Pretty Great
One of my general goals for my blog this year was to highlight Canadian retailers. And while I have definitely made an effort to include a Canadian retailer in virtually every post I’ve written this year, I’d like to shine the spotlight on them a little more. With that in mind, I’m hoping to start showcasing one retailer a week in a special feature post. I’ll give you guys a quick onceover of what the store is all about, and pick a few of my fave finds from the shops as well.
Today I’d like to introduce you to Pretty Beauty & Books, a Toronto-based boutique with a relatively self-explanatory name. That is, until you take a gander at their products and get that husband-wife duo Andrea Victory and Stephan LaCasse’s dedication to prettiness isn’t just skin-deep. They stock a carefully curated collection of clean cosmetics and clever books – things that are good for the body, good for the mind, and good for the planet – and for good measure, good for your eyes (the pretty packaging is to die for).
While their bricks & mortar store has a wider range of products, you can still snap up tons of great finds for your favourite gals at their online shop, which offers free shipping over $200 (and completely reasonable shipping otherwise) plus free samples with your purchase to boot. All of my picks today are excellent options for birthdays, bridesmaids, Mother’s Day, and even some way-in-advance stocking stuffer trinkets.
Tatcha Aburatorigami Original Japanese Beauty Papers – $12.50 for 30 Sheets
Stop mid-day shine in its tracks with these Geisha-inspired blotting papers flecked with pieces of gold leaf. Free from powders and fragrances, these delicate, handmade papers won’t disturb your make-up but will let your pretty face go the extra mile. Awesome idea for your bridesmaids’ goodie bags.
Do It Gorgeously by Sophie Uliano – $23.99
DIY does not necessarily equal piles of crafty supplies, or misshappen wooly sweaters. Nay, this vintage-tinged book gives you tons of easy ideas for making all your favourite beauty, body, and health products at home. That means less money spent on additive-laden store-bought goods, and more ways to customize your look. Gift it to your beauty-obsessed or craft-obsessed gal pal as a housewarming gift, and pick up the supplies to get her started on her first project.
Scotch Naturals Nail Polishes – $15 Each
Non-toxic + eco-friendly + gentle on the nails = just three of the reasons why Scotch Naturals have been making beauty aficionados swoon over the last little bit. Don’t be fooled by the water-based formula, this pretty palette of polishes give you salon-quality results for a long-lasting, at-home manicure. Your sister will love you forever if you score her a set for her birthday next month…
One Love Organics To Go Travel Kit – $67
I’m truly loving this pretty polka dot tote packed with luxury travel-sized versions of One Love Organics awesome products. Know that every potent drop of these potions is designed to benefit your skin: there are no fillers and nastiness, but there are plenty of ethically-sourced, all-natural goodies to smooth, moisturize, and pretty you up on the road.
iHeart This Heart Parts – $9.95 for 10
Don’t be fooled by these pretty plastic pieces – they actually split in two and transform into on-the-go cutlery. Use the serrated edge to slice, the tines to grab, and the rounded shape to scoop. Not only are they reusable, they’re biodegradable, and made with way less plastic than your average disposable cutlery to begin with. Genius to pack for a romantic picnic for two, or give a pack to your co-worker to stash in her desk.
Loving the heart parts? Packing up your purse and heading down to 587 Markham Street in Mirvish Village? Let me lighten your load a little: I’m giving away a super special gift set of goodies from Pretty Beauty & Books for one lucky winner. You’ll walk away with a fun green living handbook, a set of heart parts, and a beautiful spring-inspired shade of Scotch Naturals polish called Caleigh. To enter…
1) Visit the Pretty Beauty & Books website and leave a comment below on which product you’d most like to gift (or get), until midnight on March 9th, 2012.
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around March 1st to select the winner, who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible to participate in this promotion.
4) Bonus Entry Time: I’m making this another Pinterest contest (if you don’t have an account, it’s free – it just takes a day or two for your application to be approved). See something you like on the site? Pin it, and post the link back here. It can be from this post, any posts that run during the contest period, or any post on the entire site. There is no limit to how many pins you create over the contest period, just be sure to include the links in a comment!
Canadian Gift Guide 
I love the handmade washcloths from Newfoundland. I know alot of people who would love this product. I used to make my own when I had n=more time, and they are worth every cent yu pay for them I hav applied for a pinterest account. I find your blog always informative and a great way to find out about and buy Canadian. I will be pinning often.
Good pick Janice! I was *this* close to featuring the washcloths in my post but I’m glad you spotted them for yourself.
