adeline adeline bicycle shop

Came across the wonderful bicycle shop, Adeline Adeline on Pinterest.  I love all the accessories out there for bicycles.  I hope to stir up more courage and go bicycling more out on the road.  Between the husband and I we only have one helmet.  One day I'm going to get a good looking helmet such as one of these ones.  Just take a look at all these goods!

fab.com round-up

Have you been to Fab.com recently?  I've mentioned Fab on this site before, and I decided to do a small round-up of some of my favorite things they are selling on sale this week.  I haven't bought anything from the site yet, but I've been eyeing these wood rolling pins since last time they were up on Fab.  If you're interested in looking at their weekly sales, check it out!  Anyways, here are 4 of my favorite sellers this week.

Vermont Farm Table rolling pins

The Quality Mending Co. bags

Voila! Studio framed botanical charts

New Documents mod framed LPs

favorites on pinterest: summer drinks

Lately I've been noticing a trend on Pinterest: lots of summer drinks.  These are a few of my favorites:

Source: peegaw.tumblr.com via Hollin on Pinterest

Source: squidoo.com via Hollin on Pinterest

Source: kellyoshiroevents.com via Hollin on Pinterest

Source: johncullen.posterous.com via Hollin on Pinterest

Source: cookieandkate.com via Hollin on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Hollin on Pinterest

it's raining outside

The weather has been lingering in that 40-50 degree rainy and windy season and I'm just about sick of it.  However, if I had an umbrella like this, perhaps I wouldn't complain as much.  Super awesome, Brelli umbrellas look like the pretty Asian paper parasols but have useful features such as UV protection, biodegradability, wind protection, and transparency.  My favorite is the standard clear variety, but I'm starting to like the grey as well.  Putting it on the wish list.

[all images from Brelli Umbrella.]

fab.com sari quilts

I'm pretty sure I am a late-comer to Fab.com, but I am so excited that I heard about it at all!  My sister, owner of Small Adventure, was invited to participate in a sale on Fab.com.  Have you heard of it?  Basically it's a website that hosts short 2-day sales of products ranging from handmade goods, kitchenware, art, books, etc.  It's a great way to find items you've been dying to get your hands on for a fraction of their cost!  You have to sign up to view the sales, but it's free to create an account and if your friends sign up, they give you money towards your next purchase.  A while back there was a Fab sale on the most BEAUTIFUL sari quilts.  They were about 40% off!  I wish I had bought one, but there were pages of unique quilts and I couldn't decide which one I liked best. I missed out on the sale, but lucky for me, and others, there is another sari vendor selling a wonderful collection of quilts. Right now this is my favorite sale this weekend.

If you want to sign up to view their sales, click here.

two companys/products I am pleasantly surprised by.

I am someone who is relatively comfortable with the stores and companies I like. I tend not to stray from my regular favorites, like shopping at Anthropologie or buying makeup products at Sephora or Target.  However, living in Montreal, I do not have access to any three of those companies (Well, Sephora is in Laval but... I'm not going that far).  Anyways, the other day I walked past Gap and noticed amazing colored khakis in the window.  Then I noticed even more pieces in the store that I would buy, if I had more money.  I remember taking advantage of some Gap sales in previous years, but never have I found a list of 5+ items I'd want at a given time. It's more like a list of 5-10 now. Take a look at these awesome picks. I'm really hoping that denim jumper goes on sale, like, under $50.

Gap 2012 by hollin featuring tapered pants

Gap, $90
Gap, $90
GAP tapered pants, $70
Gap, $50
Gap, $45


The second company I had NEVER tried before was The Body Shop. Before I had always thought of it as a glorified scent company, like Bath and Body Works, and didn't think much of it, in fact I had never even walked in the store before.  Well, there's a Body Shop in the vast metro shop area and I noticed they were having a "buy 3 get 2 free" sale, which seems like an incredibly good deal.  So I went online and did a little online browsing before choosing the items I'd want to purchase.  For starters, Canadian winters are rough on the skin. My face was different in color and texture all around.  So, I got the Aloe soothing day cream and protective mask (recommended by Vogue), and no joke, 1 day later, my skin was soft and no longer dry.  Hasn't changed since!  Next, I'd highly recommend their makeup brushes. For starters, they're vegetarian and EXTREMELY soft. I had been using the brushes that came with my old Bare Minerals kit, and they are so brittle and scratchy in comparison to these brushes.  Finally, I would recommend the Vitamin E face mist.  Have you heard of using face mists to set makeup and also to spritz when your face is feeling dry throughout the day?  Well, it's a great idea, and I carry mine in the purse whenever my face feels dry while walking around the city.  This spray has vitamin E in it, and apparently smells like rose water.  I'd imagine it would soften and moisturize while instantly hydrating your face.  Now, even though this company has some great stuff, it should be noted, this is not a "natural" company - but it is a vegetarian company, that does not test products on animals.  So that's definitely something.  Do any of you have recommendations from these companies or any others?

the body shop favorites by hollin on polyvore.com

Kabuki Bronzing Brush | The Body Shop ®, $23
Vitamin E Face Mist | The Body Shop ®, $16
Aloe Protective Restoring Mask: - The Body Shop, $19
Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask | The Body Shop ®, $22
Aloe Soothing Day Cream | The Body Shop ®, $16
Vitamin C Microdermabrasion | The Body Shop ®, $20
Foundation Brush: - The Body Shop, $23

cat lady problems

I should be clear.  I am not a cat lady.  I was never one who loved cats at an early age.  In fact, I have been a dog person my entire life, up until 2008 when I received Weasley.  Still, I am not 100% fond of cats, or even find all cats all that adorable.  Nevertheless, I have managed to foster 3 kittens, and am currently being handed cats who need care.  So, when I stumbled upon a cute little cat figurine while perusing Olvera Street with my sister, the life-altering decision loomed over me.  Do I buy a cat figurine, knowing that I'll want a vintage cat figurine collection similar to those people with all the deer?  Do I fight the cat lady tendencies or do I embrace them by purchasing a cat that isn't so reminiscent to Weasley, but is reminiscent enough to defend the purchase to my husband, "doesn't it look like her?"  Do I buy the cat figurine?

maybe I'll buy a little shelf to put it on.

So here it is, my introduction to catladydom.  I'm kidding... I'm not a cat lady. I just like stuff.  It's not like I'm going to go around searching high and low for these little vintage cat treasures.  If I happen to be in a thrift store, I'll peruse.  Or better yet, I'll buy a figurine reminiscent to every cat I've fostered/owned, etc.  But I definitely WILL NOT search for cat figurines.

Results from my search:

Source: etsy.com via Hollin on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Hollin on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Hollin on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Hollin on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Hollin on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Hollin on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Hollin on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Hollin on Pinterest

So if by chance you see any of these cat figurines displayed on a small shelf in my house, that means that I said yes to catladydom, my husband has probably left me, and you should bring me lots of ice cream.

a modern place for your cat

These cat beds from Likekittysville, are amazing, and I would say totally worth it for someone who has $80 lying around.  I think this would make a great piece to your home, and it's a great bed for your cat!  I hope one of these days I can get this bed for my cat, especially since she tends to find some weird places to sleep.  Like a fruit basket.  And no.. she doesn't fit in it to well.  Poor Weasley, if only I could afford this bed for you!

Weasley doesn't quite fit the basket.