Clinique Cheek Pop blush: A quick review
March 31, 2014
What it is: A new collection of powder blushes from Clinique that promises vibrant, just-pinched colour. Available in four shades.
Beauty bonus: True to its word, this blush provides easy, pretty color without looking overdone.
Beauty bummer: These light, bright pots create a kiss of sheer colour, so those looking for a sweep of highly saturated blush may be disappointed.
Overall: Don't be overwhelmed by these vibrant daisies because their color is as soft as a spring breeze. We were pleasantly surprised at the sheerness of the color when applied. With four shades to choose from, this blush is a definite go-to for the spring months ahead.
Would I recommend? Yes!
Price: $24 CAD
Where to buy: Clinique counters
Shop the post:
I can never seem to find the perfect piece, am often feeling too rushed (or lazy) to get into "the hunt", or, as is most often the case ... I wind up picking up things that I assure myself will seamlessly transition into my wardrobe — but ultimately never do.
So imagine my surprise when I stumbled across this menswear blazer during a recent donation/shopping trip. Its oversized fit is slightly Céline-esque, and the lightweight wool seems spot on for spring. Over a T-shirt and jeans it feels effortlessly chic, which is why it has quickly become my go-to look for my lazy Saturday outings.
Do you have good luck vintage shopping?
Blazer: Vintage | Top: Joe Fresh | Jeans: Old Navy | Boots: Enzo Angiolini | Bag: Coach | Jewelry: Dear You, Pretty Things and Tiffany & Co.
Just when I thought spring was here to stay — the forecast in Vancouver calls for rain, rain and more rain.
So, it's back to layers for me. My office tends to feel like a sauna year-round, so I find myself stepping out in outfits that can easily be stripped down for comfort ... without sacrificing style.
But as much as I love getting extra wear out of my winter staples such as this camel coat and long-line vest, I seriously can't wait for spring.
Coat: H&M | Vest: Helmut Lang | Leather pants: J Brand | Top: Oak + Fort | Boots: Jeffrey Campbell | Bag: Louis Vuitton | Sunglasses: Ray Ban | Necklaces: Dear You | Rings: OhKuol and KV Bijou c/o | Bracelets: Vita Fede and Alden Rae via Shut Up I Love This c/o
Shop the post:
Seeing as the first official day of spring has come and gone, I figured it's the perfect time to debut one of the ultimate additions to my spring wardrobe.
I — just like pretty much every other deal-loving fashion fan, was uber-anxious to get my hands on a piece of the latest Target designer collaboration from print master Peter Pilotto.
After trying on just about every piece in the collection in a near-delirious state of excitement, I finally settled for this bold-patterned romper.
The abstract flowery print feels just right for spring, while the bold reds and blues are just what I needed to propel me out of my all-black-all-the-time funk.
The abstract flowery print feels just right for spring, while the bold reds and blues are just what I needed to propel me out of my all-black-all-the-time funk.
Romper: Peter Pilotto for Target | Blazer: BCBGMAXAZRIA | Shoes: Steve Madden | Sunglasses: Ray Ban | Bag: Onna Ehrlich c/o | Ring: KV Bijou c/o | Bracelet: J.Crew
Shop cool spring rompers:
Handbag health: 10 tips to extend the life of your designer purse (care and storage advice)
March 23, 2014
It's no secret that I love handbags. And I see absolutely nothing wrong with plunking down a hefty chunk of change (when I can!) on one that I think will last me a lifetime.
But what do you do when you get your new handbag home? How do you safeguard your investment?
Unlike most pricey items on the market, handbags don't come with a user's manual filled with tips and tricks on how to safely use — and care for these oft-leather lovelies.
That's why I have compiled this list of 10 tips to help you get the most out of your designer handbag.
Regardless of whether it's a current Coach or a classic Chanel, I use each and every one of these tips and tricks with my own bags, and I can honestly say I have seen an improvement in the overall "health" of my favourite little investments pieces.
Take a look.
Tip #1: Structured stuffing
Stuffing your bag helps to maintain the overall structure while also preventing dents and creases when not in use. There is nothing worse than a saggy, sad, beat-up designer bag.
Unless you're dealing with a packable model such as a coated canvas Louis Vuitton that is made to fold down to a flat, portable shape, you need to stuff it.
Most retailers provide tissue paper at the stores — so don't toss it out as soon as you tear the tags off. I often will even ask the sales associates for a bit more at checkout because their colourless, print-free paper is the best for stuffing bags with.
Tip #2: Keep it covered
There is a reason most handbags come with a dustbag. Because it's vital to the overall health of your bag!
These soft cotton, canvas or felt bags keep handbags free from dust and scratches while stored ... but they also play a much more important role.
Sunlight and artificial light bulb light can cause leather to dry and discolour, so the dustbag acts as a cozy little cocoon for your "sleeping" handbag.
