Books of the Year-Fira's List

If you know me, you know that I am an avid reader. I've had some time on my hands this year, so I did some extra reading coming back to my all-times favourites and reading some new things. So, here is a short list of what's left the lasting impression:

1. Jerome K. Jerome and his "Thee Men in a Boat" -I've probably read it twenty times both in English and in Russian. Brits rock!

2. James Herriot and all of his books about animals-another Brit. He will make you lough, cry, and wish you were a vet!

3. Dan Brown-enough said.

4. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his Sherlock-I read some of the short stories every year. Beautiful, intriguing, classic.

5. Mikhail Bulgakov's "The Master and Margarita" -one of the greatest writers of all times, this Russian never ceases to fascinate me.

6. Elizabeth Gilbert's "Eat, Prey, Love" - will definitely become one of my all-times favorites. very spiritual, but easy to read and enjoyable.

Did you read a good book this year? Please, share your favorite books in "comments".

Read more!

F.

I Got...

FLY London and More at Balisi on Queen

Merry Christmas everyone! Just a quick note to you... Balisi is having a half-price sale on everything in the store. I am not sure how long will the sale last, but Capa scored a pair of awesome FLY London shoes there for only $100!

Go shopping,

F.

Coach Boxing day Sale

Insider info:
Coach usually has 10-20% discount on selected items, plus bins of outdated make up cases, some damaged items, some useless wallets, etc...
However, Coach outlet has 25% off all sale items.

If You Are Brave Enough...

image: Divyanovel

If you are brave enough to go shopping on Boxing Day and get pushed and stepped on, then here is a list of the deepest discounts:

• Town Shoes-up to 50% off Fall/Winter collection


• H&M-up to 70% off plus Buy One Get One Free deal on already-reduced knits


• Denier Leather-up to 70% off everything


• Winners-additional 25% off already-reduced items


• Over The Rainbow-50% off sale jeans, plus 20% off Spring'10 collection


• Mexx-50% off everythin

• Diesel-50% off Fall/Winter merchandise

And here is a question for all our readers-do you know where to get a Canada Goose jacket on sale? It looks like all stores in TO are almost sold out of CG even at regular price. Hmm... I didn't know that the majority of Torontonians could easily afford a $600 parka.

Don't spend too much

F.

Holiday Thoughts

This Holiday season is special for me in many ways. I am staying in TO for both X-Mass and New Year, spending the special days with the special people-family, dear friends, my one and only Zaika. I will sleep and cook, watch movies and go skating, get rid of old things and get some new ones… I will host little get-togethers, work out (at least that’s the plan), and do yoga. I will try to be a better, kinder person.

This past year was also special. Good and bad things have happened, but thankfully good ones outnumbered the bad ones. We have started a blog, and, although we have our own little issues, I consider it a great success (thanks Capa!). I quit smoking- I’ve never believed I could do that-and now I have a one-sided love/hate relationship with all my smoking friends. I love the smell of tobacco when they light up, and I hate them for smoking without having guilt trips. I became one of those terrible Blackberry addicts who text and e-mail non-stop. I wake up in the middle of the night to check my e-mails and Facebook app. I think I may need a doctor…

Thanks to all of you for reading Fira&Capa. We appreciate your interest, loyalty, and forgiveness. We also appreciate any comments and suggestions, constructive criticism, and “for your blog” e-mail (thanks Ilonka!).

Happy Holidays to all of you! Love and best wishes,

Fira

Boxing Week at SSense.com

Lots of Diesel on sale.

i like...

Diesel boots

k.

Sales and Deals This Weekend

For people like me, who are not done with their Holiday shopping yet, here is sales and deals roundup for the upcoming weekend.

- Club Monaco just added more items to their sale, plus get an extra 30% off all already reduced merchandise between Dec 18 - 21.

- Ssence. com offers 30% off all items. Use coupon code SECTER30 at checkout. I got a pair of Diesel sandals for under $30, and there is a pair of gorgeous ankle booties that I might be giving myself for X-Mass...

- Shoppers Drug Mart. Get a $20 gift card when you spend $100 or more. SDM is the best for stocking staffers-think lip balms, hand creams, nail polishes, etc.

