Best Christmas Gifts | FOR HER

Happy holidays, lovelies!

I hope the month of December is treating you well, and that you’re gearing up for the holidays – whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, or anything else, I’m sure we can all agree that everybody just has a little more pep in their step this time of year.

I have put together a few Christmas gift ideas for the lovely lady in your life!

For The Beauty Lover

• Flowerbomb perfume from Sephora 
  • $90-$195
  • Okay, okay! I’m cheating…this was totally on my list last year. It just smells SO good. Not offensive to anyone, appropriate year-round. You can’t go wrong with it!
• Masking set from Sephora
  • $31
  • Every woman loves a little relaxation and mask-ation. Perfect stocking stuffer!

via sephora.com

For the Lovely Tech Geek

• Portable iPhone charger from Amazon
  • $27.99
  • It took me nearly 24 years to splurge on one of these, and in my humble opinion, I think they are absolutely necessary. Besides, this one is so chic.
• Marble Phonecase from Etsy 
  • $19.99
  • The marble trend just isn’t over yet.

For the Netflix + Chill Kinda Girl

• Faux Fur Robe from Pottery Barn 
  • $136
  • I think I’ve finally found the only robe that could be considered good-looking.
• Bath set from Lush 
  • Varying prices to fit your budget!
  • Bonus tip: Lush bath bombs in her stocking. You’re welcome.
• Diffuser from Amazon 
  • $49.99
  • Now imagine this: throw another gift under the tree with her favourite essential oils. Voila!

For the Dog Lover

• Namastay Home With My Dog crew neck from Treat Dreams 
  • $57.99
  • Oh…and 10% of proceeds go toward animal shelters. Feel good while you shop.
• Blow a picture of her dog up into a canvas
  • You’ll lock her down for sure
• Custom Dog Phone Case at Etsy 
  • $17.99
  • Or just put her dog on her phone case

NOTE TO THE READER: I AM RESISTING PUTTING MY NEST CAM ON HERE THAT I USE TO TALK TO/SPY ON MY DOGS WHILE I AM AT WORK.

For the Fitness Enthusiast

• Resistance Bands from Amazon
  • $22.99
  • These always come in handy on leg day. Besides, it’s a non-pervy way to tell her how much you love her peach!
• Adidas NMD
  • $130
  • Okay these are super fly. Not to mention, Whitney Simmons wears them. Whitney Simmons wore flip flops and army pants, so I wore flip flops and army pants.

So have yourself a Merry Little Christmas, lovelies! What’s on your wish list?

2016 Favourites

Hi lovelies,

Can I be the first to say it? 2016 was a bitch. Regardless of that, there are some standout products that I have been loving throughout the year. Some have been released in 2016, whereas others I have just discovered this year – regardless, I would love to share!

Best Foundation

via sephora.com

Diorskin Forever Perfect Makeup Foundation Broad Spectrum 35 – pricey foundation, but leaves a beautiful natural, medium-coverage finish that lasts all day (added bonus, theres already SPF in it, which makes your morning routine that much easier)

Best Bronzer

via sephora.com

via physiciansformula.com

Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer Murumuru in Light – since I’ve purchased this, I cannot put it down. It’s the perfect satin matte bronzer, that leaves a subtle, natural glow (it also smells like pina colada, which brings me back to summer paradise every time I open it)

Honorable Mention: Too Faced Sweethearts Bronzer in Sweet Tea – whereas the Physician’s Formula was matte, this bronzer definitely does have a luminous finish, therefore, I reserve it for summer. When I’m sunkissed, this bronzer adds an extra kick to my complexion.

Best Blusher

via sephora.com

Clinique Cheek Pop in Nude Pop – The perfect natural flush of colour for my skin tone – especially in the summer.

Best Highlight

via anastasiabeverlyhills.com

Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in That Glow – absolutely gorgeous! I love the variety too. I especially love mixing bubbly and sunburst.

Best Fragrance

via sephora.com

via sephora.com

Winter perfume – Thierry Mugler Angel – this fragrance is definitely not for everyone. I love it though because it is so warm and cozy. Once it settles on the skin, it’s a truly exceptional scent, perfect for the colder months.