Tip #3: Box it up
Boxing your bag further protects it while it's not in use. It safeguards against scratches, light damage, and also makes it easier to stack with other boxes or items without the fear of getting squished.
Tip#4: Find a fabulous felt
Creating a felt liner for your bag is a huge lifesaver. I use medium weight felt from the fabric store that you can buy by the yard/metre. It's about $10 per yard/metre, but it's a worthwhile investment to say the least.
I measure and cut mine to fit the interior of each bag. Not only does the medium-weight felt add structure to softer bags, it will also better protects the inside lining from accidental spills, dirt, loose gum, wayward pens ... you get the point.
If you're an investment bag purchaser who plans to re-sell or consign your purse later on, you can not skip this step! A dirty interior = a lower asking price. Think about it.
Tip #5: Handbag home
As I said earlier, handbag materials can be damaged by various environmental factors such as natural and artificial light. Other factors that cam permanently damage a bag's material and structural composition include heat and moisture.
Ideally, bags should be kept in a cool and dark closet. So forget those celebrity closets you've seen on The Coveteur and PurseForum, because unless
your open-air bag storage is in a windowless, temperature-controlled area of your home, you should store your bag lightly stuffed in a dustbag, inside a box and in an area of your room/closet that doesn't often see the light of day ... literally.
Tip #6: Beware what you wear
While this may seem like a no-brainer, you might be surprised. One of the quickest ways to ruin a bag is by accidentally wearing it with an incompatible clothing item such as dark denim or leather. As a personal rule, I don't use my light-coloured bags when I'm wearing dark clothing that is any material other than cotton/rayon/polyester. Why? Because colour transfer stains are some of the most difficult to get out.
Think you're safe to wear any colour because you're using a patent leather purse? Think again.
Patent leather is a lacquer layered over leather, often as thick as 14 layers deep! But when patent leather is used/worn in mild temperatures or climates, the "pores" of the coating can expand, allowing for it to soak up colour and ink transfers from almost everything it comes in contact with for a length of time including denim, magazines, newsprint, etc.
Patent leather is a lacquer layered over leather, often as thick as 14 layers deep! But when patent leather is used/worn in mild temperatures or climates, the "pores" of the coating can expand, allowing for it to soak up colour and ink transfers from almost everything it comes in contact with for a length of time including denim, magazines, newsprint, etc.
I don't mean to scare you, but just beware of what you wear when toting a light-coloured bag!
Tip #7: Leather love
Leather is luxurious — but you need to remember that is also just skin. And skin gets dry and dehydrated.
Periodically rubbing a dime-sized amount of leather conditioner or moisturizer on your bags using a soft clothe keeps leather from getting brittle or cracked. I usually use Coach-brand leather cleaner and conditioner to remove small stains and restore moisture, whereas I opt for the pricier Cadillac brand for my top-shelf bags such as Chanel.
Periodically rubbing a dime-sized amount of leather conditioner or moisturizer on your bags using a soft clothe keeps leather from getting brittle or cracked. I usually use Coach-brand leather cleaner and conditioner to remove small stains and restore moisture, whereas I opt for the pricier Cadillac brand for my top-shelf bags such as Chanel.
Caring for your skin is even more important when dealing with exotics such as python, ostrich or crocodile. For these finicky materials, I opt for DYO reptile conditioner, which I carefully smooth on in small sections with a baby soft, lint-free clothe about every six months.
Tip #8: Dent do-over
Accidents happen, and sometimes those accidents result in dents. I recently purchased a deeply discounted designer bag despite its dents, using the rationale that I would be able to remove the blemishes. Well, I was right — and a little bit wrong.
Using this video as a guide, I used a hairdryer and leather conditioner to tighten the damaged area back up. The above image is after only one (rather conservative) treatment. This method can also work on creases, but won't help with surface scratches.
Thank you, YouTube.
Tip #9: Seal the deal
I seal the deal on every bag I buy. What am I talking about exactly? Sealant spray, of course.
I use Scotch Guard on bag that have any amount of fabric or clothe on the exterior, and opt for shoe-quality waterproofing spray for all other types. I give a liberal coating on all surfaces of the bag BEFORE I use it for the first time, paying special attention to areas that will get extra wear such as the corners and straps.
A word of caution: While I did spray my off-white Chanel, it is important to be mindful of hardware. You don't want to coat the metallic hardware of your bags with sticky sealant because it will appear cloudy and covered with residue after it dries.
I usually wipe the hardware with a clean, soft rag immediately after I'm finished spraying the bag, or in extreme cases, will cover the hardware with paper and tape before spraying.
Tip #10: Book a (bag) vacation
We don't all have multiple handbags, but we should ... just kidding. Seriously though, if you're going to use your designer handbag as an everyday workhorse, be aware of its capabilities — and ultimately, its limits.
