Covet & Acquire

What it is: A recent lipstick launch from the French beauty brand Chanel that promises to deliver long-wear colour with a satiny-shine finish.

Beauty bonus: The shine on these liquid lipsticks is superb.

Beauty bummer: Honestly? None.

Overall: This recent release sees 20 eye-catching lipstick shades given a seriously shiny finish. Plus, the formula promises to remain comfortable on lips — and wear for up to eight hours. 

That's, admittedly, a lot of promises for one liquid lipstick formula to make. But, in our experience, this one delivers on them all. 

The product applies well, though we noticed more than one coat was required in order to achieve a true patent-like finish. Despite the layering, the liquid lipstick dried down nicely and stayed very comfortable on lips. We love that this shiny option doesn't come with the stickiness or slick of most other high-shine formulations. 

Plus, the selection of shades is divine!

Would recommend? Yes.

Price: $52

Retailer: Chanel counters, chanel.com

Out of the jewelry pieces that I've acquired throughout the past year, this herringbone necklace is one of my favourites. 

From Mejuri, the vermeil design pairs perfectly with a plethora of other necklaces. It also happens to go pretty nicely on its own. And, at $200, it's a pretty great price too!

I've been wearing turtleneck sweaters almost exclusively in the colder months (a constant every year for me), and I've found that a sleek herringbone style like this one sits perfectly atop the sweater style. 

Plus, who doesn't want a little glittering gold added to all these Zoom calls? 

For anyone interested in purchasing their own herringbone piece, I've linked a few favourites that are available at a variety of price points below. Happy shopping!

There's been such a strong emphasis on shopping local during the pandemic. And with very good reason.

Small businesses are some of the hardest hit amid the global pandemic, so that means that every dollar really and truly helps. 

I've been using this time to research fabulous local fashion brands — and I'm pleased to report that I've found so many amazing options. 

The discovery led me to an idea for a new series here on Covet & Acquire, aptly named Local Love. As the name suggests, I'll be highlighting new-and-noteworthy companies within the fashion, beauty and lifestyle space. 

First up: the local jewelry brand Pamela Card. 

Created by artisan Pamela Card, the brand offers stunning gold-plated-over-sterling-silver pieces that are made, by hand, using the method of lost wax casting and hand forging. Each piece is truly a work of art. 

In this post, I've featured the Syracuse necklace, a necklace modelled after an ancient coin with the eye-catching profile of the sea nymph and daughter of Nereid on one side, and a racing chariot on the reverse. 

Whether worn alone or with other favourite necklaces, it's a piece that captures one's attention — and is sure to start a conversation or two. 

If you have any ideas for this new Local Love series, I'd love to hear them. Send me an email at aleeshah@live.ca.

My love of Levi's is very well documented. 

As a fan of the American clothing brand, I'm always interested to see what they come up with — and that includes collaborations. 

The latest release sees Levi's team up with cool-girl clothing company Ganni for a buzz-worthy collaboration of pieces that have a responsible twist. The pieces in the collection are made with cottonized hemp,  a textile alternative to natural cotton that sees 70% less water used in production. 

The Ganni x Levi's release includes several styles — but I'm partial to this double-breasted blazer. It's the garment I would imagine if my favourite boyfriend blazer and beloved denim jacket had a baby. Talk about the best of both worlds ...

I'm also loving the denim shirt with the ruffled collar that I've spotted all over social media. 

Are you loving the latest Levi's collab? 

Canadian handbag brand Ela has teamed up again Michif (Métis) artist Christi Belcourt for a limited-edition pouch that helps power ocean cleanup. 

The vegan-leather pouch design highlights one of Belcourt’s works titled Water Lilies.

“The water lily is also a powerful medicine, it not only cleans the water but is food and medicine to many species on earth,” Belcourt has said of the flowering plant.

Available through the H Project at Holt Renfrew, the sale of each $50 pouch sees $10 donated to Oceana Canada, a charity aimed at cleaning up the world’s oceans. The limited-edition collaboration pouch will be available at the Canadian luxury retailer's stores, as well as online at holtrenfrew.com while supplies last.

What it is: Part of the Guerlain Orchidée Impériale collection, the Micro-Lift Serum Concentrate features "7,000 micro-sculptors and millions of regenerating orchid molecules" to boost and replenish skin. 

Beauty bonus: Skin looked noticeably more smooth and hydrated with regular use. 

Beauty bummer: This luxury skincare product comes with a luxury price tag.

Overall: The Orchidée Impériale collection from the French brand Guerlain is an absolute treat. 

From the fresh scent of the products to the luxe exterior packaging — to the skincare ingredients contained inside, of course — the Guerlain Orchidée Impériale products proved to be a welcome addition to our skincare routine. The fact that the product ingredients are also 92 per cent of natural origin proved to be an added bonus.

The serum's ingredients include an Orchid Duo, which includes Gastrodia elata, an orchid said to be "essential to traditional Chinese medicine." The potent ingredient works to lift and firm skin, while also protecting it. 

The Micro-Lift Serum Concentrate envelops skin in a soft veil of coverage (a little goes a long way). When applied with the trademark Guerlain massage technique, it provides a nice spa-like experience at home. 

We followed the application experience with the Orchidée Impériale The Cream morning and night to further increase the moisture factor. As mentioned above, with consistent use, there was a noticeable change in the overall texture, tone and hydration level of skin. 

Would recommend? If your beauty budget allows it, then definitely!

Price: $625 

Retailer: Holt Renfrew 

I've posted about this piece before — see my previous posts here and here — and, from those posts, I've received several messages from people asking about the sizing. 

I have this oversized style in both a size M and a size L. And, when I went to purchase this black one, I was admittedly a bit torn about which size to choose. 

Ultimately, it was the L that won out. I found the M looked really great, but didn't  have quite the look I was going for. (For reference, this one and the beige linked above are both L while the plaid is the M). 

Unlike another blazer from Aritzia that I have (it's also Babaton, though I can't recall the style name, and I have it in a M), I like how the Agency doesn't feel too oversized. I'm all about the bigger-is-better-trend, but I don't want to look like I'm wearing some type of ... costume, you know? Instead, this blazer cut feels like it's on-trend now, and will be stylish for years to come thanks to the tailoring and fabric. 

I've linked a few other oversized blazers that caught my eye below. You know, just in case you're in the market for one. 

Blazer: Aritzia | Jeans: Pretty Little Thing c/o | Bag: Prada

Boots: Geox c/o

What it is: Two scent selects from Spanish brand Loewe's fragrance collection. 

Beauty bonus: These two eau de toilettes smell divine on their own — or layered together. 

Beauty bummer: As they're eau de toilettes, we found these a bit light-wearing on skin. 

Overall: Boasting 50 per cent of the same notes — Indian sandalwood, Sicilian lemon and Tonka bean — for both the men's and women's iterations, these two fragrances are undoubtedly similar, but also oh-so unique. 

While 001 Woman plays with the citrus notes a bit more prominently, the 001 Man scent boasts a strong nod to the more musky elements. And it's DIVINE. 

There aren't too many fragrances that, once I smell them, become an instant addition to my personal scent rotation. I can think of Hanae Mori Butterfly (my first 'designer' fragrance), Chanel Coromandel and Le Labo Rose 31 among my most beloved. 

Now, I can add to that list the Loewe 001 Man fragrance.

Would recommend? Yes! I'm obsessed. 

Price: $124 to $174

Retailer: Holtrenfrew.com