I have been on a bit of a reading kick … I thought I would share what I have been reading lately with you guys! I used to read almost a book a day before I started my undergraduate studies and I think I am getting “back into the swing of things”
I was hoping some of you guys might have some recommendations as well :) - I would love to know what is on your nightstand for those of you who love reading!
Happy New Years Eve!
Hey guys! Its been a while since I have done an “outfit post” … J and I went downtown for coffee and a bit of shopping – I had bought J a pair of shoes at Little Burgundy (fave shoe store) but his foot is so big its hard to find him the perfect fit ..it was a fail for me. Anyways, needed to return those and as we made our way walking down Queen street I discovered that they were having 30% off additional reduction on all sale items .. I didn't pick anything up but I just thought I would share it with you guys … just in case you are in the market for some cute new boots or something of the sort! I really don't need any more shoes and find it difficult to wear even those that I already own just because I have so many pairs and have been cutting down on “wants”. Truthfully, I have not been subscribing to the usual fashion magazines that grace my bathroom floor (yes, I am a bathroom reader>>>haha)..I have been more into personal finance and have recently subscribed to Money Sense which is a great Canadian magazine for those looking to be more aware of how to invest/what to do with their money. I love it! Its easy to read and pertinent to my present day and future with respect to planning for the road today and the road ahead. I also got a couple of interesting finance books which I am looking forward to reading over the holidays… in addition to Lawrence Hill’s “The book of Negroes”… I started reading it a couple days ago and I am absolutely hooked! So far its an extremely captivating piece of historical fiction… I will probably be done in a few days – its THAT good.
Anyways, I hope all of you are having/have had a wonderful Holiday season – I know I did in the company of my family and friends! We ate a lot of food, drank some good wine and received a few gifts along the way :p … which included the new buttery soft but extremely sturdy purse that I am wearing in this post (love it to pieces) and the bracelet that I am wearing in the last picture – It was a gift from J and his family who each picked a bead/charm to add to it (while keeping in mind my favourite colour so that I could have a “themed” bracelet) … it is gorgeous .. so perfect and is very special to me. It is the only piece of jewellery that I have consistently worn each day since receiving it! I think its a great gift because its something that you can keep adding to (for birthdays, occasions and other special moments) … the beads are quite pricey which is why it is something you build upon (unless you have the disposable income ..well, hey, that's your call!)
I hope you all have a great week! 2011 is almost upon us – I don't know about you buy I know that I am VERY excited … and I know a few people who are in the same boat with me … two of our (J and I) close friends get married in 2011 and we are planning ours as well which will be quickly arriving – its going to be a crazy, hectic, fun and all around memorable year – I can feel it and I'm excited to jump into it!
Outfit: Leather Jacket: Zara, Hoodie: Talulah, Shirt: BCBG (so soft and comfortable on a lazy day), Tights: Old Navy, Boots: Joie, Purse: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Bracelet: Pandora
Makeup: Foundation: Maybelline Super stay , Blush: MAC Plum Foolery, Eye shadow: MAC Satin Taupe (up to crease) and MAC Blanc Type on bro bone to highlight, Eyeliner: MAC Blacktrack, Mascara: Rimmel Sexy Curves in Blackest Black , Lipstick: MAC blankety (great pink- nude colour.. almost done the tube and will definitely repurchase!)
Merry Christmas everyone!
Yesterday was spent in the company of my mothers very large extended family – every Christmas eve we get together for a family potluck which I look forward to all year! Its wonderful to get to see all my cousins and aunts and uncles – I have a LOT of them so its not often that we can gather everyone on a specific day that works for all – except Christmas :) … My grandparents arrived from Portugal and were thrilled … it was a great time with a lot of food , drinks and our family Christmas Skit (its a funny show all the kids put on every year) … Today, the morning is spent with my immediate family and we open our gifts and so forth … drink hot chocolate and watch Christmas movies …. then for lunch we make our way to my Dad’s side of the family which is very small … just my aunt, uncle and my two cousins… I am off now to eat some MORE food and spend time in the company of family… later, probably make my way to J’s house
I hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas in the company of your family and friends!
