Valentine's Day Blog Part 2: Top 10 Valentine's Day gifts!

Hey there everyone!

As you all know, Valentine’s Day is fast approaching…and let’s be honest, sometimes your significant other (SO) – or you yourself! - could use a little help in the gift idea department! There are always such huge expectations for V-Day…when really, it doesn’t have to be a big deal J. What us girls want more than anything is really just the gift of our SO’s time spent with us!

That said, we’ve come up with a list of the top 10 – both classic and creative – gift ideas that most girls would LOVE to receive (I know I would!!).

Here we go!

10) Classic: Her favourite flowers! A never-fail go-to, the traditional gift of a bouquet of her favourite flowers is always a winner!

9) Creative: Give her chocolates…BUT design a chocolate bar created especially for her! At Chocomize you can pick her favourite flavor of chocolate (milk, dark, white) and then you can add her favourite nuts, seeds, candy, fruit etc that she loves most! You can even decorate it with Valentine’s hearts, sprinkles, an 'I love you' chocolate plaque…the choice is yours! Chocolates PLUS designed especially for her? Guaranteed win.

8) Classic: Make her a romantic dinner at your place (her favourite meal, with wine, of course), light some candles, turn on some music…you get the idea. We always feel special when you take time to do something just for us!

7) Creative: Scour the various Groupon/Teambuy sites for a daily deal for cooking classes you can do together! Not only will you both pick up some new skills, but the time spent together is priceless. Sign up at Dealradar to get all of the various daily deals from different sites sent to you in ONE email each day!

6) Classic: Jewelry. Need I say more?

5) Creative: Specifically, Pandora jewelry. For anyone who doesn’t know, Pandora is a company that makes adult-version charm bracelets…and you can pick out charms especially for her! They vary from different cute animals (what’s her favourite?) to Valentine’s Day hearts and flower charms, to specific charms like a die that you can only buy in Las Vegas! Pick one out that suits her personality and she will be sure to love it!

4) Classic: Lingerie…a gift for her AND for you! Satin or lace, pink, black, red or white…doesn’t matter as long as it’s sexy! (Hint…try to get a peek at her exact bra and panty size!) Bonus points if you also get her a set of the comfiest, cutest PJs you can find…these ones are JUST for her, so sexy isn’t a requirement. Her favourite baby animals printed on them, super-soft materials…these are the kinds of things you’re looking for. We recommend Lasenza or Victoria's Secret for both of these options, and both stores are located in most Canadian malls!

3) Creative: A romantic (and sexy!) games night! We recommend the official 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Party Game with the Red Room expansion pack, of course!

2) Classic: A beautiful framed photo of the two of you – bonus points if you decorate the frame yourself!

1) Classic AND Creative: A spa day just for her (What kind of Ladies of Leisure would we be if we didn't recommend this as #1?!?). We recommend one of the Valentine’s packages at her favourite spa. (Here are links to the specials at Elmwood Spa, and The Spa at the Hilton Suites, for some examples!)

Remember, the best gift your girl could possibly get is time spent with YOU! Here's hoping that this Valentine's Day is a special one for all of you out there!

Lots of love from your coupled-up Lady of Leisure,

T

Valentine's Day Blog Part 1: For the Single, Sexy & Free!

Well, ladies and gentlemen, here we are: rapidly approaching the pinkest day of the year. Even before Christmas was over, your local dollar store was changing their sea of green and red to an ocean of white, red, and pink.

I remember walking into the dollar store on New Years Eve to grab some last minute party hats, and not ONE was left on the shelf. The ladies at the store had replaced everything with teddies, chocolates, hearts, and an excessive amount of love. You guessed it!!! It is time for Valentine's Day.

Don’t get me wrong...I actually LOVE Valentine’s Day. I always have. It has been something I have annually celebrated with, or without, a significant other. This year just so happens to be the first time in over 10 years I am (currently) celebrating it without. And I am okay with that, but I know a lot of people struggle with their “single-ness” on this particular day.

NOTE: For a laugh, check out Barney Stinson (How I Met Your Mother) explaining Here why he consideres Feb. 13th to be “Desperation Day”.

