The Cheap Girl

This is hilarious!If you’re looking for a unique and quirky gift visit nerdytshirts.com. This site is all about t-shirts.  Funny, “nerdy” and shirts that you won’t normally find at the mall. I loved browsing this website.  I imagine that Sheldon and his posse from The Big Bang Theory would enjoy shopping here. They sell t-shirts with themes from tv, movies, the internet, hoodies, belt buckles, watches and accessories. I am thinking getting T something from here (something along the lines of “master of the universe”). Lol. It is so his thing.

My favourite section is Halloween.

This is just too cute!

What a great conversation starter. The baby is so cool with ‘tude (inspired from the move The Hangover) and poor cat being eaten by the shark has a real awww factor.

This Los Angeles based company was set up in 2004 with a goal to provide expression through art. It all started with a few shirts and as the demand grew, naturally the company grew as well. All designs are printed on the highest quality and most affordable cotton shirts available. Everything is done locally, from the printing to the shipping. The  funny t-shirts are quite affordable priced at $19.97. If you live in the States you shipping is free with any single orders. If you 4 shirts shipping is free as well as any returns.

Do you need a club to hit your man over the head with and drag him to the spa? There are less primitive ways to get your Neanderthal to join you in relaxation. Unfortunately, many men feel uncomfortable going to a spa and sitting around half-naked with a bunch of women. However, when you think about it that way – it’s difficult to imagine why.

The easiest way to get your man to accompany you at the spa is to book a couples package. This way he will not be alone. Fear of the unknown is usually worse than the actual. You can both go to the spa together and experience the service at the same time. This is a win-win proposal. The Orange Spa in Montreal offers an excellent couple’s massage. I’ll take any excuse to get an extra spa treatment.

Another way to get your man to the spa is to purchase a gentleman’s package. He will appreciate the fact that a spa is offering something just for men. Call ahead to see if they have a separate waiting area for men and women. This often makes a man more comfortable. The Nouvel Hotel and Spa offers several King and Queen Packages. Afterward, consider booking a room at the hotel for the two of you. This will be spa visit your special guy will never forget.

Finally, if he is still spa resistant, consider booking an appointment for him at a Montreal spa for men only. MANN offers a plethora of services for the man in your life. In addition to a full-service barber shop, your man can get shaved; massaged; groomed; and manicured. Consider a package to introduce your guy to several services including a facial, hand detailing and their popular foot work.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Banana Shpeel. All opinions are 100% mine.

I’ve never seen Cirque du Soleil in action but I am planning to snag tickets as soon as I find a great deal. I think that this is a one attraction that I will enjoy greatly.  The costumes, make up, lights, amazing acts, choreography and stunts. I could go on forever. I love the element of glamour, mystery and art. I think that this show is all about art. Well if you’re in the New York and Chicago area (lucky you, I am jealous!) there is a Cirque du Soleil production that is worth checking out.

The Banana Shpeel Show, a wacky adventure combining many forms of dance (hip hop, slap stick, tap, eccentric dance, you name it!) along with a classic storyline of journey and romance.  The protagonist Emmett meets many colourful characters, falls in love with the Katie and tries to overcome Shmelky’s reign of terror. There is also a Banana Man character.  I am not sure what his role is but I think that the Banana Man is sort of like a fairy godfather. Or he could be Shmelky’s accomplice who’s mission is to cause more trouble for Emmett. Sounds like a dramatic, fun filled adventure!

I think that this show is great for date night, a family outing or as a present for a friend or a loved one. I’d love to get tickets and see this show for myself.  Cirque du Soleil producers, please send me free tickets to see this show! I would love, love, love to go!

This post is brought to you by Sam’s Club

I was just browsing through the Sam’s Club website and I found out that they actually sell fine jewelry. As in diamonds! Diamonds are qute pricey but it is always nice to find a place in store or online that offers didamonds at a discounted price. If you’re in the market for engagement or promise rings, it is good to check this website out to compare prices. Sam’s Club offers a wide range of styles (emerald, marquise, pear, heart, oval, princess, radiant and round) and the shipping is included in the price.  Prices start at $1oo and they offer a wide range of choices when it comes to diamond cut, colour, clarity and weight.  Basically a ring to fit any budget! I’ve never been to a Sam’s Club because I’ve always patronized the “other” place. My dad had a membership and they liked it better than the “other” place.

