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REVIEW OF THE HOTEL ZILARA CAP CANA,
​DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

I just got back from one glorious week at the brand new Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana hotel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.  And when I say new, I mean it: this all-inclusive adults only resort opened in November 2019.

It was a real treat to be among the first to experience the hotel. It was my first time at an all-inclusive Hyatt (I've stayed at many other all-inclusive hotels in the past) and my second time in the Punta Cana area.

My Favourite Beauty Products

Mirror Mirror in my hand, what are the best beauty products in the land? 

After years of testing products, both on the shows The Shopping Bags, and Anna and Kristina's Beauty Call, and now on my own, I can safely say I've tried LOT of potions and lotions.

Many might be surprised to see my beauty and make-up drawers. There's not much in them. I have a very few select products that I use day in and day out. Here's my list of favourite beauty, skincare, and makeup products.

​I may be fickle with some products (shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, moisturizer) but I've purchased all of these multiple times, with only two more recent additions. 


​sweater weather

Where does the time go? 

One minute it's the end of July and I'm writing about some of my go-to brands and the next minute it's mid-October and I realize I haven't blogged in ages! 

I am not one to sing Autumn's praises: It makes me think of endings and of having to wait six months for spring. I'm a warm weather girl all the way. But one bonus of dipping temperatures is that I get to snuggle up in cosy knits.  Here are seven that will help keep out the chill.

THE BEST EYELET PIECES FOR SUMMER

Few fabrics say summer quite as much as eyelet, especially when it comes in white. Eyelet is a type of lace, made by creating holes in the fabric (usually cotton) which are then finished off with stitching. The holes are usually made into a pattern, most often floral or another geometric design. 

The beauty of eyelet is that the holes provide ventilation, making it a breezy fabric for the hottest of days. One note, if the holes are too big, you may need a slip to wear underneath a piece so that it isn’t too see-through.

What to see and Do in Malta

We were looking for something a little bit off the beaten path on our trip to Europe this year when someone suggested Malta. I hadn’t heard much about it before. South of Sicily, north of Africa and west of the Middle East, influences of all three are felt in this small island country. 

Malta is made up of three islands - Malta, Gozo and Comino. Malta is the largest of the three and we made that our home base.

6 Fun Camo Pieces to Wear RIght Now

When it comes to pattern play, I have a few go-tos.  The first is leopard, which I talk about below. The second is stripes, which I can't seem to get enough of this season. And a third is a long-time favourite - CAMO. Once the sole purview of military types, camo has moved from real way and become firmly planted on the runway. Today, it has become a closet staple and a surefire way to add a bit of edge to any outfit.

9 BEST LEOPARD PRINT PIECES

You've seen it here, you've seen it all over Instagram, leopard print is spot on this season. The good news is you don't have to spend a bundle on finding one or two show-stoppers to incorporate into your wardrobe.

The Best Leggings

There was a time before leggings. Right? If so, I barely remember it. Today we wear them to the gym, to the grocery store, on the plane. I even see people wear them out for dinner. (Um, no.) I'm always searching for the next perfect pair. Here are a few of my current favourites. ​

So You wanna Be in Pictures?

Once upon a time I wanted to be an actor. My first foray into that world was going for a Labatt’s Beer commercial audition way back in the late 80s. As beginner’s luck would have it, I landed the commercial alongside a then unknown Pamela Anderson. (For reals!)
 
When The Shopping Bags and Anna and Kristina’s Grocery Bag took off, I didn’t have time to go to auditions, I had my own TV productions to worry about.
 
Now that I’m doing less TV work, and I’ve come full circle, going to auditions for commercials. I miss it. Or maybe I’m just a glutton for punishment.
 
I’ve had quite a few people ask me about how that whole world works, so thought I’d share a bit about the commercial auditioning process...


​Spring Trends 


Warmer temperatures, sunnier days, flowers in bloom... all signs that it’s time to put away the winter clothes and inject some fresh fashion pieces into your repertoire. Here are some of my favourite trends for the season...
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MORE BLOG POSTS

Where to shop in Maui

I always love bringing home a little treasure (or two) that I find while traveling. One, it reminds me of my vacation every time I look at it or wear it and two, it’s nice to have something that no one else has. After scouring the island (it’s a hard life) I have to say, there’s some seriously good shopping on Maui, much better than when I was here five years ago. (Though a few of my favourites then have disappeared.) Whether you’re looking for clothes for yourself or gifts for loved ones at home, here are a few of my top recommendations.

