Lipstick Lifestyle

Our cool and trendy college friend, who when asked to purchase gin and didn’t know what brand to buy, decided to choose based on the look of the bottle. She eliminated brands if they looked too traditional, or weren’t pretty. In the end she had to decide between the brilliant blue of Bombay Sapphire and the elegance of Tanqueray, with its classic green bottle. Her deliberations were highly unscientific, but that’s not really a bad way to choose a gin!

The Brits, who are the purveyors of many leading brands of gin including classics like Beefeater, Gordon’s and Plymouth Gin, quickly adopted this Dutch custom. The newer kid on the block, Hendrick’s Gin, is infused with cucumber and rose extracts and is Scottish. It is handcrafted in small batches and encased in a sexy black bottle, which proclaims on its label to be “Not for Everyone.” Definitely a lure for many girls – a challenge!

But for a summer go-to drink, gin is the perfect choice. Whether it’s a gin and tonic, a traditional gin martini or for those who like a little sweet, the Ramos gin fizz (a favourite of the ladies of New Orleans), gin is the perfect way to end the workday and welcome the weekend.

Available at your local Liquor store

Bathe the corner or your room, side of your desk or bedside table in soft light with this sweet, little, mouth blown glass lamp.

The KNUBBIG from IKEA is the perfect size (at 4”x5”) and takes a tiny 15w bulb. Available in Butterfly Turquoise, Butterfly Green, Cherry Blossoms/Frosted White, Clover/Clear Black Glass and Flower Pink.

Can you see the light?

IKEA
www.ikea.com
Available at your local IKEA

The pet world has gone high tech. No, dogs aren’t walking around with Bluetooth headsets, but they do have their own USB sticks.

The Top Tag Pet ID is the latest in pet tags - a 64MB USB mini drive, protected by a waterproof casing that attaches to your pet’s collar. Using your computer, it takes only seconds to easily write, organize, store and retrieve your pet’s important care information: weight, sex, age and breed, where they live, veterinarian details, allergies, medications and more.

You need never feel concerned when you drop off Oscar, your pug, to his favourite doggy daycare. They will have all the information they could ever want or need about your pooch. They will know that he likes his snack at 11 a.m., having a walk in the early afternoon and that will only go “potty” when you say “men’s room.” All the important stuff – well, to Oscar anyway.

Top Tag Pet ID
www.toptagpetid.com
Available online at toptagpetid.com

Remember being at the beach all day and getting just a little too much sun? Remember how good it felt when your mom rubbed you down with Noxzema and wrapped you in a towel? And remember how you thought it was the softest towel in the world while you napped in the backseat during the car ride home?

Well, you were wrong because we recently discovered what happens when the most luxurious towels meet a giant cuddly blanket. You get a Yumi & Laurie BlanQuette. Made from organic cotton and bamboo, these oversized blankets are not only eco-friendly but are so absolutely stunning, works of art you might say, you’ll want one for every room in your house.

Perfect for cuddling on the couch (we should mention that they are big enough for two) or watching the sunset from the boat, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without one.

Who said we’re too old for a blanQuette!

Yumi & Laurie
www.yumiandlaurie.com
Available online at www.yumiandlaurie.com

We are in love. No, we haven’t found a new beau, but rather a stunning handbag! The Dooney & Burke Patent Chiara Bag is absolutely drop dead gorgeous - we might even favour her over Mr. Pitt.

Available in small and medium, this draw top bag in liquid patent leather features a magnetic tab closure, handy inside zippered pockets, cell phone pocket and an inside key hook.

Can’t you see yourself flinging this over your shoulder on your way out to go shopping? We can.

Dooney & Burke
www.dooney.com
Available at Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and online at dooney.com