Don't overload your bag to the point where the straps are straining or the leather is stretching. If you want your bag to last ... and to look good while doing it, you will need to give it a rest.
Don't overload your bag to the point where the straps are straining or the leather is stretching. If you want your bag to last ... and to look good while doing it, you will need to give it a rest.
If you can't switch your bag out and give it a full-time break from the daily grind, have a reusable tote or canvas bag handy for when you need to schlep more than just your daily necessities.
Trust me, your handbag will thank you.
Have questions or comments? Leave a message in the comments section below and I will get back to you!
What it is: A color-correcting primer that evens skin tone with four color undertones to perfect skin tone problems including Adjust, Illuminate, Recharge and Neutralize.
Beauty bonus: We're always fans of multi-faceted features in a product (who isn't?), and this CC cream does just that with a bonus SPF 30 in the mix.
Beauty bummer: Added moisture is not a facet of this multitasking product, so a moisturizer base may be needed for those with extra-thirsty skin.
Overall: This product is a nice addition to the ranks of color correcting creams. It feels ultra-light on the skin, while providing a solid medium coverage.
Overall: This product is a nice addition to the ranks of color correcting creams. It feels ultra-light on the skin, while providing a solid medium coverage.
We were pleased with its obvious ability to live up to the skin tone-correcting claims. It was super easy to apply evenly and it left our skin looking radiant and not too made up. Beauty!
Would recommend: Yes!
Price: $36.50
Price: $36.50
Available at: MAC counters
Cut short: Express crop top and Aritzia Elton pants
March 19, 2014
I have officially passed the point of casual, crop-top bystander and entered the territory of full-fledged trend wearer.
Ever since my first foray into the crop top, I have become increasingly obsessed with finding new ways to wear this trend — and of course, locating new pieces to buy in order to make it happen.
But despite the fact that I'm jumping into the cropped trend with both feet (ehem, I may or may not now own three!), I'm definitely not ready to bare more than an inch of skin.
Guess I'm not so daring after all ...
Guess I'm not so daring after all ...
Top: Express | Blazer: Helmut Lang | Pants: Aritzia | Mules: Acne | Bag: Celine | Sunglasses: Ray Ban | Jewelry: Tiffany & Co., Michael Kors, Vita Fede, OhKuol, Alexis Bittar and KV Bijou c/o
Shop the post:
It has been a while since I have been this excited about a new brand.
422 Fifth. Have you heard of it yet? If you haven't, you need to drop everything and check it out.
The collection, which is exclusive to Lord & Taylor stores in the U.S. and Hudson's Bay in Canada, is the perfect blend of classic and trendy with everything from leather trousers to full midi skirts. It's a definite must-see and try on.
I know, I know ... I'm shamelessly promoting. But I actually think this collection is that good.
Clutch: 424 Fifth c/o | Top: Joe Fresh | Skirt: H&M | Shoes: Valentino | Necklace: Stella & Dot c/o | Arm candy: Alexis Bittar, Vita Fede, Dear You, Pretty Things and Michael Kors
Shop the post:
Masque Bar by Look Beauty facial masks: A quick review
March 15, 2014
What it is: A range of masks with high quality ingredients to help aid in the reduction of every day skin issues. Whether your dealing with wrinkle reduction, dull looking skin, dilated pores or blemishes, Masque Bar has the treatment.
Beauty bonus: We tested both the brightening and pore refining masques. The ultra concentration of serums and vitamins gave our skin a nice — and noticeable mid-winter boost.
Beauty bummer: If a quick skin fix is your goal, these masks need 30 minutes of your time to work their magic.
Overall: This product definitely delivers a good hit of moisture for thirsty skin. The cream application of the pore refining mask felt luxurious on skin, although we kept waiting for it to dry like a clay mask, which it never did.
While we saw wonderfully moisturized skin post-mask, pores were a similar size leading us to think continued use is a must to reap the full benefits.
Would I recommend? Yes
Available at: Shoppers Drug Mart
Price: $9.99 for 3 at Shopper's Drug Mart
It seems as though everyone I know is jetting off on some fabulous vacation -- while I'm left sitting at home.
But instead of wallowing in my holiday envy, I adopted the beat-em-join-em mentality and decided to style my third and final piece from Plenty's spring collection with my jet-setting co-workers and friends in mind.
When paired with shorts and a dapper hat, this sweater is comfy, cozy and lightweight enough to be worn during a spring day spent exploring a new destination such as Los Angeles, Cancun or ... ?
Who needs to travel when you can just dress like you're headed on vacation instead?! Ya, don't answer that.
Sweater: Plenty c/o | Shorts: Forever 21 | Hat: H&M | Sandals: Sam Edelman | Sunglasses: Ray Ban | Bag: Coach | Necklaces: Dear You, Pretty Things
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Social Icons