Friday Favourites: Weekend Edition

Since I haven’t posted a “favourites” post in over a month, you should grab a glass of wine, your credit card, and a cozy blanket. This is a humdinger.

Favourite Hair Product

Lush Solid Shampoo in Karma Komba 

I’ve been using Lush shampoo bars for the last 6 months now and don’t plan on switching it up anytime soon. They last forever, require a small rub for the biggest lather, and they smell amazing in the tin and on your hair. This one contains patchouli oil, pine and lemongrass oil (among others) and the Karma fragrance is heavenly. All their shampoo bars leave my hair feeling really clean and soft so unless you hate clean and fragrant hair you have no excuse because they come in like, 20 different scents.

Favourite Skincare Product

L’Occitane Weekend en Provence Almond Discovery Set 

I got this little set in my stocking for Christmas and was thrilled because my almond supple skin oil was half empty (half empty is enough to give me anxiety). The set contains Almond Shower Oil (which is heavenly in the shower), Almond Milk Concentrate (body lotion for post shower), and Almond Delicious Hands (perfect for a luxurious travel lotion). The smell is divine, definitely something to try if you’re looking for a trial pampering session.

Favourite Scent

Jo Malone Mimosa & Cardamom 

I know I’ve mentioned it before but honest to sh*t this smell is one of the softest, elegant, musky and sweet scents I’ve ever worn. Mimosa, spiced cardamom, tonka and sandalwood, powdery heliotrope (which is so intense with each spray) and Damask rose. I cannot emphasize how cozy and dignified this particular scent is. Jo Malone is a scientist. I was gifted it for Christmas and a day hasn’t gone by since I’ve worn it.

Favorite Gift 

Diptyque Holiday Coloured Glass Trio

I not so subtly hinted to my sister all November long that I would drop to the floor in a dramatic and hugely fraudulent fainting spell if I didn’t welcome this set into my life. She shut me up. This limited edition Diptyque candle trio gives Diptyque cult followers life. Me. It gives me life. The set includes Sapin (pine tree scent with mingling notes of mandarin orange), Liquidamber (amber from a tree with red leaves, mixed with cinnamon, nutmeg and muscovado sugar – which I honestly know nothing about but love), Oliban (woodsy and sweet). I’ll be melting these (I have a handy little candle warmer because there’s no way I’m even remotely comfortable burning 80 dollar candles) all year long. I usually save my muskier and woodsier candles for rainy and overcast days when I’m settled indoors with my pyjamas. The rest are for warmer sunnier days when I’m settled indoors with my pyjamas. (Just keeping it real).

Favourite Wardrobe Item

Wildfox Let’s Stay Home Sweater 

I was eyeing this cozy sweater since the day it was introduced but it fell off the radar somehow (the shame). How thrilled was I to find it under the tree this year? Thrilled AF. (Sorry) It’s deliciously cozy, easy to style with a pair of jeans or a skirt and can be thrown over pretty much any set of pyjamas for the utmost at-home comfort. And the saying speaks for itself. If people came with a tagline, this would be mine.

Favourite Wishlist Purchase

Aquazzura Wild Thing Sandals

The Christmas sprites picked me this season and it’s not because I’m their most vocal spokesperson – it’s because I’ve been long-thirsting for these heels right here. I would search my favourite online haunts and never make it to “purchase” because my size was almost always disappointingly sold out. Until now bitches. That last size 37.5 is mine. All mine. Bless you Forward by Elyse Walker. May you always be blessed with abundant stock. The open toe suede fringe, the delicate straps, the 4″ yet comfortable heel. Nothing short of perfection. I’ve never been so pleased with giving away my money. (PS: They’re in limited stock at most online boutiques right now – you’re welcome).

Favorite Pastime

Colouring 

I’m fully aware that this is a so-called trend these days but I’m been going HAM with colouring since 83. Fine, I just recently picked it up again but it’s always been within me yearning to come out and show ya’ll what fine tipped markers were made for. I picked this gem up at Chapters Indigo (along with The Time Chamber by Daria Song). I try and sneak in some colouring time during my hours allocated to TV each evening, also I find that when I colour during the Hawks games I’m less likely to jump up from the couch threatening bodily harm to the opposing team when something goes awry.

