Little Things I'm Loving: February

Hope you've all had a fabulous February! I'm loving the longer days and the occasionally springlike weather we've been getting  -- there's nothing like a bit of winter sunshine to cheer the spirits. 

Here are five other little things that put a smile on my face over the past month...


1. I didn't want to be this girl on the beach for our holiday to Cuba a few weeks ago, so I made sure to slather on a liberal amount of St. Tropez' Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse in anticipation. St. Tropez has always been my brand of choice for fake tan, and this new product is miraculous, transforming me from Celtic to Hispanic (kinda) in a record-breaking three hours. 

2. Is it just me or has Forever 21 really upped their shoe game of late?! Not long after purchasing these black beauties, I was back for a second hit -- this time, returning with these faux patent leather ankle strap flats (also available in black) in tow. I've always had a thing for red shoes, and it was love at first sight.

3. The food in Cuba was terrible (and this is coming from a girl who actually kind of likes airplane and theme park food), so I pretty much lived on drinks the whole time we were there...and piña coladas were my poison of choice. The ones served at the all-inclusive we stayed at were fairly good, but the real deal we had a roadside stop on the way to Havana was a game changer. Served in a coconut and garnished with a slice of pineapple, it was ambrosial. 

4. Target, as a store, has never been a particular favourite of mine, but the fact that they're shutting down their 133 locations in Canada means massive liquidation sales, with 20-40% off everything in store. Well worth a visit!

5. This Burt's Bees Rosewater & Glycerin Toner is one of my new favourite products -- it doesn't irritate my super sensitive skin, and it smells heavenly. (When it comes to scents, my taste can sometimes verge on the geriatric -- I'm a big fan of anything lavender or rose-scented).

Little Things I'm Loving: January

How have you all been enjoying 2015 so far? Although January is without a doubt my least favourite month of the year, this one hasn't been so bad. I'm feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to take on the New Year (long may my positivity last ;).

Here are five little things that have been brightening the grey days of this past month...


1. I didn't have any intention of buying a new pair of shoes when I wandered into Forever 21 last week...but somehow that's just what I ended up doing! These pointed ankle-strap flats (also available in nude) are pretty much my dream shoe. And they're super comfortable too! I find that most shoes I buy (even flats) require a torturous breaking-in period, but these happily did not.

2. I'd been on the look out for a new highlighter for a while, and NARS' Albatross highlighting blush is exactly what I was searching for: something that I can lightly dust on my cheekbones and nose to give a bit of a luminous glow without being garish.

3. I've always been fascinated by other countries and cultures, so this beautiful book by Lonely Planet -- which gives a one-page low-down on every country in the world, complete with stunning photography -- is right up my alley. 

4. I know there's no real need for a print planner, as anything worth noting, like appointments and the like, can be tapped into a phone in 2 seconds...but I'm a sucker for an aesthetically pleasing product, and Katie Daisy's 2015 Live Simply Planner -- filled with uplifting quotes and gorgeous illustrations -- makes planning ahead that much more fun for me. 

5. Have you guys heard of the app Trivia Crack?! Basically, you play against an opponent to answer a series of questions from six categories -- Art, Science, Sports, Entertainment, Geography (my favourite!), and History. Whoever correctly answers the questions from all categories first wins! It truly is addictive...

Five Motivational Quotes for the New Year

Some people may find inspirational quotes a bit, well, cheesy, but I can't get enough of them -- especially around this time of year! Here are some of my favourites (that I hope will help me stay motivated when my New Year zeal starts to wane...)

10 Items: Pastel Coats

I love the idea of winter pastels around this time of year. I was all about plaid and rich, heavy fabrics in the months leading up to Christmas, but now that the festive season is over, I'm more than ready for springtime with its sugary shades. 

Here are 10 coats that look good enough to eat! Which would you pick? Or do you find pastels too sickly sweet for your taste?!




1. Linea at House of Fraser / 2. Choies / 3. Lavand at House of Fraser / 4. Enföld / 5. New Look 
6. Pull & Bear / 7. Mackintosh at Harrods / 8. L.K. Bennett at John Lewis / 9. George at Asda / 10. Gucci 

Little Things I'm Loving: December

Hope you all had a peaceful and relaxing Christmas! In the past, I would always feel that Christmas came and went far too quickly for my liking, but this year I felt I'd got a sufficient dosage of festiveness (I think listening to Christmas music all day, every day since November 1st probably helped!). 

