Things that are pretty

Here’s a nice Monday distraction… Kate Spade (designer of handbags, stationery and more) has put together a ‘Summer Reading’ section on her website, which includes a recommended reading list and (my fave) dust jacket wallpaper to dress up your computer screen or to print and cover up your trashy summer books. Visit http://katespade.info/?section=summer and click on ‘Downloads’ to see these beauties.

Posted by Em

We Recommend: Lush Nail Bar

When Lush Nail Bar opened last week on Wellington Street (across from TD Bank), we decided it was our DUTY to give it a test drive. We took ourselves and our toes down on Saturday afternoon and were very pleasantly surprised. The space is extremely cute and the staff are friendly. They have two comfy pedicure stations, side-by-side, so you can gab and be pampered at the same time.

We both had the basic pedicure ($28) which lasted about an hour and included soaking, scrubbing, light massage, and all the necessary steps to make our toes sparkle (photo not available due to lack of planning on my part and forgetting to bring my camera… but trust me, they look like a million bucks). Lush also offers manicures for a very reasonable $15 and full waxing services (which we did not try and even if we did, might hesitate before describing on a blog).

Oh, and as a plus, we also got some free Spiderman stickers from the 3-year-old waiting for his mom’s manicure to dry. We can’t guarantee that he will be there giving out stickers every Saturday.

Recommended? Definitely.

Details:

Lush Nail Bar & Esthetics

186 Wellington Street

613-531-9388

Posted by Em

Hair “Do”

Hair is and probably always will be as important to the female gender as accessories and fashion. Who do you trust with your hair? How can you find the right stylist and salon that keeps you fashionable and feeling good!

Do you do a little research; do you test drive a few places or do you jump right in and hope for the best?

If you’re like me, it’s a jump right in process! I happened to stumble upon James Brett, at 189 Princess St. It’s a stylish trendy little place, outer appearance is important, if it looks good on the outside, one can’t help but think they’ll make you look good too.

One of the big draws for me was that they used Aveda products, a fact which they advertise in their front window. Did I mention I LOVE Aveda products!!

I really lucked out here and got the absolute best hairdresser that I’ve ever gone to. I trust her completely with my hair, which makes it so nice. The price is reasonable and the service is top notch. Beverages always offered upon arrival. There’s a good magazine mix, as lets admit it…we all love the trash magazines at the hair salon! For the next 2 hours I sit reading the latest gossip, drinking a cup of tea, chatting with my hairdresser if it’s that kind of a day or zoning out and enjoying the pampering of my hand massage (yes they give you a hand massage while your getting your hair done, it’s wonderful!)

Nothing though compares to the shampoo and luxurious head massage. Why it is not absolutely mandatory that all salons do this is beyond me!

Great service, good products and reasonable prices, check it out and ask for Bria!

Posted by Shelli

Weekend Pick: We like….

… Taste of Kingston! The 9th instalment of this annual outdoor food festival takes place tomorrow (Saturday, July 21st) from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. Head on down to Confederation Park (across the street from the Herch Social Club) to sample tasty treats from Kingston’s best restaurants, bid on a Silent Auction item, or sit back and listen to some music.  Yum!

Presented by the Canadian Diabetes Association & The Boys and Girls Club of Kingston

Posted by Em

Summer pizza

I can’t believe it has taken me this long to write about my favorite restaurant in Kingston. Not only does Woodenheads make great pizza, but they also provide a classy, downtown ambiance that keeps me coming back. The back patio is my favorite spot – a little hideaway to enjoy yummy wine, pizza and company, for not too much money. And although they have some great non-pizza menu items, I recommend the pizza all the way. My favorite: The Louisianna – and for a little extra kick, I replace the Mushroom Sauce with their Super Dynamite sauce. Runners up include: Dynamo, Loco, Vesuvia or just the classic Giovane (pepperoni and cheese).

If you’re from Kingston, you know where it is, but if you’re not it’s at 192 Ontario Street; oh and make a reservation on the busy nights, trust me, you’ll need it: (613)549-1812.

Posted by Meg

E-cards that don’t suck

If you like sending electronic cards but you’re a bit wary of dancing birthday cakes and singing frogs, you might like these elegant e-cards from the Museum of Modern Art. You can send Chagall’s “Birthday” (below), or how about a Dali or a van Gogh? Classy AND frugal!

http://moma.org/ecards/

Posted by Em

Veggies on my door step

Day 1 of getting fresh, organic produce – and I can’t believe how excited I am. My small mixed basket of fresh veggies cost only $25 and was dropped off right at my door step. Cucumbers, arugula, romaine, green onions, zucchini, tomatoes and baby turnip were all thrown in, and they leave you with the box to return to them the next week. Not only do they deliver local organic produce, they’ll also bring you organic meats, fish, and prepared groceries.

I get the mixed, because I like the surprise, check out their site for more details: http://www.dlgardens.com/

Posted by meg

I’m just going to put this out there

I love the Screening Room. There. I said it.

The awesome purple lobby, the escalator that doesn’t escalate, the snacks that DON’T cost more than the movie itself. Oh, and the great selection of movies that don’t make it into the mega-google-cine-plexes. I went last night to see “Evening” (which should have been much better than it actually was, by the way, given the all-star cast). It cost me a cool $5.25 (cheapie Tuesday) and I saw listings for half a dozen other great titles coming soon. So despite not being able to recommend the film I saw, I can certainly recommend the location for all those great movies that you hear about but don’t expect will make it to Kingston. Oh, and if you are a cheap date be sure to go on Tues.

http://www.moviesinkingston.com/sr/

Posted by Em

Great groceries: If I had all day…

… I’d spend it grocery shopping. Armed and ready with my list for the week, and a tank full of gas, I’d head to Food Basics, for just that, the basics. Dry goods like beans, whole wheat pasta, cereal, frozen pizza – stuff that can’t go bad and won’t break the bank. For my fish and flowers, my next stop would be Loblaws. Typically I think Loblaws costs more because of how pretty everything looks, but their flowers last longer and their fish is always fresh, spending more here is ok, because I know there’s money to be saved for my produce just up the street at Produce Town. Every time I shop here, I find it nearly impossible to spend more than $40, even on a full cart of fresh veggies and fruits. Finally, on my way home, I pick up meat (pork, steaks, skin-on/bone-in chicken breasts) and bread (fresh bread delivered daily from all the goodies in town) at Bearances. It’s family run and everyone in there knows your name…it makes me happy, and it’s a perfect end to my perfect day.

Stay tuned for more grocery adventures when I have organics delivered to my door!

Posted by Meg

Weekend Pick: We like…

…kickin it old skool. How?

Step One: take Transformers the Movie

Step Two: add the Drive-In

Result? Good times, 80s style.

Transformers plays this weekend at the Kingston Family Funworld drive-in at 9:30 pm. We’ll be catching it with the Herch (www.theherch.com) on Saturday night, perhaps with a round of mini-putt to warm up and complete the junior high throw back.

Posted by Em