The Best Place for a Manicure in Toronto - Her Majesty's Pleasure

When my friend Aggie arranged for manicures at Her Majesty's Pleasure I was more than thrilled. It's not often that I pamper myself, but I should really make it a habit. Her Majesty's Pleasure has, by far, the best manicure in Toronto.

She gave our boyfriends the hard sell, explaining that there was a separate and extensive bar where they could catch up while we indulged. And there was a beautiful bar with great bartenders, but the view of all the girly things HMP held for Aggie and I was not persuasive for them. Needless to say, they ditched us to go to the nearest scotch bar. Their loss, I say!

My girlfriend, Sarah, of The Coffee Filter, convinced me I needed this bright blue Jelly bear purse pictured here with the bar selection at Her Majesty's Pleasure

The place is absolutely beautiful and pristine. It's like out of fashion heaven I swear to the gods above. Every detail is perfect with polished marble countertops, pictures and paintings of great Queens lining the walls and floor to ceiling windows overlooking King St. West. Aggie and I both just had a speedy mani, but HMP has a full suite of salon services worth considering 

The most beautiful polish selection at Her Majesty's Pleasure

If you haven't been keeping up with Britton Diaries, Periwinkle is my newest obsession. This colour just perfectly encapsulates spring for me, and I sprung to have a periwinkle manicure.

My manicure colour on the far left, "Boxer Shorts"

Aggie and I got to chatting over a pair of Pear Amaretto cocktails which went down far too quickly. Our boyfriends are best friends and so we can relate pretty perfectly with whatever relationship drama, ups and downs and funny anecdotes brought to the table. Talking with her was just so.. refreshing. I'm not sure if it's a Latin thing, but Aggie is such a great listener - when you speak to her, it's like she's really invested in what you have to say.

But best of all were the manicurists. Yes, they did an absolutely stellar job taking their time and correcting any blemishes, but they too were just such great conversation. It's kind of a silly, but whenever I get a manicure I think of Legally Blonde. You know, when Elle stumbles upon Paulette's salon and it's like a therapy and manicures session in one? Well I always want that and never find it, but the girls of Her Majesty's Pleasure are so warm and charming. It really makes the whole experience.



My manicure lasted about a week. I'm always sad when it starts to chip, but isn't that just a perfect excuse to go back to get the best manicure in Toronto?

Trend Report - Periwinkle, the Colour of S/S 15

I love how my M for Mendocino Stylist prepped my fitting room

I started my Spring shopping yesterday. I know we'll probably have at least another month of snow but I figure that if I shop for Spring, it'll come faster, right? I had a great time looking through the new arrivals at my local M for Mendocino and picked up a few key items including a mock-neck nautical dress and a great Vera Moda jacket. But what I really need to add to my wardrobe is periwinkle. My color for Spring/Summer '15 will be periwinkle. It's light, refreshing and flirty. And unfortunately I don't have anything of that colour in my wardrobe.

I canvassed Toronto's stores for the best picks in periwinkle and I have them here to share with you!

Manhattan lace bodycon dress from French Connection Canada, $158

Flight of fancy cotton skirt from French Connection Canada, $98

COPE Silky Circle Mini Skirt from Urban Outfitters, $69, Color Round Sunglasses from Urban Outfitters, $18

Floral scuba tank top from Smart Set, $29.90

Wide sweatshirt from H&M, $19.95

Piqué Bodycon Dress from Forever 21 Canada, $15.90

Be sure to check out the full suite of picks for SS 2015 all available in Toronto on Pinterest
What's your color of the season?

Keeping it Cool with a Scandinavian Summer - OOTD

Zara toque, coat by Calvin Klein, turtleneck by Pull & Bear

I was beginning to feel like my winter wardrobe needing a helping hand getting out of the dark colors of the season. I mentioned in a previous look ("Ice Queen" which was in collaboration with The Noteworthys) that I'm getting over my winter blues with just that - shades of blue.

