I’ll admit, I had heard of threading from a number of friends prior to my adventure into a salon to actually get it done.  I was scared, hesitant and curious all at once.  For those of you who don’t know what threading is, it’s a popular method of hair removal that has been used in Middle Eastern cultures for quite some time, but has made its way into North America in the last several years.

The actual procedure involves a long piece of cotton thread that twists around the hair at the follicle (or root) and swiftly removes it.  This method of removal can create precise lines along the eyebrows, or even the beard line for a man.  It is sanitary and much quicker than tweezing, but admittedly, just as painful.  Not only is it quick, but it is relatively inexpensive too.  With most places charging as little as $5 per treatment, you can’t go wrong.

For my first visit, I decided to go big or go home.  I was going to get my eyebrows, as well as my upper lip, threaded.  I headed into Suman’s Beauty & Bride, feeling nervous, but confident that I could endure whatever I was about to face.  With a quick zipping sound and only short spurts of pain, my eyebrows were done in what seemed like just a few seconds.  I’ll admit that I needed to pause for a moment during the upper lip hair removal because the pain was quite intense, but all in all, the threading of both areas was over in less than 8 minutes.

My eyebrows have great shape and my skin where the hair was removed is extremely soft and smooth.  Depending on your hair growth, you could easily go several weeks without needing another treatment,  and when you do, you will probably experience less pain each time.  Because of the speed of a threading treatment, walk-ins are often welcome at locations that provide threading services, but call ahead before you go to make sure.

There are so many great locations for threading in the Fraser Valley.  We have a few suggestions for you:

Suman’s Beauty & Bride
1-2757 Bourquin Cres W, Abbotsford
Ring: 604.850.1376
www.sumansbeautyandbride.com

In Hands Hair & Beauty Studio
D-5775 176 St, Surrey
Ring: 604.576.4421

When it comes to adding a little extra oomph to your makeup for a night out, try one of these quick and easy add-ons for creating a look that is extra glam.

Use a highlighting powder, such as MAC’s Mineralize Skinfinish Powder in Soft & Gentle to sweep a hint of shimmer to the top of your cheekbones and around your temples in a slight “c” shape.  You can also use a small fluffy brush to dab a touch of this same powder to the inner corners of your eyes.  Feel free to dust your collarbones or décolletage as well.  The subtle way this powder catches the light creates a look of radiant and luminous skin.

You may be surprised to learn that not only are there strip lashes, but there are also individual lashes.  These are a great way to add extra definition and drama to your eyes. If you don’t feel comfortable applying the lashes yourself, enlist the help of a girlfriend.  Before you apply the lashes, you may need to trim them first to ensure that they are not too wide or long for your own eyes.  Arm yourself with some eyelash adhesive and tweezers and plan for a few extra minutes of time to apply the lashes after you have finished with your mascara. Check out www.ardelllashes.com.

If lips are what you love to draw attention to, why not dazzle and wow with one of the gorgeously rich shades of fall?  From cherry red to deep wine and raspberry, there are so many options to make a bold statement.  Be sure to apply a lip liner in a matching shade to your entire lip first.  That way if the lipstick comes off or fades as the night wears on, you won’t be left with just a line of color only on the perimeter of your lips.

One of the most adorable and simple ways to add a little glam to your hairstyle is by wearing a feathered or adorned headband or by placing a jeweled brooch, comb, or barrette to your updo.  Not only does it add visual interest but it takes your hairstyle from so-so to stunning in an instant.  You can find adorable pieces for your hair online at Etsy, in local accessory stores, or if you are feeling extra ambitious, you could even make your own using a glue gun and craft supplies from Michael’s.

No matter what you wear, a friendly smile and confident attitude always go a long way in giving off a warm, holiday “glow”.

But when you finish your work day and start to turn your attention to your evening plans, it’s a great time to turn up the va va voom on your existing makeup with a few, fairly simple upgrades.  This is where a mini makeup kit in your purse definitely comes in handy.

Now I say all this assuming that you took a little time at the start of your day to apply a clean and fresh daytime look.  I don’t consider myself to be a “chipper” morning person, but I do make the time to apply some makeup before I leave for work.  It helps me feel polished, pretty and professional.  