I also love the washcloths! As a knitter, I appreciate a quality product and these look lovely.
One Love Organics To Go Travel Kit. I love Travel Kits!!
I’d be interested in the Goé Oil ….sounds like a fantastic product to try!
Thanks.
One Love Organics To Go Travel Kit. Sounds like heaven on a trip!!
I love the Scotch nail polishes – they’re a great little gift for anyone, anytime. Non-toxic so none of that crazy smell. I use them faithfully. Great colours with fun names.
Cute shop!
I love the Organics to go Travel Kit
the organics to go travel kit!
Honoré des Prés NY Collection, looks really good, probably smells great too!
I would love any of the Scotch nail poilish; it’s hard to find any that are non-toxic.
I would love to try the Ilia lip conditioner. The colors are all so pretty!
I’d like to win Scotch Naturals Nail Polishes
❤ SCOTCH NATURALS NAIL POLISH!!! Always doing my two daughters nails…and when I have time …Mine too!!! haha ❤
I would love to get the One Love Organics Morning Glory Brightening Complexion Booster!
Those scotch naturals nail polishes are beautiful – I’d like to receive those!
Goe Oil sounds very interesting to try!
I would Love to have the One Love Organics To Go Trvel Kit….Looks Awesome
I love the Hurraw Balm!
I love the names of the Scotch nail polishes! Would love to try those!
The Soapwalla Deodorant Cream sounds very interesting. That would be an interesting gift!
I’d like to receive the Ilia Lip Conditioner.
I would love to get the Blossom Lady Ilia Lip Conditioner
The Soapwalla Deodorant Cream looks really neat–I am always worried about the chemicals in my current deodorant & have been looking for something both natural & strong!
I would love to get the Ilia Lip Conditioner
bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com
The Ilia Lip Conditioner!
I would LOVE to get the Honoré des Prés Verrines Collection!
I would love to try the One Love Organics Morning Glory Brightening Complexion Booster
Cute Shop to explore!!
I’d love trying One Love Organics products!!
I really liked the Shell Shock Ilia Pure Lip Care lipstick.
I would like the Soapwalla Deodorant Cream
reneetaylor at sympatico dot ca
I would like to try the Scotch Naturals nail polish.
I think the handmade washcloths would def be something I would gift (or like to get)
Wow I LOVE this place! I am definitely dragging the boyfriend to this cute shop in the spring with me~ The stuff are definitely awesome choices for gifts to your galfriends, I will keep that in mind! Wish there were more stuff you can get for your guyfriends though. I had trouble just picking one thing I would want from the shop, so I will just say the “iHeart This Heart Parts” which is what got me curious about the shop. I wonder if you can put the parts back together? With different colours?! That will be so cute ❤
– Robecca
robbydesu@gmail.com
One love organics to go travel kit sounds great as a gift to give or receive.
Pretty Beauty & Books website is a wonderful find and added to my bookmarks…It is difficult to choose, but something that caught my attention and something that I would like to add to my little cart in the bathroom is the Soapwalla Deodorant Cream. This sounds fun to try! Please accept and please confirm my entry in the giveaway. I still have to go to Pinterest though and I’m sure that it must be pretty easy to use. I can’t wait until the draw on March 1st. Will we get a direct e-mail notification? Thank you!
Hey Dawn! Yes, the winners are emailed directly – good luck & have fun on Pinterest!
I like the Scotch Naturals Nail Polishes
Love the Scotch Naturals nail polishes. They are absolutely gorgeous!!
Also….love the Scotch Naturals polish..very pretty!
I would love to get the llia lip conditioner
Great shop! The Japanese makeup blotters seem wonderful!
Awesome! You’ve earned a bonus entry – I love the heart parts as well!
I really like the Heart this Heart parts!! So cute!
March 1–I looked at all the pretty goodies and finally chose the ‘Soapwater Deodorant Cream.’
el03ro
I would love to try the Ilia lip conditioners.
Great blog BTW! Some fantastic ideas for gifts that I would never have thought of.
Thank you kindly! Good luck 🙂
Is there a limit to bonus entries? I pinned another one!
Nope, no limit whatsoever. Go to town!
I would most like to receive ot to gift the One Love Organics Essential to go Travel Kit the most.
I’d love the Handmade Face Cloths. I have homemade dish cloths which I also need more of, but I don’t have any homemade face cloths specifically. Homemade cloths are the best!
I would love to get a Pretty Surprise! Pack!! That would be so much fun 😀
i like the Handmade Face Cloths from newfoundland
love to go