Terra New York raincoats

As of tomorrow, I will have lived in Vancouver for four months. You can imagine that I spend some of my commutes fantasizing and brainstorming (ha ha) about the perfect raincoat. This is dominated by a desirous mental tug-of-war between a super technical coat and a super funky, stylish one. It always wraps up in a wish for a combination of both.

I won't declare Terra New York's Lower East Side as this sought-after holy grail of form and function, but it's definitely the latest fascinating candidate.


TNY's coats are waterproof and translucent, with heat-sealed seams and mesh armpit panels. Drawstring sleeves, hood, waist, and bottom hem make this jacket's fit insanely adjustable and fun. I think the translucency balances the voluminousness of the shape - you can see a bit of your figure in there. The entire line is designed to be cyclist-friendly, and this hood fits over a helmet. (YES!) I like it in 'nude', although let's just say it's on the olive-y side of nude for my complexion... But nude is like mint; the associated hue is nothing like the real one...


Here is a rad video for it, exhibiting both colours:


Their two other current coats are beautiful as well:


I seriously love the dress-like a-line of the 'tribeca' trench coat, as well as all its other details. Is there any other raincoat out there that could be dressed up as well as it? And I can imagine the 'nolita' cape being quite useful for mobility. Plus it looks badass and sneaky. Very Bond-girl, methinks.

Reddit cat

NEW ilia spring 2012 colours!

I'm one of the lucky girls who knows about ilia beauty. Newly born in Vancouver, it began with a line of tinted lip conditioners in six colours that are comprised of mostly nourishing organic oils and waxes. They are even spiked with a little jasmine and orange oil that makes my eyes roll a bit every time I use my colour, shell shock:


It's way brighter than that in person, I'd daresay fluorescent. So, obviously, I have to wait until the new colours hit shelves to really judge them. But colours aren't the only new things ilia has concocted for spring - there are a few new products, first and foremost a proper coverage lipstick. I definitely look to ilia as lip colour, so this is most exciting for me, but its creator Sasha also has a lip conditioner & exfoliator duo, a multi-stick, and skin illuminators on the way.

I want to share the colours I'm most excited for. First, a limited edition tinted lip conditioner: Crimson & Clover, a "true red - with a kick!"


It looks to be on the orangey side of things, which for my skin's sake I hope is the case.

Next, two lipstick colours: Funnel of Love:


and Femme Fatale:


Funnel of Love looks promising as a rich, pinkish nude. Like it could impress and exceed my expectations the way Butter London's 'tea with the queen' did. I dream of finding a good nude lip colour, but have looked zombified in every single one I've tried.

As for Femme Fatale - dark lip colours look awesome on me, and I've been craving something plummy to replace my fluorescent pink during Vancouver's sunless winter. (it's always good to brighten up dreary weather, but when it's literally every day, the effect just becomes childlike.) Everyone raves about the Arabian Knights lip conditioner tint, but on me the colour - while gorgeous - would just ooze into the cracks of my lips in a freaky way. So, hopefully this lipstick formulation will deliver good coverage.

It's worth mentioning the other limited edition tinted lip conditioner - In Paradise - which looks a lot like Funnel of Love. It will be interesting to compare the two in person.

If you haven't tried this line, now's the time to!

Fortnight Lingerie

This lingerie designer duo is based in Toronto, my birth town.

MADE IN CANADA from FORTNIGHT LINGERIE on Vimeo.

Despite working two blocks away from her, I haven't yet made the pilgrimage out to Lynn Steven's gastown shop since she began carrying them. I spent my bra budget while visiting Calgary, my growing-up town.

Super Sexy Abdominal Thrust from FORTNIGHT LINGERIE on Vimeo.

But after this video, I think I've waited long enough. It can't hurt just to touch, right...

Super Sexy CPR from FORTNIGHT LINGERIE on Vimeo.