accessories are important.

There is something about accessories. Adding one on can totally change up your outfit. Instantly, you feel stronger, more confident, and ready to take on the world. Sound familiar? I think we all feel that way every now and again. The right scarf or the perfect pair of earrings can give you that feeling. It's amazing how accessories can alter our appearance and our mindset. Equally amazing is how accessories can reflect our personalities. Some of us like drama and sparkle while others of us prefer fun and whimsy.

Looking at the latest accessories in my collection (which came courtesy of some pre-holiday sales), they all reflect different aspects of my personality. The silver spiked bracelet represents my love of edgy glamour, the rose gold House of Harlow earrings relate to my more sophisticated side, and the Betsey Johnson bracelet complete with a cat charm speaks to my love of all things fun and novelty. This is something I like. I love that the jewellery I wear can show the world all the different sides of myself. I love that I can choose the pieces that best represent how I feel on a particular day. That is what makes accessories so powerful.....they help us to be ourselves.

On that note, I thought I would show you the latest pieces in my collection. They may all be different, but they all represent who I am.

Accessories are a beautiful thing. Sure, they look nice and they often make us feel happy and special. But they also do more than that. They showcase our personalities - and give us the chance to be true to ourselves.

What do you think of these accessories? Do you have a favourite piece in your jewellery collection?

xo Shannon

i have an irrational fear of wasting a smokey eye on an insignificant day.

This is a review I have been working on for some time. Why? I wanted to get a good feel for this palette before I posted anything. The palette in question is the fairly new, Maybelline The Smokes. After being rather happy with their previous The Nudes palette, I instantly made a grab for this super smokey eyeshadow set. If there is one thing I love in a makeup look, it is a little drama around the eyes. I absolutely adore smokey eye looks - and they tend to be my go-to. Which is exactly why I was so thrilled that there was finally a drugstore palette devoted to the dramatic.

What was it like? Did this palette meet my expectations? Before I get into what it did or didn't do....let's take a closer look at the shades themselves. It included some blues, greens, purples, silvers, browns, and even a black. Colour wise, the shade selection was perfect. The set included some great smokey eye colours. There was enough variety there that you could easily put together a number of different looks. Here is a peek at the palette - along with some swatches.

While I applaud Maybelline for bringing palettes to the drugstore.....this was a miss. And I really didn't want it to be a miss. As you can tell from the swatches above, the pigmentation is a hit or a miss. Some shades are absolutely beautiful. Some shades take a lot of work to use. The lack of consistency is what kills this palette. It isn't something I would take with me on a trip or store in my makeup bag simply because I can't make good use of all of the shades included. Such a disappointment!

The highlight? That sparkly silver shade. It looks absolutely gorgeous and is super pigmented. Quite frankly, this is the only stand out eyeshadow in the palette. There are a few decent ones included - but this is the only one that actually wowed me. The low point? The black shade. When I use a black eyeshadow, I expect it to look black. Not kind of grey. Not sort of dark. Black. This does not. It is very difficult to use. I have found myself applying the silver all over the lid and then using a black shade from another palette to complete the look.

Despite the negative aspects of this eyeshadow palette, I was still able to create a decent make look using it. Take a look and let me know what you think:

Overall, Maybelline The Smokes was a miss for me. There were some lovely shades....but more often than not, I was left wanting more. They failed to offer the same consistency that their previous palette offered. And that is a real shame. Would I recommend this? No. There just isn't enough bang for your buck here.

Have you tried this eyeshadow palette? What did you think of it?

xo Shannon

share your style.

There are certain things I love. Like writing and fashion. Every now and again, I am lucky enough to combine those two passions. Like on my blog....and on Style It Rock It. I have been fortunate to write for the fashion and celebrity based website for the last eight months. There are posts on trends, fashion news, styling tips, and even a Celebrity Looks For Less feature. As the site continues to evolve, change, and improve, I feel even more privileged to be a part of it.

Writing professionally is something I have always wanted to do. I used to dream of it. I went to school for it. And I have worked my tail off to make it happen. Being able to do something I love (even though it has taken a lot of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication) is rewarding in a way that I can't even begin to describe. Which is why I love writing for Style It Rock It so much. It gives me the chance to do something I love - while writing about topics that actually interest me. In the freelance world, that is a luxury rarely experienced.