That being said, 15 minutes is more than enough time to achieve this look.  Start with a foundation of your choice, liquid, mineral or other, to even out your skin tone.  Powder your T-zone if needed to set your makeup and control shine, dust on a hint of blush, wiggle a mascara wand through your lashes and layer your lips with a dash of color in a sheer texture.  This is a quick and basic look for your average day of tackling errands, work, kids or whatever else that may come at you.

But let’s get back to the fun discussion of your evening out after the mayhem of the day.  That handy little makeup kit should have a few essentials, such as an eyeliner, mini mascara, powder or blotting papers and lipstick or gloss of your color choice.  And shimmer.  Definitely don’t forget the shimmer.

If your eyes already have mascara and a little eyeliner, it’s time to go to the dark side.  Try lining the inside rim of your lower lashes for an intense look.  Black is where it’s at for the most dramatic effect on any eye, but ladies with a particular eye color can definitely complement their peepers with alternate shades.  Blue eyed beauties will notice a pop when they add a navy or dark grey liner.  The hazel and green eyed goddesses will dazzle with a deep plum liner and for all you beautiful brown eyed girls, try a coppery bronze or emerald green liner.

With all that intense liner, be sure to go back and apply at least one, if not two or more coats of mascara to the top and bottom eyelashes to give them extra drama (or skip the mascara altogether and get eyelash extensions).  Between the dark eyeliner and the voluminous lashes that will leave Betty Boop jealous, your dramatic look is falling into place, well, right before your eyes.

If you need to control any shine, do it with blotting papers or powder.  With a light sweeping of powder or pressing blotting paper into the trouble areas on your face, you can quickly restore that flawless base.  Now you can apply shimmer in strategic places to give your skin a dreamy glow that catches the light as you move, talk, and laugh.   Start with a dusting along the top of your cheekbones.  Highlight the inside corner of the eyes, and for those ladies with a thin upper lip, apply a touch of shimmer to the peak of your upper lip to give the appearance of fuller lips.

Since you’ve worn off, eaten off or just gotten bored with your day to day lip color, pull out a different shade to go with your sultry eyes.  A more pale and subdued lip color definitely compliments an extremely done-up eye.  If you need to neutralize your natural lip color first, lightly dab just a hint of concealer or foundation over them.  Then you can apply a color that is pale nude, beige or pink.  Gloss always gets a party started, so apply it liberally and often.

When going from daytime fresh to nighttime glam is as easy as this, why wouldn’t you do it?

www.MakeupInfusion.com

Bravo Restaurant and Lounge
46224 Yale Rd, Chilliwack. 604.792.7721

To the locals, Bravo Restaurant & Lounge holds the reputation of simply the best martinis in the area, and it is well deserved. Don’t let its location or outward appearance fool you – this award winning restaurant is a little piece of the big city right here in the Fraser Valley. Many of their martinis are made using their signature infused vodkas, which they’ve been creating in-house for years. Unwind and reconnect in this warm and relaxing atmosphere while sipping on a Fellini Martini.

by Ode to the Ordinary

The Vault
5764 176 Street, Surrey 604.576.4243

With its eclectic and funky décor, The Vault provides the perfect meeting place for those looking for a little something out of the ordinary. Grab the girls and head out on a Wednesday for $3.75 martinis, or on a Thursday for $4.00 cocktails. Atmosphere is casually upbeat and commonly accompanied by live entertainment in the evenings. Thinking about desert? Their Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie always gets rave reviews.

by Ode to the Ordinary

Eighteen 27
9185 Glover Road, Fort Langley. 604.455.0211

Leave the office behind and escape to Eighteen 27 for an evening of live music, great food and a fabulous selection of martinis. Located on the main strip in historic Fort Langley, this tapas and martini lounge offers a unique dining experience, and an incredible atmosphere showcasing local art. Thursday nights are ladies nights, and with social martinis on special for $5, you’ll want to try a few (they have 28 different kinds!).  Don’t miss their signature martini, the 1827 if you are looking for something unique. Its light and fresh taste combined with the sweetness of Asian pear and lychee flavours will certainly not disappoint.  Eighteen 27 fully embraces “share plate” concept dining, by making their varied menu items perfect for nibbling while sipping martinis. With their large selection of food items, it can be overwhelming just to pick a few. Our recommendations? Be sure to try the Truffled Gnocchi paired with the Braised Beef Short Rib. They melt in your mouth.

