don't wait for old age to wear purple.

Sometimes, my biggest makeup inspiration is my makeup collection. There are times when I'll see a picture in a magazine and think: I want to re-create that look! And then there are other times when the look comes to me. Simply going through the makeup I own is enough to inspire me to try something different, use a shade I haven't in a while, and get a little creative.

That happened the other day. I was getting ready to see my boyfriend and I wasn't sure how I wanted to do my makeup. Should I go for something bronzey? Shimmery? Bright? Then I started riffling through my eyeshadow drawers. I came across a Wet n' Wild quad I bought in the wintertime. It had a pale purple, a deeper purple shade, and some cool greys and blacks. Instantly it hit me: purple everything.

I made a grab for my purple Rimmel eye pencil, my radiant orchid blush from Sephora, my Grape coloured Bite lip pencil, and the purple tinted gloss from Clinique. It was purple overload. I don't know quite where this love affair for purple came from - but it just felt right. So, I created a purple inspired makeup look. Take a look!

What I did to create the look? I applied that pale purple shade all over the lid and added the darker purple shade through the crease. A little purple eyeliner added some definition - but kept the look soft and feminine. A sweep of radiant orchid blush on the cheeks (blended out with my foundation for a softer look) and a bold purple lip.

I'm happy with the way this look turned out. It was a lot of purple....but definitely fun to create. It was nice seeing where the inspiration took me!

What inspires your makeup looks? Do you wear a lot of purple makeup?

xo Shannon

in love with: Dresswe

The best thing about special events? Wearing something equally special. Dressing up can give you the confidence you need to look and feel your best - whatever you've got planned! I know when I have a function or event to go to, my first thought is always: what am I going to wear? Well, that is where Dresswe comes in handy! They offer cheap special occasion dresses and plenty hot sales. That means you can look great while you save money.

I've been taking a look at their website and honestly? All I do is drool over those gorgeous dresses! It definitely makes me want to have a special occasion coming up. There are cheap homecoming dresses (you can take a look at some of them here: http://www.dresswe.com/homecoming-dresses-2014-104113), evening dresses, party dresses, and so much more. The selection is amazing. Even better than the wide selection? All of those incredible designs. There were so many pieces that I mentally added to my wardrobe wishlist.

Want to see what some of those pieces are? Here are my favourite Dresswe 2014 gowns....

There you have it - some of my favourite pieces from http://www.dresswe.com. As you can tell, they have a ton of variety on offer. With gorgeous dresses and great prices, it's the perfect place to find that something special. Love the pieces on my wishlist? Head to the website and take a look at the amazing online promotion they have going on. You're sure to fall in love with a dress or two!

What do you think of these dresses? Which one is your favourite?

xo Shannon

there is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.

I am a comfy kind of girl. As much as I love getting all dressed up, when I'm at home, I like to be as comfortable as possible. That usually means sweatpants and a band t-shirt - or maybe even an over-sized hoodie. When it comes to lounging around the house, I am certainly not thinking: high heels and distressed denim! I can't be the only fashion lover who is like this, right?

Well, the other day I came across a cute outfit from Hard Candy. (Yes, the same brand that makes some of my favourite blushes and bronzers.) They had lightweight hoodies with lace and matching lace shorts in a bunch of different colours. The moment I saw these summery sweatsuits, I thought: that would be perfect for a comfy night in! So, I chose one in green. Since buying it, I've worn it around the house and even for a movie night with my boyfriend. It's the perfect combination of comfy and cute.

Are you ready to see my comfy outfit of the day? Take a peek at my makeup and of course, my summery sweatsuit:

Do you like this comfy look? What do you normally wear around the house?

xo Shannon

new in: lovelywholesale

Like many fashionistas out there....I love clothes. A lot. There is nothing quite so exciting as putting together the perfect outfit. Another pastime I enjoy? Online shopping. Okay, this one may not be good for my wallet most of the time, but it sure is fun! Thankfully, there is LovelyWholesale. They have tons of gorgeous dresses, tops, skirts, and accessories to choose from - all at affordable prices.

