The Hip & Urban Girl's Guide

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Spring Cleaning Fashion Swap Event

A night of networking, fashion and fun!

Date: Monday, February 27
Time: 6-9pm
Venue: Rent Frock Repeat Showroom @ 35 Golden Avenue, Unit #102

Cost: $5, with proceeds donated to Nellie's Women's Shelter.

Check out RFR's new 2012 spring collection and we'll also have complimentary treats, beverages, style consultations and a $150 door prize from La Roche-Posay!

Cheers to our Product Sponsor, Fruli!

Think beer can’t be healthy? Then you haven’t discovered Fruli! Fruli is an all natural, Belgian strawberry wheat beer made with a blend of coriander, orange peel, and pure strawberries. It’s high in B-complex vitamins, low glycemic and free of any additives- including sugar, or preservatives. It’s not even pasteurized! And at just 125 calories this flavour- packed strawberry wheat beer will convert any self proclaimed non-beer drinker. You can find Fruli at the Beer Store and LCBO.

Clothing Swap Rules:

Bring along minimum of 5 items, maximum of 10. Accessories are welcome but no shoes, please!
Clothing should be in good condition - nothing badly worn, torn or stained.
Bring your clothes on hangers if possible - once you arrive, arrange your items by category. We'll have tables, racks and fitting rooms available.
Swap! Go home with the number of items you came with.
All remaining items will be donated to charity.

Purchase a $5 ticket (donation) HERE to guarantee your spot! Limited spaces available.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Make This! Valentine's Day Cocktails

We wanted to feature another blast from the past. A blog post from last year, that maybe you can put to good use this weekend - enjoy!

Looks like it’s going to be a chilly V-Day, so warm up your celebration by mixing and impressing your date with some boozy cocktail recipes. No need to head to the bar or break the bank, these cocktails will make you look like a pro mixologist using what you’ve already got around the house.

Brandy Alexander

Let’s start off with a 1930’s cocktail bound to impress your valentine by channelling a classic and mixing with some hard liquor with Mad Men-like skills. Feist sings that “it goes down easy” and it should... a luxurious combination of cognac and creamy chocolate, a Brandy Alexander is like grown up chocolate milk that’s easy to make and just as easy to drink!

1 part fancy cognac (go ahead and dust off that Courvoisier)
1 part chocolate liqueur (like dark crème de cacao or Godiva chocolate)
1 part fresh cream (yes, cream not milk)

Shake all three ingredients with fresh ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Grate a sprinkling of fresh nutmeg over the frothy top. Garnish festively with fresh or brandied cherries or chocolate shavings.

I was in Ottawa last weekend to check out Winterlude and extended my stay to do a little extra wandering and of course, shopping. I was walking around the Byward Market district, killing some time before meeting my friend Denise for dinner at Play Food & Wine. In the dark, cold winter night, Trustfund was like a shiny warm beacon tucked around the corner from the restaurant I was headed to. I was easily lured in by all the colourful pieces inside this independently-owned Ottawa boutique and walked out with a cream and green printed blouse.

The staff are extremely friendly and helpful. I dealt with Robyn and it felt like I was shopping with a friend. She gave great style advice and feedback without being pushy at all. Trustfund carries unique labels and quality pieces that you wouldn't necessarily find if you were shopping inside a suburban mall. A lot of the spring pieces had a slouchy California cool, especially when I spotted the Brandy Melville line that they carry. If your feet need a pick-me-up, Trustfund carries a whole slew of Happy Socks and Hunter Boots.

Jewellery with a vintage style

Valentine's Day Ideas That Won’t Break The Bank

We’ve made it to February which to some people is tremendous because at least we’re through January. To others, with February comes Valentine’s Day which can mean heartbreak for the bank account. In order to keep your pennies in check, why not try some of these alternatives to a traditional Valentine’s Day.

1) Choose Another Day - So much of the hurt to your wallet on Valentines Day is caused by trying desperately to fit everything in on February 14th. Because of the law of supply and demand, if everyone wants something (demand) and there is only one day (supply) it can be granted then that prices will be much higher. If you celebrate on February 15th or 16th, retailers are trying to get rid of their Valentine-themed merchandise, flowers shop are liquidating roses and restaurants are trying to get people back in the door. Why not pick up everything you would normally buy on the 14th for half price?

A Snowy Getaway To Winterlude In Ottawa!

A sponsored hip + urban girl post.

Wendy and I have a big, fun announcement to make….

Skating on the Rideau Canal with The Amex Ambassador Team

We are thrilled to reveal that we have been chosen to be one of four Ambassadors for American Express Canada for 2012! Our first assignment? Fly to Ottawa for the weekend and report back from Winterlude. Amex has been a proud sponsor of Winterlude for the past seven years, and wanted us to experience all the unique culinary experiences Winterlude had to offer. So off we went via Porter Airlines for a snappy 27-minute flight to the nation’s capital where we were picked up and chauffeured to our central digs at the Westin Ottawa.

Once we were all settled in, the team hopped on a luxury coach bus for a gala at the Museum of Civilization with Chef Lynn Crawford! I told her in person how much I love her store in Toronto, Ruby Eats. This Winterlude kick-off dinner (above) included a four-course meal with wine pairings and access to a VIP viewing area for the opening night fireworks. We oohed and ahhhed into the dark winter sky, and all the locals said these fireworks were even better than the ones on Canada Day.

Dinner with our fellow Amex Ambassadors - Jen from She Does The City, Me, Catriona from Coco & Cowe, Tyrone from 1LoveTO

Wear The Love: Valentine's Style Guide

HUGs and smooches ladies! V-day is just around the corner. Whether you're single, taken, or undecided, you can still take cupid's lead by dressing the part.

Here are 5 easy options to get you in the mood for love, no matter how you're celebrating.

1. Rom com night with the girls?
Be comfy and cliche. Wear TopShop Heart Crop tee, $26 at The Bay.

2. Creating an at home spa?
Swipe on a glittery pink. Wear OPI Polish in Excusez Moi, $12 at nailpolishcanada.com.

3. Going from work to drinks?
Play sophisticated but not too serious with hint of l'amour. Wear DVF Valencia printed silk-crepe scarf, $195 at net-a-porter.com.

4. Hot date on the town?
Show a little leg. Wear MOTEL Meredith Dress, $89 at Sunday Valentine.

5. Romantic evening in with him?
Send a message without saying a word. Wear Ban.do LOVE barette, $25 at Bicyclette.

Whether you're going sappy, sexy or just a little bit sweet, have fun with your wardrobe on February 14th!

-- Tamika Auwai is a fashion junkie, splurge-a-holic and founder of Shop Socials.

Image credits: TopShop, NailPolishCanada.com, Net-a-Porter, Sunday Valentine, Ban.do