Lipstick Lifestyle

The drink of choice for celebrating the good life, Champagne is a prerequisite during TIFF. Created in 1700, Champagne was chosen by the French kings as the gold standard of luxury and power. In 1866, French entertainer George Leybourne was hired by Champagne-maker Moet to promote its brand. A triumph of marketing, Leybourne’s efforts have cemented Champagne as the drink of choice as well as its elite status and celebratory personality. Made from chardonnay, pinot noir or pinot meunier grapes, Champagne is generally light in colour and should be served chilled (7C-9C or 43F-48F) in a tall flute glass to prevent the bubbles from escaping too quickly. So, how to choose? Cristal? Krug? Dom Perignon? Taittinger? Perrier-Jouet? Veuve Cliquot? Moet & Chandon? Most girls will answer “yes, please” to any of these offerings, but for those with a more discerning palette, choose sec, demi-sec or doux for a sweeter bubble. Those who want less sugar should select brut, extra brut or brut naturale.

At this year’s TIFF parties, Moet & Chandon will be the drink of choice for A-listers Matt Damon, Renee Zellwegger, Ed Harris and Jeremy Irons. Meanwhile, celebs at the Luxury Lounge in Lobby will indulge in Perrier-Jouet and guests attending VIP events at Hazel Boutique will be sipping Veuve Cliquot.

www.champagne.com

Sometimes a glass of water is just not enough. Sometimes you need a little something extra to perk you up. Glacéau vitaminwater is a delicious beverage that is chock-o-block full of vitamins and minerals. Each variety has a unique combination of nutrients to deliver a specific benefit, to get you through your day.

You’ll be happy to know that are no added preservatives, no artificial sweeteners, no artificial flavourings and no added sodium. Beta-carotene or vegetable extracts are used to make the funky colours, and that touch of sweetness is achieved with 100% natural cane sugar.

Available in 15 thirst-quenching varieties (eight in Canada): power-c/mega c (dragonfruit), defense (raspberry-apple), focus (kiwi-strawberry), balance (cran-grapefruit), endurance (peach-mango), essential (orange-orange), vital-t (lemon tea), energy (tropical fruits), b-relaxed (jackfruit-guava), rescue (green tea), charge (lemon-lime), multi-v (lemonade), formula 50 (grape), revive/restore (fruit punch), and our favourite, xxx (acai-blueberry-pomegranate).

Drink up!

Glacéau vitaminwater
www.vitaminwatercanada.ca www.vitaminwater.com
Available at your local grocery store

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