I recently placed an order with them - and got super excited when it arrived. I couldn't wait to try everything on! After doing some browsing and whittling down my wishlist, I ended up ordering two dresses, a t-shirt, and a ring. Truthfully, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, quality-wise. Sometimes great deals mean lower quality. But I was very impressed with LovelyWholesale. The materials didn't feel harsh on my skin and the designs were just as gorgeous as they looked on the website pictures.

Are you ready to take a closer look at what I ordered? Let's start with my absolute favourite piece: the Sleeveless Gold Peplum Dress:

As you can see from the picture, this dress is super sparkly! It is absolutely covered with gold sequins. The look is super dramatic, for sure. It's absolutely perfect for a night out dancing. The top section is sheer and there are cut outs at the sides. The dress is also layered with a long peplum style. This dress cost just $16 USD and it's a total showstopper! I love how glitzy and glamorous this piece is.

Next up is the second dress that I ordered, the Striped V-Neck Mini Dress: 

This next dress cost $10 USD and is totally gorgeous. (My boyfriend actually prefers this one to the glittery gold dress. Go figure!) What I love about the striped v-neck dress is that it is really easy to wear. The stripes are super flattering and the piece is basic enough to be dressed up however you like. It's great for a night out or a special dinner. I can't wait to find an excuse to wear this!

Now for a t-shirt I've been wearing way too much lately. This is the Short Sleeved Letter T-Shirt: 

Sometimes, you need a cute basic to add to your wardrobe. I was instantly hooked by this cute t-shirt. It was $7 USD and it seriously goes with everything. I've worn this top with skinny jeans, a leather skirt, and with glittery shorts. It's just so versatile! The material is super soft and it's a great casual piece. I absolutely love it.

Last from my LovelyWholeSale haul? This Anchor Ring: 

When it comes to cute accessories, I have zero willpower. So, I threw on this $3 USD ring before checking out my order. It's big, bold, and covered in rhinestones. What could be better than that? I absolutely love nautical themed accessories and actually have a necklace that this goes well with. Needless to say, I really love it! The ring band is adjustable which not everyone will like, but I find to be very useful, since it sits on two fingers. Overall, I am very happy with this one! And you seriously can't beat that price.

I am so impressed with everything I received. My only regret is not splurging on more! Honestly? I'm already plotting my next order. Must be good....must be good....must be good.

Have you ever bought anything from LovelyWholesale? What do you think of these pieces?

xo Shannon

these are a few of my favourite things.

Staying positive is important. It's so easy to get bogged down by the stresses and strains of every day life. There are pressures at work, at home....just about everywhere! That is why I do my best to look for the beauty around me. It could be a simple moment, an object around my room, or even a quote. I just have to keep an eye out for them!

Lately, there have been so many little things making me happy. They may not seem like much but for whatever reason, they always make me smile. That is why today's post is all about recognizing those little things - and letting simple moments of joy carry over to the stressful areas of my life. Yes, today is all about my favourite things. Here goes!

This picture. It was taken on Canada Day when my boyfriend and I went exploring on the Toronto Islands. Whenever I look at this picture, I smile. I love us. 

My necklace from Eternal Girl. I ordered it last month and I love it! 

Whenever I wear this piece, I feel inspired and powerful.

My favourite summer makeup at the moment. Coral, coral, and more coral. I just love this set from Benefit!

This quote keeps making me smile. I am doing my best to remember that I need to breathe and let go.

These lipstick pens that my mom bought me. They are so cute! 

This issue of SHAPE magazine with Jillian Michaels on the cover. She is such an inspiration to me. I admire her so very much.

This scent. I've been wearing it a lot lately. It just makes me feel confident and beautiful.

These are just a few of the little things that have been making me smile lately. It's amazing how focusing on small joy-boosting things can re-focus your mind. My challenge to you all? Take a look around your room, your old pictures, or books on your bookshelf. Find those things that make you light up inside....and hold onto that feeling!

What things are making you happy? Do you have any summer favourites?

xo Shannon

wrinkles merely indicate where smiles have been.

Like a lot of ladies out there, wrinkles are on my mind. Okay, I'm not exactly a senior citizen, but I am getting older. And they always say, there's nothing quite like preventative measures! The last time I was at the drugstore, I stumbled upon the Soap & Glory Catch a Wrinkle In Time Daily Moisturizer. In general, I am a big fan of the Soap & Glory products. The packaging is cute, the products are diverse, and they really work well.