Ulounge
#10 16051 24^th Ave, South Surrey. 604-542-8580

A restaurant that doubles as a dancing lounge on Friday & Saturday nights, Ulounge is the perfect destination for a lively girl’s night out that has the potential to go until the wee hours of the morning. Dramatic décor and multi-coloured lighting adds class to this South Surrey lounge. Daily specials such as Thursday $5.99 martinis and wing Wednesdays makes things easier on the wallet. Plus, with martinis like Tiramisu and Strawberry Ripple, you won’t even need dessert (although they do serve them)!

Blustone Bistro & Lounge
2607 Ware St, Abbotsford. 604.851.2583

This bistro & lounge features New York style influences, offering a mixture of both high and low seating, ready to suit your mood. Their liquids menu is vast, including martinis by the names of Black Widow, Baked Apple Pie and their signature Blutini. If a man happens to crash your girl’s night out, you can always dare him to try the Mantini (a mixture of vodka, jager, raspberry flavours and red bull)!

by Ode to the Ordinary

Lava Dining & Lounge
22590 Dewdney Trunk Road, Maple Ridge 604.476.0056

With its brightly coloured walls, dark tables and low lighting, Lava Dining & Lounge has created an intimate yet casual fine dining atmosphere well-suited for catching up with friends. Servers are attentive and readily available to review the menu with guests. Their whimsically-named martini list (including  the Keylime Quickie and the infamous Gummy Bear Martini) make this a go-to destination for an original martini experience. Lava Lounge even caters to the coffee lover, with their delish Chocolate Latte. In fact, we recommend skipping desert and just having two of the Chocolate Latte Martinis because they are that good. Visit on a Wednesday for $3.95 house martinis, or on Thursday for All-You-Can-Eat Penn Cove Mussels.

For any fun night out in the Fraser Valley, remember to plan ahead, give your friends lots of notice and always make sure you have a safe drive home!

If, however, you find yourself in the same boat as the rest of us mere mortals when it comes to bathing suits, then I have a proposal for you.  You know all the years you’ve spent cringing when you think about having to expose your bod in the heat of summer?  Well, this is the year to take back the lakes!  Take back the beaches, the backyards, the swimming pools! Take back the carefree years of not thinking about what your body looks like, but what it can do!  And I’m going to tell you 3 things that will help you find the joy in bathing suits again!

by Whiskeygonebad

1. (a) Ladies, come on…your significant other is not a fool!  You need to think about that when you’re psyching yourself up to go bathing suit shopping.  There exists someone in the world who chose you above all others, and who thinks you look good in whatever you’re wearing.  Who are you to disagree?  If you need to bring your hubby for moral support and maybe to hold your purse while you try on lovely body-enhancing fashions, then go for it!

(b) Single?  Hallelujah!  Get yourself a cutout suit that proclaims “ I am free!” and strut your stuff.  You may not hook up at the beach, but you can bet you’ll be ogled.  Après swim, you can relax solo or with friends and luxuriate in being calmly, blessedly, single.

2. You’re not 18 anymore…sweet!  It wasn’t ALL bad being a teenager, just mostly.  Yeah, your breasts were higher, so what?  Your mind is sharper, you have higher earning potential and you require (and get) more on a first date than sneaking cigarettes behind the gym.  Celebrate!  Because we are not only                our bodies, we are also our minds, and your mind is foxy!

3. Perfection doesn’t exist.  I know we say this a lot, but we need to feel it better.  If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, than you are ideal to someone.  Know what that means?  It means that no swimsuit, good or bad, is going to affect that.  So you’re free to go find the best one you can!  One piece, two piece,                Cutout or tankini, this season has great options for every body type and taste.  So stop obsessing over “imperfections” and celebrate your shape; it’s the sexiest thing you can do!

My top picks for where to pick yourself up a great bathing suit in the Fraser Valley:

Wishes and Co. – it’s a tiny little store, but don’t be fooled: they carry everything you could possibly want and more!

Mico’s Swimwear - again, not a big store but it is jam-packed with everything you need to outfit yourself for a day at the beach/pool/resort.

Zammy’s Lingerie - this great shop carries swimwear to fit all shapes and sizes. We like!