FANTASY ISLANDS

I had a dream that started well over a decade ago - that I’d spend my 50th birthday in Bora Bora. Not just a birthday trip, but that I’d be sitting in an over-the-water bungalow on the actual day, December 26th. Think big, right? 

Other people throw a big bash, or challenge themselves in some way, but I wanted to mark the occasion by enjoying what I believed would be the most beautiful view on earth. 

I was not disappointed. Here's a little bit about my trip, including some of my favourite photos. ​

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR APPLIANCES

Do you want your appliances to last longer? Work better? Cost you less money? Yah, me too.

I've partnered with Coast Appliances to create this checklist to help you get the most out of your appliances. 

​All it takes it a little bit of regular maintenance and some elbow grease. 


​fab fall floral dresses
​

I have a wee bit of a floral dress problem. I love them so! Dress them up, dress them down, season in and season out, they're my go-to piece for no-brainer dressing. 

A lot people think that wearing a dress makes you "dressed up".  I disagree.  Why is one piece dressier than two or more? It's way harder to style pants or a skirt with a top or a sweater than it is to simply throw on a dress.  Boots in fall/winter, sneakers or sandals in spring/summer and you're done! ​

whatcha reading? 

I looooove to read. It's probably my most favourite thing to do in the entire world. What I don't like to do is read long book reviews. Hence, I'm keeping things short, hopefully just to whet your appetite. Here are a few of my favourite books that I read this summer. 

Top trends for fall 2018

I'm a summer girl, so I do get bummed around Labour Day, thinking about the NINE long months I'm going to have to wait for warm weather to return. The saving grace - fall clothes shopping!

​Here are some of my favourite trends of the season. 

​WHY EVERYONE SHOULD TRY IMPROV


I've doing improv for a few years now, taking classes at Blind Tiger Comedy.  The photo above is from one such class. As you can see, my classmates and I are beyond hilarious.  

I initially signed up to hone my improvisational skills for TV and auditions. But I've come to realize that improv has valuable lessons to impart not just for life in general. 
​

3 easy ways to up your style game without spending a cent

It's that time of year when a) I'm trying to save some money after an expensive holiday season and b) I'm getting tired of everything in my closet. Sound familiar? 

That's when I take a look at what I own (even before the Marie Kondo rage!) and start to think about how to wear it differently and how to inject some new flair into the tried and true. Here are a few of my favourite tricks for getting more style bang without spending a buck. 

gift guides galore

It's a busy time of year, and I've been busy trying to make it a bit more less stressful for you! I've worked on a number of gift guides for a few of my clients in a number of media outlets. 
​From stocking stuffers, to appliances, to gifts under $50, click on the images below for lots of fabulous ideas for everyone on your list. 

shop my hood​

One of my favourite places to stroll, have a coffee or a bite, pick up some groceries, and do a little shopping is West 4th Avenue in Vancouver.

When the local business association reached out to me to ask if I'd be willing to share my favourite haunts on 4th Avenue with my readers and followers, I jumped at the opportunity. What a perfect fit. This is so my hood. 
​

Why is she grinning like a maniac and other photo taking tips

"You have so many nice pictures of yourself," my friend recently remarked. True. But that's because we take about 100 and deleted 80-85 for every picture I post. 

With this photo-taking extravaganza of late, countless photos taken for work, dozens of head shots over the years, and short-lived and fairly unsuccessful modelling career, I have learned a thing or two about how to take a decent photo. ​

Why?

If you’ve been following me on Instagram for a while, you’ve likely noticed that in the past few months, I’ve changed my focus by predominantly sharing fashion posts on my feed.

Why, you ask? Or maybe, why now? ​

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MENORCA, SPAIN


I've traveled a fair bit (33 countries and counting) and generally love almost everywhere I go. But after visiting Menorca this summer, I have a new favourite to put at the top of my list.

​Menorca is one of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, belonging to Spain. It’s right next to the more popular and famous sisters, Ibiza and Mallorca.

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