Zara toque, coat by Calvin Klein, turtleneck by Pull & Bear, pants by H&M

Oxblood has really dominated the Fall/Winter scene for the past few years, but now it's time to let bolder and brighter colors shine. Splashes of color seen here with the pastel blue toque by Zara and printed pants by H&M uplift a winter wardrobe and create a bold (but still warm!) look. Keep the look simple but classic, letting the colors act as accessories. Seen here the Pull & Bear black turtleneck and grey coat by Calvin Klein create a canvas for my chosen shades of blue.



What color are you adding to your winter wardrobe? Let me know in the comments below!

Sipping on Icewine with iYellow at #NiagaraChilled

One of things I love most about Toronto is the lifestyle here. It may be hard to pinpoint Canadian culture sometimes, but Toronto has a culture of its own: a very distinct foodie culture.



At the tail end of last year I was introduced to the iYellow Wine Club. Founder Angela Aiello's mission is to foster a community of young and eager to learn more vinophiles. iYellow is about making wine education accessible to a new generation. Wine with iYellow is social and fun. The iYellow Wine Club is a place where you can taste wines from all over the world, learn about the wines you love and meet other wine lovers! The wine club plans regular events, tours and wine school classes for you to attend a la carte and you can also learn on your own via their website You learn to better identify your tastes, how to pair what with what and make friends along the way.

The hidden iYellow Wine Club entrance

Check out past events with iYellow:
iYellow #WinemakerRaw
Touring Niagara with iYellow Wine Club

If you've been keeping up with Britton Diaries you'll know I harbor a love for Niagara. It's so close to the city, and yet being there is so starkly different. Niagara is a place where you can gain perspective, and reconnect with friends and loved ones over delicious vintages.

My first chance to escape to Niagara was last February, and unfortunately that meant I missed out on their icewine festival. All throughout January Niagara is bustling with their icewine festival. Over 3 weekends, 58 wineries and 15 amazing events you can enjoy this special harvest. Plus you can plan your getaway your way. See more at niagarachilled.com.

Niagara is beautiful any time of the year - but especially in the winter.

iYellow gave me and a few fellow bloggers a taste of what was to come when they hosted their very own #NiagaraChilled evening. Icewine is certainly unique and is a Canadian treasure. The ideal climate for reliable production of Icewine is one where the summers are warm to ripen the grapes and the winters are cold (but not too cold). It just so happens that Niagara has near perfect conditions, and Ontario has produced Icewine every year since 1984. Since the 1990s Canadian icewine has been globally recognized.

We tasted four delicious wines, my favourite among them being Peller Estates Ice Cuvée, a beautiful champagne with an icewine dosage.




What I found most interesting about the evening was learning to pair icewine with savory foods. I think most often we leap to pairing our sweet wines with something equally sweet, but I found that pairing Peller Estates delicate Signature Series Riesling Icewine with blue cheese complimented the wine beautifully.

Sweet?

Or savoury?

But of course, I have an incurable sweet tooth and quite enjoyed pairing the cuvée with Godiva chocolate. The best of both worlds was the icewine jelly - I have to get a few jars of this!

Yum, icewine jelly!

I'll be heading up to Niagara at the end of January, compliments of iYellow, to explore the icewine festival myself. Stay tuned for the full scoop and don't forget to check out the iYellow Wine Club!

A Cut for Cancer With Nicole's Hair Studio

Although getting there was a total nightmare due to the Scotiabank marathon the memory of that difficult trek quickly faded as I was welcomed into Nicoles Hair Studio. Made up with splendid festivity the studio was transformed into a beauty parlour straight from the silver screen. Today they're hosting an all-out cut-a-thon with cuts for $25 and all proceeds going towards cancer research.



Julie, the receptionist, took me through the studio. The space is in an old building, as are most storefronts in the Beach, but you wouldn’t know it from how well the place is renovated. They’ve been open for 5 years here in the Beach but this is the first time they’re holding the cut-a-thon. “We’re hoping to make it an annual thing” I was told by Julie, and I find myself hoping so too.