Again- Merry Christmas!!!
xox
Outfit: Faux fur jacket: Vintage, Top: Vintage Ports International, Jeans: Marciano, Boots: Joie, Bag: Gucci
Hi Guys! I just wanted to do a quick post that did not involve having to showcase an outfit because to be honest I have been SO busy this holiday season between work, family and trying to get some shopping done in between… the weather here in Toronto has also been SUPER cold and by the time I get home it has been pitch black … all of that means that I need to save my “outfit post” for the weekend… haha… it always becomes harder in the winter!
Anyways, I thought I would share some of my favourite products that I have been using a lot recently – I didn't include my foundation here because if you look to the post before this one you can probably guess what I have been into!
On My lips I have been liking nude colours such as my Rimmel Nude Delight (inexpensive and one of my favourite nude lippies!) with a gloss on top such as Revlon’s Life’s a Peach layered on top. I have been also liking Benefits Stay don't Stray as a primer for my eyelids – I like that it cancels out redness and helps even out the skin on your lids – I think I want to try the Urban Decay primer potion next in Eden – my paint pots have been a little drying for the winter lately. MAC’s melon pigment over the eyelid up to the crease has been a simple but put together and awake look I have been liking for lazy mornings when you have about 5 minutes to get ready (because you would rather sleep in that extra 10 :P). Then in the crease I have been liking browns such as the ones from the Wet n Wild Vanity palette (which is AMAZING!).. the cream colour in this palette is also a great dupe for my beloved MAC Blanc Type to use on the brow bone to highlight.. and winged black liner with mascara to finish the look. Rimmel’s Lash Maxx is still my love – the bristles and brush are huge and perfect for getting thick lashes! I love the No7 concealer to hide redness around my nose and blemishes that I might have on my face…On my cheeks you will pretty much always find NARS Laguna bronzer and Orgasm blush on the apples of my cheeks… I really love the quality Iof NARS makeup (although I don't own much of it) but it is so expensive and you know the saying.. you pay for what you get> ? Well, not not really because there are so many awesome drugstore finds that rival “high end” brands … I have been quite choosy lately in what it is that I choose to spend my hard earned cash on .. and lately, that involves going through the stash that I already own and putting what I have to good use ;)
Hope you all have a great week!
I think if you love makeup ...a good "base" is most important..your face is your "canvas" so to speak... and not everyone is blessed with flawless skin - in terms of monetary investment - foundation is where I would be willing to spend the most money (that and a good brush set!). I have promised this post for a while so here goes...
I will work my way from left to right (as per the picture)
Studio Sculpt foundation by MAC – The consistency of this foundation is very thick so I only need to use a small amount. It does not blend as easily as my other foundations and for that … I don't like it as much. It does leave a dewy finish which I like but it does not photograph well in my opinion (probably due to the SPF). I save this foundation for work days when I feel like my skin needs to be a little more covered up. I would say this is is one of my least favourites now that I have had the opportunity to try out so many other foundations. It is probably best suited for those with normal skin (not too dry and not too oily)
Estee Lauder Double Wear- This is my favourite foundation although the price is a tad hefty. I do not mind paying a higher price for a product that I use often and love so it is not a big issue for me (although, I have found a foundation that I love just as much at a drugstore price). The staying power of this foundation is amazing – it really does last all day for me and I do not need to touch up throughout the day. It gives a flawless finish and I would say its a medium to full coverage foundation – it has SPF in it but definitely photographs better than most foundations with SPF (Cough ..cough… the MAC foundation mentioned above). It does not come with a pump so the one that i purchased is from MAC (cost me $7 and fits the Estee Lauder bottle perfectly- its easier to dispense and more sanitary that way). I like the consistency – it is not too runny and I can blend it easily with my fingers. I like to use this when I go out and need my makeup to last a little longer
Maybelline Super Stay Makeup- This has got to be my second favourite foundation and this is a recent discovery. I am on my second bottle and LOVE this stuff! It is very comparable to my Estee Lauder foundation but obviously a lot cheaper – I actually bought my second bottle when Rexall was having 50% off all their face makeup so I purchased it for $7 – definitely beats Estee’s $45 price tag! The staying power is awesome and lasts pretty much all day (although my Estee Lauder foundation still looks slightly better nearing the end of the day – I am still very happy with this product). The consistency is nice and easy to blend with my fingers – I just hate that it does not come with a pump (I know the European version does … not fair!). It has no SPF so this photographs bet in my opinion (especially when mixed with just a little bit of my Revlon photoready foundation). I will continue to purchase this until it becomes discontinued (which I hope it doesn't)!
