I’m a sucker for packaging – especially men’s product packaging. I think it’s so interesting to see how a brand is conveyed in physical form, it’s kind of beautiful. Regardless, this post is for the dudes (I know you’re there and I know you want to comment!)

I’m digging that the monochromatic theme is in for this line – too many times does black & matte seem to be the default choice for packaging design.

C.O. Bigelow (from Bath and Body Works) is offering the new Elixir White Collection up for grabs. It launches in October 2009, so eat your heart out with this image.

The products to be offered are (in marketing speak):

Elixir White Cologne ($24.50): Clean citrus top notes of Italian
Bergamot, juicy Mandarin, and ruby red Grapefruit meet a heart of aromatic Rosemary leaves and peppery Nutmeg, highlighting the contrast between brightness and warmth.  The drydown is a smoky, sensual vetiver is balanced by the comfort of earthy patchouli and woody oakmoss.

 

Elixir White Hair & Body Wash ($13.00): This richly lathering 2-in-1
cleanser effectively cleanses both the hair and body, leaving behind a fresh, citrusy scent with woodsy undertones.

 

Elixir White Ultra-Light Body Lotion ($13.00): This aromatic,
ultra-light lotion quickly absorbs to refresh skin, leaving it feeling hydrated and smooth.

Straight up for them boys!

> images from rev

Holler! I love these pillows, thanks to the JC boys for showing them to me. Throwboy.com basically did what we all wish we had thought of doing – putting iconic icons from the computer / web / geek world into the form of a stuffed pillow. Beauty really. Look forward to seeing some snaps in the future, cause these bad boys are sooooo ordered.

Check out their website for some really great styling / photography of the merch.

> images from throwboy.com

Another year, another list. In anticipation of turning one year older, I wrote out a list of 50 achievements that I had flurried through in 2008-2009. In hindsight, I’m excitedly content to have accomplished what I have. The beauty of it being that much of it was self-directed / self-created, and I couldn’t ask for anything more.

I moved some, I travelled some, I lost some, I fell out with some. I’m not proud of everything but “my regrets are few”.

I was published in a magazine twice, was profiled three times, threw two art events, interviewed three celebrities and a handfull of designers. I signed two contracts pertaining to my career, and did them with much gusto.

I worked a lot.

I designed. Picked up Flash and Illustrator.

I tried an abundance of new things and laughed to tears while doing it.

I went to Alternative Fashion Week and L’Oreal Fashion Week. I went to Mass Exodus and snapped some photos that I can be happy to call my own.

I worked on a national product launch, and a social media application that was picked up by national media.

I hit over 500 posts on urbanebloc.com.

I was the recipient of much genuine kindness.

Wynne taught me to walk away from things that “just aren’t good enough for you”.

Skanwar taught me that there are some people that don’t have an ounce of bad in them.

Gemma’s just the total package. Seriously.

Chris taught me that I couldn’t have a better friend.

I realize that my readers are incredible people, and I’m so blessed to have you.

Another year, another shift.

It’s going to be the biggest year yet, I can feel it.

> check out my awful birthday vlog on my YouTube Channel. I think it’s the way of the Internet gods telling me to get a camcorder. Sorry guys. Hope it gives you a laugh though!

Much commentary can be made about a vibrating mascara. These days, beauty is getting increasingly technologically advanced – oscillating, vibrating, extending, warming…all advances with a hint of sexual inneundo (all intentional I’m sure). Regardless, if you’re a girl that frequents the drugstore (a favoured one for me being Shoppers Drug Mart – gotta love Beauty Boutique), you’ll have noticed by now the elaborate display for Maybelline’s new product. Pulse Perfection – a vibrating mascara (7,000 times a minute) that’s waterproof, clump-free, buildable, and just fun to use. The mascara retails for around $19.99 (which is near department-store pricing). It remains compact, easy to use, and provides a fantastic conversation piece.

My personal take? Novelties aside, I truly do think this is a product I could stand behind. While comparatively expensive, it’s accessible and once you’re over the nerve-wracking act of putting something vibrating near your eye (stop it boys, stop it), the Pulse Perfection mascara is a grand treat and a half.

Thank you Maybelline for sharing this product with me (and in turn, allowing me to pass it along in lovely black-mesh-drawstring bags to my friends).

xoxo,

lashes.

> for more information go to pulseperfectionbuzz.com. Thanks to Josette, Wynne, Neda, Claire, and Heidi for taking the time to try it out and letting me snap them. Oh, and Lenny – you’re lucky that I didn’t put yours up ;)

Your time and feedback is greatly appreciated

Just doing a little reminiscing of Montreal – love this top that I got from kooka boutique (they don’t have a website as far as I can see). The girls there are mind-blowingly stylish, and the clothes there are absolutely beautiful (a little on the pricey stretch, this tank top alone being $50-ish). We might have gone at a strange time, because the store was somewhat ran-sacked of sizing. Though their jewelry, belts, and shoes were nothing short of astounding.

> image from mon camera