I have an idea for a promise ring but I am not sure if the ladies will be too thrilled. From my interpretation a promise ring is meant to promise an engagement proposal later down the road. To save money, the men can buy the ring complete with the prongs but without the diamond. When the man is ready to propose he basically just needs to buy the rock to attach on to the promise ring. I asked T what he thought but he was not really paying attention to what I said. Anyway, I came up with this because I checked the $100 price range that Sam’s Club was advertising and it turned out to be a 14 white gold solitaire setting band without the diamond! I thought that I was actually getting a teeny, tiny diamond ring!

This post is brought to you by Shopwiki.com

If you like getting the best online deals check out shopwiki.com, a search portal that generates search results and gives you the best prices. I like sites like this and I find that it is very handy when shopping online. Basically, you can search the website and it will come up with a list of online vendors and allow the shopper to compare prices. How convenient is that? I really detest searching on a search engine and having to manually filter my search results. I think that having a website do it for you is super handy. The website is pretty simple to navigate. You go the website, type in your query and hit search. A product description along with the price is available for view. If you want to purchase the item, there is a link that will take you to the store/website that carries the product.  There’s also a filter (price, colour etc.) that can help with searching and selecting.

Since the holidays are coming up now is the Shopwiki will be very helpful. My current list this year includes women’s and men’s jewelry.  I hardly buy jewelry for myself so I personally love receiving jewelry as gifts. With the website, you can search for any jewelry with a wide variety of price ranges. I think that when buying jewelry it is very important to keep the receiver’s style in mind. If you’re not sure ask someone to help you pick out a piece. If in doubt stick with classic pieces such as a pendant and chain or studs. If you’re purchasing fine jewelry then it is ok to stick to classic styles. However with costume jewelry, I think that more fun and trendier styles are more appropriate. Afterall, costume jewelry has the word costume in it so choosing a fun style is implicitly implied. From fine jewelry to costume jewelry, you will have tons of selections to choose from. Regardless of the price, I think that at the end of the day it really is the thought that counts.

One way to get jewelry at a fraction of the price is to replicate the piece. Making your own jewelry will save you a good fraction of the cost of a ready made piece.  I personally love to make jewelry. I love visiting the bead places either in store or online. Every time I shop for beads I feel like a kid in a candy store. The pretty colours, textures and sizes tend to inspire the creativity in me. I love making necklaces, earrings and bracelets and the combination of looks that one can make with beads is endless. With the holidays coming up, making your own jewelry is one way that you can save money with gifts.

Visit BeadsofCambay.com to view a vast selection of precious and semi precious stones. They carry semi precious gemstone beads, fresh water pearls, vermeil beads, sterling silver beads, copper beads, two tone copper and sterling silver beads, sterling silver plated copper beads, 22 kt gold plated copper beads, brass findings and copper findings. Check out their wholesale beads and newest beads added page added to the site. that you can purchase if you are a designer or if you ever want to get into the jewelry business. The site offers a verified, safe and worry free transaction system.  Get free shipping within the US wih any orders over $100. Click on this link to view the

Talbots Fall Fashion

When it comes to obtaining a classic wardrobe, Talbots is the place to shop.  The pieces that the store carries can be transitioned for many seasons to come.  I also love the fact that they carry a petite section for smaller women like myself. I also love, love their accessories. When it comes to budget shopping, purchasing an accessory piece is often enough to bring life to a season’s wardrobe.  If I had $500 to spend (and I am sure that I’ll have no problems spending that amount!) I would certainly pick up a few things from their collection this season.  This fall I am feeling the vibe of old world charm. So I am looking to the era of the 1930’s up to the 1950’s for inspiration. I am thinking sweater sets. pearls. butterfly sleeves, art deco inspired jewels, strappy shoes and anything that is super feminine. Be sure to visit Talbots and their blog Red Chair Confessions to view the latest styles.

One of the things that I am craving from the Talbot’s website is their collection of Mary Janes. I really love these two. They have a classic vintage look to them.  They’re so sophisticated and I would love to wear them with a flouncy skirt or dress. The second pair has a very Chanel-like quality to them.

This hat is so cute but I am not sure if I can pull off this wool felt fedora.  I’d wear this with a classic pea coat to work the look of old school charm.

The scarf is one of my most favourite accessory. I prefer the long rectangular kind like this one. Scarves are very versatile. One can wear them around the neck, the head as a band, around the waist and as a bag accessory. Purple is hot this fall and I love the bright print on this Talbots scarf.

Another classic, the pearl necklace. I love the multi-strand versions that Talbots is known to carry.

Don’t you just love this brooch? The colour combination is so beautiful. It has a gothic feel to it and I absolutely love anything that combines black and violet. Pin the brooch to your scarf, breast, hair or bag.  Another versatile accessory!