Summer perfume – Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb – I’m clearly behind on the bandwagon here but THIS SCENT IS OUTSTANDING. Sweet, floral, sexy.

Best Moisturizer

via amazon.com

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel – I have combination skin. Can be incredibly dry, yet gets oily throughout the day and I suffer from semi-frequent breakouts. This moisturizer is perfect. Hydrates my skin enough that I don’t suffer from dry patches, yet not too much that I will become extra-oily. It doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin or clog pores. I have tried many high-end moisturizers (First Aid Beauty, Origins, Murad, etc), yet nothing holds a candle to this. This is probably my standout product of the year – and it smells beautiful!

Christmas Gifts FOR HER

Hey loves!

With Christmas around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about the perfect gift for your friends or girlfriend/wife. I’ve composed a few options for the individuals who are difficult to buy for!

• LuMee Special Edition Marble iPhone Case – $55CAD (because you can never go wrong with marble)
• Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Instant Polaroid Camera – $69.60CAD
• Faux Fur Throw in Grey Fox – $99.50CAD (nothing says cozy Canadian Christmas like faux fur)
• Kate Spade New York Be Dazzling Candle – $45.00CAD
• Garage Plaid Blanket Scarf – $29.95
• Jane Basch Personalized Bar Pendant – $137.56CAD
• Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Rollerball – $30.00CAD (or any rollerball really, this fragrance is just my current favourite)

What are you buying the women in your life this Christmas,

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American friends,

xx

OVER THE KNEE Boots

Hi loves,

I have been loving the knee high boot trend lately. I have styled my Steve Madden’s in a few different ways.

Steve Madden Gorgeous Boot from SteveMadden.com $150.00 

In my photo, I styled them with black jeans from express, a black leather jacket from dynamite, and a black blouse (not shown).

One of my favourite ways to style over the knee boots is with a gorgeous sweater dress.

• ASOS Lounge Asymmetric Oversized Sweater Dress $43.00 
• Everly Dolman Turtleneck Sweater Dress $69.36

Of course, adding some gold chunky jewelry would be a good addition to the outfit as well, Thanks for reading, xx

Sephora VIB Must-Haves

Hi lovely ladies,

It is FINALLY that time of year again, where I can rack up my Sephora shopping cart and spoil myself with all of the purchases that I refused to buy over the past six months. I thought I would share what I have ready to go so far:

• Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Perfume
  • I love this scent. It’s so feminine, floral and sweet.
• Sephora Favourites Beauty Unmasked 
  • This comes with a variety of masks including Origins and Glamglow.
• TOO FACED Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar
  • I love the warm colours in this palette, and I have yet to actually own a chocolate bar palette of any variety.
• GLAMGLOW DREAMDUO Overnight Transforming Treatment 
  • MannyMUA swears by this. I love a good overnight treatment, and I love a good plumping effect.
• Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation
  • Just because I couldn’t justify paying full price for this baby.
• Lancomė La Vie Est Belle Eau De Parfum
  • Another floral, sweet perfume that I have been dying to add to my collection.

What is in your shopping cart for this VIB Sale? I’m always looking to add more.

Happy Humpday,

All photos from Sephora.com

END OF SUMMER | FAVOURITES

Hi sweets!

Summer in Canada is coming to an end. Our hot, sunny days have been replaced with reddened leaves and rain. It’s been a nice change of pace, and I’m excited to get my scarves out for the season change.

Along with that, I have a few favourites to wrap up the summer:

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Fragrance Favourite

Dior Blooming Bouquet – Unfortunately, with summer coming to an end, this scent will likely be locked away until Spring. It is so light, and airy – such an easy, beautiful, girly scent. In the words of Charles Gross, it smells a lot like “raspberries that have been left out in the heat”.

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Beauty Favourites

It Cosmetics CC+ Illumination – When I first received this, I was on the fence about it. Usually I will mix it with a matte foundation to tone down the dewey-ness in it, but it leaves a lovely finish to my skin.

Too Faced Sweet Tea Bronzer – Another product best suited for summer, it gives such a beautiful, sunbeam glow.

MAC Melba – I’ve mentioned this in a favourites before. I just keep going back to it. It’s a perfect blush for any makeup look.

