FashionMom Feature - "Things I Treasure" - Shelley Seabra McCray

This is the first of our "Things I Treasure"  series.  We wanted to feature women who are inspirations to us, their families and friends. These are women who work hard every day to make a difference in the lives of people everywhere. They agreed to share with us the things they treasure in their everyday lives,  including their favourite fashion pieces and their must-have beauty product.

These women are our treasures.

Thank you!  Enjoy!





Shelley Seabra McCray
Marketing Consultant
Seattle,WA



1. My Schatz - it's my favourite word in German which means my treasure or the love of my life - my husband Brian who is my everything

2. My Family - especially my nieces and nephews who I love and miss dearly and who give me the best hugs ever.

3. My Friends - who are essentially like family and offer me support, love, honesty and integrity.


4. My Memories - of the finer things in life like travel to Europe, the USA and the Caribbean. Top 3: Spain, Italy, France. Top 3 American cities: NYC, Chicago, San Fran
Top 3 Caribbean: Grenada, Barbados, St. Kitts
Honourable Mentions: London, Miami, Antigua, Munich

5. My Creativity - I feel blessed that I have an appreciation of reading and writing which has essentially led me to a career and passion for Marketing. This is a gift that I do not treat lightly and was instilled in me by my teachers. My top 3 influencers: teacher Noreen of Stella Maris; Ms Edwards from Bishops High School and Mrs. Skinner of George S. Henry.

Favourite beauty product: Cargo bronzer for that sun-kissed look year round






Favourite fashion piece: Halston Heritage dress





All Images(except Cargo and Halston) Courtesy of istockphotos.com

The Panto! "It's Behind You!" Special Guest Blog from London.

Picture above- Christmas Pantomime 1832- A harlequin and clown protrayed by King William IV(1765 -1837) Lord, Broughan,Lord Gray and Lord Eldon

The Panto: "It's behind you!"

London offers a smorgasbord of festive activities for the entire family, from carols by candlelight to skating at one of the many rinks set up just for the season. However, it would be remiss not to talk about one of the most curious and wonderful events that is put on around the country just at Christmas. What else could it be but the Pantomime?!

Cindarella Pantomime Circa 1881- A hardship scene.


The Panto, as it is fondly known, is one of those curious British theatrical offerings that appeals to both children and adults if it well written, and I'm yet to experience one that has not been well written. In a world in which we appear to take ourselves too seriously, the panto is a perfect antidote (even if it is only for two hours or so).

Where else can you go and experience:

• something that thumbs its nose at 'political correctness'
• cross-dressing men who wear the most fantastic costumes
• bawdy jokes, mild sexual innuendo and double entendre
• interacting with the actors as you yell abuse (only at the villain of course)
• current songs which have been re-written (think of Lady Gaga's Bad Romance rewritten as Bad Rodents)
• terrible jokes at which you have to laugh simply because they're so bad
• 'health and safety' being overruled as sweets are thrown to children in the audience
• children stories that barely resemble the original story lines (but at least you're familiar with the general plot which is sufficient)
• slapstick and mad dance routines
• TV and Stage celebs getting in on the action (playing lead roles)?

So, if you're in and around London, or even farther afield, at Christmas, why not make tracks for a Pantomime and enter a whole new world of entertainment inhabited by Dames (cross-dressing men), animals (dancing cows, horses, cats) and where you are also expected to sing along to well known songs?

It is said that laughter is the best medicine and the Panto provides that by the barrelful.

Go on, you never know how much you might enjoy it.

Some London venues offering a Pantomine:

• New Wimbledon Theatre
• Hammersmith Lyric
• Richmond Theatre
• Hackney Empire
• Vaudeville Theatre

Traditional storylines

• Jack and the Beanstalk
• Dick Whittington...and his Cat
• Cinderalla
• Aladdin
• Snow White
• Peter Pan

I see that Joan Collins is scheduled to be in her first panto this year, not to mention David Hasselhoff. It seems the Americans just can't stay away.



dominiquem

London and a few favourite things- Guest Blog

In no particular order and restricted to just a few or else I'll have to write a guide book.

That London is comprised of two cities - the City of London (financial district) and the City of Westminster.

