Archives: #LiveLifeUptown

If you are a guy in the City of Saint John – you’ve probably noticed over the past 2 years that your clothing options have increased with the opening of Ready Man – a clothing store for men in Brunswick Square that caters to the stylish and trendy guy.

There is something for every guy in your life at Ready Man – whether you’re shopping for your brother, father, boyfriend or best friend.

I’ve selected some of my favourite items to show you… check them out below!

– – – – – – – – – – – – –

Ready Man has a HUGE selection of Ray Ban glasses – from the classic Aviators to the looks-good-on-every-face-ever Wayfarers.

Here are a couple of my favourite pairs:

The shoe selection at Ready Man isn’t huge – but it’s awesome.

Stocking stuffers galore:

My Package underwear

Clothing options:

Locally designed boxer shorts

Plus some accessories to top off your whole look:

– – – – – – – – – – – – –

Kiera and Zoe have a great prize available to be won – check out the giveaway below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

See you tomorrow,

Thanks for supporting local!

Locally owned, independent shops are a big part of what makes Uptown Saint John such an incredible place to spend time.

Shelley opened the Urban Shoe Myth on King Street in 2011. She carries HUNTER, FRYE, Steve Madden, Michael Kors, Nine West, Rebecca Minkoff + many more must have brands.

Check out the gift ideas below for that special someone on your list this holiday season. *cough* get me the French Connection heels *cough*

#subtle

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

These lisa b. socks are insanely cute. Also, the thought of having matching mom & baby socks makes me instantly “awwwwwwwwwww!!”.

To go along with any tall boots you may have for the winter season, Urban Shoe Myth has a great selection of tall boot socks that go all the way to your knee and still have a little bit of slouch.

I love these Instance socks. The prints on the socks are very cool and unique…

USM is the only place in town where you can buy Jenny Bird jewelry. It’s very edgy, but still classic. I have a Jenny Bird bracelet I wear quite often, and with everything!

Love these stackable bracelets – with a magnetic closure!

Here’s a comprehensive list of all of the shoes and boots I’d like from Urban Shoe Myth this season:
*I’m sure you can find a pair for the lady on your list here, as well. Maybe two.

Good choices, right?

Here are a few more:

Including these:

Plus a few bags for good measure:

– – – – – – – – – – – –

The prize from Urban Shoe Myth up for grabs is lovely. It’s a scarf from Front Row Society – a group in Berlin that works with an open collective of designers who submit artworks to their design challenges. Winning designs are curated into seasonal collections that are sold online and in stores.

The design are incredible – check some of the past competitions and winning designs here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

See you tomorrow!

Hey friends!

I look forward to this weekend every year – Harvesting the Arts is this Saturday at various locations all over Uptown Saint John.

I’m so pleased to be able to offer a walking tour to all of my favourite local shops as part of Harvesting the Arts. 

Join me this Saturday at 2:30pm at the King’s Square Bandstand. I’ll take you on a 1 hour walking tour from King’s Square to Market Square (and 8 places in between) to tell you about my favourite shops, my “best find” and some steals you may not know about.

I’ll give you a handy walking map to tell you about the special one-day-only deals available only on the walking tour from stores like Je Suis Prest, Machester Shoes and the Urban Shoe Myth.

AND – If you are one of the first 10 people to sign up for the tour in advance, I’ll hand you an envelope with GIFT CERTIFICATES from Brunswick Square and Market Square to spend on whatever you want.

(the first 10 people to sign up will be eligible to receive a $20 gift certificate from Market Square AND a $20 gift certificate from Brunswick Square. The next 10 people will receive a $10 GC from both Market Square and Brunswick Square)

Sign up below!

For your information, here is a map of some of the activities and open doors for this weekend:

(click for a large version)

– – – – – – – – – – –

See you there!

Tonight in Uptown Saint John – check out Fashion Forward!

The event kicks off at 5pm in Brunswick Square. Donate $2 to First Steps to receive an Uptown Swag Bag!

(Last year I received lots of goodies including a scarf, hand cream, perfume…).