Favorite Makeup Product

Anastasia Illuminator in Starlight

I kept forgetting that Macy’s carried Anastasia’s full makeup line (most of the time) so this time there was no way I was going to walk past without stopping in to check for her insanely popular highlighters. I chose this shade (an iridescent white gold) because, let’s be honest – I have pretty much every other shade possible. This was a little brighter than the rest, a little more YouTube guru, and a lot more Khloe Kardashian – AKA – this glow is not from within (even though the site boasts that it’s meant to give off that result). I’m going to do a full review but I will say for now that this shade is nice for adding a real sheen, like full on glamazon glow. You can be heavy handed (like me without natural light during application) or go easy with a fan brush (to add a bit of radiance). 

Favourite Treat

Soft Peaks Ice Cream

I know it’s the dead of Winter but I rarely get a chance to indulge in Soft Peaks ice cream. Although, I can hardly call it indulging since it’s organic, all natural, low in fat and calories, with just a tiny little smudge of sweetness. When I dive face first into their churning tub – that’s when we can call it indulging.

Happy Weekend

xo

Purchased & Reviewed: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectors

I took a month off blogging because Christmas (and the accompanying holiday season) is my favourite time of year and I feel that every fibre of my being must be allocated to that and only that. I slept, ate, and shopped Christmas. The latter which will lend to the next 36 posts for 2016. Here’s to hoping that you holiday season was jam packed with family that didn’t annoy you, presents that were on your wish list for months and treats that didn’t morph your ass and hips into Kardashian assigned proportions.

I’ll take this opportunity to talk about pretty much each and every single beauty gift I received this Christmas. Really. Not kidding.

Ok kidding.

I’ll stagger them out. This review is on Becca’s Shimmering Skin Perfectors in Blushed Copper and the Jaclyn Hill collaboration, Champagne Pop (which I’ve reviewed before).

Packaging: The gold boxes these highlighters come in are fancy as heck and are indicative of what you get on the inside. On the other hand, the actual compacts are more utilitarian and no nonsense. I find that the outer shell for Champagne Pop is easy to get dirty with your grubby little makeup covered fingers so have a Lysol wipe handy. Blushed Copper has a shinier compact and for some reason is lighter in weight. I wish they would have made Champagne Pop identical to the box it came in (as they did with Blushed Copper) but I’ll let it slide since the product is like crack for your face. If you’re into crack.

Product: Gold. Crushed, crumbled, pulverized & pounded pieces of gold. If you own these then you know exactly what I’m talking about – if you don’t – you can solidify this shit and deposit it into your bank account. Do not get it twisted. The texture is creamy, and for a powder that is absolutely ridiculous yet marvellous. The fine pearls that are infused into this fairy dust is meant to absorb, reflect, and refract light so it looks like your highlight is natural and not man made. Or woman made, should I say. Compared to dry pressed powders, this one blends it’s ingredients with liquid binders which results in the luxuriously creamy application and consistency. The Blushed Copper has a prismatic appearance whereas the Champagne Pop is completely smooth. They both apply in the same fashion, it’s the collaboration with Jaclyn Hill that has Champagne Pop stand on it’s own.

Wearability/Colour: I use Champagne Pop as a highlighter and Blushed Copper as a blush to blend my contour with. They apply with ease, are wildly pigmented and long lasting and honestly, compliment various skin tones. The rose gold Champagne Pop is amazing as a highlighter and Blushed Copper (a warm copper with rose gold undertones) is one of the most flattering blushes I’ve ever come across.

Verdict: You have to have these. They’re not a fad. They’re not a artsy piece or celebrity collab that you need to purchase just because you have zero control when it comes to makeup, and you have an inch of counter space that needs to be filled. These are versatile, reasonably priced for their product range, flattering AF (I know, I know, super millennial ditz of me), and are long lasting in both wear and wallet. Unfortunately the limited edition Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Glow trio palette is no longer available (unless you can find it on Amazon or eBay) because that’s when my love affair with Blushed Copper commenced. Take my advice and don’t be shy. They’re well worth the hype.

Get them here and here.

(The photos are as is – no filter just enhancement to showcase the colours).

xo

 

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas: Holiday Gift Guide for the Tech Savvy

You know that one person who just can’t seem to put their phone down at dinner? Can multitask with a fork, a knife, and an iPhone? Can scroll through Instagram and carry on a highly intellectual conversation about the Republican platform on gun control? Feels the innate desire to “check in” when picking up tampons at Walmart? Reward them.

Click the photo to shop.