- Lululemon has some great sale items and offers free shipping on all on-line purchases. My mom will be getting a new yoga mat this season.
Hint: Lulu also offers free hemming on all regular-priced pants. Opt for "long" version and get them hemmed for the perfect fit.

- Ikea has an up to 50% off sale that ends Jan 3. Seasonal items on sale, plus lost of house wear, glass wear, throws, bedsheets, and more.

- Mat and Nat has it's Fall/Winter collection on sale (up to 30%), and shipping is free within Canada. Shop here for their eco-friendly and vegan merchandise.

- Gap. Buy a pair of jeans and get a $20 gift card. I love their "really straight" jeans in dark wash. Hint: jeans come in short, regular and long.

Enjoy,

F.

Beck and Charlotte Gainsbourg new video

By Keith Schofield. his website

She looks pretier than in Antichrist but as screwed up ... :)

skating and techno music...Saturday, Dec 19

Amazing Terence Kissner this Saturday at Harbourfront Center! (i really liked the music at the parties, so I cared to ask what the DJs name was...and that was him)

Free hot chocolate, fire pits and prizes as AFE Society & Harbourfront Centre present the 3rd installment of DJ Skate Nights, Shuffle, Bump & Glide with DJ's...

DJ Adam Marshall (8-9:30pm)
DJ Terence Kissner (9:30-11pm)

Harbourfront Skating Rink, 235 Queens Quay West, harbourfrontcenter.com

You Will Benefit from The Benefit Brow Bar

For the past 4 years I've been struggling to find a perfect place to get my eyebrows done. I've been to countless Asian nail parlors, I've intrusted my eyebrows to my otherwise-perfect Polish esthetician, I've tried a do-it-yourself approach... Nothing worked...until today.

Benefit Brow Bar at Holt Renfrew (50 Bloor street West) is located on the main floor. The make-up counter and brow shop is served by 4 smiling professional that have solutions ready for the most severe brow problems. The services offered range brow arching ($23) to all kinds of facial waxes($12-$30) and include complimentary make-up touch-ups, and a mini lecture on eyebrow grooming techniques. Full range of benefit's products is also available (I love Eyecon eye cream).

No appointment necessary!

F.

Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent

Here is what's on my "most wanted" list-bags by Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent. The collection also includes footwear and clothing, but the bags seem to be its focal point. The brown bag above is on sale for US $298 on ssense.com.

Visit Cynthia Vincent's site for more info about the designer and her collections.

F.

Another Gap Discount

Gap is offering 30% off their entire stock today and tomorrow. Leave a comment with your name and e-mail, and we will forward you the coupon.

F.

Holiday Market at 401 Richmond...Dec 10-13

Bird painting from Camille Anderson Art

In addition to the earlier post, there is another great place with one-of-a-kind artsy gifts for others or yourself. One of my coworkers bought the cutest jewelry there for her friends...

401 Richmond (huge industrial building with art galleries, book stores and offices inside) is having a Holiday Market , Dec 10-13, 11-8, 11-5, more info here
401 Richmond Street West

k.

Art & Craft Shows for the holiday gifts..Dec 12-13 plus

Ring from Slashpile Designs website available at Portobello East market

1. Portobello East fashion + Art market, Dec 12-13 only
Meet local artists and designers and shop for one-of-a-kind fashion and art.

The Burroughes Building at 639-647 Queen Street West, portobelloeast.com

2. 2nd Annual Holiday PopUp Art Shop

A conceptual art & craft showroom installation, where last-minute holiday shoppers will discover unique hand-made gifts, by over 50 creators, in an unusual retail setting.

Launch Party & Silent Auction: Thur, Dec 10 6 - 11pm
Shop Hours:Dec 10 - 31, Noon - 8pm daily
Project 165, 165 Augusta Ave, Kensington Market, methinkspresents.org

3.City of Craft. Dec 12-13 only
Another craft show for holiday shopping.
The Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen Street West, Downstairs, cityofcraft.com

For You, Shoppers...Shoes

Are you looking for a new pair of boots this season?

