ACHIEVE THE BRIDAL GLOW: Pamper your skin! Last minute breakout? Your nerves take away from the bridal glow? That’s when it is time to make peace with your skin. Philosophy has a Keep the Peace protective color corrector with SPF 20 that embodies the philosophy “the more peaceful you are, the more beautiful you become.” It helps soothe and calm skin and leaves behind a satin finish. So if you feel sudden tears of emotion or a zit coming out, this is a miracle worker.

Cargo Cosmetics High Definition Make-Up Concealer

If you prefer a more standard concealer, Cargo Cosmetics High Definition Make-Up Concealer works brilliantly in the light. Cargo Cosmetics has a great blu-ray High Definition Make-Up Polishing Cloths set. This helps deep clean pores to enable make-up to go on more smoothly, less visibly. So if you wake up your wedding day with tired, dehydrated skin, these polishing cloths are truly a Godsend.

Bourjois Paris’ Foundation for Fresh Rested Complexion

If you prefer hydrating foundation to a polishing cloth, Bourjois Paris’ Foundation for Fresh, rested complexion – 10 hour sleep effect, is truly a lifesaver for a bride who had a restless night before her big day.

Smashbox Step-by-Step Contour Kit

SCULPT AND CONTOUR: Smashbox has a fabulous “Step-by-Step Contour Kit” that is ideal for sculpting your face to bring out your cheekbones, slim your nose and enhance your jawline. It comes with a specially designed contour brush as well as an easy-to-follow guide for creating the effect you want.

Vasanti’s Brazilian Bronzer

BRONZE IT UP! If you want to kick it up a notch, Vasanti’s Brazilian Bronzer is the must-buy golden giver this summer. From the gorgeous artisan inspired packaging to the intense product impact, this brightening mineral powder builds easily and effectively with each sweep of the brush. The best part is it does not look orange or streaking. An alternative is Bourjois Paris’ Delice de Soleil Bronzing powder for face & body.

Bourjois Paris’ Delice de Soleil Bronzing powder

Crabtree & Evelyn Summer Fragrances

SCENT IT UP! Crabtree & Evelyn has just launched a line of Summer Fragrances. These Lavender, Lily, Rosewater and Iris eau de toilettes are perfect summer delicate scents and make for great bridesmaid gifts or are perfect for the blushing bride to wear on her special day.

Trump Italian Flora and Merlot Diffuser

For the bridal suite, check out Trump’s brand new Home Fragrance line and in particular Trump Italian Flora and Merlot Diffuser or Large Candle. Described as “an artisanal bouquet of fresh Tuscan florals, blended with harvested herbs, ripe currants, and rare varietals of Venetian Bordeaux.” It will transform the room into a welcoming, opulent aroma.

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Bourjois So Laque! Ultra-shine nail laquer

NAILS THAT SAY IT ALL: Bourjois So Laque! Ultra-shine nail laquer in Rose Lounge is a very perfect oyster pink, just made for French manicures and promises the shine to last up to 7 days. It’s the perfect, classical shade for a bride to wear on her wedding day.

Love for No Reason: 7 Steps to Creating a Life of Unconditional Love

LOVE FOR NO REASON: All brides should read Marci Shimoff with Carol Kline’s “Love for No Reason: 7 Steps to Creating a Life of Unconditional Love.” This insightful book reminds us that “when you love for no reason, you bring love to your outer experiences, rather than try to extract love from them.” This is a very beautiful way to begin a marriage, by giving rather than focusing on taking.

Philosophy Thank You Gift Set

SHARE YOUR JOY!: Bridesmaid Gifts Looking for the perfect gift to give your bridal party. We at DelectablyChic! fell in love with Philosophy’s “Thank You” gift set. It features two little girls on the beautiful box and inside contains Raspberry Sorbet high gloss lip shine as well as a shampoo, shower get and bubble bath combo. A very sweet gift to give or to get.

A trendy gift that smells great is Mariah Carey’s mini perfume. Inseparable (pink bottle) – has notes of raspberry, mango, pear, jasmine and orange flower; Never Forget You (orange bottle) – features notes of jelly beans and golden peony; and Vision of Love (purple bottle) – with notes of French macaroon and purple jasmine. You can match the scent you give with the friend you are giving it to, for that added personal touch.

Mor Cosmetics’ Lip Balm in Marshmallow

If you want to pamper your beloved bridesmaids or Maid of Honour with something extra special, you can’t best Mor Cosmetics’ Lip Balm in Marshmallow. Every aspect of this gift is optimal luxury. The lipbalm comes packaged in a keepsake tin box which is then packaged in a gorgeous and ultra feminine little pastel floral gift box with pink tied bow. The balm itself is a pretty soft pink but it’s truly the packaging itself that makes this gift truly special.

Mor Cosmetics Perfume Oil in Snow Gardenia

Mor Cosmetics also has a gorgeous Perfume Oil packaged in pastel cylinders and a premium soap packaged in keepsake tin boxes. These items come in four scents: Marshmallow, Snow Gardenia, Belladonna and Lychee Flower. Either of these or a combo of the two would make for a great gift to get in assorted scents for bridesmaids.