So, I decided to give this wrinkle reducing moisturizer a try. I actually needed a new moisturizer anyway, so it was worth a shot. The price of this moisturizer was a lot more than I normally pay for just a daytime moisturizer (it was about $25 CDN) but....I thought I would splurge. Why not, right?

Like all Soap & Glory products, the packaging was adorable. Pink and white with just a hint of retro styling. Gorgeous! On the box itself, it gave anti-aging tips, like stay out of the sun, don't drink or smoke, and of course, use this moisturizer! The product came in a simple squeeze tube which is easy to use and store. I really liked the simplicity of it.

As for the product itself, so far so good. The moisturizer has a very light scent. In fact, it is so faint you can barely smell it, even when you're trying to! It has a nice creamy texture and sits on the skin very well. It's quick and easy to use and feels quite nice. My skin tends to be fairly dry, so I didn't find this product to be super moisturizing, but it is definitely great to put underneath your makeup.

When it comes to keeping wrinkles at bay....well, I couldn't tell you. I suppose only time will tell how it works on that front. But overall, this is a really good moisturizer to add to your collection. I didn't experience any breakouts and it makes my foundation look fantastic. My suggestion? Give it a try and see how it works for your skin.

Have you tried the Soap & Glory Catch a Wrinkle In Time Daily Moisturizer? What did you think of it?

xo Shannon

Important Ideas to Stand Out From the Crowd at a Job Interview

Hi guys! I quickly wanted to introduce a special guest post. Trying to snag your dream job is super tricky these days. Over the last year or so, I've done Skype Interviews, phone interviews, and have interviewed in person. Honestly? It is totally terrifying.....but the last thing you want to do is to blow your big chance just because you're nervous! Here are some tips to help you stand out - and start making your dreams come true. 

The economy nowadays no longer enables everyone seeking work to jump into a dream career. Actually, competition has never been greater for jobs that offer stability along with a career path that one can be enthusiastic about. When you obtain an opening for the job that you just think is a perfect match for yourself, there are most likely going to be one hundred other resumes emailed in along with yours on that very first day that the job is posted. You may not even create the initial cut as soon the HR folks will stop accepted resumes at all in the event you don’t jump.

So, when you are lucky enough to make that first cut and be granted a preliminary interview, you are unable to let anything go to chance. You absolutely must create a great first impression, the one that sets you above the competition. Here are some subtle things that actually work to make you stand out even a bit over the legions of others vying for your job.

Look Everyone in the Eye

You might be going into the interview ready to focus on impressing those inside the room of the interview. You know to smile and become agreeable and polite but not too wimpy and languid. You wish to be determined and confident without being brash. However, the impression you make on everyone you interact with - or even those you don’t - is of critical importance. If there is a door guy opening the primary door for you, shake his hand and wish him a good one. Engage together with the secretary of there is one, something more substance. Focus on the weather or something interesting developing in the city. Not only will you produce a favorable impression on the person with whom you are interacting, but observers will see an applicant for the job who is likable and they can likely inquire about you later: are we hiring that nice guy?

Pieces of Flair

Anyone and everyone can wear a great suit and tiecomb and tie their hair and give themselves a fresh shave before the big interview. But if you want to be noticeable, you want to add a few bits of fashionable flair to your attire. An extremely nice watch is something which enables a candidate stand out, particularly in this day and age when fewer and fewer people wear watches, though you don’t want anything too out of the ordinary, like don’t wear a cowboy hat and a bollo tie. You may probably even find an old get and see it fixed up inexpensively at a rolex repair service like http://www.thewatchbuyersgroup.com/. A small investment in a bit of jewelry like this is a subtle but efficient way to appear on top of the pile.

Shoes

Many people overlook the necessity of a nice set of footwear. Many think, well, my potential employer will not notice my feet, for they are comfortably hidden out of sight below the desk. You needless to say are not considering wearing sneakers, you think you will get away by using a nice simple pair of black shoes. And even though that’s true, you can get by with a set of black dress shoes, it might behoove you to definitely get yourself a really nice, eye-catching pair of shoes, which you can find for cheap usually at your local DSW. If it’s subconsciously, caring regarding your footwear shows that you are a person to be reckoned with, even.


Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! 

xo Shannon