Bring a clean pre-owned pair of shoes/boots or a hand bad to any Nine West store and receive $20 off any $100+ purchase.

Town Shoes and Browns are having a sale (8% -15%) off on Sorels. I am in love with these.

Little Burgundy has these ultimate Pajar winter boots for only $119.99. Only brown and white are on sale, black are still regular price.

Davids Shoes have these and these boots on sale for under $300 each! They also have a whole bunch on designer footwear with 4-digit price tags.

Enjoy!

F.

Toronto Motorcycle Show

Image from totalmotorcycle.com

Toronto is having another motorcycle show this weekend, with a special focus on women riding the hard-core bikes. Friday night is the "She Rides Night" with free admission for women after 5p.m.

Extreme Globe Thrill Show features two professional bikers ("highly trained teenage daredevils on motorcycles", as the site calls them) riding inside a 16 foot, 4 ton reinforced steel ball. See the site for the show times.

The show runs December 11-13 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

F.

Did you know...

Did you know Winners has such brands as French Connection, DKNY Jeans, CK, Bench, Full Circle and maybe still some Diesel.
Go there with no expectations and search...or pass it by on regular basis to find those special items...
k.

Umbra Factory Sale-Gifts and More

Images from umbra.com

Umbra is having its annual factory sale-this time it is at the CNE Direct Energy Centre, Hall A (Exhibition Place). Visit the sale and score the best of Umbra for less!

My personal favourites-clear plastic wine rack, kitchen organizer, and bamboo spoon rest.

Saturday, Dec. 12 and Sunday, Dec 13 9a.m.-6p.m.

F.

Nouvelle Vogue in January

It's a while before January, but it's nice to know in advance. Something to look forward to this cold winter. (oh god! it's winter already - i just realized)
Tickets $24.50
k.

Parties worth parting this week (dec 1 week)

Thursday
1. Archi-Textures. Eclectic evening of great music. Techno-house.
Harmony Lounge, 589 College St, flyer here, facebook.com
2. TIKI Thursdays. House electro and dubstep
Sutra Tiki Bar, 612 College St., no cover, flyer here, facebook.com

Saturday
1. Break&Enter 2 year birthday. From the creators of Boreal and Harvest. Great party, great music (k)!
860b College St., till 4 am, $15, flyer here, get yourself on the reduced $12 list here

(it's purely a coincidence that most of the parties are on College street. Has nothing to do with my personal location)

k.

Upcoming Sales and Promos-This Weekend and Beyond

My X-mass shopping list is nowhere near done, and the money is tight. I am relying on sales and promos for some savings. The best part-now I have an excuse to shop for myself too!

Here is what's coming up:

1. Town Shoes Promo
10% off all the sale shoes and boots. Only with this coupon HERE. And only until Dec 6.

2. Gap Promo

Buy-one-get-one-free adult tops-December 4th only.

3. Stylexchange.com

30% off everything on-line-December 4th only.

4. The Bay

15-20% off everything in the store-Print coupon HERE. December 4-6.

5. Club Monaco

25% off already reduced items. December 4-7.

Enjoy your shopping!

Fira&Capa

Gotstyle The Menswear Store-Ladies Only Shopping Event

Gotstyle is hosting a ladies-only shopping event. Visit the store Dec. 9-10, and get complimentary champagne, gift wrapping, special "ladies only" discounts, and more! Surprisingly, the store is not utterly overprices... Their gift ideas start at &15 and include some really cute things for the man (men) in your life. My personal favourite-the above-pictured shoes for $165.

Oh, I almost forgot this... There will be a fashion show, so expect some eye-candy men.

Enjoy!

F.

Ryerson Gallery Show & Sale, Nov 21-Dec 10

Ryerson Gallery's Annual Holiday Show & Sale! Culled from Ryerson University's Image Arts community, the exhibition and auction features works by students, faculty, and emerging and established artists.

My good friend and a talented photographer Elena Malkova has her work displayed in the gallery.

Silent Auction, preview and bidding: Nov 21 - Dec 10, 5pm
Gala Reception, draw and awards: Thur Dec 3, 6-10 pm

80 Spadina Ave., Suite 305, more info at ryersongallery.ca

k.