So here I am - deciding to write a blog post suggesting a few ideas on how to L.O.L. as a single individual over Valentine’s Day. Again, these are in no particular order (except for #1 - that will always be first):

1. Change your mentality
You are not “forever alone”. You aren’t even “alone” on Valentine’s Day. Just because you don’t have a significant other, does not mean you need to be depressed, drink bottles of wine, and watch the Notebook on repeat. Okay, well you absolutely can do those things if you want. Basically... DO whatever you want. Make it YOUR day! Just don’t be depressed about it. Get over it - you are S.S.F. (Single, Sexy, and Free). Own it people! ;)

2. Rent an entire series of something and watch it with friends
Have a ladies night, make fondue (chocolate is a personal favourite of mine), grab a bottle of wine, light some candles, and watch your favourite show...I always suggest Sex and the City.

First, this series is freaking amazing. I have never seen a show that celebrates being single and loving life with your girls the way that Sex and the City does. I love, love, love it. 

Second, Valentine’s falls on a THURSDAY, so move on. It’s just another day of the week. Have your Sex and the City celebration on the weekend.  All your non-SSF friends will have had their day of love during the week, freeing their weekends up for some L.O.L!

Third, Valentine’s is about love - so spend it with people you love! Friends included.

3. Go to the gym
Go burn off some of the “frustration”. But if you followed step 1 - you won’t have any. Working out creates endorphins, endorphins make you happy. (And happy people just don’t shoot their husbands....2 points if you get this reference!). So after an hour at the gym, you’re both happy and healthy - win/win. Full stop.

4. GO OUT
Get to the nearest bar, dress nice, go for a drink with a friend. You HAVE to have some other single friends out there somewhere and if you don’t, try planning a group get together. Being with just your significant other is overrated. Either way, just get the heck outta your house - and look H.O.T...always.

NOTE: Refer back to point 2, and reflect on the fact that Valentine's is on a Thursday. If you don’t have single friends, or available friends, move the plans to Friday or Saturday.  

5. Curl up with a nice book
Go to chapters and find yourself a nice Nora Roberts book, or for something a bit more risky - The 50 Shades of Grey trilogy or the Gabriel’s Inferno Duo. These books, read by the fire, with a nice glass of wine or tea....pure bliss!

6. Book yourself a “ME” day
Take a quick look at your local spa deals. Or, check out our Deal of the Week page! Yes, some are created for couples, but a lot aren’t. Go treat yourself. Just as it was stated in point 2, V-day is about spending it with the ones you LOVE...and being an L.O.L. is all about finding a moment for yourself. Go get your nails done (mani AND pedi), get a massage, a facial, and a full body wrap. Grab a latte before AND after the appointment. Be excited to just be you.

7. Hand out cheesy Valentine’s Day cards
If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. I have always done this. Maybe because I am probably the cheesiest person ever!

So you can get an idea of the level of my fromage, I often draw or create crafts (ones that you may have completed in elementary school) and hand them out to people I love. This is not just for Valentine’s Day, this is on the regular. I send cheesy e-mails that are, most likely, not funny to anyone other than myself. I like to sing along to songs loudly and shamelessly. I dance randomly in the streets. I embarrass myself...CONSTANTLY. And I won’t apologize for any of it...I love it. And you are lucky if you get to, or have, experienced any of these things. It means I love you.

Show your friends, family, and/or your crush, how much you love them and go to your local Dollar Store, Wal-Mart, Loblaws etc. grab a batch of the cheesiest cards and get writing. (I am looking for mine this weekend!)

Make sure to decorate the envelopes with lots of heart stickers!!! People may call you a loser, but they secretly love it!! 

So, what are my plans on this wonderful day? Honestly, I don’t know yet. It’s a Thursday, and I’m not too concerned about it generally. The actual day of? I will most likely make a wonderful dinner with my parents (also a tradition), and enjoy some amazing family time, with the people I love.

The weekend? Well, that is yet to be determined. :)

Happy Love Day All!!!

Your L.O.L.,

C

Stay tuned for Part 2 of our Valentine’s blog coming this Monday from T... a list of the top 10 things (both classic and creative!) that every girl wants to receive from their significant other on Valentine’s Day! Feel free to re-post that one as a little hint, hint for someone to read! ;)

Your Ladies of Leisure,

T.G.I.F.

It's Friday! Be fabulous today, ladies.

Your Ladies of Leisure,

Review: Riad Spa

Spa: Riad Spa, a Moroccan inspired Med spa!

