Closets overfull? Donate your fancy dresses to Fairy Godmother!

With a move underway in just a few weeks, and a very pregnant belly - I figured it was perfect time to sort through clothes for the upcoming summer. So, other than a few sentimental pieces, anything that I haven't worn in over a year (pre-pregnancy) I piled up to be donated if it was in great shape.

Then I got to thinking about all the pretty dresses I was keeping this year: mostly empire waists and maxi dresses, because now that the sun is here, they will be perfect to wear over this growing baby bump!

Since I won't be making any fancy dress donations this year, I hope you all will. The organization I have always donated my fancy dresses and shoes every year to is called Fairy Godmother of Ottawa. They are a wonderful non-profit organization, started by two fantastic women in 2002, that collects new and fairly-new fancy-style dresses, shoes, and some accessories to help out high school girls in need to have the prom of their dreams.

I absolutely am in love with the idea of this organization. I remember oh-so-long ago, formal was coming, and going into so many stores looking for the discounted dress because anything over $100 was absurd for my family to be able to afford for a dress I would wear only once. It just so seemed that every store we went to anything that was considered "fancy" enough to wear to prom, the prices were well over $300, some as high as $1000. Looking back, I did end up finding a beautiful dress, but you could tell were a lot more expensive and elegant dresses than the one I was wearing. If this organization would be have been around when I was in high school, I definitely would have sought out their service to help me find the perfect prom dress, so I could fit in with all the other girls.

Now they aren't looking for your old-dusty-should-have-never-worn-that-style dress you have been hiding in your closet since your prom. Anything that is barely worn, or brand new can be donated but it should be something that a girl would wear. Something you would let your daughters, nieces, and best friends borrow from your closet. Do visit their website for all items accepted and rules for donations: http://www.fairygodmotherottawa.com

All donations can be made at any Brown's Cleaners locations in Ottawa. To view a complete list visit here: http://www.brownscleaners.ca/locations.html

So please, if you have any formal style dresses, please donate to this totally awesome organization. The sooner the better (they start loaning out dresses May 9, 2015!) Even if you don't have any dresses or shoes to donate, they do accept new items including dresses, shoes, purses, accessories, cosmetics, and hosiery.

Also, if you know of any Ottawa high-school senior girls in need, please direct them to the Fairy Godmother website for more information.

Go find Fairy Godmother now and spread the word!

Website: http://www.fairygodmotherottawa.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/ottawapromfairy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fairy-Godmother-of-Ottawa/11334612404?pnref=story

Thanks everyone! Be kind to one another :)

xo - j - 

Pedicures at The Upkeep Shoppe

[embed]https://instagram.com/p/1eCTExlkyW/?taken-by=jessiproulx[/embed] Yesterday, my lovely mom decided to come in and take this very stressed and growing pregnant girl out for lunch, retail therapy and some relaxing pedicures. As opposed to going to my regular cheap-fix mani-pedi place we decided to go to The Upkeep Shoppe, which is located in the heart of Little Italy at 358 Preston St. I had heard so many great things, and have been wanting to go after following on their social media feeds and seeing all the beautiful nail jobs they have done!

After having no luck finding street parking at 2pm on a Tuesday afternoon, we ended up parking around the block at a friend's house. Jumping into our flip-flops, we walked around the block in the beautiful sunny and 23 degree weather (yes, 23 degrees in April!!!) Upon arrival, we noticed it was very quiet, but I asked the sweet and cheery girl at the desk if they accept walk-ins. Lucky for us, they do! They were able to accommodate us both immediately, which our pale and worn winter feet were very happy about.

The receptionist informed us about the types of pedicures they have, and recommended the "Pedi on the Rocks" for pregnant ladies - which I quickly jumped at and my mom was quick to follow. Then, we were led to our seats on these very comfortable couches with the most cushiony of cushions! I was advised that the middle seat would probably be a little more comfortable for the pregnant lady to which I happily obliged.

The two girls who would be helping our feet came out and introduced themselves and went away to work. They were very sweet, and opened up the floor for chatting, but were not pushy about it. Ah, the perfect medium. I've been to so many places where the girls either do not talk to you at all, or talk so much you barely get time to talk to the person you actually came to spend some time with. Right there was enough to make me want to come back, without even having my pedicure done yet.

We were offered some of their in-house tea. We were told it would be shaken over ice, and served chilled. The flavour of the day was Strawberry Swee-tea, and it wasn't sweet at all (yay!), just purely refreshing. I personally would have liked it a little colder, and maybe in a more attractive glass (looked like the standard rocks glass you would get a vodka-redbull served to you in at a college bar), but it was surely delicious. I want to go back just to try the other flavours!

The pedicures were gentle and relaxing, and had lots of time to catch up with my mom. I especially loved the cooling-gel portion of the Pedi on the Rocks - it smelled and felt like heaven. Oh, and those who are wondering, no, I did not miss those awful massage chairs you find in every nail bar around town. Personally, I hate them anyway - I am a short woman, and find them uncomfortable and not relaxing in any way!

Jena & Kim were the two girls who did such a fantastic job on our feet. They talked to us a little about their upcoming promotions, and told us about where their skin products come from, and told us about the products available for sale. The selling of the product portion was not pushy at all, and seemed more like they listened to what we were saying and recommended everything to us that we would be interested in. I didn't feel like I was in an expensive hair salon, being sold products for inflated prices, I could easily buy on amazon for much less. I was curious if they could help out David's feet as well, you can imagine how sore and banged up bartenders feet can get. Kim let me that they are gender-neutral, so it would be absolutely amazing to bring my man in to get a pedicure with me next time.

Mom and I did not buy anything this time, but we were completely on board with the facial special Jena & Kim told us about, and we booked to come back in two days (tomorrow!) with their B.Kamins product and national skin care trainer, Ryan.

I just want to say how happy I am that we decided to drop in and get our feet beautified there yesterday. We both left with a smile, and glowing toes, in our flip-flops no less! Another girl, who was next in line to get her feet pampered, liked the blue colour I picked so much, she decided to get it for herself!

I absolutely have no problem recommending this place for anyone looking for a professional, clean, and fabulous place. Manicures will be next on the list, I keep seeing pictures on their Instagram feed of amazing, sparkling, nail art - that I must have done for myself, once my nails get back to normal after pregnancy, that is. (They are either cracking or growing like crazy depending on the day)

Also, before I finish up here I want to tell you about one more promotion they have going on that I would love to check out once I can enjoy a cocktail or two. Maybe one of you can go and let me know how it is?

They have a "Happy Hour Wednesdays" - if you book a group of 3 or more people (I'm assuming for manis or pedis) on a Wednesday between 5pm and 7pm you get complimentary cocktails! How amazing is that? I am sure that you would need to book ahead for this, so you won't be disappointed just walking in!

Preston Street is lucky to have this amazing place. Go check it out, I promise you won't be disappointed. For the price difference (it ended up costing $125 plus tip for the both of us), it was well worth it, knowing I had a clean, comfortable, and fun experience that I definitely want to relive again and again.

Special thanks again to Jena & Kim (who both had amazing style by the way!) for being so accommodating and making our experience a gem! We will be back, and I plan to continue spreading the word about The Upkeep Shoppe as much as I can.

No wonder they were voted Ottawa's Top Nail Salon by 2015 Ottawa Top Choice Awards #SupportLocal and check out their full line of services at:

358 Preston St, Ottawa, Ontario 613-695-9100 Website: http://www.upkeepshoppe.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/UpkeepShoppe Instagram: https://instagram.com/upkeepshoppe/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UpkeepShoppe

It is spring, get your sandals out and your feet ready!

Lots of love,

-j-