Here are some of my favourite discoveries from the past month...


1. I loooove everything that Rifle Paper Co. produces, from their greeting cards to their phone cases, and their 2015 Travel the World calendar is as gorgeous and colourful as you'd expect. I can't wait to break it out on January 1st!

2. The picture doesn't really do it justice, but in real life this Kate Spade wallet is a beautiful glittery midnight blue colour (I'm a total magpie for things with a sparkly finish). A sweet and thoughtful gift from Vicky, it's going to be the chicest wallet I've ever owned, and a far cry from the ratty old plastic case I've been carrying my cards in for the past few years.

3. Have you guys heard of Serial?! It's a podcast that aired a few months back, but I've only recently started listening to it. I was never really into podcasts before, but this one is just so incredibly gripping. The premise of the (true) story is this:

It's Baltimore, 1999. Hae Min Lee, a popular high-school senior, disappears after school one day. Six weeks later detectives arrest her classmate and ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, for her murder. He says he's innocent—though he can't exactly remember what he was doing on that January afternoon. But someone can. A classmate at Woodlawn High School says she knows where Adnan was. The trouble is, she’s nowhere to be found.

Adnan was convicted of the murder and is currently spending his life in prison, but Serial's host, Sarah Koenig, isn't entirely convinced that he's guilty. Each episode she presents a different element of the story, interviewing Adnan himself as well as his friends and family, leaving the listener in complete suspense as to what will transpire next...

4. On that cheerful note, let's switch the subject to hair products... This John Frieda Luxurious Volume Building Mousse is a lifesaver for my very fine, limp hair, giving some much-needed lift to my roots without leaving any sticky residue.

5. I wouldn't have the hugest sweet tooth, but I can never resist a mug of hot chocolate. While I usually opt for a cheap brand like Carnation, this decadent-looking Whittard Rocky Road hot chocolate was on sale at my local supermarket, and I just couldn't resist. I mean, with a description like "this all-time favourite combines classic flavours of marshmallow and milk chocolate with those of toffee, cherry, raisins and sultanas," how could I?!

Lipstick of the Week: Barry M Lip Lacquer in Cherry Red

Probably one of the most festive lip products I own (it actually has little flecks of glitter in it), Barry M's lip lacquer in Cherry Red is a definite go-to this time of year. It does tend to be a bit drying, so I always wear some clear balm underneath, and apply probably three or four coats to get that rich, lacquer-like finish. 

Barry M is one of my favourite UK beauty brands -- great quality and variety at drugstore-level prices. As well as their lip products, I'm also a big fan of their range of nail polish. If you're ever in the UK or Ireland, I recommend you stock up!

Lipstick of the Week: Hourglass Grace

I would definitely consider myself a strong lip rather than bold eye kind of person when it comes to make-up...but that's not to say that I don't enjoy a good smoky eye from time to time. And, as we all know, the only possible pairing for an intense eye is a subdued lip. You'd think a basic nude lipstick would be an easy thing to find, but I found it next to impossible to find the perfect shade -- all the ones I tested out were too pale, too chalky, too golden... And then Grace, this little Hourglass freebie from Sephora, came into my life and it was exactly what I was looking for. Described as a "light peachy beige," it's the perfect nude shade for fair skin.

 

5 Favourite Shops: Best for Tall Girls

I'm 5'9", which is not super tall, but it's still tall enough to find certain stores a nightmare to shop in when it comes to finding clothes of a decent length (*cough Forever 21 cough*). Here are a few favourite brands I find are kind to those with longer limbs...

1. Gap
Most of Gap's jeans come in three sizes -- regular, petite, and tall -- and believe me, their "tall" sizes are long (I actually only need a regular length myself). I find their sweaters, dresses, and coats are also very generous in terms of length.

2. J. Crew
J. Crew's Creative Director, Jenna Lyons, is over six feet tall, and the brand's most famous patron, Michelle Obama, is 5'11"... needless to say, this is a store that caters very well to taller women. 