There are door prizes and events happening at all of your favourite Uptown shops – it’s definitely worth the trip!

See you there!

xo

Tonight is the night!

The 2013 Live Life Awards are tonight at the Diamond Jubilee Cruise Ship terminal on Water Street.

I have my shoes picked out, my nails painted red and my camera batteries charged.

I’ll meet you all on the red carpet tonight to snap your photo- paparazzi style.

What are you wearing!?

See you there!

Last month – Uptown Saint John approached me and 6 other bloggers to take part in a new promotion. They gave us each $100 and one rule – spend it in Uptown Saint John.

I’ve been inspired lately by the Pay It Forward movement. I love the idea of doing something nice for someone, just because. Since Uptown Saint John gave me some cash, why not let loose on the Uptown to spend it on my best friends?

After making a list of the people I wanted to surprise with a present and the stores I wanted to spend a few dollars in, my mission was clear.

I was able to spend a few dollars in 7 different Uptown stores. Made You Blush, Colwell’s, Perfumes Plus, Baubles, Liquid Gold, Klausen Framing & Gallery and Silver Daisy Designs.

Here are a few photos from my shopping (& gifting!) adventures….

Made You Blush

It never fails. Whether I’m looking for a last minute birthday gift or the perfect mascara to add to my make-up bag… the pink ceiling, walls and floors of Made You Blush in Market Square is an inviting and FUN way to spend some time (& money).

They carry popular brands like Deborah Lippmann, Bumble & Bumble, Too Faced and Stila.

I was able to pick up 4 bottles of “Hot Ticket” nail polish. I can’t wait to surprise a few of my girlfriends with them.

Photo: Gillian Goldie

Colwell’s

One of my favourite things about Colwell’s (other than the Michael Kors shoes) is their jewelry. It’s always on trend and a great price.

Gillian’s husband was away for Valentine’s Day. I felt that it was my friend duty to drop by her place and give her a rose gold coloured (get it?) bracelet. That’s what friends are for, right?

Baubles

Yard Sale time! I was unbelievably jazzed to be able to purchase 5 pairs of beautiful & on trend earrings from Baubles for less than $15.

(Only 4 are shown. One is en route to Toronto! Surprise, Natalia!)

Their yard sale is active with the best deals going – buy 5 items (already marked down significantly) and get 50% off you entire purchase. If you’re not interested in 5 items, the deal works the same way with lower quantities (2 items- 20% off, 4 items- 40% off, etc.).

Liquid Gold

For a recent birthday gift, Adam and I picked up a sampler pack of Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar from the Prince William Street location. We were so impressed with their customer service (top notch) and selection that when I told Adam I was buying some presents Uptown he specifically requested a treat from Liquid Gold.

For the record, the oil and vinegar shown (enough for a few salads, bread dipping and cooking) was less than $7.

Klausen Framing & Gallery

It’s no secret that I am smitten with Art Cards. They are baseball card sized pieces of art that are done by local artists. If you don’t have an “art budget”, It’s a cost effective and easy way to support local artists while still having an actual piece of original art to put on the wall.

I snapped up an abstract piece by Jorgen Klausen to give to my photographer friend, Kâté.

Photo via Instagram @judithmackin

Silver Daisy Designs

Any store that can cater to my ever changing needs as a consumer will always be at the top of my “go to” list. Kate Lordon & her mother own a hip boutique on King Street. The store boasts small giftable items, locally made jewelry (including silver pieces made by Kate) as well as on trend clothing and accessories.

I was able to pick up two scary (and also adorable?) skull magnets for my BFF, Judith, and two farm animal magnets for my “I’m from Sussex and I know it” friend Sarah.

Perfumes Plus

When a normal person is walking around with $100 dollars in their pocket that they are SUPPOSED to spend within a specific time limit, it’s a lot harder than you would think to actually use it all.

I had about $22 left at the end of my journey and was trying pretty hard to spend it.

So – I bought something for you! What better way to top off my Uptown Saint John Pay It Forward post?

Chanel is – without a doubt – my go to brand for skincare, moisturizer and nail polish. The price is steep, sure, but the quality is above and beyond typical drugstore brands. If you ever want to hear a skincare related rant from a money conscious customer, get at me. (or read this post…)

——————————————————————————————

Enter below to win #493 Jade Rose Chanel nail polish.

(Note: Perfumes Plus has nothing to do this this giveaway, other than the fact that I bought it there)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(Note: If for some reason the rafflecopter widget is showing up as a link – click it – it will take you to their site where you can fill out the info the same way! Sorry for the confusion!)

Thanks, Uptown Saint John!

This was really fun!

xo
B

I can’t wait to hit the ground running at 5pm today for Fashion Forward.

I’ll be shopping my heart out (well, as much as my budget can stand) at all of my favourite Uptown locations.

Yesterday I met up with Adam Donnelly and Chelsea Donaldson to do a video promotion for UptownSJ – take a peek!

For more information, check out the UptownSJ page or the Facebook event!

See you out on the Town!

Yes! I am!

Can you believe we’re in the 2nd week of August already? It seems like the next few weeks are jam packed with events… almost like a “last chance” at summer fun.

When I look at the calendar and see all that I need to accomplish in the next few weeks… it’s a little daunting.

That’s what “to do” lists are for!

I’ve tackled the rest of the week:

How is your week looking?

I hope to see you out and about! As long as nothing else pops up, I hope to be Gallery Hopping Friday night, practicing Yoga Saturday morning, seeing an incredible dance performance Saturday night and then dancing my heart out to the 80s band featuring a few of my friends from Fredericton.

Click any of the photos below to be linked to more info.

XO!
B

Hey friends, the next few day, weeks and months are PACKED with great events you need to attend.

Here are a few for you to chew on:

Friday night at Bourbon Quarter, you can catch The Originals Finalists, Penny Blacks, in the flesh! Cover is $8 and the show gets started at 10pm. Before you head down, check out a few of their songs on their bandcamp page.

If you’re not too tired – Saturday night, Local 107.3 FM is hosting a show at the Somerset Pub. The Smiths*, X*, Billy Bragg* and Allen Ginsberg* are hitting the stage to entertain.

*not actually… but amazing cover sets!

{ click for larger posters }

In the mood to shop with a group of your girlfriends? Start saving your pennies and prepare for an uptown shop-til-you-drop event on April 5th. The 2nd Fashion Forward event will take place from 6-9pm next Thursday.

Show up to the kick off at Brunswick Square to receive a goodie bag (the first 100 people!) and to find out the hottest deals and coolest in store promotions.

The last Fashion Forward event (held in October) was a great success.

{ click for more info on the Uptown Saint John website }

And at the risk of sounding like a broken record, the Originals is coming up May 31st. Tickets will be going on sale April 10th.

I’ll be posting an instagram recap on Friday of my week tagging along to a few of the video shoots with Hemmings House and Judith Mackin. What a BLAST.

{ click through for more info on the Gala }

If we don’t know each other (I’m not sure how that could happen) and you see me out and about this weekend… please … introduce yourself! I love chatting and getting to know people in my community.
XO!

My curiosity got the best of me!  There was no way I was staying away from the New Brunswick Fashion Week model audition at Market Square yesterday.

Linda Buchanan (Buchanan & Co.) was on site to do the casting for the models. A few girls showed up for the casting specifically, and one was asked to audition while walking by! Neat!

Chantal, Wendy and Bonnie from Essential Esthetics were on hand to look for a hair model! They’re looking for a lady with long dark hair. Is it you? Are you willing to get your hair done for the fantasy hair competition? Leave a comment and I’ll get you in touch with them.

Are you planning on attending any of the Fashion Week activities? What have you heard about it?

I know you can follow them on Facebook here… Twitter here… and they have a new website set up here…

Thursday evening prior to the Saint John portion of fashion week… Uptown SJ is hosting Fashion Forward… A Uptown Affair for all of you lovely fashionistas! Great events happening throughout the Uptown!