The Artist

Instead of: Giving Mom flowers

Try: Signing her up for a flower arranging course

If your Mom loves getting flowers (what woman doesn’t?), that means that she loves flowers themselves.  Learning to arrange them professionally would be a treat she probably would never have imagined.  Yes, the course at UFV is a bit pricier than a single bouquet, but the enjoyment she’ll get out of it will be worth every cent.

The Diva

Instead of: Sending Mom to the Spa

Try: At home spa treatments, with wine!

Going to the spa is a favoured tradition of every Mom I know, but how about planning a spa party at home with you, her favourite ladies and a few bottles of wine?!  We are lucky to have great mobile spa services in the FV, such as Soulful Indulgence.  Stop by your favourite local liquor store or take a drive out to Kermode Wild Berry Winery and enjoy their Mother’s Day discount for FVP readers!

The Gourmet

Instead of: Taking Mom to brunch

Try: Hire a chef to make brunch at home

It’s nice to go out for a fancy meal once in a while, but sometimes it’s nice to stay home with Mom.  Why not hire one of the Fraser Valley’s amazing professional chefs to make your Mom and family a meal in the comfort and privacy of your own home? You control the lighting, the music and the menu.  What could be better for a foodie?  It doesn’t have to be ON Mother’s Day – gifting her with a sweet letter and a date for brunch at home with her family is a wonderful idea!

The Athlete

Instead of: Buying Mom bike/running/hiking gear

Try: Going with her to a pole fitness class

This last option is for the truly adventurous!  Pole fitness is new to many women, but if your Mom is athletic, game to try new things and has a good sense of humour, this activity will be one she (and you) won’t forget!  Sign up for a class at The Goddess Movement…you won’t be disappointed!  This Friday FVP is giving away a private party for 10 lucky ladies!

She Who Loves Bling

Instead of: Jewellery

Try: Signing her up for a class at Kellie’s Bead Boutique

Your Mom loves bling but she also loves learning new things.  Why not gift her with a class at Kellie’s Bead Boutique?  Kellie Sutton offers an assortment of classes that teaches you how to make your own beautiful jewels!  The boutique is pink, girly and Mom will love it.

Whatever you decide to do with your Mom this Mother’s Day, be sure to give her lots of hugs and tell her how much she means to you!

Just call up a friend or five, your Ma, your niece, your neighbour, your Granny (you get the idea), pick your favourite scenario and run with it… let the love fest begin!

by Sister72

1. With my 3 year old niece: Odessa is one of my favourite people in the world, even though she sometimes throws tantrums in public when she misses her nap.  I do things with her that are short and engaging.  This Valentine’s Day I may take her to Colour Groove Ceramics in White Rock to paint a little heart vase for her Mom.  After that we could go to Tracycakes Bakery Café for high tea (she loves the babycakes), then a walk on White Rock beach if she’s still in a good mood.
2. With my best girlfriend: I don’t exactly have one best friend, but if I did she would love antiques shopping.  We would bundle up and go to Fort Langley to browse the Little White House, Village Antiques, Country Lane Antiques, and more.  When we got tired enough we’d head over to Eighteen 27 for a delicious late lunch and of course martinis!  Yes, this sounds like the perfect best friends day out!
3. With a group of girlfriends: With a group of girls, you can really have fun going out.  Gather up 5 or 6 fun-loving ladies, dress up in something sparkly and hit the Waterstone Grill in Langley, Tap Restaurant in Surrey, Bravo Restaurant in Chilliwack, restaurant 62 in Abbotsford, Lava Dining & Lounge in Maple Ridge, or your favourite local eatery.  After drinks and dinner, head over for some dancing at the Vanilla Room in Langley, the Social in Surrey.  Because dancing with your girlfriends makes you feel happy no matter what’s going on in life!  Who cares if we’re not officially ‘club age’ anymore?  Those young’uns could use a few pointers!
4. With my Mom: Since my Mom has an unexplained love for pedicures, I would have to treat her on Valentines Day.  We also share a love of great movies.  So I think I’d opt to have my friend Michelle of Soulful Indulgence come over and give us some treatments at my Mom’s place while we eat pizza and watch Carey Grant movies.
5. With Myself: If I’m going to spend the evening alone on Valentines Day, I’m going to be prepared!  First, a shopping trip just for me at Nectar Lingerie in Fort Langley; because I deserve great underwear even if I’m the only one to appreciate it!  Then I would head over to XHale Beauty Salon in Surrey to get my hair and make-up done for a sultry photo shoot!!!!  The photographer is Maria from Frozen Reflections and I know the pictures would turn out great! Once that’s done, it’s time for dessert and live music at the Watershed Arts Café in Langley or Evangeline’s in Chilliwack.  Perfect solo Valentines!