Sephora Radiant Luminizing Drops in Morning Light – These are gold. They create such a natural glow at the high points of my face.

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Random Favourites

Bath and Body Works Leaves Candle – I treated myself with my annual fall candle shop at Bath and Body Works. In previous years, I have never picked Leaves up. However, after hearing Zoella rave about it, I did. I have loved the scent!

Hunter Rain Boots – The mass amounts of rain we have gotten lately, has given me the excuse to pull my Hunters out again.

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Music Favourites

Way Down We Go – Kaleo

Rise Up – Andra Day

Carry Me – Kygo ft. Julia Michaels

Closer – The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey

Corner Booth – Luke Bryan

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Alright, I hope you all had a lovely month. What are your recent favourites? What are you doing to prep for the changing seasons?

Thanks for reading, xx

FRAGRANCE | LUSTS

Hey lovely ladies!

Goodness, it’s been awhile. The last couple of months have been hectic for me! I moved, went through a breakup, and came out the other side. So in better news, I’m back, and I have a list of perfume I’m dying to add to my arsenal.

 

Marc Jacobs Decadence 

At first glance, I didn’t think this perfume would be something I would lust over. However, after curiosity lead me to spritz a bit of this on my wrist, I realized that it lasted forever on my skin. With notes of Italian Plum, Saffron, and Amber, it is certainly an interesting scent.

Picture from Sephora.com

Lancôme La Vie Est Belle

At the beginning of the summer, I spent an evening of drinks with a friend of mine who had this decadent perfume on. The scent was gorgeous. Unfortunately, I likely won’t pick this up until next year. I find the notes of iris and patchouli a perfect fit for summer (and in Canada, we are slowly but surely kissing out summer goodbye).

Picture from Sephora.com

Tom Ford Noir Pour Femme

I’ll be honest, in the past, I have never been particularly blown away by Tom Ford perfumes (perhaps I’m not complex enough for his fragrances). However, Noir Pour Femme is so sexy, and I feel as though it would be a perfect addition to my collection moving into fall.

Picture from Sephora.com

DOLCE&GABBANA The One

This recommendation came straight from Charles Gross’ YouTube channel. He tends to like similar fragrances to me, and he raved about this one. Surely, I smelled it, and now I’m dying to get my hands on it. It’s a good fall scent, even though the notes of Bergamot, Mandarin, Lychee, and Peach would suggest otherwise.

Picture from Sephora.com

Elizabeth and James Nirvana Bourbon 

I am a proud owner of Elizabeth and James Black. I love the sexy, somewhat masculine scent. Recently, I saw this scent pop up on Sephora.com, and I’m dying to try it. Unlike the other fragrances, I haven’t smelled this one. However, with my track record, I’m sure I’ll love it just as much as their other perfumes. Nirvana Bourbon has notes of vanilla bourbon, tuberose, and oakwood.

Picture from Sephora.com

So there we have it, my list of all the perfumes I’m dying to own. Thank you all so much for being so patient with me during my time away! I am through the woods and seeing the light again.

Have you tried any of these scents? If so, what did you think? Even more importantly – what scents would you suggest as we enter fall/winter on this side of the globe?

I wish all of you beautiful people a happy week full of love and light,

 

 

MISS DIOR | BLOOMING BOUQUET

Hey everyone! So the perfume hoarder (AKA me) was back at it again.

I recently picked up Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet. The 3.4oz bottle is for sale at Sephora for $124.00.

Picture from Sephora.com 

This scent is unlike any others in my collection. I typically gravitate towards sweet scents. Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet is the epitome of a girl in summertime. It’s light, floral, bubbly, and elegant. The staying power isn’t the best I’ve had but it’s worth it for me. It’s subtle and so sophisticated.

I was convinced I needed a new summer scent, and this is the one I chose. At first, I purchased Juicy Couture Rosé but on my skin it smelt like a cheap rose-scented soap. So, I returned it, and went with the Blooming Bouquet.

I feel like I’m turning over a new leaf and beginning to purchase more grown-up scents. Between this purchase and my Replica Beach Walk, I should be ready for summer. I posted my previous five favourite fragrances here.