This season they also have a few bags that have caught my eye. I really like this croc embossed hand bag. I would use this as my everyday work bag. It’s so feminine!

This hobo in this season’s colour can double as a work bag and weekend bag. Although it does not fit my vintage theme this fall, this is my favourite item from this year’s line of bags.

Be sure to visit the Talbots site:

Talbots

and to visit their blog:

Red Chair Confessions

What do shoes mean to women?

The answer? Everything!  I love, love shoes. I love how they can add instant glam to an otherwise boring outfit. If I have the time I was thinking about creating a new blog dedicated solely to shoes. As always, the best time to get deals on shoes is during the end of the season. Shoes are an investment especially when it comes to classic styles. Spend as much as you can on those because you will be wearing them for many seasons to come. I think that for the most part the price does reflect the quality. If you love designer labels and beautiful craftsmanship, keep your eye out for end-of-season sales. There are lot’s of online deals as well. The only thing problem is that you can’t try them on (unless you go the the department store to inspect the item, then buy it online for a better deal) so double check the return policy.

For trendier styles I find that it’s more economical to not spend as much. Only because you will most likely wear it for a season then chuck it in your closet to be forgotten for a long time. I am speaking from personal experience, of course. Unless it’s something that you really love, and you see yourself wearing it forever. For the basic shoe wardrobe every gal should have a pair of pumps, metallic heels for the evening, flats, boots and chic casual/runners for the weekend. Once you have the basics, you can slowly add to your collection.  Jildor Shoes.com carries beautiful designer footwear at discounted prices.  They carry a wide selection of styles from classic to trendy and you can shop without hurting your wallet.

Some of the top 10 summer shoes and shoes I’d love to wear:

Givenchy SALE $199 USD

Stuart Weitzman SALE $237 USD

Variations SALE $63.70 USD

Designer Shoe Deals from Jildor Shoes

Discount Designer Shoes

Shoes by Marc Jacobs

Tory Burch flats sale

This is a sponsored post brought to you by Jildor Shoes

This is a sponsored post brought to you by mailboxixchange.com

Ok so now we’re in the third and final part of the things that I covet for my future home.  I would like to live in along the city borders in the south of France in a country house complete with stone walls, an outhouse, and a fruit farm with chickens in the backyard. I’d like to bake bread outdoors and search for truffles in the nearby woods. Aix-en-Provence sounds just lovely.  In reality, T will not step foot in the country side if it means living there permanently. Not even for France and all its beauty. Sigh. I guess now the only choice is to get a divorce.

Before I get into too much detail. One of the things that T and I agree on is having a unique mailbox. We love paying attention to details.  We’re both minimalists. He’s more of a modern minimalist and I am a romantic minimalist. Meaning that I like my sparse pieces to have a victorian feel or to be antiques. So in the search for the perfect mailbox, visit mailboxixchange.com, a website for residentian and commercial mailboxes and curbside decor. The company was founded in 2004 and offers high quality, unique products and designs. I like this Blomus Stainless Steel mailbox and this Red Modern mailbox.

The company also offers a rewards point program for future purchases. Returning customers can earn five points per dollar spent.  To learn about the point system click here.

This is a sponsored post brought to you by mailboxixchange.com

This is a sponsored post brought to you by farreys.com

I am in the process of purging and redecorating my place. After exams are done and over with I made a promise that I will sit down and plan the process. Having the right fixtures is important so that is one details that I will certainly dedicate some time to. So after the dreaded moving process I will think about ceiling fixtures.  If we don’t have an AC at the new place installing ceiling fans is an option. I had a ceiling fan in my room. I think that it will work just as long as the place is not facing west, the curtains are dark and if the area is well shaded. Otherwise we will be at the mercy of hot, humid air. I’ve always wanted ceiling fans in the kitchen or in the room where plants are kept. There is definitely a ton of choices out there to suit any decor.

Farreys.com carries a wide variety of fixtures for the home. The company  has been around since 1924 selling unique hight quality products. Customers can choose from a wide array of merchandise for the bathroom, kitchen, ceiling fans, lightning and ventilation. I really liked some of the modern/romantic styles that they carried and loved the modern chandeliers. I found a good variety of ceiling fans and you can browse/search by brand or style. Some of my favourites  include casablanca fans, craftmade fans, minka aire fans and the modern ceiling fans.  If you live in the Florida area, the company has 2 showrooms that you can visit (North Miami and Coconut Grove). For any enquiries contact the customer service line at  888-854-5483 or click on this link to get full contact info.

This is a sponsored post brought to you by farreys.com