London's dense layout is fascinating. On a map, places appear to be far from each other, however, when you take the time to walk you find that this is not usually the case and the discoveries that you make as you walk can be pretty incredible. In London, like most cities in Europe it pays to explore and be adventurous, as long as you have an A-Z on you, or in this digital age an iPhone / Smartphone that you can use to discover where you are if you get lost.
Try this for size: Piccadilly (Circus) to Leicester Square to Trafalgar Square up to the Mall to Buckingham Palace, via Green Park / St James's Park, to Hyde Park Corner. Turning right you can head into Knightsbridge, continuing straight ahead takes you to Marble Arch and Oxford St. Turning right will lead you back to your starting point.

The greenery of the city! It's a bonus that a green space is never far away, whether it's a park (royal or not) or some sort of garden. Driving through Hyde Park in central London in the middle of winter one does not encounter a dead wasteland. When the temperatures begin to warm up, the spaces become covered with bodies in varying degrees of dress, or undress, as they soak up the rays, even during the week.
A few to put on the list

• Green Park
• St James's Park
• Hyde Park
• Kensington Gardens
• Soho Square Park
• St Paul's
• Finsbury Circus
• Fann Street Wildlife Garden
• Battersea Park
• Chelsea Physic Garden

The Thames runs through it. Having a waterway to walk along, sit by and have a drink on a warm day is splendiferous and of course is perfect running route. This means that it's possible to see rowers practicing and to take a boat rather than a train / tube / bus if you so feel inclined. The Thames forms the north south divide which is pretty useful to know.
Areas for consideration because they have markets, second hand bookstalls, markets, shopping areas and the like, either pretty much at the water's edge or a short walk away.

• Southbank - for theatre, music, exhibitions, shopping, eating and drinking. Try the Hayward Gallery, BFI, Oxo Tower, Gabriel's Wharf, the London Eye.
• Bankside - for the Globe Theatre and Tate Modern. Moving along to London Bridge and Burough Market (a wholesale and retail fruit and vegetable market.
• Thames Embankment - North of the river, it extends from Battersea Bridge to Blackfriars Bridge. Walk past or visit the Houses of Parlaiment, Cleopatra's Needle, Victoria Tower Gardens and the Savoy (newly reopened).
• Putney - in addition to being the home to a famous rowing club and being on the route of the Oxford v Cambridge boat rate, there is a wonderful and energising walk along the Putney bank to Richmond. More often than not you'll see rowers practicing in the morning. Be careful of the tide lapping over the banks during high tide.
• Richmond-upon-Thames - for a boat trip to Hampton Court passing through locks or a walk to Kingston passing Ham House and Marble Hill House along the way. If you're lucky you'll see cows grazing in the pasture.
• Kingston-upon-Thames - for walks and cycle routes to Hampton Court, Teddington and Richmond. Not to mention boat rides and picnicking, fishing and feeding the ducks in Canbury Gardens.

The variety of modes of public transportation, from buses and the tube to trains (overground and suburban or intercity), the dockland light railway (DLR) and the river boats of course. Oh and not to forget the most recent addition of Boris's bikes - bicycles which can be rented throughout central London. I love the fact that buses traverse residential areas as well, so no one is ever very far away from some form of public transport. We won't mention travelling during rush hour, please.

• Buses - the famous red double-decker buses
• Tube - be a mole and travel around the city using the incredibly connected underground lines.
• Trains - see the light of day on an overground, suburban or intercity train. The latter connects you to any major (minor) city in England, Scotland and Wales.
• DLR - a monorail system which runs through the docklands (in the east) to the city.
• Riverboats - a vast array of commuter river boats with connections to and from central London to the east (Greenwich and Arsenal Woolwich) to the West (Hampton Court). It just takes some asking around to find out about them.

Culture Vulture! It's impossible not to mention the cultural activities and entertainment that this true melting pot of a city has to offer. Theatre, concerts, the ballet, street theatre, London Walks - meeting the tastes of everyone from the smallest child to the most elderly person. In the Summer it's not difficult to trip over some free cultural activity wherever you are in the city.
How about the fact that each borough and area is completely different, having its own feel and vibe which means that sometimes crossing the street takes you into a very different and unique ambiance not to mention accent.