3. Dynamite
While I don't own any trousers or skirts from Dynamite, I find this Canadian brand is surprisingly great for length in things like blazers and cardigans.  

4. Topshop
This British high street staple has a Tall section actually in store, which I appreciate (most stores that have tall sizes only carry them online). However, a word of warning: this line caters to women 5'7" and taller, so if you're 6"+, you might find some items are still a little on the short side. I've found that some of their supposedly "Tall" dresses are not particularly long, but you can definitely notice the difference in things like sleeve lengths. 

5. Banana Republic
Part of the Gap Inc. company, BR is a great place for both tall and petite women to check out. Most locations have a Petites section in store, but the Tall range can only be found online (unfair but at least they have one, I guess!). However, I find that most of the regularly-sized stuff found in stores is actually lengthy enough. 

10 Items: Festive Footwear

Last week, I shared my picks for 10 sparkly items of clothing that I would happily wear all day, every day this time of year. Today I thought I'd put the focus on festive footwear with 10 glittery pairs of shoes are sure to put a sparkle in your step! Which are your favourites?

1. RED Valentino / 2. Kate Spade / 3. Keds x Kate Spade  / 4. J. Crew / 5. Paul Smith Shoes 

6. Bimba Y Lola / 7. Miu Miu / 8. Dune / 9. Lucy Choi / 10. Kate Spade

Lipstick of the Week: MAC Ruby Woo

You've probably heard of this week's lipstick, Ruby Woo -- it's definitely a cult classic, and it's not hard to see why. It's just such a classic red red that looks good on every skin colour (though it's especially great for those with cool undertones, as it's a very blue-based red). 

Ruby Woo is definitely one of my all-time favourite lipsticks now, but it wasn't always that way... When I first started wearing it, I didn't realize that you need to wear some sort of primer underneath, so after a few hours, I'd be left with really flaky, chalky lips. Thankfully, I know better now, and always apply a thin layer of clear balm underneath (any basic chapstick will do as long as it's untinted).

And as for what to wear it with? Well, pretty much everything, but I especially love it with light, sugary shades -- mint, powder blue, blush. If you don't already have Ruby Woo in your lipstick arsenal, I highly recommend you get it -- ask Santa! (It's also a fantastic present to give to someone, if you're looking for ideas). 

 

Vancouver Adventure: Nicola Street (West End)

Even though I've lived in Vancouver on and off for over a year, I still feel like a newcomer, and one of my favourite things to do is explore random little pockets of the city. For this new series, I'll be sharing some of my adventures in Vancouver...and I can tell there will be a lot of them! Seriously, this city is crammed with the most intriguing, eclectic little neighbourhoods, and I can't wait to discover them all. 

Vicky and I went for a stroll around the charming Nicola Street in the West End a few weeks ago -- just a stone's throw from where we live, but somehow a street we'd never ventured to before. The West End, in my humble opinion, is one of the most interesting places in the city to walk around, for the simple reason that it's so architecturally diverse: shabby, '60s apartment buildings stand alongside gorgeous, turn-of-the-century ones, and you're bound to stumble across the odd beautiful little church or of-another-era corner store. 

{The intriguing-looking Niloo Hair Salon and House of Jewels}

We had lunch at the Greenhorn, a hipstery little place with delicious soups, salads, sandwiches, and a daily special (a mouthwateringly tasty truffled mac and cheese the day we were there). The exterior was under renovation when we went, and didn't make for a terribly photogenic picture, but here are some interior shots...

{Bottles of soda and the menu written on rolls of brown paper}

{Wall of records on the second floor, where we sat. While seating isn't exactly limited (it's a fairly capacious place as far as cafes go), it gets super busy on weekends/holidays. Don't say we didn't warn you!}

After all that rich food, it was time to walk off some calories... 

{The West End is beautiful in autumn (preferably on a sunny day, but hey, we'll take a grey one too!)}

And then, wonder of wonders, we found a secret little tucked-away park...

{...where we took these photos. As Vicky aptly noted, the place felt very "Blair Witch." Eeeeek! }

{The eerie vibe was definitely accentuated by the dark trees and this lone, forlorn-looking see-saw}

So those were our adventures on Nicola. Definitely an interesting little area to check out if you're in the vicinity. Hard to believe it's literally a block away from the bustle of Robson Street!