 Address: 193 College St. #200 Toronto, Ontario M5T 1P9

Website: http://www.riadspa.ca
E-mail: info@riadspa.ca
Phone Number: (647) 350-7423

Parking:  The spa is located downtown Toronto near the University of Toronto. There is a lot of street parking, but be warned – most meters only allow you to park for 3 hours at a time. For those TTC-ers, Riad spa is right near Queen’s Park subway station!

Service Received:
T’s Service:

-       Designed For You Facial

-       Assila Seaweed Lava Shells Manicure with a White & Clear French polish application

C’s Service:

-       Marrakech Eucalyptus Black Soap Scrub

-       Brazilian Pedicure

Price of Service: Sponsored (Click here for our Sponsorship/Advertising policy!). However, if you were to get our services, here is the breakdown:

T’s Service:

-       Facial: $100.00

-       Manicure: $142.50

C’s Service:

-      Body Scrub: $100.00

-      Pedicure: $35

Cleanliness: Extra clean, and beautifully decorated!  

Fun and Free Extras:

·      Water (upon entrance)

·      Wonderful Moroccan Tea (tastes much like Chamomile with honey)

·      Moroccan Biscuits

For a little more LOL:
Cheap university bars just around the corner:

·      Pour Girl Pub

·      O’Grady’s

Review:

Riad Spa is a small loft space located in the busy University of Toronto area. Upon entering you are immediately transported to Morocco (or at least what we imagine Morocco would look like, if we went). The colours are bright, the pillows are plush, and the lights sparkle around the room. Both Mouna and her assistant greeted us with warm smiles and excitement.

After taking a seat we were asked to fill out a very extensive survey about our health. Though we both thought this was a little tedious, Mouna explained it was only to ensure that all the treatments we were about to receive were tailored to us. Very quickly, we realized that Mouna is an individual who is EXTREMELY passionate about providing her clients with an experience that is specifically for them, which is not often the case at ‘big box’ spa’s. She has designed her very own Moroccan-inspired skin care line, and is delighted to share information about various skin conditions and products. In terms of the ‘med spa’ part of her business, you can clearly see when talking to her that she absolutely loves what she does. After a lengthy discussion of what would benefit our skin and body we were taken into a double room where our services would be performed.

T’s Review:

As mentioned, I received a facial designed to suit my skin – combination skin that is prone to adult acne. Mouna used all of her own products in the facial (Price range is around $30-$60.00 per jar for Mouna’s line). I was cleaned, steamed, masked…etc J. I would describe Mouna’s touch during the facial as ‘invigorating’; it really felt like she was trying to get blood or lymph flow going. I have to say, my favourite special touch was that she gave me a stress ball to squeeze during the extractions! It’s a minor thing, but actually made a big difference while getting through that part! Afterwards, my skin felt fantastic – clean, healthy, and some of the redness I usually have in my cheeks had gone down already! As a side note, if you dislike the smell of algae/seaweed, you might want to request a different type of product, as they have a fairly strong smell (I personally didn’t mind it).

Verdict? Worth the $100.00 price tag. I would absolutely recommend going to Mouna for a facial, and most especially if you have any skin concerns!

Next, I was treated to a seaweed and lava shells manicure by Mouna’s assistant. The seaweed was placed on my hands and forearms, wrapped in plastic wrap and left to sit for about 10 minutes, at which point she washed it off. The lava shell part of the manicure included some clamshell shaped shells that had been warmed and were used to massage my forearms. Mouna then completed the polish job, giving me a white & clear French polish.

Overall, I wasn’t as impressed with the manicure as I was with the facial. The lava shell arm massage was nice, and they did a great job with my cuticles – they don’t actually cut cuticles, just soften them and push them back. The seaweed wrap was okay, but I found that my hands smelled funny for several hours later! I ended up having to wash my hands and forearms once I was home. The polish used for the French manicure was old and thin, and I would say that the application was only average, with leftover polish on my skin when it was done. Worth the $142.50 price tag? Unfortunately, I don’t think so.

T’s take on Riad spa: If you’re looking for a fast & convenient mani/pedi, or just a quick, nice looking polish job, this might not be the place for you. But if you have any skin concerns with your face or body, I would highly recommend Mouna as she is extremely knowledgeable and highly qualified! She has multiple diplomas up on her wall showcasing just how many courses all across Canada she has taken to be able to treat so many skin conditions.