And that brings me to today's post. There are a few new features that I am working on bringing to the website. One of them is Street Style. Another is an Inspiration page filled with pictures of great pieces caught on the go. Lastly? A Readers Favourites section. That is where you come in! I have been doing my best to get in touch with readers about submitting a picture of their own personal style. Since so many of my wonderful readers are fashion lovers like myself....I thought this would be a great chance for you all to get involved.

Want to share your style with Style It Rock It? You can become a part of the Reader's Fav section! Link an outfit photo in the comments section below, email me at boyce.shannon@hotmail.com, or submit it to the Style It Rock It twitter page by using the hashtag #styleitrockitreadersfav

Great style isn't just seen on the runways. It is a part of our every day lives. So, share your style, get involved, and have fun with fashion. I can't wait to see all of the gorgeous looks you submit!

xo Shannon

life is an opportunity. benefit from it.

Benefit has quickly become one of my favourite brands. Over the last couple of years, I have tried out an awful lot of their products. And there is a good reason for that. They continuously deliver on quality products that exceed expectations. Which is why I was so excited to try out a few of their newer products. A little while back, I picked up a set that included the Pose Tint, Pose Balm, the Bene Tint and the Lolli Balm. I already owned the full size Lolli Tint, so I actually made a swap with my mom! I just couldn't resist adding these Benefit products to my makeup collection. Especially after hearing some rave reviews about them.

Where to begin? Let's start with the balms. I personally love lip products that are moisturizing but have a nice wash of colour. They are easy to wear and tend to fade really naturally. That makes them perfect for a comfy night in or a casual date night. As you can tell from the packaging, the Pose Balm is a pretty pink shade and the Lolli Tint is a light purple shade. How do they hold up? These products are just as moisturizing as I had heard.

In terms of the texture, it reminds me a lot of the Nivea lip balm. The difference is that it gives you a beautiful colour as well. I absolutely love these. For a bolder shade, I like to layer the tint on my lips and apply the balm over top. I just love the way these look. Especially the Pose Balm. I find myself reaching for this one an awful lot. It is super feminine and easy to wear. You can take a closer look at the balms below:

Next up are the tints. I have used a few of them in the past, like the Lolli Tint and the Bene Tint. Because of the set, I was able to add a mini version of the Bene Tint as well as the Pose Tint. The first was a beautiful ruby kind of colour while the latter was a pretty pinkish coral shade. As I mentioned earlier, I absolutely fell in love with the Pose Balm....and the tint was no different. I absolutely love the colour! It is just beautiful.

It instantly adds a pop of wearable colour to the cheeks and lips. It is just beautiful. The tints are nicely pigmented, don't dry too quickly, and are long lasting. They are by far my favourite lip and cheek stains. You can take a closer look at the tints I tried out below:

Overall, I am very happy with these products. The colours are absolutely beautiful, easy to use, and have great longevity. I find myself reaching for these often simply because I know they will compliment any makeup look I put together. For me, the Pose Tint and Balm were the standout products. The colour is just too gorgeous for words! Once again, Benefit has wowed me. Since I am currently having a total love affair with the Pose Tint, I created a makeup look using it on my cheeks and lips. Take a look and let me know what you think:

Are you a fan of Benefit? Which products are your favourites?

xo Shannon

love is the only gold.

Saving money is always a good thing. Especially during this time of year. Thanks to holiday spending and seasonal outings, my bank account has certainly been feeling the pinch. With tons of expenses coming up in the next several months....I am cutting back wherever I can. Except when I head to Marshalls, of course. While browsing the selection downtown, I came across a gift set of my favourite Kim Kardashian perfume: Gold. It was a great price and included a full sized bottle, a body lotion, and a body wash as well. I couldn't resist!

I remember the first time I smelled it. There was this set with four mini-versions of her fragrances that I picked up a few years back. The other scents were pretty and floral but Gold? Gold was something special. It had this spicy kind of undertone that was totally different to her other perfumes - or any other perfume I had in my collection. The scent isn't super girly. It's strong, powerful, and dynamic. This is the kind of perfume I reach for when I am feeling super confident.....or when I'm not feeling particularly confident and want to turn it all around.