Tory Burch Fret Pendant Necklace/Bracelet

Stelle Audio Mini Clutch Speaker

Baublebar x Frends Headphones

Halogen Tech Touch Cashmere Gloves

BAN.DO Selfies iPhone 6 Case

Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones

Caseify Marble iPhone Case

Polaroid SNAP Camera

Stella McCartney iPhone Case

Chiara Ferragni Flirting iPhone Case

Rebecca Minkoff Notification Bracelet

Kate Spade Cedar Street iPad Air 2 Keyboard Folio

Happy Plugs Sound Piece Mini in Marble

Kikkerland Folding Selfie Stick

Joe’s Flawless #hello Jeans

It’s Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas: Holiday Gift Guide for the Fashionista

This is my first installment for the Holiday Gift Guide series. Who doesn’t like a guide to help them out with the pickiest receivers? I’m the type of person who will accept pretty much anything and then write a 10 page thank you letter expressing my utmost gratitude – but that’s just me. I’ve included a wide price range so whether you’re buying on a budget, or rollin in hundos, my picks are with you in mind. I’m starting out with the toughest of them all – gifts for the fashion maven. It’s hard to please a self proclaimed shopaholic but these gif tables will do it for just about anybody (unless she already has like, 2 of each thing, which in that case, b*tch better be giving to charity this season). Anyways, fashionista, stay at home hermit, techie and Secret Santa – check out the first of them all.

Tis the season of giving, among other much more important tenets, so if you’re stumped – you’re welcome.

*Each photo is clickable and will send you directly to the item you’re drooling over gifting.

Happy Shopping

Burberry Giant Check Scarf

Soludos Jason Polan x Soludos Wink Smoking Slipper Espadrilles

Elizabeth & James Croc Embossed Cynnie Wallet on a Chain

Wildfox Sleep Mask

Smythson Busy Bee Notebook

Kolloquial I Wanna Shoop Tote

White & Warren Cashmere Rib Trim Gloves

Anine Bing Charlie Boots

Markus Lupfet Gnome Sequin Natalie Jumper

Adidas Superstar Sneaker

Saint Laurent Monogram Credit Card Case

Chloe Marcie Cross Body Bag

 

Nasty Gal Rockefeller Collar Necklace

Tory Burch Aberdeen Fur Lined Slipper

The Reformation Brixton Coat

Hermes Silk Scarf

Fendi Fur Handbag Charm

Burberry Tech Leather Globes

Anthropologie Felted Zafira Turtleneck

Wilfred Montpellier Sweater

Wilfred Free Gail Dress

Wildfox Classic PJ Set

Elizabeth & James Vago Ring

Color Me Good by Kate Moss Coloring Book

The LDRS Fuzzy Coat

Marc Jacobs Heart Notebook

Veda Calf Hair Bootie

Superga Wool Sneaker

Where’s Karl Book

Catbird Threadbare Rings

Tales from The Back Row Book

Vince Melange Basic Sweatpants

Nasty Gal x Nila Anthony So Catty Crossbody Bag

Rebecca Minkoff Little Lottie Coin Purse

Jonathan Adler Muse d’or Candle

Bag-All Weekend Getaway Set

MinkPink Head In The Stars Legging

Markus Lupfer Sequin Fox Face Beanie

 

 

Friday Favorites: Weekend Edition

I’m spending my Sunday editing some new purchase posts, only getting out of bed to work out, and giggling with Amy Poehler and Tina Fey. Hope your’s is just as Hashtag #lazysunday

Favorite Item

Mirrored Tray

My sister got me this tray for Christmas. I was looking for a mirrored tray for my perfumes and vanity decor and she went a step farther by having it monogrammed. Amazing. It looks super high brow and I’m not ashamed. The size is perfect for holding what I wanted to display…

You can shop a similar one here – Mirrored Dresser Top Trays

Favorite Look

Waves

I haven’t used my Sultra wand since this summer and I can’t seem to comprehend why I retired it for so long. I was getting a little tired of my hairstyle – I almost always curl it at the ends for fullness – so I decided to switch it up. So pleased. Beach waves never go out of style, especially when you don’t want to look too overdone. I already have a full of face of makeup so keeping the hair a little more casual is a nice balance. The wand looks intimidating at first but it’s become second nature to me. I usually wrap my hair around a couple times and then leave the ends so that I don’t end up looking like Curly Sue (Google her).