10 Items: Sparkle

I love, love, love anything sparkly -- it's just so fun, so festive, so decadent. While it's obviously a style well suited to parties/nighttime, I equally love the look of a sequinned piece casually worn with low-key basics for day (think sparkly trousers with an oversized sweatshirt, or a glittery top with boyfriend jeans). 

What's your favourite way to wear sparkle?!


1. BCBG Dress / 2. H&M Jacket / 3. River Island Skirt  / 4. Alice + Olivia Jacket  / 5. New Look Shorts 
6. Calypso St. Barth Top / 7. Case-Mate iPhone Case / 8. H&M Dress / 9. BCBG Leggings / 10. Anya Hindmarch Clutch

Lipstick of the Week: Lancôme Ruby Silk

I'm fond of red lipstick year-round, but there's something about a red lip around Christmastime particularly that just feels so right. This shade, Ruby Silk, from Lancôme's L'Absolu Rouge range, is every bit as luxuriant as it sounds -- rich, creamy, and surprisingly moisturizing for such a vivid colour. 

Little Things I'm Loving: November

Can you believe it's nearly December already?! Wow, this year has just flown by! Here are the five little things I've been enjoying this past month... What were your favourite discoveries this November?



1. I was devastated when the Gingerbread Latte didn't make a re-appearance this season at Starbucks' in BC (although I hear it's been brought back due to the subsequent outcry?!). Anyway, I thought I'd try out the new Chestnut Praline Latte as a replacement...and it was actually delicious -- those "spiced praline crumbs" they top it with are delightful! I think the GL may just have a run for its money with this one...

2. Do you guys read Porter? This is a new magazine on my radar and I really enjoy it! Launched by Net-a-Porter this past spring, it's published six times a year and its glossy pages are crammed with all the things I love in a magazine: gorgeous fashion, interesting articles, and good but unpretentious writing. I think I'll definitely have to add it to this list. 

3. After months of searching, I've finally found my perfect plaid scarf! Gap had a 50% off all items deal a few weeks ago, so I was able to snag this super cosy little number for half its original price. 

4. My skin gets really dry this time of year, and I find Vaseline is the best cure for everything from chapped hands to flaky lips. This cocoa butter-scented one is amazing: it has the same consistency as the original, but with a yummy scent that will transport you to a Caribbean island (although I'm also fond of the distinctive smell of ordinary Vaseline). 

5. I love this delicate Chilled Sky Mug from Anthropologie -- an early Christmas present from my mum (thank you, Mama!!). The icy blue colour feels so appropriate for this time of year and will be the perfect way to enjoy a Christmassy cup of hot chocolate.

10 Items: Tartan

As you may know already, I'm a big fan of all things plaid, and this post got me thinking of the multitude of ways you can wear this seasonal trend. Here's a round-up of 10 fabulous check and tartan-inspired pieces -- which are your favourites?

1. Coat

Sea New York tartan plaid coat - oxygenboutique.com

2. Sweater

McQ by Alexander McQueen knit sweater - alexandermcqueen.com

3. Dress
FAUSTO PUGLISI black velvet mini dress - yoox.com

4. Gloves

C Wonder glove - cwonder.com

5. Scarf
Linea evening shawl - houseoffraser.co.uk

6. Trousers

Vivienne Westwood Red Label slim fit wool pants - profilefashion.com

7. Skirt
Oui mini skirt - houseoffraser.co.uk

8. Shirt
Band of Outsiders red collared shirt - lagarconne.com

9. Handbag
Tory Burch black handbag - toryburch.com

10. Heels
Lucy Choi London high heel pumps - my-wardrobe.com

Five Favourite Shops: Pricy (But Amazing)

Over the past few weeks, I've shared my five favourite budget-friendly stores; five pricier/mid-range favourites that have great sales; and my five favourite shops from the UK and Ireland. (You can check out those posts here). Today, I thought I'd share, in no particular order, five of my favourite pricy favourites -- the kind of places that I could go crazy in if money were no object. 