C’s Review:

I could not have been more excited to get the Marrakech Eucalyptus Black Soap Scrub. To be honest, I get excited for just about anything that is anywhere near a massage (T feels the same!). Not only was this soap scrub meant to exfoliate and soften my skin, but it is coupled with an Argan oil massage. In short, it was HEAVEN.

I was pleasantly surprised that the spa provided me with disposable underwear and a tube bra. I know this may seem small, but it really allowed me to feel confident and comfortable throughout the entire service.

After changing into my skimpies, I was asked to lay on a massage bed where Vitamin E was applied to my skin (I was told that the Vitamin E deeply cleans the pores and prepares the skin for a thorough exfoliation). Mouna’s assistant was so sweet and continuously checked in to ensure that I was okay. Which I was...however, the only downside to having oil applied while in your skimpies....its freaking cold! Though, I did quickly realize why I was so cold - they were about to mummy wrap me in three layers (plastic, a towel, and a warming blanket) so the Vitamin E oil could set into my skin. I must note, I am a little claustrophobic and was concerned about how I would deal with the whole “mummy wrap” business - but it didn’t affect me as much as I thought it would. Instead, I was relaxed by the Moroccan music being played and, surprisingly, the warmth provided by the mummy wrap.  I’m also fairly sure that I sweat a few pounds off while waiting for the Vitamin E to soak in (I’m not even mad...that’s not a bad addition, if I do say so myself!).  

After the blanket was removed, my skin was scrubbed down with the Riad Assiha Wal Jamal black Moroccan Soap Scrub with a Kessa Glove. I must admit, it was a little weird having someone else scrub my body for me...but that’s just something I needed to get over and I acknowledge...I’m a bit of a control freak. By the end of the scrub my entire body felt just as Mouna promised, like a new baby! The Orange flower blossom Essential oil that is massaged into your skin at the end only adds to the “new baby-ness” of your skin. O. M. G. It was fantastic.

This service costs $100.00. Would I do it again? Yes, yes, yes....oh did I mention Yes?

After I had completely relaxed from the mummy wrap, scrub down, and massage, I was taken into her main room for a pedicure. The pedicure was basic, her tools were clean, and she provided me with biscuits and tea during the service. The only downside to the pedicure was the polish, most colours were outdated and old, and they were certainly not brandname like at other spa’s. To be able to recommend the $35 price tag to our fellow LOLs, I would hope to be able to choose from updated polishes.

Overall, Mouna is extremely personable, and loved to chat about her experiences both in Toronto and back home in Morocco. This was probably my favourite part of the pedicure, getting to know her and what she is trying to accomplish with her take on the spa experience.    

C’s take on Riad spa: For a mani/pedi in a pinch...maybe...if you don’t get a polish. But as a Med Spa - I would go back again and again. I loved her knowledge about her products and the products we use daily. I also loved her care and concern for tailoring the service to the customers very specific needs. Mouna’s passion for skin care is noted from the moment you walk into Riad Spa, and this makes me happy. 

Because of the division in the services we received, we felt that we had to divide our ratings accordingly to accurately rate Riad Spa!
Rating:
2.5/4 – Mani/Pedi


4/4 – Med Spa


Enjoy your day everyone!

Your Ladies of Leisure,

Laser Hair Removal deal!

Hey everyone!

In case any of you out there are interested in laser hair removal like I am, there's a Living Social deal going on this week (ends in 6 days or so) - $199.00 for Unlimited laser hair removal for a year which would cover body parts like lower legs/upper legs/full bikini...or $299.00 for double that, ie lower legs & upper legs, or lower legs & full bikini, etc.

The place is called Skin Secrets Med Spa, and my favourite part is that it's right near Wellesley subway station downtown! Super convenient. Also, T emailed the spa this morning with a quick question and a lady named Renata replied within the hour! T's clarification - the deal expires July 2013, so this means that you have until July to start your first treatment, and then treatments continue for 1 year past your first treatment date. I'm quite impressed with the customer service so far!

Here's the link:

Click Here for Laser Hair Removal Deal!

T bought the deal, so she will of course review the services here in future once she's started her treatments! Enjoy your day ladies, our next spa review is coming today!