You don’t have to hide this Valentines Day if you’re single.  Pick a date and go out and have some fun… I’m going to!

In your opinion, is it more romantic to cook for someone or to cook with someone?
To cook WITH someone, for sure! Well… as long as the other person thinks it’s romantic as well. Don’t get me wrong, it is also great to surprise your special someone with a romantic meal and seduce them, but there’s something very sensual about prepping food together… feeding each other little samples, enjoying some wine and soft music, and dressing up like you were going out… make an event out of it.

Knowing some people are intimidated by cooking a romantic dinner for their sweethearts, what are some no-fail dinner ideas?
The menu you decide on does not have to be complicated, however it should be meaningful. The first thought that comes to mind is to prepare their favourite food. If this is a dish that you cannot prepare at home then have it ordered in or pre-purchase parts of it ahead of time to !ease your preparation. Don’t worry about making everything from scratch if it is beyond your means and capability. Your thoughtfulness is the most meaningful ingredient.

Add extra simple courses, rather than just having a main course and dessert. A fresh pile of mixed colourful greens with a good dressing or a few pieces of unique cheeses with some grapes and a small glass of wine make delicious courses. All of the elements to make these extra courses can be purchased direct from the store and assembled together to ease your preparation. Now you can express to your Sweetheart that you made them a “four course romantic dinner”. An example of a quick enchanting dessert would be chocolate covered strawberries.

by price_photography

Where do you shop for fresh local ingredients?
There are a number of great local markets and I tend to shop at all of them. My biggest recommendation to people is build relationships with the owners and staff so that they know you and will be pleased to serve you. You will be surprised how much they will go out of their way to make sure a well-known customer is taken care of. Call them ahead of time and pre-order any specialty items you may need.

What’s the best way to make sure all the appetizers and dinner dishes are finished at the correct time and in the right order?
When organizing huge dinner parties I make multiple lists and schedules. You obviously don’t have to be so organized for a small romantic meal, but if one feels intimidated by being in the kitchen, breaking the steps down will definitely help. One should at least do as much of the chopping/measuring of ingredients earlier in the day and have them labeled and ready to go for later.

Can you recommend some great local wines to pair with dinner?
For local wines, I would have to say that my favourite white wine is the Bacchus from Domaine de Chaberton Winery in Langley – at less than $15 per bottle, it is an incredible deal.  My favourites in reds changes all the time, but the most local one I am drinking right now is Sumac Ridge’s Black Sage Merlot from their vineyard in Oliver, BC.

What would you recommend as a ‘romantic’ dessert to serve after dinner?
Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate! There are so many great chocolate dessert recipes to choose from as well. Utilize the Internet, your local library, or call your local gourmet food store and ask for some suggestions. Find out what your sweetheart’s favourite fruit is and do a recipe that combines this fruit with chocolate for a sure fire winner!

Do you have any tips for setting the right mood for dinner?
The table setting is very important and should harmonize with the mood you are trying to establish. Candles are a must, but there are other things you can do to make it memorable. Silk rose petals or heart-shaped confetti scattered on the table is a nice touch. Compliment that with red cloth napkins and a love letter tied up with a ribbon, and you will have them swooning.

Make sure you have enough pieces of cutlery set to accommodate each course and use your best wine glasses. A glass of wine always looks very elegant.  If wine is not desirable, then fill the glass with red or white grape juice.

A finishing touch on the table would be a fresh bouquet of flowers. Long stemmed red roses are perfect for Valentine’s Day, however they will be impressed already by your efforts and carnations or a mixed arrangement will also do.