Revlon Colorstay- I like this foundation and until I discovered the Maybelline Superstay and Estee Lauder – this was my favourite..however, recently I have grown quite weary of its paint like smell – I don't think I can handle it anymore so its not a foundation I will be purchasing any longer. I have found a couple foundations that I love even more that don't smell like I am putting paint or shellac on my face!I know a lot of people love it – its just not for me anymore …although coverage is great and its definitely affordable – Maybelline takes the cake over this one!
Revlon Photoready – Best pump on a foundation bottle EVER! This pump is so precise – I wish all foundations came in a bottle like this one! This is a very light coverage foundation and I like it for winter because it makes my skin look glowing – however, in direct sunlight I can come off a little “Edward Cullen from Twilight”..its a little too much sparkle but only really noticeable up really close… I do seem to get a lot of compliments for my skin when I use this foundation. I just don't like wearing highlighters or anything sparkly on my face because I just feel like the foundation “glows”" on its own and I don't want to over-do it. It is very easy to blend as well
Rimmel Stay Matte – I don't have too much to say about this one as I don't use it often – I don't think it does anything miraculous and its an ok drugstore foundation – Its definitely not matte like it claims to be – at least not on me! I use it more when I have blemished skin because it has “acne fighting”" complex in it – makes me feel slightly better psychologically – haha. It is a light-medium coverage foundation. I don't find that it blends as easily as some of my other foundations listed
Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse- I love this stuff when my skin is really dry! It is very moisturizing and light coverage which I like for Sundays when I am lounging around and don't feel like getting too “"prettied up”" if you know what I mean.. This HAS to be applied with a sponge – I tried applying with my fingers and it was an absolute fail. I like that it comes with a little compartment to keep the sponge in when you are on the go! It does not last all day – the staying power is ok – I just really like it on days where I want a little bit of coverage and moisture in my skin – its great for that – and the fact that its easy to throw the compact into my bag
What's your favourite foundation (if you wear it)? I would love to know!
Hope you all had a great weekend :)
Hey guys! In a few minutes it will be December 1st which officially marks the start of the Christmas season in my books… Yes, I am one of “those people” who starts shopping well before hand because I hate the thought of last minute gifts, lack of sizes and selection and getting “ripped off” in the moment of passion- So I am almost done my Christmas shopping and am proud of that!
Today when I was out picking up a gift that I had pre-ordered for the little brother (he loves video games) I passed by Bath and Body Works and picked up two candles – one for myself and one for the mama – I got the scent “homemade cookies” for me (which smells heavenly to say the least!) and Twisted Peppermint for the mama – I absolutely love holiday scented candles and Bath and Body Works definitely makes some of my favourite ones – if you love candles, check them out – they are a tad pricier but worth it in my opinion because the scent is not too weak or too strong and I love that they come with a cap that you can use to cover it for travelling ( to hotels etc…)
I also started doing some wrapping while watching “The Grinch” with Jim Carrey – yes, I am corny like that – and proud of it :p …
I hope you all had a wonderful start to your week!
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