Your Ladies of Leisure,

If you didn't know... T&C also love shoes!

Thought of the Day... Do any other Ladies of Leisure out there love shoes as much as we do?!?

Share the shoe love :)

Review: Fiorio Salon Yonge Location

Spa: Fiorio Salon (Yonge location)

Address: 1470 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M4T 1Z6

Website: www.fiorio.com

E-mail: yonge@fiorio.com

Phone Number: 416-964-1229

Hours of Operation:

Monday, Wednesday, Saturday: 9am-6pm

Tuesday, Thursday: 9am-8pm

Friday: 9am-7pm

Closed Sunday

Parking:  Several pay parking lots around…Best part? It’s right across the street from St. Clair subway station! As a TTC-er myself, this was HUGE!

 

Super close! This is from the Yonge St. exit at St. Clair Subway Station.

Service Received: Highlights (T has long, blonde hair)

Price of Service: $170 (including tax, before tip)

Cleanliness: Great! Very bright and airy, meticulously cleaned hair stations.

Fun and Free Extras: Yummy latte or cappuccino while under the dryer! I had a latte…and they even had decaf!

For a little more LOL, nearby:

• GoodLife Fitness
• Lots of fun restaurants around the neighbourhood! One of T’s favourites for brunch: Absolute Restaurant & Café, http://www.absoluterestaurant.ca/ 

The Review:

So before I get into this review, a quick background on T and her (my) hair! I have long, naturally dirty/mousy blonde hair, and have been getting it highlighted since I was 13 (when I also tried out the pixie cut…a lovely look on some people, but let me tell you, NOT a good look on me!! I hide those pictures religiously…).

Moving on, my hair's natural colour is a pretty dull, but it picks up highlights really well, and the roots are light enough that I usually go 2-3 months between hair appointments. I’m originally from Ottawa, and had been seeing the same hairdresser in Ottawa FOREVER…even through university, when I didn’t live in Ottawa! Now I am living in Toronto to stay, and have been on the hunt for a new hairdresser ever since.

My requirements? Able to do great, natural looking highlights and not too pricey. Apparently, this is more difficult to find in the city than you would think!! I’ve been to several different places, and have learned that just because a salon in Toronto is expensive, doesn’t mean that it’s good. I left one salon (more expensive than Fiorio!) with a gigantic chunk of hair in my bangs with no highlights…right where I could see it, every day. I know it’s just hair, but…really?

So, Fiorio on Yonge street. Fiorio is a chain of salons in the GTA, and even has a hair salon school where you can get your hair done by student stylists! I’m considering testing that out for review purposes to let you all know if it’s the ideal scenario for great hair for those divas on a dime…or if it’s a disaster waiting to happen! I’ll keep you posted J. Anyways, the salon is massive! If you are looking for a place to bring a large wedding party, this is it. I swear I counted over 20 chairs AND they also have a spa attached! The stations are very impersonal, but this may be standard for bigger salons like Fiorio? Previous salons that I’ve been to, each stylist had ‘their’ station and would decorate it with cards from clients, etc. Oh, and the brand of shampoo/conditioner/styling products they use is Kerastase! Very nice.

My colourist – Fiorio has their employees specialize between being a colourist only, or a stylist that does haircuts and up-dos – was a Level 2. Level 1 at Fiorio means they have 1-2 years of work experience, Level 2 is 3-5 and Level 3 is 5+, with increasing prices for services accordingly. In short, she was great! The highlights turned out beautifully, and look super natural. I also noticed (I’m weird this way) that she placed all the foils in perfectly organized rows around my head…I was a fan of that. I’m not sure the organization makes a difference in how it looks when it’s done, but it certainly impressed me!

The only annoying part was that when she went to brush out my hair, she pulled through the knots really hard! It hurt…though when I finally had to say something, she was much more careful. Also, while the highlights turned out fantastic, they were pricey (at least compared to what I’m used to) as $170 was the cost for highlights and a straight blow-out, no cut.

P.S…Did I mention that I loved the latte I had?!? It was awesome. Overall, I’m not sure that this will become my go-to place just because it’s more than I’m looking to spend on a regular basis, but if you want to be sure that you’ll get a great job, this is the place for you!

RATING: 3.5/4

Remember to spend some time treating yourself this January, you deserve it!

Your Ladies of Leisure,