As for the packaging, they did a great job. The picture of Kim on the box is glamorous. I also love the Gold lining inside makes the whole set seem elegant and luxurious. I love the combination of the black and gold. This was definitely a winner as far as I am concerned.

Some perfumes I love more than others. And some I reach for more than others. But when it comes to Kim Kardashian's Gold, I can't get enough of it. I don't know what it is about this particular scent, but it just makes me feel good! This set may not have been something I needed.....but I am certainly glad that I came across it. The perfume, lotion, and body wash are absolutely gorgeous.

Have you smelled Gold? What do you think of the scent?

xo Shannon

true happiness is an acceptance of life as it is given to us.

I have this tradition. Every year before the holidays, I buy myself one from my wishlist. It might be small or inexpensive - or it might be a little more extravagant. It really depends. Why do I do it? I think it is important to treat ourselves every now and again. And the holiday season is the perfect excuse to do just that. This year? I went for a little something from Bare Minerals. I was actually at Sephora shopping for a gift for my mom. And then I saw it. The Happy Place Ready Eyeshadow quad. The moment my eyes fell on those eyeshadow shades, I knew it was the one. I guess you could say it was love at first sight! There was something about the bold neutrals that made me positively giddy.

The packaging was just like the other Bare Minerals products I have tried. Sleek and simple. The only thing I don't happen to like about the packaging is that it tends to get fingerprints all over it. And those fingerprints are hard to wipe off. But that is a minor issue considering the shadows themselves are so wonderful. I have a couple of other products from Bare Minerals in my makeup collection already....so I knew what to expect in terms of the quality and texture. The shadows from The Happy Place palette held up to my expectations. They are quite pigmented, buttery soft, and easy to blend. I absolutely love using them.

As for the colours, they definitely represent my happy place. I am a big fan of smokey neutral shades. Browns, blacks, navy, bronze, and the like. Those are my favourite kind of eyeshadows to create makeup looks with. I just love the drama! It comes with four colours: Peace (a muted apricot), Exhale (a rose gold), Imagine (a taupe), and Euphoria (an eggplant). I love the combination of the browns and bronzes. The shades are so warm and inviting. Ready to take a peek? This is Bare Minerals The Happy Place - and the makeup look I created with it.

It may seem a little strange to buy yourself something before Christmas....but I am very happy that I did. This eyeshadow palette is absolutely gorgeous. Easy to use, great texture, and absolutely beautiful. Lately, I have been gravitating for this palette a lot. It is great for the days when you want something simple and pretty. This is one I would highly recommend.

Have you tried this makeup palette? What do you think of the shades?

xo Shannon

every day is a fashion show and the world is your runway.

Know when you love your outfit? Maybe it isn't the greatest thing you've ever put together....and maybe you have looked better in the past....but on that day and in that moment? You feel invincible. That is one of the things I love most about fashion. It manages to reflect how you feel on the inside. The perfect combination of pieces can give you an outer glow, inspire you to smile, and boost your confidence like nothing else. As far as I am concerned, that makes fashion a truly remarkable thing.

What made me feel that way? An outfit that I wore out a little while back. Desperate to ditch the winter blues, I opted for a spring inspired outfit. I kept my makeup fresh and pretty, sporting a soft pink lip, brown eyeshadow, and a pretty pink blush. As for the outfit itself, I wore a floral pattered top and a pair of high-waisted skinny jeans. I topped it all off with a curled half up half down hairstyle, pearl earrings, and a pair of sparkly gold flats. By the time I left the house, I felt like a million bucks.

I am sure all of my fellow fashion lovers out there totally understand what I am talking about! There is something magical when your outfit just works. So, are you ready to see the look in question? This is my night out makeup and flirty floral outfit.....

Fashion is a big part of my life. I love to try out different trends, play with colour, and have fun getting creative. Sometimes I love the way it turns out....and other times, not so much. But that is all part of the experience! This was one moment where I felt great and was ready to take on the world.

Do you ever feel that way about fashion? What do you think of this outfit?

xo Shannon