What I love about these neighbourhood events is that everyone pitches in and it has a way of bringing the neighbourhood together. Nicole’s sister is here helping out and pepping everyone up with her bubbly personality. Local vendors have donated items to be raffled off and sold with proceeds going toward research for breast cancer. Cupcakes, mini gluten-free donuts and cotton candy tempt me.



“We expect about 50” Julie, the receptionist told me when I asked how many patrons the studio would see that day. I’m pleasantly surprised to see as many men as I do women, especially considering Breast Cancer doesn't discriminate

I wait for Rhys, who I’ve seen before. I can’t express the pain it is for me to find a stylist I trust. I think I interviewed quite a few before I met Rhys, and he swept me off my feet with his confidence, and most of all his honesty. Plus he handles my chair anxiety like a champ. Today I’m entrusting him with my outgrown golden locks. Before I get my turn to say goodbye Rhys takes the scissors to the hair of someone incrediby brave. 12 inches later and sporting a cute pixie cut her donation is bound to make someone very happy.



“What are we doing today?” “Let’s chop it off.” I'm inspired.

I’m nervous when I sit in the chair and suddenly I feel like I’m saying goodbye to an old friend, but I couldn't be happier with the finished result. My tangled mess finally has some control.



Of course, my favourite part of any event is the swag bag - silly, I know, but as my beauty routine evolves I love getting the chance to try out new products and figure out what works for me.



I use the Icon leave-in conditioner every day on my ends and my hair feels soft and strong every day.

Check out Nicole's Hair Studio and don't forget to follow their Twitter @Nicoleshair1 and like their Facebook page!

Au - Stay Gold

There's always something to see in Toronto. Here's what caught my eye this past week:

On the bathroom wall at Betty's

Tile work at Queen's Park Subway Station

Perfect lighting at Sarah's apartment

An old building in Yorkville

Christmas has come to Chapters Indigo!

What are your favourite places in the city?

A #DecadeofGlamour with Marciano

The lovely girls of Lotus Leaf and Marciano were kind enough to extend an invite to Marciano's 10th anniversary celebration. A #DecadeofGlamour was hosted by Fashion Magazine and Jenny Javonovic of Crazy Style Love. I've always been a fan of Marciano's bold use of color, and trendy statement pieces. And given the overwhelming turnout for the event I can safely say I'm not alone.



The whole store as a awash in glitz and glamour, from the crisply dressed waiters serving Barefoot wine, to the dolled up store associates in their sleek Marciano outfits.



I got a first hand look at the new Marciano. The store manager explained to me that Marciano is embarking on a brand new marketing strategy, literally knocking down the divide between Guess and Marciano to create a new seamless shopping experience that cross-promotes each brand. While I consider myself a Marciano girl, the combining of the two stores opened up a whole world of awesome denim I never before considered.



The Marciano side of the store offered guests a makeover courtesy of Winks Eyelash Boutique, while on the other side, Guess was buzzing thanks to the DJ, and a fun pop-up photo-booth stocked with fake moustaches and boas. I even ran into fellow blogger-in-arms, Awesome Jenn Jenn.



I tried with all my might to be objective and not give in to the beautiful new arrivals on display. Marciano is so tailored to my fashion style. Dramatic, bold and riddled with vintage touches. From shoes, to accessories, to clothing everything caught my eye.



Ultimately, my efforts were all in vain. I fell in love with a killer floor-length red gown with a plunging neckline and happily surrendered my credit card.

(Pst! You can buy this Arabella Draped dress online here)

I received a special gift with my purchase and was overwhelmed by Marciano's generosity.



I loved the bangles but they are just too big for my arms. I absolutely love the John Freida Frizz Eaze Nourishing Oil Elixir. I use it every day and my hair has never looked better. The "Wear Me/Wash Me" laundry traveller is super cute and it will definitely come with my on my next trip. It's kind of ingenious.

A #DecadeofGlamour was a roaring success. Not only was it a beautiful celebration of 10 years of fantastic fashion, but it introduced a sure-to-be successful new store idea. The combining of Marciano and Guess will introduce customers to the sister brand they may not be familiar with and inspire fashionistas everywhere.

Happy 10 years Marciano!