The room environment is equally influential. If you have children, make arrangements for them to spend the evening, or at least part of it, away from home or kept busy in another room. Be certain that you serve dinner in a light controlled room and have access to music. Lastly, make sure that the room is tidy. It is much harder to set a mood if the area is cluttered with everyday items.

by Emanuele Tagliaferri™

Do you have a favorite Valentine’s Day memory?
When my wife Katherine and I were first dating, we had dinner at a nice hotel with a piano bar and dancing. I surprised her by special ordering a wood carving from her home town in North Western Ontario to add to her collection. The evening was magical. Every Valentine’s day since, however, has been just as special in their own ways. What we now really enjoy best is just spending the evening in the kitchen and cooking with each other.

If your sweetheart was going to prepare your dream meal for Valentine’s Day, what would that be?
This is a tough one as there are so many things I love to eat.  My wife makes a killer gnocchi (potato pasta) with a pork tomato sauce. It would have to be accompanied with a great glass of red wine, a crusty loaf of homemade Italian bread and I would be completely satisfied.

She is also an incredible baker and all of her desserts are amazing, but I would have choose my hands-down favourite to end the meal – Creme Caramel. It is like Creme Brulee, but the sugar is caramelized first and poured into the ramekins, and then the raw custard is added. After baking and cooling it is inverted and emptied onto a plate. The beautifully delicate custard holds its shape and the residual caramelized sugar surrounds it like a sauce. I go to heaven with every bite!

This being one of the first years ever that I find myself truly single and unencumbered, I decided not to chicken out, but to brave this event solo.It started by zipping up my dress on my own (no easy feat, I assure you), mapquesting the location and driving myself there.  I got to listen to my own music on the drive there, and park underground for $7, even though I knew that if I drove around for half an hour I could probably find free parking.  When I went to the machine to pay, a very handsome man told me I looked great…also something that wouldn’t have happened had I brought a date!

The ceremony was lovely, and I sat with some single girl aquaintances who were also without dates.  I didn’t count on the company, so it was great!  Really though, the ceremony wasn’t what I was worried about.  You can sit in any church anywhere alone and feel perfectly comfortable.  When I travel to Europe or even the US, my favourite places are often big old churches…no matter what’s going on in them I always feel welcome.  So the ceremony was beautiful and anxiety free, just as I’d anticipated.  The real test was going to be the reception.

We started with drinks and appetizers at the Vancouver Club, which was lovely and dignified and fun.  I chatted with the girls I’d sat with at the ceremony, some other friends of friends, and everyone was perfectly lovely and had great conversational skills.  The thing that always helps when you’re a stranger is the social skills of the people around you.  Since most of the other guests knew each other well, it mattered a lot.  Fortunately, everyone there was incredibly gracious and made me feel quite welcome.

After cocktail hour we all went upstairs for dinner.  I was seated at a table where I didn’t know anyone.  They all knew each other well and included me in their conversations, which I really appreciated.  Dinner was amazing, dessert was even better…and the toasts were indeed cuddly.  Instead of cringing like I thought I would when the guests I was seated with (who were all coupled up) started to cozy up to one another, I just smiled to myself.  I had known what to expect, and this really wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.  I wasn’t seen as a pariah or an exile, I was just Brianna.  It was kind of special being on my own, and I enjoyed getting to leave when I wanted to (right after the bouquet throw), boogie with the ladies on the dance floor, and never have to worry that my date was enjoying himself.

This has made me wonder; has being single been such a feared destination in my mind that I haven’t seen it for what it really is?  It’s not a destination at all, just a stop along the way.  On the way to what you ask?  Heck if I know!  But here’s what I do know: My good friend just married the man of her dreams, and it’s so important for them to enjoy each other, especially right now.  And me?  I just realized how glorious my own company can be, and I need to enjoy THAT right now.

Bring on the special events!

Last week we came across Bra Bling, a fun bra strap decor/reminder tab.  They are handmade in Maple Ridge by Amber van den Hoven .  Frustrated by forgetting which side she’d last nursed on, she decided to create something pretty rather than the standard safety pin reminder.  ”I’m a blingy kind of girl,” says Amber, “I wanted something girly, fun, and something I could use after nursing.”

What makes these little delights even more fantastic is that $2 of every sale of the pink Breast Cancer Bra Bling is donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.  Love it.

Bra Bling are available online, or at a number of Fraser Valley retailers.  We found them at Feminine Form in Langley.

Bra Bling
104 – 12099 237th Street, Maple Ridge