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C.R. Gibson’s Candlelight Loose-Leaf Memory Photo Album

REMEMBER IT ALL!: C.R. Gibson’s Guest books and photo albums are fabulous bridal shower gifts as well as wonderful, traditional and practical accents to a wedding. DelectablyChic! particularly likes their fabric covered “Candlelight Collection” which has a Loose-leaf Memory Album, Photo Album, and Guest Book. They also carry a new Customizable Guest Book titled “White Sands” which features a window on the front cover that adapts to any special occasion.

C.R. Gibson's White Sands Customizable Guest Book

Crabtree & Evelyn’s Iris Essentials set

HONEYMOON MUST-HAVES: Crabtree & Evelyn’s Iris Essentials set of body lotion, shower gel and body cream that comes in a very stylish printed tote is perfect for a beach honeymoon. The tote opens to reveal a clear center compartment and two zippered side compartments designed to hold jewelry, cosmetics or any knick-knacks you may collect.

LUSH Cosmetics’ Glorious Mud

Racing around and unable to find time to pop over to the Dead Sea for a true mud bath? Never fret, LUSH Cosmetics’ Glorious Mud. The LUSH Cosmetics’ description of this product is: “Rub our dynamic, fizzy cube of rhassoul mud all over your body to cover and cleanse. The aloe vera extract is soothing, and the mix of sesame and vanilla will moisturize.” Leave this muddy mixture on the skin for 10 minutes before washing off, and your skin will feel noticeably smoother afterward. The vanilla scent also lasts for a couple of hours.

For the honeymoon, you might want to take a Tweezerman Mini Slant Tweezer. This little tweezers are perfect for a vanity case and ideal for those annoying little hairs that pop up just when you least expect them. It’s such an easy thing to forget, but so worth remembering.

Mor Cosmetics’ White Hydrangra triple-milled soap

Another honeymoon must-have is Mor Cosmetics’ White Hydrangra triple-milled soap that is packaged in to-die-for white packaging and white wax seal that just resonates pampered Bride. This special soap really can make you feel like you are indulging in Cleopatra’s beauty secrets.

This article was originally published in DelectablyChic!

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Dinner Seating

The 14th Annual Butterfly Ball®, a benefit for the Boost for Kids Foundation, was held on May 26, 2011 at The Four Seasons Ballroom in Toronto and drew a who’s who crowd and raised over $165,000 just that evening.

Boost is committed to “eliminating abuse and violence in the lives of children, youth, and their families. The centre is a registered charity and provides programs and services to children, youth, and their families in Toronto and surrounding areas” and is “dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and violence through education and awareness, and to collaborating with our community partners to provide services to children, youth, and their families.”

Victoria Webster was Honourary Chair for the 14th Annual Butterfly Ball and the elegant event was hosted by etalk Reporters Traci Melchor and Danielle McGimsie.

Karyn Kennedy, Executive Director, Boost Child Abuse Prevention & Intervention

Some prominent guests among the 375 in attendance included Ben Mulroney, Paul Godfrey, Edward & Suzanne Rogers, Leslie Roberts, Shinan Govani (Social Columnist, National Post), Amoryn Engel (Social Editor, National Post) and fashion designer Jeremy Laing.

The evening began with a cocktail reception where chic philanthropists mingled and special “keys” were sold for a raffle for a beautiful set of pearls.  This well attended and intimate social hour was followed by a more formal sit down dinner, live auction and exciting entertainment.

Jazz Singer Alex Pangman

The Butterfly Ball provided a very elegant platform for community members to meet and show their support while raising awareness of the problem of child abuse.

All images courtesy of Boost for Kids Foundation

This article was originally published in DelectablyChic!

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Hottie Massage Bar

As a runner, I really love massage oils.  However, LUSH has a fabulous massage bar out that is really something special. Titled “Hottie,” the bar is molded with bumps that enhance any massage with extra pressure.  This really gets the circulation going and provides fabulous relief.  The jojoba and butter base melts quite quickly onto the skin, working well with one’s natural body temperature.

Made for dry skin (so don’t use if you are too sweaty or if you are wet from the shower),  this cocoa and shea butter based product is a fabulous moisturizer and makes for a cooling experience on sore muscles or a smooth, sensual experience.

The unisex scent is a combo of warm spicy vanilla with a touch of pepper and ginger so it’s a great stress or muscle reliever for a gay or gal pal as well.

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I always love honey and toffee based scents so I must say it was love at first smell for me and LUSH’s limited edition “It’s Raining Men” shower gel.  Plus, what a great name!

The scent diffused instantly when applied in shower and doesn’t linger afterward either.  The softening benefits of honey, however, did instantly work as my skin felt smooth and soft.  As it is not a moisturizing shower gel, most of all, I just felt clean.

Ingredients such as lotus flowers, rosehip and some essential oils are combined with foaming agent SLES to ensure an exotic soap up, so to speak.

A definite treat in the shower.

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