You can try it here – Sultra Waving Wand 

Favorite Beauty Product

Sephora Collection Flatter Yourself Contouring Brush Set

I ordered this brush set a couple weeks ago and was going to do a full review but haven’t had enough time to really get up close and personal. It was an exclusive and I’m a sucker for an exclusive – mainly because I get anxiety over the fact that there is a product out there that if not purchased, will be out of reach forever. These are the types of regrets I simply cannot live with. Anyway, the bristles are remarkably soft and high quality and the set of 3 is complimentary and nice for creating a basic contour (as well as buffing and blending liquid makeup). Not to mention, they come with blotting papers, a sleek little pouch and a contour guide. Overall, it contains a stippling brush, a buffing brush, and and angled blush brush. I’m getting used to using the stippling brush because I’ve never used one before, but the buffing and blush brushes I can work with like a freaking pro. Love.

You can shop it here – Sephora Collection Flatter Yourself Contouring Brush Set

Favorite Purchase

Wildfox Onesie

No you shut YOUR mouth. Yeah. I got a onesie with cat ears on the hood. What startingly amazing thing have you done recently?

Favorite Food

Teavana

I, along with most of the female population, have vowed to get back into my healthy eating habits for the new year. I’m not into resolutions but I figured now was as good a time as any to detox by body after I indulged the sh*t out of Christmas. I started feeling a little Chipmunk like after hoarding every treat placed in front of me. Ya feel me? So – in addition to upping my workouts and monitoring my food intake, I’ve started hitting up loose tea. In no way am I ridiculous enough to believe that this is a food replacement (refer to: Favorite Food) but I didn’t feel like tweaking the title.  I picked up a fancy little holiday set right before Christmas and am actually shocked at how much they satisfy my sweet tooth. The set embraces the scents and tastes of the holiday season, and you can’t beat pumpkin spice and peppermint in one setting. Specifically, it contains 4 holiday teas which consist of Pumpkin Spice Brûlée, White Chocolate Peppermint, Chococaramel Sea Salt, and Spiced Apple Cider. I haven’t tried them all but so far I love the white chocolate peppermint and chococaramel sea salt. Probably because they’re the most indulgent sounding. Pathetic.

I don’t believe that this set is still available but you can get a ton of similar ones here – www.teavana.com

Favorite Pastime

Voraciously Reading

I’ve been trying to catch up on all the books sitting in my iBookshelf. I download them like they’re going to vanish within seconds – big up to purchase anxiety, yet again. Although I love reading on my iPad, there are some books I feel are worth buying in physical form. Coffee table books and books having to do with style and fashion are a must have tangible good. They look pretty and class up the joint, plus you can mark off and go back to them without having to scroll through hundreds of pages. I’d been wanting to read Sophia Amoroso’s #girlboss for months now. I’ve been a loyal Nasty Gal investor (read – shopper) and am always open to a little inspiration and advice, especially from such a powerhouse. I’m halfway in and am marking off pages worthy of anecdotes that need to be drilled into my head. Her uhf*ckwithable attitude is infectious, I’ll make sure to do a book report review when I’m done. I also purchased The Glitter Plan, which is Pam Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor’s rise to infamy with Juicy Couture. Since Juicy is now fading into the outlet abyss and they’ve recently launched their new, more high endline – Pam & Gela, I was interested in reading their memoir. Yes Please is another can’t miss read. I am crushing hard on Amy Poehler. She is genuinely funny and offers up some really deep musings that you have to read a couple times to ensure she isn’t just f*cking with you. Idol status. Those are the 3 books I’ve started reading so far. I’ve also just purchased Serena by Ron Rash , Dead Stars by Bruce Wagner, and Paper Towns by John Green. There isn’t enough time in the day…

Here’s a list of book adaptations hitting the big screen this year (and as everyone knows – the book is always better than the movie).  21 Books to Read Before They Hit The Big Screen in 2015

Favorite Outfit

Ripped Denim

Excuse the shitty photo quality. I was just getting home from work and realized I didn’t take advantage of the cloudless day for a superior outfit pic. These black skinnies are from Zara (I believe I purchased them back in October). They’re not as skinny in the shin area, and I find that a lot of denim fails me in this area because I have smaller shins. Other than J Brand which fit like second skin, a lot of denim I’ve tried and even purchased falls short here. Anyway, the wash and the strategic shreds are great. I actually DIY expanded the knee rips (with my own two hands and all) so that they’re a little more edgy and not as clean looking. Paired them with a pair of Jeffrey Campbell lace up flats (mimicked off Aquazurra) and had a bit of Kurt Cobain meets Olivia Palermo.

Happy Weekend

xo