1. Anthropologie
Vicky and Claudia aren't the biggest fans of Anthro (they think it's pretentious), but I love it. Love, love, love it. They really know how to suck me in with their dreamy, ethereal catalogues and their impeccably boho-chic store design. The few pieces I own from here were all bought on sale (because no matter how beautiful something from Anthropologie is, I don't have the budget to justify buying it full price), but let's be honest: the full price stuff is just so much more alluring. 

2. Kate Spade
Ah, Kate Spade just knows me. She knows what I love: bright colours, bows, polka dots, pretty stationery, the odd bit of glitter... Definitely pricy, but pure preppy, girly heaven. Their outlet stores are fantastic -- at the one in Vegas I was able to score this beautiful lemon-yellow handbag at a quarter of the original price. 

3. Club Monaco
If I had to describe this Toronto-born chain in one word, it would be "sophisticated." Normally, I'm big into colour and pattern, but there is something so refreshing about stepping into the peaceful, immaculately appointed haven of a Club Monaco store, with its crisp, understated-chic pieces in muted tones. Also: I love that every item has a name! (I was totally nearly tempted to buy a skirt once because it was "called" Ali).

4. Ted Baker
This British brand strikes the perfect balance between feminine and cool, and their pieces are just so beautiful -- great colours, fabulous prints, lovely detailing. But when you do the conversions...eeeee they're so expensive! Sigh. 

5. BCBG
I'm big into dresses, and BCBG gives great (albeit $$) dress. I recently browsed the summery dresses they had on sale, and was overcome with an intense craving for warm weather (and this is coming from someone who is typically in her element in November). Damn, those dresses are magical. 

Lipstick of the Week: Elizabeth Arden Cinnamon

What do you guys think of metallic lips? So far out they're back in again? Or not quite yet ready for a comeback? As a firm fan of the matte lip, it took me a while to warm up to this frosty look, but I actually think I kind of like it... It feels quite festive this time of year, and hey, any lip product with a bit of a shine to it is infinitely more lip enhancing/plumping than its matte sister. I think the key to pulling it off without looking dated is to pair it with a simple eye -- if you are going with eyeshadow, keep it matte (metallic eye plus metallic lip = overload). 

This Elizabeth Arden shade is definitely not one I'd wear year-round, but it feels appropriate for autumn/winter (I think the fact it's called "Cinnamon" may have a lot to do with it!). 

Lipstick of the Week: Lancôme Exotic Orchid

While I have a lot of freebies in my lipstick collection, there are actually only a few that I wear on a regular basis, and Exotic Orchid, from Lancôme's L'Absolu Rouge collection, is one of them. The name is somewhat misleading as there's nothing really exotic or orchid-like about this shade -- something like "Basic Rose" would be more appropriate, but I guess that just doesn't have the same allure, does it? 

For me, this is the perfect lipstick for when I want something a bit rosier than a basic pink but not as intense as a full-on red lip; in short, it's the ideal shade for everyday wear. 

Colours For Your Complexion: Spring

It's time for the last instalment in our Colours For Your Complexion series! Today, we're featuring the most flattering shades for all you Spring ladies out there. Like their autumnal sisters, women with Spring complexions have warm as opposed to cool undertones -- think golden/olive as opposed to pink/blue. The main difference, however, is that Springs tend to have lighter hair and eyes, while Autumns are usually dark-eyed brunettes.

You're probably a Spring if you can identify with most of these characteristics:

Skin: Anything from creamy ivory to deep olive.
Hair: Typically blonde or red, but even if it's dark, will tend to have golden/reddish highlights.
Eyes: Tend to be clear and bright -- blue, green, grey, or a "bright" hazel.

You Look Best In: Light, warm-toned colours.

You Can Look Washed-Out In: Dark shades, and some bright, cool-toned hues.




Best Colours For Springs
































And that wraps up this series! What season do you fall under?! For a recap of the other three seasons -- Winter, Summer, and Autumn -- see here.

Lipstick of the Week: NARS Majella

While I wear many of my lipsticks year-round, there are some that I find lend themselves better to certain times of the year, and NARS' Satin Lip Pencil in Majella is one such shade. A deep, sultry cranberry, it's the perfect colour for colder months -- an ideal accompaniment to the richer hues and heavier fabrics of this season. While it obviously looks great with a more dressed-up evening look, I actually prefer wearing it more casually during the day, with slouchy knits and just a simple slick of mascara.