I never thought I would say this, but I think my perfume collection finally has everything I need. Even though I have my eye on Coco Mademoiselle and Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb.

What are your favourite scents? I’m always looking to try out more.

Let’s cross over and be instagram friends! 🙂 Have a wonderful week full of light and love…and May 1st.

 

 

SEPHORA | HAUL

Hi everyone! I’ve missed you all. I hope your week is filled with so much love and light.

As I’m sure majority of you know, the Sephora VIB Sale just passed. I did a little damage there, and wanted to share my purchases with you guys. After that, I purchased a few drugstore makeup items, so I thought I would add that as a little bonus.

 

• Clinique Cheek Pop in Melon Pop ($28.o0 CAN)
• Beauty blender Nude ($28.00 CAN)
• Smash box Photo Finish Primer Water ($15.00 CAN for travel size)
• Too Faced Sweetheart Bronzer in Sweet Tea ($38.00 CAN)
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in That Glow ($52.00 CAN)
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Brush #12 ($23.00 CAN)
• Sephora Collection Radiant Luminizing Drops in Morning Glow ($19.00 CAN)
  • Credit for these goes to the beautiful Nicky Brattina over at thisblissfulmoment
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Lipgloss in Melon ($23.00 CAN)

 

• L’Oreal True Match Lumi Light Infusing Foundation 
• L’Oreal Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer
• Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer

 

Did you shop at the Sephora VIB Sale? Let me know if there are any products you would like a review on!

Have a beautiful week,

P.S. let’s take our friendship to the next level on Instagram! (For an embarrassing amount of dog pictures)

MARCH | FAVOURITES

Happy April, you beautiful souls!

 

I wanted to do a roundup of a few of my favourite beauty products for the month of March, as well as a few lifestyle favourites…and a new addition to the family. I also included one of my new favourite perfumes. So…let’s get to the favourites!

• Benefit Hoola bronzer 

Finally we are seeing a little bit of sun here in Canada! So I’ve really been loving bronzed skin lately…and this product does just the trick! Not too ashy or warm, just a perfect neutral shade, perfect for bronzing or contour.

• Mac Fix +

Such a boring item for me to mention, but I’ve been loving it lately! With Spring finally arrived, I love a glowy complexion, and Mac Fix+ takes any trace of a powdery finish off of my skin.

• Rimmel London Lipstick in Airy Fairy 070

This is my perfect pink-nude. I’ve heard BeautyCrush (SamanthaMaria) talk about this shade before, and it truly is perfect. The formula is creamy and comfortable.

• The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer

I got a sample from my Ipsy bag. It’s beautiful. I never thought I’d say it, but I’m finding my Becca highlighters a little too much, so this has been a great replacement. I’m waiting to buy the full size.

• Lush Whip Stick

These little lip balm tins from Lush are INCREDIBLE. I ran out of my last one, and had to go pick up a replacement immediately. My EOS, Burts Bees and Soft Lips can’t compare now. (Not to mention, cruelty free and natural is such a good marketing strategy). This product actually soothes my lips, and doesn’t force me to reapply every 20 minutes.

• ColourPop highlighter in Wisp 

This is a beautiful shade. I’m especially looking forward to wearing it in the summer, as it’s a little dark (but it still looks nice on my fair skin). It’s described as a golden champagne colour on the ColourPop website.

• Maison Martin Margiela REPLICA Beach Walk 

I picked this up in March, and wrote a blogpost a couple days after that (blog post here). I have just fallen more in love with it – it is a perfect summer scent.

Lifestyle Favourites

• Topknots – the little twist kind because my hair is finally long enough, and it’s scruffy-chic.
• Boyfriend Jeans – once again, a little scruffy-chic…and oh-so-comfortable.My favourite are from Express.
• Our new family member – WYNN!!! She’s a sweet little ten week old puppy. She’s been a handful, but worth every minute. I’ll be posting an introduction post later this week for you guys.
• Calligraphy – it’s my new hobby. I’ve been practicing every night.
• SELF LOVE – my recent struggle with depression has given me a whole new appreciate for self love. I’ll follow this up with a post as well.

So please, stay tuned!

Let me know what your favourites for March were…and if you have any Spring/Summer fragrances that you suggest!

Thanks for reading xx,