• Islington - located in the London burough of Islington, it is an inner-city district with unique restaurants and shops as well as being the location for Sadlers Wells theatre. A walk along Upper Street is a must.
• Kensington & Chelsea - a very affluent area in London. It is home to exclusive antique shops, the Royal Albert Hall, the Natural History and Science Museums, Harrods and Portobello Road, as well as Chelsea Football Club.
• Clapham - a vibrant, lively area with a village-like atmosphere located in south London. It includes the vast green space of Clapham Common. It is quite 'edgy' and a perfect place to find clubs which open late if you do feel like going dancing.
• Putney - walking along Putney bridge proves wonderful views of the Thames to the east and to the west. In addition to St Mary's Church, site of the Putney Debates of 1647, there are several open spaces such as Putney Heath in which on can relax and enjoy birds singing / whistling.
• Richmond - If you fancy seeing some deer when in London, heading out to Richmond Park (the largest royal park) is a must. Several hundred of the Queen's deer reside in Richmond Park. Take a wander around Richmond to locate the myriad of historic houses and of course Kew Gardens is one tube stop away.
• Brixton - located in inner south London, a visit to Brixton is made to experience Brixton Market. The market is comprised of a wide range of ethnic based shops and European delicatessens. It has recently undergone a refurbishment which has resulted in all of the previously available shop spaces to be taken over and produced a long waiting list of businesses waiting to get in on the action. Note that it will now open on Sundays.

The architecture, historic buildings and locations go without saying. Did I mention the vast array of places to eat and drink?



Dominiquem

MEGA Travel and Shop Pick- Toronto. Friends pick their favorites!

Toronto is one of the best cities for shopping in the world. I have visited Toronto more than 8 times and many of my childhood friends live in Toronto or its outskirts.


This is a special Travel pick because my friends in Toronto have picked their favorite places to shop. They more than anyone else can give us real insight into the shopping world in Toronto.


I would like to thank all of my friends in Toronto who shared their picks!

The main shopping sections are:
Bloor/Yorkville
College/Kensington
Danforth
Queen Street West

Please note: No addresses are listed, all of the stores are easy to find online.


 From ShelleySM


* Vaughan Mills Mall, major outlet shopping, brought to you by the same folks of Sawgrass Mills fame in Florida
* Yorkdale Mall, home to Canada's first Victoria's Secret, Mango, Zara, H&M, all under one roof complete with valet parking
* Queen West, a shopping mecca, Heelboy, best shoe store in the city and when you're tired stop at the little Red Tea Box for high tea
* Holt Renfrew- High end shopping experience, like no other.
* Divine Decadence, Yorkville, best vintage store in the city


SharonaH

I love to shop…Ok...this is based on my personal opinion as I am a shop–a-holic & most importantly a shoe–a–holic. I believe that women love to shop for various reasons…It’s like therapy...don’t get me wrong there are men who love to shop as well..So this is not a stereotypical statement for women

I love to shop for shoes, make up, clothing, bags and accessories

Here are my favourite picks for shopping in Toronto:

1. Yorkville Shops – Bloor & Yorkville

Whenever I am looking for chic hot trends, stylish classics and designer fashions, then Yorkville is the place that I love to go. Yorkville is a Shoppers paradise that also houses Canadian retail icon stores like Holt Renfrew, Harry Rosen, and William Ashley China. I love the shoes and boots in Holt Renfrew; you can also get some really great deals on designer purses and bags. Hazelton Lanes has some amazing one of kind boutiques with unique stylish clothing.

I also shop at Cole Haan’s, David’s Footwear and Specchio for shoes as well. I also especially love the quaint Victorian architecture in the Yorkville houses and art galleries. Bloor – Yorkville is often compared to other acclaimed areas such as fifth Ave. in New York, Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles and Chicago’s magnificent mile.

2. Queen Street West: Located between Yonge St. and Bathurst Ave.

Queen West is where I go to find everything hip, trendy and cool and cutting edge fashion.
Young, vibrant and bohemian, this neighbourhood is often compared to New York’s or London’s SOHO districts. My favorite stores along the Queen St. strip are Zara, Mendocino, H & M, The Umbra Store, Bedo and Mac’s cosmetics.

3. The Winners stores are very much like TJ Maxx, Marshall’s and Filene’s basement in the US. Winners sell designer labels at up to 60% off regular process. I love to browse through the racks looking for great deals. I have also found designer shoes from Kenneth Cole and Anne Klein at reasonable prices.

6. The Hudson Bay Company – Queen & Yonge Streets

The Bay is a good old fashioned department store that always has amazing deals. I usually shop for The Toronto Eaton Centre: Yonge & Dundas

Canada’s third largest mall and biggest tourist attraction houses more than 250 stores. These stores appeal to the budget conscious and spendthrifts alike. Some of my favorite stores include, Nine West, Mango, Bebe, Michael Kors, BCBG, Bath and Body Works, The Body Shop, Victoria Secret, Melanie Lynn, Jacob’s and Tristan’s.

4. Chinatown: Spadina Ave

When I am looking for unbelievable bargains on exotic trinkets, jewellery, and clothing … Chinatown is the place to be.

5. Winners – several locations across the city

my bath towels, pillows, sheet sets, and house hold & kitchen appliances. There are times when I also find great discounts on designer shoes, bags, accessories, clothing, and sun glasses…even men’s wear at great prices.

7. Yorkdale Mall – Known as the Shopping Centre that never sleeps.

This mall is always packed. Housing over 240 stores such as Tiffany’s, Burberry, Lululemon, Sephora, Zara, Victoria Secret and many more. If you are looking for a fast paced buzzed shopping experience, then Yorkdale mall is the place to be. I especially love to shop at Crate and Barrel

There you have it my friend…Sharona’s favorite picks of top places to shop in Toronto. Of Course there are many more places as it just depends on your personal style and taste.

Janice R  

Yorkdale,Holts,and of course Queen West.The shops at Bloor West Village -Trixie is my absolute favorite.

Merry-G0-Round is another fabulous shop in that hood.
There is also great shopping on the Danforth. Alchemy is a great little store. You can throw together a funky look on a student budget.
I highly recommend "Over the Rainbow" on J watching and waiting until the price gets somewhere close to my budget before bringing them home!

Yorkville Ave

for jeans - catch them when there's a sale.
My favorite shoe store is Speccio's, also on

Yorkville Ave.

I've visited many a pair of shoes there

And no one included The Bay? I go to the flagship at the Eaton Centre. They carry "Free People" which I love especially in the summer and costume jewellery. Beautiful pieces for half or one-third of the original price.Gotta love it.
My favorite place of all time for High Tea in Toronto is the Windsor Arms. You have not lived until you have savored their mouth watering scones and enjoyed the impeccable service.
I'm going to stop now because I would like to lose five pounds and the mere thought of tea at the Windsor Arms is weakening the foundations of my resolve :-)

From Dawn G:

 Homesense is a favorite.

 The kids who are now teenagers like H& M, Forever 21, American Eagle, Abercrombie & Hollister.

 H&M is  a favorite for being both trendy and reasonable,even I get great stuff there.

AllisonM:

Zara

Mexx

Roots

Cotton Ginny

Smart Set

Le Chateau

La Senza

FashionMom
Jumas- Bought my first pair of hip driving gloves here more than 7 years ago. They were brown with neon green trim. I also bought a navy blue leather skirt which I adore. This store sells clothing with a hip, euro feel and pieces that you would not find anywhere else.
RK- Great basics and modern sportswear
Iodine- Beauty related products packaged in a medicinal packaging( red pencil case with white cross). Other packages look like Ointment tins and cough syrup bottles. They also sell soaps and lotions all in the signature white cross logo. Great brand identity.
Get Out Side- Bought my first pair of Havianas flip flops at this store more than 8 years ago. They stock Gola sneakers among other soccer brands along with clothing and accessories(great rings).

PIR

Wow, hard to find cosmetics and many of the big names are at this store and also online. Wide selection, reserve a couple of hours.